• Ask residents what's important to them near the lake and what they like to do.
• Eat at local dives instead of chain restaurants.
• Check out mansions, museums, and other historic sites.
• Find out if there are any festivals or cultural arts programs you can attend while at the lake.

Picture this: You wake up to a pancake breakfast cooking in the street and go down to join the street fair. Don't eat too much, though - your 5K run is in just a few minutes. After coming in 73rd, you walk around the city park to listen to a variety of bands playing, some famous and some just locals trying to make it big at their concerts. The parade starts at 3, and there are performing pigs, pony rides for the kids, and miniature golf. Later in the evening, everybody gets a little rowdy and has plenty of good laughs on the carnival rides and then watching the fireworks. That picture is a classic example of summer fun in the city at one of the greatly-loved festivals. Other interesting pastimes include -

• Outdoor Entertainment. Concerts, summer evenings in the park, outdoor theatre, parades, and more.
• Summer Enlightenment. City tours, exploration of the culture and the history, art fairs and galleries, and more.
• Summer Dining and Entertainment. River cruises, outdoor dining, "tastes of the city," and more.

• Concerts. These live music performances before audiences are always great diversions, but they can be especially fun in the summer. While these shows can be held anywhere - pubs, nightclubs, barns, stadiums, etc. - the warm weather of the summer makes the great outdoors a highly popular venue! Again, concerts often cost, but sometimes during the summer, you'll stumble upon some free performances, especially if the concert is part of another, larger activity like a festival. Get a group of friends together, or just grab your own blanket for a hillside, and go check a few out!
• Parks. Summer evenings can't get much better than mixing and mingling in the city park. Many cities have casual events designed to get people out and having a good time in the public park. Your choices for the evening may include listening to various styles of music, dancing the night away, and snacking on some of the vendors' foods.
• Outdoor theatre. One cool thing to do in the summer is to visit outdoor theatres. These performances may be held in actual outdoor theatre arenas or at the local park or other public place, and they may cost or be free, but they're generally inexpensive (since you're not paying to help with upkeep of a building). Professionals, amateurs, or a combination of both may perform them. One of the most well known versions of outdoor theatre is Shakespeare in the Park - free public presentations of Shakespeare's plays that are common throughout the Unites States and many other countries.
• Parades. Many times, these organized processions of people, balloons, and floats are designed to celebrate a holiday or season - like the Independence Day Parade and the Labor Day Parade. You'll also see them in beauty pageants and celebrations of many other types, and they are exciting diversions during the summer. Since bands, famous people, hot air balloons in all kinds of shapes, and interesting vehicles are often involved and bunches of people are crowded in to watch, the energy itself is a thrill. Just be sure to get there early and get a good spot!
• Sports. We're talking professional and personal. Visit pro baseball games in your city (or another sport); the weather will be nice, and you can enjoy a nice lemonade and peanuts in the sunset. Or, when you're itching to get some sun and move around bit, hit the bike trail, play tennis, or join a pickup game of soccer. Just be sure to drink plenty of water and play safe. Keep the city summer fun!

• Take a city tour. If you live in or near a large city, there's a good chance that city tours are offered. Many locals never take advantage of these tours because of the fact that they live there: "I know how to get around my own city!" But a tour isn't necessarily about showing you where everything is; it's explaining the history - the importance behind everything. And that you very well may not know! Your options will probably include a walking or a riding tour (though in some locals, boats may be an option, too).
• Explore! Another great way to really examine the intricacies of your city or town is to just explore it. Go into that cathedral you've never visited before, and ask if someone can tell you about its history. Walk around the historical district, and see how much you can find out that you never knew before. Or go to the library, and do a little searching on your very own town. You might be surprised what crazy and fascinating things you will discover.
• Experience the culture. Many people tend to get stuck in a rut in life; they hang out with all the same people, visit the same bookstores, eat at the same restaurants. Experiencing the real culture of your city - the culture as a whole, not just yours - will require jumping off your boat and into someone else's. Think about where else in the city there are cultural riches that you could experience, and go do it.
• Visit the art. Sounds funny, but much of what a city is or wants to be is tied up in its art and other cultural affairs. Visit the art galleries in your city (some may be free!), or wander around nearby art fairs. Even if you've never considered yourself an "artsy" person, you just might have a wonderful time!

