Saturday, May 4th: Hot Dogs, Sea Lion Convention, Sparkling Sidewalks

May the 4th Be With You!

May 04, 2024

Hi Friends!

Another Saturday, another experiment and another May the 4th Be With You Day. It's also Earth Day and Weekend around the globe. or at least in Fresno it is.

Here's what we have today...

Be Well! Stay Safe!

Mark & Patti

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When I think about sparkles, all I can think of is nail polish our grandkids wear, sparkling nights at Broadway shows in New York, or Concets by the likes of Taylor Swift and others by the many. But I never thought I'd witness sparkling sidewalks like the ones in San Francisco.

Which leads to this story…

We solved the mystery of San Francisco's sparkling sidewalks

by Timothy Karoff, SF Gate

2

The first time I went to Disneyland was when I was nine. President Kennedy had just been assassinated, and My Dad, due to his work with the Government, had to come to the States to help with the investigation.

Back then, Disney wasn't anywhere near what it is today. The next time I went was when I was 57, when Patti and I took the kids and grandkids to the so-called "Happiest Place on Earth."

I won't get into the sordid details, but with issues at the time, it was far from the "Happiest Place on Earth" to me; it was a living hell. But the food was excellent. It was expensive for all the mouths we had to feed, but it was great.

Now, at 69, turning 70, I want to go back. First for the Star Wars Experience and second for the new foods they have on hand.

If you have gone lately, chime in on this story in the chat room so I can decide if it's worth another excursion.

Here’s why I’m thinking of going back…

5 best things I ate at Disneyland’s Pixar Fest

by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register

3

I’ve hiked a few trails in my days, both on the east and west coasts, including the Appalachian Trail and the Wine Trail in Napa.

Now, I will admit I’ve never heard of or traversed the Cannabis Trail as of yet. I mean, what the heck? It’s all relatively new to an East Code kid like me. Not that I don’t know about cannabis, but an actual trail? I’m impressed and longing to go.

Have you done the trial? If so, let us know in the chat room so we can ask some questions.

Instead of Winery Hopping, Embark on Northern California’s Cannabis Trail

by Kelsey Allen, Thrillist

4

When I would think of California, I always thought of Mel's Diner from American Graffiti as what the places to get food were like out here. I knew all restaurants in California weren't Mels per se, but just the thought of something like that intrigued me.

When a friend of mine on the East Coast decided to open hot dog stands along the way to the beaches in Rhode Island with girls dressed in all things bikinis. I thought it was novel. The police didn't, and neither did the cities along the route.

The thing was for one summer my friend made a gold mine with those stands, enough to buy more and hire more girls until the summer ended. He then moved to Florida with his fortune and idea to do the same. The rest is history.

So, checking this place out when I had the chance was worth its weight in gold. It stood up to what I expected and more.

Take the plunge and visit, and remember to let us know your take in the chat room.

This historic Calif. stand is a must-stop for hot dogs and nostalgia

by Karen Palmer, SF Gate Los Angeles

5

I’ve seen seals before. I’ve seen them at the Zoo, the aquariums I’ve visited, and a few times when I visited California.

I’ve never seen a flock of sea lions like that experienced in San Francisco at Pier 39. I’m amazed at how many have gathered for this sea lion convention of sorts.

How do they feed this number of sea lions? What’s the catering bill? What exactly is on the menu?

All kidding aside, I believe this is worth a trip to San Francisco if you are in the area. Plus, it won’t cost anything to look at. Imagine that.

If you go, let us know in the chat room what it was like, and I promise to do the same if I get to go. I will bug Patti over and over today to go tomorrow, May 4th. What an excellent day on May the 4th. Be with you!

'We're seeing a feast': Over 1,000 sea lions descend on San Francisco's Pier 39

by Andrew Chamings, SF Gate

6

I don’t give my adopted hometown Fresno enough credit. There is so much going on in this great city, and there are many things I haven’t seen yet. The list is endless, and one day, I’ll list all the things you should see that I haven’t and have seen.

One thing, though, is the multitude of festivals that happen here in the city. Almost every weekend, something happens, and the newsletter Fres YES covers them expertly.

If you attend one of these festivals, let us know in the chat room so we can hear all about it and ask questions. If you visit Fresno, enjoy your stay and check out Chaffee Zoo, as Patti and I did last week. It’s worth the walking.