7 Metric, Feb. 23, Masonic: This Toronto troupe wowed fans during the 24th annual Noise Pop festival, running through a memorable set of sleek synth-pop/indie-rock offerings from its six-album catalog. Emily Haines, who is also known for her work with Broken Social Scene, is a magnetic lead vocalist who just keeps getting better onstage. 8 Temple of the Dog, Nov. 11, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco: Local fans had waited 25 years to see this grunge-rock all-star act, which released its sole, eponymous debut in 1991, but had never really toured until this year. The result proved worth the wait, especially when Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell and his Pearl Jam pals rolled through an epic cover of Black Sabbath’s mighty “War Pigs.” That was heavy, man.

Patterson does a remarkable job creating the Cassie character, particularly in her showstopping second act number “The Music and the Mirror,” where she displays her passion for dance through the sterling choreography she performs, Before that, Bratton-Kearns’ Val has a showstopper of her own in “Dance: 10; Looks: 3,” her comic, but not necessarily far from accurate, commentary on how some surgical augmentation gave her, um, a leg up on the chorus competition, puppyfun - handmade ballet tutu for dogs white with daisies and a lady bug And others in the cast talk about a variety of problems, from abuse to adjustment to various out-of-the-ordinary lifestyles that led them to the theater..

The city ultimately investigated more than 70 complaints of illegal housing at storefronts, churches or warehouses and more than 140 complaints for homes and apartments with garages, basements or other structures illegally converted to housing. Some of the complaints specifically cited the Ghost Ship warehouse; others simply expressed fears the spaces were dangerous. Many were unfounded. Five weeks after the fire, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf issued an executive order, directing city employees to work cooperatively with landlords to bring the buildings up to code while t preserving the spaces as affordable. But the mayor’s message apparently didn’t filter down to all the troops. Inspectors delivered notices from the city telling them to restore their buildings to their original uses and “discontinue residential occupancy.”.

Friends Book Sale: The Friends of the West Valley Library host a sale, May 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; May 3, 1-3 p.m, 1243 San Tomas Aquino Road, San Jose, 408-244-4766, The Book-Go-Round: The Friends of the Saratoga Libraries are looking for volunteers for their used bookstore, the Book-Go-Round, in downtown Saratoga, Easy work with a scheduled monthly commitment of 2½-3½ hours, Adults only, For more information, call Bobbi Stek, store manager, 408-868-0376, Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch: puppyfun - handmade ballet tutu for dogs white with daisies and a lady bug Montalvo Service Group hosts its annual brunch, catered by Pat Smith’s Extravaganza Catering, May 10; seatings at 11 a.m., 11:45 a.m, and 12:30 p.m, Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga, $70 adults/$35 children, ages 3-10 years, Reservations are required by May 1 to montalvoarts.org or 408-961-5858..

The legislation, if signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, commits $165 million a year for five years to thin forests and $35 million a year for five years to fund prescribed burning projects. The majority of the forests now burning in the fast-moving Delta Fire haven’t seen fire since the early 1900s, when records were first kept, according to Knapp. A similar fate could await other woodlands. We’re far behind in forest management, according to John Laird, California’s secretary for Natural Resources. About 500,000 acres of forest each year need to be treated in California; last year, we treated only half that.