KFCF Community Calendar: Updated 10/24/14
To post an event on our calendar e-mail the information to
[email protected], at least 2 weeks before the event.
DAILY CALENDAR
(Multiple Day and Ongoing Events are at end of posting)
public, and accessible to the handicapped.
Friday, October 24th
Cineculture presents “Grandma’s Tattoos” with discussant Suzanne Khardalian
(Director/Producer). Grandma’s Tattoos lifts the veil of thousands of forgotten women—
survivors of the Armenian Genocide—who were forced into prostitution and tattooed to
distinguish them from the locals. “As a child I thought these were devilish signs that
came from a dark world. They stirred fear in me. What were these tattoos? Who had
done them, and why? But the tattoos on grandma’s hands and face were a taboo. They
never spoke about it,” explains Khardalian. Grandma’s Tattoos is a journey into the
secrets of the family. Eventually, the secret behind Grandma Khanoum’s blue marks are
revealed. “Grandma was abducted and kept in slavery for many years somewhere in
Turkey. She was also forcibly marked—tattooed—as property, the same way you mark
cattle. The discovery of the story has shaken me. I share the shame, the guilt, and
anger that infected my grandma’s life. Grandma Khanoum’s fate was not an aberration.
On the contrary, tens of thousands of Armenian children and teenagers were raped and
abducted, kept in slavery,” she explains. The story of Grandma’s Tattoos is a personal
film about what happened to many Armenian women during the genocide. It is a ghost
story—with the ghosts of the tattooed women haunting us—and a mystery film, where
many taboos are broken. As no one wants to tell the real and whole story, and in order
to bring the pieces of the puzzle together, the director makes us move between different
times and space, from today’s Sweden to Khardalian’s childhood in Beirut. The
screening will be at 5:30 p.m. in the Peters Education Center Auditorium (West of SaveMart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). For more information and the
full fall line-up, go to cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Friday, October 24th
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker Andrew Fiala on the topic of Peace and
Forgiveness. The event takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 1208 L Street, Reedley,
in the Fellowship Hall at Reedley’s First Mennonite Church. For more information, call
Don Friesen at (559) 638-3091 or e-mail [email protected]. The event is free, open
to the
Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th
The "Stronger Together Disability Summit" takes place at Fresno Pacific University
Special Events Center, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno. This event is co-sponsored by
Joni and Friends and FPU. Keynote address will be by Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni and
Friends founder and CEO. Admission discounts are available through October 13th.
Regular admission is $55, or $40 each for groups of four or more, and $25 for students.
For more information, go to www.joniandfriends.org/church-relations/stronger-together,
call 559-227-5664, or e-mail [email protected].
Saturday, October 25th
As part of its fall film series, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno will screen the
film “Look Around, Follow Me” at 7 p.m. at 2672 E. Alluvial Avenue, between Chestnut
and Willow, Fresno. Admission is free and the venue is wheelchair accessible. This
locally produced documentary begins with a whimsical running tour of Fulton Mall,
followed by a detailed background of the artists and the historic buildings. It examines
the politics of the decision to destroy the mall and replace it with a street. Several
commentaries focus on the effect on the mall of Fresno’s downtown “revitalization”
planning policies and how the strong public sentiment for preserving the mall was
ignored . Told in a vibrant storytelling fashion, with actors and music, this is a new kind
of documentary designed to be engaging, fun and informative. Prepare to be
entertained! The filmmaker will be present and there will be light refreshments
available. For more information, go to uufresno.org, call 559=291-1590, or e-makil
[email protected].
Saturday, October 25th
The 17th Annual Coarsegold Tarantula Festival takes place at 10:30 with the final
tarantula race starting at 5 pm. The small town celebrates the emergence of the eightlegged creatures as they come out of their burrows in search of a mate before they
hunker down over the winter. In the foothills, tarantula sightings forecast both cooler
temperatures and the approaching rainy season, something central valley and foothill
communities welcome. While some people may shy away from them, the tarantulas are
harmless and an important part of the local ecosystem. One of the purposes of the
event is to educate people on the importance of tarantulas. The event features
numerous activities including the popular tarantula races, hairiest leg contests for both
men and women, as well as costume contests, baking contests and art activities for
kids. There are also various vendors and the chance for kids to learn about tarantulas
from experts, and even hold one. Go to www.coarsegoldhistoricvillage.com for more
information.
Saturday, October 25th
There will be an artist’s reception for Aileen Imperatrice and her Mini Retrospective,
being displayed at FPU Art Gallery, Sattler 104, between September 2nd and October
31st. The Artist Reception takes place from 4-7 p.m. and Fresno Pacific University is
located at 1717 S. Chestnut Ave. Fresno Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday from 12-4
pm. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/FPUArt.
Saturday October 25th
The Komen Central Valley Race for the Cure takes place at Fresno State!! Marilyn Bolin
has graciously agreed to be the Team Captain again this year! On line registration
began May 1, 2014. Marilyn can be reached at the Sisterhood of Survivors office on
Wednesday between the hours of 9 am to noon. Please give her a call at the office
(439.2183), if you have questions.
Saturday, October 25th
Garden of Innocence Fresno County, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing
dignified burials for abandoned children, cordially invites you to attend their upcoming
burial service. They will be honoring "Tomas, Manuel, Jean, Ellen, Lillian, Linton, and
Andrew. Please help them send these babies home with the love and dignity they
deserve. The burial takes place at 10:00 a.m. Garden of Innocence is located in the
beautiful Mountain View Cemetery at 1411 W Belmont Avenue, Fresno CA. For more
information visit www.gardenofinnoccence.org/ourgardens/goifresnoco.
Saturday, October 25th
There will be a Sanger Art Hop and Shop in the city of Sanger from 10am to 4pm. Call
905-3517 for information.
Tuesday, October 28th
Assemblymember Henry T. Perea, in partnership with the Fresno County
Department of Public Health, will moderate a discussion based
around the information we know about the Ebola Virus. Experts will
present the most up-to-date facts about this deadly disease, and
what we are doing federally, statewide and locally to keep you and
your families safe. They welcome the public to join this evening to gain an
understanding and be informed of the hot-button medical issue making headlines
each and every night. The Ebola Symposium is from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Fresno
High School Student Senate Chambers, 1839 N. Echo Ave. in Fresno. For more
information, call 559-445-5532.
Wednesday, October 29th
The Fresno City College Speakers Forum is hosting a presentation by author and UC
Berkeley Professor Dr. Seth Holmes on his new book, “Fresh Fruit-Broken Bodies,
Migrant Farmworkers in the United States.” Dr. Holmes is an anthropologist and MD.
