Jester Pub Night - a monster finish to the Care 4 Kids Charity Drive 2001

The Jesters Pub Night was held in Shenanigans Pattaya last weekend. This was the final event in the Care for Kids charity, in aid of the Fountain of Life Centre run by Sister Joan and Sister Jemjit, and early in the evening there were fears that attendance was going to be down. Those fears were found to be unfounded, as by 11 p.m. it was difficult to move in Shenanigans, as Pattaya thronged in to enjoy a Pub Night which was doing good for the underprivileged kids in the community.

Trevor Allen presents a 100,000 baht cheque on behalf of platinum sponsor Shenanigans to Jesters Care 4 Kids Charity chairman Woody Underwood.

Before the festivities commenced there was a moment of silence for Russ, a Jester who died from cancer the previous weekend. A moving tribute which included a prayer from Sister Joan, during which she made an ecumenical address, weaving Buddhism and Christianity together and explaining the joint significance and similarity.

“Cricket bat! Anybody lose a cricket bat?” Shenanigans landlord Kim Fletcher auctions off a priceless autographed cricket bat.

MC of the evening, Lewis “Woody” Underwood, then picked up the pace and introduced the first auction item of the evening. With guest auctioneer Graham Macdonald expounding the virtues of his “slaves for a night” (well, early evening if nothing else), half a dozen of the Pattaya Panthers and Panties were auctioned off, with most female slaves being sold for around 4,000 baht each. It was noted that the bidding was more spirited for the girls, rather than the boys! This auction raised 23,100 baht for the charity night.

All through the evening, the hard working Jesters crew were going around selling and collecting raffle tickets, while the equally as hard working Shenanigans crew went around liberally dispensing libations and keeping the cheerful atmosphere going full steam.

Alice Poulsen models the highly sought after, logo-emblazoned leather jacket, which fetched a bundle of money for the cause.

Other auctions followed, with auctioneers Mike Franklin and Kim Fletcher flogging everything other than a dead horse. Autographed cricket bats, F1 race car models, autographed cricket shirts worn by some famous cricketers, golf club memberships, golf clubs, a leather commemorative jacket with all the platinum sponsors logos on it, a Jesters crest carved in teak (which was knocked down to Niel Poulsen, whose wife Alice said she was going to kill him for bidding on stuff they’d never use) - all for a good cause.

Musical entertainment was kept up in the auction breaks, with Declan, the Shenanigans house band and Rick, Harpic (loved the boots, darling), Jill and Pop, and flow keeping the crowd entertained and on the dance floor. Susie Ngamsuwan was again the queen of dirty dancing, with the Pattaya Mail’s Dr. Iain as her consort.

(L to R) Kannikar and Ib Ottesen, Graeme Moore and his wife Samantha, Mio Aamlid, Ploy and Rene Pisters, Jan Olav Aamlid and La Montgomery at the birthday table set up to celebrate the anniversary of Graeme’s birth.

Around 11.30 p.m. the raffle prizes were drawn, with the major prize of two return tickets to Sydney on Qantas/BA being won by Derek Reaper.

In the middle of all the fun and games, Graeme Moore was celebrating his birthday with wife Samantha, Mio and Jan Olav Aamlid and Ib and Kannikar Ottesen, and Ploy and Rene Pisters. Graeme was surprised so many people had turned up at Shenanigans for his birthday, but then joined in the festivities when he realised they were not all there for his birthday bash. Also celebrating a birthday was Jason from Odyssey International, with girlfriends and Ron Keeley. They too became part of the Jesters Pub Night, a night that turned into the usual packed frenzy.

(Background L to R) Shenanigans landlord Kim Fletcher, Niel Poulsen from platinum sponsor Chonburi Siam Steel Mill Services, Clive Pearce and Ian Harrington revelling in the spirit(s) of the night.

At the time of writing, the grand total for the combined charity drive was not available, but is thought to be over 2.5 million baht. A fantastic amount, raised through the hard work of the organising committee and the generosity of the people in Pattaya. As his parting note Woody was heard to say, “I’ve started planning next year’s!” That’s true charity spirit!

