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Oahu Real Estate: Where to Buy Now
The number of homes on the market has been remarkably small through the downturn, but prices are beginning to heat up. Here are three regions where your home-buying dollar might pay off more than others.
(page 1 of 3)
Asking Oahu realtors to point to the hottest neighborhood on the island is like asking a foodie to name her favorite restaurant. It could just be a matter of taste, since quite a few neighborhoods could claim to be 10 to 15 minutes from a beach, have picture-perfect weather, and be densely populated with people and amenities.
Statistics don't quite help narrow down which neighborhoods are hottest, as sales have been flat all year. The inventory has dried up, especially in lower-priced homes. "There are more homes available at the upper end, so, of course, our statistics will show median sales prices on the rise," says Stephen Lopaz, Honolulu Board of Realtors (HBR) research analyst. Oahu sales have been so flat that the numbers can be a little misleading when trying to determine a trend. For example, Hawaii Kai showed a 13 percent increase in sales for June 2012 over June 2011, but that simply means that 13 homes sold last year, and 14 homes sold this year.
Some areas, however, are anecdotally emerging as more desirable places to live, each for different reasons. By "desirable," we don't simply mean affluent; a combination of factors are driving home buyers to different areas, whether it's prices or the amenities in the neighborhood. The areas we're watching don't necessarily have brisk sales now, but we expect more activity as time goes on.
It's taken more than a decade, but Kapolei is finally taking shape as Oahu's second city.
According to statistics from Data Analysts Hawaii Inc., housing has tripled since 1990, going from 11,722 units to 31,730 in 2010—with 16 master-planned communities up or coming.
Government agencies have moved their offices out west, and new attractions have sprung up, including Podium Raceway, the Kroc Center, and various family-friendly retailers and restaurants.
"Kapolei has become popular with people relocating from the Mainland, who tend to want their home to be a brand-new building," says Dawn Marie, a broker at Kahala Associates.
While most tend to associate such master-planned communities with mid-price, cookie-cutter houses, the developments often offer luxury homes along the golf course with the opulence and comfort of one you might find along Kahala Avenue, at a fraction of the price. A large fraction, but a fraction, nonetheless.
"The growth in population and businesses means more services are needed in Kapolei, like doctors and lawyers," explains Joan Matsuoka, broker in charge at Ivy K Realty. "These higher-paid professionals still want to live in a comfortable home; they just need to live closer to work.
"They're also popular with people of affluence who have retired, but want to live away from the congestion of metro Honolulu," Matsuoka says.
She adds that the entire 'Ewa Plain should be considered the hot spot, not just the city of Kapolei, as the development is much more vast.


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Hebburn South councillor Eddie McAtominey is today celebrating the fact that he's still a member of the Labour party .. at least for now.
Last week Mr Monkey revealed that the former cabinet member and convicted drink driver faced a battle to stay in the Labour party after being suspended for his conduct in relation to his drinking habits. This chimp also told bloggers that council leader Iain Malcolm was working behind the scenes to get the regional offcie to throw him out of the Labour party. CLICK HERE.
Councillor Malcolm sees councillor McAtominey is the only real threat to his leadership.
Mr Monkey can now reveal that councillor McAtominey has been given a reprieve after Labour North decided to refer the matter to the national party at Labour central office in London.
It seems no one in the North East wants to make the decision to remove councillor McAtominey from the Labour party and this chimp can't help wondering why; does councillor McAtominey know too much about you and your cheating antics Iain? It was Eddie who got you the ballot box with the secret compartment wasn't it?

subset: commoncrawl


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With the success of the Superprestigio in Spain, AMA Pro Flat Track is looking to copy the model for the American market. Dubbed the Superprestigio of the Americas, the November 21st race will presumably heavily feature American riders, though no names have been announced just yet.
The announcement is just the latest of events to come from the Daytona Motorsports Group, in order to promote the sport of flat track racing in the USA. As you may know, Just recently flat track racing was included as part of the X Games in Austin, Texas, which gave the sport a captive mainstream TV audience.
Now appealing to riders from road racing, supermoto, and other two-wheeled diciplines, the Superprestigio of the Americas can bring together fans from different parts of the two-wheeled racing world…just don't expect to see Marc Marquez going head-to-head again with America's finest.


