Randy's Guide CC (200)

Historic milestones: 28 years since the first compact discs (in Germany); 41 years since the Woodstock Festival; 74 years since the last public U.S. execution; 90 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment (women's suffrage); and 159 years since Singer's sewing machine patent.


Local News
Filipino food is finally getting its due. After earlier crazes over Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean cuisine, Filipino restaurants have become trendy and more commonplace throughout the Bay Area. Senor Sisig and Adobo Hobo are popular street carts in San Francisco, Patio Filipino provides an upscale experience in San Bruno, and Silvana's (Daly City) and Mitchell's (SF) are old mainstays offering delectable treats. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/12/DDIO1EQF11.DTL


Deal of the Week
The National Parks Service is offering free admission this weekend to more than 100 parks. Popular locations such as Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Muir Woods, Yellowstone, and Joshua Tree are included. www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm


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
A slight change, as all areas will see more sun and slightly warmer temperatures.

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


Movies {domestic revenues for August 6-8}
"The Other Guys," with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, debuted strongly with $35.5 million [3651 theatres; $9,735 per theatre]. "Step Up 3-D" opened in third with $15.8 million [2435 theatres; $6,494 per theatre]. "The Kids Are All Right," an indie comedy featuring Julianne Moore and Annette Bening as lesbian moms, cracked the top 10 in its 5th weekend with $2.6 million [994 theatres; $2,613 per theatre; $14.0 million overall].

Mainstream films:
-Eat Pray Love (PG-13): Drama; co-starring Julia Roberts, James Franco, Javier Bardem, Richard Jenkins, Billy Crudup, and Viola Davis
-The Expendables (R): Action; co-starring Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, and Bruce Willis
-Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (PG-13): Comedy; co-starring Michael Cera, Jason Schwartzman, Kieran Culkin, and Chris Evans

Art-house films:
-The Extra Man (R): comedy; co-starring Kevin Kline, Paul Dano, and Katie Holmes; periodically funny but generally does not come together as full entertainment
-Harimaya Bridge
-Lourdes (NR): Drama
-Oxford Murders (R): Suspense; co-starring Elijah Wood and John Hurt
* Patrik Age 1.5 (NR): Drama; light-hearted family comedy import from Sweden
-Peepli Live (NR): Drama
-Tales from Earthsea (PG-13): Animated
-Vengeance (NR): Action

DVD Pick - A Single Man (R): Director Tom Ford, in his debut, is more known for his fashion. He brings out the best, though, in Colin Firth (who nabbed an Oscar nomination and BAFTA award) and Julianne Moore in this heavy-hearted drama about forlorn love and mid-life tension. Domestic box office: $9.2 million; foreign box office: $14.6 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Williams-Sonoma Cooking Demos [Fri 2p, Sat 11a/1:30p/4:30p, Sun 10a]: In honor of SF Chefs Week. Featuring Daniel Scherotter (Palio d'Asti - Fri); Jason Berthold (RN74 - Sat11); Matthew Accarrino (SPQR - Sat130); Joanne Weir (author) and Gary Danko (Sat430); and Sean O'Toole (Bardessono - Sun). www.sfchefsfoodwine.com/SeminarsUnder21.aspx#Jason

Jazz Fest at AT&T Park [Fri 3-7p]: Featuring live music (Marcus Shelby; Sam Reider and the Lost Boys), southern food and cocktails, and more. At Lefty O'Doul Plaza (SF). http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/ticketing/special_events/jazzfest.jsp

Dancing Under the Stars [Fri 7:30-11p]: Featuring samba dance lessons, followed by a live band. In Jack London Square (Oakland). www.jacklondonsquare.com

Film Night [Fri-Sat 8p]: Featuring "The World's Fastest Indian" on Friday and a "Mamma Mia" sing-along. Both at Creek Park (San Anselmo). www.filmnight.org

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

Nihonmachi [Sat-Sun 11a-6p]: 37th annual. Featuring two music stages (including taiko and hula), a shoe drive for Haiti, a Nihonmachi photo exhibit at Union Bank, Asian-Pacific food vendors, and more. In Japantown (SF). www.nihonmachistreetfair.org

Pistahan [Sat-Sun 11a-5p]: 17th annual. Featuring a Saturday parade down Market Street, two entertainment stages, six area pavilions, balut eating contest, adobo cook-off, and more. In Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.pistahan.net

Laurel Hill Fair [Sat 11a-5p]: 11th annual. Featuring live music, a "green" zone, kids' rides, and more. Along MacArthur Blvd (Oakland). www.laureldistrictassociation.org

Diablo Japanese Summer Festival [Sat-Sun noon-9p]: 54th annual. Featuring demonstrations of taiko, calligraphy, bonsai, judo, traditional dance, swords, and flower arrangement. At the Diablo Japanese American Club (Concord). http://diablojaclub.org

San Rafael Festival [Sat noon-6p]: 4th annual. Featuring local boutique wineries and restaurants. At the Falkirk Cultural Center (San Rafael). www.sresproductions.com/san_rafael_food_and_wine_festival.html

Much Ado About Nothing [Sat 1p, Sun 4:30p]: Featuring Woman's Will, the Bay Area's all-female Shakespeare company. At Town Green (Danville) on Saturday and Centennial Park (Pleasanton) on Sunday. www.womanswill.org

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Sat-Sun 2p]: Featuring the latest annual leftist production, "Possibilidad, or Death of a Worker." At Live Oak Park (Berkeley). www.sfmt.org

Macy's Cooking Demos [Sat-Sun 4p]: In honor of SF Chefs Week. Featuring flour + water's Thomas McNaughton on Saturday, and Americano's Kory Stewart on Sunday. At Macy's Union Square (SF). www.sfchefsfoodwine.com/SeminarsUnder21.aspx#Jason

Shakespeare in the Park [Sat-Sun 7:30p]: 28th annual. Featuring "Two Gentlemen of Verona." First weekend at Memorial Park (Cupertino). www.sfshakes.org

YBCA Big Idea Night Party [Sat 9p-Sun 2a]: Featuring electronic music bands LoveTechSF and Kwisp, shoe cobbler Mrs. Vera's Sole Makeover, The Lab's reality TV show, and more. At YBCA (SF). RSVP at www.ybcafree.org

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

Stern Grove Festival [Sun 2p]: Featuring saxophonist Maceo Parker, with Bay Area soul singer Darondo opening. At Stern Grove (SF). www.sterngrove.org