2013年2月19日 星期二

Bayern Munich, Barcelona will advance to Champions League quarters

Most people who opened last Tuesday’s paper saw a graphic with eight logos they had probably never seen before and must have thought the sports section was undergoing a hipster renaissance. No renaissance, folks, just a change of pace for you. And now the best part of it all: TIME FOR PART DEUX.

You probably were so compelled by my first UEFA Champions League column that you made reservations on your couch at 1:45 p.m. last Tuesday and Wednesday with one eye on the TV and the other on your computer, streaming the other game online. Right? Tell me I’m right.

Just an awesome way to kick off the round of 16 in the Champions League. Real Madrid now has to go to Old Trafford and win on the road or hope for a penalty shoot-out to get by Manchester United. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his high boot will be out for PSG’s second leg against Valencia. Anyone see how he acted when he got that red card? Ron Artest-esque.wind turbine Borussia Dortmund, still with its never-say-die mentality, found a late equalizer in the Ukraine against Shaktar Donetsk to bring the second leg back to Germany on level ground. But enough of these second leg previews, there’s four more first legs to go this week. Shall we?

This is the second-most compelling matchup after Real Madrid and Manchester United. I’d be quick to dismiss Arsenal with its recent flubs in the FA Cup, losing to lower-division sides with regularity. But I actually trust the team more on the European stage. Lucas Podolski has to have the biggest chip on his shoulder, going up against the premier German side and a side that never struck any interest in the 29-year-old German winger.

The midfield will ultimately be the key in this matchup. It will be a matter of which side can be more creative. Arsenal certainly has the tools, with young talents like Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla. Bayern has more of a veteran midfield with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Tony Kroos and Frank Ribery. Bayern could be playing the best soccer in the world right now, as it has absolutely ran away with the Bundesliga, and it’s not a good sign for opponents when former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is waiting in the wings to take over at the end of the season.

A very pleasant Iberian matchup. Malaga shocked many people, including myself, by winning Group C over AC Milan and Zenit St.Welcome to Find the right laser Engraver or Laser engraver machines. Petersburg.Looking for the Best Air purifier? And then controversy hit the club. Failure to pay its taxes and bills has Malaga banned from European play for next year. The club that wanted to spend big in the offseason now has to hold on to players who could be on their way out. Making a statement in the knockout will be huge for them.Porto finished two points behind PSG in group play and looked very convincing in the victories. I can’t really see either Porto or Malaga making noise when either reaches the quarterfinals, but the knockout round is certainly not uncharted waters for Porto.

Before the January transfer window opened, this was Schalke’s match to coast through to the quarterfinals. Now it’s turned upside down. Turkish-side Galatasaray did some research and pulled a Minnesota Wild by bringing two superstars to a team no one expected and is confined to the middle of nowhere. The signed tandem of Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder is certainly comparable with Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Both have captained and led their teams at the highest level and pretty much made it clear they wanted out of their old locations for bigger and brighter futures with a little cash money involved. Galatasaray barely advanced past group stage, finishing behind Manchester United, but getting through was all the club needed to make an impression on luring Drogba and Sneijder to Turkey.

On the other hand, while Galatasaray was signing, Schalke was sighing. The departure of Lewis Holtby to Tottenham Hotspur leaves a huge hole in the midfield, where Sneijder will look to expose. Schalke still has a solid attack with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Jefferson Farfan, but this matchup will come down to which side can steal a goal away from home soil.

A result-oriented and dynamic leader, Ayhan Yalcintas holds a strong track record of performance in turning around high-paced organisations. He had previously held the position of General Manager for FutureCard for the past two years. Ayhan continues to breathe fresh life into the region's leading cards manufacturer by defining and implementing new strategies, organisational structure and increasing operational efficiency. He also oversees worldwide sales, and handles business development to strengthen the regional positioning of the company in the banking and telecommunications industries.

As a CEO, Yalcintas' high-pressure role involves making high-level decisions about the policies and strategies of the company. Since his joining date with the company, he has made a name for himself with prompt business actions that align with the culture and goals of the organisation.

Talking about his appointment, Yalcintas said, "I am delighted at this opportunity to build on the strength and reputation of such a strong brand like FutureCard . With a heavy presence in regional and international markets, I look forward to extending the business into new markets and new product areas across industries, while taking our services to the next level.It's not hard to see why outdoor solar light is all the rage."