Pub Night Raffle Prize Winners

NOTE: Prize winners who were not present during the raffle should go to Shenanigans and see Kim to pick up their winnings.

Derek Reaper, ticket #02471 won flight tickets Sydney return for 2 sponsored by BA/Qantas Airlines.

Bob Benton, ticket #06552 won flight ticket Vienna return for 1 sponsored by Lauda Airline.

Jim Jones, ticket #08449 won tickets to Koh Samui flight/hotel package for 2 sponsored by DTC Travel.

Mark Betteridge, ticket #06344 won 1 year fitness membership sponsored by Royal Garden Spa & Fitness Club.

Randy Goldfinger won 4 nights, 5 days in a suite (~ $1000) at the Marriott Hotel in Mumbai, India through Darren Rose.

Anja Beyer, ticket #05034 won free Carvery once a week for a year sponsored by Shenanigan’s.

Alan Jacks, ticket #07735 won 1 TV & DVD sponsored by JCD Committee.

Dee, ticket #00426 won tiger skin carpet sponsored by Himalayan Textiles.

Iwar and Dieppe, ticket #00777 won a giant bottle of Johnnie Walker sponsored by Niel Poulsen.

Numerous combined package prizes from hotels, restaurants and bars were also raffled off. Following is a listing of who won and what the packages contain:

Tom Blair, ticket #01153 won package #1: one pair of gold and sapphire earrings worth 7000 baht sponsored by Thai Bijoux Jewelry; dinner for 2 persons sponsored by Casa Pascal; and Pattaya Mail Newspaper subscription for 1 year sponsored by Pattaya Mail.

Scar’s Professor, ticket #06707 won package #2: dinner for 4 persons sponsored by Bruno’s; dinner for 2 persons sponsored by Scandinavia Bar and Restaurant; 3,600 baht voucher for scuba lessons sponsored by Seafari Diving; and Pattaya Mail Newspaper subscription for 1 year sponsored by Pattaya Mail.

Ray Isden, ticket #06782 won package #3: dinner for 2 persons sponsored by Paradise Road; voucher for a diving course sponsored by Mermaids Diving; voucher worth 1000 baht sponsored by Icon; voucher for dinner for 2 persons sponsored by Captain’s Corner; Pattaya Mail Newspaper subscription for 1 year sponsored by Pattaya Mail; and a surprise gift sponsored by Dulwich International School.

Sarah Beck, ticket #05462 won package #4: dinner for 4 persons sponsored by Chan’s Bistro; diving course sponsored by Aquanauts Diving; dinner for 2 persons sponsored by Pan-Pan Restaurant; custom made clothing sponsored by Classic Tailor; and a surprise gift sponsored by Dulwich International School.

No name, ticket #04003 won package #5: dinner for 4 persons sponsored by Royal India; 1 voucher for 1 manicure and 1 pedicure sponsored by Estee Beauty Salon; dinner for 2 persons sponsored by Captain’s Corner; dinner for 4 persons sponsored by Duilio’s; and custom made clothing sponsored by Classic Tailor.

Susanne Olson, ticket #05033 won package #6: 1000 baht voucher sponsored by Cafe Kronborg; dinner for 2 persons sponsored by Patrick’s Belgian Restaurant; dinner for 2 persons sponsored by Casa Pascal; voucher for 2 hours of free tattooing sponsored by Golden Dragon; and Pattaya Mail Newspaper subscription for 1 year sponsored by Pattaya Mail.

Kawinida Yuye, ticket #01145 won package #7: dinner for 4 persons sponsored by Duilio’s; 1 voucher for 1 body scrub and 1 haircut sponsored by Estee Beauty Salon; dinner for 2 persons sponsored by Paradise Road; dinner for 2 persons sponsored by Scandinavia Bar and Restaurant; and Pattaya Mail Newspaper subscription for 1 year sponsored by Pattaya Mail.

