My Bella Vita » Travel Tips

Travel Tip Tuesday: Summer Travel Tips for Your Trip to Calabria

Cherrye — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 04:00:48 +0000

Ahhh, the dog days of summer – hot days, cool beaches and if you are lucky, even cooler summer vacations to southern Italy. If you are planning a trip this summer, you’ve probably done your homework. You’ve narrowed your must-see list, settled on hotels, chosen beaches, mountains and villages you’d like to explore. But are you really ready?

Here are five Calabrian travel tips that will help you make the most of your trip to southern Italy.

1. Properly Pack your Day Bag
Most people use some sort of day pack when they are traveling and having one in Calabria is definitely a good idea. However, as opposed to major cities where you can easily pick up something you forgot, you’ll need to pack everything you need, while keeping you bag as light as possible. A few things I always have in my bag are Tylenol or other medications, tissues, chap stick, water, light snacks, my camera, an ID, wallet and coins. If you are carrying a guide book, tear out (or make copies) of the pages you need and leave the heavy books at home.

2. Carry Sunscreen and Mosquito Repellant
Speaking of what to put in a day bag, you should also be armed with sunscreen and mosquito repellant. The skeeters are fierce around here-as is the sun. So make like a boyscout and be prepared!

3. Wear good socks and comfortable shoes
Unless you plan to get to a beach and stay there, you’ll likely do a fair amount of walking during your Calabria vacation. Many of the villages have uneven brick streets and the lungomares are unfriendly to tired feet. Wear good socks and comfortable shoes to avoid getting blisters.

4. Pack your own beach towel
If you are staying in a hotel or B&B that is *on* the beach they might have towels available for you to use. Or they might not. Pack your own beach towel or plan to buy one-a nice souvenir of your trip perhaps?-from one of the strolling salesmen on the beach.

5. Don’t Over-plan your Itinerary
It is true that Calabria is less touristy than other parts of the bel paese, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be crowded. In the summer, the beaches fill up with northern Italians, Calabrians who have “come home” for the summer and the locals who wait all year to hit the beach. If you over-plan your itinerary, you’ll likely get stressed by slow-moving traffic or transportation delays and you’ll feel rushed and frustrated throughout your trip. If you aren’t sure if you’ve planned the best itinerary, then the Trip Doctor itinerary review service - just $100 when you are spending thousands on a vacation – can give you peace of mind and ensure you are making the best possible decisions for your southern Italy trip.

Are you heading to Calabria? Click here to see how I can help you plan your trip.

Self-service checkouts fall from favor

Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review November 27, 2011 | Joe Napsha When Tommie Gaver buys groceries at Shop ‘n Save, she invariably heads for the self-service checkout lane, regardless of how many items she is buying. adpselfservice.org adp self service

“It’s fast. I use it on bigger orders. I hate to stand in a long checkout line,” said Gaver, who shops at the store on Route 66 in Greensburg.

Gaver is bucking a trend when it comes to shoppers who select self-service checkout lanes, which often results in bagging their own groceries.

Despite an almost universal dislike for standing in long or slow checkout lines, an overwhelming majority of shoppers opt for cashier-assisted lanes instead of self-service, according to the 2011 “Food Retailing Industry Speaks” report published this autumn by the Food Marketing Institute, an Arlington, Va.-based trade group.

Self-service checkouts — introduced nationwide about a decade ago — have fallen in popularity. About 16 percent of supermarket customers used the self-service lanes in 2010, down from almost 20 percent in 2006, according to the report.

And almost 85 percent of customers choose a cashier to ring up their purchases when at least one self-service lane is available, the survey found. That includes the 20 percent of customers who picked an express lane with a cashier that limits the number of items to be purchased.

Perhaps as a result, some supermarket chains such as Albertsons of Boise and Big Y Foods Inc., with 61 stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut, are removing self-service checkouts.

Big Y said it determined that self-service lanes do not save customers time and usually take them longer to check out than customers in cashier-assisted lanes.

“Self-checkout lines get clogged as the customers needed to wait for store staff to assist with problems with bar codes, coupons, payment problems and other issues that invariably arise with many transactions,” Big Y said in a statement.

Offering customers a self-service option is an example of what supermarkets like to do: “Give their customers a lot of choice,” said John Stanton, a food marketing professor at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

Because of that philosophy, few supermarket chains have removed them, Stanton said. “There’s no referendum on whether self-service checkout works or not.” Stores that remove self-service checkouts are creating more opportunities for customers to interact with the staff, thus increasing customer service, he noted.

That’s what Shop ‘n Save owner Jeff Sorbara did when self- service checkouts were not included at the Cranberry supermarket his family opened in April.

“We’ve not had any customer demand it,” Sorbara said, referring to the self-service checkouts.

Even so, his family’s Shop ‘n Save chain has installed self- service checks at their other markets in South Fayette, Wilkins, Bethel Park, Heidelberg and Kennedy.

At Giant Eagle, the region’s largest supermarket chain with 228 stores, “usage of self-service checkouts has remained popular,” spokesman Dan Donovan.

The majority of Giant Eagle’s supermarkets offer the self- service checkouts, which were introduced in February 2001 in 14 stores, he said.

“We continually monitor the preferences of our customers and adjust the number of self-checkout lanes in both existing and new stores based on these customer preferences,” Donovan said. site adp self service

Demographics is a factor in who uses the self-service checkouts. Typically, younger customers are more comfortable with the technology, Stanton said.

That’s the case with Ashley O’Bradovich, 20, of Hempfield, who says she usually heads for the self-service lanes.

“It’s a lot easier that way,” said O’Bradovich, who is unfazed by operating the touch screen at the checkout.

Ray Charley, owner of two Shop ‘n Save supermarkets in Greensburg, agrees with analysts who say customers who use self- service typically have small orders, a half-dozen items or less.

Using self-service for small orders is a lot more convenient than waiting in a long line, said Jay Barber of Bridgeville, at the Shop ‘n Save supermarket in South Fayette.

“Retailers often use self-checkout as a way to adjust to the highs and lows in customer traffic throughout the day,” the Food Marketing Institute’s report found.

The report stated that having one employee monitor four to six self-service checkout lanes can result in a significant savings on labor costs.

Charley said he has not found that to be the case.

Sometimes, two or three cashiers are needed to help with the self-service lanes, Sorbara said.

At the Shop ‘n Save in South Fayette, cashier Kathleen Gasper said she often assists customers who have problems with checking out produce or figuring out the computerized checkout system.

“When you see a customer struggle, it ends up becoming a problem,” Sorbara said.

Joe Napsha

Driving in Sardinia: The Best Bits

Cherrye — Thu, 26 May 2011 04:00:53 +0000

Many of the greatest things in southern Italy are better experienced with a car. It’s true whether it is because you can see hard-to-reach ruins or castles, because you can experience the driving culture on our beautiful, albeit sometimes perilous southern Italian roadways or whether it is because a car offers travelers a certain freedom not guaranteed by public transport. Regardless of the reason, Fiona Hilliard opted to drive during her recent trip to Sardinia and she’s here today to share her stories.

Welcome, Fiona.

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and is located to the south of Genoa and Corsica and to the west of Naples. Although technically part of Italy, the island of Sardinia has a fascinating history, as well as its own unique cultural quirks.

Cagliari is the island’s capital. It takes its name from the Sardinian word Casteddu, meaning castle. The city’s location provides stunning views over the Gulf of Cagliari. Save some camera memory though – other great sights worth seeing in Cagliari include the Basilica di San Saturnino, the Sardinian Archaeological Museum, as well as Poetto Beach which is just a short drive away with a Sardinia car rental and offers 13 kilometers of beautiful sandy beaches.

Meanwhile, should you decide to head north (recommended) you will pass close to the town of Barumini. Situated next to the town, you will find Nuraghe. This is one of the most important and famous archaeological and megalithic monuments in Sardinia.

This won’t be the only ancient historical site that you’ll encounter. Sardinia’s history runs deep. Heading northeast for around 90 kilometers, you will arrive at Nuoro. Here you’ll see evidence of ancient settlements that can be traced back to 2000 BC. This area is considered to be the cultural essence of the island and is one of the most important stops you’ll see if you are touring Sardinia. If you are visiting here during August, it may also be possible to attend the colourful Sagra del Redentore festival which is famous for its traditional music.

Driving north for another 100 kilometers you’ll arrive at Olbia. While in town, it’s also possible to check out the 11th century Cathedral of San Simplicio. Located nearby, you’ll see Tavolara Island which is popular with scuba divers. Meanwhile, to the north of Olbia, you’ll find a village called Palau which is favoured by kite flyers and windsurfers because of the strong winds that blow between Sardinia and Corsica.

Driving back to Olbia and traveling west for around 100 kilometers, you will arrive at Sassari. Sassari is the second largest town in Sardinia and is also one of the oldest settlements on the island. To this day, you can still spot some 13th century towers from the city, along with the pretty church of Santa Maria di Bétlam and Cathedral of St. Nicholas of Bari.

Time to spare? Just a short drive to the northwest of Sassari, you’ll come to Porto Torres. It is thought that this colony was founded during Roman times by Julius Caesar. If you’re wondering what the Romans ever did for us, you’ll find many fine Roman ruins in the area, including aqueducts, sewers, thermal baths, a forum and some temples.

Heading south, you’ll reach Alghero located to the west coast of the island. This is the perfect place to relax, as this area is known for its wonderful beaches. The town has the unusual distinction of being a Catalan town on an Italian island. Some even call it little Barcelona. The narrow winding streets and decidedly bohemian atmosphere of the old town make it easy to see how it earned this title.

Before heading to the beaches, take some time out to explore the Palazzo D’Albis, Neptune’s Grotto and the areas around Anghelu Ruju and Nuraghe Palmavera.

The coast road from Alghero to Bosa is an obvious option for a scenic drive due to the stunning surroundings and fantastic beaches. There should also be a special mention to Bosa Marina Beach as it was chosen as Italy’s cleanest beach a number of times. Bosa itself has a number of interesting sights to be seen including Castello Malaspina, a castle that overlooks the town, as well as Corso Vittorio Emmanuele which is the main street in the old town. Just like it’s Milanese counterpart, you’ll find many interesting shops and buildings located along here.

Good to know:

When driving in Sardinia, the speed limit is 50 kilometers per hour on the open road and between 90 kilometers per hour and 130 kilometers per hour on the motorway.

Fiona Hilliard is a travel writer and blogger for award-winning car rental site ArgusCarHire.com. When not writing about car rental Sardinia she can be found writing travel tips on the site’s Glove Box Blog.

Are you heading to Calabria? Click here to see how I can help you plan your trip.

Travel Tip Tuesday: Three Basic Tips for Traveling with an Itsy Bitsy Baby

Cherrye — Tue, 24 May 2011 04:00:05 +0000

You all know what a ~~brave~~ ~~fearless~~ silly girl I am, right? I moved to hole-in-the-bottom-of-the-boot Calabria, had a baby in italiano and most recently, traveled with said baby on six separate flights.

Intimidating, huh?

As soon as our bambino was home and the doctor approved him for travel, I began planning our first international trip. There were passports to be ordered, flights to book, baby bassinets to be reserved … I wasn’t sure where to start.

I’ve been a frequent international traveler for the last 11 years and am comfortable in most air travel situations. But I gotta tell you, I was scared to death to travel solo with a two month old.

When you are single, you don’t pay much attention to changing tables, strollers or lap seat children (unless they are bawlin’ in your ear on an 8-hour flight) and for the first time in more than a decade, I was worried about flying. So, I did what any good expat mom would do … I emailed my expat mom friends for help.

