Randy's Guide CCXXI (221)

Historic milestones: 18 years since the separation of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia; 33 years since the incorporation of Apple Computer; 51 years since the admission of Alaska as the 49th state; 83 years since the first subway line in Asia (Tokyo); 86 years since Edwin Hubble's discovery of other galaxies; 103 years since the first Montessori daycare school (Rome); 120 years since the first Tournament of Roses Parade (Pasadena, Calif.); and 131 years since Thomas Edison's public incandescent lighting demonstration.


Local News
San Francisco residents dispose of approximately 500 tons of Christmas trees every year, and Recology sells the wood mulch to the Tracy Biomass Plant, which then produces about 20 megawatts of power. Place your bare holiday tree at the curb between January 3-14, or to Haight-Ashbury's recycling center by January 20. http://missionlocal.org/2010/12/where-do-all-the-christmas-trees-go


Deal of the Week
Use public transit on New Year's Eve! MUNI will be free from 8pm until 6am, with Metro service extended until 4am and extra Owl service (15 min wait). CalTrain will be free after 11pm, with added trains leaving SF at 12:45am, 1:15am, and 2:15am. BART will also offer extended service until about 4am.


Change for Change
Charity: Gay-Straight Alliance. Reader Michael K. wrote a compelling message regarding the difficulties that LGBT youths face during the holiday season. Please consider a special donation to Michael's cause! http://wishes.causes.com/wishes/157861

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, Curry Without Worry, and SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation.


Holiday Bay Area Weekend Weather
Wet again! Showers likely for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Highs: low-50s
Lows: upper-30s (inland); low-40s (bay-coast); mid-40s (SF)


Movies {domestic revenues for December 24-26}
"Little Fockers," in the third outing between Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, started with $30.8 million, about half the first film's attendance [3536 theatres; $8,720 per theatre; $45.1 million overall]. The Coen Brothers' "True Grit" nabbed the biggest Western debut ever, and deservedly so, with $24.9 million [3047 theatres; $8,156 per theatre; $36.1 million overall]. I will be cheering for young Hailee Steinfeld to grab an Oscar nomination. "Gulliver's Travels" opened disappointingly in 8th, with $6.3 million [2546 theatres; $2,477 per theatre]. And "The King's Speech" marched into more theatres and 11th place with $4.5 million [700 theatres; $6,426 per theatre; $8.3 million overall].

Art-house films:
- Hadewijch (NR): Drama
- Red Hill (R): Suspense

DVD Pick - Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG): Just plain fantastic. George Clooney and Meryl Streep headline a terrific cast, who have the benefit of creative director Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums; Rushmore) and a beautiful animation design. Nominated for 2 Oscars, best score and best animated film. Domestic box office: $21.0 million; foreign: $25.5 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Critical Mass [Fri 6p]: Be forewarned, drivers and bus takers. Starts at Justin Herman Plaza (SF). www.sfcriticalmass.org

Chamber Orchestra performance [Thu 5:30p, Fri 8p, Sat-Sun 3p, Mon 8p]: Featuring cellist Nathan Chan and the SF Chamber Orchestra, with works by Mozart and Tchaikovsky. At InterContinental Hotel (SF), First Congregational (Berkeley), St. Mark's (Palo Alto), Herbst Theatre (SF), and Empress Theatre (Vallejo). www.sfchamberorchestra.org

Billy Bowers/Roger Anderson opening exhibit [Fri 8p]: Featuring two new exhibitions, "Walt Disney Was Homosexual" and "Cockette Close-Up." At Steven Wolf Fine Arts (SF). www.stevenwolffinearts.com

NYE Fireworks [Fri midnight]: Featuring a 15-minute show launching just south of the Ferry Building (SF).

Kwanzaa 2010 [through Saturday]: Various discussions and events in celebration of Kwanzaa. At Yoshi's, Marcus Books, Buchanan YMCA, and other locations (SF). www.kwanzaasanfrancisco.com

TCHO Gourmet Chocolate Factory Tour [10am/2pm daily through 1/31]: It's like Whole Foods meets Willy Wonka. At Pier 17 (SF). www.brownpapertickets.com/event/141024