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For Every Good Cause There is a Good Flag

There are a number of ways to show support for your particularly, group, team, club or cause. This expands into communities, cities, states and nations and the manners in which individuals continue to show their support remains constant. T-shirts and flags are both popular ways to endorse ideals. Even bumper stickers have contributed to self expression, and commitment to causes and groups.

Among the three mediums of expression that were mentioned above, flags have a level of commitment and even validity that expands beyond both t-shirts and bumper stickers. This is due in part to the nature of their presentation, and also to the company they keep. After all, some of our greatest national symbols are flags, specifically the iconic and beautiful Red, White and Blue. To prove the point, all you needed to do was to read those three words, three colors, and immediately the image and pride of the US flag comes to mind and feelings.

These examples and points were given and made to emphasize the value of creating a flag if you have a fledgling group of any kind. It’s extremely easy to take your logo and put it in the center and then fill in the background colors. There are also some great resources and sites online that will help you design your flag, as well as offering printing services. Hang your flag, you’ll be surprised how many others will soon do the same.

Tags: t shirts

Costuming Beauty and the Beast

There is something terribly elemental about the Beauty and the Beast story. All fairy tales of its kind are elemental, of course, and that’s certainly the biggest part of their appeal, but there’s a duality in this one that has a different kind of magnetism. In stories of opposites, where there is an attraction or some kind of connection between characters who are entirely different, something deeply psychological is usually at work. There is a kind of sense that at a profound level, there is no difference, but it takes the journey of the tale to reach this understanding.

It’s not surprising that there are beauty and the beast costumes , which are very popular throughout the year, not only for Halloween parties. One figure is conceived of as close to perfection in the human world, and the other has flaws that make it entirely animal at times. It becomes fascinating, then, when the two are always joined in the imagination, and to see them in the physical world can be delightful and also a bit uncanny. It speaks to a kind of elemental law of attraction, where he is pulled to what she has, because it is missing in him, and vice versa, and seeing these notions made into metaphors gives them even more weight in the imagination as well as in the realm of attraction.

Tags: beauty and the beast

The Women’s Museum in Dallas

Not all Smithsonian museums are to be found in Washington DC. Affiliates of the famous institute established in 1846 are spread out across the country, from Hutchinson, Kansas, at the space museum of the Cosmosphere , to the Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future in Dallas, Texas. In Dallas, you may come to the 70,000 square foot building and explore women’s contributions to society throughout history.

Established in September of 200, this ten year old museum offers interactive exhibits to the public which tells the stories of the accomplishments of women and what they offered to the history and life of America. These exhibits include “Dreams of Flight: A Journey through Air and Space” which runs from July 23 to October 31, and “Changing the Face of Power: Women in the U.S. Senate,” running from November 1st to December 31st, 2010.

The former exhibit will take a look at the boundaries women have broken to become pilots, astronauts, astrophysicists, and scientists, featuring the first women in America to fly planes, and the first women to serve as pilots, flying military aircraft for the U.S. Army during World War II. It also explores how women were tested to be astronauts in the late 1950s, creating a group known as the Mercury 13.

The latter exhibit offers photographs of the 13 women in the U.S. Senate in 2001, growing that number of 14 in 2003. The photographer, Melina Mara, convinced most of these senators to let her document their role in the Senate not only in public, but behind the scenes as well. Permanent exhibits in the museum are broken into sections on women in history, breaking boundaries, women’s health, and business and technology.

Whether you’re in town on business or pleasure, staying with friends or at the 5 star hotels Dallas is known for, take some time out and head to 3800 Parry Avenue to appreciate the role of women in American society. The museum is open six days out of the week, from noon to five p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays. It’s closed on Mondays. Admission is relatively inexpensive as well: Five dollars for adults, four dollars for senior citizens and students aged 13-18, three dollars for students aged 5-12, and free for anyone under five.

