Randy's Guide LXXV (75)

Today is Czech singer (and 2008 Oscar winner!) Marketa Irglova’s 19th; Friday is Leap Day, actor Antonio Sabato Jr.’s 36th, and rapper Ja Rule’s 32nd; Saturday is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Independence Day, Wales’ Saint David’s Day, and Bulgaria’s Baba Marta; Sunday is former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev’s 77th.


Local News Story
Vallejo could join Desert Hot Springs and Orange County as local governments in California who have declared bankruptcy. City officials blame the foreclosure crisis and rising union salaries for the $9 million shortfall. www.ktvu.com/news/15419908/detail.html


Change for Change
New charity to consider: My New Red Shoes. Founder 30-year-old Heather Hopkins, a Princeton University graduate, provides new school clothes to Bay Area homeless and poor children. www.mynewredshoes.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, Bay Area Community Services, and Blue Energy.

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


Weekend Weather
Bay Area: Chance of light showers Friday night; otherwise, seasonably mild. Highs 60-65; lows 40-45.

High 35, Low 25: Detroit, MI (snow and rain)
- Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick vows to remain in office, despite a lengthy text-messaging scandal involving one of his aides

High 64, Low 49: Little Rock, AR (chance of t-storms)
- Another week, another school shooting… this time, one person was wounded at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock

High 70, Low 51: Los Angeles, CA (clear)
- A gunman wounded eight individuals waiting at a bus stop on Wednesday afternoon

High 31, Low 20: State College, PA (snow)
- 708 Penn State students raised more than $6.6 million for pediatric cancer research as part of their annual 46-hour dance marathon

High 77, Low 62: West Palm Beach, FL (partly cloudy)
- Florida Power & Light officials still are searching for the cause of a Tuesday brown-out affecting about three million residents


Environmental Tips
Reuse your newspapers before sending them into the recycling bin. They can clean windows (in lieu of paper towels), start chimney fires (instead of lighter fluid), and pad package shipments (rather than Styrofoam).

Previous:
Increasingly sourced overseas, paper usually is finished with chlorine bleach and produces over 1,000 different chemicals, including dioxin and mercury. Choose recycled office paper, toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins… and recycle or compost them afterwards.


Music Videos
“All My Friends” by LCD Soundsystem (New York City)

DFA Records co-founder James Murphy’s pet project has soared to critical acclaim and top-40 fame in Britain.

Previous:
“The Way It Is” by Nicole Atkins (New Jersey)


Movies (through Feb. 25)
#1 Vantage Point (PG-13): $22.9MM opening; 3149 screens; $7,264 per screen
#2 The Spiderwick Chronicles (PG): $13.1MM; $44.1MM overall; 3847 screens; $3,405 per screen
#3 Jumper (PG-13): $12.7MM; $56.3MM overall; 3430 screens; $3,705 per screen
#9 Be Kind Rewind (PG-13): $4.1MM opening; 808 screens; $5,013 per screen

Chicago 10 (R): Documentary; about the 1968 anti-war protests in Chicago and the trials the following year; co-starring Hank Azaria, Nick Nolte, and Mark Ruffalo

City of Men (NR): Sequel drama; about two brothers who find themselves on opposite sides of a street-gang war

The Counterfeiters (R): Drama; about a Jewish man who survives the Nazi concentration camps through his unparalleled skill at counterfeiting; winner of Best Documentary Oscar

Honeydripper (PG-13): Musical; about a juke joint owner who hires an electric guitarist to boost attendance; co-starring Danny Glover; directed by John Sayles

Military Intelligence and You! (NR): Comedy; about the juxtaposition of modern military footage with WWII-era training films; co-starring Mackenzie Astin and Patrick Muldoon

The Other Boleyn Girl (PG-13): Drama; about the two Boleyn sisters who leave the country life and enter court life in an attempt to marry the King of England; co-starring Natalie Portman, Eric Bana, and Scarlett Johansson

The Overlooked Suspect (NR): Documentary; about a private investigator’s look into the O.J. Simpson case

Penelope (PG): Romantic comedy; about a young girl who seeks love to break a family curse; co-starring Christina Ricci, Reese Witherspoon, and James McAvoy

Romulus My Father (R): Drama; about a family who breaks apart after it moves from Yugoslavia to the Australian outback

Semi-Pro (R): Comedy; about a one-hit wonder’s struggling basketball team and his attempts to win; co-starring Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, and Andre 3000

This week’s movie pick - Juno (PG-13): Though many of you may already have seen this witty comedy about teen pregnancy, some of you have not. Definitely check out Diablo Cody’s Oscar-winning screenplay and Ellen Page’s spot-on performance.

