Take me out to the ballgame: Revisiting the ballpark experience

Three years ago, I wrote about baseball and ballpark experiences. That post came after visiting three ballparks in four days. Over the course of the last three years, we have had a chance to attend many more games, primarily at AT&T Park. I have now had a chance to visit Angel Stadium twice with the kids, too, which offers a different perspective on things. Here are a few more thoughts as I revisit the ballpark experience.

Parking prices remain the same. As such, I will state from the beginning that Angel Stadium remains the best for parking, both with regard to cost and convenience. In fact, at the most recent game we attended there, I splurged on the premium parking ($20) and the next day paid to park at Disneyland ($18). So, for just $3 more than we pay to park for a game at AT&T Park, we parked at a baseball game and Disneyland. Often, we end up making quite a walk from where we park to the ballpark in San Francisco, but location has a lot to do with that. There is no parking directly adjacent to the ballpark.

Tim Lincecum's "Big A" debut with family.

With kids in tow, it becomes a little more difficult to avoid food and souvenir purchases as I had previously suggested. However, if you shop right, you can still avoid overspending. Angel Stadium has a kid's hot dog that went over well with the children in our group. You can splurge on some serious food and get the helmet nachos which gives you enough for an army to eat, plus you have a souvenir when you're all finished.


Cotton candy remains a game day must for CD and Miss Hollywood. At Angel Stadium, they shared one with their two cousins and that was perfect all around. The price is similar to AT&T Park. The cotton candy at John Thurman Field (Modesto) costs less, but is a significantly smaller portion. The team that makes it and the snow cones includes a very friendly woman who always seems to look out for her young customers.

Family Fun: Sundays are family days in Anaheim. At the end of Sunday games, children are invited to run the bases. This is the way baseball should be. The closest experience to that is at Modesto Nuts games, but we rarely make it to the end of games there as so many of the games are night games. A Sunday afternoon spent watching baseball and then running the bases is a great experience! CD and Miss Hollywood also had a chance to run the bases at AT&T Park last year. It came only on the final game of the season. But, it was enjoyed and what a thrill to be on the field! AT&T Park also has regular offerings for children. The Coca-Cola slide and a small play area for younger children are located behind Center Field. It is a great motivator to arrive early.

Garlic Fries: We have tasted garlic fries at AT&T Park, John Thurman, and now Angel Stadium. Gilroy Garlic Fries at AT&T Park cannot be beat! They are, hands down, the best of the best. You'll certainly keep vampires and mosquitoes away for days afterward, too!

Each ballpark offers a unique experience. At the minor league parks, my kids experience a little more freedom. At Angel Stadium, we experience an exceptional means of maximizing our dollar in relation to the amount of fun had by both kids and adults. At AT&T Park, we experience a little bit of everything.

I must add, in my post three years ago, I said there is not a bad seat at AT&T Park. Well...that changed for us last year. We sat at the top of the stands behind home plate. Our view was fine. However, smoke from a grill below billowed upward and we were colder than ever before at a game. It just did not work well for us. We left during the fourth inning, went to our hotel and watched the end of the game while sipping coffee and hot chocolate. We had a good time overall, but we will stick with our seats in left field or center field. I do dream of one day getting seats along the first baseline so I can directly compare that experience to the first baseline experience at Angel Stadium.

At the end of the day, though, you find what works for you. You find the ballparks you love and enjoy the experiences. The most important piece of all of this is that baseball remains America's pasttime. Football is nice. Basketball offers excitement, especially in the last 30 seconds of a game.. Hockey is entertaining. But, baseball is "as American as apple pie."

Yogi Berra once said, 

"Love is the most important thing in the world, 

but baseball is pretty good, too."

Get uptown funky and things will be great when you're downtown

This is a little bit different than past posts. I am looking at more, far more than a location, a restaurant, or a show, but it takes a look at an experience. Over the past few weeks, I have reflected quietly on experiences and places that collectively make life a little better. I have recently posted reflections on a couple of businesses in downtown Oakdale, California. That got me thinking about something more. Downtowns offer some incredibly wonderful experiences. Let us reflect on some.

