Bati Bleki

Donation for the Edmund Harms Foundation

Rona Coster — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:17:28 +0000

In November of 2007, T.H. Palm & Company, one of the most popular and colorful stores on Palm Beach, made a decision to earmark a portion of its sales’ revenue to six local not-for-profit foundations, helping them via regular monetary donations, and giving back to the community, in the words of the ancient Kabala, making Tikkun Olam, helping in the repair of the world.

Shoppers at T.H. Palm & Company were asked to pick their favorite charity from a list of excellent local projects and Edmund E. Harms Foundation was among the top six.

Beginning with the first of November 2007, T.H. Palm & Company started holding back a portion of its income and this week, the second seasonal donation was handed over to a representative of the Edmund E. Harms Foundation, Sonia Jacobs, who received a check from Salamander Holdings NV associates Candice Pompier, Shary Celaire & Nilo Arcilla.

On August 16, 1996, Edmund E. Harms passed away from cancer. He spent his final days at home among family members and friends. Not even 30 days after his passing the Edmund E. Harms foundation was established in Edmunds’ memory with his parents donating the initial capital for the fund. The mission of the foundation is to facilitate the wish of cancer patients to spend their final days in a loving, supportive environment. Most patients who receive services from the foundation are sadly under the age of 40 and are suffering from an incurable cancerous disease. Having received an indication from their medical specialist, that they are entering the last phase of their illness, they petition the foundation, which then makes it possible for them to spend their last days at home and pass away in their own beds. The Edmund E. Harms Foundation offers the infrastructure allowing them to spend the last phase of their lives in as comfortable as possible environment, at home among caring family members and friends. The assistance that the foundation offers consists of oxygen supply, anesthetics, wheelchairs, walkers, special hospital beds, part-time nursing and possibly extended to full-time nursing.

You can help make a difference too, just by shopping at T.H. Palm & Company. Two Percent (2%) of that sale is designated to one of six foundations. You choose which foundation you would like your sale to go to. It’s that easy!

If you would like more information about Edmund E. Harms Foundation you may call Dr. R.J. Tjon Sie Fat at 587 1277. You may also contact T.H. Palm & Company at 586 8909 or email orders@salamanderholdings.com. T.H. Palm & Company is located street side at the Playa Linda Beach Resort and open daily from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Open Fridays until 11 p.m.

Azull Entertains Agents

Rona Coster — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:10:39 +0000

The Westin Aruba Resort created a memorable sunset experience followed by dinner on the beach at Azull in honor of its own Westin Starwood Agents.

The agents experienced the lovely ambiance, first hand, with the sugary sandy beach under their toes, and the golden glow of the sunset as their backdrop, as their sipped champagne at their own exclusive party, hosted by Director of Sales Patrick Donovan and Resort Manager Richard Roy.

After sunset, Azull served a delightful multiple course dinner with Tiki torches blazing, and the night breeze cooling the beachfront tables, inspiring bliss and contentment with every bite.

Donovan states that the Westin Starwood Agents who sell the resort, experienced it as well, “the evening was designed to enchant them and convey to them how guests relinquish their worries and replenish their bodies, the Westin way,” he adds.

Associates Development Program at the Westin

Rona Coster — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:06:57 +0000

The change in name from Human Resources to Talent Resources comes as no surprise for anyone familiar with the Westin brand, as the chain spends equal amounts of creative energy on satisfying its guests and satisfying its associates.

Here on the island the Westin Aruba Resort recently announced a new and exciting initiative to help further develop associates for the hotel and for Starwood in general.

The program is based on personal mentoring and guidance, as 12 carefully-selected hotel associates will be sponsored over the next six months, by professional coaches, namely their own department heads.

Greta de Cuba and Monique Zaandam in charge of the Associates Development Program report that Westin is dedicated to help its associates reach their full potential. The company is also interested in growing the pool of talent for future open positions and aims at providing associates with more career opportunities. The personal mentoring and guidance will deliver the necessary training to enhance performance and help the resort keep the brand promises.

The involvement in the Associate Development Program covers a cross section of the resort as General Manager Matt Balcik will also be sponsoring Rosa Provence, who is the public area coordinator for the housekeeping department.

