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(c) Vextras shall implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to safeguard personal data, which shall meet the requirements of the GDPR (Article 32). Vextras may update or modify these measures from time to time provided that such updates or modifications do not result in any material degradation of the security of personal data.
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(g) Jurisdiction and Venue. The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of the State of Tennessee and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, for the purpose of any suit, action, or other proceeding related to, arising out of or based upon this Agreement or in any way related to, arising out of or involving the Services or Website; waive and agree not to assert by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action, or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action, or proceeding is brought in any inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action, or proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court; and waive and agree not to seek any review by any court of any other jurisdiction which may be called upon to grant an enforcement of the judgment of any such Tennessee state or federal court. The parties hereby consent to service of process by registered mail at the address to which notice is to be given. The exclusive venue for any proceeding under this Agreement shall be solely in any state court in Knox County, Tennessee, or the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Northern Division, sitting in Knoxville, Tennessee. You acknowledge that the prices for Services offered under this Agreement are in part dependent on your consent to jurisdiction in Tennessee and exclusive venue in Knox County, Tennessee, and without your consent to this jurisdiction and venue provision the prices for Services would be higher.
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The Epignosis group of companies, being Epignosis LLC, a US based company, having its registered office at 315 Montgomery Street (8th Floor) San Francisco, California CA 94104 USA and Epignosis UK Ltd, a UK based company, having its registered office at 239 First Floor, Kensington High Street, London, United Kingdom, W8 6SN with its Greek Branch established in Athens, Lykourgou Str, 1, 10551, henceforth jointly referred to as "Epignosis", and its cloud and enterprise LMS service offerings are committed to high standards of information security, data privacy, and transparency, and to managing data in accordance with legislation and regulation, including but not limited to GDPR. Epignosis attests that it will comply with applicable GDPR regulations as a data processor for e-learning, while also working in conjunction with our customers, the data controllers, to help them meet their GDPR obligations.
Provision of services to help customers to understand and prepare for GDPR, develop compliance plans and build a stronger platform for the future by taking control of their data and reviewing their deployment options for their LMS.
It is important to stress that compliance is a shared responsibility and that the LMS customers may also need to adapt their business processes, data management practices, and integrations. Epignosis attests that the customers of its e-learning solutions remain the sole owner of the data, retaining the rights, title, and interest in the data stored in the LMS and can take advantage of the features inherent in the service to meet their GDPR obligations related to deletion, rectification, transfer of, access to, and objection to processing of personal data. Epignosis protects data from inappropriate access or use and provides customers with the ability to specify who has access to what data within each domain or branch.
Epignosis officially states that it will achieve GDPR-compliance for itself and its services and provide all required means for its customers to be able to be GDPR-compliant prior to May 25, 2018.
As a data processor, Epignosis is undertaking assessments of the data and personal information processed, security policies and procedures, contracts with data controllers, sub-contractors. Incident response plans and data retention will be reviewed and updated where needed.
GDPR-awareness content through the respective LMS sites to educate its customers regarding GDPR and provide easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions on what must be done to be able to both achieve and demonstrate compliance.
Improved data availability, privacy (including encryption both at rest and at transit) and consent management solutions for the LMS domains.
Support of customers' requests for hosted service deployments in locations within the European Union for its enterprise LMS, so as to ensure that our customers can comply with the GDPR provisions regarding international data transfers. Retaining an active Privacy Shield certification for its cloud LMS services so that data can be lawfully transferred to the US-based cloud infrastructure of our cloud services.
Continuous monitoring of the LMS infrastructure health (Nagios) and auditing of logged events through Elastic Stack.
Deployment of its own Intrusion Prevention/Detection System (Wazuh) as an additional security safeguard and update of the company's Data Breach Management Policy to fully comply with GDPR provisions regarding data breach incidents.
Each LMS service has built‑in security features, such as comprehensive role‑based access control, encryption in transit, encryption at rest, application scoping, access, logging, monitoring, and data minimization.
The Epignosis DPO can be reached at privacy (at) epignosishq (dot) com.


Jordan Peterson has a family rule: if you're complaining then you have to also announce the rules of your satisfaction.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 6th, 2018 at 2:34 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.	You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.