Tags: 5 star hotels dallas

Rock Bridges

Rock bridges are fascinating geological formations. Occurring in various locations around the world. Special circumstances set up eons ago and acted out over time sculpt the earth in a way leaving a piece of rock suspended in the air only supported on two sides. In Utah USA this occurrence isn’t as unusual as it is in other parts of the word. The largest rock bridge in the world, Rainbow Rock Bridge on the Navajo reservation, is in southern Utah. In Utah there is Arches National Monument with OVER 2000 natural sandstone arches is the place to see many of them in a small area. The wind and water over time eroded away softer stone under the remaining stone thus leaving these wonderful formations. Natural arches too can be found on the island of Ibiza, Spain. Here just a stones throw from 5 star Ibiza hotels you can find natural rock bridges. These bridges are rough the water and wind erosion has left the rocks rough and textured unlike the smoothness of the rock bridges in Utah and the American southwest that have been polished smooth by the wind and the sand. Other natural bridges exist in Arizona. The Tonto Natural Bridge near the Mogilian Rim outside of Payson, AZ is an amazing place. The natural travertine bridge exists due to a stream eroding away the land under it. There are natural rock bridges in Victoria, Australia along the coast of England in the deserts of New Mexico and anywhere else the conditions were right to create this unusual formations. These bridges begin with deep cracks in sandstone. Erosion wears away the exposed rock creating a larger crack. Frost and thaws further the process eventual causing chunks to dislodge. This process continues until the enlarged crack becomes a hole and continues to erode into an arch. Nature is amazing all the forms and shapes that can be created with some wind, water, rock and sand.

Tags: bridges begin, hotels, Rainbow Rock Bridge, Rock Bridges

Northern Melbourne Diversity

The Victorian Era Architecture is evident in Northern Melbourne, Australian. From the shops on Errol Street to the cafes and the Melbourne 5 star hotels. The buildings are historical in nature with porches and verandas, and the location of the old town hall, complete with the old clock tower as well as the Blackwood Street Meat Market have become thriving theater and performing arts venues. This, as many of the districts of the Melbourne neighborhoods, has its own unique and distinct character and personality, based in the arts and alive in the culture. There are many galleries exhibiting touring shows, and each street located within the district has something different to offer. Each spring the Fling Festival occurs, which in Australia is just around the corner in October, wherein all the communities, including those in West Melbourne, come together. The restaurants, the cafes, and the pubs become venues for comedy and theatrical shows. Food and wine is celebrated as well as the books, the jewelry, the local fashion designers and the musicians and artists.

The Queen Victoria Market is located just by, and offers shops for the locals and interest for the tourists. This is a historical landmark as well as being a modern example of the cosmopolitan and modern world of Melbourne today. Shoppers can wander through more than six hundred different shops, looking for everything from hi-trend fashion, to fruits, cheese, vegetables and fresh flowers. And should one be in the area, and also be a music fan, the Sea Catholic Church houses the first pipe organ in Australia, to have received classification from the National Trust. This, as in many of the districts located throughout the city is a blend of the traditional and the modern, of the conservative and the liberal, of cultures. And the diversity and acceptance of that diversity is one of the characteristics of this Australian city that makes it a pleasure to visit, and to be a part of, even if just for a short time while on holiday.

Tags: Diversity, five star hotels, Fling festival, Northern Melbourne, Victorian Era Architecture

Barcelona, Morning and Night

One of the best times to visit Barcelona is just around the corner. When the temperatures in the city heat, the prices decrease. The city is filled with many beautiful options to choose from as far as the five star Barcelona hotels, the various museums and plazas, and the plethora of seafood restaurants and charming bars and cafes. The people of the city have a spirit and and exuberance towards the joy of living. When the sun sets, the tourists will find many of the outdoor cafes a buzz with activity, with street performers and vendors lining the street. Many people in the city begin their evenings later than many travelers are accustomed to back at home. Dinner is served beginning at nine o’clock and often times right up until Midnight. Now bear in mind that the way people eat in Spain is different from say those in the United States. A typical late night dinner in Spain consists of smaller portions of healthy food, olives and tomatoes and such, bread and wine. Many soups and seafood dishes are on the menus as well as salads and rice.

Once dinner is over, the locals will then head to the bars and cafes. There are literally hundreds to choose from in the city, ranging from quiet and romantic to the discos and clubs with DJs pumping music until the wee hours of the morning. Many of the bars serve tapas throughout the night, small plates of ‘tastes’ of food to nibble on. Of the many locations around the city, a few of the hot spots are the Barri Gotic and Mercat del Born. Both of these areas are well known for their selection of taverns. And once the fun is over for the evening, many pastry shops and located throughout these same areas offering espressos and cappuccinos, as well as an array of delicious morning sweets. The markets open up, with fresh fruit and vegetables available at the hawker stands. In the markets on can also find fresh flowers, cheeses and art galleries. Barcelona is one of the best spots in the world for those who enjoy walking and becoming totally immersed in the culture and the people.

