Randy's Guide LXXIX (79)

Today is singer Mariah Carey's 38th and Angola's Victory Day; Friday is Slovakia/Czech Republic's Teacher Day; Monday is Barney Frank's (D-MA) 68th and Patrick Leahy's (D-VT) 68th; Tuesday is April Fools' Day.


Movie Alert
Screening passes for two to Leatherheads, starring George Clooney and Renee Zellweger. Showing is Tuesday evening in downtown SF. E-mail for further details!


Local News Story
This Saturday, San Francisco will join 25 other major cities in the 2nd Earth Hour, which involves turning off lights for one hour to show solidarity around the climate change issue. So, turn off your lights from 8-9pm (local time) this Saturday! www.earthhour.org


Change for Change
New charity to consider: College Track. As featured in Bill Clinton's book "Giving," College Track offers high-school students in East Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Oakland free tutoring, internships, and university application assistance. To date, all 226 students have enrolled in college. www.collegetrack.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, Blue Energy, and My New Red Shoes.

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


Weekend Weather
Bay Area: Chance of rain Friday, otherwise cool and partly cloudy. Highs 55-65; lows 38-48.

High 73, Low 64: Dallas, TX (slight chance of t-storms)
- Dallas-Fort Worth added more than 162,000 residents from 2006 to 2007, the highest for any other metropolitan area

High 45, Low 30: Philadelphia, PA (rain, then weekend sun)
- The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the death sentence of Black Panthers member Mumia Abu-Jamal and ruled that he should receive a new sentencing trial

High 81, Low 70: San Juan, PR (chance of rain)
- Puerto Rico's governor faces 19 criminal counts related to the financing of his campaigns

High 47, Low 34: Tacoma, WA (rain)
- A Starbucks barista donated a kidney to a fellow customer who was battling a genetic disease

High 51, Low 37: Washington, DC (rain, then weekend sun)
- The famed cherry blossom trees are set to bloom about a week earlier than they bloomed 30 years ago, a sign of global warming that scientists believe is showing up around the world


Environmental Tips
Do not pour grease or oil down the drain! It builds up in municipal pipes and eventually can cause sewage backup and spills. Instead, use a spatula to scrape the fats into a freezable container (such as a frozen juice carton) and store in the freezer. Throw it away (or compost it) when the container is full.

Previous:
In light of the recent water study showing pharmaceutical drugs in our water supply, consumers are urged to pour unwanted pills or liquid medications into a plastic bag, add a desiccant like coffee grounds, and seal the bag before throwing it away. And, bottled water usually does not remove the drugs either.


Music Videos
"Till the End of Time" by DeVotchKa (Denver, Colo.)

A wacky mix of Slavic and Spanish influences, DeVotchKa has brought out the theremin, bouzouki, accordion, and sousaphone on stage. Their songs for "Little Miss Sunshine" earned them a Grammy nomination. They'll be passing through: Coachella, San Francisco, and Portland in April; Chicago, Asheville, Boston, and New York in May.

"D.A.N.C.E." by Justice (Paris, France)

The French electro-dance band, whose trademark symbol is a bright cross, received three Grammy nominations this past year for their first album. Justice performs at San Francisco's Concourse Center tonight and finishes its U.S. swing in Los Angeles on Monday.


Movies (through Mar. 24)
#1 Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who (G): $24.6MM; $86.0MM overall; 3961 screens; $6,208 per screen
#2 Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns (PG-13): $20.1MM opening; 2006 screens; $10,011 per screen
#3 Shutter (PG-13): $10.5MM opening; 2753 screens; $3,795 per screen
#10 Under the Same Moon (PG-13): $2.8MM opening; 266 screens; $10,412 per screen; the mostly Spanish-language film about a family caught in the illegal immigration debate cracked the top 10

Flawless (PG-13): Drama; about a woman who has hit a corporate glass ceiling and the janitor who helps her conduct an inside heist; co-starring Michael Caine and Demi Moore

Generation Now (NR): Drama; about an array of young individuals growing up in a modern urban environment without parental guidance

Planet B-Boy (NR): Documentary; about several international break dancers

Run, Fat Boy, Run (PG-13): Comedy; about an overweight man who must finish a marathon to win back his sweetheart, who is now engaged to another man; co-starring Hank Azaria and Thandie Newton; directed by David Schwimmer