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KRG'S DIPLOMAT UNAWARE OF MEETINGS BETWEEN IRAN, KURDISH OFFICIALS - Wednesday, 18 May 2022 23:03
Qaani's message to the Kurdish leaders - Tuesday, 25 January 2022 20:50
PM Masrour Barzani meets with UNAMI chief - Friday, 25 November 2022 12:28
President Nechirvan Barzani attends the funeral ceremony of the victims of Duhok explosion - Wednesday, 23 November 2022 16:41
President Nechirvan Barzani offers condolences to the United Kingdom - Saturday, 10 September 2022 22:22
The Kurdistan Regional Government requests humanitarian assistance from the international community
Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – The Kurdistan Regional Government urges the participants of tomorrow's international conference held in Paris, which focuses on Iraq's security, the incidents in Sinjar, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians, to seriously address the situation of the displaced and assist in providing aid to the great number of internally displaced Iraqis, in addition to discussing political and military matters.
The KRG calls upon Arab states to fulfill their humanitarian duties in aiding the displaced, the majority of whom are Yezidi Kurds, Christians, and Sunni Arabs from the Ninevah plains.
The KRG calls upon the international community to come forward and help the KRG in providing necessary aid to the displaced people that fled the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) terrorist attacks on Sinjar and the Ninevah plains and are taking refuge in the Kurdistan Region in general and Duhok province in particular. This is especially important because the winter season will soon begin.
The KRG plea for action comes from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, composed of ministers and other officials, after discussion regarding the humanitarian situation of the displaced people from Sinjar and the Ninevah plains in order to follow-up their needs and resolve related issues. Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani chaired the meeting.
A field report regarding the humanitarian situation of the displaced was presented during the meeting. It focused on educational issues and the schools in the Duhok province currently sheltering the displaced families. In the meeting, it was decided to begin building camps in order to vacate the schools so that the academic year could begin. It was also decided that the Duhok Governor's office and related provincial institutions should be supported to enable them to overcome shortcomings. A similar meeting will soon take place in Duhok to carefully analyse the situation with related officials and institutions and to consider their views.
In the meeting it was also decided that relevant KRG institutions should fully coordinate and follow-up with international organisations. In addition, a KRG delegation will visit Baghdad and meet with federal authorities about the situation of displaced people, because the humanitarian crisis currently unfolding is beyond the capacity of the Kurdistan Region. The Iraqi Government should therefore fulfill its legal and constitutional duty.
Finally the KRG extended its commendation and gratitude to the people of Kurdistan, and especially the people of the Duhok governorate, for all the aid and support they have been providing to the displaced from the earliest days of the crisis.
Head of the DFR receives Deputy Head of Dutch mission in Iraq
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq – (DFR.krg.org) – The Head of the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), Minister Falah Mustafa, welcomed the Deputy Head of Mission to the Dutch Embassy in Iraq, Gerard Lucius, to discuss ways of further strengthening mutual relations as well as the latest political and security developments in Kurdistan and Iraq. The meeting was also attended by the Assistant Head of the DFR, Siham Jabali.
Minister Mustafa highlighted the importance that the Kurdistan Regional Government places in reaching out to the international community and strengthening relations with countries around the world. This includes the strengthening of relations with the Netherlands, which historically opened their doors to large numbers of Kurdish people who had to flee during the times of the former Baathist regime.
Despite being satisfied with the level of relations between both sides, Minister Mustafa conveyed his hopes to the Deputy Head of Mission that the Netherlands will upgrade their diplomatic representation in Kurdistan to a Consulate General, as this well help increase economic, political and cultural cooperation. In addition he hoped that the Dutch Government would begin consular services which would include the issuance of visas.
Describing Kurdistan's progress, Minister Mustafa added that the Kurdistan Region has a lot of opportunities for work and investment, adding that the Dutch Government can take advantage of these opportunities by promoting and encouraging Dutch companies to participate in the process of reconstruction and development in Kurdistan.
Both sides went on to discuss the latest developments regarding relations between Baghdad and Erbil, the deteriorating security situation in the Anbar province and the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for the 30th April of next month, which Minister Mustafa said he hoped would be held on time and with no delay.
In terms of the Syrian crisis, Minister Mustafa expressed his hope that the international community and the Dutch Government would provide further assistance for the over quarter of a million refugees that have fled Syria and currently live in Kurdistan. In addition to these refugees, the Head of the DFR added that over 30,000 people have fled Anbar to Kurdistan because of the ongoing violence adding to the large numbers of internally displaced people who have sought refuge in Kurdistan from the rest of Iraq.
The leader of Islamic Group surveyed the Representative Kurdistan Region in Tehran
Mamosta Ali Bapir, the leader of Islamic Society in Kurdistan Region surveyed the representative of Kurdistan Regional Government in Tehran. On Sunday's midday, January 5, Excellency Mr Bapir surveyed the Representative of the Region in Tehran and welcomed by Mr. Nazem Dabbagh, the Representative of the KRG and Dr Mohammad Seddigh Ahmad, the Assistant of the Representative of KRG in Tehran. At that meeting, two sides discussed the situation of the region, Iraq and especially Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The leader of Islamic society of Kurdistan region positively evaluated the role of the representative of the KRG and attending of the representative of parties and political groups at the center of the representative of the KRG and also he wished to desire for them. Moreover, two sides discussed and dialogued about the attempts after parliamentary elections and establish new cabinet in Kurdistan Region.
Nazem Dabbagh, the Representative of Kurdistan Regional Government in Iran, met the secretary of Russia Embassy in Iran
Nazem Dabbagh met Mr. Evgeny Kofaliev, the secretary of Russia embassy, in the office of Kurdistan Regional Government in Tehran yesterday.
Yesterday Kofaliev visited the representative of Kurdistan region in Iran and was friendly welcomed by Mr. Nazem Dabbagh. In this visit, historical relations between Kurds nation and Russia federation and, regional situation, in general Kurdistan Region were reviewed and discussed.
Mr. Dabbagh informed Kofaliev the progress and development in several sections of Kurdistan region. In this visit, Syria crisis and its impact on the region, especially on Kurdistan Region, caused the displacement of many Syrian Kurds to Kurdistan Region and people and officials of Kurdistan Region endeavored to settle them, making provision and other essential and necessary requirements were other section of discussion between the representative of Kurdistan Region and secretary of Russia embassy in Iran.
Mr. Kofaliev highlighted his fellow country on deterring of military attack to Syria and increasing of violence and war in the region
KRG welcomes agreement between P5 + 1 countries and Iran
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRG.org) - The Kurdistan Regional Government welcomes the initial agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the P5 + 1 countries, comprising the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China and Germany. The KRG views this
Oil ministry Message to Nazem Dabbagh, the Deputy of Kurdistan region of Iraq in Tehran
The ministry of Oil of I.R.Iran appreciated and acknowledged in a letter from Nazem Dabbagh, the deputy of Kurdistan region of Iraq in Iran for his sending a letter to Me. Engineer Bizhan Namdar Zangeneh, in occasion of backing vote of confidence from Islamic Consultative Parliament of Iran and his selection for the position Oil Ministry of Iran.
Nazem Dabbagh: business relations between Iran and Kurdistan Regional Government has clear horizon forward
Nazem Dabbagh, the representative of Kurdistan Region Government in Iran, told that: new agreement subscribed between I.R.Iran and Kurdistan Regional Government remove some parts of boundary difficulties for progress and development of business affair between two sides and takes the ground for receiving new goals.
Message of Mr. Nazam Dabbagh, the deputy of Kurdistan Regional Government in Tehran for honoring and commemorating famous Kurd Poet in Vahdat Auditorium
Today one of the zenith of Kurdish poem bid fare well with us, but the message of their Kurdish poems does not leave us. To day one of the Kurds star perseverance and active turns off, but the horizon of this nation's attempts is everlasting. Today one of the women rights defender, always being in the field with his poets and demonstration, leaves, but partisan host of the equality and likeness is increasing. Today one of the great creators of this nation put down his glass and pen and turns his cigarette off, but every thing could not obstruct endless way of creativity. Today butterflies fly freely from prison and greet Shirkoo Freedom Park.
President Nechirvan Barzani receives US Consul General
President Nechirvan Barzani meets with UK Ambassador
A statement from President Nechirvan Barzani on the decision of the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq
Readout of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani's call with White House Coordinator for MENA
President Nechirvan Barzani meets with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey
President Nechirvan Barzani welcomes the new Consul General of the United Kingdom
Prime Minister Barzani receives Germany's top official
President Nechirvan Barzani meets with a high level delegation from Germany
Prime Minister Barzani receives UK's new Consul-General in Erbil
President Nechirvan Barzani receives Iraq's national football team
President Nechirvan Barzani meets with a high level UN delegation
PM Barzani discusses revenue diversification with former UK Prime Minister
President Nechirvan Barzani meets with US Ambassador to Iraq
Kurdistan Region President and Iraq's Prime Minister discuss developments in the country
President Nechirvan Barzani meets with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Iraq
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani discusses developments in Kurdistan with King and Queen of Belgium
Prime Minister Barzani meets Saudi Arabia's investment minister in Davos
KRG PM Masrour Barzani meets with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte in Davos
President Nechirvan Barzani meets with a high level US delegation
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani receives General Matthew McFarlane, Commander of the Coalition Forces in Iraq and Syria
The Prime Minister met with the President of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Government met with Iraqi Prime Minister
The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) met with the Iraqi President
The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRG) met with the Speaker of the Jordanian Parliament
President Nechirvan Barzani attends the opening ceremony of the Gulf Cup
President Nechirvan Barzani's New Year Message
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extends formal invitation to President Nechirvan Barzani to visit Rome
President Nechirvan Barzani arrives in Doha
Prime Minister Barzani's statement on Kurdistan Flag Day
President Nechirvan Barzani meets with the Ambassador of the United Kingdom
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
June 1, 2022 /in News
By Bruce Bustamante, Michael Fredericks, Debbie Rinckey, Julie Saupe, Silvia Villamides
and Bill Popp
Along with flowers, orange cones and cranes are popping up as the construction season begins. For people like us who are lucky enough to be downtown on a daily basis, we have already been able to witness the dramatic change at 601 W. 5th Avenue, otherwise known to locals as the "Old Key Bank Building."
Shimmery glass panels and the use of angles are transforming the building that was stripped down to its frame after the 2018 earthquake into a dazzling structure that will, no doubt, provide stunning views and modern office space when complete.
This much-needed, massive undertaking is only a piece of the bigger vision for the block, called "Block 41," encompassing several other buildings including the old 4th Avenue Theatre. The proposed project, covering most of the block, will also bring new retail, residential, hotel and parking to the heart of downtown. This is an exciting project and is the biggest private investment in downtown in decades.
Over recent years, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent to conduct risk assessment for things like lead, asbestos and seismic issues in the former theater and other nearby buildings that have proven too great to overcome. It is sad to lose these buildings in their current form, but we are encouraged to see the developers making great effort to preserve the historical nature of the 4th Avenue Theatre and other buildings by rebuilding the facade with new, modern materials, reconstruction of the marquee sign into a new, safe, more tech advanced iconic sign and careful handling of the interior murals will be removed, stored and reinstalled in the new building.
The current owners have called in national experts to document, protect and preserve the art inside the old 4th Avenue building and consulted with professionals on rebuilding the facade and marquee we know and love in order to keep the character of the area intact. We applaud this effort.
Along with the Block 41, other investments are gaining momentum too.
Have you been by 7th Avenue and K Street lately? Check out the new downtown location of Fire Island Bakery, That Feeling Co. and La Bodega. Together, these small businesses repurposed a former clinic to form the "K Street Market" and have been doing business since earlier this winter.
We all await the new 4th Avenue "Whisky & Ramen" scheduled to open in June and so much more.
Earlier this year, the Anchorage Community Development Authority, or ACDA, announced an agreement with 6th Avenue Center to build a 156-room boutique hotel, combined with 32 apartments, on the current transit center site. The project is estimated to bring $60 million to $65 million of investment into Anchorage, create as many as 160 jobs during the construction phase, and generate millions of dollars in new lodging and property tax revenues.
In addition, the development authority recently announced a private-public partnership at the corner of 8th Avenue and K Street downtown with Debenham Properties, who will build the first market-rate, multi-use housing in west downtown in 40 years. The project will include 44 units consisting of studios and one-bedroom apartments. The project, also referred to as "Block 96,″ is estimated to be an $11.6 million investment.
New, modern, townhomes called Downtown Edge North, have been built and sold by the Petersen Group in an area overlooking the Alaska Railroad, Cook Inlet and Mount Susitna. This new development provides housing downtown for people interested in walking to shops, restaurants and entertainment and easy access to our urban Moose Loop paved trail system.
As leaders of organizations that work to promote Anchorage, we do what it takes to encourage investment, welcome visitors and activate every part of our city right now especially downtown. We are all excited to enjoy the businesses that made it through the pandemic, try out the new places, and to witness the transformation long needed in the heart of downtown.
This summer, we hope everyone brings their houseguests and families downtown for shopping, dining, events and some of the many activities planned. If you get slowed down by a construction worker or have to walk the long way around a block — smile, wave and be encouraged. We are making progress.
This commentary was jointly authored by the Roadmap to a Vital Safe Anchorage leadership team: Bruce Bustamante, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce; Michael Fredericks, interim executive director, Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd.; Debbie Rinckey, Chugiak Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; Julie Saupe, Visit Anchorage; Silvia Villamides, Alaska Hospitality Retailers; and Bill Popp, Anchorage Economic Development Corp.
The views expressed here are the writer's and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints.
https://alaskahospitalityretailers.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/anchorage-g6ad96a983_1280.jpg 803 1280 Aliza Sherman https://alaskahospitalityretailers.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/AKHR-LOGO.png Aliza Sherman2022-06-01 22:58:102022-06-01 22:58:10OPINION: New investment will transform downtown Anchorage
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Five years ago a man named Damond saw a girl walking down the street who looked confused and lost... the girl's name was Karina, and she was. It was her first day in Los Angeles and she had just flown in from Russia for a holiday. She was only supposed to be there for a couple of weeks but after meeting Damond it was love at first sight and she never left! They decided they didn't want a big wedding so they went to Maui and eloped at the beautiful Ritz Carlton, Kapalua. It was a perfect day.
Oh, before I end this post, one of the craziest things I've heard as a wedding photographer was about Karina's gorgeous dress. She sent her friend in Russia her measurements and asked her to sew her a wedding dress. Here's the crazy part, Karina never tried it on. The first time she put it on was when I arrived...! And it was satin... and it fit her like a glove!
Clearly it was meant to be.


