Randy's Guide CXVII (117)

As a new year begins tonight, please spend a moment to reflect on the past year and peer into the next one. Your beloved friends, colleagues, and family will appreciate any words you have to share with them.

Today is Welsh actor Sir Anthony Hopkins' 71st and Scotland's Hogmanay; Thursday is New Year's Day and novelist J.D. Salinger's 90th; Friday is model Christy Turlington's 40th; Saturday is retired champion race car driver Michael Schumacher's 40th; Sunday is Burma's Independence Day; Monday is Spanish King Juan Carlos I's 71st; Tuesday is Three Kings Day; and Wednesday is television host Katie Couric's 52nd.


Local News
If you're going to be out and about in the Bay Area tonight, consider public transit (instead of waiting for that elusive cab or driving impaired). MUNI buses will be free from 8pm-6am, with Metro streetcars running until 4am and additional service on key bus routes until 5am. CalTrain runs until 2am; both CalTrain and SamTrans will be free from 11pm-2am. And BART will operate trains until 3am with $6 flash passes as its holiday promotion. www.sfmta.com www.bart.org www.samtrans.com www.caltrain.com


Change for Change
Your last chance (today) to make tax-deductible donations for the 2008 tax year. Check out the groups spotlighted over the past 116 issues.

-Aldea Inc: mental health care for Napa and Solano county; www.aldeainc.com
-Bay Area Community Services: mental health and senior services in Alameda County; www.bayareacs.org
-blueEnergy Group: wind and solar energy solutions for marginal communities, based in San Francisco; www.blueenergygroup.org
-City CarShare: socially responsible car sharing program in the Bay Area; www.citycarshare.org
-College Track: after-school college-preparatory program for under-privileged youths in Oakland, San Francisco, East Palo Alto, and New Orleans; www.collegetrack.org
-Common Ground Relief: rehabilitation of New Orleans; www.commongroundrelief.org
-Farm Sanctuary: animal advocacy, with educational farms in California and New York; www.farmsanctuary.org
-Foundation for the People of Burma: humanitarian aid for Burmese individuals, based in San Francisco; www.foundationburma.org
-Friends of the Urban Forest: the planting and caring for trees in San Francisco; www.fuf.net
-Glide Memorial: assistance to homeless, poor, unemployed, and HIV+ communities in San Francisco; www.glide.org
-Little Angel Fund: support and education for parents with premature or seriously ill infants; www.littleangelfund.org
-Loaves and Fishes: daily lunches for the hungry in six Contra Costa cities; www.loavesandfishesofcontracosta.org
-LYRIC: support for LGBTQQ youth, based in San Francisco; www.lyric.org
-Maitri: South Asian women facing domestic abuse or violence; www.maitri.org
-My New Red Shoes: new clothing for homeless and low-income youths, based in Menlo Park; www.mynewredshoes.org
-Natural Resources Defense Council: environmental activism group with lawyers, lobbyists, and scientists to promote action; www.nrdc.org
-San Francisco Health Services Coalition: public awareness and funds distribution for homelessness, based in San Francisco; www.sfhsc.org
-Vital Life Services: services for individuals with HIV+/AIDS and other critical illnesses, based in Oakland; www.vitalcalifornia.org

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


Bay Area Holiday Weekend Weather
Chance of rain on Friday, otherwise partly cloudy and cool.

Highs: low-to-mid-50s
Lows: mid-30s (inland) to ~40 (bay) to mid-40s (coast)


Environmental News
25 million Christmas trees are sold each holiday season. Please recycle your tree so that your local community can turn it into valuable mulch, trail chippings, and shoreline erosion barriers. Remove tinsel, decorations, lights, and non-wood tree stands. For San Francisco residents, Sunset Scavenger will collect the trees during the regular pick-up day next week, January 5-11.

Previous:
Your used cooking oil should not go down the drain, as this causes sewer clogs and costly city repairs. Store the oil in leakproof containers, and then compost it or give it to a biofuel producer. SFGreasecycle is collecting used oil (no food scraps or soap please) for biofuel production at Whole Foods and Costco stores from December 27-30.


Music Videos
"The Show" by Lenka (Los Angeles, Calif. / Sydney, Australia)

Lenka, a popular Czech-Slovak name, derives from her dad (who immigrated from Czechslovakia to Australia). You might have heard her song on an Old Navy commercial, or perhaps "Ugly Betty." She'll make a stop in San Francisco on January 15, in addition to shows in Denver, Chicago, Minneapolis, Washington DC, Portland, and Charlottesville.

Previous:
"Tenderoni" by Chromeo (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

Electrofunk gets a workout with this duo from Canada. Before heading off to Australia in February, catch them at Los Angeles' Key Club on January 22.


Movies (domestic revenues through December 28)
#1 Marley & Me (PG): $36.4MM opening; 3480 screens; $10,448 per screen
#2 Bedtime Stories (PG): $27.5MM opening; 3681 screens; $7,457 per screen
#3 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (PG-13): $26.9MM opening; 2988 screens; $8,987 per screen
#15 Gran Torino (R): $2.3MM; $4.2MM overall; 84 screens; $27,652 per screen; about a grumpy widower and Korean War vet (played by Clint Eastwood) who values his prized 1973 Gran Torino and, one day, saves his next-door Asian neighbors from a gang; winner of Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay from the National Board of Review

Antarctica (R): Comedy; about a group of friends in Tel Aviv who explore and seek relationships

Revolutionary Road (R): Drama; about a married couple with kids who feel trapped by the Connecticut suburbs during the 1950s; co-starring Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kathy Bates; directed by Sam Mendes; nominated for four Golden Globes, including Best Picture and Director

DVD Pick - Paris je t'aime (R): A novel approach to classic love stories, this series of 18 short films - each directed by a different person - showcases the various arrondisements of Paris. Look for appearances from Steve Buscemi, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Nick Nolte, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elijah Wood, Natalie Portman, and many others. Domestic box office: $4.9 miillion; foreign box office: $12.4 million.


