Muscles get stiff this time of year, what with the cold and lack of Vitamin D-enriched sunlight.
It makes it tough to reach around and pat oneself on the back, but in the interest of exercise and spreading a bit of sunshine, here are a few early-2008 rub-ups for people and groups in the community.

The list is no by means exhaustive, and thinking of your own recipients is hardly a stretch. On the other hand, stretching is a good way to tone the sinews that hold us together.

n Downtown Business Association and the City of Hood River, along with general contractor Kerr Construction, are making a concerted effort to alleviate the pain of unearthing the street and putting it back together in the ongoing Urban Renewal project.

This will not be easy on downtown merchants, and they deserve support. Suggestion: If you want to support a downtown shop but are hesitant about finding a parking spot, call the shop first and check on the merchandise. Employees can answer your questions and help with arrangements.

Good ideas employed by the above-named groups are the free parking lot (Cascade Avenue between Fourth and Fifth), and designating business liaisons when merchants have concerns about the project impacts.

n Horizon Christian School inaugurates its long-awaited new gymnasium on Feb. 8. The event holds special significance to athletic director Oscar Stenberg, the 30-year coach and teacher at the school and guiding force in Horizon athletics. It’s the final boys’ game of the season, and a nice way to wrap up a resoundingly successful regular season.

n The other big construction project just underway in Hood River is the new Waterfront Park, which officially broke ground Friday morning. The Waterfront Park Association has persevered through years of stops and starts.

The project is likely to see kinks to come. Thanks in advance for working them out. Keep stretching!