This week’s video pick - Hairspray (PG): I was caught off-guard by its multitude of issues – chiefly, integration. Yes, John Travolta is in drag, but Nikki Blonsky steals the show as a plucky teenager who dreams of starring on a local TV dance program.


Free Activities
Happy Hour @ Diesel [Th-Sat 6-9pm]: As part of NoisePop 2008. Includes live DJ or acoustic sets. At the Diesel Store on Post Street (SF). www.noisepop.com/2008/schedule.php

6th Annual Union Square Celebrity Crab Festival [Sat noon-3pm]: Featuring Union Square chefs and San Francisco 49ers. Free entry, but sampling tickets are $5 each or $25/6 tickets. Benefits San Francisco 49ers Foundation. Zero-waste event. www.unionsquaresf.net/crabfest2008.htm

Pop & Shop [Sun noon-5pm]: Local independent designers and artists sell their items, while you munch on a free pancake and waffle brunch. Featuring live music and a full cash bar. At the 12 Galaxies (SF). www.12galaxies.com


Paid Activities
Event – Pacific Orchid Exposition [Th 6:30-10pm, Fri/Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm]: Features tours, demonstrations, and wine tasting. At Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion (SF), $8-35. www.orchidsanfrancisco.org

Live Music – Kelley Stoltz [Th 8pm]: Dreamy pop. With Grand Archives, the Morning Benders, and the Weather Underground opening. At the Independent (SF), $14. www.kelleystoltz.com

Comedy – George Carlin [Fri 8pm, Sat 7pm]: At the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts (Santa Rosa), $20-45. www.georgecarlin.com

Event – Sonoma Barrel Tasting [Sat-Sun 11am-4pm]: Sample out of the barrel at 108 Sonoma County wineries. $20. www.wineroad.com

Event – Around the World in 80 Beers [Sat 4-6pm]: At O’Neill’s Irish Pub (SF), $30. www.aroundtheworldin80beers.com

Dance – Son de la Frontera Flamenco [Sat 8pm]: At the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF), $30-65. www.ybca.org

Live Music – British Sea Power [Sat 8pm]: Brit rock. With 20 Minute Loop, Colour Music, and Off Campus opening. At the Bottom of the Hill (SF), $14. www.britishseapower.co.uk

Dance – Bellydance Superstars [Sat 8pm]: At the Marin Center (San Rafael), $20-45. www.marincenter.org

Theatre – Blood Knot [through Mar 9]: Set in apartheid South Africa, with one light-skinned brother living with his darker-skinned sibling. At the American Conservatory Theatre (SF), $17-80. www.act-sf.org

Previous: Theatre - Kooza [through Sunday in San Jose]; Live Music - NoisePop 2008 [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Curvy Widow [through Mar 9 in SF]; Theatre - Wishful Drinking [through Mar 30 in Berkeley]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [through Apr 13 in SF] recommended

Randy's Guide LXXIV (74)

Today is Republican Maine Senator Olympia Snowe’s 61st; Friday is Washington’s Birthday; Saturday is businessman Michael Dell’s 43rd; Sunday is Mexico’s Flag Day; Monday is Philippines’ People Power Day; and Tuesday is English singer Corinne Bailey Rae’s 29th.


Local News Story
Stanford extended its free tuition to students from families earning less than $100,000 a year, and also included room and board to those from families making less than $60,000 annually. The announcement comes as the university is planning to raise total undergraduate tuition and fees to $47,212 for the 2008-09 school year. daily.stanford.edu/article/2008/2/20/universityAnnouncesBoldAidPolicy


Change for Change
New charity to consider: My New Red Shoes. Founder 30-year-old Heather Hopkins, a Princeton University graduate, provides new school clothes to Bay Area homeless and poor children. www.mynewredshoes.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, Bay Area Community Services, and Blue Energy.

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


Weekend Weather
Bay Area: Rain through Sunday, with the worst to hit Saturday afternoon and evening. Highs 50-55, lows 35-45.

