Randy's Guide LIII

Happy Sukkot (starting today), 20th to Hilary Duff (Friday), Botswanan Independence Day (Sunday), and World Vegetarian Day (Monday)! Welcome to all new readers. A year ago, only 22 people directly received this -- now that number is more than 130! Please forward on to friends, family, and colleagues... and update me about any e-mail changes.


Special Events Alert #1:
A live simulcast of Camille Saint-Saens' "Samson and Delilah" (featuring Russian star Olga Borodina) will be broadcast on AT&T Park's Jumbotron screen this Friday evening at 8pm. You can register for free advanced tickets online at www.sfopera.com; ticket-holders can enter the stadium field or seats beginning at 6:30pm, while non-ticketholders must wait until 7pm.


Special Events Alert #2:
Hillary Clinton, the junior Senator from New York running for President, will host a Block Party in Oakland's City Center Plaza this Sunday afternoon. Free tickets are available at www.hillaryclinton.com/events/ticketed/20070930Oakland/?sc=e469&utm_source=e469&utm_medium=e.


Local News Story of the Week:
As of today, more than 2,500 online signatures at www.petitiononline.com/norummy/petition.html from Stanford students, faculty, and alumni protest the decision by the Hoover Institution to appoint former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as a visiting fellow. http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2007/9/18/donaldRumsfeldComingToStanford


~ CHANGE FOR CHANGE ~
Charity to consider: Bay Area Community Services. For over 50 years, BACS has served both adults with severe mental illness as well as seniors throughout Alameda County. http://www.bayareacs.org

Previous organizations Randy's Guide has spotlighted and donated: Common Ground Relief, LYRIC, Aldea Inc., Glide Memorial, City CarShare, Maitri, Loaves and Fishes, Friends of the Urban Forest, and Farm Sanctuary.

Donate through the non-profit's Web site or your corporate donation program.


Weekend Weather:
fall-like weather w/ partly-cloudy skies
High 65, Low 50: Bolinas, SF, Richmond, Berkeley
High 68, Low 47: Petaluma, Oakland
High 72, Low 49: Walnut Creek, San Jose

High 70, Low 40: Albany (Friday rain, Sat-Sun clear)
High 87, Low 67: Dallas (humid)
High 79, Low 69: Honolulu (rain)
High 71, Low 55: Minneapolis (chance of t-storms)
High 58, Low 46: Portland, OR (rain likely)High 70, Low 60: San Diego (mostly sunny)


Environmental Tip of the Week:
For those looking to remodel their homes, consider an eco-friendly home contractor. Green building practices are the foundation for the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which lists accredited professionals at www.usgbc.org.

Previous: As we approach this holiday season, look for toys with unfinished solid wood or those finished with linseed oil, tung oil, or beeswax. You can also buy lead testing kits at http://www.leadcheck.com.


Video of the Week:
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by Jake Shimabukuro (Hawaii)

- video based on George Harrison's classic song, Shimabukuro's ukelele-based video has received more than 1 million views. He's currently on tour in Japan and Hawaii, but will be returning to Washington, Oregon, Nevada and California later in October.

Previous: "Umbrella" by Rihanna (Barbados)

Turned down by both Mary J. Blige and Britney Spears, this #1 single in 13 nations picked up two awards at the MTV Video Music Awards. Buy your own Rihanna umbrellas through Isotoner at http://www.totes-isotoner.com.