In his book, “Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies,” he chronicles the everyday lives and suffering
of Mexican migrants, based on five years of research in the field (including berry-picking
and traveling with migrants back and forth from Oaxaca up the West Coast), Dr. Holmes
uncovers how market forces, anti-immigrant sentiment, and racism undermined health
and health care. He will talk about the book and the back-breaking work of bringing food
to our plates. He focuses his work on the Oaxacan community whose population in the
Central Valley is the largest in California according to the California Institute for Rural
Studies. The event takes place at 12 noon in the Old Administration Building
Auditorium. It is co-sponsored by T&D Willey Farms. There is free entry and free
parking, and the event includes a reception and book signing. For more information,
call (559) 489-2218 or go to www.fresnocitycollege.edu/speakersforum.
Wednesday, October 29th
The State Center Community College District Candidates Forum takes place at Fresno
City College, from 7 – 9 pm in the Old Administration Building (OAB), Skylight Room,
Room 251.
Friday, October 31st
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker Jerry Linscheid and Ted Loewen who will
offer an analysis of the ballot propositions. The event takes place from 6:30 to 8:30
p.m. at 1208 L Street, Reedley, in the Fellowship Hall at Reedley’s First Mennonite
Church. For more information, call Don Friesen at (559) 638-3091 or e-mail
[email protected]. The event is free, open to the public, and accessible to the
handicapped.
Friday, October 31st
Cineculture presents “Nosotros los Nobles” with discussant to be announced. When
successful construction mogul Herman Noble accidentally stumbles onto his children's
credit card statements, he discovers they are spending money beyond control. His
oldest son Javier, neglects the family business in exchange of his own ridiculous
business ideas. His daughter Barbara gets engaged to a 40 year-old gigolo just to spike
her father, Herman, and his youngest son Charlie was expelled from college after
having sex with the teacher. Herman realizes his children are spoiled beyond
redemption and decides to teach them a lesson, before it’s too late. Nosotros los Nobles
is a 2013 Mexican comedy film directed by Gary Alazraki, the most successful Mexican
film of all time. In Spanish with English subtitles. For a preview of the film, go to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvhIeGXM2OU, The screening will be at 5:30 p.m.
in the Peters Education Center Auditorium (West of Save-Mart Center in the Student
Recreation Center Building). For more information and the full fall line-up, go to
cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Friday, October 31st
There will be a free concert at the Fresno State Concert Hall at 8 p.m. This concert is a
collaborative effort between members of Brave New Works and the Fresno State New
Music Ensemble, under the leadership of senior composition student Joseph Bohigian.
Featured on this program will be works by Bohigian, Caleb Hugo, Joe Hisiaishi, Eric
Mandat, Daniel Adams, Joshua Marquez, and David Biedenbender, and Louis
Andriessen. Attendance is free (and costumes are welcome!).
Saturday, November 1st
Brave New Works will perform an adventurous program of leading American
composers. Included on the program are works by Forrest Piece, Steven Stucky, Sean
Shepherd, Suzanne Sorkin, and Kenneth Froelich. Brave New Works will perform this
program on November 1st, 8:00 pm, in the Fresno State Concert Hall. Tickets are $15
for general admission, $10 for staff and faculty, and FREE for students. Tickets are
available online at http://www.fresnostate.edu/music/concerts.
Saturday, November 1st
Teatro de la Tierra presents “Singing for the Living,” a fundraising concert featuring
Agustín Lira, Patricia Wells, Ravi Knypstra, Merlinda Espinosa, Generaciones Students
and the Zunzún Kids’ Ensemble, at 3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2672 E.
Alluvial Ave. in Fresno. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds will be used to keep the music
and theater classes open in the community. Please help them change the lives of our
youth. There will also be a silent auction and Pan de muerto & hot Mexican Beverages
for sale, If you can't come to the concert please purchase tickets & donate for lowincome families OR donate through their website, www.teatrodelatierra.net. For tickets
or more information, call (559) 485-8558, e-mail [email protected], or go
to www.teatrodelatierra.net. You can also get tickets through Brown Paper Tickets at
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/877751.
Saturday, November 1st
The Warnor’s Theater presents its second annual screening of the original silent film the
Phantom of the Opera. David Moreno, a professional pipe organist from Sacramento
will be providing the musical score for this Silent Film on our antique Robert Morton
theatre pipe organ. The organ is on a lift that allows it to rise up from the organ pit, and
was originally installed to accompany silent films in 1928 when the theatre first opened.
Today, we utilize the same instrument to show silent films for the Central Valley.
David is also bringing a special surprise with him: his friend Linda, a classically trained
opera singer, who will be providing operatic accompaniment for many of the scenes in
the film. So when the silent film actress mimics opera on screen, the crowd (you) will
actually hear opera. It's like no other show you’ve ever seen! Anyone in a Phantom of
the Opera Costume will get in for free, and all others are just $5! As with our other films,
concessions will be available at a much more affordable cost than modern movie
theatres. The doors will open at 6:00 pm followed by the film at 7:00 pm. Make sure to
come early to get a good seat and be able to see this original film in Warnors historic
theater. The theater is located at 1400 Fulton Street in downtown Fresno.
Saturday, November 1st
The Y's Menette’s Huge Yard Sale takes place from 8 am to 2 pm at 451 S. Armstrong
Ave., South of Kings Canyon Ave.in Fresno, sponsored by the YMCA ladies service
organization. Items for sale include women’s, men’s and children’s clothes, household
items, toys, beddings, shoes, purses, books, records, collectibles, tools, hardware,
Christmas decorations, and much much more.
Saturday, November 1st
There will be a live concert featuring the music of Hamed Nikpay with dance by
Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam, sponsored by the Iranian Culture and Art Club of Fresno
and taking place at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2672 E. Alluvial Ave.
Fresno. Come see the magic that has awed and moved audiences all over the world!
Hamed Nikpay's velveteen voice and beautiful compositions, and Shahrokh Moshkin
Ghalam's enchanting choreography and dance will create magic on the stage of
Unitarian Universalist. A Baby Sitter is available for $10.00 a child during the program.
For more information, go to www.iraniancultureandartclub.com or call (559) 709-3851.
Saturday, November 1st
The 4th annual Pomegranate Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Madera
Airport, 4020 Aviation Drive in Madera. There will be cooking demonstrations, kid’s
activities, live music, pomegranate gift items and inspired food, and a zoomobile. For
more information, call 673-3563.