Downtown Oakdale
This is the town I call home. I love the schools and walks to the park from home are simple but adventurous. I know the people as I check out at the grocery store and we can reach just about any point in town by car in 10 minutes or less, even with traffic. But, it is the downtown that has hooked me over the past couple of years. For almost five years, I have gone to the same hairdresser. I never thought I would be able to say, "I have a hairdresser," but I can, I do, and I love her. Judy takes fantastic care of me, and my hair. I found her when I was looking for a place to get a couple of additional ear piercings. She has now done several of them and carefully colors and cuts my hair regularly. She knows what to do with it ahead of summer and is sure to darken things up just a bit for winter. The other stylists there are wonderful and I love Saturday mornings when I get to engage with some of the other clients. Three doors down is Pamyla's where I go for my pedicures and massages. Soon, I will get to try an overnight "escape" there with a couple of educator friends. You can read more about Pamyla's in my review from earlier this year. Two blocks down is Rivi's, the wine bar I reviewed to start the year off. I celebrated my birthday ther

e with my best friend and had another wonderful experience, sitting by the fire, eating tomato soup and sipping delicious wine. Downtown Oakdale offers a great variety of shops featuring antiques, collectibles, and great little trinkets and treasures. There is a clock repair shop, a shoe repair shop, a nutrition center, and a handful of places to eat. Another downtown fixture is Moss Rose Bakery (just down from Rivi's). Whether you're looking for a sweet roll on Saturday morning or a cake for a special event, Moss Rose will happily oblige. Of course, you'll find lots of locals grabbing breakfast at Corner Cafe, too. On the other side of the main intersection, you will find Oakdale Garage with some of the friendliest service around. Plus, they always take great care of my vehicle. I love just walking through and window shopping when the opportunity arises. We love to peruse the furniture at Bordona's too. Downtown Oakdale has a little bit of everything.

Downtown Lodi
Speaking of a little bit of everything, Lodi has a downtown that offers some great variety as well. My home away from home, if I need to kill some time between school and evening event, Downtown Lodi lures me in with shops and restaurants, streets nice to walk, and interesting statues. Lodi Beer, Dancing Fox, and Smack Pie Pizza all offer some delicious food and beverages. Although it's a chain, I have to periodically pick up a special candy apple from Rocky Mountain Candy Company. A newfound favorite is slightly off the beaten path: School Grounds Coffee and Gelato. A must try, for sure! The movie theater is even downtown here. There are shoe stores, antique shops, and a great little shop called French at Heart.

Downtown Modesto
Great food, places to catch a show, a neat experiences are here. I have made some great memories in Downtown Modesto. Most recently, catching friends play at the Barkin' Dog Grill rocked! Last fall, I caught one of my favorite rock bands at the Doubletree. I've seen local bands and comedy acts at the Fat Cat. Back in college, you could frequently find me with friends at Deva Cafe on a Friday or Saturday night. I miss it opening on weekend evenings. But, if you're downtown at lunchtime, it still offers some delicious food. We have seen everything from my daughter's dance recital to plays and even a science show for schools at the Gallo Center! Next week, we will see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat a few days after I catch The Sirens, a play raising funds for Haven Women's Center of Stanislaus County while Michael Bolton plays in one of the other theaters. My most favorite part of Downtown Modesto is The State Theatre. I first wrote about The State in a 2013 review. If you're new to reading this blog, you can read more about the State here.

Downtown Turlock
Places to eat, things to see, people to visit. Going to Turlock is something I have done less of in recent years. But, when I have an opportunity to visit downtown, eating is usually involved. From the former Wellington Station, now known at 10 East Kitchen and Tap House to Turlock's claim-to-fame Dust Bowl Brewing, there are certainly fun places to eat with an interesting harder to find beer selection. A favorite for good eats or social time with a little dancing is Red Brick and the best Thai food I've had in the Valley is found at Ju Ju Thai. I have fond memories of purchasing fabric at Rainbow Fabrics and window shopping. A few years ago, there were two different tea shops where I enjoyed high tea. Some of the storefronts have changed, but Downtown Turlock still has some great charm.

