Randy's Guide CLXVI (166)

Change is coming to Randy's Guide for 2010! Starting with Issue 170 (January 6), there will be a "free" online version with limited details (sections designated by "L") and a "subscription" email version with the full set of categories. It's a $30 donation for the entire year, or $1 per week. Send via PayPal (randysguide@gmail.com), by mail (inquire for address), or in person.


{L} Today is the Nobel Prize Ceremony and Terra Madre Day; Friday is Argentina's Tango Day; Saturday is former "Price Is Right" host Bob Barker's 86th; Sunday is Saint Lucy's Day and singer Taylor Swift's 20th; Monday is the 106th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight attempt; Tuesday is Detroit Tigers' manager Jim Leyland's 65th; and Wednesday is Bangladesh's Victory Day.


{L} Local News
Now could be the time to adopt a chihuahua. Apparently, they are so numerous at the Oakland shelter that staff members are arranging a charter plane to take excess Chihuahuas to neighboring states. Experts blame the "Paris Hilton" effect, the economic downturn, and uninformed expectations. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/09/BAPB1B18CG.DTL


Deal of the Week
Free coffee, cappuccino, hot cocoa, or tea at any participating 7-Eleven. Just a note: expect to see more 7-Elevens around the Bay Area, as expansion plans for 50 additional locations in the next two years. http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/7671/711.jpg


{L} Change for Change
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 Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center.


{L} Bay Area Weekend Weather
It has been wet. And cold. With snow in the hilly regions. Slightly warmer conditions, with more rain expected, primarily Thursday afternoon until Saturday afternoon.

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


{L} The Environment
A Happy Planet is a San Francisco-based online retailer of organic, chemical-free clothing, bedding, and other home products. www.ahappyplanet.com


Music
"Percussion Gun" by White Rabbits (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

Yet another Brooklyn band, though these guys met while attending the University of Missouri. Their second studio album came out earlier this year, with stops on NPR, David Letterman, and Bimbo's yesterday. Their tour continues to KROQ's show on Monday (LA), as well as La Jolla and Portland. www.whiterabbitsmusic.com


Movies (domestic revenues through December 6)
"The Blind Side" overtook the top spot in its third weekend, with $20.0 million {rated PG-13, $128.9 million overall, 3326 theatres, $6,026 per theatre}. The Afghan War drama "Brothers" didn't light up the skies, as $9.5 million was enough for third place {rated R, 2088 theatres, $4,563 per theatre}. Laurence Fishburne and Matt Dillon nabbed $6.5 million for "Armored" {rated PG-13, 1915 theatres, $3,400 per theatre}. Robert De Niro's comedic turn in "Everybody's Fine" yielded a mere $3.9 million {rated PG-13, 2133 theatres, $1,806 per theatre}. But it was George Clooney who swooped in and gained some Oscar buzz as a jet-setting corporate HR guy in "Up in the Air" {rated R, $1.2 million, 15 theatres, $78,763 per theatre}.

Invictus (PG-13): Sports drama; about the united forces of Nelson Mandela and the captain of South Africa's rugby team; co-starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman; directed by Clint Eastwood

Me and Orson Welles (PG-13): Drama; about an aspiring actor who has a whirlwind week involving the Orson Welles Mercury Theatre Company; co-starring Zac Efron, Christian McKay, and Claire Danes; directed by Richard Linklater

The Princess and the Frog (G): Animation; Disney's latest about a beautiful girl in New Orleans who meets a frog prince who wishes to be human again

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (R): Comedy-drama; about a restless married woman who seeks to redefine herself; co-starring Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin, and Keanu Reeves

A Single Man (R): Drama; about a British college professor who struggles to find meaning to his life; co-starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore; directed by Tom Ford

Uncertainty (NR): Drama; about a couple whose lives are decided between a choice of a July 4th barbecue or dim sum in Chinatown; co-starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt

DVD Pick - Revolutionary Road (R): It's a really heavy drama... so naturally it does better overseas in places like France, Japan, and Australia. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio are a picture-postcard couple who make the mistake of settling down in the suburbs during the 1950s. Domestic box office: $22.9 million; foreign box office: $52.3 million.


