Hot times

Beat the heat -- or at least ignore it -- with some really cool things happening this weekend. Hey, it's one of the last weekends of the summer, so take advantage of it.

Tonight, consider a little theater with "Seussical, the Musical" at the Parma Little Theatre, 6285 West 54th St. Mercury Summer Stock puts on a family-friendly show about the power of imagination, hosted by the Cat in the Hat. All performances at 7:30 p.m. Box Office: 216-771-5862. $15 adults and $12 students and seniors.

Saturday at 7, head to the the Frances Hall Amphitheater at Big Creek Park for the Irish American Club Eastside Pipes & Drums Band. The concert will be moved indoors if inclement weather. Big Creek Park of the Geauga Park District, 9160 Robinson Road, Chardon. 440-286-9516.

Drive a little south for the Buckin’ Ohio at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wooster. Gates open at 5 p.m. Saturday, with bull riding at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 adults, $5 kids 6-12, free for kids 5 and under. 330-624-7205, www.buckinohio.com.

What kid doesn’t think raptors are cool? Celebrate local birds of prey during the Lorain Metro Parks’ Raptor Weekend noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange. There will be games, activities, speakers and live animal programs.

And on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. catch a Sunday Summer Concert at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm / Arboretum. 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Steve Madewell performs acoustic music and original nature songs during this free performance. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on. If it rains, concert will be moved indoors to theauditorium. Call 330-865-8065.

Yeah, so it's wet

How can you resist a world that's so green and lush, though (especially because we've needed this much rain ALL summer)? And just think of all those wonderful puddles out there that need splashing in. So even if you don't go anywhere because you're too put off by getting wet, grab an umbrella, take your shoes off and find a couple of good mini-pools in the neighborhood.

Or ...

Today would be a good day to get to Holden Arboretum for "A Garden Railroad," where you can see the realistic, operating G-guage scale model rolling above and through Holden's garden. There are reproductions of local landmarks -- bridges, barns, and most of the structures in the 6,000-square-foot exhibit are made of natural materials, from pinecones to twigs to bark. Free with paid admission. Call 440-946-4400; http://www.holdenarb.org/]

If you're a little more adventurous, it's Amherst Kids Day at the Beaver Creek Visitor Center from 10 to11 a.m. There will be fun activities and crafts related to ... what else? FISH! The same program happens Wednesday at Vermilion River Reservation's carriage barn in the Lorani County Metro Parks.

On Thursday at 7 p.m., the Burton Public Library will host a CommunityAppreciation Night with SophisticatedSwing, an 18-piece professional swing band, in the library’s Luxenberg FamilyReading Garden. Bring a lawn chair and your dancing shoes. Refreshments will be served. In case it's still raining, the fun will move into the library meeting room. The library is located at 14588 W. Park St., on the square in Burton. Call 440-834-4466.

Happy birthday?

It's my baby's 8th birthday ... I can't say the last eight years have been one big glorious spot of sunshine: She's tempestuous, loud, volatile and self-centered and even self-loathing. But she's also loving, sunny, bright, smart, creative -- sometimes she takes my breath away in her complexity. Ah, such is parenthood.

On to today's and this weekend's myriad events.

It's Heritage Days 2007 through Sunday in downtown Olmsted Falls in the Grand Pacific Junction. Admission is free except for some events that require tickets. The theme is HAT’S OFF TO OLMSTED, so wear a hat during the festival. It's Kids Day today with activities and shows all day, and other fun stuff all weekend. Go to http://grandpacificjunction.com/heritage.shtml.

Get out that kayak or canoe and head to Lake Metroparks' Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park for the World Record Canoe and Kayak Challenge Saturday at 9. In case of inclement weather, attempt will take place at 9 a.m. on Sunday.

didja miss me?

It's been a long time since my last posting -- sorry. A family reunion/vacation in the Canadian Rockies kept me busy. But now that I'm back to beloved Cleveland, I'm finding the fun never stopped while I was away.

I don't like spiders, I admit it. I'd just as soon squash one than have it crawl within a 5-feet diameter around me. But that doesn't mean the little creepy things are beneficial. And of course, kids love spiders, right? So Wednesday at 7, be at the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road in Akron, for a Spider Stroll. Explore the world of the little guys with naturalist Mike Greene while searching for some 8-legged creatures. Hey, maybe they should come to my back yard -- they're everywhere spinning their magic!

