Randy's Guide CLIII (153)

Today is golfer Arnold Palmer's 80th; Friday is Patriot Day, in memory of the 9/11 attacks; Saturday is Cape Verde's National Day; Sunday is the 195th anniversary of Francis Scott Key's "The Star Spangled Banner"; Monday is rapper Nas' 36th; Tuesday is Costa Rica's Independence Day; and Wednesday is Mexico's Independence Day.


Local News
A six-week pilot program effective September 29 will end all eastbound traffic for much of Market Street. Cars will be urged to turn at 10th Street and will be required to turn at 8th Street. Delivery trucks, taxis, and buses will be exempt from the temporary restriction. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/10/MNNI19KOK8.DTL


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
Warm two days, then cool two days.

THU-FRI:
Highs: low-70s (coast); low-80s (bay); low-90s (inland)
Lows: mid-50s (coast); upper-50s (bay); low-60s (inland)

SAT-SUN:
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 2010 wildlife calendar by September 15 (Tuesday). You can fill out an online form, call, fax, or mail the organization. www.wildlifeforever.org/PAGES%20NEW/FREECALENDAR.aspx


The Environment
Use a broom - not a hose - to clean up garden waste. And, collect the clippings and deposit into a compostables bin, instead of the gutter.

Previous:
For the smokers out there, please use ashtrays and garbage cans for your used butts. They are the number one item found during annual beach clean-up days.


Music Videos
"Relator" by Scarlett Johansson and Pete Yorn

The 24-year-old actress has garnered four Golden Globe nominations and is perhaps best known for her role in "Lost in Translation." Last year, she assembled her own album, largely composed of Tom Waits covers, and will release her collaboration with Pete Yorn next week. www.myspace.com/scarlettalbum

Previous:
"In Color" by Jamey Johnson

The 34-year-old country singer served in the Marine Corps for eight years before churning out two albums. This particular song won an award at the Academy of Country Music Awards, and was nominated at the Grammys. Look for his third album later this year, as he is touring Los Angeles (Sep 24) and parts of the Midwest and South over the next few months. www.jameyjohnson.com


Movies (domestic revenues through September 8)
"The Final Destination" held off the competition over Labor Day weekend to notch $15.3 million {rated R, 2nd weekend, 3121 screens, $4,901 per screen}. "Inglourious Basterds" scored $15.0 million {rated R, 3rd weekend, 3358 screens, $4,452 per screen}. The new Sandra Bullock comedy "All About Steve" tallied $14.1 million {rated PG-13, 2251 screens, $6,245 per screen}. "Gamer" premiered with $11.2 million {rated R, 2502 screens, $4,478 per screen}. And Mike Judge's "Office Space" follow-up "Extract" opened with $5.5 million {rated R, 1611 screens, $3,422 per screen}.

Beeswax (NR): Drama; about twin sisters living in Austin and dealing with their problems

Cloud 9 (NR): Romance; about a happily married seamstress whose passion is aroused by one of her new clients

Earth Days (NR): Documentary; about the modern environmental movement as narrated by nine Americans

9 (PG-13): Science-fiction animation; about a small group of stitchpunk creations that fight against the world's machines in a post-apocalyptic world; co-voiced by John C. Reilly and Martin Landau

September Issue (PG-13): Documentary; about the legendary editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, Anna Wintour; co-starring Oscar De La Renta

Sorority Row (R): Horror; about five sorority girls who cause the murder of one of their sisters and then fend off a mysterious killer who is after them; co-starring Carrie Fisher

Tony Manero (NR): Drama; about a man set on winning a dance-like-Travolta TV contest, amid the clampdown by Pinochet's dictatorship government

Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself (PG-13): Comedy; about Madea's niece April who undergoes a transformation once two grandkids and a handsome Mexican immigrant move into her home; co-starring Mary J. Blige and Taraji P. Henson

Whiteout (R): Thriller; about a U.S. marshal sent to investigate a homicide in Antarctica; co-starring Kate Beckinsale and Tom Skerritt

A Woman in Berlin (NR): Drama; about the Red Army invasion of Berlin in 1945

DVD Pick - The Counterfeiters (R): This compelling historical film centers on a Jewish counterfeiter who leads an operation at a concentration camp for the Nazi Party. Oscar Winner for Best Foreign Film. Domestic box office: $5.5 million; foreign box office: $13.1 million.