text:
'use strict';

const os = require('os');
const path = require('path');
const fs = require('fs');
const test = require('supertape');
const tryToCatch = require('try-to-catch');
const tryCatch = require('try-catch');

const writejson = require('..');

const {readFile, unlink} = fs.promises;
const tmp = os.tmpdir();
const NAME = path.join(tmp, String(Math.random()));
const json = {
    hello: 'world',
    bye: 'sword',
};

test('writejson: should write json data to file', async (t) => {
    await writejson(NAME, json);

    const data = await readFile(NAME, 'utf8');
    await unlink(NAME);

    t.deepEqual(json, JSON.parse(data), 'data should be equal');
    t.end();
});

test('writejson: should write json data to file with options', async (t) => {
    const result = {
        hello: 'world',
    };

    const options = {
        replacer: ['hello'],
        space: 2,
        eof: false,
    };

    const resultStr = JSON.stringify(json, options.replacer, options.space);

    await writejson(NAME, json, options);
    const data = await readFile(NAME, 'utf8');
    await unlink(NAME);

    t.equal(resultStr, data, 'data should be equal');
    t.deepEqual(JSON.parse(data), result, 'objects should be equal');
    t.end();
});

test('writejson: should write json data to file with default options', async (t) => {
    const resultStr = JSON.stringify(json, null, 4) + '\n';

    await writejson(NAME, json);
    const data = await readFile(NAME, 'utf8');
    await unlink(NAME);

    t.equal(resultStr, data, 'data should be equal');
    t.deepEqual(JSON.parse(data), json, 'objects should be equal');
    t.end();
});

test('writejson: write error', async (t) => {
    const [error] = await tryToCatch(writejson, '/hello.json', json);

    t.ok(error, 'should return error: ' + error.message);
    t.end();
});

test('writejson: write options', async (t) => {
    const json = {
        hello: 'world',
    };

    const options = {
        mode: 0o600,
    };

    await tryToCatch(writejson, NAME, json, options);

    const {mode} = fs.statSync(NAME);
    const expected = Number(mode).toString(8).slice(3);

    fs.unlinkSync(NAME);

    t.equal(expected, '600', 'should equal');
    t.end();
});

test('writejson.sync.try: write error', (t) => {
    const error = writejson.sync.try('/hello.json', json);

    t.ok(error, 'should return error: ' + error.message);
    t.end();
});

test('writejson: no args', async (t) => {
    const [e] = await tryToCatch(writejson);

    t.equal(e.message, 'name should be string!');
    t.end();
});

test('writejson: no json', async (t) => {
    const [e] = await tryToCatch(writejson, 'hello');

    t.equal(e.message, 'json should be object!');
    t.end();
});

test('writejson: options not object', async (t) => {
    const [error] = await tryToCatch(writejson, 'hello', {}, 'options');

    t.equal(error.message, 'options should be object!');
    t.end();
});

test('writejson.sync: should write json data to file synchonously', (t) => {
    writejson.sync(NAME, json);
    const data = fs.readFileSync(NAME, 'utf8');
    fs.unlinkSync(NAME);

    t.ok(data, 'data should be read');
    t.deepEqual(json, JSON.parse(data), 'data should be equal');
    t.end();
});

test('writejson.sync: no args', (t) => {
    t.throws(writejson.sync, /name should be string!/, 'NAME check');
    t.end();
});

test('writejson.sync: no json', (t) => {
    const fn = () => writejson.sync('hello');

    t.throws(fn, /json should be object!/, 'json check');
    t.end();
});

test('writejson.sync.try: no args', (t) => {
    t.throws(writejson.sync.try, /name should be string!/, 'NAME check');
    t.end();
});

test('writejson.sync.try: no json', (t) => {
    const [error] = tryCatch(writejson.sync.try, 'hello');

    t.ok(error, error.message);
    t.end();
});

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Metflex is a specialist manufacturer and supplier of bespoke compound and precision moulded products. We can supply a wide range of materials including natural rubber and nitrile rubber across a number of global industries. Whatever product you require, Metflex has the technology and expertise to supply to your requirements.
Our expertise enables us to supply homogeneous, rubber to metal bonded, fabric reinforced and DFT (dispersed fibre technology) products using a combination of injection, compression, transfer and flash less fabrication techniques. Our team can advise you as to design and choice of materials, our engineers will ensure that we select the appropriate production process to provide you with a quality product that meets your requirements and ensures long life and stability.


