my place, your space

For rental information contact (868) 623-7627 (ROAR)Fitzblackman Drive, Port of Spain

P.O. Box 566

he Port of Spain Central Lions Cultural Centre was

first conceived over 40 years ago as a multipurpose

centre for the citizens of Port of Spain replacing the

Princess Building which had been destroyed, and

at the same time providing funds to help the less fortunate in

the Port of Spain area. In its 40 years of existence it has seen

many changes but still remains a centre for use in the wider

community.

From its inception it became very popular for dances,

particularly at Carnival time. Today this is no longer the case

as the carnival dances of today have more or less outgrown the

Centre, which has a capacity for approximately 2,000 persons,

and there are only a few all inclusive fetes.

The Port of Spain Central Lions Club which manages the

Centre, recognizing the move away from the rental of the venue

for dances and considering the complaints of our neighbors

about the noises, we took the decision to concentrate on smaller

functions such as seminars, graduation ceremonies, weddings,

dinners, in house cook-outs etc., by providing the facilities for

these, virtually creating a one stop shop.

Our packages include up to 500 padded chairs and slipcovers,

25 banquet tables and 40 straight tables all with table cloths,

a fountain and a podium. Also, there are plant pedestals, a

bridal arch, and a raised platform for the bridal party, screens,

a variety of potted plants and “Princess Chairs, for the bride

and groom. All of this comes with two security guards, and

one armed.

The Centre itself has been redone with porcelain tiles on the

wall and the floor. There are two drink bars, a food bar equipped

with hot water and the already adequate ladies and gent’s

toilets with toilet attendents have also been upgraded to first

class standards.

The Garden has been fully landscaped, and well kept, with the

addition of a gazebo to conduct ceremonies, a fountain and

waterfall with a bridge over the fountain, which transforms

the ideal photo backdrop for wedding photos.

Finally, we wish to remind the general public that in keeping

with our constitution, all funds raised through the Centre goes

back to the Community and not the Club.

New Upgrades Coming Soon!

WOW! How time flies. We’re into our second issue ofMy Place Your Space and we’re just as excited this time around.Wait ‘til you see the topics we have for you.

You know it is one thing to set up a banquet hall with all theamenities a client could possibly want. It is quite another tomarket it as the ideal place for prospective clients to host theirevents. To ensure that your venue is the first that comes tomind when the need arises, we are happy to help with, BanquetHall Marketing Ideas

Now, who doesn’t love the look, the feel and the smell ofspanking new spaces, furnishings, furniture and appliances?But there comes a time when the spanking new look, feel andsmell evaporates with age and use. And while simply replacingthe old with the new may seem like the easiest option, upgradingcan be cheaper and more gratifying.

Whether it is a public space (venue and facilities for others touse) or personal space (home, backyard or appliances),upgrading can be the best choice you make. It might be

surprising to note that upgrading is not only about savingmoney and time, enticing clients and maintaining a certainimage. It also delivers a great measure of satisfaction to seethe old function like new again.

That is why this issue of My Place Your Space highlightsupgrading your space - venues, amenities, indoor and outdoorspaces and appliances, not just for day-to-day use but forspecial functions.

Many of us are already planning parties, dinners and Christmas-themed functions. Planning Christmas functions for staff canbe tricky because of the diversity in the workplace. We havetips to help you pull it off without embarrassment to anyone.Others are focused on planning, attending and celebratingweddings - joyous occasions indeed. However, we know howchallenging it is to find the ideal venue and chose the theme,decorations, menu, seating, and so much more to make surethat these events are successful in every way.

If you have events planned for the coming months and in theNew Year, you’ll find everything you need to make each ofthem a success, right here in My Place Your Space.

1pgMY PLACE YOUR SPACE

Event decor at private residence: Concept and Design by MacFarlane Design Studios

At-Home Wedding Secrets

Dividing Outdoor Areas by Function

Holiday Party-Planning in the Diverse Workplace

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2pg MY PLACE YOUR SPACE

Volume 13 No.2 2013

THE COMPLETE GUIDE FOR VENUES & VENDOR SERVICES

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Paint can make a Quick Fix for the Holidays

Upgrade Your Event: How to Spot (and avoid) BoringVenues

Seven Tips for Choosing a Wedding Venue

Banquet Hall Marketing Ideas

Before you Videotape a Wedding

What Appliances are Worth Upgrading?

Simple Ways to Personalize your Christmas Tree

Venues with Amenities Guide

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Design & Layout: JG Design CaribbeanPublished by: Eureka Communications Limited

Address: #9 Avenue First, Suite #2, St. James, Trinidad & TobagoTel: •1 (868) 622-2017/628-1555 • Fax: 1 (868) 628-4475

E-mail: • [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected]

ContributorsCover Photo, Welcome Note photo & pg8 “Seven Tips for Choosing a WeddingVenue” photos:Courtesy MacFarlane Design StudiosWelcome Note Editorial: Cheryl Wright

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rian MacFarlane is living proof that creativity andpassion breeds success. And the more creativity hewields, the more passion he expends and the moresuccess he achieves, the further he pushes

boundaries. It’s an exciting creative cycle and he is ridinghigh and blazing trails.

