Results tagged “charity”

The upcoming holidays are about giving, and for many of us that means both giving gifts to our loved ones and to those in need. One way to help out in both areas comes via Chicago-based retailer CB2, who opened up a branch of their home decor store in a segment of the onetime Virgin Megastore space at 8000 Sunset this April.

Put those running shoes on for Halloween and dress up like a zombie this Saturday for the inaugural Zombiethon, a fundraiser for brain cancer research Oct. 31 from 4-6 pm at the Silver Lake reservoir. The family friendly event includes a fun run/walk around the reservoir and a zombie costume contest.

       

On Saturday, Los Angeles-based pet products company Dogswell was one of the sponsors behind the Homeward Hound Hike, a benefit event held in Griffith Park to raise money for Friends of Animals. The organization is a no-kill dog and cat shelter that has been around since 1983. They are a volunteer-only group who rely on private donations for support, and who focus on helping as many animals as they possibly can. At the event were dog enthusiasts and hikers, as well as their furry four-legged friends, including several available for adoption. Although you may have missed out on the hike, you can still help Friends of the Animals; make a donation online via Dogswell or contact Friends of the Animals.

The large annual Harley Davidson ride and charity from Glendale to Fairplex has been canceled this year. Although 25,000 bikers attended last year, topped off with performances by ZZ Top and Foo Fighters, the reality of pulling off the event meant to raise money for various charities just wasn't there for organizers as pre-sales were way down.

It seems to happen every disaster, so it's likely to happen this time around as well. "After virtually every disaster, scam artists come out of the woodwork to defraud individuals wishing to help victims," Attorney General Jerry Brown said in a statement. "Californians should give only to reputable organizations so their donations don't end up lining the pockets of criminals and opportunists." His office has two webpages dedicated to the issue: one for tips on charitable giving and another for submitting complaints if you believe you've been ripped off. In a press release, his office also offers these tips:

If an amazing lineup, a great cause, and a kissing booth weren’t enough incentive, the organizers of the FYF Fest announced late yesterday that they are running a special discount ticket offer. Up until 5pm today, tickets to the event are a mere $8! To quote the ad: “That’s insane!” To borrow a phrase from the full name of the festival: “Fuck Yeah!”

As the summer winds down, it’s important to remember that there’s still a lot of good reasons -and even better causes - to get outside. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to kick back and just enjoy a beer either, does it? Well, if you’d like to give back, get out, and grab a drink while you’re at it, then consider Tuesday’s Bike MS at the Library Ale House on Main Street in Santa Monica.

With a stellar music lineup set for Sept. 5, FYF Fest is presenting Save Our State Parks to raise awareness about the closure of 100 parks in California. They aren't just stopping there, FYF Fest is harnessing its draw as an amazing music festival and encouraging people to volunteer at a variety of charities and organizations in the greater LA area. As a reward for donating 20 hours of your time, the festival is offering two free tickets and a "care package" of freebies. The exchange program has already proven popular with almost two dozen local organizations benefiting like the Union Rescue Mission, Northeast Trees, Reading to Kids LA and many more. Spaces have filled up fast, but slots still remain open for those who'd like to volunteer for film non-profit CineFamily.

Polish your fangs and hide your garlic--today is the start of Vampire-Con, which is "the world’s first convention, devoted to everything vampire." With events scheduled throughout the weekend to thrill, entertain, and enlighten, enthusiasts can satisfy their blood-lust by attending films, discussions, and a ball.

Charity Navigator released their list of the country's 10 Most Inefficient charitable groups, naming two Orange County groups as some of the best for being worst. The ranking looks at the percentage of money spent versus the amount of money actually put towards supporting the cause, and those listed "spend more than $0.50 to raise each dollar in support, making them four times less efficient than the average charity. This inefficiency forces them to devote more than 40% of their budgets to fundraising, limiting the difference they can make with your dollars."

              

Man, downtown is kickass. Yeah, you've seen the great theatre and the wonderful eats and the art walk, but you've probably also thought about the homeless population, or the proclivity for violence in the face of an economic abyss. And while all of these things, in their own way, are true about downtown, things like the Grammy Museum are really helping to elevate the standard while keeping an eye on what’s important in their neighborhood.

Around Los Angeles, Largo has long been known as a solid comedy spot to see great people doing exactly what made you love them in the first place. Six months ago, you probably wouldn’t have found as much experimental comedy going on there as you do know, and that is certainly a good thing. Lately, it seems, Largo is undergoing another comedy renaissance; with the arrival of the Doug Benson Interruption, the emergence of Largo from a once-or-twice-a-month spot into a weekly venue for great laughs is becoming unavoidable, and completely welcome. The Reno 911! Benefit Show last Wednesday is a great example of where Largo is headed, and the future looks bright.

