KFCF Community Calendar

 

KFCF Community Calendar: Updated 3/15/24

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ 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, March 15th

Cineculture invites you to a screening of the film “Judged Bodies: The Fight for Reproductive Rights” (2023) with discussants Mariana Carbajal (Director) & Morena Herrera (featured in the film). ​​ Between 2000 and 2011, 128 women were prosecuted for abortion or aggravated homicide in El Salvador, a nation that has some of the strictest abortion laws. These laws have been criticized by human rights organizations. Mariana Carbajal, an Argentinian pioneering writer and journalist on gender issues, traveled to El Salvador to interview Evelyn and other victims of the fierce social condemnation and state violence against women. ​​ Many poor women have been sentenced to long prison terms after facing obstetric emergencies. Carbajal also profiles Morena Herrera and other activists who fight for women’s reproductive rights. In Spanish with English subtitles. 69 minutes. Go to​​ https://vimeo.com/861112001​​ to view the trailer. ​​ The screening is in the Peters Education 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/films/.​​ 

 

Saturday, March 16th

The WILPF Membership Lunch takes place from 1:30-3:30 pm at the Sarah McCardle Room in the Downtown Library at 2420 Mariposa St. Celebrate Women’s History Month and reconnect and be inspired! ​​ 

 

Saturday, March 16th

Join the next Free Palestine vigil at Blackstone and Nees, at 4 p.m.

 

Saturday, March 16th

The City of Chowchilla invites you to its annual Easter Egg Scramble! ​​ It takes place from 9 a.m. to noon (weather permitting) and includes a Pancake Breakfast served by local Veterans, many activity stations for the children, a visit with the Easter Bunny with a photo opportunity, bounce houses, Face Painting, and egg hunts for five different age groups that include a golden egg for ages 4-12. This year, they will continue to have the bunny trail for three and under, but they will also let them have an egg hunt. The schedule is as follows:

  • ​​ VFW/American Legion Breakfast 9 -11:30 am

  • ​​ Activities and Bounce House 9:00 – 12

  • ​​ Bunny Trail 3 yrs and younger (+ Special needs) 9:30 am - 11:30 am (open the ​​ entire event)

  • ​​ Egg Scramble 3 yrs and younger (parent assistance is allowed for this age group) 10:00 am

  • ​​ Egg Scramble 4-5 yrs 10:15 am

  • ​​ Egg Scramble 6-7 yrs 10:30 am

  • ​​ Egg Scramble 8-9 yrs 10:45 am

  • ​​ Egg Scramble 10-12 yrs 11:00 am

The egg scramble may run over time a bit. The event is over at Noon!

 

Saturday, March 16th

CMAC (Community Media Access Collaborative) invites you to a workshop on “Create with CMAC.” ​​ This 3-session workshop is from 6-8 p.m. at CMAC, 1555 Van Ness Ave., Rm. 201 in downtown Fresno​​ Are you new to the world of content creation? This course is designed to teach you the basics of recording video. You will walk away with a strong foundation in composition, camera, audio, and lighting techniques that you can apply to all video formats. This course consists of (3) 2-hour long sessions:

Session #1: Visual Storytelling - Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Session #2: Camera Basics (Canon R7) - Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Session #3: Audio/Lighting Techniques - Wednesday, March 27, 2024

The 3-session workshop is free to CMAC members or $30 for non-members. ​​ For more information go to​​ http://cmac.tv.​​ 

 

Saturday, March 16th

The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to Serenato en la Teatro, a serenade of music in the theatre. ​​ For tickets or more information, go to​​ https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/seranto/dates/Mar-16-2024_at_0800PM.​​ 

 

Saturday, March 16th

You’re invited​​ to K-Jewel 99.3’s​​ ​​ One Putt Family BBQ happening this Saturday from 12pm-2pm at Hedrick’s Chevrolet! Located at the corner of Shaw and Highway 168. Swing by and enjoy a free BOSS DOG from J&R Meat Company in Porterville, meet the DJ’s, plus free giveaways and your chances to win tickets to the Madera Speedway and the Laton Lions Club Rodeo. See you there!

 

Sunday, March 17th​​ 

The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization invites you to the next​​ World Meditation Hour, on Zoom starting at​​ 5:30 pm. Sister Hema from the S.F group will be leading it.​​ She has many years of experience and leading meditation makes this a treat not to be missed. ​​​​ The Zoom ID is 964 8668 0865, and the password is 330168.​​ 

 

Thursday, March 21st

Fresno State’s Speaker’s Series presents “The Hungry Season, A Journey of War, Love and Survival,” with Author Lisa Hamilton. ​​ She will be conducting a​​ workshop from 11:30 to 1 p.m. in Library 2206, on How to Record Oral History.” ​​ Unlock the power of storytelling at this workshop with three seasoned experts: ​​ Lisa Hamilton, Author of The Hungry Season, Elizaeth Laval, President of the Fresno County Historical Society, and Samantha Canales, a novelist whose work draws extensively on oral history. ​​ This workshop is open to both pros and amateurs and will offer tools for conducting, recording and sharing interviews, as well as insights into the larger process of​​ preserving personal narratives. ​​ To RSVP go to bit.ly/thehungryseason. ​​ Then hear Author Lisa Hamilton talk about her book, “The Hungry Season, A Journey of War, Love and Survival,” from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Library Ellipse. ​​​​ Reported over 7 years, The Hungry Season is the intimate biography of Fresno farmer Moua. ​​ Born in Laos, Moua fled home in the wake of the American-sponsored war and spent 15 years in a refugee camp in Thailand before emigrating to the U.S. ​​ The book chronicles how Moua navigated the devastating loss of everything she loved, and at the same time reinvented herself into someone more powerful than she ever imagined she could be. ​​ This event will be interpreted live in Hmong. ​​ 

 

