Randy's Guide CXXXVI (136)

Today is Australian actress Cate Blanchett's 40th; Friday is painter Jasper Johns' 79th and Paraguay's Independence Day; Saturday is singer Janet Jackson's 43rd; Sunday is Democratic Republic of the Congo's Liberation Day; Monday is actress Tina Fey's 39th and Turkmenistan's Revival, Unity, and Poetry of Magtymguly Day; Tuesday is Turkey's Commemoration of Ataturk Day; and Wednesday is rapper Busta Rhymes' 37th and East Timor's Independence Day.


Local News
San Francisco-based Craigslist has agreed to replace its erotic services section with an "adult services" category that will have each of its ads reviewed by employees. The Web site had been under pressure to modify its practices following the murder of a masseuse who posted in Boston's erotic services area. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/14/MNHL17JT07.DTL


Change for Change
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 Sustainable Conservation.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Another warming trend, with fair skies and light afternoon breezes. Perfect weather to stake out a spot on Sunday morning and watch the costumed (and nude) of Bay to Breakers.

Highs: coast (mid-70s); bay (mid-80s); inland (low-90s)
Lows: coast (low-50s); bay (mid-50s); inland (upper-50s)


Deal of the Week
Restaurant discounts are becoming more frequent in local newspapers, mailings, and the Internet. Restaurant.com offers discounted restaurant gift certificates, and I've used several of them (such as for Goood Frikin' Chicken and Hyde Street Bistro) without a hitch. For an additional 70% savings through Saturday, enter discount code "TASTY" at checkout and hit "apply." This means $25 certificates will only cost you $3. Special thanks to reader Adriana C-V. for the tip. www.restaurant.com


The Environment
With the influx of battery-based devices (digital cameras, remote controls, digital picture frames), switch from alkaline batteries to rechargeable ones. Right now, they come in two different types: the cheaper nickel metal hydride and the more-efficiency lithium ion. Regardless, though, when the battery's life has ended, recycle them at your local hardware or pharmacy for proper disposal.

Previous:
If you're one of the 20% of Californians who change your car's motor oil, remember to take the used oil and filter to a collection center, not dump them down the drain or into the garbage. State Certified Collection Centers will even pay 16 cents per gallon for used oil. Visit www.ciwmb.ca.gov/UsedOil/Centers to find the nearest location.


Music Videos
"Fools" by The Dodos (Lafayette, Calif.)


The Bay Area band picked up a ringing endorsement from the SF Bay Guardian as one of four winners of the 20th Annual Goldie Awards. Upcoming shows over the next few months include stops in Brooklyn, San Francisco (Aug 29), Seattle, Berlin, and Montreal.

Previous:
"Worn Me Down" by Rachael Yamagata (Washington, D.C.)


Her alt-light rock is perfect for such television show soundtracks as Grey's Anatomy, One Tree Hill, and The O.C. Her second studio album received rave reviews. She's making a special guest appearance on 30 Rock tonight.


Movies (domestic revenues through May 10)
Star Trek (PG-13) wowed audiences - including this writer - to a spectacular $75.2 million weekend gross ($79.2 million overall, 3849 screens, $19,539 per screen). X-Men: Wolverine (PG-13) had a steep drop-off from last week's opening to $26.4 million ($129.0 million overall, 4102 screens, $6,438 per screen). Next Day Air (R), a cocaine comedy, stumbled to a $4.1 million opening (1138 screens, $3,613 per screen). And Little Ashes (R), co-starring Twilight's Robert Pattinson as Salvador Dali during his early encounters with Federico Garcia Lorca and Luis Bunuel, picked up a respectable $73 thousand (12 screens, $6,116 per screen).

Adoration (R): Drama; about a high-school French teacher who assigns a terrorism news story as a homework exercise; co-starring Scott Speedman; directed by Atom Egoyan

Angels & Demons (PG-13): Thriller; about symbologist Robert Langdon returning to investigate certain religious forces strongly desire to advance their goals; co-starring Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, and Armin Mueller-Stahl; directed by Ron Howard

Beast Stalker (NR): Action; about a traffic accident that brings together a wanted criminal, a public prosecutor, and a policy sergeant

Il Divo (NR): Drama; about a feared politician in Italy

Management (R): Comedy; about a chance encounter between a motel owner's son and an overnight guest; co-starring Jennifer Aniston, Woody Harrelson, and Steve Zahn

Rudo y Cursi (R): Drama; about two sibling rivals within the world of professional soccer; co-starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna

Treeless Mountain (NR): Drama; about a young girl who is left by her single mom in the hands of her alcoholic aunt

DVD Pick - Scotland, PA (R): A clever modernist look at Shakespeare's "Macbeth," as we shift to 1970s Pennsylvania at Duncan's Restaurant. Co-starring Maura Tierney and Christopher Walken. Domestic box office: $384 thousand.


