Fresno Secret Suppers event at the Painted Table
A Fresno Secret Suppers event held at the Painted Table in Fresno.
These are photos I made back in September of 2021 of a Fresno Secret Suppers event held at the Painted Table in Fresno.
The theme of this event was "South in Yo Mouth" which featured a massive tasty meal with southern tastes. Wish I could have stayed to eat!
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
The Painted Table FresnoSupper ClubSouth in Yo Mouth
Top Dog Gala 2017
For the first time, I covered the Fresno State Alumni Association's Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala at the Save Mart Center, on Oct. 13. Shout out to my buddy Cary for the referral.
This was a super fancy event. A lot of folks were in tuxes as the association honored 14 recipients including Kim Ruiz Beck, of Ruiz Foods, who was named Distinguished Alumna.
It's great to see all the good work local alumni are doing and how they constantly praise what they learned from their educators while attending Fresno State. Kinda makes me wish I went to Fresno State instead of San Jose State for my journalism degree. Wait! Heck no! I'm true blue and gold and proud of it. :)
Enjoy the photos.
Ice Cream and Animals at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo
It was a slightly less hot August night than in past years when the Fresno Chaffee Zoo held its annual Producers Dairy Ice Cream Zoofari earlier this month. As usual, there were tons of different ice cream flavors, toppings and other treats at stations scattered throughout the zoo. On a typical summer night in Fresno, that's a welcome sight.
It looked like the rainbow sherbet, red velvet and cookies and cream were pretty popular, but I really enjoyed the Death by Chocolate and salted caramel flavors myself. I also preferred the cone to the cup - except with the root beer float of course. Yes, it was a bit of a sugar overload.
It was fun to see Parker out there posing for photos along with the cheetahs and lions. Zoo events are such great events as they always include the volunteer docents to talk to folks about animal facts and conservation.
Enjoy the photos while I head to the gym to burn off some of those calories.
Fresno Zoo Lights
[dropcap]I[/dropcap] think what might be a bit of a best-kept secret around Fresno is a really cool event that has been going on over at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo for quite a few years. It's Fresno Zoo Lights, which takes place over several nights through the holiday period. It's a special admission event where you can stroll through the grounds of the zoo at night and take in all the brilliant lighting displays the staff has set up there. Although most of the animals have gone night-night by evening time, the colorful lights, themed music and other entertainment transforms the zoo into a winter wonderland worth a look.
Although it's cold outside as it often is this time of year,the folks at the zoo are right there to offer hot cocoa, cookies, churros and pizza specials to keep you warmed up while you take in the spectacle. I believe you can get a cup of cocoa and a cookie for free! If you're like me, you might want to sip it while enjoying the fire at the Kopje Lodge.
Of course, Santa Claus is there to take pictures with the kids and listen to their Christmas wishes. And, as usual, Taman the Zoo's tiger mascot is around. This year there's a new but familiar face joining in on the fun: A full-costumed Pikachu is there to point out special Pokémon Go PokeStops to help you catch 'em all. I started playing that game on my phone last summer and I think the zoo has got to be the perfect place to get your pocket monster fix.
Also on the grounds is a cool snow machine to help you feel even colder than it really is. For an extra $2 you can view the lights with something called HoloSpex holographic glasses.
This is a really cool event and something fun to do with the family during the holidays. I'd put it right up there with Christmas Tree Lane as an event you've got to do every year. Zoo Lights goes on over a bunch of dates beginning in November until December 30. Check the zoo's website for further information and to purchase tickets on the dates that work for you.
Zoo Boo 2016
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his is the second year I photographed the annual Zoo Boo at The Fresno Chaffee Zoo. I picked Saturday, Oct. 23 to shoot, which was sold out. Everyone looked to be having an awesome time and especially the kids who could trick-or-treat vendors all over the park. Kids were given a chance to burn off some of that sugar at the dance party toward the end of the night. And as usual, a costume parade topped everything off.
Zoobilation
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he latest event I covered for the Fresno Chaffee Zoo was Zoobilaton. This is a special event for members of the zoo and adopt-an-animal sponsors. It's really cool because the park is closed off to everyone but those special people and they get to see what goes on behind-the-scenes at several exhibits including Sea Lion Cove, the animal hospital and the African elephant house. Additionally, there are lots of fun games and activities for kids as well as entertainment from my buddy Oklin, face painting, hula dancing and playing with bubbles. And although it was a super warm day, there were ice cream cups available to cool things down.
Breakfast with the Animals
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Fresno Chaffee Zoo's Breakfast with the Animals event was a little on the wet side but that didn't keep thousands from coming out to participate. I think I heard it sold out. The rain didn't seem to keep the kids from having fun. They seemed to love twirling their umbrellas or stomping through puddles while also getting a tasty breakfast and seeing the active animals. It was also my birthday which turned out to be a fun way to spend it. There were plenty of great photos to be made. It was all good since I went up to Yosemite to spend the weekend with my wife as soon as I was done at the zoo.
African Adventure Opens
[dropcap]I[/dropcap] did a number of events throughout 2015 for the Fresno Chaffee Zoo but one of the big ones was the highly anticipated opening of African Adventure, which nearly doubled the size of the zoo. I was there for all the dignitary speeches, the ribbon cutting and the first day of the public opening. It's a very cool addition to the zoo that I think will make Fresno a travel destination.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo: Frogs & Fairytales
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his is the second year for the Fresno Chaffee Zoo's Frogs & Fairytales event and the second year that I have shot it. And once again there where lots of boys and girls dressed as princesses and knights with a chance to see cool animals and especially frogs close up. It was a very nice day and lots of activities available for the kids. Looking forward to coming back again next year!