Randy's Guide CCXLVII (247)

Historic milestones: 14 years since Hong Kong's transfer of sovereignty to China; 30 years since the 26th Amendment took effect (voting age of 18); 65 years since the Philippines' independence from the U.S.; 74 years since the introduction of Spam; 76 years since the first Grant Park Music Festival (Chicago).

Local Food Pick

Foreign Cinema

2534 Mission St. (at 21st St.)

(415) 648-7600

Foreign Cinema

Yelp - Foreign Cinema

Patrons rave about the brunch, but I think the outdoor courtyard makes for a perfect light supper on a warm night. In fact, I'll be there this weekend, taking advantage of warmer, less windy conditions with family. Nightly shows are projected onto the back wall starting at dusk; current film is "Biutiful." 4 stars - 2222 reviews

Previous picks: Radius; Limon Rotisserie; Art's Cafe; Little Star Pizza; Yamo; Breakfast at Tiffany's; Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen; Humphry Slocombe; Tu Lan; Little Lucca Sandwich Shop & Deli.

Change for Change

Charity: The Bike Kitchen. Winning community awards since 2004, this nonprofit is entirely run by volunteers who teach people how to fix their own bicycles. Riders can rent tools and get on-site help for a daily $5 rate, or $40-80 annual fee (or six volunteer hours). The organization even has made sizable financial assistance this year to both CELLspace and Lyon-Martin Health Services. Address is 650H Florida, San Francisco CA 94110. www.bikekitchen.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, SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation, La Cocina, and Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California.


Bay Area Holiday Weekend Highs

It's gonna heat up, with the warmest day forecasted to be Sunday.

Coast: mid-60s

SF: low-70s

Bay: upper-70s

South Bay: upper-80s

North Bay: low-90s

Inland East Bay: mid-90s

Music

"People Got a Lotta Nerve" (Tacoma, Wash.)

Her collaborations with the New Pornographers and the Dodos are but a small element of this talented American indie folk rocker. I cannot wait to see her perform at Stern Grove this Sunday afternoon under what's forecasted to be unusually warm skies near the coast. www.nekocase.com

Movies {domestic revenues for June 24-26}

1. Cars 2 (G): $66.1 million [4115 theatres; $16,072 per theatre]

2. Bad Teacher (R): $31.6 million [3049 theatres; $10,365 per theatre]

6. X-Men: First Class (PG-13): $6.7 million [2633 theatres; $2,537 per theatre]

11. Midnight in Paris (PG-13): $4.2 million [951 theatres; $4,386 per theatre]

Mainstream films:

- Larry Crowne (PG-13): Romantic comedy; co-starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts

- Monte Carlo (PG): Comedy; co-starring Selena Gomez and Andie MacDowell

- Transformers: Dark of the Moon (PG-13): Action sequel; co-starring Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, John Malkovich, and Frances McDormand

Art-house films:

- Mr. Nice (NR): Drama; co-starring Chloe Sevigny and David Thewlis

- Page One (R): Documentary

Fourth of July

Richmond [Sun 6:30-10pm]: With the Oakland East Bay Symphony, BBQ food, and fireworks. At Craneway Pavilion. www.oebs.org

Orinda [Mon 7:30am-1pm]: Pancake breakfast, parade, fun run, and park activities. At Orinda Community Park. www.orindaassociation.org

Concord [Mon 7:30am-9:30pm]: 5k run, pancake breakfast, parade, live music, and fireworks. At Todos Santos Plaza. www.concordtsba.org

Redwood City [Mon 7:30am-5pm]: Pancake breakfast, festival, and parade. Along Middlefield Rd. www.parade.org

Novato [Mon 8am-noon]: Charity run, pancake breakfast, live music, and parade. Near Redwood and Grant. www.novatoparade.com

Foster City [Mon 8am-10pm]: Pancake breakfast, dog show, charity BBQ, live music, and fireworks. At Leo Ryan Park. www.fostercity.org

Santa Clara [Mon 8am-5pm]: Pancake breakfast, carnival games, and live music. At Central Park. www.santaclaraca.gov

Sausalito [Mon 10am-9:30pm]: Parade, live entertainment, and fireworks. At Dunphy and Gabrielson Parks. www.ci.sausalito.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=841

El Cerrito [Mon 10am-7pm]: With live music, carnival games, and kids' activities. At Cerrito Vista Park. www.el-cerrito.org

Oakland [Mon 11am-4pm]: Petting zoo, stilt walking, youth circus troupe. At Jack London Square. www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122681491107181

Berkeley [Mon noon-10pm]: Adventure playground, live entertainment, dragon boat rowing, and fireworks. At Berkeley Marina. www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com

SF [Mon 1-9:30pm]: The 20-minute show from Aquatic Park will detonate 10,000 devices. Ruby Summer and Tainted Love will be performing at Pier 39. www.visitfishermanswharf.com

Free Weekend Activities

"Small" exhibit reception [Thu 7pm]: 100+ art pieces no larger than seven inches across. At Creativity Explored (SF). www.creativityexplored.org

Temescal Street Cinema [Thu 8pm]: "Animation + Experimentation" (short films), with opening music by Amber Gougis. Free popcorn and live music. At 49th & Telegraph (Oakland). www.temescalstreetcinema.com

Circus Bella [Fri noon, Sat noon/2:15pm]: Live quartet joins nine circus performers. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Friday Nights at the de Young [Fri 6-8:45pm]: With local music group LoCura, hands-on art making, Peet's coffee tastings, and a free documentary film "Picasso & Braque Go to the Movies." At the de Young (SF). http://deyoung.famsf.org

SF Bike Party [Fri 7:30-11pm]: Start at the Panhandle basketball courts, and tour through the Castro and Mission areas. http://sfbikeparty.wordpress.com

Film Night in the Park [Fri-Sat 8pm]: 20th annual. "Breaking Away" and "The Princess Bride," both at San Anselmo's Creek Park. www.filmnight.org

Dancing Under the Stars [Fri 8:30-10pm]: Hustle lessons, followed by a live band. At Jack London Square (Oakland). www.jacklondonsquare.com

** Fillmore Jazz Festival [Sat-Sun 10am-6pm]: 27th annual. With five music areas and approximately 100,000 patrons. The best street festival of the year, hands down. Along Fillmore, between Jackson and Eddy (SF). www.fillmorejazzfestival.com

2012 - The Musical [Sat-Mon 2pm]: The SF Mime Troupe returns with an exploration of corporate commissions. At Dolores Park (SF). www.sfmt.org

Golden Gate Park Band Festival [Sun-Mon 1pm]: 129th season. Two shows! Sunday's theme is George Gershwin, while Monday's is the Fourth of July. At the Music Concourse (SF).www.goldengateparkband.org

** Neko Case @ Stern Grove [Sun 2pm]: Arrive early, for this indie folk-rock crooner regularly sells out paid concerts. With the Dodos and Magik Magik orchestra opening. At Stern Grove (SF). www.sterngrove.org

Tango in the Square [Sun 2-4pm]: Free milonga, tango, and vals lessons, followed by live music. At Union Square Plaza (SF). www.jewelssf.org

Free Museum Day! [Sun / Tue / Wed]: Sunday - Asian Art Museum, Oakland Museum of California; Tuesday - YBCA, Cartoon Art Museum, SF MOMA, Conservatory of Flowers, Legion of Honor, de Young; Wednesday - Exploratorium, SF Zoo, GLBT.

Movies at the Mark [Tue 5:30-10pm]: Complimentary two-hour wine tasting with screening of films filmed at the Mark Hopkins. First week is "Dirty Harry" (1971). At the Top of the Mark (SF).www.intercontinentalmarkhopkins.com