To Do

Toe-tapping break: If you work downtown or in the Clifton area, the Cincinnati Park Board wants to give you a downbeat to enjoy your lunch outside. Its Music in the Parks summer program fills the air with music to relief stress in the middle of your workday. Janet Pressley is the featured performer in the LPK Acoustic Lunch Series, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday. The series, featuring local performers, continues Tuesdays through Aug. 26 at Piatt Park, downtown.

Diggs Plaza in Burnet Woods hosts the Faux Frenchmen as part of the Diggs Plaza Music Series, 12:30-2 p.m. Saturday. The Diggs Plaza series continues Saturdays through July 26. Free, 352-4080.

Make plans now to celebrate next weekend at the Hyde Park Blast. PreBlast activities include the Hyde Park Block Party starting at 6 p.m. Thursday at Hyde Park Square. Leroy Ellington and the E-Funk Band provide the dance music and some of the Square's restaurants will offer appetizer specials.

Blast off: The Blast Run/Walk steps off Hyde Park Square at 7:30 a.m. July 4. Money from the event goes to charity. All entrant slots have been filled but they're giving out prizes for the loudest spectator group along the race's course. Come on down and cheer on the run/walkers.

For the kids, the Blast Bike Decorating Contest starts at 10 a.m. July 4 at Ault Park. The event, for children ages 3-12, is open to all decorated bikes, scooters, wagons or vehicles. Prizes will be awarded based on creativity and patriotic theme. Food and entertainment available. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., $2 per child on event day. 533-9774.

Read and watch: Bookworm Wednesdays return to Showcase Cinemas Springdale Wednesday mornings through Aug. 13. Children receive free admission to a special movie shown at 10 a.m. Wednesday when they turn in a book report at the box office. This Wednesday's movie is Antz. The rest of the schedule is July 9: Stuart Little 2; July 16: Hey Arnold! The Movie; July 23: Jonah: A Veggie Tales Movie; July 30: Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron; Aug. 6: Space Jam; and Aug. 13: The Wild Thornberrys Movie. Official forms for book reports are available at participating theatres and online at www.

ShowcaseCinemas.com. Free without book report for children under 6 with adults. 699-1500.

Hot Stuff

Before you pack: Just in time for summer vacation, Consumer Reports releases its annual Summer Vacation Guide on www.consumerreports.org. The site lists ways to get free plane tickets (be flexible in scheduling), how to avoid rental car pitfalls (personal car insurance matches coverage sold at the counter), how to best protect your skin in the summer heat (why everybody needs a good coating of sunscreen) and the best Web sites to make hotel reservations (always read the "small print").

Contact Shauna Scott Rhone by phone: 768-8511; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: srhone@enquirer.com.