exhibit opening during nine days?

I have been invited to attend an exhibit opening the day before Tisha B’Av. It is an exhibit I helped put together, so it’s work related.  On the other hand, there is no financial penalty for not attending. There will be no music, but it is kind of a...

counter tops

We are moving into a new apartment with not a lot of counter space in the kitchen. Can you please clarify the following: Is it possible to prepare meat and dairy meals on the same counter, without covering it for one or the other? Must anything be done in between...