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Here's a summer household project that won't give you a sunburn.
A lot can happen in a year — a move, marriage, kids and more. That's one reason it's a good idea to meet with your Horace Mann representative to go over your insurance policies to make sure they're up-to-date. Here are two more.
Dig into discounts
Is your insurance bill as low as it could be? Check with your representative for opportunities to save on both auto and homeowner insurance with discounts you may not even know you qualify for. (Think multicar, good student, anti-theft devices and many more.) You could save even more if you have different types of insurance with us.
Special belongings could use special coverage
If you have a homeowners insurance policy with Horace Mann, you can opt into specific coverage on individual, high-value items. It's called "scheduling" personal property, and it's particularly important because some types of property (like jewelry) have a set limit for coverage under a basic home insurance policy. Not only does scheduling items work around those limits, but it allows you to avoid paying a deductible if these items are lost or stolen as well.
Contact your representative to schedule a household review and keep your overall insurance and financial strategy on track.
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The first question you might ask me could be this one: "How was this interview organized?" I actually can't believe my luck. It happened that I met by chance the community manager of Gaîté Lyrique and social networks specialist Mr Thomas after a conference at this venue last Tuesday night. He kind of suggested me to do an interview with Peter, because no journalist or music blogger requested any interview with him as far as he knew. I really really like what Peter does and met him once at his Paris gig last year. I didn't know that it was possible to do this, as Amazinglyblog is a tiny blog, and not a popular music webzine, you know. You can easily imagine how glad and excited I was then, because it was the first face-to-face artist interview I've ever did.
I originally planned to do that interview by myself with Peter, but as I met some of my friends at the gig, they wanted to join me, so I ended up doing it with three other persons : Nicolas and Audrey, and Roman, a young man I 've never met before. :) I was quite nervous about the interview, and that really was a good experience. Many thanks to Peter for agreeing to be interviewed, for his incredible kindness and patience, and for his inspiring talk, and of course to Mr Thomas for the help. :)
After he talked to some fans, some friends and the director of Gaîté Lyrique, we sat cross-legged on the floor on the white and grey corridor with a distorted mirror on the wall alongside the "grande salle", where it was less noisy than the "foyer historique" at the venue. Time unfortunately lacked. Here is the retranscription of the interview :
Chantal: Thank you so much for agreeing to be interviewed! [for people who don't know who is Peter Broderick] First of all, could you introduce yourself shortly?
Peter: Yes. My name is Peter Ray Broderick, I was born January 20 1987, I was raised in the US and now I'm living in Berlin.
C: How did it happen that you played a gig at la Gaîté Lyrique?
P: Actually, it's quite simple. The guy who's organizing this show and creating the schedule, his name is Zach Miskin. He's musician as well. We've been in touch in the last months, he started to work here and asked me if I would like to play a concert. And I said: "Sure!".
C: What do you think about this place?
Peter: I think this place is very special. I've never really seen a place like this. It's so set up for all kinds of art. It's really inspiring. I was talking to the director about maybe coming back, 'cause they also do artist residences here and it seems like the perfect space to stay and work on something, get inspired. I love this place.
C: Does it remind you any other places you've been to?
P: I mean, I know other buildings that are multicultural and that have many different stages, but I've never seen one like this. Have you been all around, the place?
C: Yes.
P: There are all kinds of exciting stuff but it's also very simple, it's lovely [laugh]…
C: Have you been into the room there? [foyer historique]
C: You were part of the Euro-tour for Efterklang's film " An Island". How was it? How do people welcome it?
P: This have been a very nice project actually. In the last tour, we screened it for every show, and we played then. Were you there when we played in Paris? [the take away show with la Blogothèque]
C: No, unfortunately...
P: Ok. That concert was really really nice. We played just on the floor and this place with people litterally standing inside the band. Between me and the singer, there were five audience members. That was really really fun. But the film has been really nice. To make it, it was really an amazing experience working with Vincent Moon. He's a man with vision and I trust his vision very much. So to work with him was very inspiring. And then I was kind of surprised how well it works screening it before a concert. I was kind of worried that it was maybe too much playing. But it worked very well, because the film is quite slow and a sort of build-up really.
C: What is it about?
P: The film is based on an island in Danemark, where some of the band members grew up. So out, in the countryside in Danemark. The whole thing is basically us exploring that area performing songs and in different spaces, and also just working purely with sounds, like, sometimes a sound that is banging around on doors. And we're trying to explore the island musically. A song is being performed and there's a special thing like their parents joined us on one song, all the parents were sitting there and playing along. We played a show at their grade school where they grew up with children singing along like little 10-year-old kids, and also with high school kids. So different very special scenarios to play music.
C: That's interesting. There are rumours that Efterklang will take a break.
P: Yes, they're doing a break to work on the new record and take a little time off the road.
C: Will you collaborate with them later again?
P: I'm really not sure at the moment. I mean, this is kind of their thing, whenever they want to have me, I'd be very glad to join them, it's their band and I'm sort of coming on the outside, sort of helped them to fill their musical vision or whatever you want to call it, you know, so… If they still want me, I'll definitely be there.
Nicolas: You played with Efterklang on the last tour, and not on the tour before. How did they come that they came to you to ask you to be involved in the projects?
Audrey: How did you get in touch with them?
P: I met them through MySpace actually. I was a huge fan and I had never been in Europe in my life.
A: With MySpace these days? [laugh]
P: No, these days, it's a nightmare. A few years ago, it had a practical use. I got in touch with the singer, he went in my page, listened to the music and he sent me a nice comment, and then I got really excited and asked if I can send them a CD. This was sort of kept in touch. It was really enough for me, I was thinking "This is incredible, they know who I am !". And then out of the blue one day, they just invited me to move to Europe and tour with them. And they never even met me before or see me play, they just had the recordings I sent them.
A: So, they already trust in you?
P: I guess so, somehow they did, yeah. And that, sort of, what got me started my own musical career by doing this.
C: What image do you think your music conveys and why did you choose to use this type of image for your music?
P: Well, in general, I try not to choose an image for music, I try not to choose a type and I'm very much always trying to force myself to do different things and not to repeat what I did the last time. So for me, it's about really exploration and hopefully a sense of wonder, sort of, you know, just, not so much being sure of something, but just letting it be what it is, if it makes sense. But it's such a hard question with describing your own music. I can't do it very well [general laugh]. I'll let the sound speak for itself, you know.
C: Yes, for me, it's also very difficult to describe each band I want to introduce on the blog.
P: Yeah, after you read so many descriptions, you can only have so many combinations of words to describe something.
C: I have the feeling that I always use the same words to describe similar bands.
P: Yes, it's a little dangerous, I think, when you try to… That's why I'm not so interested in music reviews, things like that. You can write all you want about something, but it's not going to be. And the shame is that if you read a review and then listen to something, those words are going to stick in your mind and are going to influence on how you hear the music. But if you just leave it and you don't bother trying to explain it so much, like you're trying to say how good it is on a scale from 1 to 10 [general laugh], it's possibly better.
C: Do you know Brian Eno?
P: Yeah, I love Brian Eno.
C: Is he a major influence?
P: Yeah ! BIG influence ! I didn't actually start listening to his music until 2006 and I have a journal. There was one year I kept a journal. There was one page that just says by a hundred times "Brian Eno is a genius. Brian Eno is a genius. Brian Eno is a genius."[general smile] At once, as soon as I discovered his music, I bought all the records. That year especially was a Brian Eno's year for me. I've heard a lot of Brian Eno.
C: Do you know that he came here to do a conference?
P: This place ?! Wow, that's fantastic !
C: Maybe it's a difficult question... What is your stance on how to get the public to support live music and see your shows?
P: It's difficult, because I'm really not good of promoting things, and I've never been in a promoting mode. I think, with the Internet, there are so many tours that let people know about things, things that are going on. And I think that's a big part of it nowadays. I think that most of it help people hear about concerts, I guess, it's not so much word of mouth or a friend telling you sometimes, but you probably check out on the Internet before you go to a concert. But it's far to let people getting to the show, sometimes it feels totally random, you know. You can promote something as hard as you want and there's still maybe no people show up. I try not to think about how many people will be there. It's fine if there are ten people and then it's also fantastic.
A: Maybe it's too much pressure if you expect such a number of people.
P: Exactly! You set yourself up for disappointment. Especially if you feel, like, you deserve, you know, those things. My attitude anyway is to try to just accept whatever happens.
C: So were you surprised for today's concert?
P: Yes, there was a really really nice amount of people, it felt so intimate. And it's only me, and there's no other bands. In the past when I played in Paris, I was always, like, supporting an another band, so you never know how many people came there to see you and how many people came to see the other band. It was really nice to see that many people showed up. But I think it must also be an interest in this place in general, you know. I would hope, anyway, that this kind of people will start to get interested in this place and what happens, in a trust of a way to have good things, it seems like a place like that, maybe not all things you understand, but the quality and the art that has very good attention and feels too.
C: The will of discovering new things.
P: Yes, and to create new things. I mean, people creating work in here and staying for a week, even in the recording studio, it's amazing.
C: Tell us about the blog that attempts to list your whole discography!
P: This is a guy named Matt L. He lives outside London, I think. He lives in the UK, somewhere. He just wrote me one day and he said that he started this thing. He's literately going through every single, records where I even appeared for one song. It's pretty handy. [general laugh]
N: It's a full-time job. [general laugh]
P: Yeah, almost. He's even sort of doing some of my friends like Nils Frahm. I can't quite understand it, but I very appreciate it. I'm sending him records as a trade, especially when he started, because when he started, he had to search and find anything that I was involved in. I imagine that it takes a lot of time.
C: You work with tons of labels, how did that happen?
P: A lot of them have contacted me and said "would you be interested in doing something?". Most of the time, I have the hard time to say "no". If somebody wants to support me, I want to try to support them as well. I think that I have so many releases that one record label might not even keep up with it. [general laugh]
A: Recently, what is your label?
P: I guess… There are so many. My main records are coming out on Bella Union, a records from England. And I have a different label in the US called Hush Records, there's Type Records I started releasing on, they released my first record and there's the Swedish label, Kning Disk. A lot of others did little small projects, kind of little homemade labels that do handmade.
A: So, it depends on the countries?
P: It's a bit like that. This label came from this country and the other label from this country. One label asked me if I wanted to make some music for a cassette tape. So I made a record specifically for a tape and one other label wanted me to do a little 3 inch CD, so I prepared a little music for that.
Roman: Did you see the influence on the music depending on the format?
P: Yeah, especially the tape thing. It's good discussing it now. [general laugh] This isn't just me on the spot. The tape especially did. I really record music thinking beyond the tape and in my mind, it had to be like that [tape called "Ten Duets"]. And if you work with vinyls, there's a guy in New Zealand who makes, they're not vinyls, but they're like a homemade vinyl, like a clear CD that he cut by himself by hand. And he can do very small sizes like 5 inch records. And this, you can only fit 2 minutes of music per side. So I made some music for one of these and that very directly influences the time frame.
A: And with the culture. For example, if you want to be on the radio, you have to fit in the 3 minutes of songs, you need a different format… I don't know…
P: You need a place where you explore different sort of works. Definitely.
C: You seem to care about albums covers/cover art.
P: Yes, of course I do. I'm actually someone, if I like records, I would go out and buy physical records.
C: I brought with me your last album ["How They Are"], I find the cover very beautiful.
P: This is really the 1st record for me that I felt 100% satisfied, the way it looked. All the other works, I really try and I got different artists involved. But this one, I took photos myself and I asked one of my favorite designers to put the whole things together. I'm really happy how it looks like.
R: Who is the designer?
P: His name is Rudger Zuydervelt. He's musician, called Machinefabriek. We worked together.
R: He's Dutch, no?
P: Yeah, he's Dutch. He's always designing his own stuff. The look of his releases is as important as the music itself. He creates a visual and style with his music. I love what he does.
A: So, your pictures are yours? Where was it?
P: Yeah, I made the photos, this was made in Copenhagen, February last year. It was the room I stayed for one month. I was in one of this little houses, it's not this one, but it's behind the photos. It was very very snowy and cold. And I just had surgery on my knee, it was a very rough period for me. Yeah, the photos have something special.
C: Is your knee now better?
P: Yeah, it's a lot better! I don't think it would be perfect again, but it's fully functional.
C: So you can jump?
P: Yes, I can jump. I had three years to sleep with a pillow under my knee because I couldn't stretch it all the way and now I don't have to think about that. It was a long recovery process but it's finally better.
C: Ok. :) I also bring this ["Re:create series Vol.1"].
P: Oh yeah, this was the concept from the record label. And actually when they first told me about this, well, me and Johan [Johan G. Winther, aka Tsukimono], we had already planned the concept of the record, we each took a picture, shaking our head with a flash, so the face looks really strange, and then we sent them to each other and he drew me and I drew him.
We wanted the cover to be, like, one side/back side. Then the label wrote to us and said they had us the whole concept for the cover and we were kind like "aaah I don't know about it" 'cause we had this idea already. So, just like, this is part of the music to me, it's the way it looks. The idea was part of it, but in the hand, I love what they did it. They found three hundred old 7 inch records and handscreen printed, all of them, our names in big letters just over the top, so each one is different. And there were some really really funny ones, all of them are Swedish. This one is Swedish on here. I think it's a very special concept.
We wanted the cover to be, like, one side/back side. Then the label wrote to us and said they had us the whole concept for the cover and we were kind like "aaah I don't know about it" 'cause we had this idea already. So, just like, this is part of the music to me, it's the way it looks. The idea was part of it, but in the hand, I love what they did it. They found three hundred old 7 inch records and handscreen printed, all of them, our names in big letters just over the top, so each one is different. And there were some really really funny ones, all of them are Swedish. This one is Swedish on here. I think it's a very special concept.
C: Will you plan to do this kind of covers for your next releases or just simple and classic ones?
P: I have no idea. I will make the decision when the time comes, I think. I'm not very sure at the moment with it. For the moment I don't have any big things planned. I'll have some time to think about the next thing.
C: You did many collaborations. How did you meet the other musicians, like Johan?
P: Johan? I met Johan because he plays in a band, we've been at the same festival, we have a mutual friend, and so I just sort of met him a few times here and there and we exchange music. This is a great way, a way to collaborate with lots of people, the way of meeting them. "Hey, let's swap records!", and then, you know, maybe you get inspired. These days, it's so easy to just write to someone: "Hey, you want to send me a song and I record something, and email it back to you." There are many options for collaborations. I'm always trying to explore that.
C: You collaborated with Machinefabriek, Nils Frahm and many others. And I watched a session you did in the Netherlands with Arone Dyer [from Buke & Gass]. Was it just a duet?
P: She's a friend and she lives in New York. She flew over just to play three concerts with me, and we wrote one song together. And this is one song that is on the session [song called "Old Time", the session for KindaMuzik here].
Old Time Below It
N: What is the balance between the collaborations and your own work? What comes first? Do you work first for your own matter?
P: It's really a mix for them. Sometimes I don't have any collaborations for months and really focus on my own work. And sometimes it's day to day, different, one day, it's my own stuff, one day, it's next. I don't have any specific way to do this.
C: It's like a freelance work? [general laugh]
P: Yes, definitely.
R: I wonder if you will work with your sister as well [Heather Broderick].
P: Yeah, I recorded and produced her record she has out and made a lot of the arrangements and playing the instruments as well.
C: Have you ever thought of forming a band with your sister or with other musicians?
P: Yeah, actually, I have been planning to put a band together and make a big tour in September, and Heather was supposed to be on that band, also Nils, and three other people, that's going to be a six or seven-piece band, but I actually decided to cancel it about months ago, because of many many reasons. It will happen at some point, but I think for now I'm still kind of exploring what I do on my own and I'm enjoying doing that. In the way of putting a band together because I find out that it should be the next step, you know, because if you're going to make a curve like this, you have to grow somehow, and I'm not ready to grow in that way.
R: Exploring your sounds…
P: Yeah. I'm also afraid if I put a band together I will become a nightmare, something like "No, this should be like this! No, play like this! No, one more time!". I don't want to navigate in that space being over the top of people and controlling them, I think for the moment, when I'm not in the right space to approach that thing in a nice way. From time to time, I have musicians who join me on stage, one or two or three people. Putting a band to get on things and getting together, rehearsing for a month. Then we're going on tour. And this was a little too much right now.
R: Did you actually play in Japan afterwards?
P: I'm still on the side whether I should go, the trip should be from April 14th to 26th, so I'm not sure, I'm waiting really to see what happens in the next couple weeks before.
R: How long did you take to write the piece?
P: That piece? I think I wrote it in a few days when I was staying at a friend's house. I got the house and there was a piano there and I was just really enjoying the piano, banging in the piano, like this [moving his fingers in the air like playing piano]. And that piece came out.
R: It is really good. It really captures the moment and the experience.
P: Thank you.
P: Thank you.
C: What is the title?
P: It is called "It's The Storm When I Sleep". It was released on a split album that came out on the Japanese label just a month or two ago. It's on there. I had copies yesterday, but I sold them all.
N: Who is the other band on that split?
P: It's a Japanese singer-songwriter [Takumi Uesaka]. He does three songs guitar, kind of mellow guitar-voice.
C: Is it the album called "Glimmer"?
P: Yes, it's out now in Japan but I think there will be separate European release dates, but I can't remember exactly this right now. I think it's very soon.
A: You played in different atmospheres and different venues. Which atmosphere is the best for you?
P: Always the best is the very intimate thing, where the stage is very small. It's hard for me sometimes when there's a huge stage or audience back there, and it's hard to make a connection with the audience. For me, if there's some kind of connection, whether it is real or not, I feel the success in a concert. With this kind of situation, small space and kind of relaxed as well, it's always been the best.
A: How did you deal when people are talking too loud? Does it happen for you?
P: It really doesn't happen often for me, and it probably happens ten times over the last year over a hundred of concerts. And in the most concerts I can't be mean and tell them to stop. I just keep going on, you know. It's not good at all, you know, the people who want to listen and who are in the first row. First of all, for this music, if you have silence, this adds a very strong element for me, the dynamic of going to absolutely nothing. And when there are people talking, that's not possible. It really destroys it.
A: There's no chemistry.
P: Everybody is in their own world instead of getting everybody inside of this one thing for an hour. But I can understand it sometimes as well, you know. Sometimes it's on the stage where the people in the very back can't see, and with their friends and there's the bar, and they have a conversation.
R: It's a shame!
P: It's a shame! But you know, you can't win them all. [laugh]
C: I saw your pictures on Flickr [a space full of treasures], do you prefer to take pictures with a digital camera or do you prefer polaroids?P: I think that it's very easy to love nowadays, it's just to satisfy when you take a shoot that comes out right there and looks awesome. But in the hand, it can be any format. It's not very fun taking photos with bad digital cameras, like Iphone, but I took some pictures that still look fine. But I prefer looking at it at an analog photograph, I can usually tell the difference, staying in touch with the physical element.
C: What are your next projects?
P: I think this year will be a little bit more relaxed. In the few years I've been releasing many many records and playing many many concerts and it's, sort of, been my life. This year, in the summer, I'll take a little break, maybe think about some other things, some other interests that I have and maybe travel a bit. I've never travelled somewhere, just to go there, you know, to have fun or do things. I always travel to play concerts, so I would like just to take a holiday, take a step back a little bit, sort of think about what happens next. There are some collaborations, some smaller things that are coming out this year, but I think, not a full album for a while. But it changes all the time for me, it comes with recording albums and they come out right away. I'm not very sure at the moment.
A: It's pretty exciting, your brain's working on different projects, inspired to do something else, you can explore different atmospheres and stuff. So you don't sound like anyone else.
P: Yeah, and sometimes, I don't even sound like myself. It's interesting, I'm kind of curious to the outside people if there's a Peter Broderick's sound, because I feel, like, it's all over the place. Especially with the records, like one will be piano and strings, and one will be only guitar and vocals. I kind of hope that it almost seems that it comes from a different person, I guess, in the end, it's still my sense of melody and my sense of composition.
Then, a 100% quick improvisation. I got the idea of the fill-in-the-blank game from the interview he did with Laura Veirs in 2009 for The Line of Best Fit.
Peter Broderick(US)
Website / Youtube / Flickr / Discography
I highly recommend you to check out Hush Records' Youtube and watch the very good videos of Peter.


