Saturday Scoops

Beat the heat!

If the heat's getting you down, you can't bear the stock market and there's nothing on but repeats, we have a respite from the summer doldrums. Rather than obsess about your portfolio, escape with these 10 movies chosen to help you cool down and get your mind off of the Dow:

"The Bear" (1989, PG). Escape a bear market and take in this lovely adventure film about an endearing bear cub that teams up with a mature bear to elude human hunters. Even though it's told from a bear's point of view, the movie doesn't have any talking critters, but it does offer a woodsy setting away from the city.

"Beauty and the Beast" (1991, G). This is Disney's finest animated feature, with the catchiest music this side of Broadway. While the weather's beastly hot, this funny and touching story about a beautiful bookworm and a gentle giant of a Beast is classic escapist fare for all ages.

"Big" (1988, PG). There's a lot of idle wishing going on these days, so most can relate to that of a 12-year-old who craves to be a grownup. Wish granted, the overgrown innocent, played so well by Tom Hanks, gets more than he bargained for.

"City Lights" (1931, not rated). Considered the finest of Charlie Chaplin's films, it's another classic case of a poor man falling for an even poorer girl but exemplifying the spirit of giving.

"Harvey" (1950, not rated). What could be more escapist than boozing it up with an imaginary bunny pal? Jimmy Stewart embodies the best of the American spirit: wry humor, idealism and decency.

"Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (1975, PG). If this farce by the famous British comedy troupe doesn't elicit two hours of guffaws as you plunge headlong into medieval times, your brain must be made of shrubbery.

"Sleeper" (1973, PG). Woody Allen's nerdy health-food store owner wakes up in 2173 after being frozen and realizes that the future can be as bad as the past. (Note to self: Don't clone alone.) But at this warm time of year, a spell of cryogenesis sounds inviting.

"Some Like It Hot" (1959, not rated). Enjoy the heat generated in this classic sex farce by Billy Wilder about musicians (Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon) who witness the Valentine's Day Massacre and try to elude mobsters by joining an all-girl band. Marilyn Monroe steams things up as a singer.

"Young Frankenstein" (1974, PG). This black-and-white laughfest stars Gene Wilder as the grandson of the mad scientist. Ben Stiller (with such perfect comic timing in hilarious runners-up "Flirting With Disaster" and "There's Something About Mary") says he watches this send-up of Frankenstein flicks every year for a comedy refresher.

Stray from beaten path and discover Makapu'u's tidepools

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a are among the creatures in the Makapu'u tidepools, where you can swim and snorkel.

But it would be a shame to live on O'ahu and miss out on the beauty of the Makapu'u tidepools. So here's the lowdown: The thrill of the climb up Makapu'u Point is not the historic lighthouse; it's the detour down to the pools, where you can swim and snorkel and pretend it's your own island. (Watch your step, and keep an eye out for dangerous rogue waves.)

The quickest way to get there is from the blacktop path to the lighthouse.

Park on Kalaniana'ole Highway near the closed Makapu'u gate. Start the trek up the hill. Once you reach the whale-watching sign, stray from the pavement and look for the trail down to the water.

Then, the pools appear like a mirage. Watch out for a blowhole, which can make the rocks slippery. And don't forget a towel, for more comfortable rock-sitting.

On the weekends, make a chicken run

Weekends can be as busy as workdays with errands, volunteer outings, family commitments, workouts, shopping and — we hope! — time to socialize and have fun. Which means many meals are quick affairs, munched on the go.

Some say fast food always is bad food but Victoria Johnson, author of "Body Revival," is a realist; she knows you're gonna go there. So here are her ideas for how to eat sensibly in six popular franchise restaurants:

• McDonald's: Grilled Chicken Deluxe, hold the special sauce.
• Taco Bell: Chicken Burrito, extra lettuce and tomato, no cheese or sour cream.
• Burger King: Broiler Chicken sandwich, no mayo.
• Wendy's: Dave's Grilled Chicken Sandwich or Chicken Salad.
• Jack in the Box: Chicken Fajita Pita.
• Subway: Any of the "Seven Under Six" sub sandwiches with no oil or mayo, just a splash of vinegar.
• Kentucky Fried Chicken: Tender Roasted White Meat without skin, small order mashed potatoes.

Another tip: Put a small cooler in the car filled with bottled water. Drink 12 ounces before lunch to help fill you up before you face temptation under the golden arches.

Summertime allows you to be creative, kooky, even gross

Summer isn't over yet.

So hold on to the last moments of this free-spirited season by doing something out-of-the-ordinary this weekend. Here's what we recommend:

1. Invent a sport that uses items from at least two other games. For example, a Frisbee and a softball, a badminton racket and a Super Soaker. Give it a catchy name.
2. Start a cooking club. Chose a cuisine a week and have friends bring over dishes from each culture.
3. See how many friends you can cram into a photo booth at the mall. Turn the photos into bookmarks or refrigerator magnets.
4. Get dressed up — stockings, hairspray and all — and head to that one expensive restaurant you could never afford. And just order dessert.
5. Invent pizza ice cream. Or something equally gross.
6. Dazzle your friends with a mango lassi, sort of a milkshake from India. Take 2 cups vanilla yogurt, 2 cups milk, the pulp of two ripe mangoes, the juice of one lemon and 1 teaspoon sugar. Place all ingredients in a blender, process until smooth, then pour over crushed ice.
7. Declare National "fill in the blank" Day. Start a campaign to make it a legitimate holiday. Petition your friends, write to Congress, alert the media.
8. Give yourself a nickname. And don't answer to anything else.

Web site lets you go with the flow

Kilauea Volcano's fire show has attracted thousands of visitors each night since the lava flow into the ocean increased two weeks ago. Flights to Hilo and hotel rooms in the area are hard to book.

But who needs the hassle? View images from the volcano's most dramatic eruption in years at hvo.wr.usgs.gov, with commentary from experts. And all from the comfort of your living room. The U.S. Geological Survey updates the Web site daily.

Overcome those hurdles and get to the gym by doing a little self-motivating

Getting to the gym is the hardest part of working out.

And we find a million excuses to foil our own fitness plans. But all you need to get started on a fitness program, or to push your current one to the next level, is a little confidence.

Here are some suggestions from Shape.com:

• Do something — anything — you're good at: When you do something well, from shooting hoops to picking up a spare, your body releases those feel-good endorphins. Accomplishing one thing makes you optimistic about your ability to accomplish something else.
• Challenge yourself: Overcoming an obstacle builds self-confidence and convinces you that you can overcome others. Or try something new, like surfing or inline skating. The change of pace may be good for your fitness routine — and keep you interested.
• Break your own record: Hiked three miles? Go for five. Ran a 5K in half an hour? Finish in less than 25 minutes. Push yourself and your limits. Your growing competence will encourage you to tackle new challenges.
• Help someone else succeed: Coach a friend through a triathlon or teach your niece to swim. You'll feel needed and knowledgeable, and it will add to your sense of self-worth.
• Hire a pro: A personal trainer or coach can help you break through mental barriers and set higher goals. You'll accomplish more.
• Play rough: Physically demanding sports, such as kickboxing and tae kwon do, will make you feel strong and self-reliant.
• Cultivate cheerleaders: Fitness is not necessarily a team sport, but support and encouragement always helps, whatever your goal.