Taking out the trash doesn’t have to be such a tedious chore – not this weekend, anyway. Help to clean up the North Pacific Gyre (a.k.a. the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – the world’s “largest trash dump”), while enjoying drinks from an open bar, catered food, a VIP Lounge, live music, and more at FusionStorm Foundation’s 1st annual fundraiser. The event will benefit Ocean Voyages Institute/Project Kaisei’s efforts to clean up the North Pacific Gyre. Why? Time to clean up that mess.
Location: Malibu Lumber Yard , 3939 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, CA 90265  Date/Time: Saturday, June 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Cost: General, $50 and VIP, $150. You may purchase your tickets here Website: www.fusionstormfoundation.org.

Bring your appetite, as well as your check book and very own designated driver to Taste of the Nation Los Angeles. The event will feature over 40 different “tastes” from some of the hottest chefs in L.A., drinks by “renowned” mixologists, and an auction with fantastic items (a vacation in Hawaii? I’ll bid!). 100% of the ticket sales go to Share Our Strength to help end childhood hunger. Why? No child should go hungry.

Location: Media Park in Culver City, 9070 Venice Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232 (at the Corner of Venice Blvd. & Culver Blvd.)  Date/Time: Sunday, June 6 from 1  p.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $100 for General Admission and $150 for VIP. You may purchase your tickets here Web: http://taste.strength.org/.

First there was “organic”, then came “green washing”, and now there’s “sustainability”. Keeping up with all of these eco-friendly terms can get confusing. Sustainable Art LA however, wants to make it easy for you by going one step beyond explaining sustainability to actually showing you at The Los Angeles Sustainable Fine Art Fair featuring sustainable art exhibits from over 100 artists. Why? In true “sustainable” form, all power on site will be human or solar generated – now that’s something we’ve just got to see.

Location: 8526 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232 (map) Date/Time: The opening reception will take place Saturday, June 5 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Web: http://www.sustainableartla.com.

Celebrate those who have won the battle against cancer. Remember those who have lost their lives to it. Fight back against the disease, by helping to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Join Relay for Life of the San Fernando Valley as they hold their annual 24-hour walkathon. What’s more, this year, Relay for Life of SFV is going “Green for a Cure,” so make sure to check out their awesome recycling initiatives, eco-friendly auction baskets and more. Why? Cancer doesn’t sleep, so why should we?

Location: Birmingham High School, 17000 Haynes Street, Van Nuys, CA 91406  Date/Time: From Saturday, June 5 at 9 a.m. to Sunday, June 6 ending at 9 a.m.  Sign Up: You may register at the event  Web:  http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=20540.

There was an accident on the 10 which caused you to miss this morning’s meeting. The office coffee machine was broken, again. And to add insult to injury, you knocked your Arnold Palmer into a client’s lap during lunch at The Daily Grill. Sigh. Good thing you’ll have all evening to sit and relax at the launch party for the 111 Navy Chair – made from 111 recycled coke bottles – while sipping on cocktails and not thinking about all of the emails sitting in your inbox. Why? That PowerPoint presentation will just have to wait until the morning.

Location: Design Within Reach Los Angeles Studio , 8070 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. Click here for directions  Date/Time: Thursday, June 3 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  RSVP: http://111navychair.com/la/ Web: http://news.dwr.com/archive/9z1zqbfb7rlj08mkt7dnnfafcn68435j9op8p5u4n5g.