Randy's Guide CLXVIII (168)

Today is suspense writer Mary Higgins Clark's 82nd; Friday is Christmas, singer Dido's 38th, and political adviser Karl Rove's 59th; Saturday is St. Stephen's Day, Boxing Day, and the first day of Kwanzaa; Sunday is French tennis player Gilles Simon's 25th; Monday is actor Denzel Washington's 55th; Tuesday is the 158th anniversary of the first U.S. YMCA; and Wednesday is golfer Tiger Woods' 34th and skateboarder Ryan Sheckler's 20th.


Local News
Berkeley's Black Oak Books, shuttered last year in its tony Gourmet Ghetto location, has reopened in West Berkeley with Good Vibrations as its neighbor. The new spot is larger and will offer a greater selection of books and author readings. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/24/BATF1B909T.DTL


Deal of the Week
Free Peet's coffee or tea today, December 24. Consider making a donation to the store's chosen nonprofit, as Peet's will match up to $1,000 per location. www.peets.com/stores/store_events.asp


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.


Holiday Weekend Weather
Sunshine, with cool nights. Slight chance of rain starting Saturday afternoon. Still, much milder than Chicago, Seattle, or New York City...

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


The Environment
Check out cat litter products made from 100% recycled paper at PetSmart (ExquisiCat) or Petco (store brand). www.petsmart.com www.petco.com


Movies (domestic revenues through December 20)
James Cameron is king of the world again, as his multi-year, big-budget sci-fi production "Avatar" premiered with $77.0 million {rated PG-13, 3452 theatres, $22,313 per theatre}. The Hugh Grant-Sarah Jessica Parker romantic comedy "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" opened weakly with $6.6 million {rated PG-13, 2718 theatres, $2,434 per theatre}. "Up in the Air" exceeded my expectations, took in another $3.2 million to move into eighth place, and will be in wide release this coming weekend {rated R, 3rd weekend, $8.2 million overall, 175 theatres, $18,344 per theatre}. Lastly, Pedro Almodovar's latest creation with Penelope Cruz expanded into the Bay Area and gathered $0.2 million {rated R, 5th weekend, $0.8 million overall, 30 theatres, $6,833 per theatre}.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (PG): Animated sequel; about the three chipmunks that raked in $217 million two holidays ago

Crazy Heart (R): Drama; about a down-and-out country musician who finds a helping hand from a journalist ("Wrestler" anyone?); co-starring Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Robert Duvall; nominated for 2 Golden Globes - Best Actor, Best Song

It's Complicated (R): Romantic comedy; about a divorced couple who starts to rekindle emotional connections; co-starring Alec Baldwin, Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, and John Krasinski; directed by Nancy Meyers ("Something's Gotta Give"); nominated for 3 Golden Globes - Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay

The Lovely Bones (PG-13): Drama; about a young murdered girl who watches over her family and her murderer; co-starring Rachel Weisz, Mark Wahlberg, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, and Saoirse Ronan; directed by Peter Jackson ("Lord of the Rings"); nominated for 1 Golden Globe - Best Supporting Actor

The Missing Person (NR): Drama; about a private detective who tracks a man on a train from Chicago to L.A.; co-starring Amy Ryan and Michael Shannon

Nine (PG-13): Musical remake; about a film director who hits a creative wall while balancing numerous women in his life; co-starring Daniel Day Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Stacie "Fergie" Ferguson, and Judi Dench; directed by Rob Marshall ("Chicago"); nominated for 5 Golden Globes - Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Song

Sherlock Holmes (PG-13): Action; about the legendary detective, his trusted colleague Watson, and his lover Irene; co-starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law; directed by Guy Ritchie; nominated for 1 Golden Globe - Best Actor

DVD Pick - The Bucket List (PG-13): A Christmas Day release in 2007, this good-natured comedy pairs two quality veteran actors, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. The two embark on a series of adventures designed to fulfill final wishes before it's too late. The film performed particularly well in Brazil, Japan, Mexico, and Germany. Domestic box office: $93.5 million; foreign box office: $81.9 million.


Free Activities
Contemporary Jewish Museum [Fri 11a-4p]: Free admission on Christmas Day. Great exhibits on Sendak ("Where the Wild Things Are" author), the Torah, and vinyl music. At the CJM (SF). www.thecjm.org

Critical Mass [Fri 6p]: It should be smooth sailing for the bicyclists on this Christmas holiday. Starting from Justin Herman Plaza (SF).

ODC Dance Program [Wed 10a-midnight]: Featuring several free dance classes, a live performance, reception, and dance party. At ODC Dance Commons (SF). www.odcdance.org


Paid Activities
Home for the Holidays [Thu 5p/7p/9p]: 20th annual. Featuring the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, in support of HIV/AIDS charities. At the Castro Theatre (SF), $10-30. www.sfgmc.com

Kung Pao Kosher Comedy [Thu-Sat 6p/9:30p, Sun 5p/8:30p]: 17th annual. Featuring comedians Jonathan Katz, Brian Malow, Hilary Schwartz, and Lisa Geduldig. Early dinner show and late cocktail show. At New Asia Restaurant (SF), $42-62. www.koshercomedy.com

Zombie Xmas Day [Fri noon-10p]: Featuring an array of zombie films and free refreshments (popcorn, hot toddies, eggnog). At Pirate Cat Radio (SF). www.piratecatradio.com

Emerald Bowl game [Sat 5p]: USC Trojans vs. Boston College Eagles. At AT&T Park (SF), $25-75. http://emeraldbowl.cstv.com

A Christmas Carol [through Sunday]: At the ACT (SF), $14-102. www.act-sf.org

Nutcracker Ballet [through Sunday]: Updated to 1915 San Francisco, on the eve of the Panama-Pacific Exposition. At the War Memorial Opera House (SF), $18-182. www.sfballet.org

Nutcracker Ballet II [through Sunday]: Featuring the Ballet San Jose at the Center for Performing Arts, $30-85. www.balletsj.org ... also Featuring the Oakland Ballet Company at the Paramount Theatre, $15-50. www.oaklandballet.org

Cartier exhibit [through April 18]: A fantastic, dizzying array of over 200 objects finely crafted by Cartier. At the Legion of Honor (SF), $10 surcharge on admission. www.legionofhonor.org

Previous: Theatre - Black Nativity [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - A Civil War Christmas [through Sunday in Palo Alto]; Theatre - The Coverlettes Cover Christmas [through Sunday in Berkeley]; Event - Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square [through Jan. 18 in SF]; Art - Prejudice and Patriotism: The Story of Japanese Americans [through Jan. 31 in SF]