July-August 2006 RETURN TO HOME PAGE FEEDBACK

July 1: Donald Runnicles conducts the S.F. OPERA ORCHESTRA and its acclaimed stars from this summer's season for an afternoon of opera in the park. 2 pm. Dolores Park. www.sfopera.com.

July 1, 2, 8 & 22: UCSF offers a one-day intensive CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION workshop for expectant parents. 6:30-9 pm. UCSF Women's Health Resource Center, 2356 Sutter St. 353-2667; www.ucsf.edu/whrc/gexclasses.html.

July 1-15: The Marsh presents SHERRY GLASER's one-woman show, Oh My Goddess, a comedy wherein a working man struggling with his identity finds his true destiny as a channel for the "Great Jewish Mother." Thurs.-Sat., 8 pm. 1062 Valencia St. 800-838-3006; www.themarsh.org.

July 1-22: BAUM FOR PEACE, the adventures of the "slightly world-renowned" lesbian playwright (Terry Baum) who ran for Congress, plays Thurs.-Sat. 8 pm. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia St. 800-838-3006; www.themarsh.org.

July 1-31: Precita Eyes leads walking tours of Mission District MURALS at 11 am and 1:30 pm Saturdays and Sundays in July. Meet at Café Venice (3325 24th St.) for the pre-walk slide show, at 11 am tours on Saturdays. Meet at 2981 24th St. at Harrison for all other tours. 285-2287; tours@precitaeyes.org.

July 1-Aug. 10: Creativity Explored presents NATURE RULES, an exhibit of mixed-media artwork inspired by nature. Mon.-Fri., 10 am­3 pm; Sat., 1-6 pm. 3245 16th St. www.creativityexplored.org.

July 1-Aug. 31: Chris Sequeira leads classes in TAI CHI. Mon. & Tues., 6 pm, at the Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St.; Wed. & Fri., 10:15 am; call 773-8185 or 650-756-6857 for location.

July 1-Aug. 31: The Noe Valley SENIOR CENTER serves hot lunches for people over 60. 12:30 pm. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St. Call 648-1030 to make a reservation.

July 1-Aug. 31: Bands play AfroCuban, salsa, funk, rock, hip-hop, reggae nightly at the ELBO ROOM. 9 pm. 647 Valencia St. 552-7788; www.elbo.com.

July 1-Aug. 31: The NOE STROLLS "playgroup on wheels" departs Holey Bagel on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am. 3872 24th St. www.noestrolls.com.

July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: Come see a special ANIMAL presentation each Saturday at the Randall Museum. 11:15 am-noon. 199 Museum Way. 554-9600; www.randallmuseum.org.

July 1-Sept. 30: City Guides gives free WALKING TOURS, including "The Castro: Tales of the Village" (Sun., 11 am, Harvey Milk Plaza) and "Mission Dolores Neighborhood" (Sun., noon, Church & 20th). 557-4266; www.sfcityguides.org.

July 2: Rocket Dog Rescue has PUPS who need homes. Come see them from noon to 4 pm in front of Zephyr Real Estate, 4040 24th St. 642-4786.

July 2 & 16: The S.F. Botanical Garden offers a free FAMILY WALK at 11 am, preceded by a story time at 10:30 am. Golden Gate Park, 9th Avenue & Lincoln Way. 661-1316; www.sfbotanicalgarden.org.

July 3-31: Volunteers provide free HOMEWORK HELP for grades K-7. Mon. & Tues., 4-6 pm (except July 4). Mission Library, 300 Bartlett St. http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 3-Aug. 30: Check out a book at the S.F. Library's BOOKMOBILE, parked at 665 Elizabeth Street (between Castro and Diamond). Mon. & Wed., 10:30 am-1 pm. 557-4353.

July 6-28: Dancers' Group sponsors more than a dozen INTENSIVE summer workshops with Bay Area dance stars, many at Dance Mission, 3316 24th St. 920-9181.

July 6: Green Party gubernatorial candidate PETER CAMEJO discusses his book California Under Corporate Rule. 2 pm. Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia St. 282-9246.

July 5: All ages of children can learn a thing or two at a hands-on presentation on incredible INDISPENSABLE INSECTS. 2 pm. Mission Library, 300 Bartlett St. http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 6, 13, 20 & 27: Brent Armendinger offers OWL: Older Writers Laboratory, a free POETRY WORKSHOP for seniors. Thurs., 1:30-3:30 pm. Bernal Heights Library, 500 Cortland Ave. 695-5160; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 7, 14, 21 & 28: SF GAMES features board and card games on Friday nights, 7 pm to midnight. Muddy's Coffee House, 1304 Valencia St. www.sfgames.com.