Shelter (R): Drama; about a young idealistic man, whose family burdens intrude on his aspirations, and the writer who becomes his close surf buddy

Stop-Loss (R): Drama; about a Texas soldier who is ordered back to Iraq following the completion of his tour of duty; co-starring Ryan Phillippe and Channing Tatum; directed by Kimberly Peirce

Superhero Movie (PG-13): Comedy; about a high-school loser who is bitten by a dragonfly and develops superhuman abilities; co-starring Pamela Anderson

21 (PG-13): Drama; about a group of M.I.T. students who won millions in Las Vegas playing blackjack; co-starring Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, and Laurence Fishburne

Netflix pick – Colma: The Musical (R): $15,000 goes a long way for this low-budget, audience-pleasing musical about three high-school friends who contemplate life in Colma, Calif. Winner of Best Picture awards at three California Asian-American film festivals.


Free Activities
Critical Mass [Fri 6:30-8pm]: A bicycle ride from Justin Herman Plaza through San Francisco.

Yeah Baby Expo [Sat-Sun 10am-5pm]: Win gift certificates, take photos with Nickelodeon characters, and browse vendors at the world's largest family expo. At Great America (Santa Clara). www.yeahbabyexposf.com

Greek Independence Day Celebration [Sat Noon-5pm]: Noon Parade down Market Street to Civic Center Plaza, reception at the War Memorial Veterans Building afterward (SF). www.hellenicfederation.org

Peninsula French Fair [Sat 10:30am-6pm]: At the Hillview Center (Los Altos). www.frenchfair2008.blogspot.com


Paid Activities
Live Music - Charles Lloyd New Quartet [Fri 8pm]: With Jason Moran, Reuben Rogers, and Eric Harland filling out the jazz ensemble. At the Herbst Theatre (SF), $25-70. www.sfjazz.org

Live Music - 127 Band [Fri 9pm]: With Black Idol, Get Dead, and Mojo Apostles supporting this Tehran-based punk rock band. At Fat City (SF), $10. www.127band.com

Live Music - The Ark [Sat 8pm]: Instrumental music, as part of the 23rd annual Jewish Music Festival. At the JCC (SF), $28. www.jewishmusicfestival.org

Dance - Corazon al Sur [Sun 7pm]: Featuring Argentine tangos and ballads. At the Little Fox (Redwood City), $16-18. www.foxdream.com

Theatre - A Streetcar Named Desire [through April 20]: Based on Tennessee Williams' classic. At the Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley), $20-50. www.marintheatre.org

Art - Annie Leibovitz [through May 25]: The famed photographer has her works from 1990-2005 on display. Also featured are Dead Sea Scroll fragments and other historic artifacts from Israel's Antiquities Authority. At the Legion of Honor (SF), FREE-$10. www.legionofhonor.org

Previous: Theatre - Wishful Drinking [through Apr 12 in Berkeley]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [through Apr 13 in SF] recommended; Theatre - Tings Dey Happen [through April 19 in Mill Valley]

Randy's Guide LXXVIII (78)

Today is former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown’s 74th and Vernal Equinox (the start of spring); Friday is Good Friday, comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s 46th and Mexico’s Benito Juarez Day; Sunday is Easter, Pakistan’s Republic Day, and Stanford psychology professor Philip Zimbardo’s 75th; Monday is footballer Peyton Manning’s 32nd; Wednesday is Speaker of the House (and San Francisco’s Representative!) Nancy Pelosi’s 68th and Hawaii’s Prince Kuhio Holiday.


Local News Story
San Francisco’s Public Utilities Commission is rolling out a pilot program that offers up to $5,000 to residents and $10,000 to businesses who install solar-electric systems in San Francisco. This will be in addition to California’s rebate and the federal tax credit. PUC is planning to hold open-house forums with local solar providers over the next several months. www.sfwater.org/solarincentive


Change for Change
Randy’s Guide has donated to My New Red Shoes. I hope each of you has been able to visit its Web site and help out in any way possible. www.mynewredshoes.org

New charity to consider: College Track. As featured in Bill Clinton’s book “Giving,” College Track offers high-school students in East Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Oakland free tutoring, internships, and university application assistance. To date, all 226 students have enrolled in college. www.collegetrack.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, Blue Energy, and now My New Red Shoes.

