TresSugar

Last Chance to Win a $500 Breast Cancer Donation in Your Name!

DearSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:00:00 -0700

As you all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and I'm thrilled to offer you a chance to win a wonderful prize for a great cause: a $500 donation in your name to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure foundation. Since breast cancer doesn't discriminate, it's important for all of us to educate ourselves and do our part to raise awareness and support to help fight this disease.

To test your knowledge and learn some helpful information about breast cancer, take my quiz below. One lucky reader will win a $500 dollar donation in her name to the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just by completing the quiz once you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member, and you must log in before taking the quiz. If you're not already a member, register here for an account. One quiz entry per person, as all repeat quizzes will be ignored. The contest is open to US residents only and ends Oct. 20 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Click here for official rules. Enjoy and good luck!

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Adrageous: Organ Donation PSA Gets Raunchy

TresSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:30:00 -0700

Becoming a donor is probably your only chance of getting inside her.

Some organizations in support of worthy causes seem to think that it's OK to create sexist ads to get their message across. (Yes, PETA, I'm referring to you, too.) Take this Dutch (?) ad in support of organ donation. Is it really OK to use this sprawled woman as sexual enticement? The ends don't justify the means, if you ask me. This is just lazy and lame.

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Do Tell: What Do You Do When Asked to Donate at the Store?

TresSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0700

If you've been grocery shopping lately, I'm sure a cashier has asked you: "Do you want to give $1 to fight cancer?" (Or educate children, or help the homeless?)

When it happens to me, I feel like I have to say yes or risk seeming like I'm taking a stand against those causes. Wouldn't everyone in line think I'm a cheap, heartless shopper who cares more about blue cheese and white wine than saving the world? OK, maybe not.

While these checkout asks are an effective way to raise money and awareness for worthy charities, they can feel intrusive and pushy. A recent story on Slate recommends saying: "Thanks, but I've got my own giving plan!" When you're asked to donate at the grocery store, do you give all the time, only to causes you're passionate about, or not at all?

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Do Tell: What Relationship Artifacts Would You Donate?

DearSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

The Museum of Broken Relationships of Croatia was recently founded to house artifacts and memories of broken hearts. According to the authors of the concept, Olinka Vištica and Drazen Grubišić,

The individual gets rid of controversial objects, triggers of momentarily undesirable emotions, by turning them into museum exhibits, i.e., artifacts and thereby participating in the creation of a preserved collective emotional history.

Since everyone has material evidence left over after a failed relationship, this concept is actually genius and can offer hours of entertainment for the nosy, like me! Everything housed in this museum is anonymous and comes with a brief description of each item and how it relates to the relationship. Now I know you've all had to do away with the ex's things and any remembrance of past relationships, so ladies, do tell, what would you donate to the Museum of Broken Relationships?

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Palin: AP Did "Opposition Research" on Going Rogue

TresSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:25 -0800

Sarah Palin blasted the Associated Press yesterday for doing "opposition research," more commonly known as fact-checking, on her new book Going Rogue.

"Amazingly, but not surprisingly, the AP somehow nabbed a copy of the book before it was released," she said. "They're now erroneously reporting on the book's contents and are repeating many of the same things they spewed during the campaign and afterwards."

She wrote this on her Facebook page, which doesn't help her cause, but she is onto something. Going Rogue is embargoed, meaning her publisher will not release advance copies to the press before its on-sale date (tomorrow), and the press, even if it were to happen upon a copy early, is not to review it.

So what did the "opposition researchers" find? Find out after the jump.

New Jersey Law to Require Organ Donor Decision, Education

LibertySugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:00:37 -0700

Ever thought of being an organ donor? Well pretty soon New Jersey drivers will be forced to confront that question - a new law will require drivers to say yes or no to organ donation.

Under the "New Jersey Hero Act" those who say no will have to review information about it, and check a box that says: "I have reviewed the importance of organ donation.” Individuals who can't decide may designate someone else to decide for them (that's a lot of pressure!). Hoping to dispel myths, the law also includes mandatory organ donation education in New Jersey high schools, and colleges will have to provide information at campus health centers.

Currently 24.5 percent (1.75 million) of New Jersey drivers authorize organ donation. To find out how many people need transplants, and how this law could go even further, read more.

Estimates show that 99,000 Americans (3,050 in New Jersey) need organ donations, and 85,000 Americans have died since 1995 while waiting.

