Randy's Guide CLXX (170)

This week features: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Kings of Leon lead singer Caleb Followill's 28th; National Religious Freedom Day; and actress Betty White's 88th.


Local News
Trader Joe's signed a deal to move into the Castro next year, pending permit approvals and traffic studies. After Tower Records left in 2007, the two-story building never found an anchor tenant, though three small existing stores will have to leave under the agreement. www.sfexaminer.com/local/Trader-Joes-heads-to-Castro-81294677.html


Change for Change
To start off the New Year properly, please consider donating to one of the following charities spotlighted in Randy's Guide during 2009:
Bay Localize, San Francisco Women Against Rape, Sustainable Conservation, Ashoka, Old Skool Cafe, Darfur Sister Schools, Rebuilding Together San Francisco, Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, and Urban Solutions.


Holiday Weekend Weather
A good soaking rain should return by Sunday morning and last through at least Tuesday.

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


The Environment
The next time you take in dry cleaning, bring your garments on plastic hangers and in a reusable garment bag.


Music
"Harmless Lover's Discourse" by Odawas (Berkeley, Calif.)

Catch the ambient pop duo - who met in Indiana, moved to Illinois, and now live in the Bay Area - at San Francisco's Cafe Du Nord tonight. Their fourth CD came out just last year. www.odawas.net


Movies {domestic revenues through January 10}
James Cameron's visual spectacle "Avatar" continues its torrid run, with an additional $50.3 million [rated PG-13; 4th weekend; 3422 theatres; $14,701 per theatre; $430.8 million overall]. The Jude Law-Robert Downey Jr. remake "Sherlock Holmes" added another $16.6 million [rated PG-13; 3rd weekend; 3626 theatres; $4,574 per theatre; $165.2 million overall]. The animated "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" tallied $16.6 million as well [rated PG; 3rd weekend; 3641 theatres; $4,550 per theatre; $178.5 million overall]. Finally, in fourth place, the vamp tale "Daybreakers" opened with $15.1 million [rated R; 2523 theatres; $6,003 per theatre].

Bitch Slap (NR): Thriller; about three femmes fatales who attempt to steal millions of dollars from a kingpin; co-starring Kevin Sorbo and Lucy Lawless

The Book of Eli (R): Action; about a loner who must save humanity in a post-apocalyptic world; co-starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, and Jennifer Beals; directed by the Hughes brothers

Dancing with the Devil (NR): Documentary; about the battle between the police and drug lords in Rio de Janeiro

Daybreakers (R): Thriller; about the attempt to save humanity in a world overrun by vampires; co-starring Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, and Sam Neill

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (PG-13): Fantasy; about a traveling theatre troupe that gives audience members the opportunity to step into a fantastic universe; co-starring Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, and Christopher Plummer; directed by Terry Gilliam ("Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "12 Monkeys")

Leap Year (PG): Comedy; about a woman who travels to Dublin to propose to her waffling boyfriend on leap day; co-starring Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, and John Lithgow

The Lovely Bones (PG-13): Drama; about a young girl who watches over her family and her killer from heaven; co-starring Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, and Mark Wahlberg; directed by Peter Jackson ("Lord of the Rings" trilogy)

Police, Adjective (NR): Drama; about a policeman who has moral issues with arresting a young man who peddles drugs; directed by Corneliu Porumboiu (the excellent "12:08 East of Bucharest")

The Spy Next Door (PG): Action comedy; about an undercover spy who has to babysit for his girlfriend's three kids; co-starring Jackie Chan, George Lopez, and Billy Ray Cyrus

What's the Matter with Kansas? (NR): Documentary; about the political dichotomy in Kansas, as its progressive roots have been taken over by conservative factions

The White Ribbon (R): Drama; about a Protestant village in northern Germany on the eve of WWI; directed by Michael Haneke (tense "Cache"); winner of 3 Cannes awards, including Best Picture; nominated for Best Foreign Film, Golden Globes

DVD Pick - (500) Days of Summer (PG-13): This disarmingly clever modern romantic comedy traces through one relationship in a haphazard fashion. Nominated for 2 Golden Globes and 3 Independent Spirit Awards. Domestic box office: $32.4 million; foreign box office: $26.2 million.


Free Activities
SFMOMA 75th Anniversary [Sat 11a-11p, Sun-Mon 11a-6p]: Featuring live music, children's activities, new installations, film screenings, and more. At SFMOMA (SF). www.sfmoma.org

Day of Service [Mon 9a-5p]: Construct an educational farm and park in downtown Oakland, then march to honor Dr. King. At 7th and Mandela (Oakland). www.mobettafood.com

Very First Concert for Families [Mon 11a/noon]: A brief musical sing-along concert, followed by musical instruction, hands-on activities, and dancing. At the Crowden Music Center (Berkeley). www.sfchamberorchestra.org

Kitchen Table talk [Tue 6:30p]: Open discussion with three urban homesteaders about the benefits of solar ovens, community gardens, backyard livestock, and more. Featuring sustainable treats from Bi-Rite Market and Shoe Shine Wines. At the Mission District's Viracocha (SF), free with $10 suggested donation. RSVP to ktt@civileats.com or 925.785.0713. www.foodfirst.org

Aquarium of the Bay [Tue-Thu 10a-6p]: Free for Santa Clara County residents. At Pier 39's Aquarium of the Bay (SF). www.aquariumofthebay.org


Paid Activities
Luce concert [Fri 8p]: Featuring the San Francisco-based rock band, with Pollux and Ryan Auffenberg opening. At Slim's (SF), $15. www.luceband.com

Avenue Q [through Sunday]: The hit Broadway musical, winner of multiple Tony Awards in 2004, comes to town. At San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, $20-88. www.sjtix.com

Auralia's Oratorio [through Jan. 24]: Featuring the acrobatics and comedy of two talented performers. At the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, $18-57. www.berkeleyrep.org

Ovo [through Jan. 24]: The latest Cirque du Soleil production makes its U.S. premiere with a focus on insects. At AT&T Park's Willie Mays Plaza (SF), $60-125. www.cirquedusoleil.com

Phedre [through Feb. 7]: Featuring the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, about a king's wife who falls in love with a younger man. At the ACT (SF), $10-80. www.act-sf.org

Previous: Event - Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square [through Monday in SF]; Art - Prejudice and Patriotism: The Story of Japanese Americans [through Jan. 31 in SF]; Art - Cartier exhibit [through Apr. 18 in SF]