Randy's Guide CLXXIII (173)

Historic milestones this week: Six years of Facebook; 52 years since a hydrogen bomb was lost off the coast of Savannah, Georgia; 88 years of radios in the White House; 140 years of the YWCA.


Local News
San Francisco's beloved Dolores Park will be closing for up to 18 months starting around September. Upgrades to the bridge, playground, restrooms, tennis and basketball courts, irrigation, and lighting will come at a cost of approximately $15 million. http://missionlocal.org/2010/02/a-brand-new-dolores-park


Deal of the Week
After a brief respite, here's a popular offer for you. Denny's is returning with its free Grand Slam breakfast offer next Tuesday, 6am-2pm. You might even see the ad during the Super Bowl. Last year, 2 million meals were given away at its 1,570 restaurants! And as an added bonus, your birthday also nets a free Grand Slam breakfast. www.dennys.com


Change for Change
Haiti still needs your help... reports today show that approximately 200,000 Haitians have perished after the devastating earthquake on January 12. Reader Jack H. urges readers to contribute to an effort led by former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush (at President Obama's request). Donate now at www.clintonbushhaitifund.org or text QUAKE to 20222 to add $10 to your mobile phone bill.

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, Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, and Urban Solutions.


Weekend Weather
Showers through Saturday, then dry for the following several days - Tahoe anyone?

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


The Environment
630,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the Bay during the endless January week of storms, as well as 170 million gallons of partially treated sewage. To help prevent sewage spills, refrain from using the dishwasher or clothes washer on rainy days, use a can for oils and grease, and keep your sewer cleanout cap secured.


Music
"Love Is All I Am" by Dawes (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Folk rock recorded live on analog in the Laurel Canyon area of Southern California - no doubt the sound should remind you of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, or perhaps Neil Young. Catch the quartet at Rickshaw Stop (SF, $12) on Saturday, with fellow folk bands Cory Chisel and Wandering Sons, as well as Jason Boesel, opening. Later tour stops include Portland (OR), Seattle, Madison, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Louisville, Atlanta, Houston, and San Diego. www.dawestheband.com


Movies {domestic revenues through January 31}
OSCAR SEASON! "Avatar" picks up nine Oscar nominations, now ranks as the top-grossing film domestically, and added $31.3 million [rated PG-13; 7th weekend; 3074 theatres; $10,176 per theatre; $595.8 million overall]. Stanley Tucci scores a surprise nomination as a serial killer in "The Lovely Bones," which earned $4.7 million [rated PG-13; 8th weekend; 2638 theatres; $1,792 per theatre; $38.1 million overall]. Sandra Bullock carries "The Blind Side" to a Best Picture nod, along wth $3.0 million [rated PG-13; 11th weekend; 1751 theatres; $1,725 per theatre; $237.9 million overall]. "Up in the Air," as expected, gathers six nominations, including for Picture, Director, Actor, and Adapted Screenplay [rated R; 9th weekend; 1430 theatres; $1,959 per theatre; $2.8 million; $73.3 million overall]. Jeff Bridges is Oscar-nominated as a country singer in the slowly expanding "Crazy Heart," tallying $2.3 million [rated R; 7th weekend; 239 theatres; $9,662 per theatre; $6.7 million overall].

Dear John (PG-13): Romance; about a soldier home on leave who meets a college girl; co-starring Channing Tatum

District 13: Ultimatum (R): Action sequel; about an elite police officer and a reformed vigilante who team up to save a racially charged ghetto

44 Inch Chest (R): Drama; about a husband who discovers that his long-time wife is having an affair with a younger man; co-starring John Hurt and Ray Winstone

From Paris with Love (R): Action; about an intelligence operative who partners with a U.S. agent to help stop a terrorist attack in Paris; co-starring John Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Meyers

The Last Station (R): 5 Independent Spirit Award nominations, including Best Picture; 1 Oscar nomination, for Best Actress.

