Today, when we go to the market or Target or even the convenience store we are asked 9 times out of 10 if we would like to add a donation to our purchase to save the whales or feed the children or save little Timmy's music education program. That's pretty new. (There have been donation boxes for as long as I can remember, but this is still pretty new). It is an easy, near effortless way to make a contribution to an organization that is working to make someone, somewhere's life a little better while buying our (toxic) laundry detergent or tonight's (gentically modified) dinner. NGOs have learned how to make it easy on us. Add on a dollar, send a text, etc.

This simple action makes us feel good. But, I'm really not concerned about whether or not you feel good about yourself when you're buying your (paraben infused) shampoo; I'm concerned about what's in our shopping carts at the time of said purchases.....

American women hold 60% of the personal wealth in the United States, influence 85% of the purchasing decisions, and are the number 3 market in the world! Bigger than Japan! And even in 2010, American women do more than 90% of the shopping for our families. There are countless studies and market research companies that are trying to understand how to get and keep the "voting" dollars of American women. We all know that fashion magazines are mostly advertisements....you have to flip through 30 ads in a Vogue before you get to the table of contents!

That being said, with the simplest of our daily purchases we are casting a ballot. We are by default acknowledging and approving of the business strategies and practices of the companies that we are buying from. Wal-Mart? Archer Daniels Midland? Monsanto? McDonald's? Chevron? Or, god-forbid, BP?!

It may not seem like much to be told that women have the collective buying power of an entire nation (and, not just any little ol' nation!) but, really that is a huge, huge power to wield! We have the power to make or break entire product lines and corporations by utilizing a collective sense of ethical consumerism! I know, I know - it sounds like a lot of work & responsibility. But, to help you out on your own research journey - here are a few websites: Ethical Consumer (U.K. based, but as so many corporations are now global they have some really great information), Treehugger, Knowmore.org, and BrandKarma (a new site with great potential).

I hope that the next time you go shopping you will consider the global impact that your seemingly tiny, insignificant decisions are making on other people, in other places, that are probably far less fortunate that we are  - Lani Smith Phillips

We've all been inundated with the news, more news, live feeds, and contentious debates surrounding the oil spill (gush?) in the Gulf of Mexico. Since we can't all sell our belongings and relocate to help clean up the mess there are some things we can do (alongside Kevin Costner's nifty little invention, of course)! And, some interesting things to know when having those pesky debates about whether or not those (toxic?) dispersants are necessary....

Alternative #1 Donate your hair, your pet's hair, or go on hair collecting missions around your city!

Yep, it's true, our hair collects and retains oil (which is why we wash it, right?). Matter of Trust has created a great website, some incredible partnerships, and some fun videos that demonstrate this fact. They are also receiving boxes full of hair and recycled nylons to make more oil booms and hair mats.

Alternative #2 = Hay

Ok, now we don't claim to understand the why's and how's, but this video is a pretty easy demonstration....

Alternative #3 - Weedoo Boats

The eco-friendly, zero emissions Weedoo boats have been proposed as an option to aid in the clean up of the very sensitive marsh land, as well. The little Weedoo can carry several objects equal to its weight, and can move easily through the marshy, oil soaked wetlands to remove all of the damaged plant life.

Please keep us informed at info@aidstillrequired.org if you come across other interesting, effective solutions.  We know there are some oil-eating microbe formulations out there and will continue to explore alternatives.

The Aid Still Required CD shines the spotlight on Tsunami Recovery and issues that have fallen out of the headlines.

At Aid Still Required, part of our mission is that fathers everywhere have the resources to provide for their families.

Would you help?

Honor your dad and

1) Be an Angel - pledge $10 monthly minimum - and receive our All-Star CD as a gift.

2) Purchase the Deluxe Eco--Edition CD for $15 plus tax and shipping.

3) Download the CD June 22nd from iTunes/Amazon and other digital retailers.

Hello, World! The CD release is only 9 days away!!! Can you help us make a difference? We cannot underestimate the passion of people making a difference, to feel empowered that they can transform lives by buying a CD, by sharing their excitement with everyone on their list and encouraging them to download, buy a CD, and contribute.

