@ The Randall Museum
Saturdays in July at 11 .am.: Meet the Animals! On Saturdays a special selection of the Randall Museum’s animal ambassadors venture from their cages, pens, and perches to greet museum visitors up-close! Kids and their families can meet rodents and amphibians; check out a Harris’ Hawk; and maybe even touch a tortoise! Free!
• The Tenth Planet & Beyond, July 15th at 7:30 p.m.: Eugene Chang will give a presentation that will explore what we know about this “Kuiper Belt” of bodies and how these discoveries can help astronomers answer questions about the formation of our own solar system. The presentation will conclude by examining the incredible prospect that we may have glimpsed first light from a newly formed extrasolar planet interacting with its own primitive Kuiper belt. Free; donations encouraged.
• Birding the Hill, Friday, July 17 at 8 a.m.: Explore Corona Heights Park to check out its avian inhabitants and visitors with Audubon experts. Birders will circle the hill to look into several habitats, each of which is enjoyed by different bird species. The east canyon, the south cliffs, the north forest, and the hilltop grasslands will all be explored. Beginning birders are welcome! Meet at the Randall Museum. Free.
• The Great Transpacific Migrations, Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.: Join wildlife biologist Peter Pyle for an evening discussion about the amazing migrations of marine wildlife. Pyle will share recent satellite tag technology discoveries of some of the remarkable ways animals migrate across the Pacific. FREE; donations encouraged.
• Habitat Restoration Volunteer Work Party, Sat., July 25 at 10 a.m.: Join habitat restoration volunteers to keep the hill at Corona Heights Park healthy for birds, insects, and other native wildlife.  Enjoy a spectacular view of the City while you help remove invasive weeds, maintain trails, and learn about our San Francisco ecosystem. Advance sign-up is required. Adults and Teens. Please call or email ahead to sign up: (415) 552-3542 coronavolunteers@sonic.net. Free.
Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way (off Roosevelt, above 14th and Castro streets) Info: (415) 554-9600 or www.randallmuseum.org.
 
Join SF Bike Coalition
• Fuel Stations, Fridays in July from 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.: Grab your bicycle and pedal your way to an SFBC Energizer Station on Gas-Free Fridays to fuel up on coffee, tea and snacks. The SFBC wants to help more people substitute one short car trip with a bicycle trip just one day a week. In San Francisco, half of all driving trips are less than two miles in length —a distance easily traveled by bicycle. FREE! July 17: Market @ 12th St; July 24: Valencia @ 17th St; July 31: Ferry Building. sfbike.org.
• Safe Cycling Class, July 16, 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.: This four-hour in-classroom, introductory course is perfect for new cyclists and those want to feel more comfortable riding on city streets. Class will cover the basics for how to choose the right bike and properly fit a helmet. Learn tips for the safest ways to ride in traffic, techniques to avoid or deal with road hazards and emergency maneuvers along with other useful gems of knowledge, like the best way to lock up your bike and how to use a bike in combination with public transit, and cyclists' legal rights and responsibilities. Adults and anyone over 14 years of age are welcome, preregistration is required. Bring your lunch or dinner. No bicycle is needed for this class. FREE! Taraval Police Station, 2345 24th Ave (btwn Taraval and Santiago). Sign up at sfbike.org/edu.
• Presidio Bike Ride, July18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: This tour of the Presidio's backroads is led by a Natural Areas program volunteer and SFBC member. Easy ride on pavement — be prepared to ascend twice to the Presidio's ridge line. Meet at The Spire, north of the Arguello Gate (access via short dirt path just past the golf course parking lot). sfbike.org/chain. Free for SFBC members (a $5 donation from non-members is appreciated). Rain cancels rides. Email dale987@gmail.com for questions.
 
@ the Victoria Theatre
Stand-up Comedy Event, July 24-25 at 8 p.m.: She’s fearless and freakin’ hilarious! She’s Suzanne Westenhoefer! Back with Theatre Rhinoceros for two shows only at the historic Victoria Theatre, these are Suzanne’s only two SF performances this year. She wowed you in ‘07 when we brought her to town, now she’ll wow you again! She’s the star of the Logo Channel, Sweet Cruises and so much more - live, in person, and hysterical! 2961 16th Street (at BART) Box Office: (415) 861-5079. TIckets: $25 - $30. www.TheRhino.org.
 
@ Yerba Buena Gardens
6th Annual S.F. Theater Festival, Sunday, July 26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: The Festival program will consist of short performances under 30 minutes at eight indoor and six outdoor stages. All types of theater are presented, including drama, comedy, one-acts, excerpts, scenes, musical theater, solo performers, improv, children’s shows, new works, workshops, opera, etc.
Yerba Buena Gardens is located between Mission & Folsom, Third & Fourth Streets in San Francisco. The San Francisco Theater Festival is presented in partnership with the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival (www.ybgf.org). Free.
 
@ the Main Library
Kalligraphia 12, June 10 - Aug. 23.: An exhibition of contemporary calligraphy, will be on display in the San Francisco Public Library’s Skylight Gallery. The exhibition will feature work by members of the Friends of Calligraphy (FOC), a non-profit Bay Area group founded in 1975. Free demonstrations by noted scribes will be held on Saturdays in June, July, and August from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, Lower Level. For viewing hours and information call (415) 557.4560.
 
