Randy's Guide CCCX (310)

Another year of hope

Another year of holdin' on

For you drinkers by day

Bastards by dawn

And I hope I will see you soon

And I'll be home come hell or high water.

Bay Area Food Pick

Lers Ros Thai

730 Larkin St. (at Ellis St.)

San Francisco, CA 94109

(415) 931-6917

or

307 Hayes St. (at Franklin St.)

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 874-9661

Yelp (Larkin)

Yelp (Hayes)

It's hard to believe this is the first Thai restaurant to make Randy's Guide. Spices are abundant, and portions are ample and fairly priced. The crispy pork belly (pad kra prow moo krob) is a standout, and other exotic selections such as frog, alligator, and rabbit are available for the thrill seekers. Hearty lunch plates are about $9. I can only vouch for the original Tenderloin location, but I sure am glad I finally made it here. 4 stars - 771 reviews (Larkin); 3-1/2 stars - 131 reviews (Hayes)

Previous San Francisco picks: Radius; Limon Rotisserie; Art's Cafe; Little Star Pizza; Yamo; Breakfast at Tiffany's; Humphry Slocombe; Tu Lan; Foreign Cinema; Zanze's Cheesecake; San Tung; Katana-Ya; A La Turca; Boxing Room; Frances; Saigon Sandwich; Brenda's French Soul Food; Park Tavern; Broken Record; Rosamunde Sausage Grill; Curry Up Now; Yasukochi's Sweet Stop; Lime Tree Southeast Asian Kitchen; Firefly; Red Door Cafe; L'Ardoise Bistro; Pluto's; My Tofu House; Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous; Walzwerk; Good Luck Dim Sum; Amber India; Sotto Mare; Sweet Maple; Shanghai Dumpling King; Super Duper; Kokkari Estiatorio; Olea; Bodega Bistro; The Chairman Truck; Molinari Delicatessen; Wayfare Tavern; Wexler's; Thorough Bread & Pastry.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay picks: Curry Up Now (San Mateo); Little Lucca Sandwich Shop & Deli (Burlingame/South SF); Falafel's Drive In (San Jose); Sunny Bowl (Mountain View); Back A Yard Caribbean Grill (Menlo Park); Pluto's (Palo Alto/San Jose); Ramen Dojo/Ramen Parlor (San Mateo); Amber India (Mountain View/San Jose/Palo Alto); Nini's Coffee Shop (San Mateo); Kabab and Curry's (Santa Clara); Fiddler's Green (Millbrae); Alana's Cafe (Burlingame).

Previous East Bay picks: Little Star Pizza (Albany); Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen (Berkeley); Asmara (Oakland); Keanu's Island Kine Food (Vacaville); Tara's Organic Ice Cream (Berkeley/Oakland); Pluto's (Chico/Davis/Sacramento/Roseville); Bakesale Betty (Oakland); Zachary's Pizza (Oakland/Berkeley/San Ramon); Gregoire (Berkeley/Oakland); Val's Burgers (Hayward); Homeroom (Oakland); Jong Ga House (Oakland).

Previous North Bay picks: Bouchon Bakery (Yountville); Della Fattoria Bakery (Petaluma); Sol Food (San Rafael); Stumptown Brewery (Guerneville); Moustache Baked Goods (Healdsburg); Super Duper (Mill Valley); The Pelican Inn (Muir Beach); Garden Grill (Guerneville).

Previous Other picks: Shoki Ramen House (Sacramento); Built to Grill (Portland).

Bay Area Bar Pick

Trad'r Sam

6150 Geary Blvd. (at 26th Ave.)

San Francisco, CA 94121

(415) 221-0773

Yelp

This cash-only dive tropical bar outshines its more known cousins in Hayes Valley and Nob Hill by keeping things simple, affordable, and fun for its patrons. Scorpion punch bowls - or any tiki bowls for that matter - are the main draw. 4 stars - 731 reviews

Previous San Francisco picks: Blackbird; El Rio; Rickhouse; Southern Pacific Brewing; The Hidden Vine; Vesuvio; The Pig & Whistle; Biergarten; Martuni's; Tosca Cafe; Toronado; The Alembic.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay picks: Antonio's Nut House (Palo Alto); The Oasis Beer Garden (Menlo Park).

