Posted by Cindy on
July 30, 2010
If you talk about any city long enough it seems like you will eventually run out of new topics to discuss. And while this might be true for many, it is does not begin to describe the city of Boston. It is so full of intriguing contemporary cultural elements as well as amazing historic landmarks and monuments that these alone will take years to discuss so can you imagine if you tried to visit them all? In addition, there have been so many interesting characters that have come out of Boston and captivating events and phases in history that the topics for discussion could go on an on and be categorized in a few different ways.
In fact, complete history lessons could take place during a summer vacation and begin at one of the Boston hotels . For one thing, there is a chance that the hotel itself will be located in an historic building, but even if it isn’t there are numerous landmarks, monuments and other buildings that are located throughout the city and urban center. Paul Revere and the various landmarks that are associated with him and his famous ride that introduced the beginning of the Revolutionary War are just a start. Major historic personalities like Samuel Adams also has some landmarks in Boston, and of course the name is much more associated with the lager of the same name in contemporary society. But his name alone would be a great way to begin one’s exploration of this great city and the consequential lesson in history.
Posted by Cindy on
July 27, 2010
San Diego has a lot to offer tourists, which is one of the reasons it’s such a popular vacation destination. There are numerous entertainment options, great restaurants, museums and some fabulous cultural attractions. In addition Sea World is one of the standard places to visit for almost all of the guests in any of the best resorts San Diego. And it is the perfect destination for families, friends, couples and even an individual who happens to be in town for a business meeting, or just likes to travel alone.
One of the reasons it is so popular is because it has such a variety of offerings including some great shows and great rides. There are various programs that are both entertainment and education oriented and the establishment is strong in its conservation efforts. The fact that it is such a respected organization is one of its attractive features for many people. And of course the seals, dolphins and killer whales play a role in its appeal. There are exhibits that are exciting, dynamic and informative and these appeal to parents and children. The next time you are in San Diego you will definitely want to spend time exploring the city, but it is guaranteed you will also want to spend some time exploring Sea World.
Posted by Cindy on
July 15, 2010
In addition to the great cultural attractions and quality things to do in Melbourne, the city also boasts a thriving nightlife and incredible club scene, which is one of the favorite aspects of many people’s vacations there. There are a variety of clubs, pubs and bars that are diverse in orientation and will accommodate the interests and aesthetic preferences of almost everyone. You can find great dance clubs with DJs spinning the latest mixes of dance music or going retro and playing the biggest hits from the 1980s. Clubs like Revolver, Seven and Prince of Wales are great options for DJ dance music.
There are also many live music venues in Melbourne and this is one of the favorite things for many of the Melbourne hotel guests to seek out. The hotels themselves are excellent resources for live music information and the free city paper publications Inpress and Beat will also list performances.
Bennetts Lane Jazz Club is a great club and the soft lighting contributes to the overall ambiance and smooth feeling present. The Forum is one of the most popular venues in Melbourne and will feature everything from rock concerts to comedy shows.
There is always something going on during both the day and night in Melbourne, Australia, so hit your favorite travel directory and start planning your next visit — you won’t want to miss out.
Posted by Cindy on
June 11, 2010
Planning and investing in the future is an important part of securing your retirement and financial future. There are many different ways that you can do this: IRAs, stocks, savings — but you will want to make your decision based on a couple factors; how close you are to retirement, how much you have to invest and any options your employer may offer.
The most risky form of investment is the stock market ; especially given the current economic climate. However if you are still 15-20 years from retirement, it can really pay off. Before you make any investments it is best to do lots of research. You can work with an investment firm to help you make decisions or, if you have done a lot to educate yourself, you can do it on your own. The important thing to remember is to diversify: don’t invest all your money in just 1 or 2 stocks or even 1 or 2 industries. Sometimes the best investments are in local companies like Transglobe Property Management Services REIT . One of the first property management companies to go public since the economy has been in recession, Transglobe Property Management REIT is showing signs of continued success.
A less risky, more secure form of investment is an IRA or retirement savings. With an IRA you are allowed to put some much in per year based on your age. You can also choose to have it taxed now or defer it until you begin making withdrawals. The only changes that are made with an IRA are the interest rates. IRAs are ideal for anyone nearing retirement or as a more diversity option for someone who is just starting out.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to look into any retirement/ investment options your employer might offer. Some companies, particularly if they are larger companies, will offer match programs. Meaning if you invest a certain amount they will match it up to a certain percentage. They will often allow to select the level of risk you wish to take from low to high.