Prior to his work with FutureCard , Ayhan acted as Board Member and General Manager for a Turkish establishment where he transformed the company into one of the world's top ten leading cards manufacturing companies.Find the best selection of high-quality collectible bobblehead available anywhere. He has also acted as Finance and Administration Manager with Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), where he led the Istanbul office in becoming a leading example for the remaining Middle Eastern offices.

Qantas launches new pre-paid cash card

Bronze members of the program will also be able to use their card to check-in at airports and as a boarding pass - a service that is currently only available to higher tier cardholders.

More than nine million people are members of the airline's loyalty program, around two-thirds of them Australian.

The card is a pre-paid card - not a debit card or credit card - so users will be able to withdraw cash they have loaded onto it via transfer from their bank account or BPAY.

They will be able to load up to nine currencies on the card, lock in exchange rates and use it for shopping at places where MasterCard is accepted.

Qantas Loyalty CEO Lesley Grant said the new cards were one of the biggest leaps in innovation for the program since it launched 26 years ago.

''This new generation card will open the door to a lot of other uses through smart chip technology and the ability to integrate it with mobiles,Looking for the Best Air purifier? meaning the sky really is the limit,'' she said.

MasterCard Australasia Division president Eddie Grobler said more Australians were preferring the convenience and security of using a card instead of cash.

What a way to end the regular season for EURFC. The 1st XV produced an accomplished performance on Wednesday night to send Bath packing and ruing their luck after their third successive Sandy Park Varsity defeat.

Conditions were always going to play their part and certainly the first half suffered due to the wet, foggy atmosphere and bog-like pitch. The intense pressure of playing in front of an expectant and vociferous crowd coupled with the weather made sure that the first period would become a no holds barred midfield battle. For the initiated, the first 40 minutes were tense and, dare I say, exciting, but could be seen as slow and dull for the newcomer.

Neither side could wrestle control of proceedings in the first half and the only real points scoring was physical rather than numerical. Bath were intent on playing a slow, grinding and narrow game hoping to grind Exeter down until they ran out of ideas.wind turbine It looked as though this might work as the game neared half time as muddled decision making, opting not to turn their territorial advantage into points, by Exeter made sure Bath went into the break a sole penalty ahead.

Varsity will always have big collisions and players will demonstrate a never-back-down attitude so it was great shame to see Club Captain Bertie Haskins limp off with a foot injury after 32 minutes. His replacement, Sinel, last season’s winning try scorer,Find the best selection of high-quality collectible bobblehead available anywhere. however, had an instant impact. His first scrum was superb as EURFC marched Bath back 20 metres and won the penalty.

Support from the AU clubmen and especially the EURFC members was vociferous and unwavering throughout, surely adding wind to the Exeter sails.

If the first half was an attritional battle,Welcome to Find the right laser Engraver or Laser engraver machines. the second was an attacking slaughter as Exeter, no doubt buoyed by half-time words, came out with upped intensity and went for the jugular from the outset. Bath were unable to cope with the speed of Exeter’s attacking play after the break and conceded early after a superb piece of two-on-one play by scrum half Rob Coote to feed Bain who finished well in the corner.

Bath constantly tried to slow Exeter’s momentum but the referee was hot on their tail reaching for her yellow card on no less than three occasions. This was very costly as Chisholm’s chip and Gray’s charge down put the men in green in an unassailable lead.

The second period proved that the first was worth it. Exeter capitalised as Bath wilted before their eyes. When Claxton touched down for Exeter’s fourth you felt that the final whistle couldn’t come sooner for the visitors. Full-back Ali Chisholm will take the plaudits for a complete performance but credit must go to the work of the forwards in the first half in grinding Bath down so that the second half onslaught was possible.

Exeter have now won all three of their Sandy Park Varsity fixtures and end the normal BUCS season unbeaten on their own turf, a fantastic achievement. The 1st XV’s season does not end here however as they have now secured a home draw in the play-offs. If they perform as well as they have done all season Exeter could be making a rare trip to rugby HQ, Twickenham to play in the BUCS final.

All told, it’s been a fantastic season for the club. The 2nd XV are currently two points clear at the top of the Western 1A league with four fixtures left in the campaign, while Exeter also are dominating the Western 2A league with the 3rd and 4th XV BUCS teams first and third respectively as of this week. EURFC’s 5th XV, otherwise known as the mighty Flair XV, have four matches to secure promotion, with only three points separating them and breaking into the top two. Finally, the 6th XV,It's not hard to see why outdoor solar light is all the rage. the second fresher XV, have won all five of their BUCS fixtures so far.