WAYS YOU CAN ASSIST: 

1) Engage email  databases - your own or someone elses's who is willing to do a personal appeal on behalf of the forgotten people ASR represents.

2) Ask people to download/purchase the CD and spread

3) Ask people to Be an ASR Angel. Make a monthly pledge. 10,000 people @$10/month = $1.2million/year!!

4) Twitter/Blogs/Facebook -you or someone who tweets/blogs/FB, who will be our voice, and be the voice of the forgotten people of our beneficiary communities.

5) Media contacts:  Print/TV/Radio/Talk Shows -please call, write national outlets, your local papers, alumni magazines, community papers to get the word out.

The more dollars sent to the field, the more lives are transformed. A widow can earn extra income to support her children, a child can get an education and change his family's future, a farmer is educated on proper land use and a species is saved for eternity.

The time is NOW.

We cannot be complacent. This is it, where the rubber meets the road.

Composer and philanthropist Hans Zimmer's Remote Control Foundation has selected Aid Still Required as one of seven beneficiary  organizations to participate in the Save An Angel Mother's Day fundraising campaign.

Save An Angel was composed by rising songstress, humanitarian- and Los Angeles -area high-school student!- Rachel Eskanazi-Gold to bring awareness  to  the suffering of women and children around the globe. ASR's proceeds from the campaign will go towards funding our projects in Southeast Asia in honor of the women and children who were either victims or survivors of the 2004 tsunami which devastated the region.

Hans Zimmer is the award winning composer of over 100 films; among them are Disney's The Lion King, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, Driving Miss Daisy,  both of Christopher Nolan's Batman films - Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, Thelma and Louise, The Da Vinci Code and many, many others.  He is an composer  and person of extraordinary depth and breadth, pioneering the use of integrating electronic music with traditional orchestral arrangements as well as providing mentorship to young composers and seeking opportunities to make a difference.

Thank you , Rachel and  thank you to Hans Zimmer and Remote Control Productions and Foundation

In honor of Mothers Day this coming Sunday, May 9th please download a copy of Save an Angel here. and do your part to save and honor mothers everywhere.  To make it even more meaningful - why not donate it in your mother's name!

Happy Mother's Day to all our supporters 

In honor of Earth Day, April 22, PBS Independent Lens will be featuring Dirt! a film produced and directed by ASR friends and supporters Bill and Laurie Benenson and Gene Rosow!  Jamie Lee Curtis narrates.

A few of the featured environmental rockstar interview subjects: Andy Lipkis of  LA's TreePeople, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Wangari Maatthai, Bioneers Paul Stamets aka Mushroom Guy, ecological designer John Todd who makes waste-managment the most fascinating topic in town, South Bronx advocate Majora Cater, and biomimicrist Janine Benynus.  Wine guy Gary Vaynerchuk and Alice Waters of Chez Panisse fame represent the foodies.

Congratulations, Laurie, Bill, and Gene. Dirt!The Movie is a remarkable film, immensely informative and  entertaining.

Watch the trailer here:

Lindsay Huff, ASR Special Projects, ASR Founder Andrea Herz Payne, and Elizabeth Markovitch, new ASR Director of Development

On March 9, 2010, the women of ASR attended the Los Angeles Business Journal's annual awards luncheon.

We had the privilege of meeting personally 2010 Business Person of the Year and LABJ Hall of Fame inductee Patrick Soon-Shiong. Surgeon, researcher, inventor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, he is a remarkable, humble man with an equally remarkable story.

Born and raised in South Africa at a time when apartheid was still epidemic, Soon-Shiong began his medical career at a very young age in South Africa.  Receiving half the pay of his caucasian counterparts, he shone in his endeavors, overcame the oppressions of apartheid, emigrated to Canada and then The United States where he has become one of the most innovative scientists of our time, changing the face of medicine.

In the  1980's, Soon Shiong performed  the first cell transplants to produce insulin in a diabetic.  He subsequently invented Abraxane, the first breast cancer drug based on nanparticle technology.  His new-found material wealth not only catapulted him into the ranks of America's wealthiest individuals, it has inspired extraordinary philanthropy.  Soon-Shiong and his wife Michele Chan started their own foundation which has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to local hospitals, and is assisting in the planned reopening of South LA's MLK Jr. Hospital and in the improvement of Skid Row Medical Care  In his seemingly extemporaneous  acceptance speech we heard wonderful and humorous examples of his innovation and insight into the healthcare industry through technological improvements.

