| Italy stands out at party for 25,000
Nero d'Avola, a rising star of Italy's rising south, led the Italian invasion, or at least played important second fiddle to Italy's most popular native variety, sangiovese, of Chianti fame. And few reds at the show were as crowd-pleasing as the aforementioned $22 Pinocchio, made in Sicily by Tuscan producer Dievole, with its fruity richness and, not least, text-free label displaying a black-and-white sketch of the storybook character. Though not available in Canada, it is sold in other foreign markets by Wineoclock, a sort of indie record label of Italian wine, which discovers and exports family-produced, handcrafted gems pressed from indigenous, heritage grapes. "We believe that small is better than big," Mr. Costantini said. If nero d'Avola is the trendy Berkshire pork of the wine world, Italy also is a hotbed of lesser-known varieties, many in danger of being confused here with Pinocchio's woodcarver creator Geppetto, like gaglioppo, grillo, catarrato, bombino, magliocco or zibibbo.
Synthis Process Modeler R4
The Synthis Process Modeler is a flowchart based process documentation tool that helps business people visually map and document their business processes. Using simple flowcharting and process mapping techniques, users can create information rich process flow diagrams that can be easily accessed via any Web page or portal. Synthis provides built-in support for compliance and process improvement programs such as Sarbanes-Oxley, ISO 9000/13485/27001, Lean Six Sigma, and BPM projects. The Process Modeler desktop application integrates seamlessly with the Synthis Repository, whose capabilities include automatic version control, Web-based knowledge management, and the ability to search the full details of your published process models. Version R4 includes substantial new diagramming capabilities, a brand new user interface, and an all new Synthis Maps (TM) module that provides a highly interactive HMTL interface for navigating your process models via web browser.
Florida tourism down
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida's economy, already staggered by a stagnant real estate market and tight credit conditions, is also being hurt by a drop in tourism, which officials said fell by 1.5 million visitors in 2007. Preliminary estimates showed 82.4 million people visited Florida in 2007, compared with 83.9 who came in 2006. It was the first drop-off in visitors to Florida since shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the northeast. "Trends suggest that some vacationers travelling by auto may be staying closer to home," said Bud Nocera, president and CEO of Visit Florida, the state's private-public tourism agency. The Legislature's top economist, Amy Baker, said the national recession was largely responsible for the state's tourism downturn.
Thrifty Car Sales Upgrades Web Site, Selects CarTHINK as Internet ...
TULSA, Okla., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Thrifty Car Sales, a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTG) , has made significant upgrades to its Web site, ThriftyCarSales.com, greatly enhancing customers' car-shopping experience across its network of 39 U.S. dealerships. Utilizing a new user interface and technology designed by CarTHINK, Thrifty Car Sales is improving the virtual buying experience for dealers and customers. Among the upgrades: About CarTHINK, LLC CarTHINK, LLC, the Web developer on the project, is a privately-held company that provides full-service Internet marketing, software and services to hundreds of franchise and independent dealers across the country. CarTHINK's state-of-the art technology provides a single portal where inventory data, photos, videos and marketing content are managed across many diverse platforms.
Lionel's Blog
I don't know how Javon Walker will ever get the image of a dying Darrent Williams out of his head. After watching Javon's interview on HBO's "Real Sports" Tuesday night, I can understand why he will only talk about being in that limo this one time. The horrific images of his friend and teammate, bleeding from the neck, looking up at him. I don't know how Javon got through the interview. But I will respect his privacy and never ask him about it again. Rockies. Come on guys. Big West Coast road trip. Hype and anticipation about making noise in the playoff race. And they go out in the opening game and get shut out in San Diego? What a dud. We'll see how they respond in the next 5 games in S.D. and L.A. Make or Break. Don't make me start leading with the Broncos again every night.
Mix: Gameloft, Safari HD, iPhone, Poolga
During a recent speech, Gameloft founder Michel Guillemot featured an image of an iPhone running a Gameloft game in one of his slides. Pocket Gamer suggests that although the image may have been a mock-up, given Gameloft's past relationship with Apple on iPod games, it would not be surprising to see the company develop games for the iPhone. Safari HD, an unofficial hack for the Apple TV that allows users to browse the internet using the set-top box, has been released and updated for compatibility with Apple TV software 2.0. Safari HD uses the WebKit rendering engine, and supports web plugins such as Flash and any others supported by Safari. A panel at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain last week praised the iPhone for its ease of use and interface.
Thomas Elias: In the end, early primary accomplished a lot
And so, in the end it turns out moving California's presidential primary up into early February was a good thing for the state. With turnout way up from the March primary of four years ago, Californians more than anyone else made Sen. John McCain the prohibitive favorite for the Republican nomination and kept Sen. Hillary Clinton in a narrow lead on the Democratic side, even if Clinton remained far from clinching anything. Not only that, but all the presidential prospects were thoroughly exposed to California, something not likely to happen this fall, when most analysts expect this state to be solidly Democratic and thus not a battleground. Yes, they traveled to the monied precincts of West Los Angeles and San Francisco's Nob Hill, where presidential hopefuls always go to raise money, but also the Central Valley and the Inland Empire areas around San Bernardino and Riverside and to East Los Angeles, Oakland, Orange County and San Diego.
Beef Recall FAQ
However, USDA officials believe most of the beef already has been consumed, as most of it is a raw beef product with a very brief shelf life. Exact product descriptions can be viewed in a document at the USDA web site. All Westland products carry the company's federal establishment number -- EST 336 -- as well as the packing date. Why does the USDA say the risk is low? The risk is low because no contaminated or infected beef has been found and because no human illnesses have been linked to the recalled beef. Why was the beef recalled? According to the USDA, Hallmark/Westland voluntarily recalled the products because of allegations that the company failed to properly inspect cattle prior to slaughter. A video released by the Humane Society of the United States vividly documents inhumane treatment of cattle at the Hallmark/Westland facility.
Too many places, too little time! Choose your next destinition from ...
Dubai, one of the most exciting places on earth, is a desert paradise that offers the best of city life with the charm and warm hospitality of Arabia. Dubai has it all. Year-round sunshine and pristine beaches. Cosmopolitan nightlife that is as vibrant as it is diverse.
Dubai has also emerged as the sporting capital of the region with first-class golf courses, world-class tennis stadium, superb horse-racing venues and the highest standards in leisure and sports amenities.
Discover Dubai and sample the unique flavour of one of the worlds most popular destinations. Fly Emirates to Dubai from 21st June to 31st August 2007, and enjoy great offers from US$50 per person, per night for a minimum three-night stay at any of our participating 3-5 star hotels, all conveniently located at the heart of the city.
Jet-pace growth for Indian tourism
A Lonely Planet survey of 167 countries also ranks India among the world's top five most popular destinations.
Last financial year, when more than 5 million tourists arrived, was the fourth running that India's growth in arrivals picked up pace, with an increase of 13% from 2005-06, according to governmental data. India expects to host 6 million tourists in 2007 and 10 million by 2010.
"Tourism has high potential for generating both income and employment across the country," President Pratibha Devsingh Patil told Parliament on February 25. "The 'Incredible India' campaign has given a thrust to tourism in India, with foreign tourist arrivals touching 5 million for the first time. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism touched US$12 billion in 2007."
Businesses at the tourism frontline are seeing more than just an increase in numbers.
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