Calendar

May 1-31: The Noe Valley SENIOR CENTER serves hot lunches for people over 60. 12:30 p.m. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St. Reservations, 648-1030.
May 1-31: The Noe Valley Library's BOOKMOBILE will be open for business on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10:30 am to 1 pm. 665 Elizabeth St., in front of St. Philip's School. 557-4343.
May 1-31: Chris Sequeira leads classes in TAI CHI. Mon. and Tues., 6 pm, at the Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St.; Wed. and Fri., 10:15 am; call 415-773-8185 or 650-756-6857 for location.
May 2: The San Francisco Zoo welcomes two Australian BLACK SWANS, donated by Black Swan Vineyards. Reception 1 pm. One Zoo Road. 753-7080.
May 2: A MEMOIR READING at the Main Library features Noe Valley author Judy Vaughn, Adair Lara, and Alan Kaufman. 6-7:30 pm. Latino/Hispanic Room, 100 Larkin St. 557-4400.
May 2: The Know Thyself as Soul Foundation sponsors a free Surat Shabd Yoga CLASS. 7 pm. Bernal Heights Branch Library, 500 Cortland Ave. 355-2810.
May 2: The Golden Gate MEN'S CHORUS premieres Memento Mori: An AIDS Requiem. 8 pm. Mission Dolores Basilica, 3321 16th St. 621-8203.
May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30: The Kadampa Buddhist Temple offers weekly MEDITATION CLASSES. Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm. 3324 17th St. 503-1187.
May 2, 9, 23 & 30: Librarians from the Noe Valley Library offer LAPSITS, for newborns through age 3, at 10:15 am; and Preschool STORY TIME, for kids 3 to 5, at 11 am. Bethany United Methodist Church, 1268 Sanchez St. 647-8393.
May 4: POETS FOR PEACE--Bei Dao, Dan Powell, and Susan Kelly DeWitt--read and discuss their work. 6-7:30 pm. Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, 100 Larkin St. 557-4400.
May 4-June 15: ARTISTS at Creativity Explored exhibit "Sacred Places," interpreted in painting, drawing, sculpture, and handcrafted shrines. Reception May 4, 7-9 pm; Mon.-Fri., 10 am-3 pm; Sat., 1-6 pm. 3245 16th St. 863-2108.
May 5: Mission Cultural Center celebrates CINCO DE MAYO with flamenco, Ballet Folklorico, and hip-hop dance. 7-9 pm. 2868 Mission St. 821-1155.
May 5-7: An international cast of 23 will perform Viva Concha! Rose of the Presidio, a musical by Noe Valley songwriter CANDY FOREST. Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St. 648-8471; victoriatheatre.org.
May 5-17: HOSPICE by the Bay offers volunteer training. For info, call 626-5900.
May 6: The 39th annual SPRING PLANT SALE at Strybing Arboretum features specimens suitable for the Bay Area's climate. 10 am-2 pm. County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park, 9th Ave. at Lincoln Way. 661-1316.
May 6: St. Mary's Medical Center offers a free SKIN CANCER screening. 10 am-4 pm. 450 Stanyan St. 750-4892.
May 6: The Miraloma Elementary School SPRING FESTIVAL features a raffle to win a Hawaiian vacation and restaurant gift certificates, an auction, games and prizes for kids, food stands, a bake sale, and live music by The Jakes and Playdate. 11 am-3 pm. 175 Omar Way, 469-4734.
May 6: A CINCO DE MAYO open house at the Mission Branch Library shows off Opera Piccola, La Familia Penna-Govea, and Ballet Folklórico Infantil. Noon-4 pm. 300 Bartlett St. 355-2800.
May 6: "American JUKEBOX" features bluegrass from both Chuck's Country Roundup and the Nightbirds, modern campfire songs from Kemo Sabe, country music from the Ca$h Magnets, rockabilly from Sons of Emperor Norton, old-time country from Toshio, and alt-country tunes from the Robber Barons. 8 pm. The Knockout, 3223 Mission St. 550-6994.
May 6 & 7: Noe Valley artists Agathe Bennich, Marc Ellen Hamel, Irene Hendrick, Bohdanna Kesala, Debra King, Dennis King, Derek Nunn, Linda Saytes, and Karen Wenger will be participating in the 15th annual Spring OPEN STUDIO and sale at Hunters Point Shipyard. 10 am-6 pm. 387-5936; www.springopenstudio.com.
