Randy's Guide CLXV (165)

Today is the 80th anniversary of Hoover's announcement that the worst of the Great Depression was over; Friday is businessman Charles Keating's 86th; Saturday is Saint Nicholas Eve; Sunday is "Knocked Up" director Judd Apatow's 42nd; Monday is Pearl Harbor Day and Maine Senator (R) Susan Collins' 57th; Tuesday is the Enlightenment of Buddha and singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson's 30th; and Wednesday is Swedish-Finnish Anna's Day.


Local News
San Francisco MUNI is implementing 18 months' worth of transit data findings over the weekend, resulting in six route eliminations (including the beloved 26-Valencia), five route service increases (including the 14L and 44), and 47 minor route alterations on either schedule or type of vehicle used. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/03/BAQT1AU1CF.DTL


Deal of the Week
On Sundays through December 27, a $2 fare on San Francisco's MUNI system will give you an all-day transfer for travel. This is designed to spur public-transit use and local-business sales during the holiday season.


Change for Change
Congrats to Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center for the latest Randy's Guide donation. I hope all of you were able to access its main site for additional information: www.apiwellness.org

New charity to consider: Urban Solutions. Started in 1992 as the South of Market Foundation, this nonprofit focuses on promoting small-business development in the Fillmore District, the SoMa, and seven corridors designated by the Neighborhood Marketplace Initiative. www.urbansolutionssf.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, Darfur Sister Schools, Rebuilding Together San Francisco, and now Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Very cool and some clouds in the sky... be prepared for a very wet week ahead starting Sunday night.

Highs: mid-50s
Lows: upper-30s (inland); low-40s (bay); mid-40s (coast); upper-40s (SF)


The Environment
The EcoSmart cutting board is made in a zero-waste facility from recycled plastic and flax husk. Dishwasher safe too! Available at Target and Crate & Barrel.


Music
"I Do Not Hook Up" cover by Gaslight Anthem (New Brunswick, N.J.)

Evocative of Bruce Springsteen, this rock band with a light punk edge has two albums under its belt and has actually toured with Springsteen and Social Distortion. They're playing a few shows back east in New York, New Jersey, and D.C. before releasing a third album next year. www.gaslightanthem.com


Movies (domestic revenues through November 29)
"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" held the top spot with $42.9 million {rated PG-13, 2nd weekend, $230.9 million overall, 4042 theatres, $10,606 per theatre}. The John Travolta-Robin Williams comedy "Old Dogs" tallied $16.9 million for fourth place {rated PG, $24.2 million overall, 3425 theatres, $4,933 per theatre}. "Ninja Assassin" opened in sixth place with $13.3 million {rated R, $21.2 million overall, 2503 theatres, $5,320 per theatre}. Animated snark from Wes Anderson had a cool reception in its expansion, with just $7.0 million, good for ninth {rated PG, 3rd weekend, $10.0 million overall, 2033 theatres, $3,426 per theatre}. Apocalyptic drama "The Road," based on Cormac McCarthy's novel, enjoyed a healthy limited release with $1.5 million {rated R, $2.0 million overall, 111 theatres, $13,534 per theatre}.

Armored (PG-13): Thriller; about armored truck guards who attempt to rob their own security firm; co-starring Matt Dillon, Jean Reno, and Laurence Fishburne

Brothers (R): Drama; about a Marine captain who is believed to have been killed in duty, and his younger brother who steps in to care for his family; co-starring Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Natalie Portman; directed by Jim Sheridan ("My Left Foot")

Collapse (NR): Documentary; about a variety of topics such as peak oil and food production that lead to a frightening vision of civilization collapse

The End of Poverty? (NR): Documentary; about the root causes of poverty; narrated by Martin Sheen

Everything's Strange and New (NR): Drama; about a man trapped by family, sexuality, and drug addiction

Everybody's Fine (PG-13): Comedy; about a widower who embarks on a road trip; co-starring Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, and Kate Beckinsale

La Danse (NR): Documentary; about the young men and women of the Paris Opera Ballet

Serious Moonlight (R): Drama-comedy; about a top attorney who holds her husband captive until he commits to saving their marriage; co-starring Meg Ryan and Timothy Hutton

Transylmania (R): Comedy; about an unusual university deep in Transylvania

Up in the Air (R): Drama-comedy; about a corporate HR expert who has amassed millions of frequent-flyer miles but remains a bachelor; co-starring George Clooney

DVD Pick - The Visitor (PG-13): Richard Jenkins has the role of a lifetime, with Oscar and SAG nods to boot, as a stubborn, aging professor who stumbles across an immigrant couple mistakenly residing in his Manhattan apartment. It's poetic, beautiful, crisp. Domestic box office: $9.4 million; foreign box office: $8.2 million.


