Daily Archives: August 24, 2012

Business

Last Call for Submissions to The Center for Productive Longevity’s Later-Life Story Contest

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Win $1,000 for Sharing Your Successful Entrepreneurship or Inspirational Life Story Post-50

Boulder, CO, August 22, 2012 – With the deadline of August 31 quickly approaching, people 50 and older are encouraged to submit their story to the Center for Productive Longevity’s (CPL) Later-Life Story Contest as soon as possible. The contest has two categories: (1) Entrepreneurship Success Stories and (2) Inspirational Life Stories, with one winner in each category who will receive $1,000 and a specially designed display trophy. CPL has selected a panel of three independent judges who will choose one winner in each category, and their selections will be announced on October 1, 2012.

“We have received a number of fascinating entries and are excited to share these stories with people of all ages,” says William Zinke, 85, founder and president of Center for Productive Longevity. “However, we know that there are more people out there who are moving the needle, making a difference, inspiring others and bringing new businesses to life. We want to hear from you, too!”

With 30 years added to longevity in the 20th century, people are leading active and fulfilled lives into their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. The goal of this contest is to demonstrate that older people in America can continue to lead successful and inspirational lives. Once the contest deadline has passed, CPL will select a variety of entrepreneur success stories to post on its website, highlighting the stories of the two winners.

Entries should be under 1,200 words and are easy to submit. Visit www.ctrpl.org/laterlifestorycontest to complete a submission form. Entrants must be 50 and older and be willing to have their story posted on the CPL website for viewing and for possible publication. Stories may also be sent to James Hooks at jhooks@ctrpl.org.

For more information on CPL and the Later-Life Story Contest for older entrepreneurs, visit www.ctrpl.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

CPL is also currently working on the finishing touches for the next meetings in its “Spotlight on Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Baby Boomers” series. The meetings are designed to contribute to a national momentum for new-business creation, which enables Baby Boomers to remain productively engaged and also facilitates national economic growth.

The meetings, designed for people 50 and older, are being held at Babson College in Wellesley, MA on September 14, Northwestern University/Kellogg School of Management in Chicago on October 11, and the University of Denver on November 15. To register and view preliminary agendas, visit http://www.ctrpl.org/entrepreneurship-meeting/overview.

Company Contacts:
William K. Zinke or James R. Hooks
Center for Productive Longevity
303.499.3939
wzinke@ctrpl.org or jhooks@ctrpl.org

About the Center for Productive Longevity:
The mission of CPL is to stimulate the substantially increased engagement of people 55 and older in productive activities, paid and volunteer, where they are qualified and ready to continue adding value. Visit ctrpl.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303.433.7020
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business

AAA advocates Pension Fund Investment in Alternatives

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US public pension funds have further increased their exposure to alternative investments, in a move welcomed by AAA.

Boston, MA, August 23, 2012 – US public pension funds have further increased their exposure to alternative investments, in a move welcomed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group claims that the pension funds are finding it increasingly difficult to raise enough cash as a result of low interest rates and poorly performing equity markets. “Off the back of these variables pension funds are investing billions in a whole range of alternatives asset classes,” explained AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

The Wiltshire Trust Universe Comparison Service found that pension funds worth $1 billion or more had a median of 15 per cent of their portfolio of investments in alternatives as of June 2012. This is up a significant amount from the 9.2 per cent in the same month a year ago.

Although some critics claims that there are risks involved with alternative investment, AAA claims that this all depends of the kind of alternative one chooses. Forestry and timberland investment, for example, carry relatively low risks as investors are able to hang on to their asset (the trees they have bought or invested in) until they are the right size and until timber prices are high.

“Investing in timberland not only offers investors an ethical choice, which helps to reduce deforestation, but also provides a great choice for pension funds as timberland investment are a good medium-to long-term option.”

Investing directly in trees by buying up forest land can generate good returns if the trees are left to grow for a very long time before they are felled and sold as timber. However, investing directly through plantation projects, such as the one run by Greenwood Management in Brazil, can mean investors see returns much sooner. This is due to the cyclical planting and felling model used in the firm’s sustainable plantations.

Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Art

Art Bengaluru 2012 Presents International Art Auction

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Includes artworks of celebrated International artists & unique lots including sculptures, coffee tables, chairs and other collectors’ items.

Bangalore, India, Friday – August 24th, 2012 — ‘Art Bengaluru 2012’ ( http://www.artbengaluru.in ), South India’s premier festival for contemporary art and culture, presents an iconic event as a part of its celebrations – an International Art Auction. The Auction, being presented by well-known auctioneer – Angira Arya, will take place on the culminating day of the festival – Friday – 24 August 2012, at the ITC Windsor Sheraton, Bangalore. The auction promises to be the first of its kind in the city featuring the works of legendary artists including M.F. Hussain, Jamini Roy, S.H. Raza, B. Prabha, F.N. Souza, Ganesh Pyne, K.K. Hebbar, Krishen Khanna, Ramkumar, Bakre, Somnath Hore. Moreover, the Auction will also feature Serigraphs & Lithographs of eminent artists and other unique lots including sculptures, coffee tables, chairs and other collectors’ items.

