The decade starting in 1963 was a magic time in San Francisco. Influential groups such as Jefferson Airplane, Sly and the Family Stone, Santana and the Grateful Dead ignited the rock scene—and San Francisco was the epicenter.

This diverse and memorable era in the annals of popular music is chronicled in a free exhibition at the Museum of Performance & Design. Somethin’s Happenin’ Here: Bay Area Rock ‘n’ Roll 1963-73 celebrates the timeless appeal of San Francisco rock and its ongoing impact on our culture.

The exhibit includes rare audio clips from the archive of KSAN radio, which are now part of the museum’s permanent collection.  Also on display are:

• Costumes and clothing worn by Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, Sly Stone and other luminaries
• Full sized original painting featured on the Grateful Dead’s Anthem of the Sun cover album
• Original posters from classic Bay Area venues
• Iconic photos
• Musical instruments from famous rockers of the era

The exhibition runs through August 28, 2010; gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, noon until 6.  The MPD is located on the 4th floor of the Veterans Building (which also houses the Herbst Theater). Again, admission is free.

The Year of the Tiger will kick off with a roar this Saturday (2/27) at the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade. This colorful event, which dates back to the 1860’s, has evolved into the largest such parade outside Asia. Elaborate floats, marching bands, costumed dancers, firecrackers, colored lights and plenty of drums make this parade a favorite, attracting upwards of 700,000 people. This year, floats will feature the theme of the Chinese zodiac.

The grand finale of the procession is always Gum Lung, a 200-foot long golden dragon. This sacred dragon, which symbolizes strength and goodness, has the head of a camel, horns of a dear, eyes of a rabbit, ears of a cow, neck of a serpent, belly of a frog, scales of a carp and talons of a hawk. Carried by a team of 100 men and women, Gum Lung snakes back and forth across the street to the beat of drums and the staccato of more than 600 firecrackers.

The parade route starts at Market and Second, and makes a loop around Union Square and back to Kearney, ending at Kearney and Washington.

Starting at 5:15 p.m., the parade takes place rain or shine, and—right now—they’re predicting showers.  Hooded ponchos work much better than umbrellas, as they don’t block the sight lines of those behind you.

The parade is free if you sit or stand on the curb; bleacher seating is available.

Here are some fun facts:

• Gung Hay Fat Choy, the traditional new year greeting, means “Best wishes and congratulations.  Have a prosperous and good year.”
• The Chinese new year marks the end of winter and beginning of spring.
• Before the parade, lions will be dancing through the streets of Chinatown to scare off evil spirits from businesses and shops.

Photo credit:  Knight Lights Photography

Although foul weather is predicted for this Saturday, the mood is sure to be festive at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center—the venue for the public tasting of the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

More than 1,200 wineries will be pouring some 4,913 varieties in what the Web site calls “the largest competition of American wines in the world.” It’s a chance to sample, compare and learn about all the major varietals: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, among many others. There’s plenty of opportunity for casual conversation with people who are passionate about the wines they’re pouring.

Your admission ticket ($60 in advance), buys a commemorative glass and all the wine tasting you can pack into an afternoon. There will also be dozens of artisan food purveyors with tasty morsels of meats, breads, cheeses and sweets prepared by (among others) the California Culinary Academy. Proceeds support various wine and cooking educational programs and non-profits.

A word of caution: pace yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in the festive ambience of the event. Because you’re tasting in sips, you may not realize just how much wine you’re drinking. Take it slow, eat as you go and don’t hesitate to call a cab if it sneaks up on you.

The Bay Area loves its seafood. Dungeness crab, oysters from Tomales Bay, Pacific cod from just off the Farallones, albacore tuna from farther up the coast—these fish are plentiful in our markets and often featured on restaurant menus. But before you throw that filet of salmon on the grill, it’s important know where it’s from, how it was caught and how it was raised.

Since ancient times, the oceans, lakes and rivers have provided humans with high-quality protein in the form of seafood. Yet, overfishing, harmful fishing practices, pollution and climate change have taken their toll and some once-plentiful species, such as Atlantic cod and swordfish, are all but extinct.

What can you do? Know what you’re buying or being served in your favorite seafood restaurant. Make sure the fish you eat is a sustainable choice.

The best resource The Real Story has found is Seafood Watch, a consumer-focused program from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The group makes science-based recommendations on seafood that is fished or farmed in ways that don’t harm the ecosystem. The easy-to-search web site contains detailed consumer information on dozens of seafood species, including any environmental or health issues.

The organization publishes its recommendations in convenient downloadable pocket guides, which are available for six regions of the U.S. and a sushi edition. Guides are updated every six months and available as an iPhone app.

The good news? Dungeness Crab caught in the U.S. or Canada by trap has a Best Choice rating, so bring on the cioppino.

The Real Story is taking the day off in observance of Presidents Day.  Be sure to log on tomorrow as we begin a series of podcasts with economist John Burns, who talks about the future of Freddie and Fannie, the role of tax credits and his outlook for the market.  In the meantime, here’s a quote from George Washington worth pondering:

Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

Enjoy the day.

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Among the more provocative statements made about the differences in generational outlook this week is today’s conversation with Chuck Underwood about the shift of power happening at this moment in time. This is a profound—and rare—movement of power from one generation to the next.  The mostly-white, mostly-male Silent Generation is moving away from the helm, and the Baby Boomers are coming into their own as leaders in virtually every aspect of American life.

The Boomers will be the first generation of American leaders who will benefit from the inclusion of women and people of color to the mix—and within three years, says Chuck, they will be instilling their values throughout American business, sports, philanthropy, politics, entertainment and research.  Their approach will be drastically different from that of the Silent Generation.  It turns out that the kids who brought the women’s movement, the civil rights movement, the sexual revolution, and the anti-war movement to the  consciousness of the nation have in their generational DNA “every key quality for brilliant, ethical, compassionate leadership”.