10 Incredible Black Women Balancing Career and Motherhood

This is such an incredible time to be an American. Our first black President is in his second term, fighting for – among many things – equal pay and secure reproductive rights for women. Hillary Clinton just completed her tenure as Secretary of State, the third woman to hold that prestigious title. Female leaders like Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren are demanding a new kind of transparency in Washington. And First Lady Michelle Obama is about as perfect a role model as anyone can be, leading the charge for a healthier (and more stylish) America.

I often think about how transcendent Michelle Obama is, about how expert she is at blending her work life with her family life. Yes, she’s a style icon,It's not hard to see why outdoor solar light is all the rage. and I certainly do admire her for her looks as well as her grace, but mostly I’m inspired by how dedicated she is to the protection and support of her husband and daughters. I keep a magnet of the Obama family on my fridge at home, not just because I love my President, but because the Obamas are such an exceptionally lovely family unit. Their genuine affection and respect for one another is so profound and profoundly touching, and being given the chance to observe such a healthy family dynamic in the White House is a tremendous gift to our nation.

While thinking about the power and strength Michelle Obama possesses, I realized that though when it comes to marketing “mom” is the new black, one group of women we almost never hear about in the media is black moms. And unfortunately when black moms are alluded to in the news, they’re still trotted out as the tired stereotype of the welfare queen, the cautionary tale single mother failure. I find that so depressing, and I knew I could rattle off a list of 10 black moms I admired in less than as many seconds. I’ve compiled a slideshow shouting-out these media mogul moms, and I thought I’d share some of their thoughts about career and motherhood with you, in the hopes that not only will they be celebrated, but that we can all glean something from their tenacity, smarts and bravery:

Although normal wear and tear vs damage can be hard to define, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself from any confusion. As with most things, communication is the key: if both you and your tenants are clear about the condition of the unit at move-in, the importance of promptly reporting needed repairs, and expectations at move-out, the tenancy and the end of the tenancy will be smoother.

Insist on a walk-through with new tenants. At the walk-through the tenants will have an opportunity to note in writing existing damage and wear and tear in the rental. Also, take dated photographs to keep on file. This way both the landlord and tenant are protected. The tenant can't be charged for damage that was not documented in the walk through, and the landlord has picture proof of the unit's condition at move in.

Have your lease outline the requirements for taking care of the property and promptly calling for any repairs needed. Make the tenants aware if they do not not notify the landlord in a timely manner of any issues, they can be charged for any damage that occurred from their negligence. Make your contact information readily available to the tenants, such as a business card, fridge magnet, or website.

Before move-out refer tenants to the “Wear and Tear versus Damages” document and cleaning checklist. This way the tenant knows what is expected of them in preparation for move out and cleaning of the unit.

A championship for the Mets in 2013? Yeah, fat chance of that happening. But here we are at Citi Field, plastic covering the lockers in the home clubhouse with champagne dripping off of every surface in sight. The New York Mets are champions, as unlikely as that seemed coming into the season.

The only thing the Mets were expected to contend for in 2013 was the NL East basement. Yet, things didn't exactly work out that way.wind turbine Veterans Johan Santana and Shaun Marcum not only stabilized the top of New York's rotation, but formed one of the best starting duos in the league. The pair each threw at least 190 innings, and posted ERAs under 3.50 for the orange and blue. Past those two, New York's rotation was excellent with Jonathon Niese, Dillon Gee, and the exciting youngster Matt Harvey holding their own. Harvey was especially a revelation for the Mets in his first full season in the majors, striking out 160 batters in 173 innings while pitching to a 3.79 ERA.

Offensively,Find the best selection of high-quality collectible bobblehead available anywhere. it was supposed to be a struggle for the Mets. And at times, it was. New York's outfield was thoroughly unimpressive, totaling just 24 homers among the three regular starters and playing below average defense for the mostpart. But it was in the infield where New York's offense shined. David Wright put together an MVP-caliber season after signing a contract extension this winter, winning a Gold Glove and homering 27 times while hitting .303 with a .Welcome to Find the right laser Engraver or Laser engraver machines.942 OPS. First baseman Ike Davis stayed healthy all season and built on his strong second half, belting 38 homers and providing Wright with protection in New York's lineup. Behind the plate, rookie catcher Travis d'Arnaud made his major league debut in May, and ended up hitting 14 homers in 313 plate appearances behind the dish for the Mets.Looking for the Best Air purifier?