Uzma Irfan – Conceptualiser & Organiser, ‘Art Bengaluru 2012’ & Executive Director, Prestige Group said, “Art Auctions are a significant part of the art world, in art capitals around the world. Committed art patrons visit these cities regularly to collect sought-after artworks of celebrated artists. Bangalore, on the other hand, is slowly but surely making its mark in the global art market and the Art Auction, being organized as a part of ‘Art Bengaluru 2012’, aims to bring together such art patrons and buyers from across the country.”

Moreover, the art auction is in aid of Christel House India, an NGO for the empowerment and education of underprivileged children.

Click here to view the auction catalog online & be a part of the Art Auction!

About ‘Art Bengaluru 2012’ :
Following the success of the previous editions of Art Bengaluru and its veritable recognition as one of the world’s leading art events to watch out for today, The Collection, UB City in association with Sublime Galleria and Art Chutney presents the 3rd Edition of ‘Art Bengaluru’. ‘Art Bengaluru’ is an annual forum which aims to bring together artists, galleries, art collectors, art enthusiasts and the best in contemporary Indian art from across India under one roof. The festival is showcasing around 200-250 artworks of over 100 artists from 10-24 August 2012 at The Collection, UB City.

‘Art Bengaluru 2012’ features the artworks of 17 eminent art galleries from across India including Sublime Galleria ( http://www.sublimegalleria.com ), Art Chutney, I Art, Deccan Art Foundation, Time & Space, Third Eye Gallery, Mahua, Ajantha Studio, Vinscent Art World, Merging Hues, Chavi by Amaya, Savi 3 Studio, Varna Sangama Art Gallery, Chitrasangam Art Gallery (Hubli), Ayyah Art Galleries, PRV Gallery Space & Impana Art House.

This prestigious festival has also brought together eminent and talented artists from around the globe. Some of the artists from India who are showcasing their work include Vijit Pillai, Shipra Bhattacharya, Shuva Prassana, C. Jagdish, Farhad Hussain, Ganesh Doddamani, Kalabhakesari, Jyothi Aranha, Shahul Kollangude, Sudeep Mukherjee, R.D. Roy, Ganesh Dey, Sudhir Shelar, Shekar Bellari, K.N. Ramachandran, Bharti Prajapati, Nandgopal S., Niren Sengupta, Ravendra Salve, Dilipkumar Kale, Madhuri Dilip, Jagadish Kadur, Siri Khandavilli and S.A. Vimalanathan, Ramesh Gorjala, Asit Kumar Patnaick, K. Ravi, Nityam Singha Roy, Bratin Khan, Sekar Roy, Fawad Tamkanat, Sachin S. Jaltare, Laxman Aeleay, Vijay Raaj Bhodankar, Vimalanathan, Rama Suresh, Anand Panchal, Shyamul Mukkerjee, Shreekanth Kurva, Somenath Maity, Suresh Gulage, A. Karuppiah, A.P. Santhanaraj, Sakeel Momin, N. Manohar, Manohar Raja, Nirmala Anand, Partha Bhattacharjee among others.

In addition, Art Bengaluru this year is showcasing works of several artists from Africa, including David Muzugno, Joseph Cartoon, Ruth Nyakundi, Wilson Mwangi and Dinesh Revankar.

Some of the highlights of the festival include:
• An exhibition of jewellery design brought alive through the medium of art by renowned designer – Pallavi Foley & well-known artist – Vijith Pillai
• Children’s Art Competition
•Workshops on:
– ‘Music Art’ by the Nathiniel School of Music
– ‘Dance Art’ by Shiamak Davar’s Institute of Performing Arts
– ‘Art Speak’ by Suresh Jairam
– ‘Pop-up Art’, ‘3D on canvas’, ‘Pantomime’, ‘Wax Art’, ‘Art of making animation films’ by Reenu etc.
– ‘Architecture Speak’ by Christopher Johnstone

About Art Bengaluru:
Art Bengaluru is an exclusive event that is designed to showcase various types of art forms including ‘Wall Art’ (fine art, paintings, illustrations, photographs) and ‘Stand-alone Art’ (sculpture, installations, product design). Art Bengaluru was first launched in March 2010, and after two successful editions, the event this year promises to be bigger and more diverse since it has extended its purview to include different forms of art!

The venue for Art Bengaluru will be the highly-acclaimed, The Collection, UB City which is conveniently located in the heart of cosmopolitan Bangalore. Needless to say, the Tuscan architecture of UB City complements the art festival by creating an illusion of fluent expanse. Art displayed in this landmark area promises to enhance aesthetic awareness and create a sensory delight for the viewer.