Register today to help the Lake Metroparks people in their World Record Canoe and Kayak Challenge this Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park. They're trying to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest canoe and kayak raft -- how cool is that?! The current record stands at 776 set by the Cleveland Metroparks in 2003. Lake Metroparks wants 1,000 boats, and is benefiting the American Cancer Society. Registration starts at 7 a.m., and it's all ages (under 12 with an adult).
Call the Lake Metroparks Sports Hotline (440-954-4178) for details, or go to lakemetroparks.com for an official entry form.

it's getting hot out here

But don't take off all your clothes. Looking for some heat this week, so it's OK to let the little ones run around in their diapers. Yeehaw!

Today's the perfect day to take the kids to see the baby Humboldt penguin chicks at the Akron Zoo. Humboldt penguins are warm climate penguins, and are on the endangered species list. Admission to the zoo, 500 Edgewater Ave., Akron, is $9 for adults, $5.50 for kids ages 2-14. It's open 10-5 daily. www.akronzoo.org.

Tomorrow sees the return of Chesterland native Suzi Shelton and her band for a family concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Evans Amphitheater at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. The children’s recording artist and her band will get you up out of your seat dancing. Tickets are $8-$ 12 in advance, $11-$15 day of show. Go to http://www.cainpark.com call 216-371-3000.

drunk astronauts ...

drunk Lindsay (again) -- who's next? Keep the kids away from the TV and find something great to do this weekend.

Start with the Little Mountain Heritage Festival Saturday and Sunday at the Lake County History Center, 8610 Mentor Road, Kirtland Hills. There will be music, crafts and food and even more music. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. $6 adults, free for kids under 12. 440-255-8979; www.lakehistory.org.

Near West Theatre's teen production of "Cats" runs through next weekend. Shows are at 7:30 tonight and Saturday night, 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Patrick's Club Building, 3606 Bridge Ave. Tickets are only $6.

And Sunday at 7, head to Lakewood Park's bandstand along Lake Avenue in Lakewood for the Sunday Evening Band Concert with Ernie Krivda & Fat Tuesday Big Band. You won't be able to keep the kids from dancing and your toes from tapping.

Jammin' in Geauga and Massillon

So what if it's raining? My kids may hate it because they can't go to the pool, but my hydrangeas are happy and the birds are having a ball in the big puddles. So get to the library today, cuddle up with a book, and then go out and have fun tonight.


The Geauga Park District keeps things fun with the Maple Town Tune Traders Jam Session from 7 to 9 tonight in the West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township. All singers and musicians -- and those who love them -- are welcome to a free night of acoustic playing and singing. Snacks to share welcome. Call 440-286-9516 for details.


Take a trip to the Caribbean (OK, it's just Massillon) durin the Massillon Museum's Island Party, beginning at 5:30 p.m Friday Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band return on the museum lawn (121 Lincoln Way East in downtown Massillon). There will be a roasted pig on the lawn, grilled bananas with ice cream, and other food and beverages. Rain or shine. Call the Massillon Museum at 330-833-4061.

Last-minute fun

Don't let the rain today stop you from getting to lovely Amherst today from 10-11 a.m. for the Amherst Kid's Day: River Life program at the Amherst Beaver Creek Visitor Center, 913 N. Lake St. Kids can make a craft and might even spend some time in the river. You're not gonna melt --- C'mon, just grab a jacket and some boots and get out there to see what's in the river.

Tonight at 8, don't forget the Juggernaut Jug Band playing at Cain Park's Evans Amphitheater in Cleveland Heights. Kids will love it! Tickets are only $2.

Harry Potter's out ...

the Ingenuity Festival and Dew Tour are over, what's a Greater Cleveland mom or dad to do now? There's still lots.

I mentioned in my last post the Cleveland Metroparks was founded 90 years ago today, so start heading down there today and make it a habit. Take a bike, take a walk, take time next to a stream or river.

