Randy's Guide CCXV (225)

Historic milestones: 6 years since the first direct commercial flights between China and Taiwan since 1949; 7 years since the Janet Jackson Super Bowl incident; 21 years since the first McDonald's in the Soviet Union (Moscow); 53 years since the Lego brick patents; 98 years since the opening of NYC's Grand Central Terminal; 125 years since the gas automobile patents (Karl Benz); 133 years since the first U.S. daily college newspaper (Yale Daily News); 164 years since the renaming of Yerba Buena for San Francisco; and 226 years since the first U.S. public university (University of Georgia).


Deal of the Week
Free Museum Days next week! On Tuesday, check out SFMOMA, Cartoon Art Museum, de Young Museum, YBCA Gallery, Museum of Craft and Folk Art, Legion of Honor, or Conservatory of Flowers. On Wednesday, take in the Exploratorium, SF Zoo, or Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito.


Local News
The ongoing saga between the environmentalists and the chicken sellers continues. Now two animal-rights activists, as filed by attorney Matt Gonzalez, have started a lawsuit against Raymond Young Poultry and the Heart of the City Farmers' Market for human rights violations and negligence. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/cityinsider/detail?entry_id=81841


Change for Change
Charity: La Cocina. Low-income food entrepreneurs, particularly female minorities or immigrants, now have an outlet for their talents. Some products you may have seen at local farmers' markets or Rainbow Grocery include Kika's Treats or Clairesquares. www.lacocinasf.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, Curry Without Worry, and SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
After two weeks of above-normal temperatures, we'll cool off starting this weekend, with a chance of rain starting Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Highs: near 60
Lows: upper-30s (inland); low-40s (coast-bay); mid-40s (SF)


Movies {domestic revenues for January 21-23}
This year's holiday weekend had the lowest attendance since 1992. In first is the Ashton Kutcher-Natalie Portman romantic comedy "No Strings Attached," with $19.7 million [3018 theatres; $6.512 per theatre]. The other new release, "The Way Back," stumbled into 15th with $1.2 million [678 theatres; $1,792 per theatre]. "The Green Hornet," in second, became the highest-grossing live-action superhero comedy, while "The Chronicles of Narnia" crossed the $100 million mark.

Mainstream films:
- The Mechanic (R): Action; co-starring Jason Statham, Donald Sutherland, and Ben Foster
- The Rite (PG-13): Suspense

Art-house films:
- Biutiful (R): Drama; co-starring Javier Bardem; directed by Alejandro Inarritu (Amores Perros; Babel)
- Ip Man 2 (R): Action
- Lemmy (NR): Documentary
- Nenette (NR): Documentary

DVD pick: Son of Rambow (PG-13): This delightful comedy had me chuckling throughout, as we watch a young British boy with a creative mind befriend a bully during the process of making an action film. Domestic box office: $1.8 million; foreign: $9.1 million (including $8.3 million in the UK).


Free Weekend Activities
Peace Corps exhibit [Fri 5-7pm]: Featuring Peace Corp photos and artifacts. At the Ferry Building's Grand Hall (SF). www.peacecorps.gov

Critical Mass [Fri 5:30pm]: Drivers and pedestrians, be forewarned. Starts at Justin Herman Plaza (SF). www.sfcriticalmass.org

Opera Night at the Museum [Fri 6-9pm]: Featuring excerpts by Ensemble Paraliele and an art class for making opera masks. At the de Young (SF). www.famsf.org

Chinese Flower Market Fair [Sat 10a-10pm, Sun 9am-6pm]: Featuring ribbon-cutting ceremony, lion dancing, Chinese opera, martial artists, citrus fruits, and live plants. Along Grant, Pacific, and Jackson (SF). www.chineseparade.com

Living History Day [Sat 10a-5p]: Featuring Civil War music, uniforms, reenactments, and drills. At Fort Point National Historic Site (SF). www.parksconservancy.org

A Sea Change documentary [Sat 2pm]: This documentary explores the changes in the our oceans. At the Main Library Koret Auditorium (SF). www.sfpl.org

