Planning your Party: How Organization can prevent Disasters

Most good event planners are a bit on the anal side. That is because "the devil" really is in the details.

And if the details are not well managed, it is very easy for all kinds of problems to occur.

An example occurred just this week. Continued

The next Mercury retrograde period begins on Saturday

When Mercury goes retrograde, it is time to slow down, re-think, re-do, but not to make major commitments.

Mercury Retrograde periods are also a great time to hook up with old friends and people from the past. Party anyone?

Knowing this is a great aid to planning.

Mercury goes retrograde approximately 3 times a year for approximately 3 weeks. The next Mercury Retrograde period begins this Saturday, July 23, and lasts until August 16. Read more:

Ellen Zucker
Faces & Fortunes

The Twining Picnic

The weather was hot and steamy. Thunderstorms threatened. But the raindrops stayed away and Twining employees enjoyed their company picnic.
(Hint: for outdoor events have a Plan B for rain).








Bill looks a lot more gruff than he really is. Like many people, Bill prefers not to 'smile for the camera.' But he knows how to rib his co-workers-who are quick to return the favor.

He sees to it that he poses at each picnic. He has a collection of my caricature drawings at home. He frames them and hangs them on the wall by the stairs. There are close to half a dozen.





Ashley and Mari were the last two people in line. As usual, I worked non-stop during my three hour stint. I was busy and I wouldn't have it any other way.

--Ellen Zucker
Faces & fortunes

Neat TableTop Design Ideas

I was cleaning out my never-ending collection of clutter when I came upon an flyer put out by an old friend and client, Joanne Hulme, CSEP.

Joanne is both an award winning designer and event planner and producer. She is also a walking encyclopedia when it comes to event planning and the special events industry. I've seen some of her work and it is outstanding.

She writes, "In the past 3 or 4 years I have started to give all my tables a 3 dimensional look through the use of glass and plexiglass to create depth. This is a great place to create texture and have fun! If your centerpiece is tropical in design, put sand, shells and orchid blossoms under a "floating" glass tabletop. Paint one of your own tables with blackboard paint so you can display the day's menu on the table surface."

She is publishing several 'how to' booklets and will be offering design and display classes.

Contact her: Joanne Hulme 215 332 2864 or 610 476 9114 for more information.

Happy 4th

The 4th of July is here and it's time to take a deep breath after a busy June.

It is appropriate to think a little about our country's origins. Today, WHYY aired a very interesting documentary on the American Revolution.

Most of us give it little thought, but the victory of the American Colonial rebels over the British was far from a foregone conclusion. The war was a very long, difficult affair.

Outnumbered, outgunned, and outequipped, the Colonials had to use their wits to survive. It's hard to imagine, but George Washington and his troops were perceived as terrorists. Had the Brits won, no doubt, he and the Colonialists would have been described as such in the history books - and we'd be carrying British passports.

Have a Happy 4th.