KFCF Community Calendar: Updated 1/27/23
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)
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.
Friday, January 27th
Tune in tonight from 5-6 p.m. for the 2nd annual “Smoggies” on Climate Politics on KFCF, 88.1 fm. Nominations for The Big Gun award are in, judges are voting now. Who will take home the coveted Golden Inhaler? Find out tonight on “The Smoggies.”
Friday, January 27th
The Friends of the Sanger Library invite you to a murder mystery event with the Blossom Trail Players. All proceeds will benefit the Sanger Branch Library, located at 1812 7th Street in Sanger, CA. Come play real-life Clue! Doors open at 6 and the show will begin at 6:35. The event will run until 9:00. All tickets include free appetizers, desserts, and coffee. Reserved tables will each include a bottle of wine and all attendees will receive beer and wine tickets. Tickets are $75 in advance, $100 at the door. If you have a larger group joining you, reserved tables for 4 are available at $400 and tables for 6 at $600. (This event is 18+. You must be 21 to drink.) For more information, please reach out to Rosa Huerta (559-696-2332) or Rudy Crook (559-579-9725). For tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/murder-mystery-at-the-sanger-library-tickets-484447414257.
Friday, January 27th
Cineculture invites you to watch the film “Children of the Mist.” In a village hidden in the mist-shrouded Northwest Vietnamese mountains resides an indigenous Hmong community, home to 12-year-old Di, part of the first generation of her people with access to formal education. A free spirit, Di happily recounts her experiences to Vietnamese filmmaker Diễm Hà Lệ, who planted herself within Di's family over the course of three years to document this unique coming of age. As Di grows older, her carefree childhood gives way to an impulsive and sensitive adolescence, a dangerous temperament for what will happen next; in this insular community, girls must still endure the controversial but accepted tradition of "bride kidnapping." One night, when the young girl's parents return home from celebrating the Lunar New Year, they are shocked to find their house is silent: Di has disappeared. Winner of the Best Directing award at IDFA, the leading festival for documentary film and new media, held every November in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Diễm's documentary is a tender portrait of a community on the cusp between tradition and modernity, and one girl tragically stuck in the middle. It is also the first Vietnamese film to make the Oscars documentary shortlist. In Hmong and Vietnamese with English subtitles. To view the trailer, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGrh3qXusUE.
Saturday, January 28th
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization invites you toaA new class by Dr Vinod Mungalpara: “Mind Exercises for Health.” With a Healthy Mind…..You remain light, you have healthy habits, You create powerful thoughts… Learn to exercise your mind to keep it healthy. Dr Vinod Mungalpara MD, is an Anesthesiologist, Pain Management Expert, and Rajayoga Meditator. Dr. Mungalpara will be Interviewed by Manna Singh, MBA, Rajayoga Meditator. This event takes place from 10-11:30 a.m. The Zoom ID is 859 3925 6971, and the password is balance. For questions or more information e-mail Rajayoga108@gmail.com or call (559) 435-2212.
Saturday, January 28th and Sunday, January 29th
Friends of the Sunnyside Library book sale takes place on Saturday, January 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, January 29 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Join the Sunnyside Friends for their first pop-up book sale of the year. All books will be just $5 a bag (paper bags will be provided, but feel free to bring your own) and all proceeds will benefit the Sunnyside Regional Library. The sale will take place in the Quiet Room at the library, which is located at 5566 E. Kings Canyon Ave. Cash or checks only, please.
Thursday, February 2nd
The Spectrum Art Gallery presents its Signature Works Members' Exhibition now through February 26, 2023, with an Art Hop Reception on Thursday, February 2, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. This show will be an open theme, so members are able to highlight their favorite works they would like to share. Their membership is an eclectic group of photographic artists from many different walks of life. Forty-five years ago, exhibitions of photography as an art form appeared very infrequently, especially in the San Joaquin Valley. It was at that time that a growing number of photographic artists congregated in Photo-Synthesis, a darkroom rental gallery establishment. In 1980, this group formed a not-for-profit cooperative and created a local forum for fine art photography. The Gallery is located in the Tower District at 608 E. Olive. For more information, go to https://spectrumphotogallery.org/home/.
Friday, February 3rd
Cineculture invites you to watch the film “Map of American Dreams” between January 30 – February 3, with a Zoom Discussion with Martin Weber (Director) February 3 at 5:15 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv.
For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by Thursday, February 2 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. Between 1992 and 2013 the Argentine artist, Martín Weber, photographed powerful yet intimate people in Latin America. He asked them to write their dreams with chalk on a wooden board. Decades later, he wondered if any of those wishes had been fulfilled. This film is a new journey in the search for the same people to give testimony from their lives. For the last 8 years Martín filmed in Argentina, Peru, Nicaragua, Cuba, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico. During his trip, he witnessed the economic, political, social and military violence that mark the continent. Martín ventured beyond the conventional limits of observation and entered situations that clearly show the consequences of migration, and the degradation of the social fabric. His experiences reveal the fractures and gaps in the dreams portrayed. His resilient characters, struggle between hope and despair, between emigrating and remaining home. This journey invites the spectator to identify with communal and private stories. If a photo freezes a moment, this film melts these past moments and provides them the strength of the present. To view the Getty Images go to https://www.reportagebygettyimages.com/features/a-map-of-latin-american-dreams/. To view the trailer to the film go to https://vimeo.com/430048118. The film is in Spanish, Portuguese and Quechua with English subtitles. For more information and the complete spring line-up go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu/.
Friday, February 3rd and Saturday, February 4th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA, is holding a Casting Call Friday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at noon. This is for a performance of The Last Night Of Ballyho, and what they’re looking for is people to fill three male roles - One in their late 40's and 2 in their 20's – and four female roles - 2 in their 40's and 2 in their 20's. Come prepared with a 2-3 minute memorized monologue. There will also be cold readings or selected monologues and or scenes. Technical staff, stage hands, and stage management positions will also be filled at this time. This is to be performed on the last 2 weekends in April.
Saturday, February 4th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to “Unauthorized Rolling Stones.” Since their beginning in 2001, Rudy Colombini & The Unauthorized Rolling Stones have brought the excitement, energy, and all the hits of a live Rolling Stones show to stages across the country. Their show holds in reverence many legends of the classic rock years while maintaining their Rolling Stones core. The Westside Theatre is located at 1331 Main St, Newman, CA. For tickets and information go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/unauthorized-rolling-stones or call 209-862-4490.
Saturday, February 4th
“For the Love of Piano,” a Pacific Artist Series concert at Fresno Pacific University, Warkentine Culture and Arts Center (Elizabeth V. Lyles Theater), 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno, will be performed at 7:00 p.m. It will feature the music of Bach, Brahms, Schubert, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and Arensky as interpreted by Karen Madden, FPU piano instructor and director of keyboard studies, and Matthew Horton, university accompanist. Guest vocal artists include Sherah Moore Burdick (soprano), Kaylene Clark (alto), Aaron Burdick (tenor) and Joseph Camaquin-Vigil (baritone). Tickets are $15 for general audiences and $5 for members of the FPU community including Alumni ID cardholders. More information online at fresno.edu/arts/music/pacific-artist-series and events.fresno.edu/, or by emailing music@fresno.edu or calling 559-453-2267.
Saturday, February 4th
Join the Central Valley Justice Coalition in the new City Center for a dinner to support the work of the Justice Coalition in 2023. Breaking the Chains invites you to “Future Fest,” a dinner to support the Central Valley Justice Coalition, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 and the City Center is at 2025 E. Dakota Ave. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at justiceco.org/register.
Wednesday, February 8th
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.