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


Weekend Weather
Bay Area: Temperate, with afternoon winds. Highs 61-70; lows 38-46.

High 41, Low 22: Dayton, OH (chance of rain and snow)
- On its third attempt, Mount St. Mary’s earned its first NCAA win, defeating Coppin State in Tuesday’s play-in game and earning the right to play North Carolina on Friday

High 40, Low 25: Des Moines, IA (chance of rain Friday, otherwise partly cloudy)
- As part of national protests against the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War, individuals attempted to block the entrances to military recruiting offices in the capital

High 67, Low 50: Kilauea, HI (chance of rain)
- The main crater of the active Kilauea volcano erupted for the first time since 1924, sending debris onto trails before dawn on Wednesday

High 46, Low 27: Philadelphia, PA (chance of snow Saturday, otherwise partly cloudy)
- Geno’s Cheesesteaks received approval from the Commission on Human Relations for a sign posted in 2005 that reads “This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING ‘PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH’”

High 58, Low 32: Piedmont, MO (drying out)
- Five deaths were blamed on the floods across the state, as federal aid started flowing in and Red Cross shelters continued to open up and offer supplies


Environmental Tips
In light of the recent water study showing pharmaceutical drugs in our water supply, consumers are urged to pour unwanted pills or liquid medications into a plastic bag, add a desiccant like coffee grounds, and seal the bag before throwing it away. And, bottled water usually does not remove the drugs either.

Previous:
Plastics with #2-HDPE, #4-LDPE, and #5-PP are the safest for reuse – they’re generally found as part of grocery bags, sandwich bags, and yogurt containers. #1-PET, #3-PVC, #6-PS, and #7-PC are not safe for multiple uses, as they either are difficult to clean or leach carcinogens into food or water.


Music Videos
SkinnySongs mix by Heidi Roizen (Woodside, Calif.)

The entrepreneurial mom – who dabbled in retail shops and puppet theatre before getting her Stanford MBA – suddenly got the idea to make weight loss more exciting with music. She’s appeared on Oprah, Martha Stewart, and The Early Show.

Previous:
“Smile” by Lily Allen (England)

The British singer has risen up the charts with her debut album, and now she hosts a BBC3 talk show and sports a fashion line. Look for her next album later this year.


Movies (through Mar. 17)
#1 Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who (G): $45.0MM opening; 3954 screens; $11,384 per screen
#2 10,000 B.C. (PG-13): $16.8MM; $61.6MM overall; 3410 screens; $4,919 per screen
#3 Never Back Down (PG-13): $8.6MM opening; 2729 screens; $3,153 per screen
#25 The Counterfeiters (R): $0.4MM; $1.2MM overall; 72 screens; $5,820 per screen; about a Jewish counterfeiter who must work for the Nazis at a concentration camp; winner of 1 Oscar (Best Foreign Film)

Drillbit Taylor (PG-13): Comedy; about three high-school kids and their attempts to toughen up with the help of a former soldier; co-starring Owen Wilson

The Duchess of Langeais (NR): Foreign romance; about a married duchess who toys with a handsome general’s affections

Shutter (PG-13): Remake suspense; about a photographer and his wife who believe they’ve killed someone in the Japanese mountains; co-starring Joshua Jackson

Snow Angels (R): Drama; about the tribulations faced by a separated couple and their son; co-starring Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell, and Amy Sedaris

Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns (PG-13): Comedy; about a single mother from Chicago who takes her family to Georgia for her father’s funeral; co-starring Tyler Perry and Angela Bassett

Under the Same Moon (PG-13): Foreign drama; about a 9-year-old boy’s search for his mother in East L.A. following a long journey from Mexico; co-starring America Ferrara

Netflix pick – Days of Glory (R): An army legion of Algerian soldiers fight valiantly for France during WWII; nominated for 1 Oscar last year


Free Activities
13th Annual Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair [Sat-Sun 11am-5pm]: Featuring more than 60 alternative media publishers and artists, along with film screenings and a café. At the County Fair Building (SF). www.sfbookfair.wordpress.com

