If you're referring to Marineland as the aquarium on the Canadian side, it's closed until May 21. However, there is the Aquarium on Whirlpool Street on the American side (http://www.aquariumofniagara.org/) which is open year round. I haven't been there since I was five, so I can't offer feedback (I'm sure things have changed in 30 years.) The Buffalo Zoo recently changed its hours due to county budget cutbacks, so be sure to double-check its hours if you go. It's one of the oldest zoos in North America. Work is (was?) being done to add new, modern exhibits. Some of that work is done, some of it just got put on the back burner (see budget problem.) They have a new river otter exhibit. The zoo is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10am to 4pm. Some of the older exhibits do, however, have a more, um, victorian feel to them. The Convention and Visitors Bureau has a nice list of things to do, broken down by type. See http://www.buffalocvb.org/Attractions_0.html for details. Nurseries... on Niagara Falls Boulevard (but not near Niagara Falls) at Robinson Road in North Tonawanda is Menne Nursery, which, in season, has a nice collection of more unusual perennials and a nice spread of annuals. Seeing how it's March, and it's snowing out, I'm not sure what they'll have other than house plants and nursery items like pots, and of course seeds. The Botanical Gardens would be a nice breath of spring air. Their page is linked from the CVB page cited above. I think their spring flower show goes through that weekend. If your kids are budding history buffs, take them to Fort Niagara in Youngstown (north of Niagara Falls) for a tour of an actual fort that predates the War of 1812 (which was fought in the area.) If not, there's a carousel museum in North Tonawanda, Museum of Science in Buffalo, Historical Society in Buffalo, a children's museum in East Aurora, toy town museum (also East Aurora), and a host of other things of that ilk. See CVB page for links and info. (I have nothing but great things to say about the CVB, who helped us out getting area info for a conference we hosted at the university some years ago. They are very helpful and have a well-organized site. They even link to things on the Canadian side.) If you go to Canada, be sure to bring ID for you and the children. Good luck.

I used to get a lot of my basic plants at Frank's too. And this on top of Nilsson's closing last year! Tough times for Southern Westchester gardeners! I've always bought a lot at Green Valley (just down 9A from Rosedale). I think they're better than Rosedale on annuals - more selection and more 6-pack and flats. They have a whole string of greenhouses mainly devoted to annuals. Very nice people. I sometimes buy some basics (like wave petunias)at Sam's Club. You never know what they'll have and it's usually only a couple of different plants, but the prices are good. The Pleasantville garden club sells flats (and usually great hanging plants) the saturday before mother's day. I'm sure other garden clubs do too. If you get there early, you can also get some perennials from the members' gardens. Some of those are unbelievable bargains (last year I just missed the biggest, lushest epimedium I've ever seen..........)

If you move now, you would lose $60k immediately and the future growth potential of your current house. It will take 50 months for you to recoup the loss if you indeed could save $1200/month (assume you will save the amount instead of just spend it on vacation...etc.). In other words, at the 33rd month, you will be in a smaller house, using the alimony you do not have to pay to recoup the loss sooner. If you stay, you have the choice of using the equity on the house for any short term needs. At the 33rd month, all the amount for alimony will be available for you. Being an education-fanatic, I am struggling over your tuition savings. In MHO, it should not be the problem all for you to face, the mother should have to share it too.

Peppermint Pearl is described as a low growing shrub therefore it is suggested that you go to the Shrubs Forum ..