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Staff Assembly responds to questions about "why we are having this event, what it’s for and why we should spend money on such an event given these difficult budget times."

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We all know Thank Goodness for Staff is a picnic. But there is so much more — including bowling, the Fun Run-Walk and golf. And now is the time to sign up.

You can also get in the spirit with (orders are being taken online through midnight April 19). and also are being sold online.

And, if you really want to get in the spirit, consider .

In addition, now is the time to think about entering the , in which you not only provide picnic entertainment but also compete for cash prizes. Organizers welcome “all types of talent … everything from singing, bands, dancing, juggling, comedy — whatever your talent is, we invite you to come showcase it for all our staff!” The registration form is available online; the application period closes at 5 p.m. April 19.

The 30th annual TGFS Picnic is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, at the same place as last year: the Hutchison Intramural Field across from the Rec Pool.

Picknickers are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets, but not pop-up tents. Instead, organizers will provide large, tented seating areas. Still, you are encouraged to wear sunscreen, and think about hats and sunglasses.

Other events

— Sign-ups are under way for games to be played on any of the following days: April 26, 27, 29 or 30, or May 3, 4, 6 or 7. Each four-person team bowls three games, starting promptly at 5:30 p.m. (after 10 minutes of practice). $28 per team.

— Early registration ($5) begins April 20 and ends at 11:45 a.m. May 10 at the Activities and Recreation Center front desk. The first 50 people to register will receive free T-shirts. The run (5 kilometers) and walk (1.5 miles) are set to begin at 12:05 p.m. May 11 (one day before the TGFS Picnic) on the lawn just north of the ARC. Registration that day begins at 11:45 a.m., for $7.

— Sign-ups close April 30. The tournament is set for May 8 at Davis Municipal Golf Course. Format: four-person scramble with a blind bogey. $160 per team, including barbecue lunch. The registration form is available online; forms and payment are due by April 30.

— Tournaments set for summer.

— Sign-ups closed April 6. Games start April 12; playoffs scheduled from May 3 to 10.

TGFS contests

Guess the Weight — Every year the TGFS organizers round up people and things for a photo, and everyone is invited to guess the total weight of everyone and everything in the photo. Look for the photo soon on the TGFS Web site.

— 100 squares on sale now, online. If any are still available, they will be sold the day of the picnic.

TGFS organizers encourage people to walk or bike to the picnic. Free bike valet will be provided.

Shuttle buses will serve off-campus sites. And, if you must drive, please consider carpooling.

What's on the menu

Here is what Sacramento’s Crisp Catering plans to serve:

• Dry-rubbed tri-tip sandwich on sesame bun with housemade barbecue jus, or vegetarian grilled eggplant and roasted red peppers on ciabatta rolls with basil pesto.

• Vegetarian salad of asparagus, olives, mint, bell pepper and onion.

• Vegetarian three-bean chili.

• Fresh seasonal fruit salad.

• Assorted sodas and waters.

• Hagen’s Freeze, orange and strawberry flavors (vegan).

Tickets

Departments and units pay for the tickets for their staff — and do the ordering, too, via the : . The deadline for purchases is 5 p.m. May 6. (Be sure to tell your department’s TGFS representative if you desire a vegetarian meal.)

ONE-STOP URL

For merchandise, raffle tickets and Gunrock Bingo squares; to become a TGFS volunteer; to sign up for bowling, golf and volleyball; to see the shuttle bus schedule; and more.