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We took our annual sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Day walk with Ollie the Pug through the neighbourhood last weekend, something we’ve been doing for many years. And there was an exciting new development — a dragon.

Forty years after David Foster began writing music for movies, a list that would include St. Elmo’s Fire, The Secret of My Success and The Bodyguard, the Victoria-born tunesmith has developed a passion for the stage.

It took a while, but I finally did manage a modest display of horticultural patriotism to celebrate sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ 150.

BIRTHDAY FRIDAY: You have done what others expected of you and now you have every right to reward yourself. If that means going off and doing something by yourself or with a different group of people then so be it.

The Phillips Backyard Weekender offers the perfect mix of established acts and undiscovered performers, but attendees will need to have stamina to survive the three days of activity — and 34 performances — on tap over two stages through Sunday.

What: Phillips Backyard Weekender, featuring Cake, Current Swell, Junior Reid, Common Kings and more When: Friday (4 p.m.-10 p.m.), Saturday (1 p.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (noon-9 p.m.) Where: Phillips Brewing & Malting Co., 2010 Government St.

Dear Helen: My tomato plants began looking strangely twisted last month. What could cause this? P.S. A certain amount of leaf rolling on tomato plants is not a major problem.

BIRTHDAY WEDNESDAY: Before making plans for the coming 12 months you should look back and see how your last set of resolutions fared.

BIRTHDAY TUESDAY: Follow your instincts over the coming year, even if they lead you in directions that sometimes seem dark.

BIRTHDAY MONDAY: Forget about last week and last month and last year - the only thing that matters now is what you are going to do today, and every day from now on. No matter your age you still have a lifetime ahead of you.