Partnership Walk Aims To Reduce Global Poverty

The Southland event begins at the Santa Monica Pier. Proceeds help the poor in Africa and Asia to create long-term self-help solutions to lift themselves out of poverty.

Southern Californians can strike a blow against poverty in Africa and Asia by joining Sunday in the 18th annual Partnership Walk.,br />
The event, which begins at 10 a.m. at the Santa Monica Pier, is held in 10 major U.S. cities each year. Money raised goes to reduce global poverty and its close companions: hunger, illiteracy and poor health.

Last year's Los Angeles area walk raised more than $400,000, according to Rafiq Ghaswala, a spokesman for the Aga Khan Foundation USA, which established the Partnership Walk.

"Participants help communities in some of the poorest areas of Africa and Asia to create long-term, self-help solutions to lift themselves out of poverty," the organization said in a written statement about the project. "These contributions make a tremendous impact in creating opportunities for girls in Afghanistan to go to school, for farmers in Mali to feed their families and mothers in India to lead healthy lives."

This year's speaker is Jim Dyer, district governor-elect for the Rotary Club of America. Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom will be among opening ceremony participants. Other special guests include TV actors Noureen DeWulf of "Anger Management" and Parvesh Cheena of "Outsourced."

Walkers can learn more about the project and sign up at http://www.partnershipsinaction.org/LA. Registration can also be done at the pier on Sunday, starting at 9 a.m. Another option is to sponsor a walker.

Other cities holding Partnership Walks are Atlanta; Birmingham, Ala.; Chicago; Dallas; Houston; Memphis, Tenn.; Orlando, Fla.; San Antonio; and San Francisco.

The foundation's PartnershipsInAction activities, including annual walk and golf events, have drawn more than 380,000 participants and raised $48 million, foundation officials said.

Established in 1981, the foundation is a private, non-denominational, nonprofit international development organization committed to alleviating poverty. It is part of the Aga Khan Development Network.

.......JEAN MERL, LOS ANGELES TIMES, OCTOBER 28, 2012

Summer Jam and Santa Monica Pier Fest

The 24th Annual Twilight Dance Series at the Santa Monica Pier, California, seems to be giving me some kind of buzz and I'm really having a blast at this beautiful beach resort. Everything is just happening. I have been asked quite often when I will slow down and stop hanging out like a party animal. My answer: Life is too short. Just play it hard. Yes, play it hard and have fun; and that's what life is all about, like the saying goes: all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Well, the Twilight Dance Series in its 24th year of Summer jams is as usual with some line ups that is quite interesting with its opening June 26, showcasing The Bonedaddys and the Crown City Rockers.

I have been paying much attention in the last couple of days to Creed Taylor's production in his Kudu years when legendary jazzy musicians in the likes of Richard Tee, Hank Crawford, Grover Washington Jr., Joe Beck, Johnny Hammond, Ralph McDonald, Bob James, Eric Gale, George Benson and the rest added gravy fusion that would change jazz forever. I'm not sure if today's jazz performers have enough talent to produce in that mood. Whatever it is, they should be given some props.

But anyway, what's more intriguing at this years Summer Jam and this famous pier is the line up and another opportunity for me to see among others, Oliver Mtukudzi who performs live on August 7 alongside Rocky Dawuni who would be opening the show that night. It's going to be a whole lot of fun as 'am already getting exhausted partying and smelling the sweet breeze of this fine ocean. Meanwhile, Mike Farris appears tonight and before it escapes my mind, my favorite record store Amoeba Music which sits in my neck of the woods are proud sponsors of this elegant event.

Adding more flavor to the festival, Toots & the Maytals who added soul seasoning to reggae music will wrap everything up on August 28. That's the one show I'm really looking forward to and I'm quite sure it's going to be a hell of a show because methink 'Reggae got Soul.'

August 14 has Juana Molina, The Midnight Shivers featuring Samantha Crain on the line up while August 21 has Gerry and the Pacemakers before the closing ceremony August 28 when one of my childhood favorites Toots stomps with the showdown. I'm just having a blast and it's all good.