Activities
{I'll assume most of you have settled your New Year's Eve plans by now.}

Wedding Faire 2009 [Sat-Sun 10am-4pm]: Largest Bay Area wedding event with over 100 booths. At Santa Clara Convention Center, $10-12. www.wedding-faire.com

Japanese Mochitsuki Party [Sat noon-4pm]: Watch and participate in the Japanese tradition of mochi pounding. At Asian Art Museum (SF), free with admission. www.asianart.org/mochi.htm

George Winston [Sat 8pm]: The famed piano composer returns to San Francisco for his first concert here in five years. At the Palace of Fine Arts (SF), $39. www.georgewinston.com

The Arabian Nights [through Jan 18]: About the legendary tales of the 1,001 nights. At Berkeley Rep, $14-71. www.berkeleyrep.org

Previous: Musical - Babes in Hollywood [through tonight in Foster City]; Event - Holiday Ice Skating [through Sunday or Jan 19 in SF]; Art - Leonardo da Vinci: Drawings [through Sunday in SF]; Musical - Phantom of the Opera [through Sunday in SF]; Art - Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul [through Monday in SF]; Theatre - Macbeth [through Jan 11 in Berkeley]; Art - Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes [through Jan 18 in SF]


Upcoming February Activities
Circus Oz [starts Feb 5 in Berkeley]; Chinese New Year Parade [Feb 7 in SF]; Cheech and Chong - Light Up America [Feb 28 in Santa Rosa]

Randy's Guide CXVI (116)

Today is "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest's 34th; Thursday is Christmas, political advisor Karl Rove's 58th, and Colombian senator (and former hostage) Ingrid Betancourt's 47th; Friday is Boxing Day and the start of Kwanzaa; Saturday is French actor Gerard Depardieu's 60th; Sunday is musician John Legend's 30th; Monday is Mexican actor Diego Luna's 29th; and Tuesday is golfer Tiger Woods' 33rd.


Local News
The famed Maverick's surfing contest, originating in the 1970s, has received enough sponsorship to continue for this year. 24 surfers will be given 24-hour notice to compete during the Jan. 1 through Mar. 31 timeframe. Catch the action live off Pillar Point near Half Moon Bay, at AT&T Park, or online at www.maverickssurf.com.


Change for Change
Join in the season for giving. Donate to one (or more) of the groups spotlighted over the past 115 issues.

-Aldea Inc: mental health care for Napa and Solano county; www.aldeainc.com
-Bay Area Community Services: mental health and senior services in Alameda County; www.bayareacs.org
-blueEnergy Group: wind and solar energy solutions for marginal communities, based in San Francisco; www.blueenergygroup.org
-City CarShare: socially responsible car sharing program in the Bay Area; www.citycarshare.org
-College Track: after-school college-preparatory program for under-privileged youths in Oakland, San Francisco, East Palo Alto, and New Orleans; www.collegetrack.org
-Common Ground Relief: rehabilitation of New Orleans; www.commongroundrelief.org
-Farm Sanctuary: animal advocacy, with educational farms in California and New York; www.farmsanctuary.org
-Foundation for the People of Burma: humanitarian aid for Burmese individuals, based in San Francisco; www.foundationburma.org
-Friends of the Urban Forest: the planting and caring for trees in San Francisco; www.fuf.net
-Glide Memorial: assistance to homeless, poor, unemployed, and HIV+ communities in San Francisco; www.glide.org
-Little Angel Fund: support and education for parents with premature or seriously ill infants; www.littleangelfund.org
-Loaves and Fishes: daily lunches for the hungry in six Contra Costa cities; www.loavesandfishesofcontracosta.org
-LYRIC: support for LGBTQQ youth, based in San Francisco; www.lyric.org
-Maitri: South Asian women facing domestic abuse or violence; www.maitri.org
-My New Red Shoes: new clothing for homeless and low-income youths, based in Menlo Park; www.mynewredshoes.org
-Natural Resources Defense Council: environmental activism group with lawyers, lobbyists, and scientists to promote action; www.nrdc.org
-San Francisco Health Services Coalition: public awareness and funds distribution for homelessness, based in San Francisco; www.sfhsc.org
-Vital Life Services: services for individuals with HIV+/AIDS and other critical illnesses, based in Oakland; www.vitalcalifornia.org

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


Bay Area Holiday Weekend Weather
It'll be a wet Christmas. The driest days should be Friday (happy shopping) and Sunday.

Highs: low-to-mid-50s
Lows: mid-30s (inland) to mid-40s (coast)


Environmental News
Your used cooking oil should not go down the drain, as this causes sewer clogs and costly city repairs. Store the oil in leakproof containers, and then compost it or give it to a biofuel producer. SFGreasecycle is collecting used oil (no food scraps or soap please) for biofuel production at Whole Foods and Costco stores from December 27-30.