98th Annual Bay to Breakers www.baytobreakers.com
ING Greater Body Expo [Fri 11a-7p, Sat 9a-7p]: Pick up your official packets and racing bibs; or, register for the race. Also featuring apparel and fitness gear, interactive displays, and ample free samples. At Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (SF).

The Race [Sun 8a-noon]: 12K race, with cash prizes for the fastest man and woman. Please, leave your kegs at home, pick up your garbage, and don't defecate on people's property. Starts in the Financial District and proceeds through South of Market, Civic Center, Hayes Valley, Western Addition, Alamo Square, Panhandle, Golden Gate Park, and finally Ocean Beach. Drivers, watch for street closures!

Southwest Airlines Costume Contest [Sun 8-11:30a]: Featuring prizes (two round-trip tickets) for Best California, Best Green, Best Creative, and Best Current Event costumes. At Golden Gate Park's Conservatory of Flowers.

Footstock [Sun 9:30a-2p]: Featuring band Music for Animals, beer and wine gardens, food samples, event merchandise, and participant t-shirt pick up. In Golden Gate Park's Polo Field.


Free Activities
Dolores Park Movie Night [Thu 8p]: Featuring the French hit film "Amelie." At Dolores Park (SF). www.doloresparkmovie.org

Oakland Greek Festival [Fri-Sat 10a-11p, Sun 11a-9p]: Featuring traditional Greek dances, musical performances, and homemade moussaka and baklava. At Greek Orthodox Cathedral (Oakland), FREE-$6. www.oaklandgreekfestival.com (free from 10a-4p Fri and 6-9p Sun; $1 discount on Web site)

A La Carte & Art [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 13th annual. Featuring handicrafts, microbrews, green products showcase, farmers market, and more. Along Castro Street (Mountain View). www.miramarevents.com

Asian Heritage Street Celebration [Sat 11a-6p]: 5th annual. Featuring hip-hop dance group Downe-FX, anime-themed fashion show, kickboxing demonstration, SF Bay Guardian's "Best of the Bay Singer Songwriter" Curt Yagi, and more. Along Larkin St, from the Asian Art Museum to Little Saigon (SF). www.asianfairsf.com

Life Is Good Family Festival [Sat 11a-5p]: Featuring musical guest ALO (previous tour with Jack Johnson), puppet show, badminton, and other family-friendly activities. At Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow (SF). www.lifeisgood.com

Immigrants Day Festival [Sat noon-5p]: Featuring performances by Basque, Filipino, Croatian, Portuguese, African-American, and other ethnic groups. In Courthouse Square (Redwood City). www.historysmc.org

Asian American Heritage Festival [Sat 12:30-5p]: 16th annual. Featuring taiko drummers, Thai classical dancers from Fremont's Wat Buddhanusorn, hula dancers, and more. At Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church (Union City). www.aafc-ca.org

Balinese Shadow Play [Sat 8-9p]: About the Mahabharata myth cycle, in which five brothers battle 100 jealous cousins for power and love. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Burlingame Green Street Fair [Sun 9a-3p]: Featuring environmental vendors and demonstrations, and a farmer's market. Near Park Road and Burlingame Ave. www.burlingame.org/sustainable

Healthy Living Fair [Sun 10a-2p]: Featuring complimentary neck massages, green beauty products, pilates mini classes, cooking demonstrations, a kids bouncey house, and more. At the Jewish Community Center (SF). www.jccsf.org

Jazz on Fourth Street Festival [Sun noon-5p]: 14th annual. Featuring live jazz music. Benefits Berkeley High Jazz Bands. Along Fourth Street (Berkeley). www.fourthstreet.com


Paid Activities
Charlie Hunter jazz concert [Thu-Sat 8p]: Featuring Terrence Higgins on his first self-release album over his 15-year career. At Yoshi's (SF), $20. www.charliehunter.com

Joan Rivers [Fri 8p]: Check out the famed comedian who recently won Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice. With Linda Clifford opening. At the Castro Theatre (SF), $35-75. www.joanrivers.com

O'Reilly's Oysterfest [Sat 11a-?]: 10th annual. Featuring music by Michael Franti and Spearhead, cooking demonstrations, oyster shuck & suck competition, and more. Benefits Team in Training. At Fort Mason's Great Meadow (SF), free-$60. www.sfoysterfest.com

Rabbi Sam [through June 7]: A one-man performance about a Jewish congregation coping with a new progressive rabbi. At the Marsh (SF), $18-50. www.themarsh.org

Previous: Theatre - Miss Julie [through Sunday in Berkeley]; Art - Watercolor Exhibit [through May 24 in SF]; Theatre - The Lieutenant of Inishmore [through May 24 in Berkeley]


Upcoming June Activities
Juneteenth Festival in Cesar Chavez Park [June 20 in San Jose]; 72nd Stern Grove Festival opener Roberta Flack [June 21 in SF]; Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood [June 29 in Oakland]