Previous East Bay picks: The Trappist (Oakland); Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon (Oakland); The Turf Club (Hayward); Jupiter (Berkeley); St. George Spirits (Alameda); Drake's Barrel House (San Leandro); JC Cellars (Oakland); Dashe Cellars (Oakland).

Previous North Bay picks: Lagunitas Brewing Co. (Petaluma); Bear Republic Brewing Co. (Healdsburg).

Previous Other pick: New Deal Distillery (Portland).

Bay Area History

Frank P. Doyle

(1863-1948)

Mr. Doyle is often considered the Father of the Golden Gate Bridge for his advocacy and investments. He became the first private citizen to cross the Bridge, as director of the California State Automobile Association. Later, he would bequeath his massive Exchange Bank stock holdings to Santa Rosa Junior College, which now has a robust scholarship fund. His namesake can be found at the SRJC Library, on a Santa Rosa park, and for the common traversal to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Previous San Francisco history: John Geary; Samuel Brannan; Michael O'Shaughnessy; Jasper O'Farrell; Frank McCoppin; Thomas Hayes; Francisco de Haro; Jose Bernal; David Broderick; Henry Haight; John Townsend; Cyril Magnin; Jose Arguello; Keiko Fukuda; John Le Conte; Eugene Schmitz; Theodore Judah; Herb Caen; James Phelan; Lawrence Ferlinghetti; Angelo Rossi; Charles Brenham; Warren Hellman; John McLaren; Dogpatch.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay history: Millbrae; Tanforan Racetrack; T. Jack Foster; Leland Stanford; Milpitas; Donald Tresidder; Josiah Belden; Hiram Morgan Hill; Simon Mezes; James Forbes; Henry Coe, Jr.

Previous East Bay history: Charles Tilden; William Hayward; John Fremont; Mariano Vallejo; Ygnacio Martinez; Henry Kaiser; Anthony Chabot; Thomas Caldecott; Laurentine Hamilton; Joel Clayton.

Previous North Bay history: Cotati; Charles Fairfax; Luther Burbank; William Richardson; Oscar and James Shafter; George Guerne.

Previous Other history: Francis Pettygrove (Portland).

Bay Area Charity

The Coming Home Project

Based in San Francisco since 2006, this organization provides emotional and psychological support to Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, service members, and their families. Estimates are that one out of six troops returning from the wars will have psychological trauma.

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, The Bike Kitchen, First Graduate, Lazarex Cancer Foundation (Amy C), KQED (88.5 FM), FabMo Creativity Center; and now Duboce/Valencia Fire Relief.

Bay Area Weekend Highs

Much warmer conditions should peak Sunday and Monday. There looms a decent chance of summertime thunderstorms later next week.

~ Thursday-Saturday ~

Coast: mid-60s

SF: low-70s

Bay: mid-70s

South Bay: low-80s

North Bay: mid-80s

Inland East Bay: upper-80s

~ Sunday ~

Coast: low-70s

SF: mid-70s

Bay: mid-80s

South Bay: upper-80s

North Bay: low-90s

Inland East Bay: upper-90s

Bay Area Free Activities of the Week

1. Music Festivals

- Polk Blues Festival: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-6pm

- Alice Now & Zen Fest: Sunday, noon-5pm

Over the weekend, the City's only free blues festival is in its third year of providing two stages of fun. It's held along Polk Street, between Broadway and California. Alice 97.3 FM hosts its annual free concert in Golden Gate Park's Sharon Meadow on Sunday. This year, Alanis Morissette, Matt Nathanson, Ed Sheeran, Phillip Phillips, Tristan Prettyman, and Hedley are performing.

2. Live Theater

- Central Market Arts Kickoff: Friday, noon-10pm

- Cal Performances Free Day: Sunday, 10:30am-6pm

Friday will be the kick-off of 24 days of live performances in the mid-Market area. You'll find 100+ artists along two blocks of Sixth Street, jazz in Mint Plaza, and dance near the west wall of Renoir Hotel. Then, on Sunday, the UC Berkeley campus will host a number of quality performers, such as SF Taiko Dojo, Kronos Quartet, and the Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company. No tickets are required.

3. Critical Mass

Friday, 6pm

Thousands are anticipated for Critical Mass' 20th anniversary ride. Riders always meet at Justin Herman Plaza. Be forewarned, if you're planning to drive or take a surface bus in the downtown area.

Bay Area Freebies of the Week

Free Coffee at 7-11

Friday, 6-10am

Enjoy a free large coffee at all 7-Eleven stores, including those in San Francisco.

