A Review: Prespa & Fresco on the Go

Lately, daydreaming about vacationing on a Mediterranean island has become an everyday occurrence for me and hot, humid summer days in Manhattan are more of the reality. However, a few days ago I was lucky to find an amazing compromise- Prespa. Prespa is a Mediterranean Bistro with terrific food, great music, helpful staff, unique décor, a private room available on a separate floor and outdoor dining on Lexington Ave that makes you feel like you are in a foreign villa. Penta Events looks forward to planning some holiday parties, corporate gatherings and events at this restaurant. Visit: http://www.prespanyc.net/

I thought that after Prespa, I was on a lucky streak with finding new restaurants and was excited to notice Fresco on the Go, which just opened on Pearl Street. On its first day, I ventured inside to buy lunch. The beautiful interior left me wanting to buy a little bit of everything- sandwiches, pizza, salad, smoothies, pasta and more. There were too many options and in attempt to save time, I chose salad. I ran back to the office, eager to try my new salad and let everyone at Penta know about my discovery but I was disappointed with my lunch. I think I will give Fresco another try but will definitely stay away from the salad next time. Check them out online: http://www.frescoonthego.com/

Can’t wait for tomorrow- it’s Christmas in July! Maybe it will snow.
Probably not, but you never know- at Penta Events, anything is possible!

Sarah

Christmas in July at The Town Tavern

By Carolina Tijman

Come join the ladies of Penta Events in celebrating Christmas in July at The Town Tavern located at 134 West 3rd Street! The happy hour is from 6:30PM till 7:30PM. All guests will receive free draft beer and wine for an hour, so don’t be late! Bring a gift for a child (toy, learning tool, book etc.) and receive a complementary burger! Hope to see all of you out Thursday!
Visit http://www.towntavernnyc.com/ more information.

If you can’t make it out to happy hour with us, here are some drink ideas with holiday cheer:

Christmas In The Tropics
2 oz Captain Morgan® Parrot Bay coconut rum
6 oz eggnog

Pour the Captain Morgan Parrot Bay coconut rum into a cup, then pour in the eggnog after. Stir it around a bit to mix it together, and serve.

Christmas Martini
3 oz gin
1/2 oz dry vermouth
1 tsp peppermint schnapps

Pour the gin, dry vermouth and peppermint schnapps into a cocktail shaker half-filled with cracked ice. Shake well, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a candy cane, and serve.

Christmas Elf's Revenge recipe
2 oz Luxardo® white sambuca
1 oz Goldschlager® cinnamon schnapps
1 oz apple schnapps
20 ml ginger syrup
90 ml apple juice
1-inch cube ginger root
1 pinch cinnamon powder

Crush the ginger root and add the ginger syrup, apple juice, sambuca and schnapps. Shake well and strain into a pina colada glass, which should be about half full of crushed ice. Add the goldschlager then sprinkle the cinnamon powder over the top. Serve with a slice of apple floating on the top, and a straw.

All recipes from http://www.drinksmixer.com/

Bigger Isn't Always Better

A recent article in Special Events magazine titled Sweet Talk by Christine Landry caught my attention. The article discusses one of the latest trend when it comes to dessert, make the the desserts small and make lots of them.

Check out the article for yourself:
SWEET-TALK

Going Green

By Erica Finkelstein

“From everyday collection to environmental protection, Think Green”. It can be agreed that this motto of Waste Management has going green in the back of everyone’s minds these days. For instance, the bottle of Poland Spring water on my desk right now has a new look and feel to it. The company redesigned it using an average of 30% less plastic in order for it to be easier on the environment.

The event planning industry has joined in with these efforts to become environmentally friendly.

The Association for Green Meeting & Events will launch the first-ever program for Certification in Green Meetings and Events this August in Long Beach, California. The company intends to help people plan socially and environmentally successful events, reports Michael O’Connell of BizBash.

AGME explains that green meetings are performed in ways to reduce the environmental burdens imposed by such activities.

Recently, Penta Dynamic Solutions helped the Contingency Planning Exchange (CPE) go green at its last meeting. We made all information accessible to the members via the internet instead of handing out hard copies. By doing so, we saved some trees!

Going green is really simple; to start take baby steps.

Ten Easy Ways to Go Green Today

1. Use a mug for your morning coffee or tea
2. Turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and make use of natural light when you can
3. Try to make it a habit to always turn off your computer when you are not using it. Also, setting your computer to go to sleep automatically during short breaks can cut energy use by 70 percent
4. Print on both sides and use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts
5. RECYCLE EVERYTHING YOUR COMPANY COLLECTS
6. Brighten up your cubicle with plants, which absorb indoor pollution
7. Make it a habit to take the train, bus, or subway when feasible instead of a rental car when traveling on business
8. Purchase office supplies and furniture made from recycled materials
9. Make the internet your primary means of communication
10. Refill ink cartridges instead of buying new ones each time they run out

4th of July Plans

It just dawned on me that July has officially begun and everyone around me seems to be getting ready for the 4th of July weekend but I don’t have any plans.