Union Street Easter Festival [Sun 10am-5pm]: With the Easter Bunny, a parade (2pm), a petting zoo, and arts & crafts. Along Union Street (SF). www.sresproductions.com

Boylesque Fundraiser [Wed 6-8:30pm]: Fundraiser for the all-male troupe in its attempts to reach the Miss Exotic World Pageant. Hosted by Miss Gay SF and Miss Trannyshack 2007. At the Lookout (SF). www.sfboylesque.com


Paid Activities
Dance – Small Plates / Verge Party [Th 6:30pm, Fri 8pm-1am]: Thursday features a free drink, appetizers, and a one-hour performance for $20. Friday has the full Program 2, with a DJ-hosted after party. At the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF), $10-40. www.odcdance.org/downtown

Live Music – Regina Carter Quintet [Fri 8pm]: Award-winning jazz violinist fuses Motown soul with world rhythms. At the Herbst Theatre (SF), $25-60. www.sfjazz.org

Dance – Peking Acrobats [Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm/8pm, Sun 3pm]: At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $12-46. www.calperformances.org

Live Music – Ace Frehley [Fri 9pm]: KISS’ lead guitarist goes solo. At the Regency Center (SF), $29. www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C004037CF236E25

Event – 12th Annual Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam [Sat 6pm]: Featuring young poets and spoken word artists. At the War Memorial Opera House (SF), $6-50. www.youthspeaks.org

Comedy – Dana Carvey [Sat 8pm]: At The William Saroyan Theatre (Fresno), $37-42. www.danacarvey.net

Live Music – Beth Orton [Mon 8pm]: Folk-electronica British singer-songwriter. At Fort Mason (SF), $38. www.bethorton.co.uk

Theatre – Tings Dey Happen [through April 19]: About one man’s dramatic descent into Nigerian oil politics. At the Marsh (SF) and Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley), $15-35. www.themarsh.org and www.142throckmortontheatre.com

Previous: Film - 26th San Francisco International Asian-American Film Festival [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Monster in the Dark [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Wishful Drinking [through Apr 12 in Berkeley]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [through Apr 13 in SF] recommended

Randy's Guide LXXVII (77)

Today is actor William H. Macy’s 58th; Friday is World Pi Day and Japan’s White Day; Saturday is Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s 75th and the Ides of March; Monday is St. Patrick’s Day and U.S. Presidential Nominee Cynthia McKinney’s 53rd; Tuesday is Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine’s 29th. Special congrats to Nick V. for winning the Oscar contest.


Local News Story
A San Francisco jury found SF Weekly, along with its parent Village Voice Media, in violation of California’s Unfair Practices Act. San Francisco Bay Guardian, a locally owned independent weekly newspaper, was awarded $6.3 million due to its rival’s repeated practice of selling advertisements at below market cost. www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=5876


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 showers through Saturday; otherwise, cool and mostly cloudy. Highs 55-60; lows 35-45.

High 75, Low 53: Tallahassee, FL (Friday storms, then clearing)
- The latest proposal from state officials is to hold a June 3 Democratic primary, along with mail-in voting, to allow the Florida delegates to be seated and counted at the national convention in Denver

High 80, Low 50: Tucson, AZ (sunny)
- Police seized 800 dogs, mostly Chihuahuas, and 80 parrots from an elderly couple’s dirty triple-wide mobile home

High 54, Low 30: Washington, DC (chance of rain)
- Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tried to make amends with the African-American community by apologizing profusely for any misinterpreted comments made during her campaign

High 55, Low 40: Wichita, KS (mostly cloudy)
- A 35-year-old woman spent the past two years in her bathroom due to a strong childhood phobia


Environmental Tips
Plastics with #2-HDPE, #4-LDPE, and #5-PP are the safest for reuse – they’re generally found as part of grocery bags, sandwich bags, and yogurt containers. #1-PET, #3-PVC, #6-PS, and #7-PC are not safe for multiple uses, as they either are difficult to clean or leach carcinogens into food or water.

Previous:
Aside from your satellite dish and box, electronics with a remote or digital clock can – and should – be safely shut off when not in use. The devices can eat up roughly $70-100 per year in electricity use and are often designed for periods to cool down completely.