DVD Pick - District 9 (R): This sleeper from South Africa snuck in to snag Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Visual Effects, and Film Editing (which is its best chance to win). It's a very effective pseudo-documentary that parallels other human attempts to subjugate large populations. Domestic box office: $115.6 million; foreign box office: $89.2 million.


Free Activities
Movie Night at SFO [Thu 6p]: Odd, to say the least. Take BART to check out a screening of "The Legend of Pancho Barnes"... the producer-writer will be on hand for questions. At the Aviation Museum (SF). www.flysfo.com

Giants FanFest [Sat 10a-3p]: 17th annual. Come meet 2-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum or Will Clark, tour the clubhouses and press box, and more. At AT&T Park (SF). http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com

Oakland Lunar New Year Bazaar [Sat-Sun 10a-5p]: Featuring dragon and lion dancing, martial arts, a Little Prince and Princess contest, vendors, and more. In the Pacific Renaissance Plaza courtyard (Oakland). www.oaklandchinatownchamber.org

Solano Avenue Lunar New Year Parade [Sat 10a-2p]: Featuring the DJ Wind Chinese Music academy, T.G. Taekwondo, Golden Lion Martial Arts, and more. Along Solano Avenue and at the Albany Twin Theater (Albany). www.solanoavenueassn.org

Chinese New Year Kick-off [Sat 10a-8p, Sun 9a-6p]: Featuring a mini procession of lion dancers and drummers, an official ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mayor Newsom, dozens of street vendors, and live entertainment. Along Grant Avenue (SF). www.chineseparade.com

San Francisco Fine Print Fair [Sat 10a-6p, Sun 11a-5p]: Featuring a public lecture about printmaking and 17 fine-art vendors. At Fort Mason Center (SF). http://sanfrancisco-fineprintfair.com

Crissy Field Center's Grand Opening [Sat 11a-3p]: Featuring live music, a solar-powered radio DJ, site tours, interactive games, and more. At Crissy Field Center (SF). www.crissyfield.org

Lunar New Year Tet Festival [Sun 9:30a-6p]: 14th annual. Featuring live cultural performances, Vietnamese celebrities, authentic foods, and more. Near Ellis and Hyde (SF). www.vietccsf.org

Asian Art Museum [Sun 10a-5p]: Featuring Chinese New Year activities, such as book readings, face painting, and lion dances. At the Asian Art Museum (SF). www.asianart.org


Paid Activities
Uncovered: The Diary Project [Thu-Sat 8p, Sun 4p/8p]: Featuring the highly touted Sean Dorsey, the nation's first transgender modern dance choreographer, following sold-out runs in San Francisco and New York. At Dance Mission Theater (SF), $15-20. www.freshmeatproductions.org

St. Vincent concert [Mon 8p]: With Wildbirds and Peacedrums opening. At Great American Music Hall (SF), $20. www.ilovestvincent.com

Vivian Girls concert [Tue 9p]: Previous Randy's Guide artist. With Best Coast and The Bananas opening. At Bottom of the Hill (SF), $10. www.myspace.com/viviangirlsnyc

San Francisco Beer Week [through Feb. 14]: 150 events around the Bay Area will celebrate craft beer in its varied forms. The opening gala is Friday; Humphrey Slocombe will have beer-flavored ice creams; Shattuck Avenue will have a food and beer stroll. www.sfbeerweek.org

Daddy Long Legs [through Feb. 14]: About an orphan sent to college by a mysterious benefactor. At the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, $34-67. www.theatreworks.org

SF IndieFest [through Feb. 18]: 12th annual. Featuring a roller disco party (Saturday) and dozens of independent film screenings... two years ago, a small feature called "Paranormal Activity" started to build buzz. At the Roxie Theatre (SF) and other local venues for events, $10-25. www.sfindie.com

Coming Home [through Feb. 28]: About a young singer who returns home in a downtrodden state. At the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, $16-71. www.berkeleyrep.org

Previous: Theatre - Phedre [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Loveland [through Feb. 21 in SF]; Art - Cartier exhibit [through Apr. 18 in SF]