Thursday, July 7, 2011

Etiquette for Adult Party Invitations With No Children Allowed

Local.com
June 20, 2011

Parents love nothing more than grown-up time, and an adults-only party is a great way to catch up with friends. But getting the message across that the little ones aren't invited can be tricky. There are ways to send that message without being negative or exclusionary, both subtle and direct. Consider the mood of the party and your relationship with the guests, then craft an invitation that will have your friends calling the babysitters.

No Kids Allowed
Etiquette guru Emily Post would blanch at the words “adults only” on an invitation, but etiquette rules are becoming more relaxed. If you know your friends won't take offense, simply print — in small text at the bottom of the invitation — ”Adults Only Please.” It is the easiest way to ensure that your guests won't be sharing caviar and crudites with a toddler. For weddings, the proper method is addressing the invitation to only the adults and hoping they are astute enough to interpret the message. Fortunately, there are other ways to send the message, “no kids allowed.”

Plan the Party Accordingly
Timing is everything, especially when it comes to planning parties. If the party begins at 8 p.m. or later, it should be clear that children are not invited. Most parents will realize that such a conflict with bedtime is reason to leave the kids at home. Another subtle message would be to list “cocktail party” on the invitation or state that the party is for grown-up fun. Certain themes are not appropriate for children. A barbecue or a pool party may be kid-friendly, but alluding to libations should send a clear message.

Be Direct
If the guests are close friends or people you are comfortable with, tell them personally that the party is for adults only. A good time to bring it up is when they call to RSVP. Preempt any argument by saying, “Won't it be fun to have a night away from the kids?” When all else fails, make excuses. “I wish we could fit everyone in our house” should put an end to the conversation.

Stand Your Ground
Making exceptions will only make an awkward situation harder. It would be unfair to your other friends to allow one exception, no matter how well-behaved the child or how booked the babysitter. If possible, have a list of babysitter candidates available if your guests suggest that finding a babysitter is difficult. You are not obligated to invite children, but you should accommodate them if someone fails to heed the message. It may be wise to have a kid-friendly snack on hand, but certainly not necessary. Don't let an uninvited guest spoil your fun.

References
Emily Post: Kids or No Kids? And How to Accommodate
Life Tips: Adults Only Party

How to Use Ordinal Numbers in Writing

eHow
June 20, 2011

The rules for using numbers in writing can be confusing, as numbers can be expressed as numerals, words or phrases. The rule, generally, is never to begin a sentence with an Arabic numeral, and to spell out numerals from zero to nine. Ordinal numbers define something's position in a series, and can be expressed as words or digits followed by letters, for example: “first” or “1st”. The rules for ordinal numbers are similar to other numbers, with some variance.

Step 1
Spell out “first” through “ninth” when they indicate something's position in a sequence or in time. Examples are “second base,” “Fifth Amendment”and “first in line.”

Step 2
Use figures starting with “10th” when they indicate something's position in sequence or in time. Examples are “19th Amendment” and “21st century.”

Step 3
Use “1st,” “2nd,” “3rd” and so on when the sequence has been assigned in forming titles or names, as in geographic and military designations. Examples are “1st Ward,” “7th Fleet” and “1st Sgt.”

Step 4
Follow an organization's practice for proper nouns. These do not necessarily follow the standard rules. Examples are “20th Century Fox,” “Twentieth Century Limited,” and “1st National Bank of South Florida.”

References
“The Associated Press Stylebook”; numerals; 2007
Western Washington University: Associated Press Style Essentials

Bridal Shower Greeting Card Sayings

Local.com
June 20, 2011

A bridal shower is a time to honor the bride-to-be with gifts and well-wishes. The events leading up to the wedding will be a whirlwind for the bride, but a heartfelt card is something she can keep forever to remember that exciting time. A sentimental message means more than any gift, but coming up with just the right thing to say can be challenging. Consider your relationship with the bride, and make your message personal.

Offering Advice
Family members and old friends are often the first to offer advice to blushing brides. Although she may not care to hear your opinion on the flower arrangements, the keys to a long, successful marriage are always welcome. Tell the bride what makes your own marriage work, but keep it jovial and lighthearted. This is also an opportunity to add some humor. “A happy wife makes a happy home” or, “There is nothing better than a man who washes dishes” are fun, light phrases about the little things that make marriages last.

Sharing Memories
People who have known the bride for years may have happy memories of seeing her grow up. A message in a card is a way to share these memories and keep them between the two of you. The goal is not to embarrass the bride, but to remind her of how far she has come. “From falling off your bike to falling in love, I have loved watching you grow” tells the bride she has a lifelong friend in you. Good-natured humor is also appropriate here, but keep in mind the bride's feelings. “Your orthodontist wouldn't believe the woman you have become” may be cute for some women, but could be seen as ribbing to others. And of course, keep old boyfriends out of it.

