Randy's Guide CCXXXI (231)

Historic milestones: 18 years since the first female U.S. Attorney General (Janet Reno); 26 years since the first registration of an Internet domain name (www.symbolics.com); 43 years since the My Lai massacre; 73 years since the Austrian Anschluss; and 135 years since the first telephone conversation.


Local News
UC Davis is shutting down the 14 housing domes built during the 1970s. The 24 students, who pay $226 monthly rent, will miss the communal vegetarian dinners, weekend landscaping, and consensus government. Meanwhile, zero-net-energy housing for nearly 2,000 students will start its rollout starting fall 2011. www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_17582689


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
Rain is likely for Thursday and Sunday.

Highs: upper-50s (SF-coast); low-60s (bay); mid-60s (inland)
Lows: upper-30s (inland); low-40s (coast-bay); mid-40s (SF)


Music
"Brand New Day" by Joshua Radin (Shaker Heights, Ohio)
His songs are all over. He's gotten over 75 film and television placements (including "Scrubs" and "Grey's Anatomy"), plus a plum performing role at Ellen DeGeneres' wedding. He stops by San Francisco's Great American Music Hall on Friday and Saturday night before heading to Australia. www.joshuaradin.com


Movies {domestic revenues for March 4-6}
"Rango" soared with Johnny Depp's voice as an ugly lizard to $38.1 million [3917 theatres; $9,722 per theatre]. Matt Damon scored his highest non-Bourne opening with "The Adjustment Bureau" at $21.2 million [2840 theatres; $7,450 per theatre]. Alex Pettyfer's second movie this year, "Beastly," tallied $9.9 million [1952 theatres; $5,047 per theatre]. "Take Me Home Tonight" bombed with $3.5 million in 11th place [2003 theatres; $1,730 per theatre].

Mainstream films:
- Battle: LA (PG-13): Action; co-starring Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, and Ne-Yo
- Mars Needs Moms (PG): Animation; co-voiced by Seth Green and Joan Cusack
- Red Riding Hood (PG-13): Drama; co-starring Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, and Julie Christie

Art-house films:
- Carbon Nation (NR): Documentary
- Happythankyoumoreplease (R): Comedy
- I Saw the Devil (NC-17): Horror
- Vidal Sassoon (PG): Documentary
- William S. Burroughs: A Man Within (NR): Documentary

Randy's DVD Pick: Winter's Bone (R): Nominated for 4 Oscars, it's a harrowing, scary look at life in the Missouri back-country. Though both nominated, Jennifer Lawrence outshines Hailee Steinfeld in "True Grit" in a very similar role, namely a strong-willed young woman who goes on a crazy-man-filled mission. I highly recommend this film. Domestic box office: $6.5 million; foreign: $1.5 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Happy Birthday, Good Vibrations [Thu 6-9pm]: Score some great specials while munching on cake and champagne. At Good Vibrations (SF/Berkeley). www.goodvibes.com

Poet's Gallery [Fri 6:30pm]: Featuring Native American poets. At Pier 5 Law Offices (SF0. www.pier5law.com

St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival [Sat 10am-5pm]: 160th annual. Festival is at Civic Center Plaza, while the parade proceeds along Market St. from the Financial District to City Hall. www.uissf.org

Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Festival [Sat-Sun 10am-5pm]: Check out the Irish Tea Cottage, two Irish music stages, an Irish dance stage, and a parade with 80+ entrants. At Dublin Civic Center. www.dublinstpats.com

Real World 26 Casting Call [Sat 10am-5pm]: Bring your 18-24yo head and a headshot to Hooter's (SF). www.bunim-murray.com

World Naked Bike Ride [Sat 11am]: Starts at Justin Herman Plaza for two hours of nude riding. www.sfwnbr.org

Asian Film Festival Forum [Sat noon-10pm]: It's a kick-off to the Asian-American Film Festival, complete with an outdoor Bollywood film, slam poetry, taiko drums, and more. In Japantown Peace Plaza (SF). www.caamedia.org

Family Concert Series [Sat 3pm/7pm, Sun 3pm]: The SF Chamber Orchestra explores South American music. At Kaiser Center Auditorium (Oakland 3pm Sat), Bayview Opera House (SF 7pm Sat), and CSM Theater (San Mateo 3pm Sun). www.sfchamberorchestra.org

Eine's art reception [Sat 7pm]: His work was given to Barack Obama by Prime Minister David Cameron, and he's worked with Banksy on the Palestinian Wall project. At White Walls (SF). www.whitewallssf.com

Food Rebels talk [Mon 6:30pm]: Sit down with author Mark Winne and photographer Anne Hamersky to discuss food sustainability. At the Ferry Building (SF). RSVP at http://newfoodmovement.eventbrite.com

Persian New Year Festival [Tue 6-10pm]: Soak in fire jumping, Persian music, an elaborate altar, and more. Near Durant and Shattuck (Berkeley). www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/persian-fest

California Academy of Sciences Museum [Wed 9:30am-5pm]: Free admission to all! Tickets cost up to $29.95. In Golden Gate Park (SF). www.calacademy.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