Scene & Heard: The buzz about L.A.'s high society

Hollywood's royalty plays a big part in L.A.'s charity events scene, with names like George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio fueling ticket sales.

The holidays are a time to socialize, and for some of us that means an uptick in cocktail consumption. Where to go is always a question because There'seach hot spot comes with its own vibe, favorite cocktails and dress code. Where might you fit in? We've got a few suggestions.

A new wave of Los Angeles-area cafes is brewing up more sophisticated flavors with a mix of methods. The result? A jolt to a coffee culture steeped in ho-hum tastes.

Balconi Coffee

Tom Arnold hosts the event held June 11, which raised more than $1 million.

Ashlee Simpson, Laila Ali and Mira Sorvino are among the celebrities who attend the AIDS benefit in Brentwood.

Get up and live a happy life, she says at award ceremony at UCLA Longevity Center.

Also, the 'Playing for Good' celebrity poker tournament.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation get some assistance.

The annual event benefits the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis.