Yesterday, someone told me about GiveCorps, which, at first glance, appeared to be just another online fundraising site along the lines of Kickstarter. But it's geared towards local non-profits, and it differs in two key ways— first, a project does't have to meet its entire fundraising goal to collect the money that's raised, and second, contributors receive coupons from area businesses. So it's like a Kickstarter/Groupon hybrid that boosts Baltimore non-profits and various intiatives relating to community development, education, and the arts. Pretty cool. Today's deal is $50 off a purchase of $100 or more at Nelson Coleman jewelers. It's a great way to give and get.

Literally, not a week goes by without somebody asking me about my old partner in crime Allan Prell, aka "Uncle Allie." I will always consider Allan to be a radio god, a mentor, and a good friend, but to be honest, we've lost touch over the years. That is, until last week when I got an unexpected invitation from him in the mail. So what's the invitation for? Hard to say. Apparently, he's doing a cabaret style performance with his pal, the pianist Russ Margo, at Germano's Cabaret in Little Italy.

According to Cyd Wolf, who co-owns Germano's, Prell was in town (and didn't call me? I'm hurt!) to introduce Margo at a recent show and was "bitten by the cabaret bug." Now the two have come up with some sort of "act." Knowing Uncle Ally, it will be silly, inappropriate, and spit-out-your-espresso funny.

As Allan told me in the invitation: "I hope to see you one of those two nights, beause it will probably never happen again." So come out and show your love for the radio legend himself, Baltimore! (But don't bring your old lawn furniture. This is NOT an...

On Friday, Good Morning America poked fun at WJZ reporter Mike Hellgren, who recently reported on a police suspect who, according to an eyewitness drawing, looked a lot like Hellgren himself. Lucky for Hellgren, the actual assailant was apprehended by police, lifting suspicions about the reporter.

Perhaps not surprisingly, this isn't the first time this has happened. The GMA report includes another incident in Kansas City, and, a couple years ago, there was this still (left) in which a dumbfounded anchor looks an awful lot the suspected rapist he's reporting on. Maybe the stations should start keeping lawyers on hand...

In just four short years, Baltimore natives Wye Oak have gone from playing small clubs around the city, to helping kick off a nationally renowned festival.

Kicking off the 20th anniversary of Lollapalooza on the Sony stage, Wye Oak will prove why they were named the best band/musician for Best of Baltimore 2011.

As they go on stage at noon central time today, the band will be exposed to its largest audience ever. With a sold out crowd of over 240,000 people, Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner look to grow their fanbase even further.

For those of you unable to make the journey to Chicago, this years festival is being streamed live for free through the Lollapalooza YouTube channel.

 Check out Wye Oak and the rest of this year’s Best of Baltimore winners in our August Issue on newsstands now. 

- Summer editorial intern Tyler Green wrote this piece.