LOVE ANGELES

Hip Hop Stars Team Up With Get Schooled Foundation To Launch Educational Bus Tour

Source: Ecorazzi - After having just watched Waiting for Superman last night (a film that everyone must see), this story means even more!

Some of today’s hottest hip hop stars are getting serious about education and want to help America get motivated. Ludacris, Pharrell Williams, Ciara and more have teamed up with the Get Schooled Foundation to launch a nationwide bus tour in hopes of getting students and parents excited about education.

“Education is the ultimate challenge, said Ludacris. “I know from experience that sometimes it is tough to get inspired, to take control, and to have the discipline to see your education through. I’m excited to join other artists and the Get Schooled Foundation to help capture the attention of students and reinforce the vital message that education is important and a necessary tool for life.”

The bus tour started last week and will host events in cities across the US, including New York, Philadelphia, Memphis, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Denver.

Jack is Back and Doing Great Things

Source: Dosomethinggood.org - Environmental advocate Jack Johnson is about to set out on a world tour... and eco-friendly world tour! Like his last tour, Johnson will donate 100 percent of his profits to charities that support the environment, arts education, and music education. And of course, the tour buses will run on biodiesel fuel! Profits from his 2008 tour created the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, which currently matches donations made to organizations partnered with All At Once.

Jack Johnson Fans Receive Free Concert Tickets For Beach Clean Up

Source: ecorazzi - On May 24, Jack Johnson will take over the Santa Monica Pier to promote the release of his latest album To The Sea and raise awareness for the environmental organization Heal The Bay. Previously, free concert tickets were up for grabs for the first 2000 people to commit to a 2-hour beach cleanup on May 22.

Those who missed out on the volunteer signup can still win tickets through May 23 by following @jackjohnson and @brushfire on Twitter. Additionally, Johnson encourages fans to join Heal the Bay in their efforts to keep California beaches free of garbage by participating in the organization’s monthly cleanup programs.

To The Sea, which will be released on June 1, was recorded at the Mango Tree in Hawaii and the Solar Powered Plastic Plant in Los Angeles—both solar-powered studios. The Santa Monica Pier concert kicks off Johnson’s summer tour. As with the 2008 tour, Jack Johnson will once again donate 100% of his 2010 tour profits to charity.

Kravitz to Headline Oil Spill Benefit Gig

Source: BBC - Lenny Kravitz is to headline a benefit concert in New Orleans to support relief efforts for those affected by a huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Kravitz, who lives part-time in the Louisiana city, was among the first to sign up for Sunday's concert.

Ani DiFranco, Allen Toussain and Mos Def will also take part in the event at the Mardi Gras World River City.

Since 20 April, oil has been escaping at a rate of 210,000 gallons a day after an explosion on a BP-leased rig.

Proceeds from the event will benefit fishermen and their families, whose livelihoods depend on the Gulf, as well as organisations that protect Louisiana's coast.

Ewell Smith, executive director of the Lousiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board said the fishermen "appreciated" the effort.

"Thousands of families across South Louisiana will potentially be impacted for years to come and will need all the help they can get to survive," he added.

"Without them, we lose a vital part of our culture and heritage."

Stars Share Their 2 Cents

Source: DoSomethingGood.org - What do a hairnet, stick of gum, candy necklace, Band-Aid, and brown lunch bag have in common? They all cost 40 cents. Did you know? That same amount of 40 cents can save the life of someone living with HIV in Africa, because that’s all it costs each day for access to antiretroviral pills.

(RED) launched The Lazarus Effect campaign today, including an eye-opening PSA that features Bono, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Hugh Jackman, Orlando Bloom, Lucy Liu, Gabourey Sidibe, Jane Lynch, Gwen Stefani, Hayden Christensen, Ludacris, Iman, Common, Dakota Fanning, and more! (RED) has partnered with The Global Fund, the dominant financing organization dedicated to fighting diseases like HIV/AIDS.

In conjunction with HBO, (RED) will debut The Lazarus Effect film at 9PM ET/PT to show the life-changing effects of the medication, and to follow the positive transformation in the health of 4 individuals living with HIV in Africa.

67% of people with HIV live in Africa. The leading cause of disease there, HIV/AIDS kills approximately 3,800 people each day. While these statistics are chilling and unfortunately true, raising awareness in our own communities is the first step to fighting the problem. Join (RED) today in the movement to eliminate HIV/AIDS.

Krochet Kids

Source: KrochetKids.org - Recently, I stumbled upon a stand of beautiful crocheted goods on display inside of the Peet's Coffee on Larchmont (one of my new favorite streets.) After inquiring more from the down-to-earth gal representing the movement, I instantly fell in love with their international vision.

Mission: To empower people to rise above poverty.

Vision: To create sustainable economic development programs that support holistic growth of individuals and communities within developing nations. To inspire the knowledge of a generation about their ability to bring change to a world that is in need. Click here to browse their goods!

If you're still not convinced, just check out Krochet Kids' Values:

People: We desire holistic freedom for our people to grow and enrich their lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Our Product: We believe in quality, handmade products that not only bring comfort and style, but serve as a vehicle for social change.

Love: We believe actions rooted in love bring lasting and powerful change. Our model for love is that of the ultimate servant: Jesus

I love love love what these kids (now adults) are creating around the world:

Leo and Co. Seize the Moment

Source: CelebsGoneGood - After just donating a whopping $1 mil to help Haiti last month, Leonardo DiCaprio is already at it again!

There’s no surprise as to why he made the top 10 on our Top 20 Celebs Gone Good list back in November. He’s teamed up with Chace Crawford, Emmy Rossum, Justin Long, Jason Bateman, and more in a special video for “This is Our Moment” to mobilize the country towards working towards a cleaner, greener future.

“This is Our Moment” is the Natural Resources Defense Council’s new web-based video campaign that encourages Americans to actively participate in preserving the community by speaking to their legislative representatives via email and online videos. The campaign pushes for citizens to urge their senators to help pass climate legislation that is essential to help recharge the economy, reduce pollution and curb global warming, and create more jobs.

Seize the moment and check out what the A-list supporters have to say about how you can help to get the “Clean Energy, Jobs and American Power Act” passed in the Senate!

See the clip of Leo here: