Thailand Ladies Open 2009Date : February 18 - 20, 2009Venue : The Vintage Club, Samut Prakan
The 2009 Thailand Ladies Open is jointly organized by Thailand Ladies Golf Association and The Vintage Golf Club. It will be the 22nd occasion that TALGA has organized for the professional ladies with the challenge trophy from H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for the professional winner and the challenge cup from the Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand for the Amateur winner.
For More InformationThailand Ladies Golf Association, Tel. +66 (0) 2255 7376 ext. 107, 108
วันศุกร์ที่ 30 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552
วันอังคารที่ 27 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552
CENTRAL & EAST COAST
There are 26 provinces that make up Central and Eastern Thailand, and Bangkok is one of them. Geographically, this is Thailand’s heartland, extending from Lop Buri in the north and covering the rice bowl of the Central Plains around the Chao Phraya River. Further south, the area embraces the east and west coasts of the upper Gulf of Thailand.
This is Thailand’s most fertile farming area, a wide-ranging landscape of paddy fields, orchards and plantations. More than 1,000 years ago Thai settlers moved down from the north, gradually replacing Mon and Khmer influences and establishing communities at Lop CENTRAL & EAST COAST Buri then at Sukhothai, before founding a kingdom that lasted 417 years with Ayutthaya as its capital. When the Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya in 1767, the capital moved to Bangkok.
The Central region has a dramatic history, and its heritage of ancient temples, battlefields and ruins and two capitals, Ayutthaya and Bangkok, are a continuing fascination for visitors. The east and west sea coasts at the region’s southern end also draw huge numbers of visitors every year. Bangkok residents spend long weekends enjoying the relaxing seaside atmosphere, while holiday-makers from around the world to discover the delights of the tropical beach life.
On the eastern side, 400 kilometres of coastline extend from Chon Buri to Rayong with some of the finest beaches in Asia. Pattaya, with an enormous range of resorts, hotels and guesthouses, is its centre. If you are seeking a more relaxing experience, travel further down the coast to Rayong or Ko Samet, and the lovely islands of Ko Chang National Park near the Cambodian border.
On the west coast, the resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin attract international travellers who prefer their more sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere.
Far from the sea in the northwest of the region is Kanchanaburi, whose forested mountains, waterfalls and caves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries on the border with Myanmar provide some of Thailand’s most enthralling scenery.
The 26 provinces of Central and East Coast are Ang Thong, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri and Trat.
THE NORTH The North is the birthplace of the earliest Thai civilisation and has many sites of archaeological and cultural interest. Northern people are famous for their courtesy and hospitality, and the region is also noted for its variety of cultural traditions. Many tourists from the surrounding provinces converge on Chiang Mai for the annual Songkran Festival, and to Sukhothai for Loi Krathong.
The North falls into two distinct areas, the plains of the lower north from Nakhon Sawan to Sukhothai, and the mountainous upper north leading to borders of Myanmar and Laos. The mountain ranges along the borders are breathtaking, with waterfalls and fast-flowing rivers ideal for rafting. They are also the home of many ethnic hill people.
The region has three seasons, hot from March to May, wet from June to November and cool from December to February. High up in the mountains, though, “cool” may often mean extremely cold.
The Thai nation had its origins in the North, in city states that were gradually incorporated into the Lanna kingdom centred on Chiang Mai. Sukhothai became the first capital of Thailand, but the influence of the Lanna states of Laos and Myanmar can be clearly seen in the architecture and cuisine of the North.
The nomadic hill people of the region pursued their own course, moving back and forth across frontiers. There are six main tribal groups, Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Mien, Akha and Lisu, each with its own unique customs and clothing. Today, they are settled in villages on the mountainsides, a great attraction for travellers.
Most overseas visitors make for Chiang Mai, the northern capital, as a base for visiting ethnic tribes, soft adventure activities and shopping. Further north still, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son are centres for rafting, trekking and tours of tribal villages. To the south, the Historical Park at Sukhothai is an essential destination for all those wishing to discover more about the history and culture of Thailand.
The 17 provinces that comprise the North are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phichit, Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, and Uttaradit.
THE NORTHEAST
The Northeast of Thailand, a vast plateau covering nearly one third of the country, is usually known as Isan. It extends northwards to the Mekong River which divides Thailand from Laos, and to the south and it ends at the Dong Rek mountain range along the border with Cambodia.
It is known to be an arid region with soil of poor quality, but for tourism, Isan is one of the country’s most intriguing destinations with many Stone Age and Bronze Age dwellings and artifacts, and several significant temples that are a legacy of the great Khmer empire.
The sandstone shrines are popular tourist attractions, particularly the superbly restored sites at the historical parks of Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima and Phanom Rung in Buri Ram. The great temple complex at Khao Phra Viharn in Si Sa Ket on the border with Cambodian is now accessible to visitors after a long period of isolation.
The Bronze Age settlements at Ban Chiang in the province of Udon Thani provide fascinating evidence of the work of the local potters some 5,000 years ago. The red and white pottery with characteristic “fingerprint” designs are thought to be the first earthenware vessels known to man.
Two of Thailand’s best-loved national parks, Khao Yai, Phu Kradung and Phu Rua in Loei, are in Isan. Other major attractions include the villages in Khorat and Khon Kaen where the beautiful local silk is woven by hand.
Isan is a comparatively poor region whose main income is from agriculture, and many of the younger people in the villages migrate to the city. But Isan folk have a distinctive character and dialect and a vigorous culture, with their old traditions still reflected in the many festivals unique to the region.
With its strategic position bordering Laos and Cambodia, Isan has in recent years risen to become a useful starting point for adventurous journeys to destinations along the mighty Mekong River. There have been important developments in infrastructure to accommodate what is expected to be a boom in tourism.
Travel in the region has been improved by domestic airlines with regular flights to regional airports; and it is no longer impossible to find luxury accommodation, especially in large provinces of Khon Kaen, Udon Thani Nakhon, Ratchasima and Ubon Ratchathani.
The Northeast consists of 19 provinces: Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Yasothon.
THE SOUTH
This region extends southward along a narrow peninsula lying between the Andaman Sea its west side and the South China Sea on the east. It is a rich land in terms of the abundance of its natural resources, the fertility of its soil, the diversity of its people and its commercial viability.
The South is made up of 14 provinces from Chumphon in the north down to the Malaysian border 1,200 kilometres from Bangkok. It has a long coastline on either side with sandy beaches and offshore islands on both, and a rugged central hinterland of mountains and forests.
The east coast on the Gulf of Thailand always seems to be more relaxed, with long, wide bays and calm seas; the Andaman Sea coast tends to be more rugged and exhilarating, with its strange limestone rock formations and cliffs.
The occurrence of two seasonal monsoons means that the climate differs from the rest of Thailand. The southwest monsoon sweeps the west coast and the Andaman Sea from May to October, while the northeast monsoon moves across the Gulf of Thailand form November to February. The peninsula forms a barrier so that rain rarely falls on both coastlines simultaneously.
The area was once part of the Buddhist Srivijaya Empire but later came under the rule of Ayutthaya and then Bangkok. Chinese and Malaysian influences have played a large part in the cultural makeup of the region; the further south, the stronger the Malaysian influence, with a dialect akin to Malay, a predominance of Muslim communities and mosques. Rice fields give way to rubber plantations, and Chinese tin mining operations become evidence.
The coastline attracts most tourists, though Samui island in the Gulf of Thailand is growing in popularity as a laid-back holiday spot with first class diving opportunities nearby on Tao and Pha-ngan islands.
The Andaman Sea coast offers more sophisticated choices in the island province of Phuket, Thailand’s premier holiday resort. However, the fascinating rock formations and offshore islands at Phang-nga, Krabi and Trang are extremely popular for the diving and sailing opportunities they offer.
The mountains, rivers and forests in the national parks in the interior of the peninsula are also gaining popularity with eco-tourists, as can be seen with the growing numbers of safari expeditions on foot, by elephant and in canoes.
The South of Thailand consists of 14 provinces: Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phang-nga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Trang and Yala.
This is Thailand’s most fertile farming area, a wide-ranging landscape of paddy fields, orchards and plantations. More than 1,000 years ago Thai settlers moved down from the north, gradually replacing Mon and Khmer influences and establishing communities at Lop CENTRAL & EAST COAST Buri then at Sukhothai, before founding a kingdom that lasted 417 years with Ayutthaya as its capital. When the Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya in 1767, the capital moved to Bangkok.
The Central region has a dramatic history, and its heritage of ancient temples, battlefields and ruins and two capitals, Ayutthaya and Bangkok, are a continuing fascination for visitors. The east and west sea coasts at the region’s southern end also draw huge numbers of visitors every year. Bangkok residents spend long weekends enjoying the relaxing seaside atmosphere, while holiday-makers from around the world to discover the delights of the tropical beach life.
On the eastern side, 400 kilometres of coastline extend from Chon Buri to Rayong with some of the finest beaches in Asia. Pattaya, with an enormous range of resorts, hotels and guesthouses, is its centre. If you are seeking a more relaxing experience, travel further down the coast to Rayong or Ko Samet, and the lovely islands of Ko Chang National Park near the Cambodian border.
On the west coast, the resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin attract international travellers who prefer their more sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere.
Far from the sea in the northwest of the region is Kanchanaburi, whose forested mountains, waterfalls and caves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries on the border with Myanmar provide some of Thailand’s most enthralling scenery.
The 26 provinces of Central and East Coast are Ang Thong, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri and Trat.
THE NORTH The North is the birthplace of the earliest Thai civilisation and has many sites of archaeological and cultural interest. Northern people are famous for their courtesy and hospitality, and the region is also noted for its variety of cultural traditions. Many tourists from the surrounding provinces converge on Chiang Mai for the annual Songkran Festival, and to Sukhothai for Loi Krathong.
The North falls into two distinct areas, the plains of the lower north from Nakhon Sawan to Sukhothai, and the mountainous upper north leading to borders of Myanmar and Laos. The mountain ranges along the borders are breathtaking, with waterfalls and fast-flowing rivers ideal for rafting. They are also the home of many ethnic hill people.
The region has three seasons, hot from March to May, wet from June to November and cool from December to February. High up in the mountains, though, “cool” may often mean extremely cold.
The Thai nation had its origins in the North, in city states that were gradually incorporated into the Lanna kingdom centred on Chiang Mai. Sukhothai became the first capital of Thailand, but the influence of the Lanna states of Laos and Myanmar can be clearly seen in the architecture and cuisine of the North.
The nomadic hill people of the region pursued their own course, moving back and forth across frontiers. There are six main tribal groups, Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Mien, Akha and Lisu, each with its own unique customs and clothing. Today, they are settled in villages on the mountainsides, a great attraction for travellers.
Most overseas visitors make for Chiang Mai, the northern capital, as a base for visiting ethnic tribes, soft adventure activities and shopping. Further north still, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son are centres for rafting, trekking and tours of tribal villages. To the south, the Historical Park at Sukhothai is an essential destination for all those wishing to discover more about the history and culture of Thailand.
The 17 provinces that comprise the North are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phichit, Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, and Uttaradit.
THE NORTHEAST
The Northeast of Thailand, a vast plateau covering nearly one third of the country, is usually known as Isan. It extends northwards to the Mekong River which divides Thailand from Laos, and to the south and it ends at the Dong Rek mountain range along the border with Cambodia.
It is known to be an arid region with soil of poor quality, but for tourism, Isan is one of the country’s most intriguing destinations with many Stone Age and Bronze Age dwellings and artifacts, and several significant temples that are a legacy of the great Khmer empire.
The sandstone shrines are popular tourist attractions, particularly the superbly restored sites at the historical parks of Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima and Phanom Rung in Buri Ram. The great temple complex at Khao Phra Viharn in Si Sa Ket on the border with Cambodian is now accessible to visitors after a long period of isolation.
The Bronze Age settlements at Ban Chiang in the province of Udon Thani provide fascinating evidence of the work of the local potters some 5,000 years ago. The red and white pottery with characteristic “fingerprint” designs are thought to be the first earthenware vessels known to man.
Two of Thailand’s best-loved national parks, Khao Yai, Phu Kradung and Phu Rua in Loei, are in Isan. Other major attractions include the villages in Khorat and Khon Kaen where the beautiful local silk is woven by hand.
Isan is a comparatively poor region whose main income is from agriculture, and many of the younger people in the villages migrate to the city. But Isan folk have a distinctive character and dialect and a vigorous culture, with their old traditions still reflected in the many festivals unique to the region.
With its strategic position bordering Laos and Cambodia, Isan has in recent years risen to become a useful starting point for adventurous journeys to destinations along the mighty Mekong River. There have been important developments in infrastructure to accommodate what is expected to be a boom in tourism.
Travel in the region has been improved by domestic airlines with regular flights to regional airports; and it is no longer impossible to find luxury accommodation, especially in large provinces of Khon Kaen, Udon Thani Nakhon, Ratchasima and Ubon Ratchathani.
The Northeast consists of 19 provinces: Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Yasothon.
THE SOUTH
This region extends southward along a narrow peninsula lying between the Andaman Sea its west side and the South China Sea on the east. It is a rich land in terms of the abundance of its natural resources, the fertility of its soil, the diversity of its people and its commercial viability.
The South is made up of 14 provinces from Chumphon in the north down to the Malaysian border 1,200 kilometres from Bangkok. It has a long coastline on either side with sandy beaches and offshore islands on both, and a rugged central hinterland of mountains and forests.
The east coast on the Gulf of Thailand always seems to be more relaxed, with long, wide bays and calm seas; the Andaman Sea coast tends to be more rugged and exhilarating, with its strange limestone rock formations and cliffs.
The occurrence of two seasonal monsoons means that the climate differs from the rest of Thailand. The southwest monsoon sweeps the west coast and the Andaman Sea from May to October, while the northeast monsoon moves across the Gulf of Thailand form November to February. The peninsula forms a barrier so that rain rarely falls on both coastlines simultaneously.
The area was once part of the Buddhist Srivijaya Empire but later came under the rule of Ayutthaya and then Bangkok. Chinese and Malaysian influences have played a large part in the cultural makeup of the region; the further south, the stronger the Malaysian influence, with a dialect akin to Malay, a predominance of Muslim communities and mosques. Rice fields give way to rubber plantations, and Chinese tin mining operations become evidence.
The coastline attracts most tourists, though Samui island in the Gulf of Thailand is growing in popularity as a laid-back holiday spot with first class diving opportunities nearby on Tao and Pha-ngan islands.
The Andaman Sea coast offers more sophisticated choices in the island province of Phuket, Thailand’s premier holiday resort. However, the fascinating rock formations and offshore islands at Phang-nga, Krabi and Trang are extremely popular for the diving and sailing opportunities they offer.
The mountains, rivers and forests in the national parks in the interior of the peninsula are also gaining popularity with eco-tourists, as can be seen with the growing numbers of safari expeditions on foot, by elephant and in canoes.
The South of Thailand consists of 14 provinces: Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phang-nga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Trang and Yala.
วันจันทร์ที่ 26 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552
Thailand Chinese New Year Festival
Come to celebrate the Chinese New Year at the biggest Chinatown in Thailand, Yaowarat Road renowned as the Golden Road, the Land of the Siamese Dragon. Watch the beauty, treasure the Chinese cultural demonstrations and experience a wide range of Chinese cuisine available at famous restaurants as well as fashion shows depicting ancient Chinese attire from various regions. The goldsmith shops offer you beautiful souvenirs. Last but not least, Chinese movies are sure to fascinate you.
Chinese New Year is the most important event of the traditional Chinese holidays. The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first lunar month and this year, it falls on 26 January, 2009.
In Bangkok, the Samphanthawong District, is the largest China Town in Thailand. It’s also well–known as the street of goldsmith shops and various tasteful dishes. Its people still preserve their ways of life, tradition and culture. That’s why, the Chinese New Year celebration in this square is a major festival and well organized every year.
In realization of its importance, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to take this opportunity to celebrate this wonderful moment with all Thai-Chinese both some who live within the country as well as those overseas to be a part of this period to celebrate this New Year festival with all Chinese around the world.We proudly present wonderful events both in Bangkok and in major tourism cities around the country with magnificent performances from the People’s Republic of China, as it’s a way of cultural exchange as well as supports and promotes tourism.
It’s now time to put on a red shirt or blouse and say “Xin Nian Kuai Le, Gong xi Fa Cai” which means, Happy New Year and have a prosperous year!The Chinese New Year Festival in 7 major cities
1. Bangkok : Chinese New Year Festival at China TownDate : 26-27 January, 2009 Venue : Bangkok At China Town, Bangkok Date: 26 January, 2009 Time: 16.30 hrs. (as per the Royal Official Programme) - Arrival of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Chairperson of the ceremony. What to do and see. - Pay homage to the “Guan Yin” statue from China and enjoy Chinese cultural performances from various regions and provinces of this country as well as wonderful cultural performances from the Kalasin College of Dramatic Arts and fabulous shows by GMM Grammy artists. Pick up your camera and snap the beautiful Chinese decorations and lights in China Town and its neighboring streets.
