96 COOL THINGS TO DO FOR HOT SUMMER FUN

EVERYONE KNOWS THERE’S MORE TO ENJOYING SUMMER IN Dallas and Fort Worth than watching the world mop sweat from its brow. But ferreting out all those things that make the season worthwhile can be a chore. So we’ve taken the hard work out of summer by coming up with 96 fabulous things to do in the summer of ’96-giving you at least one fun activity a day for those three months bookended by Memorial Day and Labor Day. Some require advance planning; others can be done on the spur of the moment. So grab the sunscreen, a hat, and a pair of flip-flops. It’s summertime!

1. Take in the most spectacular twilight view in Dallas-the sunset as seen from the observation tower on Cattail Pond Trail at the Dallas Nature Center. Gaze out over the undulating expanse of the Mountain Creek escarpment into the color-streaked western sky and listen to the incredible night sounds of the forest. 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy., South Oak Cliff; 296-1955.



2. Wander through booths filled with exquisite art work at Artfest, an annual juried event featuring works by more than 300 artists. Also at this 500 Inc. -sponsored event: an air-conditioned interactive area for kids with free arts and crafts, 5K and 10K runs, and lots of food and music. May 24-26; Fan-Park; 361-2011.



3. Catch beads, coins, and candy thrown from “float” boats during the boat parade at CanalFest, aka “Carnevale di Venezia,”attheMandalayCanal.Thefreefes-tivities begin with a masquerade ball Friday night and continue Saturday and Sunday with arts and crafts, international food, and strolling entertainers from the old world-mimes, fire-eaters, jugglers, and musicians. The boat parade is Saturday from 5-5:30 p.m. May 31-2; Las Colinas; 556-0625.



4. Swing, swim, or soar into “Adventures of Land and Sea,” a series of week-long summer camps for children ages 5 to 10 hosted by the Dallas Zoo and the Dallas Aquarium. Observation and hands-on experience will help young ones appreciate mammais, reptiles, birds, invertebrates, and aquatic life. Camps held June 3-Aug. 2; locations vary between the Zoo and the Aquarium; call 670-7531 for a brochure and schedule.



5. Stroll down Exchange Avenue in the Fort Worth Stockyards, where you can see a lot of Texas history in a small area, To get out of the heat, duckinto Stockyards Station, an area of shops and eating places in the former hog and sheep pens. The biggest summer Stockyards event, the Chisholm Trail Roundup (June 21-23), features music, food, and cowboys. Exchange Avenue and North Main Street, Fort Worth; 817-624-4741.



6. Throw your budget out the window at the June Super Market. What spring cleaning couldn’t do for you, the market can, with home furnishings, decorative accessories, bath accessories, silk floral designs, and much more. June 26-July 3; Dallas Market Center and adjacent buildings, 2100 N. Stemmons Fwy.; 655-6100.



7. Let your spirits soar as you watch brilliantly colored hot-air balloons elegantly ascend at the Mesquite Balloon Festival. Enjoy arts and crafts, food, and carnival rides, as well as sky divers and a Confederate Air Force fly-by. Balloons take flight at 7 p.m., Friday; 7 a.m. & 7 p.m., Saturday; 7 a.m., Sunday. July 26-28; Paschal Park off New Market Road, Mesquite; 285-0211.



8. Gaze at heavenly bodies wearing nothing at all! Weather permitting, the Texas Astronomical Society sets up telescopes in a field near the Richland College Planetarium on the first Friday of every month and invites the public to look at and learn about the Texas night sky. 8:30 p.m., June 7, July 5 & Aug. 2.; S-116 Sabine Hall, 12800 Abrams Rd. (north of LBJ); 238-6013.



9. Treat good ol’ dad to a Father’s Day jaunt to Home Depot Expo, the store all do-it-yourselfers with taste have been talking about. Dad will find everything from Ralph Lauren paint decorating kits to leather rugs at this home remodèleras paradise. Grab a fresh bagel and a cappuccino at the in-store Good Natured Cafe to snack on while you browse this immense store. 13900 Dallas Pkwy. at Spring Valley Road; 934-2900.



10. Eat, sleep, and dream about the Texas Rangers taking the pennant at The Ballpark in Arlington’s summer sleepovers. Children in third through fifth grades can tour the Ballpark-including the Rangers clubhouse and the Legends of the Game Baseball Museum-watch baseball movies, and eat great junk food before curling up in their sleeping bags. One adult is required per five children. June 14 &28, July 12 & 26, and Aug. 9 & 23; Ballpark Way at Randol Mill, Arlington; (metro) 817-273-5087.