Thursday, February 9th
Fresno City College presents “Honoring Lee Herrick: A Celebration of Poetry.” Fresno City College proudly celebrates the appointment of Lee Herrick as California’s 10th Poet Laureate with a special evening of poetry readings on Thursday, February 9th. The Celebration of Poetry will be held in the Old Administration Building Auditorium beginning at 5:30 p.m. followed by a reception and book signing in OAB 251. Admission is free. On November 18, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the selection of the Fresno City College English instructor and published poet to the two-year appointment. He is the first Asian American to serve in the role.
Herrick has been teaching at Fresno City College since 1997. One of his former students, David Campos, is now one of Herrick’s English Department colleagues. He says students are fortunate to have someone of Herrick’s caliber teaching them. Campos will emcee the Feb. 9 event that will include readings from Herrick’s former and current students, colleagues, community members and Herrick himself. The lineup includes current students Shane Lara and Katie Quigley; former students Joseph Rios and I Adeficha; colleagues Marisol Baca, Juan Luis Guzman and Kenneth Chacon; and Fresno poet Brynn Saito. For more information go to www.fresnocitycollege.edu.
Friday, February 10th
Friday, February 10th
Fresno Art Museum is hosting an Opening Reception for its new exhibits from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The event will include wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres (no host bar opens at 5:00 pm). The event is free for members and $20 for non-members (passes aren’t valid for this event). There will be talks by some of the featured artists, special guests, and exhibition curators. The talks take place at 5:00 pm in the Bonner Auditorium (free with admission • Limited seating). For more information and any updated COVID requirements, go to fresnoartmuseum.org.
Friday, February 10th and Saturday, February 11th
Addressing an urgent need for affordable housing, the Gazarian Real Estate Center at the Craig School of Business, in partnership with the nonprofit Youth Voice Impact Inc., will host the Youth Empowered Affordable Housing Summit at the University Business Center at Fresno State. The YEAH Summit will gather university students and high school seniors from throughout the San Joaquin Valley and beyond to provide input on how to implement sustainable solutions to affordable housing. Schools and organizations interested in participating in the YEAH Summit can register by contacting either the Gazarian Real Estate Center at gazarian@mail.fresnostate.edu or George Starbuck, founder of Youth Voice Impact Inc. at george@yviinc.org. The Gazarian Real Estate Center and Youth Voice Impact Inc. invite university students and high school seniors representing cities, communities, youth groups, churches and other organizations from throughout the San Joaquin Valley and beyond to participate in the YEAH Summit. Summit organizers also encourage government leaders, city planners and community leaders to participate as observers and listeners.
Saturday, February 11th
The Fresno Art Museum is hosting a PowerPoint talk by Architect Arthur Dyson, one of the new exhibitors, on the subject “Touching the Soul: The Poetics of Architecture,” from 4:00 to 5:30 pm in the Bonner Auditorium. This event is free to Museum members, $10 for non-members. There is limited seating and no advance reservations.
Saturday, February 11th
Storytelling is back at the Sierra Mono Museum and Cultural Center in North Fork. Enjoy an afternoon of great stories, told by veteran storytellers from the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California. This event will be held on Saturday, February 11, from 1 – 3 p.m. Entry Fee: $5.00, and light refreshments will be served. For more information, please call the Sierra Mono Museum at 559-877-2115 or send an email to monomuseum@gmail.com. The Museum is located at 33103 Road 228 in North Fork, and their website is www.monomuseum.org.
Saturday, February 11th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to “Chicago-The Tribute.” Welcome back, Chicago The Tribute, after their rocking debut in February of 2022 when they brought down the house. It's an experience featuring the legendary sounds of the band with powerful horns, rich vocals, and a rockin' rythym section- Chicago! The Westside Theatre is located at 1331 Main St, Newman, CA. For tickets and information go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/chicago-the-tribute or call 209-862-4490.
Wednesday, February 15th
The Sierra Club Tehipite Chapter General Meeting takes place at 7 p.m. via Zoom, on the subject “Saving LA's Cougars: Building the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.” Ground was broken on Earth Day 2022 for this visionary structure that will preserve biodiversity across the Los Angeles region by connecting an integral wildlife corridor and help save a threatened local population of mountain lions from extinction. When complete, the crossing will be the largest in the world, the first of its kind in California, and it will serve as a global model for urban wildlife conservation. Join the National Wildlife Federation’s Regional Executive Director, Beth Pratt, who leads the #SaveLACougars campaign, to learn how a dedicated group of partners worked across decades to make the landmark crossing a reality. Go to sierraclub.org/tehipite and click on a registration link. Advance registration required.
Friday, February 17th
Saturday, February 18th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to “Mariachi Serenade,” an evening of Mariachi band music accompanied with special guest singers Olivia Esquivez and Arturo Martinez. The event takes place at 8:00 pm and the Theatre is located at 1331 Main St, Newman, CA. For tickets and information call 209-862-4490 or go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/mariachi/.
Friday, February 17th through Sunday, February 19th
The Sun Maid Kennel Club brings dog lovers the Sun Maid Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Shows! Watch Hundreds of dogs and their owners get the chance to strut their stuff in the show ring February 17, 2023- February 19, 2023 at the Fresno County Fairgrounds, 1121 S. Chance Ave., Fresno, from 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM each day. This year’s event has a Mardi Gras theme. The event is great for the whole family with free admission. Dogs that are not entered in competitions are not permitted on show grounds. Spectators can:
• Watch the judging of various breeds in Conformation and cheer for your favorite.
• See young owner-handlers compete against their peers in the Junior
Showmanship Competition. [ALL DAYS]
• Watch owner-handlers compete in a special series called the National Owner-
Handled Series. [ALL DAYS]
• Obedience and rally trials will test dogs understanding of commands, as they
maneuver hurdles & retrieve articles. [ALL DAYS]
• See puppies getting started in the sport in the AKC Sanctioned 4 and under 6
Months Puppy Competition. [ALL DAYS]
• Watch children as young as five years old get started in the sport by participating
in a Pee Wee competition. [SATURDAY ONLY]
• Girl scouts can earn a new patch at the AKC Patch Program facilitated by Sierra
4-H program and girl scout troop 2506. [SUNDAY ONLY]
Admission is free but there is a $10 parking fee. To see the full Show Program go to www.sunmaidkennelclub.org.
Friday, February 24th
Cineculture invites you to view the film “The Investigator” between February 20-24, with a Zoom Discussion with Viktor Portel (Director) February 24 at 5:15 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv. For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by Thursday, February 23 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. A former investigator for The Hague Tribunal in The Hague, The Netherlands, returns to the Balkans, to places in Southern Europe where war crimes were committed in the 1990s. Can justice be brought from the outside? Czech film director Victory Portel tells the story of Vladimír Dzuro, the first Czech investigator to have worked for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Dzuro collected evidence against war criminals and hunted perpetrators of ethnic cleansing. The two biggest cases include the Ovcara massacre related to Vukovar's mayor Slavko Dokmanovic, and the ethnic cleansing committed by the Serbian nationalist warlord Željko Ražnatovic Arkan. We join Vladimír Dzuro on his metaphorical and real journey across the places of investigation in the former country of Yugoslavia and meet some survivors of these cases. What is the landscape of the Balkans, which saw a fratricidal conflict twenty-five years ago, like today? What happened to the people who still live there and to their memory? What is the significance and meaning of justice brought from the outside? The film is inspired by Vladimir Dzuro’s bestselling book The Investigator – Demons of the Balkan War (Grada, 2017, and Potomac Books, 2019). It is in Czech, Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian with English subtitles. For a link to the film or more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu/.
