Happy new decade tomatoes!  As we launch into the new roaring 20’s, there are as always, an abundance of ways to infuse new energies into your lives. Laughs, films, art and food all coming up this month. Sketchfest will have you LOL’ing, Restaurant Week will fill your bellies and art fairs will inspire your creative selves. And the Sea Lions are arriving too – just for fun! Enjoy.

Jan. 9-26. Sketchfest Features Tony Shalboub

It’s a month of laughs in San Francisco each January with Sketchfest, the nationally recognized comedy festival, that mixes national headliners, local favorites and the best up-and-coming groups from throughout North America.  Get ready for sketch, improv, stand-up and alternative comedy. This showcase delivers top quality comedic performances, tributes and fascinating panel discussions.

Hundreds of events are featured and include cinema, tv, family shows, game shows, improv, podcasts and more. A standout will take place this Saturday as Sketchfest presents Tony Shalhoub in conversation with Kevin Pollak plus the 20^th anniversary screening of Galaxy Quest. Hurry, hurry, so many laughs waiting for you. Events found at various locations throughout SF.  Get the details.

Travel the World in 30 Minutes

If you love travel, then fasten your seat belts and listen in to this week’s podcast with our guest Lea Lane, award-winning travel writer and author of 9 travel books, including her latest travel memoir, “Places I Remember: Tales, Truths, Delights from 100 Countries,” (published by The Three Tomatoes Book Publishing.) You’ll be inspired to start packing your bags. Listen in here or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Jan. 22-31. SF Restaurant Week

You may have had enough treats and tasty bites over the holidays to last through the first month of this year, but maybe not. Now is your time as a food lover to get out and sample the fare at participating restaurants as SF celebrates restaurant week.  If you desire, you can eat your way through over 130 restaurants around the city.

Special prix-fixe menus showcase great food at places you may have on your must try list. Sometimes these menus highlight their best known dishes or feature a new item they are testing or simply give you a sample of food the chefs love to cook. This year there are two-course lunch and three or more course dinner menus at different prices. Lunch menus are $15.15 and $25.25 and dinner $40.40 and $65.65. Check the website often for reservation info and don’t wait until the last minute. Some of our favorite dining spots are featuring their mouthwatering dishes including Market Bar, China Live, La Mar, One Market, and Wayfare Tavern. Get the details.

Jan. 16-17. Fog Design and Art

We believe it’s always a good idea to surround yourself with art. Simply getting out and absorbing the creativity of others will motivate you in your own creative process whatever that may be. Fog Design and Art takes place at Fort Mason Center and is the leading platform for contemporary design and art. FOG gives us an intimate presentation of art and design along with dynamic programming to educate and inspire.

This year expect the wow factor to be upgraded with 21POP, a special installation created by Stanlee Gatti. The preview gala is January 15^th and you can get early access to the fair’s exquisite design objects, furniture and fine art before it opens to the public. Proceeds benefit SF MOMA’s groundbreaking exhibitions and education programs. You will be delighted with the entertainment, culinary creations and cocktails by design. On the 17^th from 9 – 11 a.m., the sixth annual ArtBites at FOG features a topical panel discussion and design-inspired breakfast again benefiting SFMoma. It’s all a treat for the senses. Get the details.

Jan. 17- 19. Untitled Art

You can jump from art fair to art fair the weekend of January 17^th as the Untitled Art Fair also arrives and sets up residence at Pier 35. This international, curated art fair focuses on all disciplines of contemporary art. The architecturally designed venue creates a unique space to showcase the highly selective artists, galleries and non-profit institutions who participate. Small and focused is their mantra. The space alone is worth the visit as each year it is a celebrated creation. Get the details.

Jan. 17-20. Sea Lions

You know them, you certainly hear them and who doesn’t love them? The Sea Lions of Pier 39 – a SF institution and you can celebrate their arrival at the pier. These boisterous barking pinnipeds came sparingly at first after the Loma Prieta earthquake in October 1989. Soon after they arrived in droves reaching more than 500 in number by January 1990. With a protected environment and plentiful supply of food from the Bay, the sea lions quickly decided to make PIER 39’s K-Dock their new home.

To commemorate the 30th Anniversary, PIER 39 along with Aquarium of the Bay, will launch the “Sea Lions in San Francisco” initiative in January.  Thirty local artists will paint six-foot-tall sea lion statues in their own unique styles, each with an environmental message. Join PIER 39 to celebrate these playful mammals with a painted sea lion statue exhibition, Sea Lion Discovery Walks, special discounts and more from January 17-20. www.pier39.com

GET THE BOOK.