Friday: Sometimes, we want free wine, and it seems like too much work to go to church. Virgin Vines is helping us scratch that itch tonight with a wine tasting event at Potrero Hill's Il Parata from 6-7 tonight, then again at North Beach's Bocce Cafe from 8:30-9:30 (that portion of the event's been cancelled, which is fine because North Beach on a Friday night is best left to the heartier than we). Parking's easier in Potrero, so we're likely to slug down our screw-top vino sample then head over the bridge for the 8:30 p.m. Asphalt Shorts III, a series of urban-themed short films projected against the wall of the Starpark Parking Lot at Broadway between 21st and 22nd Street in Oakland. more ›

Tonight: Admit it, you only read the SF Weekly for Savage Love. Well, cranky Dan Savage is finishing up the Bay Area leg of his book tour tonight at Booksmith in the Haight, reading from his new memoir, The Commitment, about his partner, his family, raising his son, and gay marriage. Bring all your embarrassing questions about liaisons gone wrong; we're sure he'd be as thrilled to mock you in public as he is in print! Thursday: Hey, need any sports equipment? Sports Basement at 16th and DeHaro is sponsoring a fundraiser for the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, which offers youth programs for low-income families. Everything in the store is 10% off, and 5% of all sales go to the Neighborhood House's afterschool programs. There's also a raffle -- win a baseball autographed by JT Snow! And hey! An emergency preparedness kit! (take chances on not taking chances -- we love it!) The reason for the benefit? To help close the $100,000 funding gap caused by city budget cuts. Thanks to SFist pal Mike for the tip! Friday: The art gallery the Luggage Store presents the 11th annual In the Street festival in the 'Loin, featuring street performers of all stripes (capoiera dancers, the Extra-Action Marching Band, a fire arts troupe, among others.) It's as free as a bird, on Ellis Street between Hyde and Leavenworth, and goes from 5-10 p.m. Picture from the Luggage Store Gallery site more ›

Though they didn't get to host Jonny Moseley's birthday party, Potrero Hill still rocks and the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House (NABE) is doing good work. Right now, they're rocking the Neighbors for the NABE campaign. The Potrero Hill Neighborhood House (known as the NABE to community members) is a multi-purpose, multi-generational community center in continuous operation for nearly a century. It's mission is to serve those in need from the "cradle to the grave" with an emphasis on youth and education. People helping people right where they live is the idea and it's a great one that SFist can get behind. Their programs help people of all ages from Potrero Hill, Visitation Valley, the Mission and Bay View Hunters Point. Most of the programs help youth from low-income families. They're looking to raise a pretty modest $100,000 and so far are just under 50% of their goal. Please consider sending them some money to help them meet their goal and keep providing these valuable programs and services. With city budget cuts, some of them are in trouble. If you want something for your money, they're holding a raffle as well. more ›