CF Community Calendar: Updated 10/1/23
To post an event on our calendar e-mail the information to
calendar@kfcf.org, at least 2 weeks before the event.
DAILY CALENDAR
(Multiple Day and Ongoing Events are at end of posting)
Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st
The Central California Koi Society (CCKS) will host its 43rd annual Fresno Koi Show on Saturday and Sunday, September 30 – October 1, 2023, at Woodward Park in the Group Activity Area (next to Shinzen Friendship Garden). The Fresno Koi Show is hosted in partnership with the Shinzen Friendship Garden. Admission to the koi show is free and open to the public. Guests at the koi show can visit Shinzen Friendship Garden to see the amazing gardens with waterfalls, koi pond, iconic moon bridge, and the Clark Bonsai Collection. The Fresno Koi Show is one of the longest-running events of its kind in the Nation. Local and out-of-area hobbyists and enthusiasts exhibit their prized koi fish and share their passion and knowledge with the public. The koi fish exhibited in competition at the Fresno Koi Show range in size from about 6 to 36 inches long and can be of superb quality. Judges from the American Koi Judges Association (AKJA) will critique the koi for best quality, variety, and size. Hundreds of koi fish will be for sale at the Fresno Koi Show from local and state vendors. Many koi are imported directly from top breeders in Japan. RNR Koi in Fresno is the presenting sponsor and will have koi fish, koi food, and its RNR Advantage stainless bakki shower filtration systems for sale at the show. Vendors will offer koi food and products, art, unique home décor, gift items, and local food trucks with food available for purchase. Koi and non-koi related items will also be raffled or available for bidding in a silent auction. With over 1,500 people in attendance each year, this highly anticipated and fun event is the only fundraiser hosted by CCKS each year. Proceeds are used to host the show and to continue the centuries of tradition, art, and culture of koi and pond keeping flourishing in our community. CCKS will also make a donation to the Shinzen Friendship Garden to support their koi pond and koi health. For more information, contact Rosimeri Tran - CCKS Show Chair, at 559-970-8508, or go to https://cencalkoi.com.
Tuesday, October 3rd
Fresno Pacific University invites you to a performance by its Symphonic Band with guests College of the Sequoias and Fresno City College. It takes place at 7:00 p.m. in the Lyles Theater, Warkentine Culture and Arts Center, 4838 E. Butler Ave., Fresno, part of the main FPU campus. Admission is free. For more information, call 559-453-2267, e-mail music@fresno.edu, or go to www.fresno.edu/departments/news-events.
Wednesday, October 4th
CMAC (Community Media Access Collaborative) invites you to a workshop on How To Create Video Game Content. Explore the realm of game content creation and live streaming in this new workshop! You will learn what it takes to record and stream gaming content from any platform with our example setup as well as techniques used currently by established content creators. We will touch on some of history as it pertains to gaming's past to its vibrant present. Perfect for newcomers and curious minds alike! Seating is limited. The workshop takes place at CMAC, 1555 Van Ness Ave # 201, Fresno, from 6-8 p.m. It’s free for CMAC members or $10 for non-members. For more information e-mail info@cmac.tv or call (559) 266-2622.
Thursday, October 5th
CMAC (Community Media Access Collaborative) invites you to Poetry Night! Join them for an unforgettable evening of poetic expression during ArtHop! Their CMAC Poetry Night is YOUR platform to shine. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or a first-time scribbler, they welcome you to step up to the mic and share your passion with a supportive audience. Don’t miss the chance to connect, express, and appreciate the beauty of spoken word! It takes place at CMAC, 1555 Van Ness Ave # 201, Fresno, starting at 6:30 p.m. For more information e-mail info@cmac.tv or call (559) 266-2622.
Thursday, October 5th
Fresno Pacific University invites you to its ArtHop exhibit reception from 5:00-8:00 p.m. in the Ewert Art Gallery, Warkentine Culture and Arts Center, 4838 E. Butler Ave., Fresno, part of the main FPU campus. Admission is free.
Friday, October 6th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “Town Destroyer” (2022) with discussants Alan Snitow & Deborah Kaufman (Directors). Town Destroyer by Bay Area-based directors Alan Snitow & Deborah Kaufman explores the ways we look at art and history at a time of polarized national debate over the power of images, racism, trauma, and what should be taught in schools. The story focuses on a dispute over historic murals depicting the life of George Washington as a slaveowner, general, land speculator, President, and a man Native Seneca leaders called “Town Destroyer” after he ordered their villages destroyed during the Revolutionary War (1775-83). The murals, at San Francisco's George Washington High School, were painted in 1936 by Russian-born American painter and professor of art Victor Mikhail Arnautoff (1896-1979), a student of world famous Mexican muralist Diego Rivera (1886-1957). The film addresses current debates over trauma, student safety and cancel culture. Do images trigger trauma in students? How should a changing society deal with controversial works of art? Do the intentions of the artist matter? Or just the impact on viewers? Is it censorship to destroy murals that show painful histories? What does our country owe people who have been historically wronged? Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQji26e05K0 to view the trailer. All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. This screening is in-person in the Peters Education Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building) at 5:30 on Friday, October 6th.
Saturday, October 7th
Fresno Pacific University invites you to its University Community Concert featuring alumni and current students. It takes place at 4 p.m. in the Janzen Grand Foyer/ Lyles Theater, Warkentine Culture and Arts Center, 4838 E. Butler Ave., Fresno, part of the main FPU campus. Admission is free.
Saturday, October 7th
The Rotary Club of Fresno invites you to its 2nd Annual Rotary "BBQ & Brews" - a community party and beerfest! It takes place at P-R Farms, 2917 E Shepherd Ave Clovis, from 2-5 p.m. (VIPs enter at 1 p.m.). Tickets are $75, or $95 for VIP tickets (all tickets discounted $10 before Sept 25th). This event is held to benefit service projects in the community, including their new "Seniors Helping Seniors" program. Party tickets include a BBQ meal from Ma and Pa's, free beer tasting from local and out of area brewers, full bar available, music by John Pemberton, dancing, dessert auction, games and prizes! Must be 21 or older to attend. For ore information, go to https://clovisrotaryclub.com/bbq-and-brew/. Tickets can be purchased on-line at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-bbq-and-brewfest-tickets-673960573217?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Tuesday, October 10th and Wednesday, October 11th
CMAC (Community Media Access Collaborative) invites you to the Workshop “Intro to Studio Production.” Are you interested in learning how to produce a TV show? This course is designed to teach you the basics of recording in our television studio. You'll get hands-on experience with professional-grade cameras, audio equipment, studio lighting, and video switchers. You'll also get the opportunity to work together to record an episode of The Munro Review. This course consists of (2) 3.5-hour long sessions. You must be able to attend both sessions.
Session #1: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 4:00pm-7:30pm
Session #2: Thursday, October 12, 2023, 4:00pm-7:30pm
The workshop takes place at CMAC, 1555 Van Ness Ave # 201, Fresno. For more information, e-mail info@cmac.tv.
Wednesday, October 11th
CMAC (Community Media Access Collaborative) invites you to a virtual workshop on “How to Capture Your Audience.” In this virtual workshop, we will go over the importance of promoting your content in order to maximize your audience and viewability. They will go over a variety of special ways to promote your work using social media campaigns, trailers, and public service announcements! They'll also cover how to effectively appear on more search engines with titles and descriptions for your show.
The Zoom Link is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-how-to-capture-your-audience-virtual-tickets-726881390807?aff=calendar. The workshop is from 2-4 p.m. and is free for CMAC members or $10 for non-members. For more information, e-mail info@cmac.tv.
