You may have missed this. It didn't get a whole lot of ink.

	Budinger

Yep. This permanent denizen of "Margaritaville" and champion of a Caribbean-flavored, laid-back, boozy lifestyle, who has loyal fans called Parrot Heads following him to concert venues around the country, who strums his six-string to the ringing rhythms of steel drums and wears Hawaiian shirts on stage, is now a favorite son of the Keystone State.

The state House approved legislation Tuesday, designating today as Jimmy Buffet Day. It's also, coincidentally, the day of Buffet's sold-out concert at PNC Park. The Pirates aren't playing, but the Parrot Heads will be there.

Rep. Tim Solobay, a Washington County Democrat, sponsored the Jimmy Buffett Day bill. Frankly, he said, he was a tad surprised it went through.

"It took a couple weeks longer than these things usually take," he said. "There were some of the more conservative representatives that were miffed by the fact we were going to name a certain day in Pennsylvania for someone who sings about drinking and having sex."

Solobay admits he's not a Buffett fan and not that familiar with the somewhat raucous concerts the tropics-minded musician often generates. "I'm more of a country-western person."

He submitted the legislation at the request of a constituent who is an active Parrot Head.

"We do a lot of unique things in state government ... when we probably should focus on other issues," Solobay said. "But what the heck. We do [these] all the time. We'd do a resolution if someone just scratched their ear!"

Actually, it turns out Buffett can be credited with some serious civic-minded enterprises, mostly through Parrot Heads in Paradise Inc., which has 200 clubs and 23,500 members worldwide.

In Pennsylvania, the legislator points out, there are 12 Parrot Head Clubs with more than 1,500 members. Last year, they logged more than 14,000 hours of volunteer work and raised $264,000 for such organizations as the Alzheimer's Association, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Service Society, Ronald McDonald House, Wings for Children and Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Buffett, who normally sells out the Post-Gazette Pavilion for his annual summer concerts here, set a record when the 42,000 tickets for today's concert at PNC Park sold out within 60 minutes. That was in March.

Solobay must have been one of the lucky ones. He has tickets, and plans to be at the concert. In fact, he was working on arrangements last week with Buffett's people for some kind of Jimmy Buffet Day proclamation presentation.

I wonder if he knows he might have to fight his way through flocks of dancing Parrot Heads wearing grass skirts, funny hats and clam-shell bras to reach the grand Parrot Head himself.

Good luck, Tim.

Artists within 20 miles of Zelienople are being invited to participate in the Local Area Artist' Show and Sale that opens July 21, sponsored by the Zelienople Historical Society.

Artwork submissions will be accepted for review at the Buhl House from 1 to 3 p.m. July 18. Information is available at the society office in the Passavant House in Zelienople, or by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to ZHS Art Show & Sale, P.O. Box 45, Zelienople, PA 16063-0045.