Good Day, Bad Day

GOOD DAY FOR: Generous spirits, after U.S. charitable giving rose to a record $306 billion in 2007, despite the financial downturn in the second half of the year. Charities are not optimistic about this year, though, according to Giving USA, which compiled the survey. The bulk of the donations, $229 billion, came from individuals; $102 billion of the donations went to religious groups. (The Washington Post, free registration)

BAD DAY FOR: Teen spirit, after the rising price of gas is forcing touring independent bands to either cancel summer tours or swallow the added costs. It’s worse along the West Coast, where the cities are farther apart. “Once I ran the numbers it was a ’There’s no (expletive) way’ kind of moment,” said Steven Garcia, who canceled his band’s tour over gas prices. (AP in Yahoo! Finance)

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