IMAGE OF THE WEEK
Natural air conditioner: A Marina Green visitor watches fog swirl around the Golden Gate Bridge on Tuesday. Sunnier skies have been forecast for San Francisco this week. Today will be partly cloudy with a high of 70. (Mike Koozmin/The Examiner)
SOMETHING TO READ
Travels: Collected Writings 1950-1993
By Paul Bowles ($16.99)
The 20th-century literary force — author of the acclaimed post-war novel “The Sheltering Sky” — had a keen eye as a global traveler; this volume collects his travel writing for the first time.
LEND A HAND
Golden Gate National Parks Volunteer Program: Volunteers are needed to help enhance native-plant habitats and create wildlife corridors in the Presidio of San Francisco. [10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; meet at Presidio Transit Center, 215 Lincoln Blvd., S.F., www.parksconservancy.org]
GET OUTSIDE
Arts festival: The Palo Alto Festival of the Arts features artisans, food and wine and performances. New this year: a kinetic-sculpture garden. [10 a.m. to 6 p.m., University Avenue between High and Webster streets, Palo Alto]
Japanese pop culture: The 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival celebrates Japanese pop culture. Live music, films, a dance workshop and contest and graffiti art are on the slate. [11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Post and Webster streets and surrounding area, S.F.]
Shakespeare comedy: The all-female Shakespeare company Woman’s Will presents its 2011 summer park show, a 1960s-set production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” [2 p.m., Dolores Park, 455 Dolores St., S.F.]
Park band: The Golden Gate Park Band presents its weekly concert. Today’s program: a Ukrainian American Day celebration with Ukrainian music and dancing. [1 p.m., Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park, S.F.]
Blues and rock: Crosscut, a locally based band whose influences include early delta blues, Memphis and Chicago electric blues and Stax soul, performs in Union Square. [2 to 4 p.m., Powell and Post streets, S.F.]
AROUND TOWN
Music
Classical duet: Cellist Robert Howard and pianist Elizabeth Dorman perform works by Takemitsu, Messiaen, Stravinsky and Brahms. [4 p.m., Old First Presbyterian Church, 1751 Sacramento St., S.F.]
Theater
Comedy about aging: Writer-performer Geoff Hoyle presents “Geezer,” his seriocomic solo performance about his youth, the meaning of life, and growing old. [5 p.m., The Marsh, 1062 Valencia St., S.F.]
Castaways, live: Moore Theatre presents “Gilligan’s Island,” live onstage. The old TV show is updated and parodied in this comedy featuring Gilligan and a ribald group of castaways. [8 p.m., The Garage, 975 Howard St., S.F.]
Lone stars: Solo Sundays, featuring comic, poignant and provocative solo theater, presents its August showcase. Vanessa Alabarces, Maria Affinito and David Caggiano take the stage. [7 p.m., Stagewerx, 533 Sutter St., S.F.]
Exhibitions
Latinos in music: “American Sabor” has come to San Francisco. The traveling Smithsonian exhibit celebrates the influence of Latinos in American popular music. [Noon to 5 p.m., Main Library, Skylight Gallery, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
Movies
Director visit: Filmmaker Lynn Hershman Leeson is scheduled to visit the Lumiere Theatre for a Q&A following the 7 p.m. screening of “!Women Art Revolution,” her documentary about feminist art. [1572 California St., S.F.]
Literary arts
Book group: The World Affairs Council Book Club discusses “The Commoner,” by John Buham Schwartz. [11 a.m., Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
Marketplaces
Flea market: Treasure Island Flea takes place on the island. Merchandise ranging from new indie designs to antique furniture is for sale. [9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Avenue of the Palms, Treasure Island]
Animal kingdom
Hairy arachnids: “Tarantulas: Alive and Up Close” continues at the San Francisco Zoo. The exhibition presents the hairy spiders both in an educational light and with full yeech appeal. [10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1 Zoo Road, S.F.]
BRUNCH
Sugar Cafe: Chef Shoshana Baars-Stanton’s weekend brunch menu includes creative breakfast fare. Selections include French toast stuffed with sweetened lemony cream cheese and blueberries, buttermilk pancakes with seasonal fruit and omelets and scrambles. Popular omelets include the chef’s omelet — the filling is a surprise. Bottomless mimosas, too, are available. [8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 679 Sutter St., S.F. (415) 441-5678]
GAME OF THE DAY
BASEBALL
Astros at Giants
1:05 p.m., Comcast SportsNet Bay Area
The Giants close out a four-game series against the lowly Astros and look to make a move in the NL West standings.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
NFL: The Raiders host the New Orleans Saints in preseason action. [5 p.m., O.co Coliseum, Oakland, NBC (KNTV, Ch. 11)]
Auto racing: The IndyCar series comes to town for the Grand Prix of Sonoma. [1 p.m., Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, Versus]
