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Carver Communications - Index

Carver Communications - 4.15.08 - Index

When people ask me how to throw
a successful party, I share my tried and
true formula as NIOSA chairman: be sure
you satisfy and delight the five senses.
Here are the tricks I use, whether I am
hosting a party for 10 couples in my backyard,
running a NIOSITA (a private
NIOSA) throughout the year for groups of
100 or more, or throwing “A Night In Old
San Antonio” (NIOSA)--that party of all
parties each year for 100,000 of my closest
friends!
Let’s start with TASTE, where a
few adages apply:
Feature time-honored favorites:
When we host NIOSITAs for groups—no
matter if our guests are from San Antonio;
Paris, Texas; or Paris, France—we always
serve items we know are crowd pleasers,
such as Maria’s Tortillas, Anticuchos and
Gorditas. Ending up with a chocolate
dessert is always a good idea.
Throw in something new: Trying a
new dish or two uses your creative side
By Christine Turner
San Antonio Conservation Society Vice President,
Chairman of NIOSA / NIOSITAs
How to Give A Great Party,
NIOSA-style
and you can always have the favorites to
fall back on. At NIOSA, we try new dishes
every year, such as the new healthy Yo
Soy Taco (crispy tacos with flavored soy)
we will add this year in our South of the
Border area.
Think of your
audience: Hosting a
NIOSITA, we always poll
the director of the groups
to ask about food or cultural
“sensitivities.” This
may seem unnecessary
for a dinner party or outdoor
BBQ, but it certainly
applies…even if you
just check on allergies.
Nothing will ruin a party
mood faster than a guest
who has a negative reaction
to a dish and breaks
out in hives. And with emails, it is so easy
to poll your guests. At NIOSA, we post
signs if something has seafood in it, such
April 15, 2008 REAL ESTATE NEWSLINE 11
as our new “Chelada” beer drink in the
Arneson Theatre area which has beer,
Bloody Mary mix and clam juice.
As for the SIGHT sense, think
“location…location…location.” You
know that adage better than anyone…but
it also applies to parties. For us, we throw
NIOSA and NIOSITAs in the charming
plazas and patios of La Villita. For you,
turn your home or office into a charming
vista with creative uses of lighting, flowers,
candles and even re-arranging furniture.
Think of it as just another way to
“stage” a house…but this time it’s staging
it to create a festive atmosphere other than
its usual function. And if your party is
held outdoors, hang paper banners. They
flutter in the least amount of breeze, and
will make all your guests instantly feel
cooler!
You know how a certain
song can instantly invoke a certain
mood or memory? To satisfy
our NIOSA and NIOSITA
guests’ sense of HEARING,
we go for the mood of excitement
every time with a live
country band or mariachis.
Your budget may not allow for
live entertainment, but—at the
least—give your CD play list
some special consideration by
buying or borrowing some new
CDs. Since you will be busy as
host, ask someone to monitor
and change CDs throughout the
night.
At NIOSITAs, we modify the actual
sense of TOUCH with a touch of class,
giving a “truly Texan” memento to each
guest to remind them of their event. For
your private party, this could be a flower,
a small plant, a candle, a locally-made
praline….anything. The price isn’t the
important point here; it is the thought!
For most of us, nothing gets our
mouth watering more than a barbecue pit
smoking away with some wonderful dish
on the grill. Consider captivating your
guests’ sense of SMELL with anything on
the grill if an outdoor area is an option—
even if just an appetizer. Other smelly
techniques, in the best sense of the word:
onions and garlic (fried up earlier in the
day so as not to be too strong) cloves and
cinnamon sticks simmering on the stove if
fall season; scented candles throughout
the living rooms, etc.
NIOSA volunteers possess a sixth
sense—and no, we aren’t talking ESP. For
those of us who volunteer year round to
make NIOSA and NIOSITAs happen, it is
our DEDICATION to the San Antonio
Conservation Society—the organization
that runs and benefits from all proceeds
from NIOSA/NIOSITAs. For you—be it
a party at your home or your business—
this sixth “sense” that drives you to entertain
will give your party that panache that
is immeasurable.
Now—to practice what I preach—
here is my gift to you: our famous recipe
for Anticuchos, one of NIOSA’s most popular
dishes. Just email me at
niosa@niosa.org and it is yours!
Hope to see you at NIOSA!!