Previous songs: Down to the River to Pray (Alison Krauss); Three Rounds and a Sound (Blind Pilot); Chicken Fried (Zac Brown Band); The Story (Brandi Carlile); Lucky One (Pure Bathing Culture); Easy Way Out (Gotye).

Randy's Guide CCCIX (309)

Wearing me out

All this hanging around

It just starts getting me down

'Til I'm just looking for an easy way out

Bay Area Food Pick

Alana's Cafe

1408 Burlingame Ave. (at Primrose Rd.)

Burlingame, CA 94010

(650) 348-0417

Yelp

Far better (and less crowded) than Stacks down the block, Alana's offers homespun cooking at a fair price. The Swedish oatmeal pancakes with lingonberries is my pick. Several diners seem to opt for the housemade quiche of the day. 4 stars - 254 reviews

Previous San Francisco picks: Radius; Limon Rotisserie; Art's Cafe; Little Star Pizza; Yamo; Breakfast at Tiffany's; Humphry Slocombe; Tu Lan; Foreign Cinema; Zanze's Cheesecake; San Tung; Katana-Ya; A La Turca; Boxing Room; Frances; Saigon Sandwich; Brenda's French Soul Food; Park Tavern; Broken Record; Rosamunde Sausage Grill; Curry Up Now; Yasukochi's Sweet Stop; Lime Tree Southeast Asian Kitchen; Firefly; Red Door Cafe; L'Ardoise Bistro; Pluto's; My Tofu House; Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous; Walzwerk; Good Luck Dim Sum; Amber India; Sotto Mare; Sweet Maple; Shanghai Dumpling King; Super Duper; Kokkari Estiatorio; Olea; Bodega Bistro; The Chairman Truck; Molinari Delicatessen; Wayfare Tavern; Wexler's; Thorough Bread & Pastry.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay picks: Curry Up Now (San Mateo); Little Lucca Sandwich Shop & Deli (Burlingame/South SF); Falafel's Drive In (San Jose); Sunny Bowl (Mountain View); Back A Yard Caribbean Grill (Menlo Park); Pluto's (Palo Alto/San Jose); Ramen Dojo/Ramen Parlor (San Mateo); Amber India (Mountain View/San Jose/Palo Alto); Nini's Coffee Shop (San Mateo); Kabab and Curry's (Santa Clara); Fiddler's Green (Millbrae).

Previous East Bay picks: Little Star Pizza (Albany); Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen (Berkeley); Asmara (Oakland); Keanu's Island Kine Food (Vacaville); Tara's Organic Ice Cream (Berkeley/Oakland); Pluto's (Chico/Davis/Sacramento/Roseville); Bakesale Betty (Oakland); Zachary's Pizza (Oakland/Berkeley/San Ramon); Gregoire (Berkeley/Oakland); Val's Burgers (Hayward); Homeroom (Oakland); Jong Ga House (Oakland).

Previous North Bay picks: Bouchon Bakery (Yountville); Della Fattoria Bakery (Petaluma); Sol Food (San Rafael); Stumptown Brewery (Guerneville); Moustache Baked Goods (Healdsburg); Super Duper (Mill Valley); The Pelican Inn (Muir Beach); Garden Grill (Guerneville).

Previous Other picks: Shoki Ramen House (Sacramento); Built to Grill (Portland).

Bay Area Bar Pick

The Alembic

1725 Haight St. (at Cole St.)

San Francisco, CA 94117

(415) 666-0822

Yelp

When this Mission-esque bar opened in the Upper Haight in 2006, I was skeptical about its prospects. Clearly, I underestimated its swanky appeal among dwellers in Cole Valley, Inner Sunset, the Panhandle, and beyond. You'll be hard pressed to find a bar table during prime business hours. Lush cocktails run $11, and many opt to pair these with upscale bar bites or entrees. 4 stars - 1236 reviews

Previous San Francisco picks: Blackbird; El Rio; Rickhouse; Southern Pacific Brewing; The Hidden Vine; Vesuvio; The Pig & Whistle; Biergarten; Martuni's; Tosca Cafe; Toronado.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay picks: Antonio's Nut House (Palo Alto); The Oasis Beer Garden (Menlo Park).

Previous East Bay picks: The Trappist (Oakland); Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon (Oakland); The Turf Club (Hayward); Jupiter (Berkeley); St. George Spirits (Alameda); Drake's Barrel House (San Leandro); JC Cellars (Oakland); Dashe Cellars (Oakland).