Tags: Barcelona, five star hotels, Markets, Morning, Night, seafood

Business and Pleasure on the Island of Singapore

When one finishes with their business transactions at any private bank of Singapore, there are many options for fun and exploration on this incredible island. Seafood?…it is a seafood lovers haven. Many restaurants offer up five star cuisine, and the hawker stands are definitely worth a visit, as the dishes here are served up heartily and with many years of tradition and family recipes behind them. There is everything from the unique to the traditional, from the modern to all that that is steeped in the history of the various cultures that have made Singapore their home. And it has been personal experience, that those involved in business, are also the same types of humans that enjoy a day, or a night on the golf course. There are two golf clubs that offer night time playing, one being the Orchid Country Club and the other, the Jurong Country Club. Both establishments offer services and a wide variety of amenities for those wishing to tee-off in the middle of the night.

And after a night on the course, the best way to relax is through a massage at one of the many spas, located either in-house, or in one of the many garden settings. The gardens surrounding these outdoor spas are careful thought out and designed according to the most traditional techniques of aromatherapy, affecting all the senses at one time. City tours are offered regularly as well, cruising around the harbour is relaxing as drinks and aperitifs are the norm, and the boats offer many dinner cruises as well as happy hour cruises. And as one cruises through the historic district of Singapore, one may want to step of the ship, in order to have their ailments attended to at the Imperial Herbal Restaurant, where a night out is not just fine dining, but a diagnosis and a cure within the course of some appetizers and a meal. This has been long touted, a restaurant that will revitalize and set the energies in the body back on course. With a tasty way of doing so.

Tags: Business, Island of Singapore, Pleasure, private bank of Singapore

Madrid Celebrates May 2

Madrid is an amazing city, full of a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant arts scene. It also has a significant place in Spanish history and the gaining of its independence. While today, tourists are fascinated by the many landmarks and entertainment options of the city, they often overlook its historic importance. A romantic meal at one of the best Madrid restaurants is more likely to include a discussion of the museums and other cultural attractions, than Madrid’s magnificent history.

The day of the second of May, Dos de Mayo holds a significant place in Madrid’s and Spanish history. That day in 1808 the residents formed a rebellion against the occupational troops of France, which triggered the great war for Spanish Independence. The repressive forces of Imperial France were finally being seriously fought against and the struggle created a significant cultural transition for Spain. At that point, the city of Madrid had been under the occupation of Napoleon’s army from March 23. Meanwhile, the abdication of King Charles IV had been forced and he was replaced by his much-favored son Ferdinand VII.

On that fateful day in May, a large crowed began to gather outside of the Royal Palace Madrid. They were there to prevent the removal of Francisco de Paula to the French city of Bayonne. When this happened, a battalion from the Imperial Guard was sent to fire upon the crowd. This had the effect of dispersing them throughout the city, where riots and violence soon erupted. This event was captured in the famous painting by Francisco Goya, The Charge of the Mamelukes, which depicts the fighting in the streets. The resistance was suppressed that day, however, it inspired greater enthusiasm and strength in Spain’s efforts for Freedom. Today May 2 is honored as a holiday in Madrid and the surrounding region. The original barracks of Monteleon are now a square called Plaza 2 de Mayo. The surrounding area is known as Malasana, in memory of a young teenage woman who was murdered by the French troops.

Tags: best madrid restaurants, francisco goya, Madrid, madrid restaurants, Spain, spain restaurants

Arthur Yap, Singapore Poet

When it comes to luxury, Singapore hotels are remarkable for anticipating the guests’ needs and wants. In a city with urban verve and gorgeous views, the hotels offer a place to call home in between all the adventures and excitement that the city offers.

One of the more international cities in the world, with its closeness to Taiwan and to China, Singapore is a source of inspiration to a host of writers. Arthur Yap is, many would argue, the most important and influential writer out of Singapore. His poetry is extremely delicate and precise, and contains an enormous sense of playfulness and poise. He has the same preference that e. e. cummings had for using all lower-case letters, and his work contains a certain ambiguity of place that inspire a sense of universality among readers. His work also contains a deep sense of irony and uncertainty, which reflect an attitude toward modernity and tradition. There is a sense of pull between these forces, and the tension is one that never quite reaches a conclusion. The result is a potent memory that rests like an uneasy bird in the consciousness of the careful reader.