Tonight, Friends of Westlake Porter Public Library 27333 Center Ridge Road, Westlake will hold their annual ice cream social on from 6-8 p.m. at the library. Entertainment will be provided by the Flower Clown and Clifford, the Big Red Dog, the Energizer Bunny and Safety Pup. There also will be balloon creations, face painting and a cake walk. Ice cream with toppings will provided Mitchell's and will cost $1.

Cain Park will be jumping Tuesday and Wednesday this week. $2 The Juggernaut Jug Band plays at at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Evans Amphitheater. From Kentucky, the band riffs on Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, the Doors and Barenaked Ladies while playing an assortment of swing, ragtime and early jazz with the slightly subversive air of a garage band. www.juggernautjugband.com. Tickets are $2. And on Wednesday, in a Kidzart dance program, Inlet Dance Theatre performs Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. in the Evans Amphitheater in a free show. This is a great show for kids and families. www.inletdance.org.

Cleveland Metroparks and more

Cleveland's greatest asset, in my humble, is the vast, lush, green acres and acres of parks that run from the north by the lake all the way down to Hinckley Township and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. And what makes the system even better is that on Monday, it celebrates its 90th birthday. So get out there and bike or hike or swim or picnic to celebrate.

Today, other park districts are offering great programs.

The Firehouse Harmonica Band plays from7 to 8:30 p.m. today at the Big CreekPark Amphitheater, 9160 Robinson Road, in Chardon, in the Geauga Park District. It's free fun with music from the 40s, 50s and big band and Broadway.

And from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, turn back the hands of time for Pioneer Day with the Lake County Historical Society, 8610 Mentor Road in Kirtland Hills. Your kids can take part in an 1830s school lesson, make johnnycake in the cabin and try some candle-dipping. It's all free.

From 10-11:30 a.m. today, meet at the overlook at Columbia Reservation of the Lorain County Metro Parks, 25145 Royalton Road in Columbia Station, for Leave It to Beaver, where you'll learn about the big-toothed guy on a hike, and maybe even see one busy making a dam.

Monday, July 23 is National Vanilla Ice Cream Day. What a great excuse to go get some for free from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Wellington Reservation of the Lorain park system, 535 Jones Road in Wellington. Learn a little history behind the sweet treat, too.

Last but not least is the National Hamburger Festival at Akron's Lock 3. It's big, it's beefy and it starts at 2 p.m. with music from the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight, contests and of course, burgers!

As long as you keep a positive spin on it

... never stop asking questions or suggesting solutions. Sometimes it amazes me the number of people out there who are only interested in saving their own derrieres and could care less about the common good of an organization. This is a lesson I hope to impart to my children: Don't let those in "power" tell you it's wrong to have an idea. They may say the idea itself is stupid, but telling the world about that idea is never wrong.

Today, take your little ones on a Backcountry Adventure Hike during a Crinkleroots program for 6- to 8-year-olds in the Big Creek Park's Aspen Grove, 9160 Robinson Road in Chardon. The Geauga Park District program is from 1 to 3 p.m.

Take everybody to "I Spy a Treasure Hunt," today at 6:30p.m. at the Medina Library, 3800 Stonegate Drive, where you can seek and find and then create your own "I Spy" bottle. Call 330-725-0588, www.mcdl.info.

Tomorrow is Wade Oval Wednesday, so head to University Circle for music, food and other entertainment, and then stop by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for its Family Fun Night from 5 to 9 p.m. After 5 pm, parking is just $3, admission is $5 and admission plus box dinner is $10.

Wednesday is also Grand Slam Day at Jacobs Field. From 10-10:45 a.m., celebrities and others with the Indians organization will read out loud. And it's free lunch box day, so kids 14 and under get a lunch box. Then watch the red-hot Indians play the Chicago White Sox at 12:05 p.m. It's Slider's birthday, too, so give that big green guy a high five and a birthday hug. Tickets are $7-$60.

so many fests, so little time

Yes, yes, we're in the full swing of summer festivals and activities and events, so there's really no excuse for you to be letting your kids lounge on the couch watching "Jimmy Neutron" while you water your flowers, drink coffee, snooze 15 more minutes ....