New Films: {#1 Resident Evil: Extinction (R), $23.7M, 2,828 screens; #2 Good Luck Chuck (R), $13.7M, 2,612 screens; #3 The Brave One (R), #7.3M, 2,755 screens; #17 In the Valley of Elah (R), $1.3M, 317 screens}
- Angels in the Dust (NR): Documentary; about a therapist who leaves Johannesburg to establish a village for South African orphans

- Feast of Love (R): Romantic comedy; about a local professor who observes the love and attraction taking place in a small Oregon community; co-starring Morgan Freeman and Greg Kinnear

- Game Plan (PG): Comedy; about a quarterback who suddenly must take care of his daughter; co-starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson

- Into the Wild (R): Drama; about a top student-athlete who abandons his possessions and money to live in the Alaska wilderness; co-starring Vince Vaughn and William Hurt; directed by Sean Penn

- Ira and Abby (R): Romantic comedy; about a couple happily married until the husband finds out that his wife has divorced twice already

- King of California (PG-13): Drama; about a 16-year-old girl, abandoned by her mom and dropped out of school, who must deal with the re-entry of her father following his release from a mental institution; co-starring Michael Douglas and Evan Rachel Wood

- The Kingdom (R): Thriller; about a team of U.S. investigators trying to find the perpetrators behind an attack in a Middle Eastern country; co-starring Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper, and Jeremy Piven

- Last Winter (NR): Horror; about an oil-exploration team that becomes disoriented and desperately bids for survival; co-starring Ron Perlman

- Outsourced (PG-13): Comedy; about an American salesman sent to work in an office in India

- Trade (R): Drama; about the bond formed between a Texas police officer and the brother of a 13-year-old kidnapped Mexican girl; co-starring Kevin Kline


Ongoing Freebies:
- http://www.sfjazz.org: Live jazz in Levi's Plaza (SF). Next Wednesday's show at noon is Mitch Marcus Quintet.

- http://www.sfmt.org: 38th year of free shows in the parks. "Making a Killing" closes its schedule at the Bolinas Community Center on Saturday at 2pm, and the Progressive Festival in Petaluma on Sunday at 4pm.


Performances of the Week:
- 35th San Francisco Blues Festival [Sat-Sun 11am-6pm]: At Great Meadow of Fort Mason (SF), $35-50. http://www.sfblues.com

- Theatre Rhinoceros: The First Thirty Years [Through Oct. 14]: At Theatre Rhinoceros (SF), $15-25. http://www.therhino.org

Previous Performances: Jersey Boys [through Sep 30]; Tannhauser [through Oct 12]; Sweeney Todd [through Oct 14]


Activities of the Week: (free, unless noted)
- 43rd Big Book Sale [Th-Sun 10am-8pm]: More than 250,000 books on sale, to benefit the San Francisco Public Library system. In Festival Pavilion of Fort Mason (SF). http://www.friendssfpl.org

- World Vegetarian Day Festival [Sat-Sun 10am-6pm]: In SF County Fair Building near Golden Gate Park, $5. http://www.sfvs.org

- 59th semi-annual Walnut Creek Fair [Sat-Sun 10am-5pm]: Near Cypress Ave and Locust. http://www.pacificfinearts.com

- 25th Folsom Street Fair [Sat-Sun 11am-6pm]: World's largest leather event, with live alt-rock bands and demonstrations. Expected attendance of 400,000 people. Along Folsom St, between 7th and 12th St (SF). http://www.folsomstreetfair.org

- Treasure Island Festival [Sat 11am-3pm]: Along the Great Lawn of Treasure Island (SF). http://www.tihdi.org

- Home Front Festival [Sat-Sun 11am-6pm]: At Marina Bay Park (Richmond), $3-5. http://www.homefrontfestival.com
- 16th Feria del Mariachi [Sat-Sun 11am-7pm]: Featuring Ozomatli and Linda Ronstadt. At San Jose Arena Green, $5. http://www.mhcviva.org

- 4th San Francisco LoveFest [Sat 11:30am-night]: Parade down Market Street to Civic Center Plaza (SF); live DJs and booths, encouraging dancing amongst the floats. http://www2.sflovefest.org

- 12th How Berkeley Can You Be? Festival [Sun 11am-6pm]: In Martin Luther King Park (Berkeley). http://www.howberkeley.com

- 10th Progressive Festival [Sun 12-6pm]: In Walnut Park (Petaluma). http://www.progressivefestival.com

- Out and About Rockridge [Sun 12-6pm]: Along College Ave (Oakland). http://www.rockridgedistrict.com

Randy's Guide LII

Happy 26th to Nicole Richie (Friday), Car-Free Day (Saturday), and the First Day of Autumn (Sunday)! Welcome to all new readers. Normally, I send this out on Thursdays, but I'll be touring the Big Apple at that time. Please forward on to friends, family, and colleagues... and update me about any e-mail changes.


