Randy's Guide CXXXIX (139)

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square riots; Friday is financial advisor Suze Orman's 58th and Yemen's Arbor Day; Saturday is Sweden's National Day; Sunday is musician Prince's 51st; Monday is comedian Joan Rivers' 76th; Tuesday is actor Johnny Depp's 46th; and Wednesday is politician John Edwards' 56th.


Local News
It appears a second Gunn High School student has committed suicide, via oncoming CalTrain vehicle, within the past month. Events geared toward recognizing depression and combatting suicide are to be held in Menlo Park and Palo Alto. www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?type=lnews&id=111282


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
A bit more unusual, with a small prospect of thunderstorms through Saturday.

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


Deal of the Week
San Francisco-based Yelp has collected over 35 premium spas and salons in San Francisco for its Hawt on Yelp Week, which offers 50% off various skin, body, and hair treatments. Check out the participating locations, and make your reservations for June 8-14! www.yelp.com/events/san-francisco-hawt-on-yelp


The Environment
When upkeeping your garden, choose a less-toxic or non-toxic pesticide such as Greenlight products or a homemade ammonia or dishwashing soap solution. Conventional pesticides may kill not only unwanted pests but also beneficial insects such as ladybugs and aquatic animals like fish and crustaceans.

Previous:
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.


Music Videos
"Very Busy People" by The Limousines (Campbell, Calif.)


Local electronica group hits the big time, with a spot at the LIVE 105 BFD show on Saturday.

Previous:
"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).


Movies (domestic revenues through May 31)
Up (PG) soared for another Pixar victory, with $68.1 million in its first weekend (3766 screens, $18,085 per screen). Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (PG) continued to bring in viewers, with $24.4 million ($104.2 million overall, 2nd weekend, 4101 screens, $5,939 per screen). Sam Raimi's return to horror, Drag Me to Hell (PG-13), opened decently in fourth, with $15.8 million (2508 screens, $6,310 per screen).

Fados (NR): Documentary; about the Portuguese music form of fado, which has influences from South America and Africa

The Hangover (R): Comedy; about four guys who head to Vegas for a bachelor party; co-starring Bradley Cooper and Heather Graham

Land of the Lost (PG-13): Comedy; about three scientists who get transported into an alternate universe; co-starring Will Ferrell

My Life in Ruins (PG-13): Comedy; about a Greek tour guide who finds new meaning in life during one of her tours; co-starring Nia Vardalos and Richard Dreyfuss

Newcastle (NR): Drama; about a teenage surfer who battles issues of self-confidence

Revanche (NR): Drama; about the driver for a brothel owner and his secret affair with one of the women

DVD Pick - Starting Out in the Evening (PG-13): This thoughtful drama starring Frank Langella (one-half of the Frost-Nixon duo) focuses on an aging, obscure writer trying to finish his last novel and an idealistic graduate student who wants to write an upbeat thesis about him to jumpstart his career. Domestic box office: $0.9 million.


Free Activities
Berkeley World Music Festival [Sat noon-9p]: Featuring music from Zimbabwe, Romani, India, and more. Along Telegraph Avenue (Berkeley). www.berkeleyworldmusic.com

Opera at the Ballpark [Fri 8-11p]: Giacomo Puccini's classic Tosca hits the Jumbotron in a live simulcast feed from the Opera House. Do arias and garlic fries mix? At AT&T Park (SF). www.sfopera.com/simulcast

National Trails Day [Sat 9a-noon]: Featuring trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and forest stewardship. Register online. In the Presidio (SF). www.presidio.gov/volunteer

Pista Sa Nayon [Sat 9a-6p]: 23rd annual. In celebration of Filipino Independence Day. Along Vallejo waterfront. www.vallejopistasanayon.com

Union Street Eco-Urban Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 33rd annual. Featuring recycled and sustainable arts and crafts, two stages of live entertainment, and bistro cafes. Along Union Street (SF). www.unionstreetfestival.com

Art and Wine 2009 [Sat-Sun 11a-6p]: 28th annual. At Heather Farm Park (Walnut Creek). www.walnut-creek.com

What's the Big Idea Party [Sat 9p-3a]: Featuring live performances by Pansy Division and Ex-Boyfriends, a drag show featuring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, free tattoos, and a gourmet food market. At Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF). www.ybcafree.org

Sunday Streets [Sun 10a-2p]: Round three. Featuring free bike rentals and maintenance, lacrosse demonstration, flamenco dance lessons, guided mural tours, and free skating lessons. Along York Street, 24th Street, Valencia Street, and 19th Street (SF). www.sundaystreetssf.com

World Oceans Day [Sun 10a-noon]: Clean up the seashore. At Ocean Beach's Judah entrance (SF). www.oceandaysf.org

Israel in the Gardens Festival [Sun 11a-5p]: Featuring live Israeli music, foods, resource tables, and more. In Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Temescal Street Fair [Sun noon-6p]: 6th annual. Featuring a culinary stage, green pavilion, local artists and entertainers. Along Telegraph Avenue (Oakland). www.temescaldistrict.org


Paid Activities
Bolshoi Ballet [Thu-Fri 8p, Sat 2p/8p, Sun 3p]: Featuring the legendary dance troupe performing 19th-century classics. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $45-100. www.calperformances.org

BFD festival [Sat noon-11p]: Featuring 36 bands on 4 stages, including The Offspring, 311, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Glasvegas, Alkaline Trio, and Dizzy Balloon. At Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View), $25-50. www.live105.com

Faust, Part 1 [through June 21]: An updated version of Goethe's epic drama. At Ashby Stage (Berkeley), $18-25. www.shotgunplayers.org

Looking In: Robert Frank's The Americans exhibit [through June 27]: An excellent photographic look at life in the U.S. during the 1950s. At San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, free-$15. www.sfmoma.org

Previous: Theatre - Rabbi Sam [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee [through Sunday in San Jose]; Theatre - Dead Man's Cell Phone [through June 13 in SF]


Upcoming July Activities
All-American Rejects concert [Jul 5 in Kelseyville]; No Doubt concert [Jul 21 in Concord and Jul 25 in Mountain View]; Gilroy Garlic Festival [Jul 24-26 in Gilroy]