Merry Wanderer of the Night [Search results for office

  • New vision of office space for clerks

    New vision of office space for clerks

    BBVA

    Architects Herzog & de Meuron have developed design of the central office for Spanish bank group BBVA.

    Bank on suburbs of Madrid

    The building, which building is planned to finish in 2013 year, will be on suburbs of Madrid.

    The building is in new area, is surrounded by office centres, the commercial real estate and residential buildings. In this cold, reserved place architects have suggested to erect an artificial garden, an oasis which would involve outside inside. The linear structure of a three-storyed structure is laid out by a carpet, following district topography. The cool and damp microclimate is inside created.

    Spanish bank

    Spanish bank BBVA

    The design plan promotes dialogue: instead of spending time in lifts, employees can walk in parallel corridors and meet with each other. The big degree of a transparency creates sensation of a generality whereas rather small working compartments allow employees to keep feeling of own identity.

    VIA «New vision of office space for clerks»

  • STOP SOPA — What it is and What YOU can do

    There are these things right now, the "Stop Online Piracy Act" (or SOPA) and the Protect-IP Act, that are getting a lot of attention. And chances are, that if you are spending much time online right now (Jan 18) you have run into at least one site that has been 'blacked out' in protest. (If you haven't, go to Google's homepage).

    I thought about joining the black out, and the idea of it really appeals to me, because I am strongly, adamantly opposed to these two bills. But I'm not going for a black out, because, quite honestly, I'm pretty sure I would break my blog.

    So, instead, I'm going to give you a quick run down of why I think these two bills are so detrimental and then I'm going to direct you to how and where you can actually make a difference.

    FIRST: What are they?

    Essentially, the purpose of these two bills is to stop the blatant copyright violations we see online. The goalis that it can be used to restrict the ability of sites to steal copyrighted information and content (movies, music, books, television shows, etc). And honestly, I think that is all fine and good. We have copyright laws for a reason and if you hold that copyright, you should legally be allowed to protect it.

    However. The wording of these bills is far too vague to be effective in the way the bill intends. People who support this bill claim that it will only be used in extreme cases to protect blatant and flagrant violations of copyright. But by now, I think everyone is fully aware that when a law gives you a little bit of wiggle room, you wiggle and jiggle and finagle until you've taken advantage of every bit you possibly can.

    So. To protect media copyrights, this bill will grant corporations the ability to have a US website shut down if it violates the copyright laws, or it will force US ad agencies and money/payment services (like Paypal) to remove all advertisements or connection to these sites.

    To get a website restricted/blackballed/turned off (whatever you want to call it) all the copyright holder needs to do is get a court order. And to get a court order... Do you know what you need? A judge. ONE judge who agrees with you and is willing to sign off. There is no due process, no opportunity for you to make a case for yourself, nothing. If a copyright holder who feels they have been violated can convince a judge that this website has wronged them, it's over. And that's it.

    This is not the best analysis of SOPA out there. There are many more, some who have more information, and some who, I'm sure, present it in a much clearer manner.

    But what I AM going to do is provide you with a way to make a difference.

    SOPA is the bill being voted on in the House of Representatives.
    Protect-IP is the version being debated in the Senate.

    I did an internship in the office of my Senator and here are some things I can tell you, so that when you call in to voice your concerns, they actually pay attention-

    Do NOT call the Senate and complain about SOPA. It's a House of Representatives Bill, so the Senate hasn't 'seen' SOPA yet, and they won't 'see' it unless the House votes on it and it passes. Calling your Senator to tell them to VOTE NO doesn't do anyone any good, because they won't be voting on it at all. So, when you call your Senator, talk about the Protect-IP act instead. (and vice versa for the House).

    Another thing — If you are from Minnesota, don't call a California Senator's office and expect them to care. It doesn't make a difference. Most offices will politely listen to what you have to say, get you off the phone quickly and then disregard your concerns. It sounds harsh, I know, but honestly — a Congressman's responsibility is to their own Constituents. So call YOUR state Senators and House members.

    Also — When you call the House of Representatives, know which District you are calling from. House members are state representatives, but their primary focus is to their own district. It is a way to be sure that all areas of the state are equally represented. So a call to the House member from your District will bear more weight.

    Don't know who or how to contact them? The following website is GOLDEN. It lists every single member of the Senate and House of Representatives, sorted by state and includes an email address as well as a link to their website. GO HERE:
    GIANT List of Congressional awesome

    OR you can call this number — 202-224-3121. This is the number for the Senate Switchboard operator. Ask for the Senator from your state & they will transfer you to the correct office. AND many of the staffers you speak to will be willing to transfer your calls 'in house' as well. So, call one Senator, who will transfer you to the office of the other Senator, who will transfer you to the House member from your district.