Thursday, March 21st

Fresno City College will celebrate the opening of a new center designed to engage the campus and greater community in cultivating and promoting social justice and equity on campus, locally, nationally, and globally.​​ The new Social Justice Center is located in the Old Administration Building, Room 139 in the West Wing of the OAB. A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 21 at 11 a.m. in the OAB West Courtyard in front of the new center. The opening will include guest speakers, light refreshments, and a tour of the Center. ​​​​ Some of the activities in the Social Justice Center will include panel discussions, guest speakers, and workshops. It will also function as a hub for connecting FCC students, staff, and faculty with social justice organizations on campus and locally. The events will address a wide range of social justice issues, including but not limited to, issues and communities such as racism, equity, LGBTQ, gender, homelessness, mental health, and health and environmental justice. ​​​​ The Social Justice Center will engage in four main areas:

  • as a research and resource center, including books, information from local and national organizations, a computer database of social justice and cultural organizations, and related research materials;

  • as a center for workshops, in-services, and training for faculty, staff, students, and administration;

  • as a student-prioritized space for social justice and culture-related student clubs, groups, and individuals to meet, work, and network;

  • as a location for programs and events on a range of social justice and culture-related issues by national, local, campus, and student speakers.

The Social Justice Center will be open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm during the fall and spring semesters. Faculty, classified professionals, and student volunteers will staff the center. The Social Justice Center will be open to students, the entire campus community, and the public.

 

Friday, March 22nd​​ 

Cineculture invites you to a screening of the film “Long Distance Swimmer – Sara Mardini” (2023) with discussant Charly Wai Feldman (Director). ​​ At 20, Sara was already famous. She fled Syria in 2015 with her younger sister Yusra. When their boat broke down as they were crossing the sea to Greece, Sara and Yusra and two others jumped into the waves and swam for three and a half hours in open water to stop their dinghy from capsizing, saving the lives of everyone on board. Their journey made headlines around the world, and is dramatized in a Netflix film called The Swimmers.​​ Our story begins when the fictionalized drama ends. Sara has spent three years rescuing refugees on the same journey that made her famous, but she was suddenly arrested on August 2018. ​​ Sara was accused by Greek authorities of running a criminal enterprise and charged with “international espionage and people smuggling”. If convicted, she faces up to 25 years in prison and the end of her humanitarian career. Banned from Lesbos and waiting for news of the trial, she lives a surreal existence in Berlin. Studying at a liberal arts college by day, and escaping to techno clubs at night, she tries to reconnect with her family, while Yusra trains for the Tokyo, Olympics, a dream the two sisters once shared. In Arabic, Greek, English and German with English subtitles, 89 minutes. ​​ Go to​​ https://vimeo.com/804605082​​ to view the trailer. ​​ The screening is in the Peters Education 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/films/.​​ 

 

Friday, March 22nd​​ 

The Fresno County Historical Society will host their annual Gala at 7 p.m. at the famous FCHS Downtown Club. This year we will celebrate the 1950s with a Tiki-themed party that will bring back the island fever that swept through the Golden Age of prosperity and progress. ​​ This special event will feature:

  • A Tropical Grazing Feast​​ 

  • Classic Tiki Cocktails

  • Heads & Tails Game with Fabulous Prizes

  • Silent Auction with a Host of Collectible Tiki Art and Specialty Items

  • Custom Tiki Mugs by Tiki Farm for Sale

Plan to wear your favorite Polynesian inspired dress or Hawaiian shirt and dance the night away to The Hula Girls band live on stage.  ​​​​ Tickets will be on sale to the public starting on January 15, 2024 until we are sold out. ​​ FCHS Members will receive early access to tickets so watch your email for a link to buy now. ​​ For event information and updates visit valleyhistory.org/fchs-gala.​​ 

 

Friday, March 22nd​​ and Saturday, March 23rd

Fresno Pacific University bids everyone join​​ them​​ for “The Madrigal Dinner: A Renaissance Feaste,” at 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23.​​ Tickets are $40-$50. ​​ Reserved seating for the dinner theater is required by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12. Sign up at fpu.edu/madrigal. ​​ A three-course meal will be presided over by King Henry the 942nd while His Majesty’s Jester, the Royal Singers and Musicians, and Royal Juggler entertain and amuse the court. Please don’t miss this evening of non-stop mirth and music, a combined effort of the university music, art and theater programs. ​​​​ Doors open for seating at 6:30 p.m. each evening in the Lyles Theater of Warkentine Culture and Arts Center, 4838 E. Butler Ave., Fresno, part of the main FPU campus. The production is written by Kevin Kelleher. The local crew is musical director, Jeffrey Wilson, D.M.A., director of choral activities at FPU; tony sanders, technical director; and Elizabeth Fiester, stage director.

 

Friday, March 22nd​​ through Sunday, March 24th

The 4th 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! ​​ It takes place Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 748 Rodeo Dr, Clovis. ​​ For more information go to​​ https://www.fgms.rocks.​​ 

 

Saturday, March 23rd

EggFest 2024 takes place at the Fresno Discovery Center from 10 am-2 pm. ​​ The cost is $1 for nonmembers, and free for members, veterans/active duty, & ages 2yrs & under. ​​ This is Fresno Discovery Center's annual family egg hunt event! Join them on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024, for just $1 to enjoy egg hunts, play games, and connect with local businesses. With the Valley’s best food trucks and activities for the kids around every corner, EggFest is one event you won’t want to miss!

