Randy's Guide C (100)

A historic milestone! Make use of the great fall weather, and enjoy the loads of activities listed in Guide #100...

Today is Argentina's Immigrants' Day; Saturday is Stillbirth Remembrance Day and McCain economic adviser Carly Fiorina's 54th; Sunday is Mozambique's Victory Day; Monday is singer Pink's 29th; Tuesday is California's Admission Day; and Wednesday is commentator Bill O'Reilly's 59th and American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar's 19th.


Local News Story
UC Berkeley has been given the green light to move ahead with the construction of an athletic center at Memorial Stadium. The ruling by the court of appeals in San Francisco comes after 20 months of legal maneuvering to save the Oak Grove by three plantiff groups: the city of Berkeley, the Panoramic Hill Association, and the California Oak Foundation. www.dailycal.org/article/102479


Change for Change
Congrats to Little Angel Fund. Hope some of you called in donations to this great organization.

New charity to consider: San Francisco Health Services Coalition. Two young volunteers found me on the sidewalks of Laurel Heights, and I signed on to a campaign for shelter beds for mothers. Founded last year, the nonprofit addresses the problems of homelessness and affordable housing. 90% of its funding goes directly to services, a remarkable rate among all charity organizations. www.sfhsc.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, Foundation for the People of Burma, Vital Life Services, and now Little Angel Fund.

Donate through the nonprofit's Web site or your corporate donation program.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
The autumn heat has arrived.
-Coast: Fri-Sat (low-70s); Sun (mid-60s). Lows near 55.
-Bay: Fri (mid-80s); Sat (near 80); Sun (mid-70s). Lows near 55.
-Inland: Fri-Sun (mid-90s). Lows near 60.


Environmental Tips
When replacing your carpet, take it to one of the following: a nonprofit for reuse, to SF Carpet Recycling, or through Norcal Waste Systems for recycling. Then, make sure that the new carpet is made from recycled materials and can be easily recycled (such as Type 6 Nylon).

Previous:
Back to school time! Be a school activist and push for propane-powered buses and for diesel particular filters. Also, request that a no-idling zone for buses and cars exist near the school, to cut emissions and make the air cleaner for growing kids.


Music Videos
"Blind" by Hercules and Love Affair (New York, N.Y.)

With DJ Andy Butler as the foundation, the artsy disco group released its first album in March and is currently on tour in the U.K.

Previous:
"In My Arms" by Teddy Thompson (New York, N.Y.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEhWktE3njQ
The London-born country-light folk rocker recently released his fourth album, "A Piece of What You Need." The video of the first single includes a guest appearance by his friend, Rufus Wainwright. His U.S. tour includes September stops in Atlanta, Charlotte, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, before heading over to England, Ireland, and Scotland.


Movies (domestic revenues through September 1)
#1 Tropic Thunder (R): $14.6MM; $86.9MM overall; 3473 screens; $4,204 per screen
#2 Babylon A.D. (PG-13): $11.5MM opening; 3390 screens; $3,405 per screen
#3 The Dark Knight (PG-13): $11.1MM; $504.8MM overall; 2750 screens; $4,046 per screen
#11 Vicky Cristina Barcelona (PG-13): $3.5MM; $13.3MM overall; 692 screens; $5,095 per screen; Woody Allen's latest film, co-starring Scarlett Johansson as one of two American girls who get swept up in romantic travails while in Spain

Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild (NR): Comedy sequel; about four gay men who head to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for spring break

Bangkok Dangerous (R): Action; about a hit man who travels to Bangkok with several missions, only to fall in love with a woman; co-starring Nicolas Cage

Beautiful Losers (NR): Documentary; about artists from the worlds of skateboarding, graffiti, and hip-hop in New York during the 1990s

Grocer's Son (NR): Drama; about a young Parisian who must take over his father's grocery-truck business in the French countryside

Order of Myths (NR): Documentary; about two large traditional celebrations of Mardi Gras in Mobile, Ala.

Ping Pong Playa (PG-13): Comedy; about a Chinese American who loves both hip-hop and basketball; directed by Palo Alto native Jessica Yu

Trouble the Water (NR): Documentary; about two lives affected by Hurricane Katrina; winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance

Yella (NR): Thriller; about a young woman from a small German town who joins a corporation

Hollywood Video pick - Sicko (PG-13): Documentary. Director Michael Moore, ever the far-reaching activist, builds the argument that the ailing U.S. health-care industry is best seen from the perspective of specific individuals and corporate actions. Winner of Best Documentary awards from several film-critic groups, including Chicago, St. Louis, Phoenix, and New York. $24.5 million box-office gross.