Music Videos
“LDN” by Lily Allen (England)



The up-and-coming British singer has a smashing debut album, successful fashion line, and now a talk show on BBC3. Look for her next album later this year.

Previous:
“The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson (New York)



Her songs have climbed from MySpace to Old Navy commercials, Regis & Kelly, and Grey’s Anatomy. Her tour moves on to Texas, North Carolina, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, Oregon, and back to California.


Movies (through Mar. 10)
#1 10,000 B.C. (PG-13): $35.9MM opening; 3410 screens; $10,518 per screen
#2 College Road Trip (G): $13.6MM opening; 2706 screens; $5,026 per screen
#3 Vantage Point (PG-13): $7.4MM; $51.5MM overall; 3163 screens; $2,326 per screen
#11 Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (PG-13): $2.5MM opening; 535 screens; $4,656 per screen; about a middle-aged London woman who accepts a job as a social secretary

Doomsday (R): Action; about the resurfacing of the deadly Reaper virus in the United Kingdom; co-starring Bob Hoskins

Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who (G): Animated; about Horton the elephant and his suspicion that a speck of dust houses life in peril; co-voiced by Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, and Seth Rogen

Flash Point (R): Foreign action; about a police detective who is determined to break up a criminal gang

Funny Games (R): Remake drama; about a middle-class family who becomes terrorized by two individuals; co-starring Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, and Michael Pitt

Married Life (PG-13): Drama; about a married man who decides to murder his wife in order to be with his much-younger girlfriend; co-starring Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper, and Patricia Clarkson

Never Back Down (PG-13): Action; about a young man learning the world of street fighting as a newcomer to Florida; co-starring Djimon Hounsou

Paranoid Park (R): Drama; about a young skateboarder who accidentally kills a security guard; directed by Gus Van Sant

Sleepwalking (R): Drama; about a young man and his pre-adolescent niece who must live together after her mother skips town; co-starring Charlize Theron, Nick Stahl, Woody Harrelson, and Dennis Hopper

The Unforeseen (NR): Documentary; about a real-estate developer who battles Austin residents over pristine wilderness; co-starring Robert Redford

Netflix pick – Cavite (NR): A Filipino-American plunges into his poverty-stricken homeland under orders from a local Muslim terrorist. Tense, unnerving, and very real.


Free Activities
22nd Annual Kayak Surf Festival [Fri-Sun]: Kayak competitions, nightly parties. At Lighthouse Point (Santa Cruz). www.asudoit.com/kayak_fest

156th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration [Sat 10am-5pm]: Parade from the Financial District to Civic Center (11:30am); festival with live Irish music, arts & crafts, and food & beer. At Civic Center Plaza (SF). www.sfstpatricksdayparade.com

Iraq Moratorium Gathering [Sun 5pm]: To mark the 5th anniversary of the Iraq War, Sean Penn, Cindy Sheehan, Matt Gonzalez, and others will speak their minds. At Unitarian Universalist Church (SF). $5-10 donation. www.iraqmoratorium-sfbay.org

Irish Festival [Mon 9am-midnight]: Beach Street will be closed to traffic to bring in Irish coffees, Irish Lamb Stew with soda bread, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Guinness, and more. At Buena Vista Café (SF). www.thebuenavista.com

Iraq Protest Marches [Wed]: At Berkeley’s Marine Recruiting Station (all day), San Jose’s Martin Luther King Library (4pm), San Francisco’s Civic Center (5pm), Alameda’s City Hall (6:30pm), and Santa Cruz’s downtown (7pm). http://www.indybay.org/


Paid Activities
Live Music – The Bravery [Th 8pm]: At The Warfield (SF), $23. www.myspace.com/thebravery

Event – San Francisco Flower & Garden Show [through Sunday]: At the Cow Palace (Daly City), FREE-$65. www.gardenshow.com

Comedy – Margaret Cho [Fri 8pm, Sat 10pm]: At the Warfield (SF), $35-65. www.margaretcho.com

Live Music – Angelique Kidjo [Fri 8pm]: The pop vocalist from Benin tours following her Grammy Award in 2008 for Best Contemporary World Music Album. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $22-42. www.kidjo.com

