Randy's Guide CXXIX (129)

Today is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) 69th; Friday is writer-director Quentin Tarentino's 46th; Saturday is the Czech Republic's Teachers' Day; Sunday is actress-comedian Amy Sedaris' 48th; Monday is singer Norah Jones' 30th; Tuesday is Malta's Freedom Day; and Wednesday is April Fools' Day and commentator Rachel Maddow's 36th.


Local News
After 120 years serving the mentally and developmentally disabled, Agnews Developmental Center is closing by the end of this week. Roughly 340 patients have been moved into other settings. California's Department of General Services will take over the 81 acres and 46 buildings. www.mercurynews.com/ci_11989340


Deal of the Week
Tax season is upon us - and hooray for my refund. A special offer from reader Elizabeth D. will help ease your pain. Intuit's TurboTax Business federal product is available for a free download ($109.95 value), while any other TurboTax Online federal product is 20% off. Check out either http://turbotax.intuit.com/affiliate/intuitrefer or http://turbotax.intuit.com/go/friendbusiness for more details.


Change for Change
Charity to consider: Sustainable Conservation. Founded in 1993, the San Francisco-based nonprofit organization partners with businesses, government leaders, and private landowners to combat climate change and protect natural resources. The group has been recognized by the EPA, Governor Schwarzenegger, USA Today, and National Public Radio. www.suscon.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, Natural Resources Defense Council, Bay Localize, and San Francisco Women Against Rape.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Nary a drop in sight. Westerly afternoon winds will be the biggest weather story.

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


Environmental Tips
Join thousands of cities across the globe in Earth Hour on this Saturday from 8:30-9:30pm. Shut off all lights and other electronics for one hour in a measure of soliarity and a statement in favor of environmental progress. www.voteearth2009.org

Previous:
A family trip to the farmers market will engage everyone - from meeting the farmer who grows the food, to seeing the wide array of organic produce and other edibles.


Music Videos
"Terminal Boredom" by The Cute Lepers (Seattle, Wash.)


The punksters will stop by San Francisco's Thee Parkside and San Jose's Blank Club in late April. Other shows until then will include Missoula (Mont.), Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, and Brooklyn.

Previous:
"I Love College" by Asher Roth (Morrisville, Pa.)


I guess I'm a bit behind, with over 3.4 million views for this video featuring the best of one's university days... namely, booze at fraternity parties, cheap pizza, and random hookups. The future looks bright for the 21-year-old rapper, whose debut album will be released in April.


Movies (domestic revenues through March 22)
#1 Knowing (PG-13): $24.6 million opening; 3332 screens; $7,384 per screen
#2 I Love You, Man (R): $17.8 million opening; 2711 screens; $6,570 per screen
#3 Duplicity (PG-13): $14.0 million opening; 2574 screens; $5,425 per screen
#16 Sunshine Cleaning (R): $0.7 million; $1.0 million overall (2nd weekend); 64 screens; $10,494 per screen; the indie comedy about a single mom entering the crime-scene business cleaned up during the first weekend of spring

Ballerina (NR): Documentary; about five rising women in the Russian ballet circuit

Haunting in Connecticut (PG-13): Horror; a true story about a family who relocates to a home formerly used as a mortuary

Monsters vs. Aliens (PG): Animation; about a team of mutant monsters who must save the earth from an evil alien; co-voiced by Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, and Stephen Colbert

Tokyo Sonata (PG-13): Drama; about a family in modern Japan who faces issues of pride, secrecy, and suspicion; winner of the Cannes Festival Jury Prize

12 Rounds (PG-13): Action; about a New Orleans police detective who faces a series of puzzles from a criminal mastermind intent on exacting revenge

DVD Pick - Chicago 10 (R): This stirring documentary details the days leading up to the infamous 1968 protests at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Co-narrated by Hank Azaria, Nick Nolte, and Mark Ruffalo. Domestic box office: $177 thousand.


Free Activities
Feel Like Protesting? [Thu 5:15p, Fri 6p, Tue 7p]: You could march to Sacramento in favor of gay marriage (through Monday), protect city services and jobs with SEIU members (Thu 5:15p - Halladie Plaza), bike around town for Critical Mass (Fri 6p - Justin Herman Plaza), or explore Marxist classics with the Freedom Socialist Party and Radical Women (Tue 7p - El Cafetazo). FREE.

Sidewalk Fine Arts Festival [Fri-Sun 10a-5p]: At Carlmont Village Shopping Center (Belmont), FREE. www.pacificfinearts.com

Diesel Summer 2009 Launch [Fri 7-10p]: Check out the new collections while happy-houring on complimentary beer, wine, and appetizers. Dice game for prizes. At the Castro Diesel store (SF), FREE.

Greek Independence Day Parade & Festival [Sat noon-6p]: Parade starts at noon from 2nd/Market and proceeds to Civic Center Plaza. Festival runs until 6pm in Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. In downtown San Francisco, FREE. www.greeksf.org

St. Stupid's Day Parade [Wed noon]: 31st annual. A hodgepodge sure to arrive. Starts from Justin Herman Plaza (SF), FREE. www.saintstupid.com/event.html


Paid Activities
Salsa Festival [Thu-Fri 8p, Sat 10p-5a]: 1st annual. Featuring several live salsa DJs, instruction workshops, and live performances. At the Cathedral Hill Hotel and Cafe Cocomo (SF), $15-150. www.sfsalsafestival.com

A Celebration of Men's Spring Style [Fri 6-8p]: Co-sponsored by Details Magazine, this fashion party will include top designs from Ben Sherman, Armani Jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs, 7 for all Mankind, and others. Featuring free cocktails and DJ music. At Macy's Men's Store (SF), $20 suggested donation. RSVP to 415.393.3724.

Scissors for Lefty [Fri 9p]: San Francisco-based rock band largely formed during college days in San Luis Obispo. They've previously toured with Arctic Monkeys and Smashing Pumpkins. At the Red Devil Lounge (SF), $12. www.scissorsforlefty.com

Hawaiian Dance Company [Sat 2p/8p]: Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu's program "Oahu: Confessions of an Island" is sure to please, what with its 40 members performing hula and traditional Hawaiian music. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $10-32. www.calperformances.org

Rupa and the April Fishes [Wed 7:30p]: A San Francisco-based band mixing Indian ragas, Argentinean tangos, Gypsy waltzes, French lyrics, and Brazilian bossa nova. At the Independent (SF), $15-17. www.theaprilfishes.com

Water & Power [through Sunday]: A police-action drama about two Latino brothers, one in politics and the other in law enforcement. At the Mexican Heritage Plaza (San Jose), $7-50. www.teatrovision.org

Model Apartment [through April 5]: A dark comedy about the after-effects of the Holocaust. At the Traveling Jewish Theatre (SF), $34. www.atjt.com

Grease [through April 19]: Co-starring American Idol winner Taylor Hicks as Teen Angelin the 1970s hit musical. At the Golden Gate Theatre (SF), $30-99. www.shnsf.com

Previous: Theatre - Not a Genuine Black Man [through Saturday in SF]; It Ain't Nothing but the Blues [through April 11 in Palo Alto]; Burn the Floor [through April 12 in SF]


Upcoming May Activities
Celtic Woman: Isle of Hope concert [May 3 in San Jose, May 6 in Oakland]; Fleetwood Mac concert [May 20 in Oakland]; The Roots concert [May 30 in SF]