Just passing on the news that you can get an Everyday with Rachael Ray one-year magazine subscription for $2.99 from Tanga.com.

You’ll be saving more than $20 with this deal. A subscription consists of 10 issues and you can buy up to 4 years.

Just enter the code ‘everyday‘ during checkout to take advantage of the savings. I’ve been informed that one Twitter friend has successfully ordered hers earlier today, but act fast – deals like this don’t last forever.

Regal is offering selected G or PG movies every Tuesday and Wednesday (starting an 10 a.m.) for the summer – starting on June 29 and ending August 25. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served, and are limited by the capacity of a participating theater. Not all Regal venues are holding the festival, so it’s important to check this list to see if you can take advantage of free movies with the kiddies this summer. At my local theater, they are playing movies, such as Where The Wild Things Are, Kung Fu Panda, Night At The Museum II, Polar Express, and Harry Potter: Half Blood Prince.

Who doesn’t love movies…and popcorn…and candy? I love all three. I’m a movie nut and watch nearly everything – from foreign flicks to martial arts to tearjerkers. I went to the movies to see ‘300′ and fell in love with the vivid colors, artistic cinematography, and historical context.

Up for grabs is

• 300 (Limited Collector’s Edition) 3-Disc DVD Set
• Three packages of PopSecret popcorn
• One 23.8-ounce bag of Movie Theater snacks  (Junior Mints, Tootsie Roll Mini Chews, Dots, Mini Charleston Chews, and Junior Caramels)

– all that you need for the perfect movie night. If you already own the movie, it makes a nice gift for a loved one and then, you get to indulge in the treats.

Mandatory Entry: You must be my Google Connect friend (on the sidebar) and leave a comment saying so – must be completed or all other entries will not count.

Extra Entries (must leave separate comments for each entry)

1. RSS feed subscribers to YonaWrites get [2 entries]

2. Email subscribers of YonaWrites get [1 entry]

3. RT on Twitter: ‘300′ Limited Collector’s Edition 3-Disc DVD Set & Movie Snacks Giveaway at YonaWrites (ends 6/20)–  http://tinyurl.com/29q937w [1 entry]

4. If you have a favorite Greek god or goddess, leave a comment telling me who they are and why [2 entries]

5. Answer the question at the bottom of my ‘Tearjerkers Movie’ list, come back and leave a comment telling me you did [3 entries]

6. Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post [2 entries]

The Fine Print: For every entry that you complete, let me know in the comments section. For example, 2 entries = 2 separate comments. Contest ends June 20, 2010 at 11:59pm (ET).  The winner will be chosen through Random.org. Please leave an email address so I can contact winners, who will have 48 hours to tell me where to send their prize. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only.

Bring out the tissues! When it comes to a movie that shows cruelty to animals, the death of a pet, war, or someone losing their battle with an incurable disease – I am inconsolable. There are a lot of movies that have me in tears, but here are the first 8 that come to my mind:

Turner & Hooch (1989) – Tom Hanks and a slobbery pooch team up to solve the murder of the dog’s owner and let’s just say, the ending has me in tears.

Project X (1987) – When the monkey saves the day and tries to claim his cigarette reward from Matthew Broderick through a glass window before he is radiated, I always cry.

Beaches (1988) – It wasn’t the “Wind Beneath My Wings” that got me in this Bette Midler/Barbara Hershey movie. It was their time on the beach that had me bawling, as we see the frustration of a mother realizing she wouldn’t get a chance to see her daughter grow up unfold.

Steel Magnolias (1989) – An all-star cast featuring Olympia Dukakis, Shirley MacClaine, Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, and Tom Skerritt has endless laughs, even though tragedy lurks around the corner.  By the way, I love Sally Field! Her meltdown towards the end of the movie is touching and relentlessly tugs at the heartstrings.

Tears of the Sun (2003) – This Bruce Willis flick sees him commanding a band of soldiers through the jungles of Nigeria – guiding men, women and children (many of which are old, sick, and wounded) to safety, while a sadistic militant is fast on their trail. As Willis loses his men and the villagers fight for their lives, it’s heart wrenching.

The Neverending Story (1984) – If you’ve ever seen this tale of fantasy, then you already know of a character called the Rock Man. As a child, he has a scene that still touches my heart as an adult. There is also a scene with the main character’s horse that also brings on the water works.

