Summer Splash
Time to jump in the pool

Summer is in full swing, and there's still plenty of time to take advantage of the hot, sunny weather. With people looking to have a vacation experience close to home, many are heading to water parks.
Map: Pools and water parks
FARMERS' MARKETS
Why not eat fresh?
It's time for farmstand produce, fresh-cut flowers and homemade products. We have a complete roundup of farmers' markets in the area. Just click on our locator map and find a market closest to you.
Final round follies at Illinois Open

Eric Meierdierks finally broke through at the Illinois Open, as the 25-year-old playing professional from Wilmette captured the 61st state championship by one shot over University of Illinois junior Luke Guthrie. Meierdierks, who has made the cut in every Illinois Open he's played in the last decade, played a solid 1-under 68 on Wednesday to finish the tournament at 6-under. "It's been a goal of mine to win this trophy for a long time and I'm very proud that I can finally hold it," Meierdierks said. "It's been a great week." Guthrie, the 36-hole leader, started off on fire and was 9-under for the tournament until he double-bogeyed the par 3 ninth hole and bogeyed Nos. 10 and 11.
Runners push through warm conditions
While the conditions that greeted runners were less than ideal Wednesday night for the Viking Summer Sunset 5K, that didn't mean there wasn't some good racing.
Maybe one more time for Britney Spears
Bill Zwecker: We've heard it all before, but a regular BZ Hollywood source -- whose past accuracy has been excellent -- is convinced Britney Spears soon may be heading back down the aisle. According to my spy, Britney and her beau Jason Trawick -- joined by Trawick's parents -- were chatting about Chelsea Clinton's upcoming nuptials over a recent dinner at L.A.'s Grafton on Sunset Hotel.
Side dishes save this 'Dinner'
'Kids' makes unique family look familiar
Frank doesn’t show for ‘Bachelorette’ episode
'Mad' about one of ad men