Randy's Guide CLXXVI (176)

Historic milestones this week: 19 years since the end of the first Gulf War; 57 years since the first Academy Awards TV broadcast; 58 years of a nuclear U.K.; 71 years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled sit-down strikes illegal; 79 years of the Star-Spangled Banner as national anthem; 91 years since the first state gasoline tax (Oregon); and 138 years of Yellowstone National Park.


Local News
The pedestrian plaza in the Castro at 17th St. and Market has proven so popular that Mayor Gavin Newsom is planning to open four more plazas and five parklets by summer. A similar proposal in New York City has also caught on, as parts of Broadway have been converted to pedestrian zones. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/25/MN1F1C6PHN.DTL


Change for Change
The San Francisco Suicide Prevention is the oldest volunteer crisis line in the U.S., with its first services (the crisis line) in 1963. That number 415-781-0500 responds to over 200 calls each and every day. The program also includes help for Spanish speakers, youths, HIV/AIDS patients, and drug rehabilitation. www.sfsuicide.org

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.


Deal of the Week
Free museums on Tuesday and Wednesday! Check out the plethora of Amish quilts at the de Young (Tuesday), Renee Green at the YBCA (Tuesday), or the Science of Baseball at the Exploratorium (Wednesday).


Environmental News
This week, Sunnyvale-based start-up Bloom Energy unveiled its "power plant in a box" as a cost-effective, low-emissions energy source. Fuel cells packed into a container the size of a pick-up truck have been purchased by eBay, FedEx, Google, Cox Enterprises, and Coca-Cola. www.bloomenergy.com


Weekend Weather
Friday will surely be a wet one; otherwise, mostly cloudy conditions, with Sunday having the most sunshine and warmth.

Highs: upper-50s to low-60s
Lows: low-40s (inland); mid-40s (coast-bay); upper-40s (SF)


Music
"Quick Canal" by Atlas Sound (Atlanta, Ga.)

This solo project from Deerhunter's Bradford Cox blends ambient reverberations and impromptu lyrics over three years for the recent album Logos. Catch him with Geographer, Magic Wands, and Nice Nice at SF's Great American Music Hall on Friday. www.myspace.com/atlassound


Movies {domestic revenues through February 22}
The fourth film between Leonardo DiCaprio and director Martin Scorsese, "Shutter Island," had a smashing debut of $41.1 million [rated R; 2991 theatres; $13,729 per theatre]. "Valentine's Day" had a 70% drop from its opening weekend, the second largest ever for a major romantic comedy, to $16.7 million [rated PG-13; 3665 theatres; $4,547 per theatre; $86.9 million overall]. The "2010 Oscar Shorts" debuted with $0.3 million [NR; 95 theatres; $3,067 per theatre].

Cop Out (R): Action comedy; about two veteran NYPD partners who get mixed up with a memorabilia-obsessed gangster; co-starring Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan, and Adam Brody; directed by Kevin Smith

The Crazies (R): Horror remake; about a small town's citizens who first become insane and then turn violent; co-starring Timothy Olyphant

Formosa Betrayed (NR): Drama; about an FBI agent who investigates the murder of a Taiwanese-American professor during the 1980s; co-starring James Van Der Beek

The Ghost Writer (PG-13): Thriller; about a successful British ghost writer who agrees to take on a controversial memoir project; co-starring Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, and Tom Wilkinson; directed by Roman Polanski

Red Riding Trilogy (NR): Drama; about a trio of films set in different time periods regarding a criminal investigation

3 Idiots (NR): Bollywood comedy; about three engineering students who are under-appreciated; thanks to reader Monica L. for pointing out this film, with the only Bay Area viewing location at the AMC Mercado in Santa Clara; current box-office gross is over $6.5 million

DVD Pick - Julie & Julia (PG-13): Much better than I expected. Meryl Streep absolutely deserves all of the accolades for portraying chef Julia Child; in fact, momentum points to her picking up a third Oscar in a close race with The Blind Side's Sandra Bullock. The food preparations drift up and tickle the senses. Domestic box office: $94.1 million; foreign box office: $28.0 million.


