Lighthouse World Charity Thrift Store, located at 1727 Wilshire Blvd, opened four years ago as a venture to raise money for missionary trips organized by Santa Monica’s Lighthouse Church. Each year, church members travel to Africa and many other countries to provide medical supplies for people in need.

Martin Gaeta, the new manager of the store, is on a mission to raise awareness for the cause and make the shop a central meeting place for community members. Last December he hosted a fashion show called 50 Shades of California (teehee), and locals got together to model their takes on seasonal California fashion. On Monday night, the store hosted its first open mic night, which will continue to be held on the first Monday of every month.

Amidst the racks of clothes and locally hand-painted surfboards, performers showcased their talents by playing the guitar or cracking a few jokes. Audience members could watch the show while enjoying coffee and dessert.

The shop is nonprofit, so the staff is small, but many of its volunteers are UCLA students. It’s easy to feel at home when you see a framed UCLA shirt signed by various former athletes (next to a bare USC tee… they should really take that down) when you walk in to the store. If you tell them you’re a Bruin they will give you an automatic 25% off the already cheaply-priced clothes, which include $15 brand name jeans and handpicked vintage frocks. Even if you don’t consider yourself a thrifty fashionista, stop by this store for art, music, furniture, a soda or some of Gaeta’s stellar surfing advice.

—Casey Bradford

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The pumpkin cooking experiments don’t have to end just because Halloween is over. We’ve already shown you how to make a pumpkin spice latte. Now, fall flavors meet asian fusion in a delightful and spicy combination!

Watch out for these little pumpkin pouches because they pack a punch. With a crispy wrapper and perfect gooey center, it’s hard to eat just one.

In the words of Food Network star Emeril Lagasse, “kick it up a notch!” Tailor the flavor to exactly how you want it. If you’re a spice addict, add chili paste and cayenne pepper.

• 18 wonton wrappers
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon thai chili paste (or Sriracha)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 green onion stalk, finely chopped
• ½ white onion, finely chopped
• 6 basil leaves, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• Olive oil
• Spices (I opt for a dash of paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, ginger, nutmeg and garlic salt).
• Optional side: cottage cheese

Sautee chopped onions in olive oil until caramelized and add a dash of cayenne pepper.

In a bowl, combine all ingredients (except olive oil) and mix well.

Wet all four edges of the wonton wrapper with water and add about 1 teaspoon of filling to center of wrapper. Fold four corners to the center and press together.

Brush each wonton lightly with olive oil, and bake at 375 for 10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Dust with paprika and freshly ground black pepper while still warm.

They’re best when eaten warm out of the oven. Word to the wise: a side of cottage cheese will be your saving grace to cool down the spices and add great texture!

—Amy Giroux

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No-shave November is upon us, and Mojo will be following third-year mathematics student Jake Flatto as he forgoes his razor for the entire month. Stay tuned for regular photo updates on Jake’s progress in the coming weeks, and tweet us @dbmojo or post on our Facebook wall to share photos of your own progress throughout the month.

—Lexy Atmore

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Yesterday marked the first of November — merely the start of another month for some, but a special day for others. Nov. 1 is a Mexican holiday known as Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” which brings family and friends together to honor loved ones who have passed away.

“In our Mexican culture we don’t mourn or fear death,” said fifth-year student and Grupo Folklórico de UCLA member Yoana Valenzuela. “Rather, we celebrate it as well as celebrate the life of those who have passed.”

Campus organization Grupo Folklórico de UCLA held their very own celebration at the Ackerman Grand Ballroom Thursday night. Activities included calaca face painting, community altar building, performances and free treats like pan de muertos (a sugary bread).

As Mariachi Torres de Mexico began their performance, UCLA students and families immediately filled the seats and immersed themselves in familiar melodies.

Following the special guest performance, members of Grupo Folklórico de UCLA presented a series of five elaborate traditional dances to showcase their rich heritage and diverse backgrounds (dances were inspired by Michoacan, Yucatan and Veracruz tradition).

As the night quickly came to an end, attendees gathered around the altar once more to add onto the collection of pictures, poetry, food and other favorite items belonging to the loved ones who have passed.

If you weren’t able to make an appearance, experience the sights of the night by looking through our photo gallery. Click on the first picture to enlarge and enjoy.

Dying to share your snapshots from last night? Tweet at us @dbmojo.

—Stephanie Son

Tags: Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos, Grupo Folklorico de UCLA

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If your Halloween wasn’t quite scary enough, Parents Weekend (Nov. 2 to 4) will surely do the trick. Freshmen, get ready for a million questions about your new life away from home and plenty of stunningly awkward parent-roommate interactions. As you get older, however, you’ll crave more visits from parents. Parents=unconditional love + free meals= happy college student. If you’re still not convinced, you can at least look forward to them bringing you forgotten items from home. The most important items for parents to bring from home include:

• CA$H
• L.O.V.E. and self-affirmation. Parents are really good at that.
• Food. The ultimate comfort… could be that one dish you’re craving from home or anything from Costco to stock up in bulk on dorm snacks.
• Things to decorate your cave with. Especially photos from home. Ah, the nostalgia.
• DVDs (or a TV, if they’re feeling extra generous. Life is so dull without the Kardashians…)
• More summer clothes for the NorCal students who aren’t used to the heat
• Sweaters for the SoCal residents preparing to hibernate for the winter

Get enough family time to last you until Thanksgiving, be nice to your parents and make sure to tell them thanks for the meal out. Pretty soon it’ll be back to the daily grind of dining hall food and “home cooking”…

—Casey Bradford

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