Randy's Guide CXCV (195)

Historic milestones: 7 years since the first official admission of Area 51; 48 years since The Rolling Stones' first concert; 55 years since the addition of "In God We Trust" to US currency; 63 years since the infamous Roswell crash; 121 years since the first publication of The Wall Street Journal.


Local News
Largemouth bass in a San Mateo County reservoir turned up some of the highest mercury levels in the state. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is investigating the source of the contaminant, with one hypothesis being that the mercury has flowed all the way from China. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/07/MNU41E4CR4.DTL


Change for Change
Charity: Shanti. Founded by Dr. Charles Garfield in 1974, the San Francisco nonprofit provides educational and supportive services to over 2,000 clients with HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. www.shanti.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, San Francisco Suicide Prevention, and The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse.


Weekend Weather
Persistent coastal fog, but seasonably warm inland.

Highs: low-60s (coast); mid-60s (SF); mid-70s (bay); mid-80s (inland)
Lows: low-50s (coast); mid-50s (SF); upper-50s (bay); low-60s (inland)


Movies {domestic revenues for July 2-4}
As expected, Twi-hards came out in full force and pushed "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" to a healthy $64.8 million [4468 theatres; $14,510 per theatre; $157.6 million overall]. M. Night Shyalaman's latest "The Last Airbender" opened to $40.3 million [3169 theatres; $12,725 per theatre; $57.8 million overall]. "Toy Story 3," an excellent end to an excellent series, passed the $300 million mark on Monday.

Mainstream films:
-Despicable Me (PG): animation; co-voiced by Steve Carell and Jason Segel
-Predators (R): sci-fi action; co-starring Adrien Brody and Laurence Fishburne

Art-house films:
-Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo (NR): documentary
-Daddy Longlegs (NR): drama
-The Girl Who Played with Fire (R): thriller sequel
-John Rabe (NR): drama; co-starring Steve Buscemi
-The Kids Are All Right (R): drama; co-starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo
-Stonewall Uprising (NR): documentary
-Wild Grass (PG): drama

DVD Pick - The Damned United (R): A host of quality British actors, including Michael Sheen ("Frost/Nixon") and Jim Broadbent, usher us into a turbulent era for the British football squad Leeds United. It's a great complement to the final two World Cup matches this weekend. Domestic box office: $0.5 million; foreign box office: $3.6 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Film Night in the Park [Fri-Sat 8p]: Featuring "Let It Be" at San Anselmo's Creek Park on Friday, and "Dirty Dancing" in SF's Union Square. www.filmnight.org

Palo Alto Clay & Glass Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-5p]: 18th annual. Featuring clay demonstrations and 180 juried artists. At the Palo Alto Art Center. www.acga.net

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Sat-Sun 2p, Wed 7p]: Featuring the latest annual production, "Possibilidad, or Death of a Worker." At Glen Park (SF), Golden Gate Park's Peacock Meadow (SF), and Mill Valley Community Center. www.sfmt.org

World Cup final [Sun 9:30a-4p]: Either The Netherlands and Spain will claim the World Cup crown for the first time. Match is at 11:30am, but the beer garden, food stands, and music will be ongoing. In Civic Center Plaza (SF). www.worldcupsf.com

Sunday Streets [Sun 10a-3p]: The sixth of nine rounds this year, with free bicycle rentals and maintenance, outdoor World Cup screening, yoga garden, Circus Bella performance, and more. Along 19th St near Dolores Park, down Valencia, east on 24th St to Potrero, and Harrison between 17th St and 26th St (SF). www.sundaystreetssf.com

Family Day: Asian Theme [Sun 11a-3p]: Featuring Chinese lion dancers, taiko, hands-on wonton cooking demo, calligraphy, and more. In Courthouse Square (Redwood City). www.redwoodcity.org/events/targetfamilydays.htm

Petaluma Art & Garden Festival [Sun 11a-5p]: 9th annual. Featuring local musical artists, restaurants, vendors, and wineries. Near Kentucky & 4th St. in the historic downtown. www.petalumadowntown.com/artandgardenpetaluma.aspx

Jewish Music Festival [Sun noon-5p]: 25th annual. In Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Golden Gate Park Band [Sun 1p]: 128th annual. Weekly concert series. This week's theme: Bastille Day. At Golden Gate Park's Bandshell (SF). www.goldengateparkband.org

Stern Grove Festival [Sun 2p]: Featuring the San Francisco Symphony, with all-American works by Copland, Gershwin, and Beethoven. Arrive early! At Stern Grove (SF). www.sterngrove.org