Saturday, November 1st
he Purple Ones, A 10-Piece Tribute to Prince, celebrates the season with hit after hit
from A sides to B sides including classics such as Little Red Corvette, 1999, I Feel for
You, Controversy, Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, Lets Go Crazy, along with many lively
Prince staples, without forgetting the well-loved Prince/Sheila E tunes. The concert
takes place at Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St. in Fresno, starting at 9:30 p.m. Tickets re
$12 in advance or $15 at the door. For more information, call (559) 412-7400 and for
tickets, go to www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/504229.
Tuesday, November 4th
Author of the “Take Control” series of consumer technology books, Joe Kissell, is
coming to Fresno to speak at the next open meeting of the Fresno Mac-Apple Users
Group. There is no charge and refreshments are included. The 6:30pm meeting will be
at the U.C. Center, 550 East Shaw Ave, across from Fashion Fair.
Thursday, November 6th
In tandem with their 40th Anniversary Exhibit at the Fresno Art Museum, Gallery 25
members will exhibit their earlier work and current work for the month of November.
Gallery 25 members consist of a contemporary group of artists working in various
mediums including paintings, drawings, photography, digital imagery and mixed media.
In addition, this exhibit will feature new Gallery 25 member, El Choco Fresh whose
inspiration is influenced by studio art and graffiti. The dynamic visual impact for this
body of work is created by combining the process of self expression and using spray
paint, acrylics and recycled materials on wood panels. The exhibit runs from November
6 – 30, and begins with an Arthop on Thursday: November 6 from 5-8 p.m.. Gallery 25
is located at 660 Van Ness Avenue (at Mono in downtown Fresno). For more
information, call 559-264-4092 or go to gallery25.org.
Friday, November 7th
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker Jack Nolden, former TV news anchor. On
the topic of Thomas Picketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century. The event takes
place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 1208 L Street, Reedley, in the Fellowship Hall at
Reedley’s First Mennonite Church. For more information, call Don Friesen at (559) 6383091 or e-mail [email protected]. The event is free, open to the public, and
accessible to the handicapped.
Friday, November 7th
Fresno City College will honor all veterans at its annual Veterans Ceremony. This year,
the college will also give special recognition to the contributions and sacrifices of
Hmong veterans. The annual Veterans Ceremony will begin at 12:00 p.m. in front of the
Veterans Peace Memorial located in the Free Speech Area. All veterans and the public
are welcome. A reception will follow. The ceremony, a tradition at Fresno City College,
will include music performances by the FCC Concert Band, placing of a wreath and a
salute to all branches of the armed forces. Mr. Charlie Waters will be the keynote
speaker. This year’s Citizen Soldier Award will be presented to Mr. Brian Speece,
retiring Associate Vice Chancellor, Business and Operations with the State Center
Community College District. Mr. Speece, a U.S. Navy veteran, has worked at the
College and District for more than 29 years. For more information contact the FCC
Veterans Office at (559) 442-8224.
Friday, November 7th
Aileen Imperatrice will have a Solo Exhibition at The Brush & Easel Gallery November
7th-20th with an Opening Reception on Friday, November 7th, 4-6pm and the ArtHop
Reception on Thursday, November 20th, 5-8pm. The Brush & Easel Gallery is located
at 1476 W. Shaw Ave. Fresno. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10am 6pm and Saturday from 10am-4pm. For more information, go to
www.aileenimperatrice.com.
Saturday, November 8th
Arte Américas will present a jazz performance by the Richard Giddens Trio and special
guest Larry Koonse, at 7pm. The performance will give Central Valley jazz lovers the
opportunity to hear world-class metropolitan jazz amidst a casual gallery setting. The
ensemble is headed by Fresno native Richard Giddens, a Roosevelt School of the Arts
graduate who moved to NYC in 1998 and holds a BFA and MFA from the California
Institute of Arts. He currently tours internationally as professional jazz musician. He is
also the newest faculty member in the music school at CSU, Fresno. Special guest for
the evening is legendary Los Angeles guitarist Larry Koonse, who first met Giddens at
California Institute of the Arts, where he is a professor of jazz guitar. Local musicians
Brian Hamada and Tom Wilson will round out the ensemble. Doors to the venue will
open at 7pm, and the band will begin their first set at 7:30. Admission is $5 per person
and refreshments will be available for sale. This event is open to all ages, and jazz
students are encouraged to attend. Arte Americas is located at 1630 Van Ness in
downtown Fresno. For more information, go to www.arteamericas.org.
Saturday, November 8th
The 3rd Annual KYJO BBQ Cook-Off/Bring It Home Weekend is free and open to the
public. This year we will kick off with casino night at Club 500 on Thursday, November
6th. Come out and meet your favorite Bulldogs of old and play a round of cards and win
some prizes. If you can't make it to Club 500, then bring the entire family to the BBQCook on Saturday. Come join Fresno State Football Legends as they team up with local
and regional BBQ Pitmasters in KYJO's 3rd Annual BBQ Cook-Off! This year's event
will be November 8th, 2014 from 11:00am to 2:00pm at O'Neill Park (Cross streets are
Barstow Ave. and Woodrow Ave.) For more information go to www.kyjo.org.
Sunday, November 9th
“Bones In The Vineyard,” a fundraiser poetry reading at a great local cafe, needs you.
The event begins at 2 pm at Mia Cuppa Cafe at 610 E Olive Ave in Fresno. Your $10
suggested donation will send Fresno's first poet laureate to represent us at a national
writer's conference in March. There will be readings by James Tyner, Connie Hales,
Bryan Medina and others. This event is sponsored by the Chicano and Latino Writers
Association, Random Writers Workshop and The Gillis Library Poets. For more
information, contact Andrea De Zubiria at 559 824-1083.
Sunday, November 9th
"Let There Be Light" is the name of the program the Fresno Pacific University Concert
Choir will bring to St. Aloysius Catholic Church. The free public concert begins at 4:00
p.m. at the church, 125 E. Pleasant Ave., Tulare. Selections include "Let There Be
Light." by Craig Courtney; "Arise, Shine For thy Light Has Come," by Edwin Fissinger;
"O God, Author of Eternal Light," by Jean Pasquet; "Ubi Caritas," by Maurice Durufle;
"Gloria," by Dominick Argento; "True Light," by Keith Hampton; "In Dulci Jubilo,"
arranged by Matthew Culloton; "Nativity Carol," by John Rutter; "Kuimba!" by Victor C.