Brian confessed that from an early age he believed that oneday he would have his own carnival band. But before thatmaterialized, his intrinsic sense of interior design movedhim to mentally redesign and redecorate spaces when hevisited family and friends with his parents. In fact, at agefifteen, with no experience or training and after only watchinga friend decorate a cake, he did the same for his sister’swedding with a 6- feet-high, 7-layer cake. The applause fromguests and the kudos and compliments that followed,catapulted him into his future as a designer. He wasn’tsurprised when interior design became his playground andhis canvas for creative expression.

Event management and event planning eventually followedbecause the fields are closely related – taking ideas, creating

visions and manipulating spaces to achieve a desired effect,atmosphere and aesthetic for a particular client or event. Intime, the day arrived when his childhood dream became areality. He burst on the scene with his own carnival band,cupping the top prize that first year.

As with most endeavours, the budget can drive and affecta project’s outcome. Despite this being one of the majorchallenges early in his career, plus the lack of understanding,appreciation, and respect in the Caribbean, for the intricaciesinvolved, Brian has been able to create some of the mostspectacular interiors and events locally, regionally andinternationally. A creative genius can do that – take whathe’s been given and far exceed his client’s expectations.

In his words, “Great performance, excellent quality andout of the box creativity, comes with a price. That is not tosay that I no longer challenge my creativity on smallerscaled jobs but I applaud the opportunity to dothings on a much grander scale. Having said all of this, thebottom line is creating abject beauty with the budgetprovided.”

P R O F I L E

Working with foreign clients, Brian Macfarlane has had tomarshal his creativity, professionalism and experience inspite of cultural and theatrical restrictions. With resolve anddedication to his work, he saw attitudes change, courtesiesextended and respect given. It’s not surprising then that hecontinues to attract honour and respect because of his lecturesat universities and art societies in different countries. Happily,this “son of the soil” is not without honour in his own country.Not only does he have fans and followers in his homelandand in the region, in August 2010, the Trinidad and Tobagogovernment bestowed on him the prestigious ChaconiaMedal Gold for Carnival Arts and Culture.

Although there has been a decline in recent times, due to theeconomic downturn, event planning and management is stillan attractive field to enter. Brian agrees that anyone with aninterest can study and be certified in this area and succeed.

However, he hastens to add, “Event planning andmanagement has to be something that evolves from yourinner being, because you need to have that creative edgeand that is not something that can be taught. It comes fromwithin.”

And it is that “something” that motivates him to approachevery project with a view to excellence and the willingnessto do the hard work required to turn the vision into reality.

The Christmas season poses another challenge for Brian –finding the perfect venue to host events. But he is not oneto buckle under such challenges. Time and again, he hasproven that he can take a space that was not intended forhosting a particular type of event, and using innovative ideas,transform it into a memorable space with a difference.

Interior designer, event planner, event manager - BrianMacFarlane is all that, but he is a “mas man” at heart. Hesaid that one of his main goals is to preserve the traditionand true spirit of carnival. He wants his work in this arenato reflect Trinidad's history with Carnival. So we asked himwhat’s next.

“My next vision, hopefully, to be brought to reality (Godwilling) is the creation of a state-of-the art carnivalesqueproduction that encompasses the essence of the origins ofour carnival characters. Being able to evoke the senses ofthe audience through movement, music, magic and all thespecial effects and stage sets that leaves one simply sayingWOW! Once I have showed this first to my people ofTrinidad and Tobago to then take it on tour around theworld promoting my beautiful twin-island republic. Thatis my next goal.”

God speed Brian. Continue to push borders and blaze trails.We’re proud of you.

My desire for any event, grand or simple is to be assured that I have thoroughly understoodmy client's vision and that I not only bring that to fruition, but that I go beyond and takeit to another level not expected either by client or audience. I push myself beyond theboundaries of creativity, striving always to be different. I give my all to every job, be itgrand or simple. My belief is that true fulfilment can only come through hard work.


Mount St. Benedict Bicentennial Event, transformation of their ‘reflectory’Concept and design by MacFarlane Design Studios

Before

After

With great lighting and space, galleriesare ideal for high-end events or casualgatherings. You can also ask about privatetours and viewings when booking tooffer attendees an extra perk.

Corporations Planning a charity event?Schedule a meeting with the office orevents manager at large corporationsnear you. These companies are oftenkeen to open their doors forphilanthropic purposes and there’s anadded bonus – the facilities usually offergreat views.

The great outdoors Get outside andenjoy some under-utilized wide openspaces. Contact the ministry orcorporation that oversees parks to findout what they offer. If you’re worriedabout catering, coordinate with a localfood truck to provide popular, park-friendly food for your attendees.

Fitness studios If your event is healthor wellness related, consider this route.Yoga, fitness studios and gyms may beinterested in showcasing their spacesin order to attract new members.

New spaces If you’re working with alocat ion that i s new to theneighbourhood, consider asking for thespace for free or at a discount inexchange for marketing them in yourpre-event communications and onsocial media.