Previous North Bay picks: Lagunitas Brewing Co. (Petaluma); Bear Republic Brewing Co. (Healdsburg).

Previous Other pick: New Deal Distillery (Portland).

Bay Area History

Henry W. Coe, Jr.

(1860-1943)

Born and raised in San Jose by pioneer parents, Henry Jr. raised livestock and fruit on over 8,000 acres in Santa Clara County. Once married and with kids, he also had a home in the San Jose area for its better schools. Eventually, the ranch was donated to Santa Clara County by his daughter in 1953, when it became Henry W. Coe County Park. The region became a state park five years later, and remains the state's second largest, after Anza-Borrego. Despite its size and location, the park only attracts about 40,000 visitors annually and has been on recent state lists for closure due to budgetary reasons.

Previous San Francisco history: John Geary; Samuel Brannan; Michael O'Shaughnessy; Jasper O'Farrell; Frank McCoppin; Thomas Hayes; Francisco de Haro; Jose Bernal; David Broderick; Henry Haight; John Townsend; Cyril Magnin; Jose Arguello; Keiko Fukuda; John Le Conte; Eugene Schmitz; Theodore Judah; Herb Caen; James Phelan; Lawrence Ferlinghetti; Angelo Rossi; Charles Brenham; Warren Hellman; John McLaren; Dogpatch.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay history: Millbrae; Tanforan Racetrack; T. Jack Foster; Leland Stanford; Milpitas; Donald Tresidder; Josiah Belden; Hiram Morgan Hill; Simon Mezes; James Forbes.

Previous East Bay history: Charles Tilden; William Hayward; John Fremont; Mariano Vallejo; Ygnacio Martinez; Henry Kaiser; Anthony Chabot; Thomas Caldecott; Laurentine Hamilton; Joel Clayton.

Previous North Bay history: Cotati; Charles Fairfax; Luther Burbank; William Richardson; Oscar and James Shafter; George Guerne.

Previous Other history: Francis Pettygrove (Portland).

Bay Area Charity

The Coming Home Project

Based in San Francisco since 2006, this organization provides emotional and psychological support to Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, service members, and their families. Estimates are that one out of six troops returning from the wars will have psychological trauma.

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, The Bike Kitchen, First Graduate, Lazarex Cancer Foundation (Amy C), KQED (88.5 FM), FabMo Creativity Center; and now Duboce/Valencia Fire Relief.

Bay Area Weekend Highs

Looks like Sunday should be the warmest day. Go Bears!

Coast: low-60s

SF: upper-60s

Bay: low-70s

South Bay: mid-70s

North Bay: upper-70s

Inland East Bay: low-80s

Bay Area Free Activities of the Week

1. Eat Real Festival

Friday, 1pm-9pm; Saturday, 10:30am-9pm; Sunday, 10:30am-5pm

I think I like this event better than its SF relative. In picturesque Jack London Square, enjoy live music, DIY lectures, competitions, and (of course) food trucks. House of Kombucha, Arizmendi Bakery, Hodo Soy, and Sour Flour are among the presenters. If you're willing to drop dollars, imbibe from 20 local breweries, from larger ones like Anchor Brewing and Lagunitas, to smaller ones such as Pacific Brewing Laboratory and Ale Industries. Or, check out the ten local wineries with main operations in the Bay Area. Lastly, you'll find 30+ food vendors on Friday and 50+ options over the weekend.

2. Park(ing) Day

Friday, all day

Parking spaces will be reclaimed for individuals in the form of live performances, discussions, diversion, and consumption. SPUR and SF State are among those participating in San Francisco. The day's festivities, however, reach to six continents and 162 cities.

3. Folsom Street Fair

Sunday, 11am-6pm

Now in its 29th year, the Folsom Street Fair attracts over 400,000 revelers over 13 city blocks as the world's largest celebration of leather, rubber, and bondage. Two live entertainment stages (including The Limousines and Ladyhawke), live DJs, 250+ provocative exhibits, and endless people watching... be forewarned!

Previous songs: Down to the River to Pray (Alison Krauss); Three Rounds and a Sound (Blind Pilot); Chicken Fried (Zac Brown Band); The Story (Brandi Carlile); Lucky One (Pure Bathing Culture).

Randy's Guide CCCVIII (308)

Who's the lucky one now?