Free Activities
Songs of the Soul Concert [Fri 8pm]: A musical tribute to Sri Chinmoy. At Herbst Theatre (SF). Call 415-664-1327 to make reservations. www.pilgrimageyoga.com/concert

East Bay AIDS Walk [Sat 9am-1pm]: Walk en masse, then enjoy barbecue and entertainment afterwards. Meet at Edoff Memorial Bandstand of Lake Merritt (Oakland). www.eastbayaidswalk.org

Mountain View Art & Wine Festival [Sat-Sun 10am-6pm]: 37th annual event. Along Castro Street (Mountain View). www.miramarevents.com

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's Family Day [Sat 10am-2pm]: 2nd annual event. Featuring a bike parade, a training wheels course, scavenger hunt, and more. At the 14th Avenue picnic area in Golden Gate Park (SF). www.sfbike.org

Electric Car Rally [Sat 10am-4pm]: Featuring electric vehicles used by Bay Area residents, with test rides and prizes available. Other green vendors will be present as well. At Palo Alto High School. www.eaasv.org/rally.html

Armenian Festival [Sat 11am-10pm]: At St. Andrew Armenian Church (Cupertino). www.standrewarmchurch.org

Power to the Peaceful Festival [Sat 11am-5pm]: 10th annual event. Featuring speeches by Namkha Rinpoche of Tibet and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma), performances by Ziggy Marley and Michael Franti, and cultural exhibits focusing on human rights and the promotion of peace. At Speedway Meadow (SF). www.powertothepeaceful.org

Autumn Moon Festival [Sat-Sun 11am-6pm]: 18th annual event. Featuring acrobatics, martial arts, and moon cakes of all flavors. Along Grant Avenue (SF). www.moonfestival.org

Chocolate Festival [Sat-Sun noon-5pm]: 13th annual event. Benefits Project Open Hand. Featuring chocolate tastings from Kara's Cupcakes (Saturday only), Sugar Bowl Bakery, Ciao Bella Gelato, Ana Mandara, and more. Also showcasing an ice-cream eating contest, a Cost Plus chocolate & wine bar, and chef demonstrations. In Ghirardelli Square (SF). Tastings cost $10 for 6, $20 for 15. Be advised to arrive early to avoid crowds. www.ghirardellisq.com

Ethiopia New Year's Day Celebration [Sun 11am-5pm]: Featuring Mesgana Dancers from Ethiopia. At Lake Merritt Park (Oakland). www.coeef.org

Montclair Village Jazz & Wine Festival [Sun 11am-6pm]: 6th annual event. In Montclair Village (Oakland). www.montclairjazzandwine.org

Opera in the Park [Sun 1:30pm]: Featuring arias from the fall season opera stars (Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Barbara Frittoli, and others), accompanied by the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and conductor Donald Runnicles. In Sharon Meadow of Golden Gate Park (SF). www.sfopera.com

~ Ongoing ~
Film Night in the Park [Sat 8pm]: "Il Postino" (Washington Square Park, SF). www.filmnight.org

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Sat-Sun 4:30pm, Tue 6:30pm]: Its latest sparkling production, "Red State," focuses on a small Kansas town that is the last to vote in the 2008 presidential election. At Southside Park (Sacramento), Community Park (Davis), and Laney College (Oakland). www.sfmt.org

Shakespeare in the Park [Sat 7:30pm, Sun-Mon 2:30pm]: 25 years of Free Shakespeare; this year, performing "Pericles." At Presidio Parade Ground (SF). www.sfshakes.org

Shotgun Players Theatre [Sat-Sun 4pm]: "Ubu for President." Through Sep 14. In John Hinkel Park (Berkeley). www.shotgunplayers.org

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival [Sun noon-4pm]: Grind for the Green, a solar-powered festival focusing on giving hip-hop youths the chance to advance professionally. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org


Paid Activities
Live Music - Jane Monheit [Fri-Sat 8pm/10pm, Sun 2pm/7pm]: Canadian jazz star. At Yoshi's (Oakland), $5-24. www.yoshis.com

Live Music - San Francisco Electronic Music Festival [Fri-Sat 8pm, Sun 7pm]: 9th annual event. Featuring electroacoustic, electronics, and chamber ensemble works. At Project Artaud Theater (SF), $13-18. www.sfemf.org

Live Music - Dave Matthews Band [Fri - Sun]: Jam rock band. With Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings opening. At the Greek Theatre (Berkeley), $65. www.davematthews.com

Event - Bay Area Pet Fair [Sat-Sun 10am-5pm]: 3rd annual event. Featuring a pet adoptathon, dog competitions, and exhibitors. At Marin Center (San Rafael), free-$7. See website for $1 coupon. www.bayareapetfair.com

Live Music - Angela Gheorghiu [Sat 7:30pm]: Soprano making her Cal Performances recital debut. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $35-100. www.calperformances.org

Comedy - Sarah Silverman [Sun 7:30pm]: With Harris Wittels opening. At Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium (SF), $45-75. http://sarahsilverman.comedycentral.com

Sports/Live Music - Miko Marks with San Francisco Giants [Wed 12:30pm]: Catch the rising country star live before the San Francisco Giants game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. www.mikomarks.com

Theatre - Yellowjackets [through Oct 12]: About life at Berkeley High School in 1994, as racial tensions, gang violence, and student profiling plagued the campus. At Berkeley Repertory Theatre, $33-71. www.berkeleyrep.org

Previous: Theatre - Grey Gardens [through Sep 14 in Mountain View]; Art - Women Impressionists [through Sep 21 in SF]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [extended through Sep 21 in SF]; Art - Ming Dynasty [through Sep 21 in SF]; Art - Frida Kahlo [through Oct 26 in SF]


Upcoming Activities in October
Oktoberfest by the Bay [Oct 2-5 in SF]; Mill Valley Film Festival [starts Oct 2]; Spice of Life Festival [Oct 19 in Berkeley]