Fresno Flyer Vol 7 No 6

Keepusout of thelandfill

EDITOR’S NOTE

Art is one of the few things in the world with the majestic ability to bring scores of strangers together, united in their mutual love of a painting, a song, a photo, or a story. We love it so much that we even wrap our identities with it - describing who we are by the characters or franchises we adore. We are steeped in the voices and dreams of artists, living or dead, from across multiple generations. Yet, we collectively scoff at students who major in art, film, or creative writing.

There is a bizarre disconnect between how we feel about art, generally, and the concept of a ‘successful’ career. Praise showers from the heavens for areas such as medicine, engineering, law, etc., but tell that same person you’re majoring in sculpture, and the inevitable response will be, “what are you gonna do with that?” Interestingly enough, however, that same person will also express reverence at the statue of David.

The disconnect is rooted in the inability to recognize that Michelangelo was just some kid with a vision once upon a time. Or, more modernly, Jean Michael Basquiat was just some teen spray-painting graffiti on buildings with an eye for expressionism. As if talent is born earth-shatteringly great rather than carefully cultivated over time and supported by ample opportunities.

Artists of all kinds need a place to craft, reflect, grow, experiment, fail, and rise again. And

such places look like the small stages in local clubs, community theaters, and, yes, even universities. But art doesn’t have value simply because we can monetize it. Art has value for what it gives us - the ability to express something we had no words for, a perspective we didn’t know existed, insight, self-reflection, joy … the list goes on. For everything that art, in its various forms, gives us, we should find ways to give back to it however we can.

Support isn’t just showing up. Certainly, you should be making an effort to attend local theater performances and live local music - such as heading out to the Rogue Festival in March. But support also means encouraging people of all ages to learn to sculpt, paint, dance, play music and write poetry. It means not turning your nose up at people obtaining a fine arts degree or taking up a new creative hobby and asking how they plan to make a living. Not everything needs to make money; we’re allowed to do things for the sole purpose that it brings us happiness. But if that artist is making a living from their work, pay them what it’s worth… don’t be that guy.

Art survives not because we continue to create it but because we also continue to breathe life into it by consuming it, sharing it, and demanding more of it - as one cannot survive without the other.

SHOP #BLACKOWNED

Get to know some of Fresno’s best Black-owned businesses.

By Dave Fountinelle | dave@fresnoflyer.com

February is typically the time when corporations, advertisers, and the media spotlight the many entrepreneurs, influencers, business leaders, and creators in the Black community for Black History Month. We at Fresno Flyer want to use our platform to shine a light on a few of the many exceptional Black-owned businesses in Fresno as well, in hopes that our readers will support them not just in February, but all year long.

While we have always encouraged our readers to shop local and support valley businesses, we believe it is especially important to support Black-owned businesses for these reasons:

Black businesses typically have less startup capital, access to funding, and face greater barriers to entry compared to their white-owned counterparts, making it harder for them to succeed.

Black businesses were - and continue to be - much more adversely impacted by the pandemic. According to the 2020 McK insey Report, twice as many Black-owned businesses failed during the pandemic than white-owned ones. Even now, almost three years after the lockdowns have ended, Black business revenues trail the national average by nearly 30%.

is essential to closing the historical racial wealth gap and providing true equity of opportunity in our society.

Of course, it also helps that all of the businesses on our list offer exceptional products and services as well. When you support Fresno’s Blackowned businesses, you will enjoy some of the best food, fashion, art, and entertainment the valley has to offer. With that, here are a few of the Black businesses every Fresnan should know about.

Take 3 Burger Restaurant

1230 Fulton St, Fresno (559) 489-0490 facebook.com/take3burgers/

IG: @take3burgers take3burgers.com/

Offering fresh ingredients and high-quality

the humble burger spot was earning accolades all over the city, including a Fresno Bee People’s Choice award in 2021.

Their centerpiece, of course, are the burgers. Take 3 lets customers create their own personal masterpiece using a variety of toppings including guacamole, bacon, bleu cheese, and grilled onions, to name a few. They can even swap the ground beef patty for a turkey burger or fried chicken option. The sides are on point as well. Fries and onion rings are both served crispy and delicious, and the “Bruce Lee” loaded chili fries topped with chopped bacon are a big hit with customers.

Take 3 is currently closed for reorganization with plans to reopen very soon. Loyal customers and curious foodies are encouraged to follow Take 3 on their socials to find out when they will be back serving up the best lunch grub in downtown. ng up the best lunch grub in downtown.

Kemp BBQ

Wood-Smoked BBQ

2220 Herndon Ave, Ste 102, Clovis (559) 765-4890

facebook.com/kempbbq

IG: @official_kempbbq

Kempbbq.com

Owner Dom Matthews opened his first BBQ restaurant in Gustine back in 2019. He decided to bring his signature wood-smoked BBQ to Clovis in 2022 and has been treating BBQ lovers to some of the valley’s best brisket, tri-tip, ribs, and hot links ever since.

Completely self-taught, Matthews took the Texas BBQ style and added his uniquely Californian twist. The results are mouth watering to say the least, with customers lining up out the door.

In addition to their delicious post oak smoked meats, Kemp BBQ also offers sides including creamy three-cheese mac n cheese, red potato salad, spicy ranch beans, and buttery rice pilaf. And what BBQ plate would be complete without hand-whipped banana pudding?

To stay up to date on all of Kemp BBQ’s offers, including limited specials like their beef “dino ribs,” follow them on their socials.

Tower Blendz

Smoothies, Salads, Acai Bowls, & more 802 E. Olive Ave, Fresno (559) 633-9895

facebook.com/TowerBlendz

IG: @towerblendz

Towerblendz.business.site

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Kemp BBQ

Chef Paul’s Cafe

California reparations task force zeroes in on who’d be eligible for compensation

By Wendy Fry, CalMatters

TheCalifornia reparations task force on Saturday concluded two days of public hearings in San Diego, making some key decisions and inching closer to their July deadline for their final set of recommendations.

The task force agreed on Saturday to recommend that the state create the California African American Freedmen Affairs Agency to implement recommendations by the task force.

The Reparations Task Force has been meeting throughout California to help state officials examine how slavery and systemic racism have harmed African Americans and how the state should respond. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the 2020 law creating the task force, which is expected to develop reparations proposals for the Legislature by July.

The Freedmen Affairs Agency would process claims for reparations and work with various state agencies to handle other recommendations.

Most of the task force also agreed to extend their work for another year, to oversee the implementation of their recommendations. Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, a Los Angeles Democrat, abstained from that vote, while the other eight task force members voted in favor of extending their work until July 1, 2024.

In September, Newsom vetoed a bill by Jones-Sawyer that would have extended the deadline for the task force’s recommendations.

Residency required?

Task force members also appeared to agree Friday that there will be some form of a state residency requirement for people to be eligible for compensation for the harms caused by slavery and racism. But the parameters of the residency requirements

remain undecided.

For example, it remains unclear if people who suffered from one of the task force’s designated five categories of harm while living in California, but have since moved out of state, would be eligible for reparations.

Those five categories of harm against Black people include the unjust taking of properties, devaluation of Black businesses, housing discrimination, mass incarceration and health harm.

Most task force members said they were leaning toward setting a current residency requirement, meaning to be eligible the person has to be living in California. But no official vote was taken Friday or Saturday.

Cheryl Grills, a task force member and clinical psychologist with an emphasis in community psychology, said she is concerned that some vulnerable people, such as children in foster care or people just getting out of prison, would be heavily burdened having to meet overly-specific residency requirements.

“We want to be as inclusive as possible, because the harm is everywhere. It’s omnipresent and it touches all Black folks,” she said.

Special populations

About 6.5% of California residents, more than 2.5 million people, identify as Black or African American.

About 20% of California’s 60,000 or so foster children are Black, as are large percentages of California’s 95,000 state prisoners, nearly 14,000 federal prisoners and 44,000 or so county jail inmates.

Task Force Chairperson Kamilah Moore indicated she may support allowing for compensation to certain people who have been

harmed while in California but have moved out of state.

“We shouldn’t necessarily punish people for the harms they endured, but for not being able to withstand the state-sanctioned atrocity,” said Moore, who is a reparatory justice scholar and attorney.

The task force also discussed and preliminarily approved recommending the state close as many as 10 state prisons, but it debated what should be done with the sites. The panel discussed recommending selling or leasing the properties or using the spaces as teaching or training locations.

A full list of the task force’s several dozen “preliminary recommendations for future deliberation” was published on the Department of Justice’s website.

Other recommendations include allowing incarcerated prisoners to vote and receive a fair market wage for work, making zero-interest loans available to Black-owned businesses and homebuyers, and providing college scholarships to Black high school graduates.

No ‘tokens’

Any reparations program would need to be enacted by the Legislature and approved by the governor.

The meetings Friday and Saturday at San Diego State were the first of in 2023 and the 12th public hearings since Secretary of State Shirley Weber wrote the legislation creating the panel when she was an Assemblymember.

Weber attended the meeting Friday morning and received a standing ovation from about 100 people in attendance. She urged task force members to push their recommendations forward and said she hoped the task force’s work would become a model for a national effort of reparations.

“It’s like a baby; if you don’t get it out, it’s not going to live,” Weber said. “Make sure your recommendations will really change the experience and life for African Americans. We don’t need token things … Make sure your recommendations are going to have a lasting impact.”

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat

from New Jersey, on Jan. 24 reintroduced federal reparations legislation that would establish a commission to consider proposals for reparations for African American descendants of slavery.

A similar bill to create a national commission to study reparations for Black Americans has been introduced in Congress in various forms over the last three decades. The last bill advanced out of the House judiciary committee for the first time last year but did not go further.

Reparations elsewhere

On Friday and Saturday, task force members also heard about how current U.S. tax law benefits the wealthiest members of society, the large wealth gap between Black and white citizens, and about various reparations efforts in other cities and counties.