Downtown Merced

I only recently spent some real time in Downtown Merced. I heard about the Merced Art Hhere. We found a great record shop that even had cassette tapes available which sparked my interest. As some of the shops started to close, we headed down to Pinocchio's to get some dinner. The Italian cuisine had something for each of us to enjoy and gelato for dessert! The best part of dinner was the staff. Fabulous folks who treated us as if we were regulars. The cooks even poked their heads out to engage my kids as they ate their gelato and watched the end of the Giants game. We will return!

op for April and saw it as a great opportunity to check out an area I felt less familiar with despite my occasional visits to Merced through the years. I took the kids and we enjoyed an evening of art and downtown adventure. The Merced Art Hop happens a few times a year and I highly recommend
checking it out sometime. You can get more information


Downtown Chico

The best part of Downtown Chico is....everything. The restaurants, the stores, the social scene, the farmers market. I rode a mechanical bull for the first time downtown. As I walked down the streets in Chico, I had flashes of my teen years in Whittier (more on Whittier in a moment). It felt like home in a lot of ways. When my best friend lived there, I loved visiting her. Sometimes with the kids and sometimes on my own. There are so many interesting things to see and do around Chico, but downtown and the area just outside of downtown have some of my favorite spots there.


Downtown Palm Springs
Every March I have a conference in Palm Springs. I find a hotel outside of the downtown area, but spend a good amount of time walking through downtown. It has become tradition to celebrate my birthday (which falls on the weekend of the conference) at Pomme Frite. French dining for a reasonable price and the food is terrific. There are also quaint local boutiques and shops. And, there are old time favorites that remind one of time in Hawaii. Yes, you can get a Dole Whip or pick out a new t-shirt at Crazy Shirts. This year, I expanded my dining experiences. The highlight was Fisherman's Market and Grill. It provides a unique dining experience. You are first assigned a place to sit, then you get in line and wait to order your food. You order your food, select your beverage and find your way to your table. I had gone by myself, but found myself chatting with people attending the s
ame conference I was and they invited me to join them. Another evening, an EdTech friend and I walked through the farmers market. Walking to, from, and through Downtown Palm Springs is a highlight of the minimal downtime during the conference weekend. I have a lot more to see still, but each year I find something new. The really neat part of the circumstances under which I have a chance to check out the shops and restaurants here is that as I meet more educators, the more I can "talk shop" while trying a new place to eat.

Bonus stop:
Downtown Fairhope, AL
I recently had a wonderful opportunity to visit schools in southern Alabama. I had never before spent any time in any of the Deep South. I knew that this trip would require taking some time to become acquainted with the culture and history of the area. On the first day of school visits, we used our lunch break for food and culture. My teacher friend took me into Downtown Fairhope. It had such a classic feel to it. This is a place where a local math class does a scavenger hunt field trip. For our lunch, we ventured into Fairhope's own French Quarter and dined at Panini Pete's. Panini Pete's has been featured on the Food Network and it has some great food. In fact, it has arguably the best beignets in the South, and I even stopped in at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans.

And now for a little "Uptown Funk."
Uptown Whittier
My favorite downtown of all is actually Uptown. Whittier the closest thing I have to a hometown. My roots are
there. I only lived there a few years as a teenager, but my family roots go deep. As a teenager, I spent a lot of time in Uptown. All of the things that I love about the above mentioned downtown areas are things that I first experienced in Uptown Whittier. Good food, window shopping, a movie theater, an old record store, charm, character, coffee, and joy. Whenever I visit Whittier, I visit Uptown. The most recent trip was for my 20th high school reunion last fall. We enjoyed sushi and karaoke at Bambooze, we went into a collectible store and an old bookstore, we sat and enjoyed coffee, and we had brunch at one of our longtime favorites: Rocky Cola Cafe. My best friend and I walked down the street singing Uptown Funk at one point. There is just something marvelous about Whittier, specifically Uptown Whittier.

Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city

Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty

How can you lose?

The lights are much brighter there

You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares

So go downtown

Things will be great when you're downtown

No finer place for sure, downtown

Everything's waiting for you

Don't hang around and let your problems surround you

There are movie shows downtown

Maybe you know some little places to go to

Where they never close downtown

Have you had a fantastic experience with a downtown? Share it here. If you haven't yet, what are you waiting for? Get out there and experience downtown!

Live music and great food at Barkin Dog Grill

A few years ago, I was a smalltown newspaper publisher/journalist who got called to jury duty in Modesto. Off I went on a Downtown Modesto adventure.