Alan joined the NCB Group in 2010 starting up the NCB Property Services Department. Alan is a member of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), he studied with IFMA to gain his Facility Management Professional certification. Before joining NCB Group, Alan worked for over 3 years in the Cayman Islands commercial property market managing some of the Islands Class 'A' buildings, which he continues to manage now under the NCB portfolio. At NCB Alan has expanded his property portfolio to include not only commercial properties but also residential stratas. Alan was educated in England however was born and raised in Cayman and has a good understanding of the local market.


text:
News | 19th Sep, 2011
Axe Latrobe Valley power plant grant
Adam Morton, The Age
A coal and gas-fuelled power plant proposed for the Latrobe Valley has breached the terms of a funding deal and should be stripped of a $100 million federal grant, the Greens say.
Greens MP Adam Bandt will try to have Parliament debate a motion that the grant awarded to Melbourne company HRL in 2007 to build a plant using new coal gasification technology be withdrawn, and the money made available to renewable energy projects.
It comes as a Newspoll survey commissioned by Greenpeace found two-thirds of Victorians supported reallocating the $100 million earmarked for the HRL plant to support renewable energy.
Initially planned to start operating at Morwell in 2009, HRL's proposal for a demonstration-scale plant has had several delays.
The Saturday Age revealed in May that the four major banks had rejected funding it, raising doubts about its viability.
Mr Bandt said it was incredible that the government was still considering funding a plant with significant greenhouse gas emissions during a national debate on carbon pricing.
''It is clear the HRL coal-fired plant is in deep financial trouble and may not meet the conditions precedent stipulated in the contracts,'' he said.
''The government should rapidly resolve this issue and make clear the funding will not go ahead.''
Energy and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson said the government would consider the Greens' motion if it was listed for debate, but signalled it would not support it.
''Mr Bandt's motion effectively calls on the government to abandon proper process and walk away from its obligations under the existing HRL funding deed,'' he said.
''The government has no intention of doing this and will continue to treat the HRL grant with the same measure of good faith that we have shown all other grants … The Greens may be comfortable applying double standards and seeking to pick winners but the government certainly is not.''
HRL says its technology, developed through its subsidiary Dual Gas, would have about one-third less emissions than traditional brown coal power. The federal grant, awarded by the Howard government, and most of a $50 million state grant are contingent on the plant proving viable.
The company is challenging the Environment Protection Authority at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after the EPA approved only a 300-megawatt plant – half the capacity HRL asked for. Environment groups opposing its development are also contesting the decision.
HRL could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Newspoll asked a sample of 600 Victorians whether the grant earmarked for a new brown coal and gas power station should be used to support renewable energy. Two-and-a-half times more people said yes than no.
Find out more about our campaign to stop new coal power for Victoria here
For a bit of background, see how the campaign has evolved right here
Join the petition calling on the House the Federal and Victorian Governments to withdraw all federal funding for this project