High 70, Low 47: Austin, TX (partly cloudy)
- A CNN-sponsored debate between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will take place tonight at UT-Austin

High 35, Low 19: Wells, NV (snow showers)
- A 6.0-magnitude earthquake shook northeastern Nevada this morning, as this small town sustained major damage in its historic district and shut down its main water line

High 55, Low 35: Atlanta, GA (rain clearing by Saturday)
- Republican lawmakers have pushed through a bill that would move the Tennessee-Georgia border and allow drought-stricken Georgians to tap into the Tennessee River

High 34, Low 20: Columbus, OH (ice and snow clearing by Sunday)
- Columbus has purchased more than 1,000 gallons of beet juice to mix with salt water for use on roads. The beet juice mixture freezes at a much lower temperature than salt alone


Environmental Tips
Increasingly sourced overseas, paper usually is finished with chlorine bleach and produces over 1,000 different chemicals, including dioxin and mercury. Choose recycled office paper, toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins… and recycle or compost them afterwards.

Previous:
With Valentine’s Day upon us – and Easter, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day not too far in the future – consider giving post-consumer recycled paper cards or e-cards to your friends and family.


Music Videos
“Neptune City” by Nicole Atkins (New Jersey)

Keyboardist Dan Chen suggested that she form a new group back in 2005. Now, we can hear her silky voice as part of Nicole Atkins & The Sea, which comes to Chicago tonight, Portland on Feb 29, San Francisco on Mar 3, San Diego on Mar 5, West Hollywood on Mar 6, and Texas and North Carolina later in March.

Previous:
“Flathead” by The Fratellis (Scotland)

Fresh off its Breakthrough Award at the British version of the Grammys, The Fratellis are aiming to release its second album by summer. The band also has two concerts planned in the UK later this month.


Movies (through Feb. 18)
#1 Jumper (PG-13): $32.1MM opening; $38.7MM overall; 3428 screens; $9,362 per screen
#2 The Spiderwick Chronicles (PG): $24.7MM opening; $27.1MM overall; 3847 screens; $6,431 per screen
#3 Step Up 2 the Streets (PG-13): $22.1MM opening; $28.7MM overall; 2470 screens; $8,958 per screen
#19 Jodhaa Akbar (NR): $1.6MM opening; 100 screens; $16,024 per screen

Be Kind Rewind (PG-13): Comedy; about two guys who try to reenact all of the movies found in a local video store; co-starring Jack Black, Danny Glover, Mos Def, and Mia Farrow; directed by Michel Gondry

Beaufort (NR): Drama; about the final days of an Israeli army unit’s withdrawal from Lebanon; winner of Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival; nominated for 1 Oscar

Charlie Bartlett (R): Comedy; about an outcast boy who begins an underground psychiatry room, dispensing pills to his schoolmates; co-starring Robert Downey Jr., Hope Davis, and Anton Yelchin

The Signal (R): Horror; about a couple who must flee murderous maniacs created by a strange transmission

Vantage Point (PG-13): Thriller; about eight different perspectives behind an assassination attempt on the U.S. President; co-starring Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver, and William Hurt

Witness Protection (PG-13): Comedy; about a small-town sheriff who mistakenly gets involved in a FBI crime case; co-starring Larry the Cable Guy and Peter Stormare

The Year My Parents Went on Vacation (NR): Drama; about a 12-year-old boy living in Sao Paulo during the turbulent year of 1970

This week’s movie review: The Orphanage (R): A-minus. Comparisons to “The Sixth Sense” and “The Others” are inevitable. Be prepared to unravel a woman’s mysterious journey back through her childhood orphanage – and now family home.

This week’s video review: Namesake (PG-13): A. Thoroughly enjoyable cross-cultural look at the Indian-born parents and the conflicted American-born children growing up in New York.


Chinese New Year Activities www.chineseparade.com
Parade [Sat 5:30-8pm]: Year of the Rat, 4706. Parade begins at Market and 2nd and proceeds to Kearny and Jackson. Also on KTVU (channel 2) and KTSF (channel 26).

Community Street Fair [Sat 10am-4:30pm, Sun 9am-5pm]: Features displays of dance, music, calligraphy, kite making, and acrobatics. In Chinatown (SF).

Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival [Sat/Sun 11am-4pm]: At the Hilton (SF).

