How many times have you heard a song on the radio, only to miss what the name of the song is?

If you haven’t heard of it yet, Shazam is an amazing piece of software for the iPhone or iPad where you can hold your phone or tablet up to the song that’s playing. A few seconds and *shazam*, it’ll tell you the name of the song, the artist, and even give you a link to buy it. It’s a great tool to have and to pull out at any time, especially when you’re getting on in years and forgetting stuff.

I’ve used Shazam countless times. It’s not perfect–the song has to be in Shazam’s database, which has almost every popular song imaginable, but is hit-or-miss on classical music. Still, I’ve found it to be hit more than miss. It’s a great tool to have and to pull out at any time, especially when you’re getting on in years and forgetting stuff.

There’s a special edition of Shazam where 20% of the purchase price will go to fighting the scourge of AIDS as part of the (PRODUCT) RED program. In honor of World AIDS Day (which was yesterday), Shazam will be selling (Shazam) RED all this week (until the 7th) at the reduced price of $1.99. And 100% of the proceeds for this week will be going to (PRODUCT) RED.

In addition, when people add a pledge of action to the (2015)QUILT, an online effort to bring the number of babies born with AIDS to zero, they’ll receive a choice of one of the six (RED) songs by The Killers for free as a thank you. and are invited to buy the other singles or the entire (RED) Christmas EP, with proceeds going to fight AIDS.

It’s a great tool to have and to pull out at any time, especially when you’re getting on in years and forgetting stuff.

For a very limited time, you can get $100 worth of wine for only $45 from OneHope wine and Groupon!.

I’d written a review of OneHope wine last year. Long story short, this is no cheap wine that someone just stuck a charity label on. It’s a selection of fine wines from the some of the finest wineries in Napa and Sonoma valley, who have come together to donate half the profits to help such worthy causes as AIDS/LifeCycle, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Act Today!

I was a little late posting this one, so you’d better hurry and get yours while you can!

When visiting someone’s house for a dinner party this holiday season, there are few gifts that are both as practical and as meaningful as a good bottle of wine. There’s something about a bottle of wine that makes any dinner special. That 2-liter bottle of Coke doesn’t have nearly the story to tell as those grapes from far away that have been sitting in a oak barrel waiting years to be opened up and enjoyed. A good bottle of wine makes the heart happy. And when you pair the wine perfectly to the meal that’s being cooked, it just makes the evening complete.

The world seems to be split into two halves: those who know everything there is to know about wine and those who have no clue. I squarely in the latter half. I’ve been on wine tastings and I know the basics (swirl and sniff, red wine goes with red meat, and so on), but ask me what the difference between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir, and I’ll just smile and nod.

A few weeks ago, OneHOPE wine contacted me and told me about their products. They’re a company that partners with some of the best wineries in Northern California to produce their own wine label. They sell six varietals (Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir), each of which donates 50% of proceeds to a different charity (Breast cancer, AIDS, Conservation, the Troops, Autism, and Children’s Hospitals respectively).

Giving a random bottle of wine from the local Target is one thing. But when you give one of these wines, you’re not only assured a great, high-quality wine–you can also show your recipient how much you care about these importance causes, and bring awareness (and perhaps some good dinner conversation) about them.

White Wines:

1. Chardonnay: This is a California white with hints of fresh apple blossom and honeysuckle, with vibrant crisp pear and apple on your palette. This is a wine that is absolutely perfect when paired with broiled or grilled seafood, poultry dishes, and cheese. 50% of profits benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
2. Sauvignon Blanc: This light, refreshing, crisp wine has a pale, golden color. You can taste subtle flavors of pink grapefruit and bright, grassy undertones.  It’s perfect with salmon, halibut, light pasta dishes, fresh fruit, and cheese. 50% of profits benefit the American Forest Foundation, which works to protect the forests of the United States.
3. Pinot Noir: This wine comes from Force Canyon Vineyard in the Arroyo Seco Canyon, next to the cool breezes and bright sunshine of Monterrey Bay, which give it a very uniquely Californian flavor profile. It’s aged for seven months in French and American oak; sniffing the wine, you can sense aromas of raspberries, blackberries, and roses. Wonderful when paired with lean meats, dishes cooked with early flavors like truffles and mushrooms and mild, creamy cheeses such as brie and camembert.   50% of profits go to The Children’s Hospitals, which treat 17 million children each year.

Red Wines:

1. Merlot: This wine is an extremely diverse wine with a bright cherry color. It is very versatile as far as food pairings go–it goes well with poultry, pork, pastas, and salads. 50% of profits go to AIDS/Lifecycle, a bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles which brings education and awareness to fighting AIDS.
2. Zinfandel: This wine has an extremely rich red color with luscious dark flavors such as plum and black cherry. It pairs well with foods such as pizza, barbecue ribs, and lamb. 50% of profits go to Snowball Express, a great organization that supports families and children of those in the military who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
3. Cabernet Sauvignon: This is the red wine that most people think of when they say “red wine”. It has a dark, ruby red color and rich flavors that evoke lush black cherry, cassis, and a hint of tobacco. It is fantastic with roasted and grilled meat, such as roast lamb, prime rib, or porterhouse steak. 50% of profits go to ACT Today, a fine organization which helps autistic children.

Are the wines really high quality? OneHOPE sent me a bottle of Chardonnay to sample. The bottle was beautiful, with a sleek black label and a ribbon emblem tied around the neck. The wine was fantastic. It was a beautiful gold color, and true to its description, had a light fruity feel about it, which would be fantastic with lobster or grilled chicken.

Bottom line, it’s a wonderful bottle of wine that makes a fantastic gift and helps some  great causes.