text:
Tag Archives: global business
Innovation in Marketing…. Cannes Do!
Capital I Interview Series – No. 1:
KimmiC chats with multi-award winning, 'Capital I' Advertising Innovator, Matt Batten
Each day the average person is exposed to hundreds – some say thousands – of advertisements. Generally they range from boring to the utterly banal. In fact, I'd posit that most slide out of our consciousness without us realizing what it is they're actually advertising.
However, occasionally there are a few fantastic pieces of artful, magical marketing, which embed themselves in the psyche of a nation – sometimes a generation.
Personally, when I think of favourite commercials, and yes, I have a few, each of them tends to reflect the times in which they were created – be it for bologna or beer. I know I'm not alone in thinking that occasionally the commercials are more entertaining than the purported entertainment they are slotted in around. There are, in fact, a myriad of websites dedicated to these entertaining, award winning ads from around the world.
Without doubt, the preeminent award ceremony for the advertising industry, is the annual, week-long, Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. Its a time when global Innovators in advertising and marketing gather together to celebrate excellence in their industry and honour the most creative campaigns from around the world – in 2010 more than 24,000 entries were received.
This year, for the first year, Matt Batten, the Executive Creative Director of Wunderman Sydney, was invited to be a judge on the Cannes Lions Direct jury. On his return from Cannes we grabbed the opportunity to explore his thoughts on 'Capital I' Innovation in general, and how it applies to his creative industry in particular.
Matt's impressive bio includes:
Creative of the Year 2010, APAC – Digital Media Awards, Beijing.
Collecting more trophies than any other Australian creative at the 2008 ADMA Awards.
Being the only Art Director in the world with two campaigns in the Top 10 of Won Report's World's 50 Best DM Campaigns 2005.
A man with a myriad of interests and talents, an intelligent eclectic, Matt is probably never short of a dinner party invitation. His many interests include antique books, all things old (and French) swordplay, archery, photography, screenwriting and winning – yes, definitely winning.
Matt, do you think that having a wide range of interests has helped you as a Capital I Innovator?
I'm a curious mind. I have a head for mathematics and science and often investigate the hidden relationships between numbers or objects. To that end I will always endeavor to find out the answer to something I don't know.
This job is all about problem solving. Which is why my fellow Direct jurors and I
unanimously selected the 'Rom' campaign for the Grand Prix. As did the separate Promo jury, totally independent of us
When it came down to three contenders (don't ask who the other two were), one was an example of the technology and future of advertising, one was a perfect embodiment of the brand's higher positioning, while the third, Rom, saved a business. And that's what we do as advertisers. Every communication is to solve a business problem and prevent it from losing market share.
How was jury duty – what were the perks and the pesky problems?
This was my first time as a Cannes Lions juror. I found it exhilarating and draining at the same time – a 14 hour day followed by a 12 hour day.
The biggest perk is being in Cannes throughout the whole process in the lead up to the Festival and witnessing this town metamorphosis from sleepy seaside town to the largest and most opulent celebration of creative advertising. Following that is the honor of meeting and working alongside my fellow judges from around the world, all of whom are talented, interesting and funny people. Of all the judging panels I've been lucky enough to be part of, I have never laughed so hard than in the past five days with the Cannes Direct Lions jurors.
I like to think that the Cannes Lions crowd will be inundated with Capital I Innovators… am I right?
I hope so. These guys are our peers, and our future replacements who'd better be
twice as innovative as our generation of advertising Creatives has been.
What was your favourite campaign, and your favourite win?
When I first saw Ogilvy Argentina's 'Friendship Machine' for Coca-Cola, I thought I had found my pick for the Grand Prix. It's honest, emotional, beautiful and effective. Then I saw Ferrorama's campaign and suddenly had two choices for Grand Prix.
But when I thought hard about the campaign for Romanian chocolate bar 'Rom', I knew the issue was solved. Here, an agency solved a true business issue in a creative way.
How do you define Innovation? Innovation is being the first to do or create something using the tools currently
available. In this way it differs from 'invention' which would be to create
something which doesn't rely on existing technologies or understandings.
Do you see a difference between 'little i' and 'Capital I' Innovation in your field? A little i innovation is a small improvement on an existing technology that could
lead to new and useful ways of doing things. It doesn't necessarily fundamentally
change the world but it could lead to change.
A Capital I innovation is when someone makes an enormous leap forward from the status quo and manages to change the world in some way.
Do you think innovation is an overused term?
That's why I prefer 'world first'.
How essential has innovation been in your career/business to date; and how important do you envisage it being going forward? Innovation is core to creativity. It's about understanding the existing thinking and technologies and pushing them further to create originality. A lower case innovation isn't different enough and is often met with the sentence "that's just like…"
A Capital Innovation makes the idea transcend everything we have done to date. It is 'gold'.
While most Creative Directors and their Creatives are always looking for 'original
ideas' – the little innovation – I'm constantly on the hunt for 'world firsts'.
Capital Innovation.
In fact, my own office of Wunderman Sydney has produced several world firsts in the past year alone.
Wunderman prides itself "on being at the forefront of technology and creative thinking." Why? Can you tell me about your favourite examples of this?
You don't get to be one of the world's largest agency networks without applying
Coupled with insights and knowledge from our vast array of tech clients, including Microsoft and Nokia – two of the world's leaders in technological innovation – Wunderman is well placed for applying creative muscle to future technologies in order to truly stay at the forefront.
In terms of Wunderman's innovation, our work includes burying cash on the Internet in a world first campaign for Microsoft, inventing a media channel and whole new 'fertilising' printer's ink for Earth Hour, and the world's first audio-based Facebook app for Nokia – a campaign that simultaneously provided the social network with a whole new technology they hadn't done themselves.
Can you be too innovative in marketing?
But you can get too complex with the marketing that envelops the innovation. You often see overly complicated campaigns wrapped around some technology, and the innovation gets buried under the complexity. There must always be a simple, relevant idea that requires the innovation – always idea first.
Are there agencies who stand head and shoulders above others with regard to how the incorporate Capital I Innovation? I think there are several agency networks with a proven track record of having a
great sense of applied innovation, including Weiden + Kennedy, Ogilvy, Leo Burnett, Crispin Porter, and DDB.
How have recent technological innovations changed the way you approach digital strategy?
There is a danger in using someone else's innovations of simply replicating – the
original innovator and all the OTHER Creatives who also use that technology in their advertising. We must be inspired by innovation rather than re-use it. Inspired to either create our own or push existing technologies even further than anyone else ever has, or could.
Two years ago, when everyone else was using Augmented Reality to create pretty 3D images, we added geo-coding, personalization, live data streaming, and social
sharing to take the technology further than it had ever been, innovate a world
first, and create a totally immersive experience for our client.
The best way to approach a brief is to start the proposed solution with "what
if…". And then find a way to make that crazy idea a reality. Sometimes that
involves researching for existing technologies and innovations that can achieve it, either in whole or in part and then extending or repurposing the technology to suit the campaign idea. Or create your own innovative solution.
And at the Cannes Lions awards, Ogilvy's gold-winning 'Watson' for IBM campaign is a superb example of utilising existing technology AND creating your own innovation to make a brilliant piece of communication.
Where do you see Social Media being used most effectively? Social media is a tool through which brands can have a relationship with consumers, and through which consumers can share brand content.
This can bring a greater immediacy to the product being in the consumer's hand when they want it. And it provides massive potential to spreading communications faster than ever before.
But with it comes a price. The consumer now controls the conversation. And as fast as brands want positive socio-viral spread for their comms, negative socio-viral spread will always be faster.
Brands cannot afford to do any wrong.
What piece of innovation did you expect to happen/take off, that didn't? Tough question.
We live in a world that moves at such a fast pace, and advertising moves
considerably faster, especially in creativity. So what was an Innovation yesterday
is instantly de rigeur today, observed with the all too common "that's been done
before." This means that even the best Innovations (after winning an award or two) are no longer useful for original creativity and therefore they never 'take off'.
However, there will always be capital Innovations that continue to be used as
Creatives attempt to squeeze every bit of life out of then with little innovations.
For example, Augmented Reality was a capital Innovation about 4 years ago and
continues to surface in award shows.
And QR codes will continue to be used by brands to show digital superiority and try to engage consumers, but in most cultures the QR code is ignored by consumers.
In judging the 2011 Cannes Direct Lions, we did discover a truly relevant and
superior use of QR codes in a Korean campaign for Tesco that the jury unanimously agreed was worthy of double gold.
But now that the QR code has been used so extensively by brands (and so successfully by Tesco), they will be the furthest thing from the minds of most Creatives.
If you could give a 'Capital I' Innovation Award to anyone, who would you nominate? This could be individuals, organizations and/or companies. Many would be quick to name Apple as an Innovator. But I think Microsoft is by far the greater Innovator. You may think I'm doing my duty of defending one of
Wunderman's primary clients, but as Malcolm Gladwell said in his Cannes Lions
seminar, "Apple win by being late to every innovation. They perfect, not invent."
Whereas, Microsoft invests serious money into R&D to produce technologies far beyond their competitors. Most consumers just don't realise it.
I also think HBO is an innovator in terms original, quality and highly-watchable
And there is probably no bigger innovator than Facebook. We've seen the movie and we've poked our friends and this brand continues to find new ways to engage and connect people and serve as a content and communication provider.
Do you think that location matters? Does Innovation have a home/nation?
Innovation exists in just one place in the world. The human mind. While that means location is irrelevant, there is obviously greater stimuli for the human mind to use for innovation in some cultures more than others. But to counter that, developing nations have a greater need for innovation and therefore potentially have a greater effort to achieve it.
On a personal note, there are two Wunderman campaigns in particular which I'm very fond of, one is the Legacy pitch for the Gruen Transfer – its aim, "to convince the Australian public to allow refugees arriving by boat into the country" – and one for one of Melbourne's best kept foodie secrets, the Taco Truck , which turns up on random street corners, and purports to serves up "some of the best tacos this side of East LA" . What I want to know is – and I know its a purely selfish question, but:
Is the Taco Truck coming to Sydney? Please!
I'll see what I can do.
Sí, sí, sí por favor!!!
For more information about Matt and his adventures, visit his website.
If you could ask Vint Cerf 'father of the internet' any question, what would it be?
I am very pleased to announce that I will soon be interviewing Vint Cerf, known as 'one of the fathers of the internet', for the Capital I Interview series.
In the spirit of collaboration, and net neutrality, which Vint supports, I am offering followers of the KimmiC Blog the opportunity to ask Vint a question of their very own.