Live Music – Directions in Sound: Notes from the Asian-American Underground [Fri 9pm, Tue 9pm]: Two different performances as part of the Asian-American Film Festival. At 111 Minna and Rickshaw Stop (SF), $8-15. www.asianamericanmedia.org/2008

Live Music – Blind Boys of Alabama [Sat 8pm]: The group of entirely African-American and blind singers harkens back to its roots in 1939. At Memorial Auditorium (Stanford), $12-48. www.blindboys.com

Live Music – Colm o Riain [Sat 9:30pm]: As part of the SF Irish Fest, with Lucia Comnes opening. At Café du Nord (SF), $15. www.cafedunord.com

Comedy – Lisa Lampanelli [Sat 8/10:30pm]: Appearances on Comedy Central and The Tonight Show. At Fox Theatre (Redwood City), $35. www.insultcomic.com

Film – 26th San Francisco International Asian-American Film Festival [through Mar 23]: At various locations in San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Jose. Tickets $8-11; programs $6-50. www.asianamericanmedia.org/2008

Theatre – Monster in the Dark [through Mar 23]: About a terrorized society who must confront a monumental flood. At CounterPULSE (SF), $12-30. www.foolsfury.org

Previous: Theatre - Wishful Drinking [through Apr 12 in Berkeley]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [through Apr 13 in SF] recommended

Randy's Guide LXXVI (76)

Today is Texas’ Alamo Day and TV host Ed McMahon’s 85th; Friday is singer Taylor Dayne’s 46th; Saturday is International Women’s Day; Monday is actor (and Huckabee supporter) Chuck Norris’ 68th; Tuesday is Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s 72nd and Johnny Appleseed Day; Wednesday is writer Dave Eggers’ 38th.


Local News Story
In Fresno County, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has tapped into cow manure for its latest renewable energy venture. BioEnergy Solutions and Vintage Dairy have teamed with PG&E to produce enough natural gas to supply about 50,000 customers. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/04/BUEUVCV51.DTL


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 Saturday night; otherwise, seasonably mild. Highs 63-68; lows 42-47.

High 29, Low 17: Anderson, IN (snow)
- One of 12 U.S. citizens were arrested in this town this week as part of a global child pornography ring that involved Australia, England, Canada, and Germany, with more than 400,000 photos and videos of children as young as five years old

High 36, Low 15: Brattleboro, VT (rain)
- As part of Tuesday’s primary election, residents voted to indict and issue warrants for President George W. Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney for crimes against their Constitution

High 48, Low 30: New York, NY (rain)
- New York police are searching for a bicyclist who is believed to have detonated a bomb at a military recruiting center

High 77, Low 50: South Pasadena, CA (partly cloudy)
- Starting this year, the first week in March here is officially No Cussing Week as a reminder to residents and visitors to be more civil

High 51, Low 39: Woodinville, WA (rain)
- The destruction of several new homes in a Seattle suburb has been blamed on the Earth Liberation Front


Environmental Tips
Aside from your satellite dish and box, electronics with a remote or digital clock can – and should – be safely shut off when not in use. The devices can eat up roughly $70-100 per year in electricity use and are often designed for periods to cool down completely.

Previous:
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).


Music Videos
“The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson (New York)



Her songs have climbed from MySpace to Old Navy commercials, Regis & Kelly, and Grey’s Anatomy. She performs in San Diego (tonight), Anaheim (Sat), L.A. (Sun), Texas, North Carolina, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, Oregon, and back to California.

Previous:
“Someone Great” by LCD Soundsystem (New York)



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


Movies (through Mar. 3)
#1 Semi-Pro (R): $15.1MM opening; 3121 screens; $4,830 per screen
#2 Vantage Point (PG-13): $12.8MM opening; 3150 screens; $4,070 per screen
#3 The Spiderwick Chronicles (PG): $8.7MM; $55.0MM overall; 3654 screens; $2,381 per screen
#4 The Other Boleyn Girl (PG-13): $8.2MM opening; 1166 screens; $7,035 per screen; about the two Boleyn sisters who leave country life for court life to woo the King of England