• Dinner cruises. If you live near a river or any similar body of water, they probably offer evening cruises where you can enjoy fine dining, great entertainment, dancing, and more.
• Outdoor dining. Take advantage of the hole-in-the-wall restaurants in your town that you've never visited, or little coffee shops that offer outdoor seating. It can be both classy and casual and is sure to be a fun time (plus, you might find a new restaurant that you absolutely adore).
• Taste tests. During the summer, many cities offer what are usually called "Tastes of the city" or something similar. They're like festivals (or part of festivals), and you pay a general fee to enter and then try a wide variety of foods and drinks (and purchase more if you love something). Kansas City has its barbeque tasters, while Philly specializes in - you guessed it - the best cheese steaks. If you live in a culturally diverse city, there may just be an opportunity to try many styles of cuisine. Check it out!
• Nightlife. While there are pubs and clubs all year round, the sultry summer evenings seems to bring out more people ready to party. If you're into the nightlife scene, check out bars and fun evening establishments in your city and see what you can find!

• Things to know before you pick a summer hair do - like how tough the sun and summer chemicals are on your hair and how to protect it.
• The pros and cons of short vs. long hair in the summer.
• Easy and fashionable do's for all kinds of hair that will help protect it and look great.
• Summer highlights - if you should get them and where to go to have them done.

No matter how long your hair is or how you'd like to style it over the summer months, the first thing you need to do is purchase conditioners, ointments, gels, sunscreen shampoos, or whatever else you can afford to help keep your hair in tact. Also, try giving your hair a few months off from daily drying and styling. Choose do's that allow for air drying and less hair product. (If you have to use your hair dryer, use a lower heat setting.) Try not to shampoo every day, or - if you have to - switch to a gentler shampoo. If you're at the pool or beach, rinse out your hair as soon as you can, and leave in a little conditioner throughout the day. Don't brush or comb your hair when it's really wet; it will probably break. Also, remember to have the ends trimmed regularly. These tips will help your tresses, whatever summer hair do you pick, look a lot healthier and happier.

Go Short!
• Hair grows faster in the summer than any other time, so you can take advantage of the quick grow-back and pick that hot short style you've been dying to try. (If you don't like it, it'll grow back pronto!)
• Short hair stays out of your way and off your neck; so you're not as hot and hassled.
• Short hair's not as heavy (long hair weighting down the head causes some people headaches, especially in the heat).
• Short styles can be really easy to keep up. Just give it a little gel and go - perfect for your summer lifestyle!

Go Long!
• Hair grows faster in the summer, so take this opportunity to keep growing yours out. Hey - if you decide you don't like it later, you could always give it to Locks of Love!
• Long hair better protects the delicate areas of your head and face like the ears, neck, etc. With a short style, these would be more susceptible to burn.
• Long hair can be pulled up in a quick ponytail or bun if you're on the run... You don't have to style if you don't want to.
• Long hair's more versatile. Braid it in the morning; leave it luscious and wavy for your evening party. Tomorrow, try curls.

• Keep it simple. It's summer, and everything supposed to be low-key, so let your hair match! Let it air-dry and try natural looking waves or curls. Rather than adding a lot of product and styling to an extreme, go natural and just add hair combs, beads, or other glittery hair accessories to dress it up. Hair freedom is the key here!
• Use good old-fashioned ponytails and braids. You can look very chic or simply playful with a well-used ponytail or braid. Plus, you don't have to style, and it gives your hair a break. It'll keep you cool and get the hair out of your way. Even better, you can let down the braids later for a sexy wave.
• Get a few relaxed curls. If your hair will curl at all, try using a little bit of finishing cream on your wet hair; then use your fingers to create flowing curls/waves with strands of hair.
• Go sleek. If you want to get your hair out of your face, summer is the perfect opportunity to do it. Use a little gel to comb your hair back; if it looks a little wet, it's ok. This is beach season!
• Cover up. Use bandanas, wide elastic hair bands, hats, scarves, and other hair accessories that look cool (for both sexes) and keep your hair safe! Plus, they're hassle-free. Just make sure that you feel comfortable wearing these before you go out all day in one, and stick to materials like cotton that won't conduct heat.
• Try classy. For easy do's that look difficult, try an easy French twist or chignon twist. If you aren't sure how to do them, look online or in a hair magazine... They're relatively easy.

