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FRIDAY  With the coming of spring (happened yesterday — yippee!), the idea of getting back outdoors to do stuff returns as well. And around here, there are fewer places nicer to be outdoors (and indoors) than the Fruitlands Museum (102 Prospect Hill Road in Harvard). They are currently hosting an exhibition titled One Thousand Generations, which tells the story of Native Americans in Southern New England, including the Wampanoag and Nipmuc(k) communities of Massachusetts. So read this week's cover story, then head out to get all the background. And we promise that Fruitlands won't mention the word "casino." 
Drawing comics in the Japanese style may not be high on your list of things to do right now, but we'd be remiss if we didn't call attention to our friend and contributing illustrator Andy Fish's (pictured) workshop at the Worcester Public Library (3 Salem Square) today at 3:30 p.m. titled Secrets of Manga. This program is free for teens only — 13-18 years of age. Register at the Information Desk and they'll tell you (nicely) where to go. Don't miss this chance to learn from this well-known local graphic artist and teacher. For more information, call 508-799-1667. SATURDAY 
They do so much more than protect our lives and property — as if that weren't enough — and we think it's extra special when our heroes go above and beyond those extraordinary duties to bring us a little fun as well. The West Boylston Fire Department (39 Worcester St., West Boylston) invite their young constituents to Meet the Easter Bunny today at 10 a.m. at the fire station. Have your picture taken with the big fella (or your favorite firefighter), and play games such as Toss the Egg in the Fireman's Boot and guess the number of jelly beans in the jar. Popcorn, punch and other goodies will be available as well. And if you're really good, maybe they'll let you touch one of the trucks. It's all free. For more information, visit http://WB200.com or call 508-835-4018. If you're one of those people who's proud of the fact that you don't vote, or if you can't remember who the Speaker of the House is, or if you don't know what House we're talking about, then skip to the next item. If you do have a sense of politics and government — and, more to the point, think some (if not all) of it is funny, then here's an evening for you. Side-splitting laughter is guaranteed when The Capitol Steps take the stage, poking fun at our elected officials and the goings-on around the Capitol Beltway. (And if you don't know what the Beltway is, you won't enjoy this, either.) It's all happening at Mechanics Hall (321 Main St.) tonight, beginning at 8 p.m. And you can bet Eliot Spitzer may get a mention or two. Oh yeah — and Barack, Hillary and John, too. SUNDAY For Roman Catholics and Protestants this is Easter weekend, the culmination of Holy Week and a time not generally known for unrestrained mirth and merriment. But this'll cheer you up a little. After the round of sunrise services and the end of Lent, stop by the Commonwealth Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (10 Lincoln Square) for an Easter Sunday Brunch that's sure to put you back on the road to enlightenment (and an expanded waistline). There's all the usual stuff — breakfast items, omelets, salads, veggies, carving stations (ham, beef), chicken, fish, pasta, desserts and beverages. There are lots of restaurants having brunches today, but this one's pretty good (and they were smart enough to put it on SocialWeb.net). Consider it a dry run for Mother's Day. For more information, call 508-791-1600. It may not be a delightful topic for the first Sunday in spring, but it's something you should know about. Cinema 320 at Clark University presents the film Nanking at 1 p.m. today (Room 320, Jefferson Academic Center, 950 Main St.). Starring Woody Harrelson and Mariel Hemingway, it tells the story of the chaos and brutality surrounding Japan's invasion of China's capital city in 1937, commonly known as the "Rape of Nanking." More than 80,000 women (and men) of all ages were raped and forced to rape, and more than 430,000 civilians were viciously murdered during the capture of this city. Again, not pleasant, but you need to know. And if you're intending to see the new Naomi Watts Funny Games film, just remember, as disturbing as it is, that's fiction; this isn't. For more information, visit www.cinema320.com or call 508-793-7477. o
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