11. Zip south of the border to Fiesta Mart. From the elote (roasted corn) stand in front of the store to the fabulous produce section, you’ll find exotic and fragrant fruits, chiles, cheeses, herbs, spices, chocolates, and baked goods from Mexico and Central America that are not available at the neighborhood supermarket. 611 W. Jefferson Blvd., Oak Cliff; 944-3300. Then indulge in a frozen fruit pop (cantaloupe, papaya, watermelon, and many other flavors) or a mango liquado (shake) at Paletas Fruititas one block away at 539 W.Jefferson Blvd.; 942-1255.



12. Slather on the suntan lotion and boo-gie at Asphalt Rhythm, a free parking-lot concert at the Piano Borders Books & Music. You can hear children’s singer Eddie Coker, rockabilly artist Ronnie Dawson, western swing band Cowboys and Indians, soul artist Bobby Patterson, blues drummer Doyle Bramhall, and Texas singer-songwriters Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Ray Wylie Hubbard. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.,June 1 ; Preston and Park roads, Piano; 713-9857.



13. Pack a picnic and head to one of the Thursday night open-air Jazz Under the Stars concerts on die Dallas Museum of Art’s south lawn. You didn’t know Dallas could be so civilized on a hot summer night. The lineup: May 30, Eric Scortia and Vital Organ; June 6, Pete Cristlieb and The Steve Sonday Trio; June 13, The Greg Waits Quartet with Dave Leibman; June 20, The Herb Ellis Trio; and June 27, The Cedar Walton Quartet featuring Vincent Herring, Victor Lewis, and David Williams. All concerts begin at 8 p.m.; 1717 N. Harwood St.; 922-1200.



14. Take to the skies via helicopter from Zebra Air at Love Field. The price is steep-$495 for a one-hour ride for four people-but the view is priceless. Go during the day to catch the landmarks or at night to view the downtown lights. Better yet, rent one on the Fourth of July to catch the fireworks. 358-7200.



15. Cool off at Burgers Lake, an old-fash-ioned swimming hole in Fort Worth. A spring-fed natural pool, Burger’s has a shad-ed sandy beach, a rope swing, four levels of diving boards, and a looooooong slide for swimmers who like a little nostalgia with their summer fun, Open daily; 1200 Meandering Rd., Fort Worth; 817-737-3414.



16. Hop a ride on the McKinney Avenue Trolley. The four restored cars pick up passengers on St. Paul Street, next to the Dallas Museum of Art, and proceed down McKinney to the many trendy restaurants that line the street ; the ride ends at the trolley barn, 3153 Oak Grove at Bowen. 855-0006.



17. Slip into a way-cool parallel universe at Virtual World, a “digital theme park” where players climb into “virtual reality pods” and compete in futuristic adventures. 265-9664. Then shriek during a virtual-reality roller-coaster ride in the “Devil’s Mine Train” (444-UAUA) at the nearby Starport Theater. Strap on a space-age weapon and blast opponents in a session of Q-Zar laser tag, the closest thing to being inside a video game. 750-9600. All at UA Plaza, 9330 N. Central Expwy. at Park Lan



18. Put on a pith helmet and go on safari-with a camera, of course. At Fossil Rim Wildlife Park in Glen Rose (817-897-2960), visitors get up-close-and-personal looks at wild animals, including endangered species like cheetahs and rhinos, in a picturesque drive-through park where most creatures roam tree. Just down the

road from Fossil Rim, get a close encounter of a more prehistoric kind at Dinosaur Valley State Park (817-897-4588), where the giant creatures eons ago left their three-toed foot prints in the muddy bottom of the Paluxy River. Come prepared for wading.



19. Gaze at movie icons like Humphrey Bogart-joined here by author, bon vivant, and social critic George Toomer-at The Palace of Wax and Ripley’s Believe It or Not !, 1-30 at Belt Line Road, Grand Prairie; 263-2391.



20. Splash and dash as water shoots from 217 ground-level jets in dazzling, synchronized splurts and splishes on the plaza at Fountain Place. No matter how good you are at guessing which computerized jet will go next, you’re bound to get zapped. Spread out a picnic lunch at nearby tables in the shade of massive native Texas cypress trees or go at night when all the fountains are illuminated. Fountain Place, 1445 Ross Ave.



21. Remember playing “capture the flag” on long hot summer afternoons? Kids 10 and up can play an updated version with weapons that shoot harmless paintballs. It’s ideal for working off adolescent energies, and the paint washes off with soap and water. Friday nights and Saturdays, Paintball Games of Dallas, 3305 John Carpenter Fwy., Irving and 1-35 at Camp Wisdom, Oak Cliff; 554-1937.