Not that I even drink coffee.

from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m. today in the Alma Theater at Cain Park, put your hands together for the St. Ignatius grad you keeps his hands moving -- Billy the Kid Matsumoto, who juggles to perfection while dancing on Dance Dance Revolution. You try doing that! He'll do a little magic, too. It's part of the free Kidzart at the famous Cain Park Arts Festival all day (10 a.m.-8 p.m. and again Sunday noon to 5 p.m.). Free admission, tons of artists, tons of entertainment and food -- what more could you want? www.cainpark.com.

Another one to check out is the Twinsburg Home Days on the square at Ohio 91 and 82, from noon to midnight tonight and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. There's a dance party for kids, a KidSpot and Enchanted Forest with games and prizes, the Taste of Twinsburg, food and more. Call 330-963-6249.

And from 1-4 p.m. today, there are Nature Olympics at the North Chagrin Nature Center in the North Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. Kids ages 3-6 can take part in events based on animal skills and other stuff related to the outdoors. The center's off Buttermilk Falls Parkway, near the Sunset Lane entranc eof the reservation, off SOM Center Road in Mayfield. Call 440-473-3370.

Harry and friends

Didn't join the hordes at midnight to catch the latest "Harry Potter" movie, but sure wish I had. Will catch it this weekend. And the last book! Three words: Bring it on.

There are alternatives to Harry, however. Thursday at 3 p.m., make your way to the Burton Public Library Large Meeting Room for the Kent-Trumbull Summer Stock 30 Theater Troupe's production of Rudyard Kipling's "Just So Stories"
All ages and free admission.

Dig those pennies and quarters out from the couch cushions now because Saturday is Treasure Among the Trees, a huge flea market at The West Woods picnic area, 9465 Kinsman Road, Russell Township, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. In addition to traditional flea market offerings, there will be specialty items available, such as jams, jellies, antiques, household items, jewelry, plants, and more.

More tomorrow, so get out there and have a good time.

Here I am posting this at 3:45 a.m. Went to bed exhausted after a day at a swim meet in Wooster and scraping paint around window frames. It must be something about my age that I can't sleep anymore ... Ah, well. A post, and then some sleep.

This will be the perfect day to get out to seee ZooBlooms at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way in Cleveland. You'll get to see some beautiful, leafy exhibits along with the animals from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Actitivities -- seminars, creating seed bracelets and leaf etchings, repotting plants and more -- run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. And don't forget the annual ladybug release at noon in the gardens. The theme is reclaiming nature and native species. Admission is $10 per person (12 and older), $5 for kids 2-11 and free for 2 and under. Call 216-661-6500.

How about a little music? Head west to the Vermilion River Reservation Amphithater, 4530 North Ridge Road in Vermilion, for Dave C. and the Sharptones, an outdoor Motown concert from 6:30 to 8 p.m. What a great way to cap off the weekend!

get going

So the Fourth is over. Whew. I love the summertime, but I have to say, the Fourth of July is NOT my idea of a great holiday. Too much work, too little reward, if you ask me. Gotta get all the picnic/cookout crap ready and make it look all patriotic, then you gotta join the throngs -- MASSES -- of drunken, cranky, overheated people to watch fireworks that are just too loud. Gorgeous, but so loud you can feel the concussions in your chest. And then fight the crowds to get home. Ugh.

On that note ...

At 10 today, get to the Furnace Run Metro Park, 4955 Townsend Road in Richfield, to go on a fossil hunt with naturalist Mike Greene. You'll check out a creek for fossils and learn how ancient creatures lived in the seas. Collected fossils will go back where they came from so others can enjoy them -- maybe even others thousands of years in the future! Wear old shoes or boots. call 330-865-8065.

Friday from 1-2 p.m., Cain Park's featured Kidzart program is a storytelling concert from the Cleveland association of Black Storytellers, with "Yebo! Tell It Again." Tickets are $3 for kids, $6 for adults. It's in the Alma Theater at Cain Park in Cleveland heights.

Saggy blooms?

It hasn't rained for weeks -- really! -- so I guess it's only fitting that we'll get the soaking we need either during A) the Fourth of July parade my Girl Scout is planning to walk in, or B) the fireworks we've been anticipating for weeks. Sigh.