Every time

I fall in love

I've heard you calling her name.

Previous songs: Down to the River to Pray (Alison Krauss); Three Rounds and a Sound (Blind Pilot); Chicken Fried (Zac Brown Band); The Story (Brandi Carlile).

Bay Area Food Pick

Thorough Bread & Pastry

248 Church St. (at Market St.)

San Francisco, CA 94114

(415) 558-0690

Yelp

Opening in March 2008, this artisan bakery offers up simple pleasures: great coffee, warm baguettes, and buttery almond croissants. You can even move outdoors on a warm sunny day. This spot certainly rivals a better-known pastry stop a few blocks away on 18th St., but without the persistent line and fight over tables. 4-1/2 stars - 352 reviews

Previous San Francisco picks: Radius; Limon Rotisserie; Art's Cafe; Little Star Pizza; Yamo; Breakfast at Tiffany's; Humphry Slocombe; Tu Lan; Foreign Cinema; Zanze's Cheesecake; San Tung; Katana-Ya; A La Turca; Boxing Room; Frances; Saigon Sandwich; Brenda's French Soul Food; Park Tavern; Broken Record; Rosamunde Sausage Grill; Curry Up Now; Yasukochi's Sweet Stop; Lime Tree Southeast Asian Kitchen; Firefly; Red Door Cafe; L'Ardoise Bistro; Pluto's; My Tofu House; Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous; Walzwerk; Good Luck Dim Sum; Amber India; Sotto Mare; Sweet Maple; Shanghai Dumpling King; Super Duper; Kokkari Estiatorio; Olea; Bodega Bistro; The Chairman Truck; Molinari Delicatessen; Wayfare Tavern; Wexler's.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay picks: Curry Up Now (San Mateo); Little Lucca Sandwich Shop & Deli (Burlingame/South SF); Falafel's Drive In (San Jose); Sunny Bowl (Mountain View); Back A Yard Caribbean Grill (Menlo Park); Pluto's (Palo Alto/San Jose); Ramen Dojo/Ramen Parlor (San Mateo); Amber India (Mountain View/San Jose/Palo Alto); Nini's Coffee Shop (San Mateo); Kabab and Curry's (Santa Clara); Fiddler's Green (Millbrae).

Previous East Bay picks: Little Star Pizza (Albany); Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen (Berkeley); Asmara (Oakland); Keanu's Island Kine Food (Vacaville); Tara's Organic Ice Cream (Berkeley/Oakland); Pluto's (Chico/Davis/Sacramento/Roseville); Bakesale Betty (Oakland); Zachary's Pizza (Oakland/Berkeley/San Ramon); Gregoire (Berkeley/Oakland); Val's Burgers (Hayward); Homeroom (Oakland); Jong Ga House (Oakland).

Previous North Bay picks: Bouchon Bakery (Yountville); Della Fattoria Bakery (Petaluma); Sol Food (San Rafael); Stumptown Brewery (Guerneville); Moustache Baked Goods (Healdsburg); Super Duper (Mill Valley); The Pelican Inn (Muir Beach); Garden Grill (Guerneville).

Previous Other picks: Shoki Ramen House (Sacramento); Built to Grill (Portland).

Bay Area Bar Pick

JC Cellars / Dashe Cellars

55 4th St. (at Oak St.)

Oakland, CA 94607

(510) 465-5900 (JC)

(510) 452-1800 (D)

Yelp (JC)

Yelp (Dashe)

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, I locked up my bike and popped into a large, unassuming warehouse near the 880 freeway and Jack London Square. Inside, you'll see barrels and barrels of wine, as well as two side-by-side tasting stands for separate wineries. We didn't encounter a crowd around 12:30pm, but upon a return the next day around 4:30pm, the place was swamped. JC Cellars had been offering an awesome 50% off deal on mixed cases, so four of us split the cost and had our tasting fees waived. 4-1/2 stars - 40 reviews (JC); 4-1/2 stars - 40 reviews (D)

Previous San Francisco picks: Blackbird; El Rio; Rickhouse; Southern Pacific Brewing; The Hidden Vine; Vesuvio; The Pig & Whistle; Biergarten; Martuni's; Tosca Cafe; Toronado.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay picks: Antonio's Nut House (Palo Alto); The Oasis Beer Garden (Menlo Park).