Friday, October 13th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “La Civil” (2021) with discussant Teodora Mihai (Director). Inspired by true events, La Civil by Mexican director Teodora Mihai tells the story of Cielo, a mother in search of her daughter, abducted by a criminal gang in Northern Mexico. As the authorities fail to offer support in the search, Cielo takes matters into her own hands. She begins her own investigation and earns the trust and sympathy of Lamarque, an unconventional army lieutenant based in the region. He agrees to help Cielo because her research data could be useful to his own investigations. Cielo’s collaboration with Lamarque pulls her further into a vicious cycle of violence. The film focuses on Cielo’s emotional rollercoaster, as she is drawn into increasingly dangerous circumstances. The camera stays close, we never lose sight of her as she gradually transforms from housewife into avenging activist. As events unfold, she gets closer to the truth: discovering a mass grave, obtaining official DNA analyses, confronting one of the presumed kidnappers, but corruption and apathy keep her from finding resolution. Until the end finally comes, unpredictable and uninvited. In Spanish with English subtitles. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_bR3WdrFFQ to view the trailer. All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. This screening is in-person in the Peters Education Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building) at 5:30 on Friday, October 13th.
Friday, October 13th
The Fresno Historical Society invites you to its new discourse series, History Happy Hour! These conversations will feature guest speakers sharing their knowledge and passion for history and cultural heritage in a symposium setting. Each History Happy Hour will include light hor d'oeuvres, a beverage ticket and a riveting educational discussion. They will strive to bring a variety of guests to engage with on diverse topics and elements of our Valley’s history. The first HHH will be a conversation with Fresno based artists Kambryá Bailey, Audia Dixon, Paige Mason and Kristen Stain, and will be held on Friday, October 13th at Kearney Mansion beginning at 5:30 pm. Join them for a celebratory discussion about the impact of Fresno’s rich cultural history and what the future looks like creatively through the lens of four dynamic African American female artists and NeFesha Ruth Yisra’el, the Founder and CEO of Black Folk Art, a bi-annual international magazine and arts advocacy and education agency. For tickets and more information, to go https://www.valleyhistory.org/historyhappyhour.
Friday, October 13th
CMAC (Community Media Access Collaborative) invites you to Filmmaker Meetup, at 1555 Van Ness Ave # 201, Fresno. Join them for an exciting Filmmaker Meetup on Friday, October 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or just starting your journey, this meetup is the perfect platform to connect with fellow creatives, share your work, and collaborate on future projects. They will be screening a limited number of short films during the meetup. For more info on how to submit, visit https://cmac.tv/cmac-filmmaker-meetup/. This event is free. For more information, e-mail info@cmac.tv or call 559-266-2622.
Friday, October 13th
The West Side Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to James Garner's Tribute to Johnny Cash, starting at 8 p.m. For the past 15 years, Garner and his band have faithfully recreated Cash’s biggest hits with stunning accuracy in musical event. From special concert airings on PBS stations to shows at Folsom and San Quentin Prisons, it’s easy to see why this is the premier tribute to the “Man in Black.” The show is a fun, toe-tapping trip down memory lane honoring Johnny Cash's life and music, and the boom-chicka-boom sound of his longtime backing band, the Tennessee Three. The Theatre is located at 1331 Main Street in Newman, CA. For tickets or more information, go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/cash-tribute/.
Friday, October 13th and Saturday, October 14th
Renowned performance artist Tim Miller will bring his message of activism through art to Fresno City College the week of October 9. Miller will present a solo performance on Friday, October 13, A Body in the O. Throughout the week he will work with students to create a production based on their own life stories and experiences for Body Maps on Saturday, October 14. Tickets for each performance are $25 for General and $10 for Students. Each event is a fundraiser. Miller will perform a new work created from his brand new book of performances and stories, A BODY IN THE O, on October 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the FCC Theatre. A book signing follows. Proceeds from this event support Theatre Arts students attending the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.fresnocitycollege.edu/events/a-body-in-the-o.html. A Body in the O was inspired by a day when Miller scrambled up inside the O of the Hollywood sign and imagined the performance space tree house of his dreams, A Body in the O journeys through the hoops of the Department of Homeland Security, a queer boy's truth-telling, the human heart's mysterious Os and finally a wedding day as Miller imagines the full possibility of performance that changes the world inside these wooden Os! Body Maps is an original performance created from the stories of the performers themselves from their dreams, memories and desires as they map that charged border between our bodies and society...our narratives and our politics...ourselves and others. Body Maps will be performed in the FCC Theatre on Saturday, October 14, at 2 p.m. Tickets for this performance can be purchased at https://www.fresnocitycollege.edu/events/body-maps.html. Body Maps is a fundraiser for the FCC Rainbow Alliance Staff and Faculty Association for student scholarships.
Saturday, October 14th
Vineyard Farmers Market’s 2nd Annual Fresno Fungi Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Farmer’s Market on Blackstone and Shaw. Join them at Vineyard Farmers Market as they celebrate the magical and fantastic fungi with 3 weeks of mushroom centric cooking demos by local market chefs culminating in their 2nd Annual Fresno Fungi Festival on October 14, 2023. The Fresno Fungi Festival will feature Fresno State Mycology Group, local food booths, mushroom themed crafts, mushroom product vendors, a mushroom costume contest, beer garden and live music by Central California’s Grateful Dead tribute band, Touch of Gravy. Admission is $10 and includes food sampling. For more information contact Felix Muzquiz at 269-9343.
Saturday, October 14th
CMAC (Community Media Access Collaborative) invites you to a free CMAC Volunteer Informational Session. Discover exciting opportunities to get involved in video production at CMAC! Join them for an upcoming informational session where they will discuss how to establish volunteer connections. Whether you're seeking a team to collaborate on your project or eager to contribute your skills to other member-driven productions, this session is your gateway to making it happen. Share your ideas on enhancing our community's network and unleash your potential as a production volunteer! Best of all, it's free and open to everyone! Don't miss out—reserve your spot today! The event is from 2-4 p.m. and takes place at the CMAC building at 1555 Van Ness Ave Suite 201, Fresno. For more information, e-mail info@cmac.tv.
Saturday, October 14th
The West Side Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to Maroon Vibes Maroon 5 Tribute, starting at 8 p.m. Playing an endless and ever-growing barrage of chart-topping Maroon 5 hits, Maroon Vibes delivers an energetic and engaging Maroon 5 and Adam Levine experience that appeals to the masses. Featuring many of the same elements of a live Maroon 5 show, this tribute act weaves together bits of rock, pop, dance, funk, reggae, and hip-hop to keep you singing and dancing. Featuring top-talent musicians with years of industry experience, and led by a front-man who not only resembles Adam Levine, but hits the falsetto just the same, Maroon Vibes brings you the next best thing to the real artist. The Theatre is located at 1331 Main Street in Newman, CA. For tickets go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/maroon-vibes/.
Sunday, October 15th
The Fresno Art Museum invites you to a lecture by guest speaker Leonard Marcus. In this lively illustrated presentation, historian Leonard Marcus offers a wide-ranging inside look at the work of Jewish American children’s literature visionary artist and storyteller Maurice Sendak with whom he had a 20 year friendship. Learn about the making of such well known classics as “Where the Wild Things Are,” about Sendak’s artistic roots in sources as diverse as William Blake, the Sunday funny papers, Sigmund Freud, and Jewish mysticism, and the indelible stamp he has left on the children’s picture book as an art form and on our understanding of childhood. The lectures are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Fresno Art Museum’s Bonner Auditorium. Tickets are $5 for Museum members and $10 for non-members. Reserve your seat in advance as tickets may not be available at the door. No FAM guest passes accepted for the lecture. Fresno State and other students can call 559-441-4221 or email sanking@fresnoartmuseum.org for complimentary tickets. For more information, visit fresnoartmuseum.org. To purchase tickets online go to https://bitly.wsUEu5.
Sunday, October 15th
The Iranian Culture and Art Club-Fresno invites you to join them for a talk by author and poet Rooja Mohassessy on her book, “When Your Sky Runs Into Mine.” It begins at 2:30 p.m. at Woodward Park Regional Public library at Perrin, Fresno. This event is free and open to the public. For more information call (559) 709-3851 or go to www.iraniancultureandartclub.com.