We got reacquainted with social media  and internet marketing guru Torsten Kunert who has joined the ranks of those contributing their significant knowledge and expertise to the ASR team. Tunert  was in attendance with business partners Robert Star and Irvine Zysensky; they have an important iPhone application in the works - we'll update you in the future.

We also had the privilege of speaking with LABJ publisher Matt Toledo and Editor Charles Crumpley.  As new subscribers, ASR appreciated the opportunity to thank them for the extensive, informative, and interesting coverage of our community.  The day was a unique, fascinating experience for us, gaining the perspective of local entrepreneurs and interacting with members of the wide-ranging Los Angeles business world.

Update: LABJ will be publishing an article about ASR in their March 22, 2010, issue! We will be posting it here as soon as it is released! Stay tuned.....

We recently attended Afternoon Tea with CodePink and Phyllis Bennis at  CodePink founder Jodie Evans' home.  Jodie always provides a thoughtful forum for  insight and discussion which is much appreciated.

Phyllis, fellow at The Institute of Policy Studies discussed her book Ending the U.S. War in Afghanistan: A Primer. Also a fellow at the Transnational Institute, Phyllis has been an advisor to many senior-level officials at The United Nations. We were excited to hear her take on a situation that is far more complicated than we could have imagined.

We were also privileged to meet up again with Daniel Ellsberg and his wife Patricia Marx Ellsberg, as well as Stanley Sheinbaum, a force  of nature in Southern California activism and politics.  Ellsberg was the subject of the Oscar nominated documentary "The Most Dangerous Man in America"  mentioned in our blog last September and which centered on his release of the Pentagon Papers.

To recap: Ellsberg was a U.S. military analyst at the RAND corporation. While there he worked with classified government documents dealing with US decision-making in Vietnam. Ellsberg made the Papers public in The New York Times exposing the government's knowledge that the war would cause many more casualties, and was not likely to be won. In 1971, he was tried under the Espionage Act of 1917. Stanley Sheinbaum, as well as Jodie Evans' husband, Max Palevsky, raised over a million dollars for Ellsberg's defense. Ultimately, a mistrial was declared and all charges were dropped due to "gross government misconduct."  Ellsberg and his wife have spent the subsequent 40 years as anti-war activists.

For us and Aid Still Required, it was a fascinating afternoon - food for thought as well as tea and crumpets!

On February 28, 2010, ASR attended an event for Youth for Human Rights International where we were honored to meet Ben Skinner, author of A Crime so Monstrous: Face-to-Face with Modern Day Slavery.   A Carr Center for Human Rights Policy fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School and winner of the 2009 Dayton Literary Peace Prize. Skinner is both academic and activist.

Skinner's own first-hand experience with slavery began in 2003 while in Sudan on an assignment for Newsweek.  He met a young man, Muong Nyong, a former slave who was Skinner's own age but who had spent half his life in bondage.  Nyong inspired Skinner to seek out more people like him. Thus began the journey  that has made Skinner the first person in history  to have observed the sale of human beings on four continents.

Scholars estimate the total number of modern-day slaves is greater than at any point in history - Skinner places it at potentially twenty-seven million human beings.  But as Skinner points out,  that number means little, unless we clarify the meaning of slavery. He formulated a specific definition: slaves are forced to work, under threat of violence, for no pay beyond subsistence.

Though the number of slaves defies comprehension and is growing, finding them is challenging and at times  dangerous. Often going undercover, Skinner  has infiltrated trafficking networks, slave quarries, urban child markets and illegal brothels. These experiences and insights are chronicled in A Crime So Monstrous.