Visit their online store to buy your wine gifts for this coming holiday season!

OneHOPE has been kind enough to offer one lucky reader a $50 Gift Card to their online store! This is enough to buy at least two bottles of wine. To be eligible for the drawing, just click the brand new Facebook “Like” button on the right side of this page and then post a comment here saying which wine you’d choose and why. I’ll announce a winner in a few weeks!

No, the coffee isn’t red. This Starbucks From Africa To Africa Red, Brown Spice and Citrus, Ground Coffee, 12 oz. bag is Starbuck’s entry into the Product (RED) line of products.

The coffee beans are from East Africa, where coffee originally came from. Brewing it yields a unique flavor of coffee that’s deliciously complex. It’s been described as delicate with subtle hints of herbs, citrus, and spice.

Starbucks has worked extensively with African coffee, and with the opening of Farmer Support Centers in Rwanda and Ethiopia, this product is produced responsibly and under fair working conditions. And proceeds of sales will go not only to help farmers in these developing areas, it’ll also provide treatment for children and adults living with HIV in Africa.

This MAC Viva Glam VII lipstick at Nordstrom was released only a few weeks ago and has already gotten some rave reviews on their site.

Cosmetic company MAC worked with Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper, having them design their own lipsticks. Lady Gaga’s is a “bubble gum pink”, while Cyndi Lauper’s (also available on the site) is a “coral red”. Their demi-sheer with a slick, wet look finish, making lips look soft, smooth, and moist.

The lipsticks are one-of-a-kind designs, with the familiar sleek MAC logo on the outside, and a stylized signature from the artists on the inside.

100% of the selling price of Viva Glam lipstick will be donated to the MAC AIDS Fund, which supports men, women, and children devastated by AIDS.

Back in the 1991, a group of musical luminaries assembled to create a series of CDs called “For Our Children”. Some of the performances have become legendary, from Bette Midler’s “Blueberry Pie” to Bruce Springsteen’s “Chicken Lips and Lizard Hips to Luther Vandross singing “Puff the Magic Dragon” to Little Richard singing “Itsy Bitsy Spider”, to other delightful renditions of children’s songs by the likes of Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Cher, Seal, and Sting. Over a million units were sold, with proceeds benefitting the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

The original records are out of print, but about a year ago this compilation of the best of the best was released. Called Every Child Deserves a Lifetime: Songs from the for Our Children Series, it brings the best performances together onto one CD. And of course, all proceeds still go to benefit the same great cause.

It can be somewhat of a challenge to find a Valentine’s Day gift for a guy. While guys can shop for flowers, roses, jewelry, and spa baskets, ladies often have a harder time finding something to give in return.

Your search has ended. Here is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for a guy. The Apple iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition is Apple’s entry into the (PRODUCT) RED series. (RED) is an organization formed by Bono, which partners with major companies who produce red-colored products, proceeds of which go to fight AIDS and hunger in Africa.

Not only is the red color perfect for Valentine’s Day, it’s also in my opinion the nicest looking iPod out there. And you pay the same price for it that you pay for any other iPod.

This Valentine’s Day, give him a gift he’ll cherish forever. Or, get him to re-gift it back to you once your roses wilt away

These are frosted glass platters sold at Uncommon Goods, each of which goes to help a separate great cause. The platters are all designed and handmade in Pennsylvania and support various great causes in the western Pennsylvania areas. Each reflects the mission of the cause it supports.

Forget Me Not Platter for Alzheimer’s
The illustration of the “forget-me-not” flower illustrates how precious memories are, and the tragedy of those who cannot keep theirs. 10% goes to support the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Pennsylvania.

Heart Platter for Habitat for Humanity
10% of proceeds from this platter benefit Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity, which organizes volunteers to build houses for low-income families.

Star Platter for AIDS
10% of proceeds from this platter go to AIDS service organizations in Pittsburgh.

The Giving Tree Platter for CASA
10% of sales of this plate goes to support the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Allegheny County, which organizes community volunteers to serve as advocates for children who are victims of abuse or neglect in western Pennsylvania.

Eating Royally is a cookbook with an interesting story.

Darren McGrady was a chef for the Royal Family, and continued to serve as Princess Diana’s personal chef until her death in 1997.

In this book, he presents an amazing look inside the Royal Family, from photographs, to picture of actual menus printed for each of the royal family, to never-before seen artifacts and memorabilia, to fascinating stories about his years in Buckingham Palace.

And of course, it has recipes for the dishes he cooked the royal family, and especially Diana. Recipes include Her Majesty’s Birthday Chocolate Cake, Framboises St. George, Poached Eggs Suzettes, Chicken and Leek Pie, Steak Diane, Cottage Pie, Croques Monsieur, and much, much more.

In honor of Diana and her passion for children’s causes, the author is donating a portion of proceeds to the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Apple Inc. never ceases to amaze me. I’ve been a very fanatical customer of theirs since I owned an Apple //e in the early 1980′s. I was the proud owner of a Mac SE/30 in the early 1990′s, and a Powerbook in the late 1990′s.

I remember when everyone left them for dead, and then they came out with this new thing called an “iPod”, which changed everything.

This is a very cool thing they’re doing with a very cool product. For the same price as their regular iPod Nanos and iPod Shuffles, you can get this red version (which IMO is by far the best color of all of them). And all the proceeds of sales of these versions of the iPod go to The Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa!

It’s not clear how long Apple will continue this, and it will almost certainly be a hot seller for the upcoming holiday season, so grab yours while you can!

The Apple iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition goes for $199. If that’s too pricey, you can also go for the über cool Apple iPod shuffle (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition, 2GB at $69.