Wednesday, October 18th
The Tehipite Chapter of the Sierra Club presents Dr. Emily Fairfax and "Beavers: Building Climate Resilience Across California," at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Beaver dams and beaver mimicry are gaining popularity as a low‐cost, nature-based strategy to build climate resiliency at the landscape scale. California recently established a beaver restoration and conservation program within CDFW to facilitate "re-beavering" the Golden State and building climate resilience. Dr. Fairfax's research has shown that beaver-influenced patches of the landscape stay green and can serve as fire refugia, preserving intact, mature riparian habitat, even during megafires. Join their Zoom get-together and learn how we can partner with beavers in ecological restoration. Visit http://www.sierraclub.org/tehipite to register in advance and receive the Zoom link.
Friday, October 20th
Saturday, October 21st
The West Side Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers ZZ Top Tribute, starting at 8 p.m. Making their debut at the West Side Theatre, they cover the world-renowned music of ZZ Top. Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers will have you Rock’n and Roll’n the entire show. With their amazing guitar licks, time tempered beats and spectacular vocal renditions of an all-American legend, Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers gives you the rocking classics that so many have grown to love. The theatre is located at 1331 Main St. in Newman, CA. For tickets or more information, go to Tickets: https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/beer-drinkers/.
Saturday, October 21st
The Time Travelers' Country Fair will be held in Kearney Park on October 21st from 11am to 5pm. The unique event will include fascinating educational stations designed to transport you to the turn of the 20th century and allow your family to engage with the past through historic figures, activities, food and cultural entertainment. From the delicious offerings of Fresno Street Eats food trucks, local craft vendors, classic carnival games and a free Kids Zone entertaining the younger crowd, to lunch on the veranda provided by Chef Paul with a special mystery guest and a wine garden hosted by the Central Valley Wine Growers Association for a quieter experience, everyone is guaranteed to enjoy themselves. The Horseless Carriage Club will be showcasing antique automobiles, the Fresno Fire Department will be on hand with free fire safety demos, a parade around Kearney Mansion will include Taiko drummers, Chinese Lion dancers, Mariachis and Folklorico dancers and free musical entertainment will be provided by Uncle Ephus. Tickets are $15 for adults or $8 for children, and can be purchased at https://www.valleyhistory.org/time-travelers-country-fair.
Saturday, October 21st
The Alzheimer's Association invites you to its annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s, at Woodward Park, starting at the Friant and Fort Washington entrance. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m., the ceremony begins at 8:30, and the walk begins at 9:30. For more information, call 559-795-5970 or e-mail pdailey@alz.org.
Saturday, October 21st
The Pharaohs Car Club of Fowler announces their 4th Annual Car Show on Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Panzak Park in Fowler. Owners of any classic car, motorcycle or truck are invited to show off their rides and compete for “Best of Show” in 15 categories. The entry fee is $40 per vehicle, and proof of liability insurance is required. Free event t-shirts will be given to entries pre-registered by October 10, and registration will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the day of the show. Award presentations start at 1:30 p.m. The event is free to spectators. Music by DJ On Blast will be on hand, and local food vendors will have food and beverages for purchase. To pre-register, download an entry form at www.pharaohs-fowler.com Return the form before October 10 with a check payable to Pharaoh’s Car Club, P.O. Box 55003, Fresno, CA 93747. Payment can also be made at the show. This is a charitable event, with monies going to Fowler High School student scholarships.
Thursday, October 26th through Sunday, October 29th
The Fresno County Historical Society invites you to “Mystery at Kearney Mansion.” Back for the third year, Kearney Mansion will once again be host to a Murder Mystery this October. In partnership with the UR Here Theater Company, this unique experience includes a delectable five course grazing menu served throughout the Kearney Mansion and filled with savory and sweet delights. You will also be treated to a special welcoming cocktail to sharpen all your senses which you will need as you interview suspects, find clues and work to solve a murder. Additional libations are available for purchase on-site. Ticket also includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages.
Doors open at 6:00 pm sharp for all evening performances and 11:00 am for the Saturday Matinee. Please arrive promptly to avoid missing an important clue - or becoming a victim yourself. As you know…. murder waits for no one! The themes of this event are not considered appropriate for children under ten. Tickets are on sale now, and a sell out is expected. To purchase tickets and for more information, go to https://www.valleyhistory.org/mystery-dinner-at-kearney-manor.
Friday, October 27th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “Orca” (2021). Based on a true story, Orca by Iranian director Sahar Mosayebi follows the tribulations of Elham Asghari, a young divorced Iranian woman who survives a horrific assault by her estranged husband. Trying to rebuild her life, she finds solace in the water and becomes an amazing endurance swimmer. In the fight of her life, she faces political, religious and personal obstacles in a bid to swim further than anyone else has done. Will she realize her dream of a Guinness Record and be recognized in Iran for her astonishing feat? In Farsi with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://vimeo.com/705608646/bb51043291. All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. This screening is in-person in the Peters Education Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building) at 5:30 on Friday, October 27th.
Friday, November 3rd
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “Inside Russia: Traitors and Heroes” (2023). Inside Russia: Traitors and Heroes documents an extraordinary year in the lives of ordinary Russians. As anti-war protests are brutally suppressed across the country, a local politician condemns the war on social media. The authorities decide to press charges. She must decide whether to face a criminal conviction or flee the country. A group of young graffiti artists begins a campaign of subversive art to mock the government’s pro-war propaganda. Soon one of their members is arrested. It has been dangerous for ordinary Russians to speak up against Vladimir Putin’s regime for years. New censorship laws, introduced since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, have made it tougher than ever. Since then, many thousands have fled Russia and those who stayed have had to choose: to stay silent, or to oppose, or to support the Russian government. To view the trailer go to https://vimeo.com/852708473. All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. This screening is in-person in the Peters Education Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building) at 5:30 on Friday, November 3rd.
Saturday, November 4th
The YMCA’s Y’s Menettes club (which helps with Sequoia Lake and international women’s activities) invites you to their annual fundraiser, a sale of vintage Barbie dolls in excellent condition, Jewelry, and items from the Thomas Kinkade collection. The sale takes place at S. Armstrong Ave. (just North of Butler Ave.) in Fresno, weather permitting. For questions call 559-224-7533.
Saturday, November 4th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to “Infatuation a Tribute to Rod Stewart,” starting at 8 p.m. at 1331 Main St. in Newman, CA. They’ll be making their 2nd appearance at the West Side Theatre after bringing down the house with their debut. This is a tribute to the music of Rod Stewart and Neil Diamond. For tickets or more information, go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/infatuation/dates/Nov-04-2023_at_0800PM.
Wednesday, November 8th
Fresno State’s Institute for Food and Agriculture invite you to the 42nd annual Agribusiness Management Conference on The Future of California Agriculture, “Navigating Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.” They will have senior policy analyst at S&P Global Commodity Insights, Roger Bernard, as their morning speaker. There will be two panels focusing on: water policy and agricultural technology & labor efficiency. And Dr. Michael Swanson, Wells Fargo's Chief Agricultural Economist, will be the luncheon speaker. For up-to-date information, go to https://fresnostate.edu/amc. For tickets and more information, go to https://jcast.fresnostate.edu/ifa/announcements-events/ag-business-conference.html.
Saturday, November 11th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to “When Doves Cry Prince Tribute” at 8 p.m. at 1331 Main St. in Newman, CA. More than just an impersonation, When Doves Cry, is a dynamic and multi-talented 7 piece band that puts the integrity of the music Prince left us above all else. For tickets or more information, go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/when-doves-cry/dates/Nov-11-2023_at_0800PM.
