Tomorrow, April 16th, TOMS Shoes challenges YOU to walk for just one day with out shoes to bring global awareness to childrens health, the need for shoes & education.

If you live in the LA area, you can meet at the TOMS headquarters in Santa Monica, CA & walk barefoot to the Santa Monica Pier.

Whether you plan on walking to the peir or simply walking around your office with out shoes, we encourage you to do it & spread the word using hashtag #withoutshoes! The more bare feet there are, the bigger the footprint! 

CLICK HERE for more info on TOMS 6th Annual One Day Without Shoes!

Follow TOMS on Twitter

Like TOMS on Facebook

Students Invited to Apply for Jerry Herman Awards and win their way to BROADWAY!

Los Angeles area high school students have another route to the Broadway stage!

The Pantages Theatre and Nederlander Organization are inviting local high schools to participate in an actors' showcase that will see the best male and female performers take home $1,000 plus an all-expenses-paid trip to New York. The competition, slated for May 19 at the Pantages, is the local award ceremony for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy’s, which takes place each year at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre in New York City.  While in Manhattan, the Los Angeles-area winners of the second annual Jerry Herman Awards will also get five days of private coaching, master classes, and rehearsals with theater professionals. That will help them prepare for the grand finale of the competition, where they'll appear before a panel of industry experts. The chosen finalists will compete for the Jimmy Awards for Best Performance by an Actress and Actor as part of the National High School Musical Theater Awards, which culminate in a performance at the Minskoff. All high schools in the Los Angeles-area are invited to participate. Representatives may still register their musical theater productions for consideration by filling out the online participation form. Awards are also given out for Best Musical and Best Choreography, in addition to the acting honors. Winners merit scholarships, professional advancement and other prizes.

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Sara Mann LULLABIES: CD release party Benefiting the PKD Foundation @ Upstairs at Vitello's

Thursday, April 18, 2013, 8:00 pm  Vitello's Jazz and Supper Club, 4349 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA $20.00

 

The album Lullabies by Sara Mann is now available on iTunes, with the proceeds going to the PKD Foundation. Sara is a back-up singer for Miley Cyrus and Katharine McPhee. She lost her infant son to ARPKD in 2011 and recorded this album to comfort parents of ARPKD children, as well as others who are living with kidney disease or who have lost a loved one. Lullabies features the song Tears In Heaven, with Sara joined by Billy Ray Cyrus, along with nine other soothing tracks

https://www.pkdcure.org/

Nominations For First-Ever Music Educator Award Now Open! Vote for your FAVORITE Music teacher by April 15th!

http://www.grammy.org/

http://www.revolutiondancecenter.com/

Thanks to my guest RDC owner/founder Julie Kay for sharing her passion for dancing, teaching and wanting to help kids w/disabilities at the above special event!

The tale of the creation of STAGE is as heartwarming as its performances. Back in 1984, during a time of mass fear and confusion regarding AIDS, a small group of friends in the theatre community came together in an effort to combat the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS on their friends and family. The event was created by actor/writer/director Michael Kearns and the late writer/director James Carroll Pickett in a coffeeshop in Silverlake, California. The two approached the accomplished director David Galligan, who signed on immediately and has continued to direct STAGE ever since.

When asked about his ongoing commitment to the event, Galligan responded, "STAGE gives back in every sense." He described the common bond between the performers when they all gather together backstage. "It is the most loving place you'll ever be other than your mother's arms because of why everyone has come together with what we hope to achieve. I think most would agree that it is the best time of our lives because it has such meaning." The theatrical community has enthusiastically responded ever since, and STAGE, the world's longest running AIDS benefit, has become a venue for the community to raise consciousness while expressing love, concern, sadness, and support. Since its inception in 1984, STAGE has raised millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS services and charities throughout Southern California, including:

• AIDS Healthcare Foundation
• AIDS Project Los Angeles
• AIDS Service Center
• Being Alive/Los Angeles
• GLASS
• LA Gay & Lesbian Center, Jeffrey Goodman Clinics
• Laguna Shanti
• Los Angeles Free Clinic
• The Neil Bogart Fund / T.J. Martell Foundation
• Project Angel Food
• Project New Hope