    I'd love to have you come back and comment after, letting me know if it was successful, who you talked to, why you are against (or for) SOPA/Protect-IP.

    It's something that will drastically effect almost everyone and can seriously change the sharing of information in the future, and it's something I think everyone should care about.

    So go out, research & contact your Congressman. This is why we elect them, so that they can represent the interests of their constituency. So speak out!

  • Fall is in the Air! Time to Reorganize!

    Fall is in the Air! Time to Reorganize!

    I'm really not that big a fan of summer. I detest hot weather. There are perks, however. Less traffic due to no school. I have more free time in the evenings since my oldest doesn't have homework. More time for reading makes me a happy camper!

    Fall is definitely in the air, however. A welcome change to the sweltering heat! I've noticed that the mornings are cooler. The sun is rising later. I can almost feel Fall trying to scoot in. I love fall. It's probably my favorite season. I love the changing colors of the foliage. In the area in which I live, it's like driving through a watercolor painting. The colors are so vivid and bright. And I absolutely love back to school shopping! I loved it as a kid, and I love it still as an adult. We start early, in July, so we don' t have to deal with the horrible crowds and digging through the leftover supplies. And, oh how I wish it would be acceptable for me to carry a trapper keeper to work! Or use glittery pencils with multi-colored erasers!

    A big thing we do at our house this time of year is reorganize! With the fall, not only does it bring school but it also begins my busy travel time of the year. So, buy organizing and decluttering, it helps make our days run smoother and our lives less hectic.

    I was ecstatic when I was contacted by CSN Office Furniture inviting me to review one of their products. Several other bloggers were contacted and decided to review bookshelves. Now, I could definitely use another bookshelf, but keeping in line with this whole theme of organizing, I decided to review an item that would keep our family more organized. Because not only does CSN home office furniture sell bookshelves and other office equipment, it also sells some great organizational pieces! So I began to think of an area in our house that could stand a bit of organizing. I instantly thought of my son's room, specifically his video game console/collection.

    The item I will be reviewing is the Four-Tier Wire Gaming Tower. I just love all the storage space it provides, and even more importantly, the hooks for the controllers! Currently, my son just throws them in a drawer and the cords get all twisted and bent. With this new system, I'm hoping my son will be able to keep this area of his room a little neater.

    So, check back in a few weeks for my review. And, if my son is willing, I will post a before and after picture of his video game area!

  • North America: Nine Mile Canyon primitive rock shelter vandalized

    North America: Nine Mile Canyon primitive rock shelter vandalized
    The leader of a nonprofit archaeology organization says he's baffled by an act of vandalism that was recently discovered in Utah's Nine Mile Canyon.

    Nine Mile Canyon primitive rock shelter vandalized
    Utah's Nine Mile Canyon [Credit: KSL]

    Jerry D. Spangler, executive director of the Colorado Plateau Archaeological Alliance, confirmed Tuesday that members of his group discovered the vandalism at a primitive rock shelter in the canyon on March 16 and reported it to the Bureau of Land Management office in Price.

    The vandals buried two wire cables in the floor of the shelter, Spangler said. They also moved delicate archaeological material around inside the shelter to build new walls, according to Ahmed Mohsen, manager of the BLM'S Price field office.

    "It's one of the weirdest things I've ever seen," said Spangler, who has more than two decades of experience in the field.

    Members of the Colorado Plateau Archaeological Alliance first photographed and documented the "big rock shelter" in 2010, but did not excavate it at that time, Spangler said. By moving things inside the shelter and digging into the floor, the vandals have probably done permanent damage to "layers of past human habitation," he said.

    "Those are like the pages of a book," Spangler said. "When you disturb the context of artifacts, you put the book out of order."

    Spangler doesn't know precisely when the damage was done, but believes the vandalism was "fairly recent."

    "It's sad that someone would chose to make this their own little playground," he said, adding that rock shelters often provide archaeologists with an opportunity to study "thousands of years of human history in one place."

    A BLM law enforcement ranger has been assigned to the case, Mohsen said. Anyone with information about the vandalism are enouraged to call the bureau's Price office at 435-636-3600.

    "It's going to be an uphill battle, since we don't know exactly when the vandalism occurred," Spangler said.

    Author: Geoff Liesik | Source: KSL [April 08, 2015]

  • New interpretation of wall clocks

    New interpretation of wall clocks

    Wall clock

    The designer from Hong Kong Leo Yiu has suggested to change a little representation of inhabitants about what should be wall clocks in office and official bodies.

