It may seem early to ask, but I’m throwing a spring “bash” this April, in my backyard. The event is likely going to be in the evening. Any tips to make it fabulous?"

“A Shining Star”!

Try something different – forget your décor items, your froo-froo bits and pieces. We suggest tackling your event, using nothing but lighting effects.

Outside Lighting 101

Flood Lights – Fantastic for creating dramatic effects! Try using them for UPlighting trees & other large foliage. They also can create a stunning initial impression by lighting up the front of your house.

However, try, if you can, to use some gel to add color. Sheets of lighting gel are available in a myriad of colors from any lighting/production store. Two important tips for working with gel:
1.Cut it into squares, not circles.
2.If you don’t have a holder for your gel squares, use a few black binder clips – Never tape!

Twinkie Lights – Ah yes, those infamous little monsters that can drive you nuts!

Instead of going to the enormous hassle of stringing them up all over the place, try this instead:

Find one dramatic tree, run your lights around and up the trunk, and then along the underside of the major branches. This can be left up for months and will create a wonderful focal point in your yard.

Important note – Spend the extra money on strands that won’t completely go out when one bulb burns out and coat the strands in cinnamon, to prevent squirrels and other varmints from chewing through them – trust us, they will!

Check in next month for our companion piece – Indoor lighting effects and creative uses for a sarong!

After almost 5 years of Event Planning in Toronto, Ontario, Debra Hyslop has returned to Nashville, TN – a place she holds dear and which she has considered home since 1996. She and her talented team of event professionals enjoy creating exciting events of any size, anywhere nationwide. Plate Spinning Productions can be reached at 615-491-0305 or platespinningproductions@yahoo.com.

Send your event, party, catering, or production questions for possible inclusion in upcoming editions of Diversity News to info@diversitybuilder.com

Click Here to Visit Plate Spinning Productions

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More than ever before, the academic world relies on technology to help give students easier access to the kinds of information, course-work and instruction that are often out of the reach of ordinary Americans, either because of geography, costs or time constraints. Now, thanks to the Internet, business training is no exception.

At the U.S. Small Business Administration’s extensive Web site, small business owners and entrepreneurs can now access an online virtual classroom of business courses, workshops, information resources, learning tools and counseling assistance through the agency’s Small Business Training Network.

The Small Business Training Network is an Internet-based learning environment – operating like a virtual campus – offering online courses, workshops, publications, information resources, learning tools and direct access to electronic counseling, and other forms of technical assistance for entry level entrepreneurs and experienced business owners alike, for students, for home-based businesses and for women. There are key resources and suggested courses aimed at pre-venture businesses and growing businesses to meet all kinds of small business training needs.

The Training Network, available on the Web 24 hours a day, operates like an electronic umbrella under which many SBA and agency resource training programs are captured, aggregated, sorted by content and made available in multiple formats. It serves small business clients, agency resource partners, other federal agencies and global students of enterprise.

The Training Network was designed with the small business entrepreneur in mind to provide interactive business guidance on a range of topics. There are 12 training categories with more than 60 interactive courses and electronic guides that provide educational tools and resources on entrepreneurship. Many of the courses include audio sound bytes, quizzes and feedback.

Designed to help small businesses compete in a constantly changing, global environment, the Training Network makes SBA’s business management resources available anytime and anywhere. Online course topics include Starting a Business, Business Management, Financing, Marketing & Advertising, Business Planning Tools, Government Contracting, Risk Management, E-Commerce, Federal Tax Training, International Trade and Small Business Retirement. The Training Network also includes a variety of learning tools and guides for easy access and learning, as well as a comprehensive electronic library.

Many of the learning opportunities offered by the Network are developed by cosponsors (academic institutions and corporations), some are developed by SBA’s resource partners and some are developed internally through agency contracts. All of the offerings are free, most are self-paced and the majority are considered “topical primers.”

In addition to a wide selection of online offerings, the Training Network serves as a window to all of the traditional, face-to-face technical assistance programs offered by the agency. Traditional training opportunities offered by SBA and its resource partners around the country can be easily identified by visiting http://www.sba.gov/calendar/.


The Training Network’s virtual library features more than 200 free e-books and publications, links to top business magazines and national newspapers, direct links to colleges and universities that offer other online business training courses and programs, and a section for young entrepreneurs to pursue their business interests.

Recommended Small Business Resources