Randy's Guide CXXX (130)

Today is skier Jeremy Bloom's 27th; Friday is actress Doris Day's 85th; Saturday is Taiwan's Children's Day; Sunday is former Secretary of State Colin Powell's 72nd; Monday is Scotland's Tartan Day; Tuesday is comedian Bill Belamy's 44th; and Wednesday is novelist Barbara Kingsolver's 54th.


Local News
Fresno-based Gottschalks received approval to liquidate its 61 stores to pay off large debts. The 105-year-old chain store might get revived after Chapter 11 bankruptcy with the assistance of a Chinese company. www.modbee.com/featured/story/650159.html


Deal of the Week
The Asian Art Museum, including its special exhibit and films on Bhutan, will be free on this Sunday during normal business hours (10a-5p).


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
Cooler, windy, and increasing clouds. Slight chance of rain by Monday.

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


Environmental Tips
It's become very commonplace, but worth repeating nonetheless. Digital photos are far more green friendly than the old film system. Keep in mind that digital keychains and photo displays offset those benefits.

Previous:
Last Saturday night, thousands of cities across the globe joined forces as part of Earth Hour. Lights for both major landmarks and homes alike were shut off in a measure of soliarity to support environmental progress. www.earthhour.org


Music Videos
Earth Hour 2009


Sydney started the trend of one hour of darkness back in 2007. This year, more than 4,000 cities across 88 countries participated in the third round of climate awareness. Preliminary reports show that Toronto reduced its electricity usage by 15% and Delhi's consumption dropped by 1,000 megawatts.

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"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 be in Missoula (Mont.), Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, and Brooklyn.


Movies (domestic revenues through March 29)
#1 Monsters vs. Aliens (PG): $59.3 million opening; 4104 screens; $14,454 per screen
#2 The Haunting in Connecticut (PG-13): $23.0 million opening; 2732 screens; $8,420 per screen
#3 Knowing (PG-13): $14.7 million; $46.2 million (2nd weekend); 3337 screens; $4,406 per screen
#18 The Cross (PG): $0.3 million opening; 221 screens; $1,400 per screen; the religious-journey tale failed to generate much broad interest

Adventureland (R): Comedy; about a recent college graduate who is forced into a minimum-wage job at a local amusement park during the 1980s; co-starring Jesse Eisenberg, Bill Hader, and Ryan Reynolds

Alien Trespass (PG): Comedy; about an alien invasion during the 1950s set in low-budget spoof format; co-starring Eric McCormack and Robert Patrick

The Edge of Love (NR): Drama; about the complex relationships involving Welsh poet Dylan Thomas; co-starring Keira Knightley

Fast & Furious (PG-13): Action sequel; the fourth installment of the drag racers battling criminal elements; co-starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and Michelle Rodriguez

Hunger (NR): Drama; about prisoners in the infamous H-Blocks of Northern Ireland's Maze Prison

Valentino: End of an Emperor (NR): Documentary; about the man behind the fashion label Valentino

DVD Pick - After the Wedding (R): Nominated for an Oscar back in 2007, this Danish tale about a man dedicated to street kids in India should be on your list after the slam-bang "Slumdog Millionaire." Domestic box office: $1.5 million; foreign box office: $10.1 million.


Free Activities
West Portal Fair [Fri-Sun 10a-5p]: 21st annual. 65+ artists. Along West Portal Ave (SF), FREE. www.pacificfinearts.com/schedule.htm

Cesar E. Chavez Holiday Parade & Festival [Sat 11a-5p]: 9th annual. Featuring live bands, classic cars, dance groups, and more. Parade from Dolores Park. Festival along 24th St (SF), FREE. www.cesarchavezday.org

Downtown Spring Fling [Sat noon-4p]: Featuring live music, walking tours, raffle drawings, and local restaurants' offerings. In downtown San Mateo, FREE. www.dsma.org

Oakland A's Fan Appreciation Day [Sun 11a-3p]: Featuring autograph sessions, photo opportunities, press box tours, and more. At Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland), FREE. www.oaklandathletics.com

Watercolor Exhibit [through May 24]: Featuring 99 original works from a national competition. At the Presidio Officers' Club (SF), FREE. www.presidio.gov/calendar


Paid Activities
Joshua Redman Trio [Thu-Sat 8p/10p, Sun 2p/7p]: With Matt Penman and Greg Hutchinson. At Yoshi's (Oakland), $5-30. www.yoshis.com

Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-5p]: 36th annual. Featuring boat contests, live bands, fresh seafood, and more - all for Bodega Bay area community services. At Westside Park (Bodega Bay), $8-10. www.bbfishfest.com

Tartan Day Scottish Faire 2009 [Sat 10a-5p]: Featuring bagpipe bands, Scottish dancing, Scottish food, and more. At Ardenwood Historic Farm (Fremont), $5-10. www.eastbayscots.com

Lily Allen [Sat 8p]: British pop. With Natalie Portman's Shaved Head opening. At the Warfield (SF), $28. www.lilyallenmusic.com

Lydia [through Apr 12]: About a teenage girl and an illegal immigrant maid in El Paso. At the Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley), $20-51. www.marintheatre.org

Previous: Theatre - Model Apartment [through Friday in SF]; Theatre - It Ain't Nothing but the Blues [through April 11 in Palo Alto]; Burn the Floor [through April 12 in SF]; Theatre - Grease [through April 19 in SF]


Upcoming May Activities
Seal concert [May 5 in Oakland]; Joan Rivers [May 15 in SF]; Anthony Bourdain [May 28 in Cupertino]