22. Grab a picnic basket, a quilt, and your favorite patriot, and find a cozy spot to oooooh and aaaahh at fireworks to celebrate Independence Day at one of the largest displays of pyrotechnics in the Southwest- Freedom Fest at the Starplex in Fair Park. Doors open at 4 p.m., with a concert by Styx and Kansas; fireworks will follow the show. Pay to park at Fair Park or stake a claim on a free patch of grass nearby. 421 -1111.



23. Salute our neighbors to the north on July 1, Canada Day. Cook those beloved Canadian dishes: tortiere (meat pie) and a mess of fiddlehead ferns. Slap The Woman in Me by hot Canadian country singer Shania Twain in the CD player. Then cool off by watching Canada’s favorite son, the late John Candy, in Cool Runnings.



24. Swing for the fences in one of 10 bat-ting cages at Twin Rivers, where machines fling the baseballs at four speeds: Little League, Pony, Minor, and (gulp) Major League. Those boys and girls of summer who favor softball can choose six speeds. Twin Rivers also has three miniature golf courses and electronic games. 1200 E. Belt Line Rd,, Richardson; 234-2291.



25. Team up with three of your buddies, pick an outrageous name like Boyz Who Make You Go Hmm, and slam and jam at the annual Hoop-It-Up in the West End, where the action is hotter than the high-noon asphalt. Open to all ages between 8 and 80. Register by June 14; tournament is June 22-23;991-1110.



26. Whale-watch without ever leav-ing landlocked Dallas. “Dina-mation” replicas of the giants of the sea, including a 25-foot orca whale, a hump-back whale, a baby gray whale, an Atlantic white-side dolphin, and more will be swimming into Collin Creek Mall, complete with movement and sound. They’re so lifelike you may get a little seasick. June 7-July 14,811 N. Central Expwy, Plano; 424-7691.



27. Have good, clean fun at pool parties for the younger set (kids 6-12) at the Richardson YWCA; includes swimming, dancing, games, crafts, and snacks. 7-11:30 p.m. each Saturday throughout the summer; 1416 E. Collins Blvd., Richardson; 231-7201.



28. Grab a hammer and a nail and make someone else’s summer better. Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity to repair or build homes for low-income families. And there’s nothing like a cold lemonade at the end of a hot day spent wielding power tools, For information call Emogene Liles at 827-3990.



29. Celebrate all things Poo:) ai a giant 70th birthday party for the cuddly old bear. Winnie the Pooh will be there, as will other friends from the pages of A.A. Milne’s beloved books. Young party-goers will enjoy a play, a mini-concert, afternoon tea goodies, and birthday cake. Tickets available at The Enchanted Forest Bookstore, 6333 E. Mockingbird Ln., 827-2234; 3 p.m., Aug. 11; Lakewood Country Club, 6430 Gaston Ave.

30. Prove that you’re not Elvis Stojko, but have fun anyway as you glide and slide around America’s Ice Garden in Plaza of the Americas, 700 N. Pearl St.; 922-9800.

31. Rediscover that summer perennial, iced tea-with a twist. A “barista,” a tea-bar bartender, dispenses “shots” of black, green, or herbal tea from a contraption of beakers and wrought iron that looks like a mad scientist’s kit, then mixes it with fruit juice, filtered water, and ice, all the while chanting tazo, tazo, tazo, the word for tea in several different languages. Try Passion Potion, Mondo Berry, Simply Red’s, or Chai, a blend of honey, black pepper, cinnamon, and other spices. Mix it with vanilla soy milk, cream, or frozen yogurt for a tea “shake.” Whole Foods Markets, all locations except Skillman at Kingsley.

32. Delight your hockey loving kids with a hot, summer week on cool, thick ice with members of the Dallas Stars. Participants will learn the fine points of playing hockey and spend at least three hours with popular Stars players like Mike Modano, Kevin Hatcher, and Darcy Wakaluk, as well as some of the coaches like Rick Wilson and Doug Jarvis. They’ll come home talking about icing, high-sticking, and other terms of puck talk; wearing a camp jersey; and bearing four tickets to a Stars pre-season game so the whole family can get into the fun. June 12-July 20. Information and registration: 831-2480.



33. Scramble onto the longhorn I sculptures at Pioneer Plaza in downtown Dallas. The longhorns, created by artist Robert Summers of Glen Rose, are 7 feet tall, 8 feet long, and weigh 1,200 pounds each. But unlike the real thing, they’re kid-friendly, as shown by members of the Town North YMCA Texas Rangers. Young at Griffin streets.



