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Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

TransGlobe and Sustainability

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

If you’re in search of a residential or business space in Canada, we have what you’re looking for to take care of all your needs.  At TransGlobe Property Management, we strive to earn your trust at the very beginning.  When you’re working with us, your needs are always worthy of attention, and our reputation depends upon our ability to respond quickly to your concerns.  We consider this a life-long relationship, and our revolutionary vision for customer service means that your continued satisfaction is our number one concern.  We have properties all over Canada, and certainly have something that you’ll love.  One of our greatest priorities is our embeddedness in  the communities we serve, because we love what we do, and we also love where we are.

Your needs will always be a priority for us, because we consider that what we do adds to the health of the communities.  You’ll find that at TransGlobe, we’re deeply involved with the life inside and outside the buildings.  Our commitment to the communities we serve is demonstrated in our recent move to fuel-efficient vehicles.  Fuel efficient vehicles are a sign of one way we can all work together to make a more sustainable future for the next generations.

The very notion of moving to vehicles that consume less is something that shows an awareness of where we are, and the times we’re living in.  We like to contribute to a safer and more conscious attitude toward the world in general, and for Canada’s health, it makes sense.  We like green communities, so that we can enjoy the natural beauty of the place today, while moving toward an awareness of our effects on the generations that will come after us.  It’s just one thing that we can do toward helping us move toward a more sustainable life today, in order to pave the way to a future that we can feel good about.

The Steps Towards Purchasing a Foreclosed Property

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Buying a foreclosed property is a simple process if one just follows a simple plan.  The first step is just to find a house or a property that one is interested in purchasing.  Many people check online listings, as there are many websites put up by real estate companies, some of them specializing in the process of purchasing foreclosures.  Vancouver, Toronto and many cities throughout the United States, have large populations of people that are choosing to leave their mortgages, and this means that for those who are still finding success in this economy there options are vast when it comes to purchasing homes at discounted prices.

On these websites one can research the homes in terms of which stage of the process the foreclosed home are currently in, as this may make a difference to the home one chooses.  The second step is just the further investigation and research of the property one chooses.  Comparing the prices and the condition.  This is also available online, in the section titled “advanced search”.  In this section will be the detailed information of each location, and one can look up how much is still owed on the property, and the status of the current owner’s loan.

The next step is to secure the financing, as this will give one an idea of just how much they will be able to afford.  When one has secured their financing, should they find a home they will be able to move quickly towards putting in their bid.  This will also indicate to the seller, that one is serious about the purchase and is ready to move forward in a timely manner.

Once one has found their desired home, and secured their loan, contacting an agent to represent them is the next important step.  Agents will help tremendously, especially for those who are first time home buyers, or for those who do not have experience working with the foreclosure process.  Experienced agents will make this entire process a much more comfortable experience for all parties involved.

History of Melbourne’s Chinatown

Monday, July 13th, 2009

During the mid 1800’s, many people immigrated from China to Melbourne, Australia.  The numbers increased as many caught wind of the gold rush, and the first houses and residential area was established on Little Bourke Street.  At first, it was a purely residential area, however soon the merchants and businesses set up in this area, due to the cheap rent and the convenience of the location for providing supplies to those working in the gold mines.  The population during this time was constantly shifted due the those working in the fields, but remained and remains to this day, predominantly Chinese in ethnicity.

When the gold rush became a gold trickle, many began to move into this center of the city from their previous, more rural and agricultural means of life.  Little Burke Street had been for many years the cultural and societal center of Melbourne, and this immigration led to an even broader spectrum of business and organizations in the neighborhood.  The Chinese became the importers, the artists, the makers of furniture, and the owners of produce of vegetable and fruit markets as well as the restaurateurs and the designers of some of the most charming Melbourne 5 star hotels.

During this time many churches were built, newspapers were established and political groups were formed.  As well as the established community living within the sector, this became the hub for those Chinese immigrants living outside the area.  Many would travel to this neighborhood after work, to get together, partake in ceremonies and share meals.  The area has remained a community of support for those who are recently immigrating now, during the twenty-first century.  All of the networks created continue to span the country of Australia, from the social as well as the business connections.  This is one of the most interesting neighborhoods of the city of Melbourne, and one that should not be missed on any tour or holiday through the city.

Grilling to Shred and Rip

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Summer time is upon us and the time is to chill out in the sun, start firing up the built in grills or relax at the beaches. Summer time also means it’s time to get your body into shape. That’s if you want to be noticed as you chill out in the sun, flipping burgers at the grill or walking along the beach. And do you want people will notice all the hard work you put into building your body and ask how you got ripped to shreds? Well, hang on to your hat’s because it’s rip time.

If you ask any body trainer, they will tell you using heavy weights will build up bulk and that using lighter weights will define and bring out that sought after ripped look in the muscles. But, I found a way on how to get ripped without wasting precious time and energy on useless exercises. I found out the truth about weight versus lightweight ways of building muscle mass, a way of getting cut and ripped. What everyone knows about getting shredded is complete wrong. There is no scientific basis to support this type of weight training at all.

