Wine Racks Blog

One of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, Haiti in recent years has struggled with problems ranging from near-constant political upheaval, health crises, severe environmental degradation and an annual barrage of hurricanes, which killed an estimated 800 people and caused vast damage in 2008.

On Jan. 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck Haiti, reducing much of its capital to rubble. It was the worst earthquake in the region in more than 200 years. Since then, there have been aftershocks, causing even more devastation.

It’s far too easy to feel powerless to help in the face of such heartbreaking news. But you can help!

To give to the Red Cross, phone users can text the word “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10, and when prompted, hit “YES” to confirm the donation.

The donation is added to the cell user’s bill, and receipts are available.

Other text-message codes for donations include:

• Text the word “HAITI” to 20222 to donate $10 to the Clinton Foundation Haiti Relief Fund.

• Text “HAITI” to 25383 to donate $5 to the International Rescue Committee.

• Text “HAITI” to 85944 to donate $10 to the International Medical Corps.

Also, some of my favorite companies have started donation campaigns for relief work in Haiti. Through January 28, StacksAndStacks.com will be donating $10 on every order over $100 dollars to the American Red Cross. You can make this a philanthropic double whammy - buy some organizing supplies for a local charity in your neighborhood, and if you spend over $100 dollars, you’ll be helping Haiti as well! It’s a new version of “Think Globally, Act Locally” - it’s “Act Locally, Act Globally”!

Can you believe 2009 is almost over? Soon it will be 2010. I’m excited about the new year, except I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to wear those New Year’s Eve glasses, where the lenses are the ‘00′ in the number. Oh well, times change! Whether you’re raising a glass of wine, champagne or milk - here’s a list of New Year’s toasts you can say:

In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want. ~ Traditional Irish toast

Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Year, everybody. ~ Phyllis McGinley

Here’s to us all, God bless us every one! ~ from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Here’s a toast to the future, A toast to the past, And a toast to our friends, far and near. May the future be pleasant; The past a bright dream; May our friends remain faithful and dear. ~ Anonymous

Cheers to you, Cheers to me, Have a Happy New Year’s Eve!

All right. I’ve been asked about this particular product too many times now, so it’s finally time we talk about The Wine Rack.

Yes, the Wine Rack is a bra type apparatus, that can be filled with wine, beer, or any other beverage. It can hold up to 25 ounces, and increase your bustline up to two cup sizes! Apparently, the younger crowd likes this sort of thing for pub crawls, or concerts or other things. However, I can think of several reasons why this is not a practical way to store wine.

1. Wine needs to be kept at a proper temperature. If you are wearing this, chances are your wine could be getting up to 80 or 90 degrees. That would utterly ruin the quality of your wine, and degrade the taste of the wine.

2. If this is meant to sneak wine into establishments that would otherwise not let you drink alcohol, I’ve got news for you - that’s illegal, and you will end up in jail. You might think jail is glamourous, and you will get to meet Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton, but that is not the case. I think. I wouldn’t know for sure, because I’ve never been to jail, because I don’t do things that would involve jail as a consequence.

3. If it increases your cup size by two sizes, you will stretch out your shirts. Buying new shirts in this economy seems like an unnecessary expense.

Now, I know I sound like a stick in the mud, but I’m not. I know how to have a good time. One time, in college, I stayed up so late that I was 5 minutes late to my morning history class. So don’t tell me that I haven’t lived on the edge. I just think wine racks are serious business, and you shouldn’t have your wine rack be part of your wardrobe!

Anyway, what do you think? Let me know in the comments!