Hi, I’m Laura Iriarte the Julie McCoy of the Bay Area Social Media and Art Scene! Following are events and happenings for the coming week and beyond! Meet me here:

Firstly and most importantly on Wednesday, September 9, I will be at Sukhjit Ghag’s going away party as she leaves San Francisco to grace San Diego with her presence. I’m so sad to see her go, but happy she has found the job of her dreams as Sony’s corporate blogger and Social Media Consultant. Sony has no idea what a smart decision that was….but we do! http://bit.ly/PwEQb

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 – Women 2.0 Demystifying Government and Stimulus Funding for Your Startup

6:30-9:00 PM

Citizen Space
425 2nd Street, Suite 100
San Francisco, Ca

Are you having trouble finding an investor for your startup? You know, you don’t have to rely on VCs and angel investors to give you cash. There are ways the government can fund your startup. Yes, the government.

Join Women 2.0 for an informative night of Demystifying Government and Stimulus Funding for Your Startup. We will be meeting at Citizen Space in San Francisco on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at 6:30pm to discuss alternative methods of funding your business.

Let’s demystify government and stimulus funding. Discussion topics will include:
» What is available to women-owned, minority-owned businesses
» Step-by-step instructions and examples on how to apply to the funds and loans
» SBA and SBIR loans
» Who can use the stimulus money from the government
» State and local incentives for locating companies in low-and-mid income areas

Speakers:
» Jill Fishbein (Partner, Carr & Ferrell)
» Cynthia Ringo (Managing Partner, DBL Investors)

Schedule:
» 6:30pm » Networking
» 7:00pm » Presentation by Jill Fishbein and Cynthia Ringo
» 8:30pm » Open discussion and Q&A

More info:
http://www.women2.org/demystifying-government/

Register here:
http://w2governmentfunding.eventbrite.com/

Friday, September 11, 2009 – TwestivalSF!

Twestival SF was one of my favorite events last year! The Twitter founders @ev and @biz even showed up! Don’t miss it!

It’s all happening Friday, September 11, 8pm at Horizon SF

On September 11, 2009, Twestival goes “Local”! Participants will gather in over 180 cities all over the world, joining forces to raise money for a charity of their choice.
San Francisco has chosen Operation Smile, who some of you may know as 140Smiles. Real people, real time, real power to make a difference.

Operation Smile is a private not-for-profit medical services organization providing reconstructive surgery and related health care to indigent children and young adults in developing countries. Medical volunteers travel on medical missions to repair of cleft lips, palates and facial reconstructive surgery in 34 countries around the world. Operation Smile has treated over 150,000 children and young adults.
The San Francisco Twestival event will take place September 11 starting at 8pm. Proceeds are to benefit 140Smiles.

Location
Horizon Restaurant & Lounge
489 Broadway Street at Kearny
North Beach, San Francisco

for more info: http://www.twestivalsf.com/

To purchase your tickets, please visit http://www.amiando.com/twestivalsf09

Sunday, September 13, 2009, Media Leaders Pre-TechCrunch50 Mixer!

Harlot
46 Minna St
San Francisco, CA 94105

from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Pre-TechCrunch50 Party!

Join us as we forget about the state of the economy and mingle with San Fran’s hippest professionals in marketing, advertising, tech and new media.

Please join us at one of San Francisco’s HOTTEST venues: Harlot. We will have a hip and diverse group of technology, marketing, public relations, and interactive new media professionals.

We are hosting this mixer the night before the TechCrunch50.com event and are only a few blocks from the main conference. Please join us for a cocktail and some great conversation.

Register here: http://sanfran2.eventbrite.com/

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 – SF New Tech

5:30-10 PM

Mighty
119 Utah Street
(Cross street is 15th. Look for the big black doors!)
San Francisco, CA 94103

Featuring demos by: MyJobReferrals.com, 8kMiles, Waze, Collecta, Outspokes, JS-Kit’s Echo, and more!

Tickets:
$15.00 for early bird online tickets
$20.00 for all other (late bird) online tickets
$25.00 cash at the door, if not sold out

Mighty is a 21+ venue.

Schedule:
5:30 pm – Doors & Bar Open
5:30 -7:30 pm – Schmooze and Free Tacos!
7:30 – 9:00 pm – Live Demos
9:00 – 11:00 pm – Schmooze

for more info or to purchase tickets: http://sept16sfnewtech.eventbrite.com/event/415515819

Thursday, September 17, 2009 – TechKaroake SV- BBC Menlo Park!

6:30-11 PM

BBC (British Banker’s Club)
1090 El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 327-8769

Alright everyone. It’s long overdue already, and we have a new venue! Bring your karaoke voices and meet us at the BBC on Sept 17th, 630pm to get your drink and sing on!

Thanks to our sponsor- COOKIES BY DESIGN!