From His Family
The bridal shower is an opportunity for the bride to interact with the groom's female relatives. Welcoming her to family with warm messages will put her at ease. The bride's relationship with the mother-in-law is long-storied, so open the lines of friendly communication early on. “I am so glad to be gaining a daughter” shows she is truly family. Just keep old girlfriends out of it.

Best Wishes
For those who do not know the bride well or just have trouble with greeting-card messages, kind wishes are always tasteful and appropriate. “May your marriage be blessed with happiness and love” or “Love one another without limits” convey joy and affection. Use your own stationery to appear more personal. If you are using a pre-made card, add a heartfelt message to show the bride thoughtfulness and sincerity.

References
Stylish Wedding Ideas: Wedding Messages

Wording for a Baby Shower Invitation After Years of Trying

Local.com
June 19, 2011

Baby showers are joyful events, particularly when the couple has tried for many years to have a child. Showering expectant and new moms with gifts and attention are customary to welcome little bundles to the world. The shower for a long-awaited arrival may be a celebration of the mother's success becoming pregnant as much as the birth itself, but drawing attention to her fertility struggle in the invitation may set the wrong tone for an otherwise happy event.

Invitation Etiquette
Showers are usually given four to six weeks before the due date to account for early arrivals and the mom's pre-baby shopping needs. Welcoming showers may also be thrown a month or two after the birth. In any case, invitations should be sent three weeks before the shower. Don't forget the essential information: the mother's name (or both parents' names); the shower date, time and location; and a request to RSVP. Proper rules of etiquette dictate that it is inappropriate to list gift information on the invitation itself, but a separate insert with registry information is perfectly acceptable.

Acknowledging the Long-Awaited Arrival
When a woman has tried for years to have a baby, anticipation of the birth is all the more joyous. Trying to conceive can be agonizing. You may be tempted to acknowledge just how long this baby has been awaited, but it may be wise to show restraint. No matter how open the mother was about her fertility journey, it is a very personal subject. Announcing to the world her medical struggle could be embarrassing or painful. Instead, focus on the positive: the arrival of a baby.

Invitation Wording
Baby shower invitations often include cute verses and phrases that allude to the shower's theme. The wording can be as simple or elaborate as you like. A simple and elegant invitation might read, “Join us as we honor Jane Jones with a baby shower on June 25 at 2 p.m.,” followed by the address and RSVP request.

Something more elaborate might include a poem like this one by Invitation Consultants: “Ten little fingers and ten little toes, two little ears and one little nose! Join us for a baby shower honoring Jane Jones on June 25 at 2 p.m.,” followed by the address and RSVP request.

Being Discreet
If you absolutely must reference the mom-to-be's arduous journey to motherhood, include something that could be construed as generic by those unfamiliar with her struggle to conceive. A little saying such as, “At long last, baby is on its way!” could describe any pregnancy but has special meaning for the mother you're honoring.

References
Emily Post: Welcoming the New Baby With a Baby Shower
Invitation Consultants: Baby Shower Sample Wording

Chili Powder vs. Chili Seasoning

eHow
June 15, 2011

Pre-packaged spices and seasonings are convenient, inexpensive ingredients for building flavors. Seasoning mixes take the guesswork out of dishes like chili, tacos and more. Left to our own devices, it can be difficult to decipher the spice aisle. Making a custom spice blend is not an easy task for the novice cook, and knowing which spices enhance certain ingredients can seem like a science project.

Chili Powder
Chili powder is made of dried, ground chili peppers. It is often blended with other seasonings like garlic powder, cumin and salt. The type of chili used is not always specified. Ancho chilies, jalapenos and pasilla peppers may be used. The flavor is smoky, and the level of spice depends on the pepper used. Cayenne pepper is a very spicy variant of chili powder.

Chili Powder Uses
Chili powder is often used in rubs for meats. It is used often in Tex-Mex and Mexican cooking, giving a spicy, smoky flavor to chili con carne and enchiladas. To make a smoky dry rub for ribs, mix 1 tbsp. each of chili powder, cumin, paprika, granulated garlic, granulated onion and brown sugar; 1 tsp. each of cayenne pepper, black pepper and white pepper (optional); and 2 tbsp. of salt. Pack the spice mix onto the ribs before cooking.

Chili Seasoning
Chili seasoning can be found in the spice aisle of the grocery store, often in single packets. It is a blend of several spices, including chili powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper. Some chili seasonings also include flour for thickening the dish.

Chili Seasoning Uses
Chili seasoning is used most traditionally in chili. The blend of spices adds heat and smoke, and the flour thickens the stew. To make a homemade spice blend for chili, mix 1 tbsp. of paprika; 1 tsp. each of onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and seasoned pepper; ½ tsp. each of dried oregano and dried thyme; and 2 ½ tsp. of seasoning salt.

References
Food Network; Rib Dry Rub; Bobby Flay
AllRecipes: Chili Seasoning Mix

Texas Laws on Raw Milk

eHow
June 14, 2011


Food movements are encouraging whole foods, local produce and minimal processing to improve human diets and benefit small farms. A recent radical food trend is the raw milk movement. States have adopted various levels of regulation. Federal law does not prohibit consumption, but interstate commerce of raw milk is illegal. The safety concerns associated with unpasteurized milk have legislators frenzied, but the risks have not deterred avid raw milk advocates from fighting for deregulation.

