I am an actress, producer, mommy and activist. I have recently taken on the challenge of making one of my dreams come true. I am making a short film that I wrote. The amazing Cheryl Dunye (“Watermelon Woman,” “Stranger Inside,” “Mommy is Coming”) is directing, and Darryl Stephens (“Noah’s Arc,” “Private Practice,” “Big Gay Movie”) is starring with me.

The film is a funny, sexy, delightful short film about a mother and daughter who discover through a comedy of errors the secrets they have been keeping from each other. It’s fun, touching and shows some lovely diverse images of queer people of color. I would love your support in getting it made.

For many years I have spent most of my time mommy-ing my incredible daughter and giving the rest of my free hours to creating change in the world either through opportunities like Sweet’s voluntourism or by fighting for our equal rights as an activist. This is the first time I’m really stepping forward full tilt to do something that fulfills one of my dreams personally.

I would be honored to have your support of my film. It would mean so much to me. Partially from a very personal place where my two-year-old self always dreamed of doing this, and partially from a place of knowing how incredibly important visibility is, especially for queer people of color.

I was blessed to have a great support system of friends during my coming out process, but still found most of the media and even LGBT film lacking people who looked like me. Help me make a fun film that adds to the diverse stories of women in our community. For more information, please visit SecretsAndToys.com.

As a solo traveler, Candy was worried about coming on her own, but she quickly became the leader of a very wild pack of solos. Her friendliness is a magnet that draws in Sweeties, old and new.

Like all of our Sweeties, I feel so grateful to have her travel with us. A word of caution, Candy will buy you shots of tequila until you pass out. Don’t worry, she will make sure you get home safely.

Candy received a ton of nominations from her fellow Sweeties for our Sweetie of the Year award. When I read her speech, I knew that not only was Candy someone special, but that Sweet was doing something wonderfully right.

This is Candy’s totally awesome speech from our Sweetie Awards Weekend in San Francisco in March:

Thank you, Shannon, for the very kind introduction. And thank you Jen, Julie, and Babs for making this weekend a reality for all these generous, beautiful and — at this point in the day after the wine country tour — somewhat intoxicated Sweeties. I have to say it feels a little weird being up on stage at a Sweet event without a karaoke machine somewhere nearby, so you’ll have to forgive me when I lapse into a chorus of “Old Time Rock and Roll,” if I lose my place in my speech. Old habits die hard after all.

In all seriousness, I have to say that I was more than a little surprised when I received the email from Shannon notifying me that I was amongst those nominated for the first annual “Sweetie of the Year Award.” For those who weren’t on the Isla Mujeres trip last September and don’t already know me as “that woman who’s running around table-to-table telling everyone she just turned 50 yesterday and wanting us to do shots,” I am relatively new to Sweet, that trip having been my initial experience.

But here I am a scant six months later, both humbled and honored to be considered for the title “Sweetie of the Year.” I figured I might be an odds-on favorite for “Most Likely to Inadvertently Do Harm to Herself,” “Most Likely to Create a Shortage of Tequila,” or “Person We’d Like to See Posting Less Frequently on the Sweeties Facebook Page,” but I never would have imagined my name would be tossed in the hat for the Big One.

You see, six months ago, I was barely recycling on a regular basis, much less thinking about other “little things I could do a lot” to make a difference in this gigantic world of ours. (I’m paraphrasing Shannon on that one.) But, as corny as it sounds, while I went to Isla for the fun and frolic, I came back not only with a few dozen great new friends, but with a sense of inspiration to bring Sweet’s mission back home with me. I don’t know how anyone can hang out with Shannon and not have a little of that inspiration rub off on you — she’s truly incredible. And the real magic in what she does is that the little seed of inspiration she plants within each of us somehow grows exponentially when we all come together — it’s definitely one of those cases where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

I want to thank the Shannon and the Sweet staff for making every trip so unique and special and thank all the Sweeties — the ones who are here tonight, the ones who couldn’t make it, and the ones who don’t even know they’re Sweeties yet — for making Sweet what it is. I hope all of you come away from this weekend feeling like you’ve had a great time, met a new friend or 10, and, most of all, feeling like you want to do a little something every day to make the world a better place.

When did you start acting?
I’ve wanted to be an actress for as long as I (or anyone else) can remember. I must have come out of the womb singing show tunes. I always loved losing myself in a character or feeling the gaze of an audience on me. I lived for the excitement I felt backstage while doing a play or while performing self-choreographed dances and skits with my siblings.

