TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Super Bowl Sunday. An event where everyone gathers in front of the largest television they can find, snacks and beverages on hand, to watch with bated breath as one team is crowned NFL champion.

Or not.

Let's face it, plenty of people could care less about giant men running and hitting each other. To those people (really, they exist!) the whole thing seems silly, an excuse to down a six-pack and a bag of chips.

Nevertheless, it can be difficult to avoid the game, what with the nonstop advertising and with seemingly every bar/restaurant in town running some Super Bowl-related promotion. What else is there to do?

Plenty, as it turns out. Here are 46 suggestions (it's Game XLVI, remember?):

1. Strut around in the KISS Destroyer Tour boots at Monster Mini Golf, 1 to 6 p.m.

2. Catch up on the Oscar nominees at Maya, Edwards or Reading cinemas.

3. Picnic at a local park.

4. Run along the Panorama Bluffs.

5. Visit the animals at CALM, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

6. Listen to jazz at The Nile, beginning at 6 p.m.

7. Want faster music? Check out San Francisco-based Houston Jones, beginning at 7 p.m. at Juliana's Art Studio & Gallery.

8. Dance at Club Odyssey in the DoubleTree Hotel, featuring Latin/Salsa dancing from 3 to 9 p.m.

9. Participate in a Pokemon Tournament at Russo's Books, 2 to 4 p.m.

10. Load up with an epic, hearty breakfast at Hodel's Country Dining.

11. Watch that kid from "Harry Potter" films in the new horror flick "The Woman in Black."

12. Try to make a dent in "Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim."

13. Take down the Christmas tree. It's time.

14. Admire the architecture of the new federal courthouse building by Central Park at Mill Creek.

15. Search for kit foxes. Just don't touch or otherwise bother them.

16. Skate at Rollerama.

17. Browse at Valley Plaza -- just be forewarned the game is likely to be on at every restaurant in the complex.

18. Devour a cream-cheese filled pastry stick at Sugar Twist. Better get two.

19. Fish in Isabella Lake.

20. Hike Whiskey Flat Trail.

21. Go to church. The big game won't distract the Lord.

22. Branch out with your dining choices. Eat shawerma or falafel at Flames & Skewers' California Avenue location.

23. Get a tattoo. (Sober.) Adults only, please.

24. Play cards with friends. If they're all watching the game, play Solitaire.

25. Spend a few hours practicing that instrument you meant to learn how to play about a decade ago.

26. Remember -- it's never too early for spring cleaning.

27. Work off some of that holiday weight at the gym.

28. Cozy up with a book and coffee at Dagny's.

29. Update your Netflix queue. A few foreign films won't hurt.

30. Write those letters/emails to friends you've been meaning to contact.

31. Get a tan. It's not that cold out.

32. Visit your parents. They'll appreciate it.

33. Go bowling.

34. Gather together food donations to deliver Monday to Golden Empire Gleaners.

35. Listen to some of the 10,000 songs on your iPod.

36. Start planning for Valentine's Day so you don't mess it up like last year.

37. Meditate.

38. Learn how to make the perfect Bloody Mary. Remember, the quality of the mix matters just as much, if not more, than the vodka.

39. Test your poker skills at Golden West Casino.

40. Admire the artwork you bought at First Friday.

41. Walk the dog. Several times.

42. Take the kids to Camelot Park.

43. Find out what this Twitter thing is all about.

44. Read up on the presidential race. Just don't dwell on it -- you want to actually enjoy your Sunday.

45. Visit the Kern County Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

46. Sip a fine wine, enjoy a nice evening breeze and watch the stars come out. Luxuriate in your time away from all Super Bowl coverage -- at least until the game is scrutinized by every sportschannel and columnist in the country beginning Monday morning.

And finally, a nod to The Fresno Bee, which came up with its own list. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?