My daughter has this thing about consuming things on repeat. In disbelief, I’ll ask, “Didn’t you just watch that?” as yet another episode of Modern Family plays in the background. I wonder how she can possibly enjoy watching the same show over and over and over again — until I remember back, way back, and recall that I wasn’t really that much different.
I loved TV at the same age. But instead of seasons upon seasons of great shows on subscription services, I watched either shows in syndication or movies. And there was no movie — NO MOVIE — I played more often than Back to the Future.
Like any good obsession, that film is burned into my memory. Marty McFly flying around the streets of Hill Valley on his skateboard, gliding like a cool rebel along the bumpers of passing cars, while Huey Lewis absolutely slaps in the background. “88 MILES PER HOURRRRR!!” — the magic speed for time travel — screams Doc Brown, bouncing wildly in his white jumpsuit, white hair whipping in the backdraft of the DeLorean.
All the random fragments that still live in my brain: Lone Pine Mall. Goldie Wilson. Calvin Klein (because it’s written on his underwear). Biff’s mangled expressions. Marvin Berry calling his cousin Chuck from the dance. The terror of the fading photo.
The soundtrack was full of 1950s bangers — Mr. Sandman, Earth Angel, and Marty’s iconic version of Johnny B. Goode — “Your kids are gonna love it.”
Music that mixed in with my favorites, completely out of sync with my early ’90s reality — the closest thing I could get to time travel. I wanted to be there. I wanted to time travel. I still do, really. Call me when we get there?
Oh — and then there’s the best pickup line of all time: “I’m your density. I mean… your destiny.” Classic George McFly.
So when I heard that Sunday Cider would be hosting outdoor summer movie nights, I was excited. When I pulled up the lineup on Instagram and saw Back to the Future listed as the showing for July 10, I nearly imploded. Would wearing a “Save the Clock Tower” T-shirt be too much?
As if live music Fridays at Sunday Cider weren’t enough glorious summertime goodness, they’ve now bumped Thursdays up a notch with a fabulous roster of outdoor movies. If it were up to me, I’d have chosen Back to the Future, Back to the Future Part II, skip Part III, and just show the first two again. July lineup, done. Clearly, the community is grateful that’s not my role — the fine folks at Sunday Cider have chosen an array of films to delight a variety of viewers. There will also be fresh theatre-style popcorn, hot dogs, old-school candy bags, and (yes) $5 cider. I think you better make like a tree and get yourself over to movie night.
But you don’t need a flux capacitor to check out a few other great events happening soon:
• Pottery Prowl, July 5 and 6. Twenty-one potters will be showing their work, explaining the processes they use to create their art, and giving tours of their studios and equipment. Drop in during the weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at any of the studios.
• Shave Ice Paradise. Now open seven days a week from noon to 5 p.m. in the heart of the Creek. Have you tried the gelato at the bottom yet? Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
• Salty’s Lobster Shack. Parked at a Roberts Creek Community Hall near you on select dates throughout July. Shelfishly, I’m quite looking forward to this.
And if you catch me at any of these, chances are I’ll be there on repeat — because some things are worth experiencing again and again. Just ask my daughter. Or Marty.