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Tuesday, February 14, 2012
My favorite drink for winter - Hot chocolate
The minute I reach India, I go looking for a Nescafe vending machine. But people's taste has changed in India I guess, I don't find a single Nescafe coffee machine, until I reach Bhubaneshwar airport! Well I do know there is no Nescafe machines here, so I stick to drinking hot chocolate. I love the Starbucks hot chocolate made from the sachet. I also stock up on the Hot Chocolate powder served in Williams Sonoma during Christmas! And so when I am home and want something to indulge on - its a piping hot cup of hot chocolate. Knowing my ever crazy love for chocolates and hot chocolates, I got these bars of chocolates as gifts this Christmas. So I had to try a yummy cuppa with this...
How To
So its simple. Take some good quality chocolate and add some 1/4 cup milk and put in the microwave for 30 seconds. Take out, mix and put back in the microwave until the chocolate is melted. Add sugar per taste, add some milk and microwave for 1 more minute. Now enjoy your hot chocolate.
Add marshmallows if you want! Shave some chocolate on top if you want! Have fun - go ahead and indulge!
39 comments:
Perfect treat to the chocoholics like me...looks yum...ReplyDelete
Great for winter quiet simple to put together.ReplyDelete
looks yummmmmmmmm.........ReplyDelete
The dark chocolate color is really very tempting..ReplyDelete
tempting and coooolReplyDelete
this looks amazing!ReplyDelete
yummy delight and kids will love this for sureReplyDelete
Really YUMMY Recipe..I am loving itReplyDelete
Simple n delicious.....loved it!ReplyDelete
thanks all... simple and comforting...ReplyDelete
I too have a hot chocolate recipe in my drafts :) I loved ur version, it looks so dark!ReplyDelete
@Raks - put yours up... your pictures are so cool...ReplyDelete
perfect for winter..superb!ReplyDelete
@Kothiyavunu - thanks. Yes agree...ReplyDelete
Simple comforting drink n nice preparation too...ReplyDelete
i am also a chocolate lover. comfort drink for winter.nice oneReplyDelete
Love the color and looks delicious. Happy to follow youReplyDelete
@hema- thanks...ReplyDelete
@Achu - oh you will enjoy it then...
@Anu - thanks...
That looks like one chocolaty valentine's day. Hope you had a lovely day. Mine was a quiet one, with a 14month toddler nothing could really be planned.ReplyDelete
Ah, this is my favorite drink in winter too. *wink*ReplyDelete
Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
My son' fav drink..perfect for this cold winter days,delish....ReplyDelete
@Vijitha - mine was quite too... this is a drink that mom and daughter enjoy!ReplyDelete
@Miriam - thanks...
@Vrinda - my daughter's too...
Oh this is yummy-my kids will love this treat!!!ReplyDelete
This looks very yummy n delicious..loved it.choco is just awesoemReplyDelete
Looks lovely. love the color :)ReplyDelete
@Sweta, @maha and @chitra - thanks...ReplyDelete
Wow not only in winter it's my favorite for any time looks great dear..ReplyDelete
haha - so true... I can drink any time too...ReplyDelete
Yum..Yum..I would love to have it now!!!ReplyDelete
looks so yummy..you have lovely space..glad to follow u..do visit my space too in your free time!! :)ReplyDelete
@Pragyan - welcome back. thanksReplyDelete
@Teena - let me know if you try!
@Poonam - thanks for stopping by! Will surely do...
Chocolate drink looks delicious.. very neat !ReplyDelete
@Kanchan - thanks....ReplyDelete
looks so perfect and yummy! loved itReplyDelete
@Sarah - thanks...ReplyDelete
I am in love with chocolate. I will melt before the chocolate melts, this looks delicious!ReplyDelete
@Cathleen - thanks!ReplyDelete
This looks more chocolatey-er than any other chocolate drink I've searched. I was wondering where can I buy those chocolates?ReplyDelete


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Education, Science, and Humility
U. of Ark. political scientist and education scholar Jay Greene has been blogging about the proper role of science in education policy, and his thoughts (continued here) are well worth reading. In particular, he warns that trying to scientifically find "the one best way" of evaluating teachers or of teaching reading and then attempting to impose that putatively best solution on all children is ultimately misguided and destructive.
I'd add that it is also unscientific. Science is humble. You have to be willing to rethink and potentially discard theories that repeatedly fail to coincide with reality. Well, the theory that governments can operate effective, efficient, innovative education systems from the top down was never supported by the evidence in the first place, and that theory is now buried beneath a vast pile of contrary findings. The system best supported by the empirical evidence is a parent‐driven education marketplace such as the one Greene recommends.