May 6 & 7: Choreographer Kim Epifano's Epiphany Productions presents Lotta's Opera, a one-block, 40-minute journey starting in 1875 at LOTTA'S FOUNTAIN and ending in 1910 at One Post Plaza, with stories on commemorative plaques and remodeled buildings told through dance, theater, and song. 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Start at corner of Market, Geary, and Kearny streets. 762-0721.
May 6 & 7, 12 & 13: The Marsh YOUTH THEATER performs Doña Quixote, based on the Miguel de Cervantes novel. May 6, 5 pm; May 7 & 13, 2 pm; and May 12, 7:30 pm. 1074 Valencia St. 838-3006.
May 7: The LOLLIPOP 5K RUN for girls in the third through eighth grades, is part of afterschool program Girls on the Run. 9:30 am. Golden Gate Park, Peacock Meadow. See www.gotrsf.org.
May 7: Rocket DOG RESCUE introduces pups who need homes. Noon-4 pm. In front of Zephyr Real Estate, 4040 24th St. 642-4786.
MAY 7: Writers are each given one minute to pitch a book idea to a panel of agents, authors, and editors in "Putting Your Passion Into Print PITCHAPALOOZA." 1-3 pm. Main Library, 100 Larkin St. 557-4400.
May 7: "A Spring Fling" honors friends of 30th Street SENIOR SERVICES with a barbecue and live music by Cascada de Flores. 1-4 pm. 225 30th St. 550-2210.
May 7: Dance San Francisco offers four-session SALSA CLASSES for beginners. 4-5:30 pm. Shotwell Studios, 3252A 19th St. 668-9936.
May 8: The fifth PROGRESSIVE Reading Series, to benefit progressive Congressional candidates, features Steve Almond, Aimee Bender, Peter Rock, Hal Niedzviecki, and Pam Houston, with host Stephen Elliott. 7 pm. Makeout Room, 3225 22nd St. 647-2888.
May 9: New College of California's law school gives a workshop on how to present a case in SMALL CLAIMS COURT. 6 pm. 50 Fell St. 241-1300.
May 10, 11 & 31; June 1, 3, 4, 7 & 10: Marsh founder STEPHANIE WEISMAN's "Aphrodesia" will be performed by Deborah Gwinn, Damara Vita Ganley, and the Voci Women's Vocal Ensemble. 7:30 pm; Sun., 4 pm. The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way. 800-838-3006.
May 11: St. Luke's Hospital offers an orientation for VOLUNTEERS. 3-5 pm. 3555 Cesar Chavez St. 641-6538.
May 11: The Friends of Noe Valley COMMUNITY MEETING discusses housing in Noe Valley, "Planning, Preservation, and Development." 7:30 pm. St. Philip's Hall, Diamond between 24th and Elizabeth. rambooks@pacbell.net.
May 13: A class in BUTTERFLY and hummingbird gardening is followed by a tour of the Butterfly Zone at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. 10 am-noon. Garden for the Environment, Seventh Avenue at Lawton. Preregistration required: 731-5627.
May 13: The 31st annual Fair Oaks Neighbors STREET FAIR and Flea Market offers five blocks of treasures and fun. 9 am-4 pm. Fair Oaks between 21st and 26th streets. Rain date is May 20.
May 13: Precita Eyes Mural Arts hosts a Mural Competition PAINT-OFF to celebrate Mural Awareness Month. 1-5 pm. Precita Park, Precita at Folsom. 285-2287.
May 13: PHOTOGRAPHER Germán Herrera gives a slide show and discusses his work at the Harvey Milk Photography Center. 2-4 pm. 50 Scott St. 554-9522.
May 13: The Bay Area Homebirth Collective hosts "Meet the MIDWIVES" at Natural Resources, on the second Saturday of every month. 4-6 pm. 816 Diamond St. 550-2611.
May 13: The San Francisco ART INSTITUTE's 135th anniversary gala honors artist alumni, including Noe Valley's Larry Sultan, with dinner and dancing, to benefit scholarships and financial aid. 6 pm. 800 Chestnut St. 749-4595.
May 13: JOHN SANTOS performs a lecture/demonstration/concert, "Rhythmic Stories," a mini-history of Afro-Latin-America told with percussion instruments. 8:15 pm. Noe Valley Music Series at the Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St. 454-5238.
