Randy's Guide CL (150)

Today is Congressman Ron Paul's (R-TX) 74th and Nepal's Children's Day; Friday is LDS Church President Thomas Monson's 82nd and Google co-founder Sergey Brin's 36th; Saturday is "Fahrenheit 451" writer Ray Bradbury's 89th; Sunday is Swaziland's Umhlanga Day (Reed Dance Day); Monday is comedian Dave Chappelle's 36th; Tuesday is Israeli-born KISS musician Gene Simmons' 60th and Uruguay's National Day; and Wednesday is Phillippines' National Heroes' Day.


Local News
State parks just got more expensive this week in an effort to keep them open after Labor Day. Camping fees at Half Moon Bay State Park and Pescadero's Butano State Park are now $35 (up $10), while day-use parking spaces at those parks cost $10 (up $3-4). Pescadero, Pomponio, and San Gregorio state beaches now charge $8 per day, an increase of $2. www.hmbreview.com/articles/2009/08/19/news/doc4a8c291f559f8407262583.txt


Change for Change
Charity to consider: Rebuilding Together San Francisco. Originally formed in response to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, this nonprofit focuses on conducting makeovers of homes and community facilities. Recent projects include the Arab Cultural & Community Center in Forest Hill, Daniel Webster Elementary School in Potrero Hill, and the YMCA facility in the Mission. www.rebuildingtogethersf.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, Sustainable Conservation, Ashoka, Old Skool Cafe, and Darfur Sister Schools.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Mild and seasonal, with coastal fog lingering into the afternoon and inland areas blazing with mostly sunny skies.

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


Deal of the Week
Claim a free 2.5-ounce bottle of Astroglide Natural personal lubricant and moisturizer. www.astroglide.com/FreeSample-Natural.asp


The Environment
Santa Clara seems to be a hub for recycling technological gadgets. You can drop off electronics for free at Zak Enterprises (www.zakenterprises.com) or United Datatech Distributors (www.uniteddatatech.com), and your scrap toxic metal at ECS Refining (http://nauticus-usa.com/consul1.html).

Previous:
Bug repellents often contain DEET, which has been shown to cause headaches and nausea. Citronella, peppermint oil, and oil of lemon eucalyptus are recommended by the CDC as healthier alternatives.


Music Videos
"A Young One" by Bart Davenport (Oakland, Calif.)

He dabbled with a side project called Honeycut for a while, but now he's touring after releasing his fourth solo LP. Upcoming shows are at the Knockout (SF, Wednesday) and in Santa Cruz (Sep 4) before a couple of weeks in Europe. www.bartdavenport.com

Previous:
"Moped Girls" by Vivian Girls (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

The all-girl rock trio is releasing its second album in September. Check them out at the Rickshaw Shop in San Francisco on September 9; other shows include Fargo, Missoula (Mont.), Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and Brooklyn. www.freewebs.com/viviangirls


Movies (domestic revenues through August 16)
"District 9" cashed in on a brilliant marketing campaign by claiming the top spot with $37.4 million {rated R, 3049 screens, $12,251 per screen}. "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" picked up $22.3 million in its second weekend {rated PG-13, $98.6 million overall, 4007 screens, $5,571 per screen}. Romantic drama "The Time Traveler's Wife" opened with $18.6 million {rated PG-13, 2988 screens, $6,233 per screen}. The Jeremy Piven comedy "The Goods" scored $5.6 million in 6th place {rated R, 1838 screens, $3,070 per screen}, while the Vanessa Hudgens musical "Bandslam" premiered weakly with $2.2 million in 13th place {rated PG, 2121 screens, $1,052 per screen}. Meanwhile, the cute and colorful "Ponyo," co-directed by Hayao Miyazaki and John Lasseter, earned $3.6 million, good for #9 {rated G, 927 screens, $3,868 per screen}.

Afghan Star (NR): Documentary; about a popular version of "American Idol" in Afghanistan

American Casino (NR): Documentary; about the sub-prime mortgage meltdown

Daytime Drinking (NR): Drama; about a broken-hearted man from Seoul who goes to a tiny seaside town by himself

Empty Nest (NR): Drama; about a seemingly happy family in Buenos Aires

The Final Destination: Death Trap 3D (R): Horror sequel; about a young man who foresees devastating events at a race-car competition

Flame and Citron (NR): Drama; about a resistance group in WWII

Inglourious Basterds (R): Drama; about a lieutenant who organizes Jewish fighters to target soldiers in Nazi-occupied France; co-starring Brad Pitt and Mike Myers; directed by Quentin Tarentino

Ocean of Pearls (PG-13): Drama; about a young Sikh surgeon who moves to Detroit

Post Grad (PG-13): Comedy; about the attempted realization of post-college dreams; co-starring Michael Keaton and Carol Burnett

Pressure Cooker (NR): Documentary; about an unorthodox culinary arts instructor at a Philadelphia public school

Shorts (PG): Family action; about a family living in a suburb largely employed by a large corporation

X Games 3D (PG): Documentary; about the X Games' highlights and athlete features; co-starring Shaun White

DVD Pick - Happy Go Lucky (R): A delightful comedy, this import by Mike Leigh ("Secrets and Lies") centers on a schoolteacher who has a positively buoyant perspective on life. Winner of Best Actress (Golden Globes, San Francisco Film Critics, New York Film Critics, Berlin Film Festival); nominated for Best Film (Golden Globes) and Best Screenplay (Oscars). Domestic box office: $3.5 million; foreign box office: $14.6 million.