 

Saturday, March 23rd

The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to Summer Night City the Abba tribute. ​​ Summer Night City (formerly Supertrouper) reigns supreme as a seven piece production show performing all the greatest hits of one of the world's most beloved pop Super-Groups of the 70's: ABBA! From the smash pop stage musical Mamma Mia to all the international pop chart favorites, you will experience the fabulous costumes and hits authentically performed.  ​​​​ For tickets or more information, go to​​ https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/abba/dates/Mar-23-2024_at_0800PM.​​ 

 

Saturday, March 23rd

The Iranian Culture & Art Club of Fresno invites you to its Nowruz program, ​​ at 6 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2672 E. Alluvial Ave. in Fresno. ​​ It will feature dance and music by Miriam Peretz & Nava Dance Collective, Amir Etemadzadeh (Percussion),​​ 

Andisheh Jahanbin ​​ (Vocals), and Aydin Shaterian (Azeri Tar). ​​ Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at​​ https://nouruz.bpt.me/.  ​​​​ For more information go to​​ www.iraniancultureandartclub.org, or call 559-709-3851.​​ 

 

Saturday, March 23rd

CMAC (Community Media Access Collaborative) invites you to a workshop on “Introduction to Adobe Premiere Pro.” ​​ The workshop is from 1-4 p.m. at CMAC, 1555 Van Ness Ave., Rm. 201 in downtown Fresno. ​​ Learn the basics of video editing using Adobe’s leading video editing software, Premiere Pro CC. They will teach you how to start your project, use various tools, and export your final videos. You may learn with your own footage or provided practice footage. The workshop is free to CMAC members or $10 for non-members. ​​ For more information go to​​ http://cmac.tv.​​ 

 

Saturday, March 23rd

You are invited​​ to attend what will be a memorable event as California author Lisa M. Hamilton is joined by Hmong scholar Seng Alex Vang for a conversation about Hamilton's new book, The Hungry Season: A Journey of War, Love, and Survival. ​​​​ Reported over seven years, The Hungry Season is the intimate biography of Fresno​​ farmer Ia Moua. Born in Laos, Moua fled home in the wake of the American sponsored war, then spent fifteen years in a refugee camp in Thailand before immigrating to the United States. Acclaimed as one of the best nonfiction books of 2023 (Kirkus Reviews), The Hungry Season chronicles how Moua navigated the devastating loss of everything she loved, and at the same time reinvented herself into someone more powerful than she ever imagined she could be. This is your chance to connect with the author on a personal level and gain unique insights into the book’s complex creative process. ​​​​ The talk takes place at 3 p.m. at the​​ Gracey Room, Merced County Main Library,​​ 2100 "O" Street, Merced, California​​. ​​ This event will be interpreted live in Hmong. Free headsets available. ​​​​ Admission is free. ​​ 

 

Monday, March 25th​​ through Thursday, March 28th

The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust invites you to register your 1st​​ through 6th​​ grade children for their Spring Break River Camp. ​​ Celebrate the spring with an adventure along the San Joaquin River! River Camp Spring Break is a four day program filled with classic camp games, exploring the local ecosystem, and environmental education activities. It's a place for you to be yourself, make new friends, try new things, and reconnect with the natural world. A River Camp t-shirt is included in the registration fee. ​​ There is no swimming at the River Camp Spring Break session. Program dates will take place at the River Center (11605 Old Friant Rd) and Owl Hollow (11631 Old Friant Rd); a detailed schedule will be sent upon registration. ​​​​ The program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and the cost for the four day program is $265 (including a $40 non-refundable deposit). ​​ To register, go to​​ https://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessiondetail.aspx?idCamp=414&campCode=rpc&idSession=449820.​​ 

 

Saturday, March 30th

CMAC (Community Media Access Collaborative) invites you to a workshop on “Introduction to Animation.” ​​ The workshop is from 1-4 p.m. at CMAC, 1555 Van Ness Ave., Rm. 201 in downtown Fresno. ​​ Learn the basics of Animation, and create your own stop motion video using only your phone. We will teach the elements of animation, what tools you need to create a stop-motion animation, as well as how a CMAC membership can be used to create a stop-motion movie. Having a phone or iPad is not required but is highly recommended. ​​​​ The workshop is free to CMAC members or $10 for non-members. ​​ For more information go to​​ http://cmac.tv.​​ 

 

Wednesday, April 3rd

Braebach,​​ Scotland’s folk band of the year, will be performing for the first time in​​ Fresno​​ at the​​ University Presbyterian Church,​​ 1776 E Roberts, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. ​​ Take a listen​​ at​​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0EI_Viai1c,​​ then buy your tickets online​​ at​​ fresnofolklore.net. ​​ Tickets are $25 on-line or for FFS members, and $15 for students.

 

Thursday, April 4th

Fresno Pacific University invites you to the Art Hop Reception for it’s March-April exhibition, “David Hembree: ​​ White Noise.” ​​ The exhibition is in the Ewert Art Gallery in Warkentine Culture and Arts Center (CAC). FPU art graduate, former studio art​​ instructor and current member of the Fresno State Advancement Office, David Hembree creates works of various media and scale that dig into popular culture from the artist's childhood. The CAC is at 4838 E. Butler Ave., Fresno, on the main FPU campus. The Art Hop Reception is from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Admission is free.

 

Friday, April 5th

Cineculture invites you to a screening of the film “Promises of Our Grandmothers” with discussants Gingger Shankar (Director) and Erin Cook (producer). ​​ Promises of Our Grandmothers is a multimedia program performed by Gingger Shankar (vocals, double violin), Daniel French (jarana, vocals, keys) with other musicians (to be announced). This unique performance includes a documentary film about the Giniw Collective, a diverse resistance group founded by Tara Houska and led by Indigenous women and two-spirit frontline warriors dedicated to protecting Mother Earth, defending the water, and living in balance as they fight Enbridge's Line 3, a pipeline that will carve trenches through 340-miles of Minnesota's unspoiled wetlands, poisoning water, Indigenous land, and threatening to destroy their very way of life. With more arrests than Standing Rock, youngsters to grandmas continually put their bodies on the line during a global pandemic to fight the multi-billion-dollar oil giant. With incredible tactical knowledge and skill, alongside their collective wisdom and knowledge of the land and the people, this small group of women and allies in the middle of the woods in northern Minnesota held off Enbridge for almost three years with very little media coverage and serious danger to themselves. ​​ In English, Ojibwe, and Lakota. ​​ The screening is in the Peters Education 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/films/.​​ 

 