Adequate size The venue you choosemust be the right size. The last thing youwant is a space you could never fill ora room uncomfortably packed andoverflowing with unhappy attendees.

Hit the mark on vibe and size, whilethinking outside the box, and you’resure to host a memorable event.

It’s best to start off thinking of the vibeand size of event you plan on having.Nothing sets the tone more than thevenue, so whether you are going forfresh and urban, or sophisticated andformal, you should leverage the venueto help with the event positioning andfeel the attendees walk away with.

As you think of your next venue, hereare a few ideas to get you thinkingoutside the box.

Co-working space These uniquespaces, which allow freelancers to ditchthe home office and collaborate withothers, make ideal spots for gatherings.The spaces often boast open floor plansand are great for anything from team-building and think-tank events to socials.

Art galleries Consider placing yourproducts next to other works of art.


Finding a venue can be a stressful part of planning any business event. It’s easy to fall back on the same stale barsand outdated hotel conference rooms because they’re plentiful and price-friendly. However, if you want your event tobe remembered, you need to get creative.

1. Communication is keyHave a chat with your other half about the sort of weddingyou would like and be prepared to compromise if you havedifferent ideas. This could help avoid disagreements later.Are you looking for a summer wedding in a marquee, arelaxed or contemporary barn wedding venue or a formaland elegant country house?

2. Civil ceremony or church wedding?Deciding what type of ceremony you would like will highlightthe area in which you should look for a wedding venue asyour wedding reception venue should ideally be within a20 - 25 minute radius of the church.

3. What’s your budget?Working out a budget early on will help you to shortlistpotential wedding venues. Wedding catering and alcoholnormally take up quite a large chunk of your budget soremember to include it in your calculations.

4. What’s best for guests?Don’t forget about guests travelling to your wedding. If youwant to avoid incurring expensive taxi charges and hotelbills for them or for you, look for a wedding venue close towhere the majority of your guests live.

5. How many guests?Get a rough idea of the number of guests before you startlooking for a wedding venue or be prepared to alter yourguest list. This could avoid the disappointment of choosinga beautiful wedding venue only to find out it is too big/smallto accommodate your guests.

6. Your wedding dateIf you’ve decided on a date for your wedding and it’s set instone, check the availability of that date before you visitpotential venues. Of course, if you’re flexible about the dayof the week, month, or even the year of your wedding you’llhave a much wider choice of venues.

7. Seek expert adviceBased on their training, expertise and experience, weddingplanners can help you choose the perfect venue. Share yourvision and requirements, ask for their advice and they willsearch for a venue that will make your wedding dreamscome true.

Weddings are joyous occasions. If you take the time to findthe ideal venue you can be sure that it will be perfect andmemorable.


Perhaps you recently got engaged and can’t wait to book your wedding venue – but do you really know what you’relooking for? Before you go dashing off to look at every venue in and around your area, here are some top tips youshould consider first.

Wedding reception at the Hyatt Regency:Concept and Design by MacFarlane Design Studios

Assess your spaceIf you plan to use your outdoor space, a turn of bad weatherwill force you to move everyone indoors. Will there beenough to set up chairs with a wide enough aisle? The generalrule is 6 -10 square feet of floor space per guest. If there isnot enough room for everyone, you'll have to trim the list.

Get helpYou may be too close to see the big picture but a weddingcoordinator can provide a fresh perspective on how toprepare the space. You will also need help with the basics:setting up, cooking, serving, parking cars and cleaning up.

Make a impressionEven if you’re not having a garden wedding, you’ll want youryard to be in peak form. Prep it yourself or hire a landscaperto give your lawn and garden a manicured look. Make surethat plants and flowers have enough time to get ready toshine on the big day.

Find the right officiantSome churches do not recognize weddings performed outside

of their premises. So give yourself enough time to find alicensed officiant who will do the honors.

Arrange guest accommodationUnless you're marrying in a mansion, the only people stayingat your home should be the homeowners and their immediatefamily (the bride or the groom, other siblings). Recommendor reserve rooms at a nearby hotel.

Install a generatorMost homes can't accommodate the extra power needed tolight a tent or feed a catering kitchen. At least 6 months inadvance, rent a generator to provide power for extraequipment.

Level the groundYou don't want chairs, tables and the dance floor on unevenground. Tent companies can ascertain if they need to installa foundation or lay a dance floor directly on the ground.Make sure that other vendors take steps to prevent the caketable, floral arrangements and musical equipments fromtipping over.

There’s nothing quite like an at-home wedding, but the odds are your childhood homestead isn't quite prepared for 150guests, 75 cars, 20 waiters, 15 tables, and 1 happy couple. Although it may be more work (and expense) than youanticipated, you won't regret saying your vows in the familiar and personal surroundings. It's all about being prepared.


Get party permitsAvoid any interruption to your wedding. Ask an electricianto inspect your system to be sure it can accommodate theincreased demands. Check if you need permission or permitsfor above-normal noise levels or additional street parking.