34. Celebrate the first day the tempera-ture hits 100 (usually by June 30) and contemplate those eternal questions like, “Is Ross Perot really an extraterrestrial?” while sipping an ice-cold beer. At the Flying Saucer Emporium, choose from 114 brews on tap, including such exotic beers as Buzzard Breath and Anchor Old Foghorn from San Francisco. Or try one of the 162 bottled beers, like the really big Chimay Grand Reserve, served in a magnum for $35. 14999 Montfort Dr., Addison; 934-ALES.



35. Laugh until it hurts at the improvisa-tional comedy group Rubber Chicken. Five members of the 11-member company perform a completely improvised comedy act (so clean it squeaks!) each Saturday night at the Ozona Bar and Grill. Before the show-starts, grab a burger or some spinach que-sadillas on the patio. 8 & 11:15 p.m., 4615 Greenville Ave.; 265-9105.



36. Sail into the wind with yachtsmen at Rush Creek Yacht Club on the banks of Lake Ray Hubbard. Members of this private boating club, which sponsors major regattas throughout the year, will take out old salts as well as greenhorns interested in learning to sail or becoming members. 771-6500.



37. Roll a few balls at the Bronco Bow], a 38-lane bowling center attached to a nightclub, a sports bar/restaurant, an arcade and billiards hall, and an arena where some of the hottest national acts to come through Dallas play. At 8 p.m. on June 15 catch singer-songwriter Tori Amos in concert; maybe she’ll make like Lou Reed and bowl a few frames after the show. Also, between May 27-Aug. 26, a new TV show “Starpath 2000” will be filmed at the Bronco Bowl. All teens ages 12 to 18 are invited every Monday night from 7-11 p.m. to participate. 2600 Fort Worth Ave., Oak Cliff; 943-1777, ext. 212.



38. Play the ponies at the new Lone Star Park In Grand Prairie, where more than 175 television monitors bring you live horse racing via simulcast from the best racetracks in the country. Belt Line Road, a half mile north of 1-30. For race times and information: 263-RACE.



39. Sneak out of work early and whack a few balls on the driving range at the Hank Haney Golf Center at Cityplace, a public country club-style facility in the shadow of downtown where a bucket of balls costs only $5. Don’t have your clubs? Don’t worry, they have loaners. Mention D Magazine and get a free video analysis of your swing with Ian McCrea, head pro. 3636 McKinney Ave; 520-7275.



40. Slam, dive, and spike your way to vic-tory at the seventh annual Spikefest in Addison, the Southwest’s largest three-on-three amateur volleyball tournament. Registration forms available at area health clubs and restaurants. Cost is $88 per four-person team (you get one substitute) and includes T-shirts. Aug. 3-4; Greenhill School, 14255 Midway Rd.; 526-8806.



41. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket for that quintessential summer experience: “the pops” performed under the stars by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Fanner’s Branch Historical Park. Make a day of it; beginning at 9 a.m., you can stroll through the park’s folklore festival with children s activities, arts and crafts, and living history exhibits. The free concert is at 8 p.m. on lune 8. 2540 Farmers Branch Ln.; 1-800-BRANCH-9.



42. Let the kids loose on the big rides at Wet ’N’ Wild, while you get a tube and float along the Lazy River, the manmade stream that runs throughout the park. It’s not the Guadalupe, but when it’s 97 degrees, we’re not picky. 1800 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington; 817-265-3356.



43. March to some different drummers and be rocked to the core at the 20th annual Festival of Drums and Bugles hosted by the Lake Highlands High School band, one of a number of drum corps competitions held around the country each summer. Musically and visually, the corps’ performances are professional and exhilarating. 7:30 p.m., July 18; Wildcat-RamStadium,9449ChurchRd.;342-1324.



44. Immerse yourself in nature at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. Located on 274 acres in McKinney, the sanctuary offers weekend tours of the 3/4-mile, wooded trail that winds through three habitats, including the limestone chalk escarpments along Wilson Creek; special flower walks are planned for June 1 & 8, One Nature Place (exit 38 off Central Expressway), McKinney; 562-5566.



45. Extend that McKinney jaunt by mak-ing the menagerie scene; stop at the Bolin Wildlife Center to see W. Perry Bolin’s collection of more than 100 animals from North America, Africa, and other parts of the world. Other exhibits include rooms displaying artifacts of Collin County cotton farm life in the early 1900s. 1028 N. McDonald, McKinney; 562-2639.



46. Get medieval, varlet, in a “fully enclosed, climate-controlled castle.” Watch colorful, swashbuckling riders atop beautiful Andalusian horses compete in a tournament, see a master falconer put a bird through its paces- and do it all while eating with your hands. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday; lunch, Sunday. Medieval Times, 2021 N. Stemmons Fwy.; 761-1800.



47. Duck into The Loon, one of the city’s darkest bars, to escape the shimmering summer sun. Warning: It may take several minutes for your eyes to adjust to the eternal night within this watering hole. Miner’s helmets not provided. 3531 McKinney Ave.; 559-3059.



