Hold onto your hats and grab your ear plugs as the soaring blue angels are coming to celebrate Fleet Week. Tomorrow is Bay Day, a special celebration unique to SF, to celebrate, what else – The Bay! As you Tomatoes know we have consistently great theatre that brings all the “feels” and art galleries that showcase the diversity of talent in the area. Here are some more to spice up your fall, if the Pumpkin Spice everything isn’t enough to do it! And don’t miss this week’s Happy Hour Podcast on the “Power of Saying Yes.”

Oct. 12-13. Fleet Week and the Blue Angels

The sailors are coming to town to celebrate Fleet Week. Did you know that this fun filled, thunderous good time was formed as a natural extension of the annual arrival of the Navy ships that would dock in the bay during Columbus Day weekend? Now it’s a “thing” and the most popular event is the Blue Angels and their flight demonstration squadron. These elite pilots from the Navy and the Marines will be performing on October 12^th and October 13^th at 3 p.m.

However, the warm-up shows begin at noon and you may be lucky to catch their practices on Friday as well. Where to score a great view? Pro-tip – grab a bike and glide through the city stopping at Crissy Field, Aquatic Park and the Marina Green.  If you want to do it the classy way, the Top of the Mark at the Mark Hopkins offers an elevated view where you are almost at eye level with the pilots. Twin Peaks puts you at 1,000 feet above sea level, giving you a full view of the flying angels. A little further afield – but with unobstructed views of the bay – is Treasure Island, our own little hidden (often windy) isle. http://www.fleetweeksf.org

Do you put roadblocks in your own way? Do you say no more than yes? Well listen in to this week’s Happy Hour Podcast on the “Power of Saying Yes.” Listen in here or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Bay Day

Tomorrow is the official day that unites Bay Area communities to celebrate San Francisco Bay, the people and wildlife. A perfect opportunity to explore and discover the beauty and diversity of our Bay and to attend festivals and community events across the region. Restoration Fest takes place in the Palo Alto Baylands. Dig in and restore the Bay, go kayaking, take a tour of a native plant nursery, bike, walk and more. Food trucks, live music and vaudeville juggling science performers will entertain.

PortFest in Redwood City offers waterfront tours, boat rides, food trucks, music and a tiki bar.

ShoreFest is the festival perfect for those Bay Heroes who want to give back to the Bay on Bay Day. Help remove plastic straws, food wrappers and other trash that piles up along the MLK Shoreline.

Local tomatoes will surely remember Doug McConnell who spent over 50 years in television and hosted the popular series Bay Area Backroads, Join him tomorrow at Bedwell Bayfront Park in Menlo Park as he leads a walking wetlands tour.

Vallejo celebrates this weekend as well with the Vallejo Whaleboat Regatta, chili cook off, cornhole tournament, wine booths, beer garden and other events that will delight everyone.

Minnesota Street Art Project

We here in SF Tomato land recently wandered the galleries at the Minnesota Street Project. There are 13 art galleries at 1275 Minnesota St and most of the galleries set their own schedules. However, the first Saturday of the month, (tomorrow!) you can walk through two of the warehouses to see what all of the galleries have on display. The Minnesota Street project has a unique mission, providing affordable galleries and workspaces for artists inside these warehouses. Here is a sampling of what you will find.

• Adrian Rosenfeld Gallery, 2,000 square feet of space filled with modern and contemporary art from around the world.
• Altman Siegel, a gallery that displays works by Bay Area and international artists with occasional historical exhibitions.

• Anglim Gilbert Gallery, which works with international collectors to spread Bay Area art throughout the world.
• Jack Fisher Gallery, where you will find a collection with “outsider” art placed prominently among the works of “insider” artists.
• The San Francisco Arts Education Project, which has focused on developing the talent of young artists and performers in San Francisco since 1968.

Oct. 10-27. My Son the Waiter

The Montgomery Theatre in San Jose brings us My Son the Waiter, a Jewish Tragedy. This hilarious and inspiring story created and performed by Brad Zimmerman, is about the grit and passion required to “make it” as an artist, and the sweet rewards that come from never giving up on your dream.

Brad moved to NYC and “temporarily” waited tables for 29 years, while continuing to pursue his dream of comedic acting. He never gave up and became the opening act for such comedic geniuses as Joan Rivers, Brad Garrett, and George Carlin. Now he brings his own touring show that is profound and entertaining. October 10 – 27^th. www.mysonthewaiter.com

Now – Oct. 19. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Featuring a likeable leading man murdering his way up the social ladder in Edwardian England, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder won 4 Tony awards for its ingenuity. Ridiculous comedy paired with classically trained vocalists, the audience will be simultaneously charmed and somewhat repulsed. This Tongue in cheek story runs through October 19^th at the Saratoga Civic Theatre. http://www.southbaymt.com