KFCF Community Calendar: Updated 9/6/24
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)
Friday, September 6th
The Fresno Art Museum invites you to the Grand Re-Opening Reception for the Sumpf Gallery, Art of the Ancient Americas. The new Art of the Ancient Americas permanent exhibition presents 158 objects from ancient Mesoamerica and the ancient central Andes spanning more than 3,000 years and representing the major artistic traditions of cultures from across the region. The reopening of the gallery marks the first reinterpretation of the Museum’s Mesoamerican holdings since 1997 and the first reinterpretation of the ancient Andes holdings since 2007. The redesign offers improved conditions for displaying the artifacts (most of them have never before been on view) and updated scholarship to reflect the advances of the last 25 years. A special reception celebrating the opening of Art of the Ancient Americas will be held Friday, September 6, 2024 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Fresno Art Museum. The reception will begin with curatorial talks in the Bonner Auditorium to be followed by passed hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar in the Museum’s lobby. Doors open at 5 pm. Limited seating in the Bonner Auditorium. To be added to the guest list for this September 6 event, please email citlali@fresnoartmuseum.org and provide your name and affiliation.
Friday, September 6th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “Avenue of the Giants” (2023) with discussant Finn Taylor (Director). Avenue of the Giants by director Finn Taylor tells the true story of Czechoslovakian-born (now Czech Republic) Herbert Heller who kept his miraculous escape from the Auschwitz Birkenau death march a secret for 60 years, even from his family. That is, until he meets Abbey, a young teenager whose own brush with pain and death inspires him to open up as well, leading the two of them to exchange their stories as a meaningful and healing friendship is born. 102 minutes. To view the trailer, go to https://vimeo.com/969645552. The screening is at 5:15 p.m. at the Peters Educational Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. For more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Saturday, September 7th
CMAC (Community Media Access Collaborative) invites you to “Youth Voices Film Screening” from 1-4 p.m. Save the date for the 2024 Youth Voices Documentary Film Screening! Join us for a free event showcasing 12 captivating short documentaries crafted by talented local youth. These young filmmakers, aged 18 and under, have poured their hearts into telling stories of personal and societal significance. Don't miss this chance to celebrate their creativity and passion! This event is free and open to the public, and takes place at Maya Cinema, 3090 E Campus Pointe Dr, Fresno. To register, go to https://YouthVoices-Screening2024.eventbrite.com/?aff=CC. For more information e-mail info@cmac.tv.
Saturday, September 7th
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization invites you to a special event, “The Link of Love.” Starting at 10:30 am. with refreshments, the program is at 11 am. through 1 pm. They will meet at Hope Lutheran Church, 5435 N. Fresno St. inside the large meeting room. The facilitator is Sis. Elizabeth, the Center Coordinator for their Novato center, and meditation teacher. She will explain the significance of the Link of Love and the tying of a bracelet of love & protection. This is an 'in-person' event. There is no zoom class.
Sunday, September 8th
ALS Network invites you to their 25th annual Central Valley Burnout, Walk & Roll to Cure ALS this Sunday, September 8, 2024 at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds (748 Rodeo Dr, Clovis). Participants can expect to experience their annual Walk activities with the added excitement of a first-time car show and burnout. Funds raised for this event will support the mission priorities of the ALS Network in research, public policy, and direct care services, which are offered free-of-charge to people living with ALS and their loved ones. Online registration closes September 7, however, supporters are welcome to sign up in person on the morning of the event beginning at 10:00 AM. Everyone must check-in upon arrival. Car show and Burnout will begin at 10:00 AM. Cars may register on-site prior to 10:00 AM for $35.00 to join the car show. There will be 13 categories for judging. Opening Ceremony will begin at 10:30 AM with the Walk & Roll to follow. To register or for more information go to www.alswalkcentralvalley.org.
Wednesday, September 11th
Madera County is proud to announce the unveiling of a new 9/11 Firefighter Memorial
Monument on Wednesday September 11, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. This commemorative event is open to the public, and will take place at Historic Courthouse Park, 210 W. Yosemite Ave. The memorial monument will honor both local, State, and Federal Firefighters, as well as the brave Firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. The ceremony will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. Community members, local officials, and Fire Department representatives will gather to pay their respects and celebrate the indomitable spirit of first responders. Madera County invites the community to join in this solemn occasion to honor the legacy of our fallen heroes and to stand together in solidarity and remembrance. This event is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, September 11th
CMAC (Community Media Access Collaborative) invites you to a workshop on “Camera Basics” from 6 to 8 p.m. Are you ready to start mastering your shots? Learn how to record video using cameras available through CMAC checkout. Leave with a better understanding of exposure settings, white balance, and frame rate options. The workshop is free for members or $10 for non-members, and takes place at CMAC, 1555 Van Ness Avenue #201. Go to https://CameraBasicsAug24.eventbrite.com/?aff=CC to register. For more information e-mail info@cmac.tv.
Thursday, September 12th
Fresno State Institute for Food & Agriculture invites you to the 2nd Annual Dairy Innovation Day at Fresno State on Thursday, September 12th, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event promises to be a dynamic gathering of dairy professionals, showcasing the latest trends, new products, processing innovations and applied research within the industry. Key topics will include:
Innovation and Trends
New Product Development
Processing Innovation
Milkulture
Applied Research
Opportunities and Gaps
Networking, and more!
The cost is $225.00. The event takes place in the Fresno State – Ruiz Ballroom, 5244 N. Jackson Ave. in Fresno. To register, and for more information, go to https://commerce.cashnet.com/cashnetg/static/storefront/fresnoem_ifa/catalog.
