Summer is officially here in Norman. And I'm not just talking the impressive lightening and thunderstorms that produced tornadoes and baseball sized hail (seriously, baseball-sized) a couple of weeks ago, or the blazing sun and 90 plus degree heat. This post is a shout out to all the creative folks who dedicate their time and energy into putting together amazing events and shows around the community. It makes the summer more educational, entertaining and interesting. Last weekend, the Firehouse Art Center, Jacobson House and Fred Jones Museum of Art sponsored "Luncheon on the Grass" at Lion's Park, which featured OU's Steel Drum Ensemble among other live music, free desserts, and my favorite: kids activities. Me and my main squeeze headed straight for the panels ready for painting and created some masterpieces that promote a couple of our proud endeavors: Touchstone Youth Project and Balcum Rancum Puppetry. I've got some Summer Field Trip groups lined up for Touchstone, at Rocktown Climbing Gym and will be supervising an OU School of Social Work (my Alma Mater) undergraduate student beginning in the fall. I'm also working on a fundraising push, so if anyone has any leads or is simply interested in donating to Touchstone, please contact me at cmgilman@touchstoneyouth.org.

The deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City opened today, June 8th and will be screening films until Sunday, June 12th. If you live in the area, this could be a fun event to check out to see some of Oklahoma's own big screen talent, as well as some from surrounding states. But if you only have one evening to spare and live in Norman, come out for the 2nd Friday Circuit of Art walk on Main and Gray's Streets. And if you are for sure going, don't miss this.

My brave mother has been breast cancer-free for over one year now. She is participating in the North Texas Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this Saturday. You can make a direct donation to Team PepsiCo here. Way to go, Momma. I love you.

I really love biking around town and most of the time the weather doesn't stop me. But every now and again, it's nice to be transported in air conditioning. Lucky for us in town, we can still conserve emissions and lay off the gas pedal by participating the CART bus service. They are having a promotion on June 17th and giving away free stuff and ending the night with music. Don't miss this gravy train.

Also, don't forget the man who introduced you to Hair, The Musical, made up his own words to popular songs for bedtime, took you to your favorite Oklahoma State Park every December and taught you how to get your real money's worth of theater movies. His day is Sunday, June 20th.

Speaking of music, Jazz in June is just around the corner. This is another great family friendly event sponsored by the Norman Arts Counsel, among other local endeavors. Sign up to volunteer for 4 hour slot and get a free t-shirt and help support a much anticipated annual celebration.

In other news, I'll be famous soon. You can say you knew me when. And you can pre-order your very own copy of the book from me and I'll autograph and personalize it just for you. My book signing is scheduled at Hastings in Norman, and you'll probably want to start camping out at least two days prior if it's anything like the Palin signing last November. Hurry, there are only 5 copies left.

If you need another fix of my amazingly creative and witty writing style and can't afford a copy of my book, here is the latest Nothin' But Non-Profit article in Voices of Oklahoma, the online magazine in which I contribute from time to time.

Me and one of my girl friends have been gardening a bit this summer. We've got onions and a couple of tomato plants, a cucumber plant, a pepper plant, beets and marigolds from seed and in the herb department, dill, chives, cilantro, and Thai basil. Although it's not super extensive, it's nice to see growth and progression from living things. And these living things get life from not only the natural elements, but gray water from doing the dishes.

I recently took a Haitian and Cuban inspired dance class at Sonder Music, Dance & Art, a studio located downtown that is owned and operated by a woman my age, which is very inspiring in and of itself. Classes are on going and there are many options to chose from, whether you are looking for something physically active or instrumentally centered. I recommend checking this place out and getting moving. I also decided to splurge on a summer class at the Firehouse Art Center, and boy howdy, am I excited about it. I've always thought glass work was beautiful, so I'm trying my hand at what's known as glass slumping. You've seen those pieces of pendants, earrings and broaches that are layered with colors of glass and those bowls and vases with swirls of colors and beads with glass dots. Those are glass slumped pieces and that's what I'm learning to do. I've only had one class so far and have no idea how my pieces are going to turn out, or if I'm even good at it, but it's super fun I've got lots of plans for my work and am already scheming ways for the pieces to end up in your homes and on your body.

But the best part of the summer is that I'm going to see my favorite Indie band of all time, for the very first time, with my new favorite person with whom I've been spending my free time. We're road tripping to Des Moines for this 4th of July music festival and both Yo La Tengo and a band with whom he plays, Evangelicals, just happen to be playing. We're heading to Urbana and possibly Madison, and certainly Chicago, after that, to meet and visit each other's friends. Peace Corps reunion and birthday celebrating bee kerring fo sho!

I also got to see my Mom and Dad and sister and her boyfriend in Dallas, over Memorial Day and that was fabulous. We went to the Dallas World Aquarium and grilled out and I saw two fabulous bands that were both new to me.

Finally, I'd like to end this post with a little shock value. Wow is all I can say. And to think, my secondary project was simply singing toothbrush songs in Mandinka.