And mamma mia did they come through!

I’d like to take a moment to give a big shout out to Vanessa and Hilary in Messina and Michelle (Viva la Pappa) and Joanne (Frutto della Passione) in Milan for all of their emails, tips and tricks for traveling with babies.

Here’s a bit of what they told me and a few tips I picked up along the way.

1. Be Prepared!
One thing that all of the expert mom travelers told me was that being prepared would make a world of difference. And it did. Hilary told me to pack easy snacks for myself (since my hands would be full during the trip), Vanessa told me to pack a few extra pairs of baby pants in case he got dirty, Joanne advised me to carry one diaper per hour of the trip (excessive, yes, she said, but better safe than sorry!) and Michelle taught me a neat trick involving a kitchen sponge, dish washing liquid and a Ziploc bag (for on-the-spot cleaning of bottles, pacifiers or other toys.)

They also advised me to give him a pacifier (or something else to suck on) for take-offs and landings. I did-and he traveled like a champ, only crying briefly on the first of six landings.

2. Don’t Expect Help
All of the girls, along with Jen, my Irish expat friend in Catanzaro, warned me not to expect help.

“Allow yourself plenty of time and carry him in whatever is most convenient for you,” they told me.

So I did.

I debated whether I should take his stroller or carry him in a Baby Bjorn and in the end opted to have two free arms. Perhaps it was because my son was *so* young (he was two months old, but because he’d been premature, he only weighed eight pounds), but I was offered help every. step. of the. way. Which brings me to Tip #3 … .

3. Accept Help!
As an independent traveler, your instinct might be to play tough or refuse assistance during your travels, but as a solo-travelin’ mom with baby in tow, I’ll tell you … accept that help.

From before I stepped through security in Lamezia (when a Roman family toted my carry-on and pushed me to the front of the line) to our second flight (from Rome to Frankfurt) when a young American man stopped the flow of passengers and put up my bag to our third flight (Frankfurt to Houston), where the flight attendant carried my bags to the front of the plane … I had help all of the way.

I know I was lucky with the good-natured travelers I met, so I’m sending positive travel karma vibes to them with this post (and urging you all to pay-it-forward, should you see a single traveling parent with a child who might need an extra hand.)

I’m interested to see how traveling with a child will evolve, how things will be different when he is six months, 12 months, 36 months … for I know each age will bring a new set of travel-related issues. But I feel good about it. I trust myself and my new traveling mom instincts and will hope for the best. And let’s face it. Hilary, Vanessa, Michelle, Joanne and Jen all have kids older than mine anyway. So, if I get stuck, I’ll just call for reinforcement and know that no matter how long a flight may seem, that plane will land and we’ll get there … eventually.

What other tips do you have for new moms (and dads) traveling with their babies?

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

Traveling south? Click here to see how I can help you plan your trip to Calabria or southern Italy.

OCTOBER MEETING AGENDA POSTED ON GAME COMMISSION WEBSITE

US Fed News Service, Including US State News September 20, 2006 The Pennsylvania Game Commission issued the following news release:

The agenda for the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners’ October meeting has been posted on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us). To view a copy of the agenda, click on the “Next Commissioners’ Meeting” box in the center of the homepage and then select the “October 2006 Commission Meeting Agenda” icon at the bottom of the page.

The two-day meeting will be held at the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81. The meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m. on both days. this web site meeting agenda template

On Oct. 2, the Board will hear public comments and receive agency staff reports and updates.

On Oct. 3, the Board is scheduled to take official action to various agenda items, including final adoption of regulations to permit baiting by deer hunters in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. The Board gave the proposal preliminary approval at its meeting in June. In giving the measure unanimous approval, the Board noted that it was interested in gathering public input before taking the matter up for final adoption at its October meeting.

Under the measure given preliminary approval, hunters would be permitted to distribute no more than 10 pounds of bait up to a maximum of three times per day, during legal hunting hours only. Hunters also will be permitted to harvest deer near any deer treatment bait station that is used by communities to address tick control.

To ensure a thorough review of this new tool, should it receive final approval, the Board also included a three-year sunset provision. Also, if approved by the Board at its October meeting, the regulatory language would need to be published in the PA Bulletin, the Commonwealth’s official gazette for information and rulemaking, before taking effect. Publication would not be expected until November, at the earliest.

Shortly after the October meeting ends, copies of the meeting minutes will be posted on the website as soon as they are transcribed, which generally takes between two to three weeks. Minutes for Board meetings back to April 2005 are available in the “Reports/Minutes” section of the homepage. go to website meeting agenda template

Created in 1895 as an independent state agency, the Game Commission is responsible for conserving and managing all wild birds and mammals in the Commonwealth, establishing hunting seasons and bag limits, enforcing hunting and trapping laws, and managing habitat on the 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands it has purchased over the years with hunting and furtaking license dollars to safeguard wildlife habitat. The agency also conducts numerous wildlife conservation programs for schools, civic organizations and sportsmen’s clubs.

The Game Commission does not receive any general state taxpayer dollars for its annual operating budget. The agency is funded by license sales revenues; the state’s share of the federal Pittman-Robertson program, which is an excise tax collected through the sale of sporting arms and ammunition; and monies from the sale of oil, gas, coal, timber and minerals derived from State Game Lands.

Reader Question: Best Villages to See by Train

Cherrye — Tue, 17 May 2011 14:00:52 +0000

I posted a note to my Facebook page last week inviting readers to send in their Calabria or southern Italy travel questions. I got a few fun ones that I’m looking forward to tackling over the next few months, but for today’s question we’re sticking to transportation.

We hit on this a bit last month when Anne from New Jersey wanted me to compare car rentals vs private car services, but sometimes personal preferences or budget restraints prevent either.

Today’s question addresses what you can see in Calabria if you can’t get a car.

Cherrye-

Can you suggest a tour of the best villages/towns accessible by train or bus for a one or two day trip?

Lee

Thanks, Lee. While it is true that I would never recommend someone visit Calabria without a car, I can appreciate the fact that renting a car isn’t always a viable option.

For the purposes of this question, Lee, I’m going to assume you are heading south (ie, from the Naples area, rather than from Sicily or Puglia) via train. If that’s the case, you’ll want to minimize your train time-and maximize your beach time-by visiting a village in northern Calabria.

I just wrote about Scalea, a charming seaside town on the Tyrrhenian coast. In addition to having that fortified fortress and sandy beaches, the train station is located within easy walking distance to all of the best sights and there is plenty to keep you busy there for a few days.

If you’d like to venture a tad farther south, then consider Diamante. One of my favorite guides-and restauranteurs-is based there and we can arrange a one or two-day escorted tour where he can help you explore the ruins at Cirella, guide you through the murals in Diamante, introduce you to local wines and share some Calabrian cuisine secrets with private cooking lessons and/or lunch.

I hope that helps, Lee.

Do you have a southern Italy-related travel question you want answered? If so, let me know and your question could be featured here at My Bella Vita. If you’d like help planning your trip, then consider a custom itinerary or travel consult to ensure you have the trip of your lifetime!

Travel Tip Tuesday: How to Dress for Summer in Southern Italy

Cherrye — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 04:00:09 +0000

Many people want to know how they should dress when they are visiting a new country and yes, the answer depends on where they are going and more importantly … when. I’ve written tips for what to wear in Italy in the winter and the spring and today, I’m helping you prepare for the summer months of your Italy holidays 2011.

Think a southern Italian summer is all about bathing suits and beach towels? Well … in a way, it is. Beaches are the number one attraction for many southern Italy-bound travelers and even if beach-bumming is not your thing, you will likely want to pack a swim suit … should you change your mind. Additionally, here are five other things to wear so you can fit in with the locals and be comfortable throughout your trip.

1. Sleeveless Tops with Layers
Sleeveless tops and tank tops are perfectly acceptable for southern Italian summers, but you will often see Italians layer a short-sleeved sweater or jacket over their top … just to be cute. Men can wear short-sleeved t-shirts (solid colors work best) or polo-style shirts.

2. Sandals or lightweight Tennis Shoes
Finally … a season where southern Italians will wear open-toed shoes, so feel free to pack your sandals or even a lightweight pair of tennis shoes for your trip.

3. Lightweight Pants and Skirts
Although there is still a breeze in many areas of southern Italy, packing lightweight cotton pants and skirts will help you keep cool. As with other seasons, Italians are very well put together and over-sized pants or bulky skirts aren’t really the norm.

4. Shorts (with care)
A couple of years ago I’d have said to leave your shorts at home, however they are gaining in popularity here in southern Italy and you regularly see locals out and about in shorts. However … and there is a big however, they wear dressy shorts and/or typically tuck their shirts in and use a belt. Even in shorts, southern Italians are stylish.

5. Sunglasses
Yes, southern Italians wear sunglasses year-round, but if you are visiting in the summer months, you’ll definitely want to pack a pair of your favorite sunglasses-or pick up a pair at a local market-to help you fit in. Not only will they help protect your eyes from the gllaring Mezzogiorno sun, but you will also look stylish when you are at the beach, touring villages or engaging in my favorite summer pastime … eating gelato!

What else would you suggest travelers wear if they visit southern Italy in the summertime?

Be sure to check out Robin’s travel tips this week at My Melangè.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

Traveling to southern Italy? Click here to see how I can help you plan your trip to Calabria or southern Italy.

Photos: Two Wheels Blog

EAST CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE LADY WARRIORS FALL IN MACJC STATE TOURNEY

US Fed News Service, Including US State News March 1, 2012 DECATUR, Miss., Feb. 29 — East Central Community College issued the following news release:

Basketball season has come to an end for East Central Community College’s Lady Warriors, who were eliminated in first-round competition of the MACJC State Tournament being held at the Davis Event Center on the Itawamba Community College campus in Fulton.

The EC women, who qualified for the prestigious event as the South’s No. 4 seed, were outscored 73-55 by the host Lady Indians, the top-seeded North squad. go to site east central community college

East Central trailed 38-32 at the break and trimmed the deficit to 44-40 in early second half action but could get no closer as the Lady Indians pulled away for the decisive victory.

Sophomores Ja’Monica Orton and Kurlysha Bell each had 11 points to lead the Lady Warriors, who completed the 2011-12 campaign at 8-15 under head coach Bill Smith and assistant Britta Stephens. EC finished fourth in the MACJC South Division with a 7-5 mark.

Orton, a 6′ guard, is a product of Walter E. Stebbins High School in Dayton, Ohio. Bell is a 5-10 center from Kosciusko. go to web site east central community college

Xzandra Dowd, a 5-8 guard from Neville High School in Monroe, contributed 10 points and was credited with a team-high nine rebounds.

Other scorers were Kelcia Bufkin of Scott Central, nine; Jakela Johnson of West Jones, six; and Inessa Adams of Horn Lake and Ashlee Hardy of Newton, four each.

The Lady Warriors made 19 of 47 (40.4 percent) field goals, two of 10 (20 percent) three-pointers and 15 of 18 (83.3 percent) free throws.

Tri-Nita Baker poured in 20 points to lead Itawamba, which improved to 22-2.

The Lady Indians connected on 29 of 75 (38.7 percent) field goals, nine of 27 (33.3 percent) treys and six of 12 (50 percent) free throws. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

Reader Questions: Rental Car vs. Car Service

Cherrye — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 05:00:14 +0000

If you have spent much time around My Bella Vita, you know how I feel about renting a car in Calabria. You should also know that I sympathize with those of you who don’t want to drive and I realize that renting a car isn’t ideal for every traveler.

So, I was happy when Anne in New Jersey wrote me asking my opinion on rental cars vs. car service.

