Randy's Guide CXXVI (126)

Today is the 239th anniversary of the Boston Massacre; Friday is basketball player Shaquille O'Neal's 37th and Texas' Alamo Day; Saturday is Albania's Teacher's Day; Sunday is International Women's Day; Monday is French actress Juliette Binoche's 45th; Tuesday is Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's 57th; and Wednesday is Berkeley author Christopher Rice's 31st.


Local News
Thousands have gathered outside the California Supreme Court building in San Francisco, as seven justices hear arguments from attorneys on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate. The core dispute rests on whether Proposition 8 is an amendment or a revision to the California Constitution. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/05/BALP169S4U.DTL


Deal of the Week
Free bagels on Fridays and free coffee on Mondays. Noah's Bagels has this nationwide promotion running through the end of March, so look for the ad insert in your local newspaper or mailbox. I have several extras if you wish to get them directly from me.


Change for Change
Charity to consider: San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR). Providing free rape crisis services for over 30 years, the San Francisco-based organization also offers information and resources to healthcare workers, educators, and law enforcement officers. www.sfwar.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, and Bay Localize.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Drying out after several days of steady rain or snow. Tahoe anyone?

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


Environmental Tips
San Francisco has put together a citywide "buy local" campaign that supports sustainability and smart-growth practices. Petaluma, the Peninsula, Novato, and Oakland are among the other Bay Area cities with such trade groups. www.sfloma.org www.hometownpeninsula.org www.shopoakland.com www.sustainablenovato.org

Previous:
Dirty disposable diapers - the EPA estimates that we send 3.5 million tons of them every year. Look into either cloth diapers or flushable diapers (www.gdiapers.com) as better solutions.


Music Videos
"Magnetic Baby" by Semi Precious Weapons (New York, N.Y.)


Glam rock makes a comeback, as even Rock Band 2 has this song for download. Bisexual frontman Justin Tranter has a jewelry line sold in Barney's and Urban Outfitters. Colorful, indeed. Catch the Village Voice's top NYC band for 2007 at Red Devil Lounge in SF on March 12, along with shows in San Jose, L.A., San Diego, Las Vegas, Portland, and Austin.

Previous:
"Mexico City" by Jolie Holland (San Francisco, Calif.)


Bred in Houston and now living in New York City, Ms. Holland released her fourth album in October of last year. Her next gig is at Carnegie Hall on March 11.


Movies (domestic revenues through March 1)
#1 Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail (PG-13): $16.2 million; $64.5 million overall (2nd weekend); 2052 screens; $7,883 per screen
#2 Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience (G): $12.5 million opening; 1271 screens; $9,843 per screen
#3 Slumdog Millionaire (R): $12.0 million; $115.0 million overall (16th weekend); 2943 screens; $4,086 per screen
#18 Milk (R): $1.5 million; $30.0 million overall (14th weekend); 828 screens; $1,792 per screen; about the first openly gay politician, San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk; fresh off two Oscar victories, for Best Actor (Sean Penn) and Best Original Screenplay (Dustin Lance Black)

Azur & Asmar (PG): Animation; about two children with different features who are raised by the same nanny as brothers

Examined Life (NR): Documentary; about nine individuals who explore the contemporary philosophical movement

Medicine for Melancholy (NR): Drama; about two African-American twenty-somethings who wake up in bed and spend the day in San Francisco trying to piece things together and get to know each other

Watchmen (R): Action; about a murder spree on former costumed heroes, and the effort to uncover the killer; co-starring Billy Crudup

DVD Pick - Lars and the Real Girl (PG-13): Ryan Gosling shines (and received Golden Globe and SAG nominations in 2008) for his quirky role as an introverted young man who dates a blow-up doll. A film made with heart and substance. Domestic box office: $6.0 million; foreign box office: $5.3 million.


Activities
Pacific Orchid Exposition [Thu 6:30-10p, Fri 10a-6p, Sat 9a-6p, Sun 10a-5p]: 57th annual. More than 150,000 orchids on display. At Fort Mason (SF), FREE-$40. www.orchidsanfrancisco.org

Watchmen Advanced Screening Benefit [Thu 7p]: Catch the highly anticipated comic-book film in advance of its Friday opening. 100% of the proceeds go to the Cartoon Art Museum. At the Metreon (SF), $25-250. www.cartoonart.org

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre [Thu-Fri 8p, Sat 2p/8p, Sun 3p]: As part of the 50th anniversary season. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $31-62. www.calperformances.org

International Women's Day Celebration [Fri-Sat 8p, Sun 2p]: 14th annual. Festivities include dance, music, poetry, and visual arts. At the Women's Building (SF), $5-10. www.locobloco.org

Crab Crawl Festival [Sat 10a-5p]: 3rd annual. Featuring live music, seafood vendors, demonstrations, samples, and kiddie jump houses. At Jack London Square (Oakland), FREE. www.jacklondonsquare.com

Not a Genuine Black Man [through Mar 28]: An autobiographical monologue by KGO-AM's Brian Copeland, about his experiences growing up in San Leandro during the 1970s. At the Marsh (SF), $25-50. www.themarsh.org

Previous: Theatre - Angry Black White Boy [extended through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Betrayed [through Sunday in Berkeley]; Theatre - In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) [through Mar 15 in Berkeley]; Theatre - Souvenir [through Mar 15 in SF]; Event - International Children's Film Festival [through Mar 15 in SF and San Jose]; Theatre - Bat Boy, the Musical [through Mar 22 in Los Altos Hills]


Upcoming April Activities
San Francisco Symphony Music for Families [Apr 4 in Cupertino]; Franz Ferdinand [Apr 15 in Oakland]; San Francisco International Beer Festival [Apr 25 in SF]