Randy's Guide LIX

Today is singer Bonnie Raitt’s 58th; Friday is Germany’s Schicksalstag (Fate Day); Sunday is actress Demi Moore’s 48th and Veteran’s Day. Welcome to all new readers. Please forward on to friends, family, and colleagues...


Local News Story of the Week:

Every vote really does count. Tuesday’s historic mayoral election in Vallejo has resulted in a tie – councilman Gary Cloutier and former county supervisor Osby Davis each has 5,158 votes. Provisional and absentee ballots remain to be counted before anointing either the first openly gay or African-American mayor of Vallejo. http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_7404935


Change for Change (no change from last week)

Charity to consider: Blue Energy. The San Francisco-based nonprofit, which started as a graduate project at MIT, provides low-cost wind and solar electric systems in Nicaragua and eventually will spread its model worldwide. http://www.blueenergygroup.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, and Bay Area Community Services.

Donate through the non-profit's Web site or your corporate donation program.


Holiday Weekend Weather:

Slight chance of rain, otherwise cool
High 59, Low 47: Berkeley
High 59, Low 50: SF (downtown/beaches)
High 63, Low 47: Oakland, Pleasant Hill
High 65, Low 50: San Jose

High 43, Low 30: Fargo, ND (mostly cloudy)
High 79, Low 64: Fort Lauderdale, FL (partly cloudy)
High 74, Low 52: Las Vegas, NV (partly cloudy)
High 66, Low 48: Nashville, TN (partly cloudy)
High 44, Low 27: Portland, ME (partly cloudy)
High 53, Low 38: Salem, OR (rain)
High 66, Low 55: San Diego, CA (partly cloudy)
High 83, Low 53: Tucson, AZ (partly cloudy)


Environmental Tip of the Week:

Purchase eco-friendly wood brushes to complement your bathroom routine. FSC-certified brushes from Widu (http://www.widu.com/) come in a range of sizes and wood types.

Previous:

Even during winter, your car needs to be groomed occasionally. Check out car washes that recycle their water, or Eco Touch’s Waterless Car Wash product (http://www.ecotouch.net/).


Video of the Week:

“1 2 3 4” by Feist (Canada)

The solo artist, also a member of Broken Social Scene, will be in San Francisco tomorrow, Los Angeles on Monday, and selected U.S. and Canada stops for the next month.

Previous:

“Oh My” by Office (Chicago)

The band has moved to a new label and re-released several of its hits this past September.


New Films: {#1 American Gangster (R), $43.6MM, 3054 screens; #2 Bee Movie (PG), $38.0MM, 3928 screens; #3 Saw IV (R), $10.3MM, 3183 screens; #18 Lars and the Real Girl (PG-13), $0.8MM, 321 screens, $2.4MM to date}

Darfur Now (PG): Documentary; about the catastrophe unfolding in Darfur, Sedan; co-starring Don Cheadle

Fred Claus (PG): Comedy; about Santa Claus’ older brother; co-starring Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, and Kevin Spacey

Future Is Unwritten: Joe Strummer (NR): Documentary; about the front man of The Clash; appearances by Bono, John Cusack, Johnny Depp, and Matt Dillon

Lions for Lambs (R): Drama; about two university students who decide to join the battle in Afghanistan, much to the dismay of their idealistic professor; co-starring Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, and Tom Cruise; directed by Robert Redford

No Country for Old Men (R): Thriller; about a man who finds a pickup truck filled with heroin and two million dollars; co-starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Woody Harrelson; directed by Joel Coen

P2 (R): Thriller; about a corporate woman who must work late on Christmas Eve; co-starring Wes Bentley

Rails and Ties (PG-13): Drama; about two families affected by the suicide of a woman along Amtrak’s Coastal Starlight route; co-starring Kevin Bacon and Marcia Gay Harden


Free Activities:

Public Art Making Day [Fri 11am-10pm]: At the Creative Growth Center (Oakland). http://www.creativegrowth.org/

Housing Resource Fair [Sat 10am-3pm]: Hear from official representatives from Concord, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek. At Diablo Valley College (Pleasant Hill). http://www.mtdhoc.org/

Serendipity Fine Arts & Crafts [Sat-Sun 10am-6pm]: At Fort Mason (SF). http://www.serendipityshow.com/

Museums Free-4-All [Sat 11am-5pm]: 12 museums – including SFMOMA, the Academy of Sciences, and the Museum of the African Diaspora – will be free in the Yerba Buena neighborhood (SF). www.yerbabuena.org/freeforall recommended

Veterans Day Parade [Sun 1pm]: Along Market St, between 2nd and 8th (SF). http://www.usssanfrancisco.org/Foundation%20News.htm


Other Activities:

Ballet – American Ballet Theatre [Th-Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm]: Featuring works by Twyla Tharp and George Balanchine. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $38-100. http://www.calperformances.net/

Comedy – David Alan Grier [Th-Sun 8pm]: At Cobb’s Comedy Club (SF), $20-25. http://www.cobbscomedyclub.com/

