With the summer season in full swing — and apparently in full sweat, if the last week or so is any indication —  some of us are soaking up the sun, fishing and hiking and camping until we run out of drinkable water.

Dear Emily: I haven’t always had the greatest relationship with my dad, but we starting talking more over the last few months and getting to know each other (for what feels like the first time) lately.

Here’s probably what happened at HBO Films. Some executive saw that the new “Sex and the City” movie clocked in at two hours and 20 minutes and wondered if there were any way the filmmakers could trim some of the fat out of the picture.

Dear Emily: My sister is pregnant, expecting her first child in six months, and I’d like to throw her a baby shower. But she also has a best friend, Tamera, who is very overbearing. I’m afraid she’ll try to take over the whole event and not let me have any part.

Face it, guys, you’re probably going to have to go see “Sex and the City.” Your wife/girlfriend/female buddy will drag you there, kicking and screaming.

The intergalactic keg party is in jeopardy. That’s because someone clogged the dirty Russians’ space toilet.

Dear Emily: I signed up for swimming lessons at my local gym to help me learn stroke techniques for a triathlon I signed up for.

A jazz concert will be held at Griffin Bookshop and Coffee Bar in at 732 Caroline St. in downtown Fredericksburg from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Some folks are just jerks.

Thank goodness divers off the Florida Keys found my 385-year-old gold toothpick and earwax spoon.

This month’s play at Riverside Center Children’s “Lunch ’n Show” really rocks.

Dear Emily: I am 33 years old and never learned how to swim.

Twelve years ago, Pearl Jam - one of the few rock bands from the 90’s to remain relevant today - won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance.

Events happening in the area.

On our 20th anniversary, my lovely, red-headed wife and I sat down and took an honest assessment of our relationship, how far we had come in our two decades together and what the future holds for us crazy kids that everyone said would never make it.

Everybody loves an election year. By “everybody,” of course, I mean “political junkies and government workers.” The rest of us could give a fig, since life will continue on as it usually has for the vast majority of America.

So I got an e-mail the other day from a lovely lady named Sue.

Dear Emily: I moved away from home about six months ago, and I am very homesick. I have a good job and some nice new friends, but I just feel so lonely at the end of the day. How do I get over this feeling? I

Dear Emily: I am not normally a clumsy person, but I seem to keep accidentally destroying or breaking things in my girlfriend’s home.

My summer officially started Friday. I wasn’t headed to the beach or anything, but I seriously considered skipping out on Passover to catch “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” the latest offering from the Judd Apatow factory.

The Kingston Trio will perform with the UMW Community Symphony Orchestra as part of the William Anderson, Jr. Celebrity Series

The play, “Willy Wonka Junior” is at the Riverside Center Children’s Theater until May 3. It’s a fun experience for all children, teens and parents, too.
Willy Wonka believed in looking at the bright side of life and he tried to pass that on to the children he met.

The Hartwood Winery will be offering wine tastings in recognition of spring, from noon to 4 p.m. In addition to wine, hor d’oeuvres will be served and Gerry Maddox will perform live music.

Dear Emily,
My girlfriend loves to play poker and lately she’s been doing it online. I’ve noticed she’s been using the online chat function and I’m concerned that she’s conversing with other players.

Outspoken comedian Margaret Cho is breaking the chains of self-hatred and embracing self-love next week at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C.

If you haven’t yet heard the Drive-By Truckers’ excellent new album, “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark,“ you might want to seek out “Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife.“

Movies opening Friday, April 4