Friday, February 24th
The African American Historical and Cultural Museum invites you to join them for the Black History Month Celebration, “Honoring Our Local Trailblazers.” Honorees this year include Brenda Buckingham, Dr. Arie Smith, Dr. Crystal Jackson, Honorable Kimberly Tapscott-Munson, Judge Glenda Allen Hill, Larry Cormier, Pastor BT Lewis, and Professor Thomas-Whit Ellis. The Jesse McDonald Jr. award will go to Rodney Murphy; the Shining Star Award will go to Ryan McClarty, and the “Passing the Torch” award will go to Shantay Davies-Balch. The event is from 6-9:30 p.m. at First Class Events and Designs, 1028 N. Fulton St. in downtown Fresno. The cost is $100 donation per ticket or $800 per table of 10. For tickets and more information call 559-544-1857 or order online at https://www.aahcmsjv.com.
Friday, March 3rd
Cineculture invites you to view the film “The Forger” between February 27-March 3, with a Zoom Discussion (Discussant to be Announced) March 3 at 5:15 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv. For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by March 2 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. The Forger by German director Maggie Peren takes place in Berlin, Germany, in 1940. It tells the story of Cioma Schönhaus (Louis Hofmann, star of the hit Netflix series Dark), a young Jewish man who won't let anyone take away his zest for life, especially not the Nazis. Since the best hiding spots are in plain sight, Cioma audaciously adopts the identity of a marine officer to escape being deported like his family before him. Drawing on his art school background, he joins a network of underground rescuers and becomes infamous for his masterfully forged IDs – created with just a brush, some ink, and a steady hand – that save the lives of hundreds of Jews by allowing them to escape the country. Meanwhile, he throws himself into the city's nightlife and even finds a fragile hope for love during the darkest moments of the war. His talent and propensity for boldness puts him in more and more danger, however, until his only chance of survival is one last forged document – with his own name on it. It is based on a true story and is in German with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggRS4sAkIz8. This film is sponsored by the Jewish Studies Program and the Jewish Studies Association. For the link to the film or for more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu/.
Saturday, March 4th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers - The Ultimate ZZ Top Tribute.” Making their debut at the West Side Theatre they are excited to have them join Westside Theatre’s roster of tribute bands. 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. The event takes place at 8:00 pm and the Theatre is located at 1331 Main St, Newman, CA. For tickets and information go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/beer-drinkers-and-hell-raisers-/ or call 209-862-4490.
Friday, March 10th
Cineculture invites you to view the film “A Man of Integrity” between March 6-10, with a Zoom Discussion with Dr. Jamsheed Akrami (Film maker & Scholar) February 24 at 5:15 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv. For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by Thursday, March 9 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. A Man of Integrity by Iranian film director Mohammad Rasoulof features Reza who, having distanced himself from the urban quagmire, leads a simple life along with his wife and young son, somewhere in a remote village in Northern Iran. He spends his days working on his goldfish farm. Nearby, a private company with close links to the government and local authorities, has taken control of nearly every aspect of regional life. Its shareholders, accumulating wealth, power and economic influence, have been pushing local farmers and small owners to sell off their belongings, farms and estates, to the benefit of the Company’s influential network and its monopoly. It is under their pressure that many villagers have themselves become local links in the larger network of corruption. Director Mohammad Rasoulof, whose latest feature There Is No Evil won the Golden Bear at last year’s Berlinale, has been making scathing social commentary of the Iranian regime for over a decade, but he remains relatively unknown and underappreciated in the US—despite winning numerous prizes at such top world film festivals as Cannes and Berlin. A Man of Integrity reveals the corruption and state cronyism at the heart of one of the most powerful and influential regimes in the Middle East. In Farsi with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eKp7J04omE. For a link to the film or more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu/.
Saturday, March 11th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to “Alan Iglesias and Crossfire - A Loving Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn.” Love of the blues. Love of Stevie Ray Vaughan. The love of re-creating a feeling that so many enjoyed -- and so many missed. These are the things that drove the creation of Crossfire, a Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute band that strives to capture the essence of a Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble concert with authenticity, respect, and yes, love. The event takes place at 8:00 pm and the Theatre is located at 1331 Main St, Newman, CA. For tickets and information go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/alan-iglesias/details or call 209-862-4490.
Friday, March 24th
Cineculture invites you to view the film “Occupied: Our Secret Life in Kherson” between March 20-24, with a Zoom Discussion with Dmytro Bahnenko (Director) March 24 at 5:15 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv. For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by Thursday, March 9 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. Dmytro Bahnenko, a Ukrainian journalist in Kherson, southern Ukraine, spent three months secretly recording his city's resistance to the Russian occupation. In this extraordinary film for the British Broadcasting Corporation’s investigation unit BBC Eye, Dmytro chronicles the harsh reality of life under occupation, as food and medicines become scarce, people flee, and others begin to disappear. Dmytro and his wife Lidia struggle to shield their four-year-old daughter Ksusha from the war, and make the difficult decision to try to escape. In English and Ukrainian with English subtitles. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWXUCZz9YZ0 to view the trailer. For more info and the link to the film, go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu/.
Friday, March 24th through Sunday, March 26th
The 3rd Annual Central Valley Gem & Mineral Show, sponsored by the Fresno Gem & Mineral Society, presents a great show for viewing, learning about and purchasing minerals, fossils, gems, beautiful handmade jewelry & much more! This event is educational and fun for all ages! Come out and tickle your inner rockhound!
Hours are Friday, March 24th and Saturday, March 25th from 10am – 5pm & Sunday, March 26th from 10am – 4pm, at 748 Rodeo Dr, Clovis, CA. Admission and parking are free. For more information, go to https://FGMS.online.
FREE ADMITTANCE & PARKING
Website: FGMS.online
Saturday, March 25th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to “Carnival - A Tribute to the Music of Santana (formerly Caravanserai).” The new assemblage of these San Francisco Bay Area top musicians, have rebranded as Carnaval having spent decades honing their craft to bring you the legendary sounds of Santana. You’ll hear all the hits from those early years through the new favorites of today. All of it played with the same instrumentation, soul and passion. The event takes place at 8:00 pm and the Theatre is located at 1331 Main St, Newman, CA. For tickets and information go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/carnaval/ or call 209-862-4490.
Thursday, April 13th 2023
Elton Dan and the Rocket Band - A Tribute to Elton John will perform on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at the Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts located at 809 East Olive Ave, Fresno, CA 93728. This show is all ages and begins at 8:00 pm with doors opening at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $19.50, $34.50, $49.50 & $89.50* for reserved seating. Prices increase by $5.50 on the day of the show. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 16th and are available at TowerTheatreFresno.com.
*VIP Includes:
- Early Entry (1 hour before doors)
- Pre-Show Mini Performance with Show Insights and Q&A
- Exclusive VIP Laminate and Elton Dan Glasses
- Personal Photograph with Elton Dan before the show
For more information please visit: EltonDan.com.
Friday, April 14th
Cineculture invites you to view the film “Motherland” from April 10-14, with a Zoom Discussion with Vic Gerami (Director) April 14 at 5:30 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv. For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by Thursday, April 13 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. It took 106 years before the United States formally recognized the Armenian Genocide of 1915 at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. On April 24, 2021, President Joe Biden became the first United States president to officially recognize the Armenian genocide and to recommit preventing such an atrocity from occurring again. Tragically, history is repeating itself with Turkey’s ongoing genocidal attack and ethnic cleansing against Armenians as we've witnessed recently in Artsakh. Motherland is a 120-minute documentary feature film about Azerbaijan’s, Turkey’s unprovoked genocidal attack and ethnic cleansing against Armenians of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, starting on September 27, 2020. Through a journalist and activist’s lens, Motherland focuses the world’s attention on the atrocities, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed by Azerbaijan and Turkey against Artsakh and Armenia. Motherland tells the story of this ongoing tragic chapter through the lens of Armenian-American journalist and LGBTQ+ activist, Vic Gerami. In English, Armenian, and Turkish with English Subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://vimeo.com/714287976. For more information and the link to the film, go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu/. This film is sponsored by the Armenian Studies Program .
