Second Thoughts about Sun and Sunscreen

Memorial Day weekend is the customary kickoff to the summer season. And so in keeping with the theme of sun and fun, chew on this:

Dr. Edward Giovannucci, a Harvard University professor of medicine and nutrition thinks that some of us are not getting enough Vitamin D.

And so ... he recommends that we get some sun.

The vitamin is D, nicknamed the "sunshine vitamin" because the skin makes it from ultraviolet rays. Because sunscreen blocks vitamin D's production, some scientists are questioning the long-standing advice to always use it.

The reason is that vitamin D increasingly seems important for preventing and even treating many types of cancer. In the last three months alone, four separate studies found it helped protect against lymphoma and cancers of the prostate, lung and, ironically, the skin. The strongest evidence is for colon cancer.

Apparently, it's difficult to get Vitamin D from food and fortified milk; supplements are problematic.

So the thinking is this: Even if too much sun leads to skin cancer, which is rarely deadly, too little sun may be worse.

No one is suggesting that people fry on a beach, but many scientists believe that "safe sun" — 15 minutes a few times a week without sunscreen — is a healthy thing to do. Read more.

Outdoor Events and Rain

The summer is a wonderful time for outdoor events.

But what happens if it rains? Unfortunately, rain and thunderstorms do happen.

So ... what is your Plan B?

In most cases, the best option is to have a dry place in reserve. It could be a nearby building or even a tent.

Plus you'll be protected if the weather changes quickly.

Another option is to have a raindate.
Raindates give you the option of holding the event in the outdoor setting for which you planned.

But raindates bring complications and those complications may come at a price.

For example:
• Can you get the use of your site for the raindate? If it is an outside venue, you will probably have to pay additional to rent it for the second day. And during peak times it may not even be available.
• Same with entertainment and attractions such as inflatables and the like.
• Will you need to replace your food?

The reason is that vendors are reserving the extra day for you-and turning away other clients during the peak summer season.

Also consider:
• Your guest count may decrease if the event actually takes place on the raindate. Some will have made other commitments for the raindate.
• And you will have to notify your guests and vendors if you make the call to postpone.

If a raindate is absolutely necessary and it will result in a greater financial outlay, consider buying event insurance.

For more tips, visit my site, Faces-and-Fortunes-Partytips.com.

Gemini!

I have been a long-time student of Astrology. Which is why I offer my Faces & Fortunes' clients Astrology mini-Readings aas one way to liven up their parties and events.

So, from time to time, I will comment about the goings-on in the sky.

Yesterday the Sun entered Gemini at 6:37 pm EDT. It will stay there until June 21. Perhaps you noticed the emergy feel lighter than it's been for awhile.

Gemini is an air sign and people are curious, very open to mental stimuli...

Good conversation, socializing, reading, gathering information, trying on new things and people... Playing with ideas for the sake of ideas... all of these activities thrive under the sign of Gemini.

Gemini is like a butterfly that flits from flower to flower, never staying too long. And we, too, have a tendency to flit from one idea to the next, one person to the next, as each delights us for just a moment.

Gemini energy is light, quick, and sparkly. And, regardless of our individual charts, all of us sparkle under its influence.

It is a great time for parties. In fact, the Sun's entrance into Gemini kicks off one of the two peak party times of the year (the other from late November into December when the Sun traverses through Sagittarius).

In Philadelphia where I live, the weather is usually delightful this time of year... sunny and comfortable. Not too hot or humid. And so outdoor events are very popular.

And because June is the last hurrah before people disappear on vacations and slow down to the summer's lazier rhythms, many trade shows and hospitality events are held as well.

June, of course, is the traditional month for graduations and the attendant events around them – graduation parties, proms, school picnics, project graduations, etc.

In fact last night, I was part of a group of caricature artists arranged last minute to draw at Lenape High School's Prom. Our event was one of 4, count'em, 4 proms being celebrated at the Wyndham Franklin Hotel in center city.

Tickets to Hot Concerts, Theatre and Sporting Events

Sometimes in my wanderings around the web, I stumble upon some really cool sites. As I find them, I'll post them here.

Check out TicketsNow where you can buy tickets to everything from U2 concerts, NBA playoffs, Broadway shows and Nascar races.

They have the largest countrywide database of tickets and you can sometimes find tickets to sold out events as well.

Wedding Statistics and Trivia

Here are some interesting statistics about American weddings. Source: Fairchild Bridal Infobank American Wedding Study, 2005:

Average age of marriage for the bride: 27, for the groom: 29. Compare this to 1960 when the average bride's age was 21 and the groom's, 23.5.