Free Activities
Etsy's Handmade Ho-Down [Thu 6p-midnight]: Featuring 55+ local vendors with handmade goods, live DJ, and special tote bags. Free swag bags to the first 200 people. At 1015 Folsom St. in SoMa (SF). www.handmadehodown.com

La Cocina Culinary Gift Fair [Fri 4-9p]: Featuring items and gift boxes from La Cocina kitchen, which promotes micro food-based businesses to disadvantaged individuals. At the Mission Cultural Center (SF). www.lacocinasf.org

International Orange Chorale Concert [Fri 5p, Sat 7:30p]: From reader Josh. Featuring a wide array of works including Monteverdi, Mendelssohn, and others. Theme is "Dinner, as a Concert," with each piece functioning as a musical version of an edible course. At the Solarium Public Space on 2nd St. in the Financial District (SF, Friday) and Most Holy Redeemer Church in the Castro (SF, Saturday). With complimentary food and wine following the Saturday performance. www.iocsf.org

Jack London Square Tree Lighting Ceremony [Fri 5:30-7:30p]: Featuring costumed characters, the Oakland Symphony Chorus, KBLX, and the waterfront holiday light installation. At Jack London Square (Oakland). www.jacklondonsquare.com

The Lab: Postcard Show [Fri 6-9p]: 13th annual. Featuring local DJs and a wide array of artists of small format multiples. At The Lab in the Mission District (SF). www.thelab.org

Lower Haight Art Walk [Fri 7-10p]: Featuring art shows, live music, free snacks and drinks, and more. Along Haight, near Fillmore (SF). www.lowerhaight.org

Nutcracker Workshop [Sat 10:30a-noon]: Featuring ballet dancer Ikkolo Griffin in a participatory workshop and talk about San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker. For families with children ages 6-13. Those who attend both portions will receive free tickets to the actual performance at the Opera House in December. RSVP to 415-557-4554. www.sfpl.org

Weihnachtsmarkt [Sat noon-6p]: 4th annual. Traditional German Christmas marketplace, with live music, bratwurst, waffles, shops, and more. At the German International School (Mountain View). www.gissv.org

Hometown Holiday Celebration [Sat 4-8p]: Featuring holiday entertainment, pictures with Santa, a holiday parade, the Mayor's tree lighting, and more. Along Main St. (Pleasanton). www.pleasantondowntown.net

Holiday Indie-Mart [Sat 4p]: Featuring 40 unique vendors, happy hour specials, and live music. At the Independent (SF). www.theindependentsf.com

Lighted Yacht Parade [Sat 5:30-9p]: Featuring the Oakland Yacht Club and Encinal Yacht Club in an organized parade throughout the Oakland-Alameda estuary. Excellent viewing at Jack London Square (Oakland), with the Oakland Symphony Chorus. www.lightedyachtparade.com

Cirque du Soleil Bug Dance Fever [Tue noon-2p]: Join Cirque du Soleil performers from the new production "OVO" in a special choreographed dance. With free snack and OVO prizes. At Union Square (SF). www.thebugdance.com


Paid Activities
Swedish Christmas Fair [Sat 9a-4p]: 26th annual. Featuring Swedish folk music, costumes, glogg (mulled wine), meatballs, Santa, and more. At the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption (SF), free-$5. www.swea.org

Tibet Day Fair [Sat 11a-11p]: Featuring cultural performances, films, food, and more. At Fort Mason Conference Center (SF), $5-25. www.friends-of-tibet.org

The Cranberries concert [Sat 8p]: Seven years since the last tour, with such hits as "Zombie" and "Linger." At the Regency Ballroom (SF), $36. www.cranberries.com

Fat Pig [through Dec. 13]: About an ill-fated romance with an oversized woman. From creator Neil LaBute ("In the Company of Men"). At the Aurora Theatre (Berkeley), $15-55. www.auroratheatre.org

Great Dickens Christmas Fair [through Dec. 20]: Featuring hundreds of costumed agents from the Victorian era, Christmas boutiques, six entertainment stages, and hearty pub fare. At the Cow Palace (Daly City), free-$22. Free shuttle from Glen Park BART; discount vouchers available. www.dickensfair.com

Nutcracker at the Zeum [through Dec. 20]: A smaller-scale ballet designed to attract families. Featuring Mark Foehringer Dance ProjectSF. At the Zeum Theatre (SF), $25. www.zeum.org

Previous: Theatre - Boom [through Sunday in Mill Valley]; Theatre - Nutcracker [through Sunday in San Mateo]; Theatre - Another Night Before Christmas [through Dec. 20 in San Jose]