Educated between Singapore and Leeds and Singapore again, Arthur Yap split his time between writing and teaching, demonstrating a dedication to continuing the Singapore letters tradition for the next generations. Arthur Yap argued for a kind of autonomous literature, one that could stand on its own without reference to other disciplines. His books of poems have won the National Book Development Council of Singapore Award a couple times, and he’s won the Cultural Medallion for Literature, as well as the South-East Asian Writer’s Award. After a long bout with throat cancer, he died in his sleep in Singapore in 2006.

Tags: hotels, luxury, singapore

The Myth of Shiva

Bangalore , India’s third most populous city, is home to over five million Bangaloreans (or Bengaloorinavaru in Kannada). It is known as the Silicon Valley of India because of its predominance in the global IT field, with a very strong presence in computers and technology. This makes it an excellent place to do business, and with the attractions that are numerous enough to suit any traveler, it is an ideal spot to stay at luxury hotels Bangalore . The amenities and hospitality will refresh the most weary traveler, readying the guests for days of business and pleasure.

Bangalore is not only known as a bustling city that is rich in industry; it is also very well known for music and dance. One of the most interesting times to visit is during the week-long Ganesha Chaturthi festival, which typically falls somewhere between August and September. This festival coincides with the birth of the mythic Ganesh. Ganesh is the son of Pavarti, wife of Shiva .

The story goes that Shiva was away at war, and Pavarti wanted someone to stand guard outside her door to protect her while she bathed. She conceived Ganesha out of a bar of sandalwood. When Shiva returned, he did not know who Ganesh was, and cut off his head. Pavarti was enraged, and ordered her husband to replace her son’s head with the first head he could find. Shiva’s army set out, and came upon an elephant, and cut off its head and returned it to the body of Ganesh. Pavarti was still angry, and demanded that the elephant-headed son be the first to be honored in every ceremony, and the custom of honoring Ganesh first is still practiced today.

The famous Bollywood model and actress, Deepika Padukone, spent last year during the festival with her family in Bangalore, her birthplace. This highlights and illustrates the popularity of the festival, where its significance is still held in high esteem, and travelers lucky enough to be visiting during this time can observe time-honored tradition in a rich urban setting.

Tags: Bangalore, hotels, luxury

Legend of Bukit Merah

There are many myths surrounding the landmarks of Singapore and surrounding islands. One such legend is in regards to a hill in Singapore, Bukit Merah. Many call this Redhill as the soil on the hill is actually red. There are a view versions to the legend, but all make reference to bloody events. Long ago the island of Singapore was populated by fisherman, the main source of their substance and economy was the industry of fishing. Many times out at sea the fisherman would be attacked by swordfish. Legend has it that a child living close to the hill suggested to the men the idea of building a fence to protect against further attacks. So the fence was built using the trunks of banana trees. The swordfish attacked again, but were caught up on the tree trunks, thus the young boy was proved right in his idea. The fisherman were happy as they saw their battle was one. And the boy was celebrated.

However, as legend has it, the King was not so impressed. Known as the most handsome, the most intelligent, he could not bear it that someone else had out-thought him, and a small boy no less. He had been known for attacking those who took the attention away from him, and as he had done in the past, he did so now. He ordered the boy to be killed. When the soldiers appeared at the hill to carry out the king’s orders, a woman with long hair awaited them. She had created a spell, and what the soldiers saw was a red fountain, and understood this to be a fountain of blood. The soldiers were frightened and left without carrying out the king’s mission. In another version, the boy was actually murdered and the red soil is the result of his blood spilled.

Other areas around the world have natural environments with red soil such as the Papago Mountains in Tempe, Arizona and the Red Rocks of Sedona in Northern Arizona. The scientific explanation is that the soil is rich with aluminum and iron, which is quite common in hot climates. This is a beautiful landscape and should be part of any luxury travel. Singapore is known for these legends, and they add to the beauty of the island and the richness of the culture, regardless of the scientific explanations.

