The longest-running patio weather -- seven months -- is finally over. John Kolevris, owner of Saffron's -- the biggest patio restaurant on the Corydon strip, says, "I had the best year in 24 years of business. It was very warm in March -- and I had double the usual sales that month. Except for a cool spot in April, it stayed warm until mid-September."

With eight heaters in the fall, he got seven full months of Winnipeggers on his deck at Corydon Avenue and Hugo Street.

"But it is really finished now," he says. "One day it was 20 degrees -- and now we have England weather," he says of the clouds and cold rain this week. Kolevris says he noticed other changes on trendy Corydon this summer -- a much younger crowd after 9:30 p.m. "And it was quieter. No crime this year!"

-- -- --

Osborne Village will see hundreds of wild things in fetish costumes on Saturday night streaming to the Ball -- formerly the Black 'n' Blue Ball -- at Ozzy's, 160 Osborne St. The BDSM crew and wannabes will celebrate the biggest dress-up bash of the year -- several hundred at the Halloween Ball in the basement of the Osborne Village Hotel.

Why the big numbers? Curiosity-seekers can slip in unnoticed, wearing sexy Halloween costumes. Gawkers without costumes are discouraged by a $40 surcharge at the door.

Not for the faint of heart, many people wear breezy outfits and leather gear, some have whips and chains, love slaves on leashes and total masking for well-known folks, who have gone underground for the night.

Ball newbies discover unisex washrooms, an expo of special-interest tables and toys and erotic spankings for a price. One indignant spankee in the lineup at a previous ball was heard to complain: "I've been waiting 40 minutes for my spanking!" Doors open earlier, but few creatures of the night show up until about 9:30 p.m.

-- -- --

HELLNIGHT: A week later in the same venue, on Oct. 27 at 8 p.m., the Winnipeg Goth gang celebrates with a costume Halloween party called After Dark's Hellnight 2012. Local Goth devotees, such as alternative model Michael X, who has eyes tattooed on the back of his head, are spending megabucks importing kinky costume pieces from cyberspace this month.

See the original post here:

Patio season long and lucrative

As home sizes trend smaller, functional space becomes more critical than ever

Sarasota, FL (PRWEB) October 20, 2012

Theres a definite push toward making the most out of every square foot of living space, said JR Bontrager, president of Cool-Breeze, a Florida-based, family owned and operated distributor of home and patio products. Our sliding glass doors, porch enclosure systems, garage door screens and cabana doors are among the most cost-effective ways to increase a homes living area.

Cool-Breezes porch enclosure systems are some of the most unique products on the market for converting existing screen rooms into three- or even four-season living areas. For example, the companys vinyl sliding glass doors are constructed of heavy-duty reinforced vinyl, engineered to span openings up to 40 feet wide and 10 feet tall - ideal for opening the backside homes and patios. Vinyl-glazed four-tracks provide up to 75 percent ventilation when open, but easily close to provide a fully enclosed porch.

Installation of vinyl-glazed four-track porch enclosure products is as easy for do it yourself homeowners as it is for professional contractors. All products can be manufactured in custom sizes, especially critical when remodeling older structures. There also are standard sizes, which make estimating projects easy for contractors.

Orders for standard size products ship within 7 business days, and custom orders ship within 7-10 business days. Packages come complete with installation and sizing instructions. For example, vinyl panel products include installation screws, caulking and cleaner designed specifically for the vinyl panels. Basic tools needed for installation are a measuring tape, caulk gun, and a battery-powered or electric drill.

Instructional videos are available at http://coolbreezeproducts.com/products-page/uncategorized/porch-enclosure-systems-2/ And for more complicated jobs, measuring and installation phone support is available 7-days-a-week.

Ive personally worked with these products for more than 20 years, and have assisted hundreds of customers through the installation process. Im very proud to say that Ive yet to meet anyone who couldnt handle the setup on their own, said Bontrager.

All Cool-Breeze products are backed by the most comprehensive warranty in the industry. Vinyl components, screens and moving parts include a 10-year warranty; and the framework comes with a lifetime warranty.

For more information or to place an order, visit http://www.coolbreezeproducts.com.

Continue reading here:

Cool-Breeze Home & Patio Products Turn Seasonal Outdoor Areas into Year-Round Living Spaces