LA Philanthropy Watch

The mission of the Theodore Payne Foundation (a nonprofit in Sun Valley, just a few miles north of Los Angeles) is to:

• to promote and restore California landscapes and habitats,
• to propagate and make available California native plants and wildflowers, and
• to educate and acquire knowledge about California flora and natural history.

The foundation has a beautiful selection of native plants and wildflowers for sale.  Since they require little water and no fertilizers or pesticides, a yard with California natives  conserves a valuable resource, contributes to cleaner water at the beach, and reduces global warming.

For two consecutive weekends the foundation’s native plant nursery is having its biggest sale of the year.  On Friday, October 9 – Saturday, October 10 the sale is for members of the foundation.  Nonmembers may purchase plants and seeds for at regular prices; memberships are available at the door.  On Friday, October 17 – Saturday, October 18 all shoppers will receive a 10% discount.  (The foundation is closed on Sundays.)

The Theodore Payne Foundation website is a great resource; check it out.

Saturday, September 19, 2009 – The Petersen Automotive Museum will unveil an exhibit celebrating hot rods of SO-CAL Speed Shop at the grand opening of the Johnny Rockets restaurant located in the Museum.  I picked up this story from the blog at Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords.

The 11th Annual Fireworks Festival was hosted by the Studio Center Chamber of Commerce, CBS Studio Center, Channel 2 and KCAL 9.  Proceeds from the event benefited the East Valley Multipurpose Senior Center, a program of the Valley Interfaith Council.

Magician Arian Black (see photo) was among the performers who entertained the crowd before dark – and a terrific fireworks display.  New City Controller Wendy Greuel and sci fi author Ray Bradbury were among the featured guests.  (I regret not taking my camera.)

This alum of the program was at the open house.

On Saturday, June 13, 2009, Guide Dogs of America hosted its 22nd Annual Open House.  It was, from the standpoint of this visitor, a huge success.  Perhaps because it garnered a mention (and an adorable photo of a Puppy in Training) in the Auto Club’s June 2009 Westways magazine, the event drew the biggest crowd GDA has ever attracted for an open house.

This organization was founded by Joseph Jones, Sr. with the support of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 61 years ago to provide independence, companionship, confidence and freedom for people who are blind or visually impaired.  Guide Dogs of America trains each Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever or German Shepard for about six months.  Then there is an additional four-week session with each dog and ‘matching’ blind partner.

Guide Dogs of America is headquartered in Sylmar on 7 1/2 acres in the San Fernando Valley.  GDA receives no government funding, relying wholly on voluntary contibutions.  In 2006-07 more than three-quarters of its expenditures were allocated to program services, just under 10% for administrative expenses, and not quite 14% for fundraising.

Guide Dogs of America’s website includes scads of information, including guidelines for puppy raising, etiquette when meeting a person with a guide dog, educational materials for grades 1 through 8, and shirts, caps, tote bags and other merchandise for sale.