May 13 & 14: St. Philip's St. Vincent de Paul Conference sponsors a SPRING CLOTHING DRIVE. Drop off new or gently-worn, clean garments and shoes. Sat., 9 am to 5 pm; and Sun., 8 am to noon. 725 Diamond St. 282-0141.
May 14: Sally Goldin discusses the preservation of memories in written and oral histories at the monthly PFLAG meeting. 2-4 pm. St. Francis Lutheran Church, 152 Church St. 921-8850.
May 15: Cynthia Travis, founder and director of EVERYDAY GANDHIS, discusses her work in conflict resolution at the ODD MONDAYS series at the Noe Valley Ministry. No-host dinner at Noe Valley Pizza, 5:30 pm; program, 7 pm. 1021 Sanchez St. jlsender@webtv.net.
May 16: A speaker from Amnesty International discusses the current state of human rights, at the GRAY PANTHERS' meeting. 1 pm. Unitarian Universalist Center, 1187 Franklin St. 552-8800.
May 16: Men's vocal ensemble CHANTICLEER performs at a gala cocktail reception and dinner, to support the Artistic Initiatives Fund. 6-10 pm. John Pence Gallery, 750 Post St. 252-8589, ext. 309.
May 16: Ingleside Police Station holds its regular POLICE-COMMUNITY meeting. 7 pm. Ingleside Station, 1 Sgt. John Young Lane. 404-4000.
May 17: The 27th annual Senior Adults' SENIOR PROM celebrates Older Americans Month with dancing to live music, prize drawings, and free beverages, for ages 55 and older. 12:30-3:30 pm. County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park, 9th Avenue at Lincoln Way. 666-7079.
May 17: Friends of Animal Care and Control celebrate the YEAR OF THE DOG with a benefit Chinese banquet, silent auction, and music by the Walter Earl Jazz Trio. 6:30-9:30. Yank Sing Restaurant, One Rincon Center, 101 Spear St. 517-3647.
May 17: Community Care Licensing offers a CHILDCARE LICENSING orientation, 9 to 11:30 am; and a caregiver support workshop at 12:30 pm. Children's Council, 445 Church St. 343-3333.
May 17: Streetside screens At the Crossroads: Digital Stories by San Francisco Seventh-Graders, short MOVIES written and produced by middle school students. 6 pm. Roxie Film Center, 3117 16th St. 864-5221.
May 17: The Noe Valley Democratic Club hosts a PANEL DISCUSSION on Roe vs. Wade, featuring representatives from Planned Parenthood and the Respect Life Program of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. 7 pm. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St. 648-4010.
May 17: LUIS RODRIGUEZ discusses his work, including his memoir Always Running, La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A. 7:30 pm. Bird & Beckett, 2788 Diamond St. 586-3733.
May 18: BIKE TO WORK DAY, sponsored by the S.F. Bicycle Coalition, features Energizer Stations throughout the city. A Bike Away from Work PARTY happens 6 to 9 pm at the 111 Minna Gallery. 431-BIKE; www.sfbike.org/btwd.
May 18: Kathy Loewenstein brings new designs to a JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW at Peekabootique. 7-9 pm. 1306 Castro St. 641-6192.
May 18: KIM ADDONIZIO introduces her new novel, Little Beauties, and Jaime Robles and John Cleary from Ecstatic Monkey Literary Promotions read from their work. 7:30 pm. Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia St. 282-9246.
May 18-28: Goat Hall Productions presents "Fresh Voices VI," new "Opera Adventures," and the Now Festival of original MUSIC. Thick House, 1695 18th St. 401-8081; www.goathall.org.
May 19: "Showtime" screens the work of San Francisco State University's CINEMA Department. 7 pm. McKenna Theater, 1600 Holloway Ave. 338-2467.
May 19: The San Francisco GUITAR SUMMIT features Noe Valley guitarist Teja Gerken, the San Francisco Guitar Quartet, and the Adam Levy and Will Bernard Duo. 8:15 pm. Noe Valley Music Series at the Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St. 454-5238.
May 19-21: The 1890 Bryant Group of 30 artists hosts its first OPEN STUDIOS exhibit and sale. Preview gala Fri., 7-9 pm; Sat. and Sun., 11 am-6 pm. 1890 Bryant St. 824-5756; www.1890bryant.com.