    Nextime has bought the patent

    The manufacturer of clocks company Nextime with pleasure has got at the designer idea of a dial with the cut off lateral part which allows to suspend conveniently them to a direct plane.

    Unusual clock

    Office clocks

    Clocks for office

    VIA «New interpretation of wall clocks»

  • Huge Pipes, As an Architectural Element

    Huge Pipes, As an Architectural Element
    Huge pipes

    Architectural Factory of Pipes

    The building for company T Bailey Inc is made as factory expansion on manufacture of steel pipes. The architect of the project — Tom Kundig from studio Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects — used huge pipes as a design element.

    We Make the Pipes!

    Total area of office of 1,100 sq. m. For construction of office architects used directly that product which is made by the customer. Visitors will get to a building on huge pipes. In a huge vertical pipe the large fan which will condition air at the main office is placed. The conditioner will be charged by energy of the sun.

    Factory expansion

    The interior corresponds to stylistics. The concrete floor, open structure, a covering minimum. The roof inclination will direct streams of rain water to a garden, for watering of trees growing there.

    VIA «Huge Pipes, As an Architectural Element»

  • Catching Up

    Catching Up

    It always happens..I have all these wonderful plans for the long weekend. I have a stack of books on my bedside, just waiting to be read. Instead...I spent the entire weekend in bed, sick. My hubby and nine year old son had symptoms of a cold earlier in the week. My hubby had gone out the night before his symptoms appeared and I blamed it on a hangover (sorry baby!). Ok, I can admit it...I was wrong. Unless hangovers are contagious, he really was sick that day.

    Ok, back to me :). The symptoms started Friday while I was at work. Tingly nose, itchy throat. We'd done a lot of cleaning around the office so I assumed that my allergies were just reacting. At lunch that day, I took my son to his school's Open House. I put on a happy face, but my head was throbbing. Luckily the powers that be decided to close the office early that day in honor of the Labor Day weekend.

    I get home around 3:30 and I can barely see to drive, my headache is so bad. The normal allergy/sinus meds weren't kicking in. I drank some coffee, and that seemed to alleviate the pain for the time being.

    Hubby and I had plans to take our nine year old to the mall to do some final back to school shopping. I was able to get through that relatively easily, but by the time we got home it hit me. I lost all energy and crashed.

    I woke up the next morning at 6 am, thanks to our three year old son. That's when the coughing began. I coughed so much I thought my ribs would crack. The coughing lasted all weekend, and finally, after an entire 3 day weekend of drinking the all-powerful, cure-all Robitussin, I'm finally starting to feel normal again.

    The downside of the meds was waking up, wide awake, at 3 am. I got a lot of quality reading done in those early hours! I finished Inside Out Girl

    , Sweetsmoke

    , and Chelsea Cain's newest, Sweetheart

    . I've started Woman of a Thousand Secrets

    and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    (for the Sci-Fi Lit class I'm taking). Look for my reviews of these books (ok maybe not Frankenstein) later this week.

    Ok, this was meant to be a short little message explaining my absence but as usual I started rambling :). I hope everyone has a good week, and I'm sending out a special prayer to all those affected by Gustav. Also, there's still time to enter the giveaway for a Tess Gerritsen book!

  • Entertaining ecology in Hamburg

    Entertaining ecology in Hamburg

    New building in Hamburg

    Sauerbruch Hutton became the winner in competition on building of a new building for Office for Urban Development and Environment. The building is planned to construct by 2013.

    City in a miniature

    The project represents a complex of buildings and a tower where public zones (restaurants and showrooms) will be placed. In the central lobby city models of Hamburg which can be examined through a glass facade will be exposed.

    Office in Hamburg

    Showroom in Hamburg

    Urban Development

    Showroom in Hamburg

    In a building passive and active measures, for example, thermal isolation, cross-country-ventilation, the system of heating using a solar energy, the geothermal equipment are combined.

    VIA «Entertaining ecology in Hamburg»

  • India: 900 year old Golconda Fort opens doors to renovation plan

    India: 900 year old Golconda Fort opens doors to renovation plan
    It has been over a month since rust and decay uprooted a massive wooden door, Moti Darwaza, of the historic Golconda Fort.

    900 year old Golconda Fort opens doors to renovation plan
    When Moti Darwaza almost came off in 2006, the officials had repositioned it within a few days. But this time, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) sub-circle office at Golconda is yet to act.

    The ASI has chalked out big plans for restoration of all the doors at as many as eight entrances to the fort.

    According to ASI superintending archaeologist R Krishnaiah, plans are afoot for complete restoration and repositioning of the door by this month-end.