Previous East Bay picks: The Trappist (Oakland); Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon (Oakland); The Turf Club (Hayward); Jupiter (Berkeley); St. George Spirits (Alameda); Drake's Barrel House (San Leandro).

Previous North Bay picks: Lagunitas Brewing Co. (Petaluma); Bear Republic Brewing Co. (Healdsburg).

Previous Other pick: New Deal Distillery (Portland).

Bay Area History

Dogpatch (San Francisco)

Once part of Francisco de Haro's Potrero Nuevo land claim, this area features homes dating to the 1860s. Two possible reasons exist for the neighborhood's cool name: (1) native patches of dog-fennel, a plant similar to chamomile; (2) packs of wild dogs that would roam in search of wasted meat parts from the Bayview slaughterhouses. During the last 20 years, warehouses and shipyards have given way to pricey lofts and light industry. Popular destinations include Hard Knox Cafe, Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous, and Rickshaw Bagworks.

Previous San Francisco history: John Geary; Samuel Brannan; Michael O'Shaughnessy; Jasper O'Farrell; Frank McCoppin; Thomas Hayes; Francisco de Haro; Jose Bernal; David Broderick; Henry Haight; John Townsend; Cyril Magnin; Jose Arguello; Keiko Fukuda; John Le Conte; Eugene Schmitz; Theodore Judah; Herb Caen; James Phelan; Lawrence Ferlinghetti; Angelo Rossi; Charles Brenham; Warren Hellman; John McLaren.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay history: Millbrae; Tanforan Racetrack; T. Jack Foster; Leland Stanford; Milpitas; Donald Tresidder; Josiah Belden; Hiram Morgan Hill; Simon Mezes; James Forbes.

Previous East Bay history: Charles Tilden; William Hayward; John Fremont; Mariano Vallejo; Ygnacio Martinez; Henry Kaiser; Anthony Chabot; Thomas Caldecott; Laurentine Hamilton; Joel Clayton.

Previous North Bay history: Cotati; Charles Fairfax; Luther Burbank; William Richardson; Oscar and James Shafter; George Guerne.

Previous Other history: Francis Pettygrove (Portland).

Bay Area Charity

The Coming Home Project

Based in San Francisco since 2006, this organization provides emotional and psychological support to Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, service members, and their families. Estimates are that one out of six troops returning from the wars will have psychological trauma.

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, The Bike Kitchen, First Graduate, Lazarex Cancer Foundation (Amy C), KQED (88.5 FM), FabMo Creativity Center; and now Duboce/Valencia Fire Relief.

Bay Area Weekend Highs

Looking seasonal. Fog and wind are lessening day by day for the coastal communities.

Coast: low-60s

SF: low-70s

Bay: upper-70s

South Bay: mid-80s

North Bay: upper-80s

Inland East Bay: low-90s

Bay Area Free Activities of the Week

1. Saturday Music

Opera in the Ballpark: Saturday, 8pm

Berkeley Old Time Music Convention: Saturday, 11am-3pm

Rock Make Music Street Festival: Saturday, noon-7pm

Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra: Saturday, 1pm

The annual simulcast into AT&T Park attracts about 30,000 fans - new and old - to the wonderful world of opera. A repeat of Verdi's Rigoletto, which was simulcast into Civic Center Plaza in 2006, will certainly be enhanced by the better sound system and HD scoreboard at the ballpark. RSVP online and arrive before the 6:30pm gate opening for field seating. At the Berkeley Farmers Market, 20 string bands will face off in the climax of a five-day music convention. One block of the Mission District's Treat Avenue will host two stages for 13 local indie bands, and 70+ artisans plus the requisite food trucks. And lastly, area favorite Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra performs in Yerba Buena Gardens.

2. Sunday in Golden Gate Park

California Academy of Sciences: Sunday, 11am-5pm

32nd annual Comedy Day: Sunday, noon-5pm

The quarterly free admission day at the California Academy of Sciences has arrived, so get in line early to score Planetarium tickets and entry into the popular Earthquake Exhibit. While you're in the park, stop by Comedy Day in Sharon Meadow. Forty comics on one stage, and don't be too surprised if Robin Williams or Whoopi Goldberg stops by on a whim!