Tet Festival [Sun 9:30am-6pm]: 15th annual. Featuring Vietnamese performances, cultural entertainment, food, andm ore. Between Ellis and Larkin, Polk and Hyde (SF). www.vietccsf.org

Winter Concert [Sun 1pm]: Featuring the San Francisco Civic Symphony, the oldest community orchestra on the West Coast. At the Sir Francis Drake's Empire Ballroom (SF). www.sfcivicsymphony.com

Rainbow Symphony Concert [Sun 5pm]: Featuring the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony with tenor Brian Thorsett. All proceeds go to Larkin Street Youth Services and BARS Drum Drive. At Calvary Presbyterian Church (SF). www.bars-sf.org

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

Our Soldiers' Stories exhibit [through April 22]: Featuring a photo exhibition by Maria Hohn and Martin Klimke focused on African-American GIs during the WWII era. At the African American Art & Culture Complex (SF). www.aaacc.org

Randy's Guide CCXXIV (224)

Historic milestones: 2 years since the inauguration of President Barack Obama; 14 years since the first female U.S. Secretary of State (Madeleine Albright); 17 years since Apple's infamous Super Bowl commercial "1984"; 38 years since the Roe v. Wade decision; 63 years since the first television station west of the Mississippi River (KTLA in Hollywood); 91 years since the founding of the ACLU; 96 years since the first U.S. transcontinental phone conversation (Alexander Bell-Thomas Watson); and 153 years since the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill.


Local News
KDFC, the Bay Area's only classical music station, is moving to 89.9 and 90.3 FM. The University of Southern California is purchasing the station and converting it into a nonprofit. Meanwhile, KUSF ended 24 years of broadcasting from the San Francisco university and promised to return as an online-only station. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/01/19/MNV71H9VL2.DTL


Change for Change
Charity: La Cocina. Low-income food entrepreneurs, particularly female minorities or immigrants, now have an outlet for their talents. Some products you may have seen at local farmers' markets or Rainbow Grocery include Kika's Treats or Clairesquares. www.lacocinasf.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, Curry Without Worry, and SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Gorgeous sunshine, with afternoons feeling more like April than January.

Highs: mid-60s (SF-coast); upper-60s (bay); low-70s (inland)
Lows: low-40s (inland); mid-40s (coast-bay); upper-40s (SF)


Movies {domestic revenues for January 14-16}
"The Green Hornet" swooped into first with $33.5 million [3584 theatres; $9,355 per theatre]. "The Dilemma" had a decent opening with $17.8 million [2940 theatres; $6,060 per theatre]. "The King's Speech" doubled its theatre count and tallied $9.2 million for fourth place [1543 theatres; $5,953 per theatres; $44.7 million overall].

Mainstream films:
- The Company Men (R): Drama; co-starring Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, and Kevin Costner
- No Strings Attached (R): Romantic comedy; co-starring Ashton Kutcher, Natalie Portman, and Kevin Kline; directed by Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters)
- The Way Back (PG-13): Adventure; co-starring Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess, Saoirse Ronan, and Colin Farrell; directed by Peter Weir (Master and Commander)

Art-house films:
- Barney's Version (R): Comedy; co-starring Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, and Minnie Driver
- Nuremberg (NR): Documentary
- Two in the Wave (NR): Documentary


Free Weekend Activities
Isn't It Obvious? opening reception [Fri 6p]: Featuring several local artists portraying the art in the mundane. At the SF Arts Commission Gallery. www.sfacgallery.org

Edwardian Ball Vendor Bazaar [Sat noon-6p]: Featuring a croquet garden, neo-Victorian goods, and entertainment. At the Regency Ballroom (SF). www.edwardianball.com

John Jung talk [Sat 2:30p]: Featuring the Chinese writer of "Sweet and Sour: Life in Chinese Family Restaurants." At the Chinatown Library (SF). www.sfpl.org

Science & Engineering Festival [Sun 11a-3p]: Featuring talks by UC Berkeley professors, exhibits by local museums, and hands-on activities by campus groups. At Sutardja Dai Hall (Berkeley). http://scienceatcal.berkeley.edu/festival