Festival – Green Festival [Fri 2-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-6pm]: Sample from over 400 green businesses, watch films, take part in yoga classes, and drink up on organic beer, wine, and food. Featuring speakers Deepak Chopra, Supervisors Chris Daly and Ross Mirkarimi, Amy Goodman, and Medea Benjamin. At the San Francisco Concourse Exhibition Center (SF), FREE-$25. http://www.greenfestivals.org/ recommended

Live Rock – Swell Season [Fri 8pm]: Irishman Glen Hansard and Czech Marketa Irglova perform the songs from this year’s art-house favorite, Once. With special guest Martha Wainwright. At the Regency Center (SF), $25. www.myspace.com/swellseason

Dance – Festival of Aerial Dance [Fri-Sat 8pm, Sun 6pm]: At the Dance Mission (SF), $20-25. http://www.dancemission.com/

Live Rock – Kelly Clarkson [Sat 7:30pm]: The American Idol winner, in a more intimate setting. With Jon McLaughlin opening. At the San Jose Events Center, $40. http://www.kellyclarkson.com/

Theatre – Stardust and Empty Wagons: Stories from the Katrina Diaspora [through Nov 25]: Developed from the words of Katrina survivors in the Bay Area; featuring music from New Orleans’ The Hot 8 Brass Band. At the Brava Theater (SF), $14-50.

Opera – Puccini’s La Rondine [through Nov 29]: A worldly woman falls in love with a naïve younger man. At the Opera House (SF), $10-275. http://www.sfopera.com/

Previous: Theatre – The Bluest Eye [through Sunday in SF]; Film – 11th Annual International Latino Film Festival [through Nov 18 in SF]; Jazz – 25th SF Jazz Festival [through Nov 30]; Outdoors – Fallon Islands’ Whale Watching Tours [weekends through Nov 30]; Theatre – The Color Purple [through Dec 9 in SF] recommended

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Randy's Guide LVIII

Today and tomorrow are part of Day of the Dead festivities; today is World Vegan Day; Saturday is actress Roseanne Barr’s 55th; Sunday is comedian Kathy Griffin’s 46th, Russia’s National Unity Day, and Daylight Savings Change (one hour back); and Tuesday is U.S. Election Day. Welcome to all new readers.

Local News Stories of the Week:

Stanford researchers have found that willpower can only go so far in conquering issues such as overeating, smoking cigarettes, and engaging in risky sexual behavior. Environmental cues and specific behavioral skills are also needed to overcome powerful emotions such as fear or pleasure. http://stanmed.stanford.edu/2007fall/main.html

Zipcar and Flexcar have agreed to merge nationwide for-profit operations. In San Francisco, the combined company will operate under the name Zipcar and face only one competitor, the nonprofit City CarShare. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/31/BASLT3KRD.DTL


Change for Change (repeat of last week)

Charity to consider: Blue Energy. The San Francisco-based nonprofit, which started as a graduate project at MIT, provides low-cost wind and solar electric systems in Nicaragua and eventually will spread its model worldwide. http://www.blueenergygroup.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, and Bay Area Community Services.

Donate through the non-profit's Web site or your corporate donation program.


Weekend Weather:

Great autumn climate, warming through weekend

High 64-67, Low 50: SF (beaches), Berkeley
High 69-73, Low 51: SF (downtown)
High 73, Low 47: Oakland, San Mateo
High 78, Low 48: San Jose

High 58, Low 30: Boise, ID (clear)
High 60, Low 40: Louisville, KY (partly cloudy)
High 83, Low 65: Miami, FL (partly cloudy)
High 55, Low 37: New Haven, CT (clear)
High 83, Low 53: Pomona, CA (clear)


Environmental Tip of the Week:

Even during winter, your car needs to be groomed occasionally. Check out car washes that recycle their water, or Eco Touch’s Waterless Car Wash product (http://www.ecotouch.net/).

Previous:

To prolong sponge life, wring them after each use, keep them dry between uses, disinfect by boiling them in water for three minutes, and avoid use on cutting boards involving meat. Also, look for plant-based, biodegradable sponges, such as Natural Value, or skip them and use dish towels.


Video of the Week:

“Oh My” by Office (Chicago)

The band has moved to a new label and re-released several of its hits this past September.

Previous:

“Find a New Way” by Young Love (NYC)

Debut album in January 2007; touring the East Coast before turning to the South and the West Coast (including an SF date on Nov 16).