The program had forty-one applicants, the first time out, and it will be offered on an ongoing basis. Pictured here the program’s first public announcement.

Patriotic 4th of July Games

Rona Coster — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:02:23 +0000

The Westin Destination Club program incorporated fun Beach Olympics in the resort’s 4th of July festivities. The Beach Olympics allowed family members of all ages to spend memorable and engaging time together participating in challenging and exhilarating games and contests such as the Egg and Wooden Spoon Race, Pass the Water Balloon Relay, Flag Relay, Parachute Play, Sand Castle Building Contest, Potato Sack Race, Cold Potato Game and Bounce the Ball Race.

Anything related to open air, sandy beach, blue water and carefree play, resulted in a great time enjoyed by a cross-generational group of guests, reports Marielle Smeets director of fun at the Westin Aruba Resort

F&B Crew at the Westin Excels

Rona Coster — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:58:54 +0000

The Westin’s Aruba Resort Food & Beverage Team recently received a round of applause for setting up a most perfect on-brand event in the Palm Beach Ballroom. General Manager Matt Balcik asked Robert Zara & Ramiro Rafael to join Director Franz Sydow during the morning line-up and receive a round of applause from their resort peers for producing a most-enjoyable affair, designed to serve the property’s meetings and events department. The room set up, the food presentation, the décor and the ambiance, were signature Westin, reports Balcik.

“We strive to create an unforgettable experience for every guest, every time,” he explains, “and our attention to detail includes the light, sound, scent, taste and texture of each party. Westin is committed to deliver a wholly sensory experience set up to enhance our guests’ physical, emotional and spiritual state of mind, and that party organized by Robert, Ramiro and Franz, was on target, on brand, perfect in every way. “

Pictured here the resort’s Food & Beverage Team, Robert Zara, Ramiro Rafael and Director Franz Sydow.

TJ receives double certifications

Rona Coster — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:55:43 +0000

Clifton TJ Ahlip just earned a double certification and was awarded his official documents at an informal ceremony in the Wayaca headquarters of Tiara Air.

Chief Pilot Aldrin Wever delivered the certificates from Bombardier Aerospace Training School, where TJ passed his exams successfully, at Shorts SD3-60 Pilot Ground School and Maintenance School qualifying him on airframes, systems and Pratt & Whitney Engines. Pictured here the moment of celebration at Tiara Air.

The company’s Accountable Manager Hubert Zievinger reports that TJ pilot stripes, as first officer will be awarded to him shortly, in a separate ceremony.

New Cabin Crew for Tiara Air

Rona Coster — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:52:13 +0000

An informal Wing Ceremony introduced the new, just-graduated cabin attendants of Tiara Air. Cabin Crew Manager Mike Hagedoorn, who was also the Cabin Safety Training Course Instructor reports that in November Tiara Air advertised for new cabin attendants in the newspapers and out of the fifty women who applied the top five have just been certified as Tiara Air’s new cabin attendants.

They received their course completion certificates, also signed by Accountable Manager Hubert Zievinger from Hagedoorn. The new cabin attendants received their wing pins from Senior Cabin Attendant Nadine Wernet.

Pictured here Cabin Crew Manager Mike Hagedoorn, Senior Cabin Attendant Nadine Wernet, and veteran cabin crew members Allen Kelly and Luis Cicilia, welcoming the fresh Tiara recruits Indhira Stok, Janely Nicolaas, Mabilene Franken, Alis Brunk and Jahaira Lopez, who have just been qualified to fly the company’s Short SD3-60.

Tiara Air has just entered into an operating lease agreement with AeroCentury Corporation, out of Burlingame, California, for the lease of two Swedish-built SAAB 340A turboprop aircraft which will facilitate the company’s plan for expansion.

The new crew members will also make the ambitious and far reaching map of future Tiara Air destinations possible.

Renaissance Scores High

Rona Coster — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:45:14 +0000

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino scored 89 percent in FreemanGroup’s comprehensive on-site review – three percentage points higher than its record 2006 evaluation and the highest of any resort on the island.

