Randy's Guide CLXXXIV (184)

Historic milestones this week: 5 years since the birth of the first cloned dog; 24 years since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster; 40 years since the first Earth Day celebration; 71 years since the first publication of Batman; and 375 years since the founding of the first U.S. public school (Boston Latin School)


Local News
San Francisco-based PG&E will test its new Smart Meters alongside its older analog meters in 150 randomly selected homes in Northern and Central California. Hundreds of complaints have poured in from customers who claim the new meters have unfairly charged them for higher uses of electricity. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/04/21/BU5G1D2BKH.DTL


Upcoming Event
The 9th annual Dining Out For Life is coming up next Thursday, April 29. Various Bay Area restaurants will donate 25% of its food (and, for some, beverage) purchases throughout the day to local HIV/AIDS charities. If you don't have a reservation, good options include: Amber India and Pasta Pomodoro on the Peninsula/South Bay; Specchio, Dottie's True Blue Cafe, and La Mediterranee in SF; and Beckett's and Fenton's Creamery in the East Bay. www.diningoutforlife.com/sanfrancisco/participating

*Note: San Diego, Los Angeles, Albany, Boston, Houston, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, and several other cities are also participating on Thursday, April 29. Eat up! www.diningoutforlife.com


Deals of the Week
Origins is offering a free 5-ounce bottle of its environmentally formulated cleansers, either its frothy face wash or antioxidant cleanser. You have to bring in an empty or full bottle, tube, or jar of your current skincare product. Origins can be found at most malls, including the San Francisco Centre, Embarcadero Center, Stonestown, Hillsdale, Stanford Shopping Center, and Valley Fair. www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113457148684973

National Parks Week is here, which means free entrance to all 392 national parks through Sunday. www.nps.gov/npweek


Change for Change
Charity: The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse. Founded in 1979, this Oakland nonprofit collects and sells donated materials for artists, teachers, and households (36,000 annual customers). Example items included antique linens, artificial flowers, yarn, and feathers. There are also periodic educational outreach programs that reach 20,000 students per year. www.creativereuse.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, Urban Solutions, and San Francisco Suicide Prevention.


Environmental News
San Francisco will be celebrating Earth Day in six different locations today. Composting cowgirls at San Francisco State, a Carnaval fundraiser with organic empanadas in the Mission, and a Friends of the Urban Forest charity event featuring organic wine in the Financial District are among the options. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/04/22/BAHT1D2AQI.DTL


Weekend Weather
After record-cold temps earlier this week, we are ready for the spring sun again. Rain should return by next Tuesday.

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

SAT-SUN
Highs: mid-60s (coast); upper-60s (SF); low-70s (bay); mid-70s (inland)
Lows: mid-40s (coast-inland); upper-40s (bay); low-50s (SF)


Music
"White Dove" by Sleepy Sun (San Francisco, Calif.)

They're currently wrapping up a tour with the Arctic Monkeys. Catch this blues rock band at the Rickshaw Stop on Saturday, along with a June tour that includes shows at Reno's Lincoln Lounge, Denver's Hi Dive Club, Seattle's Chop Suey, Chicago's Double Door, and the Brooklyn Bowl. www.sleepysun.net


Movies {domestic revenues through April 19}
Under a cloud of reporting controversy, "Kick-Ass" opened in first spot with $19.8 million [3065 theatres; $6,469 per theatre]. "How to Train Your Dragon" moved back into second place with $19.6 million [3825 theatres; $5,133 per theatre; $159.3 million overall; 4th weekend]. The Chris Rock ensemble comedy "Death at a Funeral" premiered in fourth with $16.2 million [2459 theatres; $6,595 per theatre]. And even though "Avatar" coincided its DVD release today with Earth Day, it added another $1.0 million in its 18th week, good for 12th place [500 theatres; $2,006 per theatre; $745.0 million overall].

The Back-up Plan (PG-13): Romantic comedy; about a forlorn woman who decides to undergo in-vitro fertilization on the same day she meets a potential mate; co-starring Jennifer Lopez

The Harimaya Bridge (NR): Drama; about a father who travels to Japan following the death of his estranged son

The Losers (PG-13): Action; about a U.S. Special Forces unit battling a powerful enemy known as Max; co-starring Zoe Saldana and Chris Evans

Mid-August Lunch (NR): Drama; about a middle-aged man who lives with his tyrannical mother in central Rome

No One Knows About Persian Cats (NR): Drama; about a young boy and girl who plan to launch a music group after getting out of prison

Oceans (G): Documentary; about the Earth's oceans; narrated by Pierce Brosnan

Remembering Playland (NR): Documentary; about the San Francisco seaside museum park, which was torn down in 1972

The Secret in Their Eyes (R): Drama; about a retired criminal court employee who decides to write a novel based on his work experiences; winner of best foreign film Oscar

Sleeping and Waking (NR): Thriller; about an artist who returns from the brink of death following an experimental procedure

What Girls Want (NR): Drama; a compilation of six stories about women

DVD Pick - In the Loop (NR): This British import satire lampooned the run-up to the Iraq war, as led by the British and American diplomatic forces. James Gandolfini has a decent turn as a lieutenant general who has doubts about the evidence. Nominated for 1 Oscar, best adapted screenplay. Domestic box office: $2.4 million; foreign box office: $5.4 million (including $3.5 million in the UK).