You will be doing yourself a very large disservice if you don't get your ass over to Largo tonight to check out the Reno 911! Benefit Show, to raise money for Planting Peace, a charity that works to help children in impoverished nations. Every member of the show, including Tom Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio and Ian Roberts, will be sharing stage time with a roll call list of the greatest class clowns you'd kill to have in homeroom. Rob Heubel and Paul Scheer from MTV's Human Giant, Andy Daly (the principal on Eastbound and Down), Nick Kroll, Matt Besser and Matt Walsh (founders of Upright Citizens Brigade theatre) Nick Swardson, and even Rainn Wilson, to NAME JUST A FEW.

With the recession in full swing, it's hard to reconcile our love of food and booze with our dwindling bank accounts. Suddenly, dinner out at our favorite pricey restaurant seems overindulgent amidst rising unemployment and falling stock prices. So what's a socially responsible foodie to do?

                     

Last Tuesday, pornstar/director Kimberly Kane (MySpace) celebrated the release of her new Vivid-Alt (MySpace) movie "...is an extreme hardcore fetish feature from the most primal reaches of [Kane's] psyche," and is highly recommended by XCritic, who gave it four out of five stars.

Photo courtesy of Ben Morrison.

Roberto Lopez was shot by a stray bullet on Tuesday evening as he walked on the sidewalk with his sister. This morning, police announced they've got a suspect.

This holiday season many want to help others but will say: "what can I do to help? I don't have that much money to give." Thanks to Kiva you don't need much.

Waking up early for Black Friday's "doorbusters" sounds like the anti-fun. So here are some of LAist's Holiday Picks for the philanthropist in you, none of which involve any malls, massive stores or long lines. All of these gifts have a charitable element to them, benefiting mostly local or national organizations so you're really giving two gifts and making lots of people happy. And you feel good. Everybody wins! Onto the gifts that keep on giving...

1st Annual Lake Balboa Music Experience happens this Saturday, Oct. 11th, from 4pm to 10pm.

High-profile, pricey dining events are fun and all, but most of us would rather spend our dining dollars on an event that supports a great cause. If you're one of those people, you're in luck this weekend, because Savor The Season is one of those worth-it events. Not only does it feature a catered spread from some of L.A.'s best restaurants, but proceeds from the event are going to Break The Cycle, an organization that empowers young people to educate themselves and the community about domestic violence.

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Because there is a Michael Strahan-like gap between the amount of fun had in playing a video game and watching someone else play a video game, the answer I most frequently give when posed with the question "Want to watch two guys play Madden in Hollywood?" is "No."

       

More than 40 paddleboat teams took to Echo Park Lake last weekend to raise money for 826LA. Teams were required to raise at least $100 for entry and some teams raised well above and beyond to generate an estimated $20,000 in funds for one-on-one writing tutorials and workshops for students age 6-18. 826LA's two locations (in Venice and Echo Park) are staffed entirely by volunteers dedicated to teaching and inspiring students to write creatively. The regatta was a success by all accounts, and likely the most tempting reason to get into Echo Park Lake all summer.

This coming Sunday, treat yourself to a body bronzing by Sunset Tan, a mani by OPI, a massage by El Leon Spa and perhaps a makeover by Artform Studio. That's just a few of the beauty treatment options you have at this coming Sunday's Pamper Me Fabulous event held in Downtown's Ford Brady Loft. Plus enjoy free-flowing champagne, food by Ciudad and sweets galore. Every guest also gets to take home a swag bag with about $300 worth of goodies! It's $165 a ticket but if you enter "discountla" as the discount code (tickets must be purchased in advance) you'll receive $30 off your ticket. 10% of ticket proceeds will go to nonprofit Step Up Women's Network. Ford Brady, 718-720 North Figueroa St., Downtown (map).

           

The annual Extravaganza for the Senses, a fund-raising tasting event benefitting the Saban Free Clinic previously mentioned here on LAist was held this past Saturday in Century City on the Fox lot. I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend and have returned with some photos for our readers. I'll be the first to admit that these photos don't really do the event justice, these photos were taken with camera in one hand, food and drinks in the other. Yes, life is sweet. Hope to see you there next year.

Ready to eat and drink for a good cause? I know it sounds too good to be true, but it's legit, and I'm totally going!

              

A redneck, a Hasidic Jew, and Michael Jackson walked into a bar. No punchline here ... just some funny photos. This Saturday a flip cup tournament was held in Hollywood to raise money to fight breast cancer. If flip cup and charity seem like strange bedfellows, well ... yes, they are. Some of the outfits were even stranger.

While most suckas will still be at work this Friday, you have the chance to find yourself at the Torrance Spearmint Rhino taking place in the second annual charity car wash from 3-6 p.m.

Need an activity for your inner philanthropist?