Randy's Guide CLIV (154)

Today is Constitution Day; Friday is Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo's 33rd; Saturday is Saint Kitts and Nevis' Independence Day; Sunday is glass artist Dale Chihuly's 68th; Monday is film director Ethan Coen's 52nd; Tuesday is singer Joan Jett's 51st and the First Day of Autumn; and Wednesday is Celebrate Bisexuality Day.


Local News
Energy 92.7 FM, a progressive dance-oriented radio station in the Bay Area for the past five years, has been sold to Golden State Broadcasting. The staff of about 35 was dismissed, including popular morning show hosts Fernando and Greg. The new format, nicknamed Rev FM, will be top-40 mainstream and beamed in from Palm Springs for now. www.mercurynews.com/ci_13318940


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
Last weekend's thunderstorms will be a distant memory, as inland temperatures approach triple digits early next week during this extended heat wave.

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


Deal of the Week
Perfect timing! Jamba Juice has a special offer to buy one smoothie, get one for a buck. Print out the coupon, and use it by September 27. Note: there are 11 Jamba Juices in San Francisco alone! www.summerblissisback.com/couponbog1.php


The Environment
The 25th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day is this Saturday, from 9am until noon. San Francisco locations are for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (volunteer@parksconservancy.org) and Literacy for Environmental Justice (heronshead@lejyouth.org). Ample locations across the Bay Area and the state can be found at www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ccd.html.

Previous:
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.


Music Videos
"Suzanne" by Hope Sandoval (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Preceding her work with The Warm Inventions, which will release their second album later this month, Hope Sandoval worked with Mazzy Star, The Chemical Brothers, and Massive Attack. Her tour over the month will include stops at the Fillmore (Sep 26), Denver's Bluebird (Oct 1), New York's Bowery Ballroom (Oct 12), and Los Angeles' Mayan (Oct 22). www.hopesandoval.com

Previous:
"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 released her own album, largely composed of Tom Waits covers, and will showcase her collaboration with Pete Yorn next week. www.myspace.com/scarlettalbum


Movies (domestic revenues through September 14)
Tyler Perry continued his success of independent production, as "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" opened with a whopping $23.4 million {rated PG-13, 2255 screens, $10,398 per screen}. The post-apocalyptic animated film "9" tallied $10.7 million {rated PG-13, $15.2 million overall, 1661 screens, $6,466 per screen}. Carrie Fisher's cameo couldn't pull up "Sorority Row," as it premiered in sixth place with $5.1 million {rated R, 2665 screens, $1,899 per screen}. Finally, the thriller in Antarctica, "Whiteout," limped into seventh with $4.9 million {rated R, 2745 screens, $1,791 per screen}.

Amreeka (PG-13): Comedy; about a single mom and her teenage son who leave the West Bank for small-town Illinois

Bright Star (PG): Drama; about the final years of the young 19th century poet John Keats; directed by Jane Campion ("The Piano")

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (PG): Animation; based on the beloved children's novel about a scientist who attempts to solve world hunger; co-voiced by Bill Hader

Fuel (NR): Documentary; about our dependence on foreign oil and the prospect of biodiesel

The Headless Woman (NR): Drama; about a middle-aged female dentist who may have run over a young boy

The Informant! (R): Comedy; about a corporate insider who turns into a whistleblower; co-starring Matt Damon and Scott Bakula; directed by Steven Soderbergh ("Ocean's Eleven")

Jennifer's Body (R): Thriller; about a cheerleader who gets possessed and becomes a serial killer; co-starring Megan Fox and Amy Sedaris

Love Happens (PG-13): Romantic comedy; about a self-help author who might have met Ms. Right; co-starring Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston, and Martin Sheen

No Impact Man (NR): Documentary; about an author who vows to make zero environmental impact for one year... meaning no public transportation, electricity, non-local food, or material consumption

Under Our Skin (NR): Documentary; about the science and politics of Lyme disease

White on Rice (PG-13): Comedy; about a 40-year-old divorced man who shares a room with his 10-year-old nephew

DVD Pick - Synecdoche, New York (R): The writer behind "Being John Malkovich" and "Adaptation" took the director's helm for the first time here, and it's a bizarre trip. Philip Seymour Hoffman stars as a disillusioned writer who receives a grant to create a life's masterpiece production. A parade of indie women stars, including Samantha Morton and Hope Davis, are in the mix too. Domestic box office: $3.1 million; foreign box office: $1.2 million.


