Before you start thinking about Memorial Day barbeques and planning out your weekend, let's take a look at a few notable stories that have gone on in the Castro in the past week.

In continuing rainbow news, in addition to our rainbow crosswalks and rainbow escalator, the Castro Merchants have installed new rainbow banners—just in time for Pride—up and down Castro Street from Market to 19th, with a few heading down 17th as well. Castro Merchants President Daniel Bergerac tells us that the new banners will be permanent, replacing the tattered banners that were taken down for the 2014 Castro Street Improvement Project. As more banners go up, you'll begin see them on 17th, 16th, Noe and Church streets in the coming weeks.

On Sunday, the Castro celebrated what would have been Harvey Milk's 86th birthday with events at Harvey Milk Plaza and the Castro Theatre. Businesses all over the Castro decorated their storefronts with posters and special displays in honor of Harvey.

After last week's sudden passing of longtime Midnight Sun bartender Patrick Henry, a temporary memorial could be seen outside the bar. On Monday, the bar held a special Britney Spears edition of Mahogany Mondays in honor of Patrick. A GoFundMe page has been setup to take donations that will be given to a charity in his honor.

The rainbow news just seems to keep coming, as yesterday the large Pride Flag that flies above Harvey Milk Plaza was replaced with a bright new flag. 

Now here are a few events going on around the Castro that you may want to check out this week.

On Friday, kick off Memorial Day weekend with Cadet at The Edge. Military gear is strongly encouraged and a portion of the proceeds will benefit America's VetDogs, which provides companionship for those who have served.

Head over to the Castro Theatre on Saturday night for Sasha Soprano's return of Drag Queens of Comedy. Hosted by Bianca Del Rio, this show promises to bring you "nine of the most outrageous and hilarious drag queens for this epic, not-to-be-missed, comedy extravaganza." Performances from Season 8 RuPaul's Drag Race Winner Bob the Drag Queen, Trixxie Mattel, Alyssa Edwards and more.

What could be a better way to kickoff the summer movie season than by re-watching Steven Spielberg's 1975 classic Jaws? Playing alongside Jaws in a Spielberg double feature is the dinosaur disaster film Jurassic Park. Catch both films on what is sure to be a blockbuster Memorial Day.

Start off next week with Coffee & Conversation with LGBT Cops at Espressemente Illy. Hosted by the Castro Community on Patrol and SFPD Chief's LGBT Community Advisory Forum, the evening promises a "relaxed and casual event that will allow you to chat with the officers from around the city."

Here's the full rundown of Castro events. Check out many more events from around the city at hoodline.com/events—and to see your event featured in an upcoming events roundup, submit it here.

This Week In Castro News:

• Frameline Gears Up For 40th Annual LGBT Film Festival
• Rossi's Deli Prepares To Celebrate 40 Years On Castro Street
• Muni To Kick Off Twin Peaks Tunnel Construction In August
• Happy (Early) Birthday, Harvey Milk
• Faith-Based Meetup Distributes PB&Js To The Castro's Hungry
• Ride The Rainbow: Castro Station's LED Escalators Launching Tonight
• 'When We Rise' To Replace Damaged Castro Rainbow Crosswalks Before Pride