    “After an inspection, we have decided to take measures to prevent any such incident in the future. Estimates are ready and work will start soon,” he said.

    As of now, the ASI has decided to tie down the doors onto the fort walls using iron cables so that they do not fall down.

    “The mechanism for operating these old doors is different. Since none of them is operational anymore, we have decided to tie them to the original position using flat iron cables at two places using L-angle and an iron U-channel from the top portion on to the masonry wall,” said N Ch Peddintlu, assistant superintending archaeological engineer, ASI-Hyderabad circle.

    Regarding the damaged right door of Moti Darwaza that has been lying at the ASI sub-circle office in Golconda, he said, “We are going to add a wooden plank of teakwood and embed it to the old door using the ancient techniques. Also, we are going to apply wood preservatives to prevent any further deterioration of wood. This will be done for all the doors at eight different darwazas,” he added.

    He said the ASI has also decided to restore the merlons of the fort walls that have either been damaged or have collapsed. This work is expected to start soon and would be completed by June 2015.

    During an inspection, it was also noted that land close to the inner fort walls was being misused for parking purposes.

    “We are going to enhance greenery by planting vegetation close to the walls so as to prevent littering or defecation or even unauthorised vehicle parking,” Peddintlu explained.

    Golconda Fort is over 900 years old. Built by the Kakatiyas, it rose to prominence during the Qutb Shahi era. There are eight darwazas on the outer wall of the fort. All these gateways lead to important urban centres.

    Author: Rahul V Pisharody | Source: Indian Express News [January 12, 2015]

  • Near East: St. John's Cathedral in Izmir to be restored

    Near East: St. John's Cathedral in Izmir to be restored
    A tender will be initiated tomorrow for the restoration of St. John’s Cathedral, which is popular among tourists in the Şirince neighborhood of Selçuk in İzmir (Smyrna).

    St. John's Cathedral in Izmir to be restored
    The restoration of St John Cathedral in İzmir’s Şirince 
    will start soon [Credit: Hurriyet]

    As part of a protocol among the İzmir Building Survey and Monuments Directorate, Selçuk Municipality and İzmir Governor’s Office, the restoration of the church will be financed with funds from the governor’s office’s Investment Monitoring and Coordination Directorate, Selçuk Mayor Zeynel Bakıcı said in a statement.

    “The restoration of the church will start soon. The church is highly popular among Christians and especially Catholics. It is important for tourists to worship in a healthier church. Şirince is progressing in terms of faith tourism,” Bakıcı said.

    He noted that the bazaar in Şirince, which is famous for its historic Greek houses, would also be restored.

    Source: Hurriyet Daily News [February 22, 2015]

  • Natural Heritage: Environmental groups sue BLM over fracking permits near Chaco

    Natural Heritage: Environmental groups sue BLM over fracking permits near Chaco
    A coalition of environmental groups filed suit in federal court on Wednesday to push back against Bureau of Land Management's permitting of hydraulic fracturing wells near Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

    Environmental groups sue BLM over fracking permits near Chaco
    An oil well is pictured in September 2012 off County Road 6480 at sunset 
    [Credit: Daily Times]

    The suit, which names the BLM and the U.S. Interior Department as defendants, argues that the federal government is putting the environment, public health and the region's cultural resources at sites like Chaco Culture at risk by allowing oil and gas development in the lower San Juan Basin, primarily the Lybrook area.

    Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment, the San Juan Citizens Alliance, WildEarth Guardians and the Natural Resources Defense Council, with attorneys from the Western Environmental Law Center, collectively filed the complaint in New Mexico's U.S. District Court, arguing that the BLM's ongoing permitting of drilling in the area violates the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, and the National Historic Preservation Act, or NHPA.

    The groups also took to the state Capitol Wednesday to try to convince legislators to support a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, production for Mancos Shale oil in the Gallup Play area. The drilling process involves injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure to fracture shale rocks and release the natural gas or oil inside.

    On Dec. 30, the BLM said it would defer issuing leases for five Navajo allotment parcels that represent 2,803 acres in response to a protest filed by environmental groups that demanded the agency suspend fracking on public lands near the Chaco park.

    The BLM's Farmington Field Office is expected to finalize its amended resource management plan later this year, said Victoria Barr, the BLM Farmington Field Office district manager. Barr declined to comment on the lawsuit.


    Jeremy Nichols, the climate energy program director at Santa Fe-based WildEarth Guardians, said the lawsuit was a last resort but a necessary one, given BLM's continued drilling permitting.

    "The BLM has not fully analyzed the full impacts of horizontal hydraulic fracturing in the Mancos Shale area. Why are they approving all these permits? We wanted to take it to court and have a judge decide," Nichols said.