Friday, April 24th
Cineculture invites you to view the film “I’ll Meet You There” between April 17-24, with a Zoom Discussion with Iram Bilal (Director) April 24 at 5:15 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv. For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by Thursday, April 23 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. I’ll Meet You There by Pakistani director Iram Bilal is a dramatic thriller following the father-daughter journey of Majeed, a Chicago policeman, and Dua, his teenage ballerina daughter. Eager for a raise, Majeed is cherry-picked to go undercover in a mosque for a special FBI co-assignment. Shortly after, Baba, Majeed’s long-estranged father, shows up unannounced from Pakistan. Majeed uses Baba as an excuse to reenter the mosque after a decade. Counter to his liking, Dua and Baba take to each other. Baba urges Dua to question her passion for dance in the name of religion. The family explores new truths about their present, past, and future until everything comes to a head in a surprise bait and switch by the FBI. In Urdu and English with English subtitles. Go to https://vimeo.com/499268885/3663cacc3c?embedded=true&source=video_title&owner=6857131 to view the trailer. Go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu for a link to the film.
Friday, April 28th
Cineculture invites you to view Pakistani Short Film Program between April 24-28, with a Zoom Discussion with Directors Marya Javed, Tabish Habib, Fatima Sattar & Areeba Naved. The line-up includes:
Baadi (with director Marya Javed) Baadi is a coming-of-age story about a young girl's desperation to make sense of her inner world, which is in conflict with her outer world. It is a story about repressed female sexuality and highlights the dearth of conversation or information for teenagers about their changing bodies in a society where their latent desires are often shamed as a means of control. Baadi is the Punjabi slang word for bra, derived from “body”, since saying “bra” is considered taboo in Pakistan. In Urdu with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTjYw7XOGSU.
May I Have This Seat (with director Tabish Habib) It is smog season in Lahore, Pakistan. Sonia is 25 years old and 8 months pregnant. Late for her doctor's appointment and short on cash, she tries to grab a rickshaw whose driver makes her very uneasy. Instead she takes the local city bus and ends up sandwiched between an ocean of male shoulders, arms and heads. Extremely uncomfortable, she asks Masood, a harmless looking man for his seat but to no avail. As she prepares to look elsewhere the bus lurches suddenly, she loses her balance and falls on Masood who grabs her. She immediately gets back up and accuses him of harassment while he maintains his innocence. As the two argue with each other the travelers watch in shock, awe and amusement. In Urdu with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-CjyXJQqBw
Kiran (with director Fatimah Sattar) In between the mandalas and paisleys on the lines and pores of the bride-to-be’s palms, a Mehndi applicator finds a space for herself. Belonging to a culture where there is no room to even think about one’s identity, let alone question it, Kiran faces a wave of emotions. She knows nothing can be changed drastically in her life and small unnoticeable footprints are all that she leaves. In Urdu with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13gyCuJSxEM.
City of Men (Hira) (with director Areeba Naved) A orthodox Muslim Pashtun household in Peshawar, Pakistan, is led by a strict patriarchal mother who is greatly alarmed by her two naïve and rebellious daughters. As the chronicles of their rebellion unfold, the cost of dreams may be consequential for them, who mustn’t flee from the ‘City of Men’. In Pushto with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kjz-RfAliY
It's a Boy (with director Marya Javed) Neha and Taimoor, a fairly educated and emancipated couple, are open to the ideas of homosexuality and gender fluidity. They seem to have no prejudices. But when it comes to their own son, displaying “unconventional” behavior for a boy, their introjected fears start to surface. They struggle to answer this simple question, how do we know, it’s a boy? In Urdu with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzmzFOrVsF0.
For the link to the films go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
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.
Friday, January 6th through Sunday, February 19th
The Good Company Players presents “Shakespeare in Love 2023.” Based on the Academy Award-winning movie, this enchanting, hilarious, romantic stage play reimagines William Shakespeare's inspiration for Romeo and Juliet. 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 students/seniors/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/shakespeare-in-love-2023/.
Monday, January 9th through Monday, February 27th
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization will be holding a series of Meditation classes each Monday from 6:30-7:45 p.m. Dr Vinod Mungalpara will be teaching the Raja Yoga Meditation Course over the next 8 weeks. No prior meditation experience is required, but for the best benefit you should attend all 8 sessions which are free of charge. To sign up, you must email mungalpara@msn.com. This class will fill quickly, so sign up soon if you are interested! The eight sessions cover the following topics:
January 9th: How to meditate
January 16th: How to observe and control our thoughts
January 23rd: Knowing self as spiritual being
January 30th: Knowing source of powers and virtues
February 6th: Relationship with self and higher power
February 13th: Karma and its application in life
February 20th: Spiritual powers
February 27th: Integrating spirituality in daily life.
For more information, call (559) 435-2212.
Wednesday, January 18th through Saturday, January 21st
The 43rd annual EcoFarm Conference will be held January 18-21, 2023 at the Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds on the Monterey Bay. Through its connective events, the Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) facilitates an exchange of knowledge and resources among a diversity of stakeholders and grassroots leadership to advance just and ecological farming and food systems. After two consecutive years of hosting this conference virtually, they are thrilled to be able to come together again in person. Join them at EcoFarm Conference 2023 for 50+ skill-building workshops in English and Spanish, keynotes, pre-conference events, farm tours, seed swaps, tastings, networking, and our expo! For more information and to register, go to https://eco-farm.org/conference.
Thursday, January 19th through Sunday, March 12th
Good Company Players invites you to a performance of “Singin’ in the Rain.” It's the roaring 20's and a pair of silent screen stars are preparing for their first musical "talkie". Chaos ensues when the studio decides to secretly dub the arrogant leading lady's screechy voice. 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/.
Tuesday, January 31st through Tuesday, March 28th
Fresno Pacific University’s Center for Community Transformation is helping entrepreneurs start and grow life-giving businesses through its Launch Central Valley program. This proven 10-week small business start-up boot camp provided direction, instruction and coaching from business experts in marketing, sales, finance and dealing with attorneys, accountants and government officials. Weekly sessions will be from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays January 31 through March 28, 2023. Participants will meet online via Zoom, and will have the option of getting individual coaching in person, virtually or over the phone throughout the course. Get more information and register for this 10 week course at cct-lcv-cohort-8.eventbrite.com. The cost for the program is $150.
Every other Thursday starting February 17th
Starting February 17th, Fresno Pacific University will open an alumni, student and community wind band ensemble under the direction of George Dougherty, D.M.A., associate professor of music and director of bands. Pieces will be “interesting and not too difficult” Dougherty says, and rehearsals will be every other Thursday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on the main FPU campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno. Concerts are planned for March 2 and April 20 with the possibility of involvement May 7 at FPU’s Spring 2022 Commencement. There will be a $50 registration fee. For more information, contact the Music Office at music@fresno.edu or 559-453-2267.
Ongoing
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.
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.
Second Wednesday of every month:
Sisters Encouraging One Another in Life For Pelvic Health invites you to join them on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6 pm in person at Creative Therapeutics, 2763 E Shaw Ave #102, Fresno, CA 93710. You can also join s 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. Space is limited, so please RSVP to sisters4pelvichealth@gmail.com.
Follow them on instagram.com/sistersforpelvichealth/ or facebook.com/sistersforpelvichealth.
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.
KFCF Community Calendar: Updated 1/27/23
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)
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.
