Angels Flight Takes Off Again!

John H. Welborne, President of the Angels Flight Railway Foundation, announced today that the downtown Los Angeles Angels Flight Railway has provided over 59,000 trips in the single month it's been back in public service.

A "Reopening Thank-You Celebration" was held today to acknowledge the donors who have helped raise almost $3.5 million.

For more information on Angels Flight, go to angelsflight.org

Jordan Sparks Performs at The Grove!

Jordin Sparks will be performing a free concert at The Grove tomorrow night at 6 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public and will feature an opening performance by special guest Kate Voegele. A meet and greet with both singers will happen at Barns & Noble following the concert.

Gourmet Food Truck Rally at The Americana at Brand

The Americana at Brand will transform into a foodies heaven with some of the most popular food trucks in Los Angeles open for business along Caruso Avenue. In addition to delicious creations from the food trucks, restaurants at The Americana at Brand will join in the “Street Feast” festivities, including, a wine bar from Trattoria Amici; happy hour specials at Katsuya’s cocktail lounge; a booth from Frida Mexican Cuisine featuring its signature tacos and tantalizing barbeque from the Jewel City Diner. Along with DJ music, stores will be offering special discounts and there will be a raffle where guests can enter to win a Date Night Package that includes dinner, a movie and free valet parking.

Gourmet food trucks, including: The Buttermilk Truck, The Grilled Cheese Truck, Frysmith, Mandoline Grill, Dim Sum Truck, Komodo, Willoughby Road, Dosa Truck and Coolhaus as well as DJ music and specials at Katsuya, Trattoria Amici, Frida Mexican Cuisine and Jewel City Diner

Tuesday, March 30 @ 6pm - 9pm

Philanthropist Steve Hilton Recieves Yunus Medal

Steven M. Hilton, CEO and President of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, received the first Yunus Social Innovation Medal presented by Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and founder of the renowned Grameen Bank, at a ceremony launching the new California Institute for Social Business at California State University Channel Islands.

Professor Yunus will participate in the strategic direction of the new institute, the first of its kind in the nation. Professor Yunus sees it as the next step in global social transformation efforts following the success of the microcredit movement that he founded. Students will be encouraged to work and study in social businesses around the world. These are businesses which have been created to solve a social problem where investors may have their money returned, but the profits are reinvested to sustain the projects. The Social Innovation Medal will be awarded annually by Professor Yunus in conjunction with CSU Channel Islands.

“Steve Hilton is a leader who has worked for social change throughout his life,” said Richard R. Rush, president of CSU Channel Islands in announcing the prize. “He was chosen by Professor Yunus for his longstanding commitment to social transformation."

Caruso Affiliated Plans To Make Travel More Fun!

Caruso Affiliated CEO and Founder Rick J. Caruso today announced the creation of a new business venture to pursue airport retail opportunities and the appointment of John Cugasi as the company’s first Vice President for Airports to lead the effort. Cugasi served most recently as the Director of Concessions at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport overseeing the lease management and development of the airport’s concessions program.

“Airports and cities across the country realize that they can’t simply take the customer for granted any longer and need to create a more inviting shopping and dining experience for the traveler. With travelers spending more time in terminals, airport authorities realize the financial value of offering something special because people are more willing to spend if you provide style, quality and service,” Caruso said. “We see an expanding opportunity in this market across the country and are confident that our expertise, commitment to quality and dedication to customer service are perfectly suited to provide airports just what they are looking for.”

Caruso Affiliated will begin immediately surveying airport opportunities around the country to develop and operate terminal retail areas. One of the first opportunities is likely to be in Los Angeles.

Aravind to receive $1.5 million Hilton Humanitarian Prize

Results do the talking: ''We never advertise,'' says Aravind's chief, P. Namperumalsamy.

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation announces jury selection of innovative eye care provider that has saved millions from blindness in India, now recognized as a low-cost model for efficient healthcare globally.

Aravind Eye Care System, the world’s largest eye care provider that has developed innovative technologies allowing it to perform 300,000 eye surgeries each year – 70 percent subsidized or free for the poor – has been selected to receive the 2010 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize of $1.5 million. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation presents the annual award, the world’s largest humanitarian prize, to an organization that is doing extraordinary work to alleviate human suffering. More than 200 nominations are received from throughout the world, and an independent international jury makes the final selection.

“Aravind is a remarkable enterprise and its scale of impact on millions of patients is phenomenal,” said Steven M. Hilton, CEO and president of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. “In a 30-year quest to end blindness in India, Aravind has developed innovative technologies that are now a model for both the developed and developing world.”

A Conversation with Muhammad Yunus

A conversation with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate & Microcredit Pioneer Professor Muhammad Yunus at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Friday, February 26 at 4 p.m.

Dr. Yunus will meet with the public and students as part of Cal State University Channel Islands annual Campus Reading Celebration


WHAT: The public is invited to join 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank and the microcredit revolution, in a discussion of his book “Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism” as part of the launch of the California Institute for Social Business at Cal State University Channel Islands.

WHERE: Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

WHEN: Friday, February 26, 4 p.m.

ADMISSION: General admission $20 (plus applicable facility/service charges)

TICKETS: Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza box office www.civicartsplaza.com or please call 805-449-ARTS. For more information, visit www.csuci.edu/crc/yunus