Natali Carrera, Author at FresYes!

Just In Time For Summer, Fresno Chaffee Zoo Reopens Play Areas And Exhibits

June 16, 2021 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

Fresno Chaffee Zoo Reopens Play Areas And Exhibits

Officials at Fresno Chaffee Zoo announced yesterday – Tuesday, June 15 that with the State of California updating its COVID restrictions and eliminating the tiered system, the Zoo is happy to be able to open areas that have remained closed since March 2020.

As of June 15th, the Zoo has opened its Wilderness Falls water and Dino Dig play areas. Keeper Chats and presentations have also resumed throughout the Zoo.

“Keeper Chats and presentations at world-class exhibits like Sea Lion Cove are crucial to our mission of inspiring guests through engaging and educational experiences with animals. We look forward to these opportunities to connect people with animals and conservation,” said Jon Forrest Dohlin, Chief Executive Officer.

In accordance with state and federal guidance, unvaccinated guests are asked to continue wearing a mask throughout their visit at the Zoo, except when eating in designated café or eating areas. Masks are no longer required for fully vaccinated guests. The Zoo will still be offering outdoor service at its multiple dining locations, including Kopje Lodge, and additional hand washing and sanitizing stations will still be available throughout the Zoo.

The Zoo is eliminating its maximum capacity, but guests are encouraged to pre-purchase their tickets online. The Zoo offers timed tickets for pre-purchase on its website. Guests that arrive with timed tickets will receive priority entrance, making for shorter wait times for entry. Walk-up ticket sales will still be available and will not be subject to any capacity.

“We have found that timed ticketing and pre-purchased tickets help us provide a great guest experience throughout the day,” said Dohlin. “Understanding how many people will be visiting at any given time helps us manage lines and groups throughout the Zoo so every guest can make the most of their visit.”

Ready to plan your visit to the Zoo? Click here for additional information and to purchase tickets online. Tickets are $14.95 for adults and $8.95 for children over the age of 1. Family memberships that offer unlimited entry during a year start at just $75. The Zoo is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm and members have the option of early entry at 8:30 am.

For more FresYes blog posts – CLICK HERE!

Fresno Chaffee Zoo Reopens Play Areas And Exhibits

5 Awesome Fresno Summer Camps Still Enrolling for 2021

June 14, 2021 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

As we begin to emerge from our pandemic state of living, one reemergence particularly thrilling to parents and kids is summer camps! Though some camps remain closed this summer and all are affected by having to reduce numbers to allow for social distancing, the great news is that there are several really fun camps still enrolling for this summer, and if you act quickly you can likely still snag a spot for the young people in your family. Below find 5 Awesome Fresno Summer Camps Still Enrolling for 2021 (as of Friday, June 11th).

San Joaquin River Parkway and Trust – River Camp

River Camp is a popular choice every year and offers developmentally appropriate and safe nature conservancy and river biome experiences for a wide range of children from 3.5 years and up to age 14. Costs run from $110 to $250 per week depending on the day length, but there are still several weeks with availability at this time. For more information on the sessions and to register, click here.

Zoo Camp is awesome and we’re not ‘lion’!

Zoo Camp at Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Yes, there is also still space in several sessions of the Zoo’s mega-popular Zoo Camp program! Different weeks will offer different themes such as California native creatures, dinosaurs, and unique animal abilities and attributes. For Covid-safety reasons, all Zoo Camp activities will take place outdoors this year, and masks will be required – however, there is tons of fun to be had and a week of camp is just $160 for Zoo members and $170 for non-members. Click here for additional information.

The Discovery Center’s Creative Minds Camp

This fun camp option is themed by the week and will include fun STEM exploration through hands-on activities focused on physics, paleontology, naturalism, chemistry, engineering, and solving mysteries through deductive reasoning. This $350 one-week all-day camp is a bit pricier, however, there is a $45 discount available for members and parents rave about how much fun their kids had in previous years participating in Summer Camp at the Discovery Center. For more information or to sign up, click here.