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The natural territory of the street artist Shepard Fairey would seem to be as all-American as it gets. Emerging from the country's skateboarding scene he achieved global prominence with his much copied, much parodied Hope poster displaying a stylised Barack Obama in shades of blue and red.
He spent much of Friday assembling his latest street mural in a seemingly less likely locale – a suburban street in Turnpike Lane, one of north London's more economically mixed neighbourhoods.
Hoisted aloft by a rented cherry picker, the 42-year-old artist used stencils and paint to create Envision, an image of a giant, stylised eyeball design, set in the frame of a disused Victorian placard site on the wall of a local shop.
The unlikely public commission, carried out with any charge by the artist, was the almost accidental result of a wider community regeneration programme carried out by the local council, Haringey, and the green travel charity Sustrans.
In getting together to decide options for more pedestrian-friendly street layouts, locals pondered what to do with the crumbling and slightly tatty shop wall, and decided the existing frame left by the long-disappeared Victorian placard would be best filled by a mural.
James Straffon, a local who helped organise the project, went to a London art gallery specialising in graffiti artists to seek help.
He said: "The woman from the gallery asked: 'Ideally, who would you like?' I said: 'I know it would never happen, but Shepard Fairy.' She said: 'Shall I get in touch with him, then?' I stuck my neck out and said yes and sent them a diagram with the sizes, thinking nothing would happen. Literally a week later they said, he's interested and he's coming over."
Straffon says he remains unsure why such a celebrated artist would be interested in a relatively out-of-the-way location. He said: "I think what sold it was that it's an old Victorian billboard. I think they like the fact it's the old London thing."
Before Fairey arrived, Straffon and some neighbours spent a day preparing the wall, painting it in a specified shade of red for a background to the stencilled design.
The US artist and his team spent several hours in decidedly mixed weather putting the design in place. Straffon said: "He's come from west coast America to dreary, sodden London. He must be thinking: 'Great, I've got to do this.' It's quite windy, too."
Another oddity is that this is Turnpike Lane's second work by a globally-known street artist in a matter of months. Last month, a mural believed to be by Banksy, a rough UK equivalent to Fairey, appeared on the wall of the area's local Poundland shop, showing a child sweatshop worker sewing jubilee bunting.