Here’s her question.

Cherrye-

We plan to use a car service from Lamezia Terme rail station to Bottricello (near Catanzaro). I have been in contact with one of our Calabrese family members and I hope he will drive us to Sellia one day so we can see the town our family was from. I plan to use a car service for all other excursions.

Does that sound reasonable? I wanted to try to avoid driving if possible.

Thank you for your question, Anne. I certainly understand your concern about driving in southern Italy and am happy to offer my opinion on rental cars vs. car service.

If you are wondering whether it is possible to use a car service for rail / airport transfers and a few day trips, the short answer is “Yes. It is.”

But is it reasonable? Hmmm …. I’m not so sure.

In your case, Anne, you are traveling to a non-touristy village where you hope to interact with your Calabrese family. If they are like most Calabrians-and why wouldn’t they be?-they’ll be more than happy to drive you to Sellia and they’ll likely want to show you around their part of Calabria.

However, you don’t *really* know them and chances are, you might want to see other parts of the region-parts you aren’t comfortable asking them to drive to. Also, in a non-touristy place like Sellia or Bottricello, you might be surprised at the lack of shopping or dining options.

Yes, a car service can take you on day trips … rates I’ve seen range from €150-€200 per day for an English-speaking driver and you are limited to nine hours, which means if you leave in the morning, you’d be dropped off before dinner, preventing you from trying some of the best restaurants in the region or slowing down on day trips and excursions that are more time-consuming.

To sum it up … if you have an unlimited budget, then a combination car service and cabs might work for you. Otherwise, I stand firm on my belief that a rental car is the only way to go.

Thanks again, Anne.

Mother sues cereal makers for recent low-sugar claims

The Charleston Gazette (Charleston, WV) March 29, 2005 | Michelle Morgante SAN DIEGO – A lawsuit by a San Diego mother claims that lower- sugar versions of Cocoa Puffs and Froot Loops may seem healthier, but they’re really a bunch of Trix.

Jennifer Hardee has sued three big cereal companies, accusing them of misleading advertising through prominent “low sugar” packaging. She was surprised to learn from an Associated Press story last week that the new cereals have no significant nutritional advantage over regular versions of the popular kids’ breakfast cereals.

Hardee, a Navy wife and homemaker with two young daughters who eat cereal, is suing Kraft Foods Inc., which makes Post cereals, General Mills Inc., and Kellogg Co., saying they intentionally misrepresent their products.

General Mills “never made specific health claims” for its reduced- sugar cereals, said spokeswoman Marybeth Thorsgaard. go to website cinnamon toast crunch

“Consumers wanted less sugar, so we gave them less sugar,” she said. “Our packaging is clearly labeled with nutritional information that complies” with government regulations.

Post spokeswoman Abbe Serphos said the lower-sugar version of Fruity Pebbles was “part of the evolution of the product.” “There are some consumers who prefer an option with reduced sugar. And we’re looking to see if there are ways to add additional nutrients like whole grain and fiber in the future,” she said. “It’s a process that takes time.” Kellogg declined to comment.

Howard Rubinstein of Miami, one of the lawyers representing Hardee, said the companies have intentionally misled consumers by displaying low-sugar labels prominently on the packages. Consumers don’t always understand the details in nutritional labels, he said.

“A lot of people, quite frankly, don’t have the educational ability to make those decisions. They rely on the one-line ad,” he said Monday. “It is that kind of an ad that adds a lot of ambiguity, and it shouldn’t.” Hardee was on vacation with her family Monday and was not available for comment, her lawyers said.

Hardee’s lawsuit, filed last week in San Diego County Superior Court, seeks to force the companies to surrender profits from low- sugar cereals and to stop them from marketing the products as nutritionally superior. go to web site cinnamon toast crunch

The suit seeks class-action status on behalf of all California consumers who bought the new cereals believing they were healthier, said attorney Harold M. Hewell of San Diego.

Hewell said Hardee heard a broadcast report of the AP story last week that found there was no real advantage from the lower-sugar cereals. The AP had asked nutrition experts at five universities to review the new reduced-sugar cereals to see how they stacked up with the regular versions.

The nutrition scientists found both the old and new cereals had the same amount of calories, carbohydrates, fat, fiber and other nutrients. The AP story reported that manufacturers replaced the sugar with other refined carbohydrates to preserve the crunch.

The cereals examined were Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes and Froot Loops; General Mills’ Cocoa Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Trix; and Post’s Fruity Pebbles. Only one, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, had fewer calories than the full-sugar version – 120 calories compared to 130 per three-fourths cup serving.

Hewell said Hardee “was extremely upset” to find that most of the reduced-sugar cereals had the same calories as the regular versions.

Michelle Morgante

Reader Questions: Calabrian Genealogy / Trip Planning

Cherrye — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 05:00:58 +0000

I started this Reader Question series last month and so far have discussed some of my favorite “stopping points” for travelers passing through Calabria from Campania and given some ideas on things to do in Palermo.

Today’s question(s) are helpful for first time Italy-bound travelers AND those with roots in Calabria might find the answers especially helpful.

Diane from Indiana wrote:

Cherrye,

My daughter and I are planning to make a trip to Italy in June 2012. When do we need to start planning? I just don’t know what to do first, and when to do the serious, “make reservations”, book flights, find rental cars.

I want to see Calabria. This will probably be the only time I get to Italy, and I want to see where my Grandparents are from: the house they lived in (if it’s possible to find that info), the views they saw from their windows, the streets they walked on.

I’m thinking since it’s such a small town, there may not be anyone there who speaks English, and unfortunately, I speak no Italian. What would we do about communication in such a small town?

We hope to get to Catazaro while we’re there too and would love to stay at your bed and breakfast. Any information you can give me as to when to start planning would be very helpful.

Thank you for your question, Diane. I am happy to offer my two centesimi on when you should start planning and I think you’ll find some of my new services helpful for visiting your ancestral villages next summer.

First things first, let’s talk about when you should start planning, or rather, when you should start making reservations and booking your trip. Since you found my site, you are likely already thinking about where you want to go, you’ve read up on what there is to see and do in Calabria and you might already know how you plan to arrive (via northern Italy, directly into Calabria, etc.)

As to when to start booking? That varies from person to person. I’ve had clients book six days out, which is not ideal if you are picky about hotels and/or want your first choice of everything. I’ve also been contacted up to 18 months out … a bit long, in my opinion.

In my experience the best time for families or individuals to start securing hotels, excursions and other trip details is six months before their trip. Groups will need more time.

Regarding tracing your family’s roots … yep, we can help with that. We have a network of guides and translators we work with who can go into your ancestral village before you arrive in Calabria to research your lineage. Then, once you are here, they’ll return to your village, show you around, introduce you to people and help you communicate with the locals. Although there are never any promises, our guides have had huge success in finding living family members and creating those once-in-a-lifetime moments like you described.

Thanks again, Diane. If you and your daughter need any assistance with your itinerary, I’d love to help you plan your trip.

Have you signed a Deed of Trust?

Littlehampton Gazette (Littlehampton, England) March 9, 2012 UNMARRIED couples, or friends planning to live together, should consider signing a Deed of Trust to ensure that a contingency plan is in place to deal with their joint assets should circumstances change. deedoftrustnow.net deed of trust

Before searching for a conveyancing solicitor, it would be beneficial to decide on what you want to include, to ensure that everything is legally binding.

Deeds of Trust can be as simple or as complicated as you desire, including how much deposit each person is contributing, the percentage of mortgage each person will pay, and how equity will be split when the property is sold. see here deed of trust

It is also beneficial to draw up an agreement for what will happen should one person want to sell the property, die, lose their job, have a baby, want to move a partner in, or rent a room out.

Travel Tip Tuesday: How to Dress for Spring in Southern Italy

Cherrye — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Some of the most common questions I get-and the most-searched terms I see through Google Analytics-deal with what travelers should wear when visiting southern Italy. In January I wrote a post featuring five tips on what to wear in Italy during the winter, but if you plan to blow into the bel paese with those warmer winds, then this post is for you.

It is a common myth that southern Italy boasts year-round warmness and even in the springtime, temps drop and it gets downright chilly. If you are planning to visit southern Italy this spring, here are four things you can wear so that you will fit in with the locals, look stylish and still be comfortable.

1. Layers
Spring is one of the most unpredictable seasons in southern Italy, so plan on layering your tops with cotton shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts and sweaters and you’ll be ready for any occasion. You might also want to throw in a spring scarf to add to the mix.

2. Comfy, Closed-toed Shoes
Although in Texas, we wear flip flops or open-toed sandals most of the year, southern Italians wear closed-toed shoes until they are ready to go to the beach. I’ve actually lost count of how many of my Italians friends have commented on my open-toed shoes, even on warm spring days in April or May.

3. Sweaters
Depending on where you are going in southern Italy, the nights will likely get pretty cool, so pack a sweater or light jacket you can use for your nightly passeggiata with the locals.

4. Pants
Even if you are lucky enough to have some mild-weather days during your trip, you won’t see many-if any-Italians in shorts. Although they are gaining in popularity here in southern Italy, most Italians only wear them in the summer. Skirts are also acceptable, as are dark-colored jeans.

What else would you suggest travelers wear if they visit southern Italy in the spring?

Be sure to check out Robin’s travel tips this week at My Melangè.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

Traveling to southern Italy? Click here to see how I can help you plan your trip to Calabria or southern Italy.

Photos: The Epoch Times

VIDEO: 1970s school film rediscovered.

Melton Times & Citizen (Melton Mowbray, England) January 23, 2008 VIDEO WEDNESDAY 10AM: Former Sherard Primary School teachers are trying to track down dozens of former pupils seen in a rediscovered 1970s film.

Peter Burgess and Paul Merrison uncovered the documentary in the belongings of late former headteacher Mary Brown, and are hoping to use it to raise money for charity in her memory.

Both are also keen to make contact with about 30 children seen in it, now in their late 30s and early 40s, in the hope of organising a special screening.

Called Look in on Learning, the film was commissioned by Mrs Brown to show education methods pioneered by the school, many of which went on to be applied in classrooms across the country. site cool maths games

Now a ‘time capsule’ of ground-breaking techniques, Mr Burgess and Mr Merrison hope to sell DVD copies of the feature in aid of Loros Hospice, who cared for Mrs Brown before her death in 2004.

Mr Burgess (60) said: “Sherard was the first purpose-built school for open plan education and it was very unusual then in that it had six male teachers and we taught throughout the age range.

“We knew we were part of something special at the time, and we’re hoping kids in the film will recognise themselves and respond and through that we can meet them again and hopefully sell some copies for Loros.” Mr Burgess, who taught at Sherard from 1974 to 2001, has so far been able to identify 23 children in the film with full names, and can pick out four by just their first names.

In the 30-minute feature children are seen playing maths games, taking samples from a river and building models. in our site cool maths games

Mrs Brown commissioned the 1974 film to demonstrate how the school was operating, based on her own ideas of open-plan hands-on learning.

Mr Merrison (59) who taught at the school from 1974 to 1999, said: “The school was very revolutionary at the time, it’s not so much now because everyone followed it. You see examples of children enjoying what they are reading and how they could be engaged by learning.

“Even in the early 1970s the school was getting a lot of stick for children walking around doing what they liked but it wasn’t like that. It was about objective-based learning. The film was sent out to universities and colleges and it’s now like a time capsule.”

Reader Questions: Ideal Stopping Point on Calabria's West Coast

Cherrye — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 05:00:20 +0000

I announced on my Calabria Travel Facebook page last week that I’d begin answering Reader Questions as part of an on-going series here on My Bella Vita …

and whaddyaknow, people have questions.

