At Stanford University - Palo Alto, California

There's no denying the structural beauty of the Stanford University campus. When the magic-hour sun soaks the sandstone in amber -- and the lights come up on the Rodin Sculpture Garden -- and horses trot around the arena at Red Barn -- the atmosphere is almost southern bucolic.

It's all free, including admission to the Cantor Arts Center. The Center and its outdoor Rodin Sculpture Garden are just off Museum Way as you approach the Oval on Palm Drive. The collection at the museum covers a wide swath, from Mediterranean antiquities to modern installations in the contemporary galleries. The Center is also home to the largest collection of Rodin bronzes outside of Paris.

You can read an overview of Cantor Arts Center here. And check out this Visitors' Guide to Stanford for some additional attractions while you're in the campus area.

For a stroll that takes you along San Francisco Bay, visit the Palo Alto Baylands, a nature preserve with a network of trails around wildlife ponds and wetlands areas. The park is about a three-mile drive, east of Stanford University.

Note: On Wednesday, July 23, a fire was burning at the Palo Alto landfill and composting facility near the Baylands park. It may be several days before the blaze is contained and smoke in the area dissipates.

The 28th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is underway tomorrow, with seven days of screenings in San Francisco (July 24 to 31), followed by festival showings in Berkeley (August 2 to August 11). Films also screen in Palo Alto and San Rafael.

The Festival has a history of showing films across a spectrum of topics not always given broad cultural attention. Experimental works, controversial subjects, humor . . . films addressing Sephardic life, the culture of Mizrahi Jews, gays and lesbians, have all been represented as part of the diverse discussion.

This year's festival presents a special focus on Italian Jews during fascism. The program marks the 70th anniversary of Italy’s 1938 racial laws -- the oppressive statutes imposed by Mussolini which barred Jews from professional jobs, from attending university, from having their names listed in the phone book.

There will also be six selections from the documentary filmmaking team of brothers Barak and Tomer Heymann, as well as samples of the best of Israeli television -- all part of a full schedule of films, events, pre-parties and discussion panels.

• Festival Films - A to Z
• San Francisco Opening Night (July 24)
• Film Clips & Trailers
• Film Festival Tickets

^{Film Pictured: Georgia My Love
Photo Courtesy of San Francisco Jewish Film Festival}

I love August. It marks the end of summer, and the beginning of my favorite season and color spectrum -- autumn in the Bay Area.

From the free performances at Stern Grove and Yerba Buena Gardens, to the San Francisco tradition of Midnight Mass (with Peaches, of course), August events tie up the summer and launch us into the next phase of weather and festivities.

Here's the rundown on August Festivals and annual events . . . a little more than a week away.

The biggest farmers markets in San Francisco happen on Saturday and Sunday. But weekday markets have their own specialities and clientele -- including local chefs who know exactly when and where to pick their produce on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

When you buy locally you:

1. Support small farmers who are in a constant struggle to sustain in an era of large agribusiness
2. Help the environment when your food travels shorter distances, using fewer resources
3. Promote humane treatment toward animals, since many vendors engage in humane farming practices
4. Enjoy fresher, tastier produce, straight from the farm

^{Source: CUESA's Ten Good Reasons to Shop at the Farmers Market}

If you don't frequent a local market, find one nearby on this list of San Francisco Farmers Markets -- arranged by day of week.

^{Photo © Ingrid Taylar}