While several local Japanese businesses have started to reach out to help support relief efforts in Japan, KAZ Sushi Bistro Chef Kaz Okochi, who was born in Nagoya, Japan, has called upon his fellow brethren in the DC Chefs’ Club to chip in. Starting yesterday, several D.C. restaurants are donating meals, classes and other packages to be auctioned on eBay. According to WeLoveDC, more than 20 restaurants will be participating in the auctions, with proceeds going to the American Red Cross. more ›

With all the candy, booze, and general costumery around town during this time of year, it can be easy to forget that there are others far less fortunate than us snarky bloggers. And as the fall turns into winter, as we're able to find refuge from the cold, others are not always as lucky. With that in mind, FedEx Special Delivery and the American Red Cross have joined forces to collect blankets for programs in... more ›

FRIDAY: >> Something tells us heading out to see a concert put on by a man who, due to a struggle with Hepatitis C, thought he might never be able to go on tour again will be an awfully positive, life-affirming experiece. And who couldn't use a little of that? The Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra (he's pictured at right) is at 9:30 Club, with Lenny Kaye & Jon Dee Graham. $25, 8 p.m. >> Film Festivals!... more ›

For the sake of not having to write separate posts for all these different yet interesting events, here is a list of some things you may not want to miss in the area this week. more ›

Friday, DCist went to the symphony, and we told you about the National Symphony's first concert and the schedule for the rest of their 75th anniversary season. September is also the time when our minds start to turn to thoughts of opera in Washington. Wouldn't it be great if there were some way to hear an opera and at the same time help suffering people? OPERA THIS WEEK: >> This Wednesday (September 14 at 7... more ›

Cookbook fanatic? Kinkead's fanatic? Simply a food lover? Head to Best Cellars Dupont this Saturday for the 2 p.m. signing of Kinkead's Cookbook: Recipes from Washington D. C.'s Premier Seafood Restaurant by Chef Bob Kinkead himself. The book offers more than 120 recipes from his Kinkead's repertoire. We are eager to try our hand at some of these. Recreating Kinkead's cuisine at home will definitely make the dinner guests return for more...unless we burn it in our less-than-state-of-the-art kitchen of course. The event also offers food and wine tastings. more ›

While we continue to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the disaster that just over a week ago brought untold death and destruction to New Orleans and other cities and town along the Gulf Coast, we are similarly overwhelmed by the generosity of Americans and the international community alike. Individuals, groups, and organizations have led the charge in the Washington metropolitan area with a variety of fundraisers, more of which we feature here: -- Head... more ›

As we reported on Friday, the Moms on the Hill (or MoTHs, whose activities we are documenting at Ionarts) and their friends continue their efforts to get the money and donated items they have collected thus far to the people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. News reports on WTOP last night speculated that perhaps no evacuees were coming to Washington, but today we have learned (as reported in the Post) that 400 evacuees will arrive today by airplane from Arkansas, where the government, already overwhelmed, asked the District government for help. The buses that were sent down are still planning to fill up with anyone who wants to evacuate Louisiana and come to Washington, which means that the District may eventually be hosting more than 1,000 evacuees. Churches and private citizens have offered long-term help for those arriving, spare the initial relief they will be granted in the D.C. Armory. more ›

While local and federal official scramble to adequately respond in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, individual donations are fast approaching $100 million, reports the Post, while communities and organizations have started campaigns to offer cheap or free housing to the thousands left homeless in the hurricane's wake. Below are more local events to benefit the victims and information on how you can help: more ›

Thanks to a DCist reader, we bring you more info on another worthy fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, this one taking place on September 12. Please keep directing information our way, and we'll keep posting it. more ›

The hurricane may have passed, but the situation in New Orleans and along the Gult Coast remains dire. Flooding continues in the Big Easy, while power outages have added another level of difficulty to organizing rescue efforts in areas of Mississippi. While the Post today published an extensive list of charities and relief organizations to which donations can be directed, a group of large-hearted Washingtonians has announced a benefit happy hour, whose proceeds will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: more ›

Good morning, Washington. Today our thoughts are outside the beltway and with the people in the regions bracing for the wrath of Katrina, which made landfall this morning. Katrina may have been downgraded to a category four hurricane, yet it remains among the most powerful to ever hit the continental U.S. Our friends at Capital Weather have been following the storm closely and have posted a trove of commentary and insight. Our thoughts are with the people in New Orleans and other coastal communities who were unable to flee the storm. One reader wrote to us suggesting we link to the American Red Cross, an organization who we are sure is already preparing to provide assistance in the affected areas. We'll be following events closely today and encourage our readers to leave suggestions for other worthwhile charities in the comments. more ›

This weekend's Sunday Source noted that several area restaurants are donating part of their profits to Tsunami relief. The arrangements across town vary. Some restaurants are offering specially priced menus, while Kaz Sushi Bistro is sponsoring a raffle to benefit UNICEF and The Brickskellar is donating 10% of all draft beer sales to the International Red Cross. However, if you're reluctant to come into the city (and who wouldn't be, with the warnings of traffic woes?), there are also plenty of options for you in Northern Virginia. more ›

NBC will be putting aside it's usual Saturday night line up of Law and Order reruns to air a special benefiting victims of the deadly tsunamis in southern Asia. Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope will feature musical performances, some serious Hollywood muscle and at least two former presidents this Saturday at 8 p.m. Clear Channel, the parent of DC101, will also broadcast the concert live. Expect to see everyone from recently separated Brad Pitt... more ›