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25° in Africa
25° in Africa is the latest addition to Media in Africa's range of independent, unbiased magazines.
Published quarterly in print format and on the web and with an international readership, 25° covers the whole gamut of energy sources and provides meaningful, educational and technical reporting on the major energy issues of the day throughout the African continent, with interviews and reports from international experts, governmental policy statements, statistical analyses, and the views of decision makers – all forming part of our balanced independent editorial programmes.
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Media in Africa is a renowned and respected publishing company that has been producing high-quality, glossy, niche, specialised publications for over 22 years, purposely tailored to the requirements of our markets and customers.
To maintain our role as a major player in the niche markets by providing superior quality products. We aim to maintain our culture of unequalled client service, encouraging ethical and principled business practices and being a positive influence on the community we serve.
To establish powerful communication vehicles that connect suppliers with customers and service providers with clientele through the core value of excellence in customer liaison and media.
Why have an energy magazine?
Addressing global energy stress
There are manifestations of increasing stress on energy supplies from a global economy that is outgrowing its support systems; many people have crossed the bridge in accepting the idea that there is going to be a need for restructuring the global energy economy. Alternative energy is emerging as a cornerstone of the new economy.
Africa's energy contribution
Africa's energy potential is vast, but is coupled with serious socio-economic issues that also need to be addressed. This publication aims to provide meaningful, technical and edifying information to educate the global energy community about prospective opportunities for energy generation (and related issues) in Africa and report on innovations and technologies.
Unbiased and independent platform
As an independent platform, we aim to publish alternative viewpoints and opinions to enrich our readers' outlook and become an integral part of the knowledge sharing process. We will ask, and attempt to answer, some tough questions: What is Africa's real need and capabilities? What policies and strategies can reasonably be implemented in Africa?
If the information you seek relates to Africa, energy and the environment, www.25degrees.net will provide you with a smorgasbord of current, up-to-speed and incisive content dedicated to energy generation needs, moratoria and debates. 25° in Africa's newly designed portal is dedicated to showcasing the magazine's content, and all things energy related. It provides an at-a-glance overview of the Africa's energy landscape, and also provides links to pertinent energy content, an updated business directory, reports and reviews and event announcements.
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In a bid to save precious carbon miles, and lessen the amount of paper lugged across the ocean in print format, 25º in Africa, Africa's Independent Energy Publication is now available as a VIRTUAL PUBLICATION online, also onwww.25degrees.net .
If you feel you have a contribution to make – let's hear from you.
Why 25°?
25° is recognised as being the Standard Ambient Temperature (SAT). In relation to that, energy is needed to reach SAT in winter through various methods of heating, and in summer airconditioning and refrigeration are required in order to maintain these human comfort levels.
The problem is that in pursuing its quest for comfort the human animal is making huge if not unrealistic demands upon the Earth's natural resources – in some cases depleting them beyond recovery.
If we are to continue without restriction, the equilibrium in nature might change to the extent that SAT will be increasingly more difficult to reach in future due to severe climate change. Global warming is but one of the many consequences of this hedonistic approach by the human race, and the warning signs are already there.
Meanwhile we intend to maintain an open forum on these issues, and if you have anything that is pertinent to our readership and the aims of the magazine, we would like to hear from you.
African Alternative Technologies (AATec)
African Alternative Technologies (AATec) was formed with the primary objective of positioning itself as an Alternative Energy project developer and technology supplier and is associated with experts in consulting regarding financing of green projects. AATec has preferential agreements in place with cutting edge technology development companies; and has engaged with individuals and organisations who assist companies in setting and realising their environmental objectives, by identifying and connecting clients with projects to offset or negate the carbon generated by clients business operations.
Our primary focus at present is the opportunity created by NERSA finalising the REFIT, and how this relates to our Joint Venture's with HelioDynamics of the UK, Launchpoint Technologies, FasTransit, Gravity Power and Green Wave Energy Corp of the USA. The application of these cutting edge, and innovative technologies towards achieving South Africa's ambitious Renewable Energy target as set by the 2002 White paper, and the stimulation of the economy, job creation, rural empowerment and the reduction of green house gas emissions are AATec's current priorities.
South Africa is in the fortunate position to draw on all the experience and technological advancements of the world before embarking on this ambitious goal, and we at AATec believe we have some of the most advanced, innovative, efficient and cost effective solution for Utility Scale Renewable energy, enegy storage, energy saving and cutting edge transport solutions available at this time, Consequently AATec looks forward to exciting progress in the immediate future and is interested in partnering with Government and communities as well as aligned businesses in implimenting this viable solution.
African Alternative Technologies (AATec) was created by a group of committed citizens, who are dedicated to making a difference in our challenged society. The obstacles to a sustainable future are created by a "Business as Usual approach" and the industrial age model has left society vulnerable.
We take the approach of focussing on the solutions, and although it is essential to be aware of what has caused society's current predicament, to dwell on the problems is counterproductive as the only way forward is action.
The Team have all been active in developing, consulting, promoting and lobbying, solutions in different ways for many years, and these activities have been in the sectors of sustainable agriculture, community development and renewable energy primarily. Socially and environmentally responsible entrepreaneurship is the way we aproach business as it has the added bennefit of delivering substantially to the triple bottom line in the near term and even more so into the future.
People, Planet, and Profit is the credo.
The Flagship solution we have developed is the Sustainable Integrated Decentralised Agro-processing and Community Development Project, or SID
Our SID model and its associated technology offers good returns to investors and is not reliant on ongoing government subsidies. Job creation is maximised in the project which is primarily based on Agro-processing, biomass to bio-energy production and includes the complete value chain, while empowering community ownership in the project, (this is a fundamental component of the business model). Communities are incrementally developed as suppliers of the feedstock, by employing technology driven processes, through Co-operatives and Worker's Trusts and by utilising the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) mechanism.
The SID also addresses the challenge of Food Vs Fuel constructively and actually enhances food and energy security at the same time, through its innovative methodology and approach. The SID model is an African Alternative Energy (AAE) project, which is a sister company to AATec, as well as being a home grown solution, an African solution for Africa.
On the Renewable Energy front AATec has focussed on a number of solutions, and the opportunities created by our Joint Ventures and exclusive agencies with cutting edge technology developers and equipment manufactures are very exciting right now, as well as holding great prospects for future development .
HelioDynamics has developed cutting edge world class, Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector Solar thermal Technology for Utility Scale Electricity generation and storage, industrial and comercial process heat, cooling and desalinisation.
LaunchPoint Technologies has developed a number of cutting edge technologies and we are concentrating on their Gravity Power Utility Scale Electricity storage systems and the FasTransit Magnetic Levitation transport solutions at the moment.
Green Wave Energy Corp is developing cutting edge technology in the Renewable Energy sector and focuses on wind, wave and water current electricity generation.
AATec is developing a pilot 1Mw Solar Thermal Electricity Generation project with 6 hours storage to demonstrate the viability of the technology as proof of the magnitude of this opportunity, in line with the opportunity created by the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) programme finalised by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) last year.
Heliodynamics CLFR solar thermal technology that AATec is focussing on is revolutionary in many ways!
We believe these projects will contribute substantially towards realising the targets set by our government in the renewable energy white paper and in creating a growth sector inspite of the adverse economic conditions currently afecting our country.
AAtec invites everyone who identifies with these ambitions and principals and would like to partisipate in any way to contact us.
This is a major undertaking and is not only the responsibility of the AATec team, but all people and organisations who identify with the solutions and approach being emphasised, and feel they can contribute or would like to participate.
African Energy
African Energy's philosophy
Published fortnightly, 24 issues a year, African Energy has a strong focus on the people and personalities shaping the continent's energy future, as well as a strong appreciation of the political risk issues that concern established operators, new entrants and financial sector investors.
Through its independent, investigative approach to reporting, African Energy has become a fixture on the African energy scene by delivering incisive and outspoken analysis in perspectives undistorted by advertising, third-party media or government communication channels.
African Energy does not just rewrite press releases or wire copy like so many web-based news aggregators and 'information portals'.
Since its first issue in April 1998, African Energy has gone further for its stories and information than many of its competitors to bring you an informed, no-nonsense appraisal of the latest developments – in the process talking to both government and opposition figures, utilities and regulators, oil majors, independents and NOCs, and corruption watchdogs.
African Energy's highly experienced editorial team is based in the UK, and mainland Europe, with correspondents across the African continent - in some cases protecting themselves by filing anonymously. Many of African Energy's contributors live and do business in Africa, while editorial staff frequently visit African countries and talk to top political and business figures, among a wide range of key contacts.
The depth with which subjects are treated means that African Energy has a long shelf-life and is held as a source of record and learning, by government departments, corporate information centres, and leading academic institutions and industry bodies.
In addition to producing the flagship fortnightly African Energy, AE's team of experienced analysts also produce briefings and reports on a range of topics and issues that affect the region. Our expertise can be tapped by anyone and delivered in a range of formats.
African Energy News Review
About African Energy News Review
Few things can affect politics, business and the economy as much as energy issues do. Right now the situation in South Africa is a prime example of this, with the country facing an electricity supply crisis, rising fuel and electricity prices, and escalating food prices that appear closely linked to the current energy situation.
In today's information era it is those with the best access to information that find themselves better equipped to deal with the changing economic conditions that are closely linked to local and international energy issues.
While the internet is an invaluable tool to find information, the sheer volume of news available means that few people have the time to stay on top of important areas like energy without some kind of filtering and analysis service.
For this reason, African Energy News Review tracks thousands of news stories every week, and manually selects the most relevant information for our readership. We follow local and international trends closely in order to assist business and government decision makers to stay on top of the issues and make better strategic choices.
While some of this information may be available though other sources and publications, no other service provides as thorough an analysis of energy for the African continent as our weekly email service.
The African Energy News Review email edition reaches approximately 5 000 subscribers on a weekly basis. The subscriber list includes government, business, the media, NGOs, academics and the general public.
Topics covered include electricity generation, energy efficiency, fossil fuels, biofuels, nuclear, renewable energy, climate change & emissions, pollution, business and other issues affecting sustainable development.
So whether you are a decision maker in the energy sector, or just a business leader who would like to make strategic decisions regarding energy, consider the worth of reading just one important article in each weekly edition.
Alternative Energy Africa
Alternative Energy Africa, launched in January 2008, is a Petroleum Africa publication which seeks to fill the energy information gap in Africa.
Drawing on its parent company's extensive knowledge of the energy industry of Africa, as well as its resources, Alternative Energy Africa will provide a forum for stakeholders to engage each other in discussions about this industry, and will seek to become the magazine of choice for African governments, ministries, NOCs, indigenous companies, and international businesses, as it is for Petroleum Africa.
Alternative Energy Africa will update readers on private sector projects, government initiatives, business and investment news, and strategies for a thriving alternative/renewable energy market on the African continent. Our dedicated and knowledgeable editorial team is confident that our publication will become "the premiere source" of alternative and renewable energy news covering the African continent.
Association for Renewable Energy Cooking Appliances (AFRECA)
Acting on behalf of suppliers, distributors, developers and promoters in the industry, the association is operational throughout Southern Africa. AFRECA is a division in the Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA), an organization that aims to support renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Southern African context.
Through the joint relationship with SESSA, AFRECA's members will have access to the ISES Solar World Congress 2009, during October 2009. A pivotal congress, its theme is aptly named, "Renewable Energy: Shaping our Future".
Representing the producers' interests, AFRECA's members are able to take advantage of the associations existing infrastructure; access to product research and development; as well as the benefits of lobbying key stakeholders for effective industry change. Access to trainng in best industry standards; educational and marketing material; business referrals; technical assistance; and a platform to market products to the end-consumer, makes AFRECA an effective association and industry leader.
The association recognizes that access to clean, safe, reliable and affordable cooking technologies, remains an enormous challenge for the majority of low-income households in Southern Africa. Hence, AFRECA supports the industry to work together delivering improved cooking technologies to the market through the development, production and marketing of safe and effecient cooking appliances. Through the broad promotion and development of energy efficient technologies the association and its members remain aware of the development and promotion of technology that improves quality of life, by overcoming energy challenges and shortages in a sustainable manner.
Industry Leader
AFRECA was founded in February 2005 at the first meeting held in Johannesburg, where divergent organisations including Government, NGO's, technology suppliers as well as end-users were represented. As a division of SESSA (a registered non-profit organization), the association benefits from its alignment with international networks through the International Solar Energy Society (ISES).
AFRECA, through its members aims to:
Deliver improved cooking technologies to the market through the development, production and marketing of safe and efficient cooking appliances;
Create awareness and disseminate information on the availability of efficient, renewable cooking options;
Engage key stakeholders to lobby for support and recognition of efficient, renewable cooking options in policies and strategies at a regional and national level;
Act as an industry association, overseeing general good conduct and orderly development of the renewable and efficient cooking industry.
AFRECA is committed to address the need for renewable and energy efficient cooking appliances.
Member Benefits of Afreca
Training and promotion opportunity on energy efficient techniques and practices
Access to research and development studies and findings
Ideal platform for marketing products to consumers and general public
Direct interaction with consumers and studies
Business enquiries and referrals
Mentoring service offered
Invitations to exhibitions, events, courses, symposia, meetings and discussion groups held by AFRECA and partners
Display opportunities at key events, exhibitions or workshops
Invitations to participate in research and product development forums
Training in best-industry standards
Web-link and web product advertisement for information dissemination
Joint membership of AFRECA and Sustainable Energy Societ of Southern Africa (SESSA), allowing access to ISES Solar World Congress 2009
Monthly AFRECA newsletter and the industry's membership directory
AFRECA, is a division of SESSA (Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa), a registered non-profit organization (037-484 NPO), with its region of operation including the whole SADC.
Supported by ProBEC (Programme for Basic Energy Conservation), a SADC regional development programme that aims to ensure low-income population groups satisfy their energy requirements in a socially and enviromentally sustainable manner. ProBEC targets rural and urban households, as well as small business and institutions using biomass energy (wood fuel, agricultural residues) for thermal applications.
Supported by GTZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit), an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations, federally owned, the enterprise supports the German Government in achieving its development-policy objectives. It provides sustainable, forward looking solutions for political, economic, ecological and social development in a globalised world.
Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCCI)
ASCCI Programmes
- Policy & Advocacy
- Trade and Investment Promotion
- International Trade and Business Linkages
- ASCCI Functions and Events
- SMME Development Programmes
- Economics Office and Publications
- SADC Business Forum and Other Bodies
- Research Development Initiatives
- Business Development and Services
- ASCCI Membership Benefits
- ASCCI Membership Form
- ASCCI Toolkit Forms
Association's primary objective is to encourage governments in the region to put into place policies and legislative instruments that are conducive to doing business in the region.
ASCCI is committed to working with all national governments in all the 14 countries in the region, as well as the SADC Secretariat in Gaborone, to develop mechanisms that will increase the flow of capital in the region, and foreign direct investment. This will increase enterprise, SMME and Industrial development.
ASCCI is further committed to facilitate processes that enhance economic productivity and efficiencies and reduce the cost of doing business in the region. As a result, ASCCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the SADC Secretariat in 2002 as the secretariat private sector partner.
This partnership ensures benefits to ASCCI members, the private sector in the region as well as all governments and related public sector stakeholders who are committed to the development of our region.
ASCCI has set up the following commissions in order to increase and enhance dialogue between private sector organisations and governments in the region:
Trade, Investment and Industrial Development Commission.
Taxation, Customs, Monetary and Fiscal Affairs Commission.
Infrastructure and Services (includes Road, Rail, Air Transport
and Water Services Commissions).
Human Resources, Science and Technology Development
Agriculture and Food Security Commission.
Environment and Natural Resources Management Commission.
Tourism and Wildlife Management Commission.
Health, Social and Cultural Activities Commission.
2010 – World Cup Opportunities for SADC Commission.
Public - Private Sector Partnership and NEPAD Initiatives
Economics Commission.
Immigration, Visa and related matters Commission.
ICT Commission.
International Trade and Business Commission.
All ASCCI members, and affiliated organisations are allowed appointment of 2 representatives to serve in each commission. Each commission meets four times per year to prepare position papers and reports for members and stakeholders who will present
these position papers to ASCCI Council, Council of Ministers of Trade and Summit of the Heads of States through SADC Secretariat with a view to influencing policy and legislation in the region and within respective countries.
ASCCI Regional Business Climate Survey
One of the tools used by ASCCI to influence policy and advocacy in the regions is the ASCCI Regional Business Climate Survey which ASCCI conducts in all the countries of the region together with its associated chamber members. At present the survey is published
in conjunction and in partnership with the German Technical Corporations Agency (GTZ/ASPB) see attached information regarding Regional Business Climate Survey.
Business Development and Services
ASCCI together with its partners in the region facilitate a networking platform for its chamber members as well as corporate members to participate in various business development initiatives. Some of the initiatives include among others:
SADC Intravest
Intravest or intra-regional trade and investment provide an ongoing business to business network with on the spot transaction facilitated by online trading involving respective
members of ASCCI Chambers.
Under SADC Intravest, the ASCCI Secretariat also engages in bilateral and multilateral trade forums with the full participation of ASCCI members to interact rigorously amongst themselves and with chambers and trade bodies outside of the SADC region.
The trade forums are to be complemented by semi-annual workshops on the implementation of best business / management practices in lecture-style formats, including role playing and question and answer sessions involving captains of industry from best run companies in the region.
EU-SADC Investment Promotion Programme (ESIPP)
The ESIPP is the EU-SADC Investment Promotion Programme and is a joint programme of the European Union and the Southern African Development Community administered in
conjunction with the SADC Secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana.
The Programme is designed to attract foreign investment into the region and promote long-term investment cooperation agreements in specific key sectors on a structured, continuous
and sustainable basis and will boost the economic growth and development of Southern Africa. A key aspect of ESIPP's mandate is the facilitation of Business-to-Business Investments Promotion and Business Co-operation Meetings to bring together entrepreneurs from Europe and Southern Africa.
Biophile Magazine
Animal Welfare
Big Business
Blatant Deception
Carrot Cruncher
Climate Change
Energy and Fuels
Ethical Consumerism
Genetic Engineering
Green Building
Green Gardening
Health and Food
New Education
Reduce - Reuse - Recycle
Soil For Life
What Goes On, Goes In
In short, we explain what the problem is, what causes it, and what our readers can do to help.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Vision: To be at the heart of technology education and innovation in Africa
Mission: Our mission is to develop and sustain an empowering environment where , through teaching, learning, research and scholarship our students and staff, in partnership with the community and industry, are able to create and apply knowledge that contributes to development.
Core Values
• Integrity
• Respect
• Excellence
• Democracy
• Accountability
• Ubuntu
• Innovation
• Equity
Central Energy Fund (CEF)
Nature of Business
CEF (Pty) Ltd. researches, finances, develops and exploits appropriate energy solutions - including oil, gas, electrical power, coal and coal bed methane, solar energy, low-smoke fuels, biomass, wind, hydro electricity, other renewable energy sources and liquid fuels refined from crude oil or manufactured in coal to liquid (CTL) or gas to liquid (GTL) plants - to meet the future energy needs of South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and sub-Saharan Africa.
CEF, which is governed by the CEF Act, also manages the operation and development of the oil and gas assets and operations of the South African government, which is its only shareholder. The CEF Act also establishes the Central Energy Fund and the Equalisation Fund and determines that CEF will take up the shares in SFF, responsible for managing South Africa's strategic crude oil stocks on behalf of the government.
The company is controlled by the Minister of Minerals and Energy and consists of seven operating subsidiaries which focus on gas and oil exploration, oil trading, petroleum products, promoting offshore and onshore exploration, tank terminal management, pollution prevention and control, gas infrastructure development, renewable energy and low-smoke fuels.
CEF manages some of the cash resources of the Mine Health and Safety Council and calculates the monthly petrol and diesel price for the DME. The assets and liabilities of the Equalisation Fund are managed by CEF, but are not controlled or owned by CEF. CEF carries out the administration of the Road Accident Fund levies payable by the oil companies in terms of the CEF Act.
Norad Petroleum Project
The South African Department of Minerals and Energy (DME), the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (Norad) and CEF are jointly financing and managing the Norad petroleum project to strengthen the capacity in the DME and associated regulatory institutions; improve the quality of policy and legislation for South Africa and the SADC; optimise the regulatory dispensation for the oil exploration and production sector to provide an internationally competitive industry; develop strategies to empower historically disadvantaged South Africans and address gender issues in the upstream oil and gas and downstream liquid fuel and gas sectors; and develop policies to encourage the use of natural gas.