At CentralWorld, Bangkok Date: 26 January, 2009 Time: 13.00 hrs. onward What to do and see.- Welcome the large troupe of more than 100 performers from various regions and provinces of China and feast your eyes on their magnificent shows. Be the witness of the cultural exchange ceremony between the P.R. China and Kingdom of Thailand, in which the Minister of Culture, P.R. China and Minister of Tourism and Sports, Thailand will deliver a speech and greet people in the two countries through a live broadcast.
Date: 27 January, 2009 Time: 13.00 hrs. onward - Enjoy the cultural performances from China
For more information, please contact : Samphanthawong Administration District Tel. 0 2234 3460, 0 22373345TAT Bangkok Tel. 0 2250 5500 ext 2991-5 2. Chonburi2.1 Chinese New Year FestivalDate : 24, 26-27 January, 2009Venue : South Pattaya Port (Balihai) What to do and see. 24 January, 2009 : 19.00 – 22.00 hrs. - Features cultural performances from various regions and provinces of China at the Central Festival Shopping Center, Pattaya Beach and South Pattaya Port 26-27 January, 2009 - Let’s experience the typical fabulous show of Chinese New Year: the lion dance, Chinese Girl 2009 Contest, and enjoy various form of entertainment.
2.2 Chinese New Year Festival 2009 Date : 26 January – 1 February, 2009Venue : Najataijue Chinese Shrine What to see and do.- Experience religious rituals and refresh your mind in this auspicious moment. For more information, please contact :TAT Chon Buri Tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750, 03842 3990 Pattaya City Tel. 0 3825 31293. Hat Yai Chinese New Year 2009 Date: 26-28 January, 2009Venue: Sanehanusorn Rd. Hat Yai City and Hat Yai Municipality Public ParkWhat to do and see? - Experience the magnificent dragon and lion dances and the wonderful decorations in Chinese style along the road, enjoy various forms of entertainment, Chinese Dolls 2009 Contest as well as purchase various goods and food. Or ahead to Hat Yai Municipality Public Park and pick up your camera to snap the beautiful various styles of lanterns as well as enjoy the Chinese cultural performances from various regions and province of China during 28-29 January, 2009.For more information, please contact :TAT Hat Yai Tel. 0 7423 1055, 0 7423 85184. Phuket : Chinese New Year – 10th Old Phuket FestivalDate : 31 January - 2 February, 2009, 18.00 - 23.00 hrs. Venue: Queen’s Park, Thalang Rd., Krabi Rd. and Soi Rommani
What to do and see? Welcome to Phuket on this wonderful moment! Enjoy the magnificent ambience like walking in China on the Largest island of Thailand. Experience a Chinese opera, demonstration of Kung Fu fighting, and Chinese cultural performances from China at the Queen’s Park, various activities i.e. watching the animation at Sino-Portuguese House No. 63 and many films that have been shot in Phuket as well as the exhibition of Sino- Portuguese Buildings in downtown. And then! Time to fill up with yummy food while walking along Bangyai Canal. A thing-not-to-miss on 31 January, 2009 is to be ready for the wonderful parade in downtown (from Sapanhin – Phuket Rd. – Surin Cycle. – Ratsada Rd., Suriyadej Cycle, Yaowarat Rd. and Thalang Rd.) and on 1 February, 2009, there’s a another chance to enjoy Chinese opera, Kung Fu fighting and Chinese cultural performances at the Jangselon Shopping Center, Patong Beach.On 2 February, 2009, from 22.09 – midnight - Let’s refresh your mind with the religious rituals at Queen’s Park.
For more information, please contact TAT Phuket Tel. 0 7621 2213, 0 7621 1063www.tourismthailand.org/phuket Public Relation Division, Phuket City Tel. 0 7621 2196 5. Nakhon Sawan Chinese New Year Festival 2009Date: 19-30 January, 2009Venue: Nakhon Sawan
What to do and see. On 19 January, 2009, there is the opening ceremony of the Paknampho Chinese New Year Festival 2009 at Hat Sawan Lanboon
19 – 30 January, 2009 – Pay respect to the Chinese gods and goddesses in the Chinese New Year Festival, enjoy food and goods as well as entertainment. ** 28 January, 2009 (nighttime) and 29 January, 2009 (daytime) – features the magnificent parade celebrating the Chinese New Year downtown.
For more information, please contact:The Organizing Committee Tel. 0 5621 3614 TAT Uthai Thani Tel. 0 5651 4982
6. Chiang Mai Chinese New Year 2009 Date: 26-27 January, 2009 Venue : Kuang Meru, China Town
What to do and see? Start your new day with Chinese exercise at 06.00 hrs. and enjoy Chinese cultural performances and music, various forms of entertainment, and Chinese food from evening until midnight. For more information, please contact : TAT Chiang Mai Tel. 0 5324 8604, 0 5324 8607 Chiang Mai Municipality Office Tel. 0 5325 9365 7. Nakhon Ratchasima Chinese New Year Festival 2009 Date: 26-27 January, 2009 Venue: Thao Suranari Statue Area
What to do and to see. Enjoy the wonderful decorations in the city, feast your eyes on the Chinese cultural performances and music, enjoy Chinese food and goods. (26 January, 2009 : enjoy the dragon and lions dance; 27 January, 2009 : Chinese Acrobatics Show) For more information, please contact :TAT Nakhon Ratchasima Tel. 0 4421 3030, 04421 3666Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality Office Tel. 0 442 42007A thing-not-to-miss! As it’s the celebration of the Chinese New Year, let’s experience authentic Chinese cultural performances from the various regions and provinces of P.R. China and welcome the performers who come to celebrate this wonderful event with us here.
Where do they come from? 1. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Located in the South of China with its border close to Vietnam. Its people are Zhuang, who has a way of life and language similar to Thailand and Lao PDR. The performers are from Nanning the capital and largest city, and they will perform various cultural performances, acrobatics and Chinese opera (changing masks). 2. Hainan Province It is the second largest island located in the South China Sea with a population of around 10 million. Thai people know it as “Hai Lam” which is the sister city of Phuket. As it’s an island, we will enjoy island culture and folk plays.
3. Shandong Province Are you ready to be excited? The Shandong performers, who come from the Northeast – Central, will stimulate your heart with performances from Yantai City, another sister city of Phuket, with demonstrations of Kung Fu fighting and martial arts.
4. Anhui Province Located in the centre near the Yangtze River, the hometown of Bao Qingtian, the Justice of the Supreme Court of the province who is well-known for being loyal and honest. Anhui performers will present their wonderful typical show and Chinese opera in the act of Bao Qingtian.
5. Heilongjian Autonomous Region Talking about one of the coldest cities in the world, “Harbin” will always be on the top rank as it’s located at the northernmost part of the country where its temperature is sometimes -40 degrees. In this connection, they will bring wonderful music and chorus accompanying folk instrument to present to you.
6. Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region If you know Genghis Khan or Kublai Khan, it’s now time to welcome people from their region Inner Mongolia. As the geography is steppes and highland, their performances derive from their way of life and tradition.
7. Jilin Province It maybe a little bit strange to hear “Jilin Province”, but you will feel familiar if you’re informed that, its people are Manchu. To celebrate the Chinese New Year Festival, they will perform a wonderful magic show.
Remark: The programme is subject to change without prior notice.
Why we wear red on the Chinese New Year’s Day? Chinese believe that red is a lucky colour, so, that’s why they wear red on New Year’s Day. Furthermore, it can chase away bad luck.
Chinese New Year is the most important event of the traditional Chinese holidays. The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first lunar month and this year, it falls on 26 January, 2009.
In Bangkok, the Samphanthawong District, is the largest China Town in Thailand. It’s also well–known as the street of goldsmith shops and various tasteful dishes. Its people still preserve their ways of life, tradition and culture. That’s why, the Chinese New Year celebration in this square is a major festival and well organized every year.
In realization of its importance, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to take this opportunity to celebrate this wonderful moment with all Thai-Chinese both some who live within the country as well as those overseas to be a part of this period to celebrate this New Year festival with all Chinese around the world.We proudly present wonderful events both in Bangkok and in major tourism cities around the country with magnificent performances from the People’s Republic of China, as it’s a way of cultural exchange as well as supports and promotes tourism.
It’s now time to put on a red shirt or blouse and say “Xin Nian Kuai Le, Gong xi Fa Cai” which means, Happy New Year and have a prosperous year!The Chinese New Year Festival in 7 major cities
1. Bangkok : Chinese New Year Festival at China TownDate : 26-27 January, 2009 Venue : Bangkok At China Town, Bangkok Date: 26 January, 2009 Time: 16.30 hrs. (as per the Royal Official Programme) - Arrival of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Chairperson of the ceremony. What to do and see. - Pay homage to the “Guan Yin” statue from China and enjoy Chinese cultural performances from various regions and provinces of this country as well as wonderful cultural performances from the Kalasin College of Dramatic Arts and fabulous shows by GMM Grammy artists. Pick up your camera and snap the beautiful Chinese decorations and lights in China Town and its neighboring streets.
At CentralWorld, Bangkok Date: 26 January, 2009 Time: 13.00 hrs. onward What to do and see.- Welcome the large troupe of more than 100 performers from various regions and provinces of China and feast your eyes on their magnificent shows. Be the witness of the cultural exchange ceremony between the P.R. China and Kingdom of Thailand, in which the Minister of Culture, P.R. China and Minister of Tourism and Sports, Thailand will deliver a speech and greet people in the two countries through a live broadcast.
Date: 27 January, 2009 Time: 13.00 hrs. onward - Enjoy the cultural performances from China
For more information, please contact : Samphanthawong Administration District Tel. 0 2234 3460, 0 22373345TAT Bangkok Tel. 0 2250 5500 ext 2991-5 2. Chonburi2.1 Chinese New Year FestivalDate : 24, 26-27 January, 2009Venue : South Pattaya Port (Balihai) What to do and see. 24 January, 2009 : 19.00 – 22.00 hrs. - Features cultural performances from various regions and provinces of China at the Central Festival Shopping Center, Pattaya Beach and South Pattaya Port 26-27 January, 2009 - Let’s experience the typical fabulous show of Chinese New Year: the lion dance, Chinese Girl 2009 Contest, and enjoy various form of entertainment.
2.2 Chinese New Year Festival 2009 Date : 26 January – 1 February, 2009Venue : Najataijue Chinese Shrine What to see and do.- Experience religious rituals and refresh your mind in this auspicious moment. For more information, please contact :TAT Chon Buri Tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750, 03842 3990 Pattaya City Tel. 0 3825 31293. Hat Yai Chinese New Year 2009 Date: 26-28 January, 2009Venue: Sanehanusorn Rd. Hat Yai City and Hat Yai Municipality Public ParkWhat to do and see? - Experience the magnificent dragon and lion dances and the wonderful decorations in Chinese style along the road, enjoy various forms of entertainment, Chinese Dolls 2009 Contest as well as purchase various goods and food. Or ahead to Hat Yai Municipality Public Park and pick up your camera to snap the beautiful various styles of lanterns as well as enjoy the Chinese cultural performances from various regions and province of China during 28-29 January, 2009.For more information, please contact :TAT Hat Yai Tel. 0 7423 1055, 0 7423 85184. Phuket : Chinese New Year – 10th Old Phuket FestivalDate : 31 January - 2 February, 2009, 18.00 - 23.00 hrs. Venue: Queen’s Park, Thalang Rd., Krabi Rd. and Soi Rommani
What to do and see? Welcome to Phuket on this wonderful moment! Enjoy the magnificent ambience like walking in China on the Largest island of Thailand. Experience a Chinese opera, demonstration of Kung Fu fighting, and Chinese cultural performances from China at the Queen’s Park, various activities i.e. watching the animation at Sino-Portuguese House No. 63 and many films that have been shot in Phuket as well as the exhibition of Sino- Portuguese Buildings in downtown. And then! Time to fill up with yummy food while walking along Bangyai Canal. A thing-not-to-miss on 31 January, 2009 is to be ready for the wonderful parade in downtown (from Sapanhin – Phuket Rd. – Surin Cycle. – Ratsada Rd., Suriyadej Cycle, Yaowarat Rd. and Thalang Rd.) and on 1 February, 2009, there’s a another chance to enjoy Chinese opera, Kung Fu fighting and Chinese cultural performances at the Jangselon Shopping Center, Patong Beach.On 2 February, 2009, from 22.09 – midnight - Let’s refresh your mind with the religious rituals at Queen’s Park.
For more information, please contact TAT Phuket Tel. 0 7621 2213, 0 7621 1063www.tourismthailand.org/phuket Public Relation Division, Phuket City Tel. 0 7621 2196 5. Nakhon Sawan Chinese New Year Festival 2009Date: 19-30 January, 2009Venue: Nakhon Sawan
What to do and see. On 19 January, 2009, there is the opening ceremony of the Paknampho Chinese New Year Festival 2009 at Hat Sawan Lanboon
19 – 30 January, 2009 – Pay respect to the Chinese gods and goddesses in the Chinese New Year Festival, enjoy food and goods as well as entertainment. ** 28 January, 2009 (nighttime) and 29 January, 2009 (daytime) – features the magnificent parade celebrating the Chinese New Year downtown.
For more information, please contact:The Organizing Committee Tel. 0 5621 3614 TAT Uthai Thani Tel. 0 5651 4982
6. Chiang Mai Chinese New Year 2009 Date: 26-27 January, 2009 Venue : Kuang Meru, China Town
What to do and see? Start your new day with Chinese exercise at 06.00 hrs. and enjoy Chinese cultural performances and music, various forms of entertainment, and Chinese food from evening until midnight. For more information, please contact : TAT Chiang Mai Tel. 0 5324 8604, 0 5324 8607 Chiang Mai Municipality Office Tel. 0 5325 9365 7. Nakhon Ratchasima Chinese New Year Festival 2009 Date: 26-27 January, 2009 Venue: Thao Suranari Statue Area
What to do and to see. Enjoy the wonderful decorations in the city, feast your eyes on the Chinese cultural performances and music, enjoy Chinese food and goods. (26 January, 2009 : enjoy the dragon and lions dance; 27 January, 2009 : Chinese Acrobatics Show) For more information, please contact :TAT Nakhon Ratchasima Tel. 0 4421 3030, 04421 3666Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality Office Tel. 0 442 42007A thing-not-to-miss! As it’s the celebration of the Chinese New Year, let’s experience authentic Chinese cultural performances from the various regions and provinces of P.R. China and welcome the performers who come to celebrate this wonderful event with us here.
Where do they come from? 1. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Located in the South of China with its border close to Vietnam. Its people are Zhuang, who has a way of life and language similar to Thailand and Lao PDR. The performers are from Nanning the capital and largest city, and they will perform various cultural performances, acrobatics and Chinese opera (changing masks). 2. Hainan Province It is the second largest island located in the South China Sea with a population of around 10 million. Thai people know it as “Hai Lam” which is the sister city of Phuket. As it’s an island, we will enjoy island culture and folk plays.
3. Shandong Province Are you ready to be excited? The Shandong performers, who come from the Northeast – Central, will stimulate your heart with performances from Yantai City, another sister city of Phuket, with demonstrations of Kung Fu fighting and martial arts.
4. Anhui Province Located in the centre near the Yangtze River, the hometown of Bao Qingtian, the Justice of the Supreme Court of the province who is well-known for being loyal and honest. Anhui performers will present their wonderful typical show and Chinese opera in the act of Bao Qingtian.
5. Heilongjian Autonomous Region Talking about one of the coldest cities in the world, “Harbin” will always be on the top rank as it’s located at the northernmost part of the country where its temperature is sometimes -40 degrees. In this connection, they will bring wonderful music and chorus accompanying folk instrument to present to you.
6. Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region If you know Genghis Khan or Kublai Khan, it’s now time to welcome people from their region Inner Mongolia. As the geography is steppes and highland, their performances derive from their way of life and tradition.
7. Jilin Province It maybe a little bit strange to hear “Jilin Province”, but you will feel familiar if you’re informed that, its people are Manchu. To celebrate the Chinese New Year Festival, they will perform a wonderful magic show.
Remark: The programme is subject to change without prior notice.
Why we wear red on the Chinese New Year’s Day? Chinese believe that red is a lucky colour, so, that’s why they wear red on New Year’s Day. Furthermore, it can chase away bad luck.
วันเสาร์ที่ 24 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552
Free food to promote ecotourism
Date : 27 - 28 January 2009Venue : Ranong Villagers pitch in to create an amazing eating festival to entice visitors to explore nearby ecotourism trails.It sustains life and it is certainly a pleasure very few can deny so it kind of makes sense to celebrate the simple task of eating. Villagers in La Un district, some 80 km northeast of Ranong provincial town, believe their culinary skills are up to the test as they launch into their very own Eating Festival scheduled 28 January.
We can understand their enthusiasm as Thailand is certainly a top notch destination for superb food and every village appears to have secret recipes.Like other Andamam coast provinces, Ranong is blessed with fine sandy beaches, off shore islands and opportunities to go deep sea fishing or scuba diving at incredible bargain prices.