All you have to do is sign up to be a blog follower, and then post your question in the comment section below. The three best questions will be included in the interview. (Of course I will credit the person who asked the question!).
I look forward to exploring your ideas!
Capital I Innovation Series Introduction
Posted in 'Capital I' Innovation, Cannes Lions, Creativity, Innovation, Marketing, Technology, Uncategorized
Tagged 'Capital I' Innovation, Cannes Lions, Cloud Tech, Digital Economy, eBusiness, entrepreneurship, Flat World, Friendship Machine, global business, Gruen Transfer, Marketing, Matt Batten, QR code, Rom, Taco Truck, Technology, Vint Cerf, Wunderman Sydney
'Capital I' Innovation (Part 2) – An Introduction to the 'Capital I' Interview Series
To misquote Elvis Costello, "What's so funny 'bout Peace, Love and" Innovation with a 'Capital I'?
The reason I ask is, well… it seems to be something of a contentious subject. But hey, for a blog, I reckon that's a good thing. Its the Lindsay Lohan side of blogging… at least they're talking about it!
Seriously though, I have been really pleased to see the great number of people who are commenting on and discussing 'Capital I' Innovation, since the posting of Part 1 of this series last week. Apparently many readers are pleased that there is finally a 'banner' they can carry as they strive to stride forward.
There have also been those who have felt it necessary to remind me that there is nothing wrong with 'little i' innovation – though their penchant for 'kissing frogs' is beyond me (do see Part 1 of this series for the outing of this particular 'in' joke) – I totally agree. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 'little i's', however, they're not what gets my heart pumping.
'Capital I' Innovation is what gets my motor running; this has been the case for many year, irrespective of what genre the innovation comes from. Throughout my years in the media I consistently strove to find people who broke the mold, led the pack, moved their own particular mountains – and find them I did. I also found some common denominators between them.
Though totally diverse, there are things that link these people, for instance, though at times daunting, they are compelled to tell their truths. Whether we want to hear it or not. Though many of them may not see themselves as business people, they are all certainly entrepreneurs – consciously or otherwise – and they steadfastly maintain and protect their 'brands'.
Some of them boldly go where no one has been before, and most of them are applauded for it. However, not all are popular for their decision to take ten steps forward, when one would, possibly, have been enough. Certainly a baby step would be easier to sell than the strides they often take. And yet this does not stop them, nor even slow them down. Whether they want the accolades or not, it should be noted that some of them may have even changed the way we see the world, if only in a small way.
I believe that 'Capital I' innovators deserve recognition, not just for their innovations, but for the very fact that they have refused to bow down to banality and boredom while they avoid or ignore the labels thrust upon them – even if the label begins with a 'Capital I'.
In no particular order, I'd like to tell you about some of my past favorite 'Capital I' Innovator interviews:
Madelaine Albright – I was extremely fortunate to have been able to spend some time with this most gregarious and engaging, thought provoking and thoughtful woman. It came as no surprise to me that she would be erudite, informed and interesting; what was intriguing was the warmth she exudes and her infectious sense of humour, which was present throughout our interview.
Ms. Albright was the first female American Secretary of State – and thus the highest ranking women in American political history during her tenure.
She was certainly not born on an easy path to public service, as her personal life saw more than its share of turbulence. In 1939 she and her family escaped to London after Germany invaded Czechoslovakia; many Jewish members of her family who were not able to escape were killed in the Holocaust.
Following her retirement, Albright did not shy away from forthrightly and frankly commenting on world affairs. In one Newsweek International interview, she noted her fear that, "Iraq is going to turn out to be the greatest disaster in American foreign policy – worse than Vietnam."
Perhaps the quote from that interview, which still resonates most strongly with me is this, "I wish everybody liked me, but that's not possible; and I think in many ways, one is known by who dislikes you. I would just as soon be disliked by people who think that Milosevic was a good person. So, I accept those who dislike me with some honour."
Terry Gilliam – I interviewed Terry the day after he had collected a Life Time Achievement Award at Amsterdam's Fantastic Film Festival. As thought provoking as he is, I do believe I laughed more during this interview than any other, prior or since.
The animated, animating genius of the UK's Monty Python's Flying Circus, Gilliam went on to direct some of the most memorable motion pictures of the last thirty years. Think: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Excuses à l'avance pour notre fabuleux amis français!), Time Bandits, Brazil, The Fisher King, Twelve Monkeys, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas starring Johnny Depp as the madly brilliant, or brilliantly mad, Hunter S. Thompson.
Most Innovators and entrepreneurs are 'multi-taskers', and some would say they have to be. For Gilliam, this just came naturally: "I want to see the other side of something. So many things in my life have happened around me as I'm bumbling around doing what interests me. I began as a physics major … Then I became an art major for a while… Politics turned out to be the major with the least number of required courses and the maximum number of electives. Under that I could do drama, oriental philosophy and economics; I invented a very liberal education for myself."
Tom Wolfe – It's only fitting that I follow Gilliam, who worked with HST (and from what I understand, it really did feel like a whole lotta work!), with Tom Wolfe, 'The Man in White'. When I met Mr. Wolfe, who did, yes, arrive in his ubiquitous, immaculate white suit, I had to continually remind myself that I was conducting an interview, and not having tea with one of the icons who, as a young woman, made me realize that I wanted to be a writer.
An acclaimed novelist of such works as The Right Stuff, The Bonfire of the Vanities, and The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, Wolfe is also one of the originators, along with HST of Gonzo Journalism – which can be described as that which puts the cynical-eye in eye-witness.
Being constantly labeled a Conservative doesn't both him either, "Its okay with me, but I always say: What's my agenda, what's my program, what am I trying to do, what am I trying to accomplish? Really it just means that I'm not going along with the fashionable line."
Brian Greene – Going from fiction to fact in one healthy swoop (unless of course you are a card carrying creationist from back-yeller-holler) this particular thought leader stands out for me in the realm of science.
The renowned physicist and Pulitzer Prize finalist is finally bringing the theories from his book, The Fabric of the Cosmos, to a wider audience with a four-part miniseries for PBS in November.
Perhaps because he truly believes that the majority of laymen share his thirst to understand the great ideas of science, Greene has found a way to explain these things – like using a loaf of sliced bread to explain wave particle duality §- using a language we can understand. Greene is able to impart his enthusiasm for subjects which, for most, may not be particularly palatable. He is able to speak the language that his listeners understand, thus, rather than speaking to me in terms common to Quantum physicists, he explained his 'winding up' of string theory in terms of poetry. We came to an agreement that, as in poetry – where often times the space between words is as important as the words themselves – with his theory, the space between the strings, is as important as the strings.
Nitin Sawhney – Speaking of strings, and music in general, London based Nitin Sawney is a standard bearer at the forefront of building bridges between Eastern and Western artistic genres and communities.
Regarded as one of the world's most influential and creative talents, he is a walking crescendo of crossing cultures. Sawhney is a film producer, songwriter, DJ, acclaimed flamenco guitarist and jazz pianist; he has even created music for a Play Station 3 game. I met the sublime Sawnhey in 2006 in Amsterdam where he was conducting a symphony orchestra performing his composition for the 1929 silent movie, A throw of the Dice, alongside the screening of the film.
Eric Staller – live performances are what the installations of artist/inventor Eric Staller are all about.
Light and bikes are two common threads in Eric's work, and my time with him was during his performance for the city of Amsterdam, with his mobile public artwork the PeaceTank. Seven masked and costumed riders toured the city on one of Staller's circular ConferenceBikes. The team was led by a symbolic Barack Obama (prior to his election) steering the PeaceTank, while past and present world leaders helped to power the pedals, contributing to the forward motion and the tour of the city. Staller believes in change.
John Wood – I cannot have a list such as this, without including a man who is all about change. The author of Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, which he did, Wood changed his life –and was soon to change the course of a myriad more lives.
This change followed a 1998 trekking holiday through Nepal, where he became aware of the absolute lack of educational resources available there. He determined to build an international organization to work with villages in the developing world to meet the educational needs of villages and villagers.
With the help of a committed group of global volunteers, Wood created the award winning charity, Room to Read. The Room to Read business model includes measured, sustainable results, low–overhead and Challenge Grants cultivating community ownership, along with strong local staff and partnerships. Perhaps most importantly, it is inculcated with the GST attitude (Get Sh*t Done).
When I first met Wood, in 2005, in his role as part Dr. Seuss and part Andrew Carnegie – the Scottish philanthropist who built 2,500 libraries throughout the U.S. – Wood explained his long term goals to me. He wanted Room to Read to have opened 5,000 libraries by the end of 2007, and long-term, to have provide educational access to 10 million children in the developing world by 2020. In later meetings he upped the ante stating that he wanted to have reached his target of 10 million children by 2015.
Room to Read is well on its way to not only meeting, but surpassing those targets. By the end of Q1 2011 Room to Read's accomplishments included: having built more than 1,400 schools and 11,000 libraries; they have published more than 553 Local Language Books, distributed more than 9 millions books, given more than 10,500 Girls' scholarships and benefitted the lives of more than 5 million children. Now that's GingSD on a monumental scale!
Thoughts of all of these inspiring innovative men and women make it particularly pleasant for me to, with today's post, announce the launch of a new interview series, 'The Capital I Interviews'.
These interview subjects come from a wide range of industries and crafts. They include technologists, futurists, artists and artisans, business leaders, market changers, venerated vintners, garrulous gastronomes as well as the great unwashed and underutilized. The group includes individuals who work in all types of circumstances, be they lone-wolves, or part of SMEs, large organizations or institutions. They are part of the public sector, the private sector. The only requisite is that 'Capital I'.
I look forward to introducing you to this new group of 'Capital I' Innovators in the coming weeks and months. The lineup is growing bigger everyday, and we look forward to delving into a wide range of topics such as:
Innovation and Entrepreneurship;
The imperatives and barriers to enabling 'Capital I' Innovation to occur, let alone flourish;
How Innovation has affected particular career paths;
'Capital I' Innovation heroes, and,
Does Innovation have a nation?
If you think we've missed something – don't hesitate to let us know by posting a comment here.
I hope you join me in celebrating their successes, supporting them in their attempts, and standing together in our determination to move forward – together.
Posted in 'Capital I' Innovation, Innovation, Technology
Tagged 'Capital I' Innovation, Brian Greene, Cloud Tech, Digital Economy, eBusiness, eHealth, Elvis Costello, entrepreneurship, Eric Staller, Flat World, global business, John Wood, Madelaine Albright, Monty Python, Nitin Sawhney, Semantic Web, Technology, Terry Gilliam, Tom Wolfe, Web 3.0


