It has been a long, hot summer and it's time for a cool break.

So, by popular demand inspired by my "Do You Do The DQ Lounge?"  about the Bonita Springs Dairy Queen we're throwing a carnival! 

It seems everyone has an opinion about their local ice cream shop, be it Dairy Queen, Baskin & Robbins, Ben & Jerry's or a "Mom & Pop" roadside scoop.  So here's the skinny on the contest:

1. Treat your friend, friends, family or yourself to ice cream at your favorite ice cream shoppe.  In honor of Suzanne, no calories count during this Carnival. (Optional)
2. Write a blog about you favorite Ice Cream joint.
3. Title the blog:  "name of the ice cream store" "city name" - "The Real Scoop"  For Example:  Ben & Jerry's Bonita Springs - The Real Scoop
4. Add at least one photo of the establishment.
5. Include map links to where it's located, how to get there.
6. Include links to any nearby conviences you may have blogged about in the past.
7. Add your favorite ice cream or treat that the establishment offers.
8. In addition to your own tags, use the tag "The Real Scoop".
9. Post a link to your post in the comments section of this post.
10. For extra points:  Visit Ralph Nudi's blogabout his son eating ice cream.  If you post on Ralph's blog, let the judges know by commenting "nudi" on this post for your extra points.

I wrote a blog about my local Ben & Jerry'ssince I already blogged the DQ Lounge.  Use it as your example.  It is a MINIMALISTIC example of what can be blogged.  I encourage additions and creativity.

Ben & Jerry's Bonita Springs - The Real Scoop  

The contest starts now and ends August 27th (2007) at 12:00 noon Eastern time.

The whole panel of judges are to be announced.  It will include fellow bloggers from Active Rain and offline judges.  So far I have secured one of the two "guest judges" who will be offline "innocent bystanders" and will be reading your posts from the same standpoint the public that will be reading blog.

The object of an offline personality is so that each blog can be critiqued from the eye of a person that:

1. Doesn't know the blogger.
2. Doesn't know the city.
3. Doen't know the ice cream shoppe.
4. Doesn't have a "personality favorite" on Active Rain. 

So turn it out and present it so a person that is new to the area can find it and enjoy your favorite Ice Cream spot.

Now for the prizes.  I'd like to ask for no help from the moderators or Active Rain admins for:

• 1st:  0 points
• 2nd  0 points
• 3rd  0 points

In addition, I will be offering my own gift.  To be mailed to the winner.  A total crap shoot or gold mine; bet on the crap shoot.