Special Oscars Alert:
For those wishing to watch the stars arrive for the 70th Academy Awards in February, you can enter an online contest for you and three guests. Go to http://www.oscars.org/ and click on 'bleacher seats'. Enter by next Monday. It may seem like a long shot, but my dad won seats last year!


Local News Story of the Week:
The California Coastal Commission recently led another Coastal Cleanup Day at 750 locations with 50,000 volunteers. The #1 item found over the past 21 years? Cigarettes and filters, at over 4.2 million collected. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/16/BA0QS74NG.DTL


~ CHANGE FOR CHANGE ~
Charity to consider: Bay Area Community Services. For over 50 years, BACS has served both adults with severe mental illness as well as seniors throughout Alameda County. http://www.bayareacs.org/

Previous organizations Randy's Guide has spotlighted: Common Ground Relief, LYRIC, Aldea Inc., Glide Memorial, City CarShare, Maitri, Loaves and Fishes, Friends of the Urban Forest, and Farm Sanctuary.

Donate through the non-profit's Web site or your corporate donation program.


Weekend Weather:
coastal fog; slight chance of thunderstorms; unseasonably cool
High 64, Low 54: San Francisco (coast)
High 68, Low 55: San Francisco (downtown), Berkeley, Belmont
High 72, Low 53: San Anselmo, Mountain View, San Jose, Orinda, Redwood City, Healdsburg, Oakland

High 80, Low 65: New York City (sunny)
High 70, Low 60: Los Angeles (chance of storms)
High 85, Low 60: Chicago (mostly sunny)
High 90, Low 70: Houston (humid)
High 80, Low 60: Las Vegas (chance of storms)


Environmental Tip of the Week:
As we approach this holiday season, look for toys with unfinished solid wood or those finished with linseed oil, tung oil, or beeswax. You can also buy lead testing kits at http://www.leadcheck.com/.

Previous: Avoid inhaling microwave popcorn fumes for the next year. Reports of lung damage can occur if diacetyl exposure is repeated. ConAgra, General Mills, and American Pop Corn Company (makers of Orville Redenbacher, Act II, Pop Secret, and Jolly Time) have agreed to remove diacetyl from production, but the change will take up to a year to have full implementation. Urge other popcorn manufacturers to follow suit by e-mail or phone.


Video of the Week:
"Umbrella" by Rihanna

#1 single in 13 nations just picked up the Best Video and Top Single awards at the MTV Video Music Awards; you can even buy your own Rihanna umbrellas through Isotoner at http://www.totes-isotoner.com/. Originally, Mary J. Blige and Britney Spears were each offered the song - both turned it down.

Previous: "C'mon" by Guster


New Films: {#1 The Brave One (R), #13.5M; #2 3:10 to Yuma (R), $8.9M; #3 Mr. Woodcock (PG-13), $8.8M; #17 Across the Universe (PG-13), $0.7M}
- December Boys (PG-13): Drama; about four orphan teenage boys who compete for adoption by a young couple; co-starring Daniel Radcliffe

- Good Luck Chuck (R): Romantic comedy; about a hard-luck man whose ex-girlfriends always seem to marry the next guy each dates, but then whose life changes when he becomes a lucky charm for women; co-starring Dane Cook and Jessica Alba

- Hunting Party (R): Drama; about a disgraced war journalist who organizes a small crew to track down a war criminal loose in Eastern Europe; co-starring Richard Gere, Terrence Howard, and James Brolin

- In the Shadow of the Moon (PG): Documentary; about NASA voyages between 1968 and 1972, along with astronaut interviews; co-starring Buzz Aldrin; winner of Best Documentary at Sundance

