LOCAL MAN INCENSED THAT THE VERNAL EQUINOX ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE

PITTSBURGH - Carlo Sambonia is livid that temperatures on the first day of spring only got into the low 40s. The popular outdoorsman, adventurer and local bon vivant is spearheading a petition drive to express his "extreme and palpable" displeasure. His goal is to obtain 400,000 signatures. "I think it's important for someone to take a stand on this," he said.

Sambonia is concerned that the younger generation is not properly educated about what spring used to be. "I tell every young person I come across, 'You should have seen the vernal equinox in the old days!'" Sambonia explained. "Back then, springtime would come roaring in as if somebody turned on a light switch and hit us like a wall of bliss."

Sambonia said it is his wish that high temperatures in early spring be in the low '60's.