Randy's Guide CXXXVIII (138)

Today is Australian singer Kylie Minogue's 41st and Phillippines' National Flag Day; Friday is Nigeria's Democracy Day; Saturday is suspended baseball player Manny Ramirez' 37th and Canary Islands Day; Sunday is World No Tobacco Day; Monday is mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade's 64th; Tuesday is "Star Trek" actor Zachary Quinto's 32nd and Italy's Republic Day; and Wednesday is "Lonesome Dove" writer Larry McMurtry's 63rd.


Local News
In light of the California Supreme Court decision to affirm Proposition 8, gay-marriage advocates have already scheduled their first major event: Fresno. Saturday's 14.5-mile morning walk from nearby Selma to Fresno City Hall will be followed by a speech-filled rally. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/27/MNSK17RGTS.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
Typical late-spring, with morning fog and afternoon breezes. Cooling trend for inland areas through Sunday.

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


Deal of the Week
Life's Abundance pet food is providing free dog or cat food and other treats. www.healthyanimaldiet.net/pet-food-samples


The Environment
Car washes should preferably be done professionally to prevent hazardous runoff into our water supply, or at home over absorbent grass or gravel with biodegradable, phosphate-free, water-based cleaners.

Previous:
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.


Music Videos
"Don't Forget Sister" by Low vs Diamond (Los Angeles, Calif.)


Three University of Colorado students formed a band and moved west for the high life. This song from their debut album ranked #59 on Rolling Stone's 100 best songs of 2008. Currently, they're touring with Third Eye Blind, including stops in Denver (June 5), Houston (June 9), San Diego (June 14), and Los Angeles (June 25).

Previous:
"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).


Movies (domestic revenues through May 25)
Ben Stiller won the battle of sequels, as Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (PG) scored $70.1 million (4096 screens, $17,102 per screen). Terminator Salvation (PG-13), with Christian Bale taking over for Arnold Schwarzenegger, opened with $51.9 million ($65.3 million overall, 3530 screens, $14,715 per screen). The Brothers Bloom (PG-13), co-starring Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo as con-men brothers, strongly moved into additional theatres with $0.5 million ($0.6 million overall, 52 theatres, $9,529 per screen).

Big Man Japan (PG-13): Drama; about a middle-aged slacker whose job involves being transformed into a multi-story-high giant to defend Japan

Departures (PG-13): Drama; about a young unemployed cellist who must take his family back to his hometown; winner of Best Foreign Film Oscar

Drag Me to Hell (PG-13): Horror; about an L.A. loan officer whose home loan rejection results in a devious curse placed upon her; directed by Sam Raimi

Easy Virtue (PG-13): Comedy; about a newly married couple battling with a mother-in-law intent on ruining the marriage; co-starring Jessica Biel, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Colin Firth

Up (PG): Animated; about an elderly man whose life dramatically changes with the help of an 8-year-old boy; co-voiced by Edward Asner and Christopher Plummer

DVD Pick - Zack and Miri Make a Porno (R): Familiar roles for Seth Rogen (lovable oaf) and Elizabeth Banks (golden-hearted beauty) are balanced with a clever script, steady direction from Kevin Smith, and an unexpected twist from Jason Mewes (Clerks). Domestic box office: $31.5 million; foreign box office: $8.7 million.


Free Activities
Facing the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence [Fri 6:30p]: In honor of 30 years of existence, catch a rare glimpse at the creative ritual blessings and face makeup behind the charity group. RSVP required on Web site. At the YBCA (SF). www.ybca.org

Chocolate and Chalk Art Festival [Sat 10a-5p]: 13th annual. Featuring sidewalk drawing and chocolate samplings. Along Shattuck Avenue (Berkeley). www.chocolateandchalkart.com

American Sign Language Festival [Sat 10a-5p]: Featuring ASL storytellers, talent show, and community booths. At Justin Herman Plaza (SF). www.aslfestival.com

Foster City Arts & Wine Festival [Sat 11a-7p, Sun 11a-5p]: 38th annual. Featuring three stages of live entertainment, carnival rides, lagoon cruises, and more. At Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park (Foster City). www.fostercitychamber.com

Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival [Sat 11a-7p]: Featuring graffiti battles, skateboarding contest, live jazz bands, DJs, and more. At San Antonio Park (Oakland). www.eastsideartsalliance.org

Circus Bella [Sat noon-4p]: Two performances filled with acrobatics, juggling, clowns, and a circus band. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

An Afternoon with Chef Martin Yan [Sat 2p]: Discussion of ancient Chinese culture and cuisine. At the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library (San Jose). www.sjlibrary.org

Union Design Festival [Sun 11a-6p]: Featuring 130 original, locally produced independent clothing designers. At Hayes and Octavia (SF). www.uniondesignsf.com

Green with Pride Business Expo [Tue 4-8p]: Kicking off Pride Month with a wide array of businesses offering samplings, live entertainment, a silent auction, and raffle. At Hotel Whitcomb (SF). www.ggba.com/expo/expoinfo.html


Paid Activities
Jenny Lewis concert [Thu 8p, Fri 9p]: Former Randy's Guide musical artist. With The Sadies opening. At the Fillmore (SF), $25. www.jennylewis.com

Mark Morris Dance Group [Fri-Sat 8p, Sun 3p]: Set to Handel's oratorio with 24 dancers, a full orchestra, and chorus. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $31-82. www.calperformances.org

The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee [through June 7]: About smart misfit kids who are competing in a spelling bee. At the San Jose Repertory Theatre, $33-62. www.sjrep.com

Dead Man's Cell Phone [through June 13]: About a woman's increasing number of lies directed to people who call a dead man's cell phone. At the SF Playhouse, $40. www.sfplayhouse.org

Previous: Theatre - Best of Playground 13 [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Rabbi Sam [through June 7 in SF]


Upcoming July Activities
High Sierra Music Festival [July 2-5 in Quincy]; Fillmore Jazz Festival [July 4-5 in SF]; Tori Amos concert [July 13 in Oakland]