You might be preparing a larger meal this week than you’re used to, or preparing trays of party food, and that means that you run the risk of giving everyone you love a food-borne illness. You can avoid turning your family celebration or classy party into a barfing festival by following a few helpful tips. [More]
parties
Of Course There Are Dance Parties For Kids At NYC Nightclubs
By 4.16.14
When I was a little girl, I dreamed about standing in really long lines to get into a place filled with blaring music and people packed so tightly your ribs felt like they’d never be whole again. That’s not true (my dreams involved drinking legally at the annual summer music festival) but then again, I didn’t grow up in New York City, where kids these days can fulfill all (or most) of their clubbing dreams at a young age. [More]
Am I Supposed To Tip At An Event With An Open Bar?
By 7.9.12
When most people go to a bar, they take care to tip the bartender and/or the wait staff. But for many people, that courtesy seems to go out the window when someone else is picking up the tab, as guests assume that the tip has also been taken care of (or just don’t think about it at all). But are they making the right assumption? [More]
Nationwide Helium Shortage Could Sink Your Summertime Party Decorations
By 6.28.12 — Updated: 10.23.12
While some people think of helium as being a never-ending source of floating balloons and chipmunk voices, the relatively warm winter of 2012 has apparently resulted in a nationwide helium shortage that could leave summer weddings and parties with fewer floating decorations than people had hoped for. [More]
170 Get Sick After Spending Time At Playboy Mansion
By 2.15.11
A bacterial outbreak at a Playboy Mansion fundraiser Feb. 3 has left dozens reeling, believed to have been infected with legionellosis. The malady has caused flu-like systems in 170 people who attended the event. [More]
Guitar Center Customer Loses Fight With Elmo
By 9.28.10
Who would punch Elmo in the back of the head? A disgruntled customer at a Guitar Center in Florida, that’s who. The Elmo performer was working a gig at a toy store next door, then wandered over to Guitar Center. That’s when a customer came in, played some drums, behaved aggressively toward other customers and staff, then punched Elmo. [More]
Would You Like To Donate To The Party City Injured Employee Fund?
By 9.7.10
Do you find it annoying when a cashier tries to upsell you into making a donation to some group? Well, what if the money was going to a good cause–like another employee at the store? [More]
Tavern On The Green Plays Halloween Trick On Thousands Of Partiers
By 11.3.09
Melissa is one of thousands of people who showed up at the bankrupt Tavern on the Green restaurant in Central Park on Saturday night for a ticket-holders-only Halloween party. She was forced to wait outside at the front of an increasingly agitated mob because the restaurant had sold too many tickets, or because someone had sold fake ones, it’s still unclear. The Daily News says one reveler waited 5 hours before he was finally let in, just before 1:30 am—which was when the party was shut down by police. Now they all want their money back, but Tavern on the Green and the party promoters are blaming each other.
Party Crazy Wells Fargo Banker Fired
By 9.15.09
The Wells Fargo banker who turned a foreclosed Malibu beach house into his her summer party pad has been fired. The couple who originally owned the place were victims of Bernie Madoff, and lost the $12 million house in May. Wells says the banker acted alone, and added, “We deeply regret the activities that have taken place as they do not reflect the conduct we expect of our team members.”
Banker Uses Foreclosed Beach House For Totally Awesome Parties
By 9.12.09
It’s Saturday night! Let’s party! …But where? Oh, I know. I heard that there’s this foreclosed Malibu beach house where a Wells Fargo manager is having some killer parties. Well, at least until ACORN had to go and ruin everyone’s fun.
What Are Your Super Bowl Plans?
By 2.1.09
Of course you’ll be watching Ben liveblog the commercials tonight, but from where will you be watching? The L.A. Times tells us that Super Bowl parties are the latest victim of the financial godzilla angrily stomping down our spendthrift ways. Take a minute tonight between Ben’s updates to look around and ask yourself if there was more guacamole to spread around last year.
Saks To Close Tween Makeover Paradise "Club Libby Lu"
By 11.5.08
Saks has announced that they will be closing Club Libby Lu, an unprofitable tween-girls “makeover” chain that apparently exists. For $25-$40 girls could paint themselves with temporary tattoos, make bracelets and get a “Club Libby Du.” (We think that last thing is a hairstyle. At least, we’re hoping that it is.)
AIG Executives Help Themselves To $86,000 Hunting Trip
By 10.16.08
The AP is reporting that AIG executives aren’t done partying yet — they took an $86,000 hunting trip even as the company was requesting an additional $37.8 billion loan from the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, New York attorney general Andrew Cuomo has said that as long as the company continues to be propped up by the taxpayer — he has the power under state business law to review and possibly rescind any inappropriate AIG spending.
This Inflatable Walmart Decoration Is Adorable. And A Murder Scene!
By 10.1.08
We’re trying to figure out who this inflatable crime scene is meant for. With its puffy cuteness, built in lights, and “castle” style walls, it looks like it would be a perfect entrance to a backyard Halloween party for kids. But with its “crime scene noises” and someone-is-being-murdered vibe, it seems more appropriate at a celebration for short police academy graduates. Either way, it can be yours for $125 and a relinquishing of any sense of good taste. [Update: this post is meant humorously—I belly-laughed when I first saw the product.]
Is Volkswagen Violating The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
By 9.27.08
Tim’s neighbor received a call from VW Credit asking her to walk across the street and leave a note on her neighbors’ front door and VW Bug asking them to call back their creditor. Calls like these are known as block parties, and they are a direct violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
25 Delicious Summer Wines For Under $25
By 6.22.08
You can’t have a good summer without good wine, but good wine doesn’t need to be expensive. Forbes compiled an excellent list of 25 delicious wines that won’t leave your wallet feeling light and woozy.
After Further Review, NFL Decides Churches Will Be Allowed To Host SuperBowl Parties
By 2.22.08
The league has said that organizations that host public viewings of its games on television screens larger than 55 inches violate its copyright. Sports bars are exempted. Last year, the league sent letters to two churches advising them of the policy.
Best Buy Randomly Delivers Your New Stove In The Middle Of Your SuperBowl Party
By 2.5.08
Reader Jennifer wanted a new stove so she could cook delicious vittles for noshing during the SuperBowl. Sadly, she bought her stove from Best Buy, so instead of having a new stove for her party, she had a new stove delivered during the SuperBowl while she had a house full of guests. She launched an EECB (Executive Email Carpet Bomb) on them and CC’d us so we could listen in.
