Randy's Guide CXLIX (149)

Today is Cuban leader Fidel Castro's 83rd; Friday is "Far Side" cartoonist Gary Larson's 59th and Pakistan's Independence Day; Saturday is Costa Rica's Mother's Day; Sunday is TV personality Kathie Lee Gifford's 53rd; Monday is Oracle CEO Larry Ellison's 65th; Tuesday is actors Edward Norton and Christian Slater's 40th; and Wednesday is former President Bill Clinton's 63rd and Afghanistan's Independence Day.


Local News
The ongoing BART contract saga continues, as the Amalgamated Transit Union (representing station agents and train operators) voted to reject the "best and final offer" from management. This comes after SEIU and AFSCME both voted to accept the contract proposal. BART workers could strike as early as tomorrow. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/13/MN0M1980U0.DTL


Change for Change
Congrats to Darfur Sister Schools for a Randy's Guide donation! I hope all of the readers out there have looked over the many different programs set up by the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict. www.educationpartnership.org

New 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 now Darfur Sister Schools.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Slight cooling through Friday, then warming again. Coastal low clouds in the morning; afternoon sunshine and breezes everywhere.

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


Deal of the Week
The California Academy of Sciences, the hot-spot for museumgoers in San Francisco, is opening its doors for complimentary admission on Wednesday. Hours are 9:30am - 5:00pm, and I would strongly encourage arriving as early as possible to get entry into the various attractions inside. www.calacademy.org


The Environment
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.

Previous:
White roofs reflect about 75% of sunlight, whereas dark roofs only reflect about 15%. Painting roofs and pavements white would reduce on air-conditioning use, cool interiors, and improve air quality.


Music Videos
"Tell the World" 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

Previous:
"She Loves Everybody" by Chester French (Cambridge, Mass.)

Two Harvard grads named their band after the sculptor of the John Harvard statue on campus, and now their latest work features a number of collaborations with hip-hop and R&B stars. Tour stops include San Francisco (Sep 13), Chicago (Aug 15), Denver (Sep 6), and Irvine (Sep 18). www.ChesterFrench.com


Movies (domestic revenues through August 9)
"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" was all that it could be - and more - with $54.7 million {rated PG-13, 4007 screens, $13,654 per screen}. Opening in second place was the Meryl Streep comedy "Julie and Julia" at $20.0 million {rated PG-13, 2354 screens, $8,508 per screen}. And the suspense thriller "A Perfect Getaway" didn't scare up much of an audience, with $5.9 million {rated R, 2159 screens, $2,755 per screen}.

Bandslam (PG): Comedy; about a gifted singer who forms a band to battle her ex-boyfriend's group; co-starring Lisa Kudrow and Vanessa Hudgens

Cold Souls (PG-13): Drama; a decent, thought-provoking film about Paul Giamatti deciding to remove his soul in an effort to help with his performance in "Uncle Vanya"; co-starring Paul Giamatti

District 9 (R): Science fiction; about alien refugees who reside in South Africa's District 9

The Goods (R): Comedy; about a brash businessman working in Temecula; co-starring Jeremy Piven and Ving Rhames

Not Quite Hollywood (R): Documentary; about the exploration of Australian films during the 1970s and 1980s; co-starring Quentin Tarentino and Jamie Lee Curtis

Ponyo (G): Animation; about a 5-year-old boy and his friendship with a goldfish princess; co-voiced by Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett

Spread (R): Comedy; about a charming young man who seduces older, wealthier women; co-starring Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche

The Time Traveler's Wife (PG-13): Romance; about a couple in love, with the caveat that the man is a time traveler; co-starring Eric Bana and Ron Livingston

DVD Pick - Tell No One (NR): This tense thriller from France details one man's fight to investigate his wife's death. Check it out before Miramax releases an English-language remake next year. Domestic box office: $6.2 million; foreign box office: $27.2 million.