Hi, I’m an intern at Penta Events. I grew up in the NYC area but I have never been around during this time of year to experience the spectacular fireworks. This year, I vowed to stay in New York City for July 4th but the weekend is just days away and I still haven’t finalized my plans.

I narrowed down my options but making a decision is not something I can do alone, as I normally tend to keep coming up with more ideas instead of concentrating on one. I would be the perfect example of someone who would need to hire Penta Events for any sort of party planning; otherwise I would find myself hosting some sort of insanely tacky affair with an infinite amount of clashing themes.

My first idea was to host a pool party and so I began to research online. Logged in to my computer, signed onto the best site ever- GOOGLE, and within seconds had tons of information at my disposal. On celebrations.com, I found the Ahh-Qua Floating Pool Bar, a bar that literally floats with room for 4 people. This intrigued me, obviously, so I started to look into drinks for my party. I came across a Drink Calculator on evite.com- which helps determine how much alcohol to buy depending on the length of the party, the type of alcohol and the number of guests. Genius! Of course, the red, white & blue Jell-O shots and Mojito recipes really helped me get an idea of what my party would be like!

At the same time, I read about a July 4th Festival on Water Street filled with vendors, international food, Chinese pottery and more. Being that I am a sucker for those sorts of things (where I tend to spend more money then any of my friends), I was quickly drawn to a day near the Seaport, shopping, wrapped up by Macy’s fireworks.

But wait! There is also the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, which is held at Coney Island. I am a vegetarian so participating is not an option, but I’d love to witness people sitting in 100 degree weather competing over who can eat more meat wrapped up in buns.

NYC is incredible and the choices are endless! I will probably wind up deciding on Friday, July 4th what I am doing but I’m certain I won’t be disappointed.

Oh yeah, and the SPF will be part of all of my plans because the lobster look just doesn’t work for me. That is, unless it rains (yay umbrellas) but I am staying positive and hope the weather channel made a mistake.

Till next time!
Have a great weekend!!

Sarah


MojitoIngredients:
Ice
6 ounces light rum
12 mint sprigs, or spearmint,8 roughly broken apart
6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 tablespoons sugar
Club soda
4 slices lime

Preparation:
Place ice in beverage shaker then add in the rum, 8 broken up mint sprigs, lime juice and sugar.
Shake well and serve over ice in a high ball glass.
Top off each glass with a splash of club soda.
Garnish each with a slice of lime and a sprig of mint.
*Recipe Courtesy the Food Network
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_17225,00.html

Macy's Fireworks July 4th

Each July 4th Macy’s hosts the largest fireworks display in the world. Beginning at 9 PM over 20,000 aerial shells and special effects will take to the sky from three locations in the city.

Best Places to View the Fireworks

East River in Midtown Manhattan

South Street Seaport
Fireworks can be seen from anywhere south of the Brooklyn Bridge with an unobstructed view.

Liberty State Park, Jersey City
For more information visit: http://www.njparksandforests.com/

Roosevelt Island
For $20 watch the fireworks from Roosevelt Island. Enjoy music, face painting and entertainment before the fireworks start. Dinosaur BBQ will be selling food and non-alcoholic beverages. Chairs will be provided for all ticket holders, so no need to bring your own. For more information visit: www.rioc.com/july4/fireworks/html

Watercraft
Choose your vessel, cruise ship, personal or water taxi. On the East River stay south of the Willamsburg Bridge or north of Roosevelt Island’s southern tip. For more information call Macy’s Marine Hotline at (212) 494.5247.

In Front of Your TV
Can’t make it out? Or having a backyard BBQ? NBC will be televising the fireworks nationally. Check your local listings for times.

For more information call Macy’s Hotline at (212) 494.4495

Happy Independence Day!!!

Penta Cares Second Annual Charity Golf Outing

By Carolina Tigman - Intern

Last year we developed a philanthropic division of our company called Penta Cares. The mission of Penta Cares is to partner with non-profit organizations to raise funds and awareness through events for worthy causes at no cost to the charity. Teaming up with the American Diabetes Association, we hosted The Penta Cares First Annual Charity Golf Outing and this year we are doing it again.

On October 6, 2008 we will host our Second Annual Charity Golf Outing with proceeds benefiting the American Diabetes Association in honor of Nicole Sciarrino. The event will take place at Lido Golf Club in Lido Beach, NY. The 11 am shotgun start will be followed by a cocktail hour, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, dinner, awards reception and entertainment. The success of the golf outing depends heavily on the support of companies and organizations throughout the New York area, as well as the professional golfers in attendance. Last year’s event raised over $40,000 and brought in over 200 attendees, donors, and corporate sponsors. This is a great opportunity for any company or individual to help support a worthy cause.

Nicole is an adorable 5 year-old from Manhasset, NY. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes just a few weeks before her second birthday. Life with diabetes has not been easy for her, but her positive attitude keeps her going.

We are eagerly looking forward to this year's outing and are hoping to double the amount raised last year. We already have numerous supporters from the community and our hope for this year will surely be a success.

Please check out the full event details at: http://www.golfdigestplanner.com/1380-PENTACares/.