KFCF Community Calendar: Updated 1/30/15 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) Friday, January 30th Cineculture will screen “Kasheer: Art Cutlure & the Struggle for Azadi,” with discussant David Barsamian of Alternative Radio. Kasheer explores the complexities of life in a disputed territory from the point of view of three local artists living in the Kashmir Valley — a conflict zone in the Indian Himalayas on the contested border with Pakistan. A young political cartoonist offers biting satiric commentary on regional politics. A middleaged artist reflects on his childhood and the tragic changes the local insurgency brought to his neighborhood in abstract ink drawings. An elderly artist’s vibrant spiritual paintings reveal his quest for inner peace in the midst of perpetual social turmoil. Lushly photographed, this observational documentary provides a human perspective, creating space for thoughtful debate amid deeply polarizing politics. The screening will be at 5:30 p.m. at Fresno State’s Peters Education Center Auditorium (west of Save-Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). All films screened on campus are free and open to the public. Parking is not enforced after 4 p.m. on Fridays. For more information, go to cineculture.csufresno.edu. Friday, January 30th The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker David Cehrs on the topic: Water Issues in the context of the passage of Proposition 1, California's Water Bond. 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, January 30th The Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing at Fresno State and the Fresno Poets’ Association present an evening with author Steven Church. Founding editor of “The Normal School” literary magazine and the James and Coke Hallowell Professor of Creative Writing at Fresno State, Church’s essay collection “Ultrasonic” is available now and a new book-length essay is due in 2016. This event takes place at 7 p.m. in the Alice Peters Auditorium, inside the University Business Center, 5245 N. Baker Ave. Admission is free, and parking is free in Lots P5 and P6. Call 278-1569 for details. Saturday, January 31st and Sunday, February 1st There will be a Weekend Course on Letting Go of Anger, sponsored by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization. You will learn: 1. to understand anger & its impact on your life, 2. gain deeper understanding of mind/body/spirit connection & 3. tools to transform anger into peace & love. The class meets twice on Saturday Jan 31st & Sunday Feb 1st from 1:00 - 5:00 pm. at St. Paul Newman Center, 1572 E. Barstow Ave, Fresno, in Cardinal Newman Hall, Room 104 (behind the main building). The facilitator, Veena Kapoor, MSW, Ed.D. has been practicing and teaching meditation for 22 years. She received her training from the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center, San Francisco. She conducts workshops and facilitates retreats on topics related to spiritual development, healing and mental well being. Class size limited to 15. These classes are free. Please register by Jan 28th 2015. Donations accepted for the use of their facility. For more information or to register, call (559) 435-2212 or email: [email protected]. Saturday, January 31st and Sunday, February 1st The Sun Maid Kennel Club will hold two AKC all-breed dog shows as well as obedience and rally trials. These events will be held at the Fresno County Fairgrounds and admission is free. In addition to over 700 dogs in attendance, there will be vendors with many products for dogs and their people. The show hours are about 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. both days. On Friday the Fresno Dog Training Club will hold obedience and rally trials on the same grounds. For more information check the Sun Maid Kennel Club’s web site: sunmaidkennelclub.org or contact Barbara at (559) 840-2299. Monday, February 2nd Fresno Center for Nonviolence will continue its series of film screenings showing Oliver Stone’s “The Untold History of the United States”. The notion of American exceptionalism still warps Americans’ understanding of their nation’s role in the world. Most are loathe admitting that the United States has any imperial pretensions. But history tells a different story as filmmaker Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick reveal in this riveting account of the rise and decline of the American empire. Aided by the latest archival findings and recently declassified documents and building on the research of the world’s best scholars, Stone and Kuznick construct an often shocking but meticulously documented “people’s history” of the American empire that offers startling context to the Bush-Cheney policies that put us at war in two Muslim countries and show us why the Obama administration has had such a difficult time cleaving a new path. Their conclusions will astonish even experts, but there is one question only listeners can answer: Is it too late for America to change? The series will continue on subsequent Mondays until March 30th. These screenings are free and open to the public and the venue is wheelchair accessible. For more information call 559-237-3223 Mon-Fri 11-3. Monday, February 2nd As part of a series of special events Commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr., and Black History Month, Fresno Pacific University presents "OF Ebony Embers-Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance," with the Core Ensemble. The event begins with a reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by the performance at 7:00 p.m. Performers are The Core Ensemble chamber music group (cello, piano, percussion) and Jamyl Dobson, portraying painter Aaron Douglas as well as writers Claude McKay, Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen, all major figures in the 1920s flowering of African American culture known as the Harlem Renaissance. This Event sponsored by Fresno Pacific University and takes place at Butler Church, 4884 E. Butler Ave., Fresno. General tickets are $10; admission for students with ID is free. For more information, call 559-453-558 or e-mail [email protected]. Monday, February 2nd The Junior League of Fresno is holding a Community Needs Forum. Join members of the Junior League of Fresno and a panel of community leaders to discuss the key issues facing Fresno's community. The panel includes Larry Powell, Retired Superintendent, Fresno County Schools, Kendra Rogers, Director of Community Investment, Granville Homes, Barbara Foster, Director, Specialized Foster Parent Training Project, Linda Penner, Chair, Board of State and Community Corrections, Joel Saldaña, Jr., Director of Community Engagement, Fresno EOC, and May Gnia Her, VP, Community Impact, United Way. The event takes place at 6:30 p.m. at C.A.R.T Center for Advanced Research and Technology, 2555 Clovis Avenue, Clovis. This is a free public event, all community members are welcome to attend. Kindly RSVP online at www.jlfresno.org by January 28, 2015. Thursday, February 5th For the months of January and February 2015, Gallery 25 will present the solo exhibit of Guest Artist, Kathryn Jacobi. This Los Angeles based artist who is an international exhibiting artist will exhibit large-scale paintings, 60” x 40” in size on heavy-weight paper of work that spans 30 years. Most of these pieces have never been exhibited. A large body of this work is drawn from her “Between the Wars” series that has been exhibited internationally. In addition, 232-2681 or Ms. Jacobi was the 2010 Distinguished Woman Artist recipient chosen by the Council of 100, Fresno Art Museum. The first Opening Reception Arthop was on Thursday, January 8 from 5-8 pm and the 2nd ArtHop Reception Thursday, February 5 from 5-8 pm. Gallery 25 is located at 660 Van Ness Avenue (at Mono in downtown Fresno), and the Gallery is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon-4pm. For more information, call 559-264-4092 or go to gallery25.org. Thursday, February 5th February ArtHop at Chris Sorensen Studio takes place from 5-8 pm at 2223 South Van Ness, Fresno. This multi-media exhibit is representative of the past year's work from over forty studio artists. Paintings, sculpture, fiber arts, drawings, assemblage, and more can be viewed in the main gallery and throughout the entire studio. Please come, meet the studio artists and enjoy some amazing art. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Kohl, curator, at [email protected]. Friday, February 6th "Mobilize" will be screened at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, 2672 E. Alluvial Avenue, between Chestnut and Willow, The film provides an in-depth look at the potential dangers of cell phone technology and the corporate resistance to acknowledging these dangers. It explores the possible long-term health effects from cell phone radiation, the most recent scientific research, and legislative efforts. This event is free and open to the public. There will be a discussion post-film, the venue is wheelchair accessible, and light refreshments will be available. For information, go to uufresno.org; or contact Glenda at 559-291-1590 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Friday, February 6th The Fresno Center for Nonviolence continues its screenings of Oliver Stone’s “Untold History of the United States” at 1 p.m. at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 1584 N. Van Ness (SE corner Van Ness and McKinley), (This is a repeat of Monday’s episode.) The notion of American exceptionalism still warps Americans’ understanding of their nation’s role in the world. Most are loathe admitting that the United States has any imperial pretensions. But history tells a different story as filmmaker Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick reveal in this riveting account of the rise and decline of the American empire. Aided by the latest archival findings and recently declassified documents and building on the research of the world’s best scholars, Stone and Kuznick construct an often shocking but meticulously documented “people’s history” of the American empire that offers startling context to the Bush-Cheney policies that put us at war in two Muslim countries and show us why the Obama administration has had such a difficult time cleaving a new path. Their conclusions will astonish even experts, but there is one question only listeners can answer: Is it too late for America to change? The series will continue on subsequent Fridays until April 3rd. These screenings are free and open to the public and the venue is wheelchair accessible. For more information call 559-237-3223 Mon-Fri 11-3. Friday, February 6th The Reedley Peace Center presents Investigative journalist Bill Rempel on the topic Racing To America. The experiences of 'undesirable immigrants' of a century ago: Russian Mennonites. 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, February 6th Cineculture presents “The Pursuit of Happyness” with discussant: Dr. Ed EmanEl. In 2006 Will Smith and his son Jaden co-starred in one of the best films of 2006. The movie tells the true life story of Chris Gardner, an African American, who in 1981 was homeless in San Francisco, raising his son as a single father, without a job, with no place to live and harassment from the IRS. Faced with this adversity, Gardner, armed only with his superb intelligence, his unwavering dedication as a parent, and his complete faith that hard work and diligence would eventually raise him out of this avalanche of bad fortune, strives to make a success out of his life. This film ends in a wonderful epiphany. The screenplay is written by Seven Conrad based on the bestselling memoir written by Chris Gardner and Quincy Troupe. The film is directed by Gabriele Muccino. The screening will be at 5:30 p.m. at Fresno State’s Peters Education Center Auditorium (west of Save-Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). For more information, go to cineculture.csufresno.edu. Saturday, February 7th Join Fresno’s environmental community for the March for Real Climate Leadership in Oakland! They’re looking to mobilize 10,000 Californians to converge on Oakland, home to Governor Jerry Brown, for a rally, march, and meeting of like-minded Californians to tell Governor Brown he needs to take action on the environment. Join Fresnans & Mercedians Against Fracking and other anti-fracking and environmentallyconscience Californians to tell Governor Brown we need real climate leadership—and we need it now! Buses will leave from Fresno and Merced and other cities across the state. If you are a student, you may get a Free ticket! For more information and to sign up, go to: http://marchforclimateleadership.org. Bus tickets are available under Transportation. Contact Marilynne for more information at (209) 631-3235 or visit our Facebook Page: Mercedians Against Fracking. Saturday, February 7th The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization presents “The Power of One,” with Special Speaker BK Sister Chandru Desai, Director of the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center in San Francisco. The event is from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 7319 N. Fourth St. Fresno. Now, more than ever before, there is a sense of urgency to connect with the One Source, and experience freedom. Sister Chandru will enlighten us on how to connect with the Source, be empowered, and free ourselves from increasing stress in our lives. Sister Chandru has been practicing and teaching Raja Yoga Meditation over 50 years. She administers the Brahma Kumaris Centers in the Western Region of the U.S. and is Vice President of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Org., USA. She has lived and served in African countries and Canada, and was instrumental in starting the center in San Francisco & Anubhuti Retreat Center in Novato, CA. The program will include an inspiring talk, guided meditation, and light refreshments. There is no charge. Men are also welcome. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call (559) 435-2212. Sunday, February 8th There will be a talk and book signing by Marjorie Cohn. Her new book “Drones and Targeted Killing: Legal, Moral, and Geopolitical Issues,” contains essays by 13 authors and was edited by Cohn. She is a former president of the National Lawyers Guild and lectures throughout the world on international human rights and U.S. foreign policy. Her website is: http://www.marjoriecohn.com. This event takes place at Community United Church of Christ, 5550 N Fresno St, Fresno (between Bullard and Barstow). From 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. she will give a CIA Torture Report, discussing the 2014 U. S. Senate Intelligence Committee's CIA Torture Report. From 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. there will be a book signing and Snacks, and from 4:30 - 5:45 p.m. there will be a talk by Cohn on the 2014 book she edited: “Drones and Targeted Killing: Legal, Moral, and Geopolitical Issues.” This event is sponsored by Peace Fresno, Human Rights Coalition, Fresno Center for Nonviolence, Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom, Peace and Conflict Studies Program - CSU Fresno, and KFCF 88.1 fm. For more information, contact [email protected], or by phone at 559-251-3361/ . Sunday, February 8th The Fresno Folklore Society presents Jann Klose in concert at Mia Cuppa Café. Jann Klose won four categories in the Vox Pop segment of the IMA (Independent Music Awards) this year. He sings Tim's parts in the movie, GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY. His music appears on the Grammy-nominated album, “Healthy Food For Thought,” MTV Cribs, and in the Paul Sorvino movie, “Dead Broke.” Jann's album MOSAIC hit the Roots Radio charts at 22 and is on over 90 radio stations. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 in adfvance or for FFS members, or $20 at the door. Advance tickets will be available at National Hardware, Patrick's Music and fresnofolkconcerts.com. Mia Cuppa Café is located at 620 E Olive Ave., Fresno. For more information, call 559-307-3610. Sunday, February 8th After providing enticing exhibitions for twenty years, the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture will close its doors with its final exhibition Elegant Pastimes: Masterpieces of Japanese Art from the Clark Collections at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The exhibition highlights a selection of 1,200 years of Japanese art from the 8th century to 2013. The Opening Lecture for this exhibit takes place on Sunday, Frebruary 8 th at 2 p.m. It will be conducted by Dr. Andreas Marks, Head, Department of Japanese and Korean Art at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Seats are limited. For information or a reservation, call (559) 582-4915. The exhibit will run from February 10th through June 30th. The Clark Center for Japanese Art & Culture is located at 15770 10th Avenue in Hanford Sunday, February 8th Fresno Pacific University presents a Concert Choir with Fresno Christian High School, at 6 p.m. at College Community Church/Mennonite Brethren, 2529 Willow, Clovis. This event is free. For information call 559-453-2267 or e-mail [email protected]. Monday, February 9th Fresno Center for Nonviolence will continue its series of film screenings showing Oliver Stone’s “The Untold History of the United States”. The notion of American exceptionalism still warps Americans’ understanding of their nation’s role in the world. Most are loathe admitting that the United States has any imperial pretensions. But history tells a different story as filmmaker Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick reveal in this riveting account of the rise and decline of the American empire. Aided by the latest archival findings and recently declassified documents and building on the research of the world’s best scholars, Stone and Kuznick construct an often shocking but meticulously documented “people’s history” of the American empire that offers startling context to the Bush-Cheney policies that put us at war in two Muslim countries and show us why the Obama administration has had such a difficult time cleaving a new path. Their conclusions will astonish even experts, but there is one question only listeners can answer: Is it too late for America to change? The series will continue on subsequent Mondays until March 30th. This week’s episode addresses The Bomb; the strategies behind the US atomic bombings of Japan are explored as well as the new mythology that emerged from the war. The bombing haunted the Soviets, and mistrust towards the Allies grew quickly. The consequences of beginning a process that could end life on the planet are examined. These screenings are free and open to the public and the venue is wheelchair accessible. For more information call 559-237-3223 MonFri 11-3. Tuesday, February 10th Women’s Imaging Specialist in Healthcare (WISH) is sponsoring five week fitness classes tailored to meet the needs of chemotherapy patients, at no cost to the patient. The next series of classes begin Tuesday, Feb10, 2015 from 6-7 p.m. at Rhonda’s Fitness, 686 E. Bullard Ste. 102 in Fresno. For more information or to register, please call Rhonda’s Fitness (559) 431-3600. Thursday, February 12th Ricardo Guevara, guitar, part of the Fresno Pacific University Pacific Artist Series, The concert takes place att 7:30 p.m. at MacDonald Hall Atrium, FPU main campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno. Tickets are $12 general admission, $8 for seniors, and $5 for students, payable at the door. For more information, call 559-453-2267, e-mail [email protected], or go to www.fresno.edu/pacificartist. Thursday, February 12th and Friday, February 13th Fresno Filmworks presents The Oscar-Nominated Short Films Festival 2015 at the Tower Theatre. The two evenings will feature three full programs of Academy Awardnominated short movies. Thursday show time: documentary at 7 p.m. Friday show times: live action at 5:30 p.m., and animation at 8:30 p.m. Advance tickets cost $10 general and $8 for students and seniors, with a special $15 double-feature ticket good for any two shorts programs. Tickets can be purchased by check or cash at the Tower Theatre box office, 815 E. Olive Ave. Go online to FresnoFilmworks.org for tickets and details. Friday, February 13th The Reedley Peace Center presents speakers Steve and Laura Reed who have lived and worked with Central Americans for 35 years. Steve is a minister and Laura is an immigration attorney. They lived in the Mission District of San Francisco and now in Oak Park Sacramento working on immigration and human rights issues. 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, February 13th Fresno Center for Nonviolence will continue its series of film screenings showing Oliver Stone’s “The Untold History of the United States”. The notion of American exceptionalism still warps Americans’ understanding of their nation’s role in the world. Most are loathe admitting that the United States has any imperial pretensions. But history tells a different story as filmmaker Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick reveal in this riveting account of the rise and decline of the American empire. Aided by the latest archival findings and recently declassified documents and building on the research of the world’s best scholars, Stone and Kuznick construct an often shocking but meticulously documented “people’s history” of the American empire that offers startling context to the Bush-Cheney policies that put us at war in two Muslim countries and show us why the Obama administration has had such a difficult time cleaving a new path. Their conclusions will astonish even experts, but there is one question only listeners can answer: Is it too late for America to change? The series will continue on subsequent Mondays until March 30th. This week’s episode addresses The Bomb; the strategies behind the US atomic bombings of Japan are explored as well as the new mythology that emerged from the war. The bombing haunted the Soviets, and mistrust towards the Allies grew quickly. The consequences of beginning a process that could end life on the planet are examined. These screenings are free and open to the public and the venue is wheelchair accessible. For more information call 559-237-3223 MonFri 11-3. Saturday, February 14th The JUSTicia RUN takes place February 14, 2015 and is the first ten-point race in the Valley Runner of the Year Series. It includes a 5K run, two-mile walk/run, and a quarter mile kids run. The race benefits Clovis Police Foundation, Sierra Challenge Express Running Club and the San Joaquin College of Law Student Bar Association. The race takes place at San Joaquin College of Law, 901 5th St. in Clovis, Race Day Registration is from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m.; the Kids Run 1/4 Mile (ages 9 & under) is at 8:00 a.m.; the 2 mile Run/Walk is at 8:15 a.m., the 5k Run is at 8:45 a.m., and Breakfast is from 8:15 10:30 a.m. The JUSTicia RUN also includes a costume contest: Run FOR the law, where Outlaws, Robbers, Scoundrels, Gangsters, Smugglers, Pirates, Villains, etc. run FROM the law (Constables, Sheriffs, Marshalls, Deputies, Arbitrators, Attorneys, Counselors, Judges, Bounty Hunters, Skip Tracers, Posses, FBI, DEA, FDA, Superheroes, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) Wear your most creative costume. Awards will be given for best costume. The annual Elizabeth O’Neil Memorial Children’s Book Drive is also part of the race. Those participating in the race are asked to bring a new or gently used children’s book to help beef-up the libraries at Pinedale and Temperance Kutner Elementary Schools. Last year, nearly 400 books were split between Lincoln and Jefferson Elementary Schools. Register (or get information) at http://justiciarun.com. Early registration is $20 for adults, $10 for kids. After 2/5/15 ut’s $35 for Adults and $15 for kids. Saturday, February 14th Arte Américas will present a jazz performance by the Richard Giddens Trio. The performance will give Central Valley jazz lovers another opportunity to hear world-class metropolitan jazz amidst a casual gallery setting. The jazz trio is headed by Fresno native Richard Giddens, a Roosevelt High School graduate who holds an MFA from the California Institute of Arts and currently tours internationally as professional jazz musician and performs with the Lost and Found Orchestra -- a symphonic based physical theatre piece created by the founders of the percussive theatre show STOMP. Giddens has curated a series of jazz programs in the galleries at Arte Américas featuring well-know jazz musicians as guest players. Previous artists have included Ryan Dragon, Jeff Miley, and Larry Koonse. The Valentine's Day program will present legendary pianist John Beasley, who was in the personal bands of Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Roy Hargrove. Additionally, Beasley has worked with Steely Dan, Chaka Khan, and Christian McBride. The jazz trio is comprised of drummer/local music educator Brian Hamada and saxophonist Tom Wilson. Doors to the venue will open at 7pm, with appetizers from Tower District restaurant Veni Vidi Vici will be offered to guests. The band will play until 10:00. Admission is $15 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 Ave. in downtown Fresno. Monday. February 16th Fresno Center for Nonviolence will continue its series of film screenings showing Oliver Stone’s “The Untold History of the United States”. The notion of American exceptionalism still warps Americans’ understanding of their nation’s role in the world. Most are loathe admitting that the United States has any imperial pretensions. But history tells a different story as filmmaker Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick reveal in this riveting account of the rise and decline of the American empire. Aided by the latest archival findings and recently declassified documents and building on the research of the world’s best scholars, Stone and Kuznick construct an often shocking but meticulously documented “people’s history” of the American empire that offers startling context to the Bush-Cheney policies that put us at war in two Muslim countries and show us why the Obama administration has had such a difficult time cleaving a new path. Their conclusions will astonish even experts, but there is one question only listeners can answer: Is it too late for America to change? The series will continue on subsequent Mondays until March 30th. This week’s episode addresses The Cold War: 1945–1950: The equations changes: specific month-by month causes of the Cold War. Highlights include Churchill's Iron Curtain speech, the civil war in Greece and the Red Scare that prompts the rise of Joseph McCarthy, the House Un-American Activities Committee and the FBI. These screenings are free and open to the public and the venue is wheelchair accessible. For more information call 559-237-3223 Mon-Fri 11-3. Wednesday, February 18th "John Muir's Continuing Inspiration" will be the topic of Harold Wood's presentation at the general meeting of the Tehipite Chapter of the Sierra Club. Mr. Wood is a long-time John Muir scholar and wilderness activist. Join us for this event, which is free and open to the general public. The event takes place at 7:00 pm at the UC Center, 550 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno, across from Fashion Fair between 1st and Fresno. Wednesday, February 18th As part of a series of special events Commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr., and Black History Month, Fresno Pacific University presents "African Americans: Central Valley Roots and Contributions," with Karla Kirk, M.A., instructor, Fresno City College. This event is sponsored by Fresno Pacific University and takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the African American Historical & Cultural Museum, 1857 Fulton St., Fresno. It is free and open to the public. For more information, call 559-453-2020 or e-mail [email protected]. Thursday, February 19th Windsong Productions is pleased to present the eleventh installment of The Germ, a local short film festival that encourages people of all ages and experience levels to create movies by giving them a “germ” of an idea to use as a starting point. The inspiration for this Germ is a piece of Parisian street art (viewable at thegerm.org). All films must also be love stories and have a maximum run time of five minutes. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 16. The community is welcome to attend the free screening on Thursday, February 19th at 7 p.m. at Windsong Productions, 7676 N Palm Ave., Suite 104 in Fresno. A no-host bar and the Bravo Bites food truck will be on-site to provide food and refreshments. For more information, visit the germ.org. Thursday, February 19th A concert featuring a cappella choral music interspersed with poetry by composers and poets from around the world will be presented to the greater Fresno community at the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Downtown Fresno. The concert will take place at 7:00pm. Admission is Free. Titled “In Memoriam,” the concert is built around universal themes of loss, grief, acceptance and hope, the concert will present a one hour meditation with music and text on the first modern genocide in remembrance of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. "In Memoriam" is offered by the Bob Cole Chamber Choir from California State University, Long Beach and its conductor Dr. Jonathan Talberg. It is hoped that the concert will both memorialize and raise awareness of the atrocities of the Ottoman Empire towards the Armenian people-atrocities that many scholars believe paved the way for genocides in Europe, in South East Asia, in Chile, and in Africa. The concert will be presented twice--once for the greater Fresno community and once for members of the California Music Educators Conference (CASMEC) attendees. The Concert is co-sponsored by the California State University, Long Beach, California Music Educators Conference, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian Museum of Fresno. Holy Trinity Church is located at 2226 Ventura Street in downtown Fresno. Limited seating. Seating will be available as first come first serve basis. For more information, call (559) 224-1000. Friday, February 20th Cineculture presents “ Field of Amapolas (Jardin the Amapolas)” with discussant: Maja Zimmermann (Producer). Emilio and his nine-year-old son are forced to abandon their parcel of land overnight due to threats that they and the locals have been collaborating with the enemy in the guerilla war that has been ravaging rural Colombia for years. A relative helps them relocate and, despite his initial reticence, Emilio ends up working on a poppy plantation. At the heart of the story is Luisa, with whom Emilio’s son shares the secret companionship of a neighborhood dog. Filmed in the south of Colombia, near Melo Guevara’s native Ipiales, this is a film about the plight of innocent civilians displaced by war. Sitting on the fence is not an option and it is almost impossible for them not to get mixed up in illegal activities. However, the final flashback of the children leaves us with an inkling of hope for a better future. This film is In Spanish with English subtitles. The screening will be at 5:30 p.m. at Fresno State’s Peters Education Center Auditorium (west of Save-Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). For more information, go to cineculture.csufresno.edu. Friday, February 20th Fresno Center for Nonviolence will continue its series of film screenings showing Oliver Stone’s “The Untold History of the United States”. The notion of American exceptionalism still warps Americans’ understanding of their nation’s role in the world. Most are loathe admitting that the United States has any imperial pretensions. But history tells a different story as filmmaker Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick reveal in this riveting account of the rise and decline of the American empire. Aided by the latest archival findings and recently declassified documents and building on the research of the world’s best scholars, Stone and Kuznick construct an often shocking but meticulously documented “people’s history” of the American empire that offers startling context to the Bush-Cheney policies that put us at war in two Muslim countries and show us why the Obama administration has had such a difficult time cleaving a new path. Their conclusions will astonish even experts, but there is one question only listeners can answer: Is it too late for America to change? The series will continue on subsequent Mondays until March 30th. This week’s episode addresses The Cold War: 1945–1950: The equations changes: specific month-by month causes of the Cold War. Highlights include Churchill's Iron Curtain speech, the civil war in Greece and the Red Scare that prompts the rise of Joseph McCarthy, the House Un-American Activities Committee and the FBI. These screenings are free and open to the public and the venue is wheelchair accessible. For more information call 559-237-3223 Mon-Fri 11-3. Friday, February 20th This is Interfaith Scholars Weekend with speaker: Dr. Miguel De La Torre on “Our Immigration Dilemma.” The weekend begins Friday, February 20th at Temple Beth Israel, 6622 N. Maroa Ave., with a 7:30 pm Opening Lecture during the Shabbat Service on the topic, “Immigration: What does the Judeo-Christian Tradition Say?” It continues on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel, followed on Sunday at three different venues: At Community United Church of Christ, 5550 N. Fresno Street at 9:00 