Press & Media Contact:
Urmila Biswas / Lakshman Babu
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Bangalore, India
+919886099736 / +919845706155
contact@marchingantsllp.com

Home One


http://www.artbengaluru.in

Travel

Luxury Travel Ltd Unveils Day Trip to Vung Tau Beach from Saigon Every Day

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Luxury Tour Operator Unveils Private Day Trip to Vung Tau Beach from Saigon Every Day

Saigon, Vietnam, August 23, 2012 – Luxury Tour Operator (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com ) Unveils Private Day Trip to Vung Tau Beach from Saigon Every Day

Vung Tau, located at about 125 kilometers to the southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, was known as Cap Saint-Jacques under French occupation. Among Vietnamese and expatriates, it is a popular beach destination for weekend trips.

“Travelers can reach Vung Tau by speedboat, car or helicopter from Ho Chi Minh City. Vung Tau is a busy coast city with a few beaches, an attractive summer palace, a couple of interesting temples, a few other attractions and not much else, so it offers enough to do but nevertheless offers an off the beaten path and low key escape. However, luxury properties, casinos and golf courses are set to open soon, in order attract long stay, high end holidaymakers to both the Ho Tram area and Vung Tau. Twenty kilometers from the city center is Long Hai town, once a fishing village and now a small resort popular with Vietnamese people. Vung Tau is also the place to board a boat, plane or helicopter to visit famous Con Dao Island, 180 kilometers away.” said Pham Ha, CEO of Luxury Travel Ltd.

For a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, travelers will discover the best Vung Tau has to offer.

At 07:30, travelers will be picked up from the hotel in HCMC and driven to Vung Tau, traveling by immense rubber and cashew nut plantations, as well as scenic rice fields.

On the way to Vung Tau, travelers will visit the Large House (Nha Lon) and its temples at Long Son Island. Large House is a place to celebrate festivals, with a school, a market, a Ghe Sam preserving house, and Ong Tran’s graveyard.

Arriving in Vung Tau, the capital of Ba Ria Vung Tau Province, travelers will visit the White House Palace (a summer residence of the last emperor Bao Dai), offering a wonderful view of thebeach and the city.

Travelers will visit Niet Ban Tinh Xa, Nirvana Meditation Retreat and Thich Ca Phat Dai, a Buddhist shrine. They will also visit a French-built light house and the giant Jesus Christ image as optional choices.

Vacationers will have lunch at Lan Rung restaurant then have swim at the Bai Sau Beach. At 4 pm travelers will drive back to Saigon where they arrive at around 6 pm.

“Vung Tau preserves the feel of a harmonious community of religions, mountains, beaches, architecture old and news. It is now a favourite weekend beach escape destination for family vacations from Ho Chi Minh City. This short trip has all the best Vung Tau has to offer.” adds Pham Ha.

The tour price starts from US$82 per person for a private party of two people. Price includes all private pick up and drop off services, transportation from Ho Chi Minh City, meals, entrance fees and the services of an English-speaking guide. This offer is valid until 30 December 2013.

For info and booking, visit http://www.luxurytravelvietnam.com/EN/Vietnam_tours/Daytrips/Vung-Tau-Day-Trip.htm

Vietnam-based Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) is a long established Asian specialist in the art of travel and serves today’s most sophisticated travelers, in luxury privately guided and fully bespoke holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Luxury Travel excels in designing tailor-made tours and providing unique travel experiences to fulfill the most sophisticated traveler’s expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd. has won numerous travel awards for excellent performance, including the most recent award: Best Luxury Tour Operator.

Contact:
Link Doan
Luxury Travel Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120
marketing12@luxurytravelvietnam.com
http://www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com

Business

FRA Welcomes Georgia Sustainability Ruling

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A new executive order signed by Gov. Nathan Deal in Georgia will ensure that the region’s forests are certified as ‘green’ in a move that has been praised by FRA.

Bainbridge Island, WA, August 23, 2012 – A new executive order signed by Gov. Nathan Deal in Georgia will ensure that the region’s forests are certified as ‘green’ in a move that has been praised by Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

The signing of the order is also intended to help the region boost the number of new buildings that are awarded LEED green building certification. The move will expand the definition of sustainable timber to include timber form forests certified under the American tree Farm System and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Until now, only buildings made from timber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council could be eligible for LEED green building certification under the US Green Building Council.

As well as being supported by FRA, which advocates sustainable forestry in all its forms, the move has also won praise from the Georgia Forestry Association. The Association’s president, Steve McWilliams, said, “The governor has taken what I think is quite a stand for thousands of private timberland owners in the state by saying that we’re not going to let our wood be devalued by a policy wherein the end result of the quality of the product that goes into the building is substantially the same.”

FRA agrees that timber from forestry that has been managed sustainably should always be used as a preference to timber that has been sourced from non-sustainable sources. It also agrees that sustainability should not just be limited to FSC certification and that green building policies should be opened up to allow for other accreditation systems, such as those held by many of Georgia’s forests.

“Sustainability should not just mean ‘FSC-accredited’”, stated FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins. He added, “Any timber from forestry that is managed sustainable, through managed plantations such as those operated by Greenwood Management in Brazil and Canada, for example, should be usable in green construction projects.

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com