Carnival [through Sunday, 10am-10pm daily]: At Walter U. Lum Place (SF).


Paid Activities
Dance – Compania Nacional de Danza [Th/Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm]: Spain’s national dance company. At YBCA (SF), $35. www.ybca.org

Event – WonderCon 2008 [Fri 12-7pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm]: The 22nd year of celebrating popular comics in SF. At Moscone Center South (SF), $5-40. www.comic-con.org/wc

Theatre – Said Said [through Sunday]: About a distinguished Algerian poet who survived French torture earlier in his life. At Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley), $20-50. www.marintheatre.org

Event – Peninsula Home & Garden Show [Fri noon-8pm, Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 11am-6pm]: Featuring celebrity guests Henry Tenenbaum (KRON-4) and Chip Wade (HGTV). At the Event Center (San Mateo), FREE-$10. www.peninsulahomeshow.com

Live Music – NoisePop 2008 [Wednesday through Mar 2]: Independent bands at various SF venues, including Thee Parkside, 12 Galaxies, and Rickshaw Stop. FREE-$20. www.noisepop.com

Theatre – Wishful Drinking [through Mar 30]: Carrie Fisher’s one-woman show features stories about her mother Debbie Reynolds, her marriage to Paul Simon, and her addictions. At the Roda Theatre (Berkeley), $27-69. www.berkeleyrep.org

Previous: Film - San Francisco IndieFest [through today in SF]; Theatre - Taking Over [extended through Sunday in Berkeley]; Theatre - Kooza [through Mar 2 in San Jose]; Theatre - Curvy Widow [through Mar 9 in SF]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [through Apr 13 in SF] recommended

Randy's Guide LXXIII (73)

Today is Valentine’s Day, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s 66th, and footballer Drew Bledsoe’s 36th; Friday is Canada’s Flag Day; Sunday is Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong’s 36th and heiress Paris Hilton’s 27th; Monday is writer Toni Morrison’s 77th; Wednesday is model Cindy Crawford’s 42nd.


Local News Story
The Berkeley City Council retracted its earlier statement to the Marines that they were unwelcome tenants along Shattuck Avenue. Because the latest vote did not include a formal apology, Congress has taken up separate bills to reduce federal funding to the city of Berkeley. www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_8259383


Change for Change
New charity to consider: My New Red Shoes. Founder 30-year-old Heather Hopkins, a Princeton University graduate, provides new school clothes to Bay Area homeless and poor children. www.mynewredshoes.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, Bay Area Community Services, and now Blue Energy.

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


Holiday Weekend Weather
Bay Area: Continued sunshine. Highs 60 coast to 65 inland; lows 35 inland to 45 coast.

High 20, Low 10: DeKalb, IL (chance of snow)
- A gunman shot at least 15 individuals at Northern Illinois University before being killed earlier today

High 40, Low 20: Santa Fe, NM (chance of snow)
- Hillary Clinton picked up an extra delegate for being declared the winner of New Mexico’s February 5 caucuses

High 60, Low 40: Las Vegas, NV (partly cloudy)
- Lake Mead, which supplies 90% of the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s water has a 50% chance of drying up completely by 2021

High 18, Low 0: International Falls, MN (chance of snow)
- The official “Icebox of the Nation” fell to a record-breaking 40 below zero on Monday morning


Environmental Tips
With Valentine’s Day upon us – and Easter, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day not too far in the future – consider giving post-consumer recycled paper cards or e-cards to your friends and family.

Previous:
Wood smoke contains carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and other respiratory irritants. To minimize the harmful effects of fireplaces, clean your chimney annually, choose seasoned hardwoods only, and use a screen. Check out Java Logs, made from used coffee grounds and with smoke that has 1/8 the carbon monoxide and particulates of wood. www.java-log.com/


Music Videos
“Flathead” by The Fratellis (Scotland)

Fresh off its Breakthrough Award at the British version of the Grammys, The Fratellis are aiming to release its second album by summer. The band also has two concerts planned in the UK later this month.

Previous:
“Anyone Else But You” by Moldy Peaches (New York City)

If you have seen Juno, you’ll remember this song. The band has reunited for appearances on The View, on NPR, and at the Juno film premiere.