Friday, January 27th
Tune in tonight from 5-6 p.m. for the 2nd annual “Smoggies” on Climate Politics on KFCF, 88.1 fm. Nominations for The Big Gun award are in, judges are voting now. Who will take home the coveted Golden Inhaler? Find out tonight on “The Smoggies.”
Friday, January 27th
The Friends of the Sanger Library invite you to a murder mystery event with the Blossom Trail Players. All proceeds will benefit the Sanger Branch Library, located at 1812 7th Street in Sanger, CA. Come play real-life Clue! Doors open at 6 and the show will begin at 6:35. The event will run until 9:00. All tickets include free appetizers, desserts, and coffee. Reserved tables will each include a bottle of wine and all attendees will receive beer and wine tickets. Tickets are $75 in advance, $100 at the door. If you have a larger group joining you, reserved tables for 4 are available at $400 and tables for 6 at $600. (This event is 18+. You must be 21 to drink.) For more information, please reach out to Rosa Huerta (559-696-2332) or Rudy Crook (559-579-9725). For tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/murder-mystery-at-the-sanger-library-tickets-484447414257.
Friday, January 27th
Cineculture invites you to watch the film “Children of the Mist.” In a village hidden in the mist-shrouded Northwest Vietnamese mountains resides an indigenous Hmong community, home to 12-year-old Di, part of the first generation of her people with access to formal education. A free spirit, Di happily recounts her experiences to Vietnamese filmmaker Diễm Hà Lệ, who planted herself within Di's family over the course of three years to document this unique coming of age. As Di grows older, her carefree childhood gives way to an impulsive and sensitive adolescence, a dangerous temperament for what will happen next; in this insular community, girls must still endure the controversial but accepted tradition of "bride kidnapping." One night, when the young girl's parents return home from celebrating the Lunar New Year, they are shocked to find their house is silent: Di has disappeared. Winner of the Best Directing award at IDFA, the leading festival for documentary film and new media, held every November in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Diễm's documentary is a tender portrait of a community on the cusp between tradition and modernity, and one girl tragically stuck in the middle. It is also the first Vietnamese film to make the Oscars documentary shortlist. In Hmong and Vietnamese with English subtitles. To view the trailer, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGrh3qXusUE.
Saturday, January 28th
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization invites you toaA new class by Dr Vinod Mungalpara: “Mind Exercises for Health.” With a Healthy Mind…..You remain light, you have healthy habits, You create powerful thoughts… Learn to exercise your mind to keep it healthy. Dr Vinod Mungalpara MD, is an Anesthesiologist, Pain Management Expert, and Rajayoga Meditator. Dr. Mungalpara will be Interviewed by Manna Singh, MBA, Rajayoga Meditator. This event takes place from 10-11:30 a.m. The Zoom ID is 859 3925 6971, and the password is balance. For questions or more information e-mail Rajayoga108@gmail.com or call (559) 435-2212.
Saturday, January 28th and Sunday, January 29th
Friends of the Sunnyside Library book sale takes place on Saturday, January 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, January 29 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Join the Sunnyside Friends for their first pop-up book sale of the year. All books will be just $5 a bag (paper bags will be provided, but feel free to bring your own) and all proceeds will benefit the Sunnyside Regional Library. The sale will take place in the Quiet Room at the library, which is located at 5566 E. Kings Canyon Ave. Cash or checks only, please.
Thursday, February 2nd
The Spectrum Art Gallery presents its Signature Works Members' Exhibition now through February 26, 2023, with an Art Hop Reception on Thursday, February 2, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. This show will be an open theme, so members are able to highlight their favorite works they would like to share. Their membership is an eclectic group of photographic artists from many different walks of life. Forty-five years ago, exhibitions of photography as an art form appeared very infrequently, especially in the San Joaquin Valley. It was at that time that a growing number of photographic artists congregated in Photo-Synthesis, a darkroom rental gallery establishment. In 1980, this group formed a not-for-profit cooperative and created a local forum for fine art photography. The Gallery is located in the Tower District at 608 E. Olive. For more information, go to https://spectrumphotogallery.org/home/.
Friday, February 3rd
Cineculture invites you to watch the film “Map of American Dreams” between January 30 – February 3, with a Zoom Discussion with Martin Weber (Director) February 3 at 5:15 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv.
For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by Thursday, February 2 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. Between 1992 and 2013 the Argentine artist, Martín Weber, photographed powerful yet intimate people in Latin America. He asked them to write their dreams with chalk on a wooden board. Decades later, he wondered if any of those wishes had been fulfilled. This film is a new journey in the search for the same people to give testimony from their lives. For the last 8 years Martín filmed in Argentina, Peru, Nicaragua, Cuba, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico. During his trip, he witnessed the economic, political, social and military violence that mark the continent. Martín ventured beyond the conventional limits of observation and entered situations that clearly show the consequences of migration, and the degradation of the social fabric. His experiences reveal the fractures and gaps in the dreams portrayed. His resilient characters, struggle between hope and despair, between emigrating and remaining home. This journey invites the spectator to identify with communal and private stories. If a photo freezes a moment, this film melts these past moments and provides them the strength of the present. To view the Getty Images go to https://www.reportagebygettyimages.com/features/a-map-of-latin-american-dreams/. To view the trailer to the film go to https://vimeo.com/430048118. The film is in Spanish, Portuguese and Quechua with English subtitles. For more information and the complete spring line-up go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu/.
Friday, February 3rd and Saturday, February 4th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA, is holding a Casting Call Friday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at noon. This is for a performance of The Last Night Of Ballyho, and what they’re looking for is people to fill three male roles - One in their late 40's and 2 in their 20's – and four female roles - 2 in their 40's and 2 in their 20's. Come prepared with a 2-3 minute memorized monologue. There will also be cold readings or selected monologues and or scenes. Technical staff, stage hands, and stage management positions will also be filled at this time. This is to be performed on the last 2 weekends in April.
Saturday, February 4th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to “Unauthorized Rolling Stones.” Since their beginning in 2001, Rudy Colombini & The Unauthorized Rolling Stones have brought the excitement, energy, and all the hits of a live Rolling Stones show to stages across the country. Their show holds in reverence many legends of the classic rock years while maintaining their Rolling Stones core. The Westside Theatre is located at 1331 Main St, Newman, CA. For tickets and information go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/unauthorized-rolling-stones or call 209-862-4490.
Saturday, February 4th
“For the Love of Piano,” a Pacific Artist Series concert at Fresno Pacific University, Warkentine Culture and Arts Center (Elizabeth V. Lyles Theater), 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno, will be performed at 7:00 p.m. It will feature the music of Bach, Brahms, Schubert, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and Arensky as interpreted by Karen Madden, FPU piano instructor and director of keyboard studies, and Matthew Horton, university accompanist. Guest vocal artists include Sherah Moore Burdick (soprano), Kaylene Clark (alto), Aaron Burdick (tenor) and Joseph Camaquin-Vigil (baritone). Tickets are $15 for general audiences and $5 for members of the FPU community including Alumni ID cardholders. More information online at fresno.edu/arts/music/pacific-artist-series and events.fresno.edu/, or by emailing music@fresno.edu or calling 559-453-2267.
Saturday, February 4th
Join the Central Valley Justice Coalition in the new City Center for a dinner to support the work of the Justice Coalition in 2023. Breaking the Chains invites you to “Future Fest,” a dinner to support the Central Valley Justice Coalition, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 and the City Center is at 2025 E. Dakota Ave. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at justiceco.org/register.
Wednesday, February 8th
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.