What’s your favorite role so far?
I’m not sure I can say I absolutely have a favorite role, but my role on “Shameless” sticks out because it was the first time I got to do something a little less over the top. Most of my roles are in broad comedy or kids shows, so my performances have to be big. But in “Shameless,” I felt like I got to be myself. And I’m still getting a lot of compliments on that performance, so it’s special to me.

How often do you audition? What’s it like for you to face rejection regularly?
There are months when I audition 40 times and others without ONE. It’s a super roller coaster and when it rains it pours and when it’s dry, it’s the damn desert.

Facing rejection is a daily reality in my life. I don’t really take rejection well, so it’s kind of ironic that this is my chosen profession. It’s hard to go out there, every day, dressed up like someone else, memorize lines and then never hear from the casting director. But as Mary always reminds me, it just wasn’t my role. I’m learning that all it takes is to show up, be on time, pay attention and have no stake in the outcome.

You played Adam Sandler’s proboscis challenged sister in “Just Go With It,” what was he like to work with? Did you get to meet Jennifer Aniston?
Adam is SO cool and very fun to work with. I was a little overwhelmed by the whole experience, but it was one of my favorites. He is actually quite serious on set and takes the whole movie making process very seriously as well. But the set was always fun and relaxed. The NCAA championships were on the day we shot my last scene and he had a HUGE flat screen set up with the game on and in between takes the whole cast and crew were watching and cheering. It was surreal. When I met Jennifer, she thought my nose was real. She was really sweet and hugged me and told me she loved my dress. She was always smiling and really nice to have around on set.

Is it more fun to work on “iCarly” or “Superbad”? Why?
I can’t really say one was more fun than the other. I worked on both projects for a full week. On “iCarly,” I was the main guest star and it was the first time I had a whole episode dedicated to my character’s storyline. In “Superbad,” I only had a couple lines and the rest of the time I was mostly a glorified extra, but “Superbad” was the first big movie I worked on and hanging around Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill and Michael Cera was pretty amazing. I’ve even been invited to a couple of Seth’s parties!

How many Sweet vacations have you taken? What’s your favorite thing about them?
I’ve only taken one Sweet vacation SO FAR, but we are also signed up to be at Cozumel this year. I met the most amazing people on our trip to Isla Mujeres. Most of whom I consider to be friends for life. Both debauchery and do-goodery on ONE vacation? It really doesn’t get any better than that.

How long have you and Mary been together? What’s the secret to your longevity?
Mary and I have been together for 10 years. We were married under the Chupah on July 7, 2007, then legally married on June 18, 2008, the day it was legalized in California. I think our biggest “secret” is honesty. We are always honest with each other. We allow each other to be ourselves and always love each other, faults and all. There is a respect we share for each other and a friendship closer than any other I’ve ever had in my life. Plus she’s hot.

Pitch me a movie about Sweet starring Rakefet Abergel.
Fade In on a gorgeous beach in Mexico. The air is humid and wet. Thousands of lesbians are sprinkled and sprawled around a giant pool. Some playing pool volleyball, some drinking at the pool bar and some making out on lounge chairs. Enter SHANNON WENTWORTH (played by Rakefet Abergel in a career defining performance), the CEO of Sweet. She is the grand pooh-ba of lesbians. On her arm is the beautiful ANNE MARTIN EVANS (played, not surprisingly, by Angelina Jolie). Together, with the help of their friends, they lead a resort full of women into debauchery and do-goodery. Will CANDY’s (played by Kirstie Alley) injured head heal? Will FRANCO (played by Melissa Ferrick) start a new magazine? Will RAKEFET (played by Melissa McCarthy) offend people with her standup? Will MARY (played by Pink) keep her woman in check? Will CRYSTAL’s (played by Queen Latifah) dress ever be found? Will SHERESE (played by Denzel Washington) ever be let back into her room? Will DARCIE (played by Lucy Liu) ever be able to get that tool shed built? Will BABS (played by Helen Mirren) ever find her cougar? Will Shannon and JEN RAININ (played by Jane Lynch) be able to hold off the corporate lesbians of OLDlivia Travel? All these questions (and more!) will be answered in the fall of 2020 when we release “SWEETIES: THE MOVIE”

Rakefet’s credits:
TV
“Bad Girls”
“Shameless”
“The New Girl”
“iCarly”
“Zeke & Luther”
“Gigantic”
“I’m in the Band”
“ER”
“Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh”
“My Name is Earl”
“The Tyra Banks Show”
“Jimmy Kimmel Live”

FILM
“Just Go With It”
“Superbad”
“Drillbit Taylor”
“A Thousand Words”
“Borat”
“My Best Friend’s Girl”
“Shrink”
“Kids in America”
“Hollywoo…” – French film
“Love in Bulk” – Award-winning short
“Cessation”
“Daddy’s Big Girl” – Short that played at over 30 Film Festivals winning two audience awards

COMMERCIAL
Kayak.com – National Network, Cable and Internet
Boston Market

We’re taking over the entire newly remodeled and rebranded five-star, all-you-can-eat-and-drink Hard Rock Vallarta (formerly Vallarta Palace). There’s a jacuzzi tub in every room, 24-hour room service, world-class spa, exquisite cuisine, friendly service and more.

Yes, it’s the same award-winning hospitality you’ve come to expect from Palace Resorts in a shiny new Hard Rock wrapper. We’re excited to be among the first to break in this resort.

Located in Nuevo Vallarta, our resort is the perfect springboard for a myriad of cultural, historical, ecological and lesbian-friendly activities in Mexico’s No. 1 LGBT hotspot. Your $1,500 per room at-resort credit covers most of these activities. Or use your credit for an indulgent spa day. It’s your vacation. Do what makes you feel good.

We’ll enjoy a stunning white sand beach with palapas galore, an ample beach front pool with swim up bar and all the debaucherous shenanigans you’ve come to expect from a Sweet vacation.

It’s our second time visiting the area. Our community service partners are excited to welcome us back for our signature do-goodery.

PRICING

SWEET DEALS FOR SWEETIES

• $100 per person deposit starts your monthly payment plan
• First 10 bookings of no view superior room receive upgrade to oceanview superior room ($400 value).
• First 10 bookings to PAY IN FULL entered to win a presidential suite (up to $3,000 value). The odds are ever in your favor!
• $1,500 at-resort credit for each room.
• Special pricing in all categories. Prices go up May 7, 2012.

Beautifully appointed in a charming colonial Mexican décor, each guestroom offers WiFi, marble baths with a separate shower and double Jacuzzi®, cozy bathrobes Enjoy the convenience of in room wine and liquor dispensers containing whiskey, tequila, rum and vodka. The mini-bar contains sodas, purified water, juices and domestic beer.

Each guestroom at Vallarta Palace features:

• Television with satellite
• Designer bath amenities
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Laptop size digital safe
• Individually controlled A/C
• Coffeemaker
• Direct dial telephone, alarm clock, hair dryer, iron and ironing board
• 24 hour room service and turndown service with rich pillowtop chocolates

No view: $1,699 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

• 1 king or 2 double beds
• Double Jacuzzi
• French style balcony
• Liquor dispenser contains whiskey, tequila, rum & vodka
• Mini-bar containing sodas, bottled water, juices & domestic beer
• In room wine
• LCD TV with satellite
• Purified Water
• Bathrobes & Slippers
• Digital safe
• Individually-controlled air conditioning
• Coffee Maker
• Direct Dial telephone
• Alarm Clock
• Hair Dryer
• Iron/ironing board
• Wireless Internet
• Turndown service

Ocean View: $2,099 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

No view: $1,899 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

Pamper yourself with Concierge level Ocean Front accommodation for two guests with all the luxurious amenities of Deluxe rooms plus upgraded liquor brands and two 25-minute massages at the beach or spa treatment rooms.

• 1 King
• Double Jacuzzi
• French style balcony
• Liquor Dispenser contains premium whiskey, tequila, rum & vodka
• Mini bar contains sodas, bottled water, juices & domestic beer
• Satellite TV
• Ceiling fan
• Purified water
• iPod doc
• nightly petit fours
• pillow menu
• Special 24-hour room service menu
• L’Occitane Bath Amenities
• Bathrobes & Slippers
• Espresso / coffee maker
• Digital safe
• Individually-Controlled A/C
• Direct Dial telephone
• Alarm Clock
• Hair Dryer
• Iron/ironing board
• Wireless Internet
• Turndown Service

Ocean view: $2,299 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

Indulge yourself completely with totally Sweet suite, where you’ll find plenty of room to relax and unwind in comfort and style. With pull-out sofas, you can add up to two additional people. Ask Julie for details.