Today’s question comes from Michele in Chicago, a lovely young woman with a Calabrese mother-in-law who I’ve corresponded with before (thus, her email has been edited to include only the pertinent questions.)

Question:

Hello Cherrye,

How are you? Hope all is well. We have booked our tickets and will be visiting family in Nusco / Avellino in March, but would like to travel south for a few days. We are thinking about Matera, Maratea, Tropea and Bari. Do you have any thoughts between Maratea and Tropea?

Both look beautiful in pictures. Maratea is conveniently located within a loop of our relations but I’m not sure it is “open for business” during our stay which is the last week of March.

Thank you for any help you can offer. Any thoughts are welcome.

Cherrye’s Thoughts:

Auguri on your upcoming trip, Michele. Matera, Maratea, Tropea and Bari are all beautiful, interesting places to visit. I’m sure you and your family will have a great time there.

To answer your question, there are a ton of places between Maratea and Tropea that would make a good stopping point for your trip. Scalea is south of Maratea and while it isn’t even close to halfway between the two-it is much closer to Maratea than Tropea-it is one of my favorite seaside villages in Calabria.

If you want to head inland, you could consider visiting one of the villages in either the Pollino or Sila National Parks. Civita, with its Albanian influence and natural beauty, is a particularly interesting place.

If you’d like to get farther south before you stop, then Amantea and Falerna both have pretty beaches and of course, Pizzo Calabro is just 30-45 minutes north of Tropea and is a popular resort town with an interesting history-and fabulous gelato!

Thank you so much for your question, Michele and as odd as this sounds … thank you for thanking me for my response. Your courtesy sure was appreciated!

INDULGENCE.(Society)

Manila Bulletin September 17, 2004 is eating the Best Chinese Food In the Air.

Since May 1 this summer, Cathay Pacific has been indulging its passengers with the Best Chinese Food in the Air in collaboration with Spring Moon Chinese restaurant of Peninsula Hong Kong. The airline shall continue to do so until Oct. 31.

We got a sampling of during a recent trip to Hong Kong, courtesy of Cathay Pacific and the Peninsula Hong Kong … well, not all 30 dishes now being served inflight at CX.

Four years ago, CX launched its first Best Chinese Food in the Air promotion featuring a menu prepared by Yung Kee restaurant. The Yung Kee which is famous for its roast goose, started as a food stall selling roast goose in the 1960s. When its founder Kam Shui Fai moved into a restaurant, Forbes magazine listed it in 1968 as one of the top 15 restaurants of the world.

Cathay Pacific, for its second Best Chinese Food, binged on provincial cuisine from six regions of China Peking, Sizchuan, Chiuchow, Shanghai and Canton. Six top restaurants in Hong Kong shared their recipes with the airline.

The third time around, in 2002, Cx went back to Yung Kee which was then celebrating its 60th anniversary. The special treat was the socalled Poon Choi, meaning Big Bowl Feast, which it is … literally. go to site chinese food menu

The story goes that when Emperor Sung visited the Yuen Long district of Hong Kong, his royal entourage was so huge, the villagers had to resort to their wash basins to cook the food. They stacked the ingredients layer on layer in the deep basins known as poon in Cantonese and cooked them, including roast goose, chicken, dried eel, prawns, pork crackling, radishes and fish balls. Soon the Poon Choi dish became a tradition and Cathay Pacific was the first airline to serve it inflight, using specially designed individual bowls for its first class passengers.

This year, Cathay Pacific offers its passengers a choice of 30 special dishes prepared from recipes of The Pens Spring Moon restaurant, including: prawns wth snow fungus and chrysanthemum in clear broth, lamb chops with leeks in gravy, steamed prawns with egg white sauce, braised beef brisket with broad bean sauce, steamed sliced sea bass with preserved vegetables.

We were lucky. We not only got to get a taste of the best Chinese food inflight, but we did some sampling on ground at the Peninsula Hong Kong, which is a legend by itself in this former British colony.

The Spring Moon restaurant, one of six eateries in the Pen including the Lobby where they serve a most delightful high tea with watercress sandwiches and scones, attracts a devoted clientele who hanker for its roast pigeon flavoured with cinnamon, supreme sharks fin soup with crab meat, and dimsum.

It also serves a sixcourse dinner priced at HK$11,000 for one to four people (additional diners pay HK$2,750 each) and one must book in advance.

The Spring Moon is famous also for its tea counter where 25 selected Chinese teas are served by tea masters. Upon request, they can do a demo on the making of tea and the proper way to serve it.

Spring Moon executive chef Ho Pui Yung worked hand in hand with Cx executive chef for catering services Wun Pak Shun to create this years Best Chinese Food menu.

But it was the tour of the Cathay Pacific Catering Services (CPCS) hub in Cathay Pacific City at the Chek Lap Kok airport that gave us a new respect and awe for inflight catering. Never again shall we forego a meal aboard a Cx flight or on any airline for that matter. The work that goes into preparing it boggled this travellers mind!

Some 1,500 employees work round the clock because of the different time zones, not counting consultants from NASA. Cx is the only flight caterer to have an inhouse microbiological laboratory which conducts up to 800 microbiological tests at random each month to prevent problems like cross contamination.

Leslie Bailey, Cx marketing & customers services manager, had us cover up like astronauts with astrocap, mask, white coats and shoe booties before taking us on tour of the catering complex. Later we met the catering GM Angus Barclay, corporate communication manager May Lam and corporate comm. executive Julie Lo and Chef Alex Chao who with 30 years is one of Cxs oldest employee at catering.

Escorting us from the Philippines was Rhoda Capuno, asst. marketing manager of Cx Manila (along with Joseph Arias of Peninsula Manila).

At any given time, there are HK$16 million worth of stock in storage, in use, and in the warehouses. Catering, we soon learned, involves not food but everything virtually that goes into a flight. This means that from 42,000 to 45,000 items go into every flight not only of Cathay Pacific but of its 32 customer airlines or a total of 140 flights out of Hong Kong a day. see here chinese food menu

These items include magazines, newspapers and other reading materials, toilet paper rolls, seat covers, and other stuff in the toilets, pillows, blankets, linens, plus beverages, coffee and tea, and a range of 70 wines, etc.

The catering hub produces an estimated 50,000 meals a day (although capable of producing 80,000 meals a day) for economy, business and first class passengers, 60 percent of which are for Cathay Pacific. Naturally, they serve as many types of cuisine as there are a variety of nationalities and religions including halal, kosher, Muslim, Hindu, Japanese, Chinese, 5 kinds of vegetarian and special dietary needs like diabetics.

Thank goodness for technology, many operations are fully mechanized although the folding of cutlery into the napkins are done painstakingly by hand. So is the sorting out of dishes and glasses to be washed and the actual food preparation, from the chopping, dicing, etc. to the cooking to the placing of the cooked food and salads into meal trays.

Next step is a mandatory chilling period of time below 10 degrees celcius to prevent contamination (which explains why your cutlery is icy cold to the touch) before delivery by refrigerated hiloader trucks to the aircraft. This keeps the food fresh for long haul trips where meals could be served after 20 hours.

We walked into several freezer rooms which Bailey said reminded him of home (in the UK). But the aromas in the cavernous kitchens were tantalizing, specially in the bakery section where thousands of buns and rolls emerge from the ovens daily.

We watched with fascination the rotating omelet machine which makes 10,000 omelets a day and the cutlery machine which sorts out forks, spoons, knives, teaspoons… all 300,000 pieces a day! The CPCS has six flight kitchens in HK, Taiwan, Vietnam, Canada and one in Cebu, a far cry from 1967 when it was called Air Caterers Ltd.

And then, there are the Cx VIP lounges at the Chek Lap Kok dubbed The Wing and The Pier where Cx passengers can unwind, eat and drink, get a massage at the spa, etc. while waiting for their flight. The Wing has been awarded as the Worlds Best Airline Lounge and the Worlds Ten Best Airport Lounges.

Both have a Noodle Bar, which is the top favorite, along with the Long Bar, the Short Bar, the Smoking Bar, and exclusively for first class, The Haven, all of which are operated by Peninsula Clubs under HKs Peninsula Group.

Indeed, if only for the inflight meals and the Cx lounges, I would fly Cathay Pacific.

Travel Tip Tuesday: Five Mistakes Travelers Make in the Mezzogiorno

Cherrye — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 05:00:50 +0000

My husband and I have spent the last four years in the Southern Italy tourism industry and we’ve learned a lot in that time. Between the guests we host at our Calabrian bed and breakfast and the clients we help through our travel consulting business, we’ve seen travelers on every end of the spectrum … from open, generous and kind to well, uhm, uhm … stressed.

I made note of their experiences and compiled them into a Calabria travel tips eguide that I’ve been selling here on My Bella Vita for the last year. Still, I notice there are about five mistakes that keep popping up.

Here are five of the biggest mistakes travelers make when visiting southern Italy.

1. They get uptight
I’ve written about how your attitude can make or break your trip and I am a firm believer that attitude is everything when you are visiting southern Italy. Southern Italy isn’t like its northern counterparts that might cater a bit more to tourists. Keep that in mind when you are visiting the south and try to appreciate and all of her charm.

2. They tip
I’d run out of room if I listed every expat here who has tried to teach the traveling tourist about tipping, yet I think it bears repeating. You don’t tip in southern Italy. You don’t tip in southern Italy. Seriously … you don’t tip in southern Italy. No one is going to look at you funny or think you are cheap. In fact, they’ll think you unsavvy if you insist.

3. They think they can eat whenever they want
I know it is hard to visit a new place and not make certain assumptions based on your life “back home.” That being said, southern Italy isn’t like America. The culture, customs and habits of the locals are different and so, dear southern Italy traveler, so are their mealtimes. If you arrive in the mid-afternoon, don’t expect to find a restaurant open for a late lunch … and you can forget about an early dinner.

4. They assume that because Rick Steves hasn’t written about it … it’s not worth seeing
A lot of independent travelers will tell you they want to get “off of the beaten path” and explore real Italy. However, when you ask them about their preferences and recommend obscure villages, restaurants or hotels … they aren’t always on board. I know it is hard to know where to go in southern Italy … that’s where a local travel consultant can make the difference.

5. They aren’t prepared
Ok. I’m gonna admit to having a not-so little pet peeve when it comes to travelers I’ve met in southern Italy. Time and time again, I’ve heard them say, “We know there is nothing to do here (in Calabria), we just wanted to see the village where my so-in-so was born.” Or, sometimes, “We have seen everything there is to see here, so we are going to head back (up to Rome),” … to which I want to respond, “I’ve lived here four years and haven’t seen EVERYTHING … there’s no way you saw it in three days.”

But I don’t.

What I did, however, was create a Catanzaro and surrounding areas e-book to give away (for free) to every English-speaking guest who books a room at our B&B. My hope is that it will help them prepare a bit more for their central Calabria vacation and that they’ll know there is a lot to do and see here … even if Mr. Steves hasn’t made it down.

For more tourist mistakes, see what Sara had to say over at Ms. Adventures in Italy.

What other mistakes do you see tourists making in southern Italy?

Be sure to check out Robin’s travel tips this week at My Melangè.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

Traveling to southern Italy? Click here to see how I can help you plan your trip to Calabria or southern Italy.

Lulu Photo Book Review and Giveaway This Week Only

Cherrye — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 05:00:40 +0000

About a month ago I was contacted by an intern from Lulu who asked if I was interested in creating and reviewing one of their new photo books. And what timing … .You see, as luck would have it, I’d already started brainstorming Christmas gift ideas and creating a souvenir photo book of my nephew’s summer vacation in Calabria topped that list.