    Groups like WildEarth Guardians complain that the BLM should cease approving all oil drilling permits in the Mancos area at least until its management plan is completed.

    "They're leaping before looking because, at the same time, they're trying to update their (resource management) plan, and they've acknowledged that fracking wasn't something they'd thought hard about," Nichols said. "While they're doing that, they're approving dozens — over 100 permits. It doesn't add up to us."

    Overall, Nichols said the groups' concern rests with the unknown implications of unchecked drilling in a culturally sensitive region.

    "They are approving these permits and arguing that they're insignificant. It's unfortunate that we have to go to court," he said. "Maybe they should think more about the public resources that are at stake. These are public lands and minerals. It's not the oil and gas industry's lands and minerals. Hopefully, we can get BLM to realize that a little restraint is warranted."

    Colleen Cooley with Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment said in the group's March 11 press release that the impacts of ongoing horizontal drilling pose dangers to Native communities who live in the region.

    "The (BLM) is not taking serious consideration of the sacredness of the Greater Chaco region and the impacts on surrounding Diné communities as they continue to approve more drilling and fracking," Cooley said in the release. "It's time to account for what really matters, our health, our environment, and future generations."

    Author: James Fenton | Source: The Daily Times [March 11, 2015]

  • Zaha Hadid will construct Stone Towers in Cairo

    Zaha Hadid will construct Stone Towers in Cairo

    Stone Towers

    Towers in CairoZaha Hadid Architects has shown the project office and shopping centre “The Stone Towers” which will construct in capital of Egypt, Cairo.

    The Stone Towers by Zaha Hadid Architects

    The architect was inspired by samples and structures of ancient Egyptian stone constructions. Lines of northern and southern facades of each tower will be with breakages and ledges that underlines effect of light and a shade on a surface.

    Towers will be constructed around Stone Park in Cairo. A total area of 525,000 sq. m.; here business hotel, office and trading spaces, restaurants and cafe will be located.

    Business hotel in Egypt

    The Stone Park in Cairo

    VIA «Zaha Hadid will construct Stone Towers in Cairo»

  • Public health services high technologies

    Public health services high technologies

    Hospital complex

    Company RTKL — the international architectural company which is engaged in designing of buildings and constructions — in the end of this year begins erection of an innovative hospital complex by the area of 361,000 m. The complex will serve simultaneously more than 2200 patients. Project cost: 2,82 billion yuans (or 304 million euro). The control and management of building will be carried out by the best experts RTKL from office in Los Angeles.

    Innovative embodiment

    Company RTKL has been chosen as the contractor of the project as a result of competition in which 30 architectural firms participated. Desire of the customer — create a building which embodies: the innovative, progressive and ecological concept of the health centre.

    The Western technologies and East culture

    In a hospital complex, besides chambers with hospital cots, will take places: hospitals, the centre of the emergency help, infectious branch, audiences and lecture halls for experts and students of medical HIGH SCHOOLS, a hostel for pupils, an office building, a conference — a hall and a reception.

    Marriott Marco Island Hotel by RTKL

    VIA «Public health services high technologies»

  • Office Supplies For English Majors

    Office Supplies For English Majors

    Oh, how I miss going to Target with my mom, list in hand, and purchasing exactly seven folders and several brightly colored pens. School supplies shopping was like Christmas when I was a kid, nothing made me happier than buying the supplies and going home to figure out exactly how I would utilize all of them. Now, of course, things are different. Instead of school supplies shopping I have to go book shopping, and as much as I love books it's a really a pain to shell out the money for them all at once. I still find some solace in office supplies though, and these are my favorites.

    1. Pens. I don't use pencils anymore because they basically erase themselves once the pages have been rubbing together. I write in my books (as do most people I know) and it is important that my notes stay. I know this is kind of an obvious one, but I use pens more than anything else. I also have several red pens for editing my papers. I used to use brightly colored pens to write in my books so that I would be able to find my notes easier, but this became a hassle because colored pens seem to run out of ink faster than black ones. I also get most of my pens for free (by which I mean I take them from tables at fairs or a I pilfer them from front desks) and most free pens are black.

    2. Post-it Notes. I use Post-it notes differently from most people I know, so here are the two ways I see people using them. The first is like me, I just use them like bookmarks. I use one large Post-it to mark my place in the book, and I use smaller ones to divide my reading into sections. I can't sit and read one book for four hours (usually) so I divide it up into thirty page sections. I read faster if I can see that I'm getting close to the end of the section, so it saves me time and gives my brain a rest. Other people I know use Post-its in lieu of or in addition to writing in their books. Sometimes you have a great idea, but there is only so much room in the margin of books which is where the Post-its come in. This probably makes passages easier to locate and helps when making points in class. I don't do it because I summarize my thoughts at the end of chapters where there is usually lots of room.

    3. File Folders. I get a lot of papers as an English major and most of the time I only need them once. I like to keep everything until the end of the semester but I don't like carrying it all around, so I use file folders for all of my classes. When I have to print out an essay and read it for class I put it in my backpack for the day, and then when I come home I put it in the file folder. I also use file folders to document any submissions I've made to literary magazines, progress towards my degree, and information for programs I'm interested in.

    4. Stapler. I'm kind of being hypocritical here because I do not have a stapler, but I vow to purchase one this weekend since I'm telling all of you that you need one. It is embarrassing to turn in papers that are not stapled. I've always been a paper clip kind of girl, but so far that has not worked for me. I NEED a stapler. It's not working to use the one at my job because I always forget or run out of time. Once a teacher actually made fun of me for not having a stapler. Even one of those mini-staplers. A girl in one of my classes has one in her backpack that she lets me use and I am grateful to her every day. So, I will be buying a stapler.

    5. Planner. When I say planner I mean planner, not tiny little thing that only has room to write down Lunch with Mackenzie, because that is literally all you will do that day. You might have to buy an ugly planner, I'm not so fond of mine, but it gets the job done. Unless you have an amazing memory you really need a planner. I divide large tasks up into small ones and do a little every day. Chances are, if you write it down in your planner and you look at it, you will do it. I also write in parentheses after the task how long I think it will take to get done. This can either be incredibly daunting or comforting. Usually it is comforting. Write down fun things in your planner too! You'll look at it more.

  • Iran: Belgium to return stolen artefacts to Iran

    Iran: Belgium to return stolen artefacts to Iran
    A court in Belgium has ruled that the country’s authorities restitute nine boxes of smuggled ancient Iranian artifacts along with a bronze pin stolen from an exhibition.

    Belgium to return stolen artefacts to Iran
    This file photo shows 2,700-year-old Persian silver drinking 
    cup Shir Dal [Credit: PressTV]

    An informed source at the Center of International Legal Affairs in Iran’s Presidential Office said on Tuesday that an appellate court in Belgium’s eastern city of Liège, situated nearly 90 kilometers (55 miles) southeast of the capital, Brussels, has passed the final verdict in favor of the restitution of the Iranian heritage, IRNA reported.

    The source, whose name was not revealed, praised efforts made by Iranian legal experts and officials at Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handcraft and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) for following up on the case.

    The contents of the nine boxes were looted over the past years from a 3000-year-old ancient site near the village of Khorvin, situated 80 kilometers (49 miles) northeast of the Iranian capital, Tehran.

    Following Iran's demand, the Brussels court ordered the seizure of the pieces and their preservation at the Museum of Brussels University, pending a final verdict.

    Since the boxes contained metal items that might have oxidized over time, Iranian officials asked Belgian officials to open the boxes in the presence of ICHTO representatives. The boxes were resealed after experts examined the contents.

    The ancient pin was stolen in December 2002 from the European tour of “7000 Years of Persian Art” during its run at St. Peter's Abbey in Ghent.

    Iranian officials have filed several other lawsuits in courts in Britain, France, Turkey, and Pakistan for the return of smuggled artifacts over the past years.

    Source: Press TV [December 24, 2014]

  • MISS UNIVERSE CANADA 2011 CONTESTANT - Trisha Vergo

    MISS UNIVERSE CANADA 2011 CONTESTANT - Trisha Vergo
    ©Name: Trisha Vergo
    Age: 25 | Height: 5’6″ | Cold Lake, AB

    Trisha is an energetic, outgoing and caring individual. She believes in putting family first and is very thankful for the role that her family has played in making her the hard working and ambitious woman she is today.

    Born in Edmonton and raised in northern Alberta’s Cold Lake she is proud to call Canada her home.

    After graduating high school Trisha continued her education in Hanceville, Alabama USA studying her Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. Upon returning to Canada she went a different direction and began working in Real Estate.

    After three years she is the Office Manager of a Real Estate Investment Company in Edmonton, Alberta. Growing up she enjoyed dancing jazz, ballet, tap and folk and uses her dance back round to teach dance fitness classes evenings and weekends.

    She enjoys leading an active lifestyle and in her spare time she is studying to become AFLCA certified in group exercise leadership.

    Trish has a kind heart and believes that everyone can make a difference for positive change. She has volunteered with the Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, The Edmonton Food Bank, Canadian Blood Services/One Match Stem Cell and Marrow Network and American Red Cross.

