Tomorrow from 5:30 to 7:30PM, Gibson Bar plays host to Club Red, a new young professional organization dedicated to supporting the American Red Cross. more ›

Surrounded by news reports of overwhelming devastation in Haiti, we've compiled a list of aide organizations that are collecting funds to assist with the Haitian earthquake relief efforts. Currently, groups like the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders can do the most good with monetary donations (it's too costly and time consuming to ship in-kind donations to the disaster area). Mayor Lee Leffingwell has called on Austinites to "rally in support of the people and families devastated by [the] earthquake". Doctors Without Borders - Doctors Without Borders has already treated more than 1,000 people on the ground in Haiti; the organization has extensive experience offering medical services in response to catastrophic events. Doctors Without Borders is currently setting up an inflatable field hospital, with two operating theaters, staffed with surgeons, anesthetists, and stocked with medical supplies. Donations can be made directly to Doctors Without Borders online with a credit or debit card. Online retailer Small Dog Electronics is matching funds of up to $200 per individual of donations to Doctors Without Borders through their website. more ›

As you sit down to write your annual letter to Santa, consider taking a turn behind the sleigh's reigns by fulfilling someone's holiday wish. Many local non-profits have put together wish lists of items that would be particularly useful in helping fulfill their missions. Other groups are making your holiday shopping a little easier by suggesting gift ideas that also give back to the community. For other charity ideas check out our post about holiday volunteering and our roundup of organizations providing services to the area's most needy. As always, visit I Live Here, I Give Here for a comprehensive list of area non-profits. more ›

Having won the Iowa Democratic Primary, U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama appears to be rocking and rolling with new momentum. The latest numbers show Obama leading the pack in the New Hampshire Democratic Primary, with Hillary Clinton lagging in second place by a 10 point gap. What's going on here? more ›

In case you’ve been holed up in your apartment/home/condo with no electricity for the past few days, we’re sad to tell you that Southern California is currently being devoured by raging wildfires, and there are no signs of the fires stopping. CNN is updating like, every 2.3 minutes, and it’s one of the most devastating things we’ve ever seen. Times like these, it feels like there’s not much you can do but sit and refresh... more ›

Someone other than the government might have your census information. Speaking of the government, the feds allowed the Red Cross to visit the "high value detainees" at Guantanamo. The Yankees pitcher who loved flying was killed yesterday in a fiery plane crash in Manhattan. Gothamist kept us updated throughout the afternoon. No more cursive in schools? What about graphologists? Won't somebody think of them? Students at Gallaudet University are so upset with their proposed... more ›

The Red Cross is a beautiful thing. “Together, we can save lives.” And by “save lives” they mean “help you buy a quarter million dollars worth of luxury items.” Dallas volunteer Brian Hines and his sister, Charmaine Hines, used over 100 stolen Red Cross debit cards to purchase jewelry, cars and clothes. more ›

[This post by future Austinist contributor Ami]Specifically, remember to go there next Tuesday or Wednesday night.  No, not the historically significant Alamo in San Antonio, silly, we’re talking about the Alamo Drafthouse Village.  Leave it to our friends at the Alamo to come up with a fantastic fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Now, we know that we shouldn’t require some benefit for ourselves in order to help those displaced by the hurricane - we... more ›

Twenty bucks goes a long way on Tuesday night as Antone’s hosts a benefit performance for survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Headliner Alejandro Escovedo will be supported by a who’s who of Austin singer-songwriters including John Dee Graham, Charlie Sexton, James McMurtry, Dan Dyer, Ian McLagan, James McMurtry, Fastball, and Heybale. Doors open at 6, and the show start at 7. Proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross, so please come out and show your... more ›

Listen up, Austinites, Choose Austin First members--many of them restaurants--will donate a portion of their sales tomorrow, SEPTEMBER 8TH, to the American Red Cross Children's Fund. more ›

In times of great tragedy, like the times we seem to be living in right now, people must do their best to help in whatever way they can. Our friends at Mule Design have decided to put their talents to use to create a teeshirt inspired by the recent events in New Orleans, all profits from which will go to the Red Cross. It's a nice way to show your support for those in need. You can also donate directly to The Red Cross or to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. more ›

Contaminated water is being pumped out of New Orleans, now that a major levee has been plugged. The mayor is saying it could take up to two months to get the water cleared out and the energy back on. In an article in The Statesman, Austin is praised for its generosity. About three warehouses are full of donations; they're so full, in fact, that donations are being put on hold in Austin . Monetary donations are still needed, and if you want to make a contribution, you can go through the Red Cross. Mayor Wynn said he thinks some of the now 4,000 refugees* will stay in Austin. KXAN has a useful page on their site that list other ways you can help . more ›

One of the advantages of being marginally employed is that we sometimes have days, like today, off from work. We were going to do something important with our day off, like take out the trash and check our e-mail, but then we kept reading the awful hurricane news. We got all worked up and decided to go do some volunteer work. more ›

Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Katrina. more ›

Thousands of Hurricane Katrina's refugees will be bused to Houston and sheltered at the Astrodome. The news was announced this morning by Rusty Cornelius, administrative coordinator for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. more ›