Randy's Guide CCXXXIII (233)

Historic milestones: 22 years since the Exxon Valdez oil spill; 32 years since the Three Mile Island nuclear accident; 46 years since the completion of the Selma civil rights march; 58 years since the first successful test of the polio vaccine; and 115 years since the first radio signal transmission.


Local News
Twitter is contemplating a move to San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood, as long as the Board of Supervisors approves a massive tax break and benefits package sponsored by the area's supervisor Jane Kim. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/24/BAFE1II5UI.DTL


Change for Change
Congrats to La Cocina! Check out this excellent food-entrepreneurship program one last time, or purchase one of the incubators' products at a local grocery store. www.lacocinasf.org

New Charity: Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California. Founded in 1973, the JCCCNC typically offers programs, sports leagues, events, and community services for over 80 different national non-profits. The March earthquake and tsunami has led the JCCCNC to start the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, which will donate 100% of proceeds to a three-prong approach of immediate relief, mid-term recovery, and long-term rebuilding. The goal is $1 million. www.causes.com/campaigns/97128?cause_id=590211

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, SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation, and now La Cocina.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
It's a wet Thursday. And Friday. And Saturday. And Sunday. Next week looks good though, with sunshine in the mid-60s.

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


Music
"I Drink Beer" by Dan Reeder (Delaware)

His light-country lyricism over three albums evokes a bygone simpler time. Catch him in a rare performance at Santa Rosa on April 11, or in other shows in Reno, Portland, and Seattle. www.danreeder.com


Movies {domestic revenues for March 18-20}
Bradley Cooper's first star vehicle, "Limitless," opened in first with $18.9 million [2756 theatres; $6,860 per theatre]. "The Lincoln Lawyer," which sold nearly 190,000 tickets through Groupon (its first joint-venture with a studio), came in fourth with $13.2 million [2707 theatres; $4,879 per theatre]. "Paul" started in fifth with $13.0 million [2802 theatres; $4,655 per theatre]. Last, but not least, Justin Bieber's film has surpassed Michael Jackson's as the highest-grossing concert documentary.

Mainstream films:
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (PG): Comedy sequel; co-starring Steve Zahn
- Sucker Punch (PG-13): Sci-fi; co-starring Jon Hamm and Vanessa Hudgens; directed by Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen)

Art-house films:
- Carancho (NR): Thriller
- Desert Flower (R): Drama
- Kill the Irishman (R): Drama; co-starring Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken
- Queen of the Sun (NR): Documentary; co-starring Michael Pollan
- Win Win (R): Comedy; co-starring Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan
- Winter in Wartime (R): Drama

Shea's DVD Pick: Tales of the City. The first three books of Armistead Maupin's series are brought to vivid life in 1993, 1998, and 2001. The TV miniseries (set in San Francisco) co-stars Laura Linney, Olympia Dukakis, and Parker Posey. The American Conservatory Theater has a musical coming out May 18-July 10, and it's sure to be a huge hit.


Free Weekend Activities
Belmont Festival [Fri-Sun 10am-5pm]: At Carlmont Village Shopping Center (Belmont). www.pacificfinearts.com

"Identity Project" opening [Fri 5pm]: Support the Central City Hospitality House Community Arts Program, which has partnered with the ARTery project to jump-start revitalization efforts in mid-Market. At the Central City Hospitality House (SF). www.sfartscommission.org

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

Your F!#&ed Up Relationship [Fri 10:30pm]: Courtesy of EndGame Improv's Free Friday series. At the Alcove Theater (SF). www.endgamesimprov.com

Keith Urban concert [Sat 1pm]: No tickets required. Free 30-minute set from the country superstar. At Maiden Lane (SF).

Britney Spears concert [Sun noon]: Tickets required. Free 60-minute set from the pop superstar to celebrate her latest album on Good Morning America. At the Bill Graham Auditorium (SF).

Disposable Film workshops [Sun noon/2pm]: First a panel, then a workshop. Bagels and coffee too? At Oddball Film + Video (SF). www.disposablefilmfest.com

Cesar Chavez celebration [Tue 3:30-7pm]: Enjoy live music, performances, and guest speakers. At the Berkeley Farmers Market. www.ecologycenter.org

Karen Finley [Wed 7pm]: The performance artist will present excerpts from her latest novel and chat with YBCA's Executive Director. At YBCA Screening Room (SF). RSVP to www.ybca.org/reality-shows-karen-finley

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