Randy's Guide CCXIII (213)

Historic milestones: 21 years since the election of the first African-American U.S. governor (Virginia's Douglas Wilder); 63 years since the TV debut of "Meet the Press"; 86 years since the election of the first female U.S. governor (Wyoming's Nellie Ross); 94 years since the election of the first Congresswoman (Montana's Jeannette Rankin); 136 years since the first use of the elephant for the U.S. Republican Party; and 138 years since Susan B. Anthony's first (illegal) vote.


Local News
It's been a great week for the Bay Area. First, the San Francisco Giants finally won a World Series, and the City celebrated Monday night in the streets and Wednesday morning for the ticker-tape parade and ceremony. Then, the election ushered in Oakland resident Jerry Brown into the Governor's office, SF Mayor Gavin Newsom as Lt. Governor, and East Bay Assemblyman Tom Torlakson as State Superintendent. www.sfgiants.com http://vote.sos.ca.gov


Deal of the Week
Treat yourself to free small coffee at any 7-Eleven store. Valid through 12/31/2010. https://online.citibank.com/USBA/einserts/3270.pdf


Change for Change
Charity: San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation. I attended an informative discussion about the history of San Francisco's theaters, including the Castro, Vogue, and Alexandria. The group started in 2002 to preserve neighborhood movie theaters and to initiate the popular Film Night in the Park outdoor series. www.sfneighborhoodtheater.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, Shanti, and Curry Without Worry.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
The sun shone for the Giants parade, but expect showers to return by Saturday.

FRI-SUN:
Highs: upper-50s (coast); low-60s (SF); mid-60s (bay); upper-60s (inland)
Lows: near 50


Movies {domestic revenues for October 29-31}
Halloween scared up $22.5 million for Saw 3D, the seventh installment [2808 theatres; $8,024 per theatre]. "Paranormal Activity 2," the prequel sequel, added $16.5 million [3239 theatres; $5,097 per theatre; $65.7 million overall]. The heavy Hilary Swank drama "Conviction" had a tepid expansion, with $1.8 million for tenth place [565 theatres; $3,241 per theatre; $2.4 million overall]. Meanwhile, "Jackass 3D" crossed the $100 million mark.

Mainstream films:
-Due Date (R): comedy; co-starring Robert Downey Jr., Juliette Lewis, and Jamie Foxx
-For Colored Girls (R): drama; co-starring Janet Jackson; directed by Tyler Perry
-Megamind (PG): adventure animation; co-voiced by Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, and Brad Pitt

Art-house films:
-Carlos (NR): biopic
-Fair Game (PG-13): thriller; co-starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn
-Monsters (R): sci-fi
-Tibet in Song (NR): documentary; co-starring Richard Gere
-Wild Target (PG-13): comedy; co-starring Emily Blunt and Rupert Everett

DVD Pick - The Soloist (PG-13): These two actors - that is, Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx - tried their Oscar best to portray a damaged journalist and musician, respectively. It's a compelling look into the underbelly of the Los Angeles downtrodden. Domestic box office: $31.7 million; foreign: $6.6 million.


Free Weekend Activities
I Live Here exhibit [Fri 6-9p]: Featuring 170+ local microcelebrities in a photograph exhibit opening. At SOMArts (SF). www.iliveheresf.com

* Green Festival [Sat 10a-7p, Sun 11-6p]: I'll be there on Sunday morning... come say hello. Featuring over 450 exhibitors and 100 speakers spreading the latest environmental news and products. Bring in four nonperishable food items, a used mobile phone, or a Rainbow Grocery receipt of at least $10 for free admission! At the Concourse Exhibition Center (SF). www.greenfestivals.org/sf

Asian Art Museum [Sun 10a-5p]: Free admission! At the Asian Art Museum (SF). www.asianart.org

Oakland Museum of CA [Sun 11a-5p]: Free admission! At the Oakland Museum of CA. www.museumca.org

Family Concert [Sun 3p]: Featuring the SF Chamber Orchestra and the SF Ballet School Trainee Program. At Kaiser Center Auditorium (Oakland). www.sfchamberorchestra.org