July 7-8 & 21-23: SCOTT WELLS & Dancers perform new works and "Home Again." 8 pm. CounterPulse, 1310 Mission St. 435-7552.

July 8: James Lick Middle School will be Sunset Scavenger's Gigantic 3 location and Goodwill's pickup site. Residents can RECYCLE, compost, and drop off bulky items, non-automotive household batteries, unbroken fluorescent bulbs and tubes, used motor oil, and oil filters. 8 am to noon. 1220 Noe St. 554-6920; dpw@sfpw.org.

July 8: Join neighbors to sweep and pick up litter as part of District 8's CLEAN SWEEP. Bags, brooms, gloves, and grabbers provided. 9 am to noon. Harvey Milk Plaza, Castro & Market. 554-6920; dpw@sfpw.org.

July 8: The S.F. Botanical Garden sells mite-resistant fuchsias and other shrubs at its July PLANT SALE. 10 am-1 pm. Golden Gate Park, 9th Avenue & Lincoln Way. 661-1316; www.sfbotanicalgarden.org.

July 8: Enjoy magic and juggling at Owen Baker-Flynn's FAMILY SHOW. 1:30 pm. Glen Park Library, 653 Chenery St. 337-4740; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 8: The Boulder Acoustic Society, Iron & the Albatross, and the Hot Club of Berkeley bring jazz and RAG GRASS to the Noe Valley Music Series. 8:15 pm. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St. 454-5238; www.noevalleymusicseries.com.

July 8-9: Last chance to view exhibits (for free) at the S.F. MARITIME MUSEUM, which will go into "dry dock" for a two-year restoration July 10. 10 am-9 pm. 900 Beach St. 561-7000.

July 9: A free demonstration on ORGANIC GARDENING will be given at the S.F. Rose Society. 1-3 pm. County Fair Building, 9th Avenue & Lincoln Way. 647-4486.

July 9: Representatives from LYON-MARTIN Women's Health Services will be the guests at PFLAG. Support group 2 pm; guest talk 3 pm. St. Francis Lutheran Church, 152 Church St. 921-8850.

July 10: Stephen Elliot hosts the PROGRESSIVE Reading Series featuring authors Jonathan Franzen, Jane Smiley, W.S. Di Piero, Katherine Noel, Jason Roberts, and political comedian Nato Green. 7 pm. The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd St. 647-2888; www.litpac.org.

July 10-Aug. 31: Artery offers KIDS' ART CAMPS in things like skateboard deck design, beadwork jewelry, and Art Girls projects. 1311 Church St. 285-0235; www.arterysf.com.

July 11: Prevent Blindness Northern California holds a free ADULT VISION screening. 9:30 am-3 pm. 1388 Sutter St., Suite 408. Call for appointment: 567-7500.

July 11: Glen Micheletti performs a MAGIC SHOW at the Glen Park Library. 10:30 am. 653 Chenery St. 337-4740; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 11: Share songs, stories, and rhymes at a LAPSIT for infants and toddlers. 10:30 am. Eureka Valley Library, 1 José Sarria Court (3555 16th St. at Market). 355-5616; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 11: New College's School of Law offers a free CLINIC on the ins and outs of small claims court. 6 pm. 50 Fell St., second floor. 241-1300.

July 11: Festival director Peter Stein gives a sneak preview of the 51 films in the S.F. JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin St. 557-4400; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 11 & 18: Afternoon STORY TIME, for kids 3 to 5, kicks off at 3:30 pm at the Eureka Valley Library, 16th & Market. 355-5616; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 11 & 18: By attending INTERNET 101, you can learn how to find web information more quickly. 2-4 pm. Main Library, 100 Larkin St. 557-4400; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 11, 18 & 25: Librarians from the Noe Valley Library present LAPSITS for toddlers at 10:15 am and preschool STORY TIME at 11 am on Tuesdays. Bethany Methodist Church, 1268 Sanchez St. 647-8393.

July 11-25: The Kadampa Buddhist Temple offers introductory BUDDHIST MEDITATION classes. Tues., 7-8:30 pm; Sun., 10-11:30 am. 3324 17th St. 503-1187.

July 14-16: The S.F. SILENT FILM FESTIVAL screens classic films produced from 1917-30, including Janet Gaynor's Seventh Heaven, Louise Brooks' Pandora's Box, and Laurel and Hardy's The Finishing Touch. Special guests include Gaynor's son Robin Adrian and Harry Carey Jr., who appeared in Red River opposite his father. Reception July 15, 6:30 pm. Castro Theatre, 429 Market St. 777-4908; www.silentfilm.org.