am (Worship Service, with a Sermon By Dr. De La Torre (“Was Jesus a Racist?”), at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1314 E. Barstow Avenue at 10:30 am (Worship Service, with a Sermon By Dr. De La Torre on “Was Jesus a Racist?”), and at First Congregational Church of Fresno, 2131 N. Van Ness Blvd. from 1:00-2:15 pm (Debriefing of the Weekend with Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre). Registration for the weekend is $45. Register on-line at http://interfaithscholar.org/isw-2015/. Saturday, February 21st Join the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno for their semi-annual fundraiser, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults or $10 for students and children, and can be purchased at ICCI, 2111 E. Nees in Fresno. For more information, call 559-0297-9535. Sunday, February 22nd The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization will hold its World Meditation Day Special Event SAVE THE DATE! This will be a special program with video, meditation, & a poster exhibit. The theme will be “BEING IN THE HEART OF ONE.” More information to follow. Monday, February 23rd As part of a series of special events Commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr., and Black History Month, Fresno Pacific University "The Black Church Experience: Struggle for Freedom," a lecture by Allen Carden, Ph.D., professor, Fresno Pacific University, worship by Bishop Charles Dickerson, senior pastor, Pearly Grove Baptist Church. This event is sponsored by Fresno Pacific University and takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the African American Historical & Cultural Museum, 1857 Fulton St., Fresno. It is free and open to the public. For more information, call 559-453-2020 or e-mail [email protected]. Monday, February 23rd Fresno Center for Nonviolence will continue its series of film screenings showing Oliver Stone’s “The Untold History of the United States”. The notion of American exceptionalism still warps Americans’ understanding of their nation’s role in the world. Most are loathe admitting that the United States has any imperial pretensions. But history tells a different story as filmmaker Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick reveal in this riveting account of the rise and decline of the American empire. Aided by the latest archival findings and recently declassified documents and building on the research of the world’s best scholars, Stone and Kuznick construct an often shocking but meticulously documented “people’s history” of the American empire that offers startling context to the Bush-Cheney policies that put us at war in two Muslim countries and show us why the Obama administration has had such a difficult time cleaving a new path. Their conclusions will astonish even experts, but there is one question only listeners can answer: Is it too late for America to change? The series will continue on subsequent Mondays until March 30th. This week’s episode addresses The '50s: Eisenhower, The Bomb & The Third World: Eisenhower and John Foster Dulles replace Truman. Stalin dies but relations with the Soviet Union turn colder. The H-bomb and the doctrine of nuclear annihilation are explored and as are the Korean War and US rearment. McCarthyism grows and so does the ruthlessness of US policy towards the third world. Eisenhower emerges has a game changer. These screenings are free and open to the public and the venue is wheelchair accessible. For more information call 559-237-3223 Mon-Fri 11-3. Wednesday, February 25th Fresno Pacific University presents "Shakespeare's Songs & Sonnets." Fresno Pacific University Men's Chorus & Women's Chorale join Woodward Shakespeare Festival members. The event takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Woodward Park Library, 944 E. Perrin, Fresno. It is free and open to the public Friday, February 27th Cineculture presents “Josh/ Against the Grain,” with discussant Iram Parveen Bilal (Director). Josh, inspired by true events, is the story of a privileged woman whose life is shattered in a single moment. It is the story of a woman in search for a dangerous truth. It is the story of the biggest challenge to Pakistan's still reigning feudalism: the country's youth. The film explores the internal debates the young are struggling with, and how solutions can be attainable if and when they stand united. Fatima, a committed schoolteacher living the cosmopolitan high life in Karachi, is devastated when her nanny, Nusrat, inexplicably disappears. Though her friends and family beg her not to disturb the status quo and confront the powerful feudals in Nusrat’s village, Fatima travels there to investigate. Josh is a story of hope, of trying, of redemption. It is a story of the youth, of Pakistan, of the pain, the pleasure and the spirit of unity and independence. Ultimately, it is about "never giving up." The screening will be at 5:30 p.m. at Fresno State’s Peters Education Center Auditorium (west of Save-Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). For more information, go to cineculture.csufresno.edu. Friday, February 27th Fresno Center for Nonviolence will continue its series of film screenings showing Oliver Stone’s “The Untold History of the United States”. The notion of American exceptionalism still warps Americans’ understanding of their nation’s role in the world. Most are loathe admitting that the United States has any imperial pretensions. But history tells a different story as filmmaker Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick reveal in this riveting account of the rise and decline of the American empire. Aided by the latest archival findings and recently declassified documents and building on the research of the world’s best scholars, Stone and Kuznick construct an often shocking but meticulously documented “people’s history” of the American empire that offers startling context to the Bush-Cheney policies that put us at war in two Muslim countries and show us why the Obama administration has had such a difficult time cleaving a new path. Their conclusions will astonish even experts, but there is one question only listeners can answer: Is it too late for America to change? The series will continue on subsequent Mondays until March 30th. This week’s episode addresses The '50s: Eisenhower, The Bomb & The Third World: Eisenhower and John Foster Dulles replace Truman. Stalin dies but relations with the Soviet Union turn colder. The H-bomb and the doctrine of nuclear annihilation are explored and as are the Korean War and US rearment. McCarthyism grows and so does the ruthlessness of US policy towards the third world. Eisenhower emerges has a game changer. These screenings are free and open to the public and the venue is wheelchair accessible. For more information call 559-237-3223 Mon-Fri 11-3. Friday, February 27th and Saturday, February 28th Fresno Pacific University presents Opera at Pacific, This event takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Butler Church, 4884 E. Butler Ave., Fresno. Tickets are $7 general admission, or $5 for seniors & students, payable at the door. For more information, call 559-453-2267 or e-mail [email protected]. Monday, March 2nd The Black Popular Culture Lecture Series and Online Research Archive will welcome Rev. Jeremiah Wright to Fresno State on March 2nd in North Gym #118! Many of you would remember Rev. Wright when then-Presidential Candidate Barack Obama was embroiled in controversy when his church pastor (Rev. Wright) was cited out of context. Come hear an interview with Rev. Wright and let him define his ministry and activism in his own words! This event is free and begins at 6 p.m. Parking is $3. For more information contact Prof. T. Hasan Johnson at (559) 278-8805 or by e-mail to [email protected]. Tuesday, March 3rd Fresno/Madera Youth for Christ will celebrate its 70th anniversary and the launch of the Life*Leadership*Legacy campaign with a major event: the YFC 70th Anniversary Banquet at the Fresno Hotel and Conference Center (formerly the Radisson). The keynote speaker will be Ruth Graham, daughter of Billy Graham, who was the first full time evangelist for YFC USA. Gifts and pledges toward the Life*Leadership*Legacy Campaign will be invited. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased on the YFC website. Sponsors and table hosts are needed. (Plated dinner and dessert included with ticket purchase.) All event details and info available online at yfcnow.org. Friday, March 6th The California High-Speed Rail Authority along with community partners is organizing an event to bring government and corporation procurement specialists together with Valley small businesses that could meet their needs. The Spring Procurement Fair will be hosted by the Authority with the support of the California Department of General Services, Caltrans, the Small Business Administration and community partners to help promote small business development and growth. It will take place in Fresno at the University of California Center (550 Shaw Ave, rooms Kern and Inyo) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Every year millions of dollars are spent by government agencies/departments and large corporations on contracts with small businesses. Too often small businesses are unaware of these dollars or how to access them. This event is being organized to provide an atmosphere that lets small businesses generate networking opportunities and potentially gain access to these contracts. It will also assist state agencies and companies in meeting their procurement objectives. This event will support the Authority and its contractors in meeting the aggressive small business goals set forth in the Community Benefits Agreement of 30% participation for Small Business Enterprises, 10% for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and 3% for Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises. For more information, contact Elizabeth Jonasson, Information Officer, at [email protected], or by phone to (559) 248-6373 cell. Friday, March 6th The Reedley Peace Center presents the documentary “Praying the Devil Back to Hell,” which chronicles social unrest in the West African Republic of Liberia, where civil war has torn the nation apart and left hundreds of thousands dead or displaced. The film reconstructs the way this tragedy galvanized a coalition of Christian and Muslim women to rise up and, through nonviolent tactics, put pressure on their government to pursue peace talks, then follows their grassroots moment as it leads to democratic elections and Liberia's first female president. 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, March 6th Cineculture presents “Rio 2096: A Story of Love and Fury (Uma História de Amor e Fúria),” with discussant: Luiz Bolognesi (Director). Rio 2096 is an animated film with a graphic novel slant revolving around the love between an immortal hero and Janaína, the woman he has been in love with for 600 years. Luiz Bolognesi has set the story in four phases of Brazil’s history: colonization, slavery, military regime and the future, in 2096, in the midst of wars for water. The film stars the voice talents of Selton Mello and Camila Pitanga as the two main characters. The feature film also counts on the voice of Rodrigo Santoro as an Indian Chief and warrior. The screening will be at 5:30 p.m. at Fresno State’s Peters Education Center Auditorium (west of Save-Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). For more information, go to cineculture.csufresno.edu. Saturday, March 7th The International Women’s Day Planning Team invite you to attend their annual Women’s Day celebration of women in history, women of achievement today, and the special needs and concerns of women and girls. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Parkwood Elementary School. There will be performances, guest speakers, workshops, food, and displays to inspire us all! YOU can be a part of this festive day in one or more ways. Can you see yourself doing any of these wonderful things? 1. Bring a display and materials to promote your services for women and girls, or your art, or your knowledge of women in history or women of achievement today. 2. Contribute or cater food, bottled water or a special cake to be served at the lunch break. 3. Create a children’s corner where parents with small children might rest and play awhile and still observe the main event. 4. Get in on the planning by joining one of our sub-committees (decorations, set-up, clean-up, women’s history fashion show, program, publicity, etc) 5. Offer an inspiring short speech or performance (song, skit, dance, etc). 6. Donate to help our expenses. (checks made out to “Friends of Madera County Library”) Contact any of us by January 15 if at all possible, so that we can firm up our program for the big day! We look forward to hearing from you! If you get inspired after January 15, please contact us! The “door” will be open for you to get involved! To participate, or for more information, contact Delia Gregorski at 232-1557 or [email protected], Ellen Mester at [email protected] or 232-2681, or Becky Goodwin at 916-205-8832 or [email protected]. Saturday, March 7th Chinatown Revitalization Inc. proudly presents the 15th annual Chinese New Year Parade & Festival. This parade will celebrate the year of the ram and include lion dance performance teams, unique parade float participates, free activities for kids, community outreach information, car show, food, and vendors. Festivities will begin at 10:00 am in the parking lot on F St between Kern and Tulare. The parade will commence at 12:00pm from Mariposa and F St, down F St to Kern, turning right onto Kern, then right onto E St. For more information, call Jeremy Brownstein at 559-960-2249. Friday, March 13th The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker Dolores Weller on the topic of Air quality. 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, March 14th The Fresno Folklore Society presents Nevenka Balkan Women's Choir at Cal Art Academy Severance. For more information, call 559-307-3610. Friday, March 20th Cineculture presents “Oil & Water,” with discussant Hugo Lucitante. Oil & Water is the coming of age story of two boys as they each confront one of the world's worst toxic disasters, the prolonged contamination of the Ecuadorian Amazon by Texaco and other oil companies. Hugo comes to America to fight for the survival of his tribe, the Cofán, while David goes to Ecuador to launch the world's first company to certify oil as "fair trade." Can Hugo become the leader his tribe so desperately wants him to be? Will David clean up one of the world's dirtiest industries? This film is an intimate portrait of two young people finding their voices and trying to beat incredible odds. Their journeys lead them to explore what could be a more just future, not just for the people of the Amazon, but for all people around the world born with oil beneath their feet. Eight years in the making Oil & Water is a shocking and inspiring David and Goliath story. The screening will be at 5:30 p.m. at Fresno State’s Peters Education Center Auditorium (west of Save-Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). For more information, go to cineculture.csufresno.edu. Friday, March 20th and Saturday, March 21st The Reedley Peace Center will hold its 12th annual retreat. Featured speaker is Kristin Stoneking, Executive Director of Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), USA. . For more information, call Don Friesen at (559) 638-3091 or e-mail [email protected]. Saturday, March 21st The Fresno Folklore Society presents Acoustic Stories with Bill Amatneek at Mia Cuppa Café, starting at 6 p.m. Years of performing behind artists like Bill Monroe, Peter Rowan, David Grisman, and Jerry Garcia would probably give anyone a lot of stories to share. He walks the streets of Paris hunting for a source of tortoise shell flatpicks with Tony Rice, Darol Anger, David Grisman, and Bill Keith…the Bill Keith Bicentennial Bluegrass Band. And he collaborates with Kate Wolf. He tells of David Grisman trying to introduce Jerry Garcia to Stephane Grapelli as the legendary violinist attempts to mask he has no idea who Jerry or the Grateful Dead are. There’s Bill Monroe, showing up behind the Peter Rowan Band onstage at the 1995 Wintergrass Festival, he and Peter engaging in a playful shoving match ending with Big Mon sending Peter flying with an elbow shot to the ribs. Or stories of the New Riders of The Purple Sage; Peter, Paul and Mary and Bob Dylan. Tickets are $8 in advance or for FFS members, or $12 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at National Hardware, Patrick's Music and fresnofolkconcerts.com. Mia Cuppa Café is located at 620 Olive Ave in Fresno's Tower District. For more information, call 559-307-3610. Friday, March 27th The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker Cindy Hoopes. 