Friday, November 17th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “Goldfish” (2022). Goldfish by Indian director Pushan Kripalani is about forgiveness. It is also about memory, music, mental health and identity. Anamika, the child of a mixed marriage –her father was a British university professor and her mother an Indian singer— returns home to the UK during the Covid-19 lockdown, to deal with her estranged mother Sadhana’s dementia and the scars of her childhood. She returns to a neighborhood she barely remembers and to a woman who at times does not recognize her own daughter. This Indian-British-American production brings together two powerhouse talents to tell the delicate, timeless story of a mother, stuck in a land not her own, and a daughter, unsure of who she is because she lives between two cultures. It also superbly portrays the diverse community of Diaspora Indians where Anamika grew up. In English and Hindi with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aDO8KFaR8Y. All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. This screening is in-person in the Peters Education Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building) at 5:30 on Friday, November 17th.
Saturday, November 18th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to Alan Iglesias and Crossfire, a Loving Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn, starting at 8 p.m. at 1331 Main St. in Newman, CA. Alan Iglesias has been playing guitar professionally since 1969 when he first started playing dances at his local VFW. Feeling a strong affinity for Stevie Ray Vaughn music and stage show, Alan and the band are helping to keep the legacy of his music alive. Go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/alan/dates/Nov-18-2023_at_0800PM for tickets or more information.
MULTIPLE DAY EVENTS:
Second Tuesday of the month:
Central California Legal Services and The Vet Center are hosting a series of Veteran’s Clinics from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the American Legion Fresno Federal Post 509, 3509 N. First Street, Fresno. Veterans, Active Duty Military, and spouses are invited to CCLS's Know Your Rights Veterans Clinic to receive legal information from attorneys and advocates in:
January/June: Estate Planning and Advanced Directives
February/July: Tenant Rights
March/August: Criminal Record Expungement
April/September: Workers Rights, Discharge Upgrades for LGBTQ, Name/Gender Correction
May/October: Survivors of Domestic Violence(including elder abuse)
November/December: No Clinics
For appointments please contact the CCLS Pro Bono Program at (559)802-1132 or at probono@centralcallegal.org. Walk-ins will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
Wednesday, May 3rd through Wednesday, October 25th
The Market on Kern is back and better than ever with vendors that bring you a great selection of produce, hot food, crafts, and informational booths! Join Downtown Fresno every week to experience a vibrant combination of the best local produce, live music, and the chance to connect with your local community. The weekly market will also host special events throughout the season that will include yoga, kids' craft days, and cooking demos. The market runs from 10am - 1pm every Wednesday from May 3rd through October 25th at Kern St between M and N Streets (Next to the Fresno Convention Center). The Market on Kern is a Certified Farmers Market accepting EBT & WIC. For more information, go to https://www.downtownfresno.org/things-to-do/market-on-kern?mc_cid=86251968d3&mc_eid=2ca9ce4e90.
Wednesdays, beginning August 25th
Fresno Pacific University’s New Horizons Band and Orchestra of Fresno Music provides adults a great entry or reentry into music making! Whether you were in a school band or orchestra, would like to learn a new instrument or have only dreamed of playing, New Horizons welcomes you and offers the chance to participate and progress at your own rate. Some 70 people already take part in either their community band or string ensemble. Rehearsals are weekly on Wednesdays beginning at 6:00 p.m. August 25 for the band and 5:30 p.m. August 30 for the string ensemble. Groups perform at least two concerts each school year. All meetings are at the Bullard High School Band Room, 5445 N. Palm, Fresno. Tuition for the fall semester is $60 plus a material of fee $50. Before the first night those interested must register through Fresno Adult School Community Education at https://fas.asapconnected.com/?#CourseGroupID=1228. Download forms at https://drive.google.com/.../19y4oPPpDbCMZE2cdBizZZoZJyzI... For more information, contact Craig Erker at craig.erker@gmail.com.
Saturday, July 29th through Saturday, November 18th
The Fresno County Historical Society’s Fresno Ag Tour season runs from February through November. Check-in will always start at the Kearney Mansion Museum located at 7160 W. Kearney Blvd, Fresno, CA 93706 from 8:15am to 8:40am. Then you will hop on their spacious motor coach for a lively game of Ag Trivia and prizes with the Tour Director as you travel to three agriculture sites for curated tours from 8:40am to 1:15pm. All tours include lunch and wine at a local winery or beer garden. Each returns to the Kearney Mansion Museum by 1:15pm. And the day before each Ag tour, the Kearney Mansion will be open for an Ag tour mixer from 3 pm – 4:30 pm for wine, a mansion tour and warm welcome. Out-of-town visitors should stay tuned for hotel recommendations if planning an overnight Friday stay in preparation for the Saturday Ag tours. The last four Ag tours of this season are on July 29th, August 26th, October 7th and November 18th. Tickets are $85 and can be purchased at https://www.valleyhistory.org/ag-tour. Call Tour Director Candice Hill at 559-777-4091 for large group reservations of eight or more people.
Friday, August 18th through Sunday, October 8th
The Good Company Players presents “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Drama critic Mortimer Brewster's engagement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts' window seat. A comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family. The play will be performed at Good Company Players’ Second Space Theatre, located at 928 E. Olive in the Tower District. Show times are Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8:00 p.m., & Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. Prices are $25 general admission; $20 for students, seniors and active duty military. Groups of 16 or more are eligible for discounts. For information and group reservations, call Dave at (559) 266-9493. For general tickets, call 559-266-0660 to reserve or online at https://tickets.gcplayers.com/purchase/events/categories/2nd-space-theatre/bad-seed-2023/.
Tuesday, September 5th through Tuesday, October 17th
Fresno Pacific University’s Center for Community Transformation is offering a “Launchpad” for new businesses. Got a small business—or an idea for one—and you’re ready to go big? Fresno Pacific University’s Center for Community Transformation is helping entrepreneurs start and grow life-giving businesses through Launchpad: Micro-Enterprise Training. The next edition of the seven-week series starts September 5. Access is easy as participants Zoom sessions from their home or other location from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesdays through October 17. Get more information and register at https://cctfresno.org/micro-enterprise. This proven small business start-up boot camp, formerly known as Launch Central Valley, provides direction, instruction and coaching from business experts in marketing, sales, finance and dealing with attorneys, accountants and government officials. Individual coaching is also available. The goal is to help businesses acquire their first sale by the end of the series. So far, 101 of 141 participants have launched their business and achieve that first sale during the seven weeks of instruction.
Thursday, September 14th through Sunday, November 5th
Good Company Players invites you to a performance of “The Pirates of Penzance.” Set sail with a band of swashbuckling pirates, ditzy fair maidens, bumbling bobbies, lovable villains and confused heroes. It's a shipload of fun! Performances are at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater, 1226 N. Wishon, at Olive and Wishon in The Tower District. On Thursdays, a sumptuous dinner service begins at 5:30 p.m., with a Pre-Show featuring Good Company Players’ Junior Company at 7:30 and the performance at 8:00 p.m. On Friday & Saturday, a mouth-watering served meal begins service at 5:30 p.m., with the Pre-Show at 7:30 p.m. and the performance at 8:00 p.m. And on Sunday matinees, a hearty full service brunch begins service at 11 a.m., with the Pre-Show at 1 p.m. and the performance at 1:30 p.m. Tickets for dinner and show performances are $65 (or $60 for seniors, students and members of the military with valid ID; $50 for young adults 16-21). Show only tickets are $35. For tickets, go to https://rogerrockas.com/shows/categories/roger-rockas/singin-in-the-rain-2023/.