Free Activities
Oakland Tote Bag Giveaway [Thu 10a-8p]: Celebrate Earth Day by picking up a canvas tote bag at all Oakland public libraries. www.oaklandlibrary.org/PR/pr041410bag.htm

Fremont Earth Day [Sat 9a-3p]: Volunteer, exchange your halogen lamp for an energy-efficient model, dispose pharmaceuticals, and more. At Central Park (Fremont). www.fremont.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=3315

Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-5p]: Featuring taiko groups, the Northern California Sword Club, the Midori Bonsai Club, origami demonstrations, tea ceremony, and more. At Memorial Park (Cupertino). www.cupertinotoyokawa.org

Petaluma Butter & Egg Days Celebration [Sat 10a-5p]: 29th annual. Featuring a community parade and festival. In historic downtown Petaluma. www.sresproductions.com/butter_and_egg_days.html

Marin Earth Day [Sat 11a-6p]: Featuring guest speakers including State Senator Mark Leno, organic food vendors, live entertainers, family activities, and more. At College of Marin (Kentfield). www.earthdaymarin.org

Berkeley Earth Day [Sat noon-5p]: Featuring biodiesel and electric cars, solar power, a farmers market, live entertainment, and more. At Civic Center Park (Berkeley). www.bayareaearthday.org/berkeleyearthday/index.html

San Jose Nikkei Matsuri [Sun 9a-4p]: 33rd annual. Featuring taiko groups, two entertainment stages, Japanese food vendors, flower-arranging demonstrations, and more. Near Jackson St. and 5th St. (San Jose). www.nikkeimatsuri.org

Glen Park Festival [Sun 10a-4:30p]: 12th annual. Featuring local vendors, live entertainment, and children's activities. Along Diamond Street (SF). www.glenparkfestival.com

A Fresh Look: Observations on Urban Farming [Tue 4-9p]: Featuring the fourth monthly version of ForageSF Underground Market, a panel discussion, and cafe reception. At the San Francisco Art Institute. www.sfai.edu

Bay Area National Dance Week [through May 2]: Featuring 400+ free dance events, including pole dance lessons, fire dance performances, and salsa classes. Throughout the Bay Area. www.bayareandw.org


Paid Activities
Harlem Globetrotters [Thu-Fri 7p, Sat 1p/7:30p, Sun 3p]: Started in Chicago in 1926, the team was renamed two years later because of more favorable connotations. Among their 345 losses (or less than 2% of their games) are to Michigan State, UTEP, and the NABC College All-Stars (in 2006). At Hartnell College (Salinas), $24; Cow Palace (Daly City), $21-109; HP Pavilion (San Jose), $15-157; Memorial Gym (Berkeley), $15-69; Arco Arena (Sacramento), $17-136. www.harlemglobetrotters.com

Conan O'Brien [Thu-Fri 8p]: Cable-bound comic booted off of NBC will have ample material. At Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium (SF), $40-80. www.teamcoco.com

San Francisco International Beer Fest [Sat 7-10p]: 27th annual. Featuring more than 300 beers from dozens of breweries, food from local restaurants, and a raffle. All proceeds benefit the Telegraph Hill Cooperative Nursery School. Sold out - check Craigslist. At Fort Mason Center (SF), $60. www.sfbeerfest.com

Dr. Dog [Sat 9p, Sun 8]: Former Randy's Guide featured music artist. Both shows sold out - check Craigslist. With Sean Bones, Deer Tick, and/or Pepi Ginsberg opening. At the Great American Music Hall (SF), $18-20. www.drdogmusic.com

Aqua Teen Hunger Force [Sun 8p]: A live version of the Adult Swim cartoon, with promised audience participation and a puppet show. At the Regency Ballroom (SF), $25. www.aquateenlive.com

Master Class [through May 2]: About opera diva Maria Callas and a presumed role as instructor for a Julliard master class of young singers. At New Conservatory Theatre (SF), $22-40. www.nctcsf.org

San Francisco International Film Festival [through May 6]: 53rd annual. Featuring evenings with Joan Rivers, Roger Ebert, Stephin Merritt (Magnetic Fields), and Robert Duvall. Oh, and the 177 international films too. At the Kabuki, Castro, Clay, and Pacific Film Archive theatres (SF), $12.50 for most shows. www.sffs.org

Previous: Theatre - A Seagull in the Hamptons [through Sunday in Berkeley]; Theatre - Macho Bravado [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - ...and Jesus Moonwalks the Mississippi [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - Equivocation [through May 2 in Mill Valley]