With so many options to choose from, it is no too early, or too late, to begin investing in your future.
Posted by Cindy on
June 9, 2010
If you’re ready for summer, ready for fresh summer produce, then Hasbrouch Heights, New Jersey on June 15th is when the 10th Farmers’ Market is scheduled to start. Located at the corner of Boulevard and Washington Place, next to the Kathy Dunn Cultural Center, 10 miles from mid-town Manhattan and within walking distance from many luxury Hasbrouck Heights hotels , is where you’ll experience summertime in full swing.
The Farmers’ Market is open-air and seasonal, June through October, every Tuesday from 2pm to 7pm and offers its residents and visitors the best, freshest produce from Hoboken Farms, delicious Amish baked goods from Rebbecca, gourmet coffee, the Cookie Man is back, Dr. Pickle’s promising to offer a new pickle, there’s hand-made soaps and entertainment. The Hasbrouck Heights Farmers’ Market was the brain child of the Chamber of Commerce to help bring in foot traffic to the local business’s along Hasbrouck Heights main thoroughfare: the Boulevard. The Chamber heard about how other communities are having great success with starting up a Farmers Market, so they followed suit, knowing that this proposition was a ‘win-win’ for not only the local businesses, but for the local farmers, backyard gardeners, crafters, musicians, and consumers.
With the help of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s ‘Jersey Fresh’ program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who both insisted that all produce and products be Jersey made, which by the way, this guideline is enforced by 2 market inspections a season. With the rising cost of land, the agricultural business in New Jersey has been in decline; that’s why the New Jersey Council of Farmers and Communities, the grassroots, not-for-profit organization that assists the municipalities, which host this market, work very hard to keep the market all about New Jersey.
If you drop-by the Hasbrouck Heights Farmers’ Market, you’ll be handed a burlap bag with the markets logo printed on it. You’ll also get to mingle with not only the local residence, but with people from all over New Jersey, like Hackensack, Lodi, Wood-Ridge and you’ll even spot a few Mahattanites among the crowd, because they too no a good thing when they see it.
Posted by Cindy on
June 7, 2010
What does Yuca, Nemo and Wish have in common? They are all top-notch, fantastic restaurants in Miami, Florida, offering residents and tourists the best in urban, chic and fine dining and they were all voted as the best top 10 restaurant in Florida.
The YUCA , which is an acronym for Young Urban Cuban-American, is renowned as being South Florida’s original upscale Cuban restaurant that features innovated Neuvo Latino cuisine, or as the locals like to call it – Neuvo Latino. YUCA’s style of cooking includes traditional Latin ingredients lincluding a wide variety of textures, flavors and colors that when all mixed together creates a unique cuisine and nothing compares to it outside of the Caribbean and Latin America. In 1989, YUCA opened its doors and has continued to grow in popularity and has attracted thousands of diners each year, from all over the world who want to have a great gastronomic adventure. YUCA is located at 501 Lincoln Road.
Nemo, located at 100 Collins Avenue, is all the buzz around Miami’s foodies. Nemo’s offers its patron an interactive kitchen with an open counter, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Chef Mike Sabin puts together unique combinations of ingredients achieving a consistently sophisticated and fresh cuisine; he plans his seasonal menus around the freshest produce and products available throughout the year. The 2005 and 2006 Zagat Survey named Nemo as one of America’s Top Restaurants. Nemo’s is the epitome of South Beach cool and with its slick metal bar, hip jazz and darkly stylish dining rooms, Nemo has a very inviting and alluring image, which no one can resist. Nemo’s is within walking distance of most Miami luxury hotels .
Wish is the receiver of the Mobil Travel Guide 4-star Award in 2001 and 2009 and is considered a AAA 4-diamond restaurant. The interior was designed by Todd Oldham, where he created both an exotic and cozy dining experience. The exterior consists of a magical, tropical garden that is one of the most romantic al-fresco dining areas in all of South Florida. The ‘Inner Garden’ evokes the lushness of the outdoor garden with tropical plants that delightfully surround the indoor dining area, creating a most intimate of dining rooms. Since Wish opened, back in 1998, the restaurant has garnered numerous awards for its imaginative cuisine under the direction of Executive Chef Marco Ferraro.