Free Activities
San Francisco Mime Troupe [Thu-Fri 7:30p, Sat 7p, Sun 6p, Wed 7p]: 50th anniversary. "Too Big to Fail" is the production. At Miner's Foundry (Nevada City, $20); Bidwell Park (Chico); Victory Park (Stockton); and Laney College (Oakland). www.sfmt.org

San Francisco Symphony [Fri noon]: Perfect for lunch-time! At Justin Herman Plaza (SF). www.sfsymphony.org

Power to the Peaceful Festival [Sat 9a-5p]: 11th annual. Featuring group yoga, performances by Alanis Morissette and Michael Franti + Spearhead, speakers including Cynthia McKinney, and more. In Speedway Meadow (SF). www.powertothepeaceful.org

Castro Valley Fall Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 37th annual. Featuring live music, a classic car show, arts & crafts, and more. Along Castro Valley Blvd. www.castrovalleychamber.com

Mountain View Art & Wine Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 38th annual. Featuring live music, green demonstrations, a kids' park, and more. Along Castro Street (Mountain View). www.miramarevents.com/mountainview

Great American Blues & BBQ Festival [Sat 11a-6p]: Featuring blues musicians, music-related vendors, 10+ barbecue vendors, and more. Along Fourth Street (San Rafael). www.teamproevent.com/events/Blues-BBQ.html

Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival [Sat-Sun noon-5p]: 14th annual. Chef demonstrations from Top Chef finalist Casey Thompson and Kara's Cupcakes founder Kara Lind, ice-cream eating contest, and certainly chocolate-based delicacies. In Ghirardelli Square (SF). Free to attend; $20 for 15 tastings - benefits Project Open Hand. www.ghirardellisq.com/ghirardellisq/events.php?id=2

Taste of Saratoga [Sat noon-8p]: Featuring Santa Cruz Mountain wine tasting, local restaurants and shops, a Fun Zone, and more. Along Big Basin Way (Saratoga). www.saratogachamber.org

Yosvany Terry concert [Sat 1-2:30p]: Afro-Cuban jazz musician will be joined by an ensemble featuring conga drums, a bass guitar, and a piano. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Viva Las Americas [Sat 1-5p]: Salsa lessons, Latin American crafts, mariachi bands, and more. At Pier 39 (SF). www.pier39.com/events/events.htm

A Hot Day in Ephesus [Sat-Sun 2p]: Based on Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors." At Old Mill Park (Mill Valley). www.curtaintheatre.org

Free Shakespeare in the Park [Sat 7:30p, Sun 2:30p]: 27th season. Featuring "The Comedy of Errors" with a 12-actor cast. At The Presidio's Main Post (SF). www.sfshakes.org

Film Night in the Park [Sat 8p]: Featuring "Rushmore" (Fairfax). www.filmnight.org

Solano Stroll [Sun 8a-6p]: Featuring a pancake breakfast, parade, carnival games, Green Zone, and live performers. Along Solano Avenue (Berkeley). www.solanoavenueassn.org

San Francisco Zoo Grandparents Day [Sun 10a-4p]: Bring in a hand-colored picture of a zoo animal for each child, and the grandparents, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren get in free! At SF Zoo. www.sfzoo.org

Opera in the Park [Sun 1:30p]: Featuring arias from the upcoming fall-winter season. In Golden Gate Park's Sharon Meadow (SF). www.sfopera.com


Paid Activities Recommendation
American Idiot [extended through Nov 1]: Based primarily on Green Day's "American Idiot" album, this musical bursts with energy, crisp voices, and a dynamic set. I strongly urge you to check out this world premiere before it heads off to Broadway. At Berkeley Repertory Theatre, $19-95. Note that those under 30 years of age get half-price tickets. www.berkeleyrep.org


Paid Activities
Ardenwood Shakespeare Festival & Renaissance Faire [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: Featuring 900+ costumed entertainers, 100+ shopkeepers, the Knights of Mayhem jousting troupe, and more. At Ardenwood Farms (Fremont), free-$18. www.ardenwoodfaire.com

Brews by the Bay [Sat noon-5p, Sun 1-5p]: 6th annual. Featuring 40+ artisan beers from 7 SF breweries, live music, and a rib shack. On the SS Jeremiah O'Brien off Pier 45 (SF), $35-45. www.sfbrewersguild.org

The Killers [Sat 7:30p]: With New York Dolls opening. At Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View), $19-81. www.thekillersmusic.com

Opening Night in the South Bay [Sat 8p]: Featuring conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, pianist Ilya Yakushev, and the San Francisco Symphony in a waltz-themed program with Liszt, Ravel, and Prokofiev. Complimentary pre-show talk and post-show champagne reception. At Flint Center (Cupertino), $15-71. www.sfsymphony.org

East 14th: True Tales of a Reluctant Player [through Oct 10]: About the coming-of-age upbringing of Don Reed on Oakland's East 14th Street during the 1970s. At The Marsh (SF), $20-50. www.themarsh.org

Previous: Theatre - The Farm [through Sunday in Berkeley]; Theatre - El Otro [through Sunday in SF]; Art - Lords of the Samurai [through Sep 20 in SF]; Theatre - Twelfth Night, or All You Need Is Love [through Sep 27 in San Rafael]


Upcoming October Activities
Fleet Week [Oct 7-11 in SF]; Treasure Island Music Festival, featuring MGMT and The Decemberists [Oct 17-18 in SF]; Mika concert [Oct 24 in Oakland]