Hey Tomatoes, it’s time to celebrate and help preserve our earth!  This weekend, see how you can participate. And speaking of that verdant color, the Green Film Festival returns and invites you to join the global conversation. Time to celebrate independent artists in a unique contemporary art fair, step out of the museums and into local art! Iconic tomato, Joan Lunden is heading our way early next month for a “chat”, truly fascinating woman and she has 7 children!

April 22. Earth Day

The annual celebration of that which surrounds and supports us (i.e.: the earth) has exploded into a fabulous celebration. Tomorrow, along with renowned speakers and inspirational panel discussions on solar driven stages (of course), there are a host of new ways to honor the land. Earth friendly products will be available for browsing and purchasing and there is a sustainable chef zone where local celebrity chefs will be cooking up healthy signature dishes all day long. You can sample organic vegetarian and vegan dishes from the local slow food movement.

For the first time you can visit the Eco Art Zone and join scores of artists of all mediums as they use Art as Activism to Praise Mother Earth. You have to see ArtIsMobilUs – a rolling art gallery and roving arts incubator bringing art to people everywhere. Art on wheels provides a physically mobile platform for exhibition, creative collaboration, and community engagement. And this year as an ode to the Summer of Love, Decades of Fashion – that oh so fun vintage clothing store in the Haight, is sponsoring a Vintage Fashion show. Buying and wearing vintage is the best way to recycle! Keep our earth GREEN! For more info and all the specifics: www.earthdaysf.org

April 20 – 26. Green Film Fest

10 years strong, our local Green Film Fest brings the most current American and International films, focusing on our environment, to San Francisco. The idea is to use the power of film (we all get engrossed in watching that big screen bring ideas to life!) to bring the public into the global conversation about what it means, and how important it is to live sustainably. Through the art of the film, we will hopefully be inspired to change attitudes, behaviors and encouraged to take action!

Students under the age of 18 have also submitted films to the fest and one young hopeful receives a special award. The weeklong event, showcases new films from the Amazon to Standing Rock, from the streets of our very own city to the fields of Ethiopia. There are so many compelling events in addition to the films, learn how to tell a short story in film in just 3 minutes. Check out Virtual Reality films in a hands-on viewing; even imbibe in a Happy Hour at headquarters. This festival is green and great! For more info: www.greenfilmfest.org

April 28 – 30. Startup Art Fair

The Hotel Del Sol, a quirky 1950’s refurbished motor inn, plays host to the startup Art Fair. This unique contemporary art fair is a new platform for independent artists. Intimate and welcoming, this fair provides artists, and those of us who are art enthusiasts, the opportunity to get direct access to the art world. The exhibition platform is a way to step out of traditional galleries and into a more welcoming environment.

The Internet age has us all experiencing artwork that is unfiltered and direct from the artist via social media. Like it or not tomatoes, it’s here to stay.  The organizers of this art fair are bringing these artists into the community where we can wander, view, and purchase…while we communicate with the artists. What a way to meet the creatives and purchase what you love.  For info on the event. www.sf.startupfair.com

May 2. Joan Lunden

For more than 30 years, Joan Lunden entered the homes of viewers via Good Morning America. Can you say oh so successful and revered tomato? This lovely and talented woman reported from 26 countries, covered five Olympics and interviewed the likes of Regan, Clinton and Prince Charles – just to name a few! She will be speaking at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell on Tuesday May 2nd at 7:30 pm.

Like so many we know she has also gone through the breast cancer battle with surgery, chemo and radiation. During this trying time she wrote her memoir “Had I known”. Oh, and did I mention she has 7 children and currently cares for an aging parent. She is the true Wonder Woman.  Get Tickets here.