Thursday, September 12th
The San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust invites you to its next “Respite by the River” event featuring a reading by Brenna Womer and music by Happenstance. Take a break from the rush of everyday life and join the River Parkway Trust for a Respite by the River. Bring your picnic dinner, blanket, and lawn chair, and relax at the River Center while you enjoy music provided by talented local musicians. Then you'll enjoy a reading by a Central Valley author. The evening schedule is as follows: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Live dinner music, bring your dinner, lawn chair, or blanket 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Reading by an acclaimed author. For more information, go to https://riverparkway.org/activities/respite-by-the-river/.
Friday, September 13th
The American Friends Service Committee and Pan Valley Institute invite you to Nu'u Yavi - Culinary Heritages, 2nd Edition, “Forging the Independence and Sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples.” The event takes place in Court Park on Yosemite Ave. in Madera, from noon to 7:00 p.m. Join them in this celebration to honor Indigenous women who have kept their ancestral traditions of culinary, environmental protection, and love of the earth alive.
Friday, September 13th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “Inshallah a Boy” (2023) with discussants Amjad Al-Rasheed (Director) & Rula Nasseer (Producer). Inshallah a Boy is a feature film by Jordanian director Amjad Al-Rasheed that tells Nawal’s struggles to cope with the sudden death of her husband and deal with her greedy brother-in-law who wants to use Jordanian patriarchal inheritance laws to win her rightful inheritance. Desperate to keep her home and provide a stable life for her daughter, Nawal resorts to deception by faking a pregnancy. As time passes, however, her lie becomes harder to sustain and she faces a difficult choice. With little time to find a solution, she embarks on a journey that challenges her fears, beliefs, and morality, as she fights to secure her rightful inheritance and protect her daughter’s future. In Arabic with English subtitles. To view the trailer, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmcfWNjjuDM. The screening is at 5:15 p.m. at the Peters Educational Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. For more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Saturday, September 14th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA invites you to a performance by Joni Morris, at 8 p.m. Joni has been critically acclaimed as the most authentic Patsy Cline performer in the country. Performer at the West Side Theater theatre since 1998 she is always entertaining and a joy to listen to. For tickets and more information go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/joni2/dates/Sep-14-2024_at_0730PM.
Sunday, September 15th
The Fiestas Patrias celebration in Downtown Fresno brings together the culture and spirit of the Latino community across the Central Valley. It celebrates the rich history of Latino culture in Fresno and invite all to come together to show cultural pride and commemorate freedom. This year the festivities will kick off with a parade down Fulton Street and continue with amazing performances, vendors, and of course our downtown businesses. Save the date and get your dancing shoes ready for Fiestas Patrias 2024. It goes from 11am - 6pm on Fulton Street in downtown Fresno from Mariposa to Kern. To participate in the Parade or as a volunteer at the event, go to https://www.downtownfresno.org/things-to-do/fiestas-patrias?mc_cid=3b8d8da88e&mc_eid=2ca9ce4e90.
Thursday, September 19th
The T ehipite Chapter of the Sierra Club invites the general public to a presentation on the Range of Light National Monument by Deanna Wulff, Executive Director of Unite the Parks. Learn about the decade-long campaign to protect 1.4 million acres of federal land between Yosemite and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks. This event is free and open to the general public. It takes place at 7 p.m. at the Woodward Park Library, 944 E. Perrin, Fresno.
Friday, September 20th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “The ABCs of Book Banning” (2023) with discussants Professor Douglas Fraleigh (1st Amendment Scholar), Sarah McDaniel, Samantha Hidde Tripp & Arantes Armendariz (Librarians). In recent years, more than 2,500 books have been removed from school districts around the US. These are as banned, restricted, or challenged, and made unavailable to millions of students. This is no accident. Indeed the topics targeted for censure are the usual scapegoats of the American Right—LGBTQ+ issues, Black History, and women’s empowerment—impeding the power of future generations to develop their own thoughts and opinions on critical social issues. By weaving together a lyrical montage of young readers and authors, The ABCs of Book Banning reveals the voices of the impacted parties, and inspires hope for the future through the profound insights of inquisitive youthful minds. Oscar nominee for Best Documentary Short Film in 2024. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMaZ2bLwaeA&t=3s. The screening is at 5:30 p.m. at the Peters Educational Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. For more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Saturday, September 21st
Chowchilla’s Classic Car & Custom Bike Show takes place at the Veteran’s Memorial Park in Chochilla. There will be 30+ awards, a raffle, live band and great food. Check-in is at 8:30 a.m. and the awards will be given at 2. The registration fee is $40. To pre-register go to www.chowchillachamber.org. Admission to this event is free.
Saturday, September 21st
The Fresno Artu Museum invites you to Museum Day, Hosted by the Greater Fresno Alliance of Museums and Educational Sites (GFAMES). Learn about all the wonderful museums and educational sites in and around Fresno! Many of the 18+ members of GFAMES will have a booth in our Sculpture Garden. Free admission. For more information go to www.fresnoartmuseum.org.
Saturday, September 21st
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to a performance of Sleeping Beauty presented by Missoula Children's Theatre. Performances are from 3-4 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Missoula Children's Theatre brings their version of Sleeping Beauty to the Stage with up to 62 local K-12 children. For tickets and more information go to
https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/sleeping-beauty/.