Johnson; and "Prayer," by Rene Clausen. Earlier in the weekend the choir will have
participated in the 2014 Biola University Choir festival with Clausen, D.M.A., professor
of music at Concordia College, Moorehead, MN. The Concert Choir is FPU's premier
vocal group. The approximately 40 men and women perform for high schools and
churches locally, go on tour and attend choral festivals. Music comes from all periods,
Classical to the 21st century, a cappella and accompanied. The primary focus is on
sacred texts such as hymns and spirituals. Milton Friesen, M.A., director of choral
activities at FPU, is the conductor. This event is free. For more information, call 559453-2267 or e-mail [email protected].
Wednesday, November 12th
The Fresno Center For Nonviolence Second Wednesday video will be “The Canary
Effect.” This film follows the terrifying and horrific abuses instilled upon the Indigenous
people of North America, and details the genocidal practices of the US government and
its continuing effects on present day Indian country. The film brings together the past
and present in a way never before captured so eloquently and boldly on film. It features
interviews with the leading scholars and experts on Indian issues including controversial
author Ward Churchill. This film is from multi-award winning directors Robin Davey and
Yellow Thunder Woman. It will be screened at 12 noon and at 7 p.m. (potluck at 6:30),
at the Center for Nonviolence,1584 N. Van Ness Ave (SE Corner McKinley and Van
Ness) The event is free, open to the public and wheelchair accessible. For more
information go to www.theCanaryEffect.com
Wednesday, November 12th
As part of the Valley Town Hall Lecture Series, Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s Ice
Cream, will be speaking at the William Saroyan Theatre at 10:30 a.m. on Social
Responsibility and an Innovative Business Philosophy. When Jerry Greenfield and Ben
Cohen opened their storefront in Burlington, Vermont more than 30 years ago, neither
could have predicted that their passion for ice cream would spark a revolution in social
and business strategy that would be copied by conglomerates and small businesses
alike. They just knew they liked ice cream and they liked local cows. All these years
later, as Ben & Jerry's serves its ice cream around the world, its co-founder is still
thinking about ways that successful business can help develop social responsibility into
a win win for the company and the community. Greenfield's mission and vision is to
grow a business in a socially responsible way. He will share his ideas about social spirit,
America's entrepreneurial landscape and ice cream with his signature fun and creative
flair. For more information and this and other speakers in this year’s series, go to
valleytownhall.com.
Thursday, November 13th
The annual autumn food bazaar at California’s oldest Armenian Church will pay tribute
to a landmark American Thanksgiving. The First Armenian Presbyterian Church of
Fresno will hold its 2014 Merchants’ Lunch and Country Store from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The gathering will celebrate the 225th Anniversary of the first National Day of
Thanksgiving in the United States of America. The harvest season gathering will take
place at the Church Campus, 430 South First Street at Historic Huntington Boulevard,
near Downtown Fresno. The event will feature lunch at $14 per person, with seasoned
lulu kebab, rice pilaf, cheese boureg, garden salad, pickled tourshee, fresh peda bread,
paklava, and beverage, among the offerings. Meals will be available to guests who
wish to dine-in, take-out, or drive through. Advance orders may be placed on or before
November 10 by calling (559) 237-6638, faxing (559) 237-9526, or e-mailing
[email protected]. The drive-through lane will be located on the Raisina Street
side of the Church Campus, one block west of First Street between Huntington
Boulevard and Balch Avenue. The Country Store will be open throughout the luncheon
hours for holiday shopping. The Store will offer such ethnic delicacies as choreg,
sourberag, paklava, yalanchi, bottled grape leaves, gutah, tourshee, rojik, and basdegh.
The abundant produce of the San Joaquin Valley and a host of homemade breads will
round out the comestibles in the Store pantry.
Friday, November 14th
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker Dani Lee on the topic of Diet, People &
Planet: Did you know that you make over 200 decisions a day about food? Learn how
the choices you make on a daily basis impact the planet, the lives of others and your
health.. The event takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 1208 L Street, Reedley, in the
Fellowship Hall at Reedley’s First Mennonite Church. For more information, call Don
Friesen at (559) 638-3091 or e-mail [email protected]. The event is free, open to
the public, and accessible to the handicapped.
Saturday, November 15th
As part of its fall film series, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno will screen
‘The Weight of Chains” at 7 p.m. at 2672 E. Alluvial Avenue, Fresno. This film
addresses what we weren’t told about the war in Bosnia and Serbia. It is a Canadian
documentary film that takes a critical look at the role the U.S. , NATO, and the EU
played in the tragic breakup of a once peaceful and prosperous European state –
Yugoslavia . The film, with rare stock footage never before seen by Western audiences,
is a creative first-hand look at why the West intervened in the Yugoslav conflict. Not
supported by any big production company and without corporate sponsors, the film was
produced thanks to the hundreds of mostly small donations by contributors who wanted
the given ideas to be incorporated into a movie. It is a movie that analyzes the
consequences of the colonial exploitation of the Yugoslav states by Western powers in
the economic, political and military sense. There will be a discussion post-film.
Admission is free and the venue is wheelchair accessible. Light refreshments will be
available. For information go to uufresno.org or contact Glenda Roberts by e-mail to
[email protected] or by phone to 559-291-1590.
Wednesday, November 19th
There will be a general meeting of the Tehipite Chapter of the Sierra Club at 7 p.m..,
with a screening of the film “Promised Land.” This film follows two corporate
salespeople who visit a rural town in an attempt to buy drilling rights (for hydraulic
fracturing) from local residents. This event is free and open to the general public.
It takes place at the UC Center, 550 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno (across from Fashion Fair
between Fresno and First).
Wednesday, November 19th
Pacific Brass will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. at Fresno Pacific University, Butler
Church, 4884 E. Butler Ave., Fresno. For more information, call 559-453-2267 or e-mail
[email protected].
Thursday. November 20th
There will be an Arthop at the Brush & Easel Gallery which is exhibiting the work of
Aileen Imperatrice from November 7th through 20th. The ArtHop Reception on November
20th is from 5-8 pm. The Brush & Easel Gallery is located at 1476 W. Shaw Ave.
Fresno. Hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 am – 6 pm and Saturday from 10
am-4 pm. For more information, go to www.aileenimperatrice.com.
Thursday, November 20th
Fresno Pacific University Jazz Band will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. at Ashley
Auditorium, McDonald Hall, FPU Main Campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno. For
more information, call 559-453-2267 or e-mail [email protected].
Friday, November 21st
Cineculture presents “Couleur de Peau: Miel” with discussant Dr. Rose Marie Kuhn.
