1. CANNABIS BARS MAY BRING JOY TO 2019’S OFFICE HOLIDAY PARTIES: Move over alcohol: The next sanctioned vice at office Christmas parties could be cannabis. As states around the country legalize cannabis, 11 to be exact, “cannabars” have been popping up at weddings, and there’s speculation that corporate events aren’t far behind. The Daily Beast: “‘About 85 percent of our business is still focused on weddings, but we’re definitely picking up more regular corporate events,’ Bec Koop, co-owner, Irie Weddings and Events, told The Daily Beast. ‘[Weed bars] change the vibe of a company party… cannabis is a common denominator across all demographics—East Coast, West Coast, rich, poor, white, black, gay, straight; it brings people together.’” 2. ROYAL CARIBBEAN FOUNDER DIES AT 87: Credited with making Miami the “cruise ship capital of the world,” legendary industry executive Edwin Stephan died Friday in Miami at the age of 87. He helped found Royal Caribbean Lines in 1968, and designed the signature Viking Crown cocktail lounge that sits atop every Royal Caribbean vessel. Miami Herald: “Stephan, a philanthropist who also enjoyed poetry, astronomy, and nature, served Royal Caribbean for more than 35 years in various capacities and was honored with the 2009 Hall of Fame Award by the Cruise Lines International Association.” 3. HALLMARK CHANNEL HOLDS FIRST EVER CHRISTMASCON: In keeping with the cult-status achieved by the Hallmark Channel’s large body of Christmas movies, four friends who are fans of the franchise—and call themselves Thats4Entertainment—created Hallmark’s first ever Christmas Con, which debuted this weekend. Sponsored by the television channel and greeting card company, the event was held at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center. Vulture: “Their big break was booking Lacey Chabert, the Mean Girls actress who has since starred in almost as many Hallmark programs as there are letters in her name. All in, they booked over a dozen current and former Hallmark celebs, including Chad Michael Murray, Melissa Joan Hart, Rachel Boston, Paul Greene, Alicia Witt, and Jackée Harry... Cheer at ChristmasCon is brand agnostic, at least as far as apparel is concerned. It’s a Hallmark-centric event but many are also here for the general merriment.” | 