Our local expert recommends some challenging (and rewarding) hiking spots.

Summertime is a great time to improve your health and get in shape. In Seattle, it also means that, occasionally, the rain quits long enough for us to step outside and enjoy the natural world. So, for the first installment of this four-part column, we will look at some hiking trails around the Northwest that should get your feet moving.

Where will you be when the Fourth of July sky starts booming?

The July 4th festivities that will commence this Monday afternoon/evening/night are a time-honored American tradition. Nothing quite says summer in the States like laying out a big blanket under the sun, flinging around a Frisbee and consuming exorbitant amounts of fried chicken, Waldorf salad and refreshing microbrew (or Miller High Life, if that’s your poison).

Attention movie junkies, this year’s festival stand-outs will be shown all weekend.

Even though the Seattle International Film Festival lasts nearly a month — showings this year ran May 19-June 12 — it’s virtually impossible to catch all the shows you want. With hundreds of titles to choose from, there are only so many long lunches and sick days you can take before your boss gets suspicious.