Randy's Guide CLVIII (158)

Today is chef Emeril Lagasse's 50th; Friday is Boss' Day and English "The X Factor" winner Shayne Ward's 25th; Saturday is singer Eminem and Wyclef Jean's 37th; Sunday is actor Zac Efron's 22nd and retired tennis player Martina Navratilova's 53rd; Monday is RNC chairman Michael Steele's 51st; Tuesday is the 25th anniversary of the Monterey Bay Aquarium; and Wednesday is U.K. Apple Day.


Local News
Later today, President Barack Obama will make his first stop in San Francisco since winning the election. He will attend two fundraisers - a dinner for 200 VIPs and a reception for 1,000 supporters - and stay overnight at the Westin St. Francis Hotel. Protesters, both conservative and liberal, will be across the street in Union Square. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/15/MN3S1A5G14.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. http://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
After last Tuesday's record rainfall (21 inches in the Santa Cruz mountains in one day!) and hurricane-force winds, we're dry for the next few days. Next chance of rain will be Sunday night into Monday.

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


The Environment
Organic beer, made with organic hops, uses fewer pesticides and promotes better farming practices. Wolaver's, Fish Tale Ales, and Peak Organic appear to be winning brands. An alternative is to purchase locally crafted ales (Anchor Steam, Speakeasy, Sierra Nevada), which travel shorter distances to get into stores.

Previous:
With the first autumn rains approaching, it might be time to consider a rain barrel for harvesting water. The collected water is excellent for plants, car washes, and indoor cleaning jobs. Stop by your local hardware store to check out options.


Music
"Heart of Chambers" by Beach House (Baltimore, Md.)

The dream-pop duo, whose third album is coming out next year, has a sold-out show at San Francisco's Bottom of the Hill on Monday, followed by stops in L.A., San Diego, and Big Sur. http://www.beachhousemusic.net/


Movies (domestic revenues through October 11)
"Couples Retreat" - A quasi-update to "Swingers" - landed in first place with $34.3 million {rated PG-13, 3000 screens, $11,429 per screen}. "Zombieland" held onto second with $14.8 million {rated R, 3038 screens, $4,872 per screen}. The very low-budget scare film "Paranormal Activity" used inexpensive marketing tactics to pack theatres to the tune of $7.9 million {rated R, 3rd weekend, $9.1 million overall, 160 screens, $49,379 per screen}. Chris Rock's documentary "Good Hair" premiered with $1.0 million in limited release {rated PG-13, 186 screens, $5,611 per screen}.

Birdwatchers (NR): Drama; about Amazonian tourists and natives paid to dress in traditional attire

An Education (PG-13): Romance; about a schoolgirl debating between trying for Oxford or living with an older man; co-starring Peter Sarsgaard and Alfred Molina

The Horse Boy (NR): Documentary; about a Texas family who treks through Mongolia in search of a cure for the son's autism

Law Abiding Citizen (R): Thriller; about a grieving father who tracks down one of the murderers of his family following his early release from prison; co-starring Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler

More Than a Game (PG): Documentary; about five young basketball players from Akron, Ohio; co-starring LeBron James

New York, I Love You (R): Drama; about varied human connections in New York City, as imagined by an array of filmmakers; co-starring Hayden Christensen, Ethan Hawke, Christina Ricci, Shia LaBeouf, Natalie Portman, and Orlando Bloom

The Providence Effect (PG): Documentary; about a guidance counselor at a tough inner-city school in Chicago

The Stepfather (PG-13): Suspense; about a troubled teen who is on break from military school and suspects that his soon-to-be stepfather has a spotted past; co-starring Sela Ward

Where the Wild Things Are (PG): Comedy; about a misunderstood boy who lands on a mysterious island filled with Wild Things; co-starring Catherine Keener and Chris Cooper

DVD Pick - Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (PG-13): It's a beautiful homage to the nightlife in New York City, with the associated romance and hip tunes. Domestic box office: $31.5 million; foreign box office: $2.0 million.


Free Activities
Sidewalk Fall Fest [Fri-Sun 10a-5p]: 13th annual. Featuring 90+ artisans. Along Santa Cruz Ave. (Menlo Park). http://www.menloparkchamber.com/

Pacific Coast Brewing Block Party [Fri 5-11p]: Celebrating its 21st anniversary with local bands, birthday cake, special beers, and more. Near Washington St. and 10th St. (Oakland). www.pacificcoastbrewing.com/21anniv.htm

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival [Sat-Sun 9a-5p]: 39th annual. Featuring a pie-eating contest, pumpkin parade, haunted house, pumpkin ale, and more. Along Main St. (Half Moon Bay). http://www.miramarevents.com/

Greening El Cerrito [Sat 9a-2p]: Plant trees or learn about environmental activities. At City Hall (El Cerrito). http://www.el-cerrito.org/

San Francisco Trolley Dances [Sat-Sun 11a-4p]: 5th annual. Featuring six different San Francisco dance troupes performing outdoors along the J-Church MUNI line in the Mission District, Noe Valley, and Balboa Park. Meet at the large Miguel Hidalgo statue in the middle of Dolores Park, with tours beginning at 11a and leaving every 45 minutes. At Dolores Park and elsewhere (SF). http://www.epiphanydance.org/

Family Festival [Sat 11a-3p]: Featuring performances, jump houses, carousel rides, and resources geared toward children and families. In Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). http://www.ybgf.org/

Potrero Hill Festival [Sat 11a-4p]: 19th annual. Featuring live music, a petting zoo, local food producers, and more. Along 20th St. (SF). http://www.potrerofestival.com/

Festival on the Square [Sat 1-4p]: Featuring lion dancing, Supervisor David Chiu, free alleyway tours, and more. At Portsmouth Square (SF). http://www.caasf.org/

Target Family Day at the Museums [Sun 11a-4p]: Featuring taiko and indigenous performances, circus theatre, activities, and admission to the new Contemporary Jewish Museum (which I'll be attending), SF Museum of Modern Art (excellent), the Museum of the African Diaspora (also excellent), and Zeum. http://www.yerbabuena.org/

Fiesta on the Hill [Sun 11a-6p]: 21st annual. Featuring live music, a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, and more. Along Cortland Ave. (SF). http://www.sresproductions.com/


Paid Activities
Treasure Island Music Festival [Sat-Sun 11a-11p]: Featuring MGMT, The Decemberists, Grizzly Bear, Passion Pit, The Flaming Lips, and more. Free parking and shuttle from AT&T Park. At Treasure Island (SF), $65-250. http://www.treasureislandfestival.com/

Jake Shimabukuro [Wed 7:30p]: The Hawaiian ukelele star shot to stardom on YouTube. At Davies Symphony Hall (SF), $25-65. http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/

South Pacific [through Oct 25]: Tony Award-winning revival about race and romance during WWII. At Golden Gate Theatre (SF), $30-99. http://www.shnsf.com/

Previous: Theatre - Brief Encounter [extended through Saturday in SF]; Event - Northern California Renaissance Faire [through Sunday in Hollister]; Film - Mill Valley Film Festival [through Sunday in Mill Valley and San Rafael]; Theatre - Rent [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - American Idiot [extended again through Nov 15 in Berkeley]