The task force’s nearly 500-page interim report presents national data showing that in 2017, 3.5% of all U.S. businesses were Blackowned, while 81% were owned by whites.

The median Black household net worth in 2019 was $24,100, less than 13% of the median net worth of white households at $188,200. State-by-state data was not available.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also spoke Friday and applauded the task force. He shared his personal experiences as the first person of color elected as the city’s mayor. Gloria is Latino, Native American and Filipino.

One public commenter criticized Gloria for not yet initiating a San Diego reparations task force like other cities, such as San Francisco, Berkeley, Sacramento, Oakland, Hayward, Vallejo, Culver City and Los Angeles, as well as the counties of Alameda, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The next set of state public hearings will be on March 3 and 4 in Sacramento. Agenda items will be posted on the Department of Justice’s website when available.

- -CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

With their large selection of low-calorie, healthy, energy boosting, and body nourishing foods and beverages, Tower Blendz has become a popular spot in the Tower District for people looking for something that is not only unique, but also delicious, and guiltfree.

Tower Blendz is more than just invigorating breakfast smoothies, refreshing acai bowls, crisp and delicious salads, mouth-watering wraps, and rejuvenating teas. They also offer health and nutritional education and community engagement through faith-based events to promote a healthy lifestyle. Tower Blendz is more than just a great spot for great food that’s good for you, too. They are changing people’s perceptions of what healthy foods can taste like, while also working to support better nutrition and healthier communities in Fresno.

You can view the Tower Blendz menu, and get lots of tips for healthier living on their socials.

Triumph African Restaurant

Traditional West African Food and Market

5730 N. First St, Ste 109, Fresno (559) 705-6832

facebook.com/triumphafricanrestaurant

IG: @triumphafricanmarketfrescno

Triumphafricantogo.com

Triumph African Restaurant offers a variety of traditional West African dishes, including jollof (a spicy rice), egusi (a hearty meat soup made with ground melon seeds), and fufu (a starchy ball made from cassava, yams, or plantains). They also serve beef and chicken Suya, which are spiced and smoked meat skewers, as well as meat pies, rice, yams, plantains, beans, fish and more. Triumph African Restaurant offers a delicious culinary experience for Fresno Foodies looking for a unique alternative to the standard dining fare.

In addition to the restaurant, Triumph is also a West African market, offering customers all of the traditional ingredients they’ll need to recreate the various dishes from their menu at home. They also carry a full selection of traditional West African beverages and desserts as well.

Online ordering is available through their website, and more information about both the restaurant and market can be found on their socials.

Fasika

Ethiopian/Kenyan Restaurant

4712 N. Blackstone Ave, Fresno (559) 222-2801

facebook.com/profile.

php?id=100069161064136

IG: @fasikaethiopianrestaurant Fasikacalifornia.com

Fasika is the Amharic word for Easter, and it refers to the 55-day period where Ethiopians celebrate their most important festival of the year. The festival begins with 8 weeks of fasting to honor the death of Christ, and concludes with a huge feast to celebrate his resurrection.

Fasika Ethiopian Restaurant celebrates the “feast of feasts” with a reverential approach to their traditional dishes, meant to evoke the happiness of the Ethiopian people in the hearts of everyone who passes through their doors.

Appetizers include Sambusas, which are triangle-shaped flatbread stuffed with meat or lentils, garlic, onions, vegetables and spices, and Shiro Wat, a mix of highly-seasoned ground chickpeas and berbere (red chili powder) sauce. The menu also includes many vegetarian options such as Gomen (collard greens cooked with garlic, onions and oil), Azifa (a cold lentil dish with onions, garlic, and jalapenos), sauteed string beans, and much more. Carnivores will no doubt enjoy their tender, marinated beef, chicken, lamb, and fish plates, ranging from mild “tibs” to spicy “wat” varieties.

Fasika’s Kenyan offerings include kebabs of thick, juicy grilled beef and chicken, as well as heaping plates of grilled, marinated chicken and beef. Along with an impressive list of vegetarian dishes that are as healthy as they are delicious.

Dine-in and to-go orders are accepted and their full menu of mouth-watering dishes is available on their website.

Full Circle Brewing Company Micro Brewery and Live Entertainment Venue

712 Fulton St, Fresno (559) 319-8195

facebook.com/FullCircleBrewingCo

IG: @fullcirclebrewingco

Fullcirclebrewing.com

In 2016, Arthur Moye - a CPA with a passion for homebrewing - took a huge leap when he decided to sell his practice and purchase the Central Valley’s oldest running brewery. Backed by a host of passionate community investors, the rebirth of Full Circle Brewing Company began. In the seven years since then, Full Circle Brewing Co. has become one of Fresno’s most popular microbreweries

and beer pubs. It also sports one of the city’s hottest live entertainment venues, attracting a diverse array of musical acts, comedians, and performance artists from all over the country.

Full Circle Brewing Co. beers are available in a number of retailers and big box stores all over California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. So valley beer lovers can bring their favorites home, or sample one of their many IPAs, lagers, shandies, ciders, and more, while enjoying live entertainment from some of the country’s hottest touring acts.

To keep up with their ever-changing menu, place an order, or check out which live shows are coming their way, follow Full Circle Brewing Co. on their socials, or visit their website.

Chef Paul’s Cafe

American Comfort Food 952 F St, Fresno (559) 478-8516

facebook.com/ChefPaulsCafe/ IG: @chefpaulscafe_

No list of must-try Black-owned restaurants would be complete without including Chef Paul’s Cafe. Voted one of the top “must-try” Black-owned restaurants in the US by Buzzfeed. Chef Paul Pearson has been serving customers some of the best American soul food you’ll find west of the Mississippi.

Pearson cheerfully serves up his award-winning fried chicken and waffles, mashed potatoes and gravy, fried catfish, seafood gumbo, mac n cheese, collards, chicken fried steak, hot links, ribs and more. (Blankets and pillows not included). The 73-yearold chef greets every customer with a smile and a ‘hello.’ Pearson’s warm and welcoming personality is as much of an attraction for his loyal patrons as the scrumptious menu.

Regular customers know that it’s best to get there early to beat the lunch crowd. At noon, it’s not uncommon to see a line of hungry customers out the door. Even celebrity supermodel and actress Tyra Banks has ventured to Fresno’s Chinatown to enjoy Chef Paul’s delicious cuisine.

Chef Paul’s Cafe is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 11:30am to 4:00pm, and is open until 6:00pm on Thursdays.

Planet Vegan Burgers

Food Truck (559) 712-1747

facebook.com/planetveganburgers

IG: @planetveganburgers

Planet Vegan Burgers began in 2019, debuting their plant-based burger food truck at Gazebo Gardens. Over the next three years,

Planet Vegan Burgers amassed a loyal following with their delicious vegan takes on everything from burgers and fried chicken sandwiches to tacos and fried mozzarella sticks.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck Planet Vegan Burgers in June, 2022, when a fire in their food truck caused an explosion that left co-owner Joe Ellis badly injured with burns on 35% of his body. Since then, Ellis has undergone multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, while the food truck community rallied together and a GoFundMe campaign raised thousands to help his recovery.

Planet Vegan Burgers hopes to return in 2023, with the same amazing menu of all-vegan American diner classics that made them one of Fresno’s most popular food trucks. Follow Planet Vegan Burgers on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates, and to help support their speedy return.

King Kulture Clothing

Online Apparel Store

IG: @kingkulture_clothing

Kingkultureclothing.com

“Bigger than business, more than merch, King Kulture is a movement.” Those are the words King Kulture Clothing uses to describe itself on the company’s website. Their mission is more than just building a successful business selling high-quality branded clothing. King Kulture Clothing wants to empower other Black entrepreneurs and help uplift Black communities in Fresno and the Central Valley. Whether they are selling clothes and merchandise, or hosting community events all over Fresno, King Kulture Clothing is committed to Black empowerment and helping to create real opportunities for positive change.

It is with that goal in mind that King Kulture Clothing partners itself with other up-and-coming Black businesses. Owner Isaiah Maxwell created King Kulture not just as a showcase for his own clothing brand, but as an online market where other Fresno entrepreneurs can network and grow their own businesses as well. King Kulture Clothing is always looking for other local entrepreneurs to connect and do business with.

King Kulture is more than just a clothing brand, it is a mindset and a lifestyle. All of their original designs are available on their website, along with the hottest styles from other local urban fashion brands.

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Closure of Fresno’s only youth homeless shelter leaves community scrambling

“There’s absolutely nowhere to take these teenagers,” said Dez Martinez, an advocate for people who are unhoused.

By Jeremiah O. Rhodes, Fresnoland

[This story was originally published by Fresnoland, a nonprofit news organization]

In the aftermath of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission’s decision to close Fresno’s only shelter for homeless youth last November, advocates and community members are scrambling to make sense of the closure and to find alternatives.

At a Jan. 24 Fresno School Liaison Subcommittee meeting, Chrystal Streets, Fresno EOC’s homeless services manager, said that the Sanctuary Youth Shelter’s shelter closing was a “blow to the EOC.”

Before the November closure, EOC’s Sanctuary Youth Shelter on N Street in downtown Fresno was the only refuge for unsheltered children under the age of 18 in the county.

Dez Martinez, a Fresno-based business owner and homeless advocate, said the closure of the shelter complicates the work she does to support homeless youth.

“There’s absolutely nowhere to take these teenagers,” Martinez said. “Now, I just try to call sponsors and ask for a couple of days in a motel room, but motel prices are skyrocketing.”

The Fresno Rescue Mission, which ran the Craycroft Center, a youth homeless program, until it closed in 2010, also referred young people to the Sanctuary Youth Shelter, according to Matthew Dildine, the Rescue Mission’s CEO.