InnovEd’s Summer Camp

InnovEd offers unique engineering and STEM opportunities taught by credentialed teachers or engineering industry professionals, and participants will have the chance to create intricate and complex electronics, toys, and robotics. Projects like building a drone, a remote-controlled car, and a robot are all on the list of options with InnovEd. There are just a few spots left in each session, so if you have a child deeply interested in engineering and wanting to have a more in-depth experience this summer I’d recommend looking into this one right away. Click here for additional info.

“Throwing” clay is the process of creating using a pottery wheel

Good Dirt Pottery Studio’s Day Camp

Good Dirt is a brand-new pottery studio located in northwest Fresno on Bullard and Marks, offering ceramic instruction including wheel-based learning for adults and children alike. This summer, they will offer weekly themed camps for kids that will allow participants to learn to throw and create on a pottery wheel as well as through a variety of other clay building techniques, and the products of these lessons will be fired and sent home to enjoy for years to come. The remaining spaces are limited, so if you’ve got a creative kid in your life – be sure to snag them a spot in Good Dirt’s Camp asap! Click here for more info and to register.

For more FresYes blog posts – CLICK HERE!

5 Awesome Fresno Summer Camps Still Enrolling for 2021

5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe and Cool in a Heat Wave

June 3, 2021 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

With temperatures into the 100s in the Valley, you are likely thinking about the condition of your A.C. unit, wondering when you can next go for a swim, or making a meal plan filled with cold sandwiches and salads. But have you remembered your furry friends?

As a pet-lover and owner of three rescue dogs (and former foster of 25+ others), learning about pet safety and care is something very important to me. Knowing how many fellow animal lovers there are in the Valley, I I wanted to revisit this important topic, given the current climate.

Our furry family members have their own particular set of challenges to face when Valley temperatures soar. For those who can bring their dogs indoors, the potential risks of heat-related health problems are mostly negated, however for those who are unable to bring their canine companions indoors for one reason or another, planning ahead for their comfort and safety when a heatwave hits is a critical part of pet ownership.

To help you prepare for the hot weather ahead here are 5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe and Cool in a Heat Wave (with useful and affordable product suggestions linked for your convenience).

1. Provide cooler places to relax outdoors

Prior to leaving your dogs outside on a hot day, go out into the yard during the hottest part of the day, to look for the coolest spots in the yard. Look for where the shade is, where the grass is cooler and where a good location would be to set up your pet’s “cooling quarters”. Typically grass will be cooler than concrete areas, as concrete becomes warmed and then reflects the heat.

The cooling quarter is where you want to put a bed, a large container of fresh water and their food. Some pet owners do not leave food out throughout the day, and feed only in the morning and evenings, in which case – no need to change the pattern your pet is accustomed to.

When thinking of bedding, you want to focus on airflow. Your pet doesn’t want to curl up with thick blankets or a deep, padded bed in the summer any more than you do. Look for an elevated platform bed that will allow your dog to lay just above the ground so that airflow can continue to occur below their body. Combine an elevated bed with a cooling pad, and your pooches will really thank you.

2. Give cooled water

Make sure the freshwater supply is plentiful, and be sure to keep the bowl in the shade. Drinking hot water isn’t refreshing for anyone, including your pup. For less than $20, you can purchase a water bowl with a gel core that can be frozen, to keep your dog’s water cool outside for hours. As a treat, you can also freeze* low-sodium chicken broth with chewy treats or toys inside of it, and place it in a bowl for your dogs to enjoy licking during the earlier part of the day. The treats and toys then provide some entertainment during the afternoon!

3. Think carefully about grooming

Many people think that cutting their dog’s fur very short will help them to stay cool during the summer. However, most dogs actually benefit from at least medium-length fur in the summer, as it provides some protection from the heat by insulating the body. Additionally, short cuts can also lead to sunburn, a very uncomfortable condition we humans likely know well, yet rarely think of as a risk for pets. Pets can definitely suffer a sunburn as well, so be sure trims are not exposing your dogs’ skin to harmful UV rays.