The fact is, it’s not possible to spot reduce our body. It’s not possible to target any one specific area of the body for fat loss. Such as performing squats with light weights will not burn fat off your legs and make them look hard and cut. Every time you workout and lift a dumbbell, a barbell or cable it, think about stimulating as much muscle fiber to grow as humanly possible without steroids. The mindset needs to be changed and you need to forget about all of that illogical advice claiming to get a certain area of the body hard and ripped. So, if you want to know what it’s like to get ripped to shreds, one solution is to train as hard as you can and start combining exercises to your workout to target your entire body and not just specific parts of your body.

Avoid identity theft

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Identity theft has become an epidemic in the United States. With the advent of the debit card and people only using credit, credit, credit, it has become increasingly easier for identity thieves to get a hold of your information.

There used to be a time where identity thieves were required to be quite crafty to get your information, now with more people choosing to buy online, they can do it in the comfort of their own home.

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that about 9 million Americans have their identity stolen each year. And sometimes the aftermath is a grim one.  Here are some of the ways that thieves get your information: dumpster diving, skimming, phishing, changing your address, stealing and pretexting.

Okay sure, dumpster diving and stealing, but what do the rest of them mean? Skimming is when thieves steal your credit card number by using a fancy storage device, like after you card is swiped. Phishing is when they pretend to be a financial or other type of collection agency and they get you to give up your information. Pretexting is when they bait financial institutions or phone companies to give up your personal information.

Most people do not find out about identity theft until it happens and the damage has been done. Most banks will not force you to pay any amount that was incurred on your credit or debit card if your identity was stolen, but other people are not so lucky.

The internet has become a hot bed of identity theft because there are less than stellar companies out there that will take advantage of you. This is one of the reasons Steve Barbarich started his own company after attempting to buy a Jacuzzi online. He found that the retailers had almost zero customer service and did not care about their customers.

Be wary of where you spend your money online. Go for reputable businesses.

Slob Fest

Friday, May 29th, 2009

There are five-star Dubai hotels that will exceed your wildest imagination.  With stunning beaches in the middle of an exotic desert setting, there is always more here than meets the eye.  It also seems as though your needs and wants are always anticipated, and pleasure is the main focus.  This is a city to relax and rejuvenate in, and also a place to tap in to cutting edge cultural events.

The art crowd, the literary scene, and live performance all have strong and vibrant communities here.  It is perhaps not so surprising, then, that there is a thriving music scene which seems to be on a major upswing.  One fascinating trend that is worth paying attention to is called Slob Fest.  Begun in November of 2008, and in its third incarnation by the following March, this idea is taking off and making interesting new precedents for the music industry at large.  The central idea here is to get the hottest musicians in Dubai together to appear on the same bill, have them play an event where the dress code is unpretentious (hence the name Slob Fest), and then give all the proceeds to charity.

The most recent event, held at Le Meridien Dubai and Alpha, took place over two weeks, and featured 10 bands.  This incarnation of Slob Fest drew 800 people, sure evidence that this idea was taking off.  Local musicians were commenting that if this had been attempted a few years ago, it couldn’t have drawn more than 20 people.  This bodes well for Dubai city as a cultural force in world music.  It also bodes well for travelers who are looking for some fantastic live music in a setting that is youth-oriented and very loud and lively.  Not to mention, this is a lovely trend for locals, native and international, who can sample the best of their home-grown talents.

God’s Finger

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

One of the most interesting aspects of Ibiza, and something most potential vacationers may want to know, is that the island is toning down its party reputation. While it is not trying to eliminate the night clubs or even reduce the amount of tourists that are attracted to it, the government of Ibiza is interested in highlighting the aspects of the island that are more attractive to families. This will also have the effect of drawing greater international interest to and awareness of the island. Regardless of the reason for the visit, all tourists enjoy the delicious food that is served at the fine Ibiza restaurants.

One of the aspects a nature lover will appreciate about Ibiza is the fact that a large portion of the island’s land is classified as UN World Heritage sites. This means that they are protected from market exploitation and commercial developments. God’s Finger may have had a hand in this, however it is also one of the protected sites. God’s Finger is also the name of an area in the Benirras Bay and contains some of the greatest historical and traditional cultural heritage elements to be found. Another protected location is the area of Ibicenco. It is so beautiful that it draws countless artists and photographers that wish to capture some of its glory and portray the natural beauty of the island.

One of the official measures the government is taking to attract a more diverse population of tourists is to implement a legal requirement that all new hotels be of 5 star status. Tourist will enjoy this increased availability of luxury accommodations before heading out to explore the island. One of the more popular outdoor activities is spending the day at the beach at Es Canar. It is one of the local and tourist favorites among all the beaches on the island because it offers some of the most spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea . It also provides plenty of activity options, including kiking, boating, and swimming.

