I recently had the opportunity to show a couple of first time visitors around Hong Kong. They were connecting to a cruise and only had a day and a half. Additionally, the weather was hot and extremely muggy, a condition they were not used to. What to do? What to do?Since they were staying in Hung Hom on the Kowloon side, the first leg was easy. Take the Star Ferry to Central where we could meet up easily (I live in Central). Since I had just arrived that morning after an all-night 14 hour flight from the U.S., I set up a 2:00pm meeting and they used the late morning and early afternoon to wander around and have a light lunch.
I first walked them through the IFC Mall. They aren’t shoppers but malls, whether we, who live here, like it or not, are a significant part of the “Hong Kong experience.” They were interested in what a Hong Kong Supermarket was like so we toured City Super, which with its Japanese flavor and ethnically diverse product offerings is surprisingly interesting to visitors.
Next we rode the escalator up to Hollywood Road, sometimes called “Antique Street.” New visitors are fascinated and often awed by the escalator. I’m still slightly in awe of it after 14 years. From there, it’s an easy stroll past the antique shops to the Man Mo Temple with its hundreds of burning incense offerings and praying visitors. It may not be fancy or famous but it is inherently intriguing. It’s the oldest continuously operating temple in Hong Kong. You can find a review of it elsewhere in this journal.
We continued down Hollywood Road, to Wing Lok Street, referred to as Bird’s Nest Street or Ginseng Street. I tried and failed to explain why someone would pay $650 for a small container of swallows’ nests. The only parallel I had was spending $100 and up for a bowl of Shark’s Fin Soup. It is supposedly healthy and also gives the consumer status.
We next walked to Des Voeux Road West where many shops sell exotic dried seafood. We were on our way to the Sheung Wan Wet Market. My guests were leery of interacting with live chickens so we passed, but I still think for someone who is new to Hong Kong that visiting a wet market is worthwhile and relatively risk-free.
HAMILTON, N.J., May 15, 2012 —/PRNewswire/ — Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific –conference and trade show focusing on the emerging Asian-Pacific cruise industry— interviews Rama Rebbapragada, Chairman of the Asia Cruise Association and supporter of the Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific show. The Asia Cruise Association (ACA) is a leading cruise association dedicated to the development and promotion of the cruise industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Rebbapragada will be speaking at Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacificat the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from September 17-18, 2012.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120515/NY07662)
Rama Rebbapragada, Chairman of the Asia Cruise Association, describes the opportunities to come in the rapidly growing Asian Cruise marketplace. What do you see as the major opportunities in your market in the next 2 years? RR: The continuing popularity of cruising as a mainstream vacation option within Asia coupled by the increased deployment of newer and larger ships into the region. The continuing growth in South East Asia and China and the re-emergence of markets such as Japan, not only as a destination but as source markets present huge opportunities for cruising in Asia.
Among the challenges the industry faces, which do you think are the most pressing?RR:Port infrastructure development to accommodate large ships in ports of call within South East Asia and Japan is the most pressing challenge. CIQ and guest visa regulations in North Asia and certain supply chain related issues are also areas that needed to be addressed to make Asia acruise industry friendly region. Travel agent training and increasing the number of travel agentsselling cruises in Asia is another pressing need for the industry. What do you believe are the most creative solutions to these challenges?RR: Encouraging private investment in port development with certain incentives similar to what is going on in Europe should help smaller ports get upgraded faster to accommodate the increased capacity in the region. Partnering with tourism boards, trade associations and adapting industry certified training modules and customizing them to the local needs would help address the lack of knowledge on selling cruising within the trade community.
The Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific Conference and Exhibition Rama Rebbapragada, Chairman of the Asia Cruise Association,will be speaking on topics such as these at Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific conference at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from September 17-18, 2012.The conference will highlight the expanding infrastructure within the entire Asia-Pacific region. Plenary sessions will begin with a state of the industry discussion and be complimented by discussions on new build, refurbishment and refitting, destination planning and development and reaching the burgeoning Asian customer market. In-depth discussion on customer experience,travel agent engagement, government involvement and ports and development will be featured in the masterclasses.
Eldridge Financial Review: Can filing bankruptcy help you discharge your IRS debt?
Filing bankruptcy does not discharge your debts like student loan alimony, child support and so on. Your IRS tax debt might not discharge even after filing bankruptcy. If you have an option to get relief from tax obligation then avoid … Read More
Posted in Economic Issues Tagged Eldridge Financial Review: Can filing bankruptcy help you discharge your IRS debt? Comments OffApr22Eldridge Financial Review- South Korea: North Korea is preparing for nuclear test
Bloomberg News – South Korea warned that North Korea may test a nuclear weapon after a planned missile launch this month that has raised regional tensions and drawn U.S. warnings on the eve of parliamentary elections tomorrow in the South. … Read More
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Because of the cut down prices of copper on Monday stamped as a sign of a slower global economy in which many are asking about what is the future demand for the industrial metal. It was being lowered down two percent as well as the palladium and silver. These three metals are used in a huge number of consumer products from automobiles to consumer electronics and construction materials. It was reported that in the past few days the driving of the economic worries which includes the slowdown in U.S job creation and an increase in China’s inflation rate.
The U.S Labor Department reported Friday that employers added just 120,000 jobs in March, about half the pace from December through February. That renewed concerns about the pace of U.S. economic growth. Consumer prices in China rose 3.6 percent from a year ago but remained below the government’s 4 percent target for the year. Investors speculated that the government may not cut the ratio of funds that banks must hold as reserves, which would free up money for lending, R.J. O’Brien senior commodities broker Phil Streible said. That could hurt demand for copper in the world’s second-largest economy, which is a huge importer of raw materials.
Copper for May delivery fell 7.55 cents to end at $3.72 per pound, June palladium decreased $1 to $643.80 per ounce and May silver ended down 20.6 cents at $31.524 per ounce. July platinum ended up $10.60 to $1,618.20 an ounce.
The economic worries benefited gold, which is considered a relatively stable asset that investors tend to buy when they’re nervous about the economy. June gold increased $13.80 to finish at $1,643.90 an ounce. Wheat rose 4.5 cents to finish at $6.43 per bushel, corn fell 9.25 cents to $6.49 per bushel and soybeans declined 3 cents to $14.31 per bushel in May agricultural contracts. Benchmark crude fell 85 cents to end at $102.46 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Gasoline futures declined 4.38 cents to finish at $3.2967 per gallon, heating oil dropped 2.33 cents to $3.1459 per gallon and natural gas rose 1.8 cents to $2.107 per 1,000 cubic feet.
Eldridge Financial Review: Can filing bankruptcy help you discharge your IRS debt?
Filing bankruptcy does not discharge your debts like student loan alimony, child support and so on. Your IRS tax debt might not discharge even after filing bankruptcy. If you have an option to get relief from tax obligation then avoid … Read More
Posted in Economic Issues Tagged Eldridge Financial Review: Can filing bankruptcy help you discharge your IRS debt? Comments OffApr22Eldridge Financial Review- South Korea: North Korea is preparing for nuclear test
Bloomberg News – South Korea warned that North Korea may test a nuclear weapon after a planned missile launch this month that has raised regional tensions and drawn U.S. warnings on the eve of parliamentary elections tomorrow in the South. … Read More
WASHINGTON – The current strong gains in hiring makes the Federal Reserve policymakers worried that it could buzz if the economic growth of the US doesn’t go up.
According to the Fed’s minutes on Tuesday, members were first stated their concerns before they make a plan to keep interest rates at record lows until at least late year 2014. However, some of the members want to take further procedures to improve the economy current status if a condition gets worse or inflation remains reclaimed.
After the meeting, Fed presented the somewhat current view of the economy mainly because of the three consecutive months of hiring in two years. It was concluded that there have been similar raptures of hiring in the previous two years which ended up fading.
On the speech echoed by the Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke last week in the economists gathering, the decline of the economy recovery was the main concern of Fed as it did last year.
Americans aren’t receiving meaningful pay augmentation. Gas prices are high. Additionally, Europe’s debt crisis could reflect on the U.S economy. Provided that the inflation will remain on its current position, analysts think that the Fed will likely give interest rates down in order for them to give the economy an additional support. Most of the economists don’t think that Fed officials will alter their interest-rate policy at their following meeting on April 24-25 and will only relieve credits if the economy gradually moves from its current status.