May 19-21: The School of the Arts DANCE CONCERT features diverse works performed and choreographed by students and teachers. Fri. and Sat., 8 pm; Sun., 2 pm. 555 Portola Drive. 345-7575.
May 20: Noe Valley merchants hold a SIDEWALK SALE, with bargains all along 24th Street. 10 am-4 pm. 648-3954.
May 20: The annual Elizabeth Street GARAGE SALE includes goodies for sale along the 400, 500, and 600 blocks, from Sanchez to Diamond. 10 am-2 pm.
May 20: BUG DAY at the Randall Museum features insects up close and a screening of In the Company of Wild Butterflies. 10 am-2 pm; film begins at 2 pm. 199 Museum Way. 554-9600.
May 20: FIESTA-VAL at Fairmount School includes a silent auction, free arts and crafts activities for children, and performances by student guitarists, the Fairmount Choir, and the school's Ballet Folklorico dance troupe. Noon-dusk. 65 Chenery St. 695-5669.
May 20: "Call of the Wild Child: A Super-Silly Soul-Searching Safari," an original play, stars the kids of Children's After School Arts in a FUNDRAISER for CASA. 7 pm. PMUSF Presentation Theater, 2350 Turk Blvd. 643-CASA.
May 20: The San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Association hosts an outdoor screening of the dog-show FILM Best in Show. 8 pm. Dolores Park. www.sfntf.org
May 24: ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE Attorney Michael J. Bean discusses current political challenges that will have an impact on the California condor, grizzly bear, and West Coast salmon; sponsored by the California Academy of Sciences. 8 pm. Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St. 321-8000.
May 25: Bethany United Methodist Church offers an AGAPE MEAL at noon, after the 11 am service of celebration. 1268 Sanchez St. 647-8393.
May 21: Noe Valley CHAMBER MUSIC ends the season with an auction and performances by Maestro Donald Runnicles and S.F. Opera instrumentalists Kay Stern and Thalia Moore. 4 pm. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St. 648-5236.
May 25: James Lick students will participate in the POETRY AND ART Festival of the Youth of San Francisco. 5-7 pm. Main Library, 100 Larkin St. 557-4400.
May 25: The new owners of Peekabootique hold a "PARENTS Night Out" party. Kids welcome. 7-9 pm. 1306 Castro St. 641-6192.
May 25: UPPER NOE Neighbors meets at 7:30 pm at Upper Noe Recreation Center at Day and Sanchez streets. 285-0473.
May 27: R&B and gospel singer VERNON BUSH, of Free Measure Records, launches his debut album Go for the Ride at the Noe Valley Music Series. 7:30 pm. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St. 454-5238.
May 27 & 28: CARNAVAL SF 2006 features a festival on Harrison Street between 16th and 23rd, from 10 am to 6 pm. Look for the James Lick float at the Grand Parade on Sunday, which starts at 9:30 am on the corner of 24th and Bryant Street, and proceeds along Mission Street to the festival area at 17th and Harrison. 920-0125; www.carnavalsf.com.
May 28: DUB MISSION celebrates Memorial Day with a musical confrontation, Warsaw Poland Brothers vs. Keyser Soze. 9 pm-2 am. Elbo Room, 647 Valencia St. 552-7788.
May 29: A MEMORIAL DAY ceremony at the Presidio begins with a parade at the Main Post at 10:30 am, and includes tours, music, and displays of historic vehicles. 561-5500; www.presidio.gov.
May 30: The POLICE-COMMUNITY meeting at Mission Police Station starts at 6 p.m. 630 Valencia St. 558-5400.
May 30: Glenn D. Kochi gives a postcard and photograph tour of the "Joy Zone" at the Panama Pacific International Exhibition, sponsored by the San Francisco HISTORY ASSOCIATION. 7 pm. Mission Dolores School Auditorium, 16th and Church. 750-9986.
May 31: NATURE IN THE CITY talks continue with "Can San Francisco Feed Itself?", hosted by the City Lights Foundation and Counterpulse. 8 pm. 1310 Mission St. 626-2060.
JUNE BUG
The June 2006 issue of the Voice will blossom on or before June 2, 2006. The deadline for calendar items is May 15. Please note that because of space limitations, Noe Valley events take priority. Our address is Noe Valley Voice, 1021 Sanchez Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. Or you may send an e-mail to Calendar Editor Karol Barske at calendar@noevalleyvoice.com.