Today we give thanks to Willis Carrier. Who is he? The inventor of air conditioning tomatoes. Here are a few other ideas for cool things to do during the dog days of summer:  eat sorbet, go the Fringe Festival, visit the planetarium, read a book.

Eat Sorbet. Lolly, Sorbetto- on-a-Stick is Here!

Italian foodie Francine Segan reports that Italy’s iconic treat, lemon ices, date back to centuries. But in the 1950s an Italian artisian created a lemon sorbet on a stick, and named it “LaBomba” where they have been hugely popular in the Rimini beach resorts, and more recently all over Italy.  Well great news tomatoes, “La Bomba” has arrived in NYC.  Galvanina, Italy’s renowned spring water company, created Lolly to introduce La Bomba to the rest of the world, combining the highest quality 100% organic fruit from Italy with Galvanina’s own natural mineral water and organic cane sugar. No artificial flavors or colors! Available in 4 flavors.  And you have them delivered to your store step from Fresh Direct. $5.99 for a box of 4.

Live on the Fringe. Fringe Festival is Here!

The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC), the largest multi-arts festival in North America, will present the 20th Annual Festival from August 12 – 28, 2016. Each year the festival presents programming by nearly 200 of the world’s best emerging theatre troupes and dance companies.  Fringe has been the launching pad for many off-Broadway and Broadway hit shows, and has created stars too, like Bradley Cooper. So just never know who you might discover. Get the details.

Head to space. Hayden Planetarium Space Shows

With hazy murky skies, we can’t see much of the cosmos, which is why the The Space Show in the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space is a fun and cool thing to do this summer. The Space Show uses state-of-the art technology to communicate cutting-edge science. A digital video system projects across the theater’s 67-foot-wide hemispheric dome, and every seat has an amazing view.

The Hayden Planetarium is an “immersive environment,” in which you feel as if you’re part of the action taking place on screen. The journey may seem like science fiction, but it is all based on authentic scientific observations, data, and models. Now Showing: Dark Universe. It celebrates the pivotal discoveries that have led us to greater knowledge of the structure and history of the universe and our place in it—and to new frontiers for exploration. The Show is narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Plan your visit.

Read a book from the NYC Public Library without leaving home.

Did you know the NYC Public Library has a huge collection of e-books, audio books, and streaming videos that you can order right from computer?   Perfect for a steam hot weekend when you don’t want to leave the house.  Don’t have a library card? Well get this – any person who lives, works, attends school or pays property taxes in New York State is eligible to receive a New York Public Library card free of charge. You can get it online too.