4. Offer water play

If at all possible, offer a filled wading pool with toys inside for dogs to splash around in on hot days. It may not come naturally for your dog to get into the water on their own, so you may need to have some fun, backyard play with your pet over a weekend so they can associate the pool with fun. This inexpensive solution can really make a difference in your pet’s comfort and enjoyment during periods of extreme heat.

5. Watch for danger signs

Dogs can suffer from heatstroke with temperatures as low as 80 degrees, so watch for signs that tell you something is not right. Fatigue is the most common sign, however, a dry nose, excessive panting, and heavy breathing can also be signs. If you believe your dog may be overheated, wet your dog with room-temperature water and sit with them in front of a fan as soon as possible. Offer lots of fresh water to drink, and don’t hesitate to call your vet if symptoms don’t improve quickly.

Above all, never ever leave your dog in the car alone on warm days. Car temperatures rise very quickly, and it doesn’t have to be very hot for your dog to suffer from a potentially lethal case of heatstroke when left in a car. You never know when a “short trip” into a store will be foiled by an unexpectedly long line or the need to have someone check for the item you need in the back. So please, don’t risk your pet’s life in this way.

*****

With a little preparation and a small investment in appropriate tools, your pet will be better prepared to withstand the heat if required. Keep in mind, dogs are domestic animals and they are no more comfortable in extreme temperatures than you are. If you’re hot, they’re hot, so whenever possible, keep your dogs indoors with you during times of extreme heat.

*Note: There are rumors about the dangers of giving ice/frozen liquids to dogs online. Ice itself isn’t actually dangerous to dogs, however it does constrict blood vessels. Some people have fed ice to dogs suffering symptoms of heat stroke, but due to the constricting effect, this is not very helpful.

For more FresYes blog posts – CLICK HERE!
5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe and Cool in a Heat Wave

10 Tips for Visiting Disneyland this Spring

May 20, 2021 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

Are you one of the many California families planning to head to Disneyland now that it’s re-opened? Whether you are rescheduling a long-awaited trip or making a more last-minute decision to visit to enjoy the smaller crowds and California residents-only period afforded by current conditions, there are a few things to know that will be helpful before you go. My family and I visited Disneyland on Thursday, May 6th, at the end of its first week reopened since COVID, and here are my 10 best tips for visiting Disneyland this Spring!

Low crowds make for an irresistible opportunity to visit Disneyland and enjoy short lines

1. First, you will need to check this calendar for availability of reservations at the park(s) you’re interested in. Then purchase tickets online, and make your date reservations in the final stages of your ticket purchasing. At the moment, dates are booking out into July, though there is a chance you might get a spot sooner if another ticketholder changes their reservation (which you can do in the Disneyland app).

2. If you want to park hop, you’ll need to make a reservation based on which park you’d like to start with, and on which day.

3. Character meet and greets are not available at this time, however, in a way its nice because you can actually see the characters stationed throughout the park waving, dancing and engaging with guests in other ways. Though you can’t hug your favorites, there are still lots of photo opportunities.

4. You will need to purchase food in the park via the Disneyland app. You’ll be able to view each eatery and its menu on the app. Make your selection, pay through your phone. and select your pick-up time window. Once you arrive at the eatery of your choosing, the app will provide you with your order status and the window number for pick up when it’s ready. Once you use this system once, I think you’ll find it quite convenient and more pleasant than waiting in line.

Dole Whips and Floats are as delicious as ever and available conveniently via app

5. When its time to enjoy your food, you’ll need to eat in designated eating areas, (at least as of this current date) as masks are required everywhere except in these defined areas when you are directly eating or drinking.

6. Speaking of masks, depending on the weather when you go to the park, you may find you get fairly sweaty under the mask, especially on more humid days or during the mornings when its naturally more humid out. I personally felt a disposable KN95 or surgical mask was more comfortable than cloth for longer wear, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring a few masks per person, so you can switch to a fresh one if you do get sweaty, or wet on rides like Splash Mountain.

7. Go for comfort over style when it comes to shoes! Since crowds are smaller than usual, lines are shorter and you’ll be able to cover much more ground in a Disney day than you normally would which means LOTS of walking. I logged over 20,000 steps on our one day in the park, and that was arriving at the park around 10:30 and leaving when they closed at 7pm.