It's not a secret, Italians love celebrations and bright festivals. Actually, if you're lucky, you might even get an insight on some of the unique national Italian holidays during your travel. Find out more about Italy's holidays and traditions.
It's no surprise that a country so diverse as Italy has a rich background of traditions. For centuries they have formed the Italy we know today, so let's learn more about them.
Italians are one of the liveliest and most cheerful nations in the world who just love and know how to party, that's why Italian culture abounds in different holidays. Apart from traditional celebrations, Italy has some unique customs and festive days typical only for this part of the world. Let's consider at least some of them.


Is there any information I should mention on my invitations?
Dec 8, 2011 // by ddmg // // Comments Off on Is there any information I should mention on my invitations?
SOCKS! Socks are required for all participants. If socks are forgotten we will charge $2 for a pair. Always write the location name because we do offer two locations (we wouldn't want any party-goers getting lost). At your convenience we have a printable invitation insert. Print invitations for the Liberty location here.


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From August 1, 1866 to July 1, 1883 the tax on each pack with 52 cards was five cents.
The five-cent New York Consolidated Card Company stamp was issued from sometime in 1876 through March of 1883. A total of 10,063,000 were issued on silk, pink and watermarked papers. No breakdown by type is available. This copy was printed on silk paper.
This company was formed as the consolidation of Lawrence & Cohen, Samuel Hart & Company, and John J. Levy & Company in December of 1871. All of these businesses had been established by the members of the Lewis Cohen family.
A check printed for use by the New York Consolidated Card Company by Clarence Levy & Henry Meigs of New York City. Research could show whether Clarence and John J. Levy were related.
The check bears an RN-H4 imprint meant to pay the tax on checks in effect in some form from October 1,1862 until July 1, 1883.