Home Highlights - If you are considering doing your own highlights at home, consider the risks. Highlights are much more involved than an all-over color, and there are chances that your hair will come out looking too yellow or bleached. It's also difficult to make sure that you're doing an even job all over. However, it you've done it before or have a friend to help you, go ahead. Just pick a product one or two shades lighter than your natural color, make sure that you use a good conditioner on your ends to protect them, don't leave the box mixture on your hair for too long, allow the natural shape of your hair style to guide you, and follow all directions on the box.

Salon Highlights - These stylists are trained to know exactly what colors to use on your hair and where to use them to give your hair the best look. They can give you advice on what types of highlights to use or how to go about processing hair that is permed, previously color treated, or graying. Also talk to a stylist about your hair if you are pregnant; some pregnant women's hair reacts quite differently to highlights! In any case, the stylists are the experts, and they'll be able to help you get your best look.

If you are a fan of ABC's Lost, you'll love this new thriller by Scott Smith. The Ruins is a horrifying tale of foliage gone bad. It starts off with two couples enjoying a relaxing vacation in Mexico. They agree to help another tourist search for his missing brother and soon find themselves at an archaeological dig in some Mayan ruins. While searching for the missing man, they mistakenly happen on a terrifying presence that ultimately leads them to a battle for a survival. As things get worse and bad choices are made, the misfortunate travelers start turning on each other.

Baseball-lover or not, you're sure to enjoy The Big Bam: The Life and Times of Babe Ruth. This lyrical biography written by Leigh Montville is an attempt to retell the story of Babe Ruth to the "SportsCenter generation". Although the facts remain the same, Montville's writing is fresh and sharp. In the book, Montville heralds Ruth as "the patron saint of American possibility", and claims he was "rude and crude and kind and approachable, sometimes all in the same ten minutes."

The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood is a love story of sorts. This charming book by Sy Montgomery tells the beautiful story of a couple that adopted a sickly, orphaned piglet and nursed it back to health. Although the little porker started out in a shoebox, he was soon weighing in at over 750 pounds. This "little" pig lives the good life in New Hampshire, dining on slops from gourmet shops and indulging in scrub-downs from the little girls next door. The pig soon becomes a local celebrity and is loved by everyone, especially his loving "mother".

If you're a fan of old westerns, you'll love Telegraph Days by Larry McMurty. Nelly Courtwright is a lively, lusty, take-charge heroine who takes on gunslingers and cowboys in this story of the post-Civil War American West. The story begins just moment after Nellie's father hangs himself. Nellie leaves the family's flailing ranch and secures herself a job in town as a telegraph operator. While there, she encounters legends such as Buffalo Bill Cody, Jesse James, and the Earp brothers. Nellie ends her days on the streets of Hollywood as a famous novelist. This story and its gutsy heroin will definitely keep you entertained.

One of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies is not one of those books at all. This book by Sonya Sones tells the story of a feisty teen dealing with her grief after losing her mom to cancer. Ruby's grief turns to anger when she has to leave the life she knew to move in with her movie star dad in Los Angeles. Although her dad showers her with attention and lavish gifts, Ruby turns a cold shoulder to all he has to offer. Her developing friendship with her dad's personal assistant is some comfort, but she has a harder and harder time keeping up the icy veneer with her dad. However, an earthquake leads to an unexpected change for Ruby and a tremendously satisfying ending.

Angela Johnson tells the riveting story of a young black man struggling to raise his infant daughter alone, in The First Part Last. Sixteen-year-old Booby struggles to juggle school, friends, and parenting while his girlfriend remains in a coma from eclampsia. Against the advice of both familys, Bobby raises baby Feather alone, and the scenes in which Bobby expresses the love he has for his daughter will truly touch your heart.

References

http://www.usatoday.com
http://childrensbooks.about.com
www.summerreadingnys.org