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Jul 22, 20 02:30 PM
Does anyone have ideas around this habit?
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Jul 16, 20 07:17 PM
I as a Child could not stand touching anything fluffy, or excessively soft. I hated puffy things, such as my coat and would scream or cry if I had to touch
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My 5 year old daughter refuses to wear underwear, pants, shirts she will only wear dresses. I have tired everything I can think of, every type of underwear


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What's the most important qualification advertising agencies look for in young candidates, whether their interests lean toward the creative professions, account management or media buying? Industry experts say it's all about having the right instincts (and preferably some training) about how to deliver a crafted message to a targeted audience in the complex universe of advertising media. Here's a look at the industry landscape. Advertising Talent Is in Demand Even given the daunting challenges posed by the advertising industry in the 2000s, this is a good time to launch a career. "Sixty percent of our May 2006 grads have jobs at the best agencies in the country," says Ashley Sommardahl, assistant director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Adcenter, which offers a master's program in communications. "A couple of years ago, it was the opposite; it was so hard to get your foot in the door." That's not to say new talent is in short supply. "We're not having any difficulty getting good, bright young people," says Michael Donahue, executive vice president of the American Association of Advertising Agencies in New York City. Interactive and Multi-Platform Campaigns Are Where the Action Is More than ever, today's advertising pros must bring a broad intelligence to their work. Graphic designers can't retreat into occupational silos. "In a creative, you're looking for a glimmer of talent that can be applied to anything," says Donahue. "We're looking for people with interests in music, new media, gaming, fashion and an intellectual curiosity in trends and teen culture," says Mary Weber, director of talent resources at Fallon Worldwide, a 500-employee Minneapolis-based ad agency specializing in branding. "We want someone with a global view, not US-centric." Print and television aren't dead; they're simply not as sexy as new media. "There is a huge opportunity for people now in interactive," says Sommardahl. "Students have to consider every single angle, including interactive games and product placements." "You have to become a little platform-neutral," says Jim Tobin, a partner at Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing in Raleigh, North Carolina. "You need to know how to write for multiple media; you can't put long copy on Web sites, for example." "Historically, ad people haven't been numbers people," Tobin adds. "But the numbers are becoming more and more important. You have to figure out where your target audiences are" and how to reach them with an arsenal of advertising media. Diverse Ad Talent for Multicultural Markets The need to address ever-more diverse audiences also is affecting how agencies hire. "Our multicultural advertising intern program brings bright kids of color into agencies in their junior year," says Donahue. In the last year, the program placed 105 interns in 30 agencies. But it's not like agencies typically discriminate when handing out accounts that involve multicultural markets. "You don't necessarily have to be in Miami 24/7 to understand their Latin culture," says Weber. Ad Pros Pay Varies Salaries for advertising agency professionals range widely by thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars, depending on factors such as the size and prestige of the agency and the chief markets in which it does business. For example, senior designers earn a median salary of $60,000 a year, according to AIGA/Aquent's "2008 Survey of Design Salaries." Going down the corporate ladder a bit, median salary for entry-level designers is reported to be $35,000. These medians also vary by region, with the median salary in San Francisco, for example, hitting $41,000.
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We've gotten more intriguing cryptid photos from people trying to win our Cryptid Summer bounty. Here are a few of the pictures people have sent us over the past two weeks, ranging from highly plausible to downright bizarre.
Now you can vote on which you think might really be cryptids. We'll consider your votes when deciding which photos to submit to our panel of experts in August!
Want to submit a photo to our Cryptid Summer bounty? Send it to firstname.lastname@example.com, with a description of what you saw and where you saw it.
Here are this week's potential cryptids, with descriptions. Vote for which you think are real in the box at the bottom of the post. (You can still vote in Round One here.)
Flounder Leech
Describing the photo at the top, Aaron writes:
I'm a wildlife biologist in Nevada. I was conducting a fish study at an isolated northeastern Nevada spring when I discovered a very unusual creature in one of the fish traps. My first thought was that it was a flounder fish, but this made no sense as I was standing in an isolated freshwater spring hundreds of miles from the ocean. I quickly realized it was a leech, but a very weird, spiny leech. I almost kept it, but instead photographed it and released it. Later, I realized it could be a yet undescribed species, so last month I returned to the spot and managed to capture a single individual. I will actually be sending this specimen to Dr. Mark Siddall for his expert opinion. It is definitely the strangest leech I have ever seen.
Mongolian Death Worm
Madison writes:
I have photos of a mongolian death worm. The pictures were taken with a handheld camera. The mongolian death worm slid through a path discoloured by his passing. He moved too quickly for me to take a photo of his whole body but here you can see his tail as he slides over a giant log. You can really see the size comparison.
Fluorescent Moth
ryoo94 writes:
Found in Choongmuro, Korea on August, 2010. It has a fluorescent wing and body.
Striped Wallaby
Anne writes:
This is a photo of a wallaby with broad white stripes taken at my parents' house, located on the side of Mount Macedon, Victoria, Australia. For a couple of months prior to the photo, my mum had been describing to my sister and I about this white striped wallaby she had been seeing in the garden around her home. I think we both assumed in the manner of a younger generation that she was a little... mistaken and the stripes were probably bird poo or some such. But one day the mysterious wallaby made an appearance when we and a camera were on hand and as you can see, the stripes are genuine. Whilst I've only done brief research on the wallaby, I've never uncovered any similar examples of such broad white stripes on a wallaby. The photo was taken in May 2009 and we haven't seen the mysterious wallaby since around that time.
Sideways Bug
Elizabeth writes:
I am not sure if this is a cryptid or a mysterious animal. I just know I had never seen it before and I can't find it anywhere online. It just kind of scurried about, occasionally leaping up and flying over a little bit. It would often walk sideways and in sort of a sideways/downward walk across the window.
Sasquatch Hand
Farlan writes:
This photo was taken during Aug of 2004 by a motion sensor game camera. I had stayed at a hunting cabin alone the month prior and heard strange mumblings, a powerful blow being struck to a nearby tree and even something on the roof of the cabin. The next morning I went outside to look for footprints or anything I could find. I walked down a private road that ran through a pasture bordered on one side by thick woods. As I stood in the road I suddenly heard a large branch or stick snap. Up ahead of me something was running just inside the treeline down toward me. The treeline was about 25 yards away from me and whatever was running was dark and moved like lightening. I wasn't exactly sure where it stopped but then I jumped when something in the woods directly in front of me snorted. It sounded exactly like a gorilla exhaling sharply through it nostrils. I knew what it must be, I couldn't see it but I knew it could see me. I walked back to the cabin and for a time was too afraid to stay there alone.
I returned to the cabin the following month, Aug., and set a game camera up on an outside window ledge of the cabin. I was hoping maybe something would walk past the camera. This camera has a fixed focus for about 20-30 ft. Instead of walking past the camera, I believe an adult female Sasquatch was about to pick the camera up using its right hand. Just as its hand was about to make contact with the camera it flashed. When the flash reflected off of the fingers of the Sasquatch it created a light flare or glared image of the fingers (note the shape of the glare). If you look past the glare you can see the face of the adult turned slightly from the camera. At the bottom edge of the photo you can see the face of a juvenile Sasquatch looking directly at the camera. I have been visiting the cabin ever since this happened.