Never mind that. Get geared up for a great Fourth of July, no matter your plans tomorrow, with a fun trip to the Akron Zoo today to see those adorable and rare Humboldt penguin chicks, which made their appearances in April and May. Their parents are allowing the chicks freedom to go outside. With the addition of the four chicks, the Akron Zoo currently has 19 Humboldt penguins. Zoo hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and admission is $9 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, $5.50 for children (ages 2-14). Children under 2 are free. Parking is $2.

getting old, trying to keep moving

Oprah's telling me that I'll grow lots more hair all over my face, my nose and ears will get bigger and my hands will look haglike as I get more and more beyond the happy side of 40. Oh well, at least I have my kids to tell me how good I look -- for a mom MY age.

Don't forget the punky fun Jonas Brothers concert tonight at the House of Blues, 308 Euclid Ave. (at the new East 4th Street pedestrian area); 7 p.m. Tickets are $20-$30. Trust me, that is the new cool area. Went to Lola for dinner Saturday night, and although the decor was so sleek it was almost a cliche, the food was dreamy and our waiter was funny, the wine full-bodied.

From noon to 2 p.m. today, pack a lunch and take the kids down to Star Plaza, for “It's Five O’Clock Somewhere” with “Summer on the Square” weekday events. Today it's Idol Monday – the most hilarious audition moments from the first four seasons of "American Idol" will be showing on the giant video board. Tomorrow is Lucy Tuesdays with first- season episodes of "I Love Lucy." Bet your kids haven't seen that, have they? Star Plaza across from Playhouse Square on the under-construction Euclid Avenue, so leave a little extra time.

Explore Wendy Park

Skip that trip to Wal-Mart today, because it's the day to explore Wendy Park at Play Until Dark @ Wendy Park, a fund-raiser to help link the park near Edgewater Park to the Towpath Trail. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the whole family will find something fun to do -- kayaking, climbing, hiking, bike riding, music, food -- everything! Wendy park is 22 acres that run along both the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. There's kitesurfing, bird demonstrations, face painting for the little ones, rock climbing, etc. $8 to get in; $5 to park; free for kids 10 and under. www.playuntildark.org.

busy weekend ahead

Let's get right into it .... Gotta get the little one to swim practice and myself to work.

The show's not until Monday, but you'll want to get tickets today for the Jonas Brothers, a kids pop-punk band made up of a 19- , 17- and 14-year-old hitting Cleveland's House of Blues Monday with Marvelous Party Tour. Show's at 7 p.m Tickets are $20-$30. HOB is at 308 Euclid Ave. You've heard them on Radio Disney and on Disney Channel -- your kids will love to see em live.

More on other cool weekend events later ...

Poor poor Paris

All that time, no room to do anything in her tiny cell. So what does she do? She "finds" God. What I want to know is who was taking care of Tinkerbell the chihuahua? Mommy probably.

Enough of that hooha.

Take Grandpa or Grandma by the hand and head to the Aspen Grove Shelter in Big Creek Park, 9160 Robinson Road in Chardon, for the Grandparents in the Park program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, where you can share a picnic and some fun. Call 440-286-9516 to register and find out what food you can bring.

While you're in Geauga County, there's another place to go if thunderstorms hit. It’s all about stars and the bugs at two Geauga Park District exhibits at the Donald W. Meyer Center in Big Creek Park, 9160 Robinson Road in Chardon. Head to the Observatory Corner Exhibit where a coyote is kids' guide to the stars and Bug’s Life Exhibit where they can use binoculars, play a match game, create a ladybug, crawl into a giant ant hill and take home a free packet of wildflowers to plant. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday. 440-286-9516.

Tonight from 6 to 10, St. Bernadette Parish in Westlake kicks off its third annual Summer Community Carnival with adult and kid rides, a casino tent, foods, midway games and a Great Lakes Brewery Beer Garden (YUM! Dollar drafts tonight and Sunday). 6-11 p.m. Friday, 1-11 p.m. Saturday and 1-10 p.m. Sunday. 2256 Clague Road.

Tonight is the benefit performance and party ($25) for the 29th annual Dobama Theatre Marilyn Bianchi Playwriting Festival in the Alma Theater at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. The festival runs through Sunday. Call 216-932-6838 about tonight. Other plays will be performed by students at 7:30p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 7:30p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. www.dobama.org.