I was in the basement of the courthouse, sitting and waiting to see what my fate as a potential juror had in store as lunchtime neared. I looked over the list of places nearby to eat and found something I knew I needed to try: Barkin Dog Grill. I remember having a delicious hotdog for lunch. Now, let me tell you, I am far from a regular hotdog eater. Whn I make them at home, I insist on Hebrew National dogs and I pile it high with sauerkraut, onions, mustard, and bacon. So, for my first positive experience with a restaurant to include a hotdog, it really is a big deal.

In late 2014, I returned to Barkin Dog Grill with a group of colleagues, again on a lunch break. We walked over from an all-day conference at the DoubleTree.

I finally had the opportunity to give it a try at night. A Friday night even!

Barkin Dog Grill does more than offer great food. On weekends it often offers local music for entertainment. It is often crowded on Friday and Saturday nights, last night (Friday, February 5) was no exception.

A local band, the California 99ers played to a packed house. This band includes two MAMAs winners, the man who started Modesto's first rock band in the 1950s, and a young woman with a full and beautiful voice who can actually do justice to Patsy Cline tunes. Bassist Mike Thorington received the MAMAs 2015 Lifetime Achievement award. What's not to love about a band that pays homage to some of the greatest music of our time and has skilled musicians?



Put great music together with great food and you have a win for an evening out!

I enjoyed a burger with fresh greens, horseradish, bacon, and two onion rings. I added bleu cheese for good measure. It came with fries. While I often will skip fries and choose something else, I decided to go ahead and get them this time. As I had earlier perused the menu, I took note of the fact that one of the burgers included chipotle mayonnaise. When my plate arrived, I requested a side of the chipotle mayo and the server obliged. It was delicious!

Plus, they have 805 on tap!

If you're looking for some great food and a glass of wine or beer with good entertainment, give Barkin Dog Grill a try. It is also a fantastic and quiet lunch spot, conveniently located n 11th Street. A few doors down is the Firkin and Fox (a favorite of mine) and the Fat Cat is right next door. With draws such as those so close, it may be easy to overlook this understated place to grab a good bite. Street parking is limited and hard to find on a Friday night, but the 11th Street parking garage is directly across the street and available for a reasonable rate (day or night).

Pamyla's offers a place to retreat and escape without leaving Oakdale

Luxury spas in the Napa region, escape packages along the Central Coast, wine tours in the Foothills are all options people consider when they want to get away from it all and relax without traveling far. What if...just consider for a moment...what if you could escape from the day-to-day stresses of life without leaving Oakdale?

Stay with me here.

I am a transplant to the Central Valley. I moved here a little over 20 years ago just as I finished high school. I moved here from the Los Angeles area. Better than that, I moved here from a wonderful town about 13 miles away from Downtown Los Angeles. It had less hustle and bustle of a big city, but offered some amazing things to do. My friends and I enjoyed theatre and coffee houses, live music, and grabbing a shake and sweet potato fries at Rocky Cola. (Google it. It's still there.) I spent my first year of college in a fabulous college community with lots to do and see. And then, I settled back home with the rest of my family. In Oakdale. I admittedly have had my share of moments where I wondered if there was anything to do or see or experience here. Of course now, I have found there are lots of things to do, see, experience, and a myriad of ways to keep busy. As a single mom who works full time and has, at best, a minimal social life, I look for the occasional escape. I have also come to appreciate having pedicures. I get them because they help keep my feet healthy and the perk is that the right polish makes my toes sparkle and that makes me feel good, too. I had the same nail tech for almost 10 years.

I would still recommend her in a heartbeat. Right now, she is not working as a nail tech. Last year, a major health matter arose and she had to stop working. It was extremely sudden. And, scary. She canceled my appointment with her that was supposed to happen two days later. And a few days later, she was having major surgery. I worried more about her as my friend than anything else, setting aside my "need" for a pedicure.

Two months later, I finally had a pedicure. I was in Palm Springs for a conference that overlapped my birthday. One of my best friends met me there. While I spent a day at the conference, she found a place for me to get a pedicure. She picked me up and off we went. It had been three months since my last one. My poor feet were in terrible shape. This helped. Then, I returned home.

What now? Where would I go? Were my feet doomed?

Here's the thing. I am super picky about who does my feet, how they do them, and my comfort is extremely important. Going to a big salon that cranks out pedicures like nothing is not quite right for me. I need and want something more. A personal touch. Comfort. I looked around and settled finally on Pamyla's.