Along with overnight lodging, the youth shelter also served as a place for young people to go during the day, keeping them off the streets. Without the shelter, keeping young people busy has become more difficult.

“Sometimes, I’ll just say, ‘here’s bus fare’ just for them to sit on the bus all day long. They’ll ride it from beginning to end, just to stay off the streets and stay warm,” Martinez said.

Other fallouts from the Sanctuary’s closing include a lack of young people served by the Safe Place program, adopted in Fres-

no in 1998 as a resource for young people in need of immediate help and safety – who were previously referred to the shelter.

Now, when youth arrive at the shelter, they are directed to another EOC shelter on T Street, which only serves 18-24-yearolds. If the youth minors do not have a safe place to spend the night, Child Protective Services are contacted.

‘Absolutely nowhere to take these teenagers’

Nasreen Johnson, president of the State Center Community College District’s board of trustees and previous director of marketing and communications for the EOC, said at the School Liaison Subcommittee meeting that she was concerned that youth would not seek help from the EOC if CPS is involved.

“Youth have been – rightfully so –not showing up at those places because it’s not safe,” Johnson said.

She added that young people, especially those who get mistreated by their families after they come out as LGBTQ+, would have nowhere to go when they are “having arguments with their family members.”

Joe Martinez, former EOC Sanctuary community relations and outreach manager, condemned EOC’s lack of plans for providing resources for homeless youth during public comments.

“ What EOC didn’t mention in their presentation is that there is no replacement plan for this youth population,” said Joe Martinez, who served as the Sanctuary’s community relations and outreach manager, during public comments.

An issue of outreach?

The EOC announced that the Sanctuary Youth Shelter would close its doors in November 2022, citing a “lack of demand for the services provided,” according to the agency’s news release.

Joe Martinez remembers the day Fresno’s Sanctuary Youth Shelter opened al-

most 30 years ago.

“ We were going around cleaning up the shelter, making sure the beds were made, the bathrooms were clean and that everything looked welcoming for the youth that entered the shelter,” Martinez said. “There was excitement in the air.”

The shelter’s goal was to serve at least 180 homeless youth per year, offering food, clothing, case management services and recreational activities, according to an email from Kristine Morgan, Fresno EOC’s director of marketing and communication.

According to the email from Morgan, during the 2020-2021 year, the shelter handled an average of 12 calls per month, but did not provide any services, as youth found alternative housing options or needed different services than those provided at the sanctuary. Many community members blame EOC’s lack of outreach as a reason for the shelter’s underutilization.

“ When you don’t do outreach, and you’re supposed to be targeting runaway homeless youth, you’re going to get very few kids who know about your program, who know how to access your program and who will use the program,” said Martinez.

Kristine Morgan stated in an email to Fresnoland that the EOC still operated an outreach team.

“Fresno EOC does still operate an outreach team and provides street-based outreach to all individuals (including youth) in Fresno and Madera Counties,” the email stated.

The EOC had received a three-year grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct street outreach from 2016-2019. However, when they reapplied in 2019, they were not awarded.

At the board meeting, Chrystal Streets explained that the shelter’s closing was partially due to a shift in funding which changed whom the shelter could serve.

Prior to its closing, she said, the shelter received mostly young people with behavioral issues, and “when the funding

changed, we weren’t able to serve those youth anymore.”

According to Streets, the shelter had primarily served young people with behavioral issues who had other safe housing options.

Definitions of “homeless youth” differ across funding sources, and the youth shelter’s recent shift in funding required a more restrictive approach to the people it could serve. According to Morgan, the shelter had to abide by the definition set forth by the Family & Youth Services Bureau within the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Where do homeless youth go now?

Various officials also discussed alternate sources of funding to either reopen the youth shelter or open a new one.

Fresno city councilmember Miguel Arias suggested that the responsibility to fund and operate a youth shelter should fall on the County Office of Education because the city of Fresno has their “hands full” serving other homeless populations.

“People ask me ‘what’s the role of the [Board] of Education,’” Arias said. “They oversee every K-12 system in the county; they have the most expensive, highly compensated superintendent in the whole region, and they operate one school. So I think they have the bandwidth and the responsibility to step into this gap.”

Bryan Burton, president of the Fresno County Board of Education, responded that the Board does not have sufficient discretionary funding for a youth shelter, and board members discussed potential partnerships with other offices, groups and community members.

“

We’re pretty heavily restricted on what we can and can’t spend on,” he said.

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Keba’s Boutique

Women’s Clothing and Accessories

1675 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford (559) 514-6270

facebook.com/KebasBoutique

IG: @kebas.boutique

Kebasboutique.com

Keba’s Boutique is a body-positive women’s clothing and accessories store that carries a wide variety of styles and sizes from XS to 4XL. Jeans, dresses, jumpsuits and rompers, fashion sets, fitness outfits, tops and bottoms, intimates, jewelry, and so much more are available both online and at their Hanford location.

In addition to Keba’s Boutique’s everyday low prices, they also offer monthly giveaways and their “bestie program,” where customers can enjoy up to 15% off by bringing in a friend’s in-store or online receipt within seven days of their purchase.

To check out Keba’s Boutique’s massive inventory of clothing, shoes, and accessories, keep updated on their sales and enter their monthly giveaways, visit their website and follow them on Instagram.

Iron Bird Fitness

Full-Service Gym, Personal Trainers, and Fitness Classes

814 E. Olive Ave, Fresno (559) 795-6455

facebook.com/ironbirdfit

IG: @ironbirdfit Ironbirdfit.com

Iron Bird’s mission is to build a healthier community by creating a space that will empower and equip its clients to live a sustainable lifestyle through fitness, nutrition, and a positive mindset. It is with that objective in mind that Iron Bird provides a fully-equipped gym, along with friendly and knowledgeable personal trainers, to assist clients in creating a

personalized lifestyle plan that will empower them to achieve their health and fitness goals.

Iron Bird takes a comprehensive approach to health and fitness for their clients, dubbed “The Iron Bird Process.” It is a 4-step program that begins with strength training, followed by nutritional coaching, then monthly testing and measurements to chart progress, and lastly massage and bodywork to aid recovery. Iron Bird’s staff is committed to giving their clients the best, total lifestyle program available in the Central Valley.

For more information, including registration details, visit the Iron Bird website, and stay connected through their socials.

NoLa Designer Cuts Barbershop

1901 Fulton St, Ste 111, Fresno (559) 283-0763

facebook.com/profile.

php?id=100064061529355

IG: @noladesignercuts

Appts: bookedin.com/book/nola-designer-cuts

For nearly a decade, Troy Simeon entertained Fresno Grizzlies fans as Parker T. Bear, the team’s official mascot. When the pandemic hit, and live events were suspended, Simeon found himself in hibernation. Rather than give up and return to his hometown of New Orleans, Simeon decided to start a new career as a barbershop owner. In 2021, Simeon opened NoLa Designer Cuts on Fulton St in downtown, just a few blocks from his old employer.

“Fresno is my home... I embraced this community and the community embraced me back,” Simeon says.

In addition to providing customers with the latest in men’s hairstyles, Simeon is also dedicated to giving back to the community that has supported him. NoLa Designer Cuts has partnered with various Fresno businesses, including Tioga Sequoia Brewing Co. and Tower Blendz, to give away backpacks, school supplies, and free haircuts for kids in need.

Fresberg Cartoon YouTube Series

youtube.com/@fresbergcartoon

facebook.com/FresbergCartoons

IG: @fresbergcartoon

Fresberg Cartoon is the brainchild of Roshell and Franky Franklin, two local artists and content creators who came up with a fun and entertaining way to teach parents and kids interesting facts about important events and individuals in Black history, as well as some valuable life lessons. Fresberg Cartoons tell the stories of famous Black celebrities, politicians, and civil rights leaders in funny and informative animated shorts on their YouTube channel. From contemporaries like artists J Cole and Niki Minaj, athlete Patrick Mahomes, and Vice President Kamala Harris, to historical figures such as George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X, Fresberg Cartoons presents fun facts in a humorous way that is both educational and engaging. Fresberg cartoons also uses humor to break the ice on important subjects like bullying, leadership, and more.

You can view all of the Fresberg Cartoons videos on their YouTube channel.

Social Media Sidekick

Social Media Marketing Firm

facebook.com/ShateraSocialMediaSidekick

IG: @shaterasocialmediasidekick

Socialmediasidekick.net

Shatera Sangster is the founder and CEO of Social Media Sidekick. A Fresno State graduate with a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis on marketing, Shatera spent nine years working with clients in various industries before finally deciding to go into business for herself as a social media marketing consultant.

Shatera developed a unique perspective on digital marketing, influenced by the shift from traditional broadcast media to social media across various platforms. During the pandemic, many businesses were forced

to pivot to online sales to stay open, and Shatera put her marketing strategy into action, helping a number of local businesses transition into the digital marketing space.

Shatera’s approach to social media marketing not only helped many local businesses avoid closure during the pandemic, but positioned them to succeed in the new online marketplace and social media advertising landscape that rose from the ashes of the pre-pandemic economy.

Social Media Sidekick’s goal is to assist businesses and entrepreneurs with all their digital marketing needs including graphic design, social media, ads, campaigns and more. For more information, contact Social Media Sidekick through their website or their socials.

Lemoore Labyrinth Escape Room

339 W. D St, Ste F, Lemoore (559) 817-9600

facebook.com/LemooreLabyrinth IG: @nixworx559 559escape.com

In 2017, Tommy and Rachel Nix decided to go to an escape room experience to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Afterwards, the couple were inspired to create their own escape room business to bring the fun and challenging experience to Lemoore. Their creation, Lemoore Labyrinth, is a room escape game where participants solve a series of unique puzzles to move closer to the task at hand.

