I recently noticed a Facebook conversation between several ticked off journalists who at various points in their careers have had the thankless task of compiling events listings. Their mini-gripefest was telling, for when it comes to listings, the devil apparently is not in the details, but in the lack of details.

Date and time, a.m. or p.m. Location, with complete street address. Phone number. Cost. If you were going to a party, you'd at least want to know these basics, right?

Yet reporters get event listings every day without these bare bones facts. When they're feeling charitable, they'll call or e-mail the offending party and politely - but through clenched teeth, believe you me - request the missing pieces. When they're not, it's curtains for your event.

To me, it's as bad for restaurants to send listings without precise, rich details about the star attractions - the food and drinks - as it is for them to omit the basics. When it comes to restaurant listings, the food and drinks are the basics! To say that your wine tasting event will feature wines and cheeses doesn't cut it. Whet the reporter's - and their readers' - appetites. Tell them what continent and region the wines are from, and what types of cheeses - gooey brie, ashen goat, creamy blue, or all three? Why do they go together so well? Why are you featuring them?

The thing is, your event is up against any number happening the same day or night. Entice, or lose customers to the restaurants that remember to give readers the basics, and then some.