Summer's almost here, which means the clock is ticking on lining up activities for the kids. Luckily, you don't have to spend a ton of money to keep them busy.

Several local and national businesses are hosting free and cheap summer kids programs that will keep your kids reading, bowling, making movies, watching movies and touring museums.

On top of that, Triangle-area libraries are kicking off free summer reading programs that reward kids -- and in some cases, adults -- for reading. Free book bags, stickers, weekly rewards and prizes, story hours, puppet shows, book clubs and contests are all in the works. Call your local library for details.

I'll add more activities as I find them. And if you know of a summer-on-the-cheap program, please post it in the comments section.

Summer's true dog days are still two months off. But man, is it hot out there this afternoon -- sticky and dead-calm, with not even a hint of breeze. And as I took my daily walk to forage for java a little while ago, I heard the perfect piece of music wafting through the still summer haze. It was George Gershwin's moody "Summertime," played on trumpet by a well-dressed young man seated on a downtown Raleigh street corner.

Although it instantly put visions of movie screenplays in my head, I'm afraid I have no video or audio of this to share. But it was a had-to-be-there moment that wouldn't translate anyway. So here is the next best thing.