Tags: luxury, singapore, Travel

Cape Town Theatre By The Bay

Cape Town South Africa is rich in its cultural history, geographical beauty and landscapes. The arts also play an essential aspect in the daily life of residents and serve as a major attraction for tourists. The theatre scene in Cape Town is alive and thriving with its diverse offerings suited for a variety of interests. The productions include world-class mainstream options, as well as the more edgy, experimental groups. The Theatre on the Bay is a perfect example of this. A multiple functioning facility, the theatre offers great entertainment and dinner to tourists who are staying in the best Cape Town hotels and flock to this South African institution.

Pieter Toerien’s Theatre on the Bay has its main stage theatre and also a restaurant, Act 1 Theatre Café which offers lunch and dinner options for theatre goers. And, as if the theatre couldn’t be more audience friendly, there is also a bar, Dietrich’s, to round out the evening. The productions from the 2009 season include For Generations, which is currently running, The Insatiables, Bigger Better Faster, and Travels with My Aunt, among others. For Generations, written by Kurt Egelhof, is a story of comic beauty, tragic truth and a triumphant return. It was directed by Nic Fine, who had his apprenticeship in Cape Town at The Space Theatre (now known as The People’s Space). He spent time in London before returning to South Africa.

Act 1 Theatre Café is a comfortable and informal restaurant that reminds one they are attending the theatre. There are newspaper reviews and previews positioned under the glass tabletops and production posters on the walls. The menu changes with the seasons and makes this the perfect compliment to a show and offers a full evening’s entertainment at one easy location. The theatre has an excellent subscription package which means up to a 50% savings on their productions.

Tags: best, Cape Town, hotels

Cheong Soo Pieng

Cheong Soo Pieng was born in China in 1917. He began studying art at the Xiamen Academy when he was just sixteen years old. He was the last of seven children and was not discouraged in his pursuit to become an artist by he family or more specifically his parents, but they did not encourage him either. His self motivation is obvious as he graduated from the fine art academy in just three years. He went on to further his studies in Shanghai, however his time there was cut short as the academy he was attending was destroyed during the Sino-Japenese war. So he decided to return to home and to the school of his youth to become a teacher there and to work on his own pieces. For he was known to be an incredible and an inspirational teacher, his own work and his own art making is what drove him. His first one man show was there at the school in 1942 and at the time, he worked in watercolor. Tubes of oil paint where extremely difficult to get a hold of in China at the time.

In 1945, after spending some time in Hong Kong, he decided to move to Singapore. He began teaching at the Nanyang Fine Art Academy. He was a well respected and admired teacher there for more than twenty years. And while he loved teaching, as stated earlier his true passion was in creating his own work. And just before he turned 50 he was able to retire and become a committed full time artist. His innovative and modern way in the school of NanYang Style, has him recognized even today, as one of Singapore’s most revered and influential painters. He continued to paint in watercolor, but became well versed in the use of oil painting and sculpture as well. In galleries, in businesses including the best hotels in Singapore, his works hang on the walls and continue to inspire those who view them, and to influence those who study painting and art. He was recognized for his life time of achievements by the National Museum and was scheduled to hang a retrospective show in 1983. His show was hung, however he passed away four months prior to the opening. His work lives on and he will continue to influence the world of modern art for all of time to come.

Tags: best, hotels, singapore

Fashion Week in Mumbai

With all of the fashion world busy with New York Fashion Week (February 13-20), now would be a good time to mark the calendar for the upcoming Lakmé Fashion Week (LKW) in Mumbai. Scheduled for March 27th – 31st, the event is sponsored jointly by Lakmé and IMG.

The purpose of LKW is “to integrate India into th eglobal fashion world and redefine the future of fashion.” It began six years ago and focuses on the retail industry, though there are plenty of international media and celebrities on hand as required by any global fashion week.

Like New York, Paris, and Australia’s fashion week’s, LKW brings together designers, stylists, models, choreographers, buyers, and the media to showcase current and future fashion trends. In the brief history of the event a number of Indian designers have gone on to show their lines at th eRosemount Australian Fashion Week and at Coterie in New York (the most exclusive and largest fashion trade show in the world).

With an expected influx of Indian and world fashion media, designers, models, and buyers, the five star hotels in Mumbai are already planning for the five-day event. Likewise watch for a jump in business at the upscale restaurants in the area as well as the trendier clubs and discos.

Tags: five star hotels, Lakme Fashion Week, Mumbai, Mumbai Fashion Week