But Ranong is probably the greenest of all Thailand’s provinces blessed with abundant rain that keeps national parks in pristine condition for visitors who want to journey down the eco-tourism trail.
That trail leads north of Ranong to Lamnam Kraburi National Park and the famous Punyabun Falls just off Highway 4. After admiring the beauty of the 6 km wide Kraburi River estuary that separates Thailand and Myanmar, travellers can head 20 km inland to La Un district that lies at the end of the rural highway 4091. Here villagers hope to draw visitors to sample eco-tours that will ultimately supplement the district’s income.
To draw attention to their forest tours they created an eating festival. It promises a scrumptious display of snacks and heavy-duty dining delivered to the village stalls by no less than 35 villages that make up the La Un district.No duplications are allowed. Villages have drawn on southern culinary skills to showcase a wealth of down-to-earth cooking skills delivering a selection of spicy main dishes to eat with rice and an array of sweet deserts and snacks.All this is feasting and snacking is absolutely free, a sign that La Un’s villagers recognise that the way to a visitor’s heart is via the stomach.
Efforts to open the district to tourism begin a day earlier, 27 January, with villages introducing eco-tour options. They hope to convince travellers who journey on Highway 4, between Chumphon and Ranong, to make a diversion inland to stop for a meal and learn a little about the district’s natural beauty, forest trails and even three hot springs near the village of Bang Phra Nua, in La Un district.
You will have to admit the buffet spread has a remarkable price tag. And if their tours are as tasty as the food, eco-tourism will be on the map at La Un thanks to a day of hospitality.Call the district office at Tel: 077 899 058.
We can understand their enthusiasm as Thailand is certainly a top notch destination for superb food and every village appears to have secret recipes.Like other Andamam coast provinces, Ranong is blessed with fine sandy beaches, off shore islands and opportunities to go deep sea fishing or scuba diving at incredible bargain prices.
But Ranong is probably the greenest of all Thailand’s provinces blessed with abundant rain that keeps national parks in pristine condition for visitors who want to journey down the eco-tourism trail.
That trail leads north of Ranong to Lamnam Kraburi National Park and the famous Punyabun Falls just off Highway 4. After admiring the beauty of the 6 km wide Kraburi River estuary that separates Thailand and Myanmar, travellers can head 20 km inland to La Un district that lies at the end of the rural highway 4091. Here villagers hope to draw visitors to sample eco-tours that will ultimately supplement the district’s income.
To draw attention to their forest tours they created an eating festival. It promises a scrumptious display of snacks and heavy-duty dining delivered to the village stalls by no less than 35 villages that make up the La Un district.No duplications are allowed. Villages have drawn on southern culinary skills to showcase a wealth of down-to-earth cooking skills delivering a selection of spicy main dishes to eat with rice and an array of sweet deserts and snacks.All this is feasting and snacking is absolutely free, a sign that La Un’s villagers recognise that the way to a visitor’s heart is via the stomach.
Efforts to open the district to tourism begin a day earlier, 27 January, with villages introducing eco-tour options. They hope to convince travellers who journey on Highway 4, between Chumphon and Ranong, to make a diversion inland to stop for a meal and learn a little about the district’s natural beauty, forest trails and even three hot springs near the village of Bang Phra Nua, in La Un district.
You will have to admit the buffet spread has a remarkable price tag. And if their tours are as tasty as the food, eco-tourism will be on the map at La Un thanks to a day of hospitality.Call the district office at Tel: 077 899 058.
วันศุกร์ที่ 23 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552
6th Khon Kaen International Marathon
Date : Sunday , January 25, 2009Venue : Khon Kaen universityRunning 42 km for fun, or perhaps a faster time, can be a mite easier if it is on a scenic route past a city’s key attractions. It breaks the boredom and allows serious marathoners to notch up another course on a list of “been there, run those cities.”Now in its sixth year the Khon Kaen International Marathon, held 25 January at the town’s university, commands respect from runners looking for a well organised event and an opportunity to establish a personal best; the holy grail for marathoners.
Those objectives are within reach due to the picturesque course over undulating terrain that prevents boredom as well as the event’s timing in late January when lower humidity helps serious runners achieve a personal best.It is one of the few marathons held in what Thailand’s residents like to call winter -- a few weeks in the year when early morning temperatures hover in the low 20s.The full 42-km marathon starts at 0600 followed by a half-marathon and mini-marathon for youngsters, or those who prefer a brisk space over a 10 km distance.
Khon Kaen, 445 km from Bangkok, is a gateway town to the mid-northeast region. Thai Airways International flies four to five services daily from Bangkok to the town’s airport, just 12 km away from downtown hotels. There are also frequent air-conditioned bus services and main railway line from Bangkok to Nong Khai on the border with Laos passes through the heart of the town.
It is probably best known as a university town, with more than 20,000 students on the largest campus in the Northeast. Of course, like all busy provincial towns it has its fair share of department stores, shops, and hotels of every standard and size, from five-star through to tiny boutique-style properties.
Once the marathon is over, runners can restore their energy levels at a variety of restaurants, open air food markets or take a time off to explore the town.Due to its geographical location it is also an ideal spot to explore the Northeast by rental car, travelling north to Udon Thani, or east to Sakhon Nakhon and the Mekong riverside town of Nakhon Phanom, before returning to Khon Kaen to connect with daily flights to Bangkok.
For more information Khon Kaen University Alumni Association, Khon Kaen University,Tel. 66 4320 2388-9, 66 4320 2750, 66 4320 2222-41 Ext. 1900, 1499 Website : www.khonkaenmarathon.com Email: jackykkmarathon@hotmail.com , lekthip@hotmail.com
Those objectives are within reach due to the picturesque course over undulating terrain that prevents boredom as well as the event’s timing in late January when lower humidity helps serious runners achieve a personal best.It is one of the few marathons held in what Thailand’s residents like to call winter -- a few weeks in the year when early morning temperatures hover in the low 20s.The full 42-km marathon starts at 0600 followed by a half-marathon and mini-marathon for youngsters, or those who prefer a brisk space over a 10 km distance.
Khon Kaen, 445 km from Bangkok, is a gateway town to the mid-northeast region. Thai Airways International flies four to five services daily from Bangkok to the town’s airport, just 12 km away from downtown hotels. There are also frequent air-conditioned bus services and main railway line from Bangkok to Nong Khai on the border with Laos passes through the heart of the town.
It is probably best known as a university town, with more than 20,000 students on the largest campus in the Northeast. Of course, like all busy provincial towns it has its fair share of department stores, shops, and hotels of every standard and size, from five-star through to tiny boutique-style properties.
Once the marathon is over, runners can restore their energy levels at a variety of restaurants, open air food markets or take a time off to explore the town.Due to its geographical location it is also an ideal spot to explore the Northeast by rental car, travelling north to Udon Thani, or east to Sakhon Nakhon and the Mekong riverside town of Nakhon Phanom, before returning to Khon Kaen to connect with daily flights to Bangkok.
For more information Khon Kaen University Alumni Association, Khon Kaen University,Tel. 66 4320 2388-9, 66 4320 2750, 66 4320 2222-41 Ext. 1900, 1499 Website : www.khonkaenmarathon.com Email: jackykkmarathon@hotmail.com , lekthip@hotmail.com
วันพุธที่ 14 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552
Dairy and cowbow festivals
Dairy and cowbow festivals
Saraburi province’s Muak Lek district surprises visitors with its own version of country western culture.
Dairy farming has been associated with the rolling hills of Saraburi since the 50s when pioneering farmers experimented with imported cattle. Today it is an important industry that supplies most of the popular milk products that are sold in supermarkets across the country.Farms are concentrated mainly northeast of Saraburi town in Muak Lek district all the way to the Pak Chong intersection on Highway 2 heading towards Nakhon Ratchashima.
With the mountains of the famous Khao Yai National Park in the distance, diary meadows nestle between hills on both sides of Highway 2.Not surprisingly, this undulating country is the home of the National Dairy Cows Festival that runs from 16 to 25 January. All of the celebrations and activities that will interest visitors will take place at the foot of Tapan Hill in Muak Lek district, approximately 39 km northeast of Saraburi, or 145 km from Bangkok.Festivities begin with a royal visit from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who will graciously open the event which will feature seminars, a fair and concerts.
Visitors are probably most familiar with Chok Chai Farm one of the pioneers of the cowboy culture in Thailand. Today the farm has expanded to offer farm tours with various attractions including a zoo that appeals to families and groups. In the grand tradition of the cowboy the ranch is proud of its rustic timber restaurant serving up tender T-bone steaks.While individual farms in Saraburi run fine restaurants and adopt a country western themes, come 20 January they unite to host the annual Cowboy Night at the Tapan Hill venue in Muak Lek district.
The event launches with dairy cow contests, but quickly takes on a carnival atmosphere with light hearted rivalry to declare who is sporting the best cowboy or cowgirl costumes.
According to Saraburi province’s tourism office the cowboy festival evolves into an amazing scene as hundreds of “Thai cowboys travel from different parts of the country to enjoy country western music, an exhibition of dairy and beef cow farming, cow contests, whip-cracking, roping and lariat show, and fancy gun handling. The festival venue even uses haystacks instead of tables and chairs.”
Muak Lek district has three resorts, a health spa and a couple of campsites catering to international visitors. The district is best known for its picturesque landscape, vineyards, river rafting, ATV expeditions, hot air ballooning, mountain bike trails and even a farm where children can learn to ride horses. Most of the resorts are in Muak Lek district on the rural road 2089 that winds around 300-metre high hills from the intersection on Highway 2.
Saraburi province’s Muak Lek district surprises visitors with its own version of country western culture.
Dairy farming has been associated with the rolling hills of Saraburi since the 50s when pioneering farmers experimented with imported cattle. Today it is an important industry that supplies most of the popular milk products that are sold in supermarkets across the country.Farms are concentrated mainly northeast of Saraburi town in Muak Lek district all the way to the Pak Chong intersection on Highway 2 heading towards Nakhon Ratchashima.
With the mountains of the famous Khao Yai National Park in the distance, diary meadows nestle between hills on both sides of Highway 2.Not surprisingly, this undulating country is the home of the National Dairy Cows Festival that runs from 16 to 25 January. All of the celebrations and activities that will interest visitors will take place at the foot of Tapan Hill in Muak Lek district, approximately 39 km northeast of Saraburi, or 145 km from Bangkok.Festivities begin with a royal visit from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who will graciously open the event which will feature seminars, a fair and concerts.
Visitors are probably most familiar with Chok Chai Farm one of the pioneers of the cowboy culture in Thailand. Today the farm has expanded to offer farm tours with various attractions including a zoo that appeals to families and groups. In the grand tradition of the cowboy the ranch is proud of its rustic timber restaurant serving up tender T-bone steaks.While individual farms in Saraburi run fine restaurants and adopt a country western themes, come 20 January they unite to host the annual Cowboy Night at the Tapan Hill venue in Muak Lek district.
The event launches with dairy cow contests, but quickly takes on a carnival atmosphere with light hearted rivalry to declare who is sporting the best cowboy or cowgirl costumes.
According to Saraburi province’s tourism office the cowboy festival evolves into an amazing scene as hundreds of “Thai cowboys travel from different parts of the country to enjoy country western music, an exhibition of dairy and beef cow farming, cow contests, whip-cracking, roping and lariat show, and fancy gun handling. The festival venue even uses haystacks instead of tables and chairs.”
Muak Lek district has three resorts, a health spa and a couple of campsites catering to international visitors. The district is best known for its picturesque landscape, vineyards, river rafting, ATV expeditions, hot air ballooning, mountain bike trails and even a farm where children can learn to ride horses. Most of the resorts are in Muak Lek district on the rural road 2089 that winds around 300-metre high hills from the intersection on Highway 2.
Bor Sang Umbrella and Sankampaeng Handicraft Festival
Bor Sang Umbrella and Sankampaeng Handicraft FestivalDate : 16 to 18 January 2009Venue : Bor Sang village, Chiang Mai
Bor Sang, on highway 1006 heading east from Chiang Mai, appears to be a typical sleepy rural village, the kind the tour bus speeds by giving you just a fleeting glimpse of its two-storey wooden houses. But hidden in the tiny lanes, villagers have perfected a craft that creates the country’s most famous umbrellas.
For more than 100 years, the village has been associated with the production of umbrellas made from Saa paper derived from mulberry tree bark. According to local history, a monk travelled to neighbouring Myanmar, where he came across Saa paper umbrellas that offered protection against both the sun and rain.
He returned with the production technique and introduced the umbrella to the elders of Bor Sang village, who added their own artistic skills to create a distinctive colourful, but very practical, umbrella. At first it was just a profitable hobby that supplemented the villagers’ earnings from the annual rice crop. However, with time production of the Saa paper umbrellas prospered, prompting villagers to establish a handicraft cooperative in 1941 that now organises the annual festival. Using silk and cotton, weaved at neighbouring Sankampaeng, villagers eventually added a second line of umbrellas decorated with images of the north, its flowers and birds, all intricately hand-painted. Today, Bor Sang village exports both Saa-paper and silk umbrellas. They are seen at trade shows in a variety of sizes, from giant parasols that offer a shady canopy from the sun, to miniscule variations that adorn popular cocktail drinks.
To celebrate success the village hosts a three-day festival every January. Streets are illuminated by lanterns, while hundreds of umbrellas are hung from the rafters and beams of houses and shops. Bands play, while villagers compete to design the year’s most attractive umbrella. Concerts, a food festival and beauty contest all compete for the attention of the audience, a mix of both tourists and residents, who gather here to celebrate Bor Sang’s innovative handicraft skills.
Throughout the year, tourists visit the village, a short 6 km drive from Chiang Mai, to buy umbrellas and study the process and skills that go into making a handicraft entirely from natural products. But nothing quite compares with the buzz that permeates the village during this colourful three-day handicraft festival, every January. It is a scene that represents village hospitality and charm at its very best. For more informationTAT Chiang Mai Office, Tel. 66 (0) 5324 8604, 5324 8607, 5324 1466
Bor Sang, on highway 1006 heading east from Chiang Mai, appears to be a typical sleepy rural village, the kind the tour bus speeds by giving you just a fleeting glimpse of its two-storey wooden houses. But hidden in the tiny lanes, villagers have perfected a craft that creates the country’s most famous umbrellas.
For more than 100 years, the village has been associated with the production of umbrellas made from Saa paper derived from mulberry tree bark. According to local history, a monk travelled to neighbouring Myanmar, where he came across Saa paper umbrellas that offered protection against both the sun and rain.
He returned with the production technique and introduced the umbrella to the elders of Bor Sang village, who added their own artistic skills to create a distinctive colourful, but very practical, umbrella. At first it was just a profitable hobby that supplemented the villagers’ earnings from the annual rice crop. However, with time production of the Saa paper umbrellas prospered, prompting villagers to establish a handicraft cooperative in 1941 that now organises the annual festival. Using silk and cotton, weaved at neighbouring Sankampaeng, villagers eventually added a second line of umbrellas decorated with images of the north, its flowers and birds, all intricately hand-painted. Today, Bor Sang village exports both Saa-paper and silk umbrellas. They are seen at trade shows in a variety of sizes, from giant parasols that offer a shady canopy from the sun, to miniscule variations that adorn popular cocktail drinks.
To celebrate success the village hosts a three-day festival every January. Streets are illuminated by lanterns, while hundreds of umbrellas are hung from the rafters and beams of houses and shops. Bands play, while villagers compete to design the year’s most attractive umbrella. Concerts, a food festival and beauty contest all compete for the attention of the audience, a mix of both tourists and residents, who gather here to celebrate Bor Sang’s innovative handicraft skills.
Throughout the year, tourists visit the village, a short 6 km drive from Chiang Mai, to buy umbrellas and study the process and skills that go into making a handicraft entirely from natural products. But nothing quite compares with the buzz that permeates the village during this colourful three-day handicraft festival, every January. It is a scene that represents village hospitality and charm at its very best. For more informationTAT Chiang Mai Office, Tel. 66 (0) 5324 8604, 5324 8607, 5324 1466
วันอังคารที่ 13 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552
Free food to promote ecotourism
Date : 27 - 28 January 2009Venue : Ranong Villagers pitch in to create an amazing eating festival to entice visitors to explore nearby ecotourism trails.It sustains life and it is certainly a pleasure very few can deny so it kind of makes sense to celebrate the simple task of eating. Villagers in La Un district, some 80 km northeast of Ranong provincial town, believe their culinary skills are up to the test as they launch into their very own Eating Festival scheduled 28 January.
We can understand their enthusiasm as Thailand is certainly a top notch destination for superb food and every village appears to have secret recipes.Like other Andamam coast provinces, Ranong is blessed with fine sandy beaches, off shore islands and opportunities to go deep sea fishing or scuba diving at incredible bargain prices.
But Ranong is probably the greenest of all Thailand’s provinces blessed with abundant rain that keeps national parks in pristine condition for visitors who want to journey down the eco-tourism trail.
