It's nearly 100 degrees outside, and it feels even hotter beneath the glaring un-forgiveness of the direct sunlight. But sprawling on a checkered blanket or lounging in a beach chair underneath the lush trees at East Sac's Bertha Henschel Park, all is as fresh and rosy as a well-iced mint julep.

It's Saturday night and locals in the know that's it's time again for some music (and major picnic-ing) in the park. 'Pops in the Park' is just one of Sacramento's free concert series, popping up during the summertime in a neighborhood park near you Hosted by the East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce and brought to you by councilmember Steve Cohn, as well as with help from local businesses like Inside Publications, the Pops in the Park series is a toe-tapping and cool win-win.

Come on, what's not to like about "free", "fun" and "music" in the "shade" during a hot Sacramento summer evening?! Toss in a fantastic park like Bertha Henschel, complete with major shade-and-protection-giving trees, two playgrounds, a kiddie pool, a water-falling fun fountain, basketball courts and restrooms for your convenience and comfort... Than add a blanket and some cool drinks and munchies, and what you have is a wonderful way to spend a summer evening with friends and loved ones of all ages.

This past Saturday (June 17th) Bill Rase Orchestra was playing a concert in memory of Bill himself, who passed away this May. A well-known, liked and respected person, musician, entertainer, radio and TV personality, Bill founded the Bill Rase Orchestra and brought Sacramento to its feet with 30s and 40s swing music. And the band members have hardly missed a beat in continuing Bill's tradition.

The Pops in the Park concerts are BYO everything (minus the music) if you choose ~ including chairs, umbrellas, gourmet picnics, cocktails and cool drinks in fancy plastic cups. Or you can choose to keep your load light and purchase food, drinks and desserts from vendors that come out to make the experience complete, like Sacramento Catering and Burrs Ice Cream.

Pops in the Park Summer Concert Series featured Funkengruven at McKinley Park on June 3rd and Garrett Wilkin & The Parrotheads at Glen Hall Park on June 10th. Coming next week (June 24th) is the Conquista Musical at East Portal Park. The concerts run from 6-9PM Saturday evenings. For more information call 808-5240... and don't forget to dust off that picnic basket in the meantime!