Provide Port-A-PottiesA general rule of thumb is – 1 bathroom for every 35 guestsand 3 bathroom trips each. Most household systems can'thandle that many flushes, plus guests will need a place towash their hands and do mirror checks. Rent portablebathrooms and keep the area well-lit. If available, choosethose that come with lighting, sinks, heated water, and evenair-conditioning. Just make sure that you supply the usualtoiletries.

Save on decorationsYou can save money using your home’s best features,furnishings and personal possessions as decorations. Differentcenterpieces and mix-and-match vases will add a homeyfeel. Home-grown flowers and creative do-it-yourself outdoorlighting will help create a stunning atmosphere.

Have a Plan BUnexpected weather can pose unique challenges. Plan forguests to be covered in the event of a sudden downpour. Ifyou cannot accommodate a tent for the ceremony, arrangeto have the ceremony at a house of worship in case of rain.

Remember to insert in each invitation, the alternate addressand contact number for guests to find out if the ceremonyhas moved. If a tent is your Plan B, make sure it has sidesto keep out driving rain. Stifling heat can pose equal problems.Ensure that chairs aren't in direct sunlight and there areplenty of shaded areas, cool drinks, and hand fans available.You could also bring in extra electric fans and portable airconditioners.

Inform your neighboursTell your neighbours about your wedding plans and ask ifthey'd offer their driveways for extra parking space. But don’tdepend on them completely. Make sure there's adequatestreet parking, or arrange for guests to park on nearby property(empty lot, school or church). You could offer a shuttle serviceif parking is too far from your home.

Verify insurance coverageYour home may take a bit of a beating from a wedding. Doesyour homeowner’s insurance cover third-party liability?Could you get a supplemental policy? Also, ask vendors ifthey have their own insurance policies. Having a weddingat home is a wonderful idea. Plan carefully and you'll havea treasure throve of memories to cherish.

Special thanks to Lindsay Landman of Lindsay Landman Events in New

York, and Richard Goldstein, president of Green Meadows Landscape

Contractors in Oakland, NJ.



1. Host an Open HouseWhen you start a banquet hall business, it is important to getpeople in the door. The best way to market your venue is byshowing it off. Choose a weeknight or a Sunday afternoon andhost an open house. Invite people to come tour your venue,sample your food and get more information on holding eventsat your banquet hall. If you decide on a week night, you caninclude a free dinner buffet to show off your food. Ona Sunday afternoon, it is best to go with appetizers. Either way,keep it casual, let people come in, look around, taste food,mingle and ask your staff questions.

2. Attend ExposFor the specific wedding target audience, attend bridal expos- hand out brochures, take samples of your food, have photoalbums on display to show off your venue to everyone whocomes to your booth. You can get a lot of leads and tours outof bridal expos. Even better, a lot of these leads can turn intoclients.

3. Use Direct MailThink about your ideal client and create a direct mailing piecegeared specifically towards them. If you want to target businessesand entice them to host their meetings at your banquet hall,then send them direct mail pieces. Don’t forget to include yourlunch menu options as well as the presentation equipmentthat businesses will find useful for meetings. If you plan totarget couples to host their weddings, then consider usingmodels and a professional photographer to stage photos ofweddings at your facility. Highlight features that will appealto couples - buffet and sit-down dinner options, wedding

decorations or custom decorating service and shuttle serviceto area hotels.

4. Partner UpThe event planning business is big so it is a good idea to partnerwith other professionals in your area to offer packaged deals.For example, you could partner with a photographer, a DJ oran event planner to offer couples an all-in-one wedding package.

5. Offer SpecialsThere are always times when business is slow in the banquethall business. It is a good marketing strategy to offer specialsduring those times. Offer a seasonal discount during the slowperiods - entice business meetings, fundraising events or schoolparties and concerts during the time when you get few requestfor weddings. Additionally, since not many people get marriedon weekdays, offer a wedding package discount on week-dayweddings year-round.

6. Start a BlogUse free marketing strategies such as a company blog. Givetips on how to plan a perfect wedding, how to hire aphotographer or a DJ, and how to choose centerpieces.

By giving away free information, you will establish yourself asan expert and build a trusted brand. When someone does havean event, they will want to put it in your hands, since you areso knowledgeable. Always include photographs of your venueon the blog. If you want your banquet hall to be the first venueprospective clients think of, begin implementing these ideas.You won’t be disappointed.

Banquet hall marketing is a little different than typical marketing. For starters, your target audience is tightly defined:couples looking to get married, businesses for meetings and groups that want to host fundraiser events, dances orbanquets. It is very important to include visuals because with banquet halls people will want to see what they aregetting. The better your marketing efforts are, the more tours and tastings you will be doing to showcase your venue.


Be preparedCharge your camcorder battery the night before the weddingand test your camcorder to make sure everything is in workingcondition. A backup battery is a good idea to ensure thatyou have enough power for the entire wedding ceremonyand reception. You should also bring at least one more tapethan you think you will need. It is better to have too muchvideo tape than not enough.

Arrive earlyFind out from the bride and groom when the church will beopen and try to arrive at least thirty minutes before guestsbegin filing in. If you are not familiar with church, use theextra time to reserve a seat for yourself at the back of thechurch where you can get a good view of everything.