So, yes. I accepted. Even though Lulu couldn’t ship to Italy, they agreed to let me create a photo book for my nephew and I waited to write the review until after my mother had received and critically examined the book.

I’ve divided my review of the book-making process and final product into five categories and as you’ll see from my notes, I thoroughly enjoyed the project.

1. Options
A few years ago I created a photo book through one of Lulu’s competitor sites and so it makes sense that as I built this book, I instinctively compared the two sites. While Lulu has hundreds of options, ranging from size of book, hardcover vs. paperback, number of pages, over 20 themes, cover designs and inside layouts, I felt like I had more control over individual pages with the other site.

That being said, Lulu has more than enough options to keep you browsing for hours and since I had a self-imposed time line for completing this project, I appreciated the simplicity.

2. Ease of Creating Photo Book
Speaking of simplicity, one of the most time-consuming aspects to creating a photo book is uploading your photos. Lulu takes the stress out of this by allowing their users to upload photos directly from Flickr, Facebook, Photobucket or SmugMug. If you don’t have a photo account with any of these sites, you can also upload photos directly from your computer.

The “Lulu Studio” software automatically saves your work, so you don’t have to worry about spending hours on the project and then losing it and you can easily “undo” or “redo” photo placement as you progress through the project.

You can also quickly change the size, theme or number of pages, allowing you to play around with the design or change your mind without losing your work.

3. Customer Service / Shipping
While it isn’t exactly “personal” customer-service oriented, I love that their software warns you if your photo won’t print well. Additionally, I had a great experience with the intern I worked with on my photo book. She contacted me immediately when she learned of a shipping hiccup (FedEx, not them), contacted FedEx with an updated address and the book was delivered the next day.

She also included a personal thank you note with my order, which I loved. I’m a sucker for details.

4. Price / Value
The books are less than $20.00 for a 8.5X8.5 square hardcover book with 20 pages. This is about 25% less than I paid for the last photo book I ordered and from what I hear-thanks, Mom!-it is better quality.

5. Final Product
As I mentioned earlier, I had to rely on a third-party inspector to scrutinize the final product and compare it to the last photo book I made … and she loved it. The photos were clean and crisp, the cover page was classy and “expensive-looking,” … her words, not mine and she highly recommends them to anyone in the market for a new photo book.

So … are you in the market for a new photo book? If so, you are in luck. Not only did Lulu ask me to create a photo book, but they are also giving away one 20-page 8.5X8.5 square photo book to a My Bella Vita reader. Here are the contest rules:

1. Leave a comment on *this post* by Friday, December 17 at noon, Italy time. Your comment can be anything, but I’d really love to know what kind of photo book you’d create if you win.

2. Tweet the contest for an additional entry and leave a separate comment telling me you did.

3. Repost and/or “like” this post on Facebook for a third entry and leave a separate comment telling me you did.

4. A random drawing will be held on Friday afternoon and the winner will be notified so (s)he can begin working on their photo book before the holidays.

The book can only be shipped to a US address.

In bocca al lupo and Happy Holidays!

** Congratulations to Sabrina Sattler for winning the $25 gift certificate to Daryll Capparelli’s ItalianThings store at Zazzle.

Traveling to southern Italy? Click here to see how I can help you plan your trip to Calabria or southern Italy.

Travel Tip Tuesday: Five Tips for Prepping for an Italian Vacation

Cherrye — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 05:00:17 +0000

This website is filled with tips directed at people traveling to Italy. However, most of them are from my perspective … it is my blog, after all, and I realize that after living here four years you can forget some of those early Italy-travel experiences. I think it is a good idea to step back every now and then and get the perspective of someone who just started traveling to the bel paese.

With that in mind, I welcome my Travel Feeder friend, Cecil.

Welcome!

Many people travel to a new country without giving thought as to what they’re going to see, where they are going to go and what they hope to “get” out of the trip. While it is possible to travel to a country like Italy-and still fall in love with it-without much prep, a little pre-planning can enhance your experience. Here are five tips for prepping for your southern Italian vacation.

1. Learn some History. You don’t necessarily need to know the thousands of years of Italian history to be able to appreciate what you are going to see, but knowing more about Rome’s Coliseum, Campania’s Pompeii and Matera in Basilicata, for example, will help you appreciate what you see in a whole new way.

2. Learn the language. I had some problems when I traveled to Italy because contrary to what many travelers might think-all Italians don’t speak English. Learning some important Italian words and phrases, especially coffee terms, menu items, numbers and basic directions will help you have a better experience in southern Italy.

3. Pick up some culture. It is more fun to travel to Italy when you have an idea about how Italians dress, what and how they eat, the type of music or movies they like and how they enjoy spending their evenings. While it is true that many traditions are regional, reading blogs or guidebooks written by people who live or travel often to the country will help prepare you for your trip.

4. Prepare to ~~fight~~ mix with the locals. Italians are generally outspoken and straight-forward when they speak, so while us foreigners might not be used to yelling, it is perfectly normal in Italy. Be prepared to “fight” back and have fun speaking (loudly) to the Italians.

5. Pack your telephoto lens. This is the most important thing I missed out on during my Italy trip. Instead of packing a telephoto lens, I planned to travel light and missed some really great shots. The architecture, monuments and sculptures in Italy are amazing and every minute detail is worth a shot. Without a telephoto lens, I could only capture the big picture and I missed out on details.

What else do you do to prepare for a trip?

Cecil Lee is an avid traveler who is also a passionate travel blogger and travel photographer living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He writes about travel on his travel photo blog, Travel Feeder.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

Be sure to check out Robin’s travel tips this week at My Melangè.

Traveling to southern Italy? Click here to see how I can help you plan your trip to Calabria or southern Italy.

Photos: Cecil Lee

Franklin Covey Co. and Vook Release ‘Habit 2′ for iPad

Wireless News September 27, 2010

Wireless News 09-27-2010 Franklin Covey Co. and Vook Release ‘Habit 2′ for iPad Type: News

Franklin Covey Co., a global consulting and training company, and Vook, a company that provides the integration of words, videos, pictures and interactivity into a new media experience, has released a new Vook for the iPad, Habit 2: Discovering Your Life Mission from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

This new Vook for the iPad features Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind from Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, according to Franklin Covey. The international bestseller was written by Stephen Covey in 1989 and has sold more than 20 million copies in 38 languages worldwide. It presents a holistic and principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems. With insights and pointed anecdotes, Stephen Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for integrating such principles as fairness, integrity, service and human dignity into one’s personal and professional life. see here 7 habits of highly effective people

Habit 2: Discovering Your Life Mission is available now for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.

The newly released Vook for the iPad focuses on helping users to discover and create their own personal mission statement and includes provocative images and inspiring quotes as well as 10 video interviews with Stephen Covey produced by Franklin Covey in the company’s new consumer training product category. Franklin Covey also offers live workshops and online learning based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, as well. here 7 habits of highly effective people

Habit 2: Discovering Your Life Mission also features the new Vook user interface design and functionality with a larger video player for improved viewing experience and ‘pinch and zoom’ that allows readers to focus in on charts and information on how to successfully build one’s mission statement.

“Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind has been distilled down into its own bite-sized piece to encourage readers to focus specifically on that individual habit,” said Stephen Covey, best-selling author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. “This Vook will create a rich, mixed-media digital experience for users. Vook’s blend of words and video provides an affordable interactive learning experience and enables me to share the content from The 7 Habits book with audiences in a new and exciting way.”

“When developing production plans for each Vook, we actively consider what the ideal format is to share the subject in the most intimate, engaging way possible,” said Brad Inman, CEO and founder of Vook. “Each narrative is very unique. By ‘Vookifying’ The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, we hope to compel readers to take action and work on their personal and professional issues one at time, to become more effective in the way they live their lives.”

A Vook is a digital mixed-media form that unites words, video, pictures and interactivity into a single, integrated experience. Vooks are available as a mobile application for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch through the Apple iTunes App Store, as well as in the iBookstore.

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

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Travel Tip Tuesday: Three Tips for Traveling with Your Sweetie

Cherrye — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 05:00:17 +0000

It is hard to believe three years have passed-to the day … Happy Anniversary, Sweetie!-since my husband and I tied the proverbial knot in southeast Texas. In that time we’ve taken more than a few international trips together and picked up some tips for traveling as a couple.

In honor of our 3rd anniversary, I’m going to share some tips that have kept us sane-and happy!-in our travels.

1. Compromise the Planning
It is hard for two independent people who are, ahem, used to calling all of the shots, to learn to compromise their travel plans. I often find myself wanting to squeeze in extra vacation days, especially when we are traveling to Texas to see my family and friends, while my husband tends to worry over the details … you know, like paying for the trip and closing our business.

We’ve gotten really good at understanding each other’s motivations and the last few Christmas trips we took started later than I’d have liked (we didn’t get to Texas until December 22 or 23!) but lasted for more than a month.

2. Help Each Other Prep
Whether they are working to get ahead for their job, planning who will take the pets and get the mail or worrying that everything is in place, most people are ultra busy before a big trip. When you are traveling solo, you have to take care of all of the details. When you are traveling as a couple … yes, you do have some help, but there are also two people, with two sets of “lists” that have to be finished before you leave town.

When we are in the final prep stages before a big trip, my husband and I share our lists, divide them and conquer ‘em. This helps each of us feel like we are getting help, relaxes us before the trip and ensures no one starts our vacation with resentment or hurt feelings.

3. Take it Easy
… on each other, I mean. Yes, traveling is exhilarating, fun and exciting but it is also stressful. Before we set out for an international flight, which when we go to Texas means three flights, two layovers and oftentimes an overnight somewhere, we pledge to have a good attitude and not add unneeded stress to each other. At some point, usually when one of us gets too-easily agitated or moody, this turns into a joke and we laughingly remind the other one that they broke the rule.

This doesn’t work all of the time and no, it doesn’t eliminate travel-related stress, but I think our attitudes are what got us through the DC Blizzard last year with flight delays, an unplanned night near the airport and two new, unexpected flight connections in happy spirits.

What other tips do you have for couples who travel together?

Be sure to check out Robin’s travel tips this week at My Melangè.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

Traveling to southern Italy? Click here to see how I can help you plan your trip to Calabria or southern Italy.

Photos: Cecil Lee

KASE – KASE HOLDS DEMO TEST GAME ON FUTURES CONTRACTS TRADING FOR EXCHANGE MEMBERS SEP 8 – 22.

Kazakhstan Stock Exchange News August 26, 2010 /KASE, August 26, 10/ – Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) informs that on September 8 – 22, 2010 in the KASE trading system shall be held the demo test game for the exchange members to trade futures contracts (hereinafter – the demo game). go to web site driving test game

The demo game shall be held to show the KASE members a possibility of operating with derivative financial instruments in the exchange trading system, and to test newly developed trading mechanisms, positions and risk management on the KASE futures market.

The demo game participants shall have a possibility to execute transactions in non-deliverable futures contract on US dollar to tenge and KASE Index.

The demo trades shall be executed on September 8 – 21, 2010, inclusive on working days from 12:00 to 13:00 Almaty time. On September 22 the training contracts shall be closed and the demo game results summarized.

The demo game winner shall be recognized that participants whose margin account balance shall have the largest value among other game participants. By the demo game results KASE shall publish the news with the list of three participants that achieved the best results.