The Bank Job (R): Action comedy; about a car dealer who decides to rob a bank on London’s Baker Street

CJ7 (PG): Foreign sci-fi; about a poor boy who tries to becomes popular at his private school with his new toy

College Road Trip (G): Comedy; about a father escorting his daughter and her friends on their trip to tour universities; co-starring Martin Lawrence

Girls Rock! (PG): Documentary; about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (PG-13): Comedy; about a middle-aged London woman who accepts a job as a social secretary; co-starring Frances McDormand and Amy Adams

10,000 B.C. (PG-13): Action; about a young hunter and his tribe who battle warlords to save his lover

This week’s movie pick – Charlie Wilson’s War (R): Philip Seymour Hoffman is an absolute delight as the CIA veteran who assists a Texas congressman in his efforts to block Soviet influence in Afghanistan.

This week’s video pick – Black Book (R): Unusual in that it’s a foreign film with an epic, big-budget focus; unbelievable that one woman endured such a journey in WWII.


Free Activities
16th Annual Celebrate Spring [Fri 9am-3:30pm, Sat 10am-10pm]: Boutique shopping, luncheon, a Tea Party, Evening Gala, and more. Proceeds benefit the Schools of the Sacred Heart. Free chocolates, Starbucks coffee, and family games. At the Convent & Stuart Hall (SF). www.celebratespring.org

Arbor Day [Sat 9am-2pm]: Plant a tree at Golden Gate Park, John Muir Elementary, or Koshland Park. Check out the Green Resource Fair and other activities at the African-American Culture Center (SF). www.sfarborday.org


Paid Activities
Event – Bark & Whine Ball [Th 7-10:30pm]: Live music from the Dick Bright Orchestra, a silent auction, and of course food. Proceeds benefit the SPCA’s Cinderella Fund. At the San Francisco Gift Center (SF), $20-150. www.sfspca.org/barkandwhine

Live Music – Bjorkestra / Realistic Orchestra [Th 8pm]: Double bill featuring a New York big band dedicated to Bjork’s music, and a 20-piece jazz ensemble with hip-hop influences. At the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF), $25. www.sfjazz.org

Film – Irish Film Festival [through Saturday]: Events include “Magners and Shorts” (short films with free Magners Cider) and “Documentary Program.” At the Roxie Film Center (SF), $10. www.sfirishfilm.com

Theatre – Sonny’s Blues [through Saturday]: Based on James Baldwin’s classic short story about two Harlem brothers. At the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre (SF), $22-95. www.zspace.org

Dance – Shen Wei Dance Arts [through Saturday]: At the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF), $26-45. www.act-sf.org

Theatre – Boston Marriage [through Sunday]: Based on David Mamet’s play about two early 20th century women who live together. At Theatre Rhinoceros (SF), $15-35. www.therhino.org

Comedy – Hal Sparks [through Sunday]: The star of “Queer as Folk” and “Talk Soup.” At Cobb’s Comedy Club (SF), $19-23. www.halsparks.com

Dance – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre [through Sunday]: At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $34-60. www.calperformances.org

Event – 15th Annual International Women’s Day Celebration [Fri-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm]: Exploration of various relationships that women and girls experience through the use of theater, music, and visuals. At the Women’s Building (SF), $5-50. www.locobloco.org

Live Music – Serj Tankian [Sat 8pm]: The alt-metal lead for System of a Down breaks away for a solo concert. At the Warfield (SF), $26. www.serjtankian.com

Live Music – An Evening with the Stars of Doo-Wop and Rock ‘n’ Roll [Sat 8pm]: Featuring The Platters, The Nelsons, and more. At the Herbst Theatre (SF), $35-75. www.cityboxoffice.com

Film – Central Mexico [Sun 2pm]: With live narration by Fran Reidelberger. Presented by the Golden Gate Geographic Society. At the Notre Dame Theatre (Belmont), $10.

Live Music – Vienna Choir Boys [Sun 3pm]: Founded as a musician group in 1498. At the Marin Center (San Rafael), $15-45. www.wsk.at

Previous: Theatre - Curvy Widow [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Blood Knot [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Wishful Drinking [through Mar 30 in Berkeley]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [through Apr 13 in SF] recommended