Randy's Guide CXXXVII (137)

Today is comedian and likely Minnesota senator Al Franken's 58th and English Olympic diver Tom Daley's 15th; Friday is businessman T. Boone Pickens, Jr.'s 81st and Martinique's Abolition Day; Saturday is Price Is Right host Drew Carey's 51st; Sunday is Bulgaria's Slavonic Literature Day; Monday is Memorial Day and Argentina's National Day; Tuesday is Australia's National Day of Healing and Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks' 61st; and Wednesday is former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger's 86th and television chef Jamie Oliver's 34th.


Local News
Former California State Controller Steve Westly spoke at his alma mater, Stanford University, to press his concerns for cleaner technologies. He mentioned electric cars, solar panels, wind turbines, and stricter efficiency standards as ways to boost the global economy, ensure American success, and protect the planet. www.stanforddaily.com/cgi-bin/?p=1031207


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 Holiday Weekend Weather
Mild and seasonal, with morning fog and afternoon breezes. Warmest day should be Monday, just in time for outdoor BBQ and holiday shopping.

Highs: low-60s (coast); low-70s (bay); low-80s (inland)
Lows: upper-40s to low-50s


Deal of the Week
As if the Million Subs giveaway weren't enough, Quiznos is now offering a free flatbread Sammie with signup, along with a free cookie on your birthday. www.quiznos.com/subsandwiches/Offers/OffersLanding.aspx


The Environment
Recycle your used ink/toner cartridges! RecyclePlace (www.recycleplace.com) or Advantage Cartridge (www.advantagecartridge.com) will pay you for each used inkjet cartridge, assuming you collect 20 to 30 inkjet cartridges. Or, Staples and Office Depot will give you $3 in rewards for each used cartridge.

Previous:
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.


Music Videos
"Eye on the Dollar" by Citay (San Francisco, Calif.)


Influences include Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, The Bee Gees, Rufus Wainwright, and Miles Davis. Catch the band, heavy on instrumentals, in action at San Francisco's The Tempest (June 27), Los Angeles' Tangiers (July 2), or Monterey's The Lounge Underground (July 4).

Previous:
"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.


Movies (domestic revenues through May 17)
Angels & Demons (PG-13), the follow-up to the global sensation Da Vinci Code, eked out a narrow victory with $46.2 million (3527 screens, $13,100 per screen). Star Trek (PG-13) continued to roll with $43.0 million ($147.6 million overall, 3860 screens, $11,149 per screen). Rudo y Cursi (R), which reunites the duo from Y Tu Mama Tambien, placed 15th with $0.4 million in limited release ($0.7 million overall, 219 screens, $2,028 per screen).

The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story (PG): Documentary; about the Oscar- and Grammy-winning songwriting brothers

The Brothers Bloom (PG-13): Action; about con-men brothers who take on one last job with an eccentric heiress; co-starring Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel Weisz, and Rinko Kikuchi

Dance Flick (PG-13): Comedy; about a stream of parodies on dance films; co-starring Damon Wayans Jr. and Shawn Wayans

The Girlfriend Experience (R): Drama; about a high-end Manhattan call girl in the weeks leading up to the 2008 presidential election; directed by Steven Soderbergh

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (PG): Comedy; about night watchman Larry Daly's work in the Smithsonian; co-starring Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Hank Azaria, and Owen Wilson

O'Horten (PG-13): Comedy; about a train driver entering his days of retirement

Summer Hours (NR): Drama; about two brothers and a sister who must get rid of their family belongings following their mother's death; co-starring Juliette Binoche

Terminator Salvation (PG-13): Action; about John Conner's latest efforts to battle against deadly machines; co-starring Christian Bale and Helena Bonham Carter

DVD Pick - Starter for 10 (PG-13): James McAvoy, perhaps better known in the States for his dramatic roles in The Last King of Scotland and Atonement, has a fun time here as a young scholar who escapes his dreary rural town for the high life as a university man. Tom Hanks is a co-producer. Domestic box office: $0.2 million; foreign box office: $1.5 million.


Free Activities
Carnaval [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: Featuring seven blocks of Cuban, Jamaican, and Brazilian music; Polynesian and African dancers; Japanese taiko drums; and more. Parade on Sunday morning. Along Harrison St, between 16th and 22nd St. (SF). www.carnavalsf.com

Sephardic Music Experience [Sat 1-2:30p]: Featuring Jazz vocalist Kat Parra in an exploration of Sephardic Jewish music. In Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Film Night in the Park [Sat 8p]: Featuring Oscar-winning Wall-E. At Creek Park (San Anselmo). www.filmnight.org

Antiques & Collectibles Faire [Sun 8a-4p]: Featuring more than 400 dealers and appraiser Steve Yvaska. Along Main St (Pleasanton). www.pleasantonantiquefaire.com

SF Popfest [Sun 1p]: Featuring Let's Whisper, Pocketbooks (Dan & Emma of), Gregory Webster, Antarctica Takes It!, Land of Ill Earthquakes, and Apple Orchard. At Dolores Park (SF). www.sfpopfest.com

Memorial Day at the Presidio [Mon 10:30a]: Parade at 10:30a led by the 191st Army Band; formal program at 11a in the National Cemetery; 21-gun salute at noon; cemetery walks to highlight noteworthy soldiers. In the Presidio (SF). www.presidio.gov/calendar/memorial.htm

Memorial Day Tribute [Mon 10a]: 106th annual. Featuring music by the Hayward Municipal Band, an F-16 fighter jet flyover, Huey Helicopter display, and a free BBQ lunch. At Lone Tree Cemetery (Hayward). http://haywardmunicipalband.blogspot.com


Paid Activities
B.B. King [Thu 8p, Fri 7:30p]: The venerable 83-year-old blues singer has two stops in the Bay Area. At the Fillmore (SF) and the Mountain Winery (Saratoga), $55-98. www.bbking.com

Best of Playground 13 [through May 31]: Featuring seven one-acts, from 176 entries. At the Thick House (SF), $28-40. www.playground-sf.org

Previous: Art - Watercolor Exhibit [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - The Lieutenant of Inishmore [through Sunday in Berkeley]; Theatre - Rabbi Sam [through June 7 in SF]


Upcoming June Activities
Great American Food and Music Fest [Jun 13 in Mountain View]; Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon [June 13-14 in SF]; Chelsea Handler comedy show [Jun 27 in Saratoga]