How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

March 13, 2010 – 9:25 am

Laser hair removal is one of the most common cosmetic treatments practiced today, with many people choosing to eliminate excess hair in this manner rather than the more time consuming traditