Ok, so perhaps SFist's own Donor's Choose challenge isn't going to break any records (and we're not the best promoter's are we?). But that doesn't mean there's a flaw in the system... well not a flaw in the Donor's Choose system anyway, don't even get us started on flaws in the public school system. So from now until September 30, Donor's Choose is trying to raise $250,000 for California school proposals and half of... [continue]

News of this organization came across our now very sleepy Cares desk last week and we thought it interesting and helpful and stuff but then got stopped dead by one line of their press release: This fall 3,700 Bay Area/Northern California disadvantaged youngsters, many of whom have never owned their own book, will take part in an innovative literacy program featuring a cast of centuries-old characters from halfway around the world. ...screeeeetch What?! Never... [continue]

We don't want to sound naive or anything but can you believe things are still a complete frickin' mess down in the gulf region and hurricane seasons starts for serious next month? I mean, people are probably still up in trees and shit. It isn't right. Luckily, while we've been working on our tan other people have been working on more important things. Our inbox contains an email from one of our readers who's... [continue]

After a bit of a rough year, Kepler's bookstore in Menlo Park recently celebrated its 51st anniversary as one of the great independent bookstores in the area - a dying breed as you well know. We got Clark Kepler to take some time out and answer a few of our most burning questions: For any readers who might not know, tell us why Kepler's is so awesome. For me and many others who've been... [continue]

Maybe it's just us but for some reason we read more in the summer than in the winter. It goes against expectations, sure, but something about the summer is just lazier than the winter. And as our ghostly white skin betrays, we hate sun, so it isn't all beach reading. Local bookstores are being helpful by providing a good slate of upcoming author events and we've picked a few faves below. Who are you... [continue]

Hey two-wheelers! The AIDS/LifeCycle is coming up and one of the locals riding it sent us a message about a bike/moped/scooter wash this Sunday 11am-4pm on Market & Sanchez to raise money for the ride. Besides the suds, "2 Wheels, 1 Heart" promises music, drinks and prizes from Huf, Timbuk2 and more. If you're in town for the weekend and your wheels are dirty check it out! As an aside, when you do image... [continue]

Companies are getting into blogging, why not non-profits? They are catching on and one of the organizations we talked about last year, DonorsChoose, is starting up a new "power of the blogs" campaign called, unsurprisingly, BloggersChoose. DonorsChoose allows teachers to submit proposals for classroom supplies or initiatives they want to accomplish but can't afford (shocking news - schools aren't well-funded, like, anywhere) and donors pick the ones they want to fund, in part or... [continue]

Who wants to volunteer to ask the critical question: gel or mousse? Better yet: blow dry or air dry? We want to know and you could get the chance to ask it. This week, rock dwellers, is National Volunteer Week and to help celebrate it, and encourage people to keep or start volunteering The Volunteer Center is holding a contest. The winner of this content (there will be three people picked) will get a... [continue]

Fess up, readers. One of you was at the Princess Project dress giveaway on April 1st and started opening your big mouth about SFist. Who was it? Fess! Because we kiss you, big mouth reader! Thanks to your blabbering we were contacted by Girls, Inc. of Alameda County who we've now come to love almost as much as we not-so-secretly love you. Why do we love them? It's right there on the home page:... [continue]

SFist Eve already gave you the scoop on one literary happening and then our inbox beeped to let us know that we got an email from Kepler's (snappy new site design there) listing their April author events. They're kicking off a travel series and its killing us! We want to go somewhere (not that we don't love SF, oh no). Wah! Since our travel budget is so limited we're going to settle for visiting... [continue]

The SFist offices are jazzed about the season finale of Project Runway tonight. Some of that is because this season was pretty lame compared to last, so we're just happy it's coming to a close and we can move on and forget. What we think would liven it all up would be better challenges, like this one: Take a box of donated thrift store clothes and make something beautiful out of them. Oh snap!... [continue]

Despite our snippy attitude, we here at SFist are really softies at heart which is why we love volunteers. All kinds really, it doesn't matter. Whenever someone takes some of their own spare time to spend helping others, well, we're just big fans of that. While we celebrate volunteers all year 'round, National Volunteer Week is officially April 23-29th. As part of this, The Volunteer Center will host its annual awards event "Hat's Off:... [continue]

Confession time: It's not that we hate Valentine's Day exactly, but... well, let's just say we're actually glad we're moving on the 14th. But if you're looking for smoochy, cuddly things to do down in the south bay (and really, who isn't?) we have some ideas for you. Of course, they're ideas from our bitter, black hearts but whatever - they're at least less cliche than a red rose and some overpriced dinner. If... [continue]

As avowed book lovers SFist was thrilled to see Kepler's com back and they're (almost) better than ever. We'll remove that bracketed condition when they open online ordering because we always get our book jonesing while we're stuck at our desks and they can't yet take advantage of that. But what we think marks the real return of Kepler's is the slate of author events they have booked in the coming months. Saturday night... [continue]

After we got back home from our Christmas vacation, we found we had ourselves a problem. We just couldn't find any space in our closet for the new, beautiful, hand-knit Christmas sweater we got from our elderly aunt. No question, this sweater is a keeper (reindeer were hot on the fall runways in Milan last year) so our only choice is a judicious weeding of the current contents of our tiny closet. Just our... [continue]

Putting together Cares for more than a year now we've learned about the breadth of "helping" organizations in the bay area - from environmental groups to people helping people (and animals) and everything in between. We've cajoled you to give time and clothes and, our all-time, number-one favorite, cash. And now, we're asking you for something else. If you watch any late night television you may have seen a series of commercials jointly produced... [continue]

Am I the only one who found 2005 to be one of the fastest years on record? I can't even believe it's over - I remember it just starting. I didn't even get everything on my list done! Here's a more leisurely 2006! Politics - Voters rejecting the Governor was awesome but I'm still waiting for something, anything, to take down Bush. What the hell will it take?! Federal Government Department - We know... [continue]

We all know someone who's been affected by a medical problem of some kind, but it's a bit trickier giving a gift related to that interest than some of the others we've profiled. These issues tend to be much more personal and even the most philanthropic-minded friend might not want to be reminded of it during the holiday season. Still, there are some worthwhile charities you can consider and it's easy to find the... [continue]

Last week we gave you some ideas for what to get the animal lover on your gift list. This week, we're going international -- looking at various international aid organizations that you might purchase a charitable gift from this holiday season. We first heard about microfinance a few years ago and have been fascinated by it ever since. It's so DIY and personal and operates on the level that we can really see making... [continue]

In keeping with the general SFist holiday gift guide, the Cares columns for December will feature gift ideas for the more philanthropic of our readers. We love stuff, don't get us wrong, but it can be a big relief when you and your friends decide to exchange charitable donations. Hopefully, we'll have some ideas you can use and feel free to chime in in the comments with more. First, up, we've got some ideas... [continue]