Couleur de peau: Miel was codirected by French director Laurent Boileau and Koreanborn Belgian comic book artist Jung Sik-jun. It tells Jung’s own story who, as a young
boy, was adopted by a Belgian family and grew up in Belgium. Based on Jung’s
eponymous comic book series, this film chronicles the important moments of his
childhood and adolescence and alternates between documentary footage of live action,
animation sequences in 2D and 3D, and archival images. The film received several
awards in 2013 including: the Grand Prize for Animation at the Japan Media Arts
Festival, and both the Grand Prize and Audience Award at the World Festival of
Animated Films in Zagreb, Croatia, in French and Korean with English subtitles. For the
trailer, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTz4nWpL5DI. The screening will be at
5:30 p.m. in the Peters Education Center Auditorium (West of Save-Mart Center in the
Student Recreation Center Building). For more information and the full fall line-up, go to
cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Friday, November 21st
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker Paul Gilmore, history instructor at Fresno
City College. The event takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 1208 L Street, Reedley, in
the Fellowship Hall at Reedley’s First Mennonite Church. For more information, call Don
Friesen at (559) 638-3091 or e-mail [email protected]. The event is free, open to
the public, and accessible to the handicapped.
Friday, November 21st
As part of its fall film series, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno will screen “The
American Ruling Class” at 7 p.m. at 2672 E. Alluvial Avenue, Fresno. America rules the
World but who rules America? This is one of the most unusual films to be made in
America in recent years, both in terms of form and subject. The form is a first – a
“dramatic-documentary-musical” - that re-invents all three genres. And the subject is our
most taboo topic: class, power, and privilege in our nominally democratic republic. Part
Monty Python, part Michael Moore, “The American Ruling Class” is a quirky and
entertaining clarion call for all citizens to consider who has power, how they acquired it,
and most importantly, how they keep it. There will be a post-film discussion. Admission
is free and the venue is wheelchair accessible. Light refreshments will be available. For
information go to uufresno.org or e-mail Glenda Roberts at [email protected] or by
phone at 559-291-1590.
Saturday, November 22nd
Sr. Helen Prejean, author of "Deadman Walking", will be the key speaker at a
lecture/seminar sponsored by Community United Church of Christ from 8:00am-2:00pm.
Limited tickets are available for $25.00 each. Call the church office at 559-435-2690 for
more information.
Saturday, November 22nd
Fresno AIDS Walk takes place from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at Woodward Park (7775 E
Clubhouse Drive Fresno. The Walk is free to register and those who raise $20 will
receive a t-shirt. Join hundreds of walkers and runners at Woodward Park to raise
awareness & community support for this worldwide epidemic in this third annual Fresno
AIDS Walk. All proceeds benefit Fresno's only HIV/AIDS social support center, The
Living Room, a project of WestCare California Inc. Walkers and runners of all ages are
welcome. This year's event features a 5K run.
Sunday, November 23rd
A Festival of Lessons and Carols performed by Fresno Pacific University music
ensembles will take place at 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. at. First Presbyterian Church, 1540 M
St., Fresno. The cost is $10. For more information, call 559-453-2267 or e-mail
[email protected].
Tuesday, November 25th
Fresno Pacific University Symphonic Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Butler Church,
4884 E. Butler Ave., Fresno. Admission is $5 general or $2 for all students. For more
information, call 559-453-2267 or email [email protected].
Friday, November 28th and Saturday, November 29th
The Sweet Home Ranch Annual Art Show and Holiday Gift Sale, featuring Paul Buxman
original oil paintings, lithographs and art cards; farm crafted foods and gifts from Sweet
Home ranch and neighboring farms, takes place at the Fellowship Hall of the First
Mennonite Church, on 'L' street between 12th and 13th streets in Reedley, Californial.
For more information, call Don Friesen at 260-0504 or by e-mail to
[email protected].
Saturday, November 29th
As part of its fall film series, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno will screen “Fed
Up” at 7 p.m. at 2672 E. Alluvial Avenue, Fresno. This film addresses the negative
health effects of a corporate and government supported food industry that intentionally
puts sugar in 80% of the food we eat. “FED UP” blows the lid off everything we thought
we knew about food and exercise, revealing a 30-year campaign by the food industry –
aided by the U.S. government – to mislead and confuse the American public. Exposing
the hidden truths contributing to one of the largest health epidemics in history, the film
follows a group of families battling to lead healthier lives – and reveals why the
conventional wisdom of “exercise and eat right” is not ringing true for millions of people
struggling with diabetes, childhood obesity, and other serious conditions. There wil be a
post-film discussion; Admission is free and the venue is wheelchair accessible. Light
(healthy!) refreshments will be available. For information go to uufresno.org or contact
Glenda Roberts by e-mail to [email protected] or by phone to 559-291-1590.
Monday, December 1st
World AIDS Day will be commemorated with an HIV Awareness Event from 9 a.m. to 12
noon at the Fresno State, Free Speech Area (5241 N Maple Ave Fresno). This free
event is presented by Fresno State Public Health Student Association to raise
awareness regarding HIV and AIDS on campus. The event takes place on World AIDS
Day in the University's Free Speech Area. There will also be free Rapid HIV Testing
from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at The Living Room, 901 E Belmont
Avenue Fresno, and Monday through Thursday, December 1st through 4th from 8:30 am
- 11:00 am and 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm at the Fulton Mall Specialty Clinic Area (1221 Fulton
Mall Fresno). The Free Testing is Presented by the Fresno County Department of
Public Health In conjunction with World AIDS Day/Week,
Thursday, December 4th
Three sections from AIDS Memorial Quilt, The NAMES Project Foundation will be on
display at The Painted Table for this annual World AIDS Day celebration in the Tower
District. The panels on display include memorials to people from Fresno and
surrounding counties who have died from AIDS. The Painted Table is located at 1211 N
Wishon Avenue Fresno. The event is free and presented by the Fresno County
Department of Public Health, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Friday, December 5th
Join the Fresno Art Museum in celebrating the closing of World AIDS Day week in
Fresno with a candlelight vigil and reading of names in front of the Fresno Art Museum,
2233 N, First St., from 4-7 p.m., weather permitting. Four sections of The AIDS
Memorial Quilt will be on view, including several early AIDS activists and actor Brad
Davis, best known for his roles in Midnight Express, Chariots of Fire, and Roots. Free
and open to the public.
