Randy's Guide CXXI (121)

Today is diver Greg Louganis' 49th; Friday is former Vice President Dick Cheney's 68th; Saturday is singer Justin Timberlake's 28th; Sunday is Super Bowl XLIII and the start of U.S. Black History Month; Monday is Groundhog Day; Tuesday is Imbolc, the start of the pagan spring; and Wednesday is boxer Oscar de la Hoya's 36th.


Local News
Greeted by a boisterous protest, former Weather Underground leader William Ayers spoke at the small Jesuit college of Saint Mary's in Moraga. An FBI informant from Ohio led the group of several hundred, which was countered by a camp supporting the speaker outside the Soda Center. www.contracostatimes.com/ci_11577357


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
Looks like more record highs will be set, with nary a cloud in sight. Is it really January?

Highs: mid-60s (coast-inland) to low-70s (bay)
Lows: upper-30s (inland) to upper-40s (coast)


Environmental Tips
Many of you may be considering upgrades to LCD or plasma televisions as part of the digital signal switch in February 2009. LCDs use slightly less energy per square inch of screen, and tend to come in smaller sizes - both of which mean less energy costs and hazardous chemicals to produce and consume. And, look for the Energy Star label!

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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.


Music Videos
"Clouds" by The Morning Light (Pittsburgh, Pa.)


With their self-titled debut hitting stores a few months ago, the pop-rock band has hit the ground running. Appearances over the next month include stops in Dallas, Austin, Charlotte, New York City, Albany, Philadelphia, State College (Pa.), Milwaukee, and Chicago.

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"Again and Again" 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.


Movies (domestic revenues through January 25)
#1 Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG): $21.6MM; 3144 screens; $6,878 per screen
#2 Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (R): $20.8MM opening; 2942 screens; $7,080 per screen
#3 Gran Torino (R): $16.2MM; $97.8MM overall; 3045 screens; $5,335 per screen
#20 The Reader (R): $1.4MM; $9.7MM overall; 367 screens; $3,824 per screen; the pensive drama about an older woman (Kate Winslet) and a teenage boy has quietly racked up awards for Winslet and 5 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Director.

Good (NR): Drama; about a German literature professor whose novel about euthanasia is enlisted by Nazi government officials; co-starring Viggo Mortensen

New in Town (PG-13): Comedy; about a businesswoman who is transferred from Miami to rural Minnesota; co-starring Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr.

The Pope's Toilet (NR): Drama; about a visit by Pope John Paul II to a small town in Uruguay

Taken (PG-13): Action; about a former operative who seeks out an organization that has taken his daughter hostage; co-starring Liam Neeson

The Uninvited (PG-13): Horror; about a recently released psychiatric patient who tries to stop her father's intended marriage

Wendy and Lucy (R): Drama; about a young woman trying to reach Alaska to start a new life with her dog, only to be stranded in Oregon due to a car breakdown; co-starring Michelle Williams

DVD Pick - Be Kind Rewind (PG-13): A clever comedy, co-starring Jack Black and Mos Def, about a rundown video store that reinvigorates business (and civic pride) by making its own films. Domestic box-office: $11.2 million; foreign: $18.4 million.


Activities
Alternative Energy: The Future Is Now discussion [Thu 6-8p]: At the Santa Clara University Library, free. www.scu.edu/orradre

Adele [Thu 8p]: The British teen behind the Grammy-nominated "Chasing Pavements" will appear with James Morrison, opening. At the Warfield (SF), $24. http://www.adele.tv/

Colm O' Riain [Fri 8p]: The Irish violinist will be joined by a violinist, guitarist, and vocalist. At Red Poppy Art House (SF), $12-15. http://www.colmoriain.com/

DeVotchKa [Fri-Sat 8p]: What a great show in 2008, with a plethora of musical instruments and a stunning acrobatic display. Key contributors to the "Little Miss Sunshine" soundtrack. With Crooked Fingers opening. At the Fillmore (SF), $35. http://www.devotchka.net/

Labelle [Fri 8p]: The trio behind the '70s hit "Lady Marmalade" reunite to celebrate their first album in 32 years. At the Paramount Theatre (Oakland), $50-96. http://www.labelleisback.com/

Edwardian Ball [Fri-Sun 8p]: Featuring costumed events entitled World's Faire, Edwardian Ball, and Variety Night. At the Regency Grand (SF), $30-35. http://www.edwardianball.com/

AMA Supercross [Sat 12:30p-10p]: Qualifying and final rounds for the popular event. At AT&T Park (SF), $10-70. http://www.supercrossonline.com/

Jazz Vespers concert [Sun 5p]: Thank you reader Betty P. for another alternative to the Super Bowl. Featuring vocalist Claire Dee and the Ken French trio. At the Old First Church (SF), free. http://www.clairdee.com/

Rock Show exhibit [Sun 6p]: Featuring garage rock images by Geoffrey Ellis. At the Rite Spot Cafe (SF), free. http://www.ritespotcafe.net/

Kronos Quartet [Sun 7p]: As part of the group's Under 30 Project, which supports the young, up-and-coming artists. At Hertz Hall (Berkeley), $43-48. http://www.calperformances.org/

Mind Field film [Sun 7p/9p]: Featuring Alien Workshop's latest skateboarding video. At the Victoria Theatre (SF), free. http://www.sfindie.com/

Macbeth [through Sunday]: A modern, sexy take on the classic Shakespearean tragedy. At the Ashby Stage (Berkeley), $18-30. http://www.shotgunplayers.org/

Twentieth Century [through Feb 8]: A screwball comedy about a flamboyant producer and his Hollywood diva/ex-lover. At the Center for Performing Arts (Mountain View), $23-61. http://www.theatreworks.org/

Previous: Event - Dine about Town [through Saturday in SF]; Theatre - Trenchcoat in Common [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Rich and Famous [through Feb 8 in SF]; Theatre - Angry Black White Boy [through Feb 15 in SF]


Upcoming March Activities
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater [Mar 3-8 in Berkeley]; Beach Blanket Babylon [Mar 9 in San Jose]; Madeleine Peyroux [Mar 27 in SF]