July 12: Join in a CLOWNING AROUND extravaganza with Maggie the Clown. 2 pm. Mission Library, 300 Bartlett St. http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 12: Children of all ages can get crafty at Sophie's CRAFT HOUR. 4 pm. Bernal Heights Library, 500 Cortland Ave. 695-5160; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 13 & Aug. 10: St. Luke's Hospital holds a VOLUNTEER orientation the second Thursday on the month. 3-5 pm. 3555 Cesar Chavez St. 641-6538.

July 14: Visual Aid and the Hotel des Arts hold a BASTILLE DAY party and fundraiser benefiting Visual Aid's programs, which encourage artists with life-threatening illnesses to continue their creative work. 5:30-10 pm. Hotel des Arts, 477 Bush St. 956-3232.

July 14: Dolores Park Café donates refreshments for a "funky rock-n-roll blues revue" and BENEFIT SHOW for CounterPulse. 8 pm. 1310 Mission St. 435-7552.

July 15: Pam Pierce, author of Golden Gate Gardening, shows how to grow garden VEGETABLES year-round. 10 am-noon. Garden for the Environment, 7th Avenue & Lawton. Preregister: 731-5627.

July 15: Carl Winters, the KALIMBA KING, presents interactive singing, chanting, and stories with African thumb pianos. 10:30 am. Eureka Valley Library, 16th & Market. 355-5616; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 15: Learn how to make a book out of sandwich bags or CD cases at a free Family BOOKMAKING Day. 1:30 am-5:30 pm. S.F. Center for the Book, 300 De Haro St. Reservations: 565-0556; www.sfcb.org.

July 15: Youths 12 to 18 can learn to knit, try new stitches, or just hang out at Knit Happens! TEEN KNITTING CLUB. 2-4 pm. Main Library, 100 Larkin St. 557-4497; blevine@sfpl.org.

July 16: The 2006 S.F. AIDS WALK will benefit the S.F. AIDS Foundation, Project Inform, and other local service organizations. Sign in 9 am; walk 10:30 am; entertainment starts 12:30 pm. Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park. www.aidswalk.net/sanfran.

July 16: An INFANT/CHILD CPR class teaches how to recognize a child in distress and relieve airway obstruction. 10 am to noon. UCSF Women's Health Building, 2356 Sutter St. 353-2667; www.ucsf.edu.

July 16: Ingleside Police Capt. Paul Chignell and Supervisor Bevan Dufty will attend a MEETING addressing recent gun violence in Diamond Heights. 2-4 pm. St. Aidan's Church, 101 Gold Mine Drive. 554-6968.

July 16: Poets Latif Harris, Gerald Nicosia, and David Meltzer read from their work. 4:30 pm. Bird & Beckett Books & Records, 2788 Diamond Street. 586-3733.

July 16: S.F. Animal Care and Control celebrates its 17th anniversary with a FUNDRAISER BASH featuring food, music, and silent auction. All funds raised go toward an artificial turf system for the organization's dog park. Well-behaved dogs on leash welcome. 6­9:30 pm. 1200 15th St. 822-5566; www.FSFACC.org.

July 17 & 31: A workshop led by a team of UCSF experts helps people PREPARE FOR SURGERY using mind-body techniques. 6-8:30 pm. UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Mount Zion, 1701 Divisadero St. 353-7718.

July 18: Bilingual Spanish/English storyteller Liz Mangual tells STORIES, for ages 4 and up. 10:30 am. Eureka Valley Library, 16th & Market; 355-5616. Also at 3:30 pm at the Mission Library, 300 Bartlett St.; 355-2800.

July 18: A SING-ALONG with guitarist Chris Molla starts at 11 am. Glen Park Library, 653 Chenery St. 337-4740; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 18: Accordion master JIM MURDOCH gives an "Accordion Crimes" musical tour. 7 pm. Bernal Heights Library, 500 Cortland Ave. 695-5160; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 18: NPR linguist (and Noe Valley resident) GEOFFREY NUNBERG appears at Modern Times to talk about his book on political language, Talking Right. 7:30 pm. 888 Valencia St. 282-9246.

July 18 & Aug. 15: Precita Eyes Mural Arts sponsors a monthly WORKSHOP in the planning of a community mural. 7-9 pm. 2981 24th St. Reservations required: 285-2287.