Friday, December 5th
Cineculture presents “Siddharth” with dicussant Richie Mehta (Director). After sending
away his 12 year-old son Siddharth for work, Mahendra (a chain-wallah who fixes
broken zippers on the streets) is relieved – his financial burdens will be alleviated. But
when Siddharth fails to return home, Mahendra learns he may have been taken by
child-traffickers. With little resources and no connections, he travels across India in
pursuit, with the hope that whatever force arbitrarily took his child away will return him
unharmed. The film is inspired by a true story and is in Hindi with English subtitles, For
the trailer, go to http://siddharththefilm.com/. The screening will be at 5:30 p.m. in the
Peters Education Center Auditorium (West of Save-Mart Center in the Student
Recreation Center Building). For more information and the full fall line-up, go to
cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Friday, December 5th
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker Karen Crozier, Assistant Professor of
Practical Theology at Fresno Pacific University, on the topic “The Voice of a Community
for Educational Justice, Fresno Unified School District's controversial hiring of a cultural
studies teacher.” The event takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 1208 L Street,
Reedley, in the Fellowship Hall at Reedley’s First Mennonite Church. For more
information, call Don Friesen at (559) 638-3091 or e-mail [email protected]. The
event is free, open to the public, and accessible to the handicapped.
Friday, December 5th
The Ultimate Beatles Tribute, “The Fab Four,” will perform at the Tower Theatre, 815
East Olive Ave. in Fresno, starting at 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:00). This is an all ages
event, and ticket prices range from $29.50, $35.00 and $47.50 in advance. All tickets
$2.50 higher day of show. The Fab Four is elevated far above every other Beatles
Tribute due to their precise attention to detail. With uncanny, note-for-note live
renditions of Beatles' songs, the Fab Four will make you think you’re watching the real
thing. This incredible stage show includes three costume changes representing every
era of the Beatles ever-changing career. Tickets are available from the Tower Theatre
Box Office. For more information, call (559 485-9050).
Sunday, December 7th
Save the Date for KFCF’s annual banquet, featuring Laurie Lewis speaking on the role
of music in social change, and performance be Laurie Lewis and her band. More
information to follow.
Friday, December 12th
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker Chucho Mendoza, Chicano and Latin
American Studies major at CSUF The event takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 1208
L Street, Reedley, in the Fellowship Hall at Reedley’s First Mennonite Church. For more
information, call Don Friesen at (559) 638-3091 or e-mail [email protected]. The
event is free, open to the public, and accessible to the handicapped.
Wednesday, December 17th
The Tehipite Chapter Sierra Club holds its General Meeting and will screen a slideshow
entitled “A Tale of Two Winters.” Enjoy the spectacular High Sierra scenery in Dan
Saunders' slideshow about two very different ski tours. The first was in spring 2011 after
a high precipitation winter season, and the second was this past winter, the driest
season in 35 years. Let's hope for a wet one this year as we enter the winter season.
This event takes place at 7 p.m. at the U.C. Center, 550 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno (across
from Fashion Fair between Fresno and First Street).
Wednesday, January 21st
As part of the Valley Town Hall Lecture Series, Valerie Plame, author of “Fair Game: My
Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House,” will be speaking at 10:30 a.m. at the
William Saroyan Theatre. As a covert CIA Officer, Valerie Plame worked to protect
America's national security for more than twenty years and worked to ensure that Iraq
did not acquire nuclear weapons. But in 2003, Plame found herself at the heart of a
political firestorm when senior White House and State Department officials revealed her
CIA status to several national journalists. Plame, who remained silent throughout the
controversy, eventually wrote her New York Times best-selling autobiography Fair
Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House. In 2010, Fair Game was
made into a motion picture starring Sean Penn. Plame will share her expertise on
international security and deliver a candid analysis of the "security versus privacy"
debate dominating political and media circles today. For more information and this and
other speakers in this year’s series, go to valleytownhall.com.
MULTIPLE DAY EVENTS:
Throughout 2014:
The Lure and Lore of Yosemite is the most comprehensive exhibition to date of art,
literature and ephemera relating to the history of the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa
Big Tree Grove. The Exhibit will be on display at the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau in
Oakhurst, CA throughout 2014. Materials on display range from Lafayette Bunnell’s
account of the ‘discovery’ of the Valley, in 1851, to John Muir’s famous Century
Magazine articles (published in 1890) that led to the creation of Yosemite National Park.
Visitors to the exhibit will get a powerful sense of the impact of tourism on Yosemite in
the decades between 1870 and 1900. Examples of rare 19th century ephemera on
display – rail and stage company brochures, guide-service pamphlets, stock certificates
and trade cards for early hotels – all attest to the intense commercial activity of this
period. Yosemite was also a mecca for artists for artists and photographers, many of
whose works appear in this exhibit. Highlights include: lithographs by San Francisco
artist George Holbrook Baker, magnificent mammoth plate photographs by Carleton
Watkins, and an original pencil sketch (from 1855) by Thomas Ayres – who was the first
artist ever to draw Yosemite. For more information, contact Christi Long at the
Yosemite Visitor’s Bureau, (559) 683-4636.
May thru October
On Saturdays from 8 - 11:30 a.m. the Clovis Farmers' Market will be held in the old
DMV Parking Lot in Old Town Clovis. Join them for honey, duck, turkey, and chicken
eggs, orange and pomegranate juice, nuts, herbs, flowers, cheese, and fresh organic
milk in bottles from certified, organic farmers. Contact [email protected] for
more information.
Thursday, September 18th through Sunday, November 9th
Based on the cartoon that inspired the popular television series, The Addams Family is
a new addition to Good Company Players’ 2014 Season at Roger Rocka’s Dinner
Theater! With a frightfully funny script by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and killer
score by Andrew Lippa, this musical about the original creepy, kooky, spooky - and
altogether ooky - Addams Family is a fresh take on an old favorite. The play will be
performed Thursdays through Sundays, with two shows most Sundays. Roger Rocka’s
Dinner Theater is located at 1226 N. Wishon, at Olive and Wishon in The Tower District.
On Thursdays a buffet is served beginning at 5:30 p.m., with a Pre-Show featuring
Good Company Players’ Junior Company at 7:00 and the performance at 7:30 p.m. On
Fridays and Saturdays dinner is served beginning at 5:30 p.m., with the Pre-Show at
7:30 p.m. and the performance at 8:00 p.m. For Sunday matinees a brunch buffet is
served beginning at 11 a.m., with the Pre-Show at 1 p.m. and the performance at 1:30
p.m. On Sunday evenings a buffet is served beginning at 5:00 p.m., with the Pre-Show
at 7:00 p.m. and the performance at 7:30 p.m. The cost for the Thursdays and Sundays
Buffet & Show is $46.00 per person (Show Only for $29.00) The cost for Fridays and
Saturdays, Served Meal & Show, is $50.00; or Show Plus (includes the show, 1 dessert,
1 drink, tax and tip) is $37.00. Groups of 16 or more are eligible for discounts and
should call Group Sales at 559-266-9493 for information and reservations. For tickets
or more information, call 559-266-9494/800-371-4747 or reserve online at
rogerrockas.com.
