Time to celebrate us gals – well isn’t it always? It’s officially International Women’s Day on Sunday and activities abound this weekend. This is also the start of Women’s History Month – check out HERstory at the SF Library. Want to do a quick little service project? Curry Without Worry needs you. We love our denim don’t we – and all thanks to Mr. Levi Strauss. Visit the amazing exhibit about the man at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. And listen in to my podcast interview with Christopher Hopkins, aka “The Makeover Guy.” And early bird discount for the Renewal Summit ends May 10.

The Makeover Guy is in the House!

If you’re a regular subscriber to The Three Tomatoes, Christopher Hopkins, aka “The Makeover Guy,” needs no introduction. His inspiring and transformative YouTube makeover videos have been viewed by tens of thousands of followers. Listen in to my interview with the dynamic and entertaining Christopher who truly cares about helping women feel great about themselves. Listen in here.

Celebrations of Women

Welcome to the month that is a celebration of the contributions made by women, both throughout history and in our society today. This corresponds with International Women’s Day this Sunday, March 8th. Here are a few ways to celebrate the fabulous, creative genius of women.

San Francisco Public Library presents HERstory, a celebration of Women’s History Month, honoring and and acknowledging the contributions of women and the unique experience of being female today. The Library frequently champions women as writers, artists, and intellects, and, now with the re-energizing of the women’s movement, is offering a month-long celebration of women through a diverse array of lectures, films and participatory and performance programs for all ages at every library location. Get the details. 

The Drawing Room will celebrate the month with the exhibit, “Women Rising,” at its new space showcasing the diverse and vibrant San Francisco female artists community. The gallery plans to also host artist talks throughout the month, called the Sunday Series, featuring 10 artists talking about their pieces for 5-10 minutes every Sunday starting March 15. The Drawing Room Annex, 2675 Mission St.  Get the details.  

The Claremont Branch of Berkeley Public Library invites everyone to an afternoon of making zines, self-published booklets that are easy to make and cheap to reproduce. Spend a couple of hours writing, drawing, cutting, pasting, stapling and copying your own one-page zine with help from San Francisco Zine Fest volunteers and staff. All supplies will be provided. 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7. Free. Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave., Berkeley. bit.ly/zinemakingberkeley

Levi Strauss

Oh we thank you Levi Strauss for bringing us our favorite article of clothing. For over 150 years people have been sporting that famous name on the pockets of their jeans. Now you can learn his story in a wonderful exhibition at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, Levi Strauss: A history of American Style. The exhibition shares the story of a hardworking Jewish immigrant who realized the American dream and inspired a style revolution.

This is the story of an iconic element of American style, and the inventive spirit behind it all. The exhibit takes us on a wild ride: From Strauss’ homeland in Bavaria to New York and, ultimately, San Francisco during Gold Rush days. Follow his journey with the establishment of his company whose focus was on durable clothing for 19th century miners and blue-collar workers. In the 1950s Levi’s shaped the mythology of the American West via western-wear, cowboys and sweeping advertising campaigns. Welcome to today where the SF brand continues to stand for the ultimate in American cool.

You will also get to see Levis worn by the famous and fabulous. A few of our favorites include a deliciously distressed, never-before-exhibited leather jacket worn by Albert Einstein (circa 1934), a patchwork denim skirt suit worn by Lauren Bacall (circa 1970), Jake Gyllenhaal’s simple white tee and denim look from Brokeback Mountain,  and cut-off jean shorts (and fishnets) worn by Madonna back in her platinum-blond-pixie days. Get the details.

Curry Without Worry

If you want to volunteer, but don’t have time for a commitment, you can pop over to the Civic Center each Tuesday to help feed hungry people with the organization Curry Without Hurry. Founded in 2006, the sole purpose is to serve soul-pleasing food to people in need of a meal. There are no qualifications to dine with them. They welcome all who are having a hard time in life, or simply need a meal, whether they are homeless or not.

The delicious meals are prepared with love and lots of spices by volunteers. Vegan, fresh and healthy, the meals nurture those who are fed. In addition, they serve a limited amount of meals for a donation on Saturdays at the Noe Valley Farmer’s Market. To volunteer you simply go to the website, fill out a waiver and commit to either a cooking or serving shift. Warming the bellies and souls of the underfed, a mission we can all get behind. Currywithoutworry.org

May 1. Join Me at the Renewal Summit

This all-day event will focus on health, wellness, beauty and more in midlife and beyond. I’ll be moderating a panel on “Aging Backwards,” and who doesn’t want to do that? We have a block of hotel rooms reserved at a special rate, and if you sign up for the event by March 10th you’ll save $15