My family’s 5th time (out of 6!) on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – short lines mean lots of riding (and walking)

8. If you’re planning to ride the new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride, you’ll need to grab a spot in the virtual queue either at 7am or 12pm. For best results, have one party member load everyone’s tickets onto their account, then make a reservation for everyone together (this can be done from the main page in the app). You’ll be assigned a group number, and when its your group number’s turn you’ll show your queue barcode and be able to get into the real line at the ride. Don’t worry – it gives you a window of time to get there if you’re across the park when its your turn. The actual physical line doesn’t take long once you’re in it, either. We missed the 7am reservation time, so we made our reservation for the queue at 12pm (we set an alarm on our phone so we wouldn’t forget, which I recommend) and were assigned group 141. Group 141 ended up being called around 4:30pm, and the process was smooth. The ride is AMAZING and like nothing I’ve every experienced (and to be honest, I’m not even a Star Wars fan – please don’t hate me) and I highly recommend you try to ride!

9. The park’s safety precautions include hand-washing and hand-sanitizer stations throughout the park, frequent ride, seating area and table cleanings, and social distancing on rides and in lines (can we keep line social distancing forever please? Having a personal space bubble in Disneyland was a welcome change!). In general Cast Members are quite vigilant though kind in enforcing mask and social distancing rules. The only time we felt a little less safe Covid-wise was leaving the park – as we left at close when there was a mass exodus out of the park. Hopefully, since that first week, they’ve opened additional exit paths. Our family has been very Covid cautious in general and felt our park visit was as safe as it could be given the current conditions.

10. If you’re looking for an affordable place to stay that’s clean, secure, and offers free parking, our family stayed at Hotel 414 Anaheim. It’s around $125/night, has very kind customer service, and updated rooms. It’s easy to access off the 5 freeway, and they are very nice about allowing you to leave your car if you have a park day after checkout as well. If you’re the type looking for a very fancy stay, this isn’t the place for you – but it is very clean, the beds are comfortable, it’s a 22-minute walk to the park, a $5 Uber/Lyft ride to the entrance gate and we’ve had a positive experience there twice now. The hotel is family-owned, and they are not sponsoring my post or even aware I’m writing this – just wanted to share because it’s been a win for our family more than once now, and it may be helpful for yours.

If you head to Disneyland soon, I hope you find these tips helpful and you have a MAGICAL trip!

For more FresYes blog posts – CLICK HERE!
10 Tips for Visiting Disneyland this Spring
10 Tips for Visiting Disneyland this Spring

Banzai Japanese Bar & Kitchen Brings Sushi Back to the Tower District

May 17, 2021 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

This weekend, I was excited to enjoy my first indoor dining experience since Covid at a brand-new, locally-owned restaurant in the Tower District. Banzai Japanese Bar & Kitchen opened in the former Casa de Tamales location on N. Olive between Palm & Fulton just a couple doors down from the Lincoln Pub & Grub. The Lincoln Pub made a name for itself by offering craft cocktails and tasty appetizers, like their signature Tempura Green Beans with Spicy Aioli dipping sauce for just $5. Banzai Japanese Bar & Kitchen Brings Sushi Back to the Tower District

You may be wondering why the Lincoln Pub is so relevant to the opening of a new sushi and Japanese restaurant. The exciting thing about both businesses is that they share common co-owners in David Rasavong and his wife, Anna Nguyen. I can’t help but proudly cheer for local business owners who have found a way to make it through the extreme challenges of owning an eatery through a pandemic including shifting their business model to include offering affordable and tasty family-style dinners by co-owner Chef Andy, and cocktails to-go. I also proudly cheer for the fact that they kept going, kept prices affordable and then went on the bring even more options to Fresno restaurant-goers by opening a second business and a totally different cuisine.

Banzai Japanese Bar & Kitchen is a table service restaurant that offers a wide variety of sushi rolls and other Japanese specialties like a fresh seafood salad, spicy garlic edamame, teriyaki beef, katsu pork, and crispy tofu bento box meals for those who aren’t big sushi fans. Their menu also includes fusion dishes like their new Sumo Fries (which are fries topped with steak, spicy masago, and avocado), their crispy, giant breaded and stuffed Mushroom Bombs, and fan-favorite Poke Nachos.

