Where are you going this weekend?

There are people (frequently young people) who claim "There's nothing to do in this town." Clearly they're not aware how wrong they are.

It's time to do something about that. For the next few weeks, consider me a guide for places you should have on your list of things to do around the stateline. To get us started, let's get some things out of the way that you should already be doing.

If you haven't already headed down to the MetroCentre to see some Rock River Raptors football or taken a trip out to see the Riverhawks play, put it on your list of things to do right now. There are only 2 weeks of regular season football left (one if you're reading this in print) but the Raptors are making a push for playoff paydirt. The Riverhawks also put on a good show, with a new stadium and plenty of seats available. Not far from the Riverhawk's stadium is the ISC where you can join volleyball leagues, watch some Roller Derby, or just hit up the Skybox for a tasty pizza and sports on a big screen.

Getting in towards the center of town, if you haven't joined the YMCA yet - what's keeping you? So many programs for kids and people of all ages - it's the best known "secret", and one of the best resources for summertime activities anywhere in the stateline area.

Festivals, festivals, festivals - you could book every weekend in your summer with a local festival. If you're not seeing a show in Davis park this weekend, you could be travelling to one of a hundred small town festivals and parades within an hour and a half and find a good show, rides and those elephant ear things that look odd but taste so good.

Living in Rockford in the summer, there is one guaranteed activity to consume your weekends with something new every week: Golf. If you haven't learned how to play golf yet, visit the Park District and find out how you can get private instruction or join group classes. Then hit the new golf.rrstar.com to plot out your summer calendar. With 87 courses within easy driving distance, you could play 2 different courses every week for two whole summers.

Finally, just 'cause the kids love to do it doesn't mean you shouldn't be out there doing kids stuff too. Go swimming at the Alpine or Sand Park Pools or make a real splash at Magic Waters or Coco Key water parks. Read a comic book from Tomorrow is Yesterday in Loves Park, get into a game of Laser Tag at Laser Quest or play some mini golf out at Volcano Falls, or for a quick round the Penguin Mini Golf at Sand Park in Loves Park.

Clearly, there are plenty of things to do. So many that I'll come back next week and talk with you about some shops you'll need a day or two to take in all by themselves!