- Jane Austen Book Club (PG-13): Drama; about six friends who meet monthly in Sacramento to discuss Jane Austen; co-starring Emily Blunt, Maria Bello, Jimmy Smits, and Lynn Redgrave

- Milarepa (PG): Drama; about the revered Tibetan figure whose 11th-century life still holds sway in modern-day Tibet

- Resident Evil: Extinction (R): Action sequel; about the forces of good battling to eliminate a deadly virus; co-starring Milla Jovovich and Mike Epps

- Sydney White (PG-13): Comedy; about a college freshman who wishes to pledge for her late mom's sorority; co-starring Amanda Bynes


Ongoing Freebies:
- http://www.sfjazz.org: Live jazz in Levi's Plaza (SF). Tomorrow's show at Noon features Cory Combs Quintet, while next Wednesday's show is Zadell.

- http://www.sfmt.org: 38th year of free shows in the parks. "Making a Killing" plays Saturday afternoon at Glen Park (SF) and Sunday afternoon in Washington Square Park (SF).

- http://www.sfshakes.org: 25th year of Free Shakespeare in the Park through September. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" wraps up in the Presidio Grounds (SF) through Sep 23.

- http://www.filmnight.org: Film Nights in the Park will be offered through October. "The Hustler" (Friday 8pm) and "The Sting" (Saturday 8pm), both in San Anselmo.


Performances of the Week:
- Mark Morris Dance Group [Th-Sat 8pm]: West Coast premier of "Mozart Dances." At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $32-72. http://www.calperformances.net/

- Arcade Fire [Fri 8pm]: A return trip to the Bay Area for the little-Canadian-rock-band-that-could. Hear the group's latest album, "Neon Bible." At Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View), $19-40. http://www.arcadefire.com/ recommended

- Midnight Movies [Fri/Sat midnight]: The Buffy Musical (Bridge Theatre, SF) will offer sing-along subtitles, goodie bags, and opportunities to win prizes; Italian Stallion (Clay Theatre, SF) offers a glimpse into Sylvester Stallone's first acting effort. $10. http://www.landmarktheatres.com/

- 10th Alice Now & Zen Festival [Sun 12-5pm]: Featuring James Blunt, Joss Stone, and Gin Blossoms. In Sharon Meadow of Golden Gate Park (SF), $20. http://www.radioalice.com/

- Sweeney Todd [extended through Oct. 14]: 10 actors play all the roles and musical instruments in Stephen Sondheim's musical melodrama. At the American Conservatory Theater (SF), $35-80. http://www.act-sf.org/
Previous Performances: Mamma Mia! [through Sep 22]; Insignificant Others [through Sep 23]; Jersey Boys [through Sep 30]; Tannhauser [through Oct 12]


Activities of the Week: (free, unless noted)
- 6th OrchidFest [Sat-Sun 10am-5pm]: At the Hall of Flowers (SF), $2-3. http://www.orchidsanfrancisco.org/

- Holistics Arts Fair [Sat-Sun 10am-6pm]: At the Divine Science Community Center (San Jose). http://users.california.com/~eameece/haf.htm

- Tugboat Festival [Sat 11am-5pm]: At Hyde Street Pier (SF), FREE-$5. http://www.nps.gov/safr

- Middle Eastern Festival [Sat-Sun 11am-7pm]: At St. John Orthodox Church (Orinda). http://www.stjohnorinda.org/

- Redwood City: Out Town - Downtown [Sat 12-8pm]: In Courthouse Square. http://www.redwoodcity.org/ourtown-downtown

- Healdsburg Antiques Faire [Sun 9am-4pm]: In Healdsburg Plaza. http://www.healdsburg.com/

- Excelsior Festival [Sun 10am-5pm]: In SF, where Ocean, Mission, and Persia meet. http://www.excelsiorfestival.org/

- A Taste of California [Sun 1-4pm]: At the Oakland Museum, $65. http://www.museumca.org/