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/