That trail leads north of Ranong to Lamnam Kraburi National Park and the famous Punyabun Falls just off Highway 4. After admiring the beauty of the 6 km wide Kraburi River estuary that separates Thailand and Myanmar, travellers can head 20 km inland to La Un district that lies at the end of the rural highway 4091. Here villagers hope to draw visitors to sample eco-tours that will ultimately supplement the district’s income.
To draw attention to their forest tours they created an eating festival. It promises a scrumptious display of snacks and heavy-duty dining delivered to the village stalls by no less than 35 villages that make up the La Un district.No duplications are allowed. Villages have drawn on southern culinary skills to showcase a wealth of down-to-earth cooking skills delivering a selection of spicy main dishes to eat with rice and an array of sweet deserts and snacks.All this is feasting and snacking is absolutely free, a sign that La Un’s villagers recognise that the way to a visitor’s heart is via the stomach.
Efforts to open the district to tourism begin a day earlier, 27 January, with villages introducing eco-tour options. They hope to convince travellers who journey on Highway 4, between Chumphon and Ranong, to make a diversion inland to stop for a meal and learn a little about the district’s natural beauty, forest trails and even three hot springs near the village of Bang Phra Nua, in La Un district.
You will have to admit the buffet spread has a remarkable price tag. And if their tours are as tasty as the food, eco-tourism will be on the map at La Un thanks to a day of hospitality.
We can understand their enthusiasm as Thailand is certainly a top notch destination for superb food and every village appears to have secret recipes.Like other Andamam coast provinces, Ranong is blessed with fine sandy beaches, off shore islands and opportunities to go deep sea fishing or scuba diving at incredible bargain prices.
But Ranong is probably the greenest of all Thailand’s provinces blessed with abundant rain that keeps national parks in pristine condition for visitors who want to journey down the eco-tourism trail.
That trail leads north of Ranong to Lamnam Kraburi National Park and the famous Punyabun Falls just off Highway 4. After admiring the beauty of the 6 km wide Kraburi River estuary that separates Thailand and Myanmar, travellers can head 20 km inland to La Un district that lies at the end of the rural highway 4091. Here villagers hope to draw visitors to sample eco-tours that will ultimately supplement the district’s income.
To draw attention to their forest tours they created an eating festival. It promises a scrumptious display of snacks and heavy-duty dining delivered to the village stalls by no less than 35 villages that make up the La Un district.No duplications are allowed. Villages have drawn on southern culinary skills to showcase a wealth of down-to-earth cooking skills delivering a selection of spicy main dishes to eat with rice and an array of sweet deserts and snacks.All this is feasting and snacking is absolutely free, a sign that La Un’s villagers recognise that the way to a visitor’s heart is via the stomach.
Efforts to open the district to tourism begin a day earlier, 27 January, with villages introducing eco-tour options. They hope to convince travellers who journey on Highway 4, between Chumphon and Ranong, to make a diversion inland to stop for a meal and learn a little about the district’s natural beauty, forest trails and even three hot springs near the village of Bang Phra Nua, in La Un district.
You will have to admit the buffet spread has a remarkable price tag. And if their tours are as tasty as the food, eco-tourism will be on the map at La Un thanks to a day of hospitality.
วันจันทร์ที่ 12 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552
Top Tips For Choosing Epson V11H257220 MovieMate72 720p Home Theater Projector with Built In DVD Player
Top Tips For Choosing Epson V11H257220 MovieMate72 720p Home Theater Projector with Built In DVD Player
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I must acknowledge that I am customarily one that does not enjoy shopping online, but my idea on that has changed since I bought my Epson V11H257220 MovieMate72 720p Home Theater Projector with Built In DVD Player from ebay.
Not only was Epson V11H257220 MovieMate72 720p Home Theater Projector with Built In DVD Player stupendous, but the shopping experience was mind-boggling too! The secruity that ebay has implemented is truly safe.
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Past to Present Digital Camera’s
Digital cameras are one of the results of technological advances made in the last several years making our life a little simpler. Instead of the long process of taking pictures, turning your disposable camera or the film in for processing, waiting for it to return, and inspecting your photographs to see if they turned out you can have your pictures in minutes. The digital camera makes it possible to click the picture, transfer it to your computer and print. If you do not like the pics you took, you can take another and another until you are satisfied with the photo.
One of the innovative new cameras that make this possible is the Powershot SD770. This camera which allows you to create all types of wide angle views with the Photostitch software, which by the way comes with the camera. If you love to edit your photos frame by frame this is the right camera for you because there is no intra-frame compression.
The size of the files is another good feature for editing later. They run about 19MB for every 10s clip. The digital cam has certainly made capturing your family and friends at their best (or worse) much easier. Of course, it can be set to many video qualities as most can. This will allow variance of the file size to your specific need.
The Canon SD770 has very clear and succinct audio which is another plus for capturing friends and family at outings, birthday parties or the holiday season. This is a camera with very friendly recording options. The battery adds to this function because once charged it holds up very well and still shows a full charge after shooting over 150 photos.
When it comes to digital cameras or digital-cams as they are called for short, the Powershot SD770 is a camera with a silent time-lapse mode. This allows the camera to make a frame every one or two seconds. When recording this quickly, the file size of 50 MB per minute when played back equals 15 minutes of real time recording.
The Powershot SD770 has the benefit of face detection. This is great for making sure you get a face shot. By pressing the shutter halfway, you set the camera which draws a square around the faces. The auto white balance is another feature that works really well on the Canon SD770. The white of porcelain actually looks white under a fluorescent light. Earlier cameras often made white items under these lighting conditions have an orange tint.
The digital cameras of today, such as the Powershot SD770, is so much more advanced than the film cameras of yesterday. To think that one small memory card can hold thousands of photos until you are ready to transfer them to your computer for viewing is absolutely amazing. The compact cameras we use are fitted with zoom lenses for capturing far away shots. The use of digital cameras is even incorporated into vehicles for the safety of police officers as well as being used for evidence.
One thing it might surprise you to know about the image quality of the Powershot SD770 is the sharpness. It is very sharp and has been compared with a camera which cost $5,000 and it had a sharper image than the more expensive camera. For $300 you can get a Canon SD770 with a sharper image than a camera which costs much more. This is the face of technology today. The digital cameras available now are much less expensive than they were even 5 years ago. As with most advances in the electronic field, the more advanced products get, the cheaper the ones that are already being manufactured.
Digital cameras are being put everywhere from PDAs to telephones to the smallest security devices. The technology we have presently is making such strides that one wonders what will be next. This concept was the brainchild of Eugene F. Lally, who worked for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was the first to publish how to generate still photos in a digital realm by using a mosaic photo sensor. As a method to supply astronauts with navigation info onboard the space shuttles during mission, this was the prerequisite to the digital camera.
An interesting fact that you may find funny is the first logged try at creating a digital camera was by an Eastman Kodak engineer named Steven Sasson. This was in December, 1975. The cam weighed in at 8 pounds and took black and white images which it downloaded via recording to a cassette tape. The camera took 23 seconds to get the first picture. Although not intended for mass production, this was the first known digital camera.
About the Author:
many people like the PowerShotSD770 but dont have enough information or are just intimidated to own a digital cam if you would like more information (and a great discount if your looking to purchase) then visit PowerShot-SD770 .com today!
One of the innovative new cameras that make this possible is the Powershot SD770. This camera which allows you to create all types of wide angle views with the Photostitch software, which by the way comes with the camera. If you love to edit your photos frame by frame this is the right camera for you because there is no intra-frame compression.
The size of the files is another good feature for editing later. They run about 19MB for every 10s clip. The digital cam has certainly made capturing your family and friends at their best (or worse) much easier. Of course, it can be set to many video qualities as most can. This will allow variance of the file size to your specific need.
The Canon SD770 has very clear and succinct audio which is another plus for capturing friends and family at outings, birthday parties or the holiday season. This is a camera with very friendly recording options. The battery adds to this function because once charged it holds up very well and still shows a full charge after shooting over 150 photos.
When it comes to digital cameras or digital-cams as they are called for short, the Powershot SD770 is a camera with a silent time-lapse mode. This allows the camera to make a frame every one or two seconds. When recording this quickly, the file size of 50 MB per minute when played back equals 15 minutes of real time recording.
The Powershot SD770 has the benefit of face detection. This is great for making sure you get a face shot. By pressing the shutter halfway, you set the camera which draws a square around the faces. The auto white balance is another feature that works really well on the Canon SD770. The white of porcelain actually looks white under a fluorescent light. Earlier cameras often made white items under these lighting conditions have an orange tint.
The digital cameras of today, such as the Powershot SD770, is so much more advanced than the film cameras of yesterday. To think that one small memory card can hold thousands of photos until you are ready to transfer them to your computer for viewing is absolutely amazing. The compact cameras we use are fitted with zoom lenses for capturing far away shots. The use of digital cameras is even incorporated into vehicles for the safety of police officers as well as being used for evidence.
One thing it might surprise you to know about the image quality of the Powershot SD770 is the sharpness. It is very sharp and has been compared with a camera which cost $5,000 and it had a sharper image than the more expensive camera. For $300 you can get a Canon SD770 with a sharper image than a camera which costs much more. This is the face of technology today. The digital cameras available now are much less expensive than they were even 5 years ago. As with most advances in the electronic field, the more advanced products get, the cheaper the ones that are already being manufactured.
Digital cameras are being put everywhere from PDAs to telephones to the smallest security devices. The technology we have presently is making such strides that one wonders what will be next. This concept was the brainchild of Eugene F. Lally, who worked for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was the first to publish how to generate still photos in a digital realm by using a mosaic photo sensor. As a method to supply astronauts with navigation info onboard the space shuttles during mission, this was the prerequisite to the digital camera.
An interesting fact that you may find funny is the first logged try at creating a digital camera was by an Eastman Kodak engineer named Steven Sasson. This was in December, 1975. The cam weighed in at 8 pounds and took black and white images which it downloaded via recording to a cassette tape. The camera took 23 seconds to get the first picture. Although not intended for mass production, this was the first known digital camera.
About the Author:
many people like the PowerShotSD770 but dont have enough information or are just intimidated to own a digital cam if you would like more information (and a great discount if your looking to purchase) then visit PowerShot-SD770 .com today!
Ben Stein Watch: January 11, 2009
Ben Stein sat in on some cabinet meetings in 1974, and learned that high-ranking political officials aren’t always super-smart. This, he seems to think, was not a good thing. He then says that since even very smart people have been humbled by the current crisis, it’s foolish to place too much faith in any politicians, even ones as smart as those currently coming in to office.
Stein, the son of two extremely smart parents, has built an entire career out of being (perceived to be) smart, so it’s maybe not surprising that he considers the present crisis to have come about despite the best efforts of very smart people, rather than because of them. But leverage is an inherently and obviously dangerous thing, and invariably it was extremely smart people who managed to persuade themselves, counterintuitively, that it was something to be embraced and maximized.
A stupid fund manager would never buy a CDO, because there’s no remotely obvious way of working out how much it’s worth or what the default risks are. But smart fund managers, working with Monte Carlo simulations and copula models, were happy to rush in. There are a thousand other examples, but suffice to say that AIG Financial Products was predicated on the idea that it could monetize exceptional intelligence.
So when Stein tells us this week that smart people can make big mistakes, the only reasonable reaction is a “well, duh“. Which doesn’t mean, of course, that Stein himself is excused from being incredibly stupid:
While some foresighted people had inklings of danger, the exact total magnitude of the liabilities associated with low-grade credit instruments was not known, as far as I am aware, to anyone…Right now, I think it’s obvious that the next step for policy is the issuance of guarantees for banks that make loans.
Far from not being known by anyone, the total liabilities associated with “low-grade credit instruments” (by which I think Stein means subprime mortgages) were extremely well-known: all you needed to do to get the number was add up total subprime issuance — an exercise which many people engaged in, including Stein himself.
And I’m getting really annoyed with Stein inserting this Big Idea of his about loan guarantees into every column he writes, without ever bothering to explain what on earth he’s talking about. If he has a bright idea, he should tell us all what it is, rather than just waving vaguely in its direction on a regular basis. “For some reason,” says Stein, “Mr. Bernanke and Mr. Paulson don’t see it” — maybe that’s because it doesn’t exist, except for in Stein’s fevered imagination.
Stein concludes with an imprecation to “put not your trust in princes”, which would be reasonable enough if it weren’t for the fact that he’s spent the past year railing against princes (Hank Paulson, Ben Bernanke, Jan Hatzius, etc etc) whom, he reckons, have let him down.
Of course, there’s one person Stein doesn’t blame — the person who wrote this.
I’m writing this on Aug. 13, 2007… the stock market is cheap on a price-earnings basis, profits are fabulous… and in the long run, both here and abroad, stocks are a lovely place to be.
Stein, the son of two extremely smart parents, has built an entire career out of being (perceived to be) smart, so it’s maybe not surprising that he considers the present crisis to have come about despite the best efforts of very smart people, rather than because of them. But leverage is an inherently and obviously dangerous thing, and invariably it was extremely smart people who managed to persuade themselves, counterintuitively, that it was something to be embraced and maximized.
A stupid fund manager would never buy a CDO, because there’s no remotely obvious way of working out how much it’s worth or what the default risks are. But smart fund managers, working with Monte Carlo simulations and copula models, were happy to rush in. There are a thousand other examples, but suffice to say that AIG Financial Products was predicated on the idea that it could monetize exceptional intelligence.
So when Stein tells us this week that smart people can make big mistakes, the only reasonable reaction is a “well, duh“. Which doesn’t mean, of course, that Stein himself is excused from being incredibly stupid:
While some foresighted people had inklings of danger, the exact total magnitude of the liabilities associated with low-grade credit instruments was not known, as far as I am aware, to anyone…Right now, I think it’s obvious that the next step for policy is the issuance of guarantees for banks that make loans.
Far from not being known by anyone, the total liabilities associated with “low-grade credit instruments” (by which I think Stein means subprime mortgages) were extremely well-known: all you needed to do to get the number was add up total subprime issuance — an exercise which many people engaged in, including Stein himself.
And I’m getting really annoyed with Stein inserting this Big Idea of his about loan guarantees into every column he writes, without ever bothering to explain what on earth he’s talking about. If he has a bright idea, he should tell us all what it is, rather than just waving vaguely in its direction on a regular basis. “For some reason,” says Stein, “Mr. Bernanke and Mr. Paulson don’t see it” — maybe that’s because it doesn’t exist, except for in Stein’s fevered imagination.
Stein concludes with an imprecation to “put not your trust in princes”, which would be reasonable enough if it weren’t for the fact that he’s spent the past year railing against princes (Hank Paulson, Ben Bernanke, Jan Hatzius, etc etc) whom, he reckons, have let him down.
Of course, there’s one person Stein doesn’t blame — the person who wrote this.
I’m writing this on Aug. 13, 2007… the stock market is cheap on a price-earnings basis, profits are fabulous… and in the long run, both here and abroad, stocks are a lovely place to be.
Monitor Review: DoubleSight DS-1900S Dual-Monitor LCD
As prices of LCDs slowly drop, multi-LCD displays become more affordable. Anybody can take two LCDs and put them beside each other. Doublesight is offering a simpler, more elegant solution: one stand to support both your LCDs. The result is more available desk space and a cool look that anybody can appreciate.
The LCD quality is average when compared to other brands. The max resolution runs at 1280×1024 with a 700:1 contrast ratio. Unlike most new LCDs, the DS1900S has no internal power; instead there are two power bricks that add some clutter. Without an internal power supply, the LCDs are a little thinner and lighter than average. The bezels around the side are ¾-inch, creating a 1½-inch display gap when you put the LCDs together. The LCDs mount to the base via an adaptor to the VESA standard mount points. You could take any LCD under 19 inches wide that has a VESA mount and put it on this stand. The entire unit is 33 inches wide and 17 to 20 inches high. The power buttons are touch-sensitive; placing a finger anywhere in the lower right corner of the LCD will turn it on and off. Each LCD has a VGA (analog) and DVI (digital) input; you could connect two different computers to the unit, or you could have dual displays on one computer. There are controls on the bottom of each display, so you can adjust the two LCDs independently: Source, Menu, Select and left/right arrows to make adjustments on selected items.
There are three different models available: the DS-1700S, DS-1900S and DS-1900WA. The main difference among the three is size: 17-inch, 19-inch and 19-inch wide. The DS-1900WA, the newest model, sells for $589 on the street, with better-quality LCDs and a slimmer stand.
The LCD quality is average when compared to other brands. The max resolution runs at 1280×1024 with a 700:1 contrast ratio. Unlike most new LCDs, the DS1900S has no internal power; instead there are two power bricks that add some clutter. Without an internal power supply, the LCDs are a little thinner and lighter than average. The bezels around the side are ¾-inch, creating a 1½-inch display gap when you put the LCDs together. The LCDs mount to the base via an adaptor to the VESA standard mount points. You could take any LCD under 19 inches wide that has a VESA mount and put it on this stand. The entire unit is 33 inches wide and 17 to 20 inches high. The power buttons are touch-sensitive; placing a finger anywhere in the lower right corner of the LCD will turn it on and off. Each LCD has a VGA (analog) and DVI (digital) input; you could connect two different computers to the unit, or you could have dual displays on one computer. There are controls on the bottom of each display, so you can adjust the two LCDs independently: Source, Menu, Select and left/right arrows to make adjustments on selected items.