New York's bullpen also performed better than expectations, especially after a disastrous 2012. Bobby Parnell, slotted into the closer's role after Frank Francisco was placed on the DL for Opening Day, finally took the next step in his new role, striking out 70 hitters in 72 innings and walking only 18. Veteran Brandon Lyon was the ideal setup man for Parnell, striking out 63 in 60 innings and finally earning the label of "underpaid" after years of being overpaid.

Special Cruise for a Special Kid

Six-year-old Bryon has a brain tumor that buys him membership in the ultra-exclusive Children Battling Cancer club. It isn't a club anyone would choose, but once you're in, the advantages can be astounding. Children Battling Cancer teamed with Celebration Cruise line's Hope on Water granted Bryon a dream vacation on the Bahamas Celebration.

Bryon arrived at his grandparents home in Vero Beach several days before his voyage. He helped catch Crevalle Jack, Lane Snappers, Sheepshead and even a hideous Big Headed Sea Robin and foolhardy tern - all released none too the worse for wear - and enjoyed bananna pudding at Woody's in Sebastian, and and a fabulous ice-cream Sundae at the Riverside Cafe. He hopes to take the wheelchair accessible half day fishing excursion from Vero Tackle under the bridge next time he is in town....but on this visit, he had other fish to fry!

Gramma & Grampa drove Bryon, Dada and Mommy to Riviera Beach. They wound through the neighborhood, aiming for the huge cranes looming high in the sky and suddenly the Port of West Palm appeared in front of them. They pulled down into the parking lot just after the bridge and unloaded quickly curbside. It was about 11:30 am – and eager people were being let through security already, even though check in does not officially start until 1:00 pm.

Bryon made the acquaintance of a stylish lady and her husband, who were outside waiting for wheelchairs and assistance with their baggage. Mommy told them how nervous she had been about this trip,Wide range of unique crystal mosaic and natural stone mosaic tiles. and the couple assured them that they will have a nice time, and not to worry. The man is 98 years old, and he was not nervous, he just couldn’t wait to get on board and start having some fun!

A man named Steve with a name badge that identified him as Cruise Director greeted Bryon, Dada and Mommy with a booming voice and friendly smile. Mommy started to explain that Bryon is the “CBC” kid – but Steve laughed and says he knows that – he has been waiting for them! Steve helped with the bags, and shows them in….and so the adventure began.

After clearing security, Steve introduced the trio to Max (Italy), the Restaurant Manager. Max wore a neat white official-looking suit and matching shoes. Max escorted Bryon and his parents to the elevator, and on up to the VIP Check In counter on the second floor, all the while inquiring after Bryon’s food preferences and dietary requirements, which he then discussed with the Chef who also came to meet Bryon. Max told Bryon’s family that he would like to make reservations for them at The Cove Restaurant for their first night and at The Crystal Dining Room for the second, and asks whether they prefer to dine at 6 or 9. Max took leave of the party to make the appropriate arrangements, but introduced them to Jody (Honduras) in Guest Relations, who would see them onto the ship. There was a line of excited people steadily streaming up the escalator, arriving early to check in and receive their cabin keys.

Bryon was the first one to board! He was so excited to wheel into the grand lobby, with its rich wood, twin glass cylinder elevators, and gilt laced mahi-mahi sculpture. Everywhere was polished metals and sparkling mirrors and delightful scents wafted out of the Fountain of Youth Spa across from the Information desk. The Concierge and Excursion booking desks were on the far side, and there was a Gift Shop by the Spa entrance.

Jody led them up to Level 7, and showed them their cabin. The doorway was wide enough to allow Bryon’s wheelchair to pass, and the cabin suite was large enough to roll him around easily. The shower had a roll-in lip too – which was a nice amenity. The staff had made a mouse out of towels that sat bright and perky on the soft white down comforter covering the queen bed, and a towel elephant sat by the window on a table.dry cabinet There was a basket of fruit, and plate of fat red dark chocolate-dipped strawberries drizzled with white chocolates by the mini bar. Jody gave the family a few minutes to drop their bags and explore the room, and then hurried them off to Level 9, to beat the crowds to the lunch buffet.