Saturday, April 6th

Come out to Trans-E-Motion’s annual festival in celebration of people who are gender-diverse!​​ ​​ This year's event will be taking place April 6, 2024​​ from​​ 11am-3pm at Fresno City College's Old Administration Building. There will be arts and crafts vendors, resources, and speakers. It is free to attend and free to be a vendor, and sponsorship levels begin at only $50! ​​​​ This year's theme is "Building Gender-Affirming Care in the Central Valley" and we will be discussing how we plan to build a community that cares, starting with our Networks of Care program, which seeks to expand affirming healthcare access for gender-diverse people throughout the Central Valley. ​​​​ For more information, or to become a vendor or sponsor, e-mal​​ transemotion@gmail.com.​​ 

 

Friday, April 12th

Cineculture invites you to a screening of the film “Signs of War” (2023) with discussants Juri Rechinsky (Director) & Pierre Crom (Co-Director and photographer featured in the film). ​​ After years of work in the Dutch Parliament, photographer Pierre Crom decides that "it might be more interesting to follow the results of their political decisions rather than make propaganda for politicians." In February 2014, he traveled with a one-way plane ticket to Crimea in Ukraine, one day before its annexation by Russia. From that moment on, he found himself in the midst of a rapidly escalating conflict and decided to​​ stay. The start of the war in Sloviansk, the crash of flight MH17, tank battles in Debaltseve – he gained access to the most significant historical milestones of this war. As a photographer, Pierre had "luck." However, as a human being, he had to face violent events on a scale he could never have imagined before. In French, English, Russian and Ukrainian with English subtitles, 85 minutes. To view the trailer go to​​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwxaWZm2G3A. ​​ The screening is in the Peters Education 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/films/.​​ 

 

Saturday, April 13th

The annual family-friendly Earth Day celebration will be held on Saturday, April 13th at Fresno City College from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ​​ This year Earth Day Fresno is hosted by the Environmental Collaborative of Central California, Central Valley Young Environmental Advocates, and the Fresno City College Math, Science and Engineering Division. ​​ This free outdoor festival will feature educational exhibits, a bike clinic, children’s activities, local cuisine, handmade items for sale, and much more. Non-profit organizations, government agencies and local businesses will provide information, goods and services related to sustainable living and environmental stewardship. ​​ Attendance is expected to exceed 2,000. ​​​​ For more information, go to the website,​​ https://ecocencal.org/earth-day-fresno/, or e-mail​​ info@earthdayfresno.org.​​ 

 

Saturday, April 13th

Camp Fair ‘24 will be held on Saturday, April 13th from 12–4 p.m. at Campus Pointe at Fresno State. This event is completely free. It's a one-stop camp extravaganza! ​​​​ You won’t want to miss Camp Fair. This is your opportunity to talk one-on-one with sleep-away camps, day camps, local sports, and enrichment programs to plan the best summer for your child! It's the perfect opportunity to speak with camp reps, ask questions, see pictures or videos, and collect information to plan the best summer for your kids. ​​​​ Campus Pointe is at​​ at Fresno State,​​ at​​ 3090 Campus Pointe Drive, Fresno. ​​ For more information, call​​ 559-435-1409​​ or e-mail​​ ccparent@ccparent.com.​​ 

 

Saturday, April 13th​​ and Sunday, April 14th

The​​ 29th Annual Mariposa Gem and Mineral Show​​ takes place from​​ 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, at the​​ Mariposa County Fairgrounds,​​ 5007 Fairgrounds Road​​ in​​ Mariposa, CA.

 

Sunday, April 14th

Save the date for the​​ big peace march for Palestine! ​​ Many people will be needed to make this event successful. ​​​​ The next community wide meeting​​ to plan the event​​ will be Thursday, March 28 at 6:30 pm, location to be announced. ​​​​ For more information, go to​​ https://www.peacefresno.org.​​ 

 

Friday, April 19th

Save the Date! ​​ Downtown Fresno Partnership's State of Downtown is returning for 2024 on April 19! Join them as they celebrate a successful 2023 and look forward to the amazing things ahead for 2024 and beyond. ​​ The event is from 4-7 pm at the Warnor’s Theatre at 1400 Fulton St. in Downtown Fresno. ​​ More information to follow.

 

Saturday, April 20th​​ 

The San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust invite you to one of its “Parties ON the Parkway​​ program,​​ connecting​​ you​​ to the protected Parkway properties while supporting the River Parkway Trust. ​​ ​​​​ The “State of the Parkway” Tour starts at 9 a.m. and the cost is $50 per person. ​​ Spend the morning with Executive Director, Sharon Weaver as she shows you multiple properties on the San Joaquin River Parkway. Be the first to hear about new updates along the river. The tour bus will take guests to four different properties: River Center, FINS, Sumner Peck Ranch and Owl Hollow. ​​​​ Tickets go on sale starting March 15th. ​​ For more information, go to​​ https://riverparkway.org/activities/parties-on-the-parkway/.​​ 

 

Wednesday, April 24th

Join Central Valley Movement Building​​ for the 2024 CVMB Education Justice Forum, 9-3 p.m.​​ at​​ the Neilsen Conference Center,​​ 3110 W Nielsen Ave. This in-person event aims to bring together educators, activists, and community members to discuss and address the pressing issues surrounding education justice. ​​​​ Throughout the day,​​ there will be​​ thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and inspiring presentations.​​ The​​ diverse lineup of speakers will share their knowledge and experiences, shedding light on the importance of equitable education for all. ​​​​ At the 2024 CVMB Education Justice Forum, you will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about creating positive change in our education system. Whether you are a teacher, student, parent, or simply interested in the topic, this event welcomes everyone. ​​​​ Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of a movement that strives for equal access to quality education. Mark your calendars and join​​ them​​ on April 24, 2024 at 3110 W Nielsen Ave.​​ ​​ To register, go to​​ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-cvmb-education-justice-forum-tickets-828864484987?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl.​​ 

 

Saturday, April 27th

The Fresno Art Museum invites you to a presentation and lecture by Dr. Yang Sao Xiong, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Asian American Studies at Fresno State, on the America’s Secret War in Laos and it’s Destructive Consequences. ​​ It takes place in the Bonner Auditorium at 2233 N. First St. (at Clinton), starting at 2 p.m. ​​ This event is free for Museum members or $10 for non-members. ​​ For more information, go to FresnoArtMuseum.org.