Thursday, February 9th
Fresno City College presents “Honoring Lee Herrick: A Celebration of Poetry.” Fresno City College proudly celebrates the appointment of Lee Herrick as California’s 10th Poet Laureate with a special evening of poetry readings on Thursday, February 9th. The Celebration of Poetry will be held in the Old Administration Building Auditorium beginning at 5:30 p.m. followed by a reception and book signing in OAB 251. Admission is free. On November 18, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the selection of the Fresno City College English instructor and published poet to the two-year appointment. He is the first Asian American to serve in the role.
Herrick has been teaching at Fresno City College since 1997. One of his former students, David Campos, is now one of Herrick’s English Department colleagues. He says students are fortunate to have someone of Herrick’s caliber teaching them. Campos will emcee the Feb. 9 event that will include readings from Herrick’s former and current students, colleagues, community members and Herrick himself. The lineup includes current students Shane Lara and Katie Quigley; former students Joseph Rios and I Adeficha; colleagues Marisol Baca, Juan Luis Guzman and Kenneth Chacon; and Fresno poet Brynn Saito. For more information go to www.fresnocitycollege.edu.
Friday, February 10th
Friday, February 10th
Fresno Art Museum is hosting an Opening Reception for its new exhibits from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The event will include wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres (no host bar opens at 5:00 pm). The event is free for members and $20 for non-members (passes aren’t valid for this event). There will be talks by some of the featured artists, special guests, and exhibition curators. The talks take place at 5:00 pm in the Bonner Auditorium (free with admission • Limited seating). For more information and any updated COVID requirements, go to fresnoartmuseum.org.
Friday, February 10th and Saturday, February 11th
Addressing an urgent need for affordable housing, the Gazarian Real Estate Center at the Craig School of Business, in partnership with the nonprofit Youth Voice Impact Inc., will host the Youth Empowered Affordable Housing Summit at the University Business Center at Fresno State. The YEAH Summit will gather university students and high school seniors from throughout the San Joaquin Valley and beyond to provide input on how to implement sustainable solutions to affordable housing. Schools and organizations interested in participating in the YEAH Summit can register by contacting either the Gazarian Real Estate Center at gazarian@mail.fresnostate.edu or George Starbuck, founder of Youth Voice Impact Inc. at george@yviinc.org. The Gazarian Real Estate Center and Youth Voice Impact Inc. invite university students and high school seniors representing cities, communities, youth groups, churches and other organizations from throughout the San Joaquin Valley and beyond to participate in the YEAH Summit. Summit organizers also encourage government leaders, city planners and community leaders to participate as observers and listeners.
Saturday, February 11th
The Fresno Art Museum is hosting a PowerPoint talk by Architect Arthur Dyson, one of the new exhibitors, on the subject “Touching the Soul: The Poetics of Architecture,” from 4:00 to 5:30 pm in the Bonner Auditorium. This event is free to Museum members, $10 for non-members. There is limited seating and no advance reservations.
Saturday, February 11th
Storytelling is back at the Sierra Mono Museum and Cultural Center in North Fork. Enjoy an afternoon of great stories, told by veteran storytellers from the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California. This event will be held on Saturday, February 11, from 1 – 3 p.m. Entry Fee: $5.00, and light refreshments will be served. For more information, please call the Sierra Mono Museum at 559-877-2115 or send an email to monomuseum@gmail.com. The Museum is located at 33103 Road 228 in North Fork, and their website is www.monomuseum.org.
Saturday, February 11th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to “Chicago-The Tribute.” Welcome back, Chicago The Tribute, after their rocking debut in February of 2022 when they brought down the house. It's an experience featuring the legendary sounds of the band with powerful horns, rich vocals, and a rockin' rythym section- Chicago! The Westside Theatre is located at 1331 Main St, Newman, CA. For tickets and information go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/chicago-the-tribute or call 209-862-4490.
Wednesday, February 15th
The Sierra Club Tehipite Chapter General Meeting takes place at 7 p.m. via Zoom, on the subject “Saving LA's Cougars: Building the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.” Ground was broken on Earth Day 2022 for this visionary structure that will preserve biodiversity across the Los Angeles region by connecting an integral wildlife corridor and help save a threatened local population of mountain lions from extinction. When complete, the crossing will be the largest in the world, the first of its kind in California, and it will serve as a global model for urban wildlife conservation. Join the National Wildlife Federation’s Regional Executive Director, Beth Pratt, who leads the #SaveLACougars campaign, to learn how a dedicated group of partners worked across decades to make the landmark crossing a reality. Go to sierraclub.org/tehipite and click on a registration link. Advance registration required.
Friday, February 17th
Saturday, February 18th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to “Mariachi Serenade,” an evening of Mariachi band music accompanied with special guest singers Olivia Esquivez and Arturo Martinez. The event takes place at 8:00 pm and the Theatre is located at 1331 Main St, Newman, CA. For tickets and information call 209-862-4490 or go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/mariachi/.
Friday, February 17th through Sunday, February 19th
The Sun Maid Kennel Club brings dog lovers the Sun Maid Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Shows! Watch Hundreds of dogs and their owners get the chance to strut their stuff in the show ring February 17, 2023- February 19, 2023 at the Fresno County Fairgrounds, 1121 S. Chance Ave., Fresno, from 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM each day. This year’s event has a Mardi Gras theme. The event is great for the whole family with free admission. Dogs that are not entered in competitions are not permitted on show grounds. Spectators can:
• Watch the judging of various breeds in Conformation and cheer for your favorite.
• See young owner-handlers compete against their peers in the Junior
Showmanship Competition. [ALL DAYS]
• Watch owner-handlers compete in a special series called the National Owner-
Handled Series. [ALL DAYS]
• Obedience and rally trials will test dogs understanding of commands, as they
maneuver hurdles & retrieve articles. [ALL DAYS]
• See puppies getting started in the sport in the AKC Sanctioned 4 and under 6
Months Puppy Competition. [ALL DAYS]
• Watch children as young as five years old get started in the sport by participating
in a Pee Wee competition. [SATURDAY ONLY]
• Girl scouts can earn a new patch at the AKC Patch Program facilitated by Sierra
4-H program and girl scout troop 2506. [SUNDAY ONLY]
Admission is free but there is a $10 parking fee. To see the full Show Program go to www.sunmaidkennelclub.org.
Friday, February 24th
Cineculture invites you to view the film “The Investigator” between February 20-24, with a Zoom Discussion with Viktor Portel (Director) February 24 at 5:15 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv. For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by Thursday, February 23 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. A former investigator for The Hague Tribunal in The Hague, The Netherlands, returns to the Balkans, to places in Southern Europe where war crimes were committed in the 1990s. Can justice be brought from the outside? Czech film director Victory Portel tells the story of Vladimír Dzuro, the first Czech investigator to have worked for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Dzuro collected evidence against war criminals and hunted perpetrators of ethnic cleansing. The two biggest cases include the Ovcara massacre related to Vukovar's mayor Slavko Dokmanovic, and the ethnic cleansing committed by the Serbian nationalist warlord Željko Ražnatovic Arkan. We join Vladimír Dzuro on his metaphorical and real journey across the places of investigation in the former country of Yugoslavia and meet some survivors of these cases. What is the landscape of the Balkans, which saw a fratricidal conflict twenty-five years ago, like today? What happened to the people who still live there and to their memory? What is the significance and meaning of justice brought from the outside? The film is inspired by Vladimir Dzuro’s bestselling book The Investigator – Demons of the Balkan War (Grada, 2017, and Potomac Books, 2019). It is in Czech, Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian with English subtitles. For a link to the film or more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu/.
