Randy's Guide CCXXIX (229)

Historic milestones: 25 years since the People Power Revolution (Philippines); 28 years since the first CDs in the U.S.; 50 years since the establishment of the Peace Corps (JFK); 69 years since the WWII Battle of Los Angeles (with 3 civilian deaths); 71 years since the discovery of carbon-14; 92 years since the first U.S. gasoline tax (Oregon); 139 years since the world's first national park (Yellowstone); 142 years since the first African-American congressman (Hiram Revels, R-MS); and 208 years since the landmark Marbury v. Madison.


Deal of the Week
Free Museum Day! The Conservatory of Flowers, YBCA, de Young, Cartoon Art Museum, Legion of Honor, and SFMOMA are all free on Tuesday. The Exploratorium, SF Zoo (residents only), and Sausalito's Bay Area Discovery Museum are free on Wednesday.


Local News
Bernal Heights' preservationists are trying to prevent the City from dismantling a vintage Coca-Cola sign likely painted in the 1930s. The City of San Francisco strongly believes that this ad violates strict anti-billboard laws. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/02/24/BA1Q1HT7KS.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
Tahoe must be thrilled after a dry January. With snow level at 400 feet, San Francisco may get its 6th snowfall in 120 years tonight or Friday. The storm should blow out by Saturday afternoon.

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


Music
"In the Sun" by She & Him (Portland, Ore.)

Zooey Deschanel is the "She," and M. Ward is the "Him." And with two tours and two acclaimed albums under their belts, look for the indie-pop group to re-emerge later this year.


Movies {domestic revenues for February 18-20}
With the help of adults over 24 years old (89% of audience), Liam Neeson took another thriller, "Unknown," to first spot with $21.9 million [3043 theatres; $7,183 per theatre]. The sci-fi "I Am Number Four" came in second with $19.4 million [3154 theatres; $6,167 per theatre]. "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son" debuted in fifth with $16.3 million [2821 theatres; $5,778 per theatre]. And in the final weekend before the Oscars on Sunday, "The King's Speech" and "Black Swan" both topped the $100 million mark.

Mainstream films:
- Drive Angry (R): Action; co-starring Nicolas Cage
- Hall Pass (R): Comedy; co-starring Owen Wilson and Christina Applegate; directed by the Farrelly Brothers

Art-house films:
- How I Ended This Summer (NR): Drama
- Nora's Will (NR): Thriller
- Shelter (NR): Horror; co-starring Julianne Moore and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers
- Vanishing on Seventh Street (R): Thriller; co-starring Hayden Christensen and John Leguizamo
- We Were Here (NR): Documentary

Thomas' DVD Pick. All About Eve (1950): This classic tale of behind-the-scenes Broadway backstabbing is full of quotable lines and sparkling performances. Bette Davis leads the outstanding cast as an aging diva whose biggest fan (Anne Baxter's Eve) might lead to her demise. Winner of six Oscars, including Best Picture and Director. Domestic box office: approx. $4 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Noise Pop Happy Hour Shows [Thu-Fri 5pm, Sat 4pm]: Featuring Shannon and the Clams, Felsen, The Frail, Dirty Ghosts, and others. At Benders Bar (SF). www.noisepop.com

Celebrity Crab Cracking [Sat noon-3pm]: Featuring the San Francisco 49ers and local chefs for a crab demo and a crab cracking and cleaning contest. In Union Square Plaza (SF). www.49erswebzone.com

Park Library celebration [Sat 1pm]: The latest reopening as part of the SF Public Library's renovation schedule. At the Park Branch Library (SF). www.sfpl.org

Pop & Shop [Sun noon-7pm]: Featuring two live DJs, 30+ craft vendors, DIY presentations, and more. At Public Works (SF). www.noisepop.com

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