July 19: Those who wish to care for children in their home are invited to a free CHILDCARE LICENSING orientation and workshop at the Children's Council. Orientation, 9-11:30 am; workshop, 12:30-3:30 pm. 445 Church St. 343-3333.

July 19: OPERA PICCOLA "Small Works" Theatre Co. presents Hansel and Gretel. Come early to be a part of the show. 3 pm. Bernal Heights Library, 500 Cortland Ave. 695-5160; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 19: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society kicks off a new monthly support group for people living with HIV LYMPHOMA. 6-7:30 pm. 353-1304 or 353-2220.

July 19: The Noe Valley Democratic Club and the Friends of Noe Valley hold a joint COMMUNITY MEETING. 6:30 pm. St. Philip's Church, 725 Diamond St. 641-5838.

July 20-Aug. 7: The S.F. JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL celebrates independent cinema at the Castro Theatre (July 20-27) and at theaters in Berkeley, Mountain View, and San Rafael. For a complete schedule and ticket info, go to www.sfjff.org. 621-0556.

July 20 & Aug. 17: S.F. born and raised SINGER/SONGWRITER Anna Maria Flechero performs jazz favorites at the Savanna Jazz club. 7:30 pm. 2937 Mission St. 285-3369; www.savanajazz.com.

July 22: Community CLEAN TEAM has big plans for spiffing up a number of District 8 parks. Volunteers are needed from 9 am to noon. Dispatch from Eureka Valley Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood St. Project suggestions welcomed by Gia Grant, 552-9201, or Rachelle McManus, 554-6986.

July 22: CHEECH MARIN celebrates the opening of the CHICANO ART exhibition at the de Young Museum, with a Cheech speech and book-signing (noon) and music from Dr. Loco & his Jalapeño Band, La Familia Peña-Govea, Loco Bloco, and others. Free all day, 9:30 am-5 pm. Golden Gate Park. 863-3330; www.thinker.org.

July 22: Eighty-one-year-old MARY GOULDING discusses her adventure travel book Explore the World Alone, at the Older Women's League. 10 am to noon. 870 Market St. 989-4422

July 22: Enjoy free mural performances, artist booths, food, and music at Precita Eyes' URBAN YOUTH ARTS Festival. 1-6 pm. Precita Park, Precita & Folsom. 285-2287; www.precitaeyes.org.

July 22: Heather Rogers as STARKO THE CLOWN entertains with magic and jokes. 1:30 pm. Glen Park Library, 653 Chenery St. 337-4740; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 22: The Baguette Quartette plays Parisian CAFÉ MUSIC from the 1920s, '30s, and '40s. 8:15 pm. Noe Valley Music Series, Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St. 454-5238; www.noevalleymusicseries.com.

July 23: Kids learning to ride bikes, and their families, are invited to a RIDE sponsored by the S.F. Bicycle Coalition in Golden Gate Park. Meet at 10:30 am at McLaren Lodge (Stanyan & Fell). 431-BIKE; www.sfbike.org.

July 25: Learn how to collect a SMALL CLAIMS court judgment at a free advice clinic offered by New College School of Law. 10 am. Civic Center Courthouse, 400 McAllister St. 241-1300.

July 25: Croon with the crowd at Lisa Atkinson's SING-ALONG. 11 am. Glen Park Library, 653 Chenery St. 337-4740; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 25: WILLIAM BENEMANN discusses his book Male-Male Intimacy in Early America: Beyond Romantic Friendships. 7-8:30 pm. Eureka Valley Library, 16th & Market. 355-5616; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 25 & 27: Children of all ages are invited to enjoy BONNIE LOCKHART's international songs and music games. July 25: 10:30 am, Eureka Library, 16th & Market. July 27: 2:30 pm, Mission Library, 24th & Bartlett. http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 26: Learn about the latest prostate CANCER RESEARCH. 4-6 pm. UCSF Cancer Resource Center, 1600 Divisadero St. 885-3693.

July 26: All are welcome at the Eureka Valley Library's BOOK DISCUSSION group. 7:30 pm. 16th & Market. 355-5616; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 27: Sherrie Dobrott entertains children ages 3 to 5 with stories, songs and FINGER-PLAYS about insects and gardens. 10:30 am. Eureka Library, 16th & Market. 355-5616; http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.

July 27: Heidi Engel, PTI, will lead a SEMINAR on "Coping with Cancer-Related Fatigue." 5-7 pm. UCSF Cancer Resource Center, 1600 Divisadero St. 885-3693; http://cc.ucsf.edu/crc.

