Proactive

Give a hoot — It’s that time of year again. And what time, you might ask, would that be? Silly you. It’s SmogFest time, of course. Put on by the Citizens Environmental Alliance, a group that bridges the Detroit River with members in Ontario and southeast Michigan, SmogFest is “an annual series of events, including art, educational forums and music … to raise awareness and entice action within the community about the quality of the air that we breathe within the Windsor/Detroit area.”

It used to be that the first of May was the start of smog season in these parts. But this year, the first smog advisory was issued in February, indicating that breathing isn’t getting any easier around here no matter what time of year it is.

Now in its fourth year, the latest version of SmogFest, an admittedly “tongue-in-cheek” affair, has much on its calendar.

An art exhibit and silent auction featuring the work of dozens of artists from the area runs through May 27 at Milk Cafe, 68 University Ave. W., Windsor.

This Thursday, May 12, will be video night, with a showing of the film Living on the Border: Limitless Trade and the Health of Our Communities. The showing, which begins at 7 p.m., will be held at Mackenzie Hall, 3277 Sandwich St., Windsor.

There’s more going on than can be printed in this space, so go to www.citizensenvironmentalliance.org for all the details. But we would be remiss if we didn’t bring the festival’s big wrap-up, the Final Gasp, which begins at 7 p.m. on May 27, at the aforementioned Milk Cafe. There will be live music, T-shirt giveaways and more. As with all other SmogFest events, the gathering is free. Call 519-973-1116.