Several parties are happening on this first weekend of August, from a work party to a fundraising party to a party celebrating sales. No matter your style, you're sure to find something that suits you around the neighborhood this weekend.
Friday, July 31st
Timothy McSweeney’s Festive Occasion
McSweeney’s Publishing House is taking over Green Apple Books on the Park (9th Ave. at Lincoln Way) on Friday from 7pm-10pm for a summer bash and fundraiser. Drinks and bites will be served from 7pm-9pm, music will fill the store, and a fog machine will be in full effect. There’s also a raffle and an early look at the picture book This Bridge Will Not Be Gray by Dave Eggers and Tucker Nichols. Tickets are $40, and you can purchase them here.
Blue Moon at the Botanical Gardens
Once in a blue moon the Botanical Garden (9th Ave. at Lincoln Way) invites you to bring your flashlights and tour the gardens by moonlight. Tomorrow night's full moon is the second of the month, which earns it the distinction “blue moon" (not its color). The event runs from 7:30pm to 9:30pm and costs $10 for members, $20 for non-members. Tea and cookies are included.
Big Picture at the Cal Academy of Sciences
The Cal Academy’s major annual photo exhibit, Big Picture, starts tomorrow and runs through November 2nd. Chosen from over 6,000 entries, the photos on display “reveal fascinating stories from the depths of the ocean to our own backyards. Throughout the exhibit, valuable insights from Academy scientists accompany the striking moments" and "help explain how vital these images are in efforts to protect our planet.” Museum admission is $24.95-$34.95.
Photo: Cal Academy of Sciences
Saturday, August 1st
Friends of the Urban Forest Sunset/West Portal Tree Planting
Some spots have just opened up in the previously full Sunset/West Portal tree planting with Friends of the Urban Forest. FUF aims to make plantings fun and friendly, and they'll provide supplies, coffee, and pastries in the morning, with a property owner-hosted potluck to follow. Sign up here, and meet at 30 Vasquez St. at 9am. The plantings are spread out, so they're looking for a few vehicles too. It goes until about 1pm.
"Workparty" at Kezar Triangle
Meet your neighbors and help spruce up Kezar Triangle at its monthly volunteer workparty from 9am to noon. A variety of gardening tasks are available, and light refreshments are provided. Wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, and layers, and RSVP to recparkvolunteer [at] sfgov [dot] org.
Spruce Up the AIDS Memorial Grove with Hands on Tomorrow
Yet another volunteer event will be going on over at the AIDS Memorial Grove. Hands On Tomorrow, a youth leadership development program, will be helping maintain the grove from 9am to noon. Again, wear your outdoor-appropriate clothes, and meet them at the grove, near the intersection of Nancy Pelosi Dr. and Bowling Green Dr. You can register here.
Healthy Parks Healthy People Stow Lake Walk
On the first Saturday of the month, guides from the Rec and Parks Department lead an easy walk around scenic Stow Lake, starting at 10am. Bring a hat, plenty of water and sunscreen, and meet them at the Stow Lake Boathouse, 50 Stow Lake Dr.
Photo: SF Rec and Parks Department
Rollerskating Battle
The sixth annual Battle SF rolls into town Saturday morning at the 6th Avenue Skatin' Place in Golden Gate Park. Skaters come from all over the western U.S. to compete in speed slalom and freestyle slalom battle. All levels of skaters are invited to participate in men's, women's and junior rounds. Registration is $20 for adults, $10 for juniors, or $25 and $15 the day of the event, and skaters should arrive by 9:30am. It's free for spectators, and the skatin' starts at 10am, with trophies awarded by 1pm. For a peek at last year's event, look here.
Vintage Paper Fair
Attention collectors, artists, designers, historians and anyone who loves old stuff: Hal Lutsky's Vintage Paper Fair is headed to the County Fair Building (1199 9th Ave.) Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. 35 dealers will be selling over a million old postcards, prints, advertising, magazines, sports & movie memorabilia and more. Admission's free, so you can save your pennies for those Victorian-era postcards.
Photo: Vintage Paper Fair
San FranPsycho Summer Sale Day Party
It's San FranPsycho's biggest sale of the year, and they're throwing a party to celebrate. Listen to live music by Talk of Shamans and Vinyl Spectrum starting at 3pm, eat sustainable seafood from Hood & Co., and quaff some beer, with your donations benefiting the nonprofit Surf for Life. The Sundays coffee and ice cream bar will be in full swing, as will the sales, with all spring/summer apparel 50 percent off. It's from noon to 5pm at 1248 9th Ave.
Sunday, August 2nd
Birding at the Garden
On the first Sunday of the month, the Botanical Garden partners with the San Francisco Audubon Society for Birding at the Garden, a before-hours docent-led tour of their many bird species. They "especially welcome and support beginning birders with information about the birds, how to spot them, how to identify them and what their behaviors reveal about their little feathered lives." Meet at the garden's front gate at 8am sharp, as it's re-locked after the group enters. The event is free for SF residents. 9th Ave at Lincoln Way.
Photo: David Yu/Flickr
Mabuhay Health Clinic 5k Flight to fitness
Walk or run your way to fitness while helping out a good cause. The MHC 5k Flight to Fitness raises money for The Mabuhay Health Center (MHC), a student-run free community health center affiliated with UCSF that addresses the health disparities of SoMa's underserved communities, including Filipino-Americans. Registration is $40, or $45 the day of, and each participant receives a raffle ticket for a chance to win Warriors or Giants tickets. The runner who wins it all takes home a new Go Pro. The event begins at 7:45 in Golden Gate Park's East 14th Meadow, 425 JFK Dr.
Golden Gate Park Band Honors NERT and CERT
The Golden Gate Concert Band honors Bay Area NERT and CERT volunteers this Sunday at 1pm with a concert and short presentation by the group. This weekend's concert at Spreckles Temple of Music is sponsored by the South San Francisco Rotary Club, who have donated It's It ice cream for all to enjoy.