My Sister’s Keeper (2009) – The movie that centers on childhood sickness and parents devoted to saving the life of their daughter offers surprising twists and is in my opinion, one of Cameron Diaz’s best acting jobs. Before you learn the true beauty of the plot, you’ll going to cry at least once.

Marley & Me (2008) – The movie is banned in my house, that’s all I have to say – and I don’t know how little kids can get through it either. I don’t take too kindly to drawn out sad scenes, especially when dogs are involved.

Newly Added

The Notebook (2004),  Sweet November (2001),  Titanic (1997),  Autumn in New York (2000), What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), My Girl (1991)

Question: What is or are your top tearjerker movie(s)?

Watched ‘Daybreakers’ with Ethan Hawke last night and it left me wondering ‘whoever came up with this storyline has one helluva imagination.’ The movie deals with the future (around 2019, I believe), where the population of vampires outnumbers the humans. In fact, the humans are nearing extinction since they provide the only means of sustenance for the vampires.

The ‘blood’ banks are running dry and chaos is sweeping across the world. Adding another kink into the plot is that vampires who become deprived of blood transform into hairless beasts with bat-like wings. There is a rush to discover a blood substitute to satisfy the demand for supply. On one end is a hematologist (played by Ethan Hawke) who wishes to save the remaining human population, while his greedy boss (played by Sam Neill) has other plans.

I warn you, there are a lot of gory, bloody, eye-wincing moments in the film – not for the light-hearted or weak-stomached. Nonetheless, it was a creative concept and I thought the ending was pretty clever.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Incendia Health. All opinions are 100% mine.

I like reading about and participating in fun online contests, so when I was made aware of the “You Gotta See This” Video Contest – sponsored by Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (AMO), I agreed to write a post because the Grand Prize winning video is HILARIOUS! The global leader in laser vision correction encouraged entrants to create videos that showed how improved vision had an impact on their lives. In return for their creativity, they received a chance to win cash and prizes, including an attractive $5,000 Grand Prize.

You can view the winners of the iLASIK Video Contest and all the other entries at www.GottaSeeThisNow.com. If you wear glasses or use eye care products, you can also register to receive valuable items.

The prizes for the contest are pretty nice – awarded to two people under each category. Winners of the first prize received an HDTV package valued at $2,500. The second prize was a Flip UltraHD™ camcorder worth $199.99.

The Grand Prize Winner!

A $5,000 Grand Prize was awarded to Alex for the “You Gotta See This Music Video” – showing a music video/ boy band-like parody that starts with a humorous voiceover: “You’re a four eyes…that’s two eyes more…than normal eyes.” It has a catchy beat and lyrics. I can definitely see why they took home the grand prize. I actually played the video more than once – lol.

Participants submitted their videos in three different categories and I’d like to say congratulations to all the winners of the iLASIK Video Contest:

Category 1: My Contacts Are Getting In The Way Of My Good Time
First Prize: “You Gotta Be Kidding Me! A True Story” by Robbo
Second Prize: “Contacts Stink” by windysail

Category 2: My Favorite Sport Or Activity Would Be So Much Cooler With Better Vision
First Prize: “iLASIK Would Make Surfing More Enjoyable” by jhbmw007
Second Prize: “Foggy Riding” by Snowman

Category 3: You Should See Life After The iLASIK® Procedure
First Prize: “Orbs Of Perfection” by Danny V
Second Prize: “Army LASIK” by ahowalton

What a cool idea! An online garden swap that allows you to send gardening goodies under $20 to a complete stranger, and you receive the same – kind of like Secret Santa. This will certainly come in handy because I’ve entered a challenge with my father to see who can create the better garden this year.

I have never done a garden before, but I am ahead of him in the green thumb department. A couple years ago, he planted a magnolia tree (which didn’t make it) and I planted grapes (which are now a monstrosity). In the past, we joined forces to compost. That was fun and the soil was the richest I’d ever seen.