Tuesday, September 23rd through Thursday, January 15th
The Fresno County Department of Public Health has scheduled influenza vaccination
clinics for the 2014-15 flu season at multiple locations throughout the county. The cost
of each vaccination will be $6.00. Medi-Cal for children and Medicare part B will also be
accepted. The 2014-15 flu vaccine is designed to protect against the viruses that are
most likely to cause disease this season. In accordance with federal and state
guidelines, it is recommended that each person six months of age and older should be
vaccinated each year. Flu viruses are always changing. Flu vaccines protect against 3
or 4 viruses and cannot prevent all cases of flu, but it is the best defense against the
disease. Vaccination is the best protection against the flu and its potential
complications. It takes about 2 weeks for protection to develop after the vaccination,
and protection lasts several months to a year. For children 8 years and younger, if this
is their first flu shot they should receive two shots this season separated by 4 weeks.
The flu vaccine also helps prevent spreading the flu virus from person-to-person.
Fresno County residents with insurance coverage should contact their health care
provider regarding flu vaccination availability. Vaccines may also be available at
physician’s offices, clinics, pharmacies, and at special flu vaccination events promoted
in retail stores. Information regarding flu vaccination opportunities can be found at
www.flu.gov. For dates, times, and locations of the Department of Public Health flu
vaccination clinics for Fresno County residents, please visit www.fcdph.org/flu or call the
toll-free Immunization Information Line at 1-888-993-3003.
Friday, September 26th through Sunday, January 4th
In partnership with StageWorks Fresno, the Fresno Art Museum is proud to present four
sections of the internationally celebrated AIDS Memorial Quilt - the 54-ton, handmade
tapestry that stands as a memorial to the more than 94,000 individuals lost to AIDS - on
view through the end of 2014. Exhibition visitors will be invited to contribute to the
exhibition in two ways: the first of which is to create a supporting message to those
living with or affected by HIV/AIDS; secondly visitors can place a red ribbon with or
without a name on a pedestal within the gallery as part of a cumulative sculpture
created entirely by visitors to the exhibition, as a tribute to anyone they know who has
passed away from AIDS. To coincide with the exhibition, the Fresno Art Museum is
working with a number of community partners, including All About Care, StageWorks
Fresno, The Living Room, a project of WestCare California Inc., and the Fresno County
Department of Public Health to promote a full line-up of programming for World AIDS
Day 2014. Observed worldwide on December 1st since 1988, World AIDS Day is the
time when millions of people come together across the globe to commemorate those
who have lost their lives to HIV, and to encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention,
treatment, and care around the world, particularly in high prevalence countries. From
2011-2015, the World Health Organization's World AIDS Campaign is organized around
the theme of, "Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDSrelated deaths." The Quilt will be on exhibition at the Fresno Art Museum, 2233 N. First
Street. General Admission is $5 and free for Museum Members. The Exhibition
Opening Reception is Friday, September 26th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm,
Wednesday, October 1st through Friday, November 21st
Fresno County Public Library, in conjunction with Cal Humanities, is pleased to host a
full schedule of events as part of “War Comes Home”, a series of programs intended to
bring Californians together to explore important topics through reading and discussion.
Highlights include:
Wednesday, October 8th: Karl Marlantes in Conversation. The author of “What
it is Like to go to War” is interviewed by Mary Menzel from the California Center for the
Book, at 7 pm in the Old Administration Building at Fresno City College.
Sunday, October 12th: The Secret War in Laos. Features a panel discussion by
the Lao Veterans Association, at 2 pm at the Sunnyside Regional Library.
Thursday, October 16th: “War at Home,” a film discussion hosted by Paul
Kaser, professor and Vietnam War Veteran, at 6:30 pm at the Fig Garden Regional
Library.
Saturday, October 18th: “The Vietnam War: A Personal Experience,” with Paul
Kaser, professor and Vietnam War Veteran discussing relations between Americans
and the Vietnamese people, at 2 pm at the Auberry Branch Library; Saturday, October
25 at 2 pm at the Bear Mountain Branch Library; and Thursday, November 6 at 6:30
pm at Kingsburg Branch Library.
Thursday, November 6th: The Dynamics of Drone Warfare, featuring 5,000 Feet
is Best, a 30 minute film exploring drone warfare followed by a panel presentation, at 7
pm at Fresno Pacific University, North Hall 132. (BC Lounge)
Sunday, November 15th: An Author event: Colby Buzzell. Blogger and author of
“My War: Killing Time in Iraq” will share his opinions and observations, at 7 pm at
Woodward Park Regional Library and Sunday, November 15 at 2 pm at Arte Américas
Casa de la Cultura, 1630 Van Ness Avenue Fresno.
In addition, a “Welcome Home Photo Exhibit,” a rotating display of historic war
photos from the National Archives and the Library of Congress is featured in this exhibit
at:
o Woodward Park Regional Library, October 1-9
o Fig Garden Regional Library, October 10-20
o Politi Branch Library, October 21-30
o Clovis Regional Library, October 31 - November 10
o Central Library November, 12-21
o Sunnyside Regional Library, October 1-9
o Gillis Branch Library October, 10-20
o Sanger Branch Library October, 21-30
o Kingsburg Branch Library, October 31 - November 10
o Fowler Branch Library, November 12-21
Friday, October 31st through Saturday, November 8th
Fresno State University Theatre presents “The Maids” by Jean Genet, franslated by
Bernard Frechtman and directed by Ruth Griffin. Genet loosely based his play on the
infamous Papin sisters, Lea and Christine, who brutally murdered their employer and
her daughter in Le Mans, France, in 1933, although the play is not the story of the Papin
sisters as such. According to Jean-Paul Sartre, Genet's original intention was that the
three protagonists, Madame and the maids Solange and Claire, be performed by male
actors. Some productions have cast men in the roles, but most have cast women.
Solange and Claire are two housemaids who construct elaborate sadomasochistic
rituals when their mistress (Madame) is away. The focus of their role-playing is the
murder of Madame and they take turns portraying both sides of the power divide. Their
deliberate pace and devotion to detail guarantees that they always fail to actualize their
fantasies by ceremoniously "killing" Madame at the ritual's dénouement. The play will
be performed every day but Monday, and all shows are at 8 p.m. except the Sunday
show which is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for Fresno State Faculty/Staff,
Seniors, Alumni & Military, and $10 for all students. For more information, call 559-2782216, or e-mail [email protected].
