Tropical Party Favors

Mexico vote favors opposition party

TOLUCA, Mexico, July 4 (UPI) -- The Institutional Revolutionary Party, aspiring to reclaim the Mexican presidency, appeared headed for huge wins in key state elections, officials said.

The Institutional Revolutionary Party is known by its Spanish acronym PRI.

Exit polls cited by Mexican television gave a substantial win in the state of Mexico to PRI candidate Eruviel Avila, who captured more than twice the votes of his nearest rival during Sunday's voting, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

"Democracy wins today," Avila said as he cast his ballot Sunday.

The PRI, chased from the nation's top office in 2000, also was winning Coahuila, a state bordering Texas, and Nayarit, on the Pacific Ocean, exit polls indicated.

Voters noted the PRI kept to the tradition of giving away food, building materials and other incentives during the campaign.

"I voted for the PRI because they promised us 400 pesos (about $34.50) a month and the other day gave out rice, beans and soap," Maria Elena Torres, a resident of Toluca, Mexico state's capital, told the Times. "They know how to govern."

Weather tamped down voting, the Times said. Parts of Mexico state were flooded from last week's Tropical Storm Arlene.

Caribbean Themed Party | Home Party

It’s a long cold winter, but it doesn’t have to be boring, too.  Beat the blahs with a warm winter party. It’s a perfect time to reconnect with friends and have fun.  Or maybe you’re already planning an event such as an anniversary or sweet 16 celebration.  If you’re looking for inspiration for a big occasion in January or February or just a casual get together,  here are sixteen ideas to get you started.

1. If you’re having trouble finding a great winter party invitation, then look for a company that can customize one of their Christmas invitations or cards that is filled with snowflakes, snow, or a snowman.  Ask them to eliminate the holiday aspect of it and make it just a winter theme.

2. Decorate with tons of white and accents of silver and icy blue.  Use fabrics like chiffon, gossamer and other shears to create a winter fantasy feel.

3. Scented candles can enhance the atmosphere of a winter party.  Try scents like evergreen, hot cocoa or apple pie.

4. Do you own a sled?  Clean it up and use it as a decoration or even on top of the table to hold platters of food. 

5. Make a garland of mittens.  Attach every pair your family owns to a ribbon and hang it across the room.  If you don’t have enough gloves, you can pick up some extras at the dollar store.

6. Raid your box of Christmas decorations in the attic for your winter theme party.  Snowflake ornaments, white twinkling lights, silver garland, plastic icicles and snowmen can work both at Christmas and at your party in January or February.

7. Have a fondue party.  When your guests gather around the fondue pot to dip their bread cubes into the warm cheese sauce, the conversations will flow.  Plus, since they’re doing their own cooking with the sauces you prepared ahead of time, you’ll have a chance to join in the fun, instead of being stuck in the kitchen.

8. Cook up your famous chili recipe.  Nothing warms your guests more than your homemade chili, French onion soup or beef stew.  A winter party is a great time to serve those stick to your ribs, comfort foods.

9. Feature gourmet hot chocolates in a variety of flavors.  Don’t forget the whipped cream and marshmallows!

New York Magazine

Party Perfect and Pampered, The Ultimate Party Book

Complete Idiot's Guide to Creative Weddings

The polar and tropical worlds, a description of man and nature in the polar and equatorial regions of the globe. Two volumes in one. Embracing also an account of the expeditions of all the Arctic explorers from the discovery of Iceland ... to Hall's last expedition ... together with the wonderful discoveries, and adventures of Agassiz, Livingstone, Wallace, and other distinguished travelers in the tropical countries

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