Fresno Famous

The June solstice is upon us. Which is to say it’s summertime.
Inspired by The Fresnan’s “You’re Not a Fresnan Until,” and Mike Osegueda’s “Fresno Firsts,” we’ve complied a list of local stuff we (tentatively) plan to do this summer. They would be fun for you, too.

* Read a book by a local author
Though we don’t get much self-love for the fact, Fresno is a full-on haven for published and self-published authors. Seriously, it’s a long list. So pick one and enjoy. Mark Arax’ “West of the West,” is highly recommended. Other notables: Jane Porter’s “Easy on the Eyes” (out in July), Dan Taylor’s “The Rise of the Bulldogs” (out now) and David Mas Masumoto’s “Wisdom of the Last Farmer” (out in August).

* Find some water
Just because farmers can’t get access to it, doesn’t mean we’re not surrounded by lakes, rivers and streams. Find one. Then float it in.

* Make a mix-tape...
An actual mix-tape. Forget all that ipod, Mp3, put-it-in-your-phone technology crap. Record your favorite songs straight on tape, like you did when you were 15. Then, listen to it over and over until both sides are etched into your brain and the only thing you’ll ever remember about the summer of 2009 is “I Gotta Feeling.”

* See a local rock show ...
At least once a week. They are cheap and plentiful if you know where to look. The Fresnan and FresnoMagBlog have weekly music guides and there’s always Mike Oz’s Post No Bills. If you want to be an un-adventurous loser and can’t risk $5 on a local band, there are plenty of touring acts coming through, too. Our pick: Pat Benatar/Blondie and the Donnas at Tachi Palace, July 25. Or, Dylan/Willie/John Cougar at The Chuck in August.

* Support a farmer
This comes up every year. Far from sounding like a broken record, eating fruit fruit might be the only reason to put up with triple-digit heat. Plus, local farms are the last connection we have to our agrarian roots and supporting them might just keep us from sliding further into a sprawling cesspool like our friends to the south ... looking at you, Los Angeles. So, hit up a farmers’ market. There are plenty. Or better yet, take a tour of the Fresno County Fruit Trail and see farmers working on their own turf.

* See Shakespeare in the park
Summer belongs to Shakespeare. And Shakespeare belongs to the great outdoors. The Woodward Shakespeare Festival gives you both. For the last five years the company has run two plays each summer. This year, the festival kicks off with “As You Like It,” directed by Mike Peterson and set in Southern California in 1969, giving the play a West-Coast spin. It starts next week and runs through July 25. For my part, I’m more than a little excited about “Richard III” (starts Aug. 13). The play — a personal favorite — shows the rise to power and subsequent short reign of Richard III of England. Its opening speech — “Now is the winter of our discontent, Made glorious summer by this sun of York,” — is the only Shakespeare I know by heart.