WATCH: cutest puppy in the world 2012

Taylor Swift, Facebook

Her album may have been Red, but Taylor Swift spent the year putting nonprofits in the black: According to DoSomething.org, the country-pop star was the most charitable celebrity of the year.

We’ve examined Taylor’s philanthropy before as a way to peek inside her soul, but it’s worth running down her efforts again: a whopping $4 million given to the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, $600,000 donated for flood relief in Iowa and Tennessee, and countless more time and money spent for music education and anti-bullying initiatives. No wonder the Kennedys gave her an award even after she dumped their grandson.

[ Popdust.com ]

Miley Cyrus was second on the list from DoSomething.org.

The other states raising their wage floors are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The federal minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour, with no cost-of-living adjustment, and prevails in 31 states that do not mandate a higher state minimum wage. The last raise to the federal minimum came in 2009, after a series of increases signed into law by President George W. Bush.

Best Holiday Stain Removal Tips And Techniques from realsimple.com

How to Remove Candle Wax
On table linens: Scrape off what you can with a spoon. Using an ironing board, place several paper towels under the stain and a few on top and press with a warm iron. The paper towels will absorb the wax. Replace the paper towels a few times to avoid transferring stains back to the table linens. Sponge any remaining stain with Tide Boost Pre-Treat spray; blot, allow to air-dry, then wash, using bleach if the fabric allows.
On the rug: For wool, cover the wax with a brown grocery bag (one layer) and press with a warm iron. To remove any wax that remains, use WoolClean Dry Spot Remover No. 2. For a synthetic rug, follow the ironing advice for a wool rug, then apply Goof Off with a dry cloth; rinse with a damp cloth. Dry with paper towels.

How to Remove Tree Sap
On fabric: With a cloth, dab Guardsman dry-cleaning fluid onto the stain; let dry. Then immerse the stain for 30 minutes in 1 cup bleach-free liquid laundry detergent with a dash of ammonia. Wash in the warmest water safe for the fabric.
On the rug: For a wool rug, scrape off what you can with a spoon, then use WoolClean Dry Spot Remover No. 2. For a synthetic rug, apply Goof Off; blot with diluted dish soap. Wait a few minutes, then rinse with hot water, using a spray bottle. Blot dry.

How to Remove Red or White Wine
On table linens: For red wine stains, first dab with white wine (you read that right) and let it sit for 1 minute. Then, for both red and white wine stains, immerse in cool water for 30 minutes. Spritz with Tide Boost Pre-Treat spray and wash in the warmest water safe for the fabric, using nonchlorine bleach if the fabric allows.
On the rug: For wool, blot with cold water. If that doesn't work, apply WoolClean Spot Remover No. 1 and sprinkle with WoolClean Absorb-It Powder. For a synthetic rug, use a damp cloth to blot on diluted dish soap; rinse with a fresh section of damp cloth. Dry with paper towels. Stain still there? Have some time on your hands? Blot on a solution of ½ cup hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon ammonia. Let stand for 2 to 3 hours, covered with a piece of plastic wrap and weighted with something heavy. Apply white vinegar where the stain had been. Dry with paper towels.

How to Remove Gravy, Butter, or Salad Dressing
On table linens: If the stain is still wet, swipe it with a Shout Wipe and Go instant-stain-remover wipe. If the stain has dried, spritz with Tide Boost Pre-Treat spray and (for wet stains, too) wash in the warmest water safe for the fabric.
On the rug: For wool, use a clean white cotton cloth to blot with WoolClean Dry Spot Remover No. 2, then dab with diluted dish soap. Follow with a fresh damp cloth. For a synthetic rug, apply Goof Off to a cloth and blot onto the stain. Then dab on diluted dish soap and use a damp cloth to rinse. Dry with paper towels.

How to Remove Pumpkin Pie or Chocolate Pudding
On table linens: Use a spoon to scrape off anything solid. Then use a cloth to dampen with cool water; follow by dabbing with a dry section of cloth. If that doesn't work, try Tide Boost Pre-Treat spray, and wash in the warmest water safe for the fabric, using bleach if the fabric allows.
On the rug: For wool, use a spoon to scrape off anything solid. Then blot with WoolClean Spot Remover No. 1 using a cloth; follow with WoolClean Spot Remover No. 1, applied with a fresh part of the cloth. For a synthetic rug, apply diluted dish soap directly onto the rug, then rinse with a fresh damp cloth. Dry with paper towels.

How to Remove Cranberry Sauce or Apple Cider
On table linens: Remove anything solid with a spoon and run the fabric under cold water—do this as soon as you can. Spritz with Tide Boost Pre-Treat spray, then wash in the warmest water safe for the fabric, using bleach if the fabric allows.
On the rug: Use a spoon to scrape off anything solid. For wool, use a cloth to blot with cold water, then treat with WoolClean Spot Remover No. 1. For a synthetic rug, apply diluted dish soap; let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. If the stain is gone, rinse, then dry with paper towels. If the stain is not removed (and you're still dedicated to the cause), blot on a solution of ½ cup hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon ammonia. Let stand for 2 to 3 hours, covered with plastic wrap and weighted with something heavy. Rinse with water, then apply white vinegar to the place the stain had been and blot with a damp cloth; dry with paper towels.

New Year's Eve Fireworks Downtown Denver Presented by Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc.

The sky will once again sparkle over the 16th Street Mall this New Year’s Eve with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Downtown, presented by the Downtown Denver Partnership. Co-sponsors of the display are VISIT DENVER and the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District. As part of the Partnership’s Winter in the City program, the two spectacular fireworks shows will occur at 9 p.m. and Midnight. It is recommended that viewers stand along the 16th Street Mall for optimal viewing.

Kimbo, a 42-year-old, female Asian elephant from Fort Worth Zoo arrived safely at Denver Zoo last night and is getting acquainted with her new state-of-the-art indoor quarters inside Toyota Elephant Passage. She is the first new female elephant to move into the exhibit and will eventually join longtime resident elephant Dolly as a herd mate. Weather permitting; guests will be able to see Kimbo in late January after she clears a mandatory month-long quarantine process.

Kimbo brings Denver Zoo's Asian elephant population back up to four including its two bulls, 8-year-old Bodhi and 41-year-old Groucho.

[ Denver Zoo ]

So if you have friends and family in town over the Holiday's, you just might be able to see the newest addition at the Denver Zoo.

WATCH The Moving Performance