Free Activities
Holiday Buy Night [Thu-Fri 5-10p]: Featuring locally made goods, live entertainment, and holiday treats. At *indoor* Jack London Market (Oakland). www.jacklondonsquare.com/newscenter/upcomingevents.html#december

Slow Food Recipe & Cookbook Exchange [Thu 6:30-9p]: Bring a cookbook and 10 copies of your favorite recipe to exchange with others. Holiday inspired drinks will be provided. At 599 3rd St. (SF). RSVP at www.slowfoodsanfrancisco.com

50th Anniversary Holiday Party [Thu 7:30-11:30p]: Honors the San Francisco Mime Troupe. Featuring a revivial performance of "Ghosts," live music, cocktails, and more. At Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF). RSVP at www.ybca.org.

Target-To-Go [Fri-Sun 10a-8p]: Everyone's favorite discounter springs a walk-up shopping kiosk - perhaps a preview of things to come? At Mint Plaza (SF). www.target.com/togo

Book Holiday Fair [Fri 5:30-8:30p]: Featuring a wide range of calendars, journals, holiday cards, calligraphy supplies, and more. At Center for the Book (SF). www.sfcb.org

Holiday Art Sale [Sat-Sun 10a-4p]: Featuring blacksmithing demonstrations, holiday refreshments, Santa photos, handmade glass, and more. At the Crucible (Oakland). www.thecrucible.org

Japanese American WWII Lecture Series [Sat 11a-4p]: Featuring a program of lectures, discussions, and booksignings. At the Presidio Officers Club (SF). www.presidio.gov

Young@Heart Screening [Tue 5:30p]: Featuring the very moving documentary about a group of aging retirees who form a choir belting hits ranging from James Brown to Coldplay. www.sfpl.org

Chef Tyler Florence [Wed 6p]: Meet the celebrity chef, hear about his new cookware, and taste some samples of his cooking. At Macy's (SF). RSVP to 800-786-2665 or at www.macys.com/store/event/index.ognc?action=search&storeId=212


Paid Activities
Lady Gaga concert [Sun-Mon 7:30p]: The next Madonna? We'll see. At Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (SF), $48. www.ladygaga.com

The Christmas Ballet [through Sunday]: From Smuin Ballet. Featuring classical music by Handel and Mozart, as well as more contemporary pop and jazz renditions. At the Center for the Arts (Mountain View), $41-56. www.smuinballet.org

The Velveteen Rabbit [through Sunday]: 23rd annual. From ODC/Dance. Based on the beloved children's classic. At Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF), $15-45. www.ybca.org

White Hot Christmas Bingo [Wed 7p]: Featuring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the SF Fog Rugby Club, and a Holiday in the Tropics Swimwear Competition. Benefits SFFD Local 798 Toy Drive and Tenderloin Tessie. At War Memorial's Green Room (SF), $30-40. www.thesisters.org

Christmas Revels [through Dec. 20]: 24th annual. Featuring Bavarian dance and music in honor of the Winter Solstice. At Scottish Rite Theater (Oakland), $12-50. www.calrevels.org

A Christmas Story [through Dec. 20]: Based on the holiday film about a 9-year-old boy who wishes to have a BB gun despite calls from his family and others to deny him. At San Jose Repertory, $17-64. www.sjrep.com

Black Nativity [through Dec. 27]: An annual gospel musical retelling of the birth of Christ. At Marines Memorial Theatre (SF), $20-40. www.lhtsf.org

Previous: Theatre - Fat Pig [through Sunday in Berkeley]; Theatre - Another Night Before Christmas [through Dec. 20 in San Jose]; Event - Great Dickens Christmas Fair [through Dec. 20 in Daly City]; Theatre - Nutcracker at the Zeum [through Dec. 20 in SF]