Randy's Guide CXXXIV (134)

Today is The Netherlands' Queen's Day; Friday is May Day and Hawaii's Lei Day; Saturday is English footballer David Beckham's 34th and Iran's Teacher's Day; Sunday is Lithuania's Constitution Day; Monday is Namibia's Cassinga Day and China's Youth Day; Tuesday is English singer Adele's 21st and Mexico's Cinco de Mayo; and Wednesday is Lebanon's Martyrs' Day.


Event News
Dining Out For Life is today in the Bay Area and other communities across the nation. Participating restaurants will donate at least 25% of food (and, for some, beverage) sales to local AIDS organizations. Go out for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and revel in supporting a good cause. www.diningoutforlife.com


Local News
Sunday Streets, in its second year, proved to be a success. Bicyclists, walkers, roller skaters, and Segway riders poured onto the Embarcadero, normally a very busy route for autos. Individuals participated in yoga classes, rock climbing, hula hooping, and base-running at AT&T Park. Five additional Sundays are slated for similar events in San Francisco later this year. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/27/BALM179FDR.DTL


Change for Change
Congratulations to Sustainable Conservation, the latest recipient of a Randy's Guide donation. Hope all of you made it onto their site to check out their efforts.

Latest charity to consider: Ashoka. Reader Darlene D's organization, started in 1980, supports socially responsible entrepreneurs and promotes infrastructure development in more than 60 nations. www.ashoka.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, San Francisco Women Against Rape, and now Sustainable Conservation.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Rain forecast for Friday and Saturday. Drying out on Sunday, then warmer for the beginning of next week.

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


Deal of the Week
Claim your free coupon book worth $10 in consumables (Orville Redenbacher, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, etc.) and a free bottle of Hunt's Ketchup. www.simpleanddelicious.com/special-offers/walmart-coupon-booklet.jsp


The Environment
Electric cars are set to join plug-in hybrids on car lots later next year. Nissan's version should cost less than $30,000 and be able to charge 80% of its lithium ion battery in less than 30 minutes. Ford, Mitsubishi, Chrysler, and Subaru are also slated to release versions by 2011.

Previous:
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.


Music Videos
"Geraldine" by Glasvegas (Glasgow, Scotland)


The award-winning quartet will make a Bay Area appearance at Shoreline's BFD music festival on June 6.

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


Over 700,000 views now! The electro hip-hop artist was in town last weekend for a fundraising event. It appears he'll be back at Sacramento's Faces Nightclub on July 18.


Movies (domestic revenues through April 26)
Beyonce's "Obsessed" opened in first place, with $28.6 million (2514 screens, $11,381 per screen). Zac Efron ("17 Again") inched out Channing Tatum ("Fighting") for second, scoring $11.5 million ($39.8 million overall, 3255 screens, $3,539 per screen) and $11.0 million (2309 screens, $4,775 per screen), respectively. The James Earl Jones-narrated "Earth" has grossed $14.5 million (1804 screens, $4,892 per screen) since opening on Earth Day.

American Violet (PG-13): Drama; about a young African-American single mom in Texas wrongly charged as a drug dealer

Battle for Terra (PG): Animation; about the invasive search by humans for another hospitable planet; co-voiced by Evan Rachel Wood, Chris Evans, and James Garner

Enlighten Up! (NR): Documentary; about the transformative use of yoga

The Garden (NR): Documentary; about a group of mostly Mexican-American families who decide to turn a blighted corner of South Central Los Angeles into an urban farm during the aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles riots

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (PG-13): Comedy; about a celebrity photographer who is a committed bachelor and on his way to his brother's wedding; co-starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, and Breckin Meyer

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (PG-13): Sci-fi action; about the beginnings of Wolverine, from the Weapon X program to various mutant encounters; co-starring Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber

DVD Pick - Across the Universe (PG-13): Uneven but compelling and highly creative, this musical drama focuses on a young man from Liverpool (named Jude) who meets a sheltered girl (named Lucy) in New York City during the Vietnam War. Co-starring Evan Rachel Wood and Jim Sturgess. Domestic box office: $24.3 million; foreign box office: $5.0 million.