Thank you to my fab guest Joely Fisher for coming on the show to tell us ALL about the big night! ;)

JOELY FISHER has done lots of stuff...some of which she is proud! Highlights include Ellen... Wild Card for Lifetime... ’Til Death, opposite Brad Garrett! Inspector Gadget, starring Joely with Matthew Broderick! On the Great White Way... Rizzo in Grease and in Cabaret...Sally Bowles. Currently she is in the long running “wife and mother in Los Angeles”...opposite Christopher Duddy and Cameron, Collin, Skylar, True and Olivia Luna!!! 

http://www.stagela.com/home.php

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On April 15, join the movement at Walk MS to bring us one step closer to a world free of MS!

Come and celebrate with thousands of fellow friends, co-workers and families that, like you want to stop MS in its tracks. There will be fun for the whole family as you enjoy a beautiful 5K walk, roll or stroll around the Rose Bowl. There will also be entertainment on the route and at the finish festival with food, music, jugglers, face painters, team booths, fun give-a-ways and more.

What: Walk MS: Greater Los Angeles 
When: April 15.
Opening Ceremonies: 9:30 am; Start: 10:00 am
Where: The Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Email  walkms@cal.nmss.org

Phone  1.800.344.4867

Website http://walkcal.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/CALWalkEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=18105

Thank you to my sweet friend/co worker JILLIAN for coming on the show...click below to join her awesome team!! ;)

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/CALWalkEvents?team_id=321971&pg=team&fr_id=19932 

Heart of the City 5K
Run or Walk to Support California Hospital On Sunday, April 14, 2013, an exciting new event will draw hundreds of walkers, runners, and volunteers to the heart of Los Angeles to support an essential community resource: California Hospital Medical Center (CHMC). The Heart of the City 5K will give participants the opportunity to experience the blossoming South Park section of downtown along an exhilarating, dog-friendly course, culminating in a post-race expo on the hospital’s campus. You can download an event fact sheet here .  You can also view the route map here . Proceeds will help CHMC in its efforts to continue providing the high-quality, patient-centered healthcare--available to all in need regardless of their ability to pay--that has been a hallmark of the hospital since it was founded 125 years ago.  REGISTER ONLINE  at http://heartofthecity.kintera.org where you can read more about the 5K, sign up to participate, and access easy-to-use tools to help you ask others to participate or pledge their support. This run/walk will be open to participants of all ages, and those who have social dogs are invited to bring their four-legged friends along to be a part of the festivities, which in addition to the race will include entertainment and a race expo. The flat course will start and end at the hospital at 1401 S. Grand Avenue, travelling up and down Grand, 11th Street and Figueroa.   Interested in becoming a Sponsor?   There are several levels of sponsorship available, offering a full range of benefits including recognition before, during and after the event.  You can find a description of the levels and benefits, and a registration form, in this pdf .  And if you'd like to be a part of the race Expo , you can sign up here . "Heart of the City" is a trademark of our Foundation. Please note that photographs, to be used in Foundation promotional materials, will be taken at our events, and may or may not include attendees' recognizable images. By participating in this event, attendees consent to being photographed and authorize the Foundation to use the photographs in print, digital or web-based format for its promotional and archival purposes. Anyone who does not wish us to use their photo is asked to advise us by e-mail at chmcfoundation@dignityhealth.org .

Thanks my awesome guest Nathan R. Nusbaum - President of the California Hospital Medical Center Foundation, who talked all about the above fundraiser AND how the proceeds from this and the year round fundraisers help CHMC in its efforts to continue providing the high-quality, patient-centered healthcare--available to all in need regardless of their ability to pay.

http://www.supportcaliforniahospital.org/index.htm

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A Mixer That Matters

Living Advantage Invites You to...
"A Mixer That Matters"
Discovering Innovations in
the Foster Care System!

Join Los Angeles’ most innovative foster youth non-profit organization to discover new ways to think about foster care. Come and get involved on how you can make our children’s future brighter! Living Advantage is also launching the ‘The 33/30 Club’ so we can pave the way for foster youth in Los Angeles.

