Randy's Guide CXCVIII (198)

Historic milestones: 29 years since the Prince Charles-Lady Diana wedding; 35 years since the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa; 80 years since the first World Cup final (won by Uruguay); and 109 years since the founding of the Socialist Party of America.


Local News
It turns out $2.50 is enough of a disincentive for thousands of carpoolers. Since the new pricing policy went into effect July 1, the number of carpoolers on Bay Area bridges has dropped 30%. Three major factors are involved: fewer cheaters; more drivers during off-peak hours; and more riders on BART. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/29/MN1R1EL9I0.DTL


Deal of the Week
Free Museum Week! Sunday - Asian Art Museum (SF) and Oakland Museum of California. Tuesday - MOMA (SF), Cartoon Art Museum (SF), de Young (SF), YBCA Gallery (SF), Museum of Craft and Folk Art (SF), Conservatory of Flowers (SF), and Legion of Honor (SF). Wednesday - Exploratorium (SF) and Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito). Thursday - Berkeley Art Museum and Pez Museum (Burlingame). Hours tend to be 11am-5pm, but check museum sites for more details.


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
More of the same... cooler than normal everywhere, especially coastal areas socked in with fog and low clouds.

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


Movies {domestic revenues for July 21-23}
"Inception" had the smallest second-weekend revenue drop for any major film this summer, holding onto first spot with $42.7 million [3792 theatres; $11,267 per theatre; $142.9 million overall]. Angelina Jolie's action film "Salt" premiered with $36.0 million [3612 theatres; $9,970 per theatre]. The kiddie comedy "Ramona and Beezus" debuted weakly with $7.8 million in sixth place [2719 theatres; $2,873 per theatre].

Mainstream films:
-Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (PG): animated comedy; co-voiced by Christina Applegate, Neil Patrick Harris, Sean Hayes, James Marsden, Bette Midler, Nick Nolte, Chris O'Donnell, and Paul Rodriguez
-Charlie St. Cloud (PG-13): drama; co-starring Zac Efron
-Dinner for Schmucks (PG-13): comedy; co-starring Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and Ron Livingston

Art-house films:
-Countdown to Zero (PG): documentary
-Dark House (R): horror
-Farewell (R): drama
-Kisses (NR): drama; co-starring Stephen Rea
-Orlando (PG-13): drama; co-starring Tilda Swinton and Billy Zane (reissue)
-Winnebago Man (NR): documentary

DVD Pick - The Duchess (PG-13): Time to go classy. Keira Knightley plays the title character with aplumb, and the costumes are spectacular enough to merit the Oscar. Domestic box office: $13.8 million; foreign box office: $29.5 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Much Ado About Nothing [Fri 6p; Sat-Sun 1p]: Featuring Woman's Will, the Bay Area's all-female Shakespeare company. At Hillside Lawn (Rossmoor), San Felipe Park (Hayward), and Rengstorff House (Mountain View). www.womanswill.org

Critical Mass [Fri 6:30p]: Drivers, be forewarned. Starts at Justin Herman Plaza (SF) and proceeds around town.

Oakland Underground Film Festival [Fri 7:30p]: Featuring filmmaker Tracy Snelling. At Jack London Square (Oakland). www.oakuff.org

Film Night [Fri-Sat 8p]: Featuring "Fantastic Mr. Fox" on Friday and "Jaws" on Saturday. In Creek Park (San Anselmo). www.filmnight.org

Fremont Festival of the Arts [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 27th annual. Featuring a live music stage (including U2 tribute band Zoo Station), Kid City, gourmet marketplace, artisans, and more. Along Paseo Padre Parkway (Fremont). www.fremontfestival.net

Bicycle Music Festival [Sat 10a-Sun 2a]: 4th annual. Featuring four different stops with 15 bands, and the bicycles provide enough power for the roving sound stage. At Golden Gate Park, Dolores Park, Precita Park, and Showplace Triangle (SF). www.bicyclemusicfestival.com

Renegade Craft Fair [Sat-Sun 11a-7p]: 3rd annual. Featuring 225 do-it-yourself artisans, craft workshops, live music, and more. At Fort Mason's Festival Pavilion (SF). www.renegadecraft.com/san-francisco?site=sf

Indonesia Day 2010 [Sat 11a-4p]: 17th annual. Featuring Indonesian music, dances, food, and crafts. In Union Square Plaza (SF). www.indodaysf.com

Free Shakespeare in the Park [Sat-Sun 7:30p]: 28th annual. Featuring "Two Gentlemen of Verona." At Bernal Park (Pleasanton). www.sfshakes.org

Jerry Day [Sun 11a-6p]: 8th annual. Featuring three bands honoring Jerry Garcia. At McLaren Park (SF). www.jerryday.org

Golden Gate Park Band [Sun 1p]: 128th annual. Weekly concert series. Featured soloist is Adam Fry. At Golden Gate Park's Bandshell (SF). www.goldengateparkband.org

Stern Grove Festival [Sun 2p]: Featuring Grammy Award-winning Rickie Lee Jones, with local favorite Meklit Hadero opening. At Stern Grove (SF). www.sterngrove.org

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Wed-Thu 7p]: Featuring the latest annual leftist production, "Possibilidad, or Death of a Worker." At Lakeside Park (Oakland). www.sfmt.org