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