Sign up for the garden swap at The Going to Be New Me…. The opportunity to participate ends on April 12^th, 2010.  Gardening goodies should be purchased, packed and shipped by April 26 so that goodies make it in time for a May 1^st surprise.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of 20th Century Fox. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you’re a movie buff, then you probably really can’t wait until the weekend rolls around – when new film releases make their debut. On April 9th, 2010, ‘Date Night’ will hit theater screens across the United States. I’ve seen the trailer and think it will be interesting to see how Tina Fey and Steve Carell join forces as a comedic duo. If you’re unfamiliar with these actors, Tina Fey is notorious for being a dead ringer for and playing Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live. And how can you forget Steve Carell getting his chest waxed in 40-Year-Old Virgin?

In ‘Date Night’, a bored suburban couple get more than they bargained for while enjoying one of their weekly dinner ‘dates.’ With car chases, shootouts, and even a trip to the strip club – the night will certainly prove one they will never forget. If you haven’t seen the trailer (it’s only 30 seconds), you can watch it below to get an idea of some of the antics Fey and Carell face. You’ll notice there are other notable actors featured in the film, such as Mark Wahlberg.

All in all – if you’re looking for your own Date Night Movie to see, perhaps you’ll check out this flick on opening weekend. If you do, please share your thoughts in my comment section.

Update: I eventually went to see this movie in a reduced-cost theater and I loved it. My sweetie and I laughed – there’s a lot of funny parts in this film.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Alvin and the Chipmunks. All opinions are 100% mine.

Did you know that “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” is available on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Download already? If you have any memories of “Alllllllviiiin,” then this would definitely make a delightful gift for children that adults can also enjoy. When you purchase the Double DVD Pack, you’ll receive “The Squeak Along” bonus disc, which includes more music and all-new singalongs. That’s like getting twice the fun for the price of one! My nephew is going through his ’singing’ stage and I’d rather hear Chipmunk songs over the usual crap that plays on the radio.

It’s hard to resist the colorful characters that have stood the test of time in the entertainment industry. The Chipmunks have been around since 1958 – can you believe that? There’s something for everyone in the DVD, from the boisterous antics of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore to the sugary sweet sass of the Chipettes. What I like about children’s DVDs like “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” is that in a society where violent cartoons have an adverse effect on young minds, you can still outfit your DVD collection with a refreshing, family-family title that everyone can enjoy.

The Squeakquel still deals with topics that the younger crowd can grasp without being jilted. A friendly rivalry between the Chipmunks and the Chipettes develop, as the characters are now pre-teens – attending school and dealing with the pressures of being celebrities.

Just as family-friendly as the cartoons from your childhood and previous DVDs, you can enjoy More Munk Mayhem when you buy it now for the lovable child in your life.

Additionally, when you’re looking for fun activities on the Web for your child, visit http://www.munkyourself.com to ‘munk’ yourself.

According to Guinness World Records, the United States Library of Congress, located in Washington D.C, is ranked as the largest library in the world. This priceless gem holds more than 118 million items – spanning more than 500 miles of shelving. Aside from the never-ending assortment of publications decorating the library, travelers come from near and far just to come closer to:

• The largest rare book collection in North America – including a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and a Gutenberg bible (one of only four perfect vellum copies known today).
• 4.8 million maps
• 2.7 million sound recordings
• The Prelinger Collection – with more than 48,000 historical motion pictures, unique master materials, and items recently named to the National Film Registry.

The Library of Congress is found in three different buildings, each named after an influential president of the United States. The Thomas Jefferson Building is found between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street on First Street SE. The John Adams Building is situated between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street on 2nd Street SE. Between First and Second Streets on Independence Avenue SE, you will encounter the James Madison Memorial Building – home to the Law Library of Congress.

In case you were wondering where in the world you can find other spectacular libraries, consider the following:

• New York Public Library (New York City, NY – 11 million books+)
• Vernadsky National Scientific Library of Ukraine (Kiev, Ukraine – more than 13 million books)
• Harvard University Library (Cambridge, MA – founded in 1638 with more than 13.1 million books)
• Institute for Scientific Information on Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow, Russia – over 13.5 million books since 1969)
• British Library (London, England – home to 16 million books and counting since 1753)
• Deutsche Biblothek (Frankfurt, Germany – carries more than 18.5 million)
• National Library of Canada (Ottawa, Canada – home to more than 18.8 million books)
• Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg, Russia – stocks more than 20 million books since 1714)
• National Library of China (Beijing, China – with more than 22 million books since 1909).