***** The information contained herein is provided on an aAS ISa basis and to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. AII Data Processing does not endorse in any way, the views, opinions or recommendations expressed above. The use of the information is subject to the terms and conditions as published by the original source, which you have to read and accept in full prior to the execution of any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein. in our site driving test game

Things to Consider When Renting Tuscan Villas

Cherrye — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 04:00:15 +0000

I’ve said before one of my favorite things about blogging from the boot is getting the chance to meet and interact with other non-Italian, Italy-based business owners. While I know Italy “is a big place,” I thought I’d virtually met, either via our blogs, Facebook or Twitter, many of my English-speaking counterparts. However, last week I was proven wrong.

I received an email from Matt Kachinsky, a Tuscany-based expat who consults for villa and B&B owners in the area. Needless to say, we had a bit in common. We agreed to exchange guest posts and he is here today to share some tips on choosing a villa in Tuscany.

Benvenuto, Matt!

***

There is little arguing over the beauty of Tuscan villas. Spending a couple of weeks in one of these homes during the summer is a perfect way to enjoy quality-time with your family and relax in Tuscan comfort. However, there are some things you should consider before booking a Tuscan villa.

Plan Ahead
Unfortunately Tuscan villas are extremely popular, which makes them hard to get. The fact that many owners only accept weekly reservations starting on Saturday makes things even more difficult, so avoid booking your villa for a last-minute stay.

Last minute offers are not always available for these properties, and an early planner is likely to get a good price. Booking one year of advance will get you the current year’s rental price, plus you will have plenty of choice during cheaper mid-season weeks (April to June, September), which are less crowded and often have better weather. The low season usually allows for rental periods that are not strictly weekly and can start any day of the week, however, the weather can be a risk. Finally, if your stay is longer than one week, do not forget to ask for a deal on your additional weeks.

Is your villa ready for kids?
Tuscan villas are usually filled with valuable items, such as antique furniture or costly appliances. For this reason each owner will apply a refundable damage deposit. Ask yourself if your kids are ready for such an experience, otherwise ask the owner to remove the most valuable items before your arrival. If this is impossible, consider purchasing travel insurance that will cover damages to third parties.

When you get there
Italian appliances may be totally unfamiliar to you. While they are not complicated, it may get you a little while to get the gist of ovens, dishwashers, dryers, washers and so forth. Just let the owner know you are not familiar with her appliances before departure and ask for English-language instructions. It is common for owners to show you around the villa upon arrival explaining how things work. This is a time while you are just recuperating from your trip, and everything is new, so ask for the owner’s phone number in case you forget something or in case of emergency.

It is also good to know that Tuscan villas have high electricity consumption volumes. While all utilities are usually included, there may be a maximum limit beyond which you will have to pay for your consumption. The cost of air conditioning is not always included. Ask before you book to avoid unexpected expenses.

Air Conditioning
Tuscan villas are very old buildings and when they were built air conditioning had not even been invented! In order to avoid heat loss their walls were constructed with stones and layers of dirt to form a thick and insulating barrier. This way summer heat was kept outside by closing windows and panes during the day, while the cool night air was allowed in after dark. Even now, many villas in Tuscany do not have air conditioning for this reason. However, if this is a must-have for you, ask before booking.

Finally some spare advice: grocery stores and towns are usually within walking distance; garbage bins are located along roads and may be remote from your villa; linen and towels are usually included in your rent and they usually change them weekly; as a rule of thumb swimming pools are open from mid-May until the end of September; apart from pizza, food delivery is not available; your DVDs will not work since Italian players are coded for another region; and finally, remember to ask the owner for a starter-pack on your grocery shopping, as you will likely check in on a Saturday evening and shops will not be open until the next Monday.

What other things should you look for when choosing a villa in Tuscany?

Matt Kachinsky lives and works in Italy where he visits many Tuscan villas consulting for owners who wish to better their services for their vacation rental customers.

Traveling south after you visit Tuscany? Click here to see how I can help you plan the southern Italy section of your trip.

New physical therapy data have been reported by researchers at Vanderbilt University.(Survey)

Health & Medicine Week November 9, 2009 According to a study from the United States, “Variation in referral rates for physical therapy exists at both the individual physician and practice levels. The purpose of this stud), was to explore the influence of physician and practice characteristics on referral for physical therapy in patients with traumatic lower-extremity injury.” “A cross-sectional survey was conducted. In 2007, a Web-based survey questionnaire was distributed to 474 surgeon members of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. The questionnaire measured physician and practice characteristics, outcome expectations, and attitude toward physical therapy. Referral for physical therapy was based on case vignettes. The response rate was 58%. Surgeons reported that 57.6% of their patients would have a positive outcome from physical therapy and 24.2% would have a negative outcome. The highest physical therapy expectations were for the appropriate use of assistive devices (80.7%) and improved strength (force-generating capacity) (76.4%). The lowest outcome expectations were for improvements in pain (35.9%), coping with the emotional aspects of disability (44.1%), and improvements in work-place limitations (51.4%). Physicians reported that 32.6% of their patients referred for physical therapy would have no improvement beyond what would occur with a surgeon-directed home exercise program. Multivariate analyses showed positive physician outcome expectations to have the largest effect on referral for physical therapy (odds ratio=2.7, P< .001). The results suggest that orthopedic trauma surgeons refer patients for physical therapy based mostly on expectations for physical and motor outcomes, but may not be considering pain relief, return to work, and psychosocial aspects of recovery. Furthermore, low referral rates may be attributed to a preference for surgeon-directed home-based rehabilitation," wrote K.R. Archer and colleagues, Vanderbilt University (see also Physical Therapy). go to web site physical therapy salary go to web site physical therapy salary

The researchers concluded: “Future research should consider the efficacy of physical therapy for pain, psychosocial and Occupational outcomes, and exploring the differences between supervised physical therapy and physician-directed home exercise programs.” Archer and colleagues published the results of their research in Physical Therapy (Factors Associated With Surgeon Referral for Physical Therapy in Patients With Traumatic Lower-Extremity Injury: Results of a National Survey of Orthopedic Trauma Surgeons. Physical Therapy, 2009;89(9):893-905).

For additional information, contact K.R. Archer, Vanderbilt University, Medical Center, Dept. of Orthopedic & Rehabilitation, Medical Center ES Tower, Ste. 4200, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.

The publisher of the journal Physical Therapy can be contacted at: American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 N Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314, USA.

Five Words That'll Keep You Warm in Winter

Cherrye — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 04:00:42 +0000

Over the years I’ve written about how to dress when you are visiting southern Italy and I’ve shared-many times over-some of my favorite Italian words. Today’s post combines those topics and fellow expat in southern Italy blogger, Laura of Ciao Amalfi! offers Italy-bound travelers the 411 on staying warm in winter.

Italians are known around the world for their fashion sense and style, and this is no different when the weather turns cool. Autumn and winter are great months to travel in Italy, especially if you’re hitting the big cities and want to avoid the crowds. Since winter weather can be unpredictable in Italy, it’s best to pack layers. Here are five words that will come in handy while traveling (and shopping!) in Italy during the winter.

1. Sciarpa

If you’ve traveled to Italy before, then you already know about the love affair Italians have with scarves. While you’ll spot them wearing sciarpe throughout the year, when the weather starts getting cooler they become de rigueur. (Wait … that’s French!) Fortunately, finding a beautiful sciarpa in Italy is easy, which means you can fit right in with the locals with this easy fashion accessory. Stop by any market and you’ll find an array of choices, often without breaking the bank!

2. Giaccone

Just like in English, there are many words in Italian to describe coats. A giacca is lighter weight coat, more like what we would call a jacket in English, while a giaccone is a heavier winter coat. If you’re traveling to southern Italy where it can be rainy during the winter months, packing a giaccone impermeabile, or waterproof coat, is a good idea. You might also hear the word cappotto used for coat or overcoat, and giubbino or giubbotto used to describe jackets. I’ve heard them all used on the Amalfi Coast and there are probably even more Italian words out there to describe winter coats!

3. Guanti

If you’re traveling to Italy in the winter, be sure to pack a pair of guanti, which is the rather strange sounding word for gloves in Italian. And don’t do like me and leave one of the pair in the taxi like I did when visiting Rome (in January!) two years ago. I had cold hands the rest of the day! If you have a similar mishap or forget your gloves at home, just stop by one of the many beautiful shops selling handmade leather gloves in a rainbow of colors. They make a wonderful reminder of your winter trip to Italy.

4. Cappello

Even southern Italy can be cold and windy during the winter months, so don’t forget to pack your favorite winter cappello, or hat, to keep you warm while you’re out sightseeing. Even if you’re not accustomed to wearing hats back home, you might be tempted by the beautiful hats you’ll find in shops and markets throughout Italy.

5. Stivali

No Italian winter wardrobe is complete without boots. Whether we’re talking rain boots in the south, snow boots in the north or high fashion boots in Milan, you’ll find just about every Italian—especially women—own several pairs of stivali. As soon as the weather begins to change, the windows of shoe stores fill with beautiful designs in every possible style and color. With all the choices available, you’ll quickly see why the Italians wear such great boots.

Stay warm… and happy travels to Italy this autumn & winter!

Laura Thayer is an art historian and freelance writer living on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy.
She writes about travel for MNUI travel insurance and about life on the Amalfi Coast at Ciao Amalfi.

Traveling to southern Italy? Why not get coached on when and where to go by someone who lives there?

Photos: Antonio Trogu, Carlo Pecoraro and Amodiovalerio Verde, all via Flickr

Denver Nuggets v San Antonio Spurs, Game 1

Getty Images April 22, 2007 | Ronald Martinez website denver nuggets schedule

Getty Images 04-22-2007 Denver Nuggets v San Antonio Spurs, Game 1

Full Size JPG (853 KB) SAN ANTONIO – APRIL 22: Guard Allen Iverson #3 of the Denver Nuggets during Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 22, 2007 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Allen Iverson in our site denver nuggets schedule

Ronald Martinez

Travel Tip Tuesday: International Travel Packing Tips

Cherrye — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:00:39 +0000

Last month, my globe-trotting friend Andi from My Beautiful Adventures wrote a guest post for our bed and breakfast website that featured five tips for packing for an international trip. If you’ve been around My Bella Vita, you know I thrive on finding great packing techniques, so today, Andi is back to share four more tips for packing for an international vacation.

Welcome, Andi.

***

As I’m writing this, I’m preparing for yet another international trip – this time, I’m heading back to south America to join my soon-to-be marido, and as always, I’m sticking to my travel packing plan.

In addition to last month’s tips that were posted at Il Cedro, here are four more tips-and a few bits of extra advice-on packing and prepping for an international trip.

Split up valuables. Since you never know who might have access to your luggage after you give it to the airline, it is always smart to split up your most important or expensive items-those that won’t fit in your carryon, that is-in different pockets or hide them inside your purses or shoes.

Take solid shampoo bars and tooth powder. These items are easy to find in US grocery stores or online and will help you stick to the quart-size liquid restrictions you are allowed in your carryon. And remember, depending on where you are going, there are some countries that ban all liquids in carryons, so solids and powders aren’t only your best option – they are your only option.

Pack delicates in a Ziploc bag. Having your underwear, socks and bras all in one place will save you time, plus you won’t have to pull your entire luggage apart to find them. Later on, you can reuse the Ziploc bags to either store things during the trip or repack items that need to be washed. Slip the Ziploc bags inside your shoes or purses to save even more space.

Bring snacks. Don’t waste countless dollars on overpriced and unhealthy airport food, instead head to a grocery store before your trip and pack some of your favorite treats. In addition to saving money, it could also help you out in a pinch. Sometimes flights don’t serve food and depending on your travel arrangements, you could arrive at an airport once the stores have all closed.