I say jib it!

one of our favorite sites (be careful, some of it is R-rated), jibjab.com, has the greatest video, "Star Spangled Banner," with clips of presidents forming the words to the song. It's clean, it's fun and who can resist footage of LBJ disco dancing and FDR doing the hustle?

Call today to reserve your inner tubes for a Dive-In Movie showing of the animated "Over the Hedge" at the heated Ledge Pool in the Cleveland Metroparks Hinckley Reservation in Hinckley Township. It's Friday; doors open at 8 and cartoons start at 8:30. Movie follows at 9 p.m. To float in the pool during the movie (in a tube) is $4. You can sit on a blanket or chair on the lawn for free. 330-239-2911.

Tonight at 8 at the CanalWay Center in the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation of the Metroparks in Cuyahoga Heights, Blonde Boy Grunt and the Groans will get everybody's toes tapping with their eclectic mix of styles. Bring lawn chairs. 216-206-1000.

Stay cool and out of the oncoming storm clouds today.

gonna be a hot one

Thermometers will go beyond 90 degrees today, so it would be a great day to visit one of the many area beaches, look for "sea glass" that's been polished by Lake Erie waves, dig a giant hole, build a sand castle or boogie-board your way to coolness. Try the free Headlands Beach in Mentor to the east, or Huntington Beach in Bay Village to the west.

Libraries are pretty cool this time of year. Head to the Orange branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library today at 11:30 for the Grand Slam Reading with the Cleveland Indians, during which players visit the library and read books to kids. Outfield Jason Michaels visits today. The event might be full, so call first. 216-831-4282.

The North Olmsted branch welcomes hobo Dr. D. Light for the program, "Ridin' the Rails to U.S.A. Tails" today at 2 p.m. Dr. D. Light will take the whole gang on a train ride via stories to visit animals across the country, with interactive stories, songs, puppets, and rhyme. The library's at 27403 Lorain Road. 440-777-6211.

hard restart

So it's Monday and that thought of starting another week depresses me. Sue me.

Got a little time today around noon? Head to Cleveland's own Money Museum, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s Learning Center and Money Museum, that it. The newest exhibit, Money of the World Today: A Portrait of Global Society, features coins and currency from 192 countries across the world, and is on loan from the American Numismatic Association Money Museum in Colorado Springs, Colo. The museum is open (for free) Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 216-579-3188, or go to clevelandfed.org/learningcenter.

them ugly

yeah, sure, the neighbor's ancient pug-mix would win Ugliest Dog in the Neighborhood, but check out the Chinese crested dogs in the World's Ugliest Dog contest. YIKES! www.cnn.com has a great slide show. Just eat your breakfast AFTER viewing, though.

Before it gets hot this week, get outside. Today is the 27th Wildwood Fine Arts and Crafts Festival at the city of Mentor's Wildwood Cultural Center, 7645 Little Mountain Road. It's from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be lots of artwork, but there also will be jazz and food. Admission is $2.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can check out the Summerfest put on by the Olmsted Historical Society at the Frostville Museum in the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. There's games, contests, a magician, lots o' bubbles, music, food, prizes and a balloonist. All museum buildings and store will be open. The suggested donation is $1 (12 and under free).

Today's the last day of the Cleveland Grand Prix champs car race. Catch the excitement of the races and all kinds of great kids activities all day -- but don't forget a hat and sunscreen. Go to www.grandprixofcleveland.com for details.

glorious day!

North Korea has agreed to close one of its undoubtedly many plutonium factories, the sun is shining, so get out there and have fun.

If you live anywhere near Garrettsville, or just like a good outdoor party, head to the Garrettsville Summerfest today and tomorrow along Silver Creek downtown. There will be games, food, traditional carnival fun and a Garrettsville Idol finals for top singers, among tons of other entertainment. Check out www.garrettsvillesummerfest.com for details and hours.

Prepare your ears for the Lakewood Hometown Band Sunday at 7 p.m. in the bandshell at Lakewood Park, as part of the city's summer concerts in the park fun.

Love a good deal, and willing to take the time to look for it? The annual Walton Hills garage sale willbe today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 17833 Sagamore Road (off Northfield Road or Ohio 8) directly across from Northfield race track.