The Diamond Heist opened in 2017 and NixWorx’s Lemoore Labyrinth escape room was born. The Porch Pirates room opened next, followed by Outbreak. Lemoore Labyrinth quickly became the talk of the town, with groups of friends and families booking the rooms for unique and exciting nights of fun.

Continues on pg 17...

NoLa Designer Cuts Barbershop

Planet Vegan Burger Keba’s Boutique

Calendar Events Theater

Just The Tips Comedy Show Headlining Jordan Baney. Wednesday, February 8th, 7pm. DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant, 408 Clovis Ave, Clovis. Jordan Baney is a comedian known for his intelligent, dark humor.

Comedy at The Labyrinth Art Collective. Friday, February 10th, 8pm. The Labyrinth Art Collective, 1470 N Van Ness Ave, Fresno. Stand Up Comedy; Fresno vs Bakersfield Showcase. Featuring Anthony Jauregui, Marcos Alvarez, Nathaniel Webb, Bobby Duran, Anthony Rivero, Anthony Dugan, Alec OB, Karla Murphy, Gabriel Granado.

California Opera Valentine’s Day Champagne Brunch. Saturday, February 11th, 11am. 2079 W Bullard Ave, Fresno. California Opera Association presents a Valentine’s Day Champagne Brunch.

22nd Annual Grace Lieberman, David Bradford, Aggie Anker Valentine Concert. Saturday, February 11th, 7pm. Congregation Beth Shalom Modesto, 1705 Sherwood Ave, Modesto. Love songs of the Celtic lands and beyond. Doors open at 6:30. Special admission prices for children and youth 5 to 18 - $20. A table of 8 can be prepaid at the $20 per person rate, as well - $160. Contact the CBS office at 209-5776060 or online at CBSModesto.org/ concert-series

Valentines Day Mr & Mrs Standup

Comedy Show. Tuesday, February 14th, 7pm. DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant, 408 Clovis Ave, Clovis. Two Stand-up Comedians In a relationship, First do their Stand-up Then answer the audience’s questions. Relationships are Funny and these 2 Stand up comedians are also in a relationship.. and are talking about it.

Just The Tips Comedy Show Headlining Renee Gauthier. Wednesday, February 15th, 7pm. DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant, 408 Clovis Ave, Clovis.

Slice of Comedy Headlining Richard Villa. Friday, February 17th, 8pm. DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant, 408 Clovis Ave, Clovis. Richard Villa is a bilingual (English/Spanish) stand-up

comedian and actor whose comedic influences draw from life experiences growing up as a Mexican-American Latino in Compton, California.

Cultivate Your Laughs - Happy Pils Edition. Saturday, February 18th, 8pm. Blaker Brewing, 1063 Montclaire Dr, Ceres. Bring on the laughter with stand-up comedy hosted at Blaker Brewing in Ceres! Cultivate your Laughs will showcase talented comedians from the Central Valley and Greater California.

Slice of Comedy Headlining Jen Murphy. Friday, February 24th, 8pm. DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant, 408 Clovis Ave, Clovis.

Standup Comedy. Saturday, February 25th, 6pm. Lil’ Brick Theater, 119 1/2 N Douty St, Hanford. HMTC has opened a new venue for standup comedy! First show and grand opening on Feb 25! Brand new location in downtown Hanford at the Lil’ Brick Theater, near pubs and restaurants. After opening show standup comedy will continue every third Saturday at 6pm and 8:30pm. Tickets online at HanfordMTC.com for $15 or $20 at the door.

Eric Schwartz Headlines DiCicco’s Old Town Clovis. Saturday, February 25th, 7pm. DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant, 408 Clovis Ave, Clovis. Eric Schwartz is a multi-dimensional showman who combines stand-up, music, and visual elements to entertain audiences from all angles.

Bhangra In The Pind. Saturday, February 25th, 7pm. 4501 Vassar Ave, Merced. raunakmerced.eventbrite.

com Traditional Attire is Required and Free Food! For ages between 18-25 ONLY w/ ID. Please refer to our Instagram for more information https://www.instagram.com/raunakmerceddi/

The Fresno Community Concert Band: Around the World in 90 Minutes. Sunday, February 26th, 3pm. Paul Shaghoian Memorial Concert Hall, 2770 E International Ave, Fresno. Take a trip around the world without leaving your seat! Our band will be playing famous worldwide melodies as we travel on our musical journey.

Just The Tips Comedy Show Headlining Isaiah Washington. Wednesday, March 1st, 7pm. DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant, 408 Clovis Ave, Clovis. Isaiah Washington A Staple of the Fresno/Clovis Comedy Scene. Runs the Comedy Palace in Clovis.

Slice of Comedy Headlining Nat Baimel. Friday, March 3rd, 8pm. DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant, 408 Clovis Ave, Clovis. Nat Baimel is a comedian, upbeat problem solver, awkward philosopher, and optimistic nihilist with a knack for always looking on the bright side.

MANUCH Benefit Comedy Show

Headlining Danny Minch. Saturday, March 4th, 8pm. DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant, 408 Clovis Ave, Clovis. Manuch Inc is a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) that works with youth in the foster care system and juvenile justice system to provide a specialized level of care to meet their mental health needs.

Costaki Economopoulos & Christa Meola Get Divorced Comedy Tour. Friday, March 10th, 7pm. DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant, 408 Clovis Ave, Clovis. For 20 years Costaki has been living his dream as a full-time stand up comic. He has written jokes for Bette Midler, Jay Leno, MTV and BET.

Chonda Pierce - ChildFund Volunteers. Friday, March 10th, 5pm. Turlock Community Theatre, 1574 E Canal Dr, Turlock. We are needing volunteers for Chonda Pierce’s Spring Tour! Please email: info@ loopevents.org or give us a call at the office: (615) 492-1010. Once you sign up, we will be updating you via email and text with all of the information you need.

Self-Improvement

Gatsby Date Night. Friday, February 10th, 9pm. Full Circle Brewing Co, 712 Fulton St, Fresno. This event consist of a performance from D & J dance co burlesque and a burlesque class. You can join the class or you can watch as you drink im your beer. This is a Fun and exciting way to bring your date or your friends around valentines to celebrate love!

We encourage you to dress up in 20s theme. Full circle will be serving beer and food truck available that night. Doors open at 8pm, show starts at 9pm. This event will be a little different from our previous show. There’s less seating available for you and your friends. You can watch the show standing up walk or around be at the bar.

Live Home Brewing Class at Bencomo’s. Saturday, February 18th, 10am. Bencomo’s Homebrew Supply, 1755 Broadway St, Ste# 108, Fresno. This live training is brought to you by Ryan Hansen from @BigPopBrewing. You’ll learn everything you need to know in order to start brewing your own beer at home. You’ll get to participate in a full brewday where you’ll see all the ingredients in action along with full walkthoughs of the main brewing tools and setups that we use in home brewing.

Irish Fest in the Park. Saturday, March 11th, 1pm. Recreation Park, 345 N Jacob St, Visalia. Hosted by the Visalia Breakfast Lions Club, this event benefits local charities that the Lions support through out the year. We have lots of beer vendors available for you to enjoy while wearing your best Irish attire. Year after year this event is a slam dunk and this year we are very excited to be hosting at Visalia Recreation Park near Downtown Visalia. With local breweries and large brands alike we will have a great day out in the park. There will be live music and fun yard games to play while you sip your brew! This is a rain or shine event so be prepared to enjoy and bring your best drinking buddy!

Family

Sweet N’ Juicy plays Ralston’s Goat. Friday, February 10th, 8pm. Ralston’s Goat, 1001 10th St, Modesto. Come laugh, smile, and be merry with the West Coast’s favorite party band, Sweet N’ Juicy. Sweet the Banana, N’ the Pineapple, and Juicy the Strawberry entertain the Pacific Northwest and beyond with their fruity funk and funny rapport. Members of the band have written music with Blondie, performed internationally, and backed Grammy Award winners.

BYU Vocal Point. Thursday, February 23rd, 7pm. Fresno High School, 1839 N Echo Ave, Fresno. Vocal Point, Brigham Young University’s renowned nine-man a Capella group, combines harmony, humor, and remarkable vocal percussion into a thrilling showcase. With a wide range of vocal possibilities — and seeming impossibilities — these crowd-pleasers cover it all: rock, pop, country, jazz, hymns, and R&B. Each Vocal Point member generates musical ability, creativity, and stage presence — a combination which adds up to skillful and spirited performances. As a result of their worldwide popularity, the group has signed a recording contract with Universal Music Group, one of the largest music distributors in the world, as part of their record label Decca Gold.

Music

Laser the Boy (the Doubleclicks) with Emily Henry! Wednesday, February 8th, 6pm. Crazy Squirrel Games, 7711 N First St, Fresno. Geeky, glorious music by songwriters, come celebrate a chill evening of music with tunes about love, life and Dungeons and Dragons.

156/Silence at Full Circle. Thursday, February 9th, 5:30pm. Full Circle Brewing Co, 712 Fulton St, Fresno. 156/Silence $12 ADV / $15 DOS / All Ages

MILITARIE GUN, Death Lens, Supercrush. Thursday, February 9th, 7pm. Strummers, 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno.

TALON SMITH 24 Preludes World Premiere Tour + Beethoven, Chopin, & Ravel. Friday, February 10th, 7pm. University Presbyterian Church, 1776 E Roberts Ave, Fresno. Talon Smith will perform his 24 Preludes for solo piano along with works by Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Ravel, and Stravinsky.