After the presentation, ASR also met with Skinner's guest, fellow Angeleno Maria Suarez of CAST-LA (Coalition of Abolition of Slavery and Trafficking- Los Angeles).  Maria moved the audience to tears with her story of being trafficked at age 15- in Los Angeles.  Lured by the promise of a job, Maria was imprisoned into domestic servitude and abuse for 5 1/ 2 years - in Los Angeles, then wrongfully imprisoned for 22 1/2 years for the murder of her enslaver.  Upon her release, she was threatened with deportation.  Maria's name was cleared, a green card granted, and with a radiant smile and spirit, she is dedicating her life to educating families, and especially young women, both here and in small villages abroad, of the dangers of human trafficking.

It was a thought-provoking morning and ASR felt privileged to bear witness to some of the tragedies of human trafficking.

Last night, ASR Special Projects Manager Lindsay Huff took ASR Founders Hunter and Andrea and ASR Friend Laurie Benenson to her alma mater Loyola Marymount to hear author and humanitarian Greg Mortensen speak about his latest book "Stones Into Schools.".

Mortenson, author of  the bestseller "Three Cups of Tea", has been working in Pakistan and Afghanistan since 1993 after recovering from a hike up K2 - the world's second highest mountain.  In the weeks he spent recovering in the far reaches of a Himalayan village, Mortenson noted that the village children had no school and had to study on exposed rocks in the cold.  As an expression of his gratitude,  Mortenson promised the villagers that he would build them a school.

Out of what may have been a delirious, rash promise,  Mortensen founded the Central Asia Institute and Pennies for Peace. To date, he has built 131 schools that provide educational opportunities to children in some of the most politically volitile regions of the "war on terror." Of these children the vast majority (48,000 of the 58,000) are girls who often have even less access to education because of their gender.

We were so inspired by Greg.  His first school took three years to build, 500 letters to receive his first check, and now he is making a difference in lives throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan, creating a positive lasting influence in the region.

Saturday, January 30, 2010, we joined ASR Board member Dorothy Breininger, organizing guru, at the National Association of Professional Organizers Awards dinner. Dorothy, producer and consultant for A& E's hit show "Hoarders" was honored as Most Innovative Organizer of the Year.  Actress  Kim Coles, of "In Living Color" fame,  hosted the event and kept everyone in chuckles. We were pleased & excited to meet Dorothy's business partners at Delphi Digital, Debbie and Ken Bitticks.

Today, we create space...

...to remember those lost 5 years ago this day due to the tsunami.  ASR's heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to those who are, for any and all reasons, grieving the memory of that day.  We want to take this moment now to grieve with you, to remember, and to rededicate our commitment to the undeniable truth that...aid IS still required.

As a part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign, Clint Eastwood graciously donated his new film, Invictus, for an advance screening at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, two days prior to opening.  The gala evening, co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood in addition to thecommunity.com, recognized various NGOs, honoring the work that they do in light of Human Rights Day [December 10th].  About 400 guests were in attendance - over 1,200 were on the waiting list!

Aid Still Required was asked to participate with other NGOs that included the One Campaign, Artists for Human Rights, CARE, the Enough Project, and Amnesty International.

Bonnie Abaunza, ASR friend, fierce human rights advocate, and Director of Special Projects for Remote Control Productions emceed the screening.  A video presentation was shown before the film, in which Archbishop Desmond Tutu gave his illuminary words of gratitude toward Clint Eastwood for making the film, the collective work of NGOs and the essential work that they do in preserving our universal human rights [stay tuned for the video link of his message].

The performances in the movie were effortlessly brilliant, conveying this compelling true story about Nelson Mandela's endeavors to reunite his country through reconciliation and forgiveness...and rugby!

ASR's table got a lot of buzz as people came by, picking up ASR bookmarks, brochures on our upcoming projects, and asking more about our work.  Hollywood Weekly also came by the table to take pictures of Andrea and Hunter with ASR volunteers Kanoe Y. Wheeler and Eileen Kim, as well as to get a few words from Hunter about our work.

As part of its continuing participation in the UDHR Nobel Peace Laureate Campaign, ASR organized a photo shoot with Lakers Andrew Bynum, Luke Walton, and Jordan Farmar at the Lakers' practicing facility.

The three athletes held up signs representing the various articles numbers from the UN document, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as signs that say, "Join Us!", written and signed by each of them in their own handwriting. Luke's dad, basketball hall of famer Bill Walton is also participating in the campaign.