3. Ferry Plaza

20th anniversary Ferry Plaza Harvest Market: Saturday, 8am-2pm

Electric Car Expo: Monday-Tuesday, 10am-5pm

It's been 20 years since the Ferry Plaza first started its farmers' market on Saturdays. In addition to the dozens of local vendors, you'll find cooking demos at the CUESA booth. An electric car expo will be hosted in Justin Herman Plaza, with nine different auto manufacturers and a charging station company represented. Public rides and test drives can be reserved on Tuesday via info@chargeacrosstown.com or (415) 559-9993.

Randy's Guide CCCVII (307)

So many stories of where I've been

And how I got to where I am

But these stories don't mean anything

When you've got no one to tell them to

It's true

I was made for you.

Bay Area Food Pick

Jong Ga House

372 Grand Ave. (at Perkins St.)

Oakland, CA 94610

(510) 444-7658

Yelp

My first place after college was a shared apartment on Perkins St., steps away from an excellent restaurant that I would only try years later. The seafood pancake, bi bim bap, and tofu soup are all delicious. More impressive, though, are the 18 refillable side dishes of various kimchi or marinated vegetables. 4 stars - 520 reviews

Previous San Francisco picks: Radius; Limon Rotisserie; Art's Cafe; Little Star Pizza; Yamo; Breakfast at Tiffany's; Humphry Slocombe; Tu Lan; Foreign Cinema; Zanze's Cheesecake; San Tung; Katana-Ya; A La Turca; Boxing Room; Frances; Saigon Sandwich; Brenda's French Soul Food; Park Tavern; Broken Record; Rosamunde Sausage Grill; Curry Up Now; Yasukochi's Sweet Stop; Lime Tree Southeast Asian Kitchen; Firefly; Red Door Cafe; L'Ardoise Bistro; Pluto's; My Tofu House; Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous; Walzwerk; Good Luck Dim Sum; Amber India; Sotto Mare; Sweet Maple; Shanghai Dumpling King; Super Duper; Kokkari Estiatorio; Olea; Bodega Bistro; The Chairman Truck; Molinari Delicatessen; Wayfare Tavern; Wexler's.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay picks: Curry Up Now (San Mateo); Little Lucca Sandwich Shop & Deli (Burlingame/South SF); Falafel's Drive In (San Jose); Sunny Bowl (Mountain View); Back A Yard Caribbean Grill (Menlo Park); Pluto's (Palo Alto/San Jose); Ramen Dojo/Ramen Parlor (San Mateo); Amber India (Mountain View/San Jose/Palo Alto); Nini's Coffee Shop (San Mateo); Kabab and Curry's (Santa Clara); Fiddler's Green (Millbrae).

Previous East Bay picks: Little Star Pizza (Albany); Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen (Berkeley); Asmara (Oakland); Keanu's Island Kine Food (Vacaville); Tara's Organic Ice Cream (Berkeley/Oakland); Pluto's (Chico/Davis/Sacramento/Roseville); Bakesale Betty (Oakland); Zachary's Pizza (Oakland/Berkeley/San Ramon); Gregoire (Berkeley/Oakland); Val's Burgers (Hayward); Homeroom (Oakland).

Previous North Bay picks: Bouchon Bakery (Yountville); Della Fattoria Bakery (Petaluma); Sol Food (San Rafael); Stumptown Brewery (Guerneville); Moustache Baked Goods (Healdsburg); Super Duper (Mill Valley); The Pelican Inn (Muir Beach); Garden Grill (Guerneville).

Previous Other picks: Shoki Ramen House (Sacramento); Built to Grill (Portland).

Bay Area Bar Pick

Toronado

547 Haight St. (at Fillmore St.)

San Francisco, CA 94117

(415) 863-2276

Yelp

A fixture of the Lower Haight since the late '80s, Toronado remains my favorite spot for purely beer purposes. On any given day, you'll find several dozen options on tap (mostly local or Belgian), plus even more in bottles. Most options are $4-5 per pint, and happy hour gives a buck discount until 6pm daily. Pick up a Rosamunde sausage next door (or a Tamale Lady offering when she appears), snag a stool, and watch the Giants or 49ers! 4 stars - 1231 reviews

Previous San Francisco picks: Blackbird; El Rio; Rickhouse; Southern Pacific Brewing; The Hidden Vine; Vesuvio; The Pig & Whistle; Biergarten; Martuni's; Tosca Cafe.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay picks: Antonio's Nut House (Palo Alto); The Oasis Beer Garden (Menlo Park).

Previous East Bay picks: The Trappist (Oakland); Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon (Oakland); The Turf Club (Hayward); Jupiter (Berkeley); St. George Spirits (Alameda); Drake's Barrel House (San Leandro).