48. Let your kids run the town-Kid’s Town, an indoor playground where kids take over in several real-life settings, among them a hospital, an airport, a bank, a garage, a grocery store, an art studio, a puppet and live theater, and a diner. Good news for parents: no video or arcade games-your children must use their imaginations! 751 S. Central Expwy., Richardson; 231-2345.



49. Eat your way through the West End’s Taste of Dallas, a three-day celebration of savory cuisine from more than 40 Dallas restaurants. Graze from booth to booth while listening to music from four different stages. It all culminates in the appearance Sunday night of a 15-piecc, all-girl jazz band called DIVA, whose innovative sound is exciting audiences all over the country. A children’s area will have a stage and magic acts. July 12-14; West End; 298-1217.



50. Live the high life by visiting The Ultimate Treehouse exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum, which will feature fantasy treehouses designed by Dallas’ top architects and artists. On opening day, June 1, visitors will also be treated to an icehouse by New York ice sculptor Scott Relia. Through Sept. 2; 8525 Garland Rd.; 327-8263.



51. Take a lunch to the Sculpture Garden at the Trammell Crow Center, a perfect cure for CDS (cubicle-dweller syndrome) that’s caused by the cavernous offices and underground eating facilities of downtown. The Garden contains 22 sculptures, including works by Rodin with benches and cafe tables. Open 24 hours a day, 2001 Ross Ave.



52. Cruise the Internet when it’s too hot to cruise outside. Check out these sites on the World Wide Web: at . htm, you can tour Yellowstone National Park online or plan a trip there IRL (in real life). At , a site developed by the Missions Operation Laboratory at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., you can take a virtual space walk and find out about the next shuttle mission.



53. Visit The Sixth Floor Museum to see a moving exhibit on the presidency of John F. Kennedy and the events surrounding his fateful trip to Dallas on Nov. 22,1963. Tip: Allow at least two hours in the museum and another 30 minutes to walk around Dealey Plaza, where assassination buffs hawk their theories. 411 Elm St., 653-6660.



54. Shade those eyes from the blistering Texas sun at the Eyewear Factory Outlet. Buy designer sunglasses by Ray-Ban, Revo, Serengeti, Vuarnet, Porsche Carrerra, and Police at a 25 percent discount and look simply fab all summer. Two locations: 12222 N. Central Expwy., in the Dallas Handbag budding; 669-0786 or 4727 Frankford Rd., Suite 301; 735-9464.



55. Slouch all day in one of the velvety stadium-style seats of the AMC Grand and catch the summer blockbuster films. Kept at icy temperatures, this movie megaplex has 24 theaters, serve-yourself candy dispensers, and Icees. On Technology Boulevard at 1-35E and Northwest Highway; 720-4AMC.



56. Order the raspberry sorbet and vanilla frozen yogurt swirl known as Raspberry Rendezvous at Haagen-Dazs, then window-shop in Highland Park Village, Mockingbird Lane at Preston Road.



57. Toast the Sundance Square night life at the rooftop grotto bar of the Caravan of Dreams, where Maria Terezia Balogh of the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet enjoys the late afternoon; 312 Houston St., Fort Worth; 817-877-3000 or 817-429-4000. While you’re in Sundance Square, check out the free “Alive at 5” concerts held from 5 to 9 p.m. every third Thursday at the Chis-holm Trail parking lot. This year’s lineup features the Fabulous Thun-derbirds on June 27; for other dates, call 817-390-8711.



58. Pick up some great summer reading at the giant Half Price Books flagship store. You may go in looking tor one book, but this is Valhalla for browsers, so don’t be surprised if you leave with five. Every Friday, this location has a “halfy hour” berween 6-8 p.m., when selected items are reduced by another 50 percent. 5915 E. Northwest Hwy.; 363-8374.



59. Celebrate the city’s multicultural mosaic while enjoying superb vegetarian fare from the buffet at Kalachandji’s Restaurant and Palace. The restaurant adjoins a Hare Krishna temple and education center; diners are welcome to stay and learn, but there’s no heavy-handed proselytizing. 5430 Gurley near 1-30 and East Grand Avenue; 821-1048.



60. Shop, shop, shop till you drop. Travel north on I-35E and you’ll hit two sets of factor)’ shops-one in Denton and one in Gainesville. The Denton center (exit 470) features Lenox, Oneida, Corning Revere, Carter’s, London Fog, Levi’s, and WestPoint Stevens (Ralph Lauren/Polo) stores. In Gainesville (exit 501), 88 shops await, among them Ann Taylor Loft, Reebok, Toy Liquidators, Van Heusen, and Mikasa.