Wednesday, September 25th
The Valley Music Hall of Fame will be inducting five esteemed local musicians, including John Chookasian who has been chosen to be the “2024 Musician of the Year.” John Chookasian is a 1st generation American-Armenian, whose parents were born in historic Sepastia (Sivas, Turkey). His parents Manase & Arshalous Chookasezian witnessed, suffered, survived & escaped from the 1915-1923 Armenian Christian Genocide; that was planned, perpetrated and executed by the inhumane Ottoman Turkish Government. Mr. Chookasezian & his wife Barbara, have been “Culture Bearers” for over 30 years and decided to form an Armenian Concert Ensemble that would perform, preserve & record the many lost, forgotten,obiliterated and irreclaimable Armenian songs & dances of Eastern and historic Western Armenia; as a result of the tragic Armenian Genocide. The 2024 Induction Ceremony takes place at Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater, 1226 N. Wishon 93728, Fresno. Doors open at 5:30 pm, dinner is at 6:00 pm , and the show begins at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $85 per person for the Dinner & Show. Please call Roger Rocka’s at (559) 266-9494 to purchase tickets.
Thursday, September 26th
Central Valley Movement Building invites you to Part 3 of its Empowerment Series, “School Discipline Protections for Students with Disabilities,” from 6-8 p.m. The workshop will discuss the unique rights students with disabilities have when facing certain school discipline practices, such as suspension, expulsion, and (in)voluntary school transfers. They will also share how parents and organizers can use the IEP process to prevent harmful school discipline consequences. This is part of a three-part training series on the rights of students with disabilities, hosted by Central Valley Movement Building Organizing Institute and Disability Rights California. ASL and Spanish-interpretation will be provided. To register for Part 3 go to https://bit.ly/SpecialEdseries3.
Friday, September 27th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “Double Indemnity” (1944) with discussant Dr. Ed EmanuEl. Has dialogue ever been more perfectly hard-boiled? Has a femme fatale ever been as deliciously wicked as Barbara Stanwyck? And has 1940s Los Angeles ever looked so seductively sordid? Working with cowriter Raymond Chandler, director Billy Wilder launched himself onto the Hollywood A-list with this epitome of film-noir fatalism from James M. Cain’s pulp novel. When slick salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) walks into the swank home of dissatisfied housewife Phyllis Dietrichson (Stanwyck), he intends to sell insurance, but he winds up becoming entangled with her in a far more sinister way. Featuring scene-stealing supporting work from Edward G. Robinson and the chiaroscuro of cinematographer John F. Seitz, Double Indemnity is one of the most entertainingly perverse stories ever told and the standard by which all noir must be measured. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7AjKUDyrCE to view the trailer. The screening is at 5:15 p.m. at the Peters Educational Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. For more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Friday, September 27th
Spectrum Art Gallery invites you to Friday Photography Live: Artist Discussion, at 7 p.m. at the Gallery (located at 608 E. Olive Ave, Fresno). The phrase, Menagerie of Light, evokes the idea of a diverse and vibrant collection of light sources or visual effects, similar to how a menagerie is a collection of various animals. It suggests a scene that is rich, varied, and possibly magical or enchanting in its visual impact. In the context of photography, a menagerie of light refers to the diverse and intricate ways light is captured and manipulated in an image. Participating artists are Victoria Flores is the Spectrum Art Gallery manager and webmaster, Meg Kosloff, and Joshua Moulton.
For more information, go to https://spectrumphotogallery.org/home/.
Saturday, September 28th
The Fresno County Historical Society invites you to its Fields of Fresno Ag Tour, and all day excursion on Forestry. Did you know that the Kings Canyon National Park is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture? Learn how the vital services that our forest provides can sustain a precious ecosystem within Fresno County. The biodiversity found in our Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, within the Sierra National Forest, directly affects agriculture in the Valley, in a myriad of ways, which you will discover on this excursion. Reserve your seats now for this incredible jaunt to the forest on September 28th. Join the Fresno City & County Historical Society and Tour Director, Candice Calderon, in this full-day Ag Tour which will include two stops. The first, you will visit Welker's Custom Cut Lumber, where you will hear from owner, Kristopher Welker, about the connection between agriculture and forestry with examples of sustainable timber and lumber practices. Then we will head up to the Kings Canyon National Park, to take a walking tour to the iconic General Sherman Tree, led by Alexis Newlin, owner of Authentic Adventures Central CA. The walking tour is two hours, round trip, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes for the paved pathway. Parking at the Kearney Mansion Museum, breakfast snacks, coffee, water, and lunch are included in the ticket price. It is going to be amazing; you do not want to miss it so get your tickets today! Tickets are $85 for members and $95 for non-members. For tickets and more information, go to https://www.valleyhistory.org/ag-tour.
Saturday, September 28th
The annual KFCF Banquet takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2672 E. Alluvial Ave., with special guest speaker Greg Palast on election suppression and what’s at stake for our democracy. The banquet includes a buffet-style dinner catered by Hummus Republic, and a silent auction and raffle. Greg Palast is the author of “The Best Democracy Money Can Buy” and “Billionaires and Ballot Bandits.”
His latest film is “Vigilantes Inc.: America's new vote suppression hitmen,” out September 6th, with a KPFA showing/benefit in Berkeley on September 25th. He will speak at the banquet about the upcoming election, the threat to our democracy from widespread voter suppression, and what we can do about it. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30, and the speaker begins at 7:30. Tickets for the banquet are $80 each if purchased on or before September 21st (or $100 at the door). Advance tickets may be purchased at https://ticketstripe.com/FFCFBanquet.
