How to Plan a Benefit for a Cancer PatientIn Feburary 2016 22,

In Feburary 2016 22,
Gather a small group of people to help plan the event. With your group, decide what kind of benefit to host and who should be the chairperson. Common ideas include silent auctions, spaghetti dinners or bowling parties. Pick something fun and uplifting for the cancer patient, and a fundraiser that will involve the whole community.
Find a location and pick a date for the benefit. Give yourself at least a month for planning the event. Some places, like churches, schools and fire departments, will donate their facilities for free, and often have tables and chairs. If needed, rent a banquet hall or bowling alley for the benefit, but make sure the managers know that your event is a charity fundraiser.
Decide on admission prices for the event, after you have estimated your costs. Some benefits simply ask participants for a donation at the door, but others charge a set price.
Contact local media about the fundraiser. Many newspapers have local event listings for free, and some media outlets may be interested in writing a story about your friend and the benefit. Also, hang signs throughout your community in restaurants, grocery stores, churches and schools. This publicity will attract participants and possibly donors for the event.
Contact area businesses for donations. Choose a member of your planning committee who is comfortable with public speaking for this task. Outline why you are having a benefit, who the recipient is and what you would like the business to donate. Things to consider asking for include food and beverages, prizes for a silent auction or raffle and decorations.
Purchase or collect decorations, food and drinks the day before the event. Make sure you have plenty of napkins, plates, cups and silverware if you are serving food. If possible, decorate your facility the day before to reduce stress the day of the benefit. If you are having a silent auction, present items in an appealing manner where participants can see them throughout the event.
Gather donations during your event and collect contact information from donors. This way you can send 'Thank You' notes after the fact to show your appreciation for their help. Present the donations or an estimate of the total to the cancer patient during the event, if possible. This will make everyone feel involved in your success.
In Feburary 2016 22,

How to Remove Trees for FreeIn Feburary 2016 09,

In Feburary 2016 09,
Check to see if your trees are part of a city, state or federal program. Many areas have received grants for the purpose of planting and maintaining trees as part of ongoing efforts to promote natural beautification and air quality programs. Check with your local cooperative extension office to learn about such programs in your area. You also can ask at city hall or at a forest service office that covers your area. If the trees are near the street, it is likely that the city owns them and will remove them at no charge, if necessary.
Post ads, either in stores, laundromats or online bulletin boards, advertising free wood for anyone willing to cut it up and haul it away. Many people heat all or part of their homes with wood, and these people are often glad to get free wood in exchange for their efforts.
Call the power company to remove any unwanted trees that are near power lines. Most such companies have contracts with tree specialists in the areas they serve. If there is a chance that your trees are or will become problem trees, the power company will often remove them for you at no charge.
Cut down the trees yourself. You can either use the wood in your own home or you can sell it. Using this method not only removes the trees for free, but actually pays you to do so. You can barter with someone if you need help, trading some of the wood for assistance cutting, splitting and hauling.
Contact a reputable logging company about cutting and removing your trees. Many small companies will do this for no charge, provided there are enough trees -- usually 20 or more -- to make it worth their while. Be sure you know what kind of trees you have and their value. In some cases, the logging company may not only remove your trees but will also pay you. Check with more than one company, ask at your county extension office and ask neighbors for recommendations before agreeing to anything.
In Feburary 2016 09,

How to Host a Crazy Cards PartyIn Feburary 2016 02,

In Feburary 2016 02,
Send out invitations at least two weeks in advance. Your Crazy Cards invitation should make it clear that guests need to RSVP by a certain date. You will want to have enough guests to seat four players to a table, although you can play with a 'ghost' or two. Ideally you will have 12 or more players.
Decide on party food and drinks. Consider having a different bowl of sweet or salty snacks at each card table for guests to enjoy as the game advances.
Set up card tables with four chairs each. Depending on the number of guests, you may need to use more than one room, such as the kitchen, dining room, living room and family room--or a large gathering space such as a church hall. Each table should be numbered so guests know where to rotate during the game. Each table should have a pen or pencil so players can keep score.
Hosting the Party
Plan for at least 30 minutes of mingling time at the start of the party. If guests don't know each other, be sure to provide name tags.
When it's time to begin the game, gather everyone together to explain the basic rules:
Players sitting opposite each other are partners for that round.
Before dealing, each person at the table draws a card; high card deals out all cards (13 cards to each player.)
The person to the left of the dealer plays first. Moving counterclockwise, each person plays a card in the same suit, if possible. If that's not possible, he may play a card from the 'trump' suit or another suit.
The partners with the most 'tricks' (hands won) are the table winners. Each trick is worth 10 points.
Winners advance to the next numbered table but switch partners for the next round.
Losers stay at the same table but switch partners for the next round.
There is no bidding as in classic Spades.
No leading with the trump suit until one is played (except in the no-peek round or unless that's all you have left in your hand.)
Each person should receive a score sheet with his name on it. Score sheets should list eight rounds and include the rules for each round. Consider handing out table assignments. That way, couples or groups of people who do know each other can start out playing together.
Play a practice round before beginning.
Consider adding fun activities, such as team pictures, after some rounds. Another idea is an 'Instant Challenge,' such as a house of cards building contest or paper airplane flying contest, for extra points. Make sure everyone has time to revisit the bar and snack table--consider calling an intermission for that purpose.
In Feburary 2016 02,