Tickets Now on Sale for 2011 Life is good® Festival; Fundraiser Helps Kids Face Life-Threatening Challenges

GoodBiz113 profilee Life is good® ["Life is good® Festivals Unite Communities, Help Kids Face Unfair Challenges"] is excited to announce the lineup for its 2011 Life is good Festival.

Set to take place Sept. 24-25 in Canton, Mass., a suburb of Boston, the multi-faceted fundraiser combines world-class headliners and nationally known musical talent on three stages, including several of today's most popular children's performers. This one-of-a-kind festival aims to raise $1 million to benefit the Life is good Playmakers, the action arm of the Life is good Kids Foundation.

The two-day music and fundraising festival is hosted by Life is good®, a Boston-based company that spreads the power of optimism through its colorful collection of apparel and accessories and through its social mission to help kids overcome life-threatening challenges.

The annual event will make its return to historic and picturesque Prowse Farm at the foot of the Blue Hills, just minutes from Boston. Once again, Life is good has partnered with Superfly Presents, nationally-recognized producers of the iconic Bonnaroo and Outside Lands festivals to assure a first-class festival experience for all ages.

The 2011 Life is good Festival will feature national headlining artists Ray LaMontagne, The Avett Brothers, Michael Franti and Spearhead, The Levon Helm Band, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Brandi Carlile, Martin Sexton, Raphael Saadiq, Ingrid Michaelson and The Hold Steady, as well as The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Maceo Parker, Tristan Prettyman, The Ryan Montbleau Band, Zee Avi, Dwight and Nicole, and Jenny Dee and the Deelinquents.

Kindie rock superstars Imagination Movers and The Laurie Berkner Band will headline the Good Kids Stage, alongside special kids' performances from Keller Williams and local favorite Ben Rudnick and Friends. The full talent line-up is listed below, and complete festival information can be found at www.lifeisgood.com.

While the festival features great music, an array of games and activities, diverse local food, and hands-on art projects, the goal of the weekend is to create a community of fundraisers. Each ticket buyer will be directed to a personal fundraising page that supports the Life is good Playmakers.

Festival-goers who raise funds will be rewarded with exclusive backstage hospitality, preferred concert viewing, artist meet-and-greets, plus other prizes. These fundraisers will be called VGPs -- i.e., Very Good People -- and will have a truly amazing concert experience.

Tickets for the 2011 Life is good Festival went on sale on June 16, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Visit http://www.lifeisgood.com to purchase tickets and register to fundraise for the event. Adult single-day tickets are $65; $120 two-day tickets are also available. Tickets for children ages 2-12 are available for $20 for a single-day tickets and $35 for a two-day ticket. Children under 2 are admitted free of charge.

"The 2010 Life is good Festival set a new standard for all-ages entertainment, while raising significant funds for the Life is good Kids Foundation," said Bert Jacobs, chief executive optimist for Life is good. "In 2011, we are looking to build on this success by raising even more funds to help kids in need. We are so excited about the line-up, and look forward to everyone engaging in the fundraising effort to make this the most successful Life is good festival to date."

Life is good has raised over $6.5 million for kids in need since 2003. The Life is good Kids Foundation is a registered 501[c][3] nonprofit committed to helping children overcome life-threatening challenges, such as violence, illness, extreme poverty and natural disasters.

Its Playmakers initiative provides innovative training and support to the frontline child-care professionals dedicated to helping these children, so that all involved lead healthier, more joyful lives. To date, the Life is good Playmakers have trained more than 2,500 Playmakers across the country who have provided joyful, healing play to over 130,000 kids.

The site for the festival -- Prowse Farm in Canton -- is a historic 44-acre property managed by the Friends of Prowse Farm, a nonprofit volunteer organization. The property is located at the gateway of the Blue Hills Reservation, public parkland that has been set aside for recreational use.

Prowse Farm is fully accessible via public transportation, with all-day shuttles to and from the nearby Rte. 128/University Avenue train station. A large number of free parking spots are also available.

For more information on the Life is good Company, the Life is good Kids Foundation and the Life is good Festival, please visit www.lifeisgood.com/festivals.

About the Life is good Company
The Life is good Company, based in Boston, Mass., spreads a fresh outlook on life with its colorful collection of apparel and accessories, and through its social mission to help kids overcome life-threatening challenges. For more information on Life is good, please visit www.lifeisgood.com.

About the Life is good Kids Foundation
The Life is good Kids Foundation is an accredited 501[c][3] public charity whose mission is to help children overcome life-threatening challenges -- including violence, illness, extreme poverty and natural disasters. Through its action arm, Life is good Playmakers, it provides training and support to the adults dedicated to caring for these children, so that all involved lead healthier, more joyful lives.

