Randy's Guide XCI (91)

Thursday is actor Tom Cruise's 46th; Friday is the Fourth of July and Oakland Raiders' President Al Davis' 79th; Saturday is Venezuela, Algeria, and Cape Verde's Independence Days; Sunday is actor Sylvester Stallone and President George W. Bush's 62nd; Monday is Japan's Tanabata (star festival); Tuesday is Heroes actor Milo Ventimiglia's 31st; Wednesday is singer Courtney Love's 44th.


Local News Story
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom launched an exploratory committee to consider a run for Governor of California in the 2010 election. His expected Democratic opponents include Attorney General Jerry Brown and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. www.sacbee.com/111/story/1054712.html


Another Magazine
A free subscription to Pathways, a magazine on poverty, inequality, and social policy. Check it out at www.stanford.edu/group/scspi/media_magazines.html


Change for Change
Charity to consider: Vital Life Services. Founded in 1987 in Berkeley, this organization provides hot meals, transportation, housing, and other services to those with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses. The group will move into the former site of Your Black Muslim Bakery once renovation is completed. www.vitalcalifornia.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, My New Red Shoes, College Track, and Foundation for the People of Burma.

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


Weekend Weather
Bay Area: Coastal fog, warm inland. Coast 61-68; bay 69-76; inland 77-86. Lows 48-56.

High 74, Low 56: Seattle, Wash. (chance of rain, then weekend clearing)
- Mega-coffee chain Starbucks announced that it would close a total of 600 stores and lay off up to 12,000 workers by year-end

High 88, Low 76: St. Petersburg, Fla. (chance of t-storms)
- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays swept the Boston Red Sox for the second time this season, pushing them further into first place for the American League East division

High 83, Low 45: Yosemite, Calif. (sunny)
- Hans Florine and Yuji Hirayama scaled the steep nose of El Capitan in a record 2 hours and 43 minutes


Environmental Tips
It's strawberry season! Buy local and organic, and use extras for smoothies, pancakes, and salad dressing.

Previous:
As we ponder our summer travel plans, consider easing your carbon footprint by going local and checking out that restaurant you wouldn't normally try or hotel you wouldn't book. Or, try out Amtrak by using its flex pass that allows for flexibility.


Music Videos
"I'll Believe in Anything" by Wolf Parade (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

Wolf Parade will show off its new album with stops this month in Chicago, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Hollywood, San Diego, Raleigh, and New York City.

Previous:
"Handlebars" by Flobots (Denver, Colo.)

This alternative rock-rap group hit it big this year with its third album, and will be on a July tour through Anaheim, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake City, and Houston.


Movies (through June 29)
#1 WALL-E (G): $63.1MM opening; 3992 screens; $15,803 per screen
#2 Wanted (R): $50.9MM opening; 3175 screens; $16,040 per screen
#3 Get Smart (PG-13): $20.2MM; $77.5MM overall; 3915 screens; $5,163 per screen
#23 Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (G): $0.1MM; $0.5MM overall; 5 screens; $21,404 per screen

Animation Show 4 (NR): Animation; 24 animated shorts, presented by Mike Judge

Constantine's Sword (NR): Documentary; about the consequences of religious influence on current foreign policy and previous nations; co-narrated by Natasha Richardson

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (R): Documentary; about the inventor of gonzo journalism; narrated by Johnny Depp

Hancock (PG-13): Action; about an ill-tempered superhero and the PR executive he saves; co-starring Will Smith and Charlize Theron

Hank and Mike (NR): Comedy; about two foul-mouthed men whose lives unravel following a series of odd jobs; co-starring Wes Bentley and Joe Mantegna

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (G): Family drama; about an aspiring reporter who stumbles upon a mysterious plot; co-starring Stanley Tucci and Abigail Breslin

Quid Pro Quo (R): Drama; about a paraplegic public-radio reporter who falls for an art restorer; co-starring Nick Stahl

Netflix pick – I'm Not There (R): $3.7MM box office; about six different actors who combine to portray different elements of Bob Dylan's life; co-starring Cate Blanchett (nominated for her role), Heath Ledger, Richard Gere, and Christian Bale


Free Activities
San Francisco Mime Troupe [Fri-Sun 1:30pm]: Its latest production, Red State, opens on the Fourth of July. At Dolores Park (SF). www.sfmt.org

24th Annual Fillmore Jazz Festival [Sat-Sun 10am-6pm]: Three stages of live jazz entertainment are the highlight. Along Fillmore Street (SF). www.fillmorejazzfestival.com

Asian Art Museum [Sun 10am-5pm]: Sponsored by Target. Check out the new Ming collection on display. In Civic Center Plaza (SF). www.asianart.org

Allen Toussaint of New Orleans [Sun 2pm]: Live jazz from a New Orleans legend. With up-and-coming Trombone Shorty (also of The Big easy) opening. Arrive early for prime seating. In Stern Grove (SF). www.sterngrove.org

Cardboard Tube Fighting Tournament [Sun 4pm]: At Dolores Park (SF). www.tubeduel.com/sf


Paid Activities
Film - Midnight Mass [Fri-Sat 11:55pm]: Special screening of Showgirls, hosted by Peaches Christ and featuring live cast interviews. At the Bridge Theatre (SF), $13. www.peacheschrist.com

Event - Hapa Benefit Concert [Sat 6pm]: Featuring the live Hawaiian music and dance performances. At the Palace of Fine Arts (SF), $40-75. www.nihonmachistreetfair.com

Festival - Marin County Fair [through Sunday]: Featuring the live music of Joan Jett, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, America, and Los Lobos. At the Marin County Fairgrounds (San Rafael), free-$14. www.marinfair.org

Festival - Napa County Fair [through Sunday]: Featuring the Budweiser Clydesdale horses. At the Napa County Fairgrounds (Calistoga), free-$7. www.napacountyfairgrounds.com

Theatre - Oh My Godmother! [through July 26]: A gay twist on the classic Cinderella tale. At the Zeum Theatre (SF), $25-35. www.ohmygodmother.com

Art - Frida Kahlo exhibit [through Oct 26]: A diverse selection of her paintings and photographs. At MOMA (SF), $5 surcharge on top of museum entrance. www.sfmoma.org

Previous: Opera - Lucia di Lammermoor [through Saturday in SF]; Theatre - 'Tis Pity She's a Whore [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [extended through July 27 in SF]; Art - Women Impressionists [through Sept 21 in SF]


Fourth of July
Concord [8am-2pm]: In Todos Santos Plaza. www.ci.concord.ca.us

Danville [9am]: Along Hartz Ave. www.kiwanis-srv.org/parade.asp

Redwood City [9am-9:30pm]: Downtown Redwood City. www.parade.org

Corte Madera [9:30am-5pm]: At Town Park. www.cortemadera.org

El Cerrito [10am-4pm]: At Cerrito Vista Park. www.el-cerrito.org

Sausalito [10am-9:15pm]: At Dunphy Park. www.ci.sausalito.ca.us

Foster City [10am-9:30pm]: At Foster City Recreation Center. www.fostercity.org

Berkeley [11am-9:30pm]: Along Berkeley Marina. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us

San Jose [11am-10pm]: In Discovery Meadow. www.americafestival.com

Benicia [noon-9pm]: At Benicia City Park. www.ci.benicia.ca.us

San Francisco [1-9:30pm]: At Pier 39. www.pier39.com


Upcoming Activities in August
Aloha Festival [Aug 2-3 in SF]; San Francisco Marathon [Aug 3]; Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival [Aug 22-24 in SF]