Bring a tripodThe bride and groom, and your arms will thank you forbringing a tripod to the wedding with you. Weddings canbe long, and as your arm gets shaky your video will start toget shaky as well. If you do not have a tripod make sure tosource one well in advance of the wedding.

White balance your camcorderNothing is worse than shooting a great wedding video onlyto find out that the video is too dark or the bride’s dress isblue instead of white. White balance your camcorder beforethe wedding ceremony and the reception by zooming in ona white surface and pressing the white balance button onyour camcorder.

Capture memories at the receptionImportant parts of the wedding to record are the bride andgroom’s first dance, the toast, and the cutting of the weddingcake. When you arrive at the reception talk to the DJ orwedding planner about when each event is planned to occur.During the reception you may want to record special messages

from the guests to the couple as well as the decorations andgifts.

Edit the videoEditing a wedding video is generally pretty simple. Mostcouples simply want their entire ceremony un-cut so thatthey can look back and enjoy every planned and unplannedmoment. You could also create a music video of clips fromthe wedding and reception set to the couple’s favorite songas a wedding video special feature.

Videotaping a wedding and reception brings a whole newdimension and significance not only to the event but to thememory. And you will have the satisfaction of knowing thatyou helped to create that living memory for the couple.

When you plan to videotape a wedding for a friend, a little pre-planning can go a long way. Here are some tips forshooting wedding videos that will make it look like it was done by a professional photographer.

HOW TO WHITE BALANCE YOUR CAMCORDER

White balance your camcorder whenever you enter a newlighting situation. For instance if you walk inside your housefrom outside, or move from a dark room to a room filled withsunlight then you will want to white balance to ensure yourvideo is the best it can be. White balancing your camcorderis easy to do.

Here's How:1. Most camcorders will have a white balance button, or a

menu option for white balance. Read through yourcamcorders manual and determine where your camcorderswhite balance button is.

2. Next, find something in the room around you that is white.Most professional videographers will carry around a whitecard with them in their camera bag; if you do not have awhite card you can use a white wall or a white piece ofpaper. Anything that is totally white in the room will work.

3. Zoom your camcorder into the white so that is all you seein the viewfinder.

4. Press the white balance button.

hen his wife Indra fell ill beforea wedding cake decorating course,Narandradath Jaikaran steppedin. He was surprised to discover

that his engineering experience, which involvedtooling and a technical approach to machineryand construction, could be applied to makingfabulous wedding cakes. So, after 25 years asa Mechanical Engineer with a Bsc (UWI) andan MBA (UWI) and 5 years working inBarbados, he decided to retool himself to enterthe wedding cake business.

With property he bought from his wife’s uncle,a bakery proprietor with dreams of his own,they opened the doors to Classic Bakes Bakery2001, with much fanfare and rave reviewsfollowed. Not long after opening, the price ofprogress (the extension of the Solomon HochoyHighway to Golconda) dealt a devastatingblow, causing them to cut staff, conduct businessfrom a tent and eventually close the bakery atthe end of the year. While others may havecrumbled beneath the collapse of their dreams,this couple didn’t. They were disappointed,saddened and devastated, but the dream didn’tdie.

Mr. Jaikaran returned to engineeringconsultancy work, taking a permanent job intraining and development. However, in 2003he was back in business again with thereopening of the road and consequently bakery.With the burning desire to enter the weddingcake business and after completing some localtraining he was on his way. However, stillwanting to lift the bar he and his wife travelledto Canada to tap into the knowledge, expertiseand practices of a reputable Wilton teacher,and then to London where he enrolled for awedding cake course at the Squires KitchenInternational Bakery School with Chef Griffith.

Armed with this knowledge of the latesttechniques, wedding cake flavours, tools andmachinery, this bakery now offers cutting edgedesigns in wedding cakes and other intricatecelebrity cakes.

Mr. Jaikaran shared one of his most unusualand challenging cake stories: “I did a cake forone of the main casino companies. Theywanted the cake to look like the receptionentrance to the casino. It took 13 cakes tocomplete the masterpiece. I had to engineercakes standing vertically on edge as thereception wall and used woodwork and wooddowels to build a support structure. Yes thiswas challenging. I was at the Xmas party anddid not rest comfortably until late into thenight when the party was almost over.”

Despite the ongoing challenge of rising pricesfor ingredients, their greatest delight is making“home-made cakes”. Mr. Jaikaran is proud ofthe fact that their cakes are made from scratchwith no commercial mixes or chemical cocktailsand they are tastier, healthier and freshly made.He boasts that their currants roll is the realthing - no mixed fruits or raisins. They alsoenjoy making Italian breads with no addedsugar or butter, which is excellent for the health-conscious customer. In addition to their mainproduction centres, they keep expanding.

In addition to expanding with 5 other outletsin the south and hoping to take their productsto central and northern customers, Mr. Jaikaranis constantly improving his craft. Clients canenjoy the benefit of having an experiencedEngineer, now turned Wedding Cake Chef, whohas the most up-to-date international caketraining and is offering the best in weddingcakes, specially made with intricate designs forany occasion.