July 27: The Randall Museum presents PHILIP BATCHELDER lecturing about San Bruno Mountain, one of the largest open spaces in the country. For adults. 7:30 pm. 199 Museum Way. 554-9600; www.randallmuseum.org.

July 29: Help pot seedlings for HABITAT restoration at Corona Heights Park. Meet at Golden Gate Park Nursery, 10 am. Sign-up & directions: 554-9600, ext. 16, or www.randallmuseum.org.

July 29: The S.F. Bike Coalition sponsors a RIDE through the biggest parks of San Francisco. Meet at 10 am at McLaren Lodge, Golden Gate Park (Stanyan & Fell). 431-BIKE; www.sfbike.org.

July 29: The S.F. Neighborhood Theater Foundation screens the MOVIE Raiders of the Lost Ark in Dolores Park. 8 pm. Dolores & 19th. www.sfntf.org.

July 30: Noe Valleyans will gather at the Ferry Building at the crack of dawn to run the S.F. MARATHON, a 26.2-mile race around the Bay. For details, see www.runsfm.com.

July 30: As part of Laborfest 2006, author NANCY MACLEAN discusses Freedom Is Not Enough, about struggles to integrate and gender-balance the American workplace. 2 pm. Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia St. 282-9246.

July 30: Deadline to enter Noe Valley Harvest Festival LOGO CONTEST, open to kids under 18 who reside or attend school in Noe Valley. Submit logo design on 8-1/2 x 11 paper to Noe Valley Festival Logo Contest, c/o Mary Teahan-Duffy, Glencar Graphics, 3953 23rd St., 94114; or drop off to Donna Davis at Forbeadin, 1195 Church St. 643-3343; norine@nvharvestfestival.com.

Aug. 1: Dr. Betty Carmack moderates a PET LOSS support group the first Tuesday of the month. 7:30-9 pm. SF/SPCA, 2500 16th St. Call 554-3050 to confirm.

Aug. 4: ART FOR AIDS, an art auction to benefit the UCSF AIDS Health Project, will take place at Bonhams & Butterfields. 5:30-9 pm. 220 San Bruno Ave.; www.artforaids.org. (To view artwork before the event, contact ArtHaus Gallery, 411 Brannan St., 977-0223; www.arthaus-sf.com.)

Aug. 5-6 & 12-13: Woman's Will, the Bay Area's all-female Shakespeare company, stages the PLAY Twelfth Night in Dolores Park. 1 pm. 510-420-0813; www.womanswill.org.

Aug. 7, 14 & 21: Monday-night poetry readings are followed by an open mike. Aug. 7: Bill Mercer and Clara Hsu; Aug. 14: David Hadbawnik and Rodney Koeneke; Aug. 21: Klipschutz and Tom Stolmar. Bird & Beckett Books & Records, 2788 Diamond St. 586-3733.

Aug. 9: The Noe Valley Democratic Club will hold its third annual SUMMER FUN BASH and fundraiser. 7:30 pm. Bliss Bar, 4026 24th St. 641-5838.

Aug. 12-13: Japantown hosts the 33rd annual Nihonmachi STREET FAIR, with music, crafts, and food. 11 am-6 pm. Post Street between Laguna and Fillmore. 771-9861; www.nihonmachistreetfair.org.

Aug. 13: St. Paul's Parish holds a BLOOD DRIVE open to all. Call Jill Alcantar at 586-8911 to schedule an appointment.

Aug. 19: Breakfast at Tiffany's will be shown outside at Union Square as part of the PARK FILM series sponsored by the S.F. Neighborhood Theater Foundation. 8 pm. More films: www.sfntf.org.

Aug. 23: Come see "Seeds, Grains and Other DANCES" by young people involved with Flyaway Productions and S.F. Oasis for Girls. Kids 14 and under free. 6:30 pm. CounterPulse, 1310 Mission St. 435-7552.

Aug. 25: City College offers a free weekly older-adults support group, this week featuring the video Relax: You Only Live Once. 9:30 am-noon. The Sequoias, 1501 Post St. 551-1122.

Aug. 26: Browse dog-themed arts and crafts, booths from local pet stores, and food and drink vendors at SF DOG'S DOG DAYS of August picnic celebration. 3-6 pm. Fashion show 7 pm; Best in Show film screening 8 pm. Dolores Park. www.sfdog.org.

Aug. 29-Sept. 7: Lampwork masters Lucio Bubacco and Vittorio Costantini give classes in making GLASS images of birds, fish, and humans. Public Glass, 1750 Armstrong Ave. 671-4916; www.publicglass.org.