• 1 King
• Double Jacuzzi
• French style balcony
• Living room w/ sofa bed
• Dining room
• Bathroom
• Liquor Dispenser contains premium whiskey, tequila, rum & vodka
• Mini bar contains sodas, bottled water, juices & domestic beer
• Satellite TV
• Ceiling fan
• Purified water
• Farouk Bath Amenities
• Bathrobes & Slippers
• Bathroom scale
• Digital safe
• Individually-Controlled A/C
• Coffee maker
• Direct Dial telephone
• Alarm Clock
• Hair Dryer
• Iron/ironing board
• Wireless Internet
• Turndown Service

Emerald suite: $2,999 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

Sapphire suite: $2,799 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

All prices are per person double occupancy. Single supplement add $999.

Singles
If you’re traveling alone, we’ll either match you with a roommate or you can pay a $999 single supplement.

Sweet Hard Rock Vallarta Cancellation Policy
If you cancel 90 days or more prior to your vacation, we’ll move your non-refundable $100 deposit to another Sweet vacation and refund the balance of any payments above your deposit within 30 days of receiving
your cancellation. If you cancel 89 to 1 days prior to your vacation, we’ll move your paid balance to the vacation of your choosing less a $100 per guest administration fee.

To cancel, call us at 877.793.3830 or email us at boohoo@discoversweet.com.

Picture this: 700 Sweeties, white sand beaches, weather too hot for too many clothes, music fills the air and now, it’s your turn to learn how to fly. What? That’s right, it’s your time to defy gravity at our flying trapeze school!

We are taking over the entire resort!

Club Sweet gives new meaning to the term "all-inclusive" at our luxurious 4-trident resort by including tennis, sailing, windsurfing and, yes, flying trapeze lessons at no additional cost.

Add three restaurants, bottomless almost-whatever-you-want drinks, a giant central pool, waterskiing, wakeboarding, snorkeling, volleyball, basketball and our signature community service projects, it’s practically heaven on earth.

But wait, there’s more! This venue includes an amazing theater where we’ll enjoy the best lesbian music and comedy.

Another reason we love Club Med’s Cancun resort, it’s Eco-Certified and won the GREEN GLOBE Silver medal in 2010. That totally rocks.

Like Cozumel before it, we do expect this resort to sell out and it will never be more affordable than it is right now. Save your space today!

PRICING

SWEET DEALS FOR SWEETIES

• $100 per person deposit starts your monthly payment plan
• First 10 bookings of garden or lagoon view club room receive upgrade
  to ocean view club room ($400 value).
• First 10 bookings to PAY IN FULL entered to win an ocean front suite
  (up to $1,400 value).
• Special pricing in all categories. Prices go up May 7, 2012.

A comfortable and stylish Club Room with lagoon, garden or the ocean views on the first, second and third floors of the buildings.

Ocean view: $1,999 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

Lagoon / garden view: $1,799 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

Single occupancy (one person plus $999 single supplement)

FEATURES

• Air-conditioning
• Coffee machine
• European electrical plugs/ 220 Volts
• Flat-screen television(s)
• Hair-dryer
• Iron and ironing-board
• Mini fridge
• Radio alarm
• Security boxes
• Shower room.
• Telephone
• U.S. electrical plugs / 110 Volts

Pamper yourself in this luxurious deluxe ocean front oasis where you’ll enjoy nightly turndown service, a plush bathrobe, cozy slippers, upgraded toiletries and a welcome gift.

Ocean front: $2,199 per person
Double occupancy (two guests)

Single occupancy ($2,199 plus $999 single supplement)

FEATURES

• Air-conditioning
• Coffee machine
• European electrical plugs/ 220 Volts
• Flat-screen television(s)
• Hair-dryer
• Ironing kit (Deluxe rooms only)
• Mini Bar (deluxe rooms only)
• Radio alarm
• Security boxes
• Shower room
• Telephone
• U.S. electrical plugs / 110 Volts

Enjoy a vast ocean view or ocean front room in which to indulge all your vacation whims plus a staff to cater to you in this exclusive 5-trident space.

Ocean view or ocean front: $2,599 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

FEATURES

• Air-conditioning
• Coffee machine
• Flat-screen television(s)
• Hair-dryer
• Internet connection
• Ironing kit
• Mini Bar
• Radio alarm
• Security boxes
• Shower room
• Telephone
• U.S. electrical plugs / 110 Volts

SERVICES

• Concierge Service
• Continental Breakfast
• Daily turndown service
• Bathrobe and slippers in room
• Deluxe toiletries
• Mini bar filled and restocked daily (soft drinks)
• Access to the private pool in the Jade building
• Delivery of bags to room
• Champagne served by the glass from 6 to 11pm

All prices are per person double occupancy. Single supplement add $999.