And finally, today is the Great American Backyard Campout, so get the tent out of the garage for a little airing before the big Sleepout tonight. This is your chance to take a few hours with your kids in the outdoors, with flashlights, stories, bird calls -- maybe even a campfire and some marshmallows. Go to www.backyardcampout.org for more ideas.

no twitter here

So I read a story yesterday about a mom who sends out TWO DOZEN little messages a day to hundreds of her friends and relatives and others who subscribe to the twitter.com web site. Her topics: Eating too many chocolate espresso beans, putting off her to-do list, her kids' farts. Who wants to read that drivel? Yikes, what a waste of time and brain matter.

But this is no waste -- it's a great big blog race!

Here's what's up for today in the Greater Cleveland area.
Today, Friday and Saturday are the last performances, at 8 p.m. each night, of the Straw Hat Theatre's "The Wizard of Oz." Directed by Linda Fundis of Austinburg, it's at the Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St. in lovely Ashtabula. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 kids. Call 440-964-3396.

It's a big party on the other side of town in Avon Lake starting tonight with the Avon Lake Summer Carnival through Sunday at the Learwood Square Shopping Center (Lear and Walker road). The carnival goes from 5 to 11 p.m. today, and then 1 to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Kids will love the carnival rides, games, pony rides food and other stuff. Call 440-933-3129.

hard rain comin'

No better time to go to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History on Wade Oval in University Circle to get a load of Animal Secrets, geared to kids ages 3-8. So many hands-on stations -- animals at a stream, a meadow, in the woods, in a cave, and in the naturalists’ tent -- that your kids will surely not want to leave. The museum's open Monday through Saturday, 10 to 5 pm; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. www.cmnh.org. Admission is $9 ($5 after 5 on Wednesdays); $7 for kids 7-18; $6 kids 3-6; free for kids age 2 and under.

happy dads day!

OK, so it's threatening rain and/or storms on a day when none of us really want it because it might get the steaks on the grill all soggy. Fear not! There's still tons of stuff do if it rains on Father's Day 2007, and tons of stuff to do outside if the clouds clear.

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is making it extra-special for dads as it opens for free to all dads today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or so. If you didn't make reservations for the Father's Day brunch there today, fear not. You can still go and see all the wonderful animal fathers going about their business. www.clemetzoo.org.

This afternoon, head to the Near West Theatre, 6514 Detroit Ave. in Cleveland for “Annie Jr.” See the Summer Children's Theatre production featuring Miss Hannigan, Oliver Warbucks and the orphan gang at 3 p.m. today. Tickets are $6. 216-961-6391 or www.nearwesttheatre.org.

Feel the boom of of the cannons and smell food being cooked over an open fire during a War of 1812 Encampment from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Western Reserve Historical Society’s Shandy Hall, 6333 South Ridge Road West in Geneva. You’ll see the 89th Regiment of British Grenadiers from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, an authentic British campsite and at 1 p.m., a battle between American and British forces. There also will be arms drill, food preparation, ladies’ fashion shows, mini militias for kids and period dancing and a magician performing tricks with authentic props and equipment from 200 years ago. Admission is $5; $4 seniors and children. 440-466-3680.

what's doin now

Welcome to the very first installment of my blog about what's going on in this wonderful, crazy, town full of things to do for kids and the families who love em.

Now that the Cavs have tanked (FINALLY! I can watch "The Office" reruns without guilt), we can all get behind the U.S. Women's National Soccer team
whose members are on a two-week road trip send-off series before the World Cup. The ladies will take on the team from China Saturday at 7 p.m. at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Get tickets for the match at ussoccer.com, and at Cleveland area Ticketmaster outlets (including Kroger, Giant Eagle, and
Macy's), at the Cleveland Browns Stadium box office (Monday through
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and by phone at 216-241-5555.

Want something tomorrow morning? NASA's got the thing for the gang with
"NASA Hits" from 10 to 3 Saturday. Check out a world without hurricane tracking, heart monitors, cordless power tools, bar codes, or Nike Air shoes. Presentations will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and there are free "Picture Yourself" photos, crafts and giveaways. 216-433-9653 glennevents.grc.nasa.gov.

Now get out there and explore Cleveland.