More than $6.5 million has been raised to date for children in need, principally through Life is good Festivals and the 100% of profits that the Life is good Company donates to the Foundation from nationwide sales of select products. For more information, visit www.lifeisgood.com/playmakers/.

About Superfly Presents
Superfly Presents was founded in New Orleans in 1996 by Kerry Black, Rick Farman, Richard Goodstone and Jonathan Mayers. Originally set up to become the leading independent local concert promoter, they created the Superfly During JazzFest series, which is now in its 14th year.

In 2002, they co-founded and continue to produce the iconic Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. Since its inception in 2002, Bonnaroo swiftly earned its status as the country's premier music and arts event, and Rolling Stone called the festival "one of the 50 moments to change the history of rock and roll."

In 2008, Superfly co-founded the acclaimed San Francisco-based Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival.

The company has also created the Superfly Marketing Group, a boutique entertainment-marketing agency designed to complement Superfly's diverse divisions. Superfly Marketing Group leverages the company's experience, expertise and industry relationships to develop brand partnerships geared towards the passionate entertainment and lifestyle consumer.

SOURCE: Life is good®
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On Eve of Super Bowl XLV, Renowned Chefs and NFL Legends Help Taste of the NFL Celebrate 20th Year

Tomorrow evening, as the Taste of the NFL celebrates 20 years of bringing together the country’s best chefs and NFL greats for hunger relief, several prominent chefs and NFL legends will return as special guests during its annual fundraising event, taking place at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

The 20th annual "Party with a Purpose®" -- one of the most coveted tickets of Super Bowl XLV week -- features outstanding chefs and restaurateurs from each NFL city, who serve their signature specialties with help from a current or former NFL player.

Unique to this year’s 20th anniversary celebration, the Taste of the NFL will honor a group of "inaugural" chefs and players who participated in the very first Taste of the NFL event in 1992, in Minneapolis, Minn. -- site of Super Bowl XXVI.

Each of the following chefs and players will be onsite tomorrow night to mingle with guests, take photos, and sign autographs:

Taste of the NFL Inaugural Chefs
* Tom Colicchio
* Robert Del Grande
* Todd English
* Susan Goss
* Jack McDavid*
* Stephan Pyles
* Nancy Silverton
* Susan Spicer
* Allen Susser*

Taste of the NFL Inaugural Players
* Dick Anderson*
* Floyd Little
* Bob Lurtsema
* Bobby Mitchell
* Tommy Nobis
* Jerry Sisemore*
* Jan Stenerud

[* NOTE: Two chefs have participated each year since 1992 along with their original player representatives. Allen Susser, of Chef Allen’s in Miami, is paired with Miami Dolphins Alum Dick Anderson; and Jack McDavid, of Jack’s Firehouse in Philadelphia, is paired with Philadelphia Eagles Alum Jerry Sisemore.]

"We are extremely grateful to this group of inaugural chefs and players who helped to kick off the Taste of the NFL in 1992, and have been instrumental in our mission to raise awareness for hunger relief for the past 20 years," said Wayne Kostroski, founder of Taste of the NFL, and GoodBiz113 profilee ["Cuisine Concepts at Heart of Taste of the NFL -- AKA 'Super Bowl Party...With a Purpose' -- to Tackle Hunger in America"]. "Their participation in our 20th annual event gives attendees the exciting opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the best-known culinary talent in the world, and some of the greatest NFL legends of all time."

The inaugural chefs and players will appear at the event in addition to 32 chefs -- one from each NFL city with an NFL player representative. In addition, the North Texas Cadillac Dealers will host eight Dallas/Fort Worth chefs and restaurants that will represent "The Flavors of North Texas" and serve up dishes representative of the region. TLC’s "Cake Boss" -- Buddy Valastro -- will also be onsite to showcase an original cake creation to commemorate Taste of the NFL’s 20th anniversary.

The 2011 event is made possible through sponsorships from PepsiCo, E & J Gallo Winery, North Texas Cadillac Dealers, Macy’s, Glazer’s Distributors and Swanson. Media partners include the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Indulge Magazine.

About Taste of the NFL
Taste of the NFL exists to raise awareness and dollars for hunger relief organizations involved in kicking hunger in America. Founded in 1992 by Wayne Kostroski [2010 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year], the Minneapolis-based Taste of the NFL has distributed more than $10 million to local and national food banks across the country.

