Randy's Guide CCX (210)

Historic milestones: 9 years since the first iPod release; 44 years since the first all-female music group atop Billboard charts (the Supremes); 51 years since the opening of the Guggenheim Museum; 52 years since the first appearance of The Smurfs (Belgian magazine "Spirou"); 65 years since the Argentinian marriage of Juan Peron and Evita Duarte; 65 years since the founding of the United Nations; 84 years since magician Harry Houdini's last performance; and 149 years since the closure of the Pony Express (and later sold to Wells Fargo).


Local News
Local shoppers take note. Trader Joe's, in the latest twist, has reportedly decided to back out of its commitment to move into the Castro due to the continuing presence of Radio Shack in the building and the proposal to charge for parking for customers. Pearl's Deluxe Burgers will be opening up its fourth outpost at Sixth St. and Market, while Good Vibrations will have its fifth store across from Bloomingdale's on Mission St. near Fifth St. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/20/BUDL1FUF0H.DTL


Deal of the Week #1
Free Orange & Creme Frutista at Taco Bell. Valid through Nov. 25. www.tacobell.com/promo/ocfrutistacoupon


Deal of the Week #2
World Pasta Day at Buca di Beppo! On Monday, Oct. 25, get a free plate of spaghetti with each purchase of a pasta dish or entree. Get an additional $10 off any purchase of $20 as an added bonus - ask me for a coupon. www.bucadibeppo.com


Change for Change
Charity: Curry Without Worry. Since 2006, this San Francisco-based nonprofit has served over 23,000 warm vegetarian Nepalese meals on Tuesday evenings in San Francisco's Civic Center. www.currywithoutworry.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, The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse, and Shanti.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Cool autumn days are ahead, with the best rain chances on Thursday night and Sunday.

Highs: low-60s
Lows: low-50s


Movies {domestic revenues for October 15-17}
"Jackass 3-D" soared into first place with $50.4 million [3081 theatres; $16,343 per theatre]. The action comedy "Red" took second with $21.8 million [3255 theatres; $6,686 per theatre]. And in its third weekend, "The Social Network" held for third with $10.3 million [2868 theatres; $3,597 per theatre; $62.4 million overall].

Mainstream films:
-Hereafter (PG-13): Drama; co-starring Matt Damon; directed by Clint Eastwood
-Paranormal Activity 2 (R): Horror sequel

Art-house films:
-Conviction (R): Drama; co-starring Hilary Swank, Minnie Driver, Sam Rockwell, and Juliette Lewis
-Douchebag (NR): Comedy
-Inside Job (PG-13): Documentary

DVD Pick - 25th Hour (R): Edward Norton channels his Method acting again, this time in the sure hands of director Spike Lee. It's about a convicted felon who has 24 hours before heading off to jail for seven years. Domestic box office: $13.1 million; foreign: $10.8 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Noe Valley Harvest Festival [Sat 10a-5p]: 6th annual. Featuring a pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, a pie-eating contest, farmers' market, and later 8pm screening of "Lost in the Fog." Near 24th St. and Church (SF). www.noevalleyharvestfestival.com

Science & Engineering Festival [Sat 10a-2p]: Expand your minds with presentations and activities by UCSF, KQED, Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley Astronomy Department, American Chemical Society, and other groups. At Spieker Plaza (Berkeley). http://scienceatcal.berkeley.edu/festival

Danville Fine Arts Faire [Sat-Sun 10a-5p]: 19th annual. Featuring a Saturday parade, glass pumpkin patch, safe trick or treating, and more. Along Hartz Ave. (Danville). www.mlaproductions.com/Danville-Fall/index.html

Point Richmond Fall Fest [Sat 10a-6p]: Featuring a chili cookoff, live blues music, a bouncy house, pumpkin patch, and more. Near Park Place and Washington Ave. (Point Richmond). www.pointrichmond.com/fallfest

Serbian Food Festival [Sat noon-10p]: Featuring traditional Serbian dishes (i.e. sarma / kobasce), pastries (i.e. strudel / rostule), music, and dancing. At Holy Trinity (Moraga). www.holytrinitymoraga.org

Bring Your Own Queer event [Sat noon-6p]: Featuring LGBT artists and performers, fashion shows, and special guest director John Cameron Mitchell. At Golden Gate Park's Music Concourse (SF). www.byoq.org

El Cerrito Celebration of the Arts [Sat 2-6p]: Featuring a historical society display, a local student's magic show, film screenings by local filmmakers, Polynesian dancers, and more. At El Cerrito City Hall. www.el-cerrito.org/gov/artsday.html

Potrero Hill History Night [Sat 7-9p]: Featuring long-time Potrero Terrace residents, a special video, and a gardening talk. At International Studies Academy (SF). Call (415) 863-0784.

* Sunday Streets [Sun 10a-3p]: Featuring free bike rentals, bike maintenance, the StreetSmARTS Mobile Free Wall Project, Capoera Brasil SF performances, dog training programs, roller skate rentals, live bands at Great American Music Hall, and more. In Civic Center Plaza and along Polk, O'Farrell, and Ellis (SF). www.sundaystreetssf.com

Golden Gate Park Book Fair [Sun 10a-5p]: Featuring vintage, rare, and collectible books. At Golden Gate Park's County Fair Building (SF). www.ggpbookfair.com

Dia de Los Muertos Festival [Sun 10a-5p]: 15th annual. Featuring live Latin performances, cultural activities, 25+ commemorative altars, and more. Near East 12th St. and 35th Ave. (Oakland's Fruitvale district). www.unitycouncil.org/ddlm/index.htm

Family Music Day [Sun 10a-3p]: Featuring the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, an instrument petting zoo, face painting, instrument making, and more. At Crowden Music Center (Berkeley). www.crowden.org

International Festival [Sun 10a-5p]: 6th annual. Featuring live salsa/merengue lessons, a Latin marketplace, Aztec dancers, mariachi band, and more. At Alto St. and Belvedere St. (San Rafael). www.festivalsanrafael.blogspot.com

Miko Marks concert [Sun 2-4p]: San Francisco-based award-winning country artist. In Union Square Park (SF). www.mikomarks.com

Halloween/Day of the Dead Celebration [Tue 2-6p]: Featuring Aztec dancers, a commemorative altar, a pumpkin carving contest, champurrado (Aztec hot chocolate), farmers market, and more. At Derby St. and MLK Way (Berkeley). www.ecologycenter.org