There are three different models available: the DS-1700S, DS-1900S and DS-1900WA. The main difference among the three is size: 17-inch, 19-inch and 19-inch wide. The DS-1900WA, the newest model, sells for $589 on the street, with better-quality LCDs and a slimmer stand.
What is the next HDTV technology
There is a game we like to play here at HDMI review. We always try to predict what will be next in the technology world. HDTVs are no exception. We have been trying to figure out what would be the next big thing when it comes to HDTV technology. There have been plenty new technolgies for HDTV which include laser technology as well as HDTV that implement 3D. We feel that the 3D technology would be the next big thing when it comes to HDTV technology. There have already been a lot of films coming out in 3D in theaters.
Purchase Epson PictureMate Dash PM 260 Compact Photo Inkjet Printer
The PictureMate Dash is an easy-to-use personal photo lab for quickly creating stacks of durable, professional quality photos right in your own home. Simply insert your memory card, connect your camera or even attach a flash drive and you’re ready for 4×6 prints in as fast as 37 seconds. Photos from the PictureMate Dash are smudge, scratch, water and fade resistant. Each vibrant photo with crisp details will be one you’ll share with friends and family for generations to come. Remove red eye, crop, re-size and more without needing a computer Print directly from your memory card, digital camera and USB flash drive Print wireless from your mobile phone with an optional Bluetooth Adapter Advanced MicroPiezo Printing Technology 90 x 4 nozzle configuration 5760×1440 dpi Maximum Resolution 3 picoliters ink droplet Memory Card Slot - CompactFlash Type I & II, Secure Digital SD, SDHC, MMC, Memory Stick, Microdrive and xD-Picture Card Operating System - Windows Vista x32, x64, XP, XP Professional Edition x64, 2000 and Mac OS X 10.28 or later Dimensions - Width 9.1 x Depth 13.6 x Height 10.5 Weight - 5.3 pounds
Energy-guzzling plasma TVs will be banned in Brussels eco bli
The plasma screen television is poised to become the next victim of the battle to curb energy use.
Giant energy-guzzling flatscreens are expected to be banned under legislation due to be agreed by the EU this spring.
Plasma screens have been nicknamed the ‘4×4s’ of the living room because they use up to four times as much electricity and are responsible for up to four times as much carbon dioxide as traditional cathode ray tube sets.
Next victim? Plasma screen TV could be next in the battle to curb energy use
The most energy intensive will be phased out under the new EU standards for minimum energy performance, which will follow the voluntary withdrawal of the traditional 100watt light bulb.
The remaining TVs of all types will have to carry energy rating labels designed to make it easy to distinguish between the best and worst performers. LCD flat screen TVs are much more energy efficient than their plasma cousins so are unlikely to be banned.
A 42in LCD TV uses similar amounts of energy to a much smaller traditional set. A spokesman for the Department-for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the plasma TV would not be banned completely, with eco-friendly sets remaining on the market.
Popular buy: Plasma TVs are commonplace in Britain
The moves are part of an effort to tackle climate change by stemming the spiralling electricity consumption in households. It involves phasing out wasteful devices and introducing low-energy alternatives.
Families have nearly three times as many electrical appliances and gadgets as a generation ago and the amount of electricity used to power them has doubled.
Today Britain has 60million television sets - one for every person in the country. Plasma screens, which are common in pubs and supermarkets, as well as in homes, are among the most popular buys.
A Defra spokesman said that in the past five years the main TV in many households has changed from being a 24-32in cathode ray model to a 32-42 flatscreen TV.
Giant energy-guzzling flatscreens are expected to be banned under legislation due to be agreed by the EU this spring.
Plasma screens have been nicknamed the ‘4×4s’ of the living room because they use up to four times as much electricity and are responsible for up to four times as much carbon dioxide as traditional cathode ray tube sets.
Next victim? Plasma screen TV could be next in the battle to curb energy use
The most energy intensive will be phased out under the new EU standards for minimum energy performance, which will follow the voluntary withdrawal of the traditional 100watt light bulb.
The remaining TVs of all types will have to carry energy rating labels designed to make it easy to distinguish between the best and worst performers. LCD flat screen TVs are much more energy efficient than their plasma cousins so are unlikely to be banned.
A 42in LCD TV uses similar amounts of energy to a much smaller traditional set. A spokesman for the Department-for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the plasma TV would not be banned completely, with eco-friendly sets remaining on the market.
Popular buy: Plasma TVs are commonplace in Britain
The moves are part of an effort to tackle climate change by stemming the spiralling electricity consumption in households. It involves phasing out wasteful devices and introducing low-energy alternatives.
Families have nearly three times as many electrical appliances and gadgets as a generation ago and the amount of electricity used to power them has doubled.
Today Britain has 60million television sets - one for every person in the country. Plasma screens, which are common in pubs and supermarkets, as well as in homes, are among the most popular buys.
A Defra spokesman said that in the past five years the main TV in many households has changed from being a 24-32in cathode ray model to a 32-42 flatscreen TV.
Hey-Don’t I know you?
Time just flew by this week, like crazy coconut! (what we say in our house when things are outta wack) I picked up my consignments from a local boutique. It is like bringing your children home from college for the summer! I am so excited to have them back, even if just for a day or two until they are sold. But, whew~ what a lotta work. Some are tarnished and needed a good polishing. All needed new pictures to be taken, edit the pics, upload to ETSY and ArtFire. New price tags/earring cards so they are ready for the 2009 show season. More consignments coming ‘home’ at the end of the month from the Elmhurst Art Museum. Same routine with the new pics, etc.
I truly appreciate the opportunity to have my work on consignment at these locations, more exposure, chance for me to learn about dealing with various types of businesses (boutiques, museum gift shops, etc.)
I just put together my line sheet. (term for wholesale price sheet). I had a consignment request - but I countered with “we are only looking at wholesale right now”- and they countered with “ok, so send us your wholesale pricing!” Would be great if it worked out. There is a wholesale craft lister online site, where you can register, BUT you need to already have three wholesale accounts. So, 3 or more wholesale accounts this year is one of my goals.
You can now purchase online at http://tangokdesign.etsy.com/ AND http://tangokdesign.artfire.com/ The pricing at the two locations is the same, however, more new pieces will be listed on ARTFIRE. Please check me out there!
How is your new year shaping up? We just had a two day snow storm, waiting for the snow plow guy to come and do his thing. My car (pontiac vibe, small tires) is at the bottom of our hill/driveway-so I am stuck and cannot get out. Hubby drives a Saturn vue, so he is good to go, and has been parking in the circle drive in the front.
And, my little boy turned 11 yesterday! No longer a kid, not quite a teenager. Currently upstairs downloading AC/DC & Black Sabbath onto his new Ipod Nano. (yeah we are really nice!). He is in fifth grade this year, so this will be the last year for a ‘birthday party’. The end of an era- just as our daughter starts pre-school on Monday and her season of parties begins. LOL- you cannot be a parent and not go through these wonderful experiences. BUT- I still cannot wait to ship them all off to college!
PS. Leave a comment on any blog posting in January 2009 and you are entered to win the pair of Korean Jade & Emerald earring pictured in my 12-31-08 blog post.
I truly appreciate the opportunity to have my work on consignment at these locations, more exposure, chance for me to learn about dealing with various types of businesses (boutiques, museum gift shops, etc.)
I just put together my line sheet. (term for wholesale price sheet). I had a consignment request - but I countered with “we are only looking at wholesale right now”- and they countered with “ok, so send us your wholesale pricing!” Would be great if it worked out. There is a wholesale craft lister online site, where you can register, BUT you need to already have three wholesale accounts. So, 3 or more wholesale accounts this year is one of my goals.
You can now purchase online at http://tangokdesign.etsy.com/ AND http://tangokdesign.artfire.com/ The pricing at the two locations is the same, however, more new pieces will be listed on ARTFIRE. Please check me out there!
How is your new year shaping up? We just had a two day snow storm, waiting for the snow plow guy to come and do his thing. My car (pontiac vibe, small tires) is at the bottom of our hill/driveway-so I am stuck and cannot get out. Hubby drives a Saturn vue, so he is good to go, and has been parking in the circle drive in the front.
And, my little boy turned 11 yesterday! No longer a kid, not quite a teenager. Currently upstairs downloading AC/DC & Black Sabbath onto his new Ipod Nano. (yeah we are really nice!). He is in fifth grade this year, so this will be the last year for a ‘birthday party’. The end of an era- just as our daughter starts pre-school on Monday and her season of parties begins. LOL- you cannot be a parent and not go through these wonderful experiences. BUT- I still cannot wait to ship them all off to college!
PS. Leave a comment on any blog posting in January 2009 and you are entered to win the pair of Korean Jade & Emerald earring pictured in my 12-31-08 blog post.
Logitech Cordless Desktop MX5500 Revolution Review
I’ve generally enjoyed the assortment of accessories provided by Logitech. From the awesome (albeit expensive) diNovo Edge keyboard to the diminutive VX Nano wireless mouse, Logitech has always been able to deliver the goods. One of their most recent offerings is the Logitech MX 5500 Desktop Revolution, a kit that includes both a wireless mouse and a wireless keyboard. Oh, and they operate off a Bluetooth connection.
Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Mouse
If the mouse that comes as part of the Logitech MX 5500 Desktop Revolution looks familiar, that’s because it’s nearly identical to the award-winning Logitech MX Revolution laser mouse that was released some time ago. The key difference is that they have replaced the propriety 2.4GHz wireless connection with a standard Bluetooth 2.0 connection.
Outside of the switch to Bluetooth, the features on the MX Revolution mouse are pretty much the same. I’ve said before that this is easily the most comfortable mouse I have ever used and I maintain that claim. It’s definitely a little larger than most other mice on the market, but this adds to the comfort level. I also enjoy the “revolutionary” scroll wheel, because you can quickly switch between click-to-click scrolling and the free spinning wheel. The second “scroll wheel” is still here, located where your thumb would rest. This is for the document flip function in Windows Vista.
The trouble with the MX Revolution is that it is not leftie friendly whatsoever. If you happen to be left-handed, you will have to look elsewhere. It’s unlikely that Logitech will create a leftie version of mouse any time soon, especially since they haven’t done it already. (The original MX has been out for a long time now.)
There’s absolutely nothing innovative about this mouse, so if you are only interested in the mouse part of the package, you’re better off buying the original MX Revolution. It used to be $99, but you can sometimes find it on sale for as low as $50. Compare that to the $170 asking price for the MX5500 Desktop Revolution set.
Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Mouse
If the mouse that comes as part of the Logitech MX 5500 Desktop Revolution looks familiar, that’s because it’s nearly identical to the award-winning Logitech MX Revolution laser mouse that was released some time ago. The key difference is that they have replaced the propriety 2.4GHz wireless connection with a standard Bluetooth 2.0 connection.
Outside of the switch to Bluetooth, the features on the MX Revolution mouse are pretty much the same. I’ve said before that this is easily the most comfortable mouse I have ever used and I maintain that claim. It’s definitely a little larger than most other mice on the market, but this adds to the comfort level. I also enjoy the “revolutionary” scroll wheel, because you can quickly switch between click-to-click scrolling and the free spinning wheel. The second “scroll wheel” is still here, located where your thumb would rest. This is for the document flip function in Windows Vista.
The trouble with the MX Revolution is that it is not leftie friendly whatsoever. If you happen to be left-handed, you will have to look elsewhere. It’s unlikely that Logitech will create a leftie version of mouse any time soon, especially since they haven’t done it already. (The original MX has been out for a long time now.)
There’s absolutely nothing innovative about this mouse, so if you are only interested in the mouse part of the package, you’re better off buying the original MX Revolution. It used to be $99, but you can sometimes find it on sale for as low as $50. Compare that to the $170 asking price for the MX5500 Desktop Revolution set.
ASUS Loses Netbook Share to Acer; DisplaySearch Publishes Top Netbook Manufacters
We have been waiting for some solid evidence of the growth of the netbook market in the past few months and DisplaySearch is finally out with it.
This morning the market research company released a report on how the netbook (or mini-note as they call it) market grew more than 160 percent in the third quarter of 2008. With all the major players entering the market in the past months, the small computers are the “bright spot” of the computer industry, the report states.
The jaw dropping news: ASUS lost significant share to Acer, as Acer captured more than 35 percent of the market with its Aspire One. Despite its releasing what seems like hoards of netbooks (most recently the Eee PC 1002HA), ASUS dropped below Acer. You can check out the full ranking of netbook manufacturers below:
We are happy to see MSI rising on the list since its Wind has been on our favorite netbooks. Missing from the lineup is Samsung. Perhaps the NC10 was released too late in Q3 to populate sales. We are happy to see the OLPC and Intel’s Classmate appearing as well.
This morning the market research company released a report on how the netbook (or mini-note as they call it) market grew more than 160 percent in the third quarter of 2008. With all the major players entering the market in the past months, the small computers are the “bright spot” of the computer industry, the report states.
The jaw dropping news: ASUS lost significant share to Acer, as Acer captured more than 35 percent of the market with its Aspire One. Despite its releasing what seems like hoards of netbooks (most recently the Eee PC 1002HA), ASUS dropped below Acer. You can check out the full ranking of netbook manufacturers below:
We are happy to see MSI rising on the list since its Wind has been on our favorite netbooks. Missing from the lineup is Samsung. Perhaps the NC10 was released too late in Q3 to populate sales. We are happy to see the OLPC and Intel’s Classmate appearing as well.
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 11 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552
The Wedding University
Lately we’ve been chatting with a lot of Bay Area brides who are in the throes of wedding planning, and understandably feeling a little overwhelmed! So, we were thrilled to hear about our friend and event planner extraordinaire Jubilee Lau’s upcoming Wedding University. What a great idea!
This day-long event is an educational seminar to school brides- and grooms-to-be in the myriad aspects of wedding planning, including how to stretch that wedding budget as far as it’ll go! Check out the A-list vendors who’ll be sharing their expertise here. Check out the U’s blog here.
This day-long event is an educational seminar to school brides- and grooms-to-be in the myriad aspects of wedding planning, including how to stretch that wedding budget as far as it’ll go! Check out the A-list vendors who’ll be sharing their expertise here. Check out the U’s blog here.
Personalized Cupcakes
Happy Birthday!Today is the birthday of two of my co-workers, Marjorie and Daniel. To celebrate their birthdays I decided I would make them these cupcakes. At one point I was going to make them a peanut butter pie, only to find out that Daniel does not like peanut butter. Normally not liking peanut butter would be unacceptable in my book, but since Daniel is not American I suppose it is excusable. Anyhow, I got the okay on chocolate cupcakes (chocolate is loved universally after all) and decided I would make these.I made this chocolate recipe once before on my blog when I made Chocolate Cupcakes with Cookies and Cream Frosting. I did not want to repeat the recipe, but they were so good the first time I could not resist. I did not make the frosting, which nobody seemed to notice, but I did make the little "M" and "D" decorations. I this decorating technique in the book Hello, Cupcake! which my boyfriend gave me for Christmas. I do not have any pictures of me making the letters, but I will give you detailed instructions. The book is fantastic so if you have time definitely check it out. To ensure you do not feel cheated with a repeat recipe and store bought frosting I have included a frosting recipe below. I hope you enjoy!Happy Birthday Personalized Cupcakescupcake recipe from All RecipesChocolate Cupcakes:1 package chocolate cake mix (I used chocolate fudge cake mix)1 package instant chocolate pudding mix (I also used chocolate fudge pudding mix)1 cup sour cream1 cup vegetable oil4 eggs1/2 cup warm water2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (dust these in flour to keep them from sinking to the bottom)Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into 24 lined muffin cups.Bake for 20 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cupcakes completely before frosting.Simple Buttercream Frostingfrom The Culinary Institute of America1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature4 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted, plus extra as needed1 tsp vanilla extract1/8 tsp salt1/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk plus extra as neededCream the butter on medium speed until it is very light in texture, 2 minutes. Add the confectioner's sugar, vanilla extract, and salt and mix on a low speed until the sugar and butter are blended, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Increase the speed to medium and, with the mixer running, add the cream in a thin stream.Note: Once blended, buttercreams can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. To use after refrigeration, let the buttercream soften at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Transfer it to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until it is a smooth, light spreading consistency, 3-4 minutes.To Decorate Cupcakes:Edging the Cupcakesfrom Hello, Cupcake! Spread the cooled cupcakes with a generous dollop of room temperature frosting. Smooth evenly. Spread a large amount of sprinkles, sugar, or other ingredient in a small shallow bowl. While the frosting is still moist, hold the cupcake by its base and carefully roll the edge in sprinkles. Press the frosting against the sugar to smooth out an imperfections.Chocolate Letteringfrom Hello, Cupcake! Create your own letter, make multiple templates (you do not need a template and can free hand your letters, this is what I did), and place on a cookie sheet. Place a piece of wax paper on top of the template. Place any color candy melting wafers in a ziplock bag. Do not seal the bag. Microwave in 30 second intervals, massaging the bag between each interval, until the candy is smooth. Press out the excess air and seal the bag, Snip a 1/8-inch corner from the bag. Pipe out an outline of the letter on the wax paper and fill in. Tap the pan lightly after each letter to flatten. Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle the top with the desired nonpareils or colored sugar. Refrigerate until set, about five minutes. When set, place on edged cupcakes.
