Welcome to this month's issue of the Cape Cod Insider--your source for news and happenings on the Cape and Islands.

This year's summer vacation season on Cape Cod is now in full swing and promises to be a busy one. Even though the Canadian dollar is high right now, many are choosing a "Stay-cation" close to home.

The same trend holds true for U.S. citizens and many New Englanders are choosing Cape Cod as their vacation spot of choice. Expect to see fewer Ontario and Quebec license plates and more from Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.

This month's issue focuses on entertainment and celebrities coming to Cape Cod.

The Cape Cod Melody tent in Hyannis has always brought in great talent and this July and August is no exception. Tickets are currently on sale for such performers as Tony Bennett, Melissa Etheridge, Joy Behar (from the View), the Beach Boys, the B52s and KC and the Sunshine Band. For more information check out their website at www.melodytent.org

In show business news, a slew of screen idols are about to descend on Boston and the Cape to shoot new movies, including we’re told, Tom Cruise. That’s right, the world’s most famous movie star is in serious talks to shoot his latest flick here starting in September.

“American Pie” hot mama Jennifer Coolidge is making quite a splash in Provincetown, where she’s doing a comedy show at the lez-tastic Vixen room.

Jen - who has been in everything from “Seinfeld” to “Legally Blonde” - has been spotted sashaying barefoot up and down Commercial Street kibbitzing with fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures.

Richard Dreyfuss is shooting a romantic comedy nearby that centers around Dreyfuss as a lighthouse keeper who swears off women.

Dreyfuss is no stranger to this area. Many locals remember him best for his starring role in 1975 as Matt Hooper in "Jaws," which was filmed on Martha's Vineyard.

Cape Cod's beaches are getting the notoriety they deserve. Dr. Beach, aka Stephen P. Leatherman, says Cape Cod's Coast Guard Beach is in the top 10 of the world's best beaches. Something we have known all along!

This week in 1961, Cape Cod's last of a long line of conservative Republican Congressmen, Hastings Keith, saw the House of Representatives approve his version of the Kennedy-Saltonstall Senate bill by a roll-call vote of 278 to 82, which saw the protection of land known today as the Cape Cod National Seashore.

I have added a few new attractions and activities pages to the website so be sure to check them out at www.cape-cod-insider.com

See you all next month for the August issue and thanks for reading.