Friday, February 24th
The African American Historical and Cultural Museum invites you to join them for the Black History Month Celebration, “Honoring Our Local Trailblazers.” Honorees this year include Brenda Buckingham, Dr. Arie Smith, Dr. Crystal Jackson, Honorable Kimberly Tapscott-Munson, Judge Glenda Allen Hill, Larry Cormier, Pastor BT Lewis, and Professor Thomas-Whit Ellis. The Jesse McDonald Jr. award will go to Rodney Murphy; the Shining Star Award will go to Ryan McClarty, and the “Passing the Torch” award will go to Shantay Davies-Balch. The event is from 6-9:30 p.m. at First Class Events and Designs, 1028 N. Fulton St. in downtown Fresno. The cost is $100 donation per ticket or $800 per table of 10. For tickets and more information call 559-544-1857 or order online at https://www.aahcmsjv.com.
Friday, March 3rd
Cineculture invites you to view the film “The Forger” between February 27-March 3, with a Zoom Discussion (Discussant to be Announced) March 3 at 5:15 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv. For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by March 2 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. The Forger by German director Maggie Peren takes place in Berlin, Germany, in 1940. It tells the story of Cioma Schönhaus (Louis Hofmann, star of the hit Netflix series Dark), a young Jewish man who won't let anyone take away his zest for life, especially not the Nazis. Since the best hiding spots are in plain sight, Cioma audaciously adopts the identity of a marine officer to escape being deported like his family before him. Drawing on his art school background, he joins a network of underground rescuers and becomes infamous for his masterfully forged IDs – created with just a brush, some ink, and a steady hand – that save the lives of hundreds of Jews by allowing them to escape the country. Meanwhile, he throws himself into the city's nightlife and even finds a fragile hope for love during the darkest moments of the war. His talent and propensity for boldness puts him in more and more danger, however, until his only chance of survival is one last forged document – with his own name on it. It is based on a true story and is in German with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggRS4sAkIz8. This film is sponsored by the Jewish Studies Program and the Jewish Studies Association. For the link to the film or for more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu/.
Saturday, March 4th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers - The Ultimate ZZ Top Tribute.” Making their debut at the West Side Theatre they are excited to have them join Westside Theatre’s roster of tribute bands. 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. The event takes place at 8:00 pm and the Theatre is located at 1331 Main St, Newman, CA. For tickets and information go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/beer-drinkers-and-hell-raisers-/ or call 209-862-4490.
Friday, March 10th
Cineculture invites you to view the film “A Man of Integrity” between March 6-10, with a Zoom Discussion with Dr. Jamsheed Akrami (Film maker & Scholar) February 24 at 5:15 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv. For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by Thursday, March 9 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. A Man of Integrity by Iranian film director Mohammad Rasoulof features Reza who, having distanced himself from the urban quagmire, leads a simple life along with his wife and young son, somewhere in a remote village in Northern Iran. He spends his days working on his goldfish farm. Nearby, a private company with close links to the government and local authorities, has taken control of nearly every aspect of regional life. Its shareholders, accumulating wealth, power and economic influence, have been pushing local farmers and small owners to sell off their belongings, farms and estates, to the benefit of the Company’s influential network and its monopoly. It is under their pressure that many villagers have themselves become local links in the larger network of corruption. Director Mohammad Rasoulof, whose latest feature There Is No Evil won the Golden Bear at last year’s Berlinale, has been making scathing social commentary of the Iranian regime for over a decade, but he remains relatively unknown and underappreciated in the US—despite winning numerous prizes at such top world film festivals as Cannes and Berlin. A Man of Integrity reveals the corruption and state cronyism at the heart of one of the most powerful and influential regimes in the Middle East. In Farsi with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eKp7J04omE. For a link to the film or more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu/.
Saturday, March 11th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to “Alan Iglesias and Crossfire - A Loving Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn.” Love of the blues. Love of Stevie Ray Vaughan. The love of re-creating a feeling that so many enjoyed -- and so many missed. These are the things that drove the creation of Crossfire, a Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute band that strives to capture the essence of a Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble concert with authenticity, respect, and yes, love. The event takes place at 8:00 pm and the Theatre is located at 1331 Main St, Newman, CA. For tickets and information go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/alan-iglesias/details or call 209-862-4490.
Friday, March 24th
Cineculture invites you to view the film “Occupied: Our Secret Life in Kherson” between March 20-24, with a Zoom Discussion with Dmytro Bahnenko (Director) March 24 at 5:15 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv. For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by Thursday, March 9 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. Dmytro Bahnenko, a Ukrainian journalist in Kherson, southern Ukraine, spent three months secretly recording his city's resistance to the Russian occupation. In this extraordinary film for the British Broadcasting Corporation’s investigation unit BBC Eye, Dmytro chronicles the harsh reality of life under occupation, as food and medicines become scarce, people flee, and others begin to disappear. Dmytro and his wife Lidia struggle to shield their four-year-old daughter Ksusha from the war, and make the difficult decision to try to escape. In English and Ukrainian with English subtitles. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWXUCZz9YZ0 to view the trailer. For more info and the link to the film, go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu/.
Friday, March 24th through Sunday, March 26th
The 3rd Annual Central Valley Gem & Mineral Show, sponsored by the Fresno Gem & Mineral Society, presents a great show for viewing, learning about and purchasing minerals, fossils, gems, beautiful handmade jewelry & much more! This event is educational and fun for all ages! Come out and tickle your inner rockhound!
Hours are Friday, March 24th and Saturday, March 25th from 10am – 5pm & Sunday, March 26th from 10am – 4pm, at 748 Rodeo Dr, Clovis, CA. Admission and parking are free. For more information, go to https://FGMS.online.
FREE ADMITTANCE & PARKING
Website: FGMS.online
Saturday, March 25th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to “Carnival - A Tribute to the Music of Santana (formerly Caravanserai).” The new assemblage of these San Francisco Bay Area top musicians, have rebranded as Carnaval having spent decades honing their craft to bring you the legendary sounds of Santana. You’ll hear all the hits from those early years through the new favorites of today. All of it played with the same instrumentation, soul and passion. The event takes place at 8:00 pm and the Theatre is located at 1331 Main St, Newman, CA. For tickets and information go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/carnaval/ or call 209-862-4490.
Thursday, April 13th 2023
Elton Dan and the Rocket Band - A Tribute to Elton John will perform on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at the Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts located at 809 East Olive Ave, Fresno, CA 93728. This show is all ages and begins at 8:00 pm with doors opening at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $19.50, $34.50, $49.50 & $89.50* for reserved seating. Prices increase by $5.50 on the day of the show. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 16th and are available at TowerTheatreFresno.com.
*VIP Includes:
- Early Entry (1 hour before doors)
- Pre-Show Mini Performance with Show Insights and Q&A
- Exclusive VIP Laminate and Elton Dan Glasses
- Personal Photograph with Elton Dan before the show
For more information please visit: EltonDan.com.
Friday, April 14th
Cineculture invites you to view the film “Motherland” from April 10-14, with a Zoom Discussion with Vic Gerami (Director) April 14 at 5:30 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv. For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by Thursday, April 13 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. It took 106 years before the United States formally recognized the Armenian Genocide of 1915 at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. On April 24, 2021, President Joe Biden became the first United States president to officially recognize the Armenian genocide and to recommit preventing such an atrocity from occurring again. Tragically, history is repeating itself with Turkey’s ongoing genocidal attack and ethnic cleansing against Armenians as we've witnessed recently in Artsakh. Motherland is a 120-minute documentary feature film about Azerbaijan’s, Turkey’s unprovoked genocidal attack and ethnic cleansing against Armenians of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, starting on September 27, 2020. Through a journalist and activist’s lens, Motherland focuses the world’s attention on the atrocities, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed by Azerbaijan and Turkey against Artsakh and Armenia. Motherland tells the story of this ongoing tragic chapter through the lens of Armenian-American journalist and LGBTQ+ activist, Vic Gerami. In English, Armenian, and Turkish with English Subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://vimeo.com/714287976. For more information and the link to the film, go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu/. This film is sponsored by the Armenian Studies Program .