Saturday, September 28th
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 28th 2024 at 10:00 a.m. for Madera’s 93rd annual Old Timers’ Day Parade! Leading this year’s parade as Grand Marshall
will be Veteran, and former City Councilmember, Herman Perez. Accompanying him as the Honorable King and Queen of the Parade will be lifelong Madera residents Phil and Klina Oberti. At the conclusion of the parade, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held in Courthouse Park for the newly renovated park which will feature a new accessible playground area, performance stage, exercise equipment, musical instruments, walking paths, and various other improvements. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Historic Courthouse, which will be open to the public to enjoy. The Old Timers’ Day Parade typically features 50-70 various entries from stagecoach’s, firetrucks, bands, and several youth groups. Attendance is in the neighborhood of 5,000 and concludes with the Booths in the Park Event (located in Courthouse Park). The parade spans
from Flume St. down to G St. along Yosemite Ave. and is distinguished as the hallmark of parades in Madera County. Parade applications & sponsorship information can be found at: http://www.maderadowntown.com.
Saturday, September 28th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to Rob Ely's Tribute to Elvis, starting at 8 p.m. Rob Ely is one of California's most sought after and accomplished Elvis Tribute Artists. He has performed all over CA, Reno, Las Vegas, Nevada, Arizona, Memphis , TN and beyond. Some of his accomplishments include; performing on the field in Oakland Coliseum for The Oakland A’s singing the National Anthem as Elvis, has been the Elvis of choice on Fox 40 News in Sacramento and also has appeared as Elvis on Good Day Sacramento Morning Show. For tickets and more information, go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/rob2/dates/Sep-28-2024_at_0800PM.
Friday, October 4th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of Armenian Short Films, with discussants to be announced. The films to be screened include:
HISHÉ (Remember), directed by Anahid Yahjian, a meditation on alienation, confusion, grief and the burden of remembering. These four elements frame the director’s relationship with the Nagorno-Karabakh region now more than ever. This film is an attempt to capture this process and is comprised of footage and photographs that she and others have accumulated in the last 10-12 years of areas in the region where she is no longer permitted to go and ask her questions. In English.
250km: When a war suddenly breaks out in Artsakh, a 14-year-old boy finds himself faced with a decision that could save his family, with no time to think, he embarks on a treacherous 250-kilometer journey to safety. Directed by Hasmik Movsisyan. In Armenian with English subtitles.
Anahide: A girl and her father speak about their culture, roots and mother. Directed by Arnaud Khayadjanian. In Armenian with English subtitles.
Levon - A Wondrous Life: LEVON is a 60-year-old rollerblader living exuberantly in the post-Soviet landscape of Yerevan, Armenia. He is aware of the struggles his people face and understands why they are emigrating in droves. But that doesn't change his enduring belief in and contentment with the simple magic of being alive. Directed by Anahid Yahjian and Emily Mkrtichian. In Armenian and English with English subtitles.
Taniel: Constantinople, April 24, 1915. As the British prepared their landings in nearby Gallipoli, hundreds of arrest warrants are issued across the city. The arrival of police at poet Taniel Varoujan’s door would shatter his home, destroy his work, and his family would never see him again. Film Noir in style, “Taniel” pays homage to the era of dramatic filmmaking with extreme lighting and camera angles. The narrative is mostly heard through poetry, with Varoujan’s poems in Armenian expressing the emotions in each of the scenes; and narrative poetry in English delivered with an emotive depth of feeling by Sean Bean. Directed by Garo Berberian.
From the Border: The old man is the only one who did not leave the village, he repairs the door of an abandoned house every day. One night suddenly the villagers’ dialogues and children’s voices are heard. The dog looks at the man in surprise. He is wearing a white suit, and smugly “turned on the voice of the village.” Directed by Artur Saribekyan. In Armenian with English subtitles.
The screening is at 5:30 p.m. at the Peters Educational Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. For more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Saturday, October 5th
The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to Blood Red Sky U2 Tribute, starting at 8 p.m. Northern California's premier U2 Tribute, Blood Red Sky, plays all the hits of U2 from the glory days to today with an emphasis on their Red Rocks performance when they were all still young and hungry. For tickets and more information, go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/blood-red/dates/Oct-05-2024_at_0800PM.
Saturday, October 5th
Save the date for the Fresno Art Museum’s Council of 100 Distinguished Woman Artist for 2024 Luncheon Honoring Wendy Maruyama. More information to follow.
Friday, October 11th
Friday, October 18th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “The Elephants and the Grass” with discussants Beau Rosario & Brandon Gulish (Co-Directors). Co-Directors Beau Rosario and Brandon Gulish chronicle the perilous journey of twelve-year-old Shamira Muhammed and her mother as they escape the civil war in South Sudan. The film captures their fight for survival during a 100-mile trek to a refugee camp in Uganda, braving numerous dangers. By combining dramatic re-creations with personal interviews, the documentary not only shares Shamira's story but also explores the wider context of South Sudan's conflict and its generational trauma. It highlights the resilience of those affected and celebrates the strength of women and children as key to the nation’s future. 103 minutes. To view the trailer go to https://vimeo.com/950357077. The screening is at 5:15 p.m. at the Peters Educational Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. For more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Saturday, October 19th
The Discovery Center invites you to 2024 Tricks & Treats, from 10 am-2 pm. Looking for a not-so-scary party to take the kids to? Discovery Center has got you covered! Tricks & Treats boasts trick-or-treating, live entertainment, and great food. As you stroll through the grounds, you’ll see decorated booths and fun crafts to take home. The cost is $1 for nonmembers, FREE for members, veterans/active duty, & ages 2yrs & under. At just $1 admission, Fresno Discovery Center is the place to be on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
Saturday, October 19th
You’re invited to Chowchilla’s “Haunted Night at the Museum,” from 4-8 p.m. at the Fossil Discover Center, 19450 Ave. 21½ in Chowchilla. It will feature “Swamp Thing” and Spooky Pond Tours, as well as games, prizes and hot dog meals for sale. The cost is $10 per person (kids under 2 are free). For more information call 559-665-7107 or go to www.maderamammoths’.org.