When:
April 25, 2013

Where:
at the Grill on USC Campus

Why:
100% of the proceeds/donations raised at this event will go towards Living Advantage, Inc. Come help us celebrate our partnership with USC and continue supporting foster youth's education and independent living.

For more information, please feel free to contact Living Advantage, Inc. at
323.731.6471 or visit our homepage

Share this event on Facebook and Twitter to invite your friends!

WHAT IS THE CAMPAIGN?

• 33/30 Club (Thirty Three Thirty Club) will bring together...
• 3,000 Thousand supporters with the unified mission to support...
• 300 foster youth a year by providing...
• $3.30 a month, which is an average cost of a cup of coffee...

A minimum contribution of $3.30 will provide our Foster Youth:

• vital life document storage holder 
• life skills
• tutoring
• job training
• a strong support system for their future!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN
And Make A Difference In A Child's Life!

Living Advantage, Inc.
7095 Hollywood Blvd. # 726 Hollywood, CA 90028
info@livingadvantageinc.org

www.LivingAdvantageInc.org
Office: 323.731.6471 | Fax: 323.731.8278
DONATE NOW

Thanks to Living Advantage Executive Director Pamela Clay for sharing the story behind Living Advantage and their mission to help to eliminate unemployment, homelessness and incarceration for youth in foster care living in Los Angeles County. By locating and electronically storing their vital life documents they are identifiable and able to receive services and resources from the community on a consistent basis. Utilizing innovative technology and media enables us to better serve and meet their needs.

http://la.innersync.com/index.cfm

Register today for the 2013 LA Marathon® or 5K and raise urgently needed funds for battered women and their children. To register, click here, and don't forget to indicate that you are running for Sojourn.

Since 1977, Sojourn Services For Battered Women And Their Children has provided services to meet the emergency and long-term needs of domestic violence victims and provide education and technical assistance to the community. For the 17th year, Sojourn is an Official Charity of the LA Marathon. Help Sojourn provide battered women and their children a safe space to regroup, rebuild, and reestablish their self-esteem and lives. Join us by running, walking, or volunteering at our water station. The 5k event is on Saturday, March 16th, 2013 and the Marathon is on Sunday, March 17th, 2013.

http://www.opcc.net/OurProjects/Sojourn/tabid/88/Default.aspx

http://www.lamarathon.com/charities/official-charities-2/

Thanks to my guest Auda Palatie w/Sojourn...who not only thanked EVERYONE who ran this year's LA Marathon on behalf of Sojourn but also for sharing information as to how they provide battered women and their children a safe space to regroup, rebuild, and reestablish their self-esteem and lives...

Mercedes Yvette, The spokesperson for The Lupus Foundation of America, Grace Lazenby, Owner of Rockin Models and Darrel Adams owner of Kin Los Angeles invite you to join us for a "A NIGHT of COCKTAILS" for "The LOVE of FASHION"  Together this "Trio of Talents" combine Fashion, Music and Awareness to create funds for LFA. Help us Solve the Cruel Mystery of Lupus!  The Lupus Foundation of America is the only national force devoted to solving the mystery of Lupus. After appearing on America's Next Top Mode...l, Mercedes Yvette became a spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America.  Live Photo Shoot with The Rockin Models, Open Bar Sponsored by VEEV and Imperial Chavaz, Live auction: Including Fashion by KIN, Night out in LA sponsored by The Mondrian Hotel, and a Full Body Makeover by The Rockin Models $20.00 suggested donation LFA and in return we will give you 20.00 to spend at KIN. 

A fabulous night of shopping, cocktails and GIVING BACK!

http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html

Thanks to Mercedes for coming on to talk about what its like to have and live with Lupus, promote the fundraiser AND discuss the incredible ways the Lupus Foundation of America is helping those w/Lupus-live a better quality of life and hopefully ONE day find a CURE!

A Dream of Changing Lives  

Who wants to go BOWLING w/The Wanted??

A Place Called Home's 6th Annual Stars & Strikes Celebrity Bowling & Poker Tournament to Support Inner City Youth is on Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 at PINZ Bowling & Entertainment Center. Stars & Strikes is a benefit event created to be a fun-filled, celebrity spotting evening that raises funds and awareness to support local youth through programs in education, the arts, health and college preparation at "A Place Called Home."

