Randy's Guide CCLXIV (264)

Local History

Hayward, with a population of about 145,000, is the sixth most populous city in the San Francisco Bay Area. The city is likely named for William Hayward, who purchased a large tract of land, constructed a resort hotel of 100 rooms, and became road commissioner and supervisor for Alameda County. California authorized the town's charter in 1876 under the name of Haywards, which remained in effect until 1910 when the "s" was dropped.

Local Food Pick

Curry Up Now

225 Bush St. (at Sansome)

San Francisco, CA 94104

or

8000 Marina Blvd

Brisbane, CA 94005

(650) 477-3000

Curry Up Now

Yelp - Curry Up Now

One of the top food-truck purveyors to hit the scene, Curry Up Now makes spicy burritos filled with tikka masala sauce and either chicken or paneer (cheese). I've tried - and willingly eaten - both. The burritos are quite sizable too. If you're at various food-truck events through Off the Grid, you'll come across their colorful truck at some point. 466 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; Park Tavern; Broken Record; Keanu's Island Kine Food; Rosamunde Sausage Grill.

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

Bay Area Weekend Highs

Cold rain is forecast for Thursday night and Saturday night. Slight chance of showers on Election Day -- let's hope not.

Thursday:

Coast: upper-50s

SF: low-60s

North Bay: low-60s

Bay: mid-60s

Inland East Bay: mid-60s

South Bay: upper-60s

Friday-Sunday:

everywhere: 55-60

Free Bay Area Activities

Free Museum Days [Thursday / Sunday]: Thursday - Burlingame Pez Museum, Berkeley Art Museum, and SF Chinese Historical Society. Sunday - Asian Art Museum (SF) and Oakland Museum of California.

Dia de los Muertos Celebration [Fri 5-8pm]: Live music, arts & crafts, and more. At the Mission Arts Center (SF). www.harveymilkphotocenter.org

Friday Nights at the de Young [Fri 6-8:45pm]: Performance by Quartet San Francisco, film screening of The Magic of Illusion and muralist John Wehrle. At the de Young Museum (SF). http://deyoung.famsf.org

SF Bike Party [Fri 7:30pm]: 3-hour bike ride from Balboa Park BART to the Mission District. www.sfbikeparty.com

Come Out & Play Festival [Sat 11am-10pm, Sun noon-5pm]: Field Frogger, Cardboard Tube Fighting, and more. At The Go Game (SF). www.comeoutandplaysf.org/2011

Martha Stewart cooking demo [Sat 11am]: Standing-room opportunity to watch Martha Stewart prepare a holiday menu. At Macy's Union Square Cellar (SF). www.macys.com

Mime show [Sat 7:30pm]: Broadway veteran Bill Bowers in performance. At San Jose State's Music Concert Hall.

Science Discovery Days [Sun 11am-4pm]: 170+ exhibits, experiments, and shows. At AT&T Park (SF). www.bayareascience.org

Rip Curl Pro Search [through November 12]: Check out 36 pro surfers and 16 junior surfers in competition. At Kelly's Cove in Ocean Beach (SF). http://live.ripcurl.com