Know flying rules. While, this is not a packing tip, it is probably the most important tip of all. It will take only a few minutes of your time to look up the current rules of the airline(s) you are flying. Don’t arrive at the airport, when you are already stressed, only to be surprised to find there is a new rule you knew nothing about.

Some other helpful tips include: 1) Only taking magazines or books you don’t mind discarding; 2) Same for toiletries, try to bring mini-bottles that you might have saved from previous hotel stays; 3) Purchase a universal charger so you don’t have to pack multiples chargers that take up valuable space; 4) Download movies onto your laptop or rent some DVDs from Netflix in case your inflight entertainment is not so entertaining.

What other international packing and traveling tips have you picked up?

Andi Perullo is a Chinese Medicine Doctor by day, travel addict by night. When she is not treating patients, she is exploring the world or dreaming of the next place to visit. She also writes travel features for MNUI Travel Insurance and blogs at My Beautiful Adventures.

Don’t forget to see what travel tips Robin has today.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio!

Traveling to Calabria? Click here to see how I can help you plan your trip!

Photo: AE-J via Flickr

Purr-fection – but at a price

Bath Chronicle, The August 27, 2009 | Steve Walker THURSDAY AUGUST 27 2009 Sometimes you need to suspend rational argument and go with your gut instincts. The 5.0-litre V8 version of Jaguar’s XF executive saloon is a car that you really shouldn’t buy if you live in the UK.

It will be very expensive to run and it’s hardly what you could call cheap in the first place at Pounds 49,900.

No, you definitely shouldn’t buy this car but, the more you look at it, the more you sit in it and the more you drive it, the more you’ll want to.

It appears that Jaguar has a malevolent streak tucked beneath all that chrome and wood veneer. It knows that this 5.0-litre V8 XF will only sell in very small numbers in the UK market but it offers the car here anyway, knowing full well that its blend of flowing lines and effortless V8 performance will be too much for some to resist. see here bowers and wilkins

The vast majority of buyers will choose the 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine and a few more will go all out for the sharper set-up of the high performance XFR.

The 5.0 V8 uses the same engine as the XFR but without the supercharger and in a more relaxed state of tune. It’s really designed more for the American market, where a thunderous petrol V8 is still an essential component in any executive car. Over here, it’s expensive but it comes closer to recreating the old-school Jag feel than any other XF.

The 3.0-litre twin turbo diesel offered in the XF is an outstanding piece of work on Jaguar’s part which only makes the 5.0- litre V8 petrol engine’s job tougher. In its most powerful form, the diesel has more torque with a gargantuan 600Nm compared to ‘only’ 514Nm from the V8 and is only 0.4s behind the V8′s 5.5s time for the sprint to 60mph.

A key benefit of the petrol car comes in its superior refinement. It’s beautifully composed at cruising speeds and only responds with a seductive V8 burble when coaxed into life. The magic happens far higher in the rev range than with the diesel. Peak power of 385bhp arrives at 6,500rpm, by which point the engine’s deep baritone is in full swing. In the diesel there’s 275bhp at 4,000rpm and the next gear beckons shortly after that.

Compared to the hooligan tendencies of the XFR, the standard 5.0- litre V8 goes for pace of the effortless variety.

This doesn’t appear to be the most spacious model in its sector but the coupe-like lines of the XF do belie the amount of space inside. There’s room for five adults in comfort, generous interior stowage and a boot capacity of up to 540 litres (plus the opportunity to fold the rear seats and add a further 420 litres).

On entry to the XF, the start button pulses red in case you were in any doubt as to what to do next. Start the engine and the JaguarDrive Selector gearchange dial rises from the centre console, while rotating air conditioning vents turn from their flush, ‘parked’ position ready to function. Jaguar set out to make the XF an experience in itself and the car manages to feel more special than any other executive saloon.

The Portfolio trim level accompanies the 5.0-litre V8 engine and includes a vast array of equipment. There’s full double stitched leather trim, suede headlining, deep pile carpets, heated and ventilated front seats, a 440w Bowers and Wilkins stereo system, satellite navigation and 20ins alloy wheels. Compared to the most powerful diesel engine with the same specification, the V8 comes at a premium of nearly Pounds 6,000 but it’s a full Pounds 10,000 below the mighty XFR.

Like all the XF models, the 5.0 V8 uses Jaguar’s Sequential Shift six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted ‘paddles’ for manual gear selection. Key driving aids on the XF include Electronic Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, the usual Anti-lock Braking System, Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control, and Engine Drag Torque Control. There’s also Understeer Control Logic which decelerates the car and helps to restore grip to the front wheels when required. here bowers and wilkins

The upfront price differential between the top diesel and this 5.0-litre V8 might look tempting but it’s less so when you consider the ongoing costs. The combined cycle economy for the V8 is 25mpg, which is good for a 5.0-litre petrol engine in a 1,800kg saloon but the diesel manages 42mpg. Company car users will also look with concern at the 264g/km CO2 emissions which spell a king-sized tax bill compared to the 179g/km of the oil-burner.

There’s no doubt that the Jaguar XF 5.0 V8 is a more desirable prospect than the 3.0-litre diesel alternative if you ignore the costs attached to it.

The fact is that very few buyers are in a position to do that and they’ll end up driving the diesel models. The V8′s high revving performance, effortless pace and refinement are outstanding and together, produce an experience that’s in tune with what we all assume a Jaguar should be.

Times have moved on and UK buyers who can afford the XF 5.0 V8′s brand of luxury are in the minority but those that can won’t find many better ways of spending their money than this. The XF’s secret is in the way it feels special and charismatic in comparison to its German rivals and that charisma is only magnified by the presence of a V8 of this calibre.

Steve Walker

Tips for Ensuring Your B&B Loves Your Bambino

Cherrye — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:00:12 +0000

As soon as you become a parent-or in my case, a parent-to-be, you start to see things in a different light. Case in point … our bed and breakfast. As a B&B that is located in Calabria’s capital city, yet away from the region’s more touristy towns, we don’t see many vacationing families-especially those with young kids. We’ve never had a need to baby-proof our place and until now, I had never really thought about it.

One thing I have thought about though, is how kids, especially toddlers, can tear up a place.

The Internet is full of advice for traveling families on how to baby-proof your hotel room, but I’m going to talk about how to ensure those B&B owners keep cooing your cutie pie.

Actually, many of these tips can be summed up in one phrase … watch your kids.

However, I know that is easier said than done. Still, think back to the time before you were a parent and imagine how you’d feel if someone let their baby destroy your house. For many B&Bers , our B&B is an extension-either physically or emotionally-of our home and most negative feelings can be avoided if guests realize and respect that.

With that in mind, here are three more specific tips on things to watch for when staying in a B&B.

1. Keys and Other Pointy Things
We have these big, antique doors at our B&B and while I wasn’t around way back when-when they were selected-I am still proud of them. We have had more than one set of guests let their children entertain themselves, either while they were checking in, having coffee or talking with other guests, with a set of keys in their hands. In addition to going after our priceless porte with the sharp end of the key, they’ve also taken a run at the walls and individual room doors.
Ouch.

2. Vases and Glasses
If your B&B has wine glasses, candy dishes or flower vases in the room, consider moving them to a place your kids can’t reach or asking the B&B owners to remove them altogether. They’ll appreciate your forethought in protecting their decorations and might be able to substitute your glasses for plastic, kid-friendly cups.

3. Food and Drink
I can’t imagine a B&B that would take offense if you or your kids eat in the room, especially if they have a small table and chairs set aside for that purpose. However, when possible, avoid eating or drinking hard-to-remove liquids on the bed. B&Bs don’t operate with the same budget as major hotels and often don’t have extra bedspreads or decorative quilts they can replace at a moment’s notice. If you drop pizza on the bedspread, the stain will be hard to remove and the B&B could be set back hundreds of euros to replace their handmade bedspreads.

Do you have any other tips for protecting your kids from the glaring, evil eye of the mean, old B&B owner? If so, leave them in the comments!

Traveling to southern Italy? Why not sign up for my newsletter to get even more inside information on living and traveling in Italy.

Slaying suspect caught

Deseret News (Salt Lake City) October 26, 2007 | Pat Reavy, Ben Winslow and Rebecca Palmer Deseret Morning News Salt Lake City police, acting on a suspicious person call in Memory Grove park, arrested an ex-convict charged with killing Deseret Morning News employee Ann Poulson, who had befriended him.

Salt Lake police received an anonymous phone call about 7 p.m. Thursday saying that a “suspicious and possibly wanted person” was in the Memory Grove area. Police did not identify the caller Thursday night, only saying it was not a nearby resident.

When officers arrived, they found Tolbert inside a maintenance shed next to the Carriage House inside the gated area of the park, said Salt Lake City Police Lt. Rich Brede. Tolbert was sitting down, watching a portable TV and smoking a cigarette when officers entered, he said.

At first, Tolbert lied about his identity, giving officers several different names, Brede said. Every time he gave a birthday, however, it didn’t match with how old he claimed he was. Officers confronted Tolbert about this, saying that they knew he was lying. website 2002 honda accord

“Eventually he admitted, ‘I am James Tolbert,”‘ Brede said.

At that point, Brede said Tolbert remained compliant and very quiet until other police arrived. He did not say much of anything, and did not talk at all about the slaying, he said.

The only things Tolbert was carrying in his pockets were some food items. Brede said Tolbert did not appear to be intoxicated. Police did not know Thursday night how long Tolbert had been living in the shed, but said it appeared as though a “quasi-transient camp” was set up inside. It was not known Thursday how Tolbert got into the shed.

Other than being quiet, Brede described Tolbert as being cooperative with police.

For Poulson’s family, the news of Tolbert’s arrest came as a relief.

“The worst fear was that he would hurt somebody else,” Alan Collier, Poulson’s son-in-law, told the Deseret Morning News.

Poulson’s son, Jon Carling, was relieved to learn of the arrest and surprised that it occurred so quickly.

“I thought he was long gone,” Carling said. “I guess it’s good that he’ll be off the streets. … We’re glad he’s safe now from himself, and ethically and morally safe from harming others.” Collier said family members had been afraid that they could be targets for Tolbert.

“He knew so many of the family, he could have found any one of us,” he said Thursday. “This is a relief.” Poulson befriended Tolbert while volunteering at the Utah State Prison, where Tolbert was serving time for the 1987 strangling of his wife. When he was released after 18 years in prison, Poulson kept in contact with him. Friends and family said Tolbert visited Poulson’s home and got to know members of her family.

In the weeks leading up to her slaying, friends said, Poulson had expressed concern about the ex-convict, who had asked her for money and asked to move into her home. She had refused.

“We gave him our trust and confidence,” Collier said. “I don’t know how he could ever justify why he did the act he did.” When Poulson didn’t show up to her part-time accounting job at the Deseret Morning News and neighbors hadn’t seen her in days, Murray police were called to her home on Oct. 9. Officers forced their way into her home, where, court documents said, they found her dead on her bed.

“A belt had been wrapped around Ms. Poulson’s neck,” police wrote in documents filed with the criminal charges.

In the hallway, police said, they found her purse with its contents spilled out. Her keys were not in her purse and her 2002 Honda Accord was missing from its garage.

Ironically, two days before Poulson’s body was found, Salt Lake City police officers encountered Tolbert at Sugarhouse Park. He admitted at the time he’d overdosed on heroin, court documents said. Tolbert was taken to a local hospital, where he walked out. Officers noticed a white 2002 Honda Accord in the park. It was still there on Oct. 10, the day after Poulson’s body had been found. site 2002 honda accord

Inside the car, police said, they found a tissue with blood on it and a wallet with Tolbert’s identification. Court documents said forensic experts compared the DNA on the bloody tissue to samples collected from the belt around Poulson’s neck and discovered they matched.