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Slugging: Bringing Casual Carpooling to the North Bay
December 12, 2011 7 Comments
Casual carpooling, wherein strangers carpool with one another to and from job centers, could be viable in the North Bay, but it will take coordination from citizens and government to make it really take off.
When examining the modes of commuting, typically absent from the conversation is carpooling. Either it happens or it doesn't, but governments and citizens will fixate on accommodating more traditional modes of transportation: single-occupant vehicles (SOVs, i.e., cars), buses, and trains, rather than actively trying to encourage carpooling.
There are a number of reasons for this, but I suspect a big one is that there is no ribbon to cut, no new lane or train to inaugurate. Another big one is the perception that carpooling only rests on social networks outside the reach of government intervention, where coworkers discover by happenstance that they live near enough to one another that carpooling becomes an option. Besides, interfering in carpooling takes attention away from the big capital projects that make headlines.
In spite of apathy from officialdom, the phenomenon of casual carpooling does arise in certain locales. Known in the Washington, DC, region as "slugging", casual carpooling entails passengers forming lines at pickup areas, usually commuter lots or bus stops. A driver will approach the line, shout their destination ("Pentagon!" "Civic Center!") and those bound for the area will hop in. It works both ways, and situating near bus stops gives passengers the option of a commuter bus if they'd prefer.
Casual carpooling gives drivers and passengers certain advantages over SOV driving. It allows them to use HOV lanes, saving time, and it allows passengers to save on driving costs such as gas and maintenance. For those who aren't in a carpool, carpooling means there's more for them: every passenger is one less car on the road and one less parking space taken. It's a win for everyone. So why does it pop up in some locations but not others?
East Coastin'
The Washington, DC, region makes an interesting test case. Straddling as it does three states (DC, Maryland, and Virginia), we can see how different policies effect the outcome. Virginia has an active and large slugging community dating back to the 1970s, while Maryland's community is relatively small. The principal difference, according to David LeBlanc, author of Slugging: The Commuting Alternative For Washington DC, is that Maryland uses HOV-2 lanes, where having only one passenger qualifies, while Virginia uses HOV-3 lanes, where two passengers are necessary to use the lane. He argues that HOV-3 lanes give passengers a sense of safety when getting into a car with a stranger, and spurs drivers to more actively pursuit warm bodies to fill their vehicles.
Dampers on casual carpooling include high-occupancy toll, or HOT, lanes, as Virginia will soon discover when its primary HOV corridor into DC is partially converted to HOT. If a driver can simply pay a toll to qualify, they will be less likely to detour to a slug line for passengers and clog the lanes with SOVs. The lack of HOV lanes, of course, will remove the incentive for the driver to pick up passengers as well.
North Bay Slugs
In other words, the North Bay, with its HOV-2 lanes that stop after Sausalito, is not ideally suited to casual carpooling. While Northern Virginia has an entire reversible highway dedicated to HOV-3 that extend all the way from suburbs to job centers in Arlington and the District, complete with their own exits and with limited access, the North Bay has only a single HOV lane in either direction that requires drivers to slow from top speed to the speed of traffic in order to merge over to the exit, and which stops before reaching either the East Bay or San Francisco. Although it's conceivable that a small, Maryland-style community could spring up in the North Bay with the right tools – an app, say, allowing potential carpoolers to mark off their home and destination – true casual carpooling will require a bit more intervention at the governmental level. As with everything, there are cheap and expensive solutions.
On the cheap side, just switching our HOV lanes to HOV-3 would be a boon, giving drivers a greater incentive to pick people up. Following up the switch with congestion pricing on both bridges applicable only to SOVs would prove a high-profile shot in the arm for any casual carpooling system. Given the hubbub over the last attempt to institute congestion pricing on the Golden Gate Bridge, the press would be wonderful. Instituting a peak-only HOV lane on the southbound side of the bridge would be another major reward for carpoolers: no more waiting in line at the toll plaza. Instituting congestion pricing at the Sonoma/Marin border or just north of Marinwood* would stimulate casual carpooling among Sonomans coming to Marin – our largest in-commuting population – and would raise millions for transit projects between the two counties.
On the expensive side, CalTrans might consider combining Highway 101's two carpool lanes into a single, reversible HOV freeway, complete with limited access and dedicated on/off ramps. This would make carpooling significantly safer and faster, and would have the added bonus of improving bus access along the freeway. The cost, however, would likely be upwards of $1 billion given the technical challenges of HOV exits and the cost so far just to extend regular HOV lanes.
It has been suggested that the app described above would help drive a casual carpooling renaissance, but the truth is that these networks typically form in response to everyday commute pressures – heavy traffic, centralized job centers – that ultimately come from structures either put in place by government or arising out of commuting physics. That's not to say technology does not have a role to play – casual carpool networks often have websites to guide potential participants and there are a number of apps already in existence – but a truly robust system will be one that arises organically. Drivers will only take the time to pick up passengers when they can clearly see that it is worth their time or money to do so.
Casual carpooling in Virginia has been described as another transit system by the Virginia Department of Transportation, complementary to the existing Metrorail and bus systems. It certainly has a place in the highway-centered transportation systems of the US, but it will take work to implement in the North Bay.
*Most freeway traffic in Marin actually comes from Novato, not from Sonoma; although instituting congestion pricing there would be a political nonstarter, it would make the most sense from a practical standpoint.
For information on casual carpooling in the Bay Area, RideNow.org has a website dedicated to the local network. For information on ridesharing in the Bay Area, you might want to look into eRideshare.com. For information on how the slugging system works in Virginia, local NPR affiliate WAMU aired an hour-long segment on the subject, while local transit blog Greater Greater Washington has a number of posts on the subject.


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Every Nintendo 3DS system comes packed with six AR Cards. Launch the built-in AR Games™ application and place an AR Card on a flat surface, and, looking through your Nintendo 3DS Camera, you'll see characters and game content appearing right on your kitchen table, your backyard patio, or anywhere else that you can think of. Pull out the Mario™ card to see everyone's favorite Nintendo® hero, or use the Question Block card to pose and take 3D photos with your Mii™ character, or play a number of exciting built-in games. The possibilities are endless, so experiment and have fun!
Discover even more fun uses for AR Cards with these downloadable versions of the Question Block AR Card in larger sizes. Your Nintendo 3DS system displays content via the AR Card at a size relative to that of the image on the card—so the bigger your printed card, the bigger your game content. Imagine posing for a photo with a life-sized Mii™, sitting on the couch right next to you!


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Distance From Anantapur: 1360 Km.
Min Temp: 22.51℃
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Weather: HUMID THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
Altitude : 14 Meters
Our Reviews on Social Media
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Vanessa Dela Vega
Please help me support Dignity Health by making a contribution to my fundraiser and sharing this page with your family and friends. Every dollar I raise will advance Dignity Health's great cause! Additionally, you can ask me how you can get involved too.
Together, we can make a difference!


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General Motors' manufacturing plant in White Marsh lost about a day and a half to Cyclone Sandy. But it sustained no damage, missed no shipping deadlines and expected to quickly make up for lost time.
Though that's just about the best-case scenario, it's not rare in the region. Despite the disruption of widespread shutdowns Monday and Tuesday, the Baltimore area missed the worst of Sandy's wallop. The overall economic impact should be modest as a result, economists say, even if for some businesses and residents it was anything but.
"Economically, it doesn't mean much for the Baltimore area," said Richard Clinch, director of economic research for the University of Baltimore's Jacob France Institute. "Realistically, three days of bad weather don't have a huge economic impact one way or another when you're not New Orleans after Katrina or New York after this one. New York is still not back to normal."
PNC Financial Services' initial estimate of the economic loss caused by Sandy, originally a hurricane, is around $40 billion in all the states it hit — half due to physical damage and half a result of lost output.
But PNC doesn't expect the losses will have a significant negative effect on the national economy. Most of the areas the storm blew through did not suffer damage substantial enough to put a big dent in the gross domestic product, the firm said.
It's not a no-impact situation in the Baltimore region, for sure. Nearly 350,000 Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. customers lost power, most on Monday.
The number of customers still out dropped below 3,000 Friday morning. BGE expected almost everyone to have power back by Friday evening, with scattered — more complex — outage repairs potentially dragging into the weekend.
Other infrastructure that businesses rely on — buses, light rail, the Port of Baltimore, government offices — was largely back up by Wednesday.
The port took only "minimal" wind and water damage, nothing that affects operations, said Richard Scher, spokesman for the Maryland Port Administration. "We were certainly very fortunate," he added.
Marcus Garner, general manager at the B&O American Brasserie in Baltimore, has a similar feeling about his Sandy experience. Damage was minor and business was surprisingly good. The restaurant is attached to the Hotel Monaco Baltimore, which was full of guests when the storm hit — Guests who had nowhere else to go, so they ate every meal at the B&O and packed its bar.
Garner figures his staff sold 150 to 200 of its Sandy-inspired hurricane cocktails, topped with granulated brown sugar to look like sand.
The storm completely upended routine, of course. Some workers couldn't make it in. Others stayed overnight at the hotel Sunday, Monday and Tuesday — the Monaco ate that cost, and the restaurant fed everyone in exchange. From managers serving tables to chefs taking turns as line cooks, everybody shouldered tasks they don't normally do.
But those hectic days were more good than bad, Garner said.
"It was a fun experience, to tell you the truth," he said. "It was a little stressful in the beginning, but … you kind of get that bonding experience. It was really nice."
Workers put up at hotels by their employers aren't the only ones who stayed on the clock during the storm. Some simply worked from home — if they had power. Tech companies in particular are good at making out-of-the-office work out, said Jason Hardebeck, who heads gb.tc, the Greater Baltimore Technology Council.
He's not hearing of major issues, but he said he's sure some local companies are feeling an impact, even if only a ripple effect from suppliers in harder-hit states. That's the nature of the economy these days, he noted — everything is interconnected.
Hardebeck said he's hearing from local companies that their takeaway from Sandy is that they need a plan for coping with disaster. The next storm that hits the area may not be milder than expected.
"It actually is a good lesson for all companies to take, if they haven't already figured out disaster recovery or disaster mitigation strategies," he said.
In parts of the state with more damage, businesses aren't thinking about next time — they're still dealing with problems now.
Some Eastern Shore communities flooded. And Garrett County in Western Maryland got more than two feet of heavy, wet snow, courtesy of Sandy.
More than 80 percent of Garrett's population had no power at one point as tree limbs — and entire trees — collapsed under the snow's weight and took out power lines. Nearlt half of Garrett was still without as of Friday morning.
The snow and lack of electricity have had a "tremendous impact" on businesses, said Nicole Christian, president and CEO of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. Power had been restored by Thursday to the main commerce areas in Oakland, the county seat, and McHenry, a community at the north end of Deep Creek Lake, Christian said. But the more rural businesses are unable to open, she said.
Still, the economic effect of the storm could have been worse — it could have hit during a high point of the tourist season, Christian said. The fall color tours recently came to an end, she said.
"It's not peak season right now," she said.
It is peak crabbing season, though, particularly for female crabs. The men and women who make a living catching and selling Maryland's iconic crustaceans can lose a week to 10 days as a result of a big storm because they must pull their crab pots out beforehand and wait for debris to disperse afterward.
"It's disruptive," said Michael Luisi, assistant director at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' fisheries service.
The female-crab season is set to close Nov. 10. The state might extend it a few days to account for Sandy's effect, he said.
But, disruptive though Sandy was, Luisi figures the industry's main reaction to the storm is a sigh of relief that damage wasn't as bad here as it was farther north.
As for GM's White Marsh facility, employees shipped transmissions off to other company plants just before the storm, so the supply chain never faltered. With no damage or power outage to contend with, workers picked up Wednesday where they left off Monday, said Mary Ann Brown, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore County plant.
GM expected to make up for lost time by bringing workers in on Friday — a day when there's usually no production. Normally, manufacturing there runs four days a week, with workers pulling 10-hour shifts.
All in all, the storm's impact there was relatively low.
"Some employees lost power," Brown said. "I think [Sandy] was more difficult for them than it was for the business."
Baltimore Sun reporter Steve Kilar contributed to this article.


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Dancing in the Ruins - The new Big 12 rising from the ruins of the old.
McCoy, Hicks off suspension.
Texas quarterback Case McCoy and linebacker Jordan Hicks have been taken off suspensions handed out before the Alamo Bowl. (ESPN)
State of the (Sooner) Nation.
Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops discusses what he views the state of the Sooners' football program to be at the moment. He talks of Big 12 title success, Sooner fans see lack of success in winning a BCS title. (Sooner Nation/ESPN)
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.
The defenses of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State can look forward to a 2013 devoid of QB threats sich as Kansas State's Collin Klein, and West Virginia's Geno Smith. (The Oklahoman)
The best there is?
The Oklahoma St. QB trio Clint Chelf, Wes Lunt, and J.W. Walsh could be the best QB's in the Big 12next season. Because Gina Mizell said so. (The Oklahoman)
Goodbye Says It All.
Iowa State quarterback Jared Barnett announces his plans to transfer. (The Des Moines Register)
I've got a little list, I've got a little list.
Burnt Orange Nation has a list of non-Big 12 schools it would like to see Texas schedule. Yes, Texas A&M is on the list, of course.
Texas Tech coaching staff profile of the day.
Viva The Matadors profiles Texas Tech defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt.
Oklahoma recruiting news.
California high school senior wide receiver K.J. Young commits to Oklahoma's 2013 recruiting class. (Crimson and Cream Machine)
Thank you, sir. May I have another?
Texas HS senior defensive tackle Charles Walker commits to Oklahoma's 2013 recruiting class. (Crimson and Cream Machine)


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Woman killed in Covington house fire identified
Neighbors say woman was well-known in neighborhood
Fire officials and neighbors said a woman died after a Covington house fire.
Crews were called to 1343 Garrard Street about 12:20 a.m. Monday.
A neighbor said firefighters told him the woman who lives inside died in the fire and a Covington fire captain confirmed that a woman was dead.
According to a family member, the victim was in her 60's and had mobility issues. She was well known in the neighborhood and neighbors say they often helped her go to mass at Robbins Street Christian Church.
Property records show the home belongs to Joan Herron and neighbors believe she was in the house during the fire.
Firefighters say flamers were coming from the front windows when they arrived. The cause of the fire has not been determined but firefighters say they do not suspect foul play. The coroner has not confirmed the identity of the deceased.


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Update: 2 p.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for western and central Massachusetts until 9 p.m. Any storms that develop could have damaging winds and small hail.
The rain train keeps rolling. At least today will be a bit warmer than the past several days. Highs today should be about 70 with cloudy skies once the morning fog lifts. There is a chance for showers throughout the day and we may see thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
The showers stay with us overnight but it won't go below 55 degrees.
Thursday looks like a proper start to June with sunny skies and highs in the mid-70s.
If it seems like this month has been cool and wet, you'd be right. According to the National Weather Service, Boston has seen 3.39 inches of rain which is slightly above normal, and the average temperature was 56.2 degrees (that's 1.6 degrees below normal). Worcester was much more of a departure from normal with total rainfall of 5.48 inches ( that 1.44 inches above normal) and an average temperature of 53.6 (that -2.6 degrees below normal).