I first heard of Pamyla's a year or so earlier at the Oakdale Farmers' Market. (In fact, I recent came across a discount certificate buried in my "safe place" from that first encounter.) The name was familiar, and as I read through the services on the website, I knew this was the place to try. Turns out, Pamyla's opened in 1978. It remains in the same location today.

I made an appointment and gave it a "go." Wow!

This was what I needed.


Pamyla's offers a quiet retreat from life and when you're at the spa, you easily forget you're in Oakdale.  An electric fireplace and blanket help you cozy up during a pedicure in the colder winter months. She will even fix you a cup of hot tea! The champagne pedicure includes a "nosh" of crackers, fresh herbs, and perhaps a cookie. Pamyla listens to what you want and helps keep you at peace, encouraging you to let your stresses go and relax. She has a great color selection for polishes, too!

She offers more too! There are a variety of massages to choose from and she also offers hair and facial services. I especially recommend Pamyla's Signature Massage. You spend 60 minutes relaxing and working out the tension and knots. Additionally, she has a chakra balancing massage.

Pamyla mixes all of her own products, including moisturizers and essential oils.

I have tried a few of her services, including the Escape Package which includes a massage and facial. One on my list still to try is the Slumber Party! (Yes, you can even stay overnight!) The Slumber Party package is definitely for big girls. All those years of having friends over...who says you outgrow it? It includes use of the variety of tubs and showers. An outdoor waterfall shower, a massage, and peace and relaxation plus I only have to drive five minutes from home? Sounds great to me! Pamyla reports that she is in the process of updating and freshening up some of the plants in the garden, too.

Whether you need a seemingly basic service such as hair or nails or are looking for an escape, consider making an appointment at Pamyla's. Her array of services is worth checking out and when you find one that you like, go for it. Pamyla's offers monthly specials too! This month, she has some great ones, including a Valentine's Package for two. The special product blend she offers for pedicures this month is "Champagne and Roses." She has a scrub and lotion both ready to go.

Whether you want to relax for a couple of hours or escape for an overnight, Pamyla's has something for you. Avoid the higher prices and travel time and escape right here in your own backyard.

To find more information about services, specials, and more, check out Pamyla's website.

A fantabulous experience in Oakdale: Rivi's

I have a new favorite place in Oakdale.

A couple of years ago, I often took myself out (once a month or so) to dinner. My place of choice was Firenze. My favorite restaurant for family celebrations is Las Margaritas. Both of these rank high with me. They have wonderful food and welcoming staff. When we consider where to go for special meals, we choose between the two.

I now have a third to add to the list. This one, though, will likely be reserved primarily for "self-dates" and time with friends. Rivi's opened in Oakdale in October of 2015. I only recently heard about it and the things I heard were enough to excite me about trying it. Earlier today, I texted my best friend, "Can I steal you for an hour or two?" When she accepted my cryptic invitation, I was thrilled.

Rivi's offers a wine list with 76 different wines, a wide selection of craft beers, entrees, appetizers, and desserts. In addition to offering wine by the glass or by the bottle, they also offer wine flights. One can order a wine flight which includes two-ounce servings of three different wines (chosen by YOU!). It is especially nice for someone having a difficult time deciding between the wines or for someone who wants to try different things and see which pairs best with what they decided to order.

We tried one of the champagne options, and each got a wine flight. We tried these with the meat and cheese board. We also each ordered the Double Shot (dessert). Our wines paired nicely with what we ordered. We enjoyed sipping wine and nibbling away as we sat by the front window. We reminisced about a visit to Monk's in Chico. As the evening winded down, we decided to meander through the rest of the place. We walked back through another seating area, checked out the parlor, and finally settled out back near a warm fire. A group sat across the way enjoying their beverages as their day, too, came to an end.

We visited on a rather quiet night, and yet saw many people at the bar, at tables, and out back. We heard how busy it was last night with a packed house and people waiting for a place to sit. Obviously, Oakdale was ready for Rivi's.

Rivi's offers an amazing selection and wonderful atmosphere. The friendly service is the icing on the cake. It is open Wednesday through Sunday. You can find them on Facebook. I look forward to returning and trying more of the menu.