Over the years in Hampden, I've seen a lot of crimes against nature. Some leave me dumbfounded and some I just shrug off, but they pretty much all result in a lingering puzzlement. And these instances also have led me to a conclusion -- a lot of people have an irrational hatred of trees.

I've seen the inebriated attack trees in Hampden. I've seen kids tear branches from young samplings to, I assume, show off to friends their strength and skill at dismantling organic, inanimate objects.

I've seen groups of people walk down a street, and one will causally rip off a branch from a tree, swing it about for less than a block and then just drop it on the sidewalk.

I've seen gouges, hack marks and deep, scarring cuts in the trunks of many neighborhood trees.

I've seen tree grooming attempts that seem like they've come out of horror movies (once I saw someone just cut the top third off a young tree, which resulted in a permanent mutant look ever after).

But the most recent attack I've seen by some neighborhood knucklehead has left me astounded.

In the 3500 block of Hickory, there was a recently planted tree. In fact, it was so young, it still had the support posts and connecting wire attached to help the li'l guy get going.

But someone with a saw came along and cut the tree off at its base, leaving the dead tree to spin about like a sort of pinwheel.

Now, I don't know why so many people hate the trees in Hampden. Maybe they resent raking leaves. Maybe they don't like shade. Perhaps they think the air in the neighborhood is plenty clean enough that we don't need any of the extra purifying that trees can provide.

Or maybe they're just plain scared of trees. I don't really know. I don't really get it. But I don't have to. I'm just asking that if you must abuse trees, could you do it to the ones in your own yard? And if you don't have any, take the time to plant one to torture.

On Friday, Aug. 1, at 10 p.m., at the Golden West Cafe, 1105 W. 36th St., Television Hill and Hiss Golden Messenger will play. And on Aug. 5, Jenny Graf, Sharon Van Etten and Festival will play their musical version of old-timey fireworks.

On Aug. 6 at El Rancho Grande, 3608 Falls Road, The Seed and The Sprawl will be playing.

And on Aug. 1, at the newly relocated Atomic Books, 3620 Falls Road, there will be a release party for local comic illustrator Eamon Espey's new book, "Wormdye" and Brooklyn comic artist Leah Hayes' "Funeral Of The Heart." Both authors will be on hand to sign copies of their books, and live music will be performed by Greg Rago, Amy Cavanaugh and Leah Hayes.

Aug. 1 is also First Fridays on the Avenue, with many merchants hosting small parties, performances and events.

And once again, Saturday morning, Aug. 9 is Art in the Park.

Finally, The Mill Valley Cultural Arts Umbrella has partnered with Adornment Craft Center and Gallery, 3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 130, to host the Mill Valley group's first annual members' show, called "Under Our Umbrella." The show runs through Aug. 14.

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