Randy's Guide CVI (106)

Today is Boss' Day; Friday is film critic Richard Roeper's 49th; Saturday is actor Zac Efron's 21st and Alaska Day; Sunday is psychic John Edward's 39th; Monday is rapper Snoop Dogg's 37th; and Wednesday is Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour's 61st.


Local News Story
Another study about bottled water, another reason to avoid buying it. The Environmental Working Group found that Wal-Mart's Sam's Choice brand, among others, had levels of trihalomethanes, arsenic, ammonia, caffeine, and other contaminants that exceeded legal limits of California tap water. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/15/MNGV13H0L4.DTL


Change for Change
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 Little Angel Fund.

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


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Continued heat through Saturday, then a return to seasonal weather.
Highs: coast (mid-70s, cooling to mid-60s); bay (low-80s, to low-70s); inland (mid-80s, to upper-70s)
Lows: low-50s


Environmental News
The ancient Japanese art of furoshiki is making a comeback for food and clothing purchases. Simply use a square piece of silk or nylon, and wrap items carefully to use as a shoulder bag or a grocery bag.

Previous:
Check out www.freecycle.org for giving new life to your unwanted items or scoring that vase you've always wanted for the coffee table.


Music Videos
"Wild Rumpus" by Jerry Douglas (Nashville, Tenn.)

Fresh off a successful performance at the Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco, Jerry Douglas and his band will be first making stops around Tennessee promoting his new album.

Previous:
"Banish Misfortune" by Lucia Comnes (San Francisco, Calif.)

She is known to infuse Irish folk songs with influences from India, Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria. Catch her in San Francisco at Enrico's (Oct 26) or Bissap Baobab (Nov 9).


Movies (domestic revenues through October 12)
#1 Beverly Hills Chihuahua (PG): $17.5MM; 3218 screens; $5,439 per screen
#2 Quarantine (R): $14.2MM opening; 2461 screens; $5,775 per screen
#3 Body of Lies (R): $12.9MM opening; 2710 screens; $4,754 per screen
#25 Rachel Getting Married (R): $0.4MM; $0.9MM overall; 27 screens; $16,505 per screen; about a woman who leaves rehab to attend her sister's wedding; co-starring Anne Hathaway and Debra Winger

Ashes of Time Redux (R): Action; about an expert swordsman living in the remote Chinese desert; directed by Wong Kar Wai

Ballast (NR): Drama; about a man grieving for his brother and a single mom

Boogieman: The Lee Atwater Story (NR): Documentary; about the conservative behind the infamous Willie Horton ad

Callback: The Unmaking of Bloodstain (NR): Horror; about sketchy characters who are forced to halt a movie production

Max Payne (R): Action; about the video game-based cop who is on a mission to avenge the deaths of his family and officer partner

Morning Light (PG): Documentary; about 15 young sailors who train and compete in the Transpacific Yacht Race

Patti Smith: Dream of Life (NR): Documentary; about the famed musician, her bandmates, and other colleagues

The Secret Life of Bees (PG-13): Drama; about a young girl and her caretaker who flee to South Carolina; co-starring Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, and Dakota Fanning

Sex Drive (R): Comedy; about a virgin male who goes on a road trip with his buddies to hook up with a girl; co-starring James Marsden and Seth Green

Sukiyaki Western Django (R): Action; about a gunslinger who is sent in to settle a dispute between rival gangs

Under the Bombs (NR): Drama; about a family torn apart by the Israel-Lebanon war in 2006

W. (PG-13): Comedy-drama; about the life of our current President, George W. Bush; co-starring Josh Brolin, Richard Dreyfuss, James Cromwell, and Thandie Newton; directed by Oliver Stone

What Just Happened? (R): Comedy; about a stressed movie producer trying to get his new film made; co-starring Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, Stanley Tucci, and John Turturro

DVD Pick - Donnie Darko (R): Okay, so I'm a bit late on seeing this cult favorite. Seven years old or not, it makes for a genuinely thought-provoking, chilling journey through one troubled teen's mind... and with a bizarre bunny to boot. Co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, and Noah Wyle. $1.3MM domestic box-office gross.


Free Activities
Sidewalk Arts & Crafts Festival [Fri-Sun 10am-5pm]: 12th annual. Along Santa Cruz Avenue (Menlo Park). www.menloparkchamber.com

Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival [Sat-Sun 9am-5pm]: 38th annual. Featuring contests in pumpkin carving, pumpkin weight, and pumpkin pie. Also featuring live music, a parade with Grand Marshal Will Clark, pumpkin pancakes, and pumpkin sausages. Along Main Street (Half Moon Bay). www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest

Potrero Hill Festival [Sat 10am-5pm]: 18th annual. Along Southern Heights (SF). http://potrerolibrarysfpl.blogspot.com/2008/10/potrero-hill-festival-2008.html

Campbell Oktoberfest [Sat-Sun 10am-5pm]: In historic downtown Campbell. www.campbellchamber.com/pages/specialevents/oktoberfest.htm

Concord Oktoberfest [Sat 11am-6pm]: In Todos Santos Plaza (Concord). www.communityconcerts.com

Red Bull Soapbox Race [Sat 11am-4pm]: Held since 2000, the global races come to San Francisco, with more than 30 teams shooting down Dolores Street. At Dolores Park. www.redbullsoapboxusa.com

Family Festival [Sat 11am-3pm]: Featuring the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble, Paul Green's School of Rock, the Samoan Dance Group, comedian Shaun Landry, and many others. Also more than 100 parent resources will be on hand from various government- and community-based organizations. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.dcyf.org

Brazilian Festival [Sat 11:30am-6pm]: Featuring a parade and live Brazilian music. At Civic Center Park (Berkeley). www.capoeiraarts.com

Spice of Life [Sun 10am-6pm]: 6th annual. Featuring a range of cooking demos from neighborhood chefs. Along Shattuck Avenue (Berkeley). www.spiceoflifefestival.com

Bernal Fiesta on the Hill [Sun 11am-6pm]: 20th annual. Featuring live music from SambaDa, the Creole Belles, and others. Along Cortland Avenue (SF). www.bhnc.org

Family Day at the Contemporary Jewish Museum [Sun 11am-4pm]: Celebrate Sukkot and harvest traditions at the Target-sponsored event. At the Contemporary Jewish Museum (SF). www.thecjm.org


Paid Activities
Live Music - Randy Newman [Fri 8pm]: Featuring works from both his new album and his classics. At Davies Symphony Hall (SF), $20-80. www.randynewman.com

Dance - Kirov Ballet [Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm/8pm, Sun 3pm]: Featuring performances of Don Quixote. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $50-125. www.kirov.com

Live Music - Kings of Leon [Fri-Sat 8pm]: With We Are Scientists and The Stills opening. At the Warfield (SF), $42. www.kingsofleon.com

Event - Biketoberfest 2008 [Sat 11am-6pm]: Featuring guided bike tours, a vintage bike exhibit, and, of course, beer. At Anselmo Plaza (Fairfax), $20. www.biketoberfest2008.org

Previous: Theatre - Rock 'n' Roll [through Saturday in SF]; Theatre - A Bronx Tale [through Sunday in SF]; Art - Frida Kahlo [through Oct 26 in SF]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [extended through Dec 7 in SF]


Upcoming Activities in November
Jake Shimabukuro [Nov 9 in SF]; Trans-Siberian Orchestra [Nov 16 in San Jose]; Alanis Morissette [Nov 17 in Oakland]