Around the Bay in October 2008

Ghosts of Winehaven

Support the Richmond Rotary Peace Project and tour both the Historic Winehaven Building and the Wine Master’s Winehaven Cottage in Point Molate, Richmond. Enjoy lunch, hear about the history of Winehaven, enjoy the Wine Auction and share in the Witches Winehaven Brew that will be served. The fundraiser is from noon to 3 p.m. Halloween Day so costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $35. For more information visit www.richmondcarotary.com or call Margaret at (510) 234-4219.

The annual celebration of the men and women of our armed forces will take place October 9^th through the 14^th. The modern version of Fleet Week commenced in 1981 and it has become one of the best-attended annual events in Northern California. A spectacular weekend of family events is planned featuring performances of the Navy Blue Angels and Canadian Snowbird jet demonstration teams, a parade of Navy ships and other demonstrations. For more information about the events all along the San Francisco waterfront visit www.fleetweek.us.

San Francisco hosts the 15^th annual International Vintage Poster Fair (IVPF) featuring a weekend exhibition and sale of the world’s finest vintage posters on October 24^th-October 26^th at Fort Mason Center. Over 6,000 original vintage posters will be featured from over 15 dealers hailing from 6 different countries. The IVPF is the world’s oldest and largest poster show devoted exclusively to original vintage posters. Among the posters being shown will be original advertising, wine and beverage, food, travel, and propaganda posters which are being offered at prices ranging from $200 to $50,000. Posters are a glimpse into popular culture and reflect historic and artistic movements of the late 19^th and 20^th centuries. The variety of styles found at the International Vintage Poster Fair encompass classic Art Nouveau and Belle Epoque, Art Deco, Futurist and Atomic Age Design, in addition to a variety of themes including sports, propaganda, advertising and other. The Fair is an active event, with dealers constantly showing their numerous posters while offering their knowledge about the graphic and cultural history of the posters. This year’s spotlighted exhibition will explore the evolution of Politically Correct?/Politically Incorrect? perspectives through original vintage posters. This provocative exhibition makes it possible for guests to revisit imagery that has molded the past, while looking forward to a progressive future. Admission is $15, for more information visit www.posterfair.com.

Get blown away on a 30-minute high-speed tour of the City’s historic waterfront on Blue & Gold Fleet’s new RocketBoat. Sail past the sea lions, zoom to the Bay Bridge, fly down to AT&T Park, scream past Treasure Island, and breeze by Alcatraz on the way back to PIER 39. This exciting ride pauses occasionally to allow passengers to catch their breath and capture unique sightseeing and photo opportunities unavailable on other tours. RocketBoat, it’s an extreme adventure powered by biodiesel fuel. A blast on the Bay that is not to be missed. Tours run through October from PIER 39. Cruises may not operate during inclement weather. Check with ticket booth on day of sailing for schedule. All prices include narration. No reserved seating available. For more information visit www.blueandgoldfleet.com.

15^th Annual Shuck & Swallow Challenge 

McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant will hold their 15^th annual Shuck & Swallow Oyster Challenge, with an oyster and wine pairing benefit event immediately following the competition, to be held on Tuesday, October 7^th. The oyster competition involves approximately a dozen teams, each consisting of two members from various Bay Area restaurants, competing to shuck and eat as many oysters as possible in 10 minutes. The current record is just under 200. The competition is free and begins at 5 p.m. The oyster and wine pairing will benefit the The Marine Mammal Center and will be held at McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant at 900 North Point in San Francisco. The pairing will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets, available at the door, are $30.00 per person with the net proceeds being donated to The Marine Mammal Center. For more information call (415) 929-1730.

Breaking all the rules of showing and selling art, Everybody Get Up (EGU) has created a powerful street art collective that simply states: Art should be affordable for all, no exceptions, no regrets! All artwork is priced between $1.00 - $50.00. What do you have in your pocket? $2.00? $15.00? Whatever the amount, all you have to do is pick out a piece of art amongst hundreds that you like. Just rip it off the wall and go to the casher. Nope you don’t have to wait until the end of the exhibit to pick-up your work, and yes, you are doing a good thing supporting these artists. EGU is known for utilizing a variety of mediums. Their signature medium of choice is cardboard.  Everybody Get Up and come buy art. The show opens on October 13 at FLOAT Art Gallery. FLOAT, Floatation Center - Art Gallery is the only floatation center & art gallery in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information visit www.thefloatcenter.com or call (510) 535-1702.

The 8^th Annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival will take place in Golden Gate Park’s Speedway, Lindley & Marx meadows October 3^rd through October 5^th. The three day festival is completely free to the public and will feature dozens of bands each day on several stages. Some of this year’s performers include Asleep at the Wheel, Carlene Carter, Emmylou Harris, The Desert Rose Band, Steve Earle and Elvis Costello.