Carpe diem with these great events this week.
Monday, August 21st: Free Sweet Treats @ Poco Dolce
When: 11am to 2pm
Where: 2421 3rd St. (Dogpatch), pocodolce.com
Why: Monday kicks off Poco Dolce's Seventh Annual Tasting Week, so stop by massage your sweet tooth with samples of seasonal artisanal chocolates. Events (also on Wednesday and Saturday) are free, but the chocolatiers ask that you RSVP on their Facebook page.
Tuesday, August 22nd: Crack Coding @ Rithm School
When: 6:15-8:30pm
Where: 3338 17th St.; Suite #100 (Mission), rithmschool.com
Why: On Tuesday evening, the computer science masterminds at Rithm School will host Code War: Conquer Coding Extravaganza. Participants can expect so solve (in teams) complex, real-world issues aimed at sharpening their coding skills. Bring your laptop for a free geek fest; novice attendees are encouraged to take their no-cost online coding class prior to attending.
Wednesday, August 23rd: Free SF Resident Day @ SF Zoo
When: 10am to 4pm
Where: Sloat Blvd and Great Hwy (Lake Merced), sfzoo.org
Why: Take a cathartic stroll through the city's world-renowned, 100-acre zoo—without spending a dime. San Franciscans can checkout out exhibits old and new, including the freshly renovated Sifaka Safari habitat, all day long. Bring a utility bill, copy of a lease, or any other document to prove you're, indeed, a denizen of SF and the usual $20 admission fee will be waived.
Thursday, August 24th: SF's LGBTQ History @ San Francisco Public Library
When: 5:30 to 8pm
Were: 100 Larkin St. (Civic Center), sfpl.org
Why: Daniel Nicoletta, along with movie man Gus Van Sant and Chock Mobley, traces the LGBTQ movement in San Francisco through a curation of their groundbreaking images from the 1970s to present day. Stop by the San Francisco Public Library on Thursday evening to meet Nicoletta for a book signing and discussion on his latest work.
Friday, August 25th: Pancakes & Booze Art Show @ Mezzanine
When: 8pm to 2am
Where: 444 Jessie St. (SoMa), mezzaninesf.com
Why: They had us at pancake bar. Head to Mezzanine Friday night for the city's largest underground art show, with DJs, artists, oh, and free pancakes. Tickets are $20 at Eventbrite.
Saturday, August 26th: The 420 Games @ Golden Gate Park
When: 8am to 2pm
Where: 1 Music Concourse (Golden Gate Park), facebook.com
Why: Start your weekend on a high note at the fourth annual 420 Games, at The Spreckels Temple of Music Bandshell in Golden Gate Park. Designed to prove that cannabis consumers can still be athletes, this event includes a 4.2-mile exercise course that you can walk, run, or even skate. Afterward, sportos will be rewarded with beers from Lagunitas, live music, and stand-up comedy. Smoke before you go—there is strictly no consumption onsite. Tickets are $10-$50 at Eventbrite.
Sunday, August 27th: Plant a Tree @ Excelsior Playground
When: 9am to 12:30pm
Where: 579 Madrid St. (Excelsior), fuf.net
Why: Make good use of your morning buzz by helping Friends of the Urban Forest plant some 160 trees in the Excelsior. All supplies will be provided to those who show, plus coffee and scones!