Randy's Guide CLXXXVI (186)

Historic milestones this week: 50 years since the first contraceptive pill; 73 years since the Hindenburg zeppelin disaster; 102 years since the first Mother's Day in the U.S. (Grafton, W. Va.); 121 years since the official opening of the Eiffel Tower; 190 years since the launch of the HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin onboard.


Local News
Top restauranteurs vent on the latest wave to hit their places of business: highly selective diners. Those who cannot (or will not) have dairy, wheat, salt, eggs, seeds, and other types of ingredients have stretched the imaginations of local chefs such as Coi's Daniel Patterson, who often rely on set menus for a premium dining experience. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/05/06/DD6B1D99FQ.DTL


Deal of the Week
Free breakfast melt and Seattle's Best coffee at San Francisco Bay Area Subway locations on Tuesday, May 11, from 7 - 11am.


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
The California Fish & Game Commission has a controversy on its hands. The ban last month on importing live turtles and frogs for sale as food has raised the ire of local Asian-American politicians (such as State Senator Leland Yee and Assemblywoman Fiona Ma) and business merchants. The Commission claims it is trying to reduce animal cruelty and non-native species introduction, but the protesters believe this is a selective ban that could hurt local businesses and family traditions. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/05/06/BADH1D99NR.DTL


Weekend Weather
Seasonal temperatures until the cool down - and possible Mother's Day rain - this weekend.

THU-FRI:
highs: low-60s (coast); mid-60s (SF); upper-60s (bay); low-70s (inland)
lows: low-40s (inland); mid-40s (coast-bay); upper-40s (SF)

SAT-SUN:
highs: mid-50s (coast); upper-50s (SF); low-60s (bay); mid-60s (inland)
lows: low-40s (inland); mid-40s (coast-bay); upper-40s (SF)


Music
"Telephone" by Aaron Melcher and Justin Baker (Farah province, Afghanistan)

In two weeks, the video was gone from a laugher amongst the military ranks and their families to a global hit, with over 3.5 million hits to date.


Movies {domestic revenues through May 2}
"A Nightmare on Elm Street" brought in a crush of young eager fans on Friday en route to a $32.9 million opening [3332 screens; $9,875 per screen]. "How to Train Your Dragon" slipped to second place with $10.6 million in its sixth weekend [3426 screens; $3,098 per screen; $192.2 million overall]. Brendan Fraser's animal comedy "Furry Vengeance" mustered only $6.6 million for fifth place [2997 screens; $2,211 per screen].

Babies (PG): Documentary; about four particular babies in San Francisco, Tokyo, Mongolia, and Namibia

The Good Heart (R): Drama; about a dive bar owner in New York who decides to mentor a young homeless man to become the new owner; co-starring Paul Dano and Brian Cox

The Good, the Bad, the Weird (NR): Comedy; about three Korean bandits who are mistakenly tracked by the Japanese army during the 1930s in Manchuria

The Human Centipede (NR): Horror; about two stranded American girls who are to become the victims of a deranged German surgeon's plan to physically connect humans

Iron Man 2 (PG-13): Action sequel; about the billionaire inventor's attempts to withhold the secrets of the Iron Man technology; co-starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Sam Rockwell, Don Cheadle, and Mickey Rourke; directed by Jon Favreau

October Country (NR): Documentary; about a family in upstate New York

Please Give (R): Comedy drama; about the various moral quandaries of living well in New York City and the problems of poverty and homelessness right around the corner; co-starring Catherine Keener, Amanda Peet, and Oliver Platt

DVD Pick - The Informant! (R): An unusual film, The Informant! places Matt Damon squarely in the lead role as a whistle-blowing insider. What looks like a John Grisham-esque suspense drama turns into a madcap comedy at the hands of director Steven Soderbergh. Domestic box office: $33.3 million; foreign box office: $8.5 million.


Free Activities
Berkeley Art Museum [Thu 11a-5p]: Free admission to various art exhibits and public programs. At the BAM/PFA (Berkeley). www.bampfa.berkeley.edu

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra [Thu 5:30-6:30p; Fri 8p; Sun 3p]: Avoid rush-hour madness or celebrate the weekend with works by Bartok, Mozart, Gabriela Frank, and Steve Reich. At the Contemporary Jewish Museum (SF), Herbst Theatre (SF), and First Congregational (Berkeley). www.sfchamberorchestra.org

Film Screening: Amazing Grace [Thu 7:30p]: As part of the Out in Israel Culture Festival. At the East Bay JCC (Berkeley). http://prod.jcceastbay.org/arts_culture/film.html

Stanford Powwow [Fri 7-11p, Sat noon-11p, Sun noon-7p]: 39th annual. Featuring the largest gathering of Native American tribes for the dance competitions, drum contest, basketball tournament, and fun run/walk. At Eucalyptus Grove (Stanford). www.stanfordpowwow.org

The Edible Schoolyard's Plant Sale [Sat 9a-3p, Sun 10a-1p]: 6th annual. Featuring a book signing by Alice Waters, fresh wood-oven pizza, garden and kitchen tours, and more. At the Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School (Berkeley). www.edibleschoolyard.org/plant-sale

Cinco de Mayo [Sat 10a-6p]: Celebrate Latin American cultures with authentic food, music, and dance. At Dolores Park (SF). www.sfcincodemayo.com

Pagan Festival and Parade [Sat 10a-5:30p]: 9th annual. Featuring a Druid storytelling pavilion, public ritual, live musical performances, and more. At Civic Center Park (Berkeley). www.thepaganalliance.org

Moraga Community Faire [Sat 11a-6p]: 4th annual. The city's largest event, with a classic car show, a climbing wall, wine tasting, kids' chalk art contest, and more. At Rheem Valley Shopping Centre (Moraga). www.moragachamber.org/faire

Hula Performance [Sat 1-2:30p]: Patrick Makuakane's Hawaiian dance company Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu showcases three different hula dance versions. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org/Programs/WeekendSessions.php


Paid Activities
California Music & Culture Association Launch Party [Thu 7-11p]: Featuring Bay Area musicians and DJs. Hosted bar until 8:30pm. At Mezzanine (SF), $10 recommended donation. www.cmacsf.org

Hawaiian May Day Festival [Sat-Sun 9a-6p]: Featuring Hawaiian music, dance, food, and more. At Alameda County Fairgrounds (Pleasanton), free-$10. www.kumuhulaassociation.com

City Underground [Sat 10a-10p]: Featuring live punk bands such as Face to Face, on-site tattoos, amateur skateboarding contest, and more. At Fort Mason Pavilion (SF), $20-50. www.cityunderground.com

BaconCamp [Sat noon-4p]: 2nd annual. Discussions, demonstrations, and presentations designed to celebrate bacon. Expect bacon marshmallows, bacon cocktails, bacon ice cream, bacon poetry, and more. At Chez Poulet (SF), $5 suggested donation. www.baconcamp.org

Kate Nash [Sat 8p]: Another young British female pop-rock star with a talented voice. Also stopping at Amoeba Records (SF) for a free performance and CD signing at 2pm on Saturday. With Super Cute opening. At Bottom of the Hill (SF), $20 - sold out. www.katenash.co.uk

How Weird Street Faire [Sun noon-8p]: Featuring ten stages for live music and entertainment, creative costumes, and an attempted world-record in Bollywood dance. Ten blocks, centered at Howard and 2nd St. SF), $5-10 suggested donation. www.howweird.org

Jakob Dylan and Three Legs [Wed 8p]: Jakob Dylan is supported by Kelly Hogan and Neko Case. Opening are The Felice Brothers and Honeyhoney. At the Regency Ballroom (SF0, $23-28. www.jakobdylan.com

Loveland [through June 13]: Revival run. About the coping of a parent's death. At The Marsh (Berkeley), $20-50. www.themarsh.org

Previous: Film - San Francisco International Film Festival [through Thursday in SF]; Theatre - To Kill a Mockingbird [through Saturday in Mountain View]; Theatre - Girlfriend [extended through May 16 in Berkeley]