Randy's Guide CXXXI (131)

Today is the start of Passover, publisher Hugh Hefner's 83rd, and singer Jesse McCartney's 22nd; Friday is sports broadcaster John Madden's 73rd; Saturday is Costa Rica's Juan Santamaria Day; Sunday is Easter and talk-show host David Letterman's 62nd; Monday is the 107th anniversary of James C. Penney's first store (in Wyoming); Tuesday is Angola's Youth Day; and Wednesday is Tax Day and English actress Emma Thompson's 50th.


Local News
Bay Area diners continue to devolve. Texting, cell phone calls, and excessive table holds have become commonplace. The latest stories involve bringing Coca-Cola into a nice restaurant, throwing a wine bottle through a plate-glass window, and pole-dancing in the center of the room. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/09/DDFT16SDJ3.DTL


Deal of the Week
The California Academy of Sciences has been a wildly popular visit for locals and tourists alike since it reopened in Golden Gate Park last year. This coming Wednesday (4/15) will be its free day, 9:30a-5p. I would advise arriving before 10:30a if you wish to see most or all of the different exhibits, which require separate (free) tickets. www.calacademy.org


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
Drying and slight warming after a couple of spring storms. Breezy afternoons.

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


Environmental Tips
Amidst all of the retailer sales flooding the market, please remember to bring reusable shopping bags for your purchases.

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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.


Music Videos
"Paper Cities" by Other Lives (Stillwater, Okla.)


Its previous incarnation, Kunek, released one album. The new-named band released a disc this past Tuesday to great reviews. Its lead single was featured on the season premiere of "Grey's Anatomy." Tours with either Elvis Perkins or The Decemberists will pass through Oakland (May 20), New York City, Chicago, Madison (Wis.), Omaha, Denver, Austin, and Los Angeles over the next month.

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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.


Movies (domestic revenues through April 6)
#1 Fast & Furious (PG-13): $71.0 million opening; 3461 screens; $20,500 per screen
#2 Monsters vs. Aliens (PG): $32.6 million; $104.8 million overall (2nd weekend); 4109 screens; $7,936 per screen
#3 The Haunting in Connecticut (PG-13): $9.5 million; $37.2 million overall (2nd weekend); 2732 screens; $3,471 per screen
#45 Alien Trespass (PG): $0.04 million opening; 40 screens; $1,086 per screen; the spoof on 1950s space films bombed in its premiere weekend

Dragonball: Evolution (PG): Action; about Dragonball warriors battling against deadly forces sweeping across the universe; co-starring Chow Yun-Fat

Gigantic (R): Comedy; about a mattress store worker who wants to adopt a Chinese baby and, in the process, meets an attractive young woman; co-starring Paul Dano and John Goodman

Hannah Montana: The Movie (G): Musical comedy; about Miley Stewart's trip from her Tennessee hometown to get some perspective on life; co-starring Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus

The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (R): Drama; about a young underachieving college graduate who meets a mysterious young woman and later is taken hostage by her ex-boyfriend; co-starring Sienna Miller, Nick Nolte, and Peter Sarsgaard

Observe and Report (R): Comedy; about the head of security at Forest Ridge Mall; co-starring Seth Rogen and Ray Liotta

Paris 36 (PG-13): Drama; about three unemployed performers who take over an empty music hall and stage a show during the mid-1930s

Skills Like This (NR): Drama; about a struggling young writer who turns to crime and inspires his friends to probe their relevant skills

Sugar (R): Drama; about a teenage pitcher from the Dominican Republic who advances to the U.S. minor league system in Iowa

DVD Pick - Transsiberian (R): Tense and climactic, this suspense drama offers a few surprise twists amidst the cold Siberian backdrop. Co-starring Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer as an American couple, and Ben Kingsley as a Russian detective. Domestic box office: $2.2 million; foreign box office: $3.4 million.


Activities
Styling the Modern Man [Thu 11a-5p]: 2nd annual. Complimentary massages, cocktails, cigars, fashion presentations, grooming sessions, and style gadget testing. At the W Hotel (SF), FREE. www.stylingthemodernman.com

Sisters of Perpetual Indugence Exhibit Opening Night Party [Fri 8-11:30p]: Art exhibit (runs through June 28) commemorating 30 years with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. At YBCA (SF), FREE. www.ybca.org

Cherry Blossom Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 43rd annual. Check out the tea ceremony, sword exhibit, taiko performances, and ikebana demonstrations. In Japantown (SF), FREE. www.nccbf.org

Cambodian New Year Festival [Sat 4:30p-midnight]: Featuring Khmer singing and folk dances, fashion show, and guest speakers. At Napradak Hall (San Jose), $20. www.caraweb.org/new_year/2009

Youth Poetry Slam [Sat 7p]: 13th annual. As seen on HBO. The 16 finalists perform, with MC Marc Bamuthi Joseph and DJ Funklor. At Memorial Opera House (SF), $6-50. www.youthspeaks.org

Union Street Spring Festival [Sun 10a-5p]: 18th annual. Parade at 2p heading west down Union Street. Celebration along Union St (SF), FREE. www.sresproductions.com/union_street_easter.html

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Easter Celebration [Sun 11a-8p]: 30th annual. 11a-4p Dolores Park festivities, including Hunky Jesus Contest, Bonnet Contest with Beach Blanket Babylon, and live entertainment. 3:30p Parade from Dolores Park to the Castro district. 4-8p Celebration along Noe Street, between Market and Beaver. FREE. www.thesisters.org

Dr. Dog [Tue 8p]: Previous Randy's Guide musician. Psychedelic folk rocker arrives, with The Cave Singers and Golden Boot opening. At the Fillmore (SF), $20. www.drdogmusic.com

The Green Issue Launch [Wed 5-8p]: Launching San Francisco Bay Guardian's 2009 Green Issue with courtesy bites from Prana Restaurant, drink specials, and a talk by Director of Sustainability Mike Zuckerman. At Temple (SF), FREE. www.templesf.com

Franz Ferdinand concert [Wed 8p]: The Scottish rockers tour the States. With Born Ruffians opening. At the Fox Theater (Oakland), $35. www.franzferdinand.co.uk

War Music [through Apr 26]: A modern interpretation about the feud between the Greek warrior Achilles and his archrival, Agamemnon. At the ACT (SF), $8-80. www.act-sf.org

Previous: Theatre - It Ain't Nothing but the Blues [through Saturday in Palo Alto]; Burn the Floor [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Lydia [through Sunday in Mill Valley]; Theatre - Grease [through April 19 in SF]; Art - Watercolor Exhibit [through May 24 in SF]


Upcoming May Activities
Van Morrison concert [May 2-3 in Berkeley]; Michael Pollan talk [May 5 in SF]; 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee performance [starts May 9 in San Jose]