To extend their efforts, Taste of the NFL recently launched their Kick Hunger Challenge, which encourages NFL fans to support their team in fundraising to benefit their local food banks. For more information, visit http://www.TasteOfTheNFL.com/.

SOURCE: Taste of the NFL
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July 29: Life is good® to be Featured on NBC's 'Today Show'

GoodBiz113's take: Check out this segment, featuring one of our all-time favorite profilees!
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Life is good® Holds Pumpkin Festivals Across America

GoodBiz113 profilee Life is good® ["Life is good® Festivals Unite Communities, Help Kids Face Unfair Challenges"] is at it again. With the help of generous communities across the country, Life is good Pumpkin Festivals will go even further in 2007 than in a record-setting 2006. In 2006, the good folks of Boston set a new Guinness World Record by carving and lighting 30,128 jack-o'-lanterns at a single festival in Boston, Mass.

Pumpkin Festivals Across America
Thanks to LIG partners at Newland Communities, the Life is good Pumpkin Festival will be celebrated in eight different states from coast to coast this year. Eleven festivals will take place this Saturday, Oct. 20. Bring your pumpkin and best smile to the festival nearest you. Visit the Newland Communities festival website for information on their efforts.

Two more Life is good Pumpkin Festivals will take place the following weekend -- on Saturday, Oct. 27, and Sunday, Oct. 28. Those festivals will be held in Dallas, Tex., and in Hudson, Ohio. Click on the links below for information on all of these fantastic events:

ARIZONA
Goodyear, AZ -- http://www.newlandpumpkinfestival.com/

CALIFORNIA
Rocklin, CA -- http://www.newlandpumpkinfestival.com/
San Diego, CA -- http://www.newlandpumpkinfestival.com/

FLORIDA
Apollo Beach, FL -- http://www.newlandpumpkinfestival.com/
Tampa, FL -- http://www.newlandpumpkinfestival.com/

GEORGIA
Flowery Branch, GA -- http://www.newlandpumpkinfestival.com/

MARYLAND
Clarksburg, MD -- http://www.newlandpumpkinfestival.com/

OHIO
Hudson, OH -- www.firstandmainhudson.com/Events/index.aspx

TEXAS
Dallas, TX -- http://www.dallaspumpkinfestival.com/
Humble, TX -- http://www.newlandpumpkinfestival.com/
Katy, TX -- http://www.newlandpumpkinfestival.com/
Pflugerville, TX -- http://www.newlandpumpkinfestival.com/

VIRGINIA
Ladysmith, VA -- http://www.newlandpumpkinfestival.com/

Spotlight on HomeAid
HomeAid, a leading national nonprofit provider of housing for today's homeless, is the major beneficiary of Life is good Pumpkin Festivals hosted by Newland Communities this year. HomeAid builds and renovates multi-unit homes for America's temporarily homeless while they rebuild their lives. The organization has provided housing for more than 75,000 individuals around the country.

Festival funds will be provided to HomeAid projects targeting children and families with children. For more information on HomeAid, click here.

Buy a Festival Tee!
Can't make it to a Life is good Pumpkin Festival this year? Add a 2007 Pumpkin Festival Tee to your wardrobe and support kids in need!

Per usual, Life is good will donate 100% of the profit from fundraiser T-shirt sales to children's charities. Short- and long-sleeve Pumpkin Festival Tees -- in fresh, new colors and sizes for the whole family -- can be purchased here.

Photo: The Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University [CDIA]
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Oct. 1: Minnesota Vikings to Host Annual Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner, Raffle Off 2007 MINI Cooper

Next Monday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Minnesota Vikings will host their annual Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner at the Vikings Field House, in Eden Prairie, Minn. While supporting efforts to promote hunger relief efforts and organizations, guests will get to enjoy fantastic food from the Twin Cities' top restaurants, sip fine Gallo of Sonoma wines, and mix and mingle with local athletes and celebrities -- including current and alumni Vikings players.

During the evening, a raffle will determine the winner of a Chili Red 2007 MINI Cooper, courtesy of Motorwerks MINI, plus a full year of car insurance from Calhoun Insurance Agency. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on several items -- including an opportunity to travel to a 2007 Vikings road game.

All proceeds from this annual event benefit Hunger Solutions Minnesota, through the Viking Children's Fund.

