You know you're in trouble when ...

... the Weather Channel's Jim Cantore arrives in your town; you know he hasn't come to report on the Dogwood Festival or a sunny calm boring day at a lemonade stand. Cantore blows into town like a storm so that he can cover a storm.

I pretty well stalked Cantore on Tuesday to seek an interview. A friend posted on her Facebook account that she thought he was on Jefferson. I drove down Jefferson, didn't find him and then asked a co-worker to "get me a location" from the Weather Channel. I went down Fountain Avenue to turn around and found him and his crew.

Cantore is a no-nonsense kind of weathercaster. He began explaining minute meteorological details to me that I simply couldn't get into the story.

He's also very nice and able to roll with whatever the situation throws at him. A kid ran behind him, and he incorporated her run behind him into his live report. He didn't even seem ruffled, quite a feat in live television. But remember this is the guy who has stood out in the worst of hurricanes and reported all the details.

Check out the Sun's Web site: paducahsun.com for a video.

Meet Bonita

Bonita Walker is a one-woman welcoming committee.

Walker, a volunteer with one of the fire departments in Marshall County, has manned the checkpoint station at two recent tragedies. I met her Friday at the entrance to Old Liberty Road in Hardin as I waited for news about the plane crash. As rescue workers, police, firefighters and other helpers emerged from the scene, she offered a hug and even a kiss. But most of all, she gave them a smile at a time when smiles weren't exactly plentiful. These scenes are quite often unpleasant for all involved. A smile, a hug or a kiss certainly seems appreciated.

Beau's final chapter

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The first time I saw Beau's face, I fell in love.

Who couldn't love a furry black face like his?

I looked past the upturned lip and missing half of his mouth. I saw a beautiful black Lab mix just as his owner Christina Lewis did. I saw a little dog who needed love and lots of it. Christina Lewis and her husband Eric provided that love, as did the countless others who helped him along his journey from a rescue dog to rehab from a stroke.

On Wednesday, Christina e-mailed to let me know that Beau's luck finally ran out. The dog who had battled through being shot in the face and left for dead and then a stroke couldn't survive another shooting. The Lewises let Beau and his sister Bailey out to play on Saturday. Beau didn't come home. They searched near their rural Massac County, Ill., home and found him on Sunday three miles away.

Beau had been shot in the back side with buckshot.

Beau was such a special dog. Not only did he survive being shot several years ago, he recently overcame the equivalent of a doggie stroke. The week of Christmas, he began walking on his own again. I thought Beau's life would end at a ripe old age, not just two weeks after regaining his ability to walk. He went through so much only to suffer again.

The saying is that life isn't fair. In this case, it's not. All Beau wanted was love. His face either repulsed people or caused them to ask Lewis about his story. The last time I saw Beau was Christmas Eve day when Lewis took him to PetSmart for a new leash and collar. Beau wagged his tail the entire visit and got so much attention that it was like being beside a rock star.

We'll all miss Beau. He pulled quite a few heartstrings, including mine.

Cooking Classes

Chef Marilyn Kunz isn't planning a boring winter holed up in her Grand Rivers home. The ever-industrious cook has six classes offered this month for all skill levels. I haven't had a chance to enjoy her class, but I plan to at some point. Call it a New Year's Resolution or simply another entry on the growing to-do list.

* Taste of India, 6 p.m. Saturday, learn about spices and sauces, sample Chicken Moghlai and Velvety Curried Shrimp. $35.
* Marilyn Does Paula Dee*, 6 p.m. Tuesday, inspired by Paula Deen, the menu includes pork tenderloin a la King (as in Elvis), Fully Dressed Taters and Cherries Jubilee, $25.
* Pizza from Scratch, 11 a.m. Jan. 17, for children ages 8-11 who will learn how to make a kid-favorite food, pizza. Limited to six. $15. A personalized chef hat and apron is available for an additional $15.
* Mother Sauces, 6 p.m. Jan. 20, learn how to make hollandaise, beurre blanc for grilled fish, classic tomato, Bordelaise, Alfredo and gravies. $25.
* Five-Star Country French, 6 p.m. Jan. 24, featuring escargot in puff pastry, duck breast with plums and armanique, potato-onion tart, and chocolate eclairs, $40.
* Six in Sixty appetizer class, 6 p.m. Jan. 27. Learn how to make shrimp and chorizo empanadas, sun-dried tomato tapenade and more, $25.
For reservations or information, phone 362-2362.