This all-ages celebration includes an all-star guest list. 2013 Celebrity Ambassadors include: The Wanted (Universal), Pete Wentz Musician/Producer/Entrepreneur/Activist), Ozomatli (Grammy Award Winning Group and U.S. State Department Cultural Ambassadors), Akon (platinum selling R&B, Hip-hop recording artist), Dr. Luke (award-winning producer, songwriter), RedOne (Producer/Songwriter/Music Executive), T. Mills (Columbia Records recording artist), Sammy Adams (Musician), Kool Kojak (award-winning multi-platinum producer FloRida and songwriter Nicki Minaj, Ke$ha, among others), Midnight Red (Interscope recording artist), Havana Brown (Republic recording artist), Jasmine Villegas (recording artist), LaLa Romero (recording artist), 7Lions (recording artist 2101 Records), W3 The Future (recording artist), Young Blood Hawke (Republic recording artist), Drop City Yacht Club (A&M/Octone recording artists), Gina Rodriguez (actress in forthcoming film, Philly Brown, produced by Edward James Olmos), Dev (Republic recording artist) TV personality Liz Hernandez, Karli Henriquez (MTV Tr3s), Chuey Martinez, Sisanie and DJ Skee of KIIS FM, Thank You X (street artist), Jessie and the Toy Boys (recording artist), Talkback (recording artist 2101 Records), Mohombi (2101 Records recording artist), KMC (2101 Records recording artist), Bonnie McKee (award-winning American singer, songwriter, and actress), Sabi (Warner Bros. recording artist), Becky G (RCArecording artist), Baby E (Island Def Jam recording artist), 4 Count (recording artist Ncredibleent), Nayer (recording artist), Queenz, Porcelain Black (industrial pop singer-songwriter), Ryan McDermott (artist, writer, producer G.O.O.D. Music/Island Def Jam), Asher Monroe (singer, songwriter, actor), Jessi Malay (recording artist), and Six Reasons (recording artist).

A Place Called Home is a safe haven in South Central Los Angeles where underserved youth are empowered to take ownership of the quality and direction of their lives through programs in education, arts, and well-being; and are inspired to make a meaningful difference in their community and the world.

A Place Called Home is a dynamic, non-profit youth center located in South Central Los Angeles. APCH provides educational programs, counseling, mentoring, music, dance and art classes. We also have a recreation and athletic department. One on one attention is at the heart of all APCH programs and activities. This reflects the belief that each member arrives at our center with skills and abilities that have not fully been realized. As youth participate in our programs, they discover their interests and talents. APCH strives to help youth achieve a better sense of themselves and the world around them. Our goal is to increase the likelihood that they will stay in school and go on to higher education and viable jobs.

Please find yourselves at home at A Place Called Home and feel free to contact us to find out how you can make a difference too! Click here to see for yourself everything that A Place Called Home does for our kids.

http://www.apch.org/

Thanks to my awesome guest Jonathan Zeichner-Executive Director at APCH-who shared countless SUCCESS stories and stories of hope for these kids living in our country's gang capital...w/the help of APCH and the incredible classes, programs and resources it has to offer...many more of them are getting help gratuating high school, going off to college...starting careers, giving back to the community...

WHAT: “Walk in No Shoes” is a 10K walk/run, 5K walk/run and 1K “walk in no shoes” event benefiting the Sudan Relief Fund. The event will enable Los Angelenos who have been horrified by the tragic news stories about genocide in South Sudan – but perhaps have felt powerless to help such seemingly insurmountable circumstances on the other side of the world – to take meaningful action to support the South Sudanese people who have endured more than 20 years of horrendous religious persecution, enslavement, rape, torture, starvation and senseless murder at the hands of their own government.

The Sudan Relief Fund was created in 1998 by Bishop Macram Max Gassis of the El Obeid Diocese, which includes the Nuba Mountains and Abyei in South Sudan, to raise awareness, generate funds and support relief efforts that provide food, safe drinking water, clothing, shelter, medical attention, education and hope to the people of the region regardless of nationality, religion, ethnicity or tribal affiliation.