Participating Restaurants
This year, chefs from 20 of the Twin Cities' leading eateries will be serving up their specialties at TNFL Minnesota:
* B.A.N.K.
* Bar Abilene
* Brackett's Crossing
* Canyon Grille
* The Capital Grille
* Cosmos
* Dakota
* Edina Grill
* Firelake
* Franklin Street Bakery
* HazelleWood Grill & Tap Room
* Jensen's Supper Club
* Joe Senser's
* Kincaid's
* Maggiano's Little Italy
* Murray's
* Northcoast Restaurant
* Rudolph's Bar-B-Que
* Tejas Restaurant
* Wildfire

TNFL Partners
In order to help channel as much money as possible to hunger-related efforts via the evening's ticket and silent auction sales, raffle, etc., TNFL Minnesota has partnered with several generous Twin Cities organizations and businesses:
* Ecolab
* Faegre & Benson LLP
* First Commercial Bank
* Gallo Family Vineyards
* Miller Lite
* Minnesota Vikings
* Motorwerks MINI
* Pepsi
* Qwest

MINI Cooper Raffle
Starting today, people can buy raffle tickets at $100 each for a chance to win a Chili Red 2007 MINI Cooper and a full year's worth of auto insurance. Tickets my be purchased by cash or check [no credit cards accepted] at Hunger Solutions Minnesota, Tejas Restaurant, Bar Abilene or Motorwerks MINI.

The drawing will be held during next Monday night's TNFL Minnesota event. Winner need not be present to collect on his or her prize.

FYI: Just 500 raffle tickets are available, so enter ASAP!

Tickets
Tickets for this year's TNFL Minnesota fundraiser are $160 per person for general admission [no reserved seat], or $1,500 for a table of 10 [reserved seating]. Orders may be faxed using this registration form; phoned in [612.338.4537]; or placed online.

For more information about this year's Minnesota Vikings Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner, call 612.338.4537.
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Cleveland Browns' Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner Raises $140,000-Plus to Fight Hunger, Raise Awareness

On Sept. 10, 2007, 1,000-plus people gathered in the City View Club Lounge, at Cleveland Browns Stadium, to nosh on delectable foodstuffs, sip wine, hobnob with celebrities, and raise more than $140,000 to fight hunger.

As GoodBiz113 reported two weeks ago ["Sept. 10: NFL's Regular-Season Play Kicks Off With Cleveland Browns Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner"], the Cleveland Browns have teamed with Cleveland Foodbank, chefs from more than two dozen of Cleveland's best restaurants, plus several generous sponsors, to host its annual Taste of the NFL dinner. It's one of several TNFL events held in NFL cities throughout the year to raise funds to help feed hungry people, and heighten awareness of hunger in America.

Among the celebrities at last week's fundraiser: John Lanigan, from WMJI ["Majic 105.7"]; and Tim White and Romona Robinson, from WKYC-TV ["Channel 3"], Cleveland's NBC affiliate, who served as emcees. Browns alumnus Kevin Mack and current player Simon Fraser were honorary co-chairs. Browns quarterback Derek Anderson [pictured above with young fan] was on hand, too.

What were the evening's highlights? "There was a great group of Cleveland Browns players and alumni – almost 40 in all – that really mixed and mingled with the guests," said Karen Ponza, communications manager of Cleveland FoodBank, the targeted nonprofit group that will channel funds to help feed Cleveland's hungry people. "The silent auction had a lot of great prizes as well."

How much money was raised? "We raised more than $140,000," Ponza told GoodBiz113. "That's about $25,000 more than last year -- thanks, mostly, to a jump in 10-pack sales. We had a great volunteer on our committee who really helped recruit new companies to buy 10-packs of tickets."

Way to score, Cleveland! Stay tuned to GoodBiz113 for reports about additional TNFL events happening soon.

Source: Cleveland Foodbank
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Life is good® at Fenway Raises $802,636 for Kids in Need

As we "warned" you last week ["Life is good® Takes Fun, Fundraising Fest to Fenway"], GoodBiz113 profilee Life is good® did, indeed, optimize every corner of Fenway Park on what was deemed to be the luckiest day of the century: July 7, 2007. While billions of folks across the globe watched Al Gore's Live Earth mega-concert, and thousands of people got married [including, of course, Eva and Tony You-Know-Who], LIG hosted a summer festival of good, old-fashioned fun and Americana for a diverse crowd of 15,000 that raised $802,636 to help kids in need.

It was a perfect summer day for colorful games, shows, activities, giveaways, contests, live music, scavenger hunts, bubble-blowing contests, dugout photos, the first annual Red Sox Super Fan competition, celebrity appearances, and even a surprise marriage proposal. Baseball, football, soccer, Wiffle, and beach balls were in the air all day long -- none more spectacular than the gigantic, inflatable baseball shared by thousands of hands around the stands to complete the World's Biggest Game of Catch.