Previous North Bay picks: Lagunitas Brewing Co. (Petaluma); Bear Republic Brewing Co. (Healdsburg).

Previous Other pick: New Deal Distillery (Portland).

Bay Area History

James A. Forbes

(1805-1881)

Born in Scotland and raised in Argentina and Uruguay, he moved to California in 1831 and worked as an accountant, ranch manager, and a Hudson's Bay Company administrator. As British vice-consul, he proposed that the British government take over California; the British declined, and the U.S. annexed the state in 1846. Mr. Forbes' legacy rests in Los Gatos, where he built the area's only flour mill (though its demise forced him into bankruptcy). A town grew around the mill, and its annex remains today as the History Museum of Los Gatos. 2010 population: 29,413

Previous San Francisco history: John Geary; Samuel Brannan; Michael O'Shaughnessy; Jasper O'Farrell; Frank McCoppin; Thomas Hayes; Francisco de Haro; Jose Bernal; David Broderick; Henry Haight; John Townsend; Cyril Magnin; Jose Arguello; Keiko Fukuda; John Le Conte; Eugene Schmitz; Theodore Judah; Herb Caen; James Phelan; Lawrence Ferlinghetti; Angelo Rossi; Charles Brenham; Warren Hellman; John McLaren.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay history: Millbrae; Tanforan Racetrack; T. Jack Foster; Leland Stanford; Milpitas; Donald Tresidder; Josiah Belden; Hiram Morgan Hill; Simon Mezes.

Previous East Bay history: Charles Tilden; William Hayward; John Fremont; Mariano Vallejo; Ygnacio Martinez; Henry Kaiser; Anthony Chabot; Thomas Caldecott; Laurentine Hamilton; Joel Clayton.

Previous North Bay history: Cotati; Charles Fairfax; Luther Burbank; William Richardson; Oscar and James Shafter; George Guerne.

Previous Other history: Francis Pettygrove (Portland).

Bay Area Charity

The Coming Home Project

Based in San Francisco since 2006, this organization provides emotional and psychological support to Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, service members, and their families. Estimates are that one out of six troops returning from the wars will have psychological trauma.

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, The Bike Kitchen, First Graduate, Lazarex Cancer Foundation (Amy C), KQED (88.5 FM), FabMo Creativity Center; and now Duboce/Valencia Fire Relief.

Bay Area Weekend Highs

The remnants of the tropical storm created a rare double rainbow last night across San Francisco. Things should settle back into a pattern of warm inland and cool coastline.

Coast: upper-50s

SF: upper-60s

Bay: mid-70s

North Bay: low-80s

South Bay: low-80s

Inland East Bay: mid-80s

Bay Area Free Activities of the Week

1. Downtown

Fashion's Night Out: Thursday, 6-11pm

Yoga @ SFMOMA: Saturday, 8am

Pull out your credit cards for this annual Union Square event featuring discounts at dozens of retailers. Banana Republic is offering free cocktails and a performance by Tristan Prettyman. Kenneth Cole has free hors d'ouevres, cocktails, tote bags, and a $1000 gift card contest. Stores across the nation will be hosting in fact! Then, unwind for the weekend with this free yoga class at SFMOMA. You'll enjoy free admission to the museum and free coconut water; the first 100 entrants will also receive a free yoga mat. RSVP beforehand.

2. Western Addition

Opera in the Park: Sunday, 1:30pm

Sunday Streets: Sunday, 11am-4pm

San Francisco Opera hosts its annual free show in Golden Gate Park's Sharon Meadow, which rests at the eastern edge near the Panhandle. Arrive early, and set up a picnic! Beforehand, you can stop by the latest incarnation of the popular Sunday Streets program traverses the Western Addition. It starts at the Panhandle, heads along Fulton past Alamo Square, and up to Japantown on Fillmore St. Free bike rentals + repairs, kids' activities, REI cilmbing wall, and a farmers' market.

3. The North Side

Ghirardelli Festival: Saturday-Sunday, noon-5pm

Sumo Festival: Saturday, 10am-5pm

Live entertainment, chef demos, and eating contests fill Ghirardelli Square and Beach Street. You'll have to pay $20 for 15 tastings though. In Japantown, you can meet and watch champion sumo wrestlers. One wrestler - from the U.S. - weighs over 400 pounds!