Randy's Guide CCXXVII (227)

Historic milestones: 6 years since the launch of YouTube; 21 years since the release of Nelson Mandela from prison; 43 years since the first 9-1-1 system (Haleyville, Ala.); 73 years since the first sci-fi TV program; and 78 years since the first singing telegram.


Deal of the Week
The California Academy of Sciences is opening its doors on Wednesday, 9:30am-5pm. This saves about $25 on adult admission! Make sure you get your timed tickets for the Planetarium, and enjoy the indoor snow flurries. www.calacademy.org


Local News
Nudists in the Castro insist they're helping parents with kids. Freshman Supervisor Scott Weiner has faced some angry complaints from constituents. What to do? www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/02/10/BA2L1HKRE7.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
Nice again, although the hint of rain exists for Monday.

Highs: upper-50s (coast); low-60s (SF); mid-60s (bay); upper-60s (inland)
Lows: low-40s (inland); mid-40s (coast-bay); upper-40s (SF)


Movies {domestic revenues for February 4-6}
Attendance remains low, as the Super Bowl weekend had the fewest moviegoers in 16 years. Suspense-laden "The Roommate" tallied $15.0 million [2534 theatres; $5,921 per theatre]. Anthony Hopkins could only muster $9.4 million for "Sanctum" in second place [2787 theatres; $3,390 per theatre].

Mainstream films:
- Cedar Rapids (R): Comedy; co-starring John C. Reilly, Sigourney Weaver, and Anne Heche
- The Eagle (PG-13): Action; co-starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, and Donald Sutherland
- Gnomeo and Julie
- Just Go with It (PG-13): Romantic comedy; co-starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston
- Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (G): Documentary

Art-house films:
- Come Undone (NR): Drama
- Oscar-Nominated Shorts Films 2011 (NR)
- Outside the Law (NR): Drama

Wes' DVD pick: The Town (R): This crime drama comes recommended in the vein of "The Departed." Ben Affleck directs Jeremy Renner to an Oscar nomination. Domestic box office: $92.2 million; foreign: $52.4 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Food from the Heart [Fri 5-8pm]: Featuring tango dancing, classical music, and season tastings for purchase. At the Ferry Building (SF). www.slowfoodsanfrancisco.com

"Love Your Local Artist" party [Fri 7-10pm]: Featuring free drinks, hors d'ouevres, coffee, and valentine-making activities. At Urban bazaar (SF). www.urbanbazaarsf.com

Corazon del Barrio [Sat 11am-4pm]: Featuring open rehearsal performance, refreshments, Valentine's card workshop, Latin American folkloric music, and more. At the Mission Cultural Center (SF). www.missionculturalcenter.org

SF History Expo [Sat-Sun 11am-4pm]: Featuring 20+ neighborhood associations to discuss local history using photos, videos, artwork, and stories. At the Old Mint (SF). www.sfhistory.org

Lunar New Year Celebration [Sat noon-4pm]: Featuring Korean drums, tai chi demos, Mongolian dance, Philippine crafts, Japanese paper dolls, and more. At Asian Cultural Center (Oakland). www.oacc.cc

Sweetie Pie and Art Fest [Sat 5-10pm]: Featuring various local artisans, musical guest Saint Anarchy, and free pie! At 111 Minna (SF). www.111minnagallery.com

Valen-tiny Night [Sat 8pm-midnight]: Featuring elevator peepshows, live music, and more love-based entertainment. At YBCA (SF). RSVP at www.ybca.org

A History of SF's Mission Bay [Wed 7:30pm]: Featuring two Mission Creek Conservancy historians to discuss the Mission Bay area. At CounterPULSE (SF). www.counterpulse.org

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