Free Activities
Outdoor Movie Night [Thu 7:30p]: Featuring "Splash" and a trivia contest. At Jack London Square (Oakland). www.jacklondonsquare.com

Chinatown StreetFest 2009 [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 22nd annual. Featuring the Great Wall Youth Orchestra, White Crane Lion Dance Team, and more. Near 9th and Broadway (Oakland), www.oaklandchinatownstreetfest.com

AfroSolo Arts Festival: United in Health [Sat 10a-2p]: Featuring health screenings, community forums, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, and more. At the Ella Hutch Center (SF). www.afrosolo.org

Festival of the Arts [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 28th annual. Featuring a live recycled art creation, Italian street painting, kids' art studio, and more. Along University Avenue (Palo Alto). www.mlaproductions.com

Street Food Festival 2009 [Sat 11a-7p]: Featuring local food micro-entrepreneurs, renowned chefs, street musicians, and street art projects. Near Folsom St and 25th St (SF). www.lacocinasf.org/street-food

SF Zine Fest [Sat-Sun 11a-6p]: Featuring independent and underground publishing. At Golden Gate Park's County Fair Building (SF). www.sfzinefest.com

Tiburon Art Festival [Sat-Sun 11a-6p]: 3rd annual. Featuring live music, artisans, family activities, and more. Along Historic Ark Row (Tiburon), $5 donation. http://tiburonartfestival.homestead.com

Patrick Ball concert [Sat 1-2:30p]: Celtic harpist. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Sat-Sun 2p]: 50th anniversary. "Too Big to Fail" is the production. At Live Oak Park (Berkeley). www.sfmt.org

Free Shakespeare in the Park [Sat-Sun 7:30p]: 27th season. Featuring "The Comedy of Errors" with a 12-actor cast. Final weekend at Memorial Park (Cupertino). www.sfshakes.org

Film Night in the Park [Sat 8p]: Featuring "On the Waterfront." At Union Square (SF). www.filmnight.org

Rock Make Street Festival [Sun 11a-6p]: 2nd annual. Featuring 12 Bay Area bands, including Tartufi and Music for Animals, on two stages, along with 50+ artisans. Near Treat Ave. and 17th St (SF). www.rockmake.com

Golden Gate Park Band [Sun 1p]: 127th season. This week's theme is "St. Stephen's Day," a celebration of Hungarian music, song, and dance. At the Music Concourse Bandshell in Golden Gate Park (SF). www.goldengateparkband.org

Stern Grove Festival - San Francisco Opera [Sun 2p]: 72nd season. Final performance of the season. Featuring tenor Marco Berti, from the season-opening production of "Il Trovatore." At Stern Grove Amphitheatre (SF). www.sterngrove.org


Paid Activities
Mount Diablo Jazz Festival [Sat 4p]: Featuring Anita Baker, Boney James, Fourplay, and more. At Sleep Train Pavilion (Concord), $19-75. www.bluenote.com/ArtistMain.aspx?ArtistId=920438

JV's Comedy Jam [Sat 7p]: Featuring Cedric the Entertainer, Tracy Morgan, Cheech & Chong, Carlos Mencia, and more. At Shoreline Amphitheater (Mountain View), $24-80. www.wild949.com/pages/comedyjam2009_onsale.html

San Mateo County Fair [through Sunday, noon-10p]: Featuring Boyz II Men on Friday night, a Green Expo, Sustainable Trivia contest, digital photo contest, and more. At San Mateo County Event Center, free-$10. www.sanmateocountyfair.com

Third Eye Blind concert [Mon 8p]: San Francisco rock group hit it big with "Semi-Charmed Life" and "How's It Going to Be," and now they have their first new album in six years. At Fox Theater (Oakland), $30. www.3eb.com

August: Osage County [through Sep 6]: About the Weston family reuniting in rural Oklahoma. Winner of 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award (Best Play). At Curran Theatre (SF), $35-80. www.shnsf.com

The Farm [through Sep 13]: A hip-hop remix of George Orwell's "Animal Farm." At John Hinkel Park (Berkeley), $10. www.shotgunplayers.org

Previous: Art - Lords of the Samurai [through Sep 20 in SF]


Upcoming September Activities
Ben Harper concert [Sep 17 in Oakland]; Pink concert [Sep 17 in San Jose]; Pet Shop Boys concert [Sep 22-23 in SF]