The Century Plaza Hotel was the scene of an event that brought out the likes of Muhammad Ali, Hank Aaron and Denzel Washington to raise funds for the Harold Pump Foundation.  Twin brothers, David and Dana, two of the most influential forces in college basketball started this organization in 1999, when their Dad, Harold lost his life to cancer.  Since then, the foundation has given more than $3.7 million toward fighting this dread disease.

Over 500 guests attended the premiere of An Ordinary Couple at the Outfest Film Festival. This documentary is based on the 30-year relationship of   Orin Kennedy and Bernardo Puccio,  a charismatic couple who live life to the fullest, and do it with great flair.

The Concern Foundation for Cancer Research raised over $1 million dollars at their 36th Annual Block Party at Paramount Studios, honoring Jim & Ishita Ganguly-Morrison, for their commitment toward finding a cure.  This year the theme was “Under the Big Top” and over 50 restaurants provided a taste of their specialties.  These included The Grill on the Alley, Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Jazz Grill, Factors Famous Deli, and Pinks, which drew a huge crowd of Hot Dog aficionados.

Project by Project of Southern California (PbP So Cal) will host the 8th annual tasting benefit, Plate by Plate So Cal, on Saturday, August 14th, 2010 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm with a special VIP reception beginning at 6pm.

It was the 4th annual SportsDream Celebrity Poker and Pool Party that was connected with the activities surrounding the ESPY Awards. The event was for a good cause, raising funds for the SportsDream Foundation’s scholarships and kids sports programs.

This is a town for acoustic motorbikes, which is what the underrated Irish singer Luka Bloom calls bicycles.  I spent not enough time recently in this delightful Canadian city, and the highlight was seeing the city from a rented bike.

“An Evening Under the Stars,” American Honda Motor Co., Inc.’s 24th annual Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Festival, Saturday, August 7 celebrates the best in South Bay cuisine while raising funds for nonprofit Torrance Memorial Medical Center. 

It was a given that Hollywood’s new “It Girl” Betty White would be honored at the annual Beastly Ball at the Los Angeles Zoo.  Her tireless work on behalf of animals is legendary, and she has served as a Director of the Zoo for 35 years. As GLAZA President stated, “Her heart and advocacy for the animals that share our earth, help drive us to excellence.”

As the health care crisis continues to escalate, Los Angeles area young professionals are doing their part by organizing the 13th Annual Extravaganza for the Senses to raise vital funds for The Saban Free Clinic (formerly The Los Angeles Free Clinic) which provides free medical care of the uninsured and the working poor.

Bel Air Magazine hosted a luxurious launch party at a magnificent estate in Bel Air (where else?) and our pal, Charlie Scola, aka Party Charlie, really outdid himself.Greeting the more than 1,000 elegant guests were two gorgeous 15 feet showgirls, and a horde of paparazzi snapping away at the invited guests.