Fluctuating January weather has already given us fleeting flashes of spring with unseasonably warm days. The truth is winter is going to be around a few more months — but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start thinking about warm-weather projects around the house.

If you’re planning major home renovations, minor repairs or a landscaping makeover, then the folks at Hara Arena have your back.

The annual Miami Valley Home Improvement Show kicks off the pre-planning season for do-it-yourselfers.

The show started on Thursday and continues through Sunday.

“This is a prime time for planning,” Hara’s director of public relations and marketing Karen Wampler said. “Right after the first of the year, people tend to have resolve that they’re going to make improvements in their personal lives and in their homes. I think it’s really well timed so people can come out, get a precursor to spring and start making plans.”

Hundreds of exhibitors will be showcasing home repair needs and specialized experts will deliver seminars ranging from tips on having a healthier home to instructions on general repairs.

“There is a very deep foundation of home renovation, repair and improvements,” Wampler said.

“It just runs the absolute gamut, from the nuts and bolts, the replacement windows, roofs and that sort of thing, to landscaping and geothermal heating systems.”

Part of this year’s focus is on healthy cuisine. Several area chefs will provide demonstrations and prepare their signature dishes on site in a state-of-the-art kitchen.

“At the heart of healthy homes are healthy people, so we’re bringing the Heart Association in,” Wampler said.

“I’ve always thought the show is a reflection of what’s going on in the area economy,” Wampler said.

“A couple of years back, ’09 or possibly ’08, I remember the exhibitors saying they could see people wanting to take the next step toward a renovation or landscaping project, but there was palpable fear in their eyes. They could see it.

“Last year, they said it was much, much better,” she said. “The show is sold out to vendors this year, which is always a good sign, and there are some really spectacular displays.”

Contact contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.