@ Gallería de La Raza
Contrabando: Dignidad Rebelde, June 19 - August 15: A gallery-as-studio and workshop series (stencil and silkscreen printing) featuring the work of Dignidad Rebelde, the Bay Area artist/activist collective composed of Chuy Barraza and Melanie Cervantes. The exhibition is part of "Contrabando" [Smuggled Goods], an exhibition series that potentially fits in a suitcase, and that through a collaborative effort, invites individual artists or artist collectives to take over the gallery space to create a vibrant, live exhibition/open studio and public meeting place. Stenciling workshop, Saturday July 25th, 2 - 4 p.m.
• NEW Grantwriting Program for Native Am. and Indigenous Artists: A FREE 3-day intensive grant-writing workshop and commissioning grant program for Native American and indigenous artists living in the greater Bay Area. Participants will develop, evaluate and revise a grant proposal
requesting a $500 commission to support a project to be presented at Galería de la Raza. A peer review panel will award three commission grants to artists or groups to implement their project. Commission grants are only available to grant-writing workshop participants. All supported projects will be presented to the
public at Galería during 2009-2010. Registration Deadline: Friday, July 24. Application at galeriadelaraza.org.
• Summer Sew-Op Workshops, through August 27: The Galeria opens its doors to the DIY world. The Mission has long been the hub of pocket stitchers, knitters, crafters and makers of all veins. No longer a trendy throwback to a bygone era, we are finding that many a badass outfit, bag and belt come from the workroom of a local stitcher. We supply the know-how, the machines and the musicYou come in and channel the CHANEL, the ABUELA and / or Project Runaway stitcher of your choice! Schedule, pricing and more info at galeriadelaraza.org.
Address: 2857 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110. (415) 826.8009, info@galeriadelaraza.org. galeriadelaraza.org.
 
@ the Contemporary Jewish Museum
The “Outsider” Artist in Modern Theater, Thursday, July 16, 7 p.m.: Join New Yorker drama critic Hilton Als, and author and American Conservatory Theater dramaturg Michael Paller, for a spirited conversation about the role of the "outsider" artist in modern theater. 736 Mission Street (between Third and Fourth streets). info@thecjm.org or call 415.655.7800. Free with admission. $5 after 5 PM.
 
@ the Mission Cultural Center
Rhythmic Uprising, Sat., July 25, 3-6 p.m.: Rhythmic Uprising is a documentary by filmmaker Benjamin Watkins that shows how the transformative powers of Afro-Brazilian performing arts are used to fight racism and inequality in Bahia, Brazil. Special performances by: Fogo Na Roupa and Loco Bloco Tickets: $7. Info: (415) 821-1155. missionculturalcenter.org. 2868 Mission Street.
 
@ the San Francisco General Hospital
"Life...is 4 Living!," July 15, 17 & 18: SFGH’s cancer patients will perform original theater piece. Performances: Wed., July 15, 5 p.m. SF General Hospital, Carr Auditorium, 1001 Potrero Ave. Free.
Friday, and Sat., July 17 & 18, 7:30 p.m.: Mission Cultural Center. 2868 Mission St. $15 donation is requested for MCCLA performances.
 
Latino Heritage Month Local Heroes: KQED is currently accepting nominations for Bay Area Local Heroes for Latino Heritage Month in September. KQED is looking for individuals who have demonstrated leadership and a strong commitment to community service. The selected heroes will be recognized on KQED Public Television 9, and Web site and at a community celebration on Wed., Sept. 2. Download for at localheroes@kqed.org. Nominations are due July 27. More info at
www.kqed.org/heritage.
 
@ the Music Community Center
• Monika Gruber, Violin Sunday, July 19 at 4 p.m.: 
FREE, donations welcome. All proceeds benefit Community Music Center 
Monika Gruber, CMC violin faculty, will perform works by Ysaye, Prokofiev and Brahms. She will be joined by Akiko Kojima, violin and Jae-Jin Lee, piano.
• 8th Annual Outsound New Music Summit: Touch the Gear Sunday, July 19 at 7 p.m. 
FREE
A hands-on experience of sound producing gear and instruments! Featuring Amar Chaudry, Bob Marsh, CJ Borosque, Conure, Crank Ensemble, Dan Ake, Ferrara Brain, Pan LX, Rudis Philip, Everett Richard Waters, Rick Walker, Steven Baker, Thomas Dimuzio, Tom Duff, Tom Nunn, Travis Johns, and others.
• 8th Annual Outsound New Music Summit: Free Improvisation, Free Composition Wednesday, July 22
Q&A: 7:15-7:30
Performance: 8:15pm 
$12 adults / $6 seniors and students
A night of legendary artists who straddle the line between composed and improvised works, featuring Alicia Mangan & Spirit, the ROVA Saxophone Quartet, and Vinny Golia with Thollem Mcdonas, Rent Romus, Damon Smith, Garth Powell, and Noah Phillips. 
Advance Tickets: brownpapertickets.com .
• 8th Annual Outsound New Music Summit: Industrial Soundscapes Thursday, July 23
. Q&A: 7:15-7:30
Performance: 8:15 p.m. 
$12 adults / $6 seniors and students
. A night of uninhibited electronics and noise from Los Angeles and San Francisco featuring Hans Fjellestad, Thomas Dimuzio Peter Kolovos, Conure Forms of Things Unknown. 
Advance Tickets: brownpapertickets.com .
• 8th Annual Outsound New Music Summit: Introspection & Improvisation Saturday, July 25. 
Q&A: 7:15-7:30. 
Performance: 8:15 p.m. 
$12 adults/$6 seniors and students. 
A night of deep listening and long notes with The Natto Quartet with Phillip Gelb, Shoko Hikage, Tim Perkis, and Chris Brown, Ghost In the House featuring grandmaster inventor Richard Waterswith David Michalak, Karen Stackpole, Kyle Bruckmann, and Tom Nunn, Left Coast Improv Group Doug Carroll, Michael Cooke, Ron Heglin, Jeff Hobbs, Darren Johntson, Scott R. Looney, Bob Marsh, Jim Ryan, and Karen Stackpole.
Advance Tickets: brownpapertickets.com .

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