Rossett home plans rejected
CAMPAIGNERS have won their fight as planning permission for more houses on a Harrogate estate has been refused.
Applicants Telereal had submitted a revised application for ten houses on Redfearn Mews, as well as a through road to access the land.But residents on the Rossett cul-de-sac objected to the scheme, saying the development would bring more traffic than the estate was able to cope with.They said that a decision should not be taken on the piece of land until the future of the whole, larger, site was known.Councilors at a planning meeting in December had initially refused the application on the grounds of prematurity.MeetingBut the council's principal solicitor decided to refer the application to a higher committee, fearing that this basis for refusal would leave the case open to appeal.But at a meeting of the district development sub-committee on Thursday, the application was once again refused much to campaigning residents' relief.For more on this story, and on residents' plans for the site, see next week's Harrogate Advertiser.
Applicants Telereal had submitted a revised application for ten houses on Redfearn Mews, as well as a through road to access the land.But residents on the Rossett cul-de-sac objected to the scheme, saying the development would bring more traffic than the estate was able to cope with.They said that a decision should not be taken on the piece of land until the future of the whole, larger, site was known.Councilors at a planning meeting in December had initially refused the application on the grounds of prematurity.MeetingBut the council's principal solicitor decided to refer the application to a higher committee, fearing that this basis for refusal would leave the case open to appeal.But at a meeting of the district development sub-committee on Thursday, the application was once again refused much to campaigning residents' relief.For more on this story, and on residents' plans for the site, see next week's Harrogate Advertiser.
British Law Firm Takes Top Ranking for M.A. Deals
The results are in, and the prize for the top law firm in mergers and acquisitions for 2008 is: Linklaters?
Yes, the British “Magic Circle” law firm racked up the most M.&A. deals by volume last year, surpassing its “white shoe” counterparts across the Atlantic in New York City, according to data released by Mergermarket. Linklaters served as legal adviser on 267 deals totaling $729 billion.
The news must come as a blow to the traditional leaders of the law league tables. The winner in 2007, Sullivan and Cromwell, was a distant second with 135 deals valued at $611 billion. The merger-centric Skadden Arps Slate Meagher and Flom fell from second place in 2007, to third place last year, with 187 deals valued at $526 billion.
It was a tough year for nearly every law firm on Wall Street and in The City of London as the global credit crisis weakened the ability of companies and private equity firms to make deals.
While there is no doubt that 2008 was a tough year for dealmakers, it may not be as bad as some would expect. The final numbers from Dealogic show that the combined volume of global mergers and acquisitions announced in 2008 came in at $3.3 trillion. That is down 28 percent from the record total of 2007, but still the fourth-highest yearly total on record — hardly a terrible year in the scheme of things.
Linklaters benefited heavily because of the consolidation of the banking sector in Europe. It worked with Lloyds TSB and its acquisition of the troubled home-lender HBOS; Citibank on the disposal of its German retail bank, Citibank Privatkunden; and the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds TSB on the capital-raising underwritten by the British Government.
Beer mergers also helped the top three augment their returns. Sullivan and Cromwell and Skadden both picked up points working on either side of Inbev’s $59 billion acquisition of Anheuser Busch, while Linklaters got points by representing Scottish & Newcastle as the target in the $15 billion takeover by Carlsberg and Heineken.
But the big totals do not give the entire picture on which law firms made the most money.
There were many canceled deals last year, which normally do not count toward credit in the banking league tables, but, controversially, stay on the law firm league tables. For example, the year’s biggest pulled deal, BHP Billiton’s $192 billion hostile bid for Rio Tinto, was attributed to the firms, even though BHP pulled its bid in December.
Luckily, it would not have affected the placement of the top three, as all of them were working on the deal and received credit. But while the jumbo deal pumped up their standings in the rankings, it failed to fully line their pockets with fees.
Yes, the British “Magic Circle” law firm racked up the most M.&A. deals by volume last year, surpassing its “white shoe” counterparts across the Atlantic in New York City, according to data released by Mergermarket. Linklaters served as legal adviser on 267 deals totaling $729 billion.
The news must come as a blow to the traditional leaders of the law league tables. The winner in 2007, Sullivan and Cromwell, was a distant second with 135 deals valued at $611 billion. The merger-centric Skadden Arps Slate Meagher and Flom fell from second place in 2007, to third place last year, with 187 deals valued at $526 billion.
It was a tough year for nearly every law firm on Wall Street and in The City of London as the global credit crisis weakened the ability of companies and private equity firms to make deals.
While there is no doubt that 2008 was a tough year for dealmakers, it may not be as bad as some would expect. The final numbers from Dealogic show that the combined volume of global mergers and acquisitions announced in 2008 came in at $3.3 trillion. That is down 28 percent from the record total of 2007, but still the fourth-highest yearly total on record — hardly a terrible year in the scheme of things.
Linklaters benefited heavily because of the consolidation of the banking sector in Europe. It worked with Lloyds TSB and its acquisition of the troubled home-lender HBOS; Citibank on the disposal of its German retail bank, Citibank Privatkunden; and the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds TSB on the capital-raising underwritten by the British Government.
Beer mergers also helped the top three augment their returns. Sullivan and Cromwell and Skadden both picked up points working on either side of Inbev’s $59 billion acquisition of Anheuser Busch, while Linklaters got points by representing Scottish & Newcastle as the target in the $15 billion takeover by Carlsberg and Heineken.
But the big totals do not give the entire picture on which law firms made the most money.
There were many canceled deals last year, which normally do not count toward credit in the banking league tables, but, controversially, stay on the law firm league tables. For example, the year’s biggest pulled deal, BHP Billiton’s $192 billion hostile bid for Rio Tinto, was attributed to the firms, even though BHP pulled its bid in December.
Luckily, it would not have affected the placement of the top three, as all of them were working on the deal and received credit. But while the jumbo deal pumped up their standings in the rankings, it failed to fully line their pockets with fees.
Rental fleet sales down last year, 2009 will be worse
Last summer, it was the Detroit Three that were restraining themselves from dumping cars into the gaping maw of fleet sales just to boost the bottom line. Turns out they had some help with that discipline: Due to last year's events, rental car fleets shrunk by 400,000 units from 2007 to 2008. As we begin 2009, rental car companies have declared they will be trimming their fleet orders and curbing the number of vehicles they keep on hand even further.Rental car companies have been thrown under a number of buses as of late. They can't borrow money to finance purchases; the recession has hammered the travel industry; wholesale used vehicle prices are falling (making rental car fleets less valuable); and besides that, car dealers can't get the money to buy the retired rental cars anyway, which subtracts yet another revenue stream. Rental companies have been good for something like 15% of sales from General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. But not this year: Enterprise, which also buys for National and Alamo, will buy half the number of cars it did last year, and they'll keep those cars a couple of months longer. Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty also said they will buy fewer cars and work them longer. The automakers have doubled incentives to encourage sales, but there are simply no teeth left in the rental business with which to bite.Thus, don't be surprised to find a few more stains on the seats and a few more miles on the clock the next time you find yourself at the wheel of a rental car.
Foreclosure Short Sale REO Fraud Alert
Over the last year or so we have interviewed some of the best foreclosure short sale REO agents in the USA and have met scores of top notch go-getters who are blazing the path to profits and are unbelievable liquidators.
One team up in the Baltimore, Md. area has at any one time 2,500 REO properties under management and they are absolutely killing it! Man I wish I could do business with people like them on an ongoing basis.
Agents like Dave and Bonnie McIlvaine are consummate professionals. We loved hearing and reading about their operation. They were even featured on CNN!
Paula Pompa, a stellar REO agent from here in our neck of the woods, filled us in on just how she has been able to achieve her success. Her interview told us what kind of resources and business acumen one needs to be a top foreclosure short sale REO agent.
Then…we get the others. The slicksters, the scammers, the fraudsters. You know it seems that many agents like to point the finger at everyone else but in the foreclosure short sale market, there are some agents out there that just plain need to be taken down.
My good friend Dave Dinkel is one of the people who runs the Broward Real Estate Investors Association down here in South Florida. Yesterday I got an email from Dave that I want to share with you in the hopes that some brokers and REO asset managers wake up and see what’s going on out there:
One team up in the Baltimore, Md. area has at any one time 2,500 REO properties under management and they are absolutely killing it! Man I wish I could do business with people like them on an ongoing basis.
Agents like Dave and Bonnie McIlvaine are consummate professionals. We loved hearing and reading about their operation. They were even featured on CNN!
Paula Pompa, a stellar REO agent from here in our neck of the woods, filled us in on just how she has been able to achieve her success. Her interview told us what kind of resources and business acumen one needs to be a top foreclosure short sale REO agent.
Then…we get the others. The slicksters, the scammers, the fraudsters. You know it seems that many agents like to point the finger at everyone else but in the foreclosure short sale market, there are some agents out there that just plain need to be taken down.
My good friend Dave Dinkel is one of the people who runs the Broward Real Estate Investors Association down here in South Florida. Yesterday I got an email from Dave that I want to share with you in the hopes that some brokers and REO asset managers wake up and see what’s going on out there:
List of Most Popular New Born Baby English Names
Best Baby Name Book In The Whole World is a very good book for soon to be parents or those with new born, with over 13,001 baby boys’ and baby girls’ names, nicknames and variations to choose from, this book is a must have for those that are searching for the origins, meanings, and famous namesakes. It has a list of top 100 baby names for boys and girls.
If you happened to be clueless or undecided, this book comes with a wonderful 15 steps guide to selecting the right name for your baby, furthermore, it has a list of psychological stereotypes of popular baby names to avoid and how to change names and famous people who did. If you have no idea on how to make the best final decision on your baby’s name, based on my past experience, I highly recommend Best Baby Name Book In The Whole World.
If you happened to be clueless or undecided, this book comes with a wonderful 15 steps guide to selecting the right name for your baby, furthermore, it has a list of psychological stereotypes of popular baby names to avoid and how to change names and famous people who did. If you have no idea on how to make the best final decision on your baby’s name, based on my past experience, I highly recommend Best Baby Name Book In The Whole World.
Wake up your bedroom
Wake up your bedroom
By MARY CAROL GARRITY / Scripps Howard News ServiceSaturday, January 10, 2009
I feel a bit like the Princess and the Pea. No matter how much I plump and pad my bed with snuggly comforters and squishy down pillows, I toss and turn all night. But I'm pretty sure the culprit isn't a tiny pea beneath my mattress -- it's the old mattress itself. Before I get crabby from lack of sleep, this winter I'm going to make a little magic in the boudoir by upgrading this often-overlooked private space, starting with a new mattress.
One of the easiest ways to transform your bedroom is to invest in new bedding, like this ensemble from Pinecone Hill.
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Don't be afraid of closet clutter. Kick that bad habit to the curb and embrace organization in 2009
Amp up your home décor with local pieces, antique finds and a touch of whimsy
Invest in the kitchen to survive a troubled economy
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How about you? Do you like what you see every morning when you open your eyes and look around your room? If not, here are a few quick tips for giving your bedroom a brand-new look.
FIRST, THE FURNISHINGS: Is each stick of furniture in your bedroom working for you, serving its function and contributing to the aesthetic beauty of the room? If not, it's time to consider something new.
Upholstered headboards are one of the hottest trends going in today's bedrooms, and you'll find fabulous pieces that range from edgy and modern to decidedly traditional, like the tufted headboards everyone's eating up right now. If you want to freshen the look of your iron or wood headboard, cover it with a fabric slipcover. I'm toying with doing a sophisticated tone-on-tone look for my headboard, having a cream upholstered headboard made that's embellished with my monogram in cream thread.
Another of today's popular looks is to place a bench at the foot of your bed. I'm a huge fan of benches because they are so darn versatile. If you get tired of it in your bedroom, it will look just as sensational in front of your fireplace, under a window or on a stairway landing. Check out the cool bamboo benches, those upholstered in needlepoint or a wild-animal fabric.
You might also consider a bigger, better, more functional nightstand. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is putting a teeny, tiny nightstand next to a huge bed. You want a piece that's lovely and hardworking, like a lady's writing desk or a bachelor's chest.
LET THERE BE LIGHT: Too often, the light fixtures installed in bedrooms leave a lot to be desired. If your ceiling light is ho-hum, switch it out for something amazing. How about a stately chandelier or something wild and funky that makes you light up every time you flip the switch?
ADD FINESSE WITH FABRICS: "Comfy" and "cozy" are the watchwords for today's bedrooms. And one of the easiest and most effective ways to warm things up is to use textiles. If your bedding ensemble is lackluster or showing some wear, invest in luxurious new linens. But when you're picking out your duvet and accent pillows, think twice before you buy a dust ruffle. Many of today's bed styles don't require a dust ruffle, so folks are instead concealing their unattractive box springs with a custom-made cover that complements their bedding.
You can also work textiles into your room through window treatments. I'm still nuts about simple curtain panels, dressed-up unique trims or fabric tapes. Be sure to hang the drapes close to the ceiling to give your room the illusion of height, then hem them so they break on the floor just like a man's trousers.
But if you really want to make a big statement in your room, consider surrounding your bed with opulent bed curtains or putting a stately canopy above the headboard.
FINISH WITH ACCENTS: In bedrooms, I like to use just a few well-chosen accents that have a great deal of sentimental value. Brighten up your nightstand with a few cherished snapshots of your family, flanked by a bouquet of fresh flowers in a silver vase that was your grandmother's. Then jazz up the walls with great artwork. Hang a big, bold painting above your headboard. Make a gallery of black-and-white photos of your kids. Or create a montage of vintage silhouettes, botanicals or mirrors.
By MARY CAROL GARRITY / Scripps Howard News ServiceSaturday, January 10, 2009
I feel a bit like the Princess and the Pea. No matter how much I plump and pad my bed with snuggly comforters and squishy down pillows, I toss and turn all night. But I'm pretty sure the culprit isn't a tiny pea beneath my mattress -- it's the old mattress itself. Before I get crabby from lack of sleep, this winter I'm going to make a little magic in the boudoir by upgrading this often-overlooked private space, starting with a new mattress.
One of the easiest ways to transform your bedroom is to invest in new bedding, like this ensemble from Pinecone Hill.
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E-mail story
Comments
iPod friendly
Printer friendly
More Bath
Don't be afraid of closet clutter. Kick that bad habit to the curb and embrace organization in 2009
Amp up your home décor with local pieces, antique finds and a touch of whimsy
Invest in the kitchen to survive a troubled economy
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How about you? Do you like what you see every morning when you open your eyes and look around your room? If not, here are a few quick tips for giving your bedroom a brand-new look.
FIRST, THE FURNISHINGS: Is each stick of furniture in your bedroom working for you, serving its function and contributing to the aesthetic beauty of the room? If not, it's time to consider something new.
Upholstered headboards are one of the hottest trends going in today's bedrooms, and you'll find fabulous pieces that range from edgy and modern to decidedly traditional, like the tufted headboards everyone's eating up right now. If you want to freshen the look of your iron or wood headboard, cover it with a fabric slipcover. I'm toying with doing a sophisticated tone-on-tone look for my headboard, having a cream upholstered headboard made that's embellished with my monogram in cream thread.
Another of today's popular looks is to place a bench at the foot of your bed. I'm a huge fan of benches because they are so darn versatile. If you get tired of it in your bedroom, it will look just as sensational in front of your fireplace, under a window or on a stairway landing. Check out the cool bamboo benches, those upholstered in needlepoint or a wild-animal fabric.
You might also consider a bigger, better, more functional nightstand. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is putting a teeny, tiny nightstand next to a huge bed. You want a piece that's lovely and hardworking, like a lady's writing desk or a bachelor's chest.
LET THERE BE LIGHT: Too often, the light fixtures installed in bedrooms leave a lot to be desired. If your ceiling light is ho-hum, switch it out for something amazing. How about a stately chandelier or something wild and funky that makes you light up every time you flip the switch?
ADD FINESSE WITH FABRICS: "Comfy" and "cozy" are the watchwords for today's bedrooms. And one of the easiest and most effective ways to warm things up is to use textiles. If your bedding ensemble is lackluster or showing some wear, invest in luxurious new linens. But when you're picking out your duvet and accent pillows, think twice before you buy a dust ruffle. Many of today's bed styles don't require a dust ruffle, so folks are instead concealing their unattractive box springs with a custom-made cover that complements their bedding.
You can also work textiles into your room through window treatments. I'm still nuts about simple curtain panels, dressed-up unique trims or fabric tapes. Be sure to hang the drapes close to the ceiling to give your room the illusion of height, then hem them so they break on the floor just like a man's trousers.