Previous:
Various restaurants (from Cheesecake Factory to Tartine Bakery to Foreign Cinema), wineries, wine retailers, and Whole Foods stores will be collecting used corks for the next several months. They will be recycled by the world's #1 producer of natural cork, a Portuguese company called Amorim & Irmaos.


Music Videos
"Fancy Footwork" by Chromeo (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

Electrofunk gets a workout with this duo from Canada. Before heading off to Australia in February, catch them at Los Angeles' Key Club on January 22.

Previous:
"Stay Out" by Hit the Lights (Lima, Ohio)

The band takes its name from a Metallica song. The pop punk quintet filmed this music video in the Bay Area earlier this year. Look for them as part of the 2009 AP Tour.


Movies (domestic revenues through December 21)
#1 Yes Man (PG-13): $18.3MM opening; 3434 screens; $5,318 per screen
#2 Seven Pounds (PG-13): $14.9MM opening; 2758 screens; $5,385 per screen
#3 The Tale of Despereaux (G): $10.1MM opening; 3104 screens; $3,255 per screen
#15 Doubt (PG-13): $0.7MM; $1.4MM overall; 39 screens; $17,460 per screen; the Tony Award-winning play has successfully transferred to the Big Screen, with deft performances from Meryl Streep (as the stern, suspecting head nun), Philip Seymour Hoffman (as the pastor), and Viola Davis (her few minutes as an emotional mom are mind-blowing); nominated for 5 Golden Globes and 5 Screen Actors Guild awards

Amusement (R): Horror; about a traumatized woman and the cop and psychiatrist who try to understand what happened to her

Bedtime Stories (PG): Comedy; about a hotel repairman whose bedtime stories mysteriously come true; co-starring Adam Sandler, Courtney Cox Arquette, Keri Russell, and Guy Pearce

Ben X (NR): Drama; about a boy with Asperger's Syndrome, his online gaming obsessions, and the bullies who torment him

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (PG-13): Drama; about a man born in his eighties and ages backwards, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story; co-starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, and Julia Ormond; directed by David Fincher

Gran Torino (R): Thriller; about a grumpy widower, his prized 1973 Gran Torino auto, and the Asian neighbors he protects one day; co-starring and directed by Clint Eastwood

Marley and Me (PG): Comedy; about a young couple, both reporters, who moves to Florida and adopts a Labrador puppy; co-starring Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, and Alan Arkin

The Spirit (PG-13): Action; about a masked crusader tracking a killer while fending off advances from beautiful women; co-starring Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, and Eva Mendes; directed by Frank Miller

Valkyrie (PG-13): Action; about the German colonel who launched a daring plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler; co-starring Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, and Tom Wilkinson; directed by Bryan Singer

The Wrestler (R): Drama; about a washed up pro wrestler who starts to build a new life when the prospect of a rematch appears; co-starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, and Evan Rachel Wood; directed by Darren Aronofsky

DVD Pick - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (R): A thinking biopic western at its heart, the film centers on two men: outlaw Jesse James and his assassin Robert Ford, well-played by Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck, respectively; awards and nominations (including for the Oscars) centered on cinematography and Affleck's supporting role; domestic box office: $3.9 million


Activities
Telegraph Avenue Street Fair [today 11am-6pm]: Featuring more than 200 artists, in addition to the usual storefront shops. Along Telegraph Avenue (Berkeley), FREE. www.telegraphfair.com

Home for the Holidays [today 5pm/7pm/9pm]: The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus sings classics that celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the winter solstice. At Castro Theatre (SF), $17-25. www.sfgmc.org

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Ensemble [today 7pm/9:30pm]: At Slim's (SF), $15. www.oigc.org

Free Museum Day [Thu 11am-4pm]: Featuring special performances, storytelling, and exhibitions. At the Contemporary Jewish Museum (SF), FREE. www.thecjm.org

Two Gallants [Fri 9pm]: San Francisco duo performing a blend of Southern folk and indie rock. With Crystal Antlers and The Tallest Man on Earth opening. At the Warfield (SF), $20. www.twogallants.com

Spawning Salmon Hike [Sat 10am]: Work off those holiday calories, and learn about local salmon on a three-mile hike through Muir Woods. Meet at Muir Woods National Monument south parking lot (Mill Valley), FREE. www.ggnrabigyear.org

Emerald Bowl [Sat 5pm]: Watch the California Golden Bears take on the Miami Hurricanes. At AT&T Park (SF), $40-75. http://emeraldbowl.cstv.com

Kung Pao Kosher Comedy [through Saturday]: 16th annual. Featuring Jewish comedians at a Chinese restaurant, over a dinner or cocktail show. At New Asia Restaurant (SF), $42-62. www.koshercomedy.com

Cinderella [through Sunday]: An updated version by the African-American Shakespeare Company. At Zeum Theater (SF), $10-25. www.african-americanshakes.org

Walking with Dinosaurs [through Tuesday]: $20 million production based on the successful BBC/Discovery Channel series. At HP Pavilion (San Jose), $35-70. www.dinosaurlive.com

Babes in Hollywood [through Dec 31]: A musical featuring the songs of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. At the Hillbarn Theatre (Foster City), $30-110. www.hillbarntheatre.org

