R&B star Mario recently talked with The Fix about the Mario Do Right Foundation, an organization he established in 2007 to help kids who deal with alcoholism and drug abuse in their families and communities.

Through the Mario Do Right Foundation, the 26-year-old also created the “Live Right Do Right” program, a 16-week after-school program that both educates children about substance abuse and helps them cope with drug addiction and alcoholism in their families.

Another week down, another week closer to spring!

What? It’s already spring?

Someone should tell all the sleet, snow, and 30-degree temperatures I’ve suffered through over the past week.

Anyway, I have a great Weekend Listening for you guys this weekend. Regardless of your own weather, you’re going to want to carve out a few minutes to check it out.

Earlier this week, Psych Central’s own Tamara Hill of Caregivers, Family, & Friends talked with Yvonne Pierre of The Yvonne Pierre Show during Pierre’s ENUF Series.

Planning on being in New York City tonight and have a few thousand dollars lying around (I’m just guessing on that – don’t get excited, it’s probably booked up)?

Maybe you’ll want to swing by the Amy Winehouse Foundation Inspiration Awards & Gala.

The Foundation’s inaugural gala not only will feature performances from award-winning singers like Jennifer Hudson, but also it will present its own awards.

That’s right. Tony Bennett, who’s been a huge supporter of of the Foundation and has donated more than $200, 000 to it, will receive The AWF Inspiration Award for Lifetime Achievement. NAS, who described Amy as being “like a little sister to [him]” (I had No Idea), will receive The AWF Inspiration Award for a New Generation.

According to Amy’s father and mastermind behind the Foundation, Mitch Winehouse, the Foundation hasn’t really gotten the ball rolling on fundraising just yet, but is already present in 200 schools and has given 10 scholarships to the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra also has been on the receiving end of the Foundation’s charity, to the tune of $10,000.

Okay, so by now you’ve probably heard “Thrift Shop,” the fifth, final, and arguably most popular hit off rapper Macklemore’s debut album The Heist.

“Thrift Shop” debuted back in October 2012 (on my birthday – what what, what what), peaked at Number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and — how’s this for impressive — is the second independent song in history to achieve the that spot nearly 20 years after Lisa Loeb’s “Stay (I Missed You)” in 1994.

Now the 29-year-old Seattle native is giving us another kind of hit.

We’ve talked about the stress Karen Gravano endured growing up as the daughter of one of the most notorious mobsters of modern times and Renee Graziano’s battles with addiction, but what’s going on with some of the other ladies of VH1′s hit reality show Mob Wives?

Well, Drita D’Avanzo, one of the original Mob Wives, recently sat down with OK! Magazine to talk about her good and, well, less-than-good experiences since signing on with the show.

‘Mob Wives’ Star Renee Graziano: “I’m Not a Junkie; I’m an Addict”

Drita walks us through sacrificing privacy for the show, monitoring her daughters’ exposure to the episodes (as well as asking her oldest daughter, Aleeya, for permission to film!), and using her celebrity for good.

Last week, we talked about

Happy Tuesday, readers!

What? Tuesday?

That’s right, you officially have about 48 hours until Valentine’s Day.

(Cue dramatic drum roll.)

Now, I know some of you don’t care for Valentine’s Day.

It was created by Hallmark! There’s too much pressure! Why should we spend just one day showing each other how we feel?!

Fine. I agree with all that most of the time, too.

However, for those of you who do celebrate Valentine’s Day, I’d like to veer off the celebrity-inspired road for just a second to tell you about how you can combine Valentine’s Day and mental health this year.

The Fix, an excellent (in my opinion) website about addiction and recovery that often tackles celebrity substance abuse issues is teaming up with the national nonprofit addiction treatment organization Phoenix House later this afternoon to talk about something that’s been on all our mind’s since Colorado and Washington pretty much told the world, “Yeah, we do what we want” and legalized pot.

Drug policy. Specifically, legalizing drugs.

Not just marijuana, either. The Fix and Phoenix House are set to talk about everything from heroin and cocaine to mass incarceration and mandatory vs. optional addiction treatment.

…aaaaaand it shouldn’t come as any surprise (to anyone who doesn’t actually check out which charities celebrities are actively involved in each year) that Taylor Swift made the top of the list.

Whoa! Did that sound snarky?

o.O

I have nothing against Swift. Honestly. She’s worked with various cancer-related organizations and I think that’s fantastic.

I just don’t understand why donating $4 million to the Country Hall of Fame Museum is seen as a significant charitable act when stars like…

…Lady Gaga and Demi Lovato were recognized for their anti-bullying campaigns.

…George Takei was recognized for his humanitarian work and being a huge advocate for the LGBT community.

…Selena Gomez was applauded for her annual UNICEF charity concert.

…Jay-Z and Beyonce received nods for all their work with underprivileged students, AIDS patients, and the homeless.

…Ian Somerhalder was noted for his namesake foundation that works to educate people about the planet, his support of The Trevor Project, and for being the most ridiculously good-looking person on the planet helping shine light on shelter animals.

Ah, well. They’re all amazing souls who’ve helped make someone’s life a little brighter in 2012!

Check out the full list over at DoSomething.org.

Is there any celebrity you’d add to it?

Can you believe we don’t have even a full two weeks until Christmas?!

This might be the first year since I-can’t-remember-when that I don’t have my holiday shopping nearly finished heading into mid-December.

I’m not sure what the hold up is this year, but thank goodness for online shopping!

Speaking of, if you still have some Christmas shopping to finish and not a lot of time to finish it, consider shopping with GoodShop.com.

With GoodShop.com, you can still shop with all of your favorite retail stores (think Target, Best Buy, Khols, Walmart, Old Navy, and Home Depot). The only difference is, you raise money for your favorite charity with each purchase you make!