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San Francisco to use federal grant to plant more street trees

The city received a $12 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service.

News

A self-proclaimed emperor who called San Francisco home

Though Emperor Norton had no formal political power, many people went along with the charade.

Culture

Transportation safety advocates want SF to ban turns on red

Cities across the country have banned turns-on-red or are considering implementing  policies of their own.

California to intervene in San Francisco's homeless encampment case

"I've had it," the governor said this week. "I hope this goes to the Supreme Court."

Things to do in the Bay Area: Sept. 29 to Oct. 1

On our radar: A bluegrass music festival, multiple night markets, a surfing festival and science workshops for kids.

Things to Do

We&#x27;re close to kicking off the month of horror and haunting. <ul><li>Here are some things to try this weekend before Halloween fervor takes over.</li></ul>

Animated illustration of calendar pages with neutral emojis on them being torn off, until you get to Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which have smiling, sunglasses-wearing emojis on them with neon yellow waving lines. 

The donkey in "Shrek" and its ties to the Bay Area

Palo Alto donkey Perry, short for Pericles, served as a model for the goofy sidekick that would steal hearts in "Shrek."

One of the arguably most famous donkeys in the world resides in the Bay Area — and you can visit him anytime.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Perry" data-vars-click-url="https://barronparkdonkeys.org/donkeys/perry/" data-vars-content-id="6333420d-4f9c-4e17-8b5d-c72b659bfd13" data-vars-headline="The donkey in &quot;Shrek&quot; and its ties to the Bay Area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://barronparkdonkeys.org/donkeys/perry/" target="_blank">Perry</a>, short for Pericles, is one of several donkeys living at a pasture near Bol Park in Palo Alto. In 2001, he became the model for the goofy donkey that would steal everyone&#x27;s hearts in the &quot;Shrek&quot; franchise.

What to do this weekend in San Francisco

🚇 Check out the transit art show, "Moving Pictures: Art and Transit."

Another week is in the books. Here are some ideas for the weekend:🚇 Check out the transit art show, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Moving Pictures: Art and Transit" data-vars-click-url="https://sftransitriders.salsalabs.org/movingpictures/index.html" data-vars-content-id="3c374f83-087a-4cc7-9e93-7f8c1a416626" data-vars-headline="What to do this weekend in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sftransitriders.salsalabs.org/movingpictures/index.html" target="_blank">Moving Pictures: Art and Transit</a>,&quot; Friday at 3pm at 1890 Bryant Street Studios.

Animated illustration of two neutral emojis, one big and one smaller, smiling, and sunglasses appearing over their faces. 

Things to do in the Bay Area: Sept. 15-17

On our radar: Corgi Con and Armenian dancing.

We&#x27;ve got some cool things happening this weekend. If you&#x27;re not dashing to the beach to make the most of the last few days of summer, here are a couple to check out.🍢 St. Gregory Church hosts its 66th annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Armenian Food Festival" data-vars-click-url="http://www.armenianfestivalsf.com/" data-vars-content-id="f9cfab1f-6267-43b6-88f4-0334051d1246" data-vars-headline="Things to do in the Bay Area: Sept. 15-17" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.armenianfestivalsf.com/" target="_blank">Armenian Food Festival</a> this weekend at 825 Brotherhood Way. In addition to a wide array of plates, there will be folk dancing, music, art and more.

Illustration of famous paintings riding the subway. The destination says "weekend." 

The weekend is upon us. Here are some ideas to get your brain juices flowing. 🎹 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flower Piano" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfbg.org/flowerpiano" data-vars-content-id="ede86247-28c0-444f-a91b-dafb79ee86d1" data-vars-headline="What to do this weekend in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfbg.org/flowerpiano" target="_blank">Flower Piano</a> is back with an alfresco concert at the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park on Friday through Tuesday.

Illustration of a cassette tape with the tape unspooling to spell weekend. 

Where to see fall foliage in San Francisco Bay Area

Peak fall foliage in San Francisco will be here before you know it.

While fall in San Francisco doesn&#x27;t quite compare to the season in other parts of the country, peak fall foliage in San Francisco will be here before you know it.Driving the news: Using historical weather reports, tree species info and user data, travel brand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SmokyMountains.com" data-vars-click-url="https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/" data-vars-content-id="6cf48cfd-3a0b-4ee6-92cc-eecc8deee1f7" data-vars-headline="Where to see fall foliage in San Francisco Bay Area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/" target="_blank">SmokyMountains.com</a> put together 2023 foliage prediction maps of the U.S.

Time to put on your Oofos and get ready for the long weekend. 🛍 Hit up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Secondhand Saturday" data-vars-click-url="https://sanfranciscoparksalliance.org/event/the-park-market-at-crane-cove-secondhand-saturday/" data-vars-content-id="66947baf-aba4-4d57-b6a9-58928c5f7beb" data-vars-headline="What to do this weekend in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sanfranciscoparksalliance.org/event/the-park-market-at-crane-cove-secondhand-saturday/" target="_blank">Secondhand Saturday</a> at The Park Market at Crane Cove Park to shop for vintage clothes and other items. 11am-5pm on Saturday.

Hit up the first-ever Civic Center Carnival.

We did it, we made it to the weekend. And as per usual, the city has a plethora of activities. Here are a few ideas for you:

San Francisco Chinatown hosts inaugural Hungry Ghost Festival

People of all ages and backgrounds are invited to come in their "ghostly costume" and participate in the Ghost King Parade.

Chinatown&#x27;s inaugural Hungry Ghost Festival this month honors and celebrates the 15th day of the seventh month of the Lunar calendar, when the veil between the realm of ancestral spirits and the realm of the living thins.Why it matters: &quot;In a diasporic immigrant context, this holiday gives ghosts release and reclaim space amidst the injustice, generational traumas, and marginalization that they have experienced,&quot; the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, which is hosting the event, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="explains on its website" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ghost-festival.org/faq" data-vars-content-id="9216d68b-ac77-493e-938d-135caef31748" data-vars-headline="San Francisco Chinatown hosts inaugural Hungry Ghost Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ghost-festival.org/faq" target="_blank">explains on its website</a>.

Photo of people standing in a Chinatown street lit up with red lanterns and traditional lion costumes 

One idea: catch The Flaming Lips at the Stern Grove Festival on Sunday.

Lots to do this weekend in San Francisco, from block parties to free music at Stern Grove.Here&#x27;s what the city has in store for you:

Illustration of "Weekend" in graffiti on a brick wall. 

Things to Do 🗓