Gala highlights Asian spirituality ‘Phantoms of Asia’ gala: Wednesday night, the Asian Art Museum in The City hosted a bash to open its first major contemporary art exhibition, “Phantoms of Asia: Contemporary Awakens the Past,” an exploration of Asian spirits and spirituality. The elegant evening included cocktails, fine dining and a preview viewing of the extraordinary show, which covers galleries throughout the museum.   Read More

The Stern Grove Festival, San Francisco’s wildly popular free outdoor summer music series, has announced the lineup for its 75th season, which opens June 24 with R&B singer Anita Baker and a new “big picnic” benefit event after the free concert. As typical, the 10-week festival features an array of pop, jazz and classical offerings. Here’s the schedule: Read More

A Cleveland poll monitor assaulted a voter at the polling place, sending him to the hospital for treatment of “human bite.” All voter Greg Flanagan had done was mutter under his breath allegedly that the monitor was being too pushy in an argument with a campaign worker. But then monitor James Williams reportedly head-butted Flanagan from behind and bit his nose. Other poll workers pulled Williams off and he drove away in his car. Police are searching for him. Read More

WHAT: In the years after 9/11, authorities were so focused on stopping additional terrorist attacks that they ignored a pest invasion that threatened the nation’s food supply quality, an AP investigation discovered. HOW: Hundreds of agricultural agents who stopped invasive species at the borders were reassigned to anti-terrorism duties in the new Homeland Security Department — costing billions of dollars in crop damage and eradication expenses. WHY IT’S OUTRAGEOUS: Every American consumer has been affected by higher grocery Read More

Who’s in town Funny man: Comedian Gabriel Iglesias performs a sold-out show at the Punch Line Comedy Club. Lectures High-density housing: Architects and other speakers discuss infill projects designed to create environmentally and socially conscious high-density West Coast housing. [12:30 p.m., SPUR, 654 Mission St., S.F.] Read More

WHAT: While most African countries have improved their pregnant women’s survival rate, these deaths have quadrupled in South Africa, the continent’s richest sub-Saharan nation. WHY: The spike in deaths of pregnant women and newborns is mostly caused by corruption, lack of accountability and just plain bad health care, according to a Human Rights Watch report. WHY IT’S OUTRAGEOUS: One of at least three South African hospitals being investigated for baby deaths had no gloves, disinfectant spray, soap or toilet paper; 29 babies Read More