The 38th annual Stanford Spring Faire is a regional fine arts and crafts faire held every year on the Stanford campus on Mother’s Day weekend. More than 100 artisans exhibit and sell their work during this three-day event, which also features food and free entertainment including the Bay Area Morris Dancers, a capella singing groups, and a swing dancing performance. The Faire is free and open to the public.

On this moderately strenuous hike, you’ll hear about (and view) some of the ships that were wrecked upon the Golden Gate’s rocky cliffs, just north of 48th and Point Lobos avenues. Meet Docent Rich Harned at the USS San Francisco Memorial parking lot on El Camino del Mar. Reservations required. Please call (415) 561-4323.

The Stanford Powwow is a three-day festival held every Mother’s Day Weekend in the Eucalyptus Grove on Stanford campus. A Pow Wow is an American Indian celebration of dancing and drumming that normally starts at noon until sunset. People wear traditional tribal regalia and there are dance contests in many different categories. The drummers compete to sing the longest or drum the best. (more…)

The 540 club, a fun dive bar in the richmond district is hosting a meet and greet for the independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader, his VP running mate Matt Gonzalez, and the legendary Jello Biafra this Sunday morning. Come on out and show your support, ask the burning questions you want to know face to face, or at least hear what they have to say. No Cover charge but they are accepting donations. Doors open at 9am (more…)

Enjoy a free day at the museum with Wells Fargo Free Second Sundays. The Oakland Museum of California provides unique collections, exhibitions and educational opportunities designed to generate a broader and deeper understanding of and interest in California’s environment, history, art and people. (more…)

The Oakland Museum of California hosts a day of fun for “all” California families—with a special welcome to those with adopted, foster, mixed-race, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members. The event includes  live music from Oakland East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus Otto Voci ensemble, Magician Timothy James, a Martial arts demonstration by Destiny Arts, Gold panning and more. (more…)

“One Got Fat” (1963) youngsters pay the price in a bizarre manner for ignoring bicycle safety. Narrated by Edward Everett Horton (15 min).

“Return of the Scorcher” (1992) Ted White’s classic review of international bike culture (28 min).
http://www.tedwhitegreenlight.com/scorcher.htm (more…)

Google’s legendary founding super-chef, Charlie Ayers, outlines everything one needs to know about the newest nutrition buzzword: brainfood. He outlines the basics on how the right foods can transform your mind and body, and then teaches you how to stock your kitchen with the healthiest foods available. Raw, organic, and fermented is Charlie’s mantra, which is reflected in more than 90 easy-to- prepare recipes, whether it’s a Kick-start Breakfast, a Power Lunch, or a Light, Bright Dinner. And, following the world-famous formula Charlie used at Google headquarters, the meals and snacks are designed to feed your brain exactly what it needs at different points throughout the workday. Source: Green Zebra

Bring Mom in for a free coffee drink of her choice…she can now have a non-fat beverage and surf the internet

Live Jazz: Uptime Jazz Quartet - May 11, 6pm - free @ Cafe Royale, 800 Post St. @ Leavenworth, San Francisco

“August West” performs songs of the Grateful Dead. Some of us have been playing Dead tunes together for 30 years. We nail the classic Dead sound of the late ’70s. Join us and dance all night - No Cover Charge

http://myspace.com/grantandgreensf

Dr. Nate Lewis’ talk will look at the challenge of capturing solar energy and storing it as an affordable transportation fuel - all on a scale necessary to reduce global warming. Overcoming this challenge will require developing new materials that can use abundant and inexpensive elements rather than costly and rare materials. Please join us to learn more about the promise of new materials in thedevelopment of carbon-free alternatives to fossil fuel.

San Francisco’s the Dodos combine savage rock percussion with folk-inspired melodies in a truly unexpected way. Their second full-length album Visiter breathes a breath of fresh air into the well-trodden path of folk rock. GIFT WITH PURCHASE: Buy a copy of the Dodos’ Visiter and get a limited edition commemorative poster. Available at Amoeba SF only and while supplies last.

Meet Augusten Burroughs, bestselling author of Running with Scissors, as he discusses his new memoir, A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father, a quantum leap into untapped emotional terrain: the radical pendulum swing between love and hate, the unspeakably terrifying relationship between father and son. Please note that those who buy a book (for $25) will be first in line for this event. Those not buying a book will be seated last if there is still availability.

Ideolexicon Poetry Series: readings by Joseph Lease and Andy Nicholson, music from Philip White. May 12, 8pm - free @ Cafe Royale, 800 Post St. @ Leavenworth, San Francisco

Centered around the delicate voice and guitar playing of songwriter Andy Cabic, Vetiver is a surreal and psychedelic take on indie folk. This is Vetiver’s first performance in the East Bay and the release date of their newest album, Thing Of The Past

Join us for an “Opening Gala” to celebrate the launch of San Francisco Cocktail Week, sponsored by the Museum of the American Cocktail. Returning to where he launched his career, honoree Tony Abou-Ganim, creator of the legendary Cable Car cocktail will be tending bar and wowing the crowd with his renowned talents. Upon arrival guests will be greeted with a complimentary cocktail. The Starlight Room is on the 21st floor of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel and has amazing city views. Source: sf.myopenbar.com

Erick Lyle (formerly known as Iggy Scam) looks back at the past ten years of activism and guerilla art in San Francisco with his new book “On the Lower Frequencies: A Secret History of the City“. Come join Lyle and collaborators in a night of free vegan food, art, readings, and live punk rock music, featuring Zara Thustra, Sy Loady, Shotwell, Black Rainbow, and many more. Dinner at 6pm, Music at 9pm

So we missed Cinco de Mayo–sue us. But here at The Onion, we are all about Catorce de Mayo! Yes, we are gathering at Elixir to bring you the finest in beer on tap. Don’t miss this celebration opportunity–Viva de Onion (more…)

Join Park Ranger Bill Cope and view “The Thin Green Line”- an excellent film about Park Rangers around the world, “the keepers and protectors of our national parks.” Also featuring a brief discussion with international park rangers from Costa Rica, Chile, Bolivia, Panama and Ecuador. Discover how we all have very much in common and have the same problems and budget, manpower issues even on different continents