The Captain and mate greeted the family as they stepped out onto the upper deck. A waiter carried Mommy’s tray while she wheeled Bryon through the buffet, and DaDa pointed out various dishes she might like to try. There was a great variety of fresh salads,Willkommen im virtuellen Zuhause der Lercher Werkzeugbau GmbH. and delicious coconut chicken, and savory paella. They relaxed with their loaded plates at a shaded table on the warm sunny deck. Chef and Sous Chef brought Bryon a special dish of whipped sweet potatoes with pureed broccoli and chicken that he gobbled.Welcome to the premier industrial source for Custom IInjection Mold Plastics in New York.

Bryon does not eat much because his brain tumor has rendered his chewing ability and swallow reflex ineffective and the chemotherapy plays havoc on his sense of taste. Bryon’s primary nutrition is in the form of enteral formula delivered through a gastric tube directly into his stomach, but this special meal he enjoyed very much, and this made Chef very happy. The waiter Ivan (Macedonia) checked in unobtrusively to clear plates and refill soft drink glasses. He made time to answer questions about the ship, its staff, and their schedules. It became clear that the food service staff works about 18 hours every day – but somehow they were all smiling and joking with each other and the passengers the whole trip.

Mommy and DaDa relaxed into their seats and ordered the celebratory Bahama Mamas that come in souvenir plastic glasses from the beverage service waiter named Su. Su was very attentive and explained how to order alcohol-containing drinks at the best overall value for the duration of the trip – either by buying an entire bottle with a half dozen or so cans of soda to share, or by ordering the ice buckets full of beer specials. Once the ship is out on the water and in the Bahamas, the drinking age is 18 years old, so this must be a popular Spring Break destination. As with airline travel, ship passengers are not allowed to bring liquor aboard with them, but they may order it once aboard. Perhaps this allows the crew some modicum of control over unpleasant alcohol-related incidents, and truthfully, it did not seem like anyone regretfully over-indulged, so maybe this system is effective.

Jody swung by after lunch and gave Bryon, Mommy and DaDa a tour of the ship. Newly arrived passengers were pouring on board; the elevators were stuffed with people and luggage and the lobbies were hectic hubs of people trying to get their bearings. Jody steered Bryon’s family to the Spa, and helped them make arrangements for a couples massage that afternoon. She showed them the restaurants, the casino, the theatre lounge, and the three age- appropriate kids clubs. Finally, they returned to their cabin and Jody left them to change into bathing suits and hit the pool.

The kid’s pool is only about 12” deep, but it has a long tubular water slide and the kids loved it. Bryon joined several other kids at the pool, one travelling with her Grandmother Pat (Michigan), and two other little blondies (Finland). Everything, including the deck, looked freshly painted and bright. There was some grit to the surface, but Mommy walked Bryon along carefully where it was wet. Mommy jumped in the aquarium-looking adult pool quickly and splashed around a little before DaDa and she had to change for the Spa appointment and Bryon was due at the Kids Club.

After luxurious massages, the trio returned to the upper deck to find a full blown Conga line and pool full of party goers. There were so many events happening at once – a wine tasting,The stone mosaic series is a grand collection of coordinating Travertine mosaics and listellos. a dance contest, a Latin Mojito party, bingo, poker games – that it was almost overwhelming. It seemed like everywhere people were dancing and laughing and eating and drinking and generally having a really good time – and they hadn’t even set sail yet!

The breeze picked up and the sun started to sag, so Bryon and his parents returned to their cabin to change for dinner. Mommy went downstairs to get an adapter from the concierge for Bryon’s enteral pump while DaDa finished dressing. Jody picked them up and escorted them to The Cove, where Max took over and led them to a quiet table by the window. Chef prepared Bryon another delicious puree, but Bryon nodded off, leaving Mommy and DaDa to enjoy dinner on their own. DaDa selected a lobster avocadotini appetizer, Mommy had the escargot. They had mushroom cappuccino soup, followed by goat cheese-dotted arugula salad topped with crisp fried onion strings. After a tablespoon sized taste of lemon sorbet drizzled with Compari and topped with a mint leaf intermezzo, DaDa dove into a thick filet mignon, cooked to perfection; and Mommy had lamb chops that were so good that she felt compelled to take a photo of them. Bryon snored on.

