Orkeed

The Green Thumb Blog

The Risks of Overseas Travel

Written By: joe - Oct• 17•10

Not to be an alarmist, but you should seriously consider the risks involved before you begin an overseas trip. when you’re planning for lodging, transportation, and appropriate international documentation , you should also be planning what you will do if things go wrong. The same problems that happen at home are possible overseas, only there the doctors may not speak English and you may not be able to call on friends and family to help you out when they are thousands of miles away.

One of the most common problems when traveling overseas is illness. Food poisoning , parasites, and bacterial infections are common when living and eating in a foreign environment. If you’re vacationing and planning to engage in recreational activities and sports, are you prepared for sprains, breaks, and other sports-related injuries? What happens if you lose your baggage and your prescription medicine? How will you replace the meds before your condition deteriorates?

This is why it’s important to obtain reliance travel insurance or insurance from another reliable company. These will cover medical expenses as well as trip-related incidents like lost passports and travel delays. There are special policies available depending on things like age, reason for travel, pre-existing medical conditions, and the length of travel. Many policies are good in any country you travel to, but it’s best to read the policy carefully to make sure you’re covered wherever you go.

Posted in Travel , | No Comments »

Window Treatments Room by Room

Written By: joe - Oct• 03•10

If you’re considering updating or replacing the window treatments in your home, it’s important to remember every room is different. In addition to matching the decor of each room, you’ll want to take into consideration the function of each. Here’s some simple tips to keep in mind before figuring out which of the many Next Day Blinds locations is closest to you.

Bedrooms usually require privacy, unless you’re in a remote location or have high walls surrounding your home. You’ll also probably want the option to darken the room considerably, so consider roman shades in darker colors and heavy fabrics to really block out exterior light and the prying eyes of your neighbors.

Kids rooms and recreation areas of the house are usually a good location for mini-blinds. Made of plastic or aluminum, they are easy to clean and maintain and offer a range of colors.

For elegant living rooms and dining rooms you may want to consider purchasing custom wood blinds from Next Day Blinds Rockville or a similiar company. The elegance and beauty of wood can provide the perfect accent to a stylish room. You may also want to consider designer fabric blinds which offer more options in color, pattern, and texture.

Kitchens and bathrooms, if they have windows, can use blinds or shades, depending on light, privacy, and decorating needs.

Don’t forget that blinds and shades can be paired with curtains, valances or decorative accessories to make them really pop in any room.

Posted in Home , | No Comments »

ARIA Hall of Fame Comes to Sydney

Written By: joe - Oct• 01•10

For the first time in it’s illustrious history, the ARIA Icons: Hall of Fame induction will take place at the Sydney Horden Pavilion on October 27, 2010. The Australian Recording Industry Association has maintained its Hall of Fame since 1988. Prior to 2005, the induction ceremony took part during the ARIA Music Awards. This year’s ceremony will honor Australia recording icons John Williamson , Johnny Young, The Church, Models, and The Loved Ones. The event features performances by inductees and special guests and will be broadcast for the first time on free to air TV.

The ARIA Hall of Fame honors performers, songwriters, and producers who have had a significant cultural impact on music both in Australia and around the globe. Inductees must have been in the recording business for at least 20 years. This year’s ceremony will celebrate landmark career anniversaries for two inductees; 40 years for John Williamson and 30 years of the Church . Musicians, celebrities, and media are expected to fill hotels in Sydney for this incredible night of musical history and live performance.

Previous inductees to Australia’s Hall of Fame include Olivia Newton-John, INXS, AC/DC, Paul Kelly, Men at Work, the Bee Gees, Little River Band, Midnight Oil, Helen Reddy, Peter Allen, Mental As Anything and others. When it was held as part of the ARIA Awards, the event only inducted one or two performers each year. In 2005, the stand-alone event was able to induct four-five music legends as well as an additional induction at the ARIA Awards . Starting in 2009, all inductions take place during the ARIA Icons event.

Posted in Travel , | No Comments »

Seeing Montreal Stars

Written By: joe - Sep• 26•10

For countless generations humans have stared at the night sky and stretched their imaginations and their concepts of space, time, and humanity. Astrology gave way to Astronomy and then astrophysics. In modern times all of these things come together to create a unique experience known as the planetarium.