Movies (through Feb. 11)
#1 Fool’s Gold (PG-13): $21.6MM opening; 3125 screens; $6,909 per screen
#2 Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (PG-13): $16.2MM opening; 2387 screens; $6,790 per screen
#3 Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus (G): $10.3MM; 687 screens; $14,987 per screen
#25 In Bruges (R): $0.5MM opening; 28 screens; $16,330 per screen

Band’s Visit (PG-13): Drama; about a small Egyptian band who gets lost in the Israeli desert

Definitely, Maybe (PG-13): Comedy; about a divorcing dad and his daughter’s request to learn about his life before marriage; co-starring Ryan Reynolds and Abigail Breslin

Diary of the Dead (R): Horror; about a low-budget film crew who try to escape the dead returning back to life

Jumper (PG-13): Sci-fi action; about a young man who can teleport anywhere; co-starring Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Bell, and Diane Lane; directed by Doug Liman

Spiderwick Chronicles (PG): Sci-fi fantasy; about a New York family who moves into a secluded old house; co-starring Nick Nolte, Mary-Louise Parker, Joan Plowright, and Freddie Highmore

Step Up 2 the Streets (PG-13): Sequel drama; about a street dancer who teams with other elite dance school classmates to compete in Baltimore’s underground dance battle

This week’s movie review: Persepolis (PG-13): B-plus. Endlessly inventive, plus some modern historical background about Iran to boot. Nominated for 1 Oscar (US) and 7 Cesar Awards (France). Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes (France).

This week’s video review: 28 Weeks Later (R): A-plus. The scariest ride I’ve endured in years, largely because of how real everything seems in the UK.


Free Activities
Pillow Fight [Th 6pm]: Bring your pillow, along with clothing and nonperishable food items for The Food Bank and the Coalition on Homelessness, who will be on hand. At the Ferry Building (SF). www.pillowfight.info

African American Cultural Celebration [Th 7-8:30pm]: Featuring a live performance, spirituals, freedom songs, and poetry. At the First Congregational (Oakland). www.spes.org

Year of Paper [Th 7:30pm]: Chronicles three couples (one gay, one lesbian, one heterosexual) during their first year of marriage. At the LGBT Center (SF). www.theyearofpaper.com

Chinese New Year Carnival [through Feb 24, 10am-10pm daily]: At Walter U. Lum Place (SF). www.chineseparade.com


Paid Activities
Event – 4th Annual Valentine’s Day Underwear Party [Th 9pm-2am]: At the Makeout Room (SF), $5. www.makeoutroom.com

Live Music – Barry Manilow [Fri 8pm]: With Brian Culbertson. At HP Pavilion (San Jose), $10-175. www.manilow.com

Dance – Romeo and Juliet [Sat 2pm]: Featuring the Saint Petersburg Ballet Theatre. At Marin Center (San Rafael), $20-60. www.marincenter.org

Event – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition [Sat 2-5pm]: Featuring dozens of award-winning wines, plus hors d’ouevres, a souvenir wine glass, and more. At Fort Mason (SF), $50-70. www.winejudging.com

Event – Tamburitza Festival [Sat 4-10pm, Sun 1-8pm]: Featuring live bands, Croatian food, dancing, and more. At the Croatian-American Cultural Center (SF), FREE-$15. www.croatianamericanweb.org

Live Music – The Hives [Wed 8pm]: With The Donnas opening. At the Fillmore (SF), $20. www.hives.nu

Theatre – Kooza [through Mar 2]: Cirque Du Soleil’s latest effort. At the Taylor Street Bridge (San Jose), $55-210. www.cirquedusoleil.com

Theatre – Curvy Widow [through Mar 9]: Starring Cybill Shepherd as a woman navigating through the world of online dating. At the Post Street Theatre (SF), $50-75. www.poststreettheatre.com

Previous: Event - Woo at the Zoo [through Sunday in SF]; Film - San Francisco IndieFest [through Feb 20 in SF]; Theatre - Taking Over [extended through Feb 24 in Berkeley]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [through Apr 13 in SF] recommended

Randy's Guide LXXII (72)

Happy Lunar New Year - it’s the Year of the Rat! Friday is Slovenia’s Preseren Day and journalist Ted Koppel’s 68th; Saturday is writer Alice Walker’s 64th; Monday is surfer Kelly Slater’s 36th; Tuesday is Lincoln’s Birthday.