Holiday Ice Skating [through Jan 4 or 19, 10am-10pm Sun-Thu, 10am-11:30pm Fri-Sat]: Two outdoor ice rinks in San Francisco. At Embarcadero Center (Jan 4) and Union Square Plaza (Jan 19), $4-9 for 90-minute session, $3.50-5 for skate rental. www.unionsquareicerink.com www.embarcaderocenter.com

Macbeth [through Jan 11]: A contemporary look at Shakespeare's classic, with one witch instead of three, and two young attractive leads. At Ashby Stage (Berkeley), $18-30. www.shotgunplayers.org

Previous: Ballet - Nutcracker [through today in Oakland]; Theatre - A Christmas Carol [through Saturday in SF]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [extended through Saturday in SF]; Ballet - The Christmas Ballet [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Black Nativity [through Sunday in SF]; Ballet - Nutcracker [through Sunday in SF]; Art - Leonardo da Vinci: Drawings [through Jan 4 in SF]; Musical - Phantom of the Opera [through Jan 4 in SF]; Art - Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul [through Jan 5 in SF]; Art - Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes [through Jan 18 in SF]


Upcoming January Activities
Jesus Christ Superstar [Jan 7-8 in Cupertino]; Inauguration West [Jan 20 in SF]; Burn the Floor: The International Dance Sensation [starts Jan 30 in SF]

Randy's Guide CXV (115)

Today is actor Brad Pitt's 45th; Friday is Kenyan paleontologist Richard Leakey's 64th; Saturday is American Idol winner David Cook's 26th; Sunday is Winter Solstice and the start of Hanukkah; Monday is U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's 48th; and Tuesday is HumanLight and Festivus.


Local News
Tenants in rent-controlled San Francisco buildings are protected should the home go into foreclosure. Assessor Phil Ting has been leading an effort to contact renters living in homes in default that they do not have to move out or lose their utilities. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/18/BA6T14PVAE.DTL


Change for Change
Share the wealth. Donate to one (or more) of the groups spotlighted over the past 114 issues. It will surely help to make someone's season just a bit brighter.

-Aldea Inc: mental health care for Napa and Solano county; www.aldeainc.com
-Bay Area Community Services: mental health and senior services in Alameda County; www.bayareacs.org
-blueEnergy Group: wind and solar energy solutions for marginal communities, based in San Francisco; www.blueenergygroup.org
-City CarShare: socially responsible car sharing program in the Bay Area; www.citycarshare.org
-College Track: after-school college-preparatory program for under-privileged youths in Oakland, San Francisco, East Palo Alto, and New Orleans; www.collegetrack.org
-Common Ground Relief: rehabilitation of New Orleans; www.commongroundrelief.org
-Farm Sanctuary: animal advocacy, with educational farms in California and New York; www.farmsanctuary.org
-Foundation for the People of Burma: humanitarian aid for Burmese individuals, based in San Francisco; www.foundationburma.org
-Friends of the Urban Forest: the planting and caring for trees in San Francisco; www.fuf.net
-Glide Memorial: assistance to homeless, poor, unemployed, and HIV+ communities in San Francisco; www.glide.org
-Little Angel Fund: support and education for parents with premature or seriously ill infants; www.littleangelfund.org
-Loaves and Fishes: daily lunches for the hungry in six Contra Costa cities; www.loavesandfishesofcontracosta.org
-LYRIC: support for LGBTQQ youth, based in San Francisco; www.lyric.org
-Maitri: South Asian women facing domestic abuse or violence; www.maitri.org
-My New Red Shoes: new clothing for homeless and low-income youths, based in Menlo Park; www.mynewredshoes.org
-Natural Resources Defense Council: environmental activism group with lawyers, lobbyists, and scientists to promote action; www.nrdc.org
-San Francisco Health Services Coalition: public awareness and funds distribution for homelessness, based in San Francisco; www.sfhsc.org
-Vital Life Services: services for individuals with HIV+/AIDS and other critical illnesses, based in Oakland; www.vitalcalifornia.org

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


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Continued below-normal temperatures with occasional bursts of showers and snow for higher elevations. Overnight frost warnings for North Bay and inland East Bay locations.

Highs: Near 50
Lows: Upper-20s (inland) to low-40s (coast)


Environmental News
Various restaurants (from Cheesecake Factory to Tartine Bakery to Foreign Cinema), wineries, wine retailers, and Whole Foods stores will be collecting used corks for the next several months. They will be recycled by the world's #1 producer of natural cork, a Portuguese company called Amorim & Irmaos.

Previous:
Both Microsoft and Sony have provided energy-saving modes for their latest video-game systems XBOX360 and PlayStation 3, respectively. Use them (or turn off your system when not in use)! The average video-game player has about $100 in extra electricity costs per year if the system is kept in idle mode when not in use.


Music Videos
"Stay Out" by Hit the Lights (Lima, Ohio)

The band takes its name from a Metallica song. The pop punk quintet filmed this music video in the Bay Area earlier this year. Look for them as part of the 2009 AP Tour.

Previous:
"Carry On" by Dizzy Balloon (Piedmont, Calif.)

Formerly known as Panda (before realizing that a Mexican band had already claimed that name), the youthful quintet claimed victory as the local band to be represented in tonight's Not So Silent Night concert at the Oracle Arena, alongside The Killers and Death Cab for Cutie. You can catch them at smaller venues in Pleasanton, Modesto, Larkspur, Los Gatos, Oakland, and Lodi over the next month.