But if you really want to make a big statement in your room, consider surrounding your bed with opulent bed curtains or putting a stately canopy above the headboard.
FINISH WITH ACCENTS: In bedrooms, I like to use just a few well-chosen accents that have a great deal of sentimental value. Brighten up your nightstand with a few cherished snapshots of your family, flanked by a bouquet of fresh flowers in a silver vase that was your grandmother's. Then jazz up the walls with great artwork. Hang a big, bold painting above your headboard. Make a gallery of black-and-white photos of your kids. Or create a montage of vintage silhouettes, botanicals or mirrors.
AmeriDebt
AmeriDebt Inc was the first credit counseling company to have a federal lawsuit filed against it. It was the FTC’s largest case involving deceptive credit counseling and debt management.
In November 2003, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged AmeriDebt, DebtWorks Inc and Andris Pukke, the founder of the two companies had deceived consumers with claims that AmeriDebt was a nonprofit organization and that it provided counseling services to consumers seeking to get out of debt. FTC claimed that AmeriDebt did not operate as a nonprofit organization as advertised. Instead it funneled profits to affiliated for-profit entities and individuals, including DebtWorks and Pukke. Without providing any counseling services, it simply enrolled every customer in a debt management plan. Although it claimed that no up front fees would be charged, AmeriDebt used the first payment made by the clients under the plan as its own fee. The FTC charged AmeriDebt with deceptive practices and also with violating the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act by failing to provide consumers with required privacy notices.
In June 2004, AmeriDebt filed for bankruptcy relief in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. The Bankruptcy court appointed a trustee to oversee AmeriDebt. In March 2005, AmeriDebt Inc and the FTC entered into a settlement. AmeriDebt agreed to shut its debt-management operations. The settlement requires AmeriDebt to transfer all current clients’ accounts to a third party and bars the company from participating in any aspect of the credit counseling business in the future. The settlement does not include the other defendants – the FTC’s case against Andris Pukke, DebtWorks, and the relief defendant, Mrs. Pukke, will continue.
AmeriDebt shut down its operations by transferring all existing plans to a third party. The bankruptcy trustee has already taken steps to transfer AmeriDebt’s existing plans to a reputable credit counseling agency.
In 2006, Andris Pukke agreed to return up to $35 million to consumers.
On September 9, 2008, the FTC started mailing 460,000 checks worth a total of about $20 million to consumers burned by AmeriDebt. Consumers won’t receive all the fees collected by AmeriDebt or its affiliated credit counseling agencies. The restitution disbursement signals the end of the AmeriDebt saga.
In November 2003, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged AmeriDebt, DebtWorks Inc and Andris Pukke, the founder of the two companies had deceived consumers with claims that AmeriDebt was a nonprofit organization and that it provided counseling services to consumers seeking to get out of debt. FTC claimed that AmeriDebt did not operate as a nonprofit organization as advertised. Instead it funneled profits to affiliated for-profit entities and individuals, including DebtWorks and Pukke. Without providing any counseling services, it simply enrolled every customer in a debt management plan. Although it claimed that no up front fees would be charged, AmeriDebt used the first payment made by the clients under the plan as its own fee. The FTC charged AmeriDebt with deceptive practices and also with violating the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act by failing to provide consumers with required privacy notices.
In June 2004, AmeriDebt filed for bankruptcy relief in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. The Bankruptcy court appointed a trustee to oversee AmeriDebt. In March 2005, AmeriDebt Inc and the FTC entered into a settlement. AmeriDebt agreed to shut its debt-management operations. The settlement requires AmeriDebt to transfer all current clients’ accounts to a third party and bars the company from participating in any aspect of the credit counseling business in the future. The settlement does not include the other defendants – the FTC’s case against Andris Pukke, DebtWorks, and the relief defendant, Mrs. Pukke, will continue.
AmeriDebt shut down its operations by transferring all existing plans to a third party. The bankruptcy trustee has already taken steps to transfer AmeriDebt’s existing plans to a reputable credit counseling agency.
In 2006, Andris Pukke agreed to return up to $35 million to consumers.
On September 9, 2008, the FTC started mailing 460,000 checks worth a total of about $20 million to consumers burned by AmeriDebt. Consumers won’t receive all the fees collected by AmeriDebt or its affiliated credit counseling agencies. The restitution disbursement signals the end of the AmeriDebt saga.
Premier Apartments Liverpool Eden Square
Opened in August 2007, these stylish and contemporary apartments have recently been named winner of the Self-Catering Property of the Year Award at the Mersey Partnership Tourism Awards 2008. In the heart of the city, the Premier Apartments Liverpool Eden Square are an excellent base, whether you are visiting the city on business or exploring Liverpool as a tourist. The apartments are in a superb, central location, between the bustling city centre, with all of its shops, bars and leisure attractions, and the city’s ever-expanding business and commercial districts. The Eden Square development will be an integral part of Liverpool’s highly desirable new Garden Quarter. The apartments are housed within the stunning, glass-enveloped teardrop-shaped building on Hatton Garden. A mix of one and 2-bedroom apartments are available. Each apartment features a fully furnished lounge, a kitchen/diner, a bedroom and a bathroom. Every apartment is designed to suit the modern lifestyle, with facilities including LCD flat-screen TVs with Freeview channels. The serviced apartments offer style, comfort and space, alongside freedom, independence and convenience. Offering great value for money, Premier Apartments are an excellent alternative to traditional hotel accommodation.
The Importance of 19th Century American Silver
In the early 1980s few museums would give up shelf space to American Silver. This was a great pity. I remember visiting prominent museums and seeing row after row of boring tankards; all the same, lined up like soldiers.Any collector with an eye for the unusual would take special notice of the Japanese movement, and the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century. Finally there was an awakening spearheaded by the Dallas Museum in 1989 with the Christies sale of Sam Wagstaff's collection.I heard a story from a dealer who has since passed that when she was planning to send her children to university, she invited Sam to her vault and opened up her drawers of silver flatware for him to pick through. Naturally he chose the best with an eye for what was great and important.The Sam Wagstaff sale catalogue is still one of the most sought after Christies catalogues today and used as a reference book.While British makers such as Elkington had a few great moments manufacturing special pieces of the same period and designs, the American makers like Whiting, Shiebler, Gorham and Tiffany were way ahead in design and technique.
Advanced Ab Exercise For Ripped Abs
by John Alvino
Your midsection is made up of several different muscle groups. You must sculpt each of these abdominal muscles if you are ever going to achieve the much desired six pack. This is only possible by using effective ab exercises. But carving out your the muscles of your midsection is only half the fun!
To really see your newly developed midsection, you will also have to shed the belly fat that is covering it up. The ab exercise that I’m going to show you now will help you accomplish both of these goals at the same time!
You see, most ab exercises train your abs in an isolated fashion. This will work your midsection, but does not contribute to a fat burning effect. The ab exercises that I recommend are specifically designed to reduce body fat, in addition to strengthening and developing your abs. Even better, these ab exercises jack up you metabolism, which burns calories even after your workout is over!
I will now show you one great exercise that provides the powerful dual effect mentioned above. The name of the exercise is the Parallel Bar Knee Raise. This is an advanced exercise and does require quite a bit of upper body strength to perform properly. Here is how you should perform it:
Parallel Bar Knee Raise- With locked elbows, support your body on parallel dip bars. Keep your upper body as upright as possible. Flex hips to a 90 degree angle. This is the starting position. From this position, bring knees up to chest and contract your abs. Return to starting position and repeat for the prescribed number of reps.
Again, this is somewhat of an advanced exercise. Those of you who have trouble doing it should start off by strengthening your abs with a variety of less difficult exercises.
One great exercise that helps prepare you for the Parallel Bar Knee Raise is the Reverse Crunch. Begin in a horizontal position and progress towards vertical as your abs get stronger. In just a short amount of time, you will be moving on to more advanced movements.
Start today and finally get YOUR sexy six pack!
Your midsection is made up of several different muscle groups. You must sculpt each of these abdominal muscles if you are ever going to achieve the much desired six pack. This is only possible by using effective ab exercises. But carving out your the muscles of your midsection is only half the fun!
To really see your newly developed midsection, you will also have to shed the belly fat that is covering it up. The ab exercise that I’m going to show you now will help you accomplish both of these goals at the same time!
You see, most ab exercises train your abs in an isolated fashion. This will work your midsection, but does not contribute to a fat burning effect. The ab exercises that I recommend are specifically designed to reduce body fat, in addition to strengthening and developing your abs. Even better, these ab exercises jack up you metabolism, which burns calories even after your workout is over!
I will now show you one great exercise that provides the powerful dual effect mentioned above. The name of the exercise is the Parallel Bar Knee Raise. This is an advanced exercise and does require quite a bit of upper body strength to perform properly. Here is how you should perform it:
Parallel Bar Knee Raise- With locked elbows, support your body on parallel dip bars. Keep your upper body as upright as possible. Flex hips to a 90 degree angle. This is the starting position. From this position, bring knees up to chest and contract your abs. Return to starting position and repeat for the prescribed number of reps.
Again, this is somewhat of an advanced exercise. Those of you who have trouble doing it should start off by strengthening your abs with a variety of less difficult exercises.
One great exercise that helps prepare you for the Parallel Bar Knee Raise is the Reverse Crunch. Begin in a horizontal position and progress towards vertical as your abs get stronger. In just a short amount of time, you will be moving on to more advanced movements.
Start today and finally get YOUR sexy six pack!
Have You Always Wanted a 1-800 Number?
I believe that any business person that doesn’t have a 1-800 number for the biz, has had visions of that in grandeur…LOL
800 numbers rock! Why?
…Because people that otherwise wouldn’t be a customer due to having to pay long distance to call you for information or to order a product, can call you toll free and voilà! A New Customer!
The thing is that you need something that is affordable and makes sense for your business type and size.
Problem is with many places is that you get charged out the nose for these services…
We’ve been burned on the charges on a few of our toll free numbers we had, that it just didn’t make sense anymore to continue…Charges for this, charges for that! It seemed everywhere you looked there was a new charge for something you were unaware of before!
Well, I found a place called Get800Today.com and they will even do pre-paid toll free services…Wow! I haven’t actually seen that before…
They promise a 3.9¢/min flat rate, no long-term contracts and no minimum usage, not to mention toll free forwarding anywhere in the world! Very Cool!
So, those visions of “toll free numbers” dancing in your heads are something that could come true and affordably too!
800 numbers rock! Why?
…Because people that otherwise wouldn’t be a customer due to having to pay long distance to call you for information or to order a product, can call you toll free and voilà! A New Customer!
The thing is that you need something that is affordable and makes sense for your business type and size.
Problem is with many places is that you get charged out the nose for these services…
We’ve been burned on the charges on a few of our toll free numbers we had, that it just didn’t make sense anymore to continue…Charges for this, charges for that! It seemed everywhere you looked there was a new charge for something you were unaware of before!
Well, I found a place called Get800Today.com and they will even do pre-paid toll free services…Wow! I haven’t actually seen that before…
They promise a 3.9¢/min flat rate, no long-term contracts and no minimum usage, not to mention toll free forwarding anywhere in the world! Very Cool!
So, those visions of “toll free numbers” dancing in your heads are something that could come true and affordably too!
Fidelity 401k Options
With so many people worried about the values of their 401k during this economic crisis, is the Fidelity 401k the best option for you? There are lots of people that are using and looking into the 401k options presented by Fidelity Investments. Can Fidelity help you reach your retirement goals in your 401k?
One of the biggest things that you need to consider is that you must have a goal for your retirement. Do you know where you want to live or what lifestyle you want? If you really want to reach your goals and use the Fidelity 401k to do so, you really need to consider where you want to be when you retire.
Almost all people decide that they want to be rich when they retire, but you really need to define “rich” in order to set your goals. If you want to move to a different state, what is their cost of living? What will your mortgage be like then? Will you pursue different hobbies or travel a lot when you retire? Your golden years should be a time when you can relax, kick back, and enjoy things like that you didn’t get to when you work. A Fidelity 401k can help you reach that goal.
Fidelity Investments have been in business for a long time, and have helped many people reach their retirement goals. They are a really exeperienced company and have a wide variety of mutual fund options for your 401k to consider.
Simply look at the track record. Quite simply, Fidelity offers a wide range of mutual funds, ranging from relatively conservative to more aggressive. Depending on what kind of investor you are, you can make your investment decisions accordingly. Obviously, more aggressive regional funds will tend to have bigger ups and downs in a more conservative one, but also will possess much larger growth potential especially in the long run.
If you are looking to invest money for the short term, then a more conservative mutual fund would probably be best for you. However, if you plan investing for retirement (hence retirement planning), a more aggressive mutual fund will be right for you. No matter which you invest in, absolutely make sure that retirement fund has exhibited a long and profitable history before getting involved with it. Past history is a good indication of future performance.
The bottom line is this: if you really want to reach your retirement goals, and reach your full potential with investing, then you should learn how to do it yourself. Nothing substitutes taking control of your finances and spotting investment opportunities on your own. However, if you don’t have the time or the desire to do this, the Fidelity 401k might be a good option for you. Of course, there are many other companies that offer great retirement planning options as well; you simply need to do your research and find the best one for your needs.
One of the biggest things that you need to consider is that you must have a goal for your retirement. Do you know where you want to live or what lifestyle you want? If you really want to reach your goals and use the Fidelity 401k to do so, you really need to consider where you want to be when you retire.
Almost all people decide that they want to be rich when they retire, but you really need to define “rich” in order to set your goals. If you want to move to a different state, what is their cost of living? What will your mortgage be like then? Will you pursue different hobbies or travel a lot when you retire? Your golden years should be a time when you can relax, kick back, and enjoy things like that you didn’t get to when you work. A Fidelity 401k can help you reach that goal.
Fidelity Investments have been in business for a long time, and have helped many people reach their retirement goals. They are a really exeperienced company and have a wide variety of mutual fund options for your 401k to consider.
Simply look at the track record. Quite simply, Fidelity offers a wide range of mutual funds, ranging from relatively conservative to more aggressive. Depending on what kind of investor you are, you can make your investment decisions accordingly. Obviously, more aggressive regional funds will tend to have bigger ups and downs in a more conservative one, but also will possess much larger growth potential especially in the long run.
If you are looking to invest money for the short term, then a more conservative mutual fund would probably be best for you. However, if you plan investing for retirement (hence retirement planning), a more aggressive mutual fund will be right for you. No matter which you invest in, absolutely make sure that retirement fund has exhibited a long and profitable history before getting involved with it. Past history is a good indication of future performance.
The bottom line is this: if you really want to reach your retirement goals, and reach your full potential with investing, then you should learn how to do it yourself. Nothing substitutes taking control of your finances and spotting investment opportunities on your own. However, if you don’t have the time or the desire to do this, the Fidelity 401k might be a good option for you. Of course, there are many other companies that offer great retirement planning options as well; you simply need to do your research and find the best one for your needs.
An annuity as a good alternative to a 401K plan
I know many of you have heard of the term annuity before, but probably don’t know exactly what it is, well that’s what I’m here to explain. An annuity is kind of like a life insurance policy because it can also provide income to the policyholder while living instead of when one is deceased. An annuity makes constant payments during a set period of time that’s established. Now that we all know what an annuity is, there is a popular one that I would like to share with you. The most popular annuity is called a fixed annuity. This kind of annuity has a set number of dollars that will be paid on a monthly basis once it starts. For this kind of annuity, the person who is receiving the payments knows the amount he or she will be receiving each month. Majority of the premiums that are paid from this annuity are invested in fixed income products such as government bonds. This annuity also has a guarantee interest rate for 10 years and then a new rate is used.Annuities are also useful for tax deferred income for retirement as well to supplemt as another form of income. Annuities can also be utilized to help fund pension plans, a company’s profit sharing plan, IRA’s, deferred compensation, 401K,etc. as far as Taxation is concerned as it pertains to annuities, the payments are a combination of Principle & Interest. The return on principal isn’t taxed and the earned interest is taxed. As we all know the market hasn’t been doing well for quite some time and many of our 401K’s aren’t performing that well, an investment such as a fixed annuity can be a great alternative to save and plan for retirement.