Singles
If you’re traveling alone, we’ll either match you with a roommate or you can pay a $999 single supplement.

Club Sweet Cancun Cancellation Policy
If you cancel 90 days or more prior to your vacation, we’ll move your non-refundable $100 deposit to another Sweet vacation and refund the balance of any payments above your deposit within 30 days of receiving your cancellation. If you cancel 89 to 1 days prior to your vacation, we’ll move your paid balance to the vacation of your choosing less a $100 per guest administration fee.

To cancel, call us at 877.793.3830 or email us at boohoo@discoversweet.com.

Thursday, June 21st

EDEN Welcome Party
EDEN Fashion Show
EDEN Afterparty @4Bidden

Friday, June 22nd

EDEN Comedy Show
EDEN Block Party
3 Venues, 3 Parties, 1 Block
The only block party of its kind in SF during Pride!

Saturday, June 23rd

EDEN/HRC Brunch
EDEN Signature Party

Sunday, June 24th

EDEN Afterparty @Good Times

For information locations and details about each event check out www.edeninthebay.com.

****************************************************************************************

Please make sure to always include the following links:

EDEN Actual site: www.edeninthebay.com

EDEN SF Pride Events Facebook: www.facebook.com/eden.weekend

EDEN SF Pride Event Invite: www.facebook.com/events/432399906775114/

Join Sweet for a luxurious and unforgettable journey through South Africa. From the urban jungle to the wild savannah, we’ll explore the best of South Africa with our expert guide Jody Cole, whose passion for Africa has transformed her life and the lives of those she meets. Prepare to have the time of your life in one of the most amazing places on earth.

Meet your Sweet guide Jody Cole on Facebook

ITINERARY
September 15, 2013: Welcome to Cape Town!
You will be met on arrival and transferred to More Quarters (20 min), where you’ll spend four nights in your very own luxury one-bedroom apartment. More Quarters offers guests a stay in Cape Town which combines the benefits of a hotel with the independence of a luxury apartment. Its charm and character is matched with its desirable location amongst the popular restaurants, street cafes and stylish boutique shops of the vibrant Kloof Street, making this hotel a unique leader in Cape Town. Breakfast included everyday. Welcome dinner included. Otherwise, all meals and drinks are on own. Laundry service available for an additional fee.

Sept 16, 2013: Cape Peninsula Tour
We’ll enjoy some of the world’s most spectacular views as we explore the fishing villages that dot the Atlantic coast. Keep your eyes peeled for Cape Fur seals.

Sept 17, 2013: Winelands Tour
We’ll visit world-class vineyards and wineries, taste award-winning wine and savour the natural beauty of South Africa’s wine country.

Sept 18, 2013: Community Service with African Impact
We’ll spend the day exploring Cape Town and a few hours doing community service with locals.

Sept 19, 2013: Travel from More Quarters to Cape Town Airport
All aboard, Flight SA 8663 to Kruger Mpumalanga departing! Today, we’re moving from Cape Town to the Manyeleti Reserve. Literally, “place of the stars,” Manyeleti will shine brighter with an infusion of Sweeties at it’s luxury tented camp, Honeyguide Mantobeni, where we’ll spend three nights enjoying top-of-the-line tented rooms,
all-you-can-eat-and-drink, amazing service and prime Big 5 viewing from best-of-class safari vehicles. Lunch and dinner not included on travel days. Otherwise, all your meals and beverages are included (except top shelf and imports). Complimentary laundry service.

Sept 22, 2013: Travel from Honeyguide to Lion Sands in the world famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve. It’s raining elephants, hallelujah! You don’t get much better than a luxury, all-inclusive chalet where you have a 100 percent chance of seeing an elephant or a rhino and an 80 percent chance of seeing all the Big 5 in one place. Plus I used the words “luxury” and “all-inclusive,” so you know you’re in for a treat. We’ll spend three nights enjoying the first-class service and animal viewing. Lunch and dinner not included on travel days. Otherwise, all your meals and beverages are included (except top shelf and imports). Complimentary laundry service.

Sept 25, 2013: Head home or extend your stay
All good things must come to an end, but not before an early morning game drive followed by breakfast. After our breakfast, we’ll take the scenic route to Kruger Mpumalanga where we’ll fly to Johannesburg for more adventures or a long flight home. Don’t worry, you’ll dream about elephants the whole way back. You’re going to love the elephants. They are like giant dogs, except you can’t pet them.

We’ll offer two ways to extend your trip: A two-day Johannesburg city tour, where you can explore Soweto Township and visit the Apartheid Museum and / or three nights at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. C’mon, you know you want to say you went to Zimbabwe. It’s so fun to say. Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe. Pricing and details to be announced.

PRICING
SWEET DEAL FOR SWEETIES
• $100 per person deposit starts your monthly payment plan (normally $750).
• First 10 to book receive a $200 airfare credit!

$8,950 per person
deposit: $750 per person
Minimum: 10 guests
Maximum: 24 guests
All deposits must be received by Jan. 1, 2013. All payments due May 15, 2013. There is no single supplement for this vacation.

FLIGHTS
We are working on a deal for our group. Please do NOT book your flights until you receive flight instructions from us in January 2013.

INCLUDES

• Expert guide, total Sweetie and owner of Wild Rainbow African Safaris Jody Cole
• Luxury accommodations at More Quarters, Honeyguide and Lion Sands
• All meals unless otherwise indicated
• All game viewing activities: morning and evening game drives and walks
• All local brand drinks
• All ground transportation and airport transfers as noted
• Flight from Cape Town to Kruger Mpumalanga
• Flight from Kruger Mpumalanga to Johannesburg

EXCLUDES

• International airfare from your home airport to Capetown and Johannesburg to your home airport
• Passports, visas and permits (details will be provided)
• Travel insurance (highly recommendend for a vacation of this caliber)
• Immunization, inoculation and medication (details will be provided)
• All other items of a personal nature
• All services not specified above
• Additional / extra activities
• Beverages not considered local (top shelf and imported)
• Optional tipping or gratuities

NOTES

• Prices are subject to change without notice due to supplier, government bed levy, sales tax, VAT, fuel and any other unforeseen increases. We will provide you with as much notice as possible.
• Shared Light aircraft chartered flights carry a luggage restriction of 35 pounds in total (carry-on and checked) per person in soft-sided bags only.

PASSPORT INFORMATION
No visa is required for South Africa; however, you need at least six blank pages in your passport. Additionally, your passport must not expire within six months of your return home.

IMMUNIZATIONS
Please visit the Centers for Disease Control web site for the latest information at CDC.gov.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Due to the cost of this vacation, a $750 per person non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking.

Life sometimes throws us curve balls (or hits us with pitches). No one cancels an amazing African safari for a happy reason. We want your cancellation experience to be as sweet as possible.

Our cancellation charges are determined by contracts we’ve entered into on your behalf with hotels, safari camps/lodges and local airlines. They charge us a cancellation fee, if we cancel a booking. Sweet does not mark up our cancellation fees. We work hard to minimize these charges with our vendors. If you have to cancel your Sweet South African Safari, do not delay calling us. We don’t want to charge you for a vacation you’re not going to take. Seriously, it will really bum us out.

Here are the cancellation fees for our Sweet South African Safari:

• If you cancel 130 days or more prior to your vacation, we’ll move your non-refundable deposit to another Sweet vacation and refund the balance of any payments above your deposit within 30 days of receiving your cancellation
• If you cancel 129 to 61 days prior to your vacation, you’ll pay a cancellation fee equal to 50 percent of the total cost of the vacation per person and receive a refund for the remaining balance you’ve paid.
• If you cancel 60 days prior to the start of your vacation, you’ll pay a cancellation fee equal to 100 percent of the total cost of the vacation per person. Do not do this. If you do, please tell me you bought the travel insurance. It’s a small price to pay to protect yourself.

While Sweet’s sold out Cozumel resort five months away, the Sweeties, led by 2012 Sweetie of the Year nominee Candy Parker, are cooking up a project to benefit the Cozumel Humane Society, literally.

Between now and April 30, Candy is collecting recipes for everything from beverages to desserts for Sweet’s cookbook. The proceeds will be donated to the Cozumel Humane Society during Sweet’s visit in September.

The project combines two of Sweet’s core values — debauchery and do-goodery — allowing Sweeties and Sweeties-to-be (that means you) to share recipes for their favorite enticing entrees and tasty treats to benefit a great cause.

Comedians Suzanne Westenhoefer, Bridget McManus, Fortune Feimster, Jenny McNulty, Jackie Monahan, and film director Gabrielle Lindau have also signed on to submit their culinary concoctions.

For more information on how you can participate in this mouthwatering mission, email Candy at candyparker13 [at] gmail.com.