"There's nothing to do in this town!"
If I had a dollar for every time I've heard someone say that..............well, I'd have enough money to buy a new laptop.
All you have to do is read the paper (hint, hint) and you'll find all kinds of stuff to keep your evenings and weekends plenty full. In fact, you may find yourself wishing for a break!
From recreation department sports for all ages, to service clubs offering breakfasts, dinners, dances, casino nights, fish fries and beer fests. You can fill your dance card nearly every weekend.
Gary and I are already scheduled heavily from now until Fiesta! The historical hay ride, the PRT Art & Wine, private get-togethers with friends, and chores that come with any home and family keep us as busy as we want to be.
So please, don't say you can't find entertainment here in Patterson. It's here, lots of it. Just read the posters around town, the banners that hang on the Plaza circle, and ahem, the Patterson Irrigator to be amazed at all this town has to offer.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Desperately seeking.......Fiesta photos
This year's special edition of the PI for the Apricot Fiesta will include a pictorial trip down memory lane. In the theme of honoring Patterson's 100 year celebration, we want to look back at the 38 years of past Fiesta fun.
Here's where you come in. If you have any photos from early Fiestas......1970's, please bring them into the PI office. We'll scan them and return them to you and give your photo credit in the Fiesta tab.
The first Fiesta was in 1971. It was the summer before my senior year at PHS . The awesome class of '72 needed to raise some money for our class gift to the school, homecoming parade supplies, etc. So we had a lemonade stand at the Fiesta. It was a scorching, mid-summer day and the lemonade was very popular. We made $300! But no pictures......
Here's where you come in. If you have any photos from early Fiestas......1970's, please bring them into the PI office. We'll scan them and return them to you and give your photo credit in the Fiesta tab.
The first Fiesta was in 1971. It was the summer before my senior year at PHS . The awesome class of '72 needed to raise some money for our class gift to the school, homecoming parade supplies, etc. So we had a lemonade stand at the Fiesta. It was a scorching, mid-summer day and the lemonade was very popular. We made $300! But no pictures......
Monday, March 23, 2009
Rumors
Calm down.................I'm not starting any. I'm referring to the Neil Simon play, Rumors. Gary and I inhaled some left-overs Friday night and ran out the door just in time for the curtain. Leaving dirty dishes in the sink is not my MO, but we had no choice if we wanted to walk in before the play began.
So we did arrive on time. But the auditorium had a line of people at the box office desk! Good. We love to see the arts supported. We waited our turn in line and greeted others who came in after us. Chatted briefly with a few folks and then went into the theater and took our seats.
From Tori's opening remarks about cell phones, texting and general etiquette during the performance until the curtain call, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
To all the cast and crew: Great job, well done. The costumes were wonderful, the acting was fresh and the timing was almost flawless.
What a fantastic way to spend a Friday evening. All for only $5.
So we did arrive on time. But the auditorium had a line of people at the box office desk! Good. We love to see the arts supported. We waited our turn in line and greeted others who came in after us. Chatted briefly with a few folks and then went into the theater and took our seats.
From Tori's opening remarks about cell phones, texting and general etiquette during the performance until the curtain call, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
To all the cast and crew: Great job, well done. The costumes were wonderful, the acting was fresh and the timing was almost flawless.
What a fantastic way to spend a Friday evening. All for only $5.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The French Connection
There is a delightful young man visiting us this week. His name is Mathias and he is from France. He and about a dozen other students are staying with area families for ten days, as part of an educational experience.
This is not our first time as hosts for this type of thing. We have enjoyed two previous French students over the past few years. In fact, we still have contact with one and hope to visit him and his family some day.
On a visit to the grocery store, Mathias wondered if he could purchase a particular type of cookie that is very popular in France. He wondered if I had ever heard of "Chocolate Chunk" cookies. I assured him there were many types of cookies that he could choose from.
When we got to the cookie aisle, his eyes grew wide with the selection. He told me he would like to come back, before he heads for home, to load up his suitcase with packages of Pepperridge Farm Chocolate Chunk cookies. He went on to explain how he and his sister love to put them into the microwave for 20 seconds, and then eat them warm with a glass of milk.
I was stunned. Aren't French pastries famous? You'd think a kid who grew up in Paris would turn his nose up at a pre-packaged cookie? Guess not. As it turns out, Mathias told me that French cookies are hard and crisp. Not gooey, soft and melty.
What's next? Maybe he'll tell me he's heard that California wines are better too.............. oh wait, that's a already been established.
This is not our first time as hosts for this type of thing. We have enjoyed two previous French students over the past few years. In fact, we still have contact with one and hope to visit him and his family some day.
On a visit to the grocery store, Mathias wondered if he could purchase a particular type of cookie that is very popular in France. He wondered if I had ever heard of "Chocolate Chunk" cookies. I assured him there were many types of cookies that he could choose from.
