Celebrities Vote for Their Favorite First Book

First Book, an organization that provides new books to children in need, has launched their "What Book Got You Hooked?" campaign. Now through September 15th, readers everywhere are invited to share the first book from childhood that made reading fun while sharing the joy of great books with the children who need them most-it will also provide 50,000 new books to low-income youth. At its core, the campaign celebrates the profound power of the picture and chapter books we can never forget and the critical role they play in developing a lifelong love of reading.

Many celebrities have joined the effort, including: Stephen Colbert, Emma Thompson, Edward Norton, John Krasinski, Barry Mannilow, Kenny Chesney, Rebecca Romijn, John Hodgman and many more. To see their responses, go to the First Book Web site.

First Book is addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 60 million free and low cost books in thousands of communities. To vote for your "book that got you hooked" and make a donation, visit http://www.firstbook.org/.

Charles Barkley is a Big Tipper

Charles Barkley, author and former NBA player, was a generous tipper to busboy Christian Abate of Philadelphia. He offered to help him with his college tuition and gave him the length of his meal to accept.

He's a nice kid," Barkley said of Abate. "He was working with kids, I loved that he wanted to be a teacher, and I wanted to help him".

This is not the first time Barkley has reached into his own pocket for education - he has given over $3 million to schools in his home state of Alabama.

Kanye West & Choose or Lose Give Veterans a "Homecoming"

Famous rapper, Kayne West, and MTV's Sway Calloway surprise war veterans from Iraq on the upcoming special "Choose or Lose & Kanye West Present: Homecoming". The special features Kayne and Calloway visiting with three veterans - Tirann Laws, Shameeka Gray and Lorenzo Zarate - in their homes and listening to the difficult challenges they face after coming home.

"There are hundreds of veterans out there who are falling through the cracks. They make the ultimate sacrifices for us by laying down their lives, but it seems like a lot of them just get forgotten about," West said. "I know my music inspires and helps a lot of people, but you can always do more. I teamed up with MTV and took the opportunity to share the spotlight with these veterans and hear their stories. I went to their homes to listen and get their firsthand experiences. I wanted to hear their stories."

West also helped each veteran out - either with financial debt or monthly bills - with the help of MTV and the Dr. Donda West Foundation which was created in West's late mother's memory.

"The stories of the veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are important and worth telling," Dave Sirulnick, executive vice president for MTV News and Production, said in a statement. "In conversations with veterans over the last year, it became clear that Kanye's music is used by soldiers in Iraq as a way of connecting to home. Once these veterans return home, their stories are so moving that you can't help but want to do the right thing and help them out."

The one-hour special, which airs July 28 at 10 p.m. ET, will give viewers information on how they can help the 1.5 million veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars through Choose Or Lose and the Dr. Donda West Foundation.

Uptown Liz Fun Facts

October 2006: Ramona Russell created an e-mail newsletter for breast cancer awareness that sparked the idea for Uptown Liz.

March 2007: Ramona Russell decided to go forward with Uptown Liz.

April 2007: Ramona Russell starting working on the business by joining a Ladies Who Launch incubator and forming a focus group with some of the members.

July 2007: Ramona Russell launched Uptown Liz on July 17th.

August 2007: Ramona Russell interviewed by former CNN news anchor, Daryn Kagan.

August 2007: Web site reached over 95,000 hits.

September 2007: Web site reached over 127,000 hits.

October 2007: Uptown Liz featured on Great Day Houston.

October 2007: Ramona Russell and Uptown Liz featured on Good Day Sacramento.

October 2007: Web site reached over 158,000 hits.

January 2008: Uptown Liz featured on KillerStartups.com.

January 2008: Uptown Liz featured on Lucky magazine's blog.

January 2008: Web site reached over 190,000 hits.

March 2008: Web site reached over 220,000 hits.

April 2008: Ramona Russell invited to particpate on the business panel for Microsoft Office Live Small Business' Vision to Venture Conference.

May 2008: Ramona Russell interviewed by SBTV.com.

Uptown Liz Turns One

July 17, 2008

Happy Anniversary to Uptown Liz! One year ago today, I launched this business in memory of my 28 year old sister, Liz, who died from breast cancer on what would have been her thirtieth birthday. I feel incredibly blessed to have this business and want to thank all of my family, friends, colleagues, retailers and nonprofits who have been so supportive. Your inspirational stories and thoughtful e-mails continue to drive me and, with your help, I have been able to create a legacy for my sister and shine a light on people who are making a difference in the world. It has been such a wonderful first year; I like to think that Liz is working her magic for me.

In gratitude,
Ramona Russell
Founder

George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon Join Efforts for Myanmar

Fellow actors and friends, George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon have launched an advertising campaign to bring awareness to Myanmar.

The ad, sponsored by the activist group Not On Our Watch, states that the country's regime is putting putting their people at risk by preventing foreign aid from entering since the Cyclone Nagris disaster. "Burma’s neighbors have the power to help victims who remain desperately in need," a quote from the ad which was signed by many surrounding countries’ presidents.

According to Not On Our Watch, Burma (also known as Myanmar) is governed by one of the most brutal military regimes in the world, led by General Than Shwe. Since 1990, fair elections have not been held. Democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest, where she has been held for 12 of the last 18 years. Under Than Shwe, the regime continues to perpetrate gross human rights violations against Burmese citizens. It is estimated that the military has destroyed over 3200 tribal villages, violently suppressing opposition forces through torture, rape and execution. In the wake of Cyclone Nargis, Than Shwe repeatedly prevented foreign aid and emergency supplies from coming into the country, a stance that sharply increased death and disease in those regions hardest hit.

Over 130,000 people have died or disappeared from Cyclone Nagris.

Paris Hilton Helps Build a Hospital

Paris Hilton donated a large amount of money to help build the Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, which is expected to open in 2010. Last year Hilton told Larry King she wanted "to help raise money for kids and for breast cancer and multiple sclerosis."

"The children I have met through my involvement with Childrens Hospital have truly touched my heart," Hilton said in a statement. "I am proud to make a donation and lend my name to the fundraising effort to help children who are facing terribly serious illnesses."