Cookies by Design Santa Clara is happy to be your gift giving resource for freshly-baked, artistically hand-decorated, personally hand-delivered (in most areas), creative cookie gifts that taste as good as they look. The shoppe is located at 5253 Stevens Creek Blvd. Santa Clara, Ca. 95051 or you can find us online, cookiesbydesign-sc.com for the local website, cookiesbydesign.com for the national website or find us on Facebook at
facebook.com/CookiesbyDesignSantaClara

RSVP here:
http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/event.php?eid=155292840179

August 29 – September 20, 2009 – Free Shakespeare in the Park!

Bring your family, friends, a blanket, and a picnic and enjoy
FREE professional theater in the park!

I go to this everyyy year! LOVEEE IT!

See Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors”

Weekends only plus Labor Day, August 29 – September 20th

San Francisco’s Presidio
(Main Post Parade Ground Lawn, Graham Street between Lincoln Blvd and Moraga Avenue)

for more info: http://sfshakes.org

Thursday, September 24, 2009 – SF Weekly’s DISH 2009 presented by Parkmerced

What a deal this is for $20 with the proceeds even going to benefit charity…win win I say!

Date/Time: Thu., September 24, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Contact Info: | Event Website
SF Weekly’s DISH 2009 presented by Parkmerced Parkmerced presents the 2nd Annual DISH event
An Evening of Food and Wine

September 24, 2009
at the City View at the METREON
6:30pm-9:30pm
$20 per ticket.
Proceeds Benefit One World Children’s Fund

Sample food from 30 restaurants including Out The Door, XYZ, Fish and Farm plus 10 unique wineries offering sampling as well.

Sponsored by: Parkmerced, LangeTwins Winery and Vineyards, Pama, TYKU, MillerCoors, Sobieski Vodka, Westfield San Francisco Centre, Snag Tickets, and LikeMe.net.

for more info and to purchase tickets:
http://www.sfweekly.com/events/promo/1642716

Friday, September 25, 2009 – DineForChange’s Launch Event

6-10 PM

Temple
540 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA

Join us on Friday, September 25 at Temple for DineForChange’s kick off event between 6-10PM. This is a great opportunity for you to meet many local professional organizations and non profits to see how you can get involved.

Live performance by Fat Magic from 6-7PM.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjP6bIEvFxw

Come network and learn how you can get involved with DineForChange and make a difference in your community just by eating and having fun!

We are expecting a full house for the evening. Please RSVP with us ASAP to ensure entry.

If you are a non profit or profesional organization, please contact via e-mail at info@dineforchange.com for further details on how your organization can be featured.

for more info: http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/event.php?eid=124313354849

Saturday, September 27, 2009 – Now and Zen Fest

Alice Radio – 97.3 host’s Now and Zen Fest a free concert in Golden Gate Park featuring Howie Day, Colbie Caillat and TRAIN!!!

Noon – 5PM in Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park

for more info: http://www.radioalice.com/pages/4983440.php

Now thur March 28, 2010, Tutankhamun at the De Young Museum!

Don’t miss this!

de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
415.750.3600
www.deyoungmuseum.org
Exhibition Hours

Through September 30, 2009:
Monday through Sunday, 9 am to 9 pm (closed for maintenance August 3 and 31)
Oct 1, 2009 through March 28, 2010:
Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am to 6:30 pm; until 8:45 pm on Fridays.

for more info: http://www.tutsanfrancisco.org/

Sunday, October 4, 2009 – Cupcake Camp

2:00-5PM

Automattic
Pier 38 (next to AT&T Ballpark, Embarcadero&Brannan)
San Francisco, CA

Sponsors: Automattic, Cakespy, Cupcake Swirl, Cups and Cakes Bakery, Iron Cupcake Earth, Jasmine Rae Bakery, Mexican Vanilla, Sugar Beat Sweets

Last year, we threw the first ever CupcakeCamp and it was a delicious success, so much so that it became a worldwide phenomenon. It is with much excitement that we announce San Francisco’s CupcakeCamp for 2009!

Event tagging: #ccsf

If you’re baking or buying cupcakes for the event, you must register your cupcakes at http://cupcakecamp.org/register

How CupcakeCamp Works

(this mainly applies to people bringing cupcakes, but please feel free to just show up and enjoy eating them too!)

This is an event for cupcake lovers, so you can:
- buy cupcakes to bring
- bake cupcakes to bring
- just eat cupcakes

1. No limit on how many cupcakes you can bring (the more you can bring, the better) – and mini cupcakes are encouraged!

2. You need to have your cupcakes (how much and what type) registered at http://cupcakecamp.org/register by Sunday, September 27 at Noon -otherwise we will have to do the unthinkable and reject your precious cupcakes (o noes!).

3. People bringing cupcakes should plan on bringing them to Automattic by 1:00pm the day of

4. In true BarCamp style, we will have twelve 15 min. timeslot schedules for tasting different types of cupcakes. The schedule will be posted at the event.

