International Rubik's Cube Competition

If you're of a certain age, you might remember the original Rubik's Cube craze back in the 1980s, when Erno Rubik's fascinating, frustrating little mathematical toy swept the nation. Well, dust off your unsolved Rubik's Cube and give it to your kids, because 30 years later, at the 2009 International Rubik's Cube Competition at the Exploratorium, competitors are solving it with their eyes closed and with one hand tied behind their backs.

Read more on the SF Chronicle website.

Chinese New Year Spectacular in S.F., Cupertino

"If ancient Chinese goddesses were modernized to the 21st century, one imagines that they would look a lot like Vina Lee, the tall, fine-featured, elegant choreographer and dancer whose artistry graces the Chinese Classical Divine Performing Arts Company in the troupe's forthcoming performances of the Chinese New Year Spectacular at the War Memorial Opera House and the Flint Center in Cupertino.

Delicately sipping tea one afternoon in the cafe at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum, the soft-spoken yet forthright Lee speaks animatedly about growing up in China and the love for her country's cultural history that colors her view of Chinese dance."

Read more on the SF Chronicle website.

Leroy the river otter: Wet and wild

Leroy the river otter: Wet and wild:

The Coyote Point Recreation Area is a fabulous spot for hikes, beach strolls or just watching low-flying 747s sweep into nearby San Francisco airport. It's also the home to the Coyote Point Museum, a small gem of a wildlife center.

On Sunday, the museum starts a program of free admission on the first Sunday of each month. While there are many wildlife residents of the museum's outdoor habitats, the star attraction has to be Leroy, the 20-year-old North American river otter and oldest living male river otter in captivity.

Like many folks of a certain age, Leroy has lost a few teeth, but that doesn't stop him from happily gumming down whole fish as he slithers in the water to the delight of onlookers at his daily feedings.

Read more at the SF Chronicle website.