New Films: {#1 Saw IV (R), $31.8MM, 3183 screens; #2 Dan in Real Life (PG-13), $11.8MM, 1921 screens; #3 30 Days of Night (R), $6.9MM, 2859 screens; #8 Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas IMAX (PG), $3.4MM, 564 screens}

American Gangster (R): Drama; about a drug kingpin who becomes a federal informant; co-starring Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington; directed by Ridley Scott

Bee Movie (PG): Animation; about a graduate bee who strays from making honey and befriends a New York City florist; featuring voices by Jerry Seinfeld, Annette Bening, and Chris Rock

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (R): Drama; about two brothers who botch the robbery of their parents’ jewelry store; co-starring Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei, and Philip Seymour Hoffman

The Gates (NR): Documentary; about the controversial public art installation in Central Park, first proposed in 1979 and finally completed in 2005

Have You Heard from Johannesburg: Apartheid and the Club of the West (NR): Documentary; about the anti-apartheid movement in the U.S.; director Connie Field after the Fri and Sat 7pm shows

King Corn (NR): Documentary; about the lifecycle of U.S. corn into high fructose corn syrup, cattle feed, and corn oil

Martian Child (PG): Comedy; about a sci-fi writer who forms an unlikely family with a close female friend and a young adopted boy who claims to be from Mars; co-starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet, and Joan Cusack

The Price of Sugar (NR): Documentary; about the Haitian sugarcane fields and the laborers who toil under slave-like conditions to produce sugar for the U.S. market; narrated by Paul Newman

Sharkwater (PG): Documentary; about sharks and the battle with shark poachers in Guatemala

Terror’s Advocate (NR): Documentary; about right-wing French communist Jacques Verges, who has been connected with Pol Pot, Slobodan Milosevic, and Saddam Hussein, among others.

Wristcutters: A Love Story (R): Comedy; about the afterlife of a suicide victim and his ex-girlfriend


Free Activities:

Carmen [Th-Fri 7:30pm]: 9 Conservatory voices present a narrated, concert adaptation of Bizet’s French masterpiece. At the Golden Gate Club (SF). Reserve at http://www.presidio.gov/ or 415.447.6274.

E-Waste Drop-off [Sat 9am-4pm]: Get rid of your computers, printers, TVs, DVD players, and other electronic devices to benefit area high schools. At Sunset Elementary (SF). http://www.ewastedropoff.com/

Annual Holiday Boutique [Sat-Sun 9am-3pm]: At St. Lawrence (Oakland). www.stlawrenceotoole.net/calendars/nov2006.html


Other Activities:

Film – 11th Annual International Latino Film Festival [through Nov 18]: Featuring 80 films from 20 countries, including festival guest Diego Luna on this Saturday. At various locations in SF, $6-500. http://www.latinofilmfestival.org/

Outdoors – Farallon Islands’ Whale Watching Tours [weekends through Nov 30]: Check out migrating blue and humpback whales, along with other sea life. Starting from Fort Mason (SF), $95. http://www.oceanicsociety.org/

Comedy – Kevin Nealon [through Sunday]: At Cobb’s Comedy Club (SF), $25-30. http://www.cobbscomedyclub.com/

Rock – Architecture in Helsinki [Th 8pm]: Australian indie pop octet, with Glass Candy and Panther opening. At the Fillmore (SF), $19. http://www.architectureinhelsinkicom/

Athletics – Icer Air 2007 [Fri 1-9pm, Sat 10am-9pm]: Featuring three venues – the Stadium, for skiing and snowboarding events; the Village, for motocross, BMX, and skating; and McCovey Cove, for wakeboarding. Headline music acts are Mos Def and Talib Kweli. At AT&T Park (SF), $10-30. http://www.icerair.com/

Festival – San Francisco Harvest Festival [Fri-Sun 10am-5pm]: Featuring eco-friendly arts & crafts, specialty foods, and live entertainment. At the Concourse Exhibition Center (SF), $4-8. http://www.harvestfestival.com/

Athletics – Bay Meadows final weekend [Fri-Sun 12:45pm-8pm]: Promotions galore at the closing weekend of horse racing at Bay Meadows (San Mateo). $3 grandstand seats + $4 parking. http://www.baymeadows.com/

Festival – 2007 Holiday Sample Sale [Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-3pm]: 100 companies sell their excess and discontinued products. At 888 Brannan (SF), $5. Bring non-perishable canned goods for $1 off admission. http://www.gcjm.com/

Festival – BookSwap [Sat 12-3pm]: Exchange books with other bibliophiles. At CellSpace (SF), $5 with books, $10 without books. http://www.swapsf.com/

Jazz – New Orleans Jazz Orchestra [Sat 8pm]: Directed by Irvin Mayfield, official Cultural Ambassador of New Orleans. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $22-42. http://www.calperformances.net/

Symphony – Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela [Sun 7pm]” Performing Shostakovich and Bernstein. At Davies Hall (SF), $25-81. http://www.sfsymphony.org/

Rock – Maroon 5 [Tue 7:30pm]: San Francisco local favorites, with The Hives and Phantom Planet opening. At the HP Pavilion (San Jose), $40-51. http://www.maroon5.com/

Previous: Opera – The Magic Flute [through Saturday in SF]; Theatre – The Bluest Eye [through Nov 11 in SF]; Jazz – 25th SF Jazz Festival [through Nov 30]; Theatre – The Color Purple [through Dec 9 in SF] recommended