Free Activities
San Carlos Art Festival [Fri-Sun 10a-5p]: 12th annual. Near Laurel at San Carlos. www.sancarloschamber.org

Tart: A Party for Andy Warhol [Fri 6-9p]: Featuring special film screenings about Andy Warhol, live DJ from KUSF, local artist displays, and live performance by Thee Oh Sees. At de Young Museum (SF). www.sfbg.com/deyoung

Cinco de Mayo Festival [Sat 10a-6p]: Featuring Aztec dancers, mariachi bands, live MC, and more. At Dolores Park (SF). www.sfcincodemayo.com

Spring Plant Sale [Sat 10a-2p]: 42nd annual. Featuring 20,000 plants for sale, all suitable for Bay Area gardens. At the Botanical Garden (SF). www.sfbotanicalgarden.org

Sing Tao Street Fair [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: Featuring kung fu demonstrations, fashion show, dance groups, and kids zone. At Redwood City Courthouse Square. www.redwoodcityevents.com

Children's Day Festival [Sat 11a-4p]: Featuring live entertainment, Japanese food, and hands-on crafts. At the JCCCNC (SF). www.jcccnc.org

Dancing in the Park [Sat noon-5p]: 4th annual. Featuring 30+ dance companies and artists. At the Music Concourse Bandshell (SF). www.bayareandw.org

Hawaiian Dance Show [Sat 1p]: Featuring Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu. At the Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

San Jose Cinco de Mayo Parade & Festival [Sun 10a-6p]: 27th annual. Featuring two music stages, food vendors, colorful costumes, and parade floats. Parade from Market/Santa Clara to Discovery Meadows (festival). www.sjgif.org

Asian Art Museum [Sun 11a-5p]: Check out "The Sacred Arts of Bhutan" during its last few days of the exhibit in San Francisco. www.asianart.org

Polish Festival [Sun 11a-5p]: Featuring Polish folk dances, the Golden Gate Park Orchestra, Polish books, and Polish cuisine. At the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park (SF). www.polishfestival.com

First 5 See Me Family Event [Sun 11a-3p]: Featuring children's health screenings, activities, and live entertainment. In Civic Center Plaza (SF). www.first5sf.org

Art in the Alley [Sun noon-6p]: 9th annual. Featuring 25 local artists and live jazz, and within walking distance to City Lights Bookstore and Vesuvio Cafe. In Kerouac Alley (SF). www.vesuvioartinthealley.blogspot.com

Mission Dolores Spring Concert [Sun 5-7p]: Featuring the Basilica Choir and St. Gregory of Nyssa Choir. Works include American spirituals and Faure's "Requiem." At Mission Dolores Basilica (SF). www.missiondolores.org


Paid Activities
Michael J. Fox & Michael Pollan [Fri 8p]: Actor Michael J. Fox is married to Tracy Pollan (a co-star from "Family Ties"), who is the sister of Berkeley food author Michael Pollan. They'll discuss Hollywood, Parkinson's disease, and stem-cell research. At the Herbst Theatre (SF), $20-100. www.cityboxoffice.com

Norway Day Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-5p]: Featuring Norwegian music, dance lessons, cooking demonstrations, and cuisine. At Fort Mason's Herbst Pavilion (SF), free-$20. Buy tickets online to save $4. www.norwayday.org

Boonville Beer Festival [Sat noon-6p]: 13th annual. At Mendocino County Fairgrounds (Boonville), $5-50. www.avbc.com

American Hwangap [through Sunday]: About a Korean-American family reunion in Texas. At the Shepard Theatre (SF), $20-45. www.magictheatre.org

Previous: Theatre - Not a Genuine Black Man [through Saturday in SF]; Dance - Bay Area National Dance Week [through Sunday]; Film - San Francisco International Film Festival [through May 7 in SF and Berkeley]; Theatre - Miss Julie [through May 10 in Berkeley]; Art - Watercolor Exhibit [through May 24 in SF]


Upcoming June Activities
Opera in the Ballpark - Tosca [June 5 in SF]; BFD, co-starring The Offspring, 311, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Does It Offend You Yeah? [June 6 in Mountain View]; The B-52s [June 30 in Saratoga]