Fresno Famous

Life, the way it is, has gotten to a point where I need to set an alarm for my lunch break. I’m saying things are busy — but in a good way.
Lest you let yourself get overtaken with everything that’s happening right now, let me put some stuff on your radar. Take out a pen and write this down.
Starting with right now:

U-Pick and Organic Farming Field Day
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17
Northeast corner of Chestnut and Barstow avenues

This is one for the localvores.
The student-operated organic farm at Fresno State is having another of its U-Pick Field Days. Consumers (that’s you) can pick their own seasonal organic vegetables and meet with the faculty and students who make the farm run.

The students are finishing off the end-of summer harvest of with cherry tomatos, eggplant, jalapeño peppers, bell peppers and radishes, and will begin planting cold-weather vegetables like lettuce and swiss chard. The vegetables are available at Farm Market, which tends to drop off people’s minds once the corn (that sweet, sweet corn) is all gone.

This is a sort of one-year anniversary for the program, which is operated by seven students who work part time on the 1-acre farm — two more acres will be coming on-line next year.

Along with the field day, there will be a vermicomposting (that’s worms eating your leftovers) seminar for those interested in taking the next step in home recycling. The seminar starts at 10 a.m. Details: 278-2828 or spasakdee@csufresno.edu.

The Big Fresno Fair
Through Oct. 18

There are still a few days left at The Big Fresno Fair.
Billy Mays is dead and we heard (unsubstantiated) that the Commerce Building was not up to par this year. Those things are probably not related.

On the food front, there was a rumor of deep-fried butter that proved untrue, but there is a booth selling chocolate-covered bacon that my stomach wouldn’t let me try. A man has to draw the line somewhere.

If you missed Chris Isaak or Mike Osgueda’s Hammer pants, there’s still lots of music to be had, including Stone Temple Pilots tonight, Dwight Yoakam tomorrow (he’s got the Bakersfield sound, they say) and Puddle of Mudd on Saturday. Bonus on that is local opener Six Ounce Gloves.

And for the future ...

Swede Fest 4
5 p.m. Nov. 7
Starline
831 E. Fern Ave.

The guys behind The Fresno Swede Festival really want this to be the Swede capital of the world — we’ll pass on the Scandinavian jokes. For the fourth festival, they’re all legit like, with a professional-style Web site and a top-rate venue that can accommodate a bigger crowd. Which is ironic for a festival known for its imaginative use of cardboard.
Would-be Sweders can get their entries in by Nov. 4.
So stop reading this and go create. Now!

Fashawn
8 p.m. Oct. 24
Tower Theatre
815 E. Olive Ave.

Fashawn is owning it right now, with an opening slot on Ghostface Killah’s Wizard of Poetry tour, and a video (Life as a Shorty) that’s getting some love on MTV. It looks like Fresno might have a home-grown superstar on its hands.

I know nothing of hip-hop, but I’m loving his stuff. Look for his album, Boy Meets World Oct. 20.

Then, do yourself one better and see him Oct. 24 at the Tower Theatre with Talib Kweli and Jean Grae. Tickets cost $25. Details: www.towertheatrefresno.com

Green Eggs and the Met
8 p.m. to midnight, Oct. 30
Fresno MET Museum
1555 Van Ness Ave.

Awesome! That’s about all you can say about this event without sounding like a total gushing idiot. It’s a Dr. Suess-inspired party, starring Yesterday’s Chonies, Wheels of Fortune, Uni and Her Ukelele and El Olio Woolof. There will be food, Urban Outfitters selling Suess-inspired clothes and Steven’s Bicycles doing a free bike valet so you don’t have to worry about locking up your ride.
Did we mention the bands are playing on the grand staircase?
Show starts at 8 p.m., and tickets cost $10 with museum admission.