Miscellaneous Alerts
Definitely, Maybe (PG-13) screening next week in SF: send your name, DOB, and full mailing address to promos@sfbg.com, with DEFINITELY PROMO in the subject line. Deadline for entry is 2pm Friday.

Diary of the Dead (R) screening next Thursday in SF: send your name, DOB, and full mailing address to promos@sfbg.com, with DOD PROMO in the subject line. Deadline for entry is 3pm Friday.

Landmark free movie passes: send your favorite recent arthouse film, name, and mailing address to sfmarketing@landmarktheatres.com, with SPRING CALENDAR PROMO in the subject line. Deadline for entry is next Thursday.

Those living in San Francisco’s Castro district can receive a free wireless router and antenna, including installation. Those outside the Castro can receive a $10 voucher for a router. In exchange for sharing the bandwidth with neighbors, residents will also be able to access the Internet at various hotspots around the world. www.sharethecastro.com


Local News Story
San Francisco residents rejected turning Alcatraz into a peace center, but did pass measures to improve city parks and extend police retirement benefits. Though San Francisco voted against gaming initiatives for tribes by a 60-40 margin, California as a whole endorsed them with 55% approval. For county results, check out www.sfgate.com/careturns.


Change for Change
New charity to consider: My New Red Shoes. Founder 30-year-old Heather Hopkins, a Princeton University graduate, provides new school clothes to Bay Area homeless and poor children. www.mynewredshoes.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, Bay Area Community Services, and now Blue Energy.

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


Weekend Weather
Bay Area: Clear skies, seasonal temperatures. Highs 55 coast, 60 bay, 65 inland; lows 35 inland, 40 bay, 45 coast.

High 75, Low 50: Cape Canaveral, FL (partly cloudy)
- The much-delayed Atlantis mission began on Thursday, carrying Europe’s $2-billion science lab gift for the international space station

High 70, Low 40: Glendale, AZ (clear)
- The New York Giants upset the New England Patriots, 17-14, to win Super Bowl XLII and end the Patriots’ chances at an unbeaten season

High 20, Low 0: Madison, WI (snow)
- The Capital Times, in publication for 90 years, has decided to end daily printing and instead focus on Internet operations

High 50, Low 30: Washington, DC (mostly cloudy)
- Republican hopeful Mitt Romney suspended his presidential campaign, while presumptive nominee John McCain pleaded his case in front of the Conservative Political Action Conference


Environmental Tips
Wood smoke contains carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and other respiratory irritants. To minimize the harmful effects of fireplaces, clean your chimney annually, choose seasoned hardwoods only, and use a screen. Check out Java Logs, made from used coffee grounds and with smoke that has 1/8 the carbon monoxide and particulates of wood. www.java-log.com

Previous:
Keep your skin looking fresh and moisturized, without resorting to harmful chemicals. Kaolin clay, shea butter, even yogurt, can all be used quite effectively to hydrate your skin with alpha-hydroxy acids and antioxidants.


Music Videos
“Anyone Else But You” by Moldy Peaches (New York City)

If you have seen Juno, you’ll remember this song. The band has reunited for appearances on The View, on NPR, and at the Juno film premiere.

Previous:
“The News” by Carbon/Silicon (England)

The duo might look and sound familiar to some of you – one was formerly in The Clash, while the other’s from Generation X. Much of its music, including live bootlegs, can be freely downloaded from its main site.


Movies (through Feb. 4)
#1 Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus (G): $31.1MM opening; 683 screens; $45,561 per screen
#2 The Eye (PG-13): $12.4MM opening; 2436 screens; $5,101 per screen
#3 27 Dresses (PG-13): $8.5MM; $57.2MM overall; 2976 screens; $2,866 per screen
#26 The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (PG-13): $0.4MM; $3.7MM overall; 205 screens; $2,154 per screen; 4 Oscar nominations

Air I Breathe (R): Drama; about four overlapping stories and their correlation to the Chinese cornerstones of life: happiness, pleasure, sorrow, and love; co-starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Brendan Fraser, Kevin Bacon, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Garcia

Fool’s Gold (PG-13): Action; about a treasure hunter’s search for exotic treasure; co-starring Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, and Donald Sutherland

Hottie and the Nottie (PG-13): Comedy; about a young man’s obsession with his hot childhood friend, and the friendship that ensues with her not-so-hot roommate; co-starring Paris Hilton

