Metro Phoenix is buzzing this week. With the FBR Open and the Super Bowl in the same two-week period, local merchants are salivating at the potential. GoDaddy CEO Bob Parsons, one of our local corporate heros, is anticipating huge Web site visits for his company's rejected Super Bowl spot. But one thing you may not know, however, is that the Super Bowl brings out the best in celebrity charity fundraising.


Here's the rundown:
1. the NFL Alumni Super Bowl of Golf Showcase with dozens of NFL greats raising money for NFL Alumni youth charities.
2. Super Bowl NFL Charities Celebrity Golf Classic with former players. Proceeds benefit the NFL's YET (Youth Education Town) Center in south Phoenix.
3. The Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic has NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, singer, Nick Lachey and 36 celebs competing for $20,000 a hole for their favorite charities. There's also a private pre-show party featuring P. Diddy.
4. Bowl with Champions benefits the Special Olympics and the NFL Retired Players Association. Mike Ditka is a guest.
5. The Super Bowl NFL Charities Celebrity Bowling Classic will have 40 celebs on hand with Lynn Swann as spokesperson. Again, YET is the recipient of proceeds.
6. Put Me in Coach SuperBowling Extravaganza will have 32 celebs and athletes (inlcuding members of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks) raising funds for the Put Me in Coach Foundation, providing scholarships for local kids.
And that's not all!
7. Hearts & Helmets Poker Tournament with Pamela Anderson and Shawn Marion (Phoenix Suns) hoping to raise $1 million for a variety of charities.
8. Par & Poker Celebrity Challenge for Charity begins with celebrity golf at the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club and ends with poker at the Radisson Fort McDowell Casino.
9. Put Me in Coach Celebrity Poker & Fashion Show has Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns raising money for the Put Me in Coach Foundation.
Thanks to the Arizona Republic for the scoop on this.
So aside from Phoenix welcoming a roster of celebrities and athletes, and Glendale playing host to the big game, a lot of charitable giving is happening around town. And as Martha says, that's a good thing.
Anyone want to rent a room in my house for $1000 a night? Just kidding. :)