ASR had the pleasure of seeing photographer Zoe Zimmer again, whom we had met at the Sunset Gower Studio shoot, a former UK high fashion model and daughter of renowned film composer, Hans Zimmer.

It was a particularly exciting day for Andrea and Hunter, who were able to have a brief conversation with Kobe Bryant and pass along to him a long-awaited gift of gratitude for his previous PSA work with Aid Still Required: a custom-made ASR t-shirt with Kobe's high school team motto, "Refuse to Lose"...written in Italian.  Kobe was appreciative of the gift, continuing to show his very gracious support to ASR's work.

After the shoot ended, we ran into Lakers general manager and long-time friend of Hunter's, Mitch Kupchak, with whom we got to have an enjoyable conversation.

Seen below is Andrew Bynum, graciously posing with 5'5" ASR volunteer Eileen Kim.

Here's Luke Walton saying cheese with UDHR Article 14.

We are very grateful to all of the wonderful support we've received from our home team, the Los Angeles Lakers!

Thecommunity.com had invited ASR to participate in its Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign featuring Nobel Peace Laureates including the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created by Eleanor Roosevelt and adopted by the UN in 1948.  Its 30 articles spell out the fundamental facets of human rights for all people.  UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon said, "The Declaration was the first global statement of what we now take for granted - the inherent dignity and equality of all human beings."  ASR is honored to join a campaign that speaks so true of what it stands for...what we hope all of you will take a stand for.

Andrea, Hunter, and actress / filmmaker / ASR volunteer Lindsay Huff were at Sunset Gower that Monday doing a photo shoot with actors and athletes such as CCH Pounder from The Shield and Law and Order and Lakers Josh Powell and Didier Ilunga-Mbenga.

Seen below are Didier Ilunga-Mbenga giving a group hug to Producer Terri Melkonian, Coordinator Nikkie Pacuk, Production Assistant Raffi Petrossian, Associate Producer Larry Laboe, and Production Assistant Valentine Mathieu.  Just how many people can DJ fit in his arms?!

Andrea is seen here with Malalai Joya, also known as "the most famous woman in Afghanistan."  In 2003, at the age of 25, Joya stood up at a constitutional assembly and denounced the NATO-backed warlords.  She was elected to parliament in 2005 at age 27, and in 2007, she was suspended for her persistent criticism of the warlords and the government.

Currently on tour of the US to promote her new book, A Woman Among Warlords, Hunter and Andrea met Joya at the home of CODEPINK Co-Founder Jodie Evans.  Joya is petite and soft-spoken until she starts speaking about the tragedies currently going on in her country and about the calling for the withdrawal of NATO troops there.

The Paynes deeply appreciated the opportunity to hear a firsthand report about life in Afghanistan from Joya as well as from activist Sara Nichols, who traveled there recently on a CODEPINK delegation.  What was especially moving was the story of a young girl, who had been given in marriage against her will as a child, escaped twice, found refuge in a woman's shelter, and who is now committed to becoming a lawyer on behalf of other women.  There are only six women's centers to serve the approximately 13 million women estimated to be victims of domestic abuse.

Whatever point of view you may have about the US troops being in Afghanistan, you cannot help but be moved by Joya's courage and passion.  She has survived four assassination attempts; for this reason, CODEPINK is requesting contributions to help provide an armored car for Joya's safety.

"For the children" - Aid Still Required Joins the Clippers and Maccabi Tel-Aviv for Migdal Ohr Benefit

In 2007, the New York Knicks and Maccabi Tel Aviv sold out Madison Square Garden in the first basketball benefit game for Migdal Ohr, the world's largest orphanage located in Northern Israel.

As the benefit was such a success, Migdal Ohr created two pre-season exhibition games for 2009, one rematch in NYC and the other at the Los Angeles Staples Center with the LA Clippers facing the Maccabis.

Migdal Ohr Executive Director Robert Katz had heard about ASR's work with the NBA players and offered ASR an invitation to participate.  Proceeds went to Migdal Ohr, with a percentage of sales going to help the work of other NGO's such as ASR and LA's Best, in addition to area synagogues.

Over 26,000 people total attended the two games.  Andrea and Hunter sat in the midst of a lively group of male middle-schoolers, who could barely stay in their seats.  When they weren't hooting and hollering, the young men were texting the latest scoop.  Founder and president Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman, alos the 2009 Caring Institute International Humanitarian of the Year, addressed the crowd at half-time.  A delicious post-game feast was held for VIPs and the athletes.  In addition to meeting basketball legend Rick Barry, Andrea was espcially happy to meet up with her old friend, talented marketer, Lauren Becker.

This West Coast game went off without a hitch, though the same could not be said about the game at the Garden, where Maccabi coach, Pini Gershon, had to be removed from the game over a heated disagreement with a referee.  We were glad to see him more at ease here in LA!

After seeing Dirt! The Movie, you will never think of the ground beneath you in quite the same way.

Sometimes red, sometimes chocolaty brown, sometimes black, sometimes beige, we usually think of dirt as something we want to clean up and get rid of.  However, Dirt! The Movie was an eye-opener for the Paynes.  ASR thanks producers Bill and Laurie Benenson and Gene Rusow for getting the word out...and for making the film a lot of fun as well as informative and inspiring.

Dirt! The Movie has been chosen as PBS's 2010 Earth Day special.  The DVD is now available for purchase at dirtthemovie.org/buydirttoday.

Watch the trailer here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8_dN5YWnyc&feature=player_embedded

This year's Bioneers Conference, held in Marin County from October 16-18th, was Aid Still Required's fourth year in attendance, in conjunction with Andrea and Hunter's wedding anniversary.  The Paynes were fortunate enough to be joined by Board member Maureen Charles, who found the conference equally inspiring, a gathering of amazing people focusing on visionary solutions to preserve and revitalize the planet in addition to restoring social justice to a broken world.

One of their favorite workshop presenters was Dr. John Todd of Todd Ecological Design and Engineering - the 2008 winner of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge.  He spoke about his revolutionary approach to coal mining mountain top restoration in Appalachia.  After hearing Dr. Todd and seeing Diane Sawyer's Children of the Mountains television special on malnutrition in Appalachia, the beautiful land and forgotten people of Appalachia are now on ASR's radar where we hope to make a difference.

The Paynes first heard Dr. Todd and his wife, Mary Jack Todd, speak at a local Los Angeles Bioneers meeting regarding their visionary simulated ecosystems that purify sewage and waste water.  He has created a method that changes human waste into drinkable water through the practical use of plant filter systems as eco-machines.  Who knew that waste management could be so fascinating?!?!  For more about Dr. Todd's work, check out his site at http://toddecological.com.

Mari Margil, the associate director of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELD) was one of the standout plenary speakers with her presentation "Who Speaks for the Trees?: Driving Nature's Rights into Law."  The focus was Ecuador's Constituent Assembly's landmark decision to enshrine the rights of three cities in the US who are drawing up city ordinances to strip corporations of their rights constitutionally, even as the cities grant nature rights under the law.

Creating a parallel between how we treat nature and slavery, Ms. Margil made the point that most laws govern the use of nature as property, but do not grant it rights or protection, just as laws regarding slavery addressed slaves as property without granting them rights or protection.

CELD promotes affordable legal services to grassroot groups and municipal governments for democratic control of environmental rights.  Their Democracy School is a series of weekend seminars that helps groups and communities create organizing strategies to resist corporate rights that impose on the rights of those communities.  For more information, please check out their website: www.celdf.org.

Please consider joining ASR for next year's Bioneers Conference.  Only four can fit comfortably in the Prius, but the Paynes are not adverse to finding a bus that runs on biodiesel to increase the Los Angeles constituency!

ASR Board Member / Secretary Maureen Charles with Andrea and Hunter

[Photos of Dr. Todd and Ms. Margil are accredited to results from a Google image search.]

When CODEPINK Co-Founder Jodie Evans told the Paynes about an upcoming screening of The Most Dangerous Man in America, they changed their schedule and showed up for the Thursday night screening and Q&A session with film subject Daniel Ellsberg and his wife, Patricia.