2009 Easter Festivities in Cambridge, England

Friday, April 10th, 2009

The city of Cambridge is just north of London by just about fifty miles. This city is well known for the university, the sports including football and rugby, and is a center of technology, sometimes referred to as Silicon Fen. But this weekend, the traditions and festivities will take on a whimsical nature as the celebrations of spring and Easter get underway. One exciting event, completely celebrating the Hi-Tech reputation for the city is the online Easter egg hunt. The Cambridge Design Partnership has hidden eggs fitting with GPS devices in out of the way locations in Cambridge and the surrounding neighborhoods. And rather than wandering through the countryside looking for the eggs hidden under foliage and behind rocks, participants will go to the CDP website and look for them on-line. Those quickest at the keyboards, will fill their virtual baskets with these virtual eggs. For those looking for literal rather than virtual, the Ickworth House, located close to Bury Saint Edmunds , will have real-live Easter bunnies for the whole family to interact with. Those interested in a bit of adventure, will take the trip from their Cambridge hotel down to the Great Lode river. On Easter day, lessons will be available for the kids. Then they will have a few hours to construct their own boats and rafts for the competition on the river. They will be responsible for transporting their given Easter eggs through a course on the river, and although it is a competition, every participant will be rewarded with a special ‘Egg’ commemorating their participation.

Various dress-up parties welcome fun and fantasy. One is the Magic Wand session and the other is the Shining Armour. In Wicken Fen, children ranging from three to eight are invited to an arts and crafts session, wherein they are encouraged to dress as water spirits, sprites and fairies. A magical day filled with fanciful and fun activities. Damsels, dragons, and knights in shining armor are invited to Norfolk to an event that will include various activities also involving arts and crafts, with obstacle courses and treasure hunts. Another magical day is one spent at the puppet show, performed by the theater in Cambridge, Playing at the Junction. A tale of two boys off on adventure to foreign lands in search of a rare and treasured mystical bird has been referred to as a real-life ‘pop-up’ book. Festivals are continuing throughout the week in this charming town in England from music festivals to cooking parties, all with the intent of entertaining, as well as teaching, the youngsters of Britain this Easter.

Angst of an Artist, Poet from Singapore

Monday, March 16th, 2009

What does it feel like when you are approached by strangers? For any reason, for directions or for the time of day, or night. Well, how would that change should you become known for putting your heart and soul and everything out there. Yeah, those not involved in the public arts or entertainment scene seem to find it easy to say, ‘…well, they asked for it, that’s what they get’. It is this writer’s opinion that responses such as those are jealous driven, by people not going after their dreams, much as the familiar phrase by those not trying to ‘make it’ or quite frankly, those not really trying to anything, in Los Angeles. In reference to those making their bills and being responsible by way of waiting tables, meanwhile working double time to follow their dreams. Lee Tzu Pheng is one such celebrity, gaining notice and notoriety by her writings. Because of her inspirational writings, the public approaches her on the street, needing and wanting those words of wisdom and inspiration. Which makes her uncomfortable, I mean really..when you consider how uncomfortable it is for a stranger to ask for directions to Singapore luxury hotels, consider when you are asked directions, for all intents and purposes, to your heart or to the exact center of what you believe and what you hold to be true. It’s a calm on the surface, while feet are frantically duck-paddling underwater.

Pheng offers herself up through various public readings and her dedication to the youth of today. Artists of the now, owe it to the artists of ’soon’. And Lee’s foundation in collaboration with the Old Rafflesian Assoc. has offered scholarships to those talented who are also in need, and to be honest, in this economy, what artist isn’t in need of support. Well, perhaps Ron Howard or Steven Speilberg, but for those still in the streets, and those that are young with dreams of what could be possible, this is an incredible testament to the dedication of the written word and the lyrical way words express what everyday conversation is incapable of doing. Pheng illustrates what is possible with the written word, in one simple way of her words being set to music by symphony conductors and by having broadcast stints on BBC Radio. There are entire courses of study now in universities around the world, studying just what she has written, she’s become and artistic, a social and a feminine icon, from a country not super well known for their support of free speech and expressionism.

Not Enough Drug Rehab Programs For Teens

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Last month, the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board had good news to announce – the overall teen drug abuse rate in the United States has dropped by 24 percent since 2001. The report also said that in all young adults (defined as between the ages of 18 and 25) the abuse rate fell in all drug categories with the exception of pain relievers.

It’s unfortunate that news of this improvement had to be tempered with the distressing information that teenagers in America do not have enough drug treatment options to serve their needs. A Forbes.com article today reported on the national deficiency in the number of treatment centers that specifically treat adolescents. The article cites a recent study that claims “Only about 10 percent of the 1.4 million American teens with substance abuse problems receive treatment.” It’s humbling to realize that even though drug abuse among teens is going down in numbers, there are still over a million American teenagers out there who are suffering from substance abuse.

The reason why most teens don’t get the help they need is that there are few treatment centers that offer services to teens, and of those facilities only a percentage accepts people with a dual diagnosis or co-disorders. The article mentioned that compared to the number of treatment centers for adults, teens only have about 1/3 of the services that adults have. Without enough centers to service young adults, the problem may begin to grow again.

Quality of service is a major concern, as only 30 percent of over 150 centers that were evaluated managed to score as establishments of “high-quality”. The majority scored as only mediocre facilities. According to the research in the report that appeared in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, high-quality drug rehab centers tend to be those with longer term, residential programs. The reason given is that residential treatment often offers a wider variety of services that meet youthful needs.