In Bruges (R): Comedy; about two hit men visiting a medieval Belgian town; co-starring Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes

Quantum Hoops (NR): Documentary; about the Cal Tech’s basketball team attempts to break a 21-year losing streak

Shrooms (NR): Thriller; about five American college students trying out magic mushrooms in Ireland

Taxi to the Dark Side (R): Documentary; about the death of an Afghan taxi driver by U.S. soldiers at Bagram Air Base

Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show (R): Documentary; about the actor’s 2005 comedy tour; co-starring Vince Vaughn

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (PG-13): Comedy; about a famous self-help guru who returns to his Southern family home for a wedding anniversary; co-starring Martin Lawrence and James Earl Jones

This week’s movie review: There Will Be Blood (R): B-plus. Very atmospheric, a great leading performance by Daniel Day Lewis, and stunning music… yet it’s periodically slow and repetitive. Nominated for 8 Oscars.

This week’s video review: Zodiac (R): A. Overlooked by both awards givers and filmgoers, with a bone-chilling basement scene and a few smile-inducing references to the Bay Area.


Free Activities
Food from the Heart [Fri 5-8pm]: Featuring tango and salsa dancing, chocolate samplings, and romantic music. Also offering $2 hors d’oeuvres samplings and $6 wine pours. Benefitting Slow Food San Francisco. At the Ferry Building (SF). www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

FanFest [Sat 10am-3pm]: Autographs, ticket sales, dugout tours, singing auditions, and more. At SBC Park (SF). www.knbr.com

What’s the Big Idea Day [Sat 12-8pm]: Open house to showcase its visual art, workshops, films, and public programs. At YBCA (SF). www.ybca.org

Heartland Antiques & Art Faire [Sun 9am-3pm]: With free popcorn. At Railroad Centre (Danville). www.ci.danville.ca.us/default.asp?serviceID2=Event%20Calendar

Chinese New Year Carnival [through Feb 24, 10am-10pm daily]: At Walter U. Lum Place (SF). www.chineseparade.com


Paid Activities
Comedy – Janeane Garofalo [Th 8pm, Fri-Sat 8pm/10:15pm]: With Mary Lynn Rajskub opening. At Cobb’s Comedy Club (SF), $31-34. www.cobbscomedyclub.com

Live Music – Jill Scott [Th-Fri 8pm]: With Raheem Devaughn opening. At the Paramount (Oakland), $43-78. www.jillscott.com

Dance – Moiseyev Dance Company [Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm/8pm, Sun 3pm]: The 70-year-old folk dance ensemble commemorates its tour to its founder. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $12-48. www.moiseyev.ru

Theatre – Hairspray [Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm/8pm]: At the Flint Center (Cupertino), $40-60. www.flintcenter.com

Event – Eternal Spring ‘08 [Sat 2-10pm]: Daytime yoga, martial arts, and poi classes; evening showcase of spring fashion. At SomArts Bay Gallery (SF), $7. www.eternalspring08.com

Live Music – The Ten Tenors [Sat 8pm]: Their stylish breed of classical, pop, and jazz arrives for the only Bay Area stop. At the Marin Center (San Rafael), $25-75. www.thetentenors.com

Live Music – Chinese New Year Celebration [Sun 4pm]: Features music and instruments from the East and West. With conductor Carolyn Kuan and pianists Peng Peng and Conrad Tao. Reception to follow. At Davies Symphony Hall (SF), $20-50. www.sfsymphony.org

Dance – Toe to Toe [Tue 6:30pm]: ODC/Dance and Cal student-athletes compete. Benefitting ODC Dance Commons. At the Concourse Center (SF), $25-125. www.slimstickets.com

Theatre – Third [through Sunday]: About a radical feminist professor whose ideas are undermined by a male student. At the Center for Performing Arts (Mountain View), $21-57. www.theatreworks.org

Event – Woo at the Zoo [through Feb 17]: Multimedia event exploring the mating behaviors of animals. At the Zoo (SF), $75. www.sfzoo.org

Film – San Francisco IndieFest [now through Feb 20]: 80 films, plus parties and live music. At various locations in SF, $5-25. www.sfindie.com

Previous: Theatre - Taking Over [extended through Feb 24 in Berkeley]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [through Apr 13 in SF] recommended