Friday, December 5th through Saturday, December 13th
Fresno State’s University Theatre presents “Cabaret,” the Tony-winning musical about
following your heart while the world loses its way. Welcome to the infamous Kit Kat
Klub, where the Emcee, Sally Bowles and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to
tantalize the crowd—and to leave their troubles outside. But as life in pre-WWII
Germany grows more and more uncertain, will the decadent allure of Berlin nightlife be
enough to get them through their dangerous times? Come hear some of the most
memorable songs in theatre history, including "Cabaret," "Willkommen" and "Maybe
This Time." Right this way, your table is waiting at CABARET. The play will be
performed every day except Monday, and all performances are at 8 p.m. except on
Sunday when it’s at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $17 for Fresno State
Faculty/Staff, Seniors, Alumni & Military, and $12 for all students. For more information
call 559.278.2216 or e-mail [email protected].
Friday, March 13th 2015 to Saturday March 21st 2015
Winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize. “Somewhere in Philadelphia” will be performed at the
Fresno State Woods Theatre Speech Arts Building, Elliot has returned from Iraq and is
struggling to find his place in the world. Somewhere in a chat room, recovering addicts
keep each other alive, hour by hour, day by day. The boundaries of family and
community are stretched across continents and cyberspace as birth families splinter
and online families collide. WATER BY THE SPOONFUL is a heartfelt meditation on
lives on the brink of redemption. Performances are every day except Monday, and all
performances are at 8 p.m. except the Sunday performance which is at 2 p.m. Tickets
for adults are $17, for Fresno State Faculty/Staff, Seniors, Alumni & Military, $15, and
for all students, $10. For tickets or information, call 559.278.2216 or e-mail
[email protected].
ONGOING
Every Day
Occupy Fresno is at Fresno’s Courthouse Park (on the south end, off Tulare between
Van Ness and M Street). They hold a General Assembly every day at 6 p.m. and there
have been arrests every day, shortly after midnight. For more information, go to
http://occupyfresnoca.com/
Every Tuesday
Starting 8/27/13, the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno will be holding classes on the
Quran focusing on pronunciation and memorization. The classes are free (donations
appreciated) and start at 7 p.m. If interested please contact Rebecca by e-mail to
[email protected]. No registration is needed.
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 Wednesday through the 2014 school year
New Horizons Music provides adults a fun entry or reentry into music making! Whether
you were in school band or orchestra, would like to learn a new instrument, or have only
dreamed of playing, New Horizons offers a welcoming environment that offers you the
chance to participate and progress at your own rate. Rehearsals are going on each
Wednesday starting at 5:30 p.m. for string instruments and 6:30 p.m. for band
instruments. Groups perform at least two concerts each school year. All meetings are at
the Bullard High School Band Room, 5445 N. Palm, Fresno. For more information,
contact Craig Erker at [email protected] or Archie Rader at 559-273-8309.
Every Wednesday and Friday
Patricia Wells Solorzano and Agustin Lira, founders of El Teatro Campesino), have
formed a theatrical group with Fresno youth that will raise awareness of the problems
negatively affecting the health of boys and young men of color, such as drugs, gangs,
obesity, teen pregnancy, high numbers of youth incarcerated or expelled from schools,
unemployment and poverty. The Theater for Boys and young Men of Color will be
composed of youth ages 16-28 who will be trained in acting to the extent that they will
be capable of performing before general audiences. The participants will be engaged in
the creation of skits, one-act plays and in the development of a one and a half hour
theatrical production with music to be performed toward the end of this year long
project. Along with theater, musical presentations will also take place performed by the
participants who will also receive musical training. This project will be taking place at
The Cecil C. Hinton Community Center, 2385 South Fairview Ave., 93706, on
Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, contact Gwen Morris
at (559) 412-7118.
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 [email protected] 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: [email protected].
1st Saturday of each month:
The South Valley Peace Center holds a demonstration for peace at Mooney and Walnut
in Visalia, from 1-2 p.m. For more information visit southvalleypeacecenter.org.
2nd Saturday of each month:
Divorce Options Workshops are offered on the second Saturday of every month by
Central Valley Collaborative Law Affiliates. This program provides information about the
divorce process and the options available to anyone considering divorce. Each
workshop is presented by an interdisciplinary team of legal, financial and mental health
professionals on the second Saturday of each month at the Fresno Ramada Inn, 324
East Shaw Avenue, Fresno, California from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It is offered at NO
CHARGE to attendees as a public service of Central Valley Collaborative Law Affiliates.
Pre-registration is recommended due to limited seating. Further information and preregistration may be obtained at divorcefresno.eventbrite.com, or contact John McDaniel
at (559) 226-4420.
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 [email protected].
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 888266-29 21. or visit ie-usa.com.
Every Thursday:
On Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. guitarist and singer/songwriter Steve Ono is hosting the
Smugglers Open Mic Night. The Smuggler's lounge is like a large living room with a
small PA set up in the corner. Listening will be encouraged. Musicians, singers and
spoken word are all welcome. The content must be family friendly. Each guest artist will
be playing 2 to 3 songs depending on the number of participants. Minors are allowed
when accompanied by a responsible adult. Steve will play back up guitar or read sheet
music (lead sheets preferred) for the artists on request. Steve Ono has been playing
and teaching guitar in the Fresno/Clovis area for more than 35 years with hundreds of
former students. The Smuggler's at the Park Inn is a full service restaurant with a full
bar. There is a two drink minimum. Dinner is available. The restaurant is located at 3787
North Blackstone Avenue in Fresno. For information, call (559) 230-8450
Every Friday and Saturday
Organic Fresno pairs a 4 course Farm to Fork Dinner and an Original Murder Mystery
Dinner Theater experience. The current show, “A Story of Love,” concludes on June 1st.
The new show, “Let it Burn,” is a cooking competition. The 4 judges are comprised
of two chefs, a teacher and a marketing maverick. “Sizzler specializing in the art
of BBQ and has a fascination with fire and meat. Arrogant, successful, highly
competitive and ruthless, the audience loves to hate Sizzler” says Tara Hamilton
of her journalistic character. Searing Susan is patterned after the owner of Joe’s
Steakhouse, a firm believer in downtown and family run businesses. The teacher
is patterned after Klaus Tenbergen of Fresno State. “Let it Burn” opens on June 7th
and will run until July 13th. Each show is performed at Organic Fresno at 903 N.
Parkway Drive, Fresno. Dinner and Show are $25 and run from 6 pm to 8:30 pm on
Friday and Saturday. Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free and Meat options are available.
Show only tickets are $10, and include ice cream. Guests should arrive by 7 pm.
Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 559-284-3976 For more
information, go to www.organicfresno.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 877-7268387, 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.