It’s summer and it’s hot.

Yes, we here at the Independent are not afraid to bring you the hard-hitting news, no matter whom we offend.

Rhys, the rescued corgi, is the member of our little menagerie at Chez Davis who seems most affected by the even-more-sweltering-than-usual weather. He’s started dodging our morning walk, hanging out at the beginning of the tall grass and sniffing very, very thoroughly until I and the Dorky Duo are up the path a ways, then bolting for the porch where he lies in wait for the next person out the door to escape back into air-conditioned bliss.

Of course, his little tiny feet (corgis have no legs, just feet) must make about five or 10 steps to equal one of the bigger dogs’, and even moderate tall grass is an impenetrable, “Apocalypse Now” jungle to him, so I can’t get too upset.

I am miffed, however, that he doesn’t accompany me outside for my weekend grilling anymore. Now, half of you gentle readers (the gentler half) are asking yourselves right now what kind of a maniac am I to sit next to the hot barbecue grill when it’s already 95 degrees or so, with a “heat index” the hysterical weather weenies on TV inform us, approaching the temperature on the sunny side of Mercury? (A digression: When did heat index and wind chill enter the lexicon? When I was coming up, you said something like, “It’s real cold,” and folks knew that, if you added, “and windy” it would be more uncomfortable outside. Likewise if you said, “it’s hot out,” and added, “and really humid,” folks knew it was going to be more miserable. Quantifying the level of misery never occurred to us.)

Of course, the less gentle half of my readership, the manly half that does the bulk of the chain sawing (and spitting and burping), knows. Grilling is a man thing, dating back to the most primitive days when fire was first harnessed. If it’s outdoors and an open flame and meat (or fish, or vegetables. I’m not picky.) are involved, then I am involved.

My family (all members of the better-smelling half of humanity) laughs at me, of course. My little deceptions when things get a little out of control (it’s blackened on purpose, honey, not burned!) or when I run out of charcoal (It’s maple-smoked! I carefully harvested that wood, and it hurts when you say I just randomly picked up sticks that were lying around!) are, I guess, fodder for amused contempt, but I don’t care. When I’m sitting by the fire searing a haunch of mammoth, I feel content.

But when it’s this hot, Rhys just looks up at me with a “you are one crazy primate” expression on his face and heads for the air-conditioning vent in the floor in the kitchen.

There are a few benefits to the heat. No one argues if I say, “it’s just too hot to mow the grass,” and we moved the chicks that survived Cooper’s marauding from under the heat lamp to their spacious coop a little early. They were so excited about all the space they ran around like crazy for several minutes checking everything out. It was poultry in motion.

But summer is coming to an end in a few weeks. Maybe it’s time to stop thinking about hot weather, and start thinking about hot dramatic roles, like those up for grabs (despite the heat, this segue leaves me cold) in the item below.

La Plata is alive with ‘The Sound of Music’ auditions

The Port Tobacco Players will hold auditions for the musical “The Sound of Music” 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Aug. 11 for children 12 and younger; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 11 and 7 p.m. Aug. 13 for adults 13 and older at the troupe’s theater at 508 Charles St. in La Plata

The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become one of the world’s most beloved musicals. When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Capt. Von Trapp.

The motion picture starring Julie Andrews remains the most popular movie musical of all time.

Children should prepare 16 to 32 bars of a Broadway-style song and a short monologue or poem. All children will need to sing from sheet music or CD accompaniment. No songs from the show or a capella. There will be possible cold readings from the script. Adults should prepare 16 to 32 bars of a classical Broadway song in the style of the show and sing from sheet music in the appropriate key. No a capella and no songs from the show. There will be possible cold readings from the script. Call 301-932-6819.

Heritage area grants for small projects are available

The Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium announced that the annual round of minigrants is open for applications. The grants are for a maximum of $1,000.

The funds are made available to nonprofits and government organizations in the heritage area that seek to promote folks visiting Southern Maryland to experience the places that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present, including historic, cultural and natural resources.

The Southern Maryland Heritage Area is Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. To apply, email SoMdHeritage@tccsmd.org with the word “minigrant” in the subject line. Briefly describe the planned project in the email and provide contact information. An application and other details will be sent via return email.

The deadline is Aug. 23.

Call 301-274-4083 or go to www.DestinationSouthernMaryland.com.

Chesapeake Community Chorus needs singers

The Chesapeake Community Chorus is a volunteer group of more than 30 active singers starting its 10th season giving concerts for the benefit of charities in the region. Singers can come to chorus rehearsals, scheduled 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Asbury Retirement Community Club House at 11100 Asbury Court in Solomons, park in the event parking entrance to the South Wing, and 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at Northeast Community Center at 4075 Gordon Stinnett Ave. in Chesapeake Beach.

There are no auditions required, just the love and enjoyment of singing four-part (or more) music, according to a chorus news release. The chorus meets about every two weeks, holidays excluded, to learn the music for concerts, and concerts usually are scheduled to replace a practice time. The chorus sings all types of music but since they usually are invited to churches to raise money for a charity of their choice, they perform a lot of sacred music.

Email lbrown9601@verizon.net.

Writers Workshop gives help in finding a voice

Writer Yvonne Medley will present a workshop 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at the La Plata branch of the Charles County Public Library at 2 Garrett Ave. on “Finding the Voice and Vibe of Your Story and Characters.” Participants will learn how to define the story they want to write, and the characters they want to create.

They will learn how to get started and keep the creativity flowing. Teens and adults are welcome. No registration required. Call 301-705-8972. Go to www.ccplonline.org.

jdavis@somdnews.com