These days, everyone’s going green and you may be surprised by the number of businesses across a wide range of industries that are implementing policies and procedures to ensure they lessen their carbon footprint, even right here in Utah. Big or small, local or national, companies from auto makers to beauty products to green catering businesses and even retail giants like Wal-Mart (who, by the way, is tooting their eco-friendly horn all over primetime television), are all doing their part. And though they be more inclined to “go green” because it may increase their bottom line (the general public has proved loyal to vendors loyal to their planet) or foster a positive company image, do their motives really matter? As long as they are being environmentally responsible, who cares why they are motivated to do so.

Midnight Moon Run:
On July 15, 2008 in Sandy, Utah (Alta Canyon Sports Center) the race will begin at–go figure–midnight.

Mountain Challenge:
With a choice of a 5k or a 10k, Park City will be the place to be on July 12,2008.

Speedy Spaniard Road Race:
The name alone makes me want to run. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to be considered a speedy Spaniard? On July 24th, this race will be held in Spanish Fork.

Blacksmith Fork Freedom Run:
A downhill (yes! Downhill!) 15k race set for July 4th.

Kelsey Nixon, an Ogden-native and BYU graduate, is currently vying for top spot on the Food Network’s Next Food Star Challenge:

Marcus, a West Jordan resident, is Vegas-bound as a finalist on Last Comic Standing and the guy is freakin’ amazing:

Invitations
* Only the names of those you are inviting to the wedding should be on the addressed envelope, the invitation, and the RSVP cards (if you have them). If you do not want children attending, leave their names off.
* Do not include registry cards in the invitations - in the world of wedding etiquette, doing so is considered extremely tacky and rude. You can include where you are registered on the bridal shower invitations and traditionally, guests are supposed to ask the mother of the bride for registry information. This most definitely applies to those obnoxious matrimoney cards.

Catering
* What you serve at your wedding should really depend on what time of day it is. 7 p.m. and later is appropriate for desserts, hor dourves, and drinks, while anything earlier should include an actual meal.
* How much food should you serve? The typical rule of thumb is for every guest, you should serve 1/2 pound uncooked meat, 1/4 pound side dishes, and 1-2 desserts. Check with your preferred SLC caterer to see what they would suggest.

Receiving Lines
* It is considered proper wedding etiquette to have a receiving line if you have more than 50 guests. Since those guests are there to celebrate your big day, it gives you chance to acknowledge them.
* The line typically includes the bride’s parents, groom’s parents, and the couple; however, some include the entire bridal party and grandparents (if they can).
* Divorced parents should not be situated next to one another in the receiving line; otherwise, they will be assumed a couple.

Guest Attire
* If you are attending a wedding, DO NOT wear jeans. A wedding is a formal event and you should dress accordingly. It’s fine for women to wear pants as long as they are formal dress pants. Men should wear at least a tie, if not a suit.
* Avoid wearing white. Need we say more?

June 5th -22nd, Cedar City will be hosting the annual Utah Summer Games. Whether you want to participate or just watch, there is a myriad of events to choose from–even ones I would bet you’ve never heard of. Take…pickleball for instance. The only reason I know about the sport of pickleball is because my grandma is an avid player. She’s actually won some tournament medals. She tears that court up! Even though it is usually played by the elderly, that game can get vicious.

But some of the other events for the Utah Summer Games are: archery, arm wrestling, tennis, ultimate frisbee, rock climbing, raquetball, and many others. It is sure to be entertaining. And they are always looking for volunteers.

{image via PopSugar}