Saturday, September 23rd through Saturday, October 14th
Vineyard Farmers Market’s 2nd Annual Fresno Fungi Festival takes place on Saturday October 14th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Leading up to the Festival will be 3 weeks of Cooking Demos by Local Chefs. Participating restaurants include: Benaddiction, with Chef Robert Vieira, Libelula, and Trelio. Join them at Vineyard Farmers Market as they celebrate the magical and fantastic fungi with 3 weeks of mushroom centric cooking demos by our local market chefs culminating in our 2nd Annual Fresno Fungi Festival on October 14, 2023. The Cooking demonstrations are scheduled:
Week 1- Sept 23rd - 9:30 am: Libelula – Chef Ian Cookson
Week 2 - Sept 30th - 9:30 am: See’sonal Eats - Chef See Thao
10:30 am: RWS Catering - Chef Rob Snyder III
Week 3 - Oct 7th - 9:30 am: Benaddiction - Chef James Caples
10:30 am: RWS Catering - Chef Rob Snyder III
Week 4 - Oct 14 - 10:00 am to 2pm: 2nd Annual Fresno Fungi Festival Event
The Fresno Fungi Festival will feature Fresno State Mycology Group, local food booths, mushroom themed crafts, mushroom product vendors, a mushroom costume contest, beer garden and live music by Central California’s Grateful Dead tribute band, Touch of Gravy. Plus Speaker FSU Mycologist Alija Mujic mycology lecture on October 14th.
Admission is $10 and includes food sampling. For more information contact Felix Muzquiz at 269-9343 or go to www.vineyardfarmersmarket.com.
Friday, September 22nd through Sunday, October 1st
The West Side Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to their performances of Monty Python’s “Spamalot.” Join the West Side Players as they bring to the stage this zany Monty Python musical spoofing Camelot. With a cast of characters that will keep you entertained from start to finish. Performances are:
September 22 & 23 at 7:00 pm
September 24 at 3:00 pm
September 29 & 30 at 7:00 pm
October 1 at 3:00 pm
Reserved seating tickets are $10 for students and $20 for adults, or general admission tickets are $7.50 for students and $15 for adults. Tickets can be purchased on-line at https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/spamalot/dates. West Side Theatre is located at 1331 Main Street in Newman, CA.
Tuesday, October 3rd through Tuesday, November 14th
Fresno Pacific University is hosting “Faith & Finances,” a six-week, self-paced online program training leaders to promote financial literacy in their communities. Sponsored by the Fresno Pacific University Center for Community Transformation. Register for free at www.cctfresno.org/faith-finances.
Ongoing
Starting Now:
"Covid 19, a Play," was written by Patricia Wells during the height of the pandemic in 2020 which swept through cities and states infecting communities and hitting farmworkers and workers in food processing industries especially hard; causing significant fatalities in the Central Valley and throughout the country. As the pandemic raged it was the labor of farmworkers and low-wage workers that kept the country alive, yet they were given no protections. This play was written so that their sacrifices will not be forgotten. The play is about a small farmworker family living in the outskirts of town, in which a member comes down with Covid catching the family completely off guard. Knowing nothing about the virus which invades and threatens their lives and facing an uncertain future, the family must depend on the leadership, vigilance and guidance of the mother and her son, as they scramble for information and help as to how to protect themselves from the deadly grip of the virus. To view the play, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wFTQq_nu9k.
Flu Vaccination Clinics
No-cost flu vaccination clinics will be held throughout the season at multiple locations across the county. Residents are encouraged to attend these clinics or visit their medical provider or local pharmacy. The 2022-2023 flu vaccine is designed to protect against the viruses that are most likely to cause disease this season. While it cannot prevent all cases of the flu, the vaccine is the best defense against the disease and the potential serious complications from it that can include pneumonia and/or death. After receiving the vaccine, it takes about two weeks for protection to develop, and protection lasts several months to a year. If a child nine years or younger is receiving their first flu vaccine, they should receive two vaccines this season separated by a timeframe of four weeks. For dates, times and locations of the FCDPH flu vaccination clinics for Fresno County residents, please visit www.fcdph.org/noflu. For additional information regarding the influenza (flu) season, please contact the FCDPH Immunization Program at (559) 600-3550.
Anyone impacted by wildfires in Fresno or Madera County can receive free referral support, group support, and one-on-one crisis intervention by reaching out to 559-573-9247 or 559-573-9255. Those needing help can also contact Nation’s Finest through email at: fresnowildfire@nationsfinest.org or Maderawildfire@nationsfinest.org.
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays:
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization invites you to participate in any of th following classes:
Ongoing Weekly classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays:
Mondays: 7pm - 8:15pm- Learn to meditate, starting July 10th
Tuesdays: 5:30pm - 6:30pm- Inner Peace & Happiness
Thursdays: 7pm - 8pm- Enhancing Your Experience of Peace, Love & Happiness
Monthly Classes:
Second Sat. of the month: 4pm - 5:30 pm- Meditation, then discussion
World Meditation: third Sunday of every month: 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Monthly classes: date & time varies: Exploring the Relationship of Body, Mind, & Soul
For registration or inquiries: Call 559- 435-2212, or e-mail bkFresnoclasses@gmail.com or rajayoga108@gmail.com. Some classes are in person & some on Zoom. All classes are free.
Every Tuesday
The Fresno Center for Nonviolence invites you to free meditation classes every Tuesday from 5-6 p.m. at the Center, 1584 N. Van Ness Ave. in Fresno. Learn techniques to experiencer peace within you and harmony in your relationships. This is guided meditation, with discussion led by Veena Kapoor and Kim Forbes, practicing Raja Yoga meditation. For more information, call (559) 435-2212.
Second Tuesday of each month:
Peace Fresno’s study group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at FCNV, 1584 N. Van Ness Ave.
Every Wednesday
There’s a free poetry group, meeting every Wednesday, 2-4 pm, at the Gillis Branch Library, 629 West Dakota Avenue, Fresno. The group is led by Bill Simmons, a recent transplant from Iowa. Bill has been writing poetry for years, and has had several pieces published. Whether you have been writing for years, or just getting started, this group is for you!
Fourth Thursday of each month:
Peace Fresno has moved their business meetings to the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence (FCNV), 1584 N. Van Ness Ave.
Starting May 12th 2022:
The County of Fresno is encouraging families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit. Emergency Broadband Benefit enrollment begins May 12, 2021. For qualifying households, the benefit provides:
· Up to $50/month discount for broadband service;
· Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and
· A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider. Families can apply online at www.GetEmergencyBroadband.org. To learn more, families can visit https://fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit or call (833) 511-0311.
Second Wednesday of every month:
Sisters for Pelvic Health invites you to their monthly meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of every month The meetings take place at Creative Therapeutics, 2763 E Shaw Ave #102, Fresno. They are Sisters Encouraging One Another in Life For Pelvic Health. You can also join them from wherever you are, virtually on Zoom. So, please RSVP to attend in person or virtually. Then they can send you the Zoom link. Remember that all women are welcome, so please spread the word and invite others to join. They are on social media on facebook and instagram. So please share those posts as well. Space is limited - so please RSVP sisters4pelvichealth@gmail.com . Follow them on; instagram.com/sistersforpelvichealth/ or facebook.com/sistersforpelvichealth.
Second & Fourth Wednesdays starting June 23rd
The Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health in collaboration with The Source LGBT+ Center and the Fresno EOC LGBTQ Center will provide no-cost Pop-Up groups in Fresno County starting June 23, 2021. The Pop-Up groups are a way to provide affirming, supportive and safe space for local LGBTQ+ persons. Pop-Up groups seek to focus on protective factors so to reduce risk factors for suicide, substance use and
mental illness. The project plans to conduct population specific engagement, support, affirmation, and education for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults as well as for family members and care takers. These efforts have been utilized in ways to reduce the risk factors for suicide in the LGBTQ community. While funded through the County’s Mental Health Services Act-Suicide Prevention efforts, the program is not focused on suicide
prevention specifically, but on protective factors so to lessen the risks for suicidal ideation and suicides. Belonging is a protective factor, and in instances where youth may not feel that they belong, in their home, in their classrooms, etc., having support groups can fill that void and provide some belonging and start to reduce some of the risk factors. The Pop Ups will provide some critical protective factors by providing:
Connections to other adults who are not parents. Safe space, closeness to caring friends, awareness, and access to local health services, as well as support to parents so to strengthen connectedness with their child and learn how to better support their youth. To learn about the Pop-Up groups and/or participate interested persons can contact The Source LGBT+ Center’s Spencer Salazar at spencer@thesourcelgbt.org . The initial groups will be on-line from 4pm-6pm starting on June 23, 2021. Groups will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. The groups will be virtual initially with plans for in-person locations being developed.