 

Saturday, April 27th

The 4th​​ annual Tower Porchfest takes place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Fresno’s historic Tower District. ​​ The front porch is a sacred space. It's where we welcome guests, enjoy the outdoors, and connect with our neighbors. But what if we could open our porches to​​ the entire community? That's the idea behind Porchfest, a one-day music festival that takes place in neighborhoods across the country. ​​ This year, over 60 porches will be featured, with 177 performances by 450+ artists. The event is free and open to the public, and there's no need for tickets or RSVPs. ​​ What makes Tower Porchfest so unique is its structure. Most porchfests are curated by organizers, who choose the musicians who will play on each porch. But at Tower Porchfest, the power is in the hands of the porch hosts. They can choose any musicians they want, and they can even set up their own mini-festivals. ​​ This freedom of expression has led to a vibrant and diverse lineup of performers. You'll find everything from rock and roll to jazz to classical music. There will also be yoga on the lawn, spoken word, drag shows, and more.  ​​​​ Here are some tips for making the most of your Tower Porchfest experience:

 ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Bring comfortable shoes. You'll be doing a lot of walking!

 ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Bring a water bottle. It's going to be a hot day.

 ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Bring a blanket or lawn chair. You'll want to relax and enjoy the music.

 ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Bring a positive attitude. This is a community event, so be sure to say hello to your neighbors and make some new friends. ​​ Go to​​ www.towerporchfest.org​​ for more information. ​​ 

 

Saturday, April 27th

The Westside Theatre in Newman, CA, invites you to​​ Carnaval! the Santana tribute. ​​ 

San Francisco bay area's top musicians have rebranded as CARNAVAL! These seasoned musicians have spent decades honing their crafts to bring you the legendary sounds of Santana. 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 show begins at 8 and tickets are available at​​ https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/carnaval2/dates/Apr-27-2024_at_0800PM.​​  ​​​​ 

 

Thursday, May 2nd

Fresno Pacific University invites you to the Art Hop Reception for it’s May exhibition, “Fresno Pacific University Student Show,” in the the Ewert Art Gallery in Warkentine Culture and Arts Center (CAC). ​​ The exhibit is of recent works by FPU students of graphic design, photography, ceramics, drawing and painting. The CAC is at 4838 E. Butler Ave., Fresno, on the main FPU campus. The Art Hop Reception is from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Admission is free.

 

Saturday, May 4th

Fresno Discovery Center invites you to 2024 Wanderstars, an adults only event. ​​ It takes place from 7-10 p.m. and the cost is $5 for non-members or free for members and veterans/active duty military. ​​ This is Discovery Center’s ONLY 21+ event! Meet the Central Valley Astronomers on Saturday, May 4, 2024, and peer through high-power telescopes to get a glimpse of what lies beyond our world. Featuring local artists, community figures, and food trucks galore, Wanderstars offers a unique opportunity to explore Fresno Discovery Center in an adults-only setting. ​​ 

 

Saturday, May 18th​​ 

St.Paul Armenian Church invites you to attend their 12th Annual Armenian Festival, taking place at the Church, located at​​ 3767 N. First St.​​ from 4-10 p.m. ​​ It is free admission and open to the public! There will be a silent auction, vendors, farmer's market, country store and church tours. Dine-in and take out food is available with indoor seating. Drive-thru and grab food for the whole family from 4pm to 6:30pm. ​​​​ Music by the Andrew Hagopian Ensemble (4pm to 8pm) and DJ Mher (8pm to 10pm). Kids activities will include bounce houses, balloon twisting, and face painting. ​​​​ Make a difference! Bring canned food items to be donated to the Fresno State Student​​ Cupboard (4pm to 7pm). ​​​​ Come experience the rich Armenian culture, cuisine, music, and be a part of the best festival in the central valley. See you there! For questions call the church office at 559-226-6343.

 

Friday, May 31st

The San Joaquin River & Parkway Trust invites you to one of its “Parties On the Parkway,” to​​ connect YOU to the protected Parkway properties while supporting the River Parkway Trust. ​​​​ The May 31st​​ event is the Blueberry Party,​​ starting at 6 p.m. and​​ taking place at Sumner Peck Ranch, starting at 6 p.m. ​​ Dress in your best shade of blue and join​​ them​​ for a walking progressive event to celebrate the start of blueberry season. With three different blueberry-inspired stations, you will WALK from the blueberry patch to the manufactured home. The evening will start with cocktails and charcuterie, then move to small bites from several caterers. The evening will end with a BERRY delicious dessert. ​​ Tickets are $80 per person and ticket sales open on March 15th.​​ ​​ For tickets and more information, go to​​ https://riverparkway.org/activities/parties-on-the-parkway/.​​ 

 

Saturday, June 8th ​​​​ 

The Fresno Art Museum is holding a Pirate Ball and Casino Night Fundraiser, starting at 6 p.m. at the Museum (2233 North First Street, Fresno). ​​ Tickets are $100 per person, and include:

  • Once aboard, passengers will receive their funny money to trade for chips

  • Captain Drake’s no-host bar will pour your drinks.

  • Their ship's photographer will capture a picture of you in all your pirate finery.

  • Hors d ‘oeuvres from the pirate's galley will be served.

  • Peter Netzley will give lessons on how to dance the minuet.

  • In the Game Room, dealers at the blackjack, poker, craps and roulette tables will be ready to take your bets.

  • Trade your funny money for chips to play and win.​​ 

  • Visit Davey Jones' locker to trade your chips for prize tickets, and peruse the Treasure Trove of Prizes where you’ll place your prize tickets in the raffle box of the prize that you seek. (Good luck, mates! Winners must be present to win.)

  • And in between your pirating, enjoy a moment of solitude in our charming Museum Store, beautiful art auction, and captivating art exhibitions.