    Growing up on acreage in a rural community Trish has always had an affinity for animals and is a member of PETA and the Soi Dog Foundation. She hopes to one day adopt a dog to Canada from the organization that helps abused and abandoned cats and dogs in Thailand.

    In addition to dancing, Trish enjoys travelling, swimming, snowboarding, creating culinary sensations in the kitchen and making people laugh. Her favourite night of the week is Monday as she gets to catch up with Grammy and Gramps over supper. Her passion for life keeps her pretty busy when she isn’t on the go you can find her curled up reading a book or watching the Food Network.

    Sponsored by:

    ©

    Crystal’s Bridal, Joanne Halldorson Royal LePage Cold Lake, Master & Master Real Estate Edmonton, Tangles Hair Salon Cold Lake, Royal LePage Northern Lights Cold Lake, Louise Johnson Sutton Cold Lake, EK Designs, Shameless Accessories, Family and Friends.

    Languages spoken Fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language)

    English


    Special thanks and credits towww.beautiesofcanada.com

    VIA MISS UNIVERSE CANADA 2011 CONTESTANT - Trisha Vergo

  • Italy: Italy looks for help with heritage management

    Italy: Italy looks for help with heritage management
    Italy's leading tourist attractions including the Colosseum could soon be in foreign hands as the country seeks new directors from around the world to make its museums more profitable.

    Italy looks for help with heritage management
    The Colosseum draws 5.5 million visitors a year 
    [Credit: NZ Herald]

    In the biggest shake-up of arts and culture of modern times, Matteo Renzi, the Prime Minister, has announced that the Government is to run advertisements in the Economist on January 9 to recruit new administrators "because we want to have the best directors in the world".

    The leadership changes are part of a dramatic shake-up of the arts spearheaded by Dario Franceschini, the Culture Minister, in an attempt to make the country's galleries, museums and historic sites more profit-driven. Italy boasts nearly 3000 cultural sites that attract 77 million visitors a year.

    The Colosseum alone draws 5.5 million of those.

    Among the other "super museums" Franceschini wants to develop are the Borghese Gallery and National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

    Under a government decree, Franceschini hopes to generate earnings of more than 2 billion ($3.16 billion) in 2017, with further growth in the years to come. Italy's museums, galleries and archeological sites generated only 380 million in revenue in 2013, according to La Repubblica newspaper, and cost 350 million to operate.

    The minister's office declined to comment on the new plans. But, according to La Repubblica, Franceschini wants to model Italian museums on the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and add more restaurants, gift shops, guides and accessories that will attract more visitors and ultimately more profits.

    He also wants to create 18 new regional offices with responsibility for the country's biggest artistic sites and grant more power to individual directors who run them. Italian media also said he was expected to appoint 12 new directors-general within his ministry who would manage specific sectors such as tourism, cinema and live theatre.

    Franceschini has openly favoured other measures to increase tourism by "adding value" to the country's heritage and strongly supports corporate sponsorship.

    He recently backed a move to bring live cultural events and concerts to ancient monuments such as the Colosseum because he said they needed to be "brought alive" for visitors from around the world.

    In June, he launched a $50 million appeal to preserve the vast Domus Aurea palace built by Emperor Nero beside the Colosseum.

    The Domus Aurea, loosely translated as the Golden House, is a sprawling complex of interconnecting dining halls, frescoed reception rooms and vaulted hallways on the hill opposite the ancient amphitheatre.

    "The state has very limited resources unfortunately," said Franceschini at the time.

    "This is an opportunity for a big company to sponsor an extraordinary project, which will capture the world's attention. It would be scandalous if no one comes forward."

    Source: The New Zealand Herald [December 26, 2014]

  • Miss Universe Canada 2011 Contestant - Venessa Facciotti

    Miss Universe Canada 2011 Contestant - Venessa Facciotti
    ©Name: Venessa Facciotti
    Age: 25 | Height: 5’5″ | Langley, BC
    Venessa has recently completed the Mortgage Brokers course at University of British Columbia. She is now working towards opening her own mortgage and lending company with a focus on providing finance options for individuals who have trouble obtaining a mortgage through traditional financing methods.
    In addition to this, Venessa hopes to open the country’s first unconventional depression resource center in her hometown, Langley BC. In her free time,she enjoys training her puppy so they will be able to volunteer together at the local cancer clinics.
    Sponsored by: Dr. Anil C. Verma and staff, Banyan Dental Office, Ginger Sun Spa, Gerry Facciotti Royal Lepage Real Estate, Kelowna BC., Geoff Howard Photography, Nicole Zehr Makeup and Hair, Victoria of Miss Jacada, Family and Friends
    Languages spoken Fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language)
    English
    Special thanks and credits towww.beautiesofcanada.com
    source: (Thank you and credits to
    http://freedom-guy.blogspot.com/
    and all sources for the information and pictures)

