Randy's Guide CLXXVIII (178)

Historic milestones this week: 16 years since the first female Church of England priests; 24 years since Microsoft's IPO; 46 years since the first state lottery (New Hampshire); and 254 years since the first St. Patrick's Day celebration in New York City.


Local News
Lushes, beware. State regulators made personal visits to several San Francisco bars, including Bourbon & Branch, to warn that generating infused liquor requires a special license. Response has been mixed, as some locations have continued to serve the popular beverages. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/26/MNMA1C6KEV.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.


Deals of the Week
Get a free 1-ounce sample of Dunkin' Donuts coffee by mail. That should be enough for at least a couple of weeks of joe. www.dunkinathome.com/index.aspx

And, Pinkberry is offering a small cup of its newest flavor, mango, at all of its locations on Friday from 5-9pm. Bay Area locations include Stanford Shopping Center and San Jose's Santana Row. Numerous locations in Southern California, New York, and even one in Dubai. www.pinkberry.com


Environmental News
California condors have mated in the Pinnacles National Monument, in Central California, for the first time in over 100 years. In 1987, the endangered species was down to a population of 22, but significant efforts since then have raised the total population (wild and captivity) to over 500. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/10/BAV01CD6K6.DTL


Weekend Weather
Some showers on Friday, but then look for things to be dry and much warmer starting Sunday for several days.

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


Music
"Gimme Sympathy" by Metric (Toronto, Canada)

The Canadian indie rockers will stop at Oakland's Fox Theater on March 24, Other stops will include Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland, and Seattle. www.myspace.com/metric


Movies {domestic revenues through March 7}
The seventh collaboration between Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, "Alice in Wonderland," broke March records with its whopping $116.1 million opening [rated PG; 3728 theatres; $31,143 per theatre]. The cop drama "Brooklyn's Finest" premiered respectably with $13.4 million [rated R; 1936 theatres; $6,896 per theatre]. "Crazy Heart," the vehicle for Jeff Bridges' first career Oscar, had an impressive 35% boost to $3.3 million [rated R; 1274 theatres; $2,600 per theatre; 12th weekend; $29.5 million overall].

Ajami (NR): Drama; about a neighborhood in Tel Aviv that is vibrant mix of Jews, Christians, and Muslims

The Art of the Steal (NR): Documentary; about one man's modern-art collection and the fight to claim control over it

The Good Guy (R): Romantic comedy; about an ambitious young woman who meets and falls for two different men while working in Manhattan

Green Zone (R): Thriller; about a rogue U.S. Army officer who attempts to uncover the truth in Iraq before war begins; co-starring Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear; directed by Paul Greengrass ("United 93" / "The Bourne Ultimatum")

Our Family Wedding (PG-13): Comedy; about two overbearing fathers, one African-American and one Latino, who conflict over their children's wedding; co-starring Forest Whitaker and America Ferrara

Remember Me (PG-13): Romance; about a rebellious young man who falls in love in New York City; co-starring Robert Pattinson and Chris Cooper

She's Out of My League (R): Comedy; about an airport security agent who starts dating an attractive woman

Sweetgrass (NR): Documentary; about modern-day cowboys in the mountains of Montana

DVD Pick - Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire (R): Comedian Mo'Nique has the Oscar-winning role as an abusive mother of the titular character, but it is Gabourey Sidibe's heart-winning, understated performance that ushers the film into unusual territory. I read the book as well, and I cn absltly c how Precious also nabd the Adapted Screenplay Oscar. Domestic box office: $47.4 million; foreign box office: $5.9 million.


Free Activities
St. Patrick's Day Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-5p]: Featuring traditional Irish food (boxty and corned beef), live Irish music bands, family activities, and more. At Dublin Civic Center. www.dublinstpats.com

Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair [Sat 10a-6p, Sun 11a-5p]: 15th annual. At Golden Gate Park's County Fair Building (SF). http://sfbookfair.wordpress.com

St. Patrick's Day Celebration [Sat 11a-5p]: 159th annual. Featuring a Saturday parade down Market St. to City Hall, as well as a festival with Irish culture. In front of City Hall (SF). www.sfstpatricksdayparade.com

*Sunday Streets [Sun 10a-3p]: The first incarnation of nine events for this year, and third year overall. Free one-hour bike rentals, Fisherman's Wharf family fitness fair, yoga classes, and more. Along the Embarcadero from AT&T Park to Fisherman's Wharf (SF). www.sundaystreetssf.com

St. Patrick's Day Block Party [Sun 11a-4p]: Featuring food, drink, and family activities. At the Irish Cultural Center (SF). www.irishcentersf.org

Persian New Year Festival [Tue 6-10p]: Featuring fire jumping, traditional food, live music, and more. Along 2000 block of Durant (Berkeley). www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/persian-fest

*California Academy of Sciences [Wed 9:30a-5p]: Check out the Planetarium, Living Room, Rain Forest, and Aquarium! Normally $25 admission for adults. At the California Academy of Sciences (SF). www.calacademy.org


Paid Activities
Chelsea Handler [Fri 1p - 7:30p - 10:30p]: The popular comedian has a new book of essays to follow up her slam-bang debut, "Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea." At Books Inc., Nob Hill Masonic Center, and Davies Symphony Hall (SF). FREE-$76. www.myspace.com/chelseahandler

The Caucasian Chalk Circle [through Sunday]: Bertolt Brecht's look at the biblical Judgment of Solomon. At the ACT (SF), $15-80. www.act-sf.org

Mirrors in Every Corner [through March 21]: Examination of race with the birth of a white child in a black West Oakland family. At the Intersection for the Arts (SF), $15-25. www.theintersection.org

Previous: Theatre - Oedipus el Rey [through Sunday in SF]; Art - Cartier exhibit [through Apr. 18 in SF]