Truly a Night to Remember!  ​​​​ For tickets and information, go to​​ https://fammuseumstore.shopsettings.com/FAM-Pirate-Ball-&-Casino-Night-Saturday-February-17-2024-c161751756.​​ 

 

Saturday, June 22nd​​ 

Save the Date for the annual Organic Stone Fruit Jubilee at the Kingsburg Historical Park. ​​ More information coming soon!

 

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.

 

MULTIPLE DAY EVENTS:

 

Every Saturday (until the killing in Palestine ends)

There will be a protest at Riverpark (Blackstone & Nees) at 3 p.m.​​ 

 

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.

 

Saturday, January 13th​​ through Sunday, March 24th

The San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust is thrilled to invite you to the upcoming U-pick season at Sumner Peck Ranch! Lace-up your boots and grab your baskets, it’s time to go fruit picking! ​​ Enjoy picking navel oranges, blood oranges, pomelos, Minneola tangelos, mandarins, and lemons all at $1.50 per pound. During the scheduled seasons, U-pick hours are Saturday - Sunday from 9 am - 5 pm. ​​ No advance registration is required for U-pick days. ​​ You can park at the end of the entrance drive near the river. You can purchase your citrus in the white office building near the river. Please no bills larger than $20, cash and credit are accepted. Apple/tap pay is available. ​​ Please wear long pants and comfortable closed-toed shoes. Be prepared for a small hike to the groves (.25 mi). If you are unable to complete this hike please check in at the white office building for further instruction. ​​ They encourage​​ everyone to bring a bag, basket, or bucket for picking fruit. ​​ Maps of the property will be available in the white office building upon arrival. ​​ 

 

Friday, February 2nd​​ through Friday, May 17th​​ 

The San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust invites you to register your kindergarten or pre-K child for the Young Explorers Enrichment Program, an extension of their pre-K and K summer camp program, designed to supplement your child’s regular pre-school or classroom learning through nature-based experiences.​​ 

Their focus is on learning through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences using nature as the classroom; children are outside for the duration of each program day, and the environment is our teacher. ​​ The journey of each individual is unique, and activities and curriculum are based on the interests and curiosities of participants. The program is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach and aligned with California's preschool curriculum framework.  ​​​​ Most program dates will take place at the River Center (11605 Old Friant Rd, Fresno). The River Center features a restored ranch house with educational exhibits, a ¾-mile habitat-themed nature trail, an event barn, a small vineyard and orchard, and plenty of open/green space to explore and play in. ​​ Some field trip days to other Parkway properties nearby may be included in the session; participants will receive full information on the session schedule prior to the start date.​​ 

Children must be 3.5 years old through currently enrolled in Kindergarten as of the session start date (must be toilet trained). ​​ The time is from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, and the dates are Fridays: 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17. ​​ The Cost is $812.50 for the 15-week session ($100 non-refundable deposit, $712.50 session fees)For more information or to register, go to​​ https://riverparkway.org/activities/preschool-programs/.​​ 

 

Friday, February 9th​​ through Sunday, March 10th​​ 

Yosemite Gateway Art Center in Oakhurst invites you to view the upcoming art exhibit, “Palettes & Pathways: 9 Artists’ Perspectives.” at Gallery 5. Location is 40982 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst, CA, 93644. Hours are 11-5 daily, closed Tuesdays. The artist reception is at Gallery 5 on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 3 – 5 pm. ​​ This showcase features the works of nine talented artists-- Shannon Grissom, Mary Beth Harrison, Carolyn Hartling, Barbara Liss, Gina Mims, Sandra Lee Scott, Teresa J Sharp, Lura Schwarz Smith, and Lisa Zylstra- who have been meeting for the past 5 years, offering support for their painting techniques and each other. ​​ This exhibit serves as a culmination of their shared experiences and individual artistic explorations. ​​ For complete information, go to ygac.com.  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ 

 

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. ​​ 

 

Friday, March 1st​​ through Sunday, April 14th ​​ ​​ ​​​​ 

The Good Company Players presents “Moon Over Buffalo.” ​​ Charlotte and George Hay are on tour in Buffalo in 1953 with a repertory consisting of Cyrano de Bergerac (the "revised, one nostril version") and Noel Coward's Private Lives, when they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee. 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://tickets.gcplayers.com/purchase/events/categories/2nd-space-theatre/amadeus/.​​ 

 

March, 2024 (all month):

During the month of March (Women’s History Month) Yosemite Sierra Artists will be hosting the Fourth Annual all-women show. The first of its kind in the Mountain Area, Visions of Self portrays both the internal and external landscapes of women’s lives. Some of the images are literal self-portraits; some are imaginative representations of emotion, environment, and aspects of women’s daily lives. ​​​​ Prominent themes in this year’s show include identity, joy, hope, and nature. Resilience and thriving are also emerging. In the words of VOS artist Karmen Naccarato, “The darkness becomes a canvas for discovery, where we learn to transform pain into strength and dormant seeds into resilient blooms.“ This year​​ they​​ have 140 pieces by 98 artists from 6 countries! ​​​​ Visions of Self is a virtual show which opened March 1st 2024 at MettaGallery.com. An in-person show with works from 32 local women artists who have been accepted into the Visions of Self show also opened on March 1st. The exhibit is at Oakhurst Spirits at 40300 Greenwood Way in Oakhurst.​​ ​​ For more information, contact Wendy Denton at​​ wendydenton@sti.net.​​ 

 

March, 2024:

Come to the Fresno Public Library​​ at 2420 Mariposa St. from March 1st​​ through 31st​​ to view Fresno’s first window into the enchanting Palestinian culture. ​​ Children are encouraged to visit! ​​ Pictures are encouraged as well (Post & tag @layladee00 and @Fresno Public Library!.

