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LIVEMAGS.NET FEBRUARY>>10 37 koufax & torre Plus will ferrell & friends Writer>>candice yacono INFO Nokia Theatre L.A. Live 777 Chick Hearn Court, LA 90015 (213) 763-6020 | www.nokiatheatrelalive.com The greats of baseball and comedy will descend on the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live this month to benefit local families. Baseball greats Sandy Koufax and Dodgers Manager Joe Torre will take the stage Feb. 27 for what's been billed as a once-in-a- lifetime joint appearance. Koufax has been known for decades for eluding cameras and interviewers alike. The pitcher agreed to the appearance to benefit Safe At HomeĀ®, a foundation Torre established to end domestic abuse. Famously private, Koufax has said that even his parents didn't know many of his major goings-on. In a Los Angeles Times interview, sportscaster Vin Scully said even he was surprised at the news. Koufax retired when he was 30, after four no-hitter games; just six years later, he was inducted in the Hall of Fame. Torre is a former Dodgers player himself who was struck out many times by Koufax (and managed a few times to hit a home run off one of his pitches). Torre said Koufax was a true friend to come out of his self-imposed solitude to benefit his foundation. Torre formed his foundation based on events in his own life. Torre said he himself was a witness to domestic abuse as a child, and the thoughts haunted him until well into his adulthood, when he decided to form the New York Foundation. He also plans to bring the program into Los Angeles schools. Tickets to Koufax and Torre Safe at Home will be $25 to $200. Meanwhile, on Feb. 20, comedian and actor Will Ferrell will host Make It Better, a comedy and entertainment night at the theater to benefit A Better LA, founded by former USC football coach Pete Carroll. Also on the bill are musician and Tenacious D face Jack Black, who will join bandmate Kyle Gass to perform. Black is famous for films like "Nacho Libre" and "School of Rock." Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, the stars of Tim And Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, also will be at the benefit. Their show, which premiered in 2007 on Adult Swim, is a mock-up of public access (or Channel 3) low-budget shows. It features deadpan interviews with celebrity guests, stylized computer graphics, low-brow humor, live acts like Flight of the Conchords and fauxmercials. Also on the bill Feb. 20 are Comedy Central comedian Demetri Martin, famous for his deadpan, whimsical style; John Stewart Show favorite Rob Riggle; and comedians Aubrey Plaza and Nick Swardson. Other surprise guests also are expected. Before his recent move to Seattle, Carroll founded A Better LA to unite leaders from many public sectors including business, non-profit, social services, education, law enforcement and the faith-based community. The foundation's goal is to reduce violence by empowering both young people and adults, enabling them to dream, work and play without fear. The Staples Center Foundation will host the event, as part of the theatre presenter's Season for Giving series. Tickets to the benefit range from $45 to $250. For more information on either event, visit a Ticketmaster location, call charge-by-phone at (800) 745-3000 or go to www.ticketmaster.com. S ection the