Posted by Cindy on
May 31, 2010
Most people are rather stunned when they visit Singapore for the very first time, and it’s common to wonder why it seems as though its secrets have been hidden for so long. It’s been a major world port for over 500 years, and is one of the more multicultural and cosmopolitan places on the planet. Its treasures seem to be relatively hidden in other parts of the globe, revealing just how large a planet can be, and far away its cultures might seem. It doesn’t take very long, however, before the influence of Singapore on the rest of the world is seen in its proper light, and its name starts to show up everywhere.
In truth, it is a leading contender in world culture, and has always had a far reach. Its own multicultural population combines with the influences of everything that comes into its parameters, and on some clear days this looks something like the whole world. Beyond the appeal of the fantastic hospitality of hotels in Singapore , there are cultures and countercultures to explore and get to know when visiting this island city-state.
There is, indeed, a counter-culture here, or perhaps there are hundreds. Cultural expressions run along multiple lines, and the promises of a new Singapore seem to be coming into being right this moment. It has plenty of seeds for its own awakening, and evidence of a past of minds enlightened by post-modernity, and BigO magazine is a great place to begin.
It was started in 1985, after the Sunday Monitor shut down. That was a magazine that covered pop culture and music, and the brothers Philip and Michael Cheah decided to start their own publication. Its been up and running since that time, and is one of the most exciting alternative press sources anywhere. It still has a strong resemblance to the early days of Rolling Stone, when the dream of free expression ruled, and it was hard to find traces of sponsorship anywhere in its pages. They are tracking the pulse of contemporary Singapore, and taking on the rest of the world at the same time, with splendid grace.
Posted by Cindy on
May 25, 2010
When touring London and you don’t have time to sit at an outdoor cafes, don’t worry, coffee carts abound in London, run by young baristas trying to make a mark on the city’s thriving coffee scene. These convenient coffee carts do their best to be where the tourist are and they are usually not too far from a London hotel , a museum, or any of the historical sites.
The ‘Exchange Coffee’ , has a brilliant brew, such as for their espresso based coffees, they use the Monmouth Espresso blend. This small operation is located at the Northern tip of the Lewisham Street Market every Saturday, which is located in the South-East area of London.
The Brewed Boy, located between Brewer and Rupert Streets, then at the Cabbages and Frocks Market, Marylebone High Street, and at the St. Marylebone Parish Church Grounds on Saturdays. This coffee on wheels not only serves top-quality Square Mile coffee, but also totes about books as well. Look for a grey-steel van in Soho, run by an Aussie who loves his coffee and loves to exchange books, and you’ll get a great brew for only 2 pounds, a real coffee-bean deal.
You can’t miss ‘Indie Coffee’, due to a most unique coffee vehicle, which is a converted Sumatran food cart. Indie Coffee is located at 50 Church Street, and uses a La Marzocco espresso machine to brew a smooth espresso, plus you’ll get to choose from a glass case full of baked goods.
‘Pitch 42′ , located on Whitecross Street at the Whitecross Street Market, offers the finest, flawless cups of coffee served in proper glassware. While there, drinking the best cup-of-coffee you might just get to hear the sweet piccolo playing in the background and you also chow down on a chorizo sandwich or a cheese sandwich Racletts made by Pitch 42.
Located at 4 Strutton Ground is the ‘Flat Cap Coffee Co.’, whose owner was the barista champion of Brazil in 2007. This stunning black and wood set-up provides Victoria’s office workers with Square Mile coffee, pastries from Villandy and tea Pigs.
Posted by Cindy on
May 22, 2010
Remakes seem to be the thing right now. A few seasons ago Warner Bros. picked up a remake series of Beverly Hills 90210 entitled 90210. Now CBS has announced that they will be doing a remake of the popular cop show Hawaii Five-0. The cast, stars from Lost and Battlestar Gallactica, will have their work cut out for them as they attempt to modernize the show without shutting out fans familiar with the original series. No word yet when the series will air, but you can read more about the new series here.
Posted by Cindy on
May 20, 2010
For last couple of years, it seems as though the Miss USA pageant has become more about politics and less about the pageant. Last year, Carrie Prejean was faced with a question about gay marriage and this year Miss Oklahoma Morgan Elizabeth Woolard was asked about immigraton reform. Ultimately neither girl ended up with the crown, so it makes you wonder just how much emphasis is put on these questions. Perhaps they should stay out of politics and just focus on the pageant. You can read the whole story at foxnews.com