Movies (domestic revenues through December 14)
#1 The Day the Earth Stood Still (PG-13): $30.5MM opening; 3560 screens; $8,562 per screen
#2 Four Christmases (PG-13): $13.1MM; $87.8MM overall; 3540 screens; $3,693 per screen
#3 Twilight (PG-13): $8.0MM; $150.0MM overall; 3649 screens; $2,179 per screen
#17 Frost/Nixon (R): $0.6MM; $0.9MM overall; 39 screens; $16,061 per screen; Ron Howard's take of the Richard Nixon interview by David Frost received a warm reception, bolstered by 5 Golden Globe nominations and 2 Screen Actors Guild nominations

Delgo (PG): Animation; about a divided land, and the young teenage boy with the forbidden friendship; co-voiced by Jennifer Love Hewitt, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Kelly Ripa

My Name Is Bruce (R): Comedy; about Bruce Campbell being mistaken for his character from the "Evil Dead" trilogy, and forced to fight a real monster in Oregon

Seven Pounds (PG-13): Drama; about an IRS agent who seeks redemption by changing the lives of seven strangers; co-starring Will Smith and Woody Harrelson

The Tale of Despereaux (G): Animation; about a big-eared mouse and his many adventures; co-voiced by Matthew Broderick and Tracey Ullman

Timecrimes (R): Thriller; about a man who spots a nude woman and encounters a sinister attacker

Yes Man (PG-13): Comedy; about a self-help program that drives a man to say "yes" to everything; co-starring Jim Carrey

DVD Pick - Evening (PG-13): Drama. No, it's not the prequel to the hit teen vampire flick "Twilight." It's a thoughtful view of end-of-life memories, and features performances from Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Patrick Wilson, Glenn Close, and Meryl Streep. Domestic box-office gross: $12.4 million.


Activities
Charlie Hunter Trio [Th-Sat 8pm/10pm, Sun 2pm/7pm]: At Yoshi's (SF), $5-28. www.yoshis.com

Holiday Lights Show [Fri 6pm]: Featuring more than 100 lighted boats. From Pier 39 westward (SF), FREE. www.visitfishermanswharf.com

Pomegranates & Figs: A Feast of Jewish Music [Sat 8pm]: Featuring klezmer and Yiddish folk songs, Sephardic music, and special guest instrumentalists. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $15-32. www.calperformances.org

Bill Graham Menorah Lighting Ceremony [Sun 3pm]: Featuring live Jewish rock & blues, local speakers, and nightly ceremonies all week. At Union Square Park (SF), FREE.

Home for the Holidays with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra [Sun 7pm]: Featuring Irvin Mayfield on the trumpet. At Davies Symphony Hall (SF), $29-57. www.sfsymphony.org

The Coverlettes Cover Christmas [through Dec 23]: Featuring Star Search winner Carol Littleton, Jefferson Starship's Darby Gould, and Katie Guthorn in a celebration of Christmas and pop songs. At the Aurora Theatre (Berkeley), $25. www.auroratheatre.org

Nutcracker Ballet [through Dec 24]: At Paramount Theatre (Oakland), $15-50. www.oaklandballet.org

A Christmas Carol [through Dec 27]: At American Conservatory Theater (SF), $17-80. www.act-sf.org

The Christmas Ballet [through Dec 28]: At Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF), $9-55. www.smuinballet.org

Black Nativity [through Dec 28]: 10th annual. A gospel celebration of Christmas. At Lorraine Hansberry Theatre (SF), $18-36. www.lhtsf.org

Previous: Event - Great Dickens Christmas Fair [through Sunday in Daly City]; Theatre - Celebration of the Winter Solstice [through Sunday in Oakland]; Theatre - Every Christmas Story Ever Told [through Sunday in San Jose]; Theatre - A Christmas Carol [through Sunday in Walnut Creek]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [extended through Dec 27 in SF]; Ballet - Nutcracker [through Dec 28 in SF]; Art - Leonardo da Vinci: Drawings [through Jan 4 in SF]; Musical - Phantom of the Opera [through Jan 4 in SF]; Art - Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul [through Jan 5 in SF]; Art - Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes [through Jan 18 in SF]


Upcoming January Activities
Pharaoh Sanders [Jan 2-4 in Oakland]; Peking Acrobats [Jan 16 in San Rafael]; Devotchka [Jan 30-31 in SF]

Randy's Guide CXIV (114)

Today is Senator Max Baucus' (D-MT) 67th; Friday is Kenya's Independence Day and musician Sheila E's 51st; Saturday is Scandinavia's Saint Lucia Day; Sunday is British soccer star Michael Owen's 29th; Monday is Bill of Rights Day; Tuesday is the beginning of Mexico's Las Posadas; and Wednesday is Filipino boxer Manny Pacquaio's 30th.


Local News
In response to the passage of Proposition 8 - and in reference to 2006's "Day without an Immigrant," the "Day without a Gay" largely was dismissed by local residents who went about working and shopping as usual. A few hundred turned out for protests in San Francisco's Mission District and UC Berkeley's campus. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/11/BAUV14LPE2.DTL


Change for Change
Congrats to Natural Resources Defense Council, the latest recipient of a donation from Randy's Guide.

Even amidst this economic recession, I hope each of you can share a little bit of your earnings with one (or more) of the many groups that I have spotlighted over the past 113 issues. It will surely help to make someone's season just a tad brighter.

