We all know Thank Goodness for Staff is a picnic. But there is so much more—including bowling and volleyball and golf—and now is the time to sign up.

You can also get in the spirit with TGFS T-shirts and buttons, with orders being taken online through midnight, April 19.

Raffle tickets and Gunrock Bingo squares also are being sold online.

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

In addition, now is the time to think about entering the TGFS Idol Contest, in which you now 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 22nd 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.

Departments and units pay for the tickets for their staff—and do the ordering, too, via the TGFS online system. 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.)

Sacramento’s Crisp Catering is set 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).

Other events

• Bowling—Sign-ups (online) 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.

• Fun Run-Walk—Early registration ($5) begins April 20 and ends at 11:45 a.m. May 11, 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, on the lawn just north of the ARC. Registration that day begins at 11:45 a.m., for $7.

• Golf—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.

• Tennis and softball—Tournaments set for summer.

• Volleyball—Sign-ups (e-mail) close April 6. Games to be played from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday, starting April 12. Playoffs scheduled from May 3 to 10. $50 per team. The registration form is available online.

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 those people and things. Look for the photo soon on the TGFS Web site.

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

• 2011 logo design—Entries are due by 5 p.m. April 26.

TGFS transportation

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.