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.

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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.

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“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