Thursday, October 24th
The San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust invites you to its next “Respite by the River” event featuring a reading by Steve Yarbrough and music by Kathy Barwick. Take a break from the rush of everyday life and join the River Parkway Trust for a Respite by the River. Bring your picnic dinner, blanket, and lawn chair, and relax at the River Center while you enjoy music provided by talented local musicians. Then you'll enjoy a reading by a Central Valley author. The evening schedule is as follows: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Live dinner music, bring your dinner, lawn chair, or blanket 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Reading by an acclaimed author. For more information, go to https://riverparkway.org/activities/respite-by-the-river/.
Friday, October 25th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “Floyd Abrams: Speaking Freely” (2023) with discussant Professor Douglas Fraleigh. Floyd Abrams: Speaking Freely explores America’s dedication to the foundational principles of free speech and free press through the groundbreaking work of attorney Floyd Abrams. A biopic of the First Amendment told through Abrams’ important cases, this film reveals how this legal giant helped transform the First Amendment from an often ignored principle into a bulwark of American democracy. As the nation grapples with issues such as hate speech, book banning, the impact of money in politics, artificial intelligence and the dangers of boundless internet communication in a rapidly changing media ecosystem, Abrams continues to advocate for broad First Amendment protections. To view the trailer go to https://vimeo.com/862153889/289d5445a8. The screening is at 5:30 p.m. at the Peters Educational Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. For more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Saturday, October 26th
Save the date for Spectrum Art Gallery’s Benefit Print Auction and Exhibition in the Fresno High district at Dulce Upfront. With the annual print auction and exhibition, they hope to generate vital financial support for Spectrum Art Gallery, now in its 44th year.
Friday, November 1st
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “Stolen Spirits” & “Building on Tainted Soil” (2022), with discussant Anneleen Ophoff (Director).
Stolen Spirits: In 2021, in the small rural town of Genoa, Nebraska, a harrowing search began to locate the graves of Native American children who were taken from their tribes and sent to the Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School, one of America’s largest and longest running boarding school for indigenous children. Stolen Spirits, directed by Anne Worthington, is a powerful and haunting story of one community’s attempts to uncover the truth about a painful past. To view the trailer go to https://vimeo.com/866331712.
Building on Tainted Soil: Hundreds of thousands of Native American children placed in residential schools that the US government funded. Over 360 such boarding schools systematically destroyed native cultures and communities. Discover how three generations of boarding school survivors and their families are dealing with the fall-out of cultural erasure and reclaiming their culture. Directed by Belgian Journalist and director Anneleen Ophoff. To view the trailer go to https://vimeo.com/950370391.
The screening is at 5:30 p.m. at the Peters Educational Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. For more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Friday, November 8th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “One of a Kind (Wakhri)” (2023) with discussant Iram Parveen Bilal (Director). Pakistani-American filmmaker Iram Parveen Bilal takes inspiration from the real life figure of Qandeel Baloch in crafting this compelling drama. Baloch was Pakistan’s first social media celebrity, who often used her platform to speak out against patriarchy, until her brother murdered her in an act of “honor” killing. Her life planted the seeds from which spring this film’s widowed schoolteacher Noor and her queer best friend Guchhi. To live out their dreams and aspirations, the pair leads double lives. In bright makeup and flashy wigs, Noor and Guchhi adopt brash, fearless social media personas, representing a freedom so enticing that people can’t look away. Too often, the cinemascape has portrayed Muslim women and queer people from the Global South as victimized objects of pity. The film One of a King has a different tale to tell, one that celebrates the resilience with which its protagonists demand equality within a flawed society. In Urdu and English with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wOwj5cNhAc. The screening is at 5:30 p.m. at the Peters Educational Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. For more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Saturday, November 9th
Save the date for the Fresno Art Museum’s 75th Anniversary Black & Gold Gala. Details to come.
Saturday, November 15th
Cineculture invites you to a screening of “Bucha” (2024) with discussants Stanislav Tiunov (Director) & Oleksandr Shchur (Producer & Screenwriter). Directed by Ukrainian film director Stanislav Tiunov, Bucha is a narrative film based on actual events in Bucha, Vorzel, and Hostomel (Kyiv region) during the Russian occupation in the first months of the war in February-March 2022. The main character is a foreigner who decided to fight against Russia's evil aggression against Ukraine, a country that became his home. The film tells about the rescue of local residents by Konstantin Gudauskas, a citizen of Kazakhstan who received asylum in Ukraine, and lives in Bucha. When the Russian invasion began, he was allowed to cross into the territory occupied by Russian troops because of his Kazakh passport. Once there, he was able to extricate Ukrainian civilians form the Russian-occupied territory into safety. Konstantin not only saved people, but also became an eyewitness to all the horrors of war and occupation. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Ukrainian State Border Service, the Ukrainian National Police as well as the Kyiv City Council and the Kyiv Regional Military Administration assisted the film crew in creating and shooting this film. In Ukrainian, Russian and Chechen with English subtitles. To view the trailer go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eez3r8gF1rY. The screening is at 5:30 p.m. at the Peters Educational Center Auditorium (West of Save Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). All screenings are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m., on Fridays. For more information go to https://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
MULTIPLE DAY EVENTS:
Every Saturday (until the killing in Palestine ends)
There will be a protest at Riverpark (Blackstone & Nees) from 6-8 p.m. hosted by the Palestine Liberation Group. Signs and banners will be available: Bring yours, hold theirs or help hold one of the large banners. Your presence is what counts most! Come for as long as you can and bring a chair if that's more comfortable.