Address:#86 Cipero Road, Retrench, San Fernando• Tel: (868) 653-2032/302-8083/787-1697 • Email: [email protected]

Address:#86 Cipero Road, Retrench, San Fernando• Tel: (868) 653-2032/302-8083/787-1697 • Email: [email protected]

Public spaces. Depending on where you live and yourlifestyle, the front yard can be a busy place where childrenplay and people wave to neighbors from their front porch.Alternatively, they can be neutral buffer zones with littleactivity except the daily mail delivery, as the occupantsspend most of their time in the house or back yard. Eitherway, the front yard creates a first impression and shouldreflect the look and feel of the rest of the property.

Outdoor kitchen. An outdoor kitchen should be situatedso that diners are seated upwind from smoke and fumes,which you also don't want wafting toward the house. Gofor weather-resistant materials like concrete, stone, solidsurface and stainless steel for counters. Such amenities asa refrigerator, wine cooler, sink and gas-fired burners requireelectrical, gas and water hook-ups. However, a propane orcharcoal grill is simpler to maintain. Don’t forget cookingand prep areas, which benefit from task lighting.

Living and dining areas. Fire pits, outdoor eating areas,grills and seating are all top-rated outdoor living features,according to the American Society of Landscape Architects.Built-in wall benches and garden pots can be used for seatingas they are the ultimate weather-proof furniture. Just be sureto stow the cushions, even if they are made of weather-prooffabric. If you opt to bring your technology outdoors, wirelessInternet and stereo speakers are less hassle and maintenancethan hard-wired systems.

Recreation areas. If you have pets or children make roomfor them to run around and play. These areas should befenced to prevent unauthorized roaming and have at leastpartial shade. Play structures require a soft floor such asrecycled rubber-surfacing material or shredded bark mulch.Aquatic areas should be enclosed with a fence that has aself-closing, self-latching gate.


Nooks. "Hide and reveal" is an important concept in planningan interesting garden, says Pete Marsh, a landscape designerwith Buck & Sons in Columbus, Ohio. "You want to createspaces where you can't see everything all at once; you'reforced to travel through the garden landscape in order toexperience different spaces." A winding foot path might leadto an alcove hidden among bushes, where a perfect gardenbench awaits. Even if rarely used, such private spaces areoften garden favorites.

Service and work areas. Just as every house needs a storeroom for all those things you use but don’t want to see everyday, every yard needs a discreet but accessible spot to storegarbage bins, gardening equipment and landscaping materials.If the garage isn't an option, a locking shed offers protectionfrom the elements and thieves. A lattice corral or two can


Adding Interest to Outdoor SpacesJust as any good poker player would never let you see all theircards up front, the same should hold true for your landscapedesign. Pete Marsh, a landscape designer with Buck & Sonsin Columbus, Ohio, believes in the concept of "hide andreveal": “You want to create spaces where you can't seeeverything all at once; you're forced to travel through thegarden landscape in order to experience different spaces.”

easily hide a compost bin, trash cans or bags of mulch. Well-placed shrubs further camouflage these mundane storage areas.

Outdoor space is no longer, just outdoor space.With careful planning you can create and enjoy it as anadditional living space – a well designed and relaxingextension of your indoor living space.


Air ConditionerBoth central and room air conditionersare well known to suck energy in hightemperatures. The efficiency of a roomair conditioner is rated by an energyefficiency ratio (EER), and the higherthe number the more efficient the airconditioner is. Most modern retail airconditioners get a 10 EER rating, whereolder ones from the 1990’s rate closerto an EER of 7. You can usually findyour EER rating in your manual if youstill have it or on a sticker on the side.If those are long gone, you can searchthe manufacturer's site to find it.

Would maintenance accomplish thesame goal?

are covered, because uncovered foodsrelease moisture, which causes thecompressor to kick on more often.

WashersOlder washing machines have a top-load feature, but new models are muchmore efficient with their front-loadfeature, which uses around 50 percentless water and 37 percent less energy.

DryersEnergy Star doesn't rate dryers becausetheir efficiency has been about the sameacross the board for years and isdependent on the quality of the washingmachine cycle that happens before theclothes are put in the dryer. Wouldmaintenance accomplish the same goal?Regular dryer maintenance will keepyour dryer from breaking and heatclothes a little quicker, which can saveyou a little money. On top of cleaningthe lint trap after every load, vacuumthe area below the lint trap periodicallyas well. This can decrease the dry time,which will save you a few dollars everymonth.

Buying new appliances may seem theeasier option. However, don’t rush tobuy appliances without weighing thecost of upgrades.

Maintenance can help an older airconditioner, but it won't keep the energyusage numbers as low as a modern one.However, replacing filters, cleaningcoils, and managing ducts will all helpto decrease your bill.

DishwashersModern Energy Star dishwashers use anaverage of 5.8 gallons of water per cycle,while older ones can use as much as10 gallons per cycle. The newerdishwashers are also a bit quieter andclean better.

