This weekend you can get your giggles on during 5 hours of free comedy. Or head east to Oakland for the ever- popular Dragon Boat festival – speedy boats, art and culture. If you are seeking a peaceful weekend, tomorrow you can enjoy a free day of rejuvenating activities at Golden Gate Park and don’t we need that tomatoes! Everyone loves puppies and coming up is an adorable benefit for guide dogs. Fall is fab!

Sept. 17. Peace in The Park

Now that the summer has sailed into the horizon, you know what that means. The busy fall has stepped in. Peace in the Park is a great way to unplug and unwind from our fast-paced urban lives. Offered free to attendees, the goal of the event is to promote peace and wellbeing within our community. As busy tomatoes, meditation may elude you.  Here is your opportunity to finally learn meditation techniques to enhance your life and calm your soul.

In addition, there are speakers to inspire you including local MD Jim Doty, clinical Professor of neurosurgery at Stanford and director of a company focused on compassion and altruism. Also sharing will be Gopi Kallayil, the Chief Evangelist of Brand Marketing at Google. These are just a few of the outstanding speakers. Also offered are classes in yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Gong. This is not your typical festival, the musicians are exquisite and unique, from introducing us to “kulintang” and sharing healing harp music, this festival will truly awaken all senses. I’ll see you there – I’ll be the one calmly meditating on the grass! For more calming info: www.peaceintheparksf.org

Sept. 18. Comedy Day

Each year our fair city shares free laughs to get our endorphins flowing. On Sunday September 18^th from 12 – 5 pm you can LOL – a lot. Since 1981 top-notch funny guys and gals (including our revered Robin Williams) have entertained SF residents for free one day a year. At Sharon Meadow in the Park over 40 comedians will share their best standup routines.

SF is known as a hot bed of comedy, and the entire pro comedy community joins together to support this highly entertaining day. The event is absolutely free and depends on individual donations, volunteers, vendors etc. You know I love a charitable component and comedy day also provides outreach programs. Workshops to teach conflict resolution through humor are presented by local comedians in public schools. Laughter is so good for the soul! For more information: www.comedyday.org

Sept. 17-18. Dragon Boats

You may not know what dragon boat racing is, but I’m sure you are familiar with the colorful Chinese boats.  Dragon boat racing is a 2,500-year-old sport that originated in China featuring 40-foot long beautifully decorated long boats. Our 21^st annual dragon boat festival takes place this weekend and is one of three major Chinese holidays celebrated around the world. This weekend you will find almost 100 dragon boat teams, each made up of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersperson. Corporate groups, non-profits, local friends and international teams come together for this yearly celebration.

To compete requires teamwork with all 22 persons communicating and working together. Tomorrow morning at Lake Merritt, the opening ceremony takes place at 11:30 a.m. with a traditional monk blessing.  Sponsored by Kaiser, this event features traditional Chinese entertainment, including Taiko drummers, Chinese acrobats, martial artists and dance groups. There are games and hands on art activities for all ages from wee ones to tomatoes. For more information: www.sfdragonboat.com

Sept. 24. Pupper Club

Break out your finest Supper Club attire at this adorably themed benefit for Guide Dogs. It’s their 14^th annual Canine Heroes Auction and takes place on September 24^th at the Civil War Parade Grounds in the Presidio. Unbelievable live auction items include, hanging with SF Giants Brandon Crawford before a game, box tickets, food, drink, the whole 9 innings. Another item fellow tomatoes may enjoy is a fabulous package of delights from favorite tomato, may she rest in peace, Joan Rivers.

Watch a taping of fashion police; meet Melissa Rivers and take home a stunning feather jacket and gorgeous necklace to boot. Oh and a stay in LA of course.  These are just two of the many amazing packages you can bid on to raise funds for guide dogs. This organization provides free services to clients, including personalized training and financial assistance for veterinary care if needed. Talk about a party with a purpose!

For more info and tickets: www.guidedogs.com