The Montreal Planetarium’s mission is to being nature and the natural sciences to the general public with a particular focus on astronomy. . Since it’s opening in 1966 the Planetarium has awed students, families, residents and visitors from Montreal resort hotel s with multimedia shows and exhibits celebrating the stars, planets, and galaxies that make up the known universe. Shows scheduled for late 2010 include The Quest for Galactirum, In Search of our Cosmic Origins, and Saturn: Beyond the Rings. The museum also offers educational events and activities suitable for all ages.

In 2007 it was announced that a new Planetarium would be built as a partnership between the three levels of government and a private partner. The new facility will be named the Planetarium Rio Tinto Alcan de Montreal and be located on the REgie des installations olympiques site. It is currently scheduled to open in March 2012. Until then, the Planetarium will remain open in its current site. The Planetarium is part of the Montreal Nature Museums, along with the Biodome, the Insectarium, and the Montreal Botanical Garden.

Posted in Travel , | No Comments »

Come Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in Washington DC

Written By: joe - Sep• 24•10

Washington D.C. will be participating in the National Hispanic Heritage Month, which began September 15, 2010 and lasts until October 15, 2010. This celebration coincides with the 200th year of Mexico’s independence. Below is a diverse list of the area’s Latin American restaurants representing a spectrum of cuisines, from contemporary to traditional and inexpensive to fancy molecular gastronomy. All the restaurants listed are within walking distance from most of the luxury hotels Washington offers its visitors.

Caf ©’ Atlantico , located in the Penn Quarter of D.C. and pricing is moderate to expensive. Executive Chef Jose’ Andres features fine contemporary Latin American cuisine, which includes his signature Nuevo Latino Dim Sum at the molecular gastronomy mini-bar!

Ceiba, located in Downtown DC and pricing is expensive. This establishment quintessentially captures the rich culinary diversity of Latin America. However, in celebration of the National Hispanic Heritage month, Ceiba will offer a 4-course prix fixe dinner for $39 as well as $5 drink specials. They will also offer a 3-course pre-theater menu for $29.

The Grill from Ipanema , located in the Adams Morgan area of DC is moderately priced. The Grill is featuring a traditional Brazilian fare that highlights a mouthwatering and bountiful 3-course weekend champagne brunch for $18.95.

Posted in Travel , | No Comments »

Boston and its Haunted Theatres

Written By: joe - Sep• 18•10

Every great city has its fair share of haunted locations. And every great theatre is known for having its own ghost. And Boston, Massachusetts is a great city with some great theatres, so you can be sure it is also full of some great ghosts. Well, at least that is what has been reported. The staff in the Boston hotels will be able to direct you to some of the popular theatres that are reportedly haunted, and in fact the hotel itself may also be.

Stories of hauntings in Boston are as easy to find as a Red Sox fan and their corresponding locations are also easy to find. Some of the theatres in the city that are believed to house some permanent guests are the Everett Theatre and the Emerson Majestic Theatre. Of course there are many others, these just have some of the most famous stories attached to them.

Unfortunately, the building that was formerly the Everett Theatre is no longer its home, but there was a horrible story that involved a group of people who were killed on the balcony. This took place in the old building on Fairmount Ave in the 1700s and people continued to hear and see strange images and occurrences throughout the theatre’s existence there. The Emerson Majestic is one of the most grand theatre buildings in the city and it is also reported to be one of the most haunted. It was built in 1903 and one of the figures who is believed to haunt it is a former city mayor who died in the theatre during a performance.

Posted in Travel , | No Comments »

Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo

Written By: joe - Sep• 05•10

One of the most prominent aspects of Mexican culture is the dynamic art genres that are based there. And in addition to the specific thematic elements and genres associated with the country, Mexico has produced some of the world’s most famous and popular artists. Frida Kahlo is just one example of the great artists that were from Mexico. And while it is extremely exciting to visit the country and stay in one of the luxurious four star Mexico hotels , you don’t have to go to such great lengths in order to view some of the work of Kahlo and her contemporaries.

