Randy's Guide LXVI

Today is “Heroes” actor Masi Oka’s 33rd; Friday is Linux founder Linus Torvalds’ 38th; Sunday is golfer Tiger Woods’ 32nd and Scientology Freedom Day; Tuesday is New Year’s Day 2008 and writer J.D. Salinger’s 89th. Welcome to all readers! Please forward on to friends, family, and colleagues... and update me about any e-mail changes.


Traffic Warning
This Friday, San Francisco will have both Critical Mass and the Emerald Bowl (featuring the Oregon State Beavers and Maryland Terrapins at AT&T Park) in the early evening.


Local News Story of the Week
A Siberian tiger killed one patron and wounded two others before being fatally shot by police. An investigation is under way to determine how the tiger could have escaped from its enclosure. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/27/MNEJU4SVN.DTL&tsp=1


Change for Change
Charity to consider: Blue Energy. The San Francisco-based nonprofit, which started as a graduate project at MIT, provides low-cost wind and solar electric systems in Nicaragua and eventually will spread its model worldwide. http://www.blueenergygroup.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, Farm Sanctuary, and Bay Area Community Services.

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


Holiday Weekend Weather
Bay Area: Rain through Sunday morning, then clearing. Highs 50-55; lows 35-45

High 32, Low 20: Chicago, IL (mix of snow and sun)
High 33, Low 15: Denver, CO (partly cloudy)
High 65, Low 47: Los Angeles, CA (partly cloudy)
High 81, Low 67: Miami, FL (chance of t-storms)
High 65, Low 50: New Orleans, LA (chance of t-storms)
High 43, Low 32: New York, NY (mix of rain and sun)
High 42, Low 30: Seattle, WA (rain and snow clearing by Sunday)
High 45, Low 30: Washington, D.C. (chance of rain)


Environmental Tip of the Week
Disposal sites for your electronic waste have popped up around the Bay Area. With the holiday season providing a bounty of new equipment, return your unwanted DVD players, televisions, CDs, and other electronics to Green Citizen (in SF and Los Altos), Hayward’s E-Recycling, or Santa Clara’s Zak Enterprises, among others.

Previous:
Organic, biodynamic, and vegan wine options are starting to enter the mainstream, sans the chemical pesticides and animal byproducts often used. Some local California options include Frog’s Leap, Bonterra, and Medlock Ames.


Video of the Week
“If I Have My Way” by Chrisette Michele (New York)

Nominated for one Grammy, Ms. Michele evokes past jazz singers on her debut album, while providing vocals on multiple songs for Jay-Z and Nas. She’s currently performing in the Washington D.C./Baltimore area.

Previous:
“Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death from Above” by CSS (Brazil)

The Brazilian rockers’ name (translating to “tired of being sexy”) reportedly comes from a Beyonce quote. They’re currently wrapping up a tour through England and Ireland.


Movie Box Office (through Dec. 25)
#1 National Treasure: Book of Secrets (PG): $65.4MM opening, 3832 screens, $17,078 per screen
#2 I Am Legend (PG-13): $47.7MM, 3620 screens, $13,173 per screen
#3 Alvin and the Chipmunks (PG): $38.6MM, 3499 screens, $11,034 per screen
#16 The Kite Runner (PG-13): $2.0MM, $2.7MM overall, 377 screens, $5,192 per screen; 2 Golden Globe nominations

Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem (R): Sci-fi; about two sets of film monsters battling in a small Colorado town

Bucket List (PG-13): Comedy; about two terminally ill men who start tackling tasks on their wish lists; co-starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson

Great Debaters (PG-13): Drama; about a debate coach who molds his group of underdog students to battle Harvard’s championship debate team; co-starring Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker; 1 Golden Globe nomination

Orphanage (R): Suspense; about a woman who unexpectedly finds supernatural forces within her childhood home; produced by Guillermo del Toro; recommended

Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (PG): Family fantasy; about a young Scottish boy who secretly has a mythical creature


Free Activities
Kwanzaa Family Celebration [Sat noon-5pm]: At Nevin Community Center (Richmond). www.ci.richmond.ca.us


New Year’s Eve Activities
Improv @ 8pm: With True Fiction Magazine and 3 For All. At the Fort Mason Center (SF), $28-31. http://www.fortmason.org/

Scissors for Lefty @ 9pm: With Von Iva and May Fire opening. At the Bottom of the Hill (SF), $20-25. http://www.bottomofthehill.com/

Symphony @ 9pm: Party favors, champagne, desserts, live concert, and balloon drop. At Davies Symphony Hall (SF), $105-175. http://www.sfsymphony.org/

Imagine Peace @ 9pm: Bay Area progressives unite, with guests including Tom Ammiano, Mark Leno, and Medea Benjamin. Musical performances by Hyim and the Fat Foakland Orchestra, the Average Dyke Band, and Tony Mayfield. At the Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf (SF), $25-50. http://www.globalexchange.org/

Jamal Kassab @ 9pm: At the Crowne Plaza (Foster City), $95-125. http://www.petraentertainment.com/

Cake @ 9pm: With The Lovemakers opening. At the Warfield (SF), $70-80. http://www.cakemusic.com/

Club Fayrouz @ 9pm: With appetizer buffet, champagne, party favors, hookahs, and Persian DJs. At Club Fayrouz (Palo Alto), $30. http://www.mediterraneanfusion.com/

Count Basie Jazz Orchestra @ 9pm: With special guest Ledisi. At Yoshi’s (SF), $100-110. http://www.yoshis.com/

Live 105 & Popscene Disco @ 9pm: With DJ Aaron Axelsen, Blaqk Audio, Moving Units, and others. At Mezzanine (SF), $60-100. http://www.mezzaninesf.com/

Eclectic Fever @ 9pm: Featuring music from Kenya, Brazil, Jamaica, India, England, and others. Benefitting East African orphans. At the Gift Center Pavilion (SF), $65-115. http://www.eclecticfever.com/

Jesus Diaz & the Cuban Connection @ 9:30pm: At Café Valparaiso (Berkeley), $25-27. http://www.lapena.org/

Comedy Countdown @ 9:30pm: Featuring Greg Proops, Mitch Fatel, and others. Party favors, champagne, balloon drop, dancing, and free parking. At the Palace of Fine Arts (SF), $60. http://www.palaceoffinearts.org/

Sandra Bernhard @ 11pm: At the Castro Theatre (SF), $35-100. http://www.palaceoffinearts.org/

Previous: Theatre - Jersey Boys [through Sunday in SF]; Dance - San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Black Nativity [through Sunday in SF]; Live Music - Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller [through Monday in SF]; Theatre - Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza [through Jan 20 in SF]