The economy outlook is going up. Employers added an average of 245,000 jobs a month from December through February. On the other side, the rate of unemployed dropped nearly to 8.3%. The government will report Friday on the job market in March. Most of the economists supposed that the report will give a better month of job creation with a net gain of 210,000 jobs. They also expect that the unemployment rate will remain at 8.3%.
HEATHER BOA Bullet News BLUEWATER – The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is granting nearly $7.5 million in funding to the Municipality of Bluewater for a shopping list of projects that are meant to stimulate its economy.
The one-time economic development funding will be matched by about $2.8 million from the municipality.
Projects include: road upgrades and storm water management study, a contract economic development officer, Stanley landfill above-grade expansion, Hensall sewage lagoon upgrades, Bayfield public library and public washrooms, and Zurich public library project.
“The government is pleased to make this important investment in the Municipality of Bluewater. This is great news for the community” said Mark Cripps, who is press secretary to Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ted McMeekin.
Bill Dowson, who is the mayor of Bluewater, said there was a range of options for investment, but they settled on projects to improve infrastructure.
“The choice was made to spend it to stop taxes from going up. Everything we’re going to do had to be done someday and it was going to affect the budget and the taxes,” he said.
Stephen McAuley, who is the municipality’s new CAO, said the funding means they can create an infrastructure for residents that they couldn’t have done otherwise.
McAuley, whose first day at the office was March 1, said when he found out about the projects “it was just the feather in the cap for me.”
“I wasn’t involved in putting together the projects. But when I look at the projects I think council did a good job of spreading it across the municipality. There’s a little bit in there for everybody in the municipality,” he said, adding that organizations that often contribute money to municipal projects can redirect funds elsewhere.
The municipality signed the agreement on Nov. 22, 2011 and by the province of Ontario on Dec. 16, 2011. It was effective June 29, 2011.The money must be spent by December 31, 2014.
OMAFRA’s Rural Programs Branch staff will monitor the progress of the economic development projects under this agreement and the municipality will report status updates to the ministry on a monthly basis.
The municipality submitted its first update March 15, 2012, documenting expenditures related to planning for the projects and including ledger copies from its books. That same day, the ministry issued a payment request of $7.94 million to Ontario Shared Services, and the full funds should arrive in the municipality shortly.
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(1888PressRelease)The Little White Church On The Corner-Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2008, East Chesterfield Christian Church welcomes you. We are located 5 miles outside the town of Lyons, in a beautiful rural setting. Sunday worship is at 9:oo am.Communion is held every Sunday. As is the custom of the Disciples of Christ, all who believe that Jesus Christ is the true Son of God whose death and resurrection gives us salvation from sin, are welcome to participate in the Lord’s Supper. East Chesterfield Christian Church History It all started in 1857 when L.L.Carpenter and James Hadsell held meetings in the Maple Grove School house, then situated on the northwest corner of the Philip Roosfarmin Chesterfield Township. At times the services were held in the barn of the Roos home stead. In the following year, April 1858 the church was organized. The church at the onset was a strong one. There were 70 charter members. A few of the names were Mr. and Mrs. Philip Roos, George Roos, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Terry, Mrs. Sarah Wait Sheffield and her son Fred. A meeting was called by Rev. J.C. Goodrich for the purpose of organizing a society to build a meeting house. PlynHarden, James Onweller and J.P.Roos were appointed trustees, George Roos as treasurer. Seven years later in 1865 the house of worship was built. J.H.Turner and Albert Deyo were carpenters, Jerry and George Sheffield, Charles H.Stutesman and Chester Whelch, who were small boys, helped to raise the building. A site had been purchased from William Onweller Sr. for $50. The deed was written December 17, 1864. Turner and Deyo were to furnish a frame structure complete for $ 2300. Joseph Brown built it. The building was completed within contract time and was dedicated on December 21, 1865 as a house of worship. East Chesterfield was the only church in Chesterfield Township at the time. It is the oldest active Christian (Disciples of Christ) Church and one of the oldest church buildings in Fulton County. The church family has always be enclose and active. The Lord still has plans for this country church. The present members still have strong education and commitment in keeping our doors open. All are welcome.