Daiistar, Sleep Over Disaster, Brother M. at Full Circle Brewing Co. Saturday, February 11th, 7pm. Full Circle Brewing Co, 712 Fulton St, Fresno. Daiistar, Sleep Over Disaster, Brother M. at Full Circle Brewery District! Feb 11th | Doors 7PM | Show 8PM | $15 ADV | $20 DOS | All Ages

ROGUE FESTIVAL RETURNS MARCH 3-11, 2023

Muse Reveal on Feb. 16 and Rogue Teaser Show on March 2

The Rogue Festival, Fresno’s most uncontrolled performing arts event, returns to the Tower District March 3 through 11 with over 170 separate performances from 40 performing groups in eight venues, featuring theater, music, dance, comedy, magic, poetry, storytelling, performance art and indescribable, unadulterated weirdness.

Founded in 2002 by Fresno playwright Marcel Nunis, the Rogue Festival is now one of the oldest and best respected Fringe theater festivals in North America. The Rogue is an uncurated, unjuried, uncensored festival — performers are selected through a random lottery and there are no restrictions on what performers can say or do. At a dangerous time when politicians are banning books, silencing teachers and erasing history, the Rogue Festival remains a fortress of unrestrained free speech that celebrates the power of outsider art to challenge society.

The Rogue Festival features independent artists performing their own original work, often for the first time. The Rogue provides a venue for artists to present their most daring and experimental work and gives audiences a unique chance to see new, bold and utterly unconventional performances before anyone else. At the Rogue Festival, only the audience judges what

is good or bad, expressed through word of mouth, reviews on the Rogue website and ticket sales. And best of all, 100% of Rogue Ticket sales go directly to the artist.

How to buy Rogue tickets:

1. Get a Rogue wristband. A Rogue wristband is required for entry to EVERY Rogue performance. Rogue wristbands cost just $6. You can buy your Rogue wristband on the Rogue website, at any Rogue venue, or at The Rogue Store, located in the Chicken Pie Shop parking lot.

2. Buy tickets with credit/debit at the door or online. You can purchase tickets to any performance with credit or debit at the door, starting 30 minutes before the performance. Or you can buy tickets in advance at roguefestival.ticketleap. com.

3. If you want to pay cash, buy Rogue Vouchers at The Rogue Store. Rogue venues only accept credit, debit, and Rogue Vouchers. Cash is accepted only at The Rogue Store. Off- Rogue venues (Hart’s Haven, LAByrinth) accept credit, debit, cash, and Rogue Vouchers. 2nd Space Theatre accepts credit, debit, and cash, but not Rogue Vouchers.

4. Or buy a 10-show ticket. If you’re going to do a lot of Rogueing, buy a 10-Show Ticket and save up to $20! A 10-Show Ticket costs $100, and is available at The Rogue Store.

2023 Rogue Festival dates:

Thursday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m., Rogue Muse Reveal, Goldstein’s Mortuary & Delicatessen: Every year, the Rogue is symbolized by the Rogue Muse, a unique artwork by a San Joaquin Valley artist that exemplifies creativity. Join us at Goldstein’s as we unveil the 2023 Rogue Muse “Kali n the Kids” by Mike Howe.

Thursday, March 2, 7 p.m., Rogue Teaser Show, Goldstein’s Mortuary & Delicatessen: Get a sneak peek of the 2023 Rogue performers at our special Teaser Show one night before the Rogue starts.

Friday, March 3, Saturday, March 4, and Sunday, March 5: First weekend of Rogue performances.

Monday, March 6, 7 p.m., Beatdown Slam, Goldstein’s Mortuary & Delicatessen: Rogue performers face off against Inner Ear Poetry Slam poets in a Battle Royal of rhythm, rhyme, and improvisation! Pick your side, but please — no wagering!

Thursday March 9, Friday March 10, and Saturday, March 11: Second weekend of Rogue performances.

2023 Rogue Festival venues:

Dianna’s Studio of Dance, 826 N. Fulton St.

Goldstein’s Mortuary & Delicatessen, 1279 N. Wishon Ave.

Spectrum Art Gallery, 608 E. Olive Ave.

Veni Vidi Vici, 1116 N. Fulton St.

ViSTA Theater, 1296 N. Wishon Ave.

Hart’;s Haven, 950 N. Van Ness Ave.

LAByrinth Art Collective, 1470 N. Van Ness Ave.

2nd Space Theatre, 928 E. Olive Ave.

2023 Rogue Performance Festival

Jaguar Bennett, Rogue board president and lead producer (559) 355-9154 roguefestivalboard@gmail.com

with six days of theater, music, dance, comedy, magic, poetry, performance art, fun and complete madness

Anatomica: I’m A Little Hotdog Man! Nah, I Kid, I Kid!

Juuuust A Little ...

With only a microphone & long plastic tube, multi- award winner Amica Hunter GETS UNDER YOUR SKIN in this hilarious, captivating, & unsettling comedy that dissects humanity’s desire to sort & classify.

He Wants to Run

“He Wants to Run” is the story of a guy who hates running and dogs, and how David ends up running with his neighbor’s dog for 13 years in rural California, and what Butler teaches David about living and dying.

Benjamin’s Passion

What happens when a ballet director from the Soviet Ukraine lands in Boise and is instructed to have a football team perform in his “Nutcracker”? Intrigue...the KGB?... Murder??!!

the Curve

In this one-woman variety show, a unique blend of circus, dance, physical comedy and spoken word are all stitched together to form the story of Genie Cartier’s nearly 30 years as a circus performer.

Rising Mountain

Rising Mountain is a pop-opera that travels back in time to an ancient Southeast Asian culture that is the Hmong people. It is a queer interpretation of M the Myth’s grandmother’s immigration story and her escape from communist Laos which has led M the Myth to this very stage.

Brother Love’s Good Time Gospel Hour

Brother Love is back with a brand new show. This year, he’s taking on the adult entertainment industry. Discover the dangers of sinful porn and learn about the healing power of healthy, Christian porn.

ca, and a Graphic Novel Walk Into a Bar

...

Original music and storytelling from Jeffrey Bowman aided by musical collaborators Raymond Gonzalez, Ben Betita, and Robin Seaberg. Suprise guest, the wonderful poet Amber Olmo. Words and music will come from Jeff’s life long work in both mediums.

Bully Love

Good with humans, they told me, but not so good with other dogs. I’ll take her, I said. How hard could it be? A dark comedy about love and boundaries, from the creator of A Cynic Tells Love Stories and Burning Brothels: Sex and Death in Nevada.

Jon Bennett: AmeriCAN’T

After nomadically touring the world for the last 10 years, Renowned Australian comedic storyteller, Jon Bennett has finally has a home: The US of A. “Bennett is a must-see.” — Theatre in London

MERCH Performs Selections From ‘Amour Bohemian’ And New Material

A Fresno native and now Los Angeles resident, Joe Medina released the album Amour Bohemian a few years back to rapturous critical acclaim. He is excited to be back in his beloved Tower to perform selections from ‘Amour Bohemian’ as well as workshop new songs.

We’re Just Tawking

Personal observations of life based on my experiences. A light hearted look at current events and cultural issues including a little Politics, a little Religion and a lot of skewering of everyone generally!

Worst. Rock-n-Roll.

Name. EVER!

Mike Alexander is back! He and his trusty guitar return to The Rogue and Goldstein’s Mortuary to tempt fate, have no pandemics this time around, and play and sing songs you may know, he probably knows, or song that you don’t know, but maybe should.

Beyond Belief

34% of Americans still think the election was stolen, 85% still believe in God, and 99% trust their memories. Seriously? How can people fall for this stuff? What do they know that I don’t know? Let’s find out!

Other People’s Showers

After an abusive relationship, Dorian landed with her parents, until a voicemail from her stepmother said, “We don’t care where you go, just go.” Homelessness, healing, & the love that kept her alive..

Jeannette Rankin: Champion of Persistence

With passion for reform, Rankin was a thorn in the side of corruption for 93 years of life. Elected to Congress twice she voted against both world wars. With grace and humor she battled for women’s suffrage, labor rights, and social justice. She opposed and marched against the

This Music Is Making Me Thirsty

One old dude, cutting edge technology and a collection of ancient sounds equals a post-rock live music experience like no other.

“The best music I’ve ever made that won’t get me laid.”

Too Many Stories

Comedian Joey Rinaldi has 50 minutes to share all of his stories. At this interactive show the audience decides which stories he gets to share from a white board with a list of all his story titles.

Ashes to Ashes: A Tragicomedy

It’s storytelling with a twist: the addition of a musical Greek chorus. Joining Kate will be Debi Ruud and Sarah Serafimidis who will interject with her inner thoughts and thematic musical earworms.

INHIBITIONIST(!)

A love letter to the shy, studious, and clumsy.

The Jester of All Maladies

Kurt was diagnosed with cancer in 2019. But he got through it with a bunch of chemo, stimulating immunotherapy, Facebook love, and lots of Fig Newtons. A comedy about getting through the C-word.

Blood Harmony

The Murray Girls blend their voices in Blood Harmony singing cheerfully macabre murder ballads, traditional tunes, Celtic Songs, blues & pop; wistful stories set to heartbreakingly beautiful melodies.

Fresno Writers Live

Hear #FresnoWriters from Fresno State’s Master of Fine Arts program, including voices from Chicanx Writers and Artists Association, San Joaquin Literary Association, and creative writing undergrads.

RockOn! at the Rogue

RockOn! is a young local rock band. It has Alex on vocals/guitar, Sebastian on bass, and Stephen on drums. We play originals and covers from bands such as Green Day, Neil Young, and Judas Priest.

We’re Doomed: A Very Short Guide to the Future

Runaway global warming, worldwide fascism, killer AI — yes, we’re in the last days of humanity, but Jaguar Bennett thinks it’s hilarious. Let the funny man distract you while the world dies. You can’t stop it, so laugh while you can!

The Captain

A solo show exploring lineage— what is passed down—and how we navigate in a starless sky. The Captain is confronted with the dangerous effects of colonization on the deck of his ship, The Arctic.

Through the Veil

In this show Christopher Alocern will attempt to take you through, what the old time mystics would call “the veil”. This place is one of mystery and magic, a place that is hard to imagine but impossible to forget.

Magic of Kyle Elder

The Magic of Kyle Elder returns to the Fresno Rogue Festival for the first time in 3 years. Although the pandemic may have hit the pause button on the world, Kyle has some new mesmerizing magic to share. Come experience the Magic of Elder!

S’Will 3

The Fools return with another “lovingly mangled condensation” of one of Shakespeare’s plays. Will YOU be crowned queen of the show? Only one way to find out!

Who Is Janice Noga?

Janice Noga tells her musical story through anecdotes and songs.

How To Traffic A Clown

A clown job. A tropical island. A front for human trafficking. When her boss steals her passport and sells her into the sex trade, escaping becomes a task so dark and absurd you cant help but laugh.

Tim Mannix, Magician

Rogue veteran Tim Mannix returns once again with his unique blend of humor and magic to conjure up some laughs all while presenting some of his favorite tricks.

Plan V

From Portland, OR (the most sex positive city in the US according to OKCupid!) comes Plan V, a vision of a feminist future that includes all genders. At the heart of this show is a testimonial (ovastory!) about the transformational effects of pussy worship and the healing power of pleasure.

Powers

What’s your superpower? A funny and dark musical about comic books and depression. From Rogue veteran Ryan Adam Wells (Beers About Songs, the 500 List)

Cabaret Macabre

Off-Rogue Venue Cabaret Macabre Burlesque & Variety Maverick

Burlesque Productions Fresno, California Not your typical Burlesque show, Cabaret Macabre is an exploration of the taboo, presented with somber beauty and irreverent humor! Trigger warning: show covers sensitive topics like death, suicide, religion & politics. 18+ please.

Hmong

Class 101

Jasmine Vang is teaching a Hmong class! This course investigates the dual identities of being Hmong and American through her personal experience as a Hmong teacher. You’ll get a peek into her thoughts as a Hmong person, meet her Hmong Family, and learn a few Hmong words.

Every Good Story Ends With One

An unbelievable, all-true, funny tale about a mysterious romance. A highvoltage performance about comedy, the delusion of love, the tunnel- vision of faith, and the fabrication of storytelling itself!

Fringe Factor: Season 8

Of course we’re back! Our live game show returns for season 8 (I think? Close enough) All the fun, music & mayhem you expect. But at a new venue, with a new house band, new teams & new games!

The Real Black Swann: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen

Les is bringing a revamped version of his award- winning show that is the true story of William Dorsey Swann. Former slave who became the Queen of Drag in Washington DC in the late 1800s. If you saw it last year there is new stuff added so see it again!

Titillated: An Intimate Reading of Comic Erotica

Join your host Donna Kay Yarborough on a journey through time as she shares some of the most awkward and asinine erotica that has ever been written. Because sex is funny. And reading is hawt.

Enough’s Enough A Play by Michael Thomas Cain

“Work. Eat. Sleep. What else could you possibly need?” Trapped in an office space 24/7 for years Man and Woman are not allowed to do anything other than work. In this absurdist look at corporate greed Man has lost hope; Woman clings to it. In their loneliness and isolation, they try to find a human connection with each other but doing anything other than work has... consequences.

ELVIS is in The House! Saturday, February 11th, 7pm. Kramer Estate Wines /Gary Kramer Guitar Cellars, 825 Riverside Ave #16, Paso Robles. James “King” Kruk Performs a Heart pounding tribute to one of the greatest entertainers who ever lived, Elvis Presley.One of the only Elvis Tribute artists to have started by playing Elvis in a National tour of a smash hit play!

THE FRIGHTS, Sad Park, Blade Trip. Wednesday, February 15th, 7pm. Strummers, 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno. All ages show. Presented by numbskullshows.com

The Elovaters. Thursday, February 16th, 5:30pm. Full Circle Brewing Co, 712 Fulton St, Fresno. The Elovaters Sharks with Frik’n lasers tour Special Guests: Surfer Girl Claire Wright More TBA! All Ages / $20 ADV / $25 DOS

GrooveSession. Friday, February 17th, 8:30pm. T-Bar Social Club, 2588 California 158, June Lake. GrooveSession returns to our stage for a special two night run over President’s Day weekend.

NB RIDAZ, AMANDA PEREZ & More. Saturday, February 18th, 7pm. Full Circle Brewing Co, 712 Fulton St, Fresno. Nb Ridaz, Amanda Perez, Brown Boy & more Live in Fresno. All Ages.

NAKology 10 Year Anniversary. Saturday, February 18th, 9pm. 1737 E Shaw Ave, Fresno. The biggest college party of the year turns 10 years old! You definitely don’t want to miss out on this monumental party!

The Pure Drop. Irish Flute and Bodhran. Traditional Irish instrumental. Sunday, February 19th, 1pm. Bog House Pub, 7089 N Marks Ave, #109, Fresno.

Mardi Gras Carnival Party tuesday Feb 21st, Mix By Gizmo. Tuesday, February 21st, 9:30pm. Switch Lounge, 5665 N Blackstone Ave, Ste #110, Fresno. Switch Nightclub Presents: Mardi Gras Celebration Party Tuesday Feb 21st. Masks Beads props and Decoration Will Be Provided. Music & Lighting By Gizmo, Hosted By Dub. 18+ to Party 21+ to Drink

Saviii 3rd. Thursday, February 23rd, 9pm. Strummers, 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno. All ages show. Presented by numbskullshows.com

Mac Sabbath. Friday, February 24th, 9pm. Strummers, 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno. Fresno tattoo convention pre-party. All ages show. Presented by numskullshows.com.

18th Annual FRESNO TATTOO CONVENTION. Saturday, February 25th, 11am. Strummers, 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno. At Fresno Fairgrounds. More info at www.fresnotattooexpo.com. Presented by numbskullshows.com

Bleeding Through. Sunday, February 26th, 6:30pm. Full Circle Brewing Co, 712 Fulton St, Fresno. Bleeding Through Ov Sulfer More TBA! All Ages / $20 ADV / $25 DOS

JONNY CRAIG with special guest

Keep My Secrets. Sunday, February 26th, 7pm. Strummers, 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno. Jonny Craig is a Sacramento CA based singer/songwriter and former front man of Slaves, Dance Gavin Dance and Emarosa. Having cultivating over 300 million streams in his collective career. Jonny continues to grow as a musician, most recently releasing his first R&B/ Pop album which quickly charted on Billboards top 200 R&B and #3 R&B record on iTunes. Being called “The Voice of an Era” Jonnys voice continues to standout as “notorious for his vocal prowess and onstage charisma” -Alternative Press

TIL’ TOMORROW TOUR with Thouxanbanfauni. Thursday, March 2nd, 7pm. Strummers, 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno. All ages show. Presented by numbskullshows.com

An Evening With: HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER at The Grove House. Friday, March 3rd, 6:30pm. The Grove House, 4993 5th St, Mariposa.

Boot Juice. Saturday, March 4th, 9pm. T-Bar Social Club, 2588 California 158, June Lake. Boot Juice hails from the Hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California.

Konoyo + Anoyo at The Tipping Pointe. Monday, March 6th, 7pm. The Tipping Point, 245 N Fulton St, Fresno. We are beyond excited to invite you back into the listening room at The Tipping Pointe as we focus on two original works by Tim Hecker. We’re doing things a bit differently this time; extending the event and food service to better accommodate. Few in the field of explorative ambi-

ent music have remained as questing and unclassifiable as Canadian composer Tim Hecker. Across his 15year career, he has moved through shades of reflective electronic noise, experiential sound design, and modern composition with a deft and distinguished touch.

Apes of the State. Saturday, March 11th, 5:30pm. Full Circle Brewing Co, 712 Fulton St, Fresno. Apes of the State Dana Skully and the Tiger Sharks All Ages / $15 ADV / $20 DOS Scott Pemberton O Theory. Saturday, March 11th, 9pm. T-Bar Social Club, 2588 California 158, June Lake. One of the most talented and unique guitars on the planet, Scott Pemberton and his band return to the world famous T-Bar stage for two nights!

BODYSNATCHER, Angelmaker, Paleface (CH), Distant. Wednesday, March 15th, 6pm. Strummers, 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno. All ages show. Presented by numbskullshows.com, BRUJERIA: Matando Güeros – 30 Aniversário Tour with Dwarves, Art of Shock. Thursday, March 16th, 6pm. Strummers, 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno. All ages show. Presented by numbskullshows.com.

21 and Over

unapologetiQ V-day Stoplight Dance Party. Friday, February 10th, 9pm. Strummers, 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno. unapologetiQ has got you covered for valentine’s day weekend with a V-Day Stoplight Party! Dance the night away with your partner or meet someone new under the disco ball! Music starts at 9. $5 Cover. 21+

The Chill Suite: R&B and Soul Jams. Friday, February 10th, 9pm. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno. Lounge ambience featuring DJs spinning R&B and soul jams. The Chill Suite is a monthly R&B event featuring local DJs playing your favorites from classics to today’s heat. Enjoy a lounge environment, full bar, games & food truck.

Nef The Pharaoh and Kony performing live at the Palladium Nightclub. Friday, February 10th, 9pm. Palladium Nightclub, 950 10th St, Modesto.

Join us Friday, February 10th for a live performance by Nef The Pharaoh and Kony. Nef is back at the Palladium Nightclub and will be performing his

hits; “Big Tymin’,” “Bling Blaow” and much more. Plus Kony will be hitting the stage for the first time at the Palladium Nightclub. Buy your ticket now to avoid paying more at the door.

Valentines Day Weekend Special Event | My Mimosas Night Club. Friday, February 10th, 9pm. Santo Cielo Bar Restaurant Night Club, 917 J St, Modesto. The only place in Modesto to kick off Valentine’s Day Weekend the right way! 4 DJ’s | 21+ | RSVP Highly Recommended. LADIES FREE WITH RSVP. 3 DJ’s | Hip Hop / Rap | Reggaeton | EDM | House | Dance/ Party Music. Sounds By: - Nik Cutlass

- Matt Yagi - Butta Smoove. Hosted By

- For My Loved Ones (FMLO) - TMOB Co. - Retro Boomin

Valley Music HoF featuring Belmont Sound System &RAW Lowrider Tribute Band. Saturday, February 11th, 8:30pm. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno. Valley Music Hall of Fame concert featuring Belmont Sound System and RAW Lowrider Tribute Band. Join us for the debut performance of Ska/Rocksteady band Belmont Sound System with RAW, the Low rider/War tribute band.

Rock En Espanol Night. Saturday, February 11th, 9pm. Strummers, 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno. $5, 21+. Presented by numbskullshows.com.

SWIFT ME AWAY: A Taylor Swift

Valentine Dance. Tuesday, February 14th, 8pm. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno. From the partiers behind “22 & good 4 u” comes a special Valentine’s edition. Celebrate your Lover Era this Valentine’s Day by bringing the people who make your heart burst! Our Taylor-made dance party is for the gals, guys, and Swifites in between to share in their love of the one and only songwriter. After all, who is more qualified to make us feel love, heartbreak, and revenge in a single night? All are welcome. Sounds by @ IAMHOLANDER !

Girls Night Out the Show at The Fulton. Tuesday, February 14th, 8pm. The Fulton, 1243 Fulton Mall, Fresno. Ladies it’s your turn to have some Fun!

VALENTINES PARTY. Tuesday, February 14th, 9pm. Palladium Nightclub, 950 10th St, Modesto. Join us at palladium nightclub in modesto for our 2 Lit Valentines Day

party. Rnb vibes for singles & couples. Doors open at 9pm. For bottle service please call 209-522-8899

Girls Night Out the Show at The Udder Place. Wednesday, February 15th, 8pm. The Udder Place, 110 W Main St, Turlock. Get ready for the BEST GIRLS NIGHT EVER! Whether you’re celebrating a Birthday, Bachelorette Party, Divorce, Dirty Thirty or your Sheer Awesome Self; You will meet your party match with “GIRLS NIGHT OUT THE SHOW”!

Metalachi returns to Fulton 55! Thursday, February 16th, 8pm. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno.

Live From The Howlin Wolf: Pato Banton and the Now Generation. Thursday, February 16th, 8:30pm. The Howlin’ Wolf, 920 E Olive Ave, Fresno. Experience the positive vibrations from Pato Banton and the Now Generation. Opening performance by local Reggae group, Ceiba. Age Requirements: 21+

Big Elk, Stoneshiver and Pyrograph. Friday, February 17th, 8:30pm. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno.

OMB Peezy Performing live at the Palladium Nightclub in Modesto. Friday, February 17th, 9pm. Palladium Nightclub, 950 10th St, Modesto. Come out to The Palladium Nightclub on Friday, February 17th for a live performance by OMB Peezy. This is a 21 and over event; must have valid ID. Buy your presale ticket in order to avoid paying more at the door.

BLVCKOUT Ft. DirtyBeats. Saturday, February 18th, 8pm. The Fulton, 1243 Fulton Mall, Fresno. BLVCKOUT with us Feb 18th Bass Music, Lasers, Drink Specials, Flow Arts Venue: The Fulton Time: 8PM-2AM. Featuring: DABS, MEDTNT, COLTMODO, COWBOY CODY, DIRTYBEATS, BAYCE.

Fresno Freestyle. Saturday, February 18th, 8pm. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno.

DRE DAY - DJ Night dedicated to Dr. Dre. Saturday, February 18th, 9pm. Strummers, 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno. Featuring the music of NWA, Snoop Dog, Eminem, Nate Dog, Warren G, The Game, Kendrick, 50 Cent + more. $5. 21+

20% OFF ONLINE ORDERS

Promote your event with us. (559)472-7182 INFO@FRESNOFLYER.COM

TrapxCanvas. Friday, February 24th, 7:30pm. Wyndham Garden Fresno Yosemite Airport, 5090 E Clinton Way, Fresno.

Deeper Purpose at Fulton 55. Friday, February 24th, 9pm. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno. Already highly touted for his production prowess -- London based DJ/Producer Stephen Galloway, AKA Deeper Purpose, is primed to make a major impact on the global dance music scene in 2022 and beyond.

40 Watt Hype with Special Guests. Saturday, February 25th, 8:30pm. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno. The return of 40 Watt Hype to the Fulton 55 stage! Along with special guests to be announced.

Blackout 23 All Jordan Party w/ Kai Bandz Live. Saturday, February 25th, 9pm. My Mimosas, 917 J St, Modesto. Presented by Dripped Apparel Performances by Kai Bandz Da KRSE Dasz So Vicious Damu Trill Banz Foreign Tash.

Eclectic Presents: CLOONEE. Friday, March 3rd, 8pm. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno. Cloonee brings

out the devil in you w/our Xcite Series takeover, Friday 03/03/23! It’s going to be hotter than hell when CLOONEE brings his irresistible tech-house sound and makes his Fresno Debut at The Xcite Series on Friday, March 03 at Fulton 55!

Thee Illusions, Jackie Mendez and Andre Cruz & Chris Lujan. Saturday, March 4th, 8pm. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno. We have another Sweet Soul show for you. Fulton 55 and Central Coast Entertainment present: Thee Illusions, Jackie Mendez and Andre Cruz & Chris Lujan. This young and extremely talented group of musicians, Thee Illusions bring their Sweet Soul sounds to Fresno for the first time! Jackie Mendez and her soulful reggae sounds support and Andre Cruz & Chris Lujan will open the show. Tickets available on-line at www.fulton55.com or visit our friends at Tower District Records (1930 N. Echo St., Fresno,) and at Calismokeshop2 The Stuffed Pipe (2377 E Shaw, Fresno). 21 & Over/ Doors open at 8:00pm., show at 9:00pm

Brandon ‘Fresno Slim’ Polin Benefit at Fulton 55. Sunday, March 5th, 6pm. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno. Join us Sunday March 5th

@ the Fulton 55 Fresno for a Tribute Fundraiser Love Fest for Brandon

Fresno Slim Polin & Family. Perfomers will be: Kinzie Rose Kurt Gruver Ginger Blue Bill Clifton And The Chicken & Whiskey Band John Clifton & Richie Blue Band with very special guests .Doors open @5:30p.Show from 6-9pm with $15.00 cover going directly to the Polin Family. Lets show some love for Fresno Slim

BAD BUNNY BIRTHDAY BASHDANCE PARTY. Friday, March 10th, 9pm. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno. From the partiers behind ‘NOCHE DE VERANO SIN TI’ comes BBBB - a special edition dance party for fans of Bad Bunny. At BBBB, DJ’s will play Bad Bunny’s hits on ALL NIGHT LONG. DJ set by @zuhnddry

BRASS MASH LIVE AT THE POUR HOUSE. Saturday, March 11th, 7pm. The Pour House, 525 Pine St, Paso Robles. Brass Mash performs all your favorite tunes mashed into an energetic and infectious groove. With powerhouse instrumentals and a tight sound.

Sweet N’ Juicy play Hideout Saloon. Saturday, March 11th, 8pm. The Hideout Saloon, 5031 California 140, Ste F, Mariposa. Come laugh, smile, and be merry with the West Coast’s favorite party band, Sweet N’ Juicy. Sweet the Banana, N’ the Pineapple, and Juicy the Strawberry entertain the Pacific Northwest and beyond with their fruity funk and funny rapport. Members of the band have written music with Blondie, performed internationally, and backed Grammy Award winners.

No Silence, Sedit, Andsoul and Soulcatcher. Saturday, March 11th, 8:30pm. Fulton 5, 875 Divisadero St, Fresno. A California Central Valley hard rock/metal band showcase featuring No Silence, Sedit, Andsoul and Soul Catcher. Get your tickets on-line at www.fulton55.com or visit our friends at Tower District Records @towerdistrictrecords (1930 N. Echo St., Fresno,) and at @calismokeshop2 The Stuffed Pipe (2377 E Shaw, Fresno) 21 & Over/Doors open at 8:00pm., 21+

Promote your event with us. (559)472-7182 INFO@FRESNOFLYER.COM

Music Scene

Jared James Nichols: Taking the Long Way Home

By Dave Fountinelle | dave@fresnoflyer.com

Neil Young once famously said “Rock ‘n roll will never die.” Born from the roots of southern blues, rock & roll has evolved over the decades and spawned countless subgenres. It grew angry and gave us heavy metal and punk rock. It turned soulful and gave us blues rock and heavy ballads. It got weird and gave us progressive rock and experimental music. Rock music has even influenced hip hop, country, and RnB. Sometimes, rock music changes with the times, and sometimes, the times change with rock music. But rock & roll has always been a part of the American musical tapestry, and if artists like Jared James Nichols have any say, it always will be.

Nichols had just kicked off the start of his tour supporting his self-titled third studio album when he rolled into Fresno to rock the stage at Strummers in the Tower District. Fresh from his album release party in Nashville, the tall, long-haired singer/songwriter hopped on a plane and flew out west for a quick run of dates along the coast, heading back east for a few more shows and finally traveling across the pond for a slew of dates in Europe.

Nichols spent nine years on the West Coast, cutting his teeth in the Los Angeles music scene. In his time there, he developed what would become his signature sound - a robust mix of southern blues-rock with an attitude straight off of the Sunset Strip. Now living in Nashville, Nichols’ sound has grown and matured even more, influenced by the incredible music community that has turned the Tennessee city into a Mecca for songwriters. There, among the legends of rock & roll, Nichols wrote and recorded his eponymous third album.

“This record is the first one where I had time to actually make the music I wanted, the way I wanted to,” Nichols relates.

The result of is 12 tracks of authentic blues-forged rock n roll. Every song on the album is an event. From the stomping rhythm of “Hard Wired” to the sexy swing of “Good Time Girl”, Jared James Nichols, the album, is a throwback to the golden age of rock music. Leather jacket and fifth of Jack Daniels not included.

Part of making the record sound the way Nichols wanted it to was to eschew the “studio magic” that critics say tend to make rock records sound saccharine and overproduced.

“Recording an album these days usually involves doing several takes, lots of overdubs, and just constantly punching parts in until it’s perfect,” Nichols explains. “I didn’t want to do any of that with this record.”

The impetus for this decision came from a somewhat awkward exchange with a well-meaning fan.

“A guy came up to me after a show and he said ‘I love your music, but you always sound so much better live than you do on your records,’” Nichols says. “I understood what he meant right away. There’s just something about the recording process that can really suck the soul and the feeling out of this type of music. So for this record, I really wanted to capture

o accomplish this, Nichols went old school. He put his full band into one large room and recorded the entire album almost completely live, laying down each track on the album in one shot. Much the same way rock & roll artists used to do things before digital recording sterilized the process with isolated recording, layers of overdubs, and pitch and tempo corrections.

“ We didn’t even use a click track,” Nichols laughs.

A click track keeps the tempo of a recording by playing a “click” pattern in the musician’s headphones to help them maintain consistency as they record their respective parts - without speeding up or slowing down. This allows the engineer to easily cut and paste tracks into the master recording without worrying about them being out of time with each other. By recording live, in one take, without

using a click track, Nichols was able to capture the subtle, natural changes in tempo that are common in a live performance. Additionally, not “punching in” the best choices out of several takes worth of recordings means that small imperfections were also left on the tracks, further giving the songs a raw, “live” feel.

“Rock n roll isn’t perfect,” Nichols explains. “A lot of artists today focus on perfection because the technology supports it. But to me, the perfect is the enemy of the good. I’m not interested in making a perfect-sounding record, because that’s just not what rock n roll is to me. I want to make a good record, and I really think I did that with this one.”

After finishing his West Coast run and a handful of dates in the Midwest, Nichols and his band will spend the next few months hitting clubs and theaters all over Europe. Nichols is excited to head back to Europe, where he has amassed an impressive and enthusiastic fan base.

“European fans are honestly so great,” Nichols says. “Nothing against American fans at all, but there is a reverence that European fans have for rock music that you just don’t see anywhere else.”

Nichols is going to be staying pretty busy for quite a while, in fact. After Europe, he’ll be returning to the States for a much longer tour, hitting cities all over the country through the summer, fall, and into 2024.

“The plan is to tour until we’ve gone everywhere we can possibly go, and then hit all those places again,” Nichols jokes.

Nichols’ show at Strummers was his first time playing in Fresno, but judging by the reaction from the crowd, it won’t be his last. If you missed out on seeing him, don’t worry, he’ll surely pass this way again as he takes that long road back home.

Jared James Nichols, the album, is available on Spotify and iTunes, and for more information including tour schedule, follow Jared James Nichols on Instagram @jaredjamesnichols, or on his website, www.jaredjamesnichols.com.

Fans of Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Stevie Ray Vaughan take note: There’s a new sheriff in town.

Pandemic social gathering restrictions forced Lemoore Labyrinth to go on hiatus, but they reopened in 2021 and have been going strong ever since. Lemoore Labyrinth is open seven days a week, and are booking now through their website.

MKG Tax Consultants

Tax, Accounting, and Audit Service

4021 N. Fresno St, Ste 107, Fresno (559) 412-7248

facebook.com/mkgtaxconsultants

IG: @mkgtaxconsultants

Mkgtaxconsultants.com

With tax season here, most of us could use some tax advice, help with filing, and so on. MKG Tax Consultants is a diversified digital finance company focused on serving low-income and moderate income communities while promoting financial education.

Among the ser vices MKG offers for individuals are tax preparation, tax debt resolution, financial planning, wealth management, and alternative banking solutions. For businesses, MKG provides assistance with incorporation, bookkeeping and payroll, retirement planning, and more. MKG can help businesses and individual clients plan for retirement, reduce their tax liability, get the maximum tax return, and build credit.

MKG can provide small business capital, cash pass visa cards, and even help with buying a home. They offer a number of tax resolution and client advisory services to help low and moderate income families achieve financial security and build generational wealth. For more information, visit the MKG Tax Consultants website.

correction

Last month, we reported that Cookies, Inc. had abandoned plans to open a cannabis dispensary in Fresno. Sources stated that after Cookies, Inc. was denied permits for a Cookies-official and a sister company, Lemonnade, location in Fresno, the brand no longer planned to open any stores. However, Cookies, Inc. still holds a permit to open a location licensed under the Dr. Greenthumb’s brand.

We also reported that dispensary applicants had an October 1st, 2022 deadline to open or risk losing their license. When the Fresno Flyer published its “Weed Jobs” article in the January 2022 issue, the Office of Cannabis Oversight webpage listed the deadline. Additionally, some of the dispensaries interviewed for the article also referenced this deadline. Currently, the deadline has been removed from the Office of Cannabis Oversight webpage and no longer appears to be in place.

... Shelter cont’d from pg 6

Fresno County Board of Education members Burton and Johnson disagreed about the role Fresno County – as the primary homelessness coordination agency – should play in advancing a solution.

“I do agree that this is probably an item that rests with the county of Fresno, where they would play a lead role, because they do have that ability to take in youth, and have a responsibility to take in youth that are unhoused,” Burton said.

“I don’t think the county is where students and their families would willingly go. It would be like somebody showing up at the jail and saying ‘hey, I need a place to stay.’ I know it happens, but that is literally a last resort for folks,” responded Johnson.

Johnson mentioned Fresno County Office of Education’s All 4 Youth program – a program funded by Fresno County’s Department of Behavioral Health to provide crisis support for youth – as a potential partnership model to explore.

Joe Martinez has teamed up with other Sanctuary Youth Shelter advocates to form Save Our Sanctuary, an advocacy campaign to bring back services. The group has appeared at city council and board meetings, and sent letters to the EOC, urging them to reopen the shelter. The group also outlined alternative ways the EOC could provide shelter and services for homeless young people.

The EOC acknowledged receipt of 45 letters, adding that they are taking the Save Our Sanctuary recommendations into consideration.

The letter suggests that the EOC reopen the shelter, operate a smaller shelter, meet with community members to come up with other plans, find a new community partner to take over the shelter or find new funding opportunities.

“ We need to figure something out,” Joe Martinez said, “because our kids need this.”

If you or someone you know is a young person in crisis, you can text the word “safe” to 4HELP (44357) with your nearest location and you will receive a message with the closest Safe Place site and phone number for the local youth agency.

BUY SELL TRADE

HEY FRESNO!

DO YOU KNOW WHAT GOES WHERE?

Gray is for Garbage

-Rubber/Vinyl Hoses

-Clothings

Styrofoam

-Diapers

-Food

-Carpet

-Soiled Napkins, Tissues, Paper Plates

-Small Appliances

-Animal Waste (bagged)

-COLD Coals/Fireplace Ashes

Green is for Yard Clippings

-Grass/Leaves

-Live Holiday Wreaths

-Trees/Branches (cut 4'x3'max)

-Palm Fonds

-Garden Plants

-Fruit/Veg Garden Clippings

-Wood (untreated)

Blue is for Recycling

Plastics

-Food/Beverage

Metal/Aluminum

-Cans - Aerosol (empty)

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

SOLID WOOD cabinet for displaying $250 (559) 577-0295

APPLIANCES

KENMORE Natural gas dryer. Clean, works great Auto dry and timed dry Model no. 1107192311 $120 Call or text 559 Two 86-1484

ATVS

2017 YAMAHA 450 r quad. Everything is completely stock except for nerf bars. This quad has no more than 15 hrs on it. It’s basic

BIKES

TREK GIRLS bike$95 Great condition. For children 6-10 or so. My daughter grew out of it, otherwise it’s been good. 559-5799390

CARS

2-TIER Snap-on roll-a-way tool box. Many different kinds of tools. SAE and metric wrenches. Different brands of tools, i.e. Snap-on, Craftsman, Matco, etc. $1200. Please call (559) 229-3637

2012 HONDA Accord

186k Miles 4 Cylinder

Gas saver Runs and drives very good Clean title. Just passed smog For more info please text/call (559) 5318683 $5800

FARM & GARDEN

NICE MCLANE mower, 5 blade and 20 in wide $250Charles 292-8134

THE WOODYard Firewood (559)9068983 We are selling green split firewood for only $40 per bin. Eucalyptus, Almond, Pines, and more.

MISCELLANEOUS

2-TIER Snap-on roll-a-way tool box. Many different kinds of tools. SAE and metric wrenches. Different brands of tools, i.e. Snap-on, Craftsman, Matco, etc. $1200. Please call (559) 229-3637

TOOLS

2-TIER Snap-on roll-a-way tool box. Many different kinds of tools. SAE and metric wrenches. Different brands of tools, i.e. Snap-on, Craftsman, Matco, etc. $1200. Please call (559) 229-3637

Containers

-Laundry Detergent & Bleach Bottles

-Shampoo Bottles

Paper

-Books/Magazines/Newspapers -Cardboard

-Paper Cartons (milk/juice)

Batteries

Hot Coals

Concrete/Rocks

Broken Glass

Tires-TVs

CFLs

Plastic Bags

Used Motor Oil

Pesticides/Poison

-Paint Cans (empty/dry) Glass Bottles/Jars (empty) No!

Medications/Sharps

Fluorescent Tubes

Electronics/E-Waste

Call 559-621- 1111 to find out how to dispose of any of the above items