Tolbert was expected to be booked into the Salt Lake County Jail overnight. A $1 million warrant had been issued for his arrest when the charges were filed.

“I don’t think my mother would feel vindication,” Carling said. “She would just hope for the best for him. That’s the way she was.” Pat Reavy, Ben Winslow and Rebecca Palmer Deseret Morning News

Travel Tip Tuesday: Three Tips for Planning a Chick Trip

Cherrye — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 04:00:42 +0000

For many of us a girlfriend getaway to Italy, complete with Italian wine, local food, bright beaches and a few of our closest female friends is the perfect excuse to head to overseas. When I moved to southern Italy a few years ago, two of my closest gal pals came along and we turned my big move into a once-in-a-lifetime chick trip.

Last week I wrote a guest post for one of those chicks who is in the initial stages of planning a repeat trip to the bel paese, senza husbands. At Andrea Unplugged, I wrote about five steps to planning an international girlfriends’ getaway, and today, I’d like to elaborate on that theme with a few tips for planning your trip.

1. Get Involved!
Once you’ve decided on a vacation destination, get everyone involved by delegating aspects of the trip. Is one of you a wanna-be wine connoisseur? Let her research wine tours? Someone else love to cook? Put her in charge of finding a cooking class. Getting everyone involved will keep the group excited and motivated, without exhausting one person with too many trip details.

2. Split the Load
If you’ve been around My Bella Vita, you know how I feel about over-packing, but a girlfriend trip makes it easy to pack light. During one of your planning sessions, work up a packing list, then decide who will pack certain shared items. You might be able to share a laptop, hairdryer and flat iron-if you decide to pack them at all, as well as phone or camera chargers and some toiletries.

3. Agree to Disagree …
on the most important sights, that is. Chances are even if you’ve all been to Italy before, you probably haven’t seen the same sights. So agree upfront that if anything comes up and one of you can see something new and exciting you haven’t yet seen – you’ll split up for the day. Agreeing up front will ease tensions anyone might have about wanting to split from the group, while actually splitting up will keep you from feeling stressed or resentful about what you “could have” seen or done on your Italian vacation.

Want someone to plan it all for you? If you are thinking about Tuscany, why not check out Time of Your Life Tours for girlfriend trips to Tuscany. If you are heading south, ask how I can help – we just wrapped up a girlfriend’s trip of southern Italy, with stops from the Amalfi Coast to Palermo.

What other tips do you have for girls planning a getaway to Italy?

Speaking of girlfriends, why don’t you head over to My Melange and see what tips Robin has for you today.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio.

Photo: Girlfriend’s EnTourage

Tech know.

The Evening Standard (London, England) July 20, 2006 Byline: MARK PRIGG DEAL OF THE WEEK KEF CRESTA 10 SPEAKERS Price: [pounds sterling]49 (RRP [pounds sterling]199) From: richersounds.com Great-sounding bookshelf speakers, perfect for the living room.

BUYERS’ GUIDE NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES Commuting can be incredibly irritating – block it all out by plugging these noise-cancelling headphones into your iPod. go to site best noise cancelling headphones

Panasonic RP-HC300, right: Comfortable design, excellent sound quality and decent noise isolation. 254g. in our site best noise cancelling headphones

[pounds sterling]80, panasonic.co.uk Sony MDR-NC11: Small inear headphones. The audio quality is dubious, but they’re great at blocking out ambient noise. 48g [pounds sterling]70, sony.co.uk Bose Quietcomfort 2: The daddy of noise-cancelling headphones, with brilliant performance and comfort. 207g.

[pounds sterling]275, bose.co.uk VERDICT: Bose’s headphones are the best if money is no object. But Panasonic’s [pounds sterling]80 wonders aren’t far behind and way cheaper.

Source: T3 Magazine

Travel Tip Tuesday: Calabria's Airports

Cherrye — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:00:28 +0000

Many Calabria-bound travelers are unsure of how to get to Calabria without either driving from their first point in Italy or taking a train from their international arrival point, which is usually Rome. Given the overwhelming number of times I’ve been asked about airport options-and the few times I’ve been told, “I heard there are no airports there,” I thought I should clear things up.

Calabria is serviced by three airports-Lamezia Terme International Airport, Reggio Calabria’s Aeroporto dello Stretto and the Sant’ Anna Airport in Crotone. *All three of these airports are easy to navigate and offer direct flights from major Italian destinations. Here is a breakdown of what to expect in each of Calabria’s airports.

Lamezia Terme International Airport (Airport Code: SUF)

Lamezia Terme, located in central Calabria is home to the region’s biggest and busiest airport. Still … it is all relative. The airport has flights to Italian destinations such as Rome, Milan, Venice, Torino and Bologna and international destinations in cities in Germany, France and Holland. Seasonal flights are available on AirTransat to Montreal and Toronto.

The airport has both paid and free parking lots, on-site rental car agencies, a restaurant and bar, Calabrese souvenir shops and offers paid transfers to the nearby Lamezia Terme Centrale train station.

Società Aeroportuale Calabrese S.p.A.
S. Fufemia Aeroporto
88040 Lamezia Terme (CZ)
Telephone: +39.0968.414333
Email: info@sacal.it

Aeroporto dello Stretto (Airport Code: REG)

Aeroporto dello Stretto, or Airport of the Straits, is a nice option for travelers who want to visit southern Calabria. The airport is smaller than Lamezia and offers domestic flights to places such as Rome, Milan, and Bergamo and international flights to Paris, Madrid and Malta.

The airport has two parking lots, various Calabrian-focused shops and a self-catering bar. Transfer services are available via boat, bus and car and various car rental agencies are located outside the airport.

Società di Gestione per l’Aeroporto dello Stretto
Via Provinciale Ravagnese, 11
89131 Reggio Calabria (Italy)
Telephone: +39.0965.640517
info@aeroportodellostretto.it

Aeroporto Sant’ Anna (Airport Code: CRV)

Sant’ Anna is the smallest of the three airports and is used mainly by business travelers who commute between Calabria and Rome, Milan, Bologna, Venice or Brescia. However, it is also useful for travelers to be aware of the airport, as I once saved several hundred dollars by flying into Lamezia and out of Crotone.

The airport has both free and paid parking, a small restaurant and a few shops. Car rentals and taxis are available.

Società Aeroporto S. Anna S.p.A.
S.S. 106 – Loc. S. Anna
88841 Isola di Capo Rizzuto (KR)
Telephone: +39.0962.794388
Email: aeroporto@aeroporto.kr.it

* This information was accurate at the time of publication, however routes and destinations vary by season and change often. Please verify routes by visiting the airport’s website (listed above).

Don’t forget to visit Robin at My Melange and see what travel tips she has today.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio.

Traveling south? Click here to see how I can help you plan your trip to Calabria or southern Italy.

Photos: Bakeca Milano,Wikipedia Commons and Provincia di Crotone

***I want to send a grand AUGURI to my little sister who is hitting a milestone birthday today and entering the first year in her new decade! Happy Birthday, Charlee! ***

A: There are two kinds of thre

The Washington Post February 20, 2011 A: There are two kinds of threats to consider on a mobile device: malicious software that gets on your phone, and malicious people who take your phone.

Security-software developers like to play up the first risk; perhaps coincidentally, they have a long history of selling anti- virus and anti-malware tools to fight it.

But phone malware remains a rare species, with only a few “trojan” applications surfacing for Google’s Android operating system. And avoiding them is easy enough: Don’t download applications from the Android Market without carefully checking them out first. go to site blackberry protect login

As for the second risk, Google roughly matches Research In Motion: Like the BlackBerry manufacturer, it allows office administrators to erase a phone from afar but (unlike Apple) doesn’t build in the same capability for consumers.

You can add that “remote wipe” option to an Android phone with such add-on programs as Mobile Defense (mobiledefense.com) or Lookout (mylookout.com). RIM, for that matter, is working on its own remote-wipe tool for consumers called BlackBerry Protect. in our site blackberry protect login

You should also set your phone to lock when unused. Current versions of Android let you choose between drawing a pattern on the screen, which can leave telltale smudge marks, or entering a number. If an Android phone, like most, lets you add a custom background image to its lock screen, you can add your contact information to the picture in any basic graphics application on a PC or Mac, such as the Paint program included in Windows.

Travel Tip Tuesday: Tips for Reducing Stress When Traveling

Cherrye — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:00:28 +0000

Traveling-walking through a new country, adapting to a new culture, learning new words or phrases, dining on new-and sometimes unidentifiable-food … it is all part of the experience travelers crave upon entering a new land. Unfortunately, along with those new sounds, sights and smells, comes a healthy dose of stress, but that doesn’t have to damper your vacation.

Today’s Travel Tip Tuesday is written by my nomadic friend Andi, of My Beautiful Adventures, and is all about avoiding or eliminating travel-related stress. Welcome, Andi.

***

In the last 6 months I have been to 5 different continents and have taken several domestic trips. And believe it or not, I actually consider that a slow travel schedule! On my trips around the world I have stayed in hostels to B&Bs to luxury hotels and I have ridden in trains to boats to rickshaws. Thus, you could say that I am a bit of a travel pro.

The following are some tips I’ve picked up over the years to ensure as stress-free of a trip as possible … because if there is one thing I can guarantee you about travel, besides every trip changing your life in some amazing way, it is that you will always encounter stress of some kind.

1. Research. Now, I do not believe that before embarking on a trip every single second of every day should be planned. You must leave room for elements of surprise! However, your trip will definitely run more smoothly if you research your destination beforehand. There are copious travel websites and blogs on the internet with incredibly helpful information. Learn about the public transportation, important sites to visit, and recommended restaurants and hotels. It is also of the upmost importance to learn some key words in the language of the country you are visiting.

2. Carry a travel wallet. Buy yourself an affordable travel wallet and carry it with you to your destination. (I use this one!) Inside include your passport and/or license, a print-out of the confirmation from where you will be staying the first night, some currency of the country you are in, a phone number of a taxi service, if needed, along with other important phone numbers, and a pen. If you must go through customs, this will make the experience easier and faster.

3. Do not be ruled by fear. I get frustrated when I see article after article focusing on how to stay safe and avoid danger while traveling. Of course I think it is important to make smart decisions regarding your safety while traveling, but I also think it is important to not let fear stop you from having extraordinary and unforgettable experiences. I think it is vital to step outside your comfort zone and be open to new experiences. If it will make you feel more secure, consider purchasing trip insurance. It might help you feel more protected for your trip.

4. Use public transportation, when possible. If you have done advanced research, you will already know whether public transportation is a good option. If so, it is often the cheapest and most efficient mode on transport, not to mention it an interesting way to see a new place. Plus, you never know who you might meet along the way.

5. Pamper yourself. If you do find yourself stressed while traveling, take some time or even a day to either indulge by going to a spa or seeing a movie. Sometimes a quick break from “being on the road” is all that is needed to de-stress and get you back in the traveling mindset. Also, I suggest bringing something from home that will help relax you further, like a lovely smelling candle or a comfortable blanket.

Alright, world travelers-what tips would you add to help others have a less-stressful vacation?

Andrea Perullo is a Chinese Medicine Doctor by day, travel addict by night. When she is not treating patients, she is exploring the world or dreaming of the next place to visit. She blogs at MNUI, a company that sells travel insurance and at her website, My Beautiful Adventures.

Don’t forget to visit Robin at My Melange and read up on some of her travel tips today, too.

Until next time … Buon Viaggio.

Traveling to the south of Italy? Click here to see how I can help you plan your trip to Calabria or southern Italy.

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