For those of you who might not know this important piece of history, the film documents Ellsberg's transformation from Defense Department analyst to whistleblower concerning the government cover-ups about the Vietnam War and finally to anti-war and anti-nuclear activist.  Ellsberg is specifically known for releasing what became known as the Pentagon Papers, detailing the United States' involvement in the escalation of the war, which had been denied by the government.  The New York Times was the first to release the story and begin publication of the documents and when the Nixon White House shut down the presses, The Washington Post took over.  After the White House took actions to shut down The Post, 15 other newspapers took up publishing sections of the Pentagon Papers until the Supreme Court ruled in favor of freedom of the press and the Nixon White House had to withdraw.  Ellsberg was jailed but finally acquitted.  Now in his late seventies, he and Patricia have continued to speak out against war and in favor of social justice.

September 22nd marked the LA premiere and Academy Awards qualifying screening of the documentary, The Third Wave.  Made by ASR friend, Alison Thompson and her producing partner Oscar Gubernati, The Third Wave chronicles their experiences volunteering in Sri Lanka after the tsunami.

"June 20th" quickly became an ASR household buzzword with weeks of tireless preparation, culminating into A Night of Culture for a Cause.  Actress and ASR friend Barbara Bosson hosted the fete at her stunning Pacific Palisades home.  Thanks to Marble Arch Fine Afts and the Cracking Art Group, guests were greeted by eco-friendly, larger-than-life animal sculptures made out of recycled plastic, highlighting ASR's commitment to environmental issues.  Animals included giant bulldogs and terriers, oversized sneaker-wearing chihuahuas, goats, giraffes, and alligators.

Giant terrier with goat friends guarding the premises.

Colorful chihuahuas enjoying the poolside with N. African art hanging in the back.

ASR's various projects in the tsunami region in Southeast Asia, Sudan, and New Orleans were featured on displays in the living room while silent auction items were lined up on tables on the poolside veranda.

With close to a hundred people in attendance, Whole Foods and Taste of Hope Catering provided a topical spread for dinner - authentic Northeast African food from Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan were prepared and served by chefs from those countries in their traditional apparel.  There was also Ethiopian coffee, ground directly by these women in the idyllic backyard of Ms. Bosson's home.

Saba and Mbraty putting together a wonderful meal!

Coffee-making Station

Tracks from ASR's upcoming All-Star Tsunami Relief CD played quietly in the background as guests perused the North African art on display.  Representing the ASR project area of New Orleans, whiskey-voiced rollicking pianist Bob Malone played smokin' Nawlins style jazz keyboards, as shown below.

Renowned interior designer, animal activist, and philanthropist Bobi Leonard, as seen below, was a lively auctioneer, whipping up excitement for items including a getaway trip to Tuscany, an ASR shirt worn and signed by Kobe Bryant, "Holding Onto" sculpture by Iranian American artist Rebecca Setareh, gift certificates to local spas and neighborhood restaurant legends like Michael's, Amici's, Cafe Delfini's, Giorgio's, and Rustic Canyon, photographs by award-winning conflict photographer Ron Haviv and the irrepressible Cat Gwynn, and custom-made stone jewelry made by Benita Pautz, also hairdresser extraordinaire, whose jewelry will soon to be made available for sale on ASR's online store.

After a night of discussion, bidding, and winning, the guests left with their minds, stomachs, and hands full of cultural experiences.  On their way home, guests received party favors of original photographs taken by Andrea and Hunter themselves of Sudan's landscape and beautiful people as well as Sumbody salt scrub samples, scented with the Indonesian and Sudanese tropical flowers, herbs, and fruits.  It was a wonderful night to say the very least, and we thank all of our attendees, supports, and volunteers for making it a success!

Andrea with sculpture artist Rebecca Setareh and actress, philanthropist, designer, model, ASR volunteer Sulinh LaFontaine.

[All photographs were taken by Barry Schwartz.]

ASR thanks METal [Media Entertainment Technology Alliance] for showcasing their VRAI video at A Taste of METal Media Festival on June 11th at the Los Angeles Center Studios.  For more about the wonderfully things being done by this group, check out their site at www.tasteofmetal.com.