DaDa rarely eats dessert, but this night he opted for the mousse trio: tiramisu, raspberry-white chocolate, and dark and white chocolate served in three petite glasses perched in a silvery stand. Mommy chose a Grand Marnier brittle glazed crème brulee that was divine. Max arranged to have Bryon’s untouched meal delivered to the refrigerator in his cabin, in case he was hungry later in the evening.

2013年2月18日 星期一

Choice-free holidays

As travel becomes more accessible, many today look to the internet to help them discover new and exciting holiday options. Yet, the seemingly endless degree of choice available means that time-starved luxury travellers are willing to give away responsibility for deciding their holidays to others – in the quest for truly rarified experiences, it makes sense for discerning holidaymakers to enjoy a travel experience hand-selected by a trustworthy holiday operator.

Six-year-old luxury travel operator Black Tomato, which specialises in piecing together unique tailor-made experiences for its customers, recorded a 14 million annual turnover in 2012. In addition to planning the usual holiday itinerary - flights, accommodation, etc - Black Tomato prides itself on meeting customers’ every minor need or desire. This can be anything from compiling a selection of songs on an iTunes playlist for the traveller to listen to while away to providing a film for the traveller to watch once back home and faced with the post-holiday blues.

If one of the purposes of a holiday is to allow relaxation, then it makes sense that travellers are handing over control of the decision-making process.Check out our selection of eyewear Optical frame today!Find the best iPhone headset for you Increasingly, travellers are opting out of the strenuous input required to filter through the plethora of holiday possibilities. Instead, this process is being wholly placed into the hands of operators who are trusted to offer more simplified, exclusive and novel holiday selections that expedite (and, at times, entertain during) the decision-making process.

The coming year will see more travel services evolving not only to help their discerning customers discover appropriate holidays, but also to help plan, finalise and offer those experiences in the most interesting and exclusive of ways. This may manifest through the way in which holidays are presented; the story behind how they are selected; the exclusivity of the platform they reside upon; and even via the additional perks with which they are offered.Our premium collection of quality personalized keychains generously offers affordability in a custom keychain.

Take a look at how these brands are using innovative methods and platforms to package and present ‘choice cut’ holidays, services and experiences for their customers:

Hotel Haiku is a travel website that lists hotels around the world in an exceptionally simple fashion. Information about a featured hotel is limited to a single image and a haiku-style description of the property. The site also features ‘notels’, which are architecturally or conceptually unique holiday rental properties

American Express Travel launched Nextpedition, a tailor-made mystery vacation with social media integration. The trip begins with a quiz designed to attribute a Travel Sign to each user, based on their interests and personality. Travellers can share the quiz on Facebook and then have the opportunity to speak to a Nextpedition Travel Specialist, who will create a vacation based on their Travel Sign, as well as duration and budget. Destinations include cities in the US, Canada and Europe, and the vacation itinerary is revealed gradually via a mobile device; the Travel Console. This device suggests personalized activities and makes recommendations on places to see and things to do. The Travel Console also allows vacation-makers to keep a record of their trip, uploading photograph and videos, sharing on Facebook and making comments – plus family and friends can follow the progress of the trip in real-time. Package prices start at $1000.

Mumbai-based travel brand SOTC launched Box Holidays – tangible, pre-packaged travel offerings that can be purchased online or off the shelf in a participating retail store. Rather than having to spend time and effort researching options with a travel agent,Bay monitoring and parking guidance system come together in seamless integration offering more benefits. purchasers can simply buy a Box Holiday, which features all the key details on the outside of the box,Here's a complete list of oil painting supplies for the beginning oil painter. including price, validity period, service inclusions, images and so on. Pricing begins at INR5,990 per couple (71) for domestic getaways and INR47,410 (570) for international packages.

Roadtrippers is a travel website offering driving directions through the US based not on the most efficient journey, but the most interesting route. Users enter their start location and destination, and Roadtrippers shows the most direct path to take; drivers can then alter the distance they are willing to travel away from that route and add filters depending on what kind of things they would like to see along the way – including local dining options, offbeat hotels and national parks. Suggestions featured on the site are curated by local experts.

New York-based Excursionist is a members-only travel website selling exclusive vacation experiences curated by local professionals and site members. Excursionist offers vacations to worldwide destinations that involve local individuals, including artists, scientists, chefs and activists. The handpicked travel guides accompany the tourist on their vacation, providing information and local knowledge, so creating a unique, educational experience. Excursionist also works to provide its members with special access to tourism-related sites such as archaeological digs and other places that are often closed to the public.

