Linden Cherry Festival - 05/18/13

Missing this event would be a pit-y!

Linden Cherry Festival
Linden, CA

I must admit that as a young whippersnapper I probably consumed more processed cherries than raw cherries.  A big treat for me back in the day was that crackling of the waxed paper wrapper as I tore open the package of a Hostess Cherry Pie.  I mean, really: soft, flaky crust, encasing juicy cherries and whatever that cherry gel stuff was made of, all glazed with icing.  I want one now!

Now that I’m all grown up (ha!), I try my best not to devour such calorie bombs.  Last summer, I bought a cherry pitter, and officially became a “real” cherry fan.  Full of antioxidants, I ate them by the bowlful.  Did you know that could really upset your stomach?  I didn’t.

Full of cherry orchards and a hub for cherry picking and processing activities, Linden is the perfect small town to host the annual festival, which boasts a car show, parade, bake-off and the ever-popular pie eating contest (not the Hostess ones).  Come to win, because losing is the pits!  Sorry about that one.

Angels Flight Railway

Fun for a buck in L.A.!

Angels Flight Railway
351 South Hill Street

Los Angeles, CA

Don't fret, siderodromophobes: at 298 feet, this will be the shortest train ride of your life.

Located across the street from the Grand Central Market, the Angels Flight Railway puts the fun in funicular!  Depending on your timing you'll board Sinai or Olivet, the two railway cars given makeovers during the last two decades.  Start ground-level on Hill Street and ride the brief, steep slope up to the peaceful California Plaza Watercourt.  At 50 cents each way, a trip on this historic train is a bargain.

Angels Flight originated in 1901 and was refurbished within the last two decades, providing a slick-looking, relaxing ride.  On weekends, the Watercourt is nearly vacant and therefore a nice place to sit and reflect, high above the hustle and bustle of the busy city.  Close your eyes and clear your head, or tear through bags of international food and drink just purchased at the Grand Central Market across the street.  Who am I to judge?

Rubio's Beach Cleanup & Party - 05/11/13

Save the oceans!  You can't surf through garbage.

Rubio's Beach Cleanup & Party
Oceanside, CA

Your favorite purveyor of beach eats is holding a huge party in anticipation of World Oceans Day!

On May 11, Rubio’s will host their annual beach festival in Oceanside, California, launching their “Be a Friend to the Ocean” campaign for 2013. Over 1,000 community members are expected to join in the festivities at the Junior Seau Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre.  The celebration will kick off at 10 a.m. and include free lunch for all attendees, cooking demonstrations, complimentary surf lessons, face paintings, an extreme bocce ball tournament, beach games and art exhibitions comprised of trash from local-area artists. San Diego’s own 94.9 FM will be on hand, as will two Southern California bands, The Little Ones and Jet West, to perform live.

Mark your calendars, do something great for the environment, and get rewarded with lunch on Rubio's!  Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday to me...

Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Festival - 05/04/13 - 05/05/13

I have no clue how to use this thing, either.

Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Festival
Cloverdale, CA

Fiddles get a bad rap.  The same grandmother who constantly told me to “stop fiddling around” also used the phrase “Oh, fiddlesticks!” as some form of cursing…probably those times when I refused to stop fiddling around.

Fact is, it’s a complicated instrument ignored by so many lazy youth who’d rather make fart noises into an autotune machine.  Luckily, the Cloverdale Historical Society works to preserve the fiddling culture and celebrates its heritage each year with a good ol’ fashioned fiddling contest. 

Competition is stiff, and the rules are clear: no performing under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  On the other hand, considering how difficult of an instrument this is to master, I’d actually like to see someone try…

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival - 04/13/13 - 04/14/13 & 04/20/13 - 04/21/13

Allergies, schmallergies.  Where's the tonkatsu?

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival

San Francisco, CA

Cherry blossoms, you are the bane of my existence.  Once a year, you turn walks to my grandmother’s house into treacherous trips that end up in allergy headaches and clogged sinuses.  Boo.

Would that keep me from attending a festival in your honor, however?  Nope.  I’m not giving up on walks to visit Grandma, so I’m certainly not giving up a visit to San Francisco’s Japantown for origami exhibits, sword fighting, a huge food bazaar, and a photo opp with Hello Kitty at the Sanrio Kids Corner.  I mean, that would be crazy!

Finally, a chance to convince friends who’ve been living under rocks that Japanese culture stretches beyond California rolls (ugh) and Pokemon!  Kick back watching the Grand Parade, check out the Children’s Tsuzumi (Japanese drum) Challenge, and choose your favorite model in the Anima Fashion Show.

Yes, there will probably be funnel cakes.  It’s still a festival, after all.

The Biggest Little Kitchen Store

This store is forking incredible!

The Biggest Little Kitchen Store

Jackson, CA

Don’t let the word “little” fool you – inside this culinary wonderland you’ll find cooking gadgets you didn’t even know you needed until you stepped foot inside.

An extensive collection of cast iron skillets, bakeware and dutch ovens will help you cook like Grandma.  Over half a dozen ways to grate cheese are offered here, as well as garlic slicers, peelers, presses and odor removers.  Looking for a fun way to serve eggs?  Pick up some egg rings to serve up those huevos in fun cow, pig or teddy bar shapes.  Just searching for something with a silly name?  Grab a pickle pincher to help fish those gherkins out of their jars.

The Biggest Little Kitchen Store provides a large collection of cookbooks so you will make good use of your new ravioli rolling pin and spaetzle maker.  Too lazy for that?  Then just pour some juice or yogurt into a popsicle maker, take a nap, then lick away.

Tillamook Loaf Love Tour - 03/08/13 - 03/17/13

Bring me bread, butter and a griddle.  STAT!

Tillamook Loaf Love Tour
San Diego Area, CA

Just because I occasionally enjoy bumming around the house in my bathrobe on a perfectly nice little Saturday, that doesn't mean all productivity or class goes out the window.  As I write this, feet up on my coffeetable, I am contemplating what's left of my Tillamook cheese supply in the fridge, and am feverishly finishing this article so I can cook up a mouth-watering grilled cheese sandwich...or three.

If you haven't tried Tillamook Cheddar, step up your game.  While you may have grown up on Kraft singles on Wonder Bread, you'd be surprised how a change of ingredients can transform a decent snack into an "oh my Goooooooood" meal.

Tillamook certainly enjoys an established fan base, and these loyals will no doubt plan on making a stop to check out one of many buses touring the country during their Loaf Love Tour.  Kids will enjoy taking photos next to the bright, colorful buses, and parents can join in the fun while learning how the popular cheese is made.  The best part?  Chowing down on cubes of the famed fromage.

Check out the schedule and pay a visit.  It'll be like a classed-up version of a Costco sample station - without strangers elbowing you in the gut!