Good morning, Fresno.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo will change its summer hours to 9 am to 2 pm starting Aug.

1 to support the well-being of animals, staff, and visitors. The shorter schedule will last until Oct. 1 when regular hours resume.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo will shorten its summer hours to 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Aug.

3 to help guests and animals cope with the heat; hours will return to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 1.

VP Social is hosting a networking event for Fresno entrepreneurs Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bulle; the gathering will offer chef-selected hors d’oeuvres and curated drinks while highlighting opportunities to support local causes.

Sandbox VR has opened at Fashion Fair Mall (639 E.

Shaw Ave. #115), offering 11 immersive virtual reality adventures for Fresno residents that include zombie battles, spell-casting, and Netflix-inspired worlds aimed at families, friends, and team-building groups.

Fresno Unified’s Parent University will host a Family Back-to-School celebration where families receive free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, and immunizations (first-come, first-served) as well as a Toy Story 5 movie screening.

The event is on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 8 a.m. at Maya Cinemas Fresno.

An anonymous donor provided an extra $700,000 to renovate seven classrooms and one meeting space at Fresno Pacific University, with new furnishings, updated lighting, and advanced technology planned before fall classes.

Conservation groups in Fresno County are using goats to remove invasive species from local ecosystems today as part of efforts to restore the area's original landscape — a natural solution that lowers reliance on costly methods.

With temperatures rising, local authorities have opened designated cooling centers in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Tulare Counties to help residents escape the heat; free rides by FAX bus and local transit are available, and hours vary by city.

Four local youth baseball teams from Central California will compete at World Series tournaments; Tulare all-stars (10U) will defend their 2025 title in Stafford from August 5 to 16 while Visalia Blue's 11U-12U teams and Hanford 16U will play in Branson next week.

The Haunt Live Performance

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Strummer's Bar & Grill — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electrifying sounds of The Haunt in an intimate concert setting.

The Lowdown Drifters Live

8-11 p.m. — Fulton 55 — Tickets available — Experience gritty country-rock from The Lowdown Drifters, with special guests Blue Crown.

LOVERS AND FRIENDS - Throwback R&B & Hip Hop Night

10:00 p.m. — Strummer's Bar & Grill — Tickets Required — Groove to nostalgic R&B and hip hop tracks spun by a DJ.

The Altons with Thee Sinseers

7-8:30 p.m. — Tioga-Sequoia Beer Garden — Tickets available — Enjoy an evening of electrifying R&B and soul music in a vibrant setting.

Thee Sacred Souls Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Save Mart Center — Cost info not provided — Experience the smooth sounds of Thee Sacred Souls on their Constellation Tour.