Randy's Guide CCXVII (217)

Historic milestones: 28 years since the first U.S. lethal-injection execution; 30 years since the assassination of John Lennon; 56 years since the opening of the first Burger King (Miami, Fla.); 71 years since the opening of New York's La Guardia Airport; 113 years since the world's first licensed taxicabs (London); 129 years since the first edition of The Los Angeles Times; and 206 years since Napoleon became the first French Emperor in 1,000 years.


Local News
On the heels of a historic San Francisco Giants World Series title, another local team, Stanford University football, has wrapped up its best regular season in its history, finishing 11-1 and currently ranked number 4 in the country. Depending on this weekend's results, Stanford may play for the national title or for a lesser BCS bowl such as the Rose Bowl. www.stanforddaily.com/2010/12/01/jaffe-dont-focus-just-on-football


Deal of the Week
San Francisco MUNI is offering $2 all-day transfers on Sundays in December. Cable cars and Candlestick Park express buses are exempt. www.sfmta.com/cms/malerts/SundayFunDayPass.htm


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
Best shower chances will be Thursday night and Saturday night into Sunday. Keep your umbrellas or coats handy for the next several days though!

Highs: upper-50s
Lows: low-40s (inland); mid-40s (coast-bay); upper-40s (SF)


Movies {domestic revenues for November 26-28}
For the second weekend, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1" topped the charts with $49.1 million [4125 theatres; $11,900 per theatre; $219.1 million overall]. Disney's "Tangled" was its highest-grossing non-Pixar animated film debut yet, with $48.8 million [3603 theatres; $13,535 per theatre; $68.7 million overall]. The musical "Burlesque" opened in fourth with $11.9 million [3037 theatres; $3,934 per theatre; $17.3 million overall]. The Jake Gyllenhaal-Anne Hathaway romantic comedy "Love and Other Drugs" tallied $9.7 million [2455 theatres; $3,967 per theatre; $13.9 million overall]. Finally, "Faster" puttered into seventh place with $8.5 million [2454 theatres; $3,473 per theatre, $12.0 million overall].

Mainstream films:
-The Warrior's Way (R): Action; co-starring Geoffrey Rush and Kate Bosworth

Art-house films:
-Black Swan (R): Thriller; co-starring Natalie Portman
-I Love You Phillip Morris (R): Comedy; co-starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor
-Marwencol (NR): Documentary
-Saint Misbehavin': The Wavy Gravy Movie (NR): Documentary
-The Temptation of St. Tony (NR): Drama

DVD Pick - Broken Embraces (R): The latest Pedro Almodovar (All About My Mother; Talk to Her) film brings feisty Penelope Cruz into the mix as a wide-eyed actress who falls in love with both a wealthy patron and a romantic director. It's not his best work, but it's still worth a look. Domestic box office: $5.0 million; foreign: $26.0 million.


Free Weekend Activities
San Carlos Hometown Holidays [Fri 5-8p, Sat 9:30a-2p]: Featuring Santa by helicopter, free refreshments and children's gifts, train rides, tree lighting, and more. Along Laurel St. on Friday, and the Hiller Museum on Saturday (San Carlos). www.cityofsancarlos.org

Chestnuts on Chestnut [Fri 5-8p]: Featuring free hot cocoa, mini cupcakes, face painting, Santa photos, and more> Along Chestnut St. (SF).

Jack London Square Tree Ceremony [Fri 5:30-7:30p]: Featuring festive music, the tree lighting, and the holiday float preview. At Jack London Square (Oakland). www.jacklondonsquare.com

CCA Holiday Fair [Sat 11a-3p]: Featuring live jazz music, homemade arts & crafts, holiday treats, and more. At California College of the Arts (Oakland). www.cca.edu

Oakland Holiday Parade [Sat 2-4p]: Featuring colorful floats, floating balloons, and more. Along Broadway (Oakland). www.oaklandholidayparade.com

Festival of Lights [Sat 3-6p]: 20th annual. Featuring reindeer rides, Santa photos, cupcake decorating, and more. Along Union St. (SF). www.sresproductions.com/fantasy_of_lights.html

Pleasanton Hometown Parade [Sat 3:30-7:30p]: Featuring a parade, Santa photos, holiday tree lighting, and more. Along Main St. (Pleasanton). www.pleasantondowntown.net

Snow in Berkeley [Sun 10a-3p]: Featuring imported snow, hot cocoa, holiday crafts, and more. At Andronico's (Berkeley). www.gourmetghetto.org

Free SF Museum Days [Sun / Tue]: Sunday - Asian Art. Tuesday - de Young, SFMOMA, Conservatory of Flowers, Cartoon Art, Legion of Honor, and YBCA.