 

Thursday, March 7th​​ through​​ Friday, March 22nd​​ ​​ 

Fresno City College celebrates Women’s History Month with​​ a wide range of events for the month that feature self-defense workshops, poetry readings, presentations, and a panel discussion. ​​​​ 

  • ​​ MONDAY, MARCH 11: ​​ Young Women in Business, 11:00 – 12:00 pm at OAB 271. ​​ Panel discussion featuring young local women in business. These women will share their experiences and answer questions relating to owning a business.

  • ​​ THURSDAY, MARCH 14: Intersectionality: Identities All at Once, 2:00-3:00 pm at OAB 188. ​​ With FCC English instructor and author of Black Feminism and Traumatic Legacies in Contemporary African American Literature, Dr. Apryl Lewis. Join​​ them​​ for a talk and craft activity.

  • ​​ FRIDAY, MARCH 15: ​​ Pi Day Show, 12:00-1:00 pm, Main Fountain. ​​ The annual Pi Day Show is a woman-forward science show for the community. It is hosted by the Society of Women Engineers and Science and Engineering clubs. There will be some fun science demos, women in STEM-related trivia, and of course, lots of pie.

  • ​​ FRIDAY, MARCH 15: ​​ The Healing Powers of Meditation, 12:00-1:00 pm at OAB 190. ​​ Join​​ them​​ for gentle yoga and meditation. The healing powers of meditation with local yoga instructor and entrepreneur, Christine Rose.

  • ​​ TUESDAY, MARCH 19: ​​ Poetry Reading: Celebrating “Phenomenal Women”, 3:00-5:00 pm in OAB 188. ​​ Join​​ them​​ for a poetry reading. Light refreshments will be served.

  • ​​ FRIDAY, MARCH 22: ​​ Self-Defense workshop. 11:00-12:00 pm ​​ outside between the Social Sciences and Business Education buildings. ​​ Free self-defense workshop by Kellen Prandini. The topic of this self-defense workshop is the use of makeshift weapons.

 

Thursday, March 14th​​ through Sunday, May 12th​​ 

Good Company Players invites you to a performance of “Fiddler on the Roof.” ​​ The nine-time Tony-winning story of Tevye the Dairyman and his family's struggles is highly regarded as one of the best musicals of all time. Fiddler on the Roof is the perfect mix of humor, heart, and stunning music.​​ 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/fiddler-on-the-roof/.​​ 

 

Saturday, March 23rd​​ and Saturday, March 30th​​ 

Spectrum Art Gallery is offering a​​ workshop with​​ their alternative process guru Nicole Ellis.​​ ​​ Workshop Dates are 3/23 & 3/30​​ at​​ 11:30AM​​ at the​​ Spectrum Art Gallery, 608 E. Olive Ave. ​​ The subject is Cyanotype 101: A Camera-less Photography and Alternative​​ Process Printmaking Workshop. ​​ Day 1 covers Cyanotype basics. ​​ Experiment with Camera-Less printmaking and create and take home your own Botanical Study. ​​ On Day 2, Cyanotype print your own original imagery, with an introduction to print toning and to additional experimental printing methods. ​​ The cost is $50 for one workshop date and $80 for both. ​​ Supplies and snacks will be provided. ​​ The workshops are open to the public and are suited for artists of all mediums, ages and experience levels.  ​​​​ Space is limited. ​​ Contact Nicole Ellis at​​ theartofnicoleellis@gmail.com​​ to reserve your space.

 

Friday, April 12th​​ through Sunday, April 21st​​ 

The Westside Theatre in Newman, California, invites you to a performance of “The Play That Goes Wrong.” ​​ Presented by the West Side Players, this comedic romp was awarded the best new comedy in 2014. If anything can go wrong in a play it does with this comedy. ​​​​ There will be six performances (Fridays and Saturdays from 7-9:30 and Sundays from 3-5:30). ​​ Reserved tickets are $25 for adults and $12.50 for students. ​​ General admission tickets are $20 for adults or $10 for students, and they can be purchased at​​ https://westsidetheatre.ticketleap.com/theplay/dates.​​ 

 

Monday, June 10th​​ through Friday, August 9th

Registration for the Fresno Art Museum’s​​ Summer 2024 Art Academy​​ is now open. ​​ Students will explore the Elements of Art and how they apply to the Principles of Design through a variety of media in ALL of​​ their​​ workshops.

WEEK 1 (June 10 to 14)

  • Stop­Motion Animation (AM)

Learn all about animation. Work as part of a team or on your own to create stories and animated short films using drawing, painting, and 3­D objects, and stop­motion animation techniques. ​​ 

  • ​​ Comic Book Design (PM)

Learn to bring your story ideas to life by improving your drawing and storytelling skills. ​​ Learn the secrets of comic book design and story creation with our FAM art instructors.  ​​​​ 

WEEK 2 (June 17 to 21)

  • Drawing & Painting What You See! (AM)

Students will study basic drawing & painting techniques and apply them to drawing in the galleries and painting in the classroom, honing their observational drawing skills, using pencil, ink, charcoal, pastels, and oil pastels. ​​ 

  • ​​ Print It! (PM)

Inspired by two of our exhibitions, students will learn the art of design and use a variety of printmaking techniques, from simple stamping, block printing, silk screen, monoprints, collagraph printing (from collage), to printing on a press. ​​ 

WEEK 3 (June 24 to 28)

  • ​​ Super Mud!​​ 

In cooperation with ClayMix, students will learn how to successfully create and manipulate handbuilt clay vessels and sculptures and the art of glazing their ceramic pieces.

  • ​​ Make Your Own Artist Trading Cards

Be inspired by the Bowman Bubble Gum Trading Cards! Paint, collage, draw, and incorporate images from photos. Be creative and take your time. Design your own,​​ andmake them so good that people will want to trade with you. ​​ Or make them so good that you won’t want to trade!

WEEK 4 (July 29 to August 2)

  • ​​ Let’s Face It! (AM)

Learn the secret to creating realistic and abstract portraits. ​​ Discover how to map a face by understanding the basic shapes and proportions, and then learn how to abstract them, too!