FreemanGroup, a well-respected international consultancy specializing in hospitality/travel industry service standards, bases its yearly report on a detailed two-night inspection of the resort’s entire property, including rooms, housekeeping, food and beverage and leisure activities. The resort’s consistency in all 1,200 standards that FreemanGroup examines led to the island’s highest ranking.

“While the results show that we remain focused on improving the experiences of our guests, our work is never done,” said Paul Gielen, general manager of Renaissance Aruba. “We are always working to improve the resort for our guests. In fact, we have already been receiving positive feedback about our most recent upgrades.”

In recent months, Renaissance Aruba has made significant changes to improve the overall guest experience, including revamping the Renaissance Marina Hotel’s lobby to make it a more open and inviting area for guests to meet and socialize. The resort has also renovated the fitness and business centers at the Renaissance Marina Hotel, and the resort’s spa is currently undergoing a total transformation.

Changing of the Guard at CMB

Rona Coster — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:39:41 +0000

Members of the Maduro & Curiel Banking group bid farewell to retiring Canadian-born banker Bill Carson, General Managing Director, Caribbean Mercatile Bank, the group’s financial institute in Aruba, while congratulating veteran Managing Director Javier Wolter on the addition of General to his job description, and business cards, as Bill’s successor.

Among those attending the mega party at the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa, MCB banking legend from Curacao, Lio Capriles I, MCB’s current President and CEO, Lionel (Chicu) Capriles II, government ministers, members of Parliament, members of the business community, many friends, neighbors and colleagues.

The party at the Radisson transformed the Grand Caribbean Ballroom into a trendy lounge, and featured at the heart of the festivities short, yet meaningful addresses by Chicu, Bill and Javier, as well as Rob Smith, President & CEO of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association, who thanked Bill for his many contributions and great involvement in tourism.

All speakers also acknowledged Joy Carson’s role in making the couple’s two decades in Aruba so fruitful, as an activist with the Women’s Club – Aids Committee, and with Family Planning.

Pictured here Chicu Capriles II, Rob Smith, Bill Carson & Javier Wolter address the elegant crowd of almost 700 local movers and shakers, in the Grand Caribbean Ballroom. Also on stage Joy Carson and Sylvia Wolter.

“With Bill at the helm,” reported Chicu, “I slept like a baby each night, knowing that the bank was safe,” he added, crediting Bill with outstanding business acumen and dedicated community involvement.

“I am today the happiest man I know,” declared Javier, ”I live in a place I love, and I am passionate about my work; I am married to my college sweetheart, I have two gorgeous, healthy children and today, I have been promoted to the job of my dreams.”

The Carsons will be splitting their time between Canada and Miami, also Aruba where their son Justin, an hotelier, is nurturing an excellent career in hospitality.

Club Di Movimiento Fundraising

Rona Coster — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:33:32 +0000

Club di Movimiento, a popular local ballet and dance school under the direction of prima ballerina Samantha Westrate, orchestrated an elaborate bingo & dance show in the Grand Caribbean Ballroom of the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa in an effort to raise funds for an upcoming learning trip to the USA

The advanced students of Club Di Movimiento are planning to go on a trip in order to attend a presentation and a workshop in New Jersey, in October, participating in the International Youth Dance Festival.

Dancers, teachers and choreographers hope to travel with approximately 45 aspiring dancers. They were invited by dance-master Leonid Koslov, who was in Aruba this past January, having assisted in the Nutcracker production. Koslov reciprocated for the hospitality he experienced here with an invitation, and sparked the desire of all parents and students to travel and expand their artistic horizons.

Kozlov, founder and director of the US based performing group, Kozlov Dance International, is a famous ballet star; he was a principal dancer with both the Bolshoi Ballet and the New York City Ballet.

Club di Movimiento in conjunction with a very active Parents Committee, immediately started collecting funds in many creative ways in order to make this dream of a trip possible. The Garage and Cake Sale was first. Then the mega effort of the sold out fundraising bingo at the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa on June 21st, from 3pm to 7pm, delivered a great multi-generational response, as seen in our picture, bringing the community together for a good cause.