Last Wednesday of each month:
Root & Rebound in conjunction with Central California Legal Services is offering a virtual Criminal Record Expungement Clinic every last Wednesday of the month from 3-5 p.m. (no clinics in November and December). If you have a criminal conviction in Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera, Merced, Mariposa, or Tuolumne County, you may receive free legal information from volunteer advocates on how to request expungement of your criminal record. Participants must complete the prescreen using the link below and an advocate will confirm your eligibility prior to the clinic. Knowledgeable and skilled advocates will:
Review convictions and expungement eligibility
Prepare court forms
Provide legal information with no attorney-client relationship
Meet with you privately in a Zoom breakout room
Clinic partners will assist you in filing all court forms
To complete the prescreening go to https://form.jotform.com/220457644834157. For more information contact the Pro Bono Program at 559-570-1274 or by e-mail to ProBono@CentralCalLegal.org.
Starting November 2nd
The African American Historical and Cultural Museum invites you to “Conversations In the Commons,” a place for creative conversations, where locals talk about ways that we can improve the community through creative community development. This is a safe space where all are welcome to join as we create positive generational changes! Come and be the change you would love to see in our community. Every Wednesday at 5pm Starting November 2, 2022, at 1857 Fulton St. in downtown Fresno.
Fourth Wednesday of each month:
Sisters for Pelvic Health meet the 4th Wednesday of each month from 6:00 pm-7:00pm at Creative Therapeutics - Socially Distant, 2763 E Shaw Ave #102, Fresno. You can also join virtually via Zoom. To join remotely, RSVP to sisters4pelvichealth@gmail.com and they can send you the Zoom link. They plan a fun evening getting to know you and supporting each other on our journeys' through pelvic pain. Remember that all women are welcome, so please spread the word and invite others to join us. They are on social media on facebook and instagram. So please share those posts as well: instagram.com/sistersforpelvichealth, facebook.com/sistersforpelvichealth, and www.facebook.com/sistersforpelvichealth.
Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization invites you to join them for guided meditation, wisdom insights and discussion on Peace of Mind and Harmony in Relationships. Know yourself on your journey of personal development and help yourself to grow and discover your values. Password and ID for all the meditation classes is now: ID 277 751 8092, Passcode 807401. For more information call (559) 435-2212 or e-mail rajayoga108@gmail.com.
EndGame 2050
Humanity has backed itself into an ecological endgame as we approach the year 2050.
Featuring musician Moby along with leading scientists, and created by physician turned environmentalist Sofia Pineda Ochoa, ENDGAME 2050 lays out the existential crises bearing down on the planet and underscores the harsh reality that, unless we take responsibility and act urgently now, we are hastening our own destruction and that of virtually all other life on the planet. You can view the film on YouTube by going to https://www.endgame2050.com.
The Central Sierra Resiliency Fund is supporting long-term Creek Fire recovery efforts in communities within the vicinity of Fresno County’s Central Sierra region including, but not limited to, Huntington Lake, Lakeshore, Big Creek, Shaver Lake, Pine Ridge, Meadow Lakes, Alder Springs, and Auberry. A component of recovery is acknowledging the grief brought on by a disaster, and remembering that which came before. The Resiliency Fund is committed to honoring the historical legacy of the Central Sierra region by collecting community stories of the Creek Fire--and the unique histories that precede the Creek Fire--and preserving those stories through the Central Sierra Historical Society. The Resiliency Fund has begun collecting community stories with an online story and photo submission process. These stories will be used as a way to document and preserve the many experiences and impacts of the Creek Fire. This repository could later be used to construct a comprehensive Creek Fire exhibit at the museum, community kiosks and/or a book. Please help us spread the word about this project to anyone with a Creek Fire story to share. We will collect the stories, preserve them, and weave them into the history displayed at the Central Sierra Historical Society Museum and beyond. We will also be sharing stories on our website and social media.
These can be stories of places, artifacts, or of your experience during the Fire itself. For more information, go to https://sierrahistorical.org/resiliencyfund/storytelling-program/.
Fresno Historical Society’s Virtual Time Traveler’s Event
During the Covid-19 pandemic, your FCHS has been working to ensure our students are still connecting to history and social studies lessons! Although their FCHS annual Living History event was not able to be held in 2020, the Society, along with their generous sponsors, is able to provide the School Days experience through an exciting array of online digital curriculum. Twelve immersive and unique lessons will take students on a journey to the America of the 1800s and will share the story of Fresno County in the 19th century though activities, video presentations and connecting with historical figures of the time. To link to this event, go to https://www.valleyhistory.org/time-travelers.
Every weekday from noon to 1 p.m.:
KFCF will be airing Governor Gavin Newsome’s Press briefings.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4 p.m.:
KFCF will be airing the County of Fresno’s Corona Virus updates.
Every Day
Fresno County’s Public Library and Department of Public Works have teamed to offer a first-of-its-kind recycling program. Starting September 5, 2017, county residents can drop off used compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), fluorescent tubes, alkaline and rechargeable batteries at eleven different Library branches. These items contain hazardous substances and must be deposited at approved facilities, sometimes for a fee. This new service is being provided free of charge to County residents to encourage and ensure proper disposal of universal waste. Public Works will provide approved hazardous material collection containers at eleven Library branches: the Central Library, Betty Rodriguez Regional Library, Clovis Regional Library, Fig Garden Regional Library, Sunnyside Regional Library, Woodward Park Regional Library, Mendota Branch Library, Orange Cove Branch Library, Reedley Branch Library, Sanger Branch Library and Selma Branch Library. This program might be expanded to other branches in the future. For more information about Library programs, services, and specific branch hours, please go to www.fresnolibrary.org, or call the Library at (559) 600 – READ (7323).
Every Tuesday through Thursday
The Fresno County Department of Public Health offers free confidential rapid HIV testing at the Fresno County Department of Public Health building at 1221 Fulton Mall, Specialty Clinic Area, First Floor, from 8:30 am – 11:00 am and 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
For more information, contact Jena Adams, Supervising Communicable Disease Specialist, at (559) 600-3434.
Every Thursday and Sunday
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization is offering Weekly meditations- Thursdays 7 to 8 p.m. and Sundays 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Zoom ID 277 751 8092, Passcode: 807401. For more information, contact them at (559) 435-2212 or rajayoga108@gmail.com.
Every Saturday
There is a medical clinic for the homeless, actively injecting drug users and prostitutes every Saturday from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. or until the last patient is served. You can find them near Hughes and Olive Ave. The clinic is staffed by Dr. Marc Lasher and volunteers. Financial donations are accepted. For more information, call 266-0444.
Every Saturday
Food Not Bombs feeds the hungry from 1 - 2 p.m. near the Olive Ave entrance to Roeding Park. If you would like to help them prepare the meal, they meet every Saturday at Wesley United Methodist Church (1343 E. Barstow) at 10am. For more information email fresnofnb@hotmail.com or visit the official FNB website, foodnotbombs.net.
Most Saturdays
Most Saturdays there is a Fresno Free Bicycle Repair Clinic from 1- 3 p.m. near the Olive Ave entrance to Roeding Park, beside Food Not Bombs. Donations of bicycle parts, inner tubes, and blinky lights are welcome. Volunteers are needed to help with minor repairs. For more info and to arrange donations, e-mail: garza.reyes@live.com.
Every Sunday
Food Not Bombs serves free food at Courthouse Park to anyone who is hungry. They start cooking at 1 PM and serve the food at 3 PM (meet at the Tulare side of the park). For more information go to http://cafefresno.org.
