Fun Times from Uncle Sugar

Fifteen fabulous ways to stimulate the local economy.

Comments (0) By Karen Macklin Wednesday, Jun 24 2009

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Eat grass-fed beef on the grass
Love a guilt-free hot dog at the park? From 11 a.m. until dusk every weekend, the Let's Be Frank counter at the Warming Hut at Crissy Field serves up yummy tubesteaks: 100 percent grass-fed beef franks and family-farmed pork bratwurst (regular and spicy), each costing only $5.50 including tax. The $2.50 sodas all use cane sugar. Fill up, lounge out, and then go fly a kite. Visit www.letsbefrankdogs.com.

Tequila, tacos, and trivia
Feel you're smarter after a few drinks? Check out Trivia Tuesdays from 8:30 to 11 p.m. at the Boardroom (1609 Powell at Green). Quizmaster Caitlin emcees the full-out trivia contest, where teams compete to answer questions in categories like current events, movies, and music. Prizes include a $30 bar credit and a bottle of Champagne. There's no cover, and the menu features $2 tacos, $2 Olympias, $3 shot specials, $5 top shelf tequila, and $3 Tater Tots. Call 982-8898 or check out the Boardroom's page on Facebook.

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Learn to fly
For some out-of-the-ordinary yoga fun, check out Jeremy Simon's Wednesday donation-based AcroYoga class at 6 p.m. at the Sun Room at Mission Yoga (2390 Mission at 20th St.). After a short practice designed to open the body, you'll learn basic acrobatic yoga moves, like flying (which is kind of like playing Superman). You don't need a partner, just a willingness to play with (and trust) the other students. It's insanely fun. Recommended minimum donation is $10. Call 963-3569 or visit www.sunroomsf.com.

Make a date with Dharma
Meditation, mountains, and making new potentially romantic connections: It all happens at Spirit Rock in Woodacre, West Marin (5000 Sir Francis Drake at Railroad). One Friday night each month (typically the last), this beautiful Vipassana meditation center just across the Golden Gate Bridge hosts Singles Sangha for a requested donation of $15. There's even a ride board on the Web site if you want to carpool. Call 488-0164 or visit www.spiritrock.org.

Be a hair model
It's hard to get a regular haircut when most salons charge upward of $60, but if you're willing to be a guinea pig for a stylist-in-training, you can get your locks trimmed at one of the city's most upscale salons for only $15. Drop by diPietro Todd (177 Post at Grant, second floor) on any Monday from 8:30 to 9 a.m. or 1 to 1:30 p.m., and a student will check out your hair, then call you later to schedule an appointment. Call 693-5549 or visit www.dipietrotodd.com.

Go kayaking
When the weather is decent, there's nothing quite like getting out on the water. For $14 per hour, you can take a kayak out on the bay and paddle under the bridge. Head down to the City Kayak stand outside South Beach Harbor (Embarcadero and Townsend) to sign up. Just beware of the wind — if you let it take you too far out, you'll spend a lot more than an hour getting back. Call 357-1010 or visit www.citykayak.com.

Read more articles from Summer Guide:

Cheap Musical Thrills: Give your ears — and your wallet — a summer treat.

Reading Highway 1: A literary road trip up the Mendonoma coast.

Hotels, events and books for your trip north on the Highway 1/Shoreline Highway

A Pint-sized Pub Crawl: Tour the city's breweries and brewpubs this summer.