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 email [email protected]. The event is free, open to the public, and accessible to the handicapped. Friday, April 17th Cinculture presents “The Hunting Ground” with discussant Kirby Dick (Director). From the team behind THE INVISIBLE WAR, comes a startling exposé of rape crimes on U.S. campuses, institutional cover-ups and the brutal social toll on victims and their families. Weaving together verité footage and first-person testimonies, the film follows survivors as they pursue their education while fighting for justice — despite harsh retaliation, harassment and pushback at every level. 90 minutes. The screening will be at 5:30 p.m. at Fresno State’s Peters Education Center Auditorium (west of Save-Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). For more information, go to cineculture.csufresno.edu. Friday, May 1st Cineculture presents “The Golden Dream (La jaula de oro)” with discussant: to be announced. Juan, Sara and Samuel, all 15 years old, flee from Guatemala towards the USA. On their journey through Mexico they meet Chauk, a Tzotzil Indian who does not speak Spanish and has no official documents. They all believe they will find a better world beyond the USA-Mexico border but they run into a harsh reality. The film is in Spanish and Tzotzil with English subtitles. The screening will be at 5:30 p.m. at Fresno State’s Peters Education Center Auditorium (west of Save-Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). For more information, go to cineculture.csufresno.edu. Saturday, May 9th When country a cappella band Home Free was crowned Season 4 Champions of NBC's The Sing-Off this past December, their victory was by no means the beginnings of a career for the five country stars from Minnesota… rather it was a satisfying culmination of nearly a decade of hard work and commitment to a vocal craft growing in popularity. Home Free will take the stage at the Tower Theatre in Fresno on Saturday, May 9th. Tickets, including the VIP option, will go on sale Wednesday, December 17th at 10am and will be available at TowerTheatreFresno.com or by phone at 559-485-9050. VIP tickets include Best seats in the house, Pre-show Meet and Greet and Q&A with the band inside the theatre (90 minutes prior to the show), Exclusive Spring 2015 Tour VIP Laminate, Limited-Edition Show Hatch Print, A photo with the band, and Crowd-free merchandise shopping. The Tower Theatre is located at 815 East Olive Avenue, Fresno, and this all ages show begins at 8:00 p.m. Advance tickets are $30 and VIP tickets are $100. For more information, call 559-485-9050. Thursday, May 14th n My Life - A Musical Theatre Tribute to The Beatles is the award-winning musical biography of the Beatles through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein. Featuring live music from renowned tribute band Abbey Road, the show is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades. The multi-media musical plays Thursday, May 14 at 8 pm at the Tower Theatre. Tickets are $29/$39 and may be purchased online at www.towertheatrefresno.com, by phone at (559) 485-9050 by email at [email protected] by dropping by the theatre box office. Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 815 East Olive Avenue in Fresno. The show is appropriate for all ages. MULTIPLE DAY EVENTS: Throughout 2015 Due to the overwhelming success of their 2013 and 2014 Film Series’, Warnors is proud to announce the continuation of their Classic Film program for 2015. All of the 2015 Classic Films will be shown on the Warnors Theatre BIG screen on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:00pm followed by the film at 7:00pm. The Classic Film Series is most people only opportunity to take a step back in time, and see classic films on the BIG screen in an authentic 1928 Movie Palace. These films allow for everyone to get involved; whether it is by attending the film, dressing up in a costume that goes with the theme of the film, volunteering, or through sponsorship. If you would like more information on getting involved or reporting on the story, please contact Michelle Swift through email at [email protected] or contact the office at (559)264-2848. Thanks to their sponsors, Warnors is able to provide FREE tickets for their Classic Films to school districts, and various youth organizations; such as the Boys and Girls Club. This allows for the youth to be able to attend the film, to learn about the history of film, and be able to experience the different social norms of the film’s period in history. If you know a group of students that would benefit from attending Classic Films at Warnors, or you are interested in being a sponsor, contact Michelle Swift for more information. The doors to the theatre will open at 6:00pm with a pipe organ concert from Dick Cencibaugh. To add to the festivities, if participants dress in an outfit that goes with the theme or characters in the film they can receive free admission to the film. This is a great way for everyone to get involved and make it a fun experience. Folks may purchase tickets at the Warnors Box Office or at the door the evening of the film, when the doors open at 6:00pm. Tickets are $5 for individuals, and children under 12 are FREE! If you would like further information or to see the movie schedule for 2015 please visit their website at www.warnors.org or call the office at (559)264-2848. Mondays and Wednesdays during Flu Season The Fresno County Department of Public Health offers flu vaccination at 1221 Fulton Mall in downtown Fresno on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The cost is six dollars. No one will be refused services if unable to pay. Fresno County residents with flu symptoms should contact their health care provider regarding possible treatment with anti-viral medication. To reduce the risk of influenza infection and help prevent spread of the flu virus, residents should: For more information on flu, visit www.fcdph.org/flu or call toll-free at 1-888-993-3003. Friday, January 2nd through Sunday, February 22nd Good Company Players’ the regional premiere of “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” at the 2nd Space Theatre . Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a lovely farmhouse in Pennsylvania where they spend their days bickering and complaining. When Masha, their movie-star sister, dashes in for a visit with her boy-toy, Spike, old resentments immediately flare. Throw in a sassy, clairvoyant maid and an aspiring actress, pretty enough to trouble an aging diva, and you have a recipe for riotous and dysfunctional fun! “Everyone has a monologue that is nothing short of hilarious… You’ve only spent a weekend with these people, but you might want to spend a lifetime with Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” - HuffingtonPost.com. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Friday & Saturday at 8:00 p.m., & Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $18 general admission and $15 for students & seniors. Groups of 16 or more are eligible for discounts. For information and reservations, call Dave at (559) 2669493, or go to www.2ndspacetheatre.com or www.gcplayers.com. Monday, January 12th through Monday, March 30th The Fresno Center for Nonviolence will be showing the series from Oliver Stone “The Untold History of the United States ” with subsequent episodes to be shown each Monday following until March 30th. Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick have done what many would consider impossible. They have written a political history of the United States in the 20th Century that tells us exactly how the United States became an empire through conscious decisions, and how the struggle to maintain that empire will go on despite which political party holds office. It is a brilliant survey of the untold story. This event will take place at 7 p.m. at 1584 N. Van Ness (SE corner of McKinley and Van Ness). The notion of American exceptionalism still warps Americans’ understanding of their nation’s role in the world. Most are loathe admitting that the United States has any imperial pretensions. But history tells a different story as filmmaker Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick reveal in this riveting account of the rise and decline of the American empire. Aided by the latest archival findings and recently declassified documents and building on the research of the world’s best scholars, Stone and Kuznick construct an often shocking but meticulously documented “people’s history” of the American empire that offers startling context to the Bush-Cheney policies that put us at war in two Muslim countries and show us why the Obama administration has had such a difficult time cleaving a new path. Their conclusions will astonish even experts, but there is one question only listeners can answer: Is it too late for America to change? Thursday, January 15th through Sunday, March 15th Good Company Players’ toe-tingling production of “Crazy For You” is up next at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater, opening January 15th This Gershwin extravaganza, filled with song, dance, and waves of laughter will tap its way into theatre lovers’ hearts. In this salute to 1930’s movie musicals, a stage-struck financier named Bobby travels to Deadrock, Nevada to foreclose on a run-down theater. He winds up falling in love with Polly, the daughter of the theater owner. When Bobby gets the brilliant idea to put on a show to save the theater, nobody trusts him so he disguises himself as famous producer, Bela Zangler. Everything goes swimmingly until the real Bela Zangler shows up in Deadrock in pursuit of his dance director who has abandoned New York to help Bobby. Matters are further complicated by a jilted socialite, a jealous saloon owner, and Eugene and Patricia Fodor, who are writing a review of Deadrock’s tourist appeal. Mosey back to a simpler time and let the timeless music of Gershwin wash over you with standards including “I Got Rhythm,” “Someone To Watch Over Me,” “Naughty Baby,” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” Performances are Thursdays through Sundays, with two shows most Sundays. 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 the Sunday matinee, 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. 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 Thursday and Sunday Buffet & Show is $50 per person (Show Only - $30.00). The cost for the Friday and Saturday Served Meal & Show is $55.00; Show Plus (includes the show, 1 dessert, 1 drink, tax and tip) is also available. Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater,\ is located at 1226 N. Wishon, at Olive and Wishon in The Tower District. For tickets or more information, call 559-266-9494/800-371-4747 or reserve online at rogerrockas.com. Friday, January 16th through Friday, April 3rd Fresno Center for Nonviolence presents the a screening of the multi part series of Oliver Stone’s “Untold History of the United States”. The series will every Friday through April 3rd. The notion of American exceptionalism still warps Americans’ understanding of their nation’s role in the world. Most are loathe admitting that the United States has any imperial pretensions. But history tells a different story as filmmaker Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick reveal in this riveting account of the rise and decline of the American empire. Aided by the latest archival findings and recently declassified documents and building on the research of the world’s best scholars, Stone and Kuznick construct an often shocking but meticulously documented “people’s history” of the American empire that offers startling context to the Bush-Cheney policies that put us at war in two Muslim countries and show us why the Obama administration has had such a difficult time cleaving a new path. Their conclusions will astonish even experts, but there is one question only listeners can answer: Is it too late for America to change? The film will screen at 1 p.m. at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence 1584 N. Van Ness (SE corner Van Ness and McKinley), Sunday, January 18th through Sunday, May 31st The Fresno County Public Library (FCPL) is offering STeP (Skills for Teen Parenting) Workshops alternate Sundays from January 18th through May 31st, from 1:00–3:00 pm at the Politi Branch Library, 5771 N First Street (SW corner of First Street and Bullard Avenue). This series of ten life skills workshops for pregnant and parenting teen mothers on alternate Sunday afternoons at the Politi Branch Library includes free childcare provided in the Library, which will open from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Sundays for these classes. These workshops will help new and future teen mothers acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and tools to succeed as adults and parents. A variety of specialists in the community will present information on topics including practicing good nutrition, managing money, exploring housing options, continuing and/or finishing school, developing pre-employment skills and creating resumes, finding resources for quality child care, taking care of their health, developing good parenting skills and building healthy family relationships. FCPL hopes teens will attend the entire ten workshop series. Registration is required; call 431-6450 to sign up. Healthy snacks for both teens and their children will be provided. Wednesday, January 28th through Wednesday, February 25th Merced County Supervisor John Pedrozo has set the dates for the 10th annual town hall meetings throughout District 1 in Merced. Town hall meetings are informal public meetings where everyone in the community is invited to attend, voice their opinions and hear responses from county/public representatives regarding subjects of interest or emerging issues. Town hall meetings in District 1 are scheduled as follows: Wednesday, January 28th at Le Grand Legion Hall, 12560 Le Grand Road, Le Grand Wednesday, February 4th at Planada Community Center, 9167 E Stanford Avenue, Thursay, February 19th at Livingston City Council Chambers, 1416 “C” Street, Wednesay, February 25th at Tenaya Middle School (Multipurpose Room). 760 West 8th Street, Merced All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. Supervisor Pedrozo has coordinated the participation of several Merced County department heads that will be on hand to answer questions or respond to concerns raised by the public. Representatives of Congressman Jim Costa, State Senator Anthony Cannella and Assembly man Adam Gray will be invited to hear concerns relating to District 1 residents. This is a great way to learn about important matters in the community and for public representatives to hear from you. For more information on these town hall meetings, please contact Grethel Croasdale at (209) 385-7366. Tuesday, February 10th through Tuesday, June 30th After providing enticing exhibitions for twenty years, the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture will close its doors with its final exhibition Elegant Pastimes: Masterpieces of Japanese Art from the Clark Collections at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The exhibition highlights a selection of 1,200 years of Japanese art from the 8th century to 2013. The Clark Center for Japanese Art & Culture is located at 15770 10th Avenue in Hanford, and it is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday 12:30 to 5 p.m. with a docent tour every Saturday at 1 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and active military (with ID), 12 and under are free. It is closed on National Holidays. 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]. Friday, May 1st through Saturday, May 9th Fresno State’s University Theatre presents “The Playboy of the Western World,” a classic Irish comedy from 1907 by John Millington Synge. In the remote west coast of Ireland, a stranger, Christy Mahon, stumbles into Flaherty’s tavern claiming to be on the run after killing his brute of a father. Rather than condemn his actions, the locals are fascinated by his scandalous boldness, and soon, Christy is enjoying celebrity notoriety in the town—and also enjoying the romantic attention of two local women, Pegeen and the Widow Quinn, who vie for him. However, when Christy’s father shows up, comic complications ensue. As a satire on the romanticizing of outlaws, this classic play still resonates with contemporary culture. 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 $17 for adults, $15 for Fresno State Faculty/Staff, Seniors, Alumni & Military, and $10 for all students. For more 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 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.
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