San Francisco
NBA Cross Over: February 14-16. This multi-day event starting Friday offers basketball fans an opportunity to interact with professional players and legends. Young and old will get a taste of basketball culture, experience hands-on activities, and enjoy food and music. Tickets for one day are $25 for kids and $50 per adult. See website for full details. Location: Moscone Center, 747 Howard Street; www.nbaevents.com.
NBA All Star Events at Pier 70: February 14-16. Simultaneous events are planned at the Pier 70 industrial event space for this all-things-basketball weekend. With wine sponsored by Kendall Jackson Wines, a pop-up KJ bar is open to the public all weekend. Friday brings a Nike 2K video gaming tournament and Rising Stars Game Watch Party. Saturday features a fireside chat with basketball greats, a slam dunk contest watch party, and KJ wine and bites. Sunday delivers on a 5 p.m. KJ All Star watch party and wine tasting. Location: Pier 70, www.nbaevents.com.
Chinese New Year Parade Viewing Party: Saturday, February 15, 4 p.m. Enjoy the best seat in the house when you see the famous Chinese New Year Parade. Your ticket for $35.80 gets you an above-the-parade perspective on the Portsmouth Square Bridge. Enjoy bites and cultural activities. Sponsored by KQED and the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco. Purchase tickets on-line. Location: 750 Kearny Street, www.kqed.org/event/4943.
Lake Tahoe
Sugar Bowl Resort Snow Events: March and April. Bluebird days are coming to Lake Tahoe. The popular resort offers several family-friendly events this season March 1 sees the Banked Slalom, a snaking course open to skiers and snowboards of all ages. Then on March 14 and 16, Gold Rush Fest is a festival celebrating winter with its famous 10 kilometer race. April 12 is not to be missed with its Paradise Pond Skim. This end-of-season party sees folks in costumes skimming its resort pond. Live music and food will be on hand. Kids on spring break on March 31 to April 4 and on April 7 to 11, can find week-long ski and snowboard camps at Sugar Bowl. Location: 629 Sugar Bowl Road, Norden; 530.426.9000; www.sugarbowl.com.
Palo Alto
Stanford Live presents Poetry Live! Thursday, March 6, 7 p.m. Featuring the words of Jamila Woods (pictured above) and also Sudanese poet Safia Elhillo, the evening is sure to bring literary excitement to audiences young and old. Both poets are award-winning authors who have travelled internationally and have been widely praised for their depth of thought and expression. Tickets: $20 and $30. Location: Stanford University, Bing Auditiorium, 327 Lasuen Street, Stanford; 650.724.2464; www.live.stanford.edu.