Water HeatersYour water heater can amount to 14-25percent of the appliance energyconsumed in your home. Naturally,newer models are much more efficient.Would maintenance accomplish thesame goal?

Unless you completely change the typeof water heater you're using, yes. Youcan increase efficiency on an older waterheater by insulating the outside of thetank. If you have a gas water heater, youshould also drain a gallon from the valveon the bottom once a month to removesediment.

RefrigeratorsRefrigerators have seen big efficiencybumps since 2000 and the standardrefrigerator now uses 40-60 percent lessenergy than models sold before then.With that said, refrigerators with thefreezer on the top are more efficientthan side-by-side models.

Would maintenance accomplish thesame goal? No. The best you can do isensure that your current refrigerator iskept between 37 and 40 degrees. Youcan also make sure all foods and liquids


Most appliances have made a lot ofenergy-saving leaps over the years, soyou're in the right to consider replacingsome of them. In fact, some smallerappliances, like old vacuum cleaners,are less efficient and put more dustinto the air than new ones. It'sestimated that on average, appliancesaccount for 13 percent of yourhousehold's energy cost, so cutting theenergy usage will often save you moneyin the long run. With that in mind, let'stake a look at some of the commonhousehold appliances that might beshowing their age, and whether or notyou may benefit from an upgrade orsimply a little maintenance.


ecorating the Christmas tree is so much more thanpulling last year’s decorations from the store room.It’s about creating a unique style that you andyour family will celebrate throughout the season.

Any personal style can be made festive and joyous. Evenwith space constraints, you can be inspired by thesedecorating ideas and energize your space!

ModernRed and green will always be the signature colors of theseason, but it’s okay to experiment with a new palette.Welcome royal purple and red for instance. Yes, they workwell together. Add a little gold or silver shimmer and you’vegot the Christmas spirit. The colour palettes for this seasonare versatile and exciting, from ruby red to bright fuchsiaand aubergine. Step out of your comfort zone and experiment.

WhimsicalFor a playful approach, call on the kids to trim the tree.Afraid it might get a little over-the-top? Simply encouragethem to focus on one theme - like a safari - and then letthem go wild. A trip to the toy store for small animal toysis all it takes. What about those baby shoes, long outgrown?Sentimental keepsakes are perfect as Christmas treedecorations. Just add small glass balls and ribbon to anythingfrom a photo in a small frame to baby’s first spoon.

SophisticatedSmall space dwellers can have just as much creativity whendecorating a mini tree. Focus on a palette that’s rich andunpredictable like gold, royal blue, and yellow. Use silkflowers instead of traditional Christmas balls with gold andsilver ribbon made into bows in between.

ElegantIf you’ve committed to sticking with a metallic, then it isimportant to make it really shine. In addition to the typicalsilver balls and bells, work in unexpected charmers, funshapes, and unusual objects. Decorate your Christmas lunchtable with a large glass punch bowl filled with Christmas balls.Who needs a Yule log? We like to change drapery and curtainsfor Christmas, but just change the throw pillows on your sofafor ones in a coordinated Christmas fabric, just for the season.You will be surprised how different the space will seem.

TraditionalAdd some coloured bulbs and ribbon to Grandma’s vintageornaments to make them really special. Start a new traditionby purchasing a Christmas ornament every time you travel.Your tree will be full of fond memories that will stimulate“remember when” stories and conversation and they alsocan also be passed down to your children.

As we pull ornaments out each year, memories of the pastand hopes for the future come with them. They herald in theholidays and help us to celebrate old traditions and startnew ones. If you need ideas for redecorating your home,look no further for inspiration and advice, clever design tipsand ideas. Join “New Vibes Past Treasures” on Facebook orvisit our showroom and have a chat with our interior designersand furniture specialists at 31 Carlos St. Woodbrook.

By Candice Roberts,New Vibes Past TreasuresFurniture & Accessories

Companies are diverse communities of cultures and religiousbeliefs. Sondra Thiederman, PhD. workplace diversityconsultant, author of Making Diversity Work and founder ofCross-Cultural Communications offers these tips to help youavoid leaving anyone out in the cold at a holiday party.

• Include a welcome statement: Encourage the CEO,President or Regional Manager - whoever's hosting thebash - to recognize the company’s diversity from themicrophone. In giving the welcome speech, the hostshould acknowledge the company’s diversity and sounda celebratory note for how it engenders togetherness.

• Keep decor non-specific: Sorry, Santa, it’s a “holiday

party” now. But that doesn't mean it has to be somber. Deckthe halls with neutral symbols such as flowers, balloons,candles and snowflakes. Don't try to do the Christmas treeand the menorah and symbols from every culture.

• Accommodate diverse palates: Got tofu? It's not as

flaky as carnivores may think. Vegetarian choices are asafe and yummy way to accommodate diverse dietaryneeds and beliefs. “The respectful way to hold a banquetis to offer vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices,” saysThiederman.

• Appeal to everyone with golden oldies: Tunes can betough, as individuals within families (let alone companiesand cultures) can have vastly different tastes. Anythingtoo genre or culture-specific may strike a sour note. Tomake everyone happy, Thiederman suggests going backin time. “Try historical music, the big bands and soundsof the 40’s. It’s less of a hot button than if you play rap,and have no Christmas carols.”


