Randy's Guide CLXXXVII (187)

Historic milestones this week: 48 years since Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday" rendition to JFK; 70 years since the first McDonald's restaurant (in San Bernardino, Calif.); 81 years since the first Academy Awards ceremony; 82 years since the first Mickey Mouse cartoon; 114 years since the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling in favor of the "separate but equal" concept; 141 years since the formation of the National Woman's Suffrage Association by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton; 144 years since the invention of root beer.


Local News
Beloved Ike's Place, with more than 2000 positive reviews on Yelp and a 2009 appearance by the Travel Channel's "Man v. Food" program, appears to be a victim of its own success. Neighbors have filed lawsuits against owner Ike Shehadeh, while the building landlord has started eviction proceedings. Ike is already planning to bring his quirky, tasty sandwiches to Stanford and Redwood City, and he welcomes the opportunity to find a larger location within the neighborhood. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/05/13/BA0F1DDP81.DTL


Deal of the Week
Jose Cuervo is offering free margarita-related giveaways such as glasses and shakers on an ongoing basis. You can register for free items each week through September 15. www.cuervo1795.com


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 Department of Pesticide Regulation has proposed a highly toxic pesticide, methyl iodide, for widespread use primarily in strawberry fields. Prominent scientists have previously concluded that methyl iodide causes problems with thyroids, neurons, and fetuses in experimental animals. This proposal is being pushed by Arysta LifeScience, the largest privately held pesticide company in the world. Comments on the proposal will be accepted at mei_comments@cdpr.ca.gov through June 14. www.pesticidereform.org/article.php?id=348


Weekend Weather
Coastal fog, warm inland. Mostly cloudy and a cool 57 degrees for the start of the Bay to Breakers race.

Highs: low-60s (coast); mid-60s (SF); low-70s (bay); mid-70s (inland)
Lows: between 45 and 50


Music
"Leaving Soon" by Meklit Hadero (San Francisco, Calif.)

Born in Ethiopia and raised in Iowa, Meklit Hadero's global jazz sometimes includes lyrics in Amharic and French. She's making a stop at Bimbo's (SF) tonight to celebrate the release of her first album. Other shows include Washington, D.C.'s Warehouse Loft on May 29, NYC's Le Poisson Rouge on June 1, and San Francisco's Stern Grove on August 1. www.meklithadero.com


Movies {domestic revenues through May 9}
"Iron Man 2" soared without the aid of 3-D glasses, tallying $128.1 million [4380 theatres; $29,252 per theatre]. Despite incredible buzz, the documentary "Babies" opened in ninth with $2.1 million [534 theatres; $4,046 per theatre]. The Argentinean hit "The Secret in Their Eyes," which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film, added 36 more theatres in its fourth weekend and brought in $0.4 million [81 theatres; $4,743 per theatre; $1.6 million overall].

Casino Jack & the United States of Money (R): Documentary; about the excesses of politicians and lobbyists; co-narrated by Paul Rudd and Stanley Tucci

Just Wright (PG): Romantic comedy; about a physical therapist who starts to fall for one of her patients, an NBA All-Star player; co-starring Queen Latifah and Common

Letters to Juliet (PG): Romantic comedy; about a young American woman who decides to travel to Verona and volunteer to respond to letters to the Shakespearean heroine; co-starring Vanessa Redgrave and Gael Garcia Bernal

The Little Traitor (NR): Drama; about a militant Israeli boy who secretly befriends a British officer

Mother and Child (R): Drama; about three women whose lives have been affected by adoption; co-starring Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, and Samuel L. Jackson

OSS 117: Lost in Rio (NR): Action comedy sequel; about the French secret agent who teams up with a sexy partner to track down covert Nazis

Princess Kaiulani (NR): Drama; about a young princess of the Hawaiian royal family who is exiled to Victorian England

Robin Hood (PG-13): Action; about the early days of Robin and his raiders in 13th century England; co-starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett; directed by Ridley Scott

DVD Pick - Elegy (R): An edgy film that unsurprisingly had greater foreign box office revenues than domestic. Ben Kingsley shines as a literature professor who falls for one of his graduate students (Penelope Cruz). Great supporting roles are filled by Patricia Clarkson as a long-term friend with benefits and Dennis Hopper as his confidant. Domestic box office: $3.6 million; foreign box office: $11.3 million (including $3.9 million for Spain).


Free Activities
Bike to Work Day [Thu]: While it's likely too late to bike to work at this point, for those who did bicycle, there are energizer stations with free tote bags, refreshments, and reading materials at stations throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area. www.sfbike.org

Dolores Park Movie Night [Thu 8p]: "Starsky & Hutch" (2004), co-starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Snoop Dogg, Vince Vaughn, and Carmen Electra. At Dolores Park (SF). www.doloresparkmovie.org

Inner Sunset Street Fair [Sat 10a-8:30p]: 1st annual! Featuring tai chi and yoga demos, swing dance lessons, children's activities, and more. Near Irving and 10th Ave. (SF). www.sfpix.com/fair

Vintage Paper Fair [Sat 10a-6p, Sun 10a-4p]: Featuring antique postcards, brochures, sports memorabilia, and more. At Golden Gate Park's County Fair Building (SF). www.vintagepaperfair.com

A La Carte & Art [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 14th annual. Featuring 12 live bands, an eco-zone, classic car show, artisan street and gourmet food purveyors, and more. Along Castro (Mountain View). www.miramarevents.com

Asian Heritage Street Celebration [Sat 11a-6p]: 6th annual. Featuring a balut eating contest, taiko performance, J-Car expo, Muay Thai kickboxing demo, and more. Near Larkin and McAllister (SF). www.asianfairsf.com

Play Day in Duboce Park [Sat 11a-4p]: Featuring fundraising BBQ and raffle, live bands, face painting, and guest speakers Ross Mirkarimi, Bevan Dufty, and Mark Leno. At Duboce Park (SF). www.sfnpc.org/node/4048

Gamelan Sekar Jaya [Sat 1-2:30p]: Featuring two large Balinese percussion orchestras of 50 members. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Precita Valley Arts Festival [Sat 1-5p]: Featuring two live DJs, food, entertainment, and more. At Precita Park (SF). www.precitaeyes.org

Richmond Branch Library Celebration [Sat 1-5p]: Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the reopening of the Richmond Branch of the San Francisco system with food, entertainment, recycling demos, and more. At the Richmond branch library (SF). http://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=1001178401

Jazz on Fourth [Sun noon-5p]: 15th annual. Featuring live jazz performances and local vendors, to benefit Berkeley High School Jazz. Along Fourth St. (Berkeley). www.fourthstreet.com

Golden Gate Park Band [Sun 1-2:30p]: At Golden Gate Park's Music Concourse between the de Young and Academy of Sciences (SF). www.goldengateparkband.org

East Bay Spring Rose Show [Sun 1-5p]: 63rd annual. Featuring roses for sale, rose photography competition, rose awards, and more. At Lakeside Garden Center (Oakland). www.eastbayroses.org

ING Bay to Breakers race [Sun 8a]: 99th annual. Watch for quirky costumes, speedy Kenyans, homemade floats, and unfortunate nudists along the 12K race route between the Financial District and Ocean Beach. Street closures galore - not the best day to be travelling across the City by car or bus. www.ingbaytobreakers.com

California Academy of Sciences [Wed 9:30a-5p]: Free admission. Arrive early to score tickets to the planetarium and Extreme Mammals exhibit. Remember that San Francisco residents, divided up by zip code zones, also have free weekend entry (Friday-Sunday) for the next few months. www.calacademy.org


Paid Activities
Oakland Greek Festival [Fri-Sat 10a-11p, Sun 11a-9p]: Featuring authentic Greek cuisine such as dolma and souvlaka, lively cultural entertainment, artisans, and more. At the Greek Orthodox Cathedral (Oakland), free-$6. Coupon at www.oaklandgreekfestival.com

Castroville Artichoke Festival [Sat 10a-6p, Sun 10a-5p]: Featuring artichoke recipes and demos, a classic car show, field tours, live bands, and more. In downtown Castroville, free-$10. www.artichoke-festival.org

San Francisco OysterFest [Sat 11a-3p]: 11th annual. Featuring Drakes Bay oysters, O'Reilly's stouts, live music by Cake and The Raveonettes, shuck/suck competitions, cooking demos, and more. At Fort Mason's Great Meadow (SF), free-$30. www.sfoysterfest.com

SF Food Wars: Amuse Brunch [Sun noon]: Past events focused on mini cupcakes and gourmet macaroni & cheese were big hits. With 20 featured chefs and a complimentary beverage. Sold out! At Thirsty Bear Brewery (SF), $15. www.sffoodwars.com

Ben Folds and a Piano [Sun 8p]: With Kate Miller-Heidke opening. At the Warfield (SF), $32. www.benfolds.com

Round and Round the Garden [through May 23]: A British sex farce about a casanova who attempts to seduce his estranged wife and two sisters-in-law. At the ACT (SF), $15-72. www.act-sf.org

Previous: Theatre - Girlfriend [extended through Sunday in Berkeley]; Theatre - Loveland [through June 13 in Berkeley]