All Things Balloon - Fresh Ideas for Young & Old

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1. What's new on our Web-Site: 'Spooky Balloon Bouquet, 'Romantic Balloon Release at Night' and 'Balloon Pictures'
2. Weird & Wonderful News from the 'World of Balloons'
3. Tip of the Month

Holiday season is over, and 'Balloony News' is back with our third issue!

Please enjoy ... and, as always, your feedback is most welcome. Just reply to this e-zine and let us know your comments, suggestions or requests. We'd love to hear from you!

1. What's new on our Web-Site: 'Spooky Balloon Bouquet, 'Romantic Balloon Release at Night' and 'Balloon Pictures - Colorful Pieces of Art'

Halloween is approaching ... and what would a Halloween Party be without some funny, spooky or even scary decoration. Our 'Spooky Balloon Bouquet' is fairly easy to make and a guaranteed eye-catcher for your kids party.

Imagine two dozen balloons with sparklers floating upwards, glittering, shimmering like twinkling stars, and finally disappearing into the night sky on a clear late summer night - wouldn't that be a nice surprise for a friend's birthday or wedding? Click here to find out how to organize a 'Romantic Balloon Release at Night'.

Balloon Pictures capture fleeting moments of happiness and joy, that otherwise would be lost for ever. Please check out our small, but exquisit selection of balloon photos, posters and prints.

In our last issue we heard some interesting facts about latex and found out what a latex balloon and a turnip have in common! If you missed our last issue, simply click on the link provided below.

As we were talking about a balloon release earlier on, we thought it would be a good idea to discuss what happens to latex balloons after they are launched outdoors. Research has shown, that they often rise to an altitude of about five miles! There they begin to freeze in the cold atmosphere with temperatures of about -50 degree Fahrenheit (that is roughly -46 degree Celsius).

Additionally, because of the huge difference between the gas pressure inside the balloon and the near vacuum outside the balloon at that height the balloons tend to expand to the point were they eventually burst. As the latex is frozen, the bursting balloon tears into shreds (the exact scientific term is called "brittle fracture"). These tiny, spaghetti-like pieces then scatter over a wide area as they fall back to the ground, where they'll decompose completely within a few weeks to months, depending on the actual environmental conditions.

If you're filling your own balloons, follow these important tips:

Don't blow it!

• Over inflating or under inflating your balloons with helium reduces their float time and makes them look unattractive.
• Avoid exposing your balloons to extreme heat, as this could cause them to burst.
• In cold air, your balloons may appear deflated; when warmed up, they will fill out again.
• Float time varies greatly according to factors such as latex quality, humidity, temperature, altitude, etc. As a 'rule of thumb', balloons typically float half as long in hot, humid weather.