黑料福利社

Yes, it's almost August, but that doesn't mean the sun is setting on summer just yet. Don't put away those shorts, sandals and swimming suits for a few more weeks.聽

Check out this small list of my picks to make the most of your summer days before you start thinking about back to school, the Central Washington State Fair or fall festivities at the local pumpkin patch.

Shave Ice

It is hot 鈥� no one is doubting that. Beat the heat with brightly colored and abundantly flavored shave ice.

Anytime I see a cup or bowl of shave ice, it always seems over the top and somehow stays in place. There鈥檚 nothing more satisfying (except for the chill) than breaking the mound of syrupy ice with a spoon and devouring the treat.

Cool down at Ohana Shave Ice in the Chalet Place Mall at 56th and Summitview. Stay up to date on where Sweet Ice Eh will be at as well as Yakima Ice Company at .

黑料福利社 Libraries

The 黑料福利社 Libraries host a variety of events daily such as story time, Loter铆a, STEAM activities and more.

Experience the Australian Animal Encounters with a show-and-tell event that features live animals from the land down under. This is best for participants ages 5-12. The Australian Animal Encounter will take place:

鈥� West Valley Library, 223 S. 72nd Ave., Yakima, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. July 30

鈥� Sunnyside Library, 621 Grant Ave., Sunnyside, 11 a.m. July 31

鈥� Wapato Library, 119 E. Third St., Wapato, 2 p.m. July 31

Check out YVL鈥檚 Story Walk at the Yakima Area Arboretum, 1401 Arboretum Dr., Aug. 5-9 during the arboretum鈥檚 hours, dawn to dusk. Visitors can stroll the arboretum鈥檚 paths while reading 鈥淓l Perro con Sombrero鈥� by Derek Taylor Kent. Books and interactive questions will be provided.

Later this summer, YVL will celebrate their 80-year history with a time capsule celebration. County residents can drop of an item for the 2024 Time Capsule that is representative of the community in today鈥檚 world. Learn more about the time capsule project at .

On Aug. 10, the YVL 80 Year Celebration will take place at Yakima Central Library, 102 N. Third St., starting at 2 p.m. The day will include a scavenger hunt, crafts and tours of the Northwest Reading Room and contributions will be accepted for the 2024 Time Capsule.

Finding locations, hours and learn more about what 黑料福利社 Libraries have to offer at .

Yakima River Canyon

The Yakima River Canyon offers wonderful scenic views of the shrub-steppe, and the 27 miles between Yakima and Ellensburg has plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic.

Grab your favorite meal or snacks to go from Yakima, a blanket, sunscreen and plenty of water and enjoy some time away from the summer doldrums.

Read a book, dip your feet in the water, be mesmerized by the lapping sounds, wave at people floating by on the river.

The majority of the Yakima River Canyon is maintained and managed by the Bureau of Land Management. There are four developed river access points: Roza, Big Pines, Lmuma Creek and Umtanum. There is a $15 overnight fee and a $5 day-use fee. Discover passes do not work at these sites.

There are spots along the river鈥檚 edge to access the Yakima River, including the four sites listed here. There are also privately owned access points.

Mill Burn

Burgers are good anytime of the year but are quintessential to summer and newish food vendor Mill Burn is serving up its take on smashburgers. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife RJ and Mary Clara Milburn, Mill Burn is popping up all over the 黑料福利社 at wineries, breweries and events.

The original Mill Burn smashburger patty is made of freshly ground brisket and bacon (yes, together!) and grilled and pressed with thinly sliced onions.

The smashburger is dressed with American cheese, lettuce, dill pickle and E Burg special sauce, Mill Burn鈥檚 version of a zesty fry sauce. Hungry patrons can order a single or double patty. The menu also features a veggie patty option, gluten free buns and a sourdough grilled cheese sandwich.

To find out where and when Mill Burn will be this summer, visit .

Yakima Parks and Recreation

Looking for something free, family-friendly and in the evening when temperatures are cooling down? Yakima Parks and Recreation offers a series of concerts and movies in three parks.

The Summer Sunset Concert series is every Friday through Aug. 16 from 6-8 p.m. at Franklin Park, 2101 Tieton Dr. The Viva La Musica concert series is every Sunday through Aug. 18 from 5-7 p.m. at Miller Park, North Fourth and East E Avenue. The Outdoor Summer Cinema series starts around 8:30 p.m. every Sunday through Aug. 18 at Chesterley Park, corner of 40th Avenue and River Road.

Check out the lineups for each at .

Live music on the Patio

Tucked back off of W. Lincoln Avenue, Hoops is pouring cold beers and drinks and hosting a variety of local and Pacific Northwest bands all summer on its patio stage.

Almost every night of the week, the Hoops patio stage features live rock, country, blues, pop and more. Hoops even hosts a live jam band night with Tuck Foster every Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. All musicians, music styles and instruments are welcome. Bring your own gear and the PA is provided.

There鈥檚 plenty of space outside and inside as well as dance music from a rotating lineup of local DJs and karaoke during the week after the live music.

Check out for the summer full schedule.

Ahtanum Berry Patch

If you frequent the Downtown Yakima Farmers Market (which could have easily made this list too), you鈥檝e probably seen Ahtanum Berry Patch鈥檚 stand with assorted baked goods and treats as well as fresh berries.

Spend some time soaking up the sun at Ahtanum Berry Patch鈥檚 farm, 2811 S. 74th Ave., where you can pick a variety of berries when in season. Currently, visitors can u-pick raspberries, blackberries and blueberries.

Ahtanum Berry Patch sells a variety of baked goods that include cinnamon rolls, cookies, pies, scones and more that feature seasonal berries.

Take a family-friendly guided tour of the farm, and through October enjoy lunch on the patio.

Ahtanum Berry Patch is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Dive bar

When I鈥檓 looking for a chill but sometimes (and often unexpected) wild night, find me sitting at the bar at Brews and Cues, 104 S. Second St. Pour me a well tequila shot alongside a cold can of Rainier and my night is made.

A good dive bar should have cheap drinks, a small selection of taps and bottles of beer and liquor, some sort of jukebox, regulars (think any one of the characters from 鈥淐heers,鈥� like Norm or Cliff), dim lighting and possibly a sticky floor.

Brews and Cues checks all those boxes and maybe some of your standards for a dive bar.

The downtown Yakima watering hole also has two dartboards, a pool table and some benches outside. On any given night, expect to see the regulars, not-so regulars and people wandering between bars.

Don鈥檛 forget to check out the nightly drink and dinner specials. Brews and Cues is open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.聽