Stop by the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park on Sunday for a day of Seussian proportions. The one and only Cat in the Hat will be in attendance to celebrate his new TV show, “The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!”, premiering on KQED on September 6th.

From 9:30am to 5pm enjoy storybook readings from local celebrities like Chronicle columnist Leah Garchik, Greg Sherwood from KQED, Academy scientists, and special guests from NASA and Beach Blanket Babylon.

There will also be special specimens and demonstrations from Academy staff, a scavenger hunt (with cat-tastic prizes of course!), sneak previews of the new television show, plus a chance to win a full set of Cat in the Hat Learning Library Books.

To participate, you’ll need to purchase an entry ticket to the Academy of Sciences. KQED/KTEH members can receive $5 off up to four general admission tickets when you show your KQED or KTEH member card.

I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam I am!

Sarah B.

This Sunday marks the second and final Sunday Streets for our neighborhood. Come out to JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park and along the Great Highway from 10am to 3pm to enjoy car free streets and fun activities (view map).

Join other San Franciscans as they bike, walk, skate, hula hoop, jog, dance, yoga and more along the car-free streets; pretty much anything goes. Check out the video above to get a taste from one of last year’s Sunday Streets.

The theme for this year is “Penguin to Penguin”, with Sunday Streets area beginning at the Academy of Sciences. The Academy even has a special offer for Sunday Street bikers. The first 100 people to valet their bikes with the SF Bicycle Coalition at the Academy on Sunday will get a free ticket to the Academy for that day (thanks to Clif Bar). Park your bike, check out the Academy, then hop back on and join the fun along the Great Highway. SFCitizen’s got all the details.

Our first Sunday Streets in April was, well, wet. Even the dogs were in foul weather gear. But despite the miserable weather we’ve been having, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some sunshine to welcome everyone to the west side. Weather.com is predicting sunny and 57°… Come on Mother Nature, I know you can do it!!

Sarah B.

This Saturday is the 12th Annual Summer Gardening Fair at the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park.

Vendors, hobbyists and experts will be on hand at the fair to help you with your own summer garden (yes, they can thrive, even in this fog!) and answer those burning green thumb questions you’ve been wrestling with.

Shop for plants and plant products or enjoy various activities including:

- Meet experts from the local horticultural community
- Browse a wide selection of new and used books
- Purchase special plants & growing materials
- Marvel at summer fuchsia & begonias
- Experience butterflies up close
- See the inside of a beehive

The fair runs from 10am until 3pm and admission is free. Enter at the main gate of the garden near 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way.

Sarah B.

In their continuing series of The Buddy Club Children’s Shows, the Botanical Garden welcomes performer Greg Frisbee on July 25th at 11am.

Frisbee’s show is full of all the tricks that kids love – juggling, mind-reading, fire-eating, upside-down escape – they definitely won’t be bored.

Families are invited to come out and enjoy the show in the garden. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family. To attend, enter the Botanical Garden at the “Friend Entrance”, across from the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park (directions).

The garden hosts Family Shows the last Sunday of every month from June to September. Remaining shows coming up include:

Aug 29th: “The Comedy Magician” Robert Strong
Sept 26th: Award-Winning Magician Timothy James

Sarah B.

On Wednesday, June 30 at 2pm, the Richmond branch library will host The Whale Bus, a fun educational program put on by Marin’s Marine Mammal Center.

Many species of marine mammals frequent the California coast, including seals, sea lions, sea otters, whales and dolphins. With the Whale Bus on site, kids can explore marine mammal life with real specimens like bones, pelts, and baleen, and participate in hands-on activities.

Kids will also learn about the lives of marine mammals as well as the bigger picture of caring for the marine environment. Designed for ages 6 to 11.

Catch the Whale Bus at the Richmond branch library, 351 Ninth Avenue.

Sarah B.

On Friday night, approximately 300 people participated in the California Academy of Science’s first “Penguins + Pajamas” event. Children age 6 to 18 and their chaperones were treated to evening access to the Academy, special programs and a chance to sleep overnight among the penguins and aquatic life.

The first thing that strikes you at Penguins + Pajamas is how empty the Academy is. As I walked around looking for photo ops and attendees to talk to, I felt like I was in a ghost town. It was a welcome change from the crowded frenzy of a typical visit to the Academy.

After checking in for the night under the T-Rex, families left their belongings in the center atrium. Both the Academy Cafe and The Moss Room were open for dinner, so many headed there to fuel up before taking in the many exhibits and programs the night had to offer.

There was plenty to see and do at Penguins + Pajamas. First off was a live snake demo where Academy staff member Clinton held a Darth Vader-esque snake on his lap and invited guests to stroke the reptile (tip: stroke a snake in one direction: from the head towards the tail).

The multi-level Rainforests of the World exhibit was open for the first couple of hours and the richly colored butterflies were on hand to welcome visitors. On the lower level, the tide pools were well staffed to help kids interact with the starfish, sea anenome, and other unusual sea creatures.

At 8pm everyone gathered in the African Hall to catch the penguin show. As the kids and parents piled up on the floor in front of the penguin exhibit, I’m sure the birds were just as intrigued with the evening’s events.

After learning about the penguin’s habits, kids embarked on a quick scavenger hunt. Academy staff spread out items related to the penguins on the floor of the African Hall. To collect their items, kids had to “walk like a penguin” with their knees touching at all times.

Penguins + Pajamas attendees had a choice of three locations to sleep for the night: amongst the penguins in African Hall, alongside Claude the albino alligator in the lower swamp, or with the fishes in the lower Aquarium. Most of the kids I talked to said they planned to sleep with the penguins while the parents seemed to favor the aquarium area (darker?). I’m guessing the kids won that debate…

The night also included an Alligator Program at the upper swamp. Clinton the Academy staffer was back to lead attendees on an imaginary boatride down a Louisiana swamp. There were also plans for telescopes up on the living roof, but the San Francisco fog quickly put an end to that.

Since I didn’t have a kid in tow, I left before everyone bedded down for the night. Still on the schedule was the “Fragile Planet” show in the Planetarium, snack and storytime, a late-night movie, and finally, lights out at 11pm.

Wake-up came early on Saturday morning at 6:30am. Breakfast was served in the Academy Cafe and attendees had to be out by 8am so the Academy could prepare for its regular Saturday opening time of 9:30am.

There are two more Penguins + Pajamas events this summer on July 16 and August 13 and there is space available. The cost is $119 per person for non-members, $99 per person for Academy members (discounts for groups of 10 or more). More info

The price includes overnight parking in the Music Concourse parking garage as well as next-day museum admission, breakfast, snacks, and a special commemorative gift. And don’t think this event is just for little kids; I saw just as many teenagers as I did small kids wandering around the Academy.

If you’re yearning to stroll quietly through the Rainforest, take in a planetarium show without stressing about showtimes, or just want a chance to spend more time with the fish in the Aquarium, then don’t miss out on Penguins + Pajamas. Kids will love the chance to roam around uninhibited in the science playground and parents who normally get shortchanged will love the extra time and space.

Sarah B.

Are you or is someone in your household a fan of the “Twilight” series? The next movie, Eclipse, comes out June 30. But before that, don’t miss The Cullens, a Twlight tribute band, when they perform a free concert at the Richmond branch library.

The band is from Arizona where they got deep into the movies and eventually formed their own tribute band, and their music is inspired by the Twilight characters and films.

Chronic Twilight watching resulted in songs inspired by parts of the movie, including “I Love Watching You Sleep,” “Fang Bang” and “Money Sex Cat.” The punkish “Bella Doesn’t Dance,” kicks off with the lines, “I know a girl named Bella/She is seventeen/She doesn’t know I’m a vampire/And she wants to have sex with me.” Yup, that’s Book 1, right there.

Bassist Diana Welsch says, “We do a really energetic show and we’re all dressed in black and covered in body glitter, because vampires shine in the sunlight, obviously.”

The Cullens will play a free show at the Richmond branch library, 351 9th Avenue, on Sunday June 20th from 3:30pm – 5:30pm. For more information, call the teen services librarian at 355-5610.

Sarah B.

On Thursday, June 17 at 2pm, bring your kids by the Richmond Branch library to enjoy the magic, juggling and comedic antics of Boswick the Clown, a former Ringling Brothers circus clown.

And on Monday, June 21 at 2pm, the Bubble Lady will be at the Library for some bubblicious adventures in Bubble Land. Tons of bubble fun for everyone!

Both events are free and take place at the Senator Milton Marks/Richmond Branch Library, 351 Ninth Avenue. For more information, call 355-5600.

Sarah B.