Every Sunday (until the killing in Palestine ends)
Jovita in her ongoing Demonstration/Vigil in support of Palestine, every Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cedar Avenue and Barstow Avenue, across from Fresno State football stadium. Each person can choose their time. Whatever time you can be there will be enough.
Every Wednesday (until the killing in Palestine ends)
There will be a vigil from 11 am to 1 pm in front of the Federal Courthouse at 2500 Tulare St. in Downtown Fresno.
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.
Saturdays and Sundays
The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust invite you to Sumner Pack Ranch Blueberry U-Pick days, every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. while the crop lasts. Sumner Peck Ranch is at 14439 N Friant Road, Friant. You can purchase the blueberries for $4 a pound at the pay station on-site. Things to know BEFORE picking:
When you arrive, you can find parking by the manufactured house near the river.
For your protection, please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes to protect your legs and feet from plants growing in between the blueberry rows.
Bring your own basket or bucket for picking, we will NOT have containers available.
Cards or Apple/Tap to Pay are the preferred payment type.
NO APPOINTMENTS NEEDED. Be prepared for a small hike to the blueberry patch (.25 mi). For more information, go to https://riverparkway.org/places/sumner-peck-ranch/.
Saturday, February 24th through Saturday, October 12th
The Fresno County Historical Society invites you to participate in its Fields of Fresno Ag Tours, held on Saturdays (including February 24th, April 27th, June 15th, September 14th and October 12th). Fields of Fresno Ag Tour series kicks off February 24th, 2024, with a guided trek of the world-renown Blossom Trail as orchards explode with white, pink and rosy petals. Five, half-day excursions in Fresno County are planned for this season’s tours. Tickets are $95 per-person and $85 for FCHS members. Every adventure highlights a different part of Fresno County’s rich agricultural industry. Each tour starts and ends at the historic Kearney Mansion Museum & Gallery. Here, guests learn about M. Theo Kearney and his Fruit Vale Estate; the foundation of which left a legacy that ripples through the business of agriculture even today. Following a light continental breakfast and coffee, guests board a spacious motor coach, and as they travel to three agriculture sites for curated tours, they enjoy lively rounds of Ag Trivia complete with prizes. Lunch and tasting at a local winery or brewery concludes the day before returning to Kearney Mansion. For more information or to secure tickets, the public may call 559-441-0862 or visit https://valleyhistory.org/ag-tour.
Saturday, June 29th through Saturday, September 7th
Come spend the morning paddling down the San Joaquin River with the San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust! This 4-hour downriver trip takes you from Lost Lake to Owl Hollow, the Trust’s riverfront property near the River Center. You will learn the basics of paddling a sit-on-top kayak, with time to practice on a calm area of the river before heading downstream. Participants are encouraged to bring snacks and/or a lunch. Groups will meet the guide at Owl Hollow and shuttle to the starting point at Lost Lake. Upcoming Tours:
Saturday, June 29th
Saturday, July 20th
Saturday, August 3rd
Saturday, August 10th
Saturday, August 31st
Saturday, September 7th
The River Tours run from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm and the cost is $60/participant. Each River Tour has a maximum of 12 participants. Participants are encouraged to register in groups of 2 or more to accommodate shuttling requirements. Ages 12+. Kayaks are single-person boats. The Route is from Lost Lake to Owl Hollow. To register or for more information, go to www.riverparkway.org/activities/river-tours.
Friday, August 16th through Sunday, October 6th
The Good Company Players presents “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder. The timeless drama, set in the mythical village of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, is described by many as “the greatest American play ever written.” Our Town simply exhibits the complex and beautiful truths of being human. The show will be performed at Good Company Players’ Second Space Theatre, located at 928 E. Olive in the Tower District. Show times are Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8:00 p.m., & Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. Prices are $25 general admission; $20 for students, seniors and active duty military. Groups of 16 or more are eligible for discounts. For information and group reservations, call Dave at (559) 266-9493. For general tickets, call 559-266-0660 to reserve or online at https://www.simpletix.com/e/the-complete-works-of-william-shakespeare-tickets-165974.
Tuesday, August 27th through Thursday, December 12th
The San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust invites you to enroll your little ones in the Fall Young Explorers Enrichment Program, which focuses on learning through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences using nature as the classroom. New this fall, the program is now available for children ages 3.5 to 9.
Tiny Turtles - 3.5 to currently enrolled in K: The Tiny Turtles class is their original Young Explorers Enrichment Program, an extension of TK-K learning to support your child's regular traditional learning through nature-based experiences.
Little Lizards - 5.5 through 9 years: Daily activities dive deeper into the NGSS and Common Core standards introduced in traditional learning through hands-on experiments, observations, and experiences in the natural world.
Fall 2024 programs will take place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Each session lasts 15 weeks. You may enroll your child in only Tuesdays, only Thursdays, or both Tuesdays and Thursdays. The program begins August 27 and runs through December 12. Spaces are limited, so register now and let your child embark on an adventure this fall! To register and for more information, go to https://riverparkway.org/activities/yeep/.