Free Activities
2009 PARK(ing) Day [Friday]: 5th annual. Metered parking spaces are transformed into public parks. Started in San Francisco, but has since spread worldwide. www.parkingday.org

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Fri 7:30p, Sun 3p, Wed 7p]: 50th anniversary. "Too Big to Fail" is the production. At Analy High School (Sebastopol), Walnut Park (Petaluma), and Chabot College Performing Arts Center (Hayward). www.sfmt.org

Oakland's Got Seoul Festival [Sat 11:30a-6:30p]: 1st annual. Featuring a Korean BBQ contest, ARTcart Project, UC Berkeley Tae Kwon Do demonstration, and more. Near Telegraph and 25th (Oakland). www.koreatownnorthgate.org

Sit for Change - Bay Area [Sat 10a-4p]: Celebrate International Day of Peace with music, spoken word, and a meditation circle. At MLK Park (Berkeley). http://sitforchange.kintera.org

Bark in the Park [Sat 10a-5p]: 12th annual. Featuring all things dog - costume contest, silly tricks, herding demo, and more. At William Street Park (San Jose). www.barksanjose.org

Autumn Moon Festival [Sat-Sun 11a-6p]: Featuring two parades, Chinese acrobats, lion dancers, moon cakes, martial artists, and more. Along Grant Avenue and Pacific Street (SF). www.moonfestival.org

Family Day Kite Festival [Sat-Sun 11a-6p]: 32nd annual. Featuring kite competitions, kite-making demonstrations, wind-power exhibits, and more. At Marina Green (SF). www.fdkf.org

Festa Coloniale Italiana [Sat 11:30a-7p]: Featuring live entertainment, meatball subs, ravioli rollers, cooking demos, and more. Along Stockton St. in North Beach (SF). www.sfiac.org/festa.html

Printing Street Fair [Sat noon-5p]: 6th annual. Featuring dozens of print vendors, community artists, and local bands. At SF Center for the Book. www.sfcb.org

Queens of New Orleans [Sat 1-3p]: Featuring the varied music forms from New Orleans. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

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

Opera in the Ballpark [Sat 8p]: Crowd favorite Verdi's "Il Trovatore" will be simulcast onto the giant jumbotron. Featuring Marco Berti and Dmitri Hvorostovsky. At AT&T Park (SF). www.sfopera.com

Film Night in the Park [Sat 8p]: Featuring "The Dark Knight," with the late Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning performance as the Joker. At Dolores Park (SF). www.filmnight.org

2009 Comedy Day [Sun noon-5p]: 29th annual. Featuring 30 listed comedians (and a few surprise guests). Past featured guests include Robin Williams, Margaret Cho, Garry Shandling, Rob Schneider, Janeane Garofalo, Dave Chappelle, and Whoopi Goldberg. At Golden Gate Park's Sharon Meadow (SF). www.comedyday.com

Progressive Festival [Sun noon-5p]: 12th annual. Featuring liberal speakers, a live performance by the San Francisco Mime Troupe, live music, and local nonprofits. At Walnut Park (Petaluma). www.progressivefestival.org


Paid Activities
This Land Is Your Land concert [Fri 8p]: Featuring Pete Seeger in a tribute to Woody Guthrie and John Steinbeck. At Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium ($49-75). www.livenation.com

Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-5p]: Featuring artisans amidst the redwoods. At Old Mill Park (Mill Valley), free-$8. www.mvfaf.org

Valley Blues Festival [Sat 11a-5p]: Featuring live local blues musicians. At Rowell Ranch (Castro Valley), $20-25. www.valleybluesfestival.com

Channel 104.9 presents The Big Show 2009 [Sat 5p]: Featuring Flogging Molly, All-American Rejects, Jack's Mannequin, The Limousines, and more. At San Jose State Event Center, $30. www.channel1049.com

As You Like It [through Sep 27]: Based on the Shakespearean comedy. At San Jose Repertory Theatre, $42-51. www.sjrep.com

Northern California Renaissance Faire [weekends through Oct 18]: Featuring seven stages of entertainment, street troupes, a medieval marketplace, and theme weekends. At Casa de Fruta (Hollister), free-$150. www.norcalrenfaire.com

Previous: Art - Lords of the Samurai [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Twelfth Night, or All You Need Is Love [through Sep 27 in San Rafael]; Theatre - East 14th: True Tales of a Reluctant Player [through Oct 10 in SF]; Theatre - American Idiot [extended through Nov 1 in Berkeley]


Upcoming October Activities
Joan Rivers comedy show [Oct 2-3 in SF]; San Francisco Love Parade [Oct 3 in SF]; Noam Chomsky discussion [Oct 3 in Oakland]