What's not to like about August? The hottest days are over, local sweet corn is in season, and (good news for some, bad for others) school starts up again. So, spend a little more time over the morning paper, sip on your iced tea or microbrew a while longer, and extend this more relaxed season as long as you can. The rat race looms ahead!

Advance tickets for this year's Pooch Plunge at City Park Pool go on sale Aug. 1 at City Park Pool and Edora Pool & Ice Center. The event is Aug. 17 and 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. both days. The Pooch Plunge swim is open to dogs only. Only non-aggressive, well-mannered canines and owners are welcome to participate. All dogs must have current licenses and vaccinations, and each must wear a visible dog license. This year's event includes a silent auction for items such as canine massages. Tickets: $6 per dog in advance, $8 on day of event. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Animal House. Info: 221-6335.

The Fort Collins Museum will get feet tapping on Aug. 1 when it hosts Capoeira Luanda Denver, accompanied by the Boulder-based Brazilian band Sambadende, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the museum's Heritage Courtyard. Folks may bring a picnic dinner and blanket to enjoy samba reggae, samba enredo and samba antiga. Admission: free. Info: 221-6738.

The fourth of six open houses this year for the 1882-1883 Fort Collins Water Works is set for Aug. 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The historic site is located at 2005 Overland Trail, and admission to the open house is free. Info: 482-7201.

A benefit for Orphanage Project Liberia is set for Aug. 9, 5:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Fort Collins. The event, called "A Night for Orphans in Africa," includes dinner, live music, dessert and an auction. Proceeds will help to build a new orphanage in Liberia. Anyone wishing to donate an auction item may contact Kami Johnson at kaminakjohnson@yahoo.com. Tickets: $25. Info: www.futurefororphans.com.

The 20th annual New WestFest will rock the town Aug. 15 through 17 with great food, nonstop entertainment and dozens of arts and crafts booths. Bohemian Nights will host nearly 60 acts on five stages over the three days. Friday night, the weekend kicks off with a concert by 12 Cents for Marvin on the Old Town Square stage. Headliners for the Saturday and Sunday night shows are Taj Mahal and Little Feat. All shows are free. For families and children, Kids' World will offer entertainment at Library Park and the Fort Collins Museum. Info: www.NewWestFest.com.

KUNC's annual Tuna Fish and Peanut Butter Concert, a benefit for the Food Bank for Larimer County and the Weld Food Bank, is planned for Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m., at the Hammond Amphitheater at North Lake in Loveland. This year's featured group is the Queen City Jazz Band, providing traditional New Orleans-style jazz, blues and gospel music. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a picnic supper to the event. Admission: cash donation. Info: 350-0822.

Participants in the Tour de Farms bike ride, slated for Aug. 23, will tour the Old Town Farmers' Market, visit three cutting-edge urban ag projects and gain useful tools and knowledge for gardening. After a five- to 10-mile bike ride, the day will end with a delicious lunch made from local ingredients by the Fort Collins Food Co-op. Sponsored by the Sustainable Living Association, the event runs 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning and ending at Civic Center Park. Tickets: $10. Info: www.sustainablelivingassociation.org.

The Rocky Mountain Quilt Festival will be held Aug. 23 and 24 at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland. Hours of the festival are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Guest quilt artists Melody Randall, Cookie Warner, David Taylor, Louisa Smith, Sara Broers-Brown and Cindy Brick will display their award-winning quilts and will offer classes on topics such as basic crazy-quilting techniques and embellishment techniques. The featured artist, Christine Dabbs, will hold a two-day workshop following the festival. Info: 221-0582 or www.northernlights-designs.com.

The Rist Canyon Mountain Festival, always a big draw for Larimer County folks, is scheduled for Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on County Road 52E 10 miles west of Fort Collins. The festival features children's activities, food and entertainment, including an appearance by Liz Barnez. Highlight of the day is the nationally known Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction, which begins at 1 p.m. This year's auction includes works by 140 artists including Richard Schmid, Nancy Guzik, Molly Schmid, Jim Biggers, Cathy Goodale, Nancy Seamons Crookston and Quang Ho. Proceeds from the event benefit the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department. Both admission and parking are free. Info: 419-0397 or www.RichardSchmidAuction.com.

Crystal Lakes Road & Recreation will host an Arts & Crafts Sale on Aug. 31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will also include a bake sale and silent auction. Info: 834-1168 or 590-5636.