Thursday, September 5th through Thursday, December 5th
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo and San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust invite you to their Living River Speaker Series, an opportunity to expand your knowledge about the San Joaquin River. In partnership with the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, this season the program will celebrate Coexist With Wildlife California. Through four panel discussions, you’ll learn about local and statewide land, water and wildlife conservation efforts, and several ambitious plans supporting these natural resources along the San Joaquin River. Grab dinner from the food truck on-site, sip a beverage (included with ticket) at cocktail hour, and enjoy the presentation held in the River Center Barn.
Thursday, September 5th: Coexist with Wildlife: Join panelists from the wildlife conservation and education efforts throughout the region for a conversation on local conservation efforts, organizational roles in wildlife protection, and the statewide Coexist with Wildlife Campaign. Confirmed panelists include Rory Telemeco: Director of Conservation Science, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Amy Avery: Director of Community Partnerships, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, and Mandy Breuer: Founding Principal, Golden Charter Academy. The Moderator is Bricken Sparacino, Director of Learning, Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Thursday, October 3rd: Coexist with Water: Join panelists from throughout the water resource management profession for a discussion on current water use, the state of California's water supply, and trends in water resiliency. Confirmed panelists include: Laura Ramos: Interim Director of Research Education, California Water Institute, Bart Bohn: Retired, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Caltrans District 6 Director, and Kassy Chauhan: Executive Officer, North Kings Groundwater Sustainability. The Moderator will be Tom Holyoke, Professor of Political Science, CSU Fresno.
Thursday, November 7th: Coexist with Land: Join panelists representing a variety of land-management backgrounds for a conversation about land use, conservation, biodiversity, and the growth and development of cities in the Central Valley. Confirmed panelists include: Sharon Weaver: Executive Director, San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, Roman Rain Tree: Chief Impact Officer, Seeds of Sovereignty, and Rebecca Burgess: Executive Director of Fibershed. The Moderator will be Bart Bohn: Retired, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Caltrans District 6 Director.
Thursday, December 5th: Coexist for the Future: Join presentations from local organizations working for a future that includes our wildlife and wild spaces to learn about the long-term goals of local conservation efforts in the region. Confirmed panelists include: Jon Forrest Dohlin: Chief Executive Officer, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, and Ashley Swearengin: President and CEO, Central Valley Community Foundation. The Moderator will be Sharon Weaver: Executive Director, San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust.
The panels all run from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 (or Season Pass: $45). For the Onsite youth (ages 5+) program tickets are $10. For tickets and more information, go to https://riverparkway.org/activities/speaker-series/.
Thursday, September 19th through Sunday, November 10th
Good Company Players invites you to a performance of “The Secret Garden.” The enchanting, Tony Award-winning musical based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel is a compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal set to a truly magical score. 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/the-secret-garden/.
Thursday, September 19th through Sunday, September 22nd
The 35th Annual Fresno Reel Pride LGBTQ+ Film Festival will be held at the Tower Theatre and ViSTA Theater in Fresno's Historic Tower District. With more than 34 years of bringing LGBTQ+ films and entertainment to the Central Valley, they invite you to join them in creating a safe and inclusive space for all. Fresno Reel Pride was established in 1990 at Fresno State. It was co-founded by students Ken Fries and Peter Robertson of the GLBSA, which today is known as United Student Pride. The inaugural film festival screened 11 films from 5 countries, 2 times per day, throughout 6 days. It was presented in conjunction with National Coming Out Day. For more information and festival passes, go to https://www.reelpride.com/passes.
Thursday, October 24th through Sunday, October 27th
Grab your magnifying glass and join the Fresno County Historical Society for another Mystery at Kearney Mansion! This year's mystery is full of plot twists, red herrings and misdirection. You will have to hone all your skills if we are to solve this heinous act. This fall, the scene of the crime will be a wedding! A dream come true for one special couple who were looking forward to a chance to celebrate their love in a truly memorable way. Miles and Sky had requested the pleasure of your company for their wedding reception. Unfortunately the nuptial celebrations have gone horribly awry, and what was a wedding is now a wake. The groom has been murdered! Secure your tickets for a chance to test your detective instincts and solve the crime. Performances are Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 6 p.m., Friday, October 25, 2024 at 6 p.m., Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 6 p.m. Tickets for all performances are $150 and include a delectable five course grazing menu served throughout the Kearney Mansion and filled with savory and sweet delights. You will also be treated to a special welcoming concoction to sharpen all your senses which you will need as you interview suspects, find clues and work to solve a murder. Additional libations are available for purchase on-site. Ticket also includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. All proceeds benefit the Fresno County Historical Society. For tickets and more information, go to https://www.valleyhistory.org/mystery-dinner-at-kearney-manor.
Friday, October 25th through Sunday, November 3rd
The Westside Theatre in Newman California invites you to performances of Young Frankenstein The Musical. Performed by the West Side Players this version of Young Frankenstein is based on the Mary Shelly book and the Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks 1974 film. Performances are October 25 & 26 at 7:00 pm, October 27 at 3:00 pm, November 1 & 2 at 7:00 pm and November 3 at 3:00 pm. For tickets & more information go to https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/frankenstein/dates.
Ongoing
Starting Now:
"Covid 19, a Play," was written by Patricia Wells during the height of the pandemic in 2020 which swept through cities and states infecting communities and hitting farmworkers and workers in food processing industries especially hard; causing significant fatalities in the Central Valley and throughout the country. As the pandemic raged it was the labor of farmworkers and low-wage workers that kept the country alive, yet they were given no protections. This play was written so that their sacrifices will not be forgotten. The play is about a small farmworker family living in the outskirts of town, in which a member comes down with Covid catching the family completely off guard. Knowing nothing about the virus which invades and threatens their lives and facing an uncertain future, the family must depend on the leadership, vigilance and guidance of the mother and her son, as they scramble for information and help as to how to protect themselves from the deadly grip of the virus. To view the play, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wFTQq_nu9k.
