ByDiane La Rue

Memorial Day is just one week away and that means the unofficial start to summer. We're hearing from weather forecasters that this summer should be a scorcher, so now is a good time to plan accordingly.

Upcoming at Fingerlakes Mall, Steve & Barry's University Sportswear is preparing for the debut of Sarah Jessica Parker's new line of women's clothes called Bitten. The line arrives Thursday, June 7. Fashion industry insiders are buzzing about this new line of affordable and fashionable shirts, dresses, sweaters, jeans, lingerie, jewelry and accessories.

The mall also has some interesting events in the works. The Fox Dealerships Car Show runs in the front parking lot from Thursday, June 14, through Saturday, June 16. Automobiles in every style and price range will be for sale.

Bass Pro Shops huge Camping and Boating Classic is scheduled for Sunday, June 17, through Sunday, June 24. Check out the latest in camping and boating gear. Also seminars will be held from Friday, June 22, through Sunday, June 24. Call Bass Pro Shops at 258-2700 or visit www.basspro.com for specific information.

The Cayuga County Small Business Show will be held Friday, June 22. This show will have information on finances, insurance and more geared to the small business owner. Small businesses will also have the opportunity to showcase their business to the general public.

For more information on how to get your small business involved, contact Dan Holleran at the Fingerlakes Mall at 255-1188 ext. 24.

Donations are coming in daily for the 16th annual Book Bonanza to benefit St. Joseph School. The sale will be held from Saturday, July 14, through Sunday, July 15, at the mall. Mystery fans will be thrilled with the donation of a huge collection of paperbacks that came in last week. Knitting club mysteries, scrapbooking mysteries, tea shop mysteries and dozens of other mystery series in excellent condition will be available at the sale.

Other popular categories include romance novels, children's books, cookbooks, biographies and self-help books; there are more than 60,000 books sorted into 60 categories.

Paperbacks and children's books will be 50 cents, hardcovers are $1 and the better books room will have items from $1 to $10. Videotapes, CDs and DVDs will start at $2 each.

Donations of new and used books, audiobooks, videotapes, DVDs, CDs and more may be dropped off at the Book Bonanza book drop located near the main mall entrance near Sears during mall hours. (No encyclopedias, textbooks, Readers' Digest Condensed Books, anything wet or without covers, please.)

Call 224-3941 or e-mail bookbonanzafingerlakesmall@yahoo.com for more information.

Remember that Fingerlakes Mall will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Memorial Day. Enjoy the holiday.

Diane La Rue is a marketing consultant for Fingerlakes Mall.