First Wednesday of each month:
A Women in Black Silent Vigil takes place from noon to 1 p.m. at the Fresno County Courthouse, 1100 Van Ness Ave. Show your support for peace and negotiated settlements of current U.S. military actions. Stand silently and advocate for peace. For more information, call 559-278-7140 or 559-225-2850. This vigil takes place the 1st Wednesday of each month.
The “Goodie Bag Project” is collecting small toiletry items brought home from hotels and vacations to provide gifts for women incarcerated in Central Valley Women’s Prisons. This is a collaborative effort of the CCWF Inmate Family Council, the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno Social Justice Committee, and the United Methodist Church of Merced. They are seeking sample/travel size bath gels, body soap, lotions, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, small combs and pocket sized packages of tissues (no food, candy, edibles, drinkables, mouthwash or anything containing alcohol). They are also collecting all kinds of greeting cards, wooden pencils and clear, colorless pens, as well as paper scratch pads and picture postcards. Items may be dropped off at the Center for Nonviolence, 1584 N. Van Ness Ave., south of McKinley, during open hours, M - F, 11 AM - 3 PM. Checks can be made out to "FCNV Prison Ministry - Goodie Bags," and mailed to the Center at the above address, or dropped off in person. Receipts will be given. All donations are tax-deductible. For additional information or to see if an item is allowable under prison rules, call Maria Telesco at 559-255-9492. Please remember all items must be SMALL.
Volunteers Needed: Collective for Arts, Freedom, and Ecology (CAFE) Fresno, whose mission is to provide a safe space for all people and provide programs and events that provide enrichment and information to Fresno and the Central Valley, is looking for volunteers, especially for Food Not Bombs, an organization that provides a nutritious meal to anybody that would like and need one. Food Not Bombs is in dire need of physical and financial help, and will accept anything that might go to waste that is still useful. This includes but is not limited to: clothing, toys, tools, and furniture. All of these items will be redistributed to others that need them. Food Not Bombs meets on Sundays at CAFE Infoshop (935 F. Street in Fresno) at noon sharp, to chop and cook until 3. At 3 p.m., they serve at the courthouse park. For more information call Vanessa at (559) 485-3937 or e-mail vanpadilla@gmail.com.
Host an International High School Exchange Student
High school students from around the world come to the US to spend a year or a semester in American schools. Your family can learn about Germany, China, Finland, Italy, or another country by hosting a student. International Experience is a non-profit that helps you connect with an exchange student hoping to study abroad and invites you to share your home with a student who will become a part of your family. Students in the International Experience program must meet strict guidelines and complete multiple screenings in their home countries. During their stay they are covered by their own health insurance and provide their own spending money. These students want to come to the US to practice English and learn about our culture. As a host family, you simply provide a bed, family meals and invite your student to participate in your family’s traditions and introduce them to our American culture. To learn more about the opening your heart and home to an exchange student contact International Experience at 888-266-29 21. or visit ie-usa.com.
Ongoing:
The AMVETS Call of Duty Endowment Career Centers provide FREE career training and employment assistance to veterans, active duty service members, National Guard, and Reserve members and spouses. For additional information please call 877-726-8387, once again that is 877-726-8387.
Fresno County Public Library is recruiting skilled volunteers to assist teens and parents fill out applications for college and financial aid. When schools are closed, rural students throughout the county often find it difficult to access materials and computers that can help with this milestone in a student’s life. The Fresno County Public Library not only provides a safe and welcoming environment for these students and families, but also has the needed technology and print materials to help them navigate the college and career path. Those with Spanish language skills are encouraged to apply. By becoming a College Prep Coach, volunteers will dedicate a few hours each week to help families unfamiliar with the task of completing important applications. "All students must have direct access to materials and technology to succeed in life,” says County Librarian Laurel Prysiazny. “By staffing several rural branches with trained volunteers, the Library’s College Prep Program will assist students and families with laying the groundwork for making college a reality.” If you would like to help a teen go to college visit http://www.fresnolibrary.org and click on the volunteer banner, or call Elizabeth Finkle at (559) 600-9230.
The Artists' Loft group at The Studio Community Center in North Fork presents an ongoing Arts & Crafts program of classes for young and old. The classes are affordable and help support The Studio. To view the calendar go to nfstudio.org. You can click on Artists' Loft @ The Studio from the Home page to learn more about the group.
ON LINE EVENTS AND RESOURCES
In these difficult times, there may be services available that can help families get through. Many families are experiencing challenges that they never thought they would face. The Fresno County Department of Social Services (DSS) may be able to help. There are a variety of ways for Fresno County residents to apply for and access assistance and services. DSS administers a wide variety of programs that can help residents in need. These include help with food, health insurance, job training, homeless assistance, and emergency cash assistance. There are several ways the community can access DSS services:
Find general information at www.fresnocountyca.gov/DSSassist
Apply for services online at www.MyBenefitscalwin.org
Call the DSS Service Center at 1-855-832-8082
For more information, please visit www.fresnocountyca.gov/DSSassist
Below are links for a series of webinars offered by the Reedley Peace Center on the issue of Immigration:
The Fresno Commission for Police Reform, which was formed following a demonstration of local outrage response to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police, is presenting the public with a rare opportunity observe and interact with its important work. The commission's website, https://www.fresno-cpr.com,is an excellent resources for all who want to learn more, respond to a survey created by Fresno State's Sociology Department and participate in some of the Commission's discussions. It is also an opportunity to observe local leaders grappling with the important and challenging task of police reform.
The Film “Economics of Happiness” can be viewed on line for free at https://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/the-economics-of-happiness/?link_id=8&can_id=32c6c32bbda29a00eef53b1184d86952&source=email-where-do-we-go-from-here-22&email_referrer=email_888883&email_subject=where-do-we-go-from-here.
In commemoration of the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima, watch the animated movie “Barefoot Gen” about a Japanese family in Hiroshima in the days before and after the bombing. Warning: THIS IS NOT FOR CHILDREN. It is very graphic but dispells any illusions about the effects of nuclear war. If you don't subscribe or can't find the movie with dubbed English voices on Netflix or other movie sites, you can buy it on Amazon for $20 or watch it for free with English subtitles on YouTube. Click on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqDQd1wkDj0&utm_source=BenchmarkEmail&utm_campaign=200724_Some_good_news&utm_medium=email.
Fresno Historical Society’s Time Travelers
Join the Fresno Historical Society anytime online for a trip to Fresno County from 1856 to 1910 at their Virtual Time Travelers event. The experience offers 12 immersive and unique lessons will take students on a journey to the America of the late 1800s and will share the story of Fresno County in the 19th century through activities, video presentations and historic images. You will meet Fresno County's first doctor, first teacher and early pioneers. Tour a general store, learn about turn-of-the-century medicine, visit Fresno's colorful Chinatown and see what daily life was like during this historic time. Each lesson includes a discussion guide along with a video or photo gallery and narratives. To participate, go to https://www.valleyhistory.org/time-travelers.
Youth Orchestras of Fresno (YOOF)
The Youth Orchestras of Fresno (YOOF) have moved their curriculum online, with some unexpected benefits, central of them the ability to engage teaching artists from around the world to work with local youth and expand their musical horizons. They were asked to create a video performance for the Fresno Arts Council’s live-streamed Horizon event. The result was an eight-minute survey of the Youth Orchestras’ history, plus some featured soloists who submitted video recordings specifically for this purpose.
The video is now available on YouTube. To watch this special video on You-Tube, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=dTVGZJjh4WA&feature=youtu.be.
Central California Legal Services is offering a virtual workshop on services available during the pandemic. This workshop is in Spanish, and can be accessed by going to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADb6D7IIUDo. Clínica Virtual: Programas de asistencia y política de servicios públicos durante la pandemia (Utility & Telecom in Spanish). ¿Preguntas? Comuníquese con Jennifer Ramirez, Secretaria Legal, Programa Pro Bono al (559) 570-1245 o jramirez@centralcallegal.org.
