Randy's Guide CXXXIII (133)

Today is British actor Dev Patel's 19th; Friday is singer Kelly Clarkson's 27th and Nepal's Democracy Day; Saturday is Portugal's Freedom Day; Sunday is comedian Carol Burnett's 76th and Tanzania's Union Day; Monday is Sierra Leone's Republic Day; Tuesday is chef Alice Waters' 65th and Spanish Oscar-winning actress Penelope Cruz's 35th; and Wednesday is the 17th anniversary of the start of the Los Angeles riots.


Reader News
Reader Dennis W. recently completed his first novel, "Proper Walk: My Journey to Help the Children of Makindu." It chronicles his 150-mile journey across Kenya in 2006 as part of an effort to raise funding for children of a poor rural village in Africa. Check out the novel at www.properwalkthebook.com, or stop by for a book signing event on Sunday afternoon in San Francisco. E-mail for more details.


Local News
The end may be near for the popular rooftop bar of Medjool. Daily fines of $250 may begin as early as $250, according to San Francisco city planners who do not permit restaurants or bars above the second floor of buildings in the area. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/cityinsider/detail?entry_id=39017&tsp=1


Deal of the Week
Rainbow Grocery, the worker co-op vegetarian grocery store in San Francisco, offers 20% discounts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the AT&T Yellow Page coupon section. Also, you can bring your own bins and save a dime for each bulk purchase of spices, teas, nuts, pastas, and other items. www.rainbowgrocery.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
Record heat across the Bay Area has given way to very dense fog and stiff northerly winds.

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


Environmental Tips
Check out green supplies for school or the office to reduce your impact. Corn Pens are biodegradable, recycled paper produces 74% less pollution and uses 50% less water than conventional paper, and reusable/refillable pencils prevent waste.

Previous:
Earth Day was on Wednesday. Check out upcoming festivals in Belmont, Berkeley, and other Bay Area communities for ideas to further reduce our impact on the planet. Or, volunteer with an organization to clean up beaches, restore hiking trails, build homes, and plant trees in urban settings.


Music Videos
"I Seen Beyonce at Burger King" by Cazwell (New York, N.Y.)


The electro hip-hop artist will have a rare live performance during Saturday evening's AIDS Lifecycle fundraising benefit at the Castro Theatre.

Previous:
"Regulatin' Genes" by Tom McFadden (Stanford, Calif.)


The Stanford instructor has made a series of hip-hop videos to help his students learn very complicated biological systems. You'll even see Professor Siegel make a cameo appearance.


Movies (domestic revenues through April 19)
17 Again, co-starring Zac Efron as a younger version of Matthew Perry, topped the weekend with $23.7 million ($7,288 per screen). The politically charged State of Play was second with $14.1 million ($5,020 per screen), with Hannah Montana close behind at $13.4 million ($56.9 million overall, $4,300 per screen). Jason Statham testosterone-charged Crank: High Voltage opened a distant sixth with $7.0 million ($3,133 per screen).

Anvil: The Story of Anvil (NR): Documentary; about the Canadian metal band Anvil

Earth (G): Documentary; about three animal families and their journeys across Earth; narrated by James Earl Jones

Fighting (PG-13): Sports drama; about a small-town guy who is discovered for his streetfighting skills in New York City; co-starring Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard

The Informers (R): Drama; about a diverse group of individuals in Los Angeles during the early 1980s; co-starring Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder, and Mickey Rourke

Is Anybody There? (PG-13): Drama; about an unlikely friendship between a 10-year-old boy and one of his parents' retirement community members; co-starring Michael Caine

Lymelife (R): Drama; about a teenage boy and the various complications - a Lyme disease outbreak, divorcing parents, military-serving older brother, possible romance; co-starring Alec Baldwin, Rory Culkin, and Cynthia Nixon

Obsessed (PG-13): Thriller; about a happily married couple whose lives are upended by a temporary worker at the husband's firm; co-starring Beyonce Knowles

The Soloist (PG-13): Drama; about a journalist who discovers a former classical music star on the streets of Los Angeles; co-starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx

DVD Pick - Dark Blue Almost Black (NR): The Spanish film focuses on a young janitor, burdened by his handicapped father and asked by his ex-con brother to impregnate his girlfriend. Winner of 3 Goya Awards (Spanish Oscars). Domestic box office: $7,000; foreign box office: $2.2 million.


Activities
The Story [Thu-Fri 8p, Sat 3p/8p]: About an ambitious reporter whose wacky stories may not be entirely true. At the SF Playhouse, $30-40. www.sfplayhouse.org

Belmont Earth Day Fest [Sat 10a-3p]: Featuring pedicab rides, composting demonstrations, environmental speakers, art exhibits, and a plant exchange. At Barrett Community Center (Belmont), FREE. www.belmont.gov/earthday

Walk Against Rape [Sat 10a-noon]: 4th annual. Three miles of walking with San Francisco Women Against Rape, from Justin Herman Plaza to Dolores Park, where a rally awaits. FREE. www.firstgiving.com/sfwar

Children's Faire: Growing Up in San Jose [Sat 11a-4p]: Featuring live entertainment and children's activity booths. At Discovery Meadow (San Jose), FREE. www.sjlibrary.org

Aqua Surf Swap [Sat noon-5:30p]: 8th annual. Sell or swap your old surfing/skateboarding gear and equipment. Live music, BBQ, demos, and new stuff for sale as well. At Aqua's Surf Shop (SF), FREE. www.aquasurfshop.com

International Beer Fest [Sat 7-10p]: 24th annual. Featuring beers from about 200 brewers and edibles from 15 local establishments (including Swan Oyster Depot and Pizza Orgasmica). At Fort Mason (SF), $60. 100 tickets will be sold on-site for the sold-out event on Friday afternoon. www.sfbeerfest.com

Sunday Streets [Sun 9a-1p]: Don't try to drive the Embarcadero, as it will be closed for pedestrians participating in various outdoor activities. Free roller skating in Justin Herman Plaza, base-running at AT&T Park, bicycle rentals along the route, yoga classes at the "bow & arrow sculpture," and a lot more. www.sundaystreetssf.com

The Indie Mart [Sun 11a-4p]: Featuring local designers and vintage items. At the Independent (SF), FREE. www.theindependentsf.com

Fastball concert [Sun 8p]: With Goh Nakamura opening. Check out the Austin-based rockers behind the well-known verses of "The Way." At Cafe Du Nord (SF), $15. www.fastballtheband.com

Bay Area National Dance Week [through May 3]: Featuring Friday's Kick-Off Event, featuring several dance performances, along with a Conga Line through SF's Union Square Plaza (noon-1p, Friday) and a Fire Dancing performance in SF's Union Square on Saturday evening. Other FREE activities in Marin County, the East Bay, the Peninsula/South Bay, and SF. www.bayareandw.org

San Francisco International Film Festival [through May 7]: Featuring 170 films from 62 nations at venues in San Francisco (Kabuki, Castro, Roxie, Clay, Premier); Berkeley (Pacific Film Archive). Tickets $9-13. www.sfiff.org

Miss Julie [through May 10]: About a restless young woman and her relationship with her father's valet in 19th century England. At the Aurora Theatre (Berkeley), $28-50. www.auroratheatre.org

Previous: Theatre - War Music [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Distracted [through Sunday in Mountain View]; Theatre - Not a Genuine Black Man [through May 2 in SF]; Art - Watercolor Exhibit [through May 24 in SF]


Upcoming May Activities
Tart: A Party for Andy Warhol [May 1 in SF]; Boonville Beer Festival [May 2 in Boonville]; Indigo Girls concert [May 13 in Berkeley]