Hi Breeps!
Thanksgiving is just about upon us and it’s one of Americas biggest holidays – I’m sure you all pretty much familiar with the tradition and the ‘real meaning’ of Thanksgiving so won’t patronize you with the ‘What’s It All About, Alfie?” but traditionally it’s celebrated around a feast and is very much about family time. I know so many of us ex-pats arrive here alone and without family and wonder whether we should join in the celebrations or not! I like to think of my friends in LA as my family, and that includes a LOT of Brits. Also being somewhat of a transient city, most of my American friends go back to their hometowns to be with their families. Whether you celebrate or not there is also a lot of good we can do on Thanksgiving day. There are many homeless shelters that take on volunteers to serve Thanksgiving dinner to the estimated 254,000 men, women and children living on the streets. And did you know, about 14 to 18 percent of homeless adults in Los Angeles County are not U.S. citizens compared with 29% of adults overall? See below I have listed a few shelters and missions in the LA area you can contact to see how you can get involved and give back to your community this year.
Westside Thanksgiving Community Dinner & Celebration
WHEN: Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday all day.
WHERE: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main Street, Santa Monica
WHAT: Last year more than 1,200 volunteers served 2,500 meals and distributed tons of clothing and blankets. They also provided hundreds of children’s immunizations, haircuts, and free medical consultations.
Los Angeles Mission Thanksgiving
WHEN: Wednesday and Thursday all day
WHERE: Los Angeles Mission, 303 East 5th Street, Los Angeles
WHAT: Volunteering doesn’t just mean serving meals— the L.A. Mission is looking for donations of food, clothing, gifts, cash, and time. All will benefit the lives of impoverished men, women, and children who live on and around Skid Row. Last year volunteers and celebrities dished up 3,000 pounds of turkey, 700 pounds of sesame and garlic roasted mashed potatoes, 800 pounds of green beans, and 600 pies; about 4,000 meals in all.
Union Station Thanksgiving Dinner-In-The-Park
WHEN: Thursday at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Pasadena’s Central Park, 275 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena
WHAT: Nicknamed the “Biggest Potluck in the Nation,” this event provides thousands of Thanksgiving meals for homeless men, women, children, seniors, very low-income families, and people who have no place where else to spend the holiday.
Food on Foot
WHEN: Thursday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: 1625 N. Schrader Ave., Hollywood
WHAT: Volunteers will distribute hot nutritious meals, bus tokens, and sleeping bags to over 500 homeless and poor in Hollywood on Thanksgiving Day.
14th Annual Gobble Gobble Give
WHEN: Thursday setup begins at 7 a.m., event begins at 10 a.m.
WHERE: The Echo, 1822 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
WHAT: Gobble Gobble Give is looking for volunteers to serve food and/or to give clothing, toiletries, and time to those in need. The goal is to serve 6,000 meals.
This past week was quite eventful from the unveiling of the new Jaguar F-Type Coupe to the launch of this year’s LA Auto show. Actor Nicholas Hoult, Kelly Osbourne, Paul Oakenfold, Simon Cowell, Miranda Kerr (pictured), “Byker Grove”’s very own Donna Air and male supermodel David Gandy mingled with Brits in LA Key members at Raleigh Studios in Playa Vista. The food was extremely tasty British-style fish and chips in cones, beef short ribs over mashed potatoes and gravy served in a tin. Darren Darnborough commented that it was just like a Fray Bentos. Catering was by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, Old Speckled Hen and Strongbow cider flowed alongside champagne for quite the unveiling. When the backdrop fell, an amazing light show ensued with a high speed car chase with the three F-Type coupes – Dear Santa…..
While I was swanning around being fabulous, Eileen was getting down and dirty with
Sandro Monetti (wait that sounded wrong – oo-er missus) who was our guest quizmaster at our new weekly “Pub Quiz at the Pikey”. He will also be taking on hosting duties at this weekend’s “Doctor Who” extravaganza at The Cat and Fiddle Pub. Tessa Shaw a former Doctor Who actress will be there in person to judge the Who costume contest and introduce the new 50-year anniversary episode. Tickets are $15, which includes a free drink.
Tickets for our annual Christmas Party also went on sale this week – tickets are very limited due to the intimate but very stylish venue; Pearl’s of Sunset. Tickets are $65, which includes delicious appetizers and a full open bar. Don’t wait – we always sell out at Christmas!
Check our website for all the above event details and to purchase tickets www.britsin.la
And as always every Tuesday is our Breakfast Club at Cecconi’s sponsored by Next Stop LAX and every Wednesday at 11am is our Twitter chat with BBC America.
Hope to see ya around, and very Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.
Craig
This week’s column is dedicated to my Nanny in Birmingham. RIP. You were a remarkable woman who went through two world wars and raised a family of soldiers. Love you and will miss you.
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