When we got to the cookie aisle, his eyes grew wide with the selection. He told me he would like to come back, before he heads for home, to load up his suitcase with packages of Pepperridge Farm Chocolate Chunk cookies. He went on to explain how he and his sister love to put them into the microwave for 20 seconds, and then eat them warm with a glass of milk.
I was stunned. Aren't French pastries famous? You'd think a kid who grew up in Paris would turn his nose up at a pre-packaged cookie? Guess not. As it turns out, Mathias told me that French cookies are hard and crisp. Not gooey, soft and melty.
What's next? Maybe he'll tell me he's heard that California wines are better too.............. oh wait, that's a already been established.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Remember Roseann Roseanna Dana?
Gilda Radner created an unforgettable character in the early days of SNL: Roseann Roseanna Dana. This middle-aged single woman, with out-of-control hair, would rant on and on about anything.
Roseann would begin her diatribe with a particular subject in mind, but then as she delivered her very unique perspective, her mind would wander and somehow the audience would hear about a little drop of sweat precariously dangling from someone's nose as they prepared her pizza!
No matter how ridiculous her story was, she always ended it with the following words:
"It just goes to show.........it's always something."
That sentiment is simple and very true.
If it's not GPAC, it's planning commission. If it's not Walgreen's, it's Wal-Mart. If it's not the State budget, it's the State drought. There's plenty to keep a body spinning.
The trick is to find humor in the little annoyances. Realize that what may seem HUGE today, will morph into routine tomorrow. And when it seems like there's just one challenge after another to rely on the words of wisdom from an unlikely hero:
"It just goes to show..............it's always something."
RIP - Gilda
Roseann would begin her diatribe with a particular subject in mind, but then as she delivered her very unique perspective, her mind would wander and somehow the audience would hear about a little drop of sweat precariously dangling from someone's nose as they prepared her pizza!
No matter how ridiculous her story was, she always ended it with the following words:
"It just goes to show.........it's always something."
That sentiment is simple and very true.
If it's not GPAC, it's planning commission. If it's not Walgreen's, it's Wal-Mart. If it's not the State budget, it's the State drought. There's plenty to keep a body spinning.
The trick is to find humor in the little annoyances. Realize that what may seem HUGE today, will morph into routine tomorrow. And when it seems like there's just one challenge after another to rely on the words of wisdom from an unlikely hero:
"It just goes to show..............it's always something."
RIP - Gilda
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Survey says.............
Our little poll indicates there's a lot more people who want a Wal-Mart than those who do not. So ok- I'm listening (er, reading) Let me hear from you if you support the Wal-Mart Super Store coming into Patterson, and why.
Faithful Wal-Mart shoppers that I've spoken to say the one on McHenry in Modesto, is clean and attractive. I want to go and check it out.
If our council can negotiate the deal to benefit the downtown, that would help.
Can the employees expect to ALL BE PATTERSON RESIDENTS? That would help.
So let's get a real conversation going on this, and let the council know what you think.
Faithful Wal-Mart shoppers that I've spoken to say the one on McHenry in Modesto, is clean and attractive. I want to go and check it out.
If our council can negotiate the deal to benefit the downtown, that would help.
Can the employees expect to ALL BE PATTERSON RESIDENTS? That would help.
So let's get a real conversation going on this, and let the council know what you think.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Say it isn't so.........
My husband and I disagree on very little. But on the subject of Wal-Mart, we don't see eye-to-eye.
Being open minded is something I work at almost daily. So when Gary told me that he thinks Wal-Mart isn't the huge threat I consider it to be..........I listened. It's hard to disagree with some of his points:
Earning minimum wage with no benefits may be the only job some people are qualified for. For those folks, working at Wal-Mart would be a blessing. Or maybe a family needs a second income, that too would be helpful.
But what if those same people could get a job at - oh I don't know, let's say - Trader Joe's. They pay very well, plus benefits including retirement. How about Starbucks? They offer their employees more than minimum AND benefits.
Here's some other concerns.
Traffic problems in and around the area.
Trash - ever noticed how the parking lots are maintained (or not)
Will the residents have the opportunity to "weigh in" on this matter?
Being open minded is something I work at almost daily. So when Gary told me that he thinks Wal-Mart isn't the huge threat I consider it to be..........I listened. It's hard to disagree with some of his points:
Earning minimum wage with no benefits may be the only job some people are qualified for. For those folks, working at Wal-Mart would be a blessing. Or maybe a family needs a second income, that too would be helpful.
But what if those same people could get a job at - oh I don't know, let's say - Trader Joe's. They pay very well, plus benefits including retirement. How about Starbucks? They offer their employees more than minimum AND benefits.
Here's some other concerns.
Traffic problems in and around the area.
Trash - ever noticed how the parking lots are maintained (or not)
Will the residents have the opportunity to "weigh in" on this matter?
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