Events

LOS ANGELES — A Kroger banner based in Los Angeles has kicked off a charitable campaign to benefit children's hospitals based in Southern California.

Ralphs on Monday said it is raising funds through its nonprofit, The Ralphs Fund, by asking customers and associates to donate their spare change in collection canisters located at Ralphs checkout stands.

Southern California children's hospitals that will benefit from the charitable fundraising drive include:

Children's Hospital of Orange County;

Children's Hospital of Los Angeles;

The Shops at Wiregrass, in Wesley Chapel, Fla., partnered with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to host a Battle of the Bands event in an effort to raise money to fight blood cancer.

Held Saturday, Feb. 19, the event featured four stages of live music and performances by 24 local bands. Two more fundraising events are planned -- a parade celebration on March 12 and a golf tournament on April 1.

The Shops at Wiregrass, a Forest City Enterprises property, is a pedestrian lifestyle village featuring shopping, dining and entertainment options.

Moorestown, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said that Elevation Burger has opened a 2,245-sq.-ft. restaurant at Moorestown Mall, located in Moorestown, N.J.

The casual eatery is located next to Bistro Express, with both a mall entrance and an outside entrance, and is a market first for the concept.

Another new concept to South Jersey also recently opened at Moorestown Mall -- Bubby’s Brisket. The 1,017-sq.-ft. restaurant is located in Moorestown Mall’s Food Court.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Stater Bros. chairman and CEO Jack Brown has joined the likes of Bob Hope, Will Rogers and Ronal Reagan as a recipient of the prestigious Patriot Award, the company announced. 

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society presented Brown with the award on Feb. 26 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., where 45 Medal of Honor recipients and other notable guests were gathered, the company reported.

Baltimore -- Power Plant Live! and The Cordish Cos. announced that entertainment concepts PBR Baltimore and The Baltimore Comedy Factory will host grand openings the first two weekends in March.

These latest downtown destinations join the recently opened Tatu Asian Grill in what will be a series of high-profile additions to Power Plant Live!, part of a multi-million dollar renovation and expansion of the project (going on its 12th year of operations).

Wayne, N.J. -- A New York Post report on Saturday said that Toys “R” Us is considering an initial public offering in April to raise around $800 million, although a final decision has not been reached.

The retailer shelved IPO plans in 2010; it has not commented on the latest report that IPO talks have resurfaced.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has announced the launch of the 2011 To Your Health program, offering free preventive health screenings at more than 800 events in communities across the country. The program is designed to help Americans determine their risk for chronic diseases and get them on a path to better health.

The program will get underway in Houston on March 5, and continue in Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago and Miami.

New York City -- Luxottica Group SpA said Monday its fourth-quarter net profit rose 88%. The Milan, Italy-based parent of the Sunglass Hut and Lens Crafters chains predicted a strong 2011 as consumers return to high-end brands.

The company said its net profit increased to €55.1 million ($75.8 million) in the final three months of 2010.

Luxottica will continue to expand its Sunglass Hut division in 2011, and expects to add 270 Sunglass Hut locations globally.