Randy's Guide CCLX (260)

Bay Area History

Tanforan Racetrack, which operated in San Bruno from 1899-1964, was replaced by a shopping mall now known as The Shops at Tanforan. Horses such as Seabiscuit and Citation stopped by here, but its true infamy lies in its use as an assembly center for about 8,000 Japanese Americans during WWII. People were housed in the stables, grandstands, and newly constructed barracks before being set to camps around the country.

Bay Area Food Pick

Park Tavern

1652 Stockton St. (at Filbert St.)

San Francisco, CA 94133

(415) 989-7300

Park Tavern

Yelp - Park Tavern

Deviled eggs, welcome back to menus outside of picnics and grandma's house. Prices are reasonable, and entrees are varied enough that you'll find something to your liking. The main appeal, though, of one-month-old Park Tavern is its glamour and spaciousness, where you might be dining next to a bachelorette party and a power couple on either side of you. 53 reviews - 4 stars.

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; Foreign Cinema; Zanze's Cheesecake; San Tung; Asmara; Katana-Ya; Bouchon Bakery; A La Turca; Boxing Room; Falafel's Drive In; Frances; Saigon Sandwich; Brenda's French Soul Food; Sunny Bowl.

Bay Area Charity

Charity: First Graduate. This case-management-based educational program annually brings in 25-30 seventh graders from public middle schools for a 10-year program focused on mentorship, counseling, year-round instruction through 12th grade, and career exploration. To date, 100% of participants have graduated from high school, and the oldest students have this year become the first college graduates in their families. Recently, I donated leftover office supplies, and the two employees couldn't be happier. www.firstgraduate.com

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, Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California, and The Bike Kitchen.

Bay Area Weekend Weather

A rare October storm blew through the Bay Area, and now things should clear up. Seasonally cool.

Coast: low-60s

SF: mid-60s

Bay: low-70s

North Bay: mid-70s

South Bay: mid-70s

Inland East Bay: upper-70s

Deal of the Week

Romano's Macaroni Grill is offering a free "choose 2" lunch combination for dine-in only on Friday, October 7, 11am-4pm. Bay Area locations include San Mateo, El Cerrito, Dublin, San Jose, Milpitas, and Stockton. http://i.imgur.com/s2mac.jpg

Free Bay Area Activities

Rotunda Dance Series [Fri noon]: Beach Blanket Babylon and Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu. At SF City Hall Rotunda. www.dancersgroup.org

Greek Festival [Fri 5-9pm, Sat 11am-9pm, Sun noon-7pm]: 40th annual. With Greek dance lessons, authentic food, and entertainment. At Resurrection Church (Castro Valley). www.greekfestival.me

First Friday on 24th [Fri 6-9:30pm]: Street performers, merchant discounts, and various activities. Along 24th St., between Mission and Potrero (SF). www.facebook.com/event.php?eid-246723925359560

Friday Nights at the de Young [Fri 6-8:45pm]: Performances by Rodrigo Teague and The Freeze, live sketching, caricature drawings, and create-your-own Picasso print. At the de Young Museum (SF). http://deyoung.famsf.org

Sandcastle Contest [Sat 10am]; 28th annual. Near Great Highway and Balboa (SF). www.leap4kids.org

Classic Car Show [Sat 10am-4pm]: 18th annual. 400+ show cars, live DJs, and classic bike show. On Park St., between Encinal and Buena Vista (Alameda). www.shopparkstreet.com/carshow

Indigenous People's Day [Sat 10am-6pm]: 19th annual. Inter-tribal dancing, crafts marketplace, and raffle. At People's Park (Berkeley). www.ipdpowwow.org

San Carlos Festival [Sat-Sun 10am-5:30pm]: With two live music stages, kids' activities, and local vendors. At Laurel Street Park (San Carlos). www.sancarloschamber.org

Pumpkins in the Park [Sat 10am-4pm]: 17th annual. Costume parade, kids' activities, raffle, sunflower contest, scarecrow contest, and more. At Guadalupe River Park (San Jose). www.grpg.org/PIP.shtml

Excelsior Festival [Sun 11am-5pm]: 9th annual. Live bands, local vendors, and more. Mission St. at Ocean Ave. (SF). www.eagsf.org

Rockridge Out & About [Sun noon-6pm]: Artisan alley, chef's stage, wellness area, and more. Along College Ave., between Alcatraz and Manila (Oakland). www.rockridgeoutandabout.com

Italian Heritage Parade [Sun 12:30-3:30pm]: 143rd annual. From Fisherman's Wharf into North Beach (SF). www.sfcolumbusday.org

Golden Gate Park Concert [Sun 1pm]: 129th annual. Final weekend. Theme: Audience requests. At Golden Gate Park's Music Concourse (SF). www.goldengateparkband.org

Great Night in the Park [Sun 4-7pm]: Literary friends and family should commence for a discussion with authors Chris Adrian, Andrew Sean Greer, and Daniel Handler. At the Buena Vista Park summit (SF). www.booksmith.com/greatnight

Fleet Week [Sat-Sun]: Air shows from 12:30-4pm, parade of ships on Sat 11am, entertainment in Ghirardelli Square, ship tours, and more.