5. Add yourself to the CupcakeCamp Baker Directory! Request access to the CupcakeCamp PBwiki ( http://cupcakecamp.pbwiki.com ) to connect with other cupcake lovers.

6. We will have a Best In Show competition! Categories for best in show: Best Halloween Cupcake, Best Decorated, Best Unique Ingredients, and Best Breakfast-inspired. You can opt-in for a category when you arrive with your cupcakes at 1pm.

Feel free to let us know you want to attend at: http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/4408775

Also see the facebook event page for more info:
http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=129018542242&ref=ts

Now thru April 18, 2010 – The Legion of Honor Museum presents: Cartier and America

Cartier came to fame as the “King of Jewelers” during the Belle Époque for his beautifully made diamond and platinum jewelry created for the courts of Europe and Americans of the Gilded Age. With an extensive variety of jewelry forms—ranging from traditional white diamond suites to the highly colored exotic creations of the 1920s and 1930s—Cartier made its mark with the ingenuity of its designs and its exquisite craftsmanship. Cartier and America celebrates the imagination and creativity of Cartier in the 20th century. The jewelry and works of art include pieces from the private collection of Cartier.

for more info: http://www.famsf.org/legion/exhibitions/exhibition.asp?exhibitionkey=1051

My Uncle Earl taught me how to make french toast.  Uncle Earl was my Dad’s brother.  He lived with us for awhile when he was ill.  His daughter, Gail, was my favorite cousin. Warning – not low calorie, not low cholesterol, not low fat. This is perfect for breakfast or brunch. I’ve never had french toast this good – To. Die. For. This is his recipe:

2 eggs

1-2 tbsp. of milk

butter

powdered sugar

maple syrup

Break two eggs into a bowl and mix – like you are going to scramble them.  Then add approximately one to two tablespoons of milk, you can also use water, this thins the eggs so that they absorb easily into the bread.  I use a shallow flat bottomed bowl to mix the egg mixture in, then I add the bread one piece at a time, and let it soak up the egg.  This is perfect for day old or slightly dried out bread.  When the bread is soaked through, spray your skillet with Pam, turn on med low to low, and add butter to melt and coat the bottom of the pan.  Add bread and cook slowly so that it puffs up and cooks through.  The bread will almost taste like cooked custard on the inside when done.  Caution: shouldn’t be runny, if you cook it too fast it will not cook through in the inside.  Remove from pan when puffy and golden brown on both sides.

Immediately butter with approx two teaspoons of butter.  Rub butter around bread until completely melted.  Then cover top of bread generously with powdered sugar.  Make a trough down the middle of the bread and add about a teaspoon of maple syrup.  Then mix it all together to make a thick frosting.  Then EAT!  Yumm!  Best french toast EVER!

For more of my french toast pics, please see my flickr photostream at:

http://flickr.com/photos/lauralovesart/sets/72157607412011370/

     Last night I went to Angela Chamberlin’s 1920′s themed birthday party!  Angela wanted to have the 1920′s theme to celebrate the last year of her 20′s.  It was such a fun idea!  Many people dressed up!

      I bought two dresses from ebay, one for my daughter, Alexandra, who had to work and couldn’t come, and one for me.  Mine was a beige chiffon drop waisted dress with a lace V down the front.  Not the most flattering dress on me, kind of matronly, but oh well, I’m trying to be on theme!  I had some long pearls that i knotted.  I fingerwaved my hair with a curling iron and then pinned it into a faux bob from instructions on youtube.com.  Alexandra, my makeup artist daughter, told me to wear dark burgundy lipstick, so I did! 

     Angela looked incredible!  She was a star!  Her dress was a black 1920′s style with silver beading.  Her short bob and dark lipstick completed her look to perfection!

     Angela had her apartment sparkling, and even a cute little table and chair set on her balcony with candles.  She has these really cool light quilts on her wall in her living room and bedroom and decals, both from Ikea.

     The food consisted of croissant sandwiches, sushi, a beautiful fruit plate, a vegetable dip plate and of course the incredible birthday cake which had crushed pistachio’s around the side! 

     To drink you had your choice of absinthe, (but of course since Angela’s blog is http://absintheangel.wordpress.com and her twitter name is @absintheangel).  We also had champagne, beer, capri sun, and ice water.  Angela had created a drink as well, absinthe and champagne!  She called it the Hemmingway!    I started with a Hemmingway, whoa was it strong!  Then I switched to a glass of champagne and that was it, I did have to drive myself home after all!

     I had a great time seeing my friends Holly, Alix and Sharon.  It was also nice seeing Jesse’s parents and Angela’s cousin Will.  Then there were ton’s of Angela’s friends from U.C. Berkeley!  It was a great group and everyone had a wonderful time, including all the kids playing in Elijah’s room! 

     It was an awesome night, and a great way to celebrate turning 29!  Happy Birthday Angela!

More pics on my Flickr Photostream here.