61. Find your own rhythm at the fourth annual Summer Solstice celebration on the eastern shores of White Rock Lake. Enjoy the world beat sounds of Ooga Booga, visit interactive villages to learn dance steps and drum rhythms from America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, hear poets read excerpts from Thoreau’s Walden, and join in the 500-stxong drum circle. June 22; near the Bath House Cultural Center, between Garland Road and Northwest Highway off Buckner; 823-DRUM.



62. Take in the film To The Limit at the new IMAX Theater at The Science Place. The film takes the audience on a heart-pounding adventure alongside three athletes as they perform awe-inspiring feats. For the first time in an IMAX format, the audience travels inside the human body via endoscopic photography. Grand opening: June 15; Fair Park; 428-5555.



63. Reminisce about Fred and Ginger by slipping on your dancing shoes and heading to Sambuca in Addison, where an 18-piece orchestra recreates those sexy summer evenings of the ’40s (when people actually touched when they danced!} with Big Band tunes every Monday night. No cover charge; 15207 Addison Rd.; 385-8455.



64. Wait out the first big heat wave at The Dallas Museum of Art, where the “Hot Cars, High Fashion, Cool Stuff: Designs of the2Qth Century” exhibit offers a nostalgic trip through the last 100 years. Through July 14; 1717 N. Harwood St.; 922-1200 or 922-1355.



65. Come hither, aspiring Romeos and Juliets! The Dallas Theater Center sponsors teen/children theater classes taught by professional educators and artists. Children ages 3 l/2 to18 can learn and exper-iment in such classes as creative theater, musi-cal theater, folk and fairy tales, circus skills, and theatrical make-up. Enrollment is limit-ed. Classes held June 3-Aug. 1; 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd.; 526-8210.



66. Teach your kids social climbing at the Clubhouse for Kids Only, an innova-tive indoor playground that offers an indoor treehouse, arts and crafts center, pretend supermarket, dress-up room, “library,” and science lab. The Clubhouse caters to kids 1 year old and up, though the 3- to 8-year-olds will be happiest here. Older kids will love the indoor mountain-climbing area, where guides teach the fine points of rock-climbing. Central Park shopping center, 2200 Airport Fwy., Ste. 620, Bedford; (metro) 817-355-5060.



67. Make like Tom Cruise and become a “top gun,” the epitome of cool, at Air Combat School, “Flyers” ages 13 and up don a genuine flight suit and climb into a jet cockpit/flight simulator for an introduction to dog-fighting. 921 Six Flags Dr., Ste. 117, Arlington; (metro) 817-640-1886.



68. Pack a picnic-you’ll see everything from KFC to caviar-and spread your blanket to enjoy the 25th season of free Shakespeare in the Park. This summer, Othello and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, share the stage. Opening week (June 16-22), Othello plays Tuesday-Thursday; Midsummer, Friday and Saturday. Then, through July 28, Othello is every Wednesday-Friday and Midsummer plays Tuesday, Saturday & Sunday nights. 8 p.m.; (gates open at 7 p.m. for members, 7:30 p.m, for non-members); the amphitheater, Samuell-Grand Park, 6200 E. Grand Ave.; 559-2778.



69. Bask in what The Old Farmer’s Alma-nac calls the “Strawberry Moon” as it rises over the broad hillsides around White Rock Lake and Flagpole Hill. Shortly after sunset, park along Doran Circle. In addition to the full moon, you’ll see Venus in the western sky on June 30.



70. Walk into the Herb Market across from the grain elevators on Fourth Street in old downtown Carrollton. Breathe deep the intoxicating aromas of hundreds of herbs, including basil, oregano, thyme, sage, germanium, mint, lavender, and rosemary, each in several different varieties. Check out the cucumber-flavored leaves of borage for a cool treat. I-35E and Belt Line Road, Carroll-ton; 446-9503.



71. Gasp at the dazzling colors in the tropical A.D. Martin St. Forest Aviary at the Dallas Zoo-900 square feet under glass of brilliantly hued bromeliads, ferns, orchids, and birds. While there, take a breezy tour on the monorail through the Wilds of Africa exhibit with six natural environments and uncaged animals. 621 E. Clarendon Dr., (Ewing exit off I-35E); 670-5656.



72. Call the Bob-Line at 321-0881when it’s hotter than hell outside for a cheeky performance satire of television evangelists, especially the notorious Robert Tilton. The right Rev. Bob, secular humorist Farley Scott, takes on “pseudo-religious money-grubbing charlatans” and reads excerpts from The Book of Bob. Line 3 is an inspirational message, and on line 4, hear Rev. Bob speaking in tongues. Line 2 promotes Rev. Bob’s local appearances. Bring your toaster to Rev. Bob and it will be healed!



