by Sarah Allen

Changing Lives. Stepping Stone hosts its 46th Anniversary Gala, May 3, to benefit its services for working women recovering from alcoholism. 6 PM. Tickets $65. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin St., SF. 415-751-5921. the-stepping-stone.org.

New Space for a Special Place. The Junior League of Napa-Sonoma is celebrating the renovation of the YWCA of Sonoma County’s A Special Place, a preschool and developmental center for women and children, with a ribbon cutting ceremony, May 8. 707-545-5567. jlns.org.

Ceramic Collection.  Within Two Hands: The Eye of the Collector is on display at the SF Museum of Craft+Design, May 9 through June 29, and features over 70 ceramic objects by various artists. 550 Sutter St., SF. 415-773-0303. sfmcd.org.

Step It Up.  The Northern California Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation hosts two Take Steps walking events to benefit research for these diseases, on May 10 and June 7 at 5 PM. De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino (May 10). Justin Herman Plaza, Market/Embarcadero, SF (June 7). 415-356-2232. cctakesteps.org.

Smile for the Camera. Windows Portraits of Mom Studio is celebrating Mother’s Day by offering free photo sessions for the entire family, including complimentary makeovers, snacks and games, through May 11, 11AM-6 PM. 1878 Union St., SF. portraitsofmom.com.

Lucky Number Seven. Seven Tepees, a youth program that provides mentoring services to inner city youth and works with them for a period of seven years, hosts its annual dinner, May 15 at Seven Tepees Center, 3177, 17th St., SF. 415-522-1551. 7tepees.org.

97 Years Young. The 97th anniversary of SF’s traditional run/walk race, the ING Bay to Breakers, kicks off with a free Expo, May 16-May 17 at Justin Herman Plaza, across from the Ferry Building, SF. On May 18, at 8 AM, the footrace begins at the corner of Howard and Main St. and finishes at the Great Highway at Ocean Beach, followed by the ING Footstock Festival at the Golden Gate Park Polo Fields.  415-359-2800. ingbaytobreakers.com.

Art Imitating Land. Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) presents its annual Ranches and Rolling Hills landscape art show and sale, featuring over 250 paintings, prints, and photographs of Marin’s landscapes by 39 artists, May 17-18, at Druid’s Hall, Village Square, Nicasio. 2 PM (May 17). 10 AM (May 18). 415-663-1158. malt.org.

Aerial Photography. San Francisco International Airport’s Commission Aviation Library  and  Louis  A. Turpen Aviation Museum hosts an exhibition, Aerial Aesthetics, by photographer Herb Lingl, through September 12. The exhibition features over 20 works, including photos of manmade landmarks and Bay Area landscapes photographed from above. flysfo.com.

Art in Napa Valley.  The Inaugural Napa Valley Art Festival takes place May 31 and features over 300 original paintings on exhibit and for sale. Proceeds benefit The Land Trust of  Napa County. 10 AM. Copia, the American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts, 500 First Street, Napa. Free. 707-256-3828. NapaValleyArtFestival.com.

 Charity Concert. Crosby Stills and Nash and WHY (World Hunger Year) kick off a concert tour, May 31, at the Wells Fargo Theater for the Arts in Santa Rosa to benefit Catholic Charities. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food to be given to food bank representatives. whyhunger.org.

Israeli Festivities.  The SF Jewish Community Federation and the Israel Center present Israel in the Gardens, their annual festival, June 1, featuring food, live music, a mini Israeli film festival and activities for families. Yerba Buena Gardens, 760 Howard St., SF. Free. 415-512-6274. israelinthegardens.org.