Free Activities
Critical Mass [Fri 6p]: Bicycle activists tour around San Francisco, starting from Justin Herman Plaza. Watch for road closures!

Chinatown Community Street Fair [Sat 10a-4:30p, Sun 9a-5p]: Featuring a petting zoo, lion dancing, calligraphy demonstrations, local vendors, and more. Along Grant Ave. (SF). www.chineseparade.com

Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival [Sat-Sun 11a-4p]: Featuring Chinese dance, tai chi, and music. At the Chinese Culture Center (SF). www.chineseparade.com

Urban Cycling Workshop [Sat 1:30-5:30p]: Tips on choosing the proper bicycle, helmet, city routes, equipment locks, and more. At Glen Park Library (SF). www.sfbike.org/edu

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra Family Concert II [Sat 2p]: Featuring songs about water, with contributions from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Prep Chamber Orchestra, Berkeley's Crowden School, and San Mateo's Hillsdale High School. At the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. www.sfchamberorchestra.org

Chinese New Year Parade [Sat 5:15-8p]: Featuring the Golden Dragon, Miss Chinatown USA, colorful floats, firecrackers, and more. Through SoMa, Union Square, and Chinatown (all in SF). Watch for road closures! www.chineseparade.com

Purim Carnival [Sun 2-5p]: Costume parade, carnival booths, jump house, puppet stories, and more. At Jewish Gateways (El Cerrito). www.jewishgateways.org

Tulip Mania Tours [through Sunday]: Check out the many varieties including Flaming Parrots and Burgundy Lace. Tours are daily at 10am, with refreshments at the conclusion. Meet at Pier 39 entrance plaza (SF - North Point). www.pier39.com

Hamlet: A Community Event [Mon 6:30-8p]: Q&A and select scenes from an award-winning production of Hamlet, as presented by California Shakespeare Theater and Oakland Technical High School. Informal reception to follow. At Oakland Technical High School. www.calshakes.org

Kitchen Table Talks: Produce to the People [Tue 6:30-8:30p]: A conversation focusing on alternative methods for local produce distribution, with refreshments provided by Bi-Rite Market. At the Ferry Building's second floor Port Commission Hearing Room (SF). www.civileats.com


Paid Activities
Concerning Strange Devices: 30-Below Party [Fri 8p]: The show is about the exoticism and xenophobia of 19th century Japan, but the highlight might be afterwards when a live DJ, free cocktails from Pyramid Brewery and Raymond Vineyards, free food from Meridian, a photo booth, and temporary tattoos are available. 50% discount for those under 30 years of age. Through April 11. At Berkeley Rep, $13-39. www.berkeleyrep.org

Mariah Carey concert [Fri 8p]: The winner of 5 Grammy Awards and an award for her role in "Precious" comes to the Bay Area. With RydazNrtist opening. At Oracle Arena (Oakland), $57-129. www.mariahcarey.com

Kronos Quartet: Music from 4 Fences [through Saturday]: I'll be seeing this tonight in fact! Lots of buzz from SF Bay Guardian and SF Weekly for the latest collaboration from the San Francisco-based Grammy Award-winning group. Each night will feature work from different composers of the Kronos Under-30 Project and cutting-edge industry musicians. At Theatre Artaud (SF), $20. www.kronosquartet.org

Smuin Ballet Winter Program: Fly Me to the Moon [through Sunday]: An excellent performance I saw last year in San Francisco. Featuring three pieces, including the mesmerizing Medea and toe-tapping Sinatra montage. At the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, $41-56. www.smuinballet.org

Pacific Orchid Exposition [through Sunday]: 58th annual. The nation's largest orchid show, with over 150,000 orchids and dozens of vendors. At Fort Mason Center (SF), free-$40. www.orchidsanfrancisco.org

Noise Pop 2010 [through Monday]: 18th annual. Top concerts will likely be The Dodos (tonight), The Magnetic Fields (Saturday-Monday), !!! (Saturday), and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (Sunday). Throughout San Francisco and Oakland, free-$33. www.noisepop.com

Previous: Theatre - Coming Home [through Sunday in Berkeley]; Theatre - Oedipus El Rey [through Sunday in SF]; Art - Cartier exhibit [through Apr. 18 in SF]