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Guest Author: Julia Justiss & Giveaway!!
I'm thrilled to be hosting one of my favorite historical writers. She's Julia Justiss, and she writes deliciously emotional Regency-set historical romance that brings to life the customs and morals of the Regency world. She is a truly accomplished writer. Julia is with us to today to tell us a bit about herself and her two new books.
You've had an interesting and varied life, which has included time as a tour guide in your home town of Annapolis, and also time abroad doing things like writing the newsletter for the American Embassy in Tunisia. How has your background influenced your writing?
Growing up in Annapolis fed a fascination with history—it was all around me, from "George Washington slept here" at several of the inns to the Liberty Tree, where the rebels who would launch the Annapolis version of the Boston tea party met to plan strategy. Becoming a guide for Historical Annapolis allowed me to entertain visitors with stories about the famous—and not so famous—people who created the events that shaped the city. So I guess I fell in love with telling stories with an historical setting while still in high school.
Living abroad and being exposed to very different cultures, both in Tunisia and in Norway, increased my appreciation for diversity and for different "worlds"—and historical fiction, like fantasy, really depends on creating a world for your reader that is different from her contemporary life, yet infused with timeless values like honor, devotion, duty and (of course!) love, values that have endured across all time.
What could be better than history with a happy ending?
You have new books out called The Rake to Redeem Her and The Rake to Ruin Her. Both your heroes and settings seem delightfully different. What can you tell us about the Ransleigh Rogues series?
I wanted a group of linked stories, initially a "Band of Brothers" who help each other survive the storming of the fortress of Badajos during the Peninsular War. My editor wanted a stronger bond between the characters, so the idea of four cousins evolved. Because I enjoyed so much working on the Silk & Scandal miniseries, where the three families intertwined in the original scandal end up in very different situations in life, I liked the idea of having one cousin be an earl's son, another the illegimate son of the family black sheep, another a poet, another the man's man who must reshape his life and expectations after losing an arm at Waterloo.
The first (March 2013) book, Ruin Her, features earl's son Max Ransleigh, the natural leader of the cousins and the one whom they all expect to have a brilliant future in government. After being implicated in an assassination plot against Lord Wellington destroys his hopes for a career in diplomacy, he retreats to his cousin Alastair's country estate to contemplate his prospects. There he encounters Caroline Denby, an heiress with no desire to marry who hits upon the idea of getting herself ruined, so fortune hunters will stop pestering her and she can return to running the breeding farm she helped her late father establish. Since Max's reputation is already tarnished, why not help her out by seeming to ruin hers? But when well-laid plans go awry, both Caro and Max end up discovering a life—and a love—they'd never dreamed of.
The second book, Redeem Her, features illegitimate cousin Will Ransleigh. Plucked off the streets and transported to the earl's country estate with orders to become a "proper Ransleigh" or be sent back, the initially uncooperative Will owes his life to Max's persistence in persuading him—or pummeling him—into shape. When he returns from Waterloo to discover Max's career in ruins, a furious Will vows to find the woman who entangled Max in the plot and bring her back to England to testify to his innocence. Except when he finds her, Elodie Lefevre is nothing like the femme fatale he was expecting. A survivor of war and revolution, Elodie has no intention of meekly doing any man's bidding. So begins a game of persuasion and evasion, with falling in love a result neither could have expected.
The next two Rogues should appear sometime in 2014. Alastair, poet turned heartless rake after a humiliating betrayal, is sure he's over Diana—until a chance encounter with his now-widowed former fiancée sets him reeling. An affair begun out of revenge soon turns into much more, with Alastair finding the woman Diana has become even more intriguing that the girl he once loved.
Finally, "Dandy Dominic," who could charm any lady and surpass any man at riding, shooting, and all the manly sports, returns from war maimed and disfigured. No longer sure who he is, Dom shuns his friends and shuts himself away at his country estate. His brooding solitude is invaded by a feisty colonel's daughter whose pragmatism challenges him to put his losses behind him and start living—and loving–again.
First I need to finish the next two Rogue books. After that…I may revisit some of the secondary characters from my Wellingford family books. There's the youngest sister of my very first heroine and a scrappy orphan sponsored by a family friend who becomes a Parliamentary reformer. Then there's a "Regency urban fantasy" series idea tugging at me. There's never a shortage of things to write about, only time to write in!
Thank you, Julia! Readers, I just finished reading The Rake To Ruin Her last night, and I loved it. Julia is graciously giving away two copies of that book to my readers today. Just tell us what your favorite type of historical hero is for a chance to win! And don't forget to follow Julia on facebook and Pinterest!
Categories Authors, Contests, Guest Author, Historical Romance, Pinterest, Regency RomanceTags Annapolis, Badajos, Band of Brothers, Facebook, Julia Justiss, Liberty Tree, Lord Wellington, Peninsular War, Pinterest, Ransleigh Rogues, Regency, Silk & Scandal, The Rake to Redeem Her, The Rake to Ruin Her, Waterloo52 Comments
Guest Author: Shana Galen & Giveaway!!
I'm so happy to have one of my favorite romance writers guest-blogging with me today. Shana Galen is a bestselling author who writes fast-paced and adventurous Regency-set historicals. Her books are published all over the world and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs, and she's one darn good author. Shana has a new book out, so I'm turning the blog over to her so we can find out all about it.
Oh, For a Muse of Fire
People always ask me about my inspiration for books. I dread this question because I don't generally have an inspiration for a book. I honestly don't know where my ideas come from. They just come.
But you wouldn't believe that, would you? And that doesn't make for a very good interview or blog or story. What makes for a good interview is dreaming a book and then waking up and writing it or having a character appear out of nowhere to inspire the authorial muse.
Yeah. I don't have a story like that. But I will say now that If You Give a Rake a Ruby is about to release, and I'm thinking about it after a period of time away, some of the inspirations are becoming clear to me. One look at my Pinterest board tells me that Charles Dickens's Oliver Twistinspired me. In fact, the heroine of If You Give a Rake a Ruby was based very loosely on the character of Nancy from Oliver Twist.
Rubies and gems and lush colors and fabrics also inspired me. Fallon is a courtesan, one of the glamorous Three Diamonds. She's known as the Marchioness of Mystery. Having been denied beauty as a child, she embraces it as an adult. She's surrounded by silks and velvets and pillows in jewel-tones.
But I also had pictures of Seven Dials, a notorious London slum, before me as I was writing this novel. I didn't want to forget where Fallon came from. You can take the girl from the gutter, but can you take the gutter from the girl? I don't think you can completely.
So perhaps I am not so much uninspired as just unaware of my inspirations. I see them more clearly with time and distance.
What about you? What inspires you? Photos of beautiful gowns, landscapes, or handsome men? Maybe it's a great book, an exciting movie, or your favorite music. One reader who comments will win a copy of If You Give a Rake a Ruby (U.S. and Canada only).
If You Give a Rake a Ruby by Shana Galen—in stores March 2013
HER MYSTERIOUS PAST IS THE BEST REVENGE . . .
Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery, is a celebrated courtesan with her finger on the pulse of high society. She's adored by men, hated by their wives. No one knows anything about her past, and she plans to keep it that way.
ONLY HE CAN OFFER HER A DAZZLING FUTURE . . .
Warrick Fitzhugh will do anything to protect his compatriots in the Foreign Office, including seduce Fallon, who he thinks can lead him to the deadliest crime lord in London. He knows he's putting his life on the line . . .
To Warrick's shock, Fallon is not who he thinks she is, and the secrets she's keeping are exactly what make her his heart's desire . . .
Vanessa, here. I'm not kidding when I tell you how much I love Shana's books–she's one of my favorite authors. So run, don't walk to pre-order If You Give a Rake a Ruby. And be sure to check out Shana's website to learn about her other books.
Categories British History, Guest Author, Historical Romance, History, PinterestTags Charles Dickens, If You Give a Rake a Ruby, Oliver Twist, Pinterest, Seven Dials, Shana Galen, When You Give a Duke a Diamond61 Comments
New Regency Historical Series!
March 15, 2016 February 8, 2013 by VanessaKelly
I've been hinting about my new Regency historical series with Kensington Publishing for a few months now, so I'm really thrilled to be able to announce titles and release dates. The series will be called Renegade Royals, and it's about four sexy alpha males who also happen to be the illegitimate offspring of Britain's royal princes. These four roguish cousins will get into all kinds of scrapes and adventures as work they claim their rightful place in society, and win the hands of the strong-willed women who love them.
There will be two novellas and four books released in a two year period.
Lost in a Royal Kiss will be released in December, 2013, and is a digital novella that will introduce some of the main characters and set up the premise for the series.
A Royal's Rules for Love is book one in the series, and will be released in both print and digital in January, 2014.
Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom is book two in the series, and will be released in both print and digital in April, 2014.
The second digital novella will be released in December 2014, and books three and four will follow early in 2015.
My editor and I are very excited about this series, and I can't wait to share covers, excerpts, and lots of other fun details with you. If you want to keep up with all the latest news on the Renegade Royals series, please sign up for my newsletter. And you might also want to check out my Pinterest board, my collection of pictures and various inspirations for the new books. I really have fun brainstorming on Pinterest and I'd love it if you joined me – I also have a great Cupcakes and Cakes Pinterest board, for those of you with a sweet tooth!
Categories Books, British History, Ebooks, Historical Romance, History, Pinterest, Regency Romance, Social MediaTags A Royal's Rules for Love, Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom, Cupcakes and Cakes, Kensington Publishing, Lost in a Royal Kiss, Pinterest, Regency Era, Renegade Royals13 Comments
It's only a few weeks till the release of His Mistletoe Bride, and I've got some fun stuff going on leading up to the release. Are you on Pinterest? If you are, please check out my board for His Mistletoe Bride. It's a chapter by chapter breakdown of the book, with quotes and pictures to illustrate the story. I had a great time putting it together and I think you'll enjoy it. You might also want to check out my Cupcakes and Cakes board and my Regency Era Clothing board. They've got some great pictures and the Cupcake board includes links to some wonderful recipes.
On my facebook page I'm running two contests. The first is an amazing iPad contest, which also includes book giveaways by Eloisa James, Jane Porter, Elizabeth Hoyt, and Julia London. What a lineup! You can enter the iPad contest here.
My other facebook contest is to win an advanced reading copy of His Mistletoe Bride. Just click here to enter.
Oh, and while you're on my facebook page, don't forget to check out my Vanessa's Vixens page. This is my new street team, a great group of readers who are hanging out with me and helping to spread the word about my books. There will be swag!
Finally, the winner of Elyssa Patrick's new book is Ann S. Congratulations! Thanks to everyone for stopping by my blog. My guest author tomorrow is historical romance writer Tina Gabrielle. Be sure to drop in to visit!
Categories Books, Contests, Guest Author, His Mistletoe Bride, Historical Romance, Pinterest, Social MediaTags Elizabeth Hoyt, Eloisa James, Elyssa Patrick, His Mistletoe Bride, Historical Romance, Jane Porter, Julia London, One Good Woman and Four Good Duchesses Contest, Pinterest, Tina Gabrielle, Vanessa's Vixens6 Comments