  • ​​ Fun with Mixed Media (AM)

Delve into a variety of media in two and three dimensions from assemblage to collage with a combination of fiber, paper, paint, discarded elements, and found and natural materials. Students will draw inspiration from a variety of famous artists.  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ 

WEEK 5 (August 5 to 9)

  • ​​ Black & White (AM)

Students will study a variety of drawing techniques and learn composition, shading, perspective, and more using pencil, ink, and charcoal.

  • ​​ Painting & Drawing with Color (PM)

Students will get to experience color mixing and blending using acrylic paint, watercolor, and oil pastels to create still life, figurative work, and landscapes, focusing on observation skills.

The​​ workshops are taught by working professional artists who bring their special talents and knowledge to every session they teach. All of​​ the​​ teaching artists have had training and experience in working with children, and all strive to transfer their own love of the arts to each of their students in a lively, engaging, and exciting way.

​​ ​​ Children must be between the ages of 8 and 17 to participate in these workshops.

​​ ​​ All classes are taught in English only.

​​ ​​ FAM visual art classes are taught by FAM’s staff of teaching artists.

​​ ​​ AM WORKSHOPS, 9 AM TO 12:30 PM | PM WORKSHOPS, 1 PM TO 4:30 PM

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ FULL DAY STUDENTS, 9 AM to 4:30 PM | Must bring lunch

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Snacks provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon

​​ ​​ Sorry,​​ they​​ do not offer extended care.

The cost for the​​ One WEEK FULL DAY​​ program is​​ $415​​ for​​ Museum members​​ or​​ $445​​ for​​ Non-Museum members. ​​ The cost for​​ One WEEK /HALF DAY​​ is​​ $240​​ for​​ Museum members​​ or​​ $265​​ for​​ Non-Museum members. ​​ Most art materials are included in tuition. Students may be asked to bring some found items from home for some projects. ​​​​ For more information or to register, go to​​ https://portal.campnetwork.com/Register/Register.php?camp_id=398162.​​ 

 

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.

 

Starting May 12th​​ 2022:

The County of Fresno is encouraging families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit. ​​ Emergency Broadband Benefit enrollment begins May 12, 2021. For qualifying households, the benefit provides:

·  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Up to $50/month discount for broadband service;

·  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and

·  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider. ​​ Families can apply online at www.GetEmergencyBroadband.org. To learn more, families can visit​​ https://fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit​​ or call (833) 511-0311. ​​ 

 

Second Wednesday of every month:

Sisters for Pelvic Health invites you to their monthly meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of every month  ​​​​ The meetings take place at Creative Therapeutics, 2763 E Shaw Ave #102, Fresno. ​​ They are Sisters Encouraging One Another in Life For Pelvic Health. You can also join them from wherever you are, virtually on Zoom. ​​ So, please RSVP to attend in person or virtually. ​​ Then they can send you the Zoom link. Remember that all women are welcome, so please spread the word and invite others to join. They are on social media on facebook and instagram. So please share those posts as well. Space is limited - so please RSVP sisters4pelvichealth@gmail.com .  ​​​​ Follow them on; instagram.com/sistersforpelvichealth/ or facebook.com/sistersforpelvichealth.​​ 

 

Second & Fourth Wednesdays starting June 23rd

The Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health in collaboration with The Source LGBT+ Center and the Fresno EOC LGBTQ Center will provide no-cost Pop-Up groups in Fresno County starting June 23, 2021. ​​ The Pop-Up groups are a way to provide affirming, supportive and safe space for local LGBTQ+ persons. ​​ Pop-Up groups seek to focus on protective factors so to reduce risk factors for suicide, substance use and

mental illness. ​​ The project plans to conduct population specific engagement, support, affirmation, and education for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults as well as for family members and care takers. These efforts have been utilized in ways to reduce the risk factors for suicide in the LGBTQ community. While funded through the County’s Mental Health Services Act-Suicide Prevention efforts, the program is not focused on suicide

prevention specifically, but on protective factors so to lessen the risks for suicidal ideation and suicides. ​​ Belonging is a protective factor, and in instances where youth may not feel that they belong, in their home, in their classrooms, etc., having support groups can fill that void and provide some belonging and start to reduce some of the risk factors. The Pop Ups will provide some critical protective factors by providing:

Connections to other adults who are not parents. Safe space, closeness to caring friends, awareness, and access to local health services, as well as support to parents so to strengthen connectedness with their child and learn how to better support their youth.  ​​​​ To learn about the Pop-Up groups and/or participate interested persons can contact The Source LGBT+ Center’s Spencer Salazar at spencer@thesourcelgbt.org . The initial groups will be on-line from 4pm-6pm starting on June 23, 2021. Groups will​​ meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. The groups will be virtual initially with plans for in-person locations being developed.

 

Last Wednesday of each month:

Root & Rebound in conjunction with Central California Legal Services is offering a virtual Criminal Record Expungement Clinic every last Wednesday of the month from 3-5 p.m. (no clinics in November and December). ​​ If you have a criminal conviction in Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera, Merced, Mariposa, or Tuolumne County, you may receive free legal information from volunteer advocates on how to request expungement of your criminal record. ​​ Participants must complete the prescreen using the link below and an advocate will confirm your eligibility prior to the clinic. ​​ Knowledgeable and skilled advocates will:

  • Review convictions and expungement eligibility

  • Prepare court forms

  • Provide legal information with no attorney-client relationship

  • Meet with you privately in a Zoom breakout room

  • Clinic partners will assist you in filing all court forms

To complete the prescreening go to​​ https://form.jotform.com/220457644834157. ​​ For more information contact the Pro Bono Program at 559-570-1274 or by e-mail to​​ ProBono@CentralCalLegal.org.​​ 

 

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 

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:

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:

  •   - Immigration in times of Covid 19

  •   - Border Realities

  •   - Asylum

  •  - Church efforts to address immigration

  •  - MCC’s work in Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala/El Salvador

  •  - Church-based immigration legal services

  •  - Immigration advocacy

 

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.