The RSVP Line: CITY LABS Community Service Fair

You want to do good. You intend to do good. But most of the time, you end up sitting on your ass, catching up on Snooki's adventures on The Jersey Shore. So, for once, get your butt in gear and find out how to do better. This Saturday, head on over to Downtown's California Market Center for City Labs.

Come to this fun one-day fair to browse, discover and connect with 50 local non-profits -- organizations doing great things who need your support to maintain sustainability.

$5 suggested entrance donation = free drink ticket + raffle ticket!

Aside from roaming the 50 non-profits, check out cool offerings:

* Free Workshops :: including 'Going green without breaking the budget' w/YourDailyThread.com, and Create Your Own Story Book w/826LA

* 'Craft for a Cause' area presented by Causecast :: pack and assemble food boxes for the city's hungry

* Pop-Up Tiara Café

Find out more at www.city-labs.org.

Today is World AIDS Day. Do something.

Today is World AIDS Day.

How wonderful that people and organizations are taking action and making progress in the fight against AIDS.

How sad that the epidemic's become so great that an international Day is warranted to recognize it.

Visit World AIDS Day to learn more.

Support the cause with your daily coffee fix today via Starbucks.

Find out what the (RED) campaign is doing to help.

Do something.

The RSVP Line (Weekend Edition): Fashion's Night Out + Princess Bride + Volunteer

Here's what's happening this weekend, from shopping to screening to doing very, very good by some kiddies in need...

THURSDAY, September 10th

* New York's Fashion's Night Out may have Anna Wintour, Mayor Bloomberg and the cast of Hairspray, but Angelenos want to shop as well. Our very own LA FASHION'S NIGHT OUT is tomorrow. With fashion staples like Neiman Marcus, Fred Segal, 3.1 Philip Lim, American Rag Cie, and TOMS Shoes and Trovata amongst those participating, LA measures up quite nicely. Peep the entire schedule of events c/o LA Times' Image Section. Go forth and stimulate the retail economy in style.

FRIDAY, September 11th

* Remember that fairytale flick from the 80s? The one with a warthog, a giant, Mandy Pantinkin and the awesomely happy ending? Well, THE PRINCESS BRIDE is screening for FREE this Friday--the first of a Brand X sponsored Friday night screening series at the Santa Monica Pier. Tickets are comped, but you've got to pick 'em up. Click here for info on when and where.

* Also this Friday, live Jazz at LACMA. Bring a blanket, a bottle of wine and a hot date and get cozy on the lawn. It's [almost] like going to the Bowl but without the stacked parking.

* And photographer Marco Bollinger celebrates the opening of his show at Frank.Studio at Bergamot Station from 7 - 11 p.

SATURDAY, September 12th

* Do something worthwhile this weekend. 826LA, the rad non-profit that helps foster creative and writing skills in the wee ones, is accepting new volunteers. This Saturday is a NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION AT 826LA EAST. Sign up for the session and join me there.

826LA's Echo Park Lake Paddle Boat Regatta. Cause reading's for winners.

If you're reading this, I'm pretty sure you can read. If you can't, then let me include some pictures here for your entertainment:


Now, back to those of you who are literate. Being a reader and all, you understand the significance of reading, learning and edumacation. 826LA is a non-profit that ensures that the young people of LA receive the tutoring, reading skills, and creative voice they deserve. This Sunday, the org is hosting its 2nd Annual Paddle Boat Regatta. Yes, it is as fancy and regal as it sounds. And it's not too late to register a team to participate.

If you can't participate, raise money, and compete for greatness, consider joining me as a spectator.

The event needs all the $$$ help it can get so please consider getting involved.

Peep the details below!

xx * Jessie

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please join us on July 26th at 4PM at Echo Park Lake for the pageantry on the lake as we celebrate the teams* of volunteers, staff and interns who have been racing for four weeks to raise money for 826LA!

We are also offering a limited number of tickets to The VIP After Party at the Rec Center to spectators (NON-RACERS**) for a donation of $15 (to cover food and drink costs). Don't let the fun end at the lake! Come to the after party and mix and mingle with your favorite teams! RVSP

Prizes will be awarded for the following categories:

Winners of Fundracing (highest fundraising team)

Best Costumes

Best Theme

Team Spirit

Best Paddle Boat Manuever - a quick figure 8 or something better!

Spectators Choice - the crowd will choose!

MVP - most valuable pedaler (highest individual fundraiser)

Click here to register or learn more.

The RSVP Line: Do good. Get fit. Free.

Dear [female] reader friends,

You all say you want to do good, give back, etcetera, etcetera. But what have you really given lately [beside that chewing gum wrapper you accidentally dropped into that homeless man's cup instead of a quarter]? That's right. Nothing. So, here's a fun way to find out about an amazing non-profit organization, Step Up Women's Network, that supports mentorship programs for young girls.

Get your butts in gear for this Sunday's FREE day of fitness and awesomeness at The Sports Club/LA. Your registration entitles you to a free class, snacks and fitness tips from our guest speaker. As well as networking opps with all sorts of rad ladies. So, basically, Step Up is giving YOU all this free stuff. And all you have to do is go to the event and check 'em out.

Sunday, June 14th
2 - 5:30 p

For more info on the event and the list of classes to choose from, click here.

To RSVP: just send an email with your name, email address, and the class you'd like to attend to michelle@suwn.org. And let her know I sent you. Painless. And an impressive story to tell to all your do-gooding friends next time they start going on about their work with the displaced locals in that country somewhere.

Learnings from a 10 year old.

Last night I visited the temporary shelter where I volunteer twice a month with the younger residents. These children are pretty typical as children go--they are cute, they are full of energy, they can get pretty raucous after one too many Sponge Bob gummy candies (oops, that was my fault). Beside the fact that they're homeless, they are just your average kids. But the part about not having a home is a pretty big factor.

Between Hannukah word searches and paper plate Santa crafting last night, I asked the kids what they'd like for Christmas if the sky was the limit, so to speak. One of the younger ones was adamant in his wish for a Gremlin movie (at least I think that is what I deduced that he meant by 'gwomen'). One wished for a scooter. And one--one of the older kids who happens to be exceptionally bright--said very matter-of-factly, that she wanted a house for Christmas.

It's incredibly easy to take advantage of our fortunes. I have my own apartment that is consistently stocked with food and a wardrobe (even if I do shop for groceries at Target now and I'm Ebaying off my designer duds one by one). So, huge thanks to a 10 year old for putting my bitching and moaning in perspective. My wish for Christmas is that those kids get houses too.

Do Good: No plans for Thanksgiving? Now you've got 'em. We're volunteering.

So, you're stuck in LA for Thanksgiving? Sucks to be you. But it sucks a lot more to be homeless. Or food-less. Or just really, really worse than you think you are because you can't afford a plane ticket out of here. I'm hoping that realizing you're not that bad off even though you had to sell your last bit of Prada on ebay last week inspires you to volunteer with me this Thanksgiving Day at Gobble Gobble Give. We'll be hanging at your favorite spot for Indie tunes, The Echo, and getting food together for peeps who need it. Even more than you.

Want to sign up to volunteer? CLICK HERE.

Interested in donating either supplies (clothes, toiletries, day-of cooking necessities) or money? CLICK HERE. (And remember, just $5 or $10 can go a long way.)

Do you work for a company that might have product (shirts, food, etc) to donate? Email me at theartisticgroup@gmail.com.

I'll be there. You should be too. Looking forward to seeing many of you on T Day.