Some may think this law, the first of its kind in the US, guilt-trips residents into consenting to organ donation; but, I can imagine a law that goes even further - what if donation was automatic, unless otherwise objected to? One could argue that by requiring the expressed prior consent of the deceased, we condemn others to unnecessary death. Even so, this new New Jersey law that requires some decision seems to blend education, responsibility, and respect for everyone involved.

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The How-To Lounge: Cleaning out your Closet

DearSugar — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 10:00:00 -0700

Even though we have passed typical "spring cleaning" time, it's never too late to clean out your closet. I just tackled one of my closets yesterday so I am here to give you some tips to make it as painless of a chore as possible!

Click here to read more

Commit a chunk of time and make an afternoon out of it. Play some loud music, make sure you have snacks, even turn your phone off so you can really concentrate without any distractions
Take everything out of your closet so you can not only see what you have, but you can also clean your shelves, dust your hanging rack, and vacuum the floor
Some people suggest giving things away if they haven't been worn in a year, but I disagree with this statement. Fads come and go, so if you have a piece that you love that is simply out of style right now, keep it. Some vintage pieces are timeless and irreplaceable
If something doesn't fit, give it away, no ifs ands or buts. Alterations can save some things, but most of the time the shape and form will get lost in translation
Try on the clothes you are unsure about. Model it - if you like what you see in the mirror, keep it!
Sometimes a second opinion is incredibly helpful. We all get emotionally attached to certain pieces even if they don't look good or don't fit, so a sister or best friend that can give an unbiased response is invaluable
If you have limited space in your closet, store your sweaters and coats during the summer time, and your beach wear during the winter season
Once you have inventoried your clothes, it's a great way to see what needs to be cleaned, repaired, and what is missing (if you have lent something to a friend)
Once you have piles of things to give away, donate them to your local Goodwill -- not only will it make you feel good, but it will leave more room in your closet for new stuff!

Good luck, and remember, leave ample time as this takes a lot longer than you might think! If you have any other suggestions, please share them below.

Women Giving More Money to Campaigns - Did You Donate?

LibertySugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:45:00 -0700

Women are putting their money where their vote is at an increased rate this election. While female Americans still lag behind their male counterparts, giving only 36 percent of total campaign donations, so far this year they have tripled the total amount given by ladies in 2000. Women have donated $109 million to Barack Obama or John McCain.

Obama has received more money from women than John McCain. Seventy-five million dollars and 47 percent of donations over $200 have come from women to Barack Obama. As for John McCain, $34 million and 29 percent of his donations over $200 are from women.

So what about you ladies - have you opened your wallet for the man you want to become the next president?

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Newspaper Asks For Donations - Would You Chip In?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:00:36 -0800

Seattle residents might not be able to read a paper over their morning Starbucks for much longer. Thanks to its inability to make money, the Seattle Post Intelligencer's days in print are numbered. But staffers want dedicated readers and philanthropists to keep it alive online. While there are already many online news outlets, reporters hope that the community values journalism that provides more than a superficial survey of local events.

The Seattle P-I is using MinnPost as an example. That outlet makes money from philanthropic support, membership contributions, and advertising. The paper (can we call it that, still?) operates on the assumption that high-quality journalism is not a consumer good, but a community asset.

Would you be willing to donate money for reports, until traditional newspapers figure out a business model?

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Man Wins Lottery - and His Church Shuns Huge Donation

CitizenSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:30:31 -0700

The chances of winning the lottery rely on a lot of prayer and the immutable laws of statistics, but one such lucky soul bagged a jackpot, and couldn't even give the winnings away. A Florida Lottery jackpot winner took home more than 6 million in cash and was hoping to follow his religion’s tithe commandment - offering 10 percent of his winnings to his church. Unfortunately, his church wanted no part of this money and refused to say exactly why they turned down the $600,000 donation, though many churches don't approve of the lottery or gambling in general.

Other churches, who caught wind of the story were amazed. “I’m against the lottery, but if one of my members won. . . . I wish and hope he would give 10 percent to the church,” said Pastor Dr. Lorenzo Hall of the El-Beth Divine Holiness Church. “We are in the process now of building a youth center, and you would be surprised at the people that can be helped with $600,000.” Hall adds he wouldn't ask where a donation came from and would welcome the lucky-lotto-man's donation anytime.

When it comes to giving back, does it matter where the dough comes from?