Sumo Fries at Banzai Japanese Bar & Kitchen — Banzai’s new Sumo Fries (image credit: Banzai)

Banzai’s interior has undergone a complete makeover since Rasavong took over and the interior of the restaurant now features an open floor plan with a u-shaped, blue-light lit bar centered in the dining area. Murals by local artists make for great dining and Instagram backdrops. The full bar offers a wide variety of cocktails including specialty drinks featuring Japanese whiskies, and if you like pineapple I highly recommend the Tokyo-lada.

My friends and I visited for a birthday on a busy Saturday evening and were able to be seated quickly, the service was friendly, efficient, and attentive despite the restaurant being busy. Tables are spaced for distancing between parties and condiments, menus, and other items were thoughtfully prepared to be single-use to reduce risk as we wane out the later end of the pandemic.

If you’re ready to head to the restaurants whether you eat indoors or out, I would definitely recommend adding Banzai Japanese Bar & Kitchen to your list of places to visit very soon. I think you’ll really enjoy it!

For more FresYes blog posts – CLICK HERE!
Banzai Japanese Bar & Kitchen Brings Sushi Back to the Tower District

Crave Opens Cookie Drive-Thru in NW Fresno

May 11, 2021 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

This is the business’ first brick & mortar shop.

Crave cookie has opened a new drive-thru in Fresno! I first wrote about Crave Cookie when it began offering giant, piping hot cookies via delivery right to your doorstep back in 2019. It started with a small number of zip codes in its delivery radius, and recently expanded significantly to include many more (My home zip code included – happy dance!). Having a growing business during any economic climate is worth celebrating, but an expanding business through a pandemic is amazing. Crave Cookie has not only survived the past year but thrived and has now opened its first brick and mortar location complete with a cookie drive-thru in NW Fresno’s Marketplace at El Paseo Shopping Center on Herndon and 99.

There are many factors that I believe have contributed to Crave’s success. It might be the flavor, crispy edges, and doughy centers of their perfectly baked, giant cookies. Perhaps their quick and friendly service, or the fact that cookies are such a comfort food and we’ve all needed some comfort during the past year. Most likely it’s a combination of all the aforementioned factors. I am thrilled for Crave and excited to be able to stop in for cookies in person now when I need the pick-me-up only their cinnamon and sugary Churro Cookie can provide.

In addition to their warm cookies, Crave’s storefront location is also offering local favorite, Rosa Brothers glass-bottled milk in chocolate, strawberry, and regular varieties. They also offer custom-made flavored sodas and energy drinks such as the Top Knot which is made with Dr. Pepper, coconut, and lime flavorings, the Lizard Queen, a concoction of Mountain Dew, strawberry, and mango flavors or the Big Head Ted which is a Red Bull swirled with blue raspberry and watermelon syrups and served on ice. Soon, Crave also plans to offer a limited selection of Kuppa Joy Coffee beverages. Kuppa Joy is currently a partner with Crave, offering their cookies to coffee drinkers who visit their local cafes and “joy-thrus”.

So, next time you’re out and about and your sweet tooth starts demanding your attention – consider a drive through Crave’s new location at Herndon and 99 in NW Fresno! Home and business delivery remain available as well via Crave’s website.

For more FresYes blog posts – CLICK HERE!

crave cookie has opened a new drive-thru in fresno

Full Circle Brewery Welcomes You Back!

May 4, 2021 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

They have planned all sorts of Beertainment in their new location

Full Circle Brewery has been known not just for great beer but great entertainment for years at its Downtown Chinatown and Olympic locations. That was, until COVID-19 hit and forced the team to completely shift gears and adapt to keep the business alive through a global pandemic.

In a recent video interview (which you can view here), Full Circle CEO Arthur Moye shares that the brewery had to make major changes to get through the past 12 months and continue bringing its beer to consumers. With great sadness, the team closed the Olympic location. They also converted its Chinatown location production-only moving in new equipment to maximize brewing capacity.

Sadly, these changes left no room for the former stage and event venue space that had long been home to live bands, performers, events like Swedefest and Cumbiatron!. On the bright side, the increased production capacity and the pressure to find a way to sell product without the ability to sell direct to consumers ended up working in their favour. This led to Full Circle focusing its energy on updating their packaging and marketing their beer to new carriers from the North Bay to LA, and even as far away as Ohio!

With the reach of Full Circle’s product footprint now spanning multiple states and a much larger swath of its home state of California, an opportunity to occupy the former Zack’s Brewing Co location in the Brewery District in Downtown arose. The Full Circle team knew it was time to once again create their entertainment space and prepare to serve their guests again.

An overhead view of the patio at Full Circle’s New Location: 712 Fulton Street (Image credit: Full Circle Brewery)

The new, state-of-the-art venue and brewery offers an expansive outdoor seating area featuring well-spaced picnic tables so those starting to socialize again (now that COVID rates are on the decline) can enjoy a Full Circle Brew or two and some great live music with friends.

A new and very welcome addition to Full Circle is Smushburgers from Grumpy Burger Lady, Des Washington. Grumpy Burger Lady’s Smushburgers are made with your choice of toppings. The whole burger including bun is smashed into the grill surface for extra delicious caramelization and flavor. It’s served with her signature pink slaw and fries.

Full Circle Brews and Grumpy Burger Lady Smushburgers, Fries and Pink Slaw (Image credit Grumpy Burger Lady)

Full Circle began its soft opening week last weekend, and will officially celebrate the opening of its new space with cold brews, live music and Smushburgers this weekend (May 7th and 8th). So if you’re ready to get out and have some fun again – mark your calendars and celebrate the return of live entertainment with the Full Circle crew!

Full Circle Brewery New Location – 712 Fulton Street

For more FresYes blog posts – CLICK HERE!

Quail State’s Groundbreaking Rooftop Bar is Open!

April 23, 2021 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

Quail State owners Josh and Hayley Islas-Wolf have worked long and hard for this moment since announcing their plans to open a rooftop bar in Downtown Fresno over three years ago with their first post on Instagram. They’ve faced challenges in many arenas including working to get permissions in place with the City to open a first-of-its-kind rooftop bar in Fresno, as well as dealing with the trials that come with renovating an historic building and then, to top it off – a global pandemic.

This week’s official opening of Quail State’s rooftop is a true testament to Josh and Hayley’s grit and commitment to bringing their exciting and unique vision to life in Downtown Fresno.

While Quail State has been serving delicious cocktails, natural wines and most recently gourmet meals prepared by local Chef Matthew Lee on it’s ground floor patio for the past few months, this Wednesday marked Quail State’s first official opening of their rooftop bar including both indoor and outdoor seating areas.

COVID precautions and guidelines remain in place, however, thanks to all of Josh and Hayley’s work there is an expansive patio and well-spaced tables for guests to enjoy the view from as they sip top-quality cocktails in small groups.

My husband and I recently had the opportunity to enjoy a first date night out in over a year and we chose to visit Quail State. We experienced excellent and attentive service, fantastic drinks and delicious and unique food. My personal favorite cocktail was the bright and effervescent Pixie (which is made with tequila, grapefruit, lemon, elderflower, honey and champagne) and my husband’s favorite was the Smooth Move (made with bourbon, blood orange and maraschino cherry heering).

We also really liked the unique appetizer we tried, which was a flavored popcorn duo featuring both savory (nori butter) and sweet (spicy caramel) sides. For dinner we ordered the Quail Egg Burger which was perfectly prepared and juicy and the Braised Beef Short Rib that was incredibly tender and tasted like it had been slow-braised all day.

We are very much looking forward to our next opportunity to return to Quail State and to officially enjoy the roof top! We highly recommend you add it to your list of activities to enjoy soon as well. You can make a reservation online here.

Congratulations to Josh and Hayley Islas-Wolf on reaching this major achievement and thank you for bringing something so unique to Fresno!