SUMMER DIVERSIONS: Pudding and Wonder Bread

Pudding and Wonder Bread are on the menu in this fourth installment of Summer Diversions.

The former refers to UC Davis' very own "Pudding Guy," of frequent-flier-miles fame and fortune, who will give a free noontime talk. The latter has to do with the UC Davis Health System's fifth annual summer concert, free and open to the public.

The "Pudding Guy" is Utilities Director David Phillips, who gained national and international fame — and his nickname — in a food manufacturer’s promotion 12 years ago, turning in bar codes from 12,500 pudding cups in exchange for 1.25 million frequent flier miles.

He will be sharing his story and offering tips in a program titled “Frequent Flier Miles 101 and Travel Tips from the Pudding Guy," from noon to 1 p.m. today (Aug. 5) in Ballroom A at the Activities and Recreation Center. No reservations are necessary. See separate story.

Next week, the UC Davis Health System enlists Wonder Bread to help build a stronger community. Not the Wonder Bread that, according to its advertising slogan, “builds strong bodies,” but Wonder Bread 5, the “rock ’n’ roll party machine.”

Wonder Bread 5 is set to perform the evening of Thursday, Aug. 11, in what the health system describes as a family-oriented event, alcohol-free and smoke-free, with a children’s zone featuring games, bounce houses, crafts and other activities.

The San Francisco-based Wonder Bread 5 plays dance favorites from the 1960s through today, and encourages audience members to come on stage “to sing, dance or whatever comes natural,” according to the group’s website.

The event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on the lawn next to the Shriners children’s hospital, 45th and X streets, Sacramento. Concertgoers are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs, and picnic suppers — or you can buy food and beverages at the concert. The organizers said Bistro Biagio’s on-site menu will include hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, chicken and tri-tip sandwiches, fruit, ice cream and sodas.

The outdoor concerts are presented jointly by the health system and its Community Advisory Board.

“The advisory board is committed to reinforcing connections between the health system and the community,” said Karen Herron, immediate past president who led the planning effort for this year’s concert. “We really look forward to hosting this fun music event, which gives us the chance to come together and celebrate those connections.”

The Community Advisory Board comprises 28 business and nonprofit leaders who reflect the needs, beliefs and cultures of the region. Members serve six-year terms on a volunteer basis and are routinely solicited for their views and opinions and often influence decisions impacting the broader community.

Other summer diversions include Summer Jam-uhs and more SummerMusic on the Quad, and exhibitions at the Craft Center Gallery, C.N. Gorman Museum, Nelson Gallery and Shields Library, all free; plus a second session of Camp Shakespeare.

Camp Shakespeare — The Davis Shakespeare Ensemble and the arboretum are collaborating on the camp. One two-week session finishes up today, another runs Monday-Friday, Aug. 8-19.

The camp is open to ages 7 to 15, and children of all experience levels are welcome. The fee is $500 for either session, including snacks and beverages. UC Davis staff, faculty, affiliates, students and alumni are eligible for $100 scholarships, under a Davis City Arts Grant, to help defray the cost, according to the ensemble.

A flier states: "With our amazing actors leading the way, we will learn theatre skills, play awesome games, and, of course, put on a show!" — referring to an evening performance, the last day of each camp, for family and friends.

The organizers said the camp will be centered around A Midsummer Night's Dream. (Come late summer and early fall, the ensemble itself will be presenting the same play in the arboretum gazebo, Thursdays through Sundays, Sept. 15-Oct. 2.)

The Camp Shakespeare "classroom" is the Wyatt Deck. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with early drop-off and-or late pick-up options available at additional cost.

To enroll, call (530) 802-0998 or send an e-mail to davis.shakespeare@gmail.com. More information is available online, or by calling or e-mailing, using the number and the e-mail address above.

More at the arboretum: tours, music, art installations.

• Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh! — Summer Jam-uhs are scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 8 and 22, on the grass just north of the Rec Pool. Consider going for a swim first! Read more.

• SummerMusic on the Quad — Non Stop Bhangra, an Indian dance party. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13; the Quad opens for picnicking at 6. See separate story.

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Dave Jones, Dateline, 530-752-6556, dljones@ucdavis.edu

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