Good business

So, last night at the CVB Travel Council meeting, PP Director of Events Jennifer Goldman announced a darn cool corporate meeting promotion that has some serious pay it forward oomph behind it.

Here's the thing about the all of the brouhaha surrounding the recent corporate meeting scandals you've heard so much about over the past few months. WRETCHED EXCESS, anyone? Clearly, a company that's giving its highrollers beluga caviar, private jets and two-hour massages whilst they rob hardworking people of their 401Ks is not just criminal. It's bad manners, bad business, bad karma and serves no larger purpose.

At the same time, when it comes to GOOD business, nothing takes the place of face-to-face meetings. (And this is coming from me, who loves the social media.) Whether it’s a social, public or educational event, a team-building dinner or strategic planning session, it's important, now more than ever, to bring people together. (Remember, my cafeteria-style strategic planning weekend?)

So, with all of that in mind, here's what we're doing. From now until the end of 2009, Patrick Properties Events will donate 10% of any corporate venue rental fee to the non-profit (501c3) of your choice. That means having your event with us can actually help you pay it forward.

Let's talk reality. What can 10% do?

· Provide a healthy breakfast for 45 people at Crisis Ministries
· Vaccinations for meningitis, measles or polio for 50 people
· Training and employment services to help a homeless person find a job through Crisis Ministries
· Medical training kit containing basic drugs, supplies and equipment to treat 1,500 patients for three months for Doctors Without Borders

If you're thinking of planning a corporate event, you should give us a buzz. Charlotte McDowell and Jessica Kafer, our Sales Managers, are amazing and funny, too. Just call 843.853.1810.

Tuesday Museday

1. Last night, I responsibly enjoyed some Hendrick's gin with Andra Watkins of Positus Consulting. How much do love the packaging? A vintage apothecary bottle? Genius. P.S. Andra is smart and hilarious. If your business needs some new energy, you should call her.

2. Just returned from the Charleston CVB Travel Council Meeting at The American Theater Ballroom. (Yes, a short commute for me.) You can call it a hospitality industry pow wow. There was wine.

3. Funny moment from aforementioned meeting: Andy Rankin's rallying cry for everyone to use packages (accommodations, excursions and otherwise) to attract visitors. He used a package he found online called: THE PUTT & PAMPER (golf & other luxuries). It just might be my new favorite phrase.

4. Thanks to PP Event Manager Rachel Sneed and ALL of you who got haircuts for Salon Couture's Cut-A-Thon. In all, $1200 was raised for Crisis Ministries!

5. General observation: if you live in Charleston long enough, you will find that there are really only two degrees of separation.

Eggs, turnips & more!

Egg salad and deviled eggs? Does that pretty much cover the "what to make with 18 colored, hardboiled eggs" discussion?

Spent lots of time outside this weekend, in the yard, with friends, walking, playing. Much needed. Got to taste some wonderful local produce too, thanks to friends who have a share in Ambrose Farms' CSA. Here's what was on the menu: scalloped turnips, sauteed turnip greens (olive oil and garlic) and fresh strawberries over what may have been the best pound cake ever. Yes, I have wonderful friends.

On Saturday, my partner in crime made her inaugural visit of the season to the Farmer's Market in Marion Square. She scored some grapes, roasted beet and goat cheese ravioli and a gyro. Yay, Spring!

PP Event Manager Rachel Sneed spent her day off getting her hair cut as part of neighbor Salon Couture's Cut-A-Thon. All proceeds from today's business go to Crisis Ministries.

By the by, in case you didn't see it, please peruse Bill Thompson's fine piece on PP Managing Partner Randall Goldman. It's definitely the most incisive piece I've read about Randall. (Well, except for my tell-all expose, but that's a few years down the line.)

Just a reminder for Thursday's Upper King Design Walk. Remember, Lesesne has the new line from Sideshow Press! Oh, and I'll be there too. See? Bonuses all around.

A Truly Good Friday

If you're torn about whether you should go out tonight, rest assured. What better way to spend Good Friday than with Episcopalian-Priest-by-day-DJ-by-night, JAZ?

JAZ, AKA John Zahl, is Fish's Friday night DJ. And, hanging out with John when he's spinning is a nearly, well, a religious experience. That's because JAZ is passionate about what he does. He LOVES music, LOVES vinyl (it's a sensory experience, kids), LOVES interesting people. And to top it all off, he's sincerely one of the kindest, warmest people I've ever met.

More interesting tidbits: He graduated from Kenyon College in 2000 with a degree in philosophy and went on to Oxford for his Master's in Divinity in 2008. He also has a direct connection in the Charleston fashion scene. His wife, Deirdre is Creative Director at Mary Norton. See? Small world.