Medically Trained Personnel Needed During COVID-19 Pandemic in Fresno
To help support ongoing COVID-19 response efforts, Fresno County is seeking registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), certified nurse assistants, and other medically trained personnel to help meet potential staffing needs at local hospitals, skilled nursing care facilities, and/or alternate care sites. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Fresno County and across the country, the demands for resources and support continue to increase in healthcare settings and local health departments. In order to be as prepared as possible, the County is building a pool of medically trained personnel to be activated when needed at hospitals, skilled nursing care facilities, or at an alternate care site. In addition to individuals with healthcare experience, there may be additional opportunities for those with experience in the following areas:
nutrition,
administration,
customer service § social work,
case management,
office assistance,
information technology, and many more.
Fresno County understands the value of persons coming together in public service in order to help fight the spread of COVID-19 in our community. To help in this pandemic, sign up for volunteer and paid positions by visiting www.fcdph.org/covid19 and fill out the information under the Volunteer tab.
COVID 19 Testing Available in Madera:
Madera County has launched a new testing site in the City of Madera at the Madera Fairgrounds as of Wednesday, May 27, 2020. This new site is one of the many testing sites across the state offered through a partnership with OptumServe, the federal government health services business of Optum, a leading health services innovation company. Appointments are now available for symptomatic and asymptomatic adults over the age of 18 and can be made by visiting https://lhi.care/covidtesting. The Fairgrounds site is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday from 7am – 7pm. To watch a video about the free COVID-19 testing now available at Madera Fairgrounds to those with or without symptoms, you can go to https://www.facebook.com/MaderaCountyPublicHealth/videos/2386035735022659/. For more information on testing options in Madera County visit the Madera County Dept. of Public Health testing webpage at https://maderacounty.com/covid19testing.
Fresno Philharmonic and Fresno Art Museum Collaborate to Present World Premiere Performance that was cancelled due to COVID 19. YouTube Live Broadcast of Robert Morris' Landscape Greeting (Video Features Images from FAM Exhibition): The Fresno Philharmonic, in collaboration with the Fresno Art Museum, presents a YouTube Live performance of the world premiere of Robert Morris' Landscape Greeting. Fresno Philharmonic musicians Pamela Ellzey (flute), Laura Porter (harp), Caitlin McSherry (violin), Heather Gardner (viola), Alicja Blanquart (cello), Elisha Wells and Richard Hembree (horns) will perform this atmospheric work, which was scheduled to be performed live at the Fresno Art Museum on March 12 as part of the Philharmonic's Proxima: Music for the Next Century concert. The free concert had been fully rehearsed, but was cancelled due to the COVID 19 pandemic. For the YouTube Live broadcast, the musicians have each recorded their individual part on video while under shelter in place orders. Fresno Philharmonic Music Director Rei Hotoda, instead of conducting Landscape Greeting as she had planned to do in the live concert, worked with her husband, conductor Brian Dollinger, to edit the musicians' videos into a performance of the entire piece. The video also includes images from the Fresno Art Museum exhibit GIFTED: Collecting the Art of California at Gardena High School, 1919-1956, which was on display in March and served as inspiration for the composer. The performance is made possible in part by a gift from Orpheus Fresno.
This special performance is available for viewing on the Fresno Philharmonic's YouTube channel by clicking https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7YZOJciK3XSdaYzD88bXg.
The Community Alliance newspaper is online now.
You can see all of their articles here: https://fresnoalliance.com.
CreateCA has created this great website to help you and your children get through these challenging times. Go to https://createca.org/createathome/. You can also find some additional lesson plans that can be done at home on the Fresno Art Museum website, along with tips on how to teach a visual art lesson. Just go to https://www.fresnoartmuseum.org/agc.
The Central Valley Justice Coalition is offering new online class, “Understanding Human Trafficking.” This new online class is a self-paced class. Unlike a webinar, there is no live instruction, which means you can watch this at your own pace and your own timing. To participate, go to https://ce.fresno.edu/educator-workshops/ceu-certificates/central-valley-justice-coalition/hbm-050?utm_source=Central+Valley+Justice+Coalition+News&utm_campaign=c8b95fbf0a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_04_02_07_08&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4276ed74b3-c8b95fbf0a-129645965&mc_cid=c8b95fbf0a&mc_eid=190c576061.
Free On Line Courses for First Responders and Essential Workers
In support of those who continue to work and provide service to the public during the COVID-19 situation, Fresno State’s Division of Continuing and Global Education will offer three online, professional development courses free of charge for local first responders and essential workers. The online courses are available for essential workers such as teachers, grocery store employees, food service providers or janitorial staff, certified or licensed health care professionals or first responders such as EMTs, paramedics, police, fire, correctional or probation officers. Other essential workers may be considered as well. The three online courses available are:
· Teaching Online: From Surviving to Thriving
· Functional Spanish for Emergency Medical Responders
· Project Management for the Workplace
For information or to register for the free courses, visit https://fresnostate.edu/essentialworkers.
On-Line Learning for Children: David Hunter, a transitional kindergarten (TK) teacher at Ericson Elementary School near Chestnut and Clinton avenues, wanted to increase the connectivity between teachers and students. He knew some parents were overwhelmed with the stay-at-home order and school closures, and he wanted to create a resource his 5-year-old students could navigate themselves. With the help of his fellow TK teachers, he collected a variety of educational videos created by the teachers that aligned with the learning curricula for his students. Students can see their own teachers guiding them in a learning activity. Hunter wanted to create a website where his students could access these videos and navigate their way through the site. As a father himself, he recruited his 13-year-old daughter, Amelie, to build the site. Together, they created the Fresno TK website:
https://sites.google.com/view/fresnotk/home.
Housing for At-Risk Individuals in Madera County:
In response to Governor Newsom’s Project Roomkey, Madera County has formed a partnership to identify at-risk members of our community who need shelter during the pandemic. That partnership consists of Madera County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Community Action Partnership of Madera County (CAPMC), Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH), Madera County Department of Social Services (MCDSS), Madera County Department of Corrections, Madera County Road Department, and Love Madera, a non-profit volunteer group. At-Risk clients access this program through referrals from local shelters, healthcare providers, and law enforcement. The information is forwarded to uniformed MCSO, who respond with MCDPH and CAPMC personnel to the potential client’s currently known location. Once in contact with the client, this team determines if the client is exhibiting symptoms, has had contact with a known COVID-19 patient, has proper medical care access and appropriate shelter for possible quarantine and/or isolation. The team also assesses what support services this client may need such as food, housing, childcare, medication, or animal care. Depending upon the client’s ability to meet their own needs and health risk factors, they are placed in local hotels for shelter and other needs are addressed. Once placed within a hotel, Love Madera Volunteers deliver food, provided for by Madera County Department of Corrections. Madera County Social Services facilitates childcare, and medication. Animal care needs are met by Central California Animal Disaster Team. Madera County Department of Public Health facilitates any testing needed. The Madera County Road Department is providing Madera County Connections busses for transport. Hotels participating in this project are doing so under a county contract for services. As contact information for these hotels becomes available, we will provide that. The funds for this program are provided through FEMA Disaster Assistance Funding with the county and state general funds providing the remaining 25%. For more information, call (559) 675-7700.
Starting Now:
Effective today, all County of Fresno parks and campgrounds are open to the public. To protect the health and safety of the entire community and promote social distancing, parks and campgrounds will operate at approximately 50% capacity. The public is asked to limit group gatherings to 10 people or less and wear face masks whenever social distancing cannot be maintained. Play structures and group picnic shelters within the parks and campgrounds will remain closed until further notice. Social distancing guidance signage will be placed throughout the facilities. Parks hours are 7am-10pm.
For additional information please email parks@fresnocountyca.gov or call (559) 600-3004.