The likelihood that the bride's parents will pay for the wedding decreased 13% since 1999. In 2005, bride's parents paid for the wedding 27% of the time, the bride and groom paid the entire cost 25% of the time, both sets of parents plus the bride and groom, 16% of the time.

12% of couples plan their weddings with the help of wedding consultants.

Average length of an engagement is 17 months.

The average cost of a wedding is now $26,327, up 18% in just three years. And 45% of wedding couples spend more than they intend. The most expensive region for wedding cost: New York metro ($38,361). Least expensive: the South and Southeast ($22,662).

For more articles about weddings and wedding planning, visit: Faces-and-Fortunes-partytips.com/wedding-resources.html.

A Tale of Two Beagles

Zoey&Cooper
Originally uploaded by emzucker.

This past Saturday I was invited to draw caricatures at Mindy's Bachlorette party. My host, Kim Basile has two wonderful beagles who received their own portrait.

I photographed the finished drawing with my cell phone and a less than steady hand. Hence the poor picture quality.

Nonetheless, you get the idea ...

Last Minute Bookings

Sometimes last minute bookings are unavoidable.

I performed at a family party held at a lovely restaurant. The purpose was to honor an ill family member. He had just received a poor diagnosis from his physician. His family prepared the bash as a way to say good-bye in style.

Entertainment included several Philadelphia Mummers. The guest of honor was a big fan of Mummers' pageantry and music.

And I was recruited to draw caricatures.

An agent contacted me on a Friday for this event to be held on the following Sunday afternoon.

As is typical for many events arranged by agents, I wasn't told about the reason behind the family's decision to have the party nor their hasty arrangements. But when I arrived and met the family, I was very happy that I found a way to rearrange my plns to accommodate the event.

Last night I entertained at a happier occasion. I read Tarot cards for the guest of honor at her Sweet 16 party and her friends.

The original contact was made two days in advance. We didn't finalize arrangements until the afternoon before the event. The event went flawlessly and a good time was had by all.

The all-time record goes to a Comcast Call Center who hired me to perform mini-
Astrology readings for an employee appreciation event. Arrangements weren't finalized until 2 hours prior to my start-time.

I don't recommend cutting it that close.

Nonetheless, things happen and openings sometimes come up. And more importantly, part of our business is booking additional artists and readers for larger events. I frequently book other entertainers for dates for which I'm unavailable.

Nonetheless, I can't guarantee availability for parties and events with very short notice. There are dates where, for no discernible reason, it seems that the whole world is having parties. And when that happens, I will have to turn you down.

So for maximum choice and availability I encourage you to reserve as soon as you have finalized your decision to have entertainment at your event.

But if unusual circumstances cause your plans to come together at the last moment, give me a call.

Ellen Zucker
Faces & Fortunes
Face-and-Fortunes-Partytips.com

Catering on a Budget

Christine Bib offers this tip to hold down catering costs in Special Events Magazine's current issue.

Cut the amount of hors d'oeuvre in half and opt for chicken and pasta for your entrees.

Reason? Hors d'oeuvre are labor intensive. This drives up costs. Chicken and pasta are relatively inexpensive and they can be prepared elegantly.

Read the full article here.

--Ellen Zucker
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Reading Tea Leaves

The 'Fortunes' in Faces & Fortunes refers to our ability to supply your event with psychic entertainment - currently we offer Tarot, Astrology, Palm, and Psychic readings.

Last night I provided three readers to entertain at a dinner for hospital executives. The theme? 'Back to the Future'.

It was the first time Faces & Fortunes offered the reading of tea leaves at an event.

Simply put, the reading of tea leaves is the interpretation of the pattern of loose tea leaves left on the bottom of a cup of tea after the subject has drunk the tea. (This can be performed with coffee grounds as well).

Supplies needed:

• Loose tea
• Hot water
• One tea cup, saucer and tea spoon per subject.

The subject puts a small amount of tea into an empty tea cup, fills it with water, and drinks the tea. S/he hands the cup containing the residue to the reader who then performs the reading.

Barbara, our highly experienced reader, estimates she can perform as many as 7 to 8 readings per hour.

By the way, the readings were popular, as were the Tarot and the Astrology readings performed that evening.

As a result, Faces & Fortunes will now make the reading of tea leaves available to our clients.

For more information, contact me through our website www.facesandfortunes.com
Or call me (weekdays after 10 am) at 215 722 2453.

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