Vietnamese Tet Festival [Sun noon-8p]: Featuring Vietnamese food, cultural dances, karaoke, lion dance, and more. At the Veterans Memorial Building (Santa Rosa). www.sonomavietnamese.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

Our Soldiers' Stories exhibit [through April 22]: Featuring a photo exhibition by Maria Hohn and Martin Klimke focused on African-American GIs during the WWII era. At the African American Art & Culture Complex (SF). www.aaacc.org

Randy's Guide CCXXIII (223)

Historic milestones: 10 years since the online debut of Wikipedia; 21 years since the first elected African-American U.S. governor (Virginia); 43 years since Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison concert and the first Super Bowl; 68 years since the dedication of the Pentagon; 82 years since the first appearance of Popeye the Sailor Man; and 101 years since the first public radio broadcast.


Deal of the Week
The nation's national parks are again free this weekend, through Monday, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. It'll be a great time to check out Muir Woods, Yosemite, and Sequoia! www.nps.org/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

Local News
City Administrator Ed Lee has become San Francisco's first Chinese-American mayor, as appointed by the Board of Supervisors on an interim basis. Four new supervisors also have taken their seats. www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=5382


Change for Change
Charity: La Cocina. Low-income food entrepreneurs, particularly female minorities or immigrants, now have an outlet for their talents. Some products you may have seen at local farmers' markets or Rainbow Grocery include Kika's Treats or Clairesquares. www.lacocinasf.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, Curry Without Worry, and SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation.


Bay Area Holiday Weekend Weather
Warm weekend, finally! A great time to day trip...

Highs: low-60s (SF-coast); mid-60s (bay); upper-60s (inland)
Lows: upper-40s


Movies {domestic revenues for January 7-9}
"True Grit" ascended to the top, with $14.6 million [3124 theatres; $4,675 per theatre; $110.0 million overall]. Nicolas Cage starred in "Season of the Witch," which debuted in third with $10.6 million [2816 theatres; $3,769 per theatre]. The musical "Country Strong" belted its way into sixth with $7.3 million [1424 theatres; $5,145 per theatre; $7.5 million overall].

Mainstream films:
- The Dilemma (PG-13): Comedy; co-starring Kevin James, Vince Vaughn, and Winona Ryder
- The Green Hornet (PG-13): Action; co-starring Seth Rogen, Cameron Diaz, and Christoph Waltz; directed by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)

Art-house films:
- Another Year (PG-13): Drama; co-starring Jim Broadbent; directed by Mike Leigh
- Budrus (N): Documentary
- The Illusionist (PG): directed by Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets of Belleville); 1 Golden Globe nomination


Free Weekend Activities
* Good Food Awards [Sat 8a-2p]: Featuring 70+ national winners of food and drink awards. At the Ferry Building (SF). www.goodfoodawards.org

Vintage Fair [Sat 10a-5p]: Featuring 40+ local vendors. At Jack London Pavilion (Oakland). www.jacklondonsquare.com

Yoga Conference [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: Featuring free yoga classes with top teachers at 1pm both days, as well as a yoga marketplace. At the Hyatt Regency (SF). www.yjevents.com

La Pena Cultural Center [Sat 3p]: Featuring the opening of a poster exhibition celebrating people's history. At La Pena (Berkeley). www.lapena.org

Redwood Room concert series [Sat 9p]: Featuring indie act Francis & the Lights. At the Clift Hotel's Redwood Room (SF). www.clifthotel.com

MLK Day Celebration [Mon 9a-5p]: Featuring free admission to the Museum of African Diaspora and Contemporary Jewish Museum, parade, dental screenings, live music, and more. In Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.norcalmlk.org

Very First Concert series [Mon 11a-1p]: Featuring 20-minute concerts of global music with the SF Chamber Orchestra. At Crowden Center (Berkeley). www.sfchamberorchestra.org

Academy of Sciences Museum [Wed 11a-5p]: Free admission to the popular science museum, with up to $30 in savings per ticket. In Golden Gate Park (SF). www.calacademy.org

MLK Legacy [Wed noon]: Featuring free lunch and performances by the Oakland School for the Arts and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir. At Kaiser Auditorium (Oakland). www.bart.gov