Nigel Sanders, ticket #00751 won package #8: 1000 baht voucher sponsored by Cafe Kronborg; 1 voucher for 1 haircut and 1 manicure sponsored by Estee Beauty Salon; 2 vouchers, 500 baht each sponsored by Mata Hari; and dinner for 2 persons sponsored by Cafe New Orleans.

James P., ticket #07284 won package #9: 3-months fitness membership sponsored by Dusit Resort Gym; diving course sponsored by Mermaids Diving; custom made clothing sponsored by Classic Tailor; and a surprise gift sponsored by Dulwich International School.

Wayne Ogonoski, ticket #03094 won package #10: Dinner for 4 persons sponsored by Auguste Renoir; diving course sponsored by Aquanauts Diving; 2 vouchers 500 baht each sponsored by Mata Hari; custom made clothing sponsored by Classic Tailor; and a surprise gift sponsored by Dulwich International School.

Wayne Ogonoski, ticket #03090 won package #11: 1 Mini Suite for 1 night sponsored by the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.

Alan Albrecht, ticket #06936 won package #12: Lots of CDs.

Suwanee Gippert, ticket #0628 won package #13: BBQ for 4 sponsored by Bansaray; and a large bottle of red wine sponsored by BJ Wine Cellar.

Donations top 2.8 millionbaht!

“It now looks as though donations (for the Jesters Care 4 Kids Charity Drive for the Fountain of Life Center) are going to exceed 2.8 million baht,” says chairman Woody Underwood. “Plus, there is still sponsored bike ride money to come in. The auction alone raised 193,000+ baht, which is a record. (Below) is a list of the people and businesses that donated cases of beer last Sunday at the Children’s Fair. Beer sales alone generated over 134,000 baht for our Charity Drive; yet another record.”

Beer Donation List (many thanks to all): Shakey Pete’s, Bill Thompson, Jack Shiday, Three Sisters Bar, Winchester Club, Lewiinski’s, Shamrock Bar, Classroom, Jack Mardling, Jon Quincannon, Tahitian Queen, George Weston, The Bowling Green, Sportsman Inn, Waow’s Bar, Viking Beachcomber, Scandinavian Bar, Jack Tar Bar, Jasmine Bar, King Kong Bar, Ruby Club, Cheers, Blue Parrot, Steve Nuttal, John Earl, Mark Gorda, Three Roses Bar, Chuck Samuel, Jerry McCormick, Dean Giliard, McCallister’s Bar, Country Road 3, Gethin and Jill Thomas, Camel Bar, Wherehouse, Cafe Ole, Bull Ring 2, J & M Pub, Wild Chicken, Elephant & Castle, Iso Laume Bar, TQ2, Far East, Nevada Club, Visa Shop, Suki Suki Beer Bar, Champions 3, Seashell, Lion Bar, Toi’s Place, Golden Dragon, Salt & Pepper, Cafe Kronborg, 60’s Bar, White House, Mad Dogs MC PI, Pig & Whistle, BJ Restaurant, Howard, Power Station BKK, House of Teak, KR Bar, Arare Travel, and Frees Bar.

Tips on throwing wine parties!

by Ranjith Chandrasiri

OK, now you are really into wine and the idea of organizing a party just to taste some wines doesn’t sound silly at all. What next? Believe it or not, there are actually many different forms of wine tasting parties, ranging from the simple to the advance. There are some general hints that you may want to note. I have included some tips for the causal wine party and the serious one.

General Tips on hosting Casual Wine Parties

Casual wine parties are those that you organize with friends just for fun. More informal, less restrictive on the wines and generally for wine novices, the main objectives are fun and education.

1. Try not to have more than 10 persons so that everyone can get to taste each bottle.

2. Have the right glasses and have enough of them. The ideal is one glass per person per bottle but if not, have at least two glasses per person.

3. There is actually no standard limit to the number of wines that should be tasted but personally I think there are diminishing returns after 6 bottles. It usually becomes a wild drinking binge whenever there is too much alcohol.

4. Have enough plain water ready because drinking too much wine can be dehydrating. I find using carbonated water (eg. Perrier) very helpful to rinse the glass and remove the taste from the mouth as well. Some professionals advocate using cheap wine to rinse the glass if it is to be used for another tasting.

