Derek Carr On UCLA’s Staff? Weird but whatever

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carr-to-ucla-1024x885 Derek Carr On UCLA's Staff? Weird but whatever
Derek looks South to see if the Grapevine is open

Why? Why is Fresno resident, Fresno State alum, retired Raider & Saint guy taking a job with UCLA? A main rival of Fresno State?

A man who is rich. That could hang out as a backup quarterback in the NFL for the next ten years and make millions, if he wanted to, taking a job as a consultant at UCLA?

I guess he is fucking bored. So so so fucking bored. So bored of having money and being a dad in Fresno.

Either keep playing in the NFL, join Fresno State’s staff, or go be a dad in Fresno, you rich fuck. Why work for the enemy?

Makes no sense.

I am sorry, but people who have the freedom of wealth but go spend time away from their children are weird as hell to me.

Listen Local: Tower Rats at Goldstein’s

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tower-rats-1024x820 Listen Local: Tower Rats at Goldstein's

I recently caught the Tower Rats (a Fresno punk, indie rock, post-punk band) at Goldstein’s in the Tower District. It was only my second time seeing them (first being at Porchfest). I was glad I went.

Excellent performance; kept me engaged the whole show, with everyone in the band bringing everything they had.

There seem to be two versions of this band, though. I am not saying that as a bad thing! Just an observation.

I am guessing that the guitarist writes songs and the band plays those. And the singer writes songs, and they play those. I just bring it up because you can tell there is a difference between the two.

Normally I would not think this kind of thing would work, because the songs are slightly different genres. But Tower Rats do, in fact, make it work.

No matter who is writing the songs, they are both dynamic and worth checking out if you haven’t.

Here is a clip I took at the show:


They have some stuff out on Bandcamp too:

-Mike

Stay Out of Berrock Shop During Noon Hour, You Retired Fuck

The Fresnan
beerok-shop-1024x768 Stay Out of Berrock Shop During Noon Hour, You Retired Fuck
Berrock Shop. Noon hour. Every table full.

Yeah I know every lunch place gets busy at Noon. This is especially true at Berrock Shop.

People on their lunch break from work, mixed with regular people wanting to get fed, makes for a busy place.

Well, I am here to rant at you retired people taking up space at Berrock Shop or anywhere else during lunch hour… KNOCK IT THE FUCK OFF!

You are lucky enough to be retired. You can come out to places at any time of day. STOP CHOOSING TO GET IN WORKING STIFFS WAY DURING NOON HOUR!

And while we are at it, don’t go wandering by a school during drop off time. Parents have already made their kids late to school along with making themselves late to work, stay the hell out the way.

The only exception is Our Lady of Bullard – she can ride by or eat at whatever time she wants.

What I’m Doing This Weekend: Porchfest [Duh]

The Fresnan
porchfest-2026-1024x930 What I'm Doing This Weekend: Porchfest [Duh]

Yes, what I am doing this weekend is what everyone else is doing on Saturday, it’s Porchfest – it’s one of my favorite Fresno things.

I have not locked in planning my day yet (because I am not that kind of person), but I do know some things, my loose schedule of the day I will try to have:

Think I can pull it off?

Also looking to use the Fresno Trolley at some point:

img_1556 What I'm Doing This Weekend: Porchfest [Duh]

Great coverage of the event can be found at Bandgeeeek and Valley Echos.

A good page on the website to plan your day with is this one.

Shout out to the one stage in the NW region of Tower (Hamilton/Daily block), holding it down for the whole area.

Shout out to the Medium WelDON porch for the best dad-joke stage/porch name.

Starts at 10 in the morning. I am going to ‘Dad you’ here and tell you to drink some water and wear some sunblock. And also, nobody needs to know what is in your water bottle.

P.S. Don’t forget there is something cool to do on Sunday, too, you just have to take the short drive up to Madera, it’s Spring Fling! Classic VW car show.

-Mike

What I Might Do At FresYes Fest 2026

The Fresnan
img_1203-1 What I Might Do At FresYes Fest 2026

It has become a big local event that is now in the same space as the big big big BIG Fresno Fair and a Fresno State football game, it’s FresYes Fest. (Saturday 1-11:00 pm at Tioga and the baseball stadium)

Lucky for FresYes to have some (even if a little hot for March) good weather. There will be everything you can think to have at a festival, here is what I might be looking to do:

  • Watch every damn band I can. I am most pumped for Strange Vine and Werebear. Sadly Werebear had to cancel but It’ll Grow Back is a fine ass punk replacement. There is a good chance I won’t be around still for Strange Vine’s set – that’s okay as I plan to see them at their album release show at Fulton 55 (April 11th)
  • Park in the Spiral Garage. I think I will be there early enough that there will be spaces in the garage, but we shall see. Also considering taking the trolley bus in from Tower.
  • Find shade. It will be impossible to do this while watching bands though, and won’t be easy at other times. The Chuk with be open though and there is shade under the concourse at least.
  • Drink water. And yeah, beer too. Not much of a Seltzer person but I do want to try the Tioga & Ampersand blueberry seltzer colab.
  • Eat. I don’t have a particular food truck I am looking out for. The shortest line will be the top ranking factor for me, if I am being honest.

Band info:

img_1200-1 What I Might Do At FresYes Fest 2026

If you see me out there, please give me your drink ticket or a beer, straight up.

-Mikey

P.S. I have chosen sunblock to be the affiliate sponsor of this post. Because you’re going to fuckin’ need a sport face out there.