Holiday Party-Planning Tips Quick tip: Don't mix religion with business celebrations“Holiday-time diversity used to mean just adding a Hanukkahmenorah to the decorations,” says Michael Hyter, presidentand CEO of diversity and inclusion consultant Novations/J. Howard & Associates. “Employers must be sensitive to thereligious beliefs of their employees and create more flexiblecelebrations to include all of them.”

He offers these tips:

• Avoid Secret Santa and anonymous employee giftexchanges. An innocent stocking stuffer could inadvertentlycause discomfort or offense (e.g., a Muslim receiving aChristmas angel).

• Don’t focus just on Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

These can conflict with Ramadan or Divali. • Alcohol can make some Christians and non-Christians

uncomfortable. Offer alternatives. • Get wide input from your employees on holiday planning.

Ask as many groups as possible. • Allow employees to opt out of company holiday events

without penalty or negative connotation. • Let non-Christian employees offer company-sanctioned

alternatives, but don't make them mandatory.

Does your company employ staff from diverse backgrounds,customs and beliefs? Make sure that in the season of peaceand goodwill to all, you do not insult, embarrass or alienateanyone at corporate Christmas functions.

By Heidi LaFleche, Monster Contributing Writer

My Place Your Space Venues with Amenities GuideFunction Room Names & Function Types

La Chateau Restaurant• Restaurant occupancy 50 persons• Private dinners• Roof-top available for outdoor & private dining• Indoor and outdoor wedding 100 persons• Sea bathing, hikes, & turtle watching

Drew Manor can accommodate the following:• 350 persons seated• 650-750 cocktail• 1200 standingMaximum number of persons may vary basedon event space used and layout

• Meeting and retreat events are hosted in the fully air conditioned Samaan Room• Sporting facilities: field and tennis court

Spaces Available at Trinity College Limited:• Classrooms, Computer Labs, Meeting Rooms,

Café, Conference Rooms, Football Field, TennisCourt, Courtyard and Auditorium

CLR James Auditorium• Cultural shows, Plays & Concerts

Uriah Butler Wing• Workshop, Meetings and Banquets

Cola Renzi Wing• Workshop, and Meetings

Grounds• Family days, Sporting events

The Centre• Upgraded stairways, and bathroom facilities• All seating arrangements can be accommodated• Dinners 200-300 persons• Cultural shows, Parang competitions, Product launch, Cocktail, Receptions, Carinval fetes 2000 persons

• Corporate Functions/ Parties, Dinners, Weddings, Media Launch, Car Shows and Dragon Boat

Duncan Campbell Meeting RoomLeon Agostini Conference Hall• Corporate Functions, Parties, Weddings, Business/Board Meetings, Product Launches, Cocktail Receptions and more

BHF Ltd Bedding CampaignEmbrace your style and express it! We’ll helpyou find the look that you want to come hometo. Come, explore your style, your taste andexpress who you are with us. Online only -Website coming soon!

• Safe car parking• Child care services• Picnic baskets can be provided for hikes and picnics.• Internet service available

• Secured parking - 300 cars• Luxury trail six seater golf cart• Wheel chair access ramps• Emergency lighting• Fire alarm systems

• Secured compound and well maintained, outfitted with modern furniture, and technologically up to date equipment.• Rentals are available: Over-head projectors, whiteboard, & technical support

• All rooms are private• Table and chairs• Secure parking

• Secured parking• Table and chairs• Table cloths are provided with each function.

• Table and chairs available• Car parking• Bathroom attendants

• 10% discount for all Chamber Members• Tables and chairs inclusive of rental• Catering services available• Audio visual available• Secured parking• Available weekdays and weekends

• Quality Bed Linen Collections as well as BathLuxury Linens can be found, available forpurchase, in our Cozy Bath Luxury Album andAccessories. Can be found in the Light’em UpAlbum.

Venues Names, Address & Contact Info Amenities Offered


LE GRANDE ALAMANDIER #2, Hosang Street, Grand Riviera, Toco E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 670-1013/670-2299

DREW MANOROffice: 1-868-676-2083Email: [email protected]: www.drewmanor.comFacebook: Drew Manor TrinidadVideo: https://vimeo/com/65682048

TRINITY COLLEGE LIMITED1 College Avenue, Trincity Central Road,TrincityPhone: 640-8685 ext 1812Email: [email protected]

CIPRIANI COLLEGE OF LABOURAND CO-OPERATIVE STUDIESChurchill Roosevelt Highway, ValsaynPhone: 662-5014

PORT OF SPAIN LIONS CIVIC CULTURALCENTREWrightson Road, Port of SpainPhone: 627-7627

ANCHORAGE BEACH CLUBWestern Main Road, ChaguaramasE-mail: [email protected]: 634-4334

THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CHAMBEROF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCEColumbus Circle, WestmooringsContact: Mr. Eustace PierreEmail: [email protected]: 637-6966

www.facebook.com/BeddingCampaignCall: 498-4153

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