San Francisco Transit History talk [Wed 7:30p]: A discussion on cable cars, stagecoaches, clipper ships, and more. At CounterPulse (SF). www.counterpulse.org

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

Randy's Guide CCXXII (222)

Historic milestones: 17 years since the Nancy Kerrigan clubbing incident; 28 years since the dissolution of AT&T into 22 subdivisions; 79 years since the first female U.S. Senator (Hattie Caraway of Arkansas); 99 years since New Mexico's admission as the 47th U.S. state; 132 years since the first delivery of milk in glass bottles; and 176 years since the first and only time with zero U.S. debt.


Local News
Following a rollicking 40-12 victory in the Orange Bowl, Stanford football coach Jim Harbaugh is in high demand for coaching around the NFL. In addition to meeting with the Miami Dolphins, he may just become the next San Francisco 49ers coach. www.mercurynews.com/49ers/ci_17020378


Change for Change
Charity: La Cocina. Low-income food entrepreneurs, particularly female minorities or immigrants, now have an outlet for their talents. Some products you may have seen at local farmers' markets or Rainbow Grocery include Kika's Treats or Clairesquares. www.lacocinasf.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, Curry Without Worry, and SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
A break from the rain. Partly cloudy days, and brisk nights.

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


Movies {domestic revenues for December 31-January 2}
"Little Fockers" crossed the $100 million mark and held to first slot with $25.8 million [3554 theatres; $7,250 per theatre; $102.6 million overall]. "True Grit" remained in second with $24.4 million [3083 theatres; $7,920 per theatre; $86.7 million overall]. "The King's Speech" had a nice 73% bump in business, netting $7.8 million in tenth place [700 theatres; $11,108 per theatre; $22.9 million overall].

Mainstream films:
- Country Strong (PG-13): Musical; co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw
- Season of the Witch (PG-13): Thriller; co-starring Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman

Art-house films:
- Bhutto (NR): Documentary
- Blue Valentine (R): Romance; co-starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams; 2 Golden Globe nominations
- The Strange Case of Angelica (NR): Drama

DVD Pick - Brideshead Revisited (PG-13): This period drama rings true with its romantic melodrama and a strong performance from Emma Thompson. Domestic box office: $6.4 million; foreign: $7.0 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Pez Museum [Thu 10a-6p]: Check out 500+ Pez dispensers, as well as the Classic Toy Museum next door. At the Pez Museum (Burlingame). www.burlingamepezmuseum.com

Strange Travel Suggestions [Thu 8p, Fri 8p, Sat 5p]: An improvised monologue show, from best-selling author Jeff Greenwald. At the Marsh (Berkeley). www.themarsh.org ** RSVP to contest@themarsh.org **

SF Bike Party [Fri 7:30p]: A more civilized option than Critical Mass. Starts at Giants Stadium's Willie Mays Gate (SF). www.sfbikeparty.org

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

Oshogatsu Matsuri Festival [Sat 11a-3p]: Featuring art activities, mochi pounding, kendo sword-fighting, and more. At the Japanese Cultural Center (SF). www.jcccnc.org

"No Pants" BART Day [Sat 2p]: 10th annual. Make sure you wear cool underwear and socks though, it'll be chilly out! Meet at Powell Station (SF). http://www.twitter.com/NOpantsSF

Roseanne Barr event [Sat 3p]: She'll discuss her new book "Roseannearchy: Dispatches from the Nut Farm." At Books Inc. (Berkeley). www.booksinc.net

Michael Frank & Lisa Mei Ling Fong opening reception [Sat 8-10p]: At Articulated Gallery (SF). www.articulatedgallery.com

BCS National Championship College Football Game [Mon 5:30p]: Auburn Tigers vs. Oregon Ducks. Go quackers! At the Independent (SF). www.theindependentsf.com

Farm to Table discussion [Tue 6-7:30p]: Panelists from Spruce, CUESA, Bi-Rite Market, and Slow Food SF will discuss local produce and its impact on the dining scene. At Main Library Koret Auditorium (SF). www.sfpl.org

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