Are you an aspiring author? If so, you will want to head to this year’s SF Writer’s Conference – chock full of all the info you need. How about being part of an innovative mural? Check out street artist JR and his latest project and perhaps be immortalized. Wine lovers take note, the SF Chronicle wine tasting is here with more award-winning sips to savor. Or head to Levi’s Stadium for Beer and Bacon if you prefer. It’s time for film fests and if you have seen all of the Oscar nominated flicks, you can grab your popcorn and view films from across the pond and beyond.

Now-Feb. 11. The San Francisco Mural

Photographer and street artist JR, known for his large-scale black-and-white images of ordinary people recently arrived in San Francisco for a new project simply titled The San Francisco Mural. Through Feb 11th, the project’s 53-foot truck will park in a different part of the city photographing people inside a gigantic mobile studio. JR’s democratic form of image making hopes to “capture the nuances of the city at this moment in time.”

The mural project’s website makes special note of the high number of our city’s most disenfranchised through portraiture. This piece of art will eventually materialize somewhere in our great city. If you want to see your face among many, look for the giant truck with the eyes on its side in the neighborhood of your choice. Find the locations and more info at http://www.thesanfranciscomural.net

Feb. 15-18. The San Francisco Writers Conference

Have you written a book (like our fabulous Head Tomato just did)? Or is there an unfinished draft on your computer? Perhaps you need help accessing an agent or finding a community of fellow writers. For all of that and much more, head to The San Francisco Writers Conference from the 15 – 18th at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel.

The goal of the conference is to help writers become published authors. You will enhance your craft and learn the business of writing. Needless to say one of the most popular events is the Speed Dating for Agents, where you have the opportunity to pitch your book ideas one-on-one to a room full of literary agents. Or you can share your work at an “open mic” night and network away at the gala welcome party and daily lunches. According to past attendees, this is the friendliest conference of its sort and non-competitive. It’s never too late tomatoes; let’s get our ideas out in the world! http://www.sfwriters.org

Feb. 17. The Chronicle Wine Competion

Any tomato wine lovers reading this? Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity! The Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting Event is the largest event in the world celebrating American varieties of wine. Held at Fort Mason Center, the public tasting event is Saturday February 17th from 1:30 – 5 p.m. There are over 100 categories from which to taste. The best wines were selected from over 7,000 entries. Can you even imagine? That’s a lot of the grape! Of course, with your wine samples, you’ll have the chance to try savory meats, exotic oils, handcrafted cheeses, and amazing desserts. Get the details.

Feb. 24. Bacon and Beer

For those who prefer “hops” to the grape, you might enjoy The Bacon and Beer Classic at Levi Stadium. On February 24th you can run out onto the field and enjoy brews from over 100 regional breweries. Vegetarians may not find this fits their palate, but for carnivores, there will be over thirty bacon-infused dishes prepared by local chefs. From savory to sweet, they guarantee you will experience bacon like never before. Past dishes include maple glazed bacon pancakes and fried bacon calzones with jalapeno aioli – you get the picture! www.baconandbeerclassic.com

Two Film Festivals

Feb. 9-14. Berlin and Beyond Film Festival

Yes, you have to read the subtitles at the Berlin and Beyond Film Festival, but what a great way to expand your view of the world. The Goethe Institute has been bringing us these fine films for 22 years as an opportunity for the American public to see and experience the German-speaking world. The films come from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and beyond and offer a truly diverse program about the cultures, art, history, and progress of those regions. The films include shorts, features, and documentaries, and will be shown throughout the day each day of the festival at the historic Castro Theater. Feb 9 – 14th. Get all the details.

Feb. 15-22. The Mostly British Film Festival

If you prefer to merely listen and watch, and not read your movies, you may prefer The Mostly British Film Festival. The best in cinema from the UK, Ireland, Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada will be presented Feb. 15 – 22nd at the historic Vogue Theatre. The festival pays tribute to Downton Abbey’s Joanne Froggatt when she visits on February 16th. A film clip of her career will be followed by an up close and personal interview. A new American Indie film called “A Crooked Somebody” starring the actress, tops the evening.

To entice your Mr. Tomatoes who might enjoy a nip of the hard stuff, on February 17th between showings of whisky-themed British films, the audience will be treated to a free tasting of top of the line scotch. This film fest always makes a great impact, so it’s time to make a date. For films and more info: http://www.mostlybritish.org