-Aldea Inc: mental health care for Napa and Solano county; www.aldeainc.com
-Bay Area Community Services: mental health and senior services in Alameda County; www.bayareacs.org
-blueEnergy Group: wind and solar energy solutions for marginal communities, based in San Francisco; www.blueenergygroup.org
-City CarShare: socially responsible car sharing program in the Bay Area; www.citycarshare.org
-College Track: after-school college-preparatory program for under-privileged youths in Oakland, San Francisco, East Palo Alto, and New Orleans; www.collegetrack.org
-Common Ground Relief: rehabilitation of New Orleans; www.commongroundrelief.org
-Farm Sanctuary: animal advocacy, with educational farms in California and New York; www.farmsanctuary.org
-Foundation for the People of Burma: humanitarian aid for Burmese individuals, based in San Francisco; www.foundationburma.org
-Friends of the Urban Forest: the planting and caring for trees in San Francisco; www.fuf.net
-Glide Memorial: assistance to homeless, poor, unemployed, and HIV+ communities in San Francisco; www.glide.org
-Little Angel Fund: support and education for parents with premature or seriously ill infants; www.littleangelfund.org
-Loaves and Fishes: daily lunches for the hungry in six Contra Costa cities; www.loavesandfishesofcontracosta.org
-LYRIC: support for LGBTQQ youth, based in San Francisco; www.lyric.org
-Maitri: South Asian women facing domestic abuse or violence; www.maitri.org
-My New Red Shoes: new clothing for homeless and low-income youths, based in Menlo Park; www.mynewredshoes.org
-Natural Resources Defense Council: environmental activism group with lawyers, lobbyists, and scientists to promote action; www.nrdc.org
-San Francisco Health Services Coalition: public awareness and funds distribution for homelessness, based in San Francisco; www.sfhsc.org
-Vital Life Services: services for individuals with HIV+/AIDS and other critical illnesses, based in Oakland; www.vitalcalifornia.org

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


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Mild sunshine will give way to a very cold arctic storm on Saturday for several days of light showers (snow likely at higher elevations).

Highs: upper-50s (coast) to mid-60s (inland), dropping to mid-40s by Sunday
Lows: mid-30s (inland) to mid-40s (coast), dropping to upper-20s (inland) to upper-30s (coast)


Environmental News
Both Microsoft and Sony have provided energy-saving modes for their latest video-game systems XBOX360 and PlayStation 3, respectively. Use them (or turn off your system when not in use)! The average video-game player has about $100 in extra electricity costs per year if the system is kept in idle mode when not in use.

Previous:
With the winter season bearing down upon us, it's time to monitor and replace your home's air filters. Heating and cooling typically accounts for half of the energy used in a typical home, so breathe better and save some money.


Music Videos
"Carry On" by Dizzy Balloon (Piedmont, Calif.)

Formerly known as Panda (before realizing that a Mexican band had already claimed that name), the youthful quintet claimed victory as the local band to be represented in tonight's Not So Silent Night concert at the Oracle Arena, alongside The Killers and Death Cab for Cutie. You can catch them at smaller venues in Pleasanton, Modesto, Larkspur, Los Gatos, Oakland, and Lodi over the next month.

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"Plasticities" by Andrew Bird (Chicago, Ill.)

With previous links to Squirrel Nut Zippers and Bowl of Fire, Andrew Bird is a singer-songwriter who has mastered an array of instruments, from the mandolin to the violin. Look for his new album in January, and a February tour taking him to such locales as San Francisco, Denver, Los Angeles, and New York.


Movies (domestic revenues through December 7)
#1 Four Christmases (PG-13): $16.8MM; $69.4MM overall; 3335 screens;
#2 Twilight (PG-13): $13.0MM; $138.4MM overall; 3620 screens;
#3 Bolt (PG): $9.8MM; $79.4MM overall; 3516 screens;
#9 Cadillac Records (R): $3.4MM opening; 686 screens; mediocre opening for the musical drama co-starring Beyonce Knowles, Adrien Brody, and Mos Def

Baby (NR): Drama; about a young Asian boy who commits manslaughter and is released from juvenile hall at age 18

Ciao (R): Drama; about a man who ties up his best friend's loose ends following his death

The Day the Earth Stood Still (PG-13): Action; about the latest encounter between humans and aliens; co-starring Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, and Kathy Bates

Doubt (PG-13): Drama; about a Catholic school principal who accises a priest of molestation; co-starring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman

Frost/Nixon (R): Drama; about the infamous interview between British TV host David Frost and former President Richard Nixon, three years after his resignation; co-starring Frank Langella and Michael Sheen; directed by Ron Howard

Nothing Like the Holidays (PG-13): Comedy; about the return of the Rodriguez family during Christmastime; co-starring John Leguizamo, Elizabeth Pena, Alfred Molina, and Debra Messing

Pray the Devil Back to Hell (NR): Documentary; about the Liberian women who work together during its last civil war

The Reader (R): Drama; about a younger man and an older woman whose lives intersect several times during post-World War II Germany; co-starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes

DVD Pick - Dead Girl (R): Nominated for 3 Independent Spirit Awards in 2007, this low-budget drama packs a punch in a "Crash"-like fashion. Seven strangers have their paths cross in the inland valley of Southern California. Co-starring Toni Collette, Giovanni Ribisi, James Franco, and Marcia Gay Harden. Domestic box office: $17,000.