5. Have an empty pail ready for people to spit excess wine from their mouth. This is especially important if you want to do just wine tasting and not enjoy the wine.

6. Get some cheese, crackers or bread ready to accompany the wines. Some cheese may actually enhance the taste of the wines (or rather, the wine enhance the taste of the cheese)!

7. Try to do the wine tasting in an air-con room (especially in warm countries like Thailand). Otherwise, it may get quite uncomfortable and becomes less enjoyable.

8. The right mood often creates a much more enjoyable and fun tasting session. Have the right lights and soft background music (jazz!) to have the greatest impact. Of course, the real wine pros would probably scorn at this!

9. Get some paper and pen ready for people to scribble down their tasting notes. There are actually some standard formats available.

10. Finally, have fun. Don’t make it into a snob event - in which case it will be the last wine event you’ll ever have.

General Tips on hosting Serious Wine Parties

OK, the following tips apply to those professional tasting sessions where usually a few wine professionals or experts are involved. The wines are generally the better ones, pre-selected, and the main objective is to assess and evaluate each individual wine.

1. The number of persons does not matter - what matters most is that there is enough wine. A typically 750ml bottle of wine can serve up to 14 tasting portions. To be sure of the quantity to pour per glass, get the designated server for the evening to practice with a bottle filled with plain water.

2. Having the right glasses is very crucial. Get proper glasses that are meant for wine tasting. In general, the glasses need to be identical, made with crystal glass, have thin rims, of ample size (6-10 oz) and have an opening that should comfortably allow your nose to enter the glass.

3. Ensure that the room has proper lighting, especially using clear incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent lights should be avoided as they distort your colour judgement.

4. Provide a white background to assess the colour of the wine. A white tablecloth will usually suffice.

5. Music, be it jazz or elevator music, is strictly no-no. While it definitely lightens up the mood, it also lightens up your concentration. Very much like a pro-golf game, you need to create an atmosphere for intense concentration.

6. Ask your guests to refrain from putting on heavy duty perfume or deodorants. Some perfume scents can typically overwhelm and influence your sense of smell. This also includes smoking guests. Request that they refrain from smoking before or during the tasting.

7. Set a rule that no one should comment about the wine in question until everyone has reached their personal conclusion on the wine (and possibly has written it down). Any pre-mature comments may possibly influence people’s objectivity in their assessment.

8. Food - of any sort, should be avoided as it may either enhance or spoil the taste of the wine. In particular, cheese goes very well with wine and while it would be a great idea to have it during a casual wine tasting, it may create a false impression of the wine.

9. Some wines, especially the older ones, need to be decanted first to remove the sediments. Otherwise, the last few glasses to be poured will have the sediments, which may affect the taste. Some wines should also be decanted for breathing. While this is a debatable practice, personal experience does indicate that the more complex wines tend to improve after some hours of breathing.

10. Finally, everyone needs to agree to disagree. Wine evaluation can be a rather subjective matter and often pertains to personal taste. Hence, make it a point that everyone is entitled to their own views and no one is either right or wrong.

Ranjith Chandrasiri is the resident manager of the Royal Cliff Grand, Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya, Thailand. Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Countering terror with trade

by Robert B. Zoellick - U.S. trade representative

From the Embassy of the United States of America - America has been attacked by a malevolence that craves our panic, retreat and abdication of global leadership. This grave test of a generation’s fiber is an assault on more than buildings and innocent people - it is a strike against liberty itself. Our enemy’s selection of targets - the White House, the Pentagon and the World Trade Towers - recognizes that America’s might and light emanate from our political, military and economic vitality. Our counteroffensive must advance U.S leadership across all these fronts.

Our nation has drawn together in shock, mourning and defiance. Now we must thrust forward the values that define us against our adversary: openness, peaceful exchange, democracy, the rule of law, compassion and tolerance. Economic strength - at home and abroad - is the foundation of America’s hard and soft power. Earlier enemies learned that America is the arsenal of democracy; today’s enemies will learn that America is the economic engine for freedom, opportunity and development. To that end, U.S. leadership in promoting the international economic and trading system is vital. Trade is about more than economic efficiency. It promotes the values at the heart of this protracted struggle.

