It’s been said that April showers bring May flowers and while Mother Nature might not be totally onboard with that idea this year, the next four weeks are abloom in spectacular events for the entire family.

Last week’s First Friday got things started on the right foot in downtown Bremerton, and this coming weekend only adds to the greatness of this busy month.

Peninsula Services is hosting its third annual art auction on May 9 at the Elks Lodge on Pine Road in East Bremerton. The free fun begins at 4:30 p.m. and lasts until about 7:30 p.m., and all of the money raised will go directly to program development for the organization, which makes a tremendous difference in the lives of those with disabilities. Every human being can contribute positively to society and Peninsula Services brings out the best in people and makes miracles happen each and every day. However, they can’t do it without the financial support from the community, so even if you aren’t an art connoisseur there should be something at the event you can afford. If not, any donation, large or small, will help this great, often unseen organization.

On the following day, the West Sound Arts Council will roll out the red carpet for its Tony White’s “An Affair to Remember” Spring Tea and Fashion Show in a new venue this year, the Kitsap Conference Center at the Bremerton Harborside.

Tickets for the event are $35 and include parking, so there’s no need to fret over receiving a parking ticket, which should allow everyone to throughly enjoy the event. The doors open at 11:45 a.m. and the show begins at 12:15 p.m. Tickets are available at Pacific Northwest Costume and Design, Silverdale Antiques, Two Big Blondes and the Aurora Valentinetti Puppet Museuem or by calling (360) 479-6720.

Proceeds will go to help deserving students who are interested in pursuing a career in the arts. Those students will help fulfill Louis Kahn’s belief that “The creation of art is not the fulfillment of a need but the creation of a need. The world never needed Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony until he created it. Now we could not live without it.”

The weekend of May 16-19 brings forth the 60th annual Armed Forces Day celebrations as the city of Bremerton embraces its proud military past and honors veterans, both past and present. From Lions and Masons flipping pancakes to the colorful floats and musical harmonies being played by local bands in the parade, the weekend has something for everyone and this year promises to be the best yet. Look for all the details in the upcoming Armed Forces Day special section, which will appear in the Patriot, the Central Kitsap Reporter and the Northwest Navigator.

On the following weekend, which is a three-day affair for most Americans, flags will be flown at half-staff until noon before being fully raised as our nation remembers all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice both at home and on a foreign soils throughout our country’s history. From Civil War veterans, who fought on the opposing side to their brothers, cousins and other kin, to the greatest generation, which rose to meet the challenge during World War II, to the forgotten heroes of the Korean War, to the often-maligned but nonetheless brave warriors who died in the jungles of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, to the few who rescued Grenada and Panama, to the first Gulf War veterans, to our present-day warriors in the mountains of Afghanistan and the sands of Iraq, their sacrifices will not be dismissed nor forgotten.

There you have May in a nutshell and please be sure not to forget to send your Mom something extra special as May 11 is Mother’s Day. Even in a hectic month like May doesn’t Mom deserve all the best. I know my wife, Edna, does.