Provo, UT

For a girls’ night one Friday night, my roommates and I dressed up as superheroes—not specific ones, you understand, but ones we made up. That’s right. We went shopping for outfits at DI and Charlotte Russe, looking for gaudy gold jewelry, crazy tank tops and belts, short skirts and leggings, and yes, even capes.

While Madbrook isn’t technically a coffee shop (I had to talk them through how to make an iced coffee, although they make great lattes and iced fraps), it has a relaxed coffee house vibe. There are black leather couches, nice décor, bar-height tables and stools, free wi-fi, and three big plasma TVs strategically placed so you can see one from just about every seat in the

Utah currently has four professional baseball teams: The Ogden Raptors and Orem Owlz (both Pioneer League), Salt Lake Bees (Pacific Coast League), and St. George Roadrunners (Golden Baseball League, an independent league). The Raptors are a farm team of the LA Dodgers. The Salt Lake Bees are the AAA affiliate of the LA Angels, and the Orem Owlz are the Angels’ rookie affiliate.

Finally he asked if I wanted to go to a show; I said sure, and within minutes our decision was made. He checked out Muse Music, a small venue in downtown Provo, and found out when the next show started. It didn’t even matter what it was—we were going.

If you’re looking for a fun evening activity for the whole family to enjoy, how about a free movie at your local park? Grab your kids, friends, or a date, plus a blanket, chairs, and refreshments, and enjoy a film under the stars.

The Utah Arts Festival is one of my favorite events to attend. It has a cool, edgy vibe while still managing to be family-friendly. The 2008 festival will be held Thursday, June 26 through Sunday, June 29, from noon to 11 p.m. at Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City. The four-day event is one of the largest outdoor festivals in Utah, attracting 80,000 people. It features more than 130 visual artists, 100-plus performing artists, literary and culinary artists. It’s a total feast for the senses.

s a kid growing up in Brooklyn, I loved block parties and street fairs. The street would be roped off, everyone would be out socializing and laughing, kids would be playing, the smell of great food would fill the air, and there would always be some sort of entertainment. Party on the Boulevard is like a modern version of those childhood fêtes.

The Brigham Young University Museum of Art in Provo is one of the principal fine art museums between Denver and San Francisco, and one of the top university museums in the U.S. Located on the BYU campus, the museum has a permanent collection of more than 16,000 pieces with an emphasis on American and religious art. (Although the entire collection isn’t on display at any given time, you can make an appointment for the print study room to see artworks not currently on view).

One of Provo’s greatest resources goes largely unappreciated: your lawn. Lie down! Roll! Enjoy! Remember how it feels to enjoy life like a child, if just for a moment.

Spring has lasted a little longer this year than usual, but I still can’t help thinking about those hot, lazy summer days just around the corner. So what do you do if you’re basically landlocked and don’t own a boat? For a die-hard beach-goer like me, it was a challenge to find a few family-friendly lakeside spots to swim, sunbathe, and relax. Deer Creek State Park and Reservoir was one of the prettiest lakes I