Friday, April 24th
Cineculture invites you to view the film “I’ll Meet You There” between April 17-24, with a Zoom Discussion with Iram Bilal (Director) April 24 at 5:15 p.m. A link to view the film will be posted on the CineCulture website and listserv. For a link to join the zoom discussion email Dr. Mary Husain by Thursday, April 23 at mhusain@csufresno.edu. I’ll Meet You There by Pakistani director Iram Bilal is a dramatic thriller following the father-daughter journey of Majeed, a Chicago policeman, and Dua, his teenage ballerina daughter. Eager for a raise, Majeed is cherry-picked to go undercover in a mosque for a special FBI co-assignment. Shortly after, Baba, Majeed’s long-estranged father, shows up unannounced from Pakistan. Majeed uses Baba as an excuse to reenter the mosque after a decade. Counter to his liking, Dua and Baba take to each other. Baba urges Dua to question her passion for dance in the name of religion. The family explores new truths about their present, past, and future until everything comes to a head in a surprise bait and switch by the FBI. In Urdu and English with English subtitles. Go to https://vimeo.com/499268885/3663cacc3c?embedded=true&source=video_title&owner=6857131 to view the trailer. Go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu for a link to the film.
Friday, April 28th
Cineculture invites you to view Pakistani Short Film Program between April 24-28, with a Zoom Discussion with Directors Marya Javed, Tabish Habib, Fatima Sattar & Areeba Naved. The line-up includes:
Baadi (with director Marya Javed) Baadi is a coming-of-age story about a young girl's desperation to make sense of her inner world, which is in conflict with her outer world. It is a story about repressed female sexuality and highlights the dearth of conversation or information for teenagers about their changing bodies in a society where their latent desires are often shamed as a means of control. Baadi is the Punjabi slang word for bra, derived from “body”, since saying “bra” is considered taboo in Pakistan. In Urdu with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTjYw7XOGSU.
May I Have This Seat (with director Tabish Habib) It is smog season in Lahore, Pakistan. Sonia is 25 years old and 8 months pregnant. Late for her doctor's appointment and short on cash, she tries to grab a rickshaw whose driver makes her very uneasy. Instead she takes the local city bus and ends up sandwiched between an ocean of male shoulders, arms and heads. Extremely uncomfortable, she asks Masood, a harmless looking man for his seat but to no avail. As she prepares to look elsewhere the bus lurches suddenly, she loses her balance and falls on Masood who grabs her. She immediately gets back up and accuses him of harassment while he maintains his innocence. As the two argue with each other the travelers watch in shock, awe and amusement. In Urdu with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-CjyXJQqBw
Kiran (with director Fatimah Sattar) In between the mandalas and paisleys on the lines and pores of the bride-to-be’s palms, a Mehndi applicator finds a space for herself. Belonging to a culture where there is no room to even think about one’s identity, let alone question it, Kiran faces a wave of emotions. She knows nothing can be changed drastically in her life and small unnoticeable footprints are all that she leaves. In Urdu with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13gyCuJSxEM.
City of Men (Hira) (with director Areeba Naved) A orthodox Muslim Pashtun household in Peshawar, Pakistan, is led by a strict patriarchal mother who is greatly alarmed by her two naïve and rebellious daughters. As the chronicles of their rebellion unfold, the cost of dreams may be consequential for them, who mustn’t flee from the ‘City of Men’. In Pushto with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kjz-RfAliY
It's a Boy (with director Marya Javed) Neha and Taimoor, a fairly educated and emancipated couple, are open to the ideas of homosexuality and gender fluidity. They seem to have no prejudices. But when it comes to their own son, displaying “unconventional” behavior for a boy, their introjected fears start to surface. They struggle to answer this simple question, how do we know, it’s a boy? In Urdu with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzmzFOrVsF0.
For the link to the films go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
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.
Friday, January 6th through Sunday, February 19th
The Good Company Players presents “Shakespeare in Love 2023.” Based on the Academy Award-winning movie, this enchanting, hilarious, romantic stage play reimagines William Shakespeare's inspiration for Romeo and Juliet. 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 students/seniors/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/shakespeare-in-love-2023/.
Monday, January 9th through Monday, February 27th
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization will be holding a series of Meditation classes each Monday from 6:30-7:45 p.m. Dr Vinod Mungalpara will be teaching the Raja Yoga Meditation Course over the next 8 weeks. No prior meditation experience is required, but for the best benefit you should attend all 8 sessions which are free of charge. To sign up, you must email mungalpara@msn.com. This class will fill quickly, so sign up soon if you are interested! The eight sessions cover the following topics:
January 9th: How to meditate
January 16th: How to observe and control our thoughts
January 23rd: Knowing self as spiritual being
January 30th: Knowing source of powers and virtues
February 6th: Relationship with self and higher power
February 13th: Karma and its application in life
February 20th: Spiritual powers
February 27th: Integrating spirituality in daily life.
For more information, call (559) 435-2212.
Wednesday, January 18th through Saturday, January 21st
The 43rd annual EcoFarm Conference will be held January 18-21, 2023 at the Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds on the Monterey Bay. Through its connective events, the Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) facilitates an exchange of knowledge and resources among a diversity of stakeholders and grassroots leadership to advance just and ecological farming and food systems. After two consecutive years of hosting this conference virtually, they are thrilled to be able to come together again in person. Join them at EcoFarm Conference 2023 for 50+ skill-building workshops in English and Spanish, keynotes, pre-conference events, farm tours, seed swaps, tastings, networking, and our expo! For more information and to register, go to https://eco-farm.org/conference.
Thursday, January 19th through Sunday, March 12th
Good Company Players invites you to a performance of “Singin’ in the Rain.” It's the roaring 20's and a pair of silent screen stars are preparing for their first musical "talkie". Chaos ensues when the studio decides to secretly dub the arrogant leading lady's screechy voice. 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/.
Tuesday, January 31st through Tuesday, March 28th
Fresno Pacific University’s Center for Community Transformation is helping entrepreneurs start and grow life-giving businesses through its Launch Central Valley program. This proven 10-week small business start-up boot camp provided direction, instruction and coaching from business experts in marketing, sales, finance and dealing with attorneys, accountants and government officials. Weekly sessions will be from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays January 31 through March 28, 2023. Participants will meet online via Zoom, and will have the option of getting individual coaching in person, virtually or over the phone throughout the course. Get more information and register for this 10 week course at cct-lcv-cohort-8.eventbrite.com. The cost for the program is $150.
Every other Thursday starting February 17th
Starting February 17th, Fresno Pacific University will open an alumni, student and community wind band ensemble under the direction of George Dougherty, D.M.A., associate professor of music and director of bands. Pieces will be “interesting and not too difficult” Dougherty says, and rehearsals will be every other Thursday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on the main FPU campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno. Concerts are planned for March 2 and April 20 with the possibility of involvement May 7 at FPU’s Spring 2022 Commencement. There will be a $50 registration fee. For more information, contact the Music Office at music@fresno.edu or 559-453-2267.
Ongoing
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.
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.
Second Wednesday of every month:
Sisters Encouraging One Another in Life For Pelvic Health invites you to join them on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6 pm in person at Creative Therapeutics, 2763 E Shaw Ave #102, Fresno, CA 93710. You can also join s 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. Space is limited, so please RSVP to sisters4pelvichealth@gmail.com.
Follow them on instagram.com/sistersforpelvichealth/ or facebook.com/sistersforpelvichealth.
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.