By Barbara Ellington, Senior GleanerKPMG goes
CARICOM
IT'S THE time of year when the social butterflies are glad they capitalised on the sales to pack their closets with party threads. In case you missed out, catch the last few items on the racks in your favourite department stores up north this weekend, yes Thanksgiving sale. It's certainly not about turkey and stuffing for most!
So, that said, if you survived last week's busy round of parties, sleep in today and get ready to rumble on till
December 31.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to all concerned on the launch of KPMG CARICOM at Mona Visitor's Lodge on November 16. One got a sense of business with some subtle undercurrents of pleasure immediately upon entering what has now become the city's best place to have an event. (It's quite expensive too, we hear).
Guests were greeted by a team of ladies and one very happy male usher. Their black ensemble added drama to the night. But just when you think there's no other imaginable creative way to decorate the venue, you are pleasantly
surprised.
Just picture bars bearing the KPMG logo, tropical material such as flowers and bamboo lamps, canopies for food
stations made of bamboo and covered with yards of sheer chiffon; then move over to the outlying areas to find coffee tents topped with silver canopies and accentuated with blue grapes.
CENTREPIECES
I could continue but had to take a seat to gaze at the pillar candles and hurricane lampshades that were used as centrepieces. It was just the right setting for the 'suits' , some of whom showed up looking rather like men gathered for a session with Don Corleone, rather than ready to celebrate an important milestone.
Anna Kay Lazarus' grill station included the most tender and succulent roast beef ever, while Celeste Rich seduced all with her seafood and many were tempted to touch and taste the Indian cuisine from Passage to India. Le Bon Bakery
provided the sweet delights.
Rex can now open any door in town
A few minutes down the road, the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), led by Mayor Desmond McKenzie, gathered at the Knutsford Court Hotel to present the key to the city of Kingston to Professor Rex Nettleford. The presentation took the form of a civic awards ceremony which also included presentations of gold and silver medals to past mayors and town clerks, respectively.
In July of this year, Professor Nettleford came to the end of his tenure as Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies and the council used the opportunity to thak him for his years of dedicated service, particularly to local government reform.
Mayor McKenzie said. "You are a cultural icon and a friend who is always willing to assist in the development of local government authorities; the KSAC is proud of its association with you."
Professor Nettleford, in expressing his happiness for the honour said, "This city is still tenanted by a whole heap of country people of which I am one, but I am no less grateful to be allowed in even at this late stage, through the front door."
Colleen Yapp, Ryan Peralto and Emerson Barrett received gold medals of the city and in a rib-tickling reply, the latter said he was proud to have a mayor who is recognising the work and service of past mayors.
Here and there
* And in Coopers Hill, the Emmy winner continued to be feted, this time by politicians and a small group of colleagues and friends.
* The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), has a versatile head; she led the singing of hymns, sankeys and choruses at a recent nine-night. She also had the right moves. You go, girl!
* Congratulations and champagne wishes to eminent attorney, Churchill Neita, who will celebrate his birthday November 23. He looks great, works hard and I hope his favourite girl will pop out of his cake (just as long as she's the wife). Cheers, great health and long life to you.
* Congratulations also to all the wild Scorpio ladies who celebrate birthdays this month. Especially, Ambassador Madge Barrett, who enjoyed her special day with friends and family at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, midweek. Festivities began at lunch and then the real action moved to a 16th floor suite in the evening, where it was toasts, cake, food and drink but best of all the kinds of jokes that prove that some of us can still blush. Names have been deliberately withheld to protect impeccable reputations.
* Sir Bill Morris will be the toast of London next week when a host of friends, colleagues and others will help him celebrate the 50th anniversary of his arrival in London.
Beaujolais
Nouveau arrives
What better way for Le Beaujolais Nouveau 2004 to arrive for its unveiling than under armed guards and handcuffed to the wrist of a courier, Pierre La Maire, head of the Alliance Française?
That was the case on Thursday night at Chez Maria on Hillcrest Avenue in Kingston. The wine is released to the world on the third Thursday of November every year. This year, the wine is silky, elegant and fruity, and unlike other red wines, must be served chilled.
The second bottle was presented to French Ambassador Francis Hertut who encouraged the audience to enjoy every drop.
