Jackson's Smile

Why is it that the most successful people are often the most caring? 

My friend, the talented photographer Lisa Lefkowitz, told me that she is participating in a wonderful online sale of some of her fine art photography. The proceeds benefit a precious little boy named Jackson who was born with a rare syndrome, Simpson Golabi Behmel, as well as cleft lip and palate. In his first year, he has had two surgeries and is facing more to address the various anomalies. 

The medical expenses are steep, already totaling over one million dollars. But due to the generosity of many people, Jackson an now eat, drink and smile. Simple gifts we take for granted. Jackson's Smile is a coalition of photographic artists dedicating their time, money and talent to Jackson and others like him a helping hand. 

At Jackson's Smile you can purchase fine art prints. Have a look. Buy a print or two. They start at a very reasonable $35. It will put a smile on your face.

Best Easter Ever!

Happy Easter! After you've found all your hidden Easter eggs, come on down to The Tech Museum in San Jose. Today, it's FREE!

The Tech

201 S. Market Street

San Jose

11 AM - 3 PM

We'll be in the lobby where you can win the "Grand Lottery"! What's the "Big Prize"? You can save a life! Here are the rules:

1. C'mon over to the HelpingTami.Org table set up in the lobby at The Tech.

2. Fill out a brief registration form to Enter you into the National Registry for Bone Marrow Donors. WAIT! I know what you're thinking! Please read the next two sentences before you stop reading.

     a. In 70% of the cases, the donation of marrow comes from DONATING BLOOD, not marrow from your hip - no operation, no anaesthesia. 

     b. In 70% of the cases, the donor is NOT A FAMILY MEMBER!

OK, are you still with me? 

3. Swab the inside of your cheek. The samples will be sent in for testing.

4. If you are a match for Tami or for one of the 6,000 others who are waiting, you will be notified and given the chance to "Win Big" and donate some of your precious blood to save a life.

Have a safe and peaceful Easter.

HelpingTami.Org

I have a friend, Stacie. 

Stacie has a cousin, Tami. That's Tami in the picture. Cute!

Tami is very sick with pre-leukemia and needs your help.

Let me just say, before Stacie told me about Tami I didn't know much about marrow donations. Here are two myths that I found weren't true:

MYTH 1: Donations come from family members.

TRUTH: 70% of donations come from unrelated people!

MYTH 2: You have to undergo surgery to harvest the marrow from your hip if you are a donor.

TRUTH: 70% of marrow donations are extracted from your blood. So, it's like donating blood. And when they take the parts of the blood they need, they return the rest to you!

This weekend there will be a marrow donor drive at the Tech Museum

Sunday, April 12

11 AM - 3 PM

201 S. Market St

San Jose, CA

And here's a bonus: the Tech has FREE ADMISSION on Sunday, April 12. 

It only takes 10 minutes. All you have to do is:

1. Complete a brief health questionnaire

2. Sign a consent form to have your tissue type listed on the registry

3. Swab the inside of your mouth with a  Q-tip, and the sample will be sent to the National Marrow Donor Program.

4. Tami's tissue type will be compared to yours. If your sample isn't a match, your information will remain in the registry until your 61st birthday with the hope you will be able to save the life of another person in need.

5. The test kits are free to anyone of any minority group or of mixed ethnicity. There is normally a cost of $52 for tissue typing of Caucasians. Thanks to a federal grant, the fee at the Tech on April 12 is reduced to just $25. And it's tax deductible!

So, c'mon out, bring your friends and if you want to volunteer, let Stacie know! For more information and 10 more ways to help, please visit www.HelpingTami.org.

Earth Watch March 28, 2009, 8.30 - 9.30 PM

Don't forget, tonight, Saturday March 28 at 8.30 PM - 9.30 PM is Earth Hour. We're going to have a candlelight dinner, then watch the stars. Wink, wink.

Here's what the official Earth Hour website says:

"In 2009, Earth Hour has a goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you're from, but what planet you're from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries have pledged their support and the number is growing."

50% to 80% Off Wedding Gown Sale for a Good Cause

Riddle Me This: What do you get when you put two of my very good friends Amy Kuschel and Bridget Brown (the brilliant brain behind Bella Bridesmaid) in a room? You get a fantastic sale that also supports two great causes.

Sunday, March 29, 12 PM - 4 PM

Amy Kuschel Bridal Design Studio

23 Grant Avenue, 5th Floor

San Francisco

RSVP strongly recommended at 415.956.5657

Amy Kuschel and Bella Bridesmaid have joined together with a sample sale of 50% off - YES that's right! - 50% off to benefit The Breast Cancer Fund and Marriage Equality, two causes which we strongly support.

Enjoy 50% off Amy Kuschel wedding gowns in designer sizes 6 to 18. Take 10% more off your gown purchase when you donate $20 to either The Breast Cancer Fund or Marriage Equality. 

When was the last time you saw gorgeous wedding accessories on sale. NEVER~ until now. Veils, designer brooches, earrings, necklaces, appliqued ribbons and beaded sashes are also 50% off.

So now you're riding high - you've got an original Amy Kuschel gown. Now, pick up a darling little Bella Bridesmaid dress for your rehearsal dinner just for your next party. Originally priced at $250, these lovely creations are now offered at $50! (checks and cash only). If I'm doing the math correctly, that's 80% off! Choose from designers like Melissa Sweet, Amsale, Simple Silhouettes and Vera Wang. A sale like this makes me wish I was a bride again.

U @ 50

The AARP (American Association of Retired People) showed a video at a recent meeting that was submitted by a 20-year old. It won 2nd place in their contest "U @ 50". It's been viewed over 2,700,000 times on YouTube and over 2200 comments have been left.  Have a minute? Take a look.

Changing the World One Step at a Time

Quick -- what's the best way to leave a small carbon footprint and still be stylish? Eco Stiletto! Don't you just love their name? If you think green means having to wear birkenstocks, it's just not true.  

They search the world to bring you items of interest in fashion, home, and health that let you shrink your own carbon footprint one tiny inch at a time.  Here's a pair of $689 eco-licious vegan boots you can WIN by entering their contest.

 

They're made from organic hemp on the outside, metallic faux leather on the inside and all the packaging is recycled or sustainable. Sleek as these little puppies are, they don't use even one of the estimated 225 toxic chemicals used in the tanning process. But you've got to hurry The contest ends on January 31.