73. Amuse your kids on a rainy or superhot day at Planet Pizza, where they’ll enjoy indoor carnival rides, video games, and a two-story obstacle course with slides and tubes. Custer and Parker roads, Piano; 985-7711.



74. Load up on fresh fruits and veggies at the downtown Dallas Farmer’s Market. In the newly renovated, enclosed shed, you’ll find specialty items like honey, cheese and breads, cut flowers, salsas, and cof- fee beans. The best watermelons are available from late May through August. 7 a.m.-6 p.m., daily, 1010 S. Pearl Expwy.; 238-2808.



75. Leap and spike like Larry North, founder of Larry North Total Fitness, at the White I Rock Yacht Club. Or, if your idea of summer is more sedate, munch some cheese fries, sip a cold one, and loll in the pool as the sun goes down. 7530 E. Grand Ave.; 328-3866.



76. Cool off in the Palmer Fern Dell, an acre of shade-loving plants along a creek tucked off to the side at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. At regular intervals, a micro-fine mist blankets the forested ravine, keeping summer temperatures 20 degrees below the day’s temperature. If breezes are good, park yourself on the always-green grass of the Great Lawn behind the Camp House and catch refreshing views of sailboats on White Rock Lake. 8525 Garland Rd.; 327-8263.



77. Prove to your soft, decadent kids that there was life before air conditioning (thank God you missed it) with a trip to Old City Park to see 19th- and early 20th-century houses, blacksmith shops, a train station, and the like. 1717 Gano St. near 1-30 and Harwood; 421-7800.



78. Go down to the river-the Trinity, that is-on foot, a bike, or skates at River Legacy Park in Arlington. The park’s miles of paved trails extend into the wooded area that hugs the river banks, where the temperature’s at least five degrees cooler than it is a half-mile away. The new nature center debuts in June. 701 NW Green Oaks Blvd.; 817-860-6752.



79. Pull on a pair of rollerblades and do the wet tour of the art deco architecture at Fair Park. The best spray is from the fountain between the Music Hall and the Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial. On old First Avenue, cool your feet in the shallow bowl with burbling water designed just for such a purpose. Rent skates at Bucketheads, 821-6595; Fair Park; 24-hour recorded hotline, 890-2911.



80. Speed through the air-as fast as 13-year-old country singer LeAnn Rimes’ career has taken off-on the big rides at Six Flags Over Texas, where the Texas Giant roller coaster has been named “world’s best” for four consecutive years by Inside Track magazine. Or let the new Runaway Mountain coaster take you on a search for Jean Lafitte’s gold. Brace for a 40-mph ride with 90-degree-angle drops and two highspeed horizontal spirals. I-30 at Hwy. 360, Arlington; 817-640-8900.



81. Get spooked in the dark at the Electric Theater in The Science Place, where a 2.5-million-volt Tesla coil produces crackling displays of miniature lightning storms, The narrator teasingly delights young children by having them hold fluorescent and neon tubes, which he lights from afar with electromagnetic waves. Fair Park; 428-7200.



82. Giggle uncontrollably as the comedy group Four Out of Five Doctors present their annual Christmas in July show, “Holiday on Thin Ice,” Jokes on materialism and mini-musicals about the season of greed blend with routines on a “Terminator”-type Santa and the not-so-harmless nature of children’s toys today. On selected dates in July at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre, 5400 E. Mockingbird Ln.; 821-1860.



83. Get fresh sushi-to-go at Kazi’s, which specializes in sushi made with cooked or lightly steamed seafood, and offers some vegetarian types with no critters at all. While waiting, check the freezer compartment of their Oriental grocer)’ store for a pint of green tea ice cream. 9256 Markville (on the south side of LBJ just west of Abrams); 235-4831.



84. Welcome new zoo babies in June and July at the Fort Worth Zoo. This zoo, with its award-winning “habitat” configuration, also offers week-long, half-day “summer safari” programs for kids on subjects such as animal defenses, habitats, endangered species, and feeding habits. 1989 Colonial Pkwy., Fort Worth; 817-871-7050.



85. Surf the tables of computer supplies and equipment at nerd heaven: the First Saturday midnight computer fair in downtown Dallas. At this almost-24-hour event, more than 350 vendors from around the country sell everything from whole computer systems to small parts and software, most at discount prices (between 20 and 80 percent off retail). Rumor has it the good stuffs gone before dawn. 5 p.m., Friday through 3 p.m., Saturday; parking lots in the 2600 block of Ross Avenue. May 31-June 1, July 5-6, Aug. 2-3.409-441-2001.



86. Polka ’til you’re pooped at West’s 21st annual Czech Fest. After grabbing a beer, a sausage sandwich, and a cabbage roll, you can take a seat in the outdoor amphitheater and enjoy gymnastics and ethnic dancing performances, Or take to the dance floor yourself and polka to the music of live bands from around the state. Noon-midnight, Aug. 31-Sept. l. Take I-35 south to exit 353, go left on Oak. park downtown, and take a free shuttle ride to the festival. 817-826-5058 or http://www.westfest.com.



87. Rejoice in the very existence of water at the Fort Worth Water Gardens, a Philip Johnson-designed fountain/sculp-ture/park that covers four acres with 19,000 gallons-per-m:nute of flowing, falling, spraying water, offering an unusual complete focus on this often-overlooked resource. Commerce and 15th streets, downtown Fort Worth.



88. Go see the Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey Circus as it celebrates 125 years. On opening night, catch “The Greatest Retirement Party on Earth,” honoring Jerry Haynes {Channel 81 Mr. Peppermint), who has been guest ringmaster for the past 40 years. July 31-Aug. 11, Reunion Arena, 777 Sports St., Dallas. At noon on Aug, 14, the Animal Walk in Sundance Square will kick off the circus’ shows in Fort Worth. Aug 15-18, Convention Center, 1111 Houston St., Fort Worth. For tickets, call (metro) 214-373-8000.



89. Walk the winding multilevel paths and stay for a while by the waterfall at the Dallas Horticultural Center, which has more than seven acres of gardens, including a variety of water displays and a placid pond shaded by a three-story-tall cottonwood. The glass-enclosed, two-story conservatory features blooming plants native to the African continent, including hundreds of nectar plants for the exotic butterflies that reside in the conservator)’ during the State Fair. Get a good whiff of the coffee tree. Fair Park; 428-7476.



90. Watch planes take off over the plains at D/FW International Airport. On the airport’s east side, take Airfield Drive to 32nd Street and the Airport Board’s headquarters building, where there’s a grassy, wooded area with a couple of picnic tables. On the west side, take Airfield Drive until you see the sign for a cemetery. Off to the left is tiny Minter’s Chapel Cemetery, left behind when the airport was built and the chapel was relocated. From the cemetery, its parking lot, and an adjacent grassy area, good views can be had of takeoffs and landings.



91. Stroll along Lakeside Drive in Highland Park at sunrise on a Saturday morning, before the crowd takes over. Wander along the path near the stretch of Turtle Creek that begins south of the Dallas Country Club and ends at Armstrong Parkway, and, with any luck, you’ll catch a breeze that’ll make you forget (for a fleeting moment) that it’s summertime in Dallas.



92. Skip out early on a work night, grab one of the precious few patio tables at Terilli’s, and chase an order of zesty Italchos with a nice bottle of chardonnay. 2815 Greenville Ave., 827-3993.



93. Check out the classic autos ut the 21st Annual Antique Auto Swap Meet sponsored by the Vintage Chevrolet Club. More than 900 spaces at the 106-acre Traders Village in Grand Prairie will be devoted to vendors of vintage and classic cars and parts. June 7-9, Traders Village, 2602 Mayfield, west of Carrier Parkway just north of 1-20, Grand Prairie; 647-2331.



94. Day-trip to tiny Princeton, an hour northeast of Dallas, for an afternoon of powered parachuting. Future Flight Inc. offers first-time pilots (age 15 and up) a 90-minute training session complete with a solo flight over sparkling Lake Lavon. You may never come back to earth. 100 County Road 392, Princeton; 214-736-6000.



95. Fiddle around at the Texas State Bluegrass Festival. The largest such festival in Texas features performances by masters of bluegrass, such as Jim and Jesse, the Osborne Brothers, and Mac Wiseman; also performing will be local acts such as Grand Prairie’s White House Harmony and Irving’s Shady Grove Ramblers. Camping available; June 18-22; Trade Days Park, Hwy. 19 and I-20, Canton; 903-885-7063.



96. Step back in time at the 51st annual Garland Jaycee Jubilee at Central Park on Labor Day weekend. Saturday and Sunday, enjoy arts and crafts, food, carnival rides, and the preliminary events for the Garland Junior Miss Beauty Pageant. An old-fashioned parade kicks oft events at 10 a.m., Sept. 5 with high school marching bands, kids on bicycles, Shriners on tiny motor scooters, and candidates in convertibles. After the parade, buy a plastic duck for $5 and enter it in the Garland Junior League duck race down Duck Creek. The whole shebang ends with the crowning or Garland’s Junior Miss on Monday night. Central Park, Garland Road and Avenue F; Garland; 276-9366.