Indeed, the increase in travellers relinquishing their roles as holiday planners is bound to result in more travel operators fighting to win their attention by presenting holidays in interesting ways. However, those with wanderlust will ultimately only demonstrate loyalty to the providers that accurately source and tailor every single holiday in a way that exceeds expectations.

Boart eyes two-year turnaround

The result came on the same day that the firm announced that Richard O'Brien -- the chief of New York Stock Exchange-listed Newmont Mining -- would become Boart's chief executive, replacing ousted chief Craig Kipp.

Boart chairman David McLemore, who has been acting in the role since Mr Kipp's exit, said the firm's main indicators of rig use and order backlog of drilling products had stabilised but the global outlook for mining services remained unclear. It was looking to restructure its cost base in preparation for any resurgence.

"Our customers clearly are re-setting their cost base and . . .Check out our selection of eyewear Optical frame today! they're going to expect (us) to negotiate a new price for 2013 versus 2012 and we're well into that cycle, and it looks like our planning for pricing going into 2013 is also in line with that, " Mr McLemore said. Despite recent action to create greater efficiency at the company, which slashed global job numbers and moved manufacturing to low cost centres, Mr McLemore -- who will step down as chairman but remain on the board -- said the biggest challenge remained on the cost side as Boart looked to put in place a structure that was more resilient.

"So that it's a true overhead that's got leverage on it in the good times," he said.Our premium collection of quality personalized keychains generously offers affordability in a custom keychain. "We don't have any headcount numbers on that, but we do know that our operating margins have got to improve by 2 or 3 per cent to be in line with our peers . . . my view in terms of us leading the industry, in terms of our operating margins, it's a two-year journey," he said.

Drilling products revenue, including equipment and performance tooling, fell by 13 per cent for the period to $US495m, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation slumped by 19 per cent to $US107m. The firm gave no specific guidance for this year but said consensus expectations for revenue between $US1.7 billion and $US2bn was in line with its forecasts.

Deutsche Bank analyst Craig Wong-Pan said although the outlook remained uncertain it was a good result,Here's a complete list of oil painting supplies for the beginning oil painter. with Boart coming in at the top end of guidance.

"The working capital will continue to build and we won't see a recovery in that working capital until the second half of this financial year," he said.

Total revenue was flat at $US2bn, in line with earlier guidance, while EBITDA came in slightly above revised guidance at $US322m -- a long way from initial expectations announced last year of $US460m. Board member Barbara Jeremiah was elected to the chairman's position.

Bucks County Fire Marshal Walter M. Carwithen said the cause of the fire is unknown at this time and under investigation. The ruins were still smoldering as of Saturday morning. Damage to the building, furnishings and equipment could go as high as $150,000.

The three-building complex, topped by a 19th century bell cupola, formerly served as the Doylestown Public School.

The fire, which was reported at 2:15 p.m. Friday, apparently started in the abandoned third floor of the main grey stone building and spread to the second floor. The roof later collapsed in flames. The red brick annex adjacent to the main building was heavily damaged by smoke, water and falling debris.

A torch 50 feet high, five stories above the top of the hill around which Doylestown is built, was visible for at least four miles. It consumed the building's cupola in a sunny, cold setting of rainbows from the spray of firemen's hoses.

Firemen from nine volunteer fire companies,Bay monitoring and parking guidance system come together in seamless integration offering more benefits. two rescue squads and an ambulance corps were involved. Fire companies fought the flames for more than three hours before getting the fire under control. Four provided auxiliary service.

Close to 1,000 persons ringed the site. As spectators left, more arrived on the scene.

Since 1966, when the county bought the complex for $80,000, the main building housed offices of the Bucks County Public Schools Intermediate Unit 22, the Central Bucks YMCA, the Bucks Neighborhood Youth Corps, the Bucks District Soil Conservation Service and the U.S. Navy recruiting office.

The brick addition, built in 1912, was used as a major storage facility for priceless county records, including deeds, wills and marriage licenses, some dating to the 1680s.Find the best iPhone headset for you A third building to the rear of the main building, constructed in 1925, is vacant. It escaped serious damage.

Dr. Albert Neiman, assistant executive director of the Intermediate Unit, whose office was on the second floor of the main building, discovered the flames in a former science laboratory on the dusty third floor.

"I smelled the smoke and ran upstairs. There were flames shooting up. Everybody started to yell to get out," he said.

Neighborhood children and county officials formed chain lines to pass on cartons and files of documents. Pulled from the smoldering complex were about 300 hardbound marriage license dockets and more than 600 metal files of wills.

In addition, thousands of other records of the prothonotary and district attorney were safely left in wire-mesh pens in the annex after the flames were repulsed. Also saved was a collection of 75 stuffed big game animal trophies, valued at $100,000, donated to the county for educational purposes.

County building supervisor John Hofman coordinated the effort to save the records. He said a county truck took the material to the county-owned Roads and Bridges Building on Route 413 in Buckingham Township.

Point Phillips to reopen in Moore Township

For decades, LeRoy Eckert looked down the hill from his front yard and watched as his birthplace seemed to sink into the water that gathered around its foundations.

By the time it closed five years ago, mud was climbing the Point Phillips Hotel's exterior walls. The business, once known in different circles for its cheesesteaks, video poker machines and barroom brawls, had become a crumbling stack of asphalt shingle siding. The centuries-old tavern it had been — the place where Eckert's parents carved out a living —- had long since dissolved.

Then Dan Tanczos stepped in. In 2008, he sold his interest in a Bethlehem beer distributor and bought the old tavern, namesake of the unincorporated Moore Township village of Point Phillips. Tanczos spent the next five years researching its history, damming the water and buffing the place to a sheen it never had .

In a few weeks, Tanczos says, he'll reopen the hotel as a bar and restaurant with two apartments.Sol provides the world with high-performance solar roadway and solar street light solutions.

"I'm looking forward to giving the people of this area a nice place to go," he said, pressing his palms to the polished bar he installed in a room where a grocer once sold flour and salt. "Something they can be proud of."

Tanczos, a broad-shouldered guy with a smile stamped above a dimpled chin, hopes visitors will come from all over the Lehigh Valley.We are designing Mold Maker and specialty tooling has been the backbone of our business since our inception. But he renovated it — learning how to install floors and Victorian ceiling tiles on the fly — for people like Eckert and himself.

On Aug. 6, 1928, in the same room where Tanczos recently planted his bar, Eckert was born. Growing up, he could step out the front door of his parents' house behind the hotel and find forest and swampland to hunt deer and squirrels. He played shortstop and second base on the old Point Phillips Hotel baseball team. In the bar, his dad served Horlacher, Old Dutch and Neuwiler, three mugs for a quarter. State law required you to offer hotel rooms, so, in six rooms on the second floor, they changed sheets on beds nobody ever slept in.

Since those days, ranchers and Cape Cods have pushed the forest aside. The one-room Point Phillips School, where Eckert learned English and math, closed eons ago. Even the 4-foot-high concrete letters that spelled "Point Phillips" his father installed on the embankment across from the hotel — the town's version of the Hollywood sign — eventually toppled.

When Eckert built the stone house next to the hotel in 1956, his mom asked him to take over running the place. Eckert said no. Tavern ownership wasn't for him. In those days, he explained, the place was pretty rough. Brawls were par for the course for neighborhood bars all over the area, in Petersville and Beersville, for example.

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Sculptures, hand blown glass vases, tile work and jewelry sparkled in the sunlight Sunday as people made their way through artists’ displays at Frances Stevens Park.

The three-day Desert Art Festival continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today with more than 100 artists presenting original work in all mediums of two- and three-dimensional art, including paintings in acrylic, oils and watercolors, photography and etchings, all sprawled out on the corner of North Palm Canyon Drive and Alejo Road.

It’s the diversity of art and the quality of the work that keeps festival-goer Marilyn Dorman of Boise, Idaho, coming back, she said, along with the scenery of the surrounding mountains.

She and her daughter, Diane Dorman, also of Boise,The term 'hands free access control' means the token that identifies a user is read from within a pocket or handbag. were looking over the mixed media work of Fortune Sitole of Oakland.

Sitole’s depictions of life in South Africa are made with recyclable materials — wood,We offer advanced technology products and services for parking guidance control. sand, aluminum, oil and acrylic paint, sticks, bottle caps, soup cans, and other objects on a plywood background.

Across the way from Sitole, Marquis Leo of Palm Desert was surrounded by his brightly painted, glossy, ceramic tiles that varied in size from coasters to wall hangings.

The figures on each were painted on canvas first and embedded into the ceramic through a firing process.We offer a wide variety of high-quality standard ultrasonic sensor and controllers.