Free Activities
Barbara Boxer reading [Thu 7p]: California Senator Barbara Boxer reads from her new novel, "Blind Trust." At Books Inc. Opera Plaza (SF). www.booksinc.net/event/senator-barbara-boxer-books-inc-opera-plaza

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Thu 8p, Sat-Sun 2p]: 50th anniversary. "Too Big to Fail" is the production. At Arena Theater (Point Arena, $28); Washington Park (SF); and Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.sfmt.org

Film Night in the Park [Fri-Sat 8p]: Featuring "Lost in Translation" and "Ratatouille." At Creek Park (San Anselmo). www.filmnight.org

Free Outdoor Screening - Kamikaze Girls [Fri 8:30p]: Based on a best-selling Japanese novel, about a young woman who dreams of living in France during the 18th century. In Japantown's Peace Plaza (SF). www.newpeopleworld.com

Alamo Square Flea Market [Sat 9a-4p]: 26th annual. No need to travel down to San Jose - or even Alemany district. In Alamo Square Park (SF). www.alamosq.org

Hit & Run Hula [Sat 10a-5p]: Featuring impromptu hula performances at various San Francisco locations. At the Ferry Building, Union Square, Dolores Park, and Ocean Beach. www.hitandrunhula.com

West Coast BBQ Championships [Sat 10a-6p]: 6th annual. Featuring BBQ chefs from across the western United States. In downtown Fairfield. www.westcoastbbqchampionships.com

Festival of India [Sat-Sun 10a-7p]: 17th annual. Featuring a parade and 100+ vendors. Near Paseo Padre Parkway and Walnut (Fremont). www.fiaonline.info/FestivalInfo/tabid/57/Default.aspx

Fiesta de Artes [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 13th annual. At Los Gatos Civic Center Grounds. www.lgfiesta.org

Jug Band Festival [Sat 10a-6p]: Featuring multiple jug bands. At Golden Gate Park's Bandshell (SF). www.jugfest.org/jugfest

Uptown Summer Festival [Sat 10a-3p]: Featuring a bounce house, face painting, puppet show, and more. At Roosevelt Center (San Jose). www.sanjose.gov/prns

Zucchini Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-7:30p]: Featuring multiple live bands, martial arts groups, and zucchini. At Kennedy Park (Hayward), free-$4. www.haywardzucchini.com

J-Pop Summit Festival [Sat 11a-6p]: Featuring a fashion show, live painting, and Japanese pop bands. Along Post St (SF). www.newpeopleworld.com

Street Food Festival [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

San Rafael Food and Wine Festival [Sat 11a-5p]: 3rd annual. At the Falkirk Cultural Center (San Rafael). www.sresproductions.com

Rio de Janeiro Pagode to Jazz [Sat 1-3p]: Featuring Viva Brasil and the California Brazil Camp performing backyard samba. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Taming of the Shrew [Sat-Sun 1p]: Final weekend. Since 1998, San Francisco-based Woman's Will, an all-female production company, has performed free (and paid) shows throughout the Bay Area. At Dolores Park (SF). www.womanswill.org/shrew

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

What's the Big Idea Party [Sat 9p-3a]: Featuring a live art installation by Burming Man Altar Master Shrine, tattoo artists, Farmer Brown cuisine, and musical guest The Cuban Cowboys. At Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF). RSVP at www.ybcafree.org

August Is Hawaiian [Sun 11a-3p]: Featuring lei making, Hawaiian bands, and shaved ice. In Courthouse Square (Redwood City). www.redwoodcity.org

Golden Gate Park Band [Sun 1p]: 127th season. This week's theme is "Broadway through the Years," featuring bass baritone John Minagro. At the Music Concourse Bandshell in Golden Gate Park (SF). www.goldengateparkband.org

Stern Grove Festival - San Francisco Ballet [Sun 2p]: 72nd season. Featuring three performances, including Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Arrive early. At Stern Grove Amphitheatre (SF). www.sterngrove.org


Paid Activities
Art & Soul Oakland [Sat-Sun noon-6p]: 9th annual. Featuring live performances including Shawn Colvin and the BoDeans, exotic foods, and a hip-hop dance fest. In downtown Oakland, free-$10. www.artandsouloakland.com

Green Day concert [Tue 8p]: The Berkeley rock band makes a stop in the Bay Area as part of its new album tour. With Scottish group Franz Ferdinand opening. At HP Pavilion (San Jose), $23-46. www.greenday.com

Previous: Theatre - The Unexpected Man [through Saturday in SF]; Theatre - Tinyard Hill [through Sunday in Palo Alto]; Theatre - If You Give a Mouse a Cookie [through Sunday in Oakland]; Art - Lords of the Samurai [through Sep 20 in SF]


Upcoming September Activities
Comedian Hal Sparks [Sep 10-13 in SF]; Gipsy Kings concert [Sep 10 in Saratoga]; Ben Harper concert [Sep 17 in Oakland]