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays:
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization invites you to participate in any of th following classes:
Ongoing Weekly classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays:
Mondays: 7pm - 8:15pm- Learn to meditate, starting July 10th
Tuesdays: 5:30pm - 6:30pm- Inner Peace & Happiness
Thursdays: 7pm - 8pm- Enhancing Your Experience of Peace, Love & Happiness
Monthly Classes:
Second Sat. of the month: 4pm - 5:30 pm- Meditation, then discussion
World Meditation: third Sunday of every month: 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Monthly classes: date & time varies: Exploring the Relationship of Body, Mind, & Soul
For registration or inquiries: Call 559- 435-2212, or e-mail bkFresnoclasses@gmail.com or rajayoga108@gmail.com. Some classes are in person & some on Zoom. All classes are free.
Every Tuesday
The Fresno Center for Nonviolence invites you to free meditation classes every Tuesday from 5-6 p.m. at the Center, 1584 N. Van Ness Ave. in Fresno. Learn techniques to experiencer peace within you and harmony in your relationships. This is guided meditation, with discussion led by Veena Kapoor and Kim Forbes, practicing Raja Yoga meditation. For more information, call (559) 435-2212.
Second Tuesday of each month:
Peace Fresno’s study group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at FCNV, 1584 N. Van Ness Ave.
Every Wednesday
There’s a free poetry group, meeting every Wednesday, 2-4 pm, at the Gillis Branch Library, 629 West Dakota Avenue, Fresno. The group is led by Bill Simmons, a recent transplant from Iowa. Bill has been writing poetry for years, and has had several pieces published. Whether you have been writing for years, or just getting started, this group is for you!
Fourth Thursday of each month:
Peace Fresno has moved their business meetings to the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence (FCNV), 1584 N. Van Ness Ave.
Second Wednesday of every month:
Sisters for Pelvic Health invites you to their monthly meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of every month The meetings take place at Creative Therapeutics, 2763 E Shaw Ave #102, Fresno. They are Sisters Encouraging One Another in Life For Pelvic Health. You can also join them from wherever you are, virtually on Zoom. So, please RSVP to attend in person or virtually. Then they can send you the Zoom link. Remember that all women are welcome, so please spread the word and invite others to join. They are on social media on facebook and instagram. So please share those posts as well. Space is limited - so please RSVP sisters4pelvichealth@gmail.com . Follow them on; instagram.com/sistersforpelvichealth/ or facebook.com/sistersforpelvichealth.
Second & Fourth Wednesdays starting June 23rd
The Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health in collaboration with The Source LGBT+ Center and the Fresno EOC LGBTQ Center will provide no-cost Pop-Up groups in Fresno County starting June 23, 2021. The Pop-Up groups are a way to provide affirming, supportive and safe space for local LGBTQ+ persons. Pop-Up groups seek to focus on protective factors so to reduce risk factors for suicide, substance use and
mental illness. The project plans to conduct population specific engagement, support, affirmation, and education for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults as well as for family members and care takers. These efforts have been utilized in ways to reduce the risk factors for suicide in the LGBTQ community. While funded through the County’s Mental Health Services Act-Suicide Prevention efforts, the program is not focused on suicide
prevention specifically, but on protective factors so to lessen the risks for suicidal ideation and suicides. Belonging is a protective factor, and in instances where youth may not feel that they belong, in their home, in their classrooms, etc., having support groups can fill that void and provide some belonging and start to reduce some of the risk factors. The Pop Ups will provide some critical protective factors by providing:
Connections to other adults who are not parents. Safe space, closeness to caring friends, awareness, and access to local health services, as well as support to parents so to strengthen connectedness with their child and learn how to better support their youth. To learn about the Pop-Up groups and/or participate interested persons can contact The Source LGBT+ Center’s Spencer Salazar at spencer@thesourcelgbt.org . The initial groups will be on-line from 4pm-6pm starting on June 23, 2021. Groups will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. The groups will be virtual initially with plans for in-person locations being developed.
Last Wednesday of each month:
Root & Rebound in conjunction with Central California Legal Services is offering a virtual Criminal Record Expungement Clinic every last Wednesday of the month from 3-5 p.m. (no clinics in November and December). If you have a criminal conviction in Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera, Merced, Mariposa, or Tuolumne County, you may receive free legal information from volunteer advocates on how to request expungement of your criminal record. Participants must complete the prescreen using the link below and an advocate will confirm your eligibility prior to the clinic. Knowledgeable and skilled advocates will:
Review convictions and expungement eligibility
Prepare court forms
Provide legal information with no attorney-client relationship
Meet with you privately in a Zoom breakout room
Clinic partners will assist you in filing all court forms
To complete the prescreening go to https://form.jotform.com/220457644834157. For more information contact the Pro Bono Program at 559-570-1274 or by e-mail to ProBono@CentralCalLegal.org.
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/.
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
You are invited and encouraged to join Jovita in her ongoing Demonstration/Vigil in support of Palestine Every Sunday, 9 – 1pm at Cedar Avenue and Barstow Avenue
Across from Fresno State football stadium. Each person can choose their time. Whatever time you can be there will be enough.
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.
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.