Activities
Three Decembers [Th 7:30pm, Fri 8pm, Sun 3pm]: Based on Terrence McNally's original play. Featuring mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade and members of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $48-86. www.calperformances.org

Choral Christmas Spectacular [Th-Fri 8pm]: Sing along of choral favorites with the San Francisco Symphony and Chorus. At Davies Hall (SF), $20-70. www.sfsymphony.org

Mission Holiday Block Party [Fri 6-10pm]: Featuring shopping, drinking, and eating. Between 14th and 24th Street, and Mission and Dolores, FREE. www.getlocalsf.com

Alice 97.3 Green Christmas [Fri 8pm]: Featuring Alanis Morissette, O.A.R., Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Buckcherry, Lenka, and Justin Nozuka. Hosted by Sarah and Vinnie. At Mezzanine (SF), $42. www.mezzaninesf.com

KPFA Crafts & Music Fair [Sat-Sun 10am-6pm]: 38th annual. At Concourse Exhibition Center (SF), free-$10. www.kpfa.org/craftsfair

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair [Sat-Sun 11am-6pm]: 25th annual. Along Telegraph Avenue (Berkeley), FREE. www.telegraphfair.com

Kwanzaa and Christmas Gift Show [Sat-Sun 11am-8pm]: 23rd annual. Featuring live music, comedy, African-American exhibits, and guest speakers. At Oakland Marriott City Center, free-$5. www.kwanzaagiftshow.com

Peter and the Wolf [Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm/4pm]: Narrated by Leonard Nimoy, with music provided by SFS Youth Orchestra. At Flint Center (Cupertino) and Davies Hall (SF), $15-47. www.sfsymphony.org

Christmas at Sea [Sat 3-9pm]: Featuring live music, refreshments, Santa Claus, ornament making, and a Living History exhibit. At Hyde Street Pier (SF), $5. www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/eventcalendar/events/safrevent40754593.html

Let Us Break Bread Together [Sun 4pm]: Featuring the Oakland East Bay Symphony and various local choirs. At the Paramount Theatre (Oakland), $10-40. www.oebs.org

Theatrical Celebration of the Winter Solstice [through Dec 21]: 23rd annual. Featuring ancient folk rituals, songs, and dances. At the Scottish Rite Theater (Oakland), $15-50. www.calrevels.org

Every Christmas Story Ever Told [through Dec 21]: At The Stage (San Jose), $15-40. www.sanjosestage.com

A Christmas Carol [through Dec 21]: At the Lesher Center for the Arts (Walnut Creek), $41. www.centerrep.org

Nutcracker Ballet [through Dec 28]: Production by San Francisco Ballet. At Opera House (SF), $20-239. www.sfballet.org

Leonardo da Vinci: Drawings from the Biblioteca Reale in Turin [through Jan 4]: A selection of drawings and notebooks. At the Legion of Honor (SF), $10 surcharge on admission. www.legionofhonor.org

Previous: Theatre - Joe Turner's Come and Gone [through Sunday in Berkeley]; Theatre - Velveteen Rabbit [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - The Seafarer [extended through Sunday in Mill Valley]; Event - Great Dickens Christmas Fair [weekends through Dec 21 in Daly City]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [extended through Dec 27 in SF]; Musical - Phantom of the Opera [through Jan 4 in SF]; Art - Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul [through Jan 5 in SF]; Art - Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes [through Jan 18 in SF]


Upcoming January Activities
Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor [Jan 16-18 in Oakland]; A Picasso [starts Jan 24 in San Jose]; Adele [Jan 29 in SF]

Randy's Guide CXIII (113)

Today is supermodel Tyra Banks' 35th and Poland's Miners' Day; Friday is comedian Margaret Cho's 40th; Saturday is Saint Nicholas Day; Sunday is Pearl Harbor Day; Monday is Immaculate Conception Day and Buddha Enlightenment Day; Tuesday is actor Jesse Metcalfe's 30th; and Wednesday is U.N. Human Rights Day.


Local News
From the offbeat track: Mayor Gavin Newsom, presumed to be a guest at Yelp's annual holiday event, stood up the organization that amasses customer reviews for restaurants, shops, and bars. Newsom has had to be more cautious with mayoral proclamations since last year's Colt Studio Day. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/04/BAMG14H0O6.DTL


Change for Change
Charity to consider: Natural Resources Defense Council. Reader Rene L. is a proud worker for NRDC and recommended its inclusion in the Guide. I appreciate its multi-pronged approach to environmental issues, with pressure placed upon various levels of our government. Though headquartered in New York City, NRDC has a regional office here in San Francisco. http://www.nrdc.org/

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

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, Little Angel Fund, and San Francisco Health Services Coalition.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Mild and sunny. A great time of the year to be out and about in the region.

Highs: coast (upper-50s); bay (low-60s); inland (mid-60s)
Lows: coast (upper-40s); bay (low-40s); inland (upper-30s)


Environmental News
With the winter season bearing down upon us, it's time to monitor and replace your home's air filters. Heating and cooling typically accounts for half of the energy used in a typical home, so breathe better and save some money.

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Mayors of San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland announced last week that they intend to help promote the nation's first electric-car network with major infrastructure investments and coordinated regulations. Over the next four years, Better Place plans to invest $1 billion to creating a system similar to ones the company has designed in Israel, Denmark, and Australia.


