Staging New Hampshire

The Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpture competition is completed and the winners have been announced. 

The 2010 FIRST PLACE winner:

"It's No Yolk" by Justin Gordon

The 2010 SECOND PLACE Winner:

"A Picture Comes To Life" by Karen Fralich

The 2010 THIRD PLACE Winner:

"Ravishing and Ravenous" by Guy-Oliver Deveau

Here are some photos of some other fantastic entries:

Since it started 10 years ago, this invitation-only competition has become the largest Master Sand Sculpting Competition in the northeastern United States. In addition, the Hampton Beach competition is the only qualifying event on the East Coast for the World Championships.

Congratulations to all the entries who were chosen this year to compete and to those winners who will be heading to the World Championship!

Professional home stagers do not cover up or hide damage, flaws, or problem issues - they suggest ways to resolve them.   The seller's cost to resolve an issue is always less than the price reduction a potential buyer will want as compensation for the issue.

The 10th Annual Master Sand Sculpting Competition at Hampton Beach has begun and is already drawing crowds to the area.  The fun began June 18th when ten tons of sand per sculptor was delivered.  June 19 - June 23 a massive sponsor site is created, where each sponsor's name appears on a piece of sand art.

June 24, 25, & 26 is the master solo competition. 

Each of the fourteen world class master sculptors will use sand, water, and their own creativity to build amazing works of art within their 18' x 18' plot. 

No molds of any kind may be used.

A solution of glue and water is sprayed on the completed entries to protect them from wind and rain, and help them remain in tact for the length of the competition.

The awards ceremony is Saturday, June 26 at 8 pm, on the Sea Shell Stage.  Fireworks will follow at 9:30.

The "exhibit on the beach" will remain until June 30.  It is lighted for night viewing.  You can view the live beach camera anytime to follow their progress.

UPDATE:  See photos of the Winners HERE

For most people being "organized" is something to achieve, something they wish they were but never seem to make happen.  Organizing your home can be overwhelming, and even seem impossible at times.   Being more organized is one of those New Years resolutions that always seems to get broken.

Here's the thing about organization: 

 It's all about taking small bites.  Divide and conquer. 

 You don't have to organize the whole house at once.  Choose one room and then choose one small part of that room.

Start with a closet, or start with one desk drawer.

It doesn't matter where you start.  Once you start, you build momentum.

The act of organizing creates a sense of accomplishment which propels you on to the next area to conquer. 

Get that ball rolling and it is actually hard to stop. 

Organization is simple - It's getting started that is so difficult! 

  TIP   Sort items into three piles.  Items to Keep, Toss, and Donate. 

Organize your small "keep" items by grouping them together in decorative containers.  Containers not only make it easier to store the items, they make for a much cleaner look.

Why is furniture placement so important when showing your house for sale?  Only ten percent of people can visualize your house differently than how they see it.  If your furniture doesn't work, they assume theirs won't work.  Janice wrote a great post on the subject...

Market Square Day in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is an annual event created by Pro Portsmouth, Inc. thirty three years ago to celebrate the beautification of downtown Portsmouth.  Each year, on the second Saturday in June,  downtown Portsmouth becomes vehicle-free from 9:00 - 4:00.  Traffic is replaced with vendors, entertainment stages, and lots of fabulous food.

New this year, is the addition of a Children's Block Party area, with vendors, performers, and activities especially for children.

The Market Square Day 10K Road Race kicks off the festivities at 9:00 am.  There are 2000 runners this year.

It is estimated that 60,000 - 80,000 people will attend.   

For More information on Market Square Day:

Entertainment & Activities

Parking & Transportation

Map & Directions

IT'S  ZACK-IN-THE-BUCKET

Sunscreen is generally considered the best defense against skin cancer.  What you may not know is that many sunscreens on the market are potentially more dangerous than actual exposure to the sun.

Risk 1 - INSUFFICIENT PROTECTION

A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology states "Sunscreens are widely advocated to protect against skin cancer but if they offer insufficient protection... they may inadvertently increase skin cancer risk." 

SPF refers to how much longer you can be in the sun before you burn.  If you usually burn after 30 minutes without sunscreen, then SPF 10 means you can be in the sun for ten times longer (10 x 30 = 300 minutes) which would be 5 hrs.  SPF ratings refer only to protection from UVB radiation (sun burning rays) not UVA radiation (dangerous killer rays).

 In order to be protected from UVA radiation, which is the primary cause of skin cancer, your sunscreen must contain one of the following ingredients:

•  titanium dioxide
•  zinc oxide
•  avobenzone (also called butyl methoxydibenzyl methane)
•  Mexoryl SX
•  Tinosorb (not available in U.S. products)

If one of these is not listed as a PRIMARY or ACTIVE ingredient, the sunscreen does not offer adequate protection.

Risk 2:  DANGEROUS INGREDIENTS

Oxybenzone, a common active ingredient in US sunscreens,  is a hormone disrupter (it mimics estrogen).  It's not just the synthetic, chemical ingredients in sunscreens that are dangerous.  Vitamin A is added to 41% of all sunscreens.  Vitamin A sounds like a good thing, right? 

Recently available data from an FDA study indicates that:

 Vitamin A, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions.  (May also be listed as  retinal palmitate.)  

For more information:

 Environmental Working Group's 2010 Sunscreen Guide

Sunscreens Exposed

How Does Your Sunscreen Rate? 

Best Beach and Sport Sunscreens

And my personal favorite:  Hall of Shame 

UPDATE:  See Comment #9 (my daughter Jaime) for more important sunscreen facts