As of this week, there's a compelling new sculpture outside The Academy of Sciences. "The Listening Cone" by Maya Lin is an oversized bronze funnel lined with reclaimed redwood and outfitted with a screen for back-projected video at its base. Sounds of creatures radiate from the cone and are accompanied by video images. The video runs on a 20-minute cycle because some wildlife form is thought to become extinct on average every 20 minutes.

Pauline's Pizza, one of San Francisco's most popular gourmet pizza spots among locals, has recently opened an intimate wine bar next door. The venue features seasonal small plates, miniature pizzas, and a host of terrific wines, some of which are produced in house. It's the perfect spot to unwind after a day of touring the city.

Consistently awarded for serving "San Francisco's Best Happy Hour" by San Francisco Magazine, The Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel has long been beloved for its campy tropical setting featuring waterfalls and a floating tiki boat. Be sure to try the Mai Tai, voted the City's best by Conde Nast Traveller. The Happy Hour includes an extensive buffet of Pacific Rim delicacies like spare ribs, vegetable chow mein, pork buns, pot stickers, fresh fruits and crudites. The all-you-can-eat buffet is a great deal at only $8 per person with a one-drink minimum.

Three new "Climate Passport" kiosks have opened at SFO. Using the kiosks or the website, travelers can easily calculate the carbon footprint of their flights to determine the amount of carbon offsets needed to address the greenhouse gas impact. When the amount is set, a local carbon and renewable energy marketing firm sources carbon offsets from the San Francisco Carbon Fund and The Conservation Fund's Garcia River Forest Project, a conservation-based forest management program located in Mendocino County, to ensure that an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases has been reduced.

These rare "insider" tours offer an exclusive look at the creative journey of Wicked. Hosted by cast members of the show, the tours take place every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the Orpheum Theatre. The 90-minute experience gives audience members a unique opportunity to see what makes a spectacular musical come alive, from design and production to performance and marketing. In addition to the ongoing Saturday tours, there will be special tours on Wednesday at 10 a.m. during the holiday season on Nov. 25, Dec. 9 and Dec. 23. Tickets are $30 (does not include admission to show) and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.

You know the holiday season is here when the city's ice rinks open. Starting November 11 (through January 3, 2010) you can enter your own winter wonderland and skate at the Holiday Ice Rink at the Embarcadero and the Union Square Ice Rink downtown. Now, where's that hot cocoa cart when you need it?

Cirque du Soleil's latest production, OVO, will make its U.S. premiere in San Francisco Nov. 27, 2009, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. OVO, which means "egg" in Portuguese, utilizes the symbol of the life cycle and adapts it to a colony of insects who are awestruck when a mysterious egg appears in their midst. A cast of 54 performing artists from 13 countries will make the teeming world of these quirky critters come alive. A stunning trapeze act employing the skills of six flyers is the biggest of its kind ever presented under Cirque du Soleil's distinctive blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top).

The San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, American Express and Westfield San Francisco Centre are bringing cheer to the holiday season with special offers for visitors to San Francisco through a "Stay & Shop SF" promotion October 1, 2009 to Jan. 31, 2010. Visitors who book a two-night minimum stay at one of 15 participating hotels on the Only in San Francisco website with an American Express card will receive a $50 Westfield American Express gift card (limit one gift card per stay), free parking and free breakfast.

Not all hamburgers are created equal. At the new Burger Bar in Union Square, a Kobe beef burger comes crowned with a slab of sautéed foie gras and shaved truffles. The buffalo burger dons a mini spinach salad. It's all part of internationally acclaimed chef Hubert Keller's deluxe burger bar concept, which originated in Las Vegas and just opened in Macy's Cellar. If beef isn't your thing, go for the turkey burger with cranberry sauce on Ciabatta or the Vegas vegan option. Wash it all down with a glass of wine, beer, or customized milkshake.

San Francisco's second annual cornucopia of culinary delights, The Fabulous Food Festival will take place November 7-8, 2009. More than 150 exhibitors will offer free samples and products for purchase. More than 20 different food categories will be featured - everything from chocolate to cheese and sauces to soup. Highlighted over the entire weekend will be a full schedule of cooking demos and lectures by well-known Bay Area chefs, authors and food experts.