Well my friends, things change at such a rapid pace that I suggest you Google anything we say, in case it has changed! Found a few more hikes for you, a delicious Burmese place, a virtual run, photography chat, mini golf and more. Stay safe and I can’t say it enough, WEAR A MASK — make it cute, or make it paper, just wear it. And listen in to this week’s upbeat Happy Hour Podcast, “The Joys of Growing Older.”

July 13. FREE Relationships Workshop from the Hamptons!

Our Beatty Cohan, a nationally recognized psychotherapist, sex therapist, author, national speaker, columnist and national radio and television expert guest, does a wonderful series of workshops from the Hamptons called Rate Your Mate BEFORE It’s Too Late–Never make a Mistake in Love Again. But thanks to ZOOM, LA Tomatoes can join in too.  Sign up here.

Hiking: Stern Grove and Breakfast

Known citywide for its beloved summer music festival (not this year, sadly), Stern Grove is a truly special midsized park. It’s quiet and spacious, popular with dogs and families, and packs a lot of scenery into 33 acres in the vicinity of Lake Merced—think beautiful meadows and towering redwoods.

Start your day a few blocks north of Stern Grove for breakfast at Argentine café, Chalo’s for empanadas. At noon go to the father-daughter run Dumpling Specialist for mouth-watering bao and noodle dishes. For dinner try some Italian take out at Marcello Ristorante. All eateries located close by on Taraval St.

LISTEN IN HERE.

Hiking: Stemple Creek Ranch + Lunch

Here’s a great way to spend day doing something fun, take a self-guided hike and picnic at Stemple Creek Ranch. Round up a group of two to 10 friends to explore the picturesque West Marin ranch sans crowds, then head to a sanitized picnic area for a preordered lunch from Estero Café, Saturday and Sunday with staggered three-hour arrivals between 10am and 3pm PST.  $100 per person, stemplecreek.com

Art: SF Camerawork

SF Camerawork presents a very timely event –Between Pandemic and Protest: Working as a News Photographer in Turbulent Times. This is a presentation and discussion to follow with Carlos Avila Gonzalez who joined the Chron in ’97 and has become a leader in the photography department’s shift to multimedia reporting.

The presentation and discussion will highlight how social distancing and trying to stay healthy while reporting the news is more challenging than ever in the midst of a global pandemic and socio political crisis. Our expectations of work have changed drastically from just a few months ago – not to mention trying to help people make sense of a crisis while experiencing it ourselves. This online event takes place Saturday the 18^th, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.  Register at sfcamerawork.org

Art: Invincible Summer

An in person Art event is here if you so desire. View Minnesota Street Project’s Invincible Summer in person or virtually. Created as a result of COVID-19, Invincible Summer includes 81 works by 33 artists in response to the Albert Camus essay Return to Tipasa. You can view this important exhibit in person by appointment only from 11am to 6pm PST, Tuesday through Saturday. Free, minnesotastreetproject.com

Food: Burmese Cuisine

Are we open or not, that is always the question these days. I’ve taken to calling just to be sure. But here is a new place making waves in the Tenderloin, Herbal. You can get flavorful Burmese dishes at former Grocery Cafe owner William Lue’s new spot, and the reviews thus farare stellar.

Heaping plates include falafels and samusas, mango chutney pork stew, lamb shank, and sides—and may even include Brentwood-sourced dried hemp leaves. Order Monday through Friday, noon to 8pm PST.  herbalrestaurant.com

Mini Golf, Donuts, and Tacos

Tired of the same old same old neighborhood walks?  Now you can go mini golfing at newly reopened Parklab Gardens. Learn all about San Francisco history while making your way through the city’s only 18-hole outdoor course. Stagecoach Greens is designed to immerse you in the story of Boom and Bust, using sight, sound and technology that puts you in the middle of the story.

Then treat yourself to sangria and a couple of Hookt Doughnuts or Domingo’s International tacos. Wear a facemask, expect hand sanitizer stations and limited capacity, and reserve a tee time—or even a bungalow or cabana if you want some extra space. Thursday through Sunday from 1pm to 9pm PST. // Mini-golf by reservation only ($16 for adults), parklabgardens.com

Master embroidery or macramé

…with Jennie Lennick of Jenny Lemons during her virtual beginner workshops on Thursday and Saturday. On Thursday (5pm) you’ll learn six different embroidery stitches, plus tips and tricks for selecting and stretching fabric on a hoop, threading a needle, and more.

On Saturday (tomorrow the 11^th) you’ll make your own finished work of macramé art. Isn’t it time to journey back to the 60’s with this retro craft (and remember when there was no pandemic?)? Register ($45) on https://jennylemons.com/collections/online-workshops

Get the book.