Several Houston-area restaurants are donating a percent of sales May 22 to help folks affected by the Oklahoma tornado.

Houston-area Luby’s and Fuddruckers will donate 15% of sales May 22, between 4pm – 8pm. Money will be given to the American Red Cross to help the citizens in Moore, Oklahoma. The restaurants are partnering with CBS Radio for Houston Helps: Money for Moore.

Chili’s will give 10% of sales all day May 22 to help with Oklahoma disaster relief. Print the voucher in link and show to server.  The restaurants also are collecting items during normal business hours for Red Cross: bottled water, diapers, heavy duty gloves, shovels, toiletries, and sunscreen.

The amount of destruction and heartache for the Oklahoma tornado victims is just painful to watch. After a while, I just had to turn the TV off this morning. It makes me feel numb.

Rather than feeling helpless, there are a number of ways to help. I’m proud to be a part of an amazing group of bloggers — both locally and in Texas — that are joining together to share information on how we can help. Two Houston bloggers that I admire are actually collecting supplies this week and driving up to Oklahoma Monday for Memorial Day. It’s an amazing gesture of love and support. Tiffany  (MyLitter.com) and Paul (IHeartTheMart.com) Ivanovsky are willing to deliver whatever we bring. Plans are in place for a truck and trailer, and people are stepping up.

If you live in the Houston area and would like to provide supplies for the Ivanosky’s to deliver, most needed items (according to news reports in the area) are:

• bottled water and Gatorade
• toothbrush, toothpaste and hygiene items
• like-new clean clothes
• cleaning supplies
• baby wipes, formula and diapers
• bedding
• hand towels
• work gloves
• sunscreen
• hand sanitizer
• individually wrapped snacks

Bring donations to The Woodlands Christian Church, 1202 N. Millbend Dr., The Woodlands, 77380. They will be collecting 9 am – 4 pm all week and Saturday and Sunday. Tiffany and Paul said the goal is to sustain people until the insurance money starts coming in.

Monetary donations go a long way as well. 1) The United Way of Oklahoma has created a disaster relief fund to help area residents affected by the storm. 2) Red Cross is collecting donations by text — simple text REDCROSS to 90999 or donate at RedCross.org. 3) Salvation Army is helping first responders and disaster survivors. Text STORM to 80888 to donate $10 to help with disaster and recovery efforts. 4) Central Oklahoma Humane Society is collecting donations to help with displaced pets.

Prayers are just as important as the physical and monetary help. Please pray for these families to bring peace to their hearts when everything appears overwhelming now.

New subscribers can take advantage of 68% off Houston Chronicle two-day delivery, thanks to today’s Groupon deal. For $25, get 26 weeks of Wednesday/Sunday delivery ($78 value). Or pay $49 for one year of Wednesday/Sunday delivery ($156 value). Folks who haven’t subscribed in the past 30 days are also eligible for this deal. Limited quantity is available. Issue delivery begins June 5, 2013.

Purchase the six-month or one-year Wednesday and Sunday delivery here.

I am an affiliate partner with several of the daily deal sites — meaning they thank me with credit/compensation for sending folks to their sites.

There is still time to purchase advance discount tickets to Comicpalooza held this weekend, May 24-26, at George R. Brown Convention Center and save $8. What started in the lobby of Katy’s Alamo Drafthouse in 2008 has expanded into a huge downtown venue! The annual event celebrates not only comics but also sci-fi and fantasy, gaming, films, movies and more.

Weekend events include film screenings, panels, fan groups, Guest Autograph Signings, Artists Alley, workshops, roller derby, wrestling, costume contest, Anime viewing, laser tag, and a Geek music showcase. Some of the many featured guests this year include Patrick Stewart, Michelle Rodriguez, and Avery Brooks.

Save $8 total with advance online purchase and a special promo code! Save $5 on a 3-day weekend pass ($45 instead of $50 at the door) and save $5 on a daily pass (Friday: $20, Saturday: $30, Sunday: $20). Plus, use promo code BACKSTAGE to save an additional $3 from BackstageOL.com. It basically covers the online ticket fee! Children are $10 each, online and at the door. Purchase advance discount tickets online through May 22 at midnight.

My daughter is graduating from high school in a couple of weeks. Maybe I’m in denial, indecisive — or waiting for photos from the professional photographer. Well, it’s really all three. But the bottom line is I hadn’t ordered her high school graduation announcements or party invitations as of last Monday, May 13. I liked the idea of the new non-traditional graduation announcements and wanted something that stood out. But with standard shipping typically running about eight days, I was getting a bit nervous.

We had bookmarked several card designs we liked a month ago from Tiny Prints. So that’s where I started last Monday night creating a few sample graduation announcements online with different photos, fonts, and colors. There are so many choices and options! My daughter selected her favorite the next morning, and I ordered them around noon last Tuesday — with Super Rush delivery. I had no idea about this amazingly quick option. For just $11 more than standard shipping ($19.95 total) you can have your products delivered in two days, door to door. That time includes the printing!

It’s here! Imagine my surprise when a box arrived at my door 24 hours later on Wednesday. It was the graduation announcements. The card was larger than I imagined (5×7″) and I loved it. Paper was thick with a smooth finish. I stress over the details, and this product made me happy! Thursday morning the graduation party invitations arrived. And we had them in the mail by Friday morning.

It is never too late! Tiny Prints has a number of promo code offers for 15% off products (baby announcements, invitations, and graduation announcements) that expire Tuesday, May 21, 11:59 PM PT. I am a dedicated customer now!

Disclosure: I received credit to order graduation announcements from Tiny Prints, but the genuine excitement is all my own. I had no idea the power of Super Rush delivery!

Here is a snapshot of a few of today’s daily deals in Houston. Don’t miss the new Houston Daily Deals page for a complete round-up of daily deals.

Tracy Morgan Live — $25 for general admission ticket to Tracy Morgan: Excuse My French at House of Blues Houston May 30, 8 p.m. ($46 value)

Replay on 19th — Half off  ($10 for $20 credit or $15 for $30 credit) at Replay on 19th. Named Houston Press’ Best Vintage Store last three years.

Johnny Carino’s — $10 for $20 Worth of Italian Food at Johnny Carino’s. Valid at College Station (Harvey Road) location only.

School of Rock Clear Lake — $49 for 2 Private Music Lessons, T-Shirt, & Wristband at School of Rock Clear Lake ($130 Value)

Stubbs Harley Davidson New Rider Course — Rider’s Edge New Rider Motorcycle Course for One or Two at Stubbs Harley-Davidson (Half Off)

Man’s Best Friend — $29 for Three or Nights of Pet Boarding with a Bath ($93 value) or $49 for One-Hour Dog-Obedience Class at Man’s Best Friend ($98 value)

Shutterfly — $10 for 20-Page Hard Cover Photo Book at Shutterfly ($30 Value)

Boat Rental — $169 for Four-Hour Boat Rental for Four from Carefree Boat Club in Lake Conroe or Clear Lake ($435 Value)

Marble Slab Creamery — Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, and Sorbet at Marble Slab Creamery (Up to 53% Off).

Photo Booth — $350 for Photo Booth Rental with Prints & Attendant at Injoy Photobooths ($700 Value)

Jimmy G’s Cajun Seafood Restaurant — Cajun Dinner for Two, Four, or Six at Jimmy G’s Cajun Seafood Restaurant (Half Off)

Spa Package — $79 for Two-Hour Spa Package with Massage at Beauty and Body Wellness Spa ($205 value)

I am an affiliate partner with several of the daily deal sites — meaning they thank me with credit/compensation for sending folks to their sites.