The Grammy-nominated headliner Gin Blossoms and theatrical Neil Diamond tribute band Super Diamond rocked the main stage, capping off the steady stream of good vibes and great tunes started by family-friendly SteveSongs and American Idol sensation Ayla Brown.

Once again, the coveted title of World's Greatest Backyard Athlete was up for grabs -- this time, with a baseball twist. More than 100 fundraising athletes took to Fenway's field to compete in quirky athletic endeavors like Peanut Pitching, Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby, and the Green Monster Frisbee Toss. The fans cheered perennial runner-up Charlie Walsh as he grasped the crown that had narrowly eluded him for two years by clocking the fastest time in the dramatic and absurd pole-to-pole Warning Track Dash.

As with all Life is good festivals, the goal is to rally good people around a great cause. Together on 07/07/07, fundraising athletes, sponsors and volunteers went to bat for children facing unfair challenges and hit one out of the park -- LIG's biggest fundraiser ever, with a total of $802,636 raised for Project Joy and the Red Sox Foundation.

To glimpse photos of the event -- all of which were taken by Life is good's official photo team from the CDIA at Boston University -- visit: http://www.lifeisgood.com/festivals/fenway/festival-photos.aspx.

Limited-Edition 2007 Optimist Tees Available Online
So, you couldn't make it to Fenway Park last Saturday, eh? Good news! The fundraiser T-shirts sold there -- replete with "Optimist 7" screened on the back -- are available in men's, women's and youth sizes, and ready for purchase online. Simply go to: http://www.lifeisgood.com/festivals/optimist-tee.aspx.

Remember: When you purchase a fundraiser tee, Life is good donates 100% of the profit to children's charities. Thanks for spreading good vibes and helping kids in need!

Sources: Life is good®, CDIA at Boston University [photo]
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July 7: Life is good® Takes Fun, Fundraising Fest to Fenway

Those funmeisters at Life is good® are at it again -- this time, at Fenway Park, home of Boston's beloved Red Sox baseball team. Yep, this Saturday, July 7, 2007, the balls, discs [AKA Frisbees], peanuts, watermelon seeds and even a few T-shirts are going to fly.

New Foundation Serves Kids in Need
Since GoodBiz113 profiled Life is good® last December ["Life is good® Festivals Unite Communities, Help Kids Face Unfair Challenges"], the company has formed its Life is good® Kids Foundation, "to improve the physical, emotional and social well-being of children."

Via charitable community fundraising events held near LIG's Boston headquarters and at sites throughout the U.S., plus sales of special LIG products, the foundation supports innovative not-for-profit groups that "help strengthen joy and connection in children's lives." Special emphasis is placed on supporting underserved children and those recovering from the trauma of exposure to violence, poverty, and natural disasters.

Life is good® at Fenway: The Lineup
This Saturday, from 11 a.m to 6 p.m., Fenway Park's stands and concourses will be filled with activities, games, contests, shows and giveaways all day long for the entire family.

Among the day's activities:
* Dunk-a-Yank Tank
* World's Biggest Game of Catch
* Peanut Pitching
* Scavenger Hunts
* Dugout Photos
* Football Fling
* Magic Shows
* Bubble Gum Blowing Contests
* Face Painting
* Spin-to-Win
* Batting Cage
* Seed Spitting
* Soccer Kick
* Arts and Crafts
* Dog Bowling
* Baseball Speed Pitch
* Double Dutch
* Snaggle

Of course, lots of "ballpark food" will be on hand. Plus, family-friendly music will be performed by SteveSongs, American Idol sensation Ayla Brown, the Neil Diamond tribute band Super Diamond, and, finally, the Gin Blossoms.

Tickets for Life is good® at Fenway
Tickets are general admission: adults, $20; and kids [ages 3-12], $10. To order in advance [highly recommended!], go to: http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=22406&agency=FENWAY2&pid=6020442.

All proceeds from Saturday's Life is good® at Fenway event benefit the Red Sox Foundation and Project Joy, two not-for-profits that "go to bat" for kids in need throughout Greater Boston.

2007 Watermelon Festival Tees
Can't get to Fenway Park, but still want to spread good vibes and help kids in need? Buy a Watermelon Festival fundraiser tee! When you do, the Life is good® Kids Foundation donates 100% of the profit to children's charities!

The shirts, adorned with a colorful and smile-inducing Watermelon Festival design, are available in men's, women's, boys', girls' and tots' sizes at Life is good®'s online store: http://www.lifeisgood.com/festivals/buy-a-festival-tee.aspx.
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