Randy's Guide CXIX (119)

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Friday is National Religious Freedom Day; Saturday is future First Lady Michelle Obama's 45th and singer Kid Rock's 38th; Sunday is "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" actor Jason Segel's 29th; Monday is Texas' Confederate Heroes Day; Tuesday is Inauguration Day and astronaut Buzz Aldrin's 79th; and Wednesday is Quebec's Flag Day.


Local News
A second march and protest - largely more peaceful and featuring Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums - took place Wednesday evening in response to the New Year's Eve killing of an unarmed BART passenger by a former BART police officer. Only about a dozen of over 1,000 protesters did not heed calls for a non-violent protest, proceeding to smash several downtown businesses before getting arrested by police. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/15/MNK115ADNQ.DTL


Change for Change
Charity to consider: Bay Localize. The Oakland nonprofit, which promotes regional self-reliance, is working with Glide Memorial Church to produce vegetables atop its Tenderloin offices. Kale, turnips, carrots, and radishes are currently in full production. http://www.baylocalize.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, San Francisco Health Services Coalition, and Natural Resources Defense Council.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Continued above-normal temperatures, with light offshore winds. Take a hike around Mount Diablo, explore Half Moon Bay, or taste some wine in Sonoma.

Highs: mid-to-upper-60s (everywhere)
Lows: upper-30s (inland) to upper-40s (coast)


Environmental News
Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), and receive periodic shipments of local, organic produce at your doorstep. Some good Bay Area farms with delivery programs include Full Belly Farm, Marin Sun Farms, and Mariquita Farms.

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Packaging makes up one-third of all garbage created in the U.S. Cut back on buying single servings of snacks and drinks. Yes, those small bags of chips and 8-ounce bottles add up. Instead, plan bulk purchases in advance, and portion them out into reusable containers.


Music Videos
"Ain't No Reason" by Brett Dennen (Oakdale, Calif.)

The Central Valley native has toured with John Mayer, Colbie Caillat, and Guster. His first tour as a headliner will take him through a wide range of cities over the next three months, including San Francisco, L.A., San Diego, Denver, Portland, St. Louis, Madison (Wis.), Chicago, Minneapolis, Ann Arbor, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Austin, Falls Church (Va.), Nashville, and New Orleans.

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"Sleepwalking through the Mekong" by Dengue Fever (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Two brothers found Cambodian lead singer Chhom Nimol in a Long Beach nightclub, and the group (six in all) has released three albums infusing Khmer lyrics with psychedelic rock.


Movies (domestic revenues through January 11)
#1 Gran Torino (R): $29.5MM; $40.5MM overall; 2808 screens; $10,500 per screen
#2 Bride Wars (PG): $21.1MM opening; 3226 screens; $6,528 per screen
#3 The Unborn (PG-13): $19.8MM opening; 2357 screens; $8,405 per screen
#9 Not Easily Broken (PG-13): $5.3MM opening; 724 screens; $7,340 per screen; about a happily married couple who faces some difficult decisions following a devastating auto crash

Chadni Chowk to China (NR): Comedy; about a simple cook who is mistaken for a reincarnated ancient warrior in a small Chinese village

Che (R): Drama; about the famous Argentine doctor who took part in Fidel Castro's revolution and later became an invaluable resource for guerrilla fighting; co-starring Benicio Del Toro; directed by Steven Soderbergh

Defiance (R): Drama; about four Jewish brothers who escape Nazi rule in Poland and build a village in the forest that saves over 1,200 other Jews; co-starring Daniel Craig and Jamie Bell

Hotel for Dogs (PG): Comedy; about two resourceful kids who start up a dog hotel when their new parents refuse to allow pets; co-starring Don Cheadle, Lisa Kudrow, and Emma Roberts

Last Chance Harvey (PG-13): Romantic comedy; about an unlikely pairing between a down-and-out New Yorker and a spry London woman; co-starring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson

My Bloody Valentine 3-D (R): Horror; about a cursed mining town and the man who caused the accident

Notorious (R): Musical drama; about the musician Notorious B.I.G.; co-starring Angela Bassett and Derek Luke

Otto; or, Up with Dead People (NR): Comedy; about a young zombie who is discovered in Berlin by an underground documentary filmmaker

Paul Blart Mall Cop (PG): Comedy; about a single dad who takes a job as a security officer at a local mall

Yonkers Joe (R): Drama; about a gambler looking to make one more huge run for money; co-starring Chazz Palminteri and Christine Lahti

DVD Pick - Kung Fu Hustle (R): Winner of multiple awards in China, as well as Best Foreign Film awards here in the U.S., this action comedy evokes the grandiose fight sequences in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" with a wry smile. Look for the sequel to come out next year. Domestic box office: $17.1 million; foreign box office: $83.8 million.


Activities
Lenka [Thu 8p]: Aussie pop star with hints of Yael Naim and Ingrid Michaelson. At the Independent (SF), $13-15. http://www.lenkamusic.com/

San Francisco Home Show [Fri 11a-10p, Sat 10a-8p, Sun 10a-6p]: At the Cow Palace (SF), free-$10 ($2 discount online). http://www.sanfranhomeshow.com/

Willie Nelson [Fri-Tues 8p]: The famed activist country singer hits town for five shows. At the Fillmore (SF), $55. http://www.willienelson.com/

Flamenco [Fri-Sat 8p]: Carolina Lugo's flamenco group in Concord combines with Spanish guitarist Angel Romero. At Fox Theatre (Redwood City) and Flint Center (Cupertino), $29-34. http://www.peninsulasymphony.org/

National Acrobats of China [Sat 2p/8p, Sun 3p]: Founded more than 50 years ago as an acrobatic troupe that uses everyday objects as props. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $24-46. http://www.calperformances.org/

Tet Festival [Sun 9:30a-6p]: 12th annual event. Celebrate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year with live entertainment, celebrity guests, and authentic foods. Near Ellis and Larkin (SF), free.

Martin Luther King Day of Service [Mon 9a-1p]: Call to Action for Richmond. Meet at Shimada Friendship Park (Richmond), free. http://www.thewatershedproject.org/

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration [Mon 10:45a-4p]: At Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (SF), free. http://www.norcalmlk.org

Obama Inauguration Simulcast [Tue 7a-12p]: Bring a new pair of socks or underwear for admission. At Civic Center Plaza (SF), free. http://www.nextarts.org/

Barack Obama Presidential Inauguration Skaters' Ball [Tue 7-11p]: Dress up in your favorite disco or politician outfit. At FunkyTown Roller Rink (SF), free-$15. http://www.cora.org/FunkyTown.htm

Pajama Party Bingo [Wed 7-10p]: Monthly fundraiser for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Over $4,000 in cash and prizes awarded each evening. At the Green Room in the War Memorial Building (SF), $20-40. http://www.sistersbingo.com/

Dine about Town [through Jan 31]: Check out one of 100 top San Francisco restaurants with three-course lunches for $21.95 and dinners for $34.95. Some good options include Dosa on Fillmore, Fish & Farm, Jeanty at Jack's, Maverick, and Town Hall. http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/dineabouttown

Rich and Famous [through Feb 8]: In its first major revival since its 1976 debut, this comedy satire focuses on a playwright seeking to get his first big hit. At ACT (SF), $14-80. http://www.act-sf.org/

Previous: Art - Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - The Arabian Nights [through Sunday in Berkeley]; Event - Holiday Ice Skating [through Monday in SF]; Art - Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul [through Jan 25 in SF]


Upcoming February Activities
Michael Franti & Spearhead [Feb 7 in Oakland]; SAP Open [Feb 9-15 in San Jose]; Susan Tedeschi [Feb 17 in SF]