    VIA Miss Universe Canada 2011 Contestant - Venessa Facciotti

  • Beatrice and Eugenie are stripped of their 24-hour protection after row over £50,000 annual cost

    Beatrice and Eugenie are stripped of their 24-hour protection after row over £50,000 annual cost
    By ANDREW PIERCE
    ©VIPs: Princesses Eugenie, left, and Beatrice could lose their police protection after a row over the £500,000 annual cost
    Prince Andrew’s daughters are to be stripped of their 24-hour police protection after a growing row over the £500,000 annual cost.
    Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are the biggest losers of a Scotland Yard review of security for the Royal Family.
    The princesses, fifth and sixth in line to the throne, will be given protection only when they attend official events on behalf of the Royal Family.
    ©Safe: The Princesses are driven away from Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding reception by a protection officer
    Prince Andrew had fought ferociously for the protection officers to stay. He argued his daughters should be treated differently from other minor royals because they enjoy HRH status.
    But his argument failed because their cousin Zara Phillips, the daughter of Princess Anne, has no protection – even though she has a higher public profile.
    ©Furious: Prince Andrew is said to have fought to keep the protection officers as he feels they are different to other minor Royals because of their HRH status
    The cost of guarding Eugenie, 21, in her first year at Newcastle University has been estimated at £250,000 a year. It includes salaries, accommodation and living and travel expenses of two full-time bodyguards.
    Beatrice, 22, studying at the University of London, enjoys the same level of protection.
    Prince Andrew insisted his daughters have full-time protection despite private police assessments that they were low-risk targets.
    ©No protection: The Duchess of Gloucester will no longer have security unless on official business, while Zara Philips has no cover despite her high profile
    The Home Office is determined to prune the estimated £50million security bill for the Royal Family.
    Other minor royals such as the Duchess of Gloucester who, unlike princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, performs official engagements, will also have their protection withdrawn when not on official duty.
    source: dailymail

    VIA Beatrice and Eugenie are stripped of their 24-hour protection after row over £50,000 annual cost

  • Miss Universe Canada 2011 Contestant - Trisha Vergo

    Miss Universe Canada 2011 Contestant - Trisha Vergo
    ©Name: Trisha Vergo
    Age: 25 | Height: 5’6″ | Cold Lake, AB

    Trisha is an energetic, outgoing and caring individual. She believes in putting family first and is very thankful for the role that her family has played in making her the hard working and ambitious woman she is today.

    Born in Edmonton and raised in northern Alberta’s Cold Lake she is proud to call Canada her home.

    After graduating high school Trisha continued her education in Hanceville, Alabama USA studying her Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. Upon returning to Canada she went a different direction and began working in Real Estate.

    After three years she is the Office Manager of a Real Estate Investment Company in Edmonton, Alberta. Growing up she enjoyed dancing jazz, ballet, tap and folk and uses her dance back round to teach dance fitness classes evenings and weekends.

    She enjoys leading an active lifestyle and in her spare time she is studying to become AFLCA certified in group exercise leadership.

    Trish has a kind heart and believes that everyone can make a difference for positive change. She has volunteered with the Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, The Edmonton Food Bank, Canadian Blood Services/One Match Stem Cell and Marrow Network and American Red Cross.

    Growing up on acreage in a rural community Trish has always had an affinity for animals and is a member of PETA and the Soi Dog Foundation. She hopes to one day adopt a dog to Canada from the organization that helps abused and abandoned cats and dogs in Thailand.

    In addition to dancing, Trish enjoys travelling, swimming, snowboarding, creating culinary sensations in the kitchen and making people laugh. Her favourite night of the week is Monday as she gets to catch up with Grammy and Gramps over supper. Her passion for life keeps her pretty busy when she isn’t on the go you can find her curled up reading a book or watching the Food Network.

    Sponsored by:

    ©

    Crystal’s Bridal, Joanne Halldorson Royal LePage Cold Lake, Master & Master Real Estate Edmonton, Tangles Hair Salon Cold Lake, Royal LePage Northern Lights Cold Lake, Louise Johnson Sutton Cold Lake, EK Designs, Shameless Accessories, Family and Friends.

    Languages spoken Fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language)

    English


    Special thanks and credits towww.beautiesofcanada.com

    source: (Thank you and credits to
    http://freedom-guy.blogspot.com/
    and all sources for the information and pictures)

    VIA Miss Universe Canada 2011 Contestant - Trisha Vergo