Music Videos
"Imitosis" by Andrew Bird (Chicago, Ill.)

With previous links to Squirrel Nut Zippers and Bowl of Fire, Andrew Bird is a singer-songwriter who has mastered an array of instruments, from the mandolin to the violin. Look for his new album in January, and a February tour taking him to such locales as San Francisco, Denver, Los Angeles, and New York.

Previous:
"Check Yes Juliet" by We the Kings (Bradenton, Fla.)

The pop punk quartet met back in middle school and now have a debut album under its belt. Their last tour was with The Academy Is..., and now they're part of a couple of holiday shows in Orlando and Atlanta.


Movies (domestic revenues through November 30)
#1 Four Christmases (PG-13): $31.1MM opening; 3310 screens; $9,387 per screen
#2 Bolt (PG): $26.6MM; $66.8MM overall; 3654 screens; $7,274 per screen
#3 Twilight (PG-13): $26.3MM; $119.7MM overall; 3425 screens; $7,692 per screen
#10 Milk (R): $1.5MM opening; $1.9MM overall; 36 screens; $40,385 per screen; the Gus Van Sant-directed biopic about the San Francisco activist who became the first openly gay official in the country has laughter, tears, and cheers - look for Sean Penn to snag an Oscar nom for his role as Harvey Milk

Cadillac Records (R): Musical drama; about Chicago's Chess Records, which launched the careers of Etta James, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and Willie Dixon; co-starring Beyonce Knowles, Mos Def, Cedric the Entertainer, and Adrien Brody

Eden (NR): Drama; about an Irish mother of two who strives to maintain her marriage after ten years

Lake City (R): Drama; about a mother and son on a family farm, and a drug dealer who has a score to seller with the son; co-starring Sissy Spacek and Dave Matthews

Nobel Son (R): Thriller; about a professor soon to be a Nobel Prize winner, and his estranged kidnapped son; co-starring Alan Rickman and Shawn Hatosy

Punisher: War Zone (R): Action; about vigilante Frank Castle and his attempts to take down a local mob boss

DVD Pick - Bee Movie (PG): Jerry Seinfeld's film debut is generally a winner, as he gives comedic voice to a bee not too enthusiastic about joining the hive's gigantic honey corporation. Other voices you'll recognize include Renee Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, Chris Rock, Kathy Bates, John Goodman, Oprah, Larry King, and Sting. Domestic box office: $126.6 million; overseas: $160.4 million.


Activities
Presidio Tree Lighting [Fri 5:30-6:30pm]: Featuring music and refreshments. At Presidio Main Post (SF), FREE. http://www.presidio.gov/

Hayes Valley Block Party [Fri 6-9pm]: 18th annual. Featuring the Circle of Life art walk, live musicians, and many independent boutiques. In Hayes Valley (SF), free. http://www.hayesvalley.com/

75th Anniversary of Repeal Day [Friday evening]: Various locations in San Francisco will be actively celebrating the repeal of Prohibition 75 years ago. Check out Elixir, Bourbon & Branch, Cantina, Alembic, Swig, and the 21st Amendment Brewery.

Ballet Flamenco Jose Porcel [Fri-Sat 8pm]: Featuring seven flamenco dancers and six Latin musicians. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $19-48. http://www.calperformances.org/

Winter Cabaret [Fri-Sat 8pm]: Featuring holiday acrobats, jugglers, breakdancers, and other circus performers. At AcroSports (SF), $5-15. http://www.citycircus.org/

Swedish Christmas Fair [Sat 9am-4pm]: 25th annual. Featuring hot mulled wine, a fish pond game, gingerbread decorations, Swedish folk music and dancing, and more. At St. Mary's Cathedral (SF), $2-5. http://swea.demo.tankbar.net/christmasfair27___1432.aspx

Art Deco and Modernism Holiday Sale [Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm]: Featuring art nouveau, art deco, vintage western, and other accessories and collectibles. At Concourse Exhibition Center (SF), $10. http://www.artdecosale.com/

Fungus Fair [Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm]: 38th annual. Featuring recipe samples, presentation talks, marketplace, and more. At Oakland Museum of California, free-$8. http://www.museumca.org/

German Holiday Market [Sat 11:30am-4pm]: 3rd annual. At the German International School of Silicon Valley (Mountain View), free. http://www.gissv.org/

International Body Music Festival [through Sunday]: Training workshops and concert programs. At Theatre Artaud (SF) and various locations in Oakland, $10-25. http://www.crosspulse.com/

Velveteen Rabbit [through Dec 14]: Featuring ODC/Dance. Special Italian Ice Day, Cookies Day, and LGBT Family Day. At Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF), $15-45. http://www.odcdance.org/

The Seafarer [extended through Dec 14]: About an Irishman's return to Dublin on Christmas Eve. At Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley), $20-51. http://www.marintheatre.org/

Previous: Theatre - Joe Turner's Come and Gone [through Dec 14 in Berkeley]; Event - Great Dickens Christmas Fair [weekends through Dec 21 in Daly City]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [extended through Dec 27 in SF]; Musical - Phantom of the Opera [through Jan 4 in SF]; Art - Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul [through Jan 5 in SF]; Art - Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes [through Jan 18 in SF]


Upcoming January Activities
Chinese New Year's Spectacular [Jan 13-15 in Cupertino]; Video Games Live [Jan 24 in Oakland]; Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings [Jan 28 in SF]