What started as a mere Facebook group has turned into a petition-winning, corporation-convincing movement. Back in December, a page entitled Beautiful and Bald Barbie! Let’s see if we can get it made appeared on the omnipresent social networking site. Just more than three months later,...
Apr26
Vegan Children’s Book Sparks Controversy
Ruby Roth Promotes Vegan Lifestyle To Kids - Critics Call "Brainwashing"
Veganism sparks enough controversy on its own, but now, one driven mom, author, and vegan is promoting the lifestyle choice in a new way. Ruby Roth’s second children’s book Vegan is Love will be released this Tuesday. The 29-year-old author/illustrator published her first kids’ book, That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals, in 2009 to rave reviews from a number of veggie-focused blogs, to PETA, to the revered animal researcher Jane Goodall. Continuing the mission established in Roth’s first book, Vegan is Love explores clothing choices, animal testing, and entertainment, as well as eating habits in a way...
Apr26
Botanicula
New Forest Saving Video Game!
Independent video game distributor Humble Bundle has been pretty progressive since its inception in 2010. The website has always used a pay-what-you-want model in selling 100% DRM free indie game packages and they’ve supported a number of different charities including Child’s Play,...
Apr18
Rock For Recovery
Musicares: Heart & Billy Idol
Too many tales of addiction and substance abuse pervade rock and roll lore. Fortunately, the Grammy’s charitable arm, MusiCares, has developed its MAP Fund to help members of the musical community gain access to addiction treatments and recovery programs, regardless of their financial...
Apr16
WTF IS FLIXPAC!?
IS NETFLIX'S NEW SUPER-PAC PRO-SOPA/PIPA?
Web-based television and movie streaming service Netflix has found itself in a nice little flip-flopping situation. On April 5, the digital upstart filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Committee to create a new super-PAC dubbed FLIXPAC. Last week, RT reported that Netflix could use the funds relegated to that political action committee to support politicians who would in turn, help fund controversial bills like Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act (SOPA and PIPA, respectively). Soon thereafter, Netflix emailed RT with a response to the article that argued that FLIXPAC was not set up to financially support such bills. Joris...
Apr13
Electrify Your Strings
Mark Wood Charity Turns 10
Mark Wood might be most recognized as the former violinist of the epic Trans Siberian Orchestra, however his more impressive contribution to the musical world actually comes in the form of his organization. Nearly 10 years ago, the violinist and Emmy award-winning composer began Electrify...
Mar30
Cut The Power
World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour
Environment – Got plans for Saturday, March 31, yet? Didn’t think so. Start planning in advance, because once again, the World Wildlife Fund is hosting its annual Earth Hour campaign. What started as a one-city event has turned into a worldwide phenomenon with more than 18 billion...
Mar26
Soul for Soldiers
Bon Jovi's Soul Foundation to Help Homeless Vets
Celebrity Charities — The musical community has stepped up its collective game to help the homeless recently. Earlier this month, the (somewhat controversial) Homeless Hotspots initiative hit South By Southwest music and film festival in Austin and now, storied rock and roll singer Jon Bon Jovi is teaming up with the U.S. government’s Department of Veteran Affairs and Department of Housing and Development to create a digital app that assists homeless veterans. Project REACH, as it’s called, stands for Real-time Electronic Access for Caregivers and the Homeless. And the three players—JBJ’s Soul Foundation, VA, and HUD...
Mar26
IFEEL’s Pet Rap
Thanks From the Animals
Animal Rights — Earlier this month, we posted about IFEEL, a rapper who is bringing attention to the plights of animals through his hip-hop styled lyrics. For his latest project, IFEEL has written a song from the perspective of these creatures and critters entitled “Thank You.”...
Mar21
Accio Donations!
Rowling Donates Billionaire Stat
Celebrity Charities – Last year Forbes magazine named J. K. Rowling, the creative genius herself, the first female billionaire author. A lot can happen in a year, though. It turns out Rowling has donated so much money in the past 365 days that she did not make the 2012 edition of...
Mar20
To the Sea
Jack Johnson's Benefit Album
Celebrity Charities – Surfer/pop-star Jack Johnson recently announced a new live compilation album, The Best of Kokua Festival, the proceeds of which will go to his foundation. Featuring 13 tracks from Johnson;s annual Earth Day Kokua Festival, the LP includes songs recorded by stars...
Mar06
Weak Voltage
Chevy Pauses Hybrid's Production
Environment – General Motors has announced that it will temporarily suspend production of Chevrolet’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Volt, for five weeks this spring following poor sales. Sales for the Chevy Volt have not met expectations domestically or abroad. GM had hoped...
Mar06
Pushing the Envelope
Stars for National Literary Trust
Celebrity Charities – A host of British stars will be joining the seventh annual Pitney Bowes Pushing the Envelope campaign, designed to benefit the United Kingdom’s National Literacy Trust. From actors like Stephen Fry, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren and Simon Pegg to the members of...
Mar05
Animals Find An Ally In Music
Rapper IFEEL Brings Animal Rights Issues To The World Of Hip Hop
Animal Rights – Hip-hop newcomer IFEEL is bringing a fresh voice to the scene with his socially aware music. Using his voice as a weapon in the war for animal rights, his as-yet-untitled debut album drops this summer and features songs written from the points of view of animals. IFEEL was inspired to write this album after working with children who lived in group homes. He writes on this “I witnessed the severity of emotional pain and suffering and helped the young generation express their pain and heal though hip-hop music–by running a music therapy program for abused children. Abused animals are much like abused children....
Mar05
Rainforest Rockers
Sting and Elton to Play Benefit
Celebrity Charities – Musicians including Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, and Rosanne Cash will join other stars like Meryl Streep, Katherine McPhee, and Vince Gill to perform and appear at a benefit concert for the Rainforest Fund on April 3. Held at Carnegie Hall’s Stern...
Feb22
Pledging Allegiance
George Takei In Allegiance Musical
Social Issues – Look out, Trekkies, George Takei has a new project in the works. Unfortunately, this show isn’t completely fictional; it’s based on the story of Japanese internment camps in America during World War II. Oh, and it’s not going to be on the silver screen....
Feb21
School Bus Rock
Help Hell&Lula Turn Their Touring School Bus Into A Lean, Green Machine!
Environment – Hell&Lula sounds like a cross between a bedroom-electronic project and glam-rock stadium extravaganza. Something like if VHS or Beta clashed with Foxy Shazam and ended up strutting down Hollywood Boulevard while wearing their environmentalism and social advocacy on their collective sleeve. The up and coming Los Angeles quartet—comprised of MAK (vocals), Devon Culiner (guitar/programming), Russell Henson (bass/synth) and Alex Vega (drums)—is currently raising money to convert its touring school bus into a Cool Bus run on waste vegetable oil. MAK told The Daily Activist that he found the 1996 International school...
Feb20
I.M. EDUCATION
Will.i.am Raises $5 Mil For Education
Celebrity Charities – Last thursday night, Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am hosted a benefit concert at the Hollywood Palladium to support his namesake education program, the i.am Angel Foundation. Bringing in support from the rest of the Black Eyed Peas (excluding Fergie), Stevie Wonder (who played piano, harmonica and sang classics like “My Cherie Amor” and “Superstition.”), Ne-Yo, K’Naan, and Flo Rida, the “Trans4mation Experience” event raised $5 million for the foundation. During the performances, videos played bringing attention to students in U.S. neighborhoods, including Boyle...
Feb20
Power To The People
Pete Wentz For Invisible Children
Celebrity Charities – Former Fall Out Boy frontman Pete Wentz is the latest star to collaborate with online community MASScanvas. For the rest of February, fans and participants can submit designs to the t-shirt company, whose limited edition tees are sold in support of each partner...
Feb17
GRAMMY POWER
Katy Perry For MusiCares
Celebrity Charities – Pop star Katy Perry debuted her new song at the Grammys last weekend and that single, “Part of Me,” has already topped the charts. In thanking her legions of fans on Twitter, she also made a generous proclamation in 140 characters or less: “My...
Feb13
Researchers Create Transport Of The Future
Magnetic Fields Embedded In Highways Could Power Electric Cars
Environmental Issues – Hybrid cars are pretty popular now. Toyota’s Prius family is growing and New York City is in the process of converting their entire fleet of taxis to hybrids and fuel-efficient cars. And then there’s Nissan Leaf which is leading the movement for all-electric cars, even if on average, they only go about 100 miles before losing battery power. But while these vehicles represent a positive step in the trend of rejecting gas-guzzling, environmentally distressing driving, a perfect replacement has yet to be discovered. A team of researchers at Stanford University, however, is chasing a research lead on...
Feb06
Super Bowl PSA
Video: Think Before You Speak!
LGBT Issues – In the midst of all the hype surrounding Super Bowl commercials, one national educational foundation premiered a video that doesn’t try to sell cars, insurance, fast food, or jewelry. Instead, the Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) screened a PSA...
Feb06
Sexist Bathrooms?
Rolling Stones Urinal Backlash
Just Weird – Female fans are pissed that men are pissing in “womanly” urinals. Said toilets, shaped like the iconic Rolling Stones lips logo and housed in Germany’s Rolling Stones Fan Museum, are apparently too feminine for some people’s likings. The rock...
Feb05
Football Misdemeanors
Super Bowl Busts For Charity!
Social Issues – Sports fans tend to get a little rowdy when their teams play. But on Super Bowl Sunday, the city of Indianapolis might actually benefit from any out-of-town visitors getting out of hand during the Big Game. Anyone caught for misdemeanor activities (public intoxication,...
Feb04
Rockers Speak Out
Komen Controversy Far & Wide
Celebrity Charities – Although the Susan G. Komen Foundation (SGKF) recently apologized for its decision to pull funding from Planned Parenthood, the backlash from the original announcement is likely to be felt for some time as many have already made decisions to donated directly to...
Jan31
SUPERHEROES FIGHT FAMINE IN HORN OF AFRICA
DC ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES “WE CAN BE HEROES” CAMPAIGN
Human Rights – If only Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, et al. could really watch our cities, fight the bad guys, and quite literally save the world. Last week, though, the creators of these superheroes that comprise the Justice League launched the We Can Be Heroes campaign to do their part. DC Entertainment is trying to help stop the current famine in the Horn of Africa, the worst the region has seen in more than 60 years that is affecting more than 13 million people. DC Entertainment’s initiative, obviously fronted by the members of the Justice League, will help raise funds and awareness to three organizations working to...
Jan31
Benefit Concerts To The Rescue!
Charity Gigs Already Defining 2012: Jay-Z, Coldplay, And More!
Celebrity Charities – Benefit shows certainly have their place in rock and roll history – The Concert for Bangladesh, Live Aid, Farm Aid, The Concert for New York City, to name just a few. But 2012 may have already established itself as the year of the benefit show, as major acts like Jay-Z, Coldplay, Mumford and Sons, My Morning Jacket, and The Swell Season have all announced major headlining shows where proceeds will be donated to the band’s favorite causes. Check out some of the concert info and charity specifics below. Artist: Jay-Z Dates: February 6 at 8pm and February 7 at 9:30pm Venue: Carnegie Hall, New York City,...
Jan30
Ethical Chocolate
Or Slave Labor Sweets?
Human Rights – Do You know where your chocolate comes from? CNN reports that Americans consume around 11 pounds of the cocoa-goodness per person per year, but that most of those same people don’t realize the significant violations of human rights that may occur in order to get that...
Jan29
Egyptian Uprising
Bianca Jagger Voices Support
Celebrity Charities – We’ve frequently reported on the fight for democracy in Egypt, from the military police vs. the people, to the blatant violations of women’s rights, and more. While many of these issues receive support from the celebrity community, there are few...
Jan29
Sleep Talking
Dolphins Learn To Speak 'Whale'
Environment – We all know that dolphins are smart. Their brains are larger than humans’ in terms of sheer mass, and studies have recently concluded that these marine mammals can do everything from imitate each other while blindfolded to count. The most recent research discovery of...
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