I have to say, I think of John in the same way that I think about a Bruce Springsteen concert. When asked about his performances, Bruce said something like, "If I get people off their butts to sing and dance, their spirits will naturally follow." A Bruce show is part opera, part comedy, part political rally and part spiritual revival. Hanging out with JAZ, well, you'll just need to follow the music and the man and see where it takes you. JAZ spins every Friday at Fish, from 10 pm until 2 pm.

These are a few of my favorite things

Super cool paper products, friends, babies, sweets and champagne. And whiskers on kittens. (Ok, not really.) But guess what? They were all in ONE place last night: Lesesne, for Sideshow Press' launch of their latest and greatest. It was a fabulous turnout and got to have a few moments with some great folks...like Annie Byrd Hamnett, Kristin Newman, Tina Garrett and Gus Serrano just to name a few.

Chatted with designer Amy Pastre about the beautiful work on display last night. Turns out the ladies of Sideshow Press use some vintage plates along with their vintage printer. Amy said they find many of their plates at antique stores and even better, they often get them really reasonably because most people don't realize what or how valuable they are.

As much as I love you, Internet, I have to admit there is something awfully appealing about paper that's been cranked through a letterpress by hand. What can I say? I'm a writer, after all, and have a love for the full sensory experience that is a book. There, I said it.

By the by, it's shaping up to be a really busy month around these parts. On Tuesday, The American Theater will host the CVB Travel Council Meeting. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served as Travel Council Investors and industry experts take their time getting to know our fabulous new ballroom.

On Thursday, our neighbors at uber kitchen design boutique SieMatic will celebrate their Grand Opening. The Mayor himself will be on-hand to cut the ribbon and welcome guests. Woohoo, photo opp! And, it’s also the night of the Upper King Design Walk. AND, at the same time, The William Aiken House will be hosting 200 people for the Family Circle Cup V.I.P. party! The next day, the Family Circle Cup folks move the party to Lowndes Grove. And finally, near the end of the month Mitchell Crosby of JMC Charleston and Southern Accents descend upon The William Aiken House for a fun-filled holiday party photo shoot. I'm officially tired. Must lie down.

Oh, and one last thing. Should you be a fan of Fish's $10 moo shu lunch, I am officially putting out the call for entries. Comment with your best moo shu haiku. That's 5, 7, 5, people. Give me your haiku, and I will proudly display it here on the PP blog and make you the star I know you are. Thanks!

Family-style hospitality

Check out a few scenes from today's PP Family Lunch. All PP Managers were asked to either prepare a dish to share or bring in non-perishable food items. We set up all the food as a buffet, loaded up plates and sat at one long table to eat, laugh and just have a few moments together. The lunch was delicious...and varied! Some of my personal favorites were:

Evan's lentils

Courtney Jo's broccoli casserole

Charron's penne with the best cream sauce of MY LIFE

I'll be honest: most days, we here at PP HQ eat at our desks. So, a group-get-together-sit-down-laugh-and-chat-experience is so much fun. You know me, I'm all about bringing people together over a good meal. And that's exactly what this was. After lunch, we gave the non-perishable items to our friends at Crisis Ministries.

Buffet style. Cram a plate with every tasty morsel you can find, sit with friends and eat well until you feel like you might pop.

Seriously, this was a spread that rivalled any major holiday spread. We come to eat.

I think you could safely say that we at PP HQ fancy a sweet morsel now and again. This is Pastry Chef Susie Ieronemo's banana, chocolate pie in mid-attack. We show no mercy.

Finally, if you're out and about tonight, stop by Lesesne between 5 and 9 pm for the debut of Sideshow Press' new line. Free champagne and desserts courtesy of Fish.

Ah, Spring...

In my bones, I know it's Spring, even if the weather this morning tried to tell me otherwise. Take a look at the scene outside the Patricks North Carolina mountain house! Reminds me of Easter snowstorms when I was a child. You know, shivering in your thin dress and white tights while the snow piled up? Memories.

In celebration of Spring (fluctuating temperatures aside), take a look at the list of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms put together by our friends at Lowcountry Local First. CSAs are a great way to support our local farmers AND keep yourself stocked up with the season's freshest produce available.

Other cool bits I ran across today:

Not only did Green Olive Media go to the original Ninfa's on their recent trip to Houston, Texas, they also introduced me to artist Amy Evans. The title to one of her paintings?
I Have Given Up Trying to Be A Gracious Lady. I’m Going Back To Raising Mandrills. ~Flannery O’Connor

The supercool wedding blog, StyleMePretty, ran a stunning real wedding story that featured a same sex couple. Nicely done on the heels of Iowa and Vermont.

Great philosophy no matter what the economy: neighbors over at HOOK do not mark up production costs on any outside services. Oh and they produce some of the most innovative and spot-on creative around. Check out the sweet environmental campaign they put together for sneaker boutique Suite Sole.

And finally today, thanks to the City Paper who mentioned Fish as a favorite outdoor dining spot. Hey, it's Spring. Join us on the patio or the piazza. (Bring a scarf just in case.)