Nothing says summer like a blocked-off street, crowded with entertainers, neighborhood food vendors, and craft peddlers. Street fair season has officially begun!

In July, there are at least three great street fairs worth checking out:

July 12
Mississippi Street Fair

June 28 + 29
Good in the Neighborhood (held in NE Portland)

July 26
Division + Clinton Street Fair

Also check out the Portland street fair schedule for the rest of the summer. If you know of fairs I don't have listed here, please feel to email me at portlandor.guide@about.com.

I've always loved picking berries. Going directly to the farm for food feels fantastic, and so does having a fridge (and freezer) full of delicious fruit. Plus, you save a lot of money by picking your own.

I recommend heading to Sauvie's island for your berry-picking adventure. It's not too far, and while you're there you can also enjoy the beach, a hike, or a bike ride.

Before you go, visit the official Sauvie Island website, and call the farms to make sure they've got what you want. Prepare to get a little bit dirty, and bring your own containers if you've got 'em.

Living without a connection to the Internet makes me uncomfortable, and of course, it's an occupational hazard since I write for the Web. As a laptop-toter, I have the option of working just about anywhere. And with so many Portland coffee shops and other public places offering free wireless service, I rarely find myself having to pay for this necessary service.

But it still bummed me out when I heard that MetroFi is ending their "free wireless" service for the city of Portland. The idea was wonderful, the execution was lacking. I tried. From my SE Portland neighborhood, I had "MetroFi" pop up on as an available wireless network on my machine, though it never seemed to actually deliver. Were you ever able to connect to their network? And if so, was it reliable enough to use for more than just a few minutes?

We're not the only city that got our hopes up about having free Wi-Fi. MetroFi's other projects in California and Illinois are also kaput.

Luckily, there are plenty of resources for finding free Wi-Fi hotspots in the city. Try WiFipdx, locate a place to hunker down, and take a minute let these generous businesses know you appreciate what they're doing.

I'm not sure where June went, but the Fourth of July is right around the corner. With any luck, we'll have a sun-filled holiday, and it'll be prime for the perfect picnic.

There's plenty of other options for your day, too. Did you know Oaks Park stays open all day on the 4th? Rides and entertainment will only cost you $4! Get the details on the fireworks and other events in Portland, too.