Kahlo was born in Coyoacan, Mexico in July of 1907. In addition to her distinctive style she is widely known and remembered for her self portraits. These were often surrealist interpretations of the destructive effects she suffered from having contracted Polio at the age of six, followed by the severe injuries she received during an accident. The accident was the most severe and seriously injured spine, various other bones and organs. Kahlo is also known for her tumultuous marriage with fellow Mexican artist Diego Rivera . And while Kahlo receives greater mainstream awareness and popularity today, they were and are both highly regarded for their work.

Posted in Travel , | No Comments »

Delhi is Removing Illegal Street Hawkers before the Commonwealth Games

Written By: joe - Sep• 01•10

The National Association of Street Vendors in Delhi has somewhere near 350,000 hawkers that sell their wares on the streets. Most street hawkers live in a hand-to-mouth existence and most times than not, they are the main breadwinners in a family of five or more. Currently, most of the illegal street hawkers are being evicted before the Commonwealth Games begin in October and the economic fallout from a large section of Delhi’s working class will have a great impact.

Among more than 4,000 hawkers who sell their wares on the pavements of Sarojini Nagar Market , their livelihoods are now being threatened. Last June, the Delhi authorities announced that roadside cobblers, vegetable sellers, presswallahs (clothes ironers), and ‘illegal’ vendors selling clothes and food were considered a major security risk and would be evicted.

Many of the hawkers have applied several times for licenses; some have been trying for years. Since they have not received their licenses, they are considered ‘illegal’, even though they can show authorities documentation of their applications. Officials from the municipal corporation have begun arriving to the very popular market every morning and do not let anyone set up their stalls.

The Commonwealth Games are going to be the biggest sporting extravaganza the India capital has ever hosted. Tons of thousands of tourist and visitors booking up all the Delhi hotels are expected to visit the city for the Games. Delhi wants to put its best foot forward; it wants to start appearing clean, orderly and rich. The street hawkers and the beggars either must be legal or move their stalls to another town.

Posted in Travel , | No Comments »

When the Travel Bug Bites

Written By: joe - Aug• 29•10

One of the dreams many people have as they make their transition into adulthood is to tour the world. And while this might seem like a romantic notion to some people, it is a strong ambition to others. And regardless of whether or not you take a year off of school to discover yourself, many people have a love for travel and almost all agree that it is one of the most important aspects of their lives. There are also a large number of people who develop a strong travel bug after one unexpected and mind expanding experience on a vacation. And for those people who dream of traveling across the globe you can almost always find a variety of world maps on at least one of the walls in their home.

Of course there is another population of travelers, and sometimes the two intersect, who are interested in exploring every city, state and region in their own country. And with these people, who are also usually in the process of planning a new road trip, you can be sure that there is a heavily drawn on and highlighted road atlas in their study or vehicle and perhaps an atlas on the wall that emphasizes every place they have visited. You would be impressed at the complicated chartering practices these travelers come up with. And one thing is certain, they love documenting their trips as much as they love taking them. Travel more, you’ll grow.

Posted in Travel , | 1 Comment »

Taking the Necessary Time to Develop Executives

Written By: joe - Aug• 26•10

An Executive Development seminar should examine fundamental management topics in a timely format that focuses on practical business applications, as well as refresh and expand upon business acumen without neglecting the job at hand.

Any executive with, on average, 10 to 15 years of professional experience should want to hone in on becoming a more effective leader, problem-solver and a strategic thinker. In order to do so, an executive development seminar should be attended at least every three years. The seminars should provide a progressive, entrepreneurial learning community so obtaining access to advance business education will not significantly put a burden on work , travel and family schedules.

Thousands upon thousands of leading companies, both large and small, have sponsored their most talented executives, managers and employees in an Executive Development Seminars, Customer Service Training or Corporate Team Building programs . These very companies have discovered that the seminars, training and programs are an effective way to provide leaders with advanced business education without taking substantial time away from work.

All executives, managers and employees participation has resulted in better decision-making and evaluation methods, a wider perspective on the fast-changing globalization of all industries and most important, an out-of-the-box thinking that comes from sharing the best practices with leaders in other industries. The opportunity to learn innovative strategies and processes will increase any organizations continued success.

Posted in Business , | No Comments »
<<12345>>