Randy's Guide CCXXXVII (237)

Historic milestones: 17 years since the first evidence of a top quark; 26 years since the introduction of New Coke; 41 years since the first Earth Day; 72 years since the introduction of Batman; 100 years since the first publication of Pravda; 219 years since the creation of La Marseillaise.


Event Reminder
Dining Out For Life is coming to San Francisco on Thursday, April 28. Good options with OpenTable reservations for two at 7pm include Mission Beach Cafe, Specchio, Bisou, Dosa, and Alamo Square Grill. All restaurants will donate 25% of your bill to area HIV prevention and care programs. Other cities participating on April 28 include Denver, LA, San Diego, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and Boston. www.diningoutforlife.com


Local Restaurant Pick
Radius
1123 Folsom (at Seventh St.)
www.radiussf.com

It's a fine example of a locavore restaurant, as the large majority of ingredients are sourced within a 100-mile radius. Radius is also participating in Dining Out For Life next Thursday. The San Francisco Chronicle has a lovely write-up in today's section: www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/21/DDBF1GSKVD.DTL


Deal of the Week
Celebrate Earth Day with Starbucks on Friday with free coffee or tea. Simply bring in a reusable mug! www.starbucks.com/responsibility/community/community-service


Change for Change
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; to date, the cause has raised over $370,000. 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 La Cocina.


Bay Area Weekend Highs
Repeat. Mostly cloudy, with a slight chance of rain over the next few days (particularly Saturday evening/Sunday morning).

Coast: upper-50s
SF: upper-50s
Bay: low-60s
South Bay: mid-60s
Inland East Bay: upper-60s
North Bay: upper-60s


Music
"Wash Away" by Joe Purdy (Northwest Arkansas)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq4Dsv7EdyQ
He's been featured in Lost, Grey's Anatomy, House, and a Kia commercial. I'm considering his folk-rock show at the Independent on May 3; his tour also includes stops at Austin, LA, Portland, Seattle, Denver, Philadelphia, NYC, Atlanta, Nashville, and Minneapolis. www.joepurdy.com


Movies {domestic revenues for April 15-17}
The animated birds in "Rio" surprised with the biggest opening of the year, with $39.2 million [3827 theatres; $10,250 per theatre]. 11 years after the last film, "Scream 4" whimpered with $18.7 million [3305 theatres; $5,656 per theatre]. "Conspirator" debuted in eleventh for $3.5 million [707 theatres; $4,963 per theatre]. And the long-awaited "Atlas Shrugged Part I" opened with $1.7 million [299 theatres; $5,640 per theatre].

Mainstream films:
- African Cats (G): Documentary; co-starring Samuel L. Jackson
- Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family (PG-13): Comedy; co-starring Tyler Perry, Loretta Devine, and Shad "Bow Wow" Gregory Moss
- Water for Elephants (PG-13): Drama; co-starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz

Art-house films:
- Ceremony (R): Romantic comedy; co-starring Uma Thurman
- The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (PG-13): Documentary; directed by Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me)
- Red White & Blue (NR): Suspense
- Trust (R): Drama; co-starring Clive Owen, Catherine Keener, and Viola Davis; directed by David Schwimmer
- White Irish Drinkers (R): Drama


Free Weekend Activities
BART Blue Sky Festival [Fri 11am-2pm]: Free $6 BART tickets, dozens of eco-exhibitors, organic food samples, and live music. At Justin Herman Plaza (SF). www.bart.gov

Our Soldiers' Stories exhibit [through Friday]: One last chance to see 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

* Earth Day SF [Sat 10am-6pm]: I'll be helping to set up this event, so come by and say hello! There will be organic cooking demos, an eco-fashion show, live music, an alternative vehicle exhibit, and lots more. In Civic Center Plaza (SF). www.earthdaysf.com

Berkeley Earth Day [Sat noon-5pm]: Check out Trumer Brewery tours, Chevy Volt test drives, e-waste drop off, and how-to workshops. At Civic Center Park (Berkeley). www.hesternet.net/events.html

Union Street Celebration [Sun 10am-5pm]: 20th annual. This spring fiesta features a parade, many children's activities, an Easter Bonnet Contest, and several local artisans. Along Union St. (SF). www.sresproductions.com/union_street_easter.html

Easter in the Park [Sun 11am-4pm]: The popular Easter Bonnet Contest and Hunky Jesus Contest are mixed with performances and an Easter Egg Hunt. At Dolores Park (SF). www.thesisters.org

People's Park Party [Sun noon-6pm]: Celebrate the park's 42nd anniversary with live music, children's activities, and hands-on workshops. At People's Park (Berkeley). www.peoplespark.org

Science at the Theater [Mon 7-9pm]: Features moderator (and Guide reader) Andrew Fraknoi with three Berkeley Lab cosmologists on a talk about dark energy. At Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Roda Stage (Berkeley). http://friendsofberkeleylab.lbl.gov

Bay Area National Dance Week [through May 2]: A wide range of dance options, from lessons to performances. Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. www.bayareandw.org