Randy's Guide LV

Today is National Coming Out Day; Sunday is Polish Teacher's Day; and Tuesday is John Mayer's 30th. Welcome to all new readers. Please forward on to friends, family, and colleagues... and update me about any e-mail changes.

* Discount Alert #1 *
Muse Ten, owned and operated in San Francisco by my friend Cindy Tse, presents an online-only discount for its selection of specialty women's handbags and jewelry. Offer valid through Sunday. www.museten.com

* Discount Alert #2 *
Jamba Juice is spreading the word on its new Functional Smoothies. Work off that Pasta Pomodoro dish with the buy-one-get-one-free offer, valid through Tuesday. www.jambafunctionals.com/bogo/coupon.aspx

Local News Story of the Week:
Please give a warm welcome to Wikimedia Foundation, makers of Wikipedia, to San Francisco. Founder Jimmy Wales has quietly built up the nonprofit site to become among the 10-most-visited in the world. http://www.sfgate.com/flat/archive/2007/10/11/chronicle/archive/2007/10/11/BU69SNMQ2.html

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:
Friday rain, then slightly warmer and fewer clouds through Sunday
High 59-64, Low 47: Half Moon Bay
High 60-65, Low 52: SF (beach), Montclair
High 63-68, Low 51: SF (downtown), Berkeley, Belmont
High 67-73, Low 46: Hollister

High 60, Low 37: Helena, MT (partly cloudy)
High 86, Low 75: Miami, FL (partly cloudy, humid)
High 65, Low 44: Philadelphia, PA (partly cloudy)
High 85-95, Low 60-65: Phoenix, AZ (clear)
High 70, Low 56: Seal Beach, CA (clear)
High 60-70, Low 40-50: Springfield, IL (partly cloudy)

Environmental Tip of the Week:
In light of two recent major beef recalls -- Topps and American Chef's -- consumers should again refocus efforts on selecting the healthier alternatives. Labels such as USDA organic, grass-fed, and certified humane raised and handled are better indicators than free-range, hormone-free, and natural. Some of the meat producers to look for are Niman Ranch, Coleman, and John Morrell.

Previous: Your milk purchases add up... the most energy-efficient choice is using a refillable glass container at dairy farms. The plastic containers come next, as they are easily recyclable and are a lighter material than glass or coated plastic.

Video of the Week:
"Pain" by Jimmy Eat World (Mesa, Arizona)

U.S. tour swings through San Francisco on Sunday, Southern California for six shows next week, and the East Coast in early November.

Previous:
"Harvest (within you)" by Clinic (UK)
<
Supporting Arcade Fire in the UK and Ireland over the next two months.

New Films: {#1 The Game Plan (PG), $16.7MM, 3105 screens; #2 The Heartbreak Kid (R), $14.0MM, 3229 screens; #3 The Kingdom (R), $9.7MM, 2802 screens; #22 Michael Clayton (R), $0.7MM, 15 screens}
- Elizabeth: The Golden Age (PG-13): Sequel drama; about Queen Elizabeth I's power struggle with Spanish King Philip II; co-starring Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, and Clive Owen

- Final Season (PG): Sports drama; about a small Iowa town's high-school baseball team; co-starring Sean Astin and Powers Boothe

- For the Bible Tells Me So (NR): Documentary; about the reconciliation of homosexuality with Biblical scripture; appearances by Richard Gephardt and Bishop Gene Robinson; appearance by Director Karslake in SF on Sunday at 5pm and 7:30pm

- Great World of Sound (R): Comedy; about two southern guys who become overnight record producers

- My Kid Could Paint That (PG-13): Documentary; about a 4-year-old painter who has sold more than $300,000 worth of paintings styled after Kandinsky and Pollock

- Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? (PG-13): Comedy; about eight married college friends who reunite for their annual retreat in Colorado; co-starring Tyler Perry, Janet Jackson, and Jill Scott

- We Own the Night (R): Drama; about a New York family torn apart by the law; co-starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, and Robert Duvall

Freebies:
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival [Sat-Sun 9am-6pm]: More than 200,000 people are forecasted to attend the 36th annual Halloween festival, with a pumpkin weigh-off, a parade, a haunted house, and a pie-eating contest. On Main St, between Miramontes and Spruce. www.miramarevents.com

Montclair Festival [Sat-Sun 10am-6pm]: In Downtown Montclair Village (Oakland). www.pacificfinearts.com

Noe Valley Harvest Festival [Sat 10am-5pm]: Along 24th St, between Church and Sanchez (SF). www.noevalleyharvestfestival

Orinda Fall Art Fair [Sat 10am-5pm]: At Orinda Community Center. www.laa4art.org

Potrero Hill Festival [Sat 10am-5pm]: At the Neighborhood House (SF). 415-826-8080

Berkeley Spice of Life Festival [Sun 10am-6pm]: Foodies enter! This is a celebration of North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto, with free tastings, cooking demonstrations, and yoga practice. www.spiceoflifefestival.com


Non-Freebies:
Event - Oktoberfest by the Bay [Th-Fri 5pm-midnight, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-7pm]: Annual celebration of German culture, which of course includes oompah bands and fresh beer. At Festival Pavilion in Fort Mason (SF), FREE-$20. Look for $5-off coupons at Sports Basement. www.oktoberfestbythebay.com

Event - Chocolate Fest [Fri-Sat 7:30-10pm, Sat-Sun 1:30-4pm]: Once you pay admission to this fundraiser, it's all-you-can-eat chocolate treats. At the First Congregational of Belmont, $17-25. www.uccbelmont.org/events.htm

Theatre - King Lear [through Sunday]: Based on Shakespeare's play about the madness of royalty. At Bruns Amphitheater (Orinda), $15-60. www.calshakes.org

Event - Northern California Renaissance Faire [through Sunday, 10am-6pm]: Popular historical costume party celebrating the age of the Renaissance. At Casa de Fruta (Hollister), $10-25. www.norcalrenfaire.org

Ballet - Smuin Fall/Winter Program [through Sunday]: With works by Amy Seiwert, Michael Smuin, and Kirk Peterson. At the Palace of Fine Arts (SF), $18-55. www.smuinballet.org

Comedy - Damon Wayans [through Sunday]: The "In Living Color" star makes an SF appearance. At Cobb's Comedy Club, $40. www.cobbscomedyclub.com

Previous: Opera - Tannhauser [through Friday in SF]; Theatre - Sweeney Todd [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Theatre Rhinoceros: The First Thirty Years [through Sunday in SF]; Opera - Appomattox [through Oct 24 in SF]