Randy's Guide CXX (120)

Today is the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade; Friday is Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's 56th; Saturday is actress-singer Tatyana Ali's 30th; Sunday is Russia's Tatiana Day; Monday is Australia Day and TV host-comedian Ellen DeGeneres' 51st; Tuesday is Chief Justice John Roberts' 54th and commentator Keith Olbermann's 50th; and Wednesday is Invocation pastor Rick Warren's 55th.


Local News
For those under-employed and unemployed, consider the U.S. Census Bureau for some good-paying work. The 2010 Census, as mandated by the Constitution, is rapidly approaching, and the Santa Clara County (in addition to other counties) is starting the application process for community leaders, recruiting specialists, and census takers. www.mercurynews.com/ci_11523175


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. 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
The heat is gone. Slight chance of rain for the foreseeable future.

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


Environmental Tips
Switch one staple of your diet from conventional to organic. Choose something like eggs, milk, or apples that won't challenge your budget but will be a repeated purchase. The food should taste better and will not contain the chemicals found to be harmful to human health.

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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.


Music Videos
"Polite Dance Song" by The Bird and the Bee (Los Angeles, Calif.)

The duo has scored a number of appearances on films last year, including "Sex and the City" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." Their tour celebrating a new album will include February dates in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle.

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"Make You Crazy" 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.


Movies (domestic revenues through January 19)
#1 Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG): $39.2MM opening; 3144 screens; $12,479 per screen
#2 Gran Torino (R): $25.6MM; $76.6MM overall; 2972 screens; $8,616 per screen
#3 My Bloody Valentine 3D (R): $24.1MM opening; 2534 screens; $9,512 per screen
#10 Slumdog Millionaire (R): $7MM; $43.9MM overall; 582 screens; $12,065 per screen; a clever, energized string of short stories focusing on the likeable protagonist - said "slumdog" - as he explains how he could know so many of the answers on India's version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"; nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, and Adapted Screenplay

Inkheart (PG): Sci-fi; about a man whose ability to bring book characters to life brings him danger in the form of a power-hungry villain; co-starring Brendan Fraser and Helen Mirren

Outlander (R): Sci-fi; about a space craft that enters the time of the Vikings; co-starring Jim Caviezel

Scott Walker: 30 Century Man (NR): Documentary; about reclusive musician Scott Walker and his influences on Sting and Radiohead

Underworld: Rise of Lycans (R): Suspense; about the origins of a long-running battle between vampies and their onetime slaves

DVD Pick - Glory Road (PG): A fitting tribute to breaking down racial barriers, this time in college basketball during the 1960s. Co-starring Josh Lucas, Derek Luke, and Jon Voight. Domestic box office: $42.6 million; foreign box office: $0.3 million.


Activities
The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial [Thu 8p]: Based on the infamous 1925 trial about teaching evolution in the classroom. Co-starring Ed Asner and John Heard. At the JCCSF (SF), $30-50. www.jccsf.org

Noche Flamenca [Fri-Sat 8p]: Featuring the Madrid-based dance group, led by Soledad Barrio. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $19-48. www.calperformances.org

2009 All-Breed Dog Show [Sat-Sun 8:30a-5p]: 103rd annual. Featuring agility demonstrations, a dog fashion show, Animal Planet host Dina Zaphiris, and over 1,000 breeders and owners. At the Cow Palace (Daly City), $7-12 (discounts at Pet Food Express). www.goldengatekc.com

Lunar New Year Flower Market [Sat 10a-3p]: Entertainment and craft activities, along with the requisite plants and flowers for sale. At San Francisco Botanical Garden, free. www.sfbotanicalgarden.org

Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair [Sat 10a-8p, Sun 9a-6p]: In Chinatown (SF), free. www.chineseparade.com

Speakeasy's End of the Dark Ages Celebration [Sat noon-5p]: Live music and fresh poured brews for sale. Always a fun crowd. At Speakeasy Ales & Lagers (SF), free. www.goodbeers.com

Dmitri Hvorostovsky in Recital [Sat 8p]: The great baritone has assembled a program including Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff. At Davies Symphony Hall (SF), $25-81. www.sfsymphony.org

Trenchcoat in Common [through Feb 1]: An original theatric comedy about a teen who comes to live with her sperm-donor father and spies on a wacky array of neighbors for her blog. At Magic Theatre in Fort Mason (SF), $20-40. www.encoretheatrecompany.com

Previous: Art - Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul [through Sunday in SF]; Event - Dine about Town [through Jan 31 in SF]; Theatre - Rich and Famous [through Feb 8 in SF]


Upcoming February Activities
Social Distortion [Feb 6 in Oakland]; 20th annual Woo at the Zoo [Feb 7-8, 14 in SF]; State Ballet Theatre of Russia: Cinderella [Feb 8 in Cupertino]