Unite with others tomorrow for #earthhour – read on to see how. That fab SF ethical clothing brand Everlane opens a huge brick and mortar in the mission. Ever been to a circus that is a cabaret as well? The Circus Cabaret is a unique evening out. AI is always in the news and fuels debates. Next week Kate Crawford illuminates us on the future of Artificial Intelligence. I’m game…kind of fun to be in the center of all the latest and greatest in the tech and science arena isn’t it? Have a great weekend friends!

Everlane

Ethical factories, the finest materials and transparency are the concepts behind this brand about which I wrote a few years ago. Everlane, if you are not familiar, is a clothing brand that began in our lovely city. Online shopping was the beginning, then a store in NYC and now the SF Flagship has arrived in the mission. Their clothes are simple, elegant and affordable. You know fellow Tomatoes, at a certain age, we need to stay away from the too trendy and we do look best in classics with great fabrics. Everlane should be your go to. Their shoes are not only adorbs, but comfy (so important!), and their clothes are minimalist with a zing.

At the new store on Valencia Street, you can easily navigate your way around without a road map. Divided into men’s and women’s and you may be drawn to the bright spring palettes. Among Everlane’s newest and already most popular offerings, the sustainable denim holds down its own wall; made with 98 percent recycled water and renewable energy, these jeans are 85 percent air-dried in what the brand calls the “world’s cleanest denim factory.” (Even the residual toxic sludge is transformed into bricks to build affordable homes).

In line with the mission to be radically transparent, the store also provides information on each of their factories in unique sound booths: where you can also learn about community-focused campaigns 100% SF kit, which gives back to Dolores Street Community Services, helping low income and immigrant communities in the Mission. (They’re planning on donating $20,000 to start). LOVE this brand and it’s mission. www.everlane.com

March 24. Earth Hour @ 8:30 PM

It’s a lights out movement across the country (and parts of the world)! Something we can all do easily to connect with environmentally conscious people all over the globe. #EarthHour is meant to show solidarity in the movement to protect our planet and its incredible nature. For one hour, we are asked to turn off our lights. Sit in the dark, or use candles to illuminate (we all look better in candle light anyway).

Showing support, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Lights and dozens of other buildings and monuments will all turn off their non-essential lighting. The idea is that when you flip off your lights at 8:30 p.m. local time you will be making the switch to a cleaner, more secure nation and prosperous America. That’s the hope anyway, and we all know our planet needs help! The #earthhour movement hopes to “spark” conversation about how we can show our love for our planet. I’ll see you in the dark!  www.earthhour.org

March 29. Kate Crawford on A.I.

If you have wondered, like myself, what is up with Artificial Intelligence and where are we going with this, Kate Crawford will be in conversation at the Nourse Theatre. I had to look up the definition of A.I., just to break it down. Artificial intelligence (AI, also machine MI) is intelligence demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence (NI) displayed by humans and other animals. So I guess our BFF’s Siri and Alexa aren’t really people? (JK friends) But if you want the skinny Kate Crawford will enlighten.

Her resume is more than a little impressive; you know research prof at NYU, visiting professor at MIT, worked at a symposium on the social and economic implications of A.I. in the Obama white house, and widely published everywhere. She is one renaissance tomato, as she is also a composer and producer. She seems to have a lot of that NI (you know, natural intelligence). You can ask her all sorts of questions after the interview, mine would include, are machines really going to replace us all?  I can say no, they aren’t stealing the Three Tomatoes from me! For more info www.cityarts.net and katecrawford.net

March 23-24. Circus Center Cabaret

Circus plus Cabaret equals a thrilling night out. Animal lovers need not balk for there are no animals involved in this spectacular event. The Circus Center Cabaret features the best of Bay Area circus talent.  Distilling humor, elegance, and grandeur into a circus fête hosted in a uniquely intimate venue, this explosion of flexibility and talent will blow you away.

Underscored with live music performed by famed Cabaret Chanteuse Madame Leanne Borghesi and the Roger Glenn Trio, The Circus Center Cabaret adds a classic, vintage flavor to complement the best circus, variety, dance acts and artists from around the bay. With full bar, reserved seating and enhanced sightlines, all tomatoes will leave with a song in their heart and a smile on their face. What could be a better night out? March 23 – 24^th and April 20^th and 21st. Circuscenter.org