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.

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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.

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“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