Prior Americans recognized the role of economic ideas in overcoming international adversity. Congress granted Franklin D. Roosevelt the authority to employ free trade as a cure for the protectionism of the Great Depression and then to help Harry Truman revive a devastated world. Throughout the Cold War, Congress empowered presidents with trade negotiating authority to open markets, promote private enterprise and spur liberty around the world - complementing U.S. alliances and strengthening our nation.

Congress now needs to send an unmistakable signal to the world that the United States is committed to global leadership of openness and understands that the staying power of our new coalition depends on economic growth and hope. In particular, Congress needs to complete action on the U.S. free trade agreement with Jordan, our first such commitment in the Arab world. It needs to put the finishing touches on our trade accord with Vietnam, a former foe that is recognizing that its future depends on markets, not Marxism. Congress also should reauthorize critical trade preference legislation for Andean democracies struggling against internal threats and for other developing nations relying on open markets to counter those who can destroy but not build. And most important, Congress needs to enact U.S. trade promotion authority so America can negotiate agreements that advance the causes of openness, development and growth. It is a sad irony that just as the old world of bipolar blocs faded into history and the new world of globalization fast-forwarded, the United States let its trade promotion authority lapse.

President Bush has been reestablishing trade leadership by moving on multiple fronts: globally, regionally and with individual countries. In the wake of last week’s attack, we affirmed our commitment. The United States is working to launch new negotiation to open markets at the World Trade Organization meeting in November. In the past few days, we acted to bring China and Taiwan into the WTO (World Trade Organization) this year. Recently, President Bush met President Megawati Sukarnoputri of Indonesia to emphasize our support for the success of democracy in the largest Muslim country. This week, I will go to Moscow to work on Russia’s accession to the WTO. Before long, I will meet with African trade ministers to build new networks through the African Growth and Opportunity Act. We are driving to complete free trade agreements with Chile and Singapore. New U.S. activism on trade has been drawing others toward us so we can pursue free trade in a way that fosters a new type of alliance for openness and fairness.

America is inextricably linked to the global economy. Trade and earnings on international investments now amount to one-third of our nation’s output. Exports account for 25 percent of gross cash sales for America’s farmers and ranchers - a projected total $57 billion ($57,000 million) for next year. The jobs of one out of every five U.S. manufacturing workers rely on exports. And the annual gains from our last major trade agreements - the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Uruguay Round - amount to between $1,300 and $2,000 for the average American family of four.

America cannot lead effectively if it slips in international markets. Yet the United States is a party to only two of the more than 130 free trade agreements in the world; the United States belongs to only one of the 30 free trade agreements in the Western Hemisphere. When multiplied across products and countries, the cost to America’s strength - and to workers, farmers and families - of falling behind on trade soars exponentially.

America’s trade leadership can build a coalition of countries that cherish liberty in all its aspects. Open markets are vital for developing nations, many of them fragile democracies that rely on the international economy to overcome poverty and create opportunity; we need answers for those who ask for economic hope to counter internal threats to our common values. To address the relationship between trade agreements and other international objectives, the president has proposed that we build on openness and growth in developing countries with a toolbox of cooperative policies. There is no “one size fits all” formula that can deal with environment, labor, health and other challenges. Other nations are more likely to work with us to improve local standards if our approach is positive, not intimidating. As former president Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico said, some supposed friends of the downtrodden “seem strangely determined to save the developing world from development.” For certain, we should deny the benefits of trade until we reach domestic consensus on global application of social policies.

We need to infuse our global leadership with a new sense of purpose and lasting resolve. Congress, working with the Bush administration, has an opportunity to shape history by raising the flag of American economic leadership. The terrorists deliberately chose the World Trade Towers as their target. While their blow toppled the towers, it cannot and will not shake the foundation of world trade and freedom.

Updated every Friday
Copyright 2001  Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand
Tel. 66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax: 66-38 427 596

Updated by Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
E-Mail: [email protected]