I want to send a shout out to our local firefighters for doing their best to corral and contain the fires that devastated Sonoma County. And to all you Tomatoes affected, we send our love. So, to take your minds off of what’s happened…read on.  Calling all Wait, Wait fans, Mo Rocca is coming to share his humor and wisdom. It’s time for the NAPA film fest, so head north and immerse yourself in wine and films. A Hip Hop Nutcracker?  Why not. The delightfully entertaining musical GYPSY is coming up roses in SF. It’s that time Tomatoes – everything crafty coming your way!

Nov. 18. Mo Rocca at City Arts and Lecturers.

Mo Rocca is one of our favorite panelists on NPR’s Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me, however his bio and experience is extensive. Hear him at City Arts and Lectures in conversation moderated by Adam Savage. Guaranteed laughs! Mo is also a correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning.His long love of obituaries has him led to create the podcast Mobituaries, an irreverent but deeply researched appreciation of the people (and things) of the past who have long intrigued him—from an unsung Founding Father to the first Chinese-American superstar, from Neanderthals to the station wagon.

Rocca spent four seasons as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and is creator and host of the Cooking Channel’s My Grandmother’s Ravioli, in which he learned to cook from grandparents across America. Onstage, he starred on Broadway in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and as Doody in the Southeast Asian tour of the musical Grease. Rocca currently hosts The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation Saturday mornings on CBS and is the author of All the Presidents’ Pets, a historical novel about White House pets and their role in presidential decision-making and the forthcoming Mobituaries. Adam Savage is an industrial special effects designer and former co-host of The Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters with Jamie Hyneman.  Get tickets.

This was a very happy Happy Hour episode talking “weed” with Jeanne Sullivan one of the rising stars in the cannabis industry. We talked about the history of cannabis, the health benefits, the investment opportunities, and what you need to know when you’re buying CBD products. Listen in here or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Nov. 19. The Hip Hop Nutcracker in Oakland  

I do love the classic Nutcracker, but there is nothing wrong with an innovative twist. Get a jump on the Christmas classic and head to Oakland’s Paramount Theatre to view the touring ensemble in The Hip Hop Nutracker. A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker re-imagines Tchaikovsky’s classic score through explosive hip hop choreography.

A dozen all-star dancers, on-stage DJ and an electric violinist bring the traditional Nutcracker story to life in contemporary New York City. This show celebrates love, community and the magic of the holiday season. www.hiphopnutcracker.com

Nov. 13-17. Napa Valley Film Fest

One of the most enjoyable film festivals in our area hits the screens in Napa and the films are explosive, meaningful and entertaining. 75 films will be screened that span 8 categories. The festival showcases an outstanding presentation of indie films, while building a strong sense of community around the art of visual storytelling.

And being Napa, the screenings and events are accompanied by world class food and wine, not to mention the beauty of the valley. You can join in lively conversations with the artists as well. There are vintner circle dinners, a festival gala, an industry mixer and a night where you can learn the art of making and rolling pizza dough. www.napavalleyfilmfest.org

Now – Dec. 8. Gypsy at BAM

This Tomato happens to count GYPSY as an all-time favorite musical (ok, I was in it a hundred years ago) and it is being presented by BAM, Bay Area Musical theatre – a nonprofit organization that brings high caliber music to our city. A fab option if you can’t get tickets to Harry Potter!

Not familiar with my favorite musical? GYPSY is loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and focuses on her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with “the ultimate showbiz mother”. It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage, and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. You will probably recognize the iconic songs, includes Everything’s Coming up Roses, and Let me Entertain You. A highlight of any GYPSY production is the number “Gotta Have a Gimmick” performed by three strippers, let’s just call them Tomatoes who have passed the age where they should be stripping. Get tickets.