Charity Begins With the Ticket

Can Social Climes predict a trend or what? We figured that because of this recession thing, prices for tickets for charity benefits would continue to come down. And so they have.

Some of the upcoming “bargains” we’ve spotted are the “Harley Rave” at nightclub Arena for the American Cinematheque Oct. 15 ($45); the Junior League of Los Angeles’ “Under Western Stars” fund-raiser in Burbank Oct. 17 ($50); the John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary’s annual membership luncheon featuring an afternoon of women in comedy Oct. 28 ($75), and the Santa Monica Arts Commission/Foundation’s 10th anniversary benefit Oct. 4 in Santa Monica. Tickets are $100 per person, $30 for artists. And no, you don’t qualify as an artist if you bring in a sketch of your dog.

Essentials

WHAT YOU NEED TO MANEUVER THE L.A. SCENE: The fashion accessory coveted by trend junkies is a pair of used cowboy boots. Already two stores on Beverly Boulevard offer hundreds of broken-in boots for people who want to look like they’ve been out on the range while cruising down to Roxbury in their Range Rovers.

Frankly, we find the demand for the pre-worn boots a little strange, considering that the people who buy them would probably never be caught dead wearing Lysol-sprayed rented bowling shoes. Go figure.