2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z
Base Price: 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z - $38,070For the first time ever in the Nissan Z’s 37-year history, a high-performance NISMO 350Z is part of the extensive Z lineup. The new 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z, which makes its North American debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, features an extensively developed list of unique equipment – including a special body package and improved handling equipment. This new model, the fifth in the 2007 350Z Coupe lineup, is available with a 6-speed manual transmission only. It goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in July 2007.NISMO, the premier supplier of high-performance aftermarket parts and accessories for Nissan vehicles in the United States since 2003, previously participated in the development of the NISMO Frontier off-road pickup truck, introduced in 2005. The NISMO 350Z is the second Nissan model to be branded with the legendary marque. Like the Frontier model, which is specially equipped for off-road excursions, the 2007 NISMO 350Z is optimized for enthusiast drivers."With the combination of the new VQ35HR engine found on all 2007 350Zs and NISMO performance and design enhancements, the NISMO 350Z represents the pinnacle of Nissan performance machines," said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.It took just two corners of Tsukuba to realize just how freely the new V6 spins toward its 7,500-rpm redline. The outgoing VQ engine had loads of punch through the midrange, but the new HR (high-revving) engine has real staying power at peak rpm. It has a dry, crisp and yet authoritative exhaust note that becomes an addictive roar above 5,000 rpm.As we charged toward Tsukuba's second hairpin at 80 mph in 3rd gear, we jumped on the brake pedal and engaged the big four-pot Brembos, plucked 2nd gear with the short-throw shift linkage and then clipped the tight apex at around 45 mph. Letting the tach needle plummet to an indicated 2 grand, we floored the throttle and unleashed a torrent of power that continued right to the redline at 7,500 rpm.The newly found high-end power tempts you to keep the engine on the boil above 5,000 rpm, yet if you find yourself lower in the rpm range, there's plenty of torque to climb the ladder to peak power again.Just like a classic Nissan engine, the new VQ's throttle response is crisp and the engine pulls strongly across the full sweep of the tachometer. There's no difference between the engine of the Nismo 350Z and that of the 2007 Nissan 350Z, yet the engine feels so rewarding, there might not need to be any difference.The Nismo 350Z's real mark of distinction lies in its track-ready chassis. At Tsukuba, the Nismo 350Z recorded a lap time of 1:05.9, some 1.3 seconds quicker than the most aggressive model of the standard 350Z. The Nismo 350Z turns in sharper, corners quicker with less body roll, and both squats less under acceleration and dives less under braking.Push the Nismo 350Z as we did through the track's long right-hand sweeper, and it will understeer at first. Once you feather the throttle for a moment, though, the car assumes a neutral attitude and you can use the VQ 6's wide power band to steer the car with the throttle in a way that's more progressive and controllable than ever before.Of course the V6's meatier top-end power means that the rear end will break traction sooner, but the slide is easier to catch once the sideways stuff starts.
The Obama Gap
“I don’t believe it’s too late to change course, but it will be if we don’t take dramatic action as soon as possible. If nothing is done, this recession could linger for years.”
Skip to next paragraph
Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times
Paul Krugman
Go to Columnist Page » Blog: The Conscience of a Liberal
Related
Transcript: Obama's Speech on the Economy (January 8, 2009)
Times Topics: Barack Obama
Readers' Comments
Readers shared their thoughts on this article.
Read All Comments (525) »
if (acm.rc) acm.rc.write();
So declared President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday, explaining why the nation needs an extremely aggressive government response to the economic downturn. He’s right. This is the most dangerous economic crisis since the Great Depression, and it could all too easily turn into a prolonged slump.
But Mr. Obama’s prescription doesn’t live up to his diagnosis. The economic plan he’s offering isn’t as strong as his language about the economic threat. In fact, it falls well short of what’s needed.
Bear in mind just how big the U.S. economy is. Given sufficient demand for its output, America would produce more than $30 trillion worth of goods and services over the next two years. But with both consumer spending and business investment plunging, a huge gap is opening up between what the American economy can produce and what it’s able to sell.
And the Obama plan is nowhere near big enough to fill this “output gap.”
Earlier this week, the Congressional Budget Office came out with its latest analysis of the budget and economic outlook. The budget office says that in the absence of a stimulus plan, the unemployment rate would rise above 9 percent by early 2010, and stay high for years to come.
Grim as this projection is, by the way, it’s actually optimistic compared with some independent forecasts. Mr. Obama himself has been saying that without a stimulus plan, the unemployment rate could go into double digits.
Even the C.B.O. says, however, that “economic output over the next two years will average 6.8 percent below its potential.” This translates into $2.1 trillion of lost production. “Our economy could fall $1 trillion short of its full capacity,” declared Mr. Obama on Thursday. Well, he was actually understating things.
To close a gap of more than $2 trillion — possibly a lot more, if the budget office projections turn out to be too optimistic — Mr. Obama offers a $775 billion plan. And that’s not enough.
Now, fiscal stimulus can sometimes have a “multiplier” effect: In addition to the direct effects of, say, investment in infrastructure on demand, there can be a further indirect effect as higher incomes lead to higher consumer spending. Standard estimates suggest that a dollar of public spending raises G.D.P. by around $1.50.
But only about 60 percent of the Obama plan consists of public spending. The rest consists of tax cuts — and many economists are skeptical about how much these tax cuts, especially the tax breaks for business, will actually do to boost spending. (A number of Senate Democrats apparently share these doubts.) Howard Gleckman of the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center summed it up in the title of a recent blog posting: “lots of buck, not much bang.”
The bottom line is that the Obama plan is unlikely to close more than half of the looming output gap, and could easily end up doing less than a third of the job.
Why isn’t Mr. Obama trying to do more?
Is the plan being limited by fear of debt? There are dangers associated with large-scale government borrowing — and this week’s C.B.O. report projected a $1.2 trillion deficit for this year. But it would be even more dangerous to fall short in rescuing the economy. The president-elect spoke eloquently and accurately on Thursday about the consequences of failing to act — there’s a real risk that we’ll slide into a prolonged, Japanese-style deflationary trap — but the consequences of failing to act adequately aren’t much better.
Is the plan being limited by a lack of spending opportunities? There are only a limited number of “shovel-ready” public investment projects — that is, projects that can be started quickly enough to help the economy in the near term. But there are other forms of public spending, especially on health care, that could do good while aiding the economy in its hour of need.
Or is the plan being limited by political caution? Press reports last month indicated that Obama aides were anxious to keep the final price tag on the plan below the politically sensitive trillion-dollar mark. There also have been suggestions that the plan’s inclusion of large business tax cuts, which add to its cost but will do little for the economy, is an attempt to win Republican votes in Congress.
Whatever the explanation, the Obama plan just doesn’t look adequate to the economy’s need. To be sure, a third of a loaf is better than none. But right now we seem to be facing two major economic gaps: the gap between the economy’s potential and its likely performance, and the gap between Mr. Obama’s stern economic rhetoric and his somewhat disappointing economic plan.
Skip to next paragraph
Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times
Paul Krugman
Go to Columnist Page » Blog: The Conscience of a Liberal
Related
Transcript: Obama's Speech on the Economy (January 8, 2009)
Times Topics: Barack Obama
Readers' Comments
Readers shared their thoughts on this article.
Read All Comments (525) »
if (acm.rc) acm.rc.write();
So declared President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday, explaining why the nation needs an extremely aggressive government response to the economic downturn. He’s right. This is the most dangerous economic crisis since the Great Depression, and it could all too easily turn into a prolonged slump.
But Mr. Obama’s prescription doesn’t live up to his diagnosis. The economic plan he’s offering isn’t as strong as his language about the economic threat. In fact, it falls well short of what’s needed.
Bear in mind just how big the U.S. economy is. Given sufficient demand for its output, America would produce more than $30 trillion worth of goods and services over the next two years. But with both consumer spending and business investment plunging, a huge gap is opening up between what the American economy can produce and what it’s able to sell.
And the Obama plan is nowhere near big enough to fill this “output gap.”
Earlier this week, the Congressional Budget Office came out with its latest analysis of the budget and economic outlook. The budget office says that in the absence of a stimulus plan, the unemployment rate would rise above 9 percent by early 2010, and stay high for years to come.
Grim as this projection is, by the way, it’s actually optimistic compared with some independent forecasts. Mr. Obama himself has been saying that without a stimulus plan, the unemployment rate could go into double digits.
Even the C.B.O. says, however, that “economic output over the next two years will average 6.8 percent below its potential.” This translates into $2.1 trillion of lost production. “Our economy could fall $1 trillion short of its full capacity,” declared Mr. Obama on Thursday. Well, he was actually understating things.
To close a gap of more than $2 trillion — possibly a lot more, if the budget office projections turn out to be too optimistic — Mr. Obama offers a $775 billion plan. And that’s not enough.
Now, fiscal stimulus can sometimes have a “multiplier” effect: In addition to the direct effects of, say, investment in infrastructure on demand, there can be a further indirect effect as higher incomes lead to higher consumer spending. Standard estimates suggest that a dollar of public spending raises G.D.P. by around $1.50.
But only about 60 percent of the Obama plan consists of public spending. The rest consists of tax cuts — and many economists are skeptical about how much these tax cuts, especially the tax breaks for business, will actually do to boost spending. (A number of Senate Democrats apparently share these doubts.) Howard Gleckman of the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center summed it up in the title of a recent blog posting: “lots of buck, not much bang.”
The bottom line is that the Obama plan is unlikely to close more than half of the looming output gap, and could easily end up doing less than a third of the job.
Why isn’t Mr. Obama trying to do more?
Is the plan being limited by fear of debt? There are dangers associated with large-scale government borrowing — and this week’s C.B.O. report projected a $1.2 trillion deficit for this year. But it would be even more dangerous to fall short in rescuing the economy. The president-elect spoke eloquently and accurately on Thursday about the consequences of failing to act — there’s a real risk that we’ll slide into a prolonged, Japanese-style deflationary trap — but the consequences of failing to act adequately aren’t much better.
Is the plan being limited by a lack of spending opportunities? There are only a limited number of “shovel-ready” public investment projects — that is, projects that can be started quickly enough to help the economy in the near term. But there are other forms of public spending, especially on health care, that could do good while aiding the economy in its hour of need.
Or is the plan being limited by political caution? Press reports last month indicated that Obama aides were anxious to keep the final price tag on the plan below the politically sensitive trillion-dollar mark. There also have been suggestions that the plan’s inclusion of large business tax cuts, which add to its cost but will do little for the economy, is an attempt to win Republican votes in Congress.
Whatever the explanation, the Obama plan just doesn’t look adequate to the economy’s need. To be sure, a third of a loaf is better than none. But right now we seem to be facing two major economic gaps: the gap between the economy’s potential and its likely performance, and the gap between Mr. Obama’s stern economic rhetoric and his somewhat disappointing economic plan.
Currency exchange tips
- It is advisable to exchange money in a bank. Currency exchange rates in banks are sometimes lower than the ones exchange bureaus offer but you would be certain of the amount you would receive and avoid chances of being tricked.
- The Bulgarian currency is the lev. When exchanging money, look for places that offer exchange rates of approximately 1.95 leva for one euro. The Bulgarian lev to euro rate is fixed to 1.95583 so you can use this value as the best estimate of the acceptability of exchange rates that currency bureaus offer.
- It is recommended to bring US dollars or euro as this is the currency that most exchange bureaus can convert to leva. You might have difficulty converting some less popular and not so widely used currencies.
- Some exchange bureaus offer different rates for smaller and larger sums, with the ones for small amounts being somehow unprofitable. Study carefully the exchange rate tables if you decide to use the services of an exchange bureau.
- Examine tables for commission percentages, as some bureaus withhold part of the sum. This may be noted in small letters or in the bottom of the exchange rate table so examine it carefully before you decide to use the services of the respective bureau.
- According to regulations, exchange bureaus are obliged to give you exactly the same sum that is listed on their exchange rate tables. A deal is not finalised until the customer has signed the receipt. Request one and examine it carefully before concluding the transaction.
- Never accept to exchange money on the street. Even if you are offered what seems to be a good deal, chances are you would be ripped off. Don't trust street currency sellers and resort to exchange bureaus, or more preferably bank offices.
- The Bulgarian currency is the lev. When exchanging money, look for places that offer exchange rates of approximately 1.95 leva for one euro. The Bulgarian lev to euro rate is fixed to 1.95583 so you can use this value as the best estimate of the acceptability of exchange rates that currency bureaus offer.
- It is recommended to bring US dollars or euro as this is the currency that most exchange bureaus can convert to leva. You might have difficulty converting some less popular and not so widely used currencies.
- Some exchange bureaus offer different rates for smaller and larger sums, with the ones for small amounts being somehow unprofitable. Study carefully the exchange rate tables if you decide to use the services of an exchange bureau.
- Examine tables for commission percentages, as some bureaus withhold part of the sum. This may be noted in small letters or in the bottom of the exchange rate table so examine it carefully before you decide to use the services of the respective bureau.
- According to regulations, exchange bureaus are obliged to give you exactly the same sum that is listed on their exchange rate tables. A deal is not finalised until the customer has signed the receipt. Request one and examine it carefully before concluding the transaction.
- Never accept to exchange money on the street. Even if you are offered what seems to be a good deal, chances are you would be ripped off. Don't trust street currency sellers and resort to exchange bureaus, or more preferably bank offices.
วันเสาร์ที่ 10 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2552
Dairy and cowbow festivals
Saraburi province’s Muak Lek district surprises visitors with its own version of country western culture.
Dairy farming has been associated with the rolling hills of Saraburi since the 50s when pioneering farmers experimented with imported cattle. Today it is an important industry that supplies most of the popular milk products that are sold in supermarkets across the country.Farms are concentrated mainly northeast of Saraburi town in Muak Lek district all the way to the Pak Chong intersection on Highway 2 heading towards Nakhon Ratchashima.
With the mountains of the famous Khao Yai National Park in the distance, diary meadows nestle between hills on both sides of Highway 2.Not surprisingly, this undulating country is the home of the National Dairy Cows Festival that runs from 16 to 25 January. All of the celebrations and activities that will interest visitors will take place at the foot of Tapan Hill in Muak Lek district, approximately 39 km northeast of Saraburi, or 145 km from Bangkok.Festivities begin with a royal visit from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who will graciously open the event which will feature seminars, a fair and concerts.
Visitors are probably most familiar with Chok Chai Farm one of the pioneers of the cowboy culture in Thailand. Today the farm has expanded to offer farm tours with various attractions including a zoo that appeals to families and groups. In the grand tradition of the cowboy the ranch is proud of its rustic timber restaurant serving up tender T-bone steaks.While individual farms in Saraburi run fine restaurants and adopt a country western themes, come 20 January they unite to host the annual Cowboy Night at the Tapan Hill venue in Muak Lek district.
The event launches with dairy cow contests, but quickly takes on a carnival atmosphere with light hearted rivalry to declare who is sporting the best cowboy or cowgirl costumes.
According to Saraburi province’s tourism office the cowboy festival evolves into an amazing scene as hundreds of “Thai cowboys travel from different parts of the country to enjoy country western music, an exhibition of dairy and beef cow farming, cow contests, whip-cracking, roping and lariat show, and fancy gun handling. The festival venue even uses haystacks instead of tables and chairs.”
Muak Lek district has three resorts, a health spa and a couple of campsites catering to international visitors. The district is best known for its picturesque landscape, vineyards, river rafting, ATV expeditions, hot air ballooning, mountain bike trails and even a farm where children can learn to ride horses. Most of the resorts are in Muak Lek district on the rural road 2089 that winds around 300-metre high hills from the intersection on Highway 2.
For more details see http://www.toursaraburi.com/eng/tourism-eng/customs&festivals_eng.html
Dairy farming has been associated with the rolling hills of Saraburi since the 50s when pioneering farmers experimented with imported cattle. Today it is an important industry that supplies most of the popular milk products that are sold in supermarkets across the country.Farms are concentrated mainly northeast of Saraburi town in Muak Lek district all the way to the Pak Chong intersection on Highway 2 heading towards Nakhon Ratchashima.
With the mountains of the famous Khao Yai National Park in the distance, diary meadows nestle between hills on both sides of Highway 2.Not surprisingly, this undulating country is the home of the National Dairy Cows Festival that runs from 16 to 25 January. All of the celebrations and activities that will interest visitors will take place at the foot of Tapan Hill in Muak Lek district, approximately 39 km northeast of Saraburi, or 145 km from Bangkok.Festivities begin with a royal visit from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who will graciously open the event which will feature seminars, a fair and concerts.
Visitors are probably most familiar with Chok Chai Farm one of the pioneers of the cowboy culture in Thailand. Today the farm has expanded to offer farm tours with various attractions including a zoo that appeals to families and groups. In the grand tradition of the cowboy the ranch is proud of its rustic timber restaurant serving up tender T-bone steaks.While individual farms in Saraburi run fine restaurants and adopt a country western themes, come 20 January they unite to host the annual Cowboy Night at the Tapan Hill venue in Muak Lek district.
The event launches with dairy cow contests, but quickly takes on a carnival atmosphere with light hearted rivalry to declare who is sporting the best cowboy or cowgirl costumes.
According to Saraburi province’s tourism office the cowboy festival evolves into an amazing scene as hundreds of “Thai cowboys travel from different parts of the country to enjoy country western music, an exhibition of dairy and beef cow farming, cow contests, whip-cracking, roping and lariat show, and fancy gun handling. The festival venue even uses haystacks instead of tables and chairs.”
Muak Lek district has three resorts, a health spa and a couple of campsites catering to international visitors. The district is best known for its picturesque landscape, vineyards, river rafting, ATV expeditions, hot air ballooning, mountain bike trails and even a farm where children can learn to ride horses. Most of the resorts are in Muak Lek district on the rural road 2089 that winds around 300-metre high hills from the intersection on Highway 2.
For more details see http://www.toursaraburi.com/eng/tourism-eng/customs&festivals_eng.html
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