The Lowdown on Raw Milk
Raw milk comes essentially from the cow to the table. Raw milk does not undergo pasteurization, a process that slows microbial growth. Raw milk advocates believe that pasteurization damages the integrity of milk, killing beneficial bacteria, proteins and enzymes. Health experts say that consuming raw milk puts people at risk of E. coli and Salmonella infections, and other serious, potentially fatal illnesses.

Texas Laws
Texas currently allows raw milk to be sold on the farm where the milk was produced, but it is not available for retail sale. A bill, taking effect September 1, 2011, allows the retail sale of raw milk directly to consumers. The seller must hold a permit, and raw milk may be sold from the permit holder's place of business, the consumer's home or other direct markets such as farm stands, flea markets, farmers' markets, fairs or food cooperatives.

Raw Milk Regulation
There are five levels of regulation of raw milk sales. In some states, the sale of raw milk is legal. Other states, including Texas, allow raw milk to be sold only on the farm where it was produced. Some states have cow shares or cow boarding laws, by which a cow is boarded on a farm and is owned in part or whole by someone else. The farmer cares for the cow and can provide its milk to its owners. Raw milk can be sold as pet food in some states, and a few states allow retail sale of raw milk.

The Case for Raw Milk
The Food and Drug Administration warns against unpasteurized milk, citing the long list of illnesses that can result from the pathogens potentially present in raw milk. But raw milk advocates tout the safety of the natural, unprocessed product and claim it offers health benefits. The bacteria, proteins and enzymes present before pasteurization are thought to aid in digestion, and even cure digestive-tract disorders such as Crohn's disease. It is said to boost the immune system, treat eczema and prevent asthma.

References
“Real Simple”; Milk Decoder; Amanda Pressner; June 2011
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Raw Milk
Texas State Legislature: S.B. No. 237
University of Iowa: Raw Milk Report
Raw Milk Advocacy: Resources and Articles

Resources
“Time”; Got Raw Milk? Be Very Quiet; Wendy Cole; March 13, 2007

List of Sports Journalism Awards

eHow
June 14, 2011

Journalists are recognized for their contributions to the industry and society with a number of prizes and awards. Awards for investigative and humanitarian journalism are well-known, but sports journalism comprises a large portion of all media, and several prizes exist to honor sportscasters, sports reporters, editors and photographers for their excellence.

Sports Journalism Awards
The Billie Awards, named for tennis legend Billie Jean King, are awarded annually by the Women's Sports Foundation. There are five categories that recognize excellence in media portrayal of female athletes and women's sports: Entertainment, Journalism, Breakthrough and Innovation, Industry Leader and Outstanding Journalist. The Dick Schaap Award for Outstanding Journalist is presented each year by the Nassau County (New York) Sports Commission to the journalist who best exemplifies the principles of late sportswriter Dick Schaap. The award is not limited to sports journalism. The Red Smith Award recognizes outstanding contributions to sports journalism. Open to both journalists and editors, it is awarded by the Associated Press sports editors.

Sport-Specific Awards
Several sports organizations award prizes to journalists who cover a particular sport. The Dick McCann Memorial Award is given annually by the Pro Football Hall of Fame to the journalist who exemplified a distinguished career of reporting on professional football. The award is named for Dick McCann, the Hall of Fame's first director. The Professional Hockey Writers' Association awards the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award annually to a newspaper journalist who has demonstrated excellence in hockey reporting. Recipients are granted automatic entry into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The J.G. Taylor Spink award is given each year by the Baseball Writers Association of America to one of its distinguished members. The Curt Gowdy Media Award honors outstanding basketball writers and broadcasters, and is presented by the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Sportscasting Awards
Broadcast sports announcers are also recognized for their contributions to sports media. The Sports Emmy Awards are the premier sportscasting prizes, presented annually by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. There are 32 categories recognizing live coverage of sporting events, including sports announcing and sports documentaries. The Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winners are selected by the National Hockey League Broadcasters' Association, and honor radio and television broadcasters who show excellence in hockey reporting. The National Baseball Hall of Fame grants the Ford C. Frick Award to outstanding baseball broadcasters. The Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award is given annually by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for longtime contributions to radio and television coverage of professional football.

Sports Categories
Several journalism-wide awards include sports categories. The Sigma Delta Chi Award is presented by the Society for Professional Journalists each year for excellence in journalism. Sports Column Writing prizes are awarded in four divisions within the newspaper category, and there are four Sports Photojournalism divisions. Exceptional magazine covers are recognized each year with the Magazine Cover Awards, known as The Maggies. Each year, a Maggie is awarded for the Best Sports Cover.

References
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences: Sports Emmy Awards


Society of Professional Journalists: The Sigma Delta Chi Awards