Thank Goodness for Staff! And thank goodness this annual celebration, organized by Staff Assembly, is back in person after two years of virtual events. And thank goodness it’s here:

• TGFS After Dark — For alternate-shift workers. 8-11 tonight (May 11), Putah Creek Lodge.
• TGFS in the Sun — 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday (May 11), Russell Field. As of today (May 10), Weather Underground is forecasting sunshine, with temperatures in the mid- to upper 60s. Wear a hat and sunscreen, and maybe a sweater.

Also, at 8 p.m. Friday (May 13), come to the West Wind Drive-In, 9616 Oates Drive, Sacramento, for a TGFS movie: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (rated PG and running for one hour and 55 minutes). Register here for this free event.

Free lunch will be served from food trucks during the May 10 and 11 TGFS celebrations. Your department or unit should have distributed or soon will distribute the tickets you ordered, entitling you to a meal from your choice of food trucks. Tickets are available for pickup until 5 p.m. today (May 10).

See the list of participating food trucks and what they will be serving at Russell Field and two satellite locations: police-fire headquarters (11 a.m.-noon) and Health Sciences District (12:15-1:30 p.m.).

Beyond lunch

Come for the fun! Come take photos with Gunrock! Come for the student entertainers! Come for the camaraderie, and come for the university’s thanks for jobs well done!

Daytime TGFS will feature a dunk tank with some familiar faces in the wet seat; photo booths and caricature artists; and student entertainers (UC Davis Marching Band, The Spokes a cappella group, Guitar Club and Unlimited Dance Crew) — not to mention Fat Face frozen treats, to be handed out by campus leaders.

Nighttime TGFS will include photo booths and student entertainers (dance and a cappella), rock painting and catered cookies from Nugget.

All employees are welcome to attend, even if they do not have lunch tickets (you will not be able to buy a ticket at either TGFS celebration, but you are welcome to bring your own lunch).

Daytime logistics

For daytime TGFS, the larger of the two celebrations, the organizers are asking people to choose the lowest impact transportation option.

• Please walk or bike (Transportation Services will provide complimentary parking for bikes)
• Ride a shuttle bus for free, starting at 11 a.m. from Research Park, Drew Circle, Cousteau Place, Pena Drive, California National Primate Research Center, Hopkins Road and the Genome and Biomedical Sciences Facility. See the shuttle schedule here.
• Park your car for free in the Quad garage (levels 2 and higher), or Lot 22 and Lot 25, from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Besides a hat and sunscreen, the organizers also suggest bringing the following:

• Folding chairs, blankets or something else comfortable for your preferred method of relaxation 
• Pop-up tent or beach umbrella to share shade (ensure you have the equipment to properly stake/anchor your shade) 
• Comfortable shoes
• Reusable bag for vendor giveaways!
• Your ticket, for access to the food trucks

Health and safety guidance

If you are sick or have any symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home.

Daily Symptom Survey results will not be checked for entry to TGFS, but the organizers recommend everyone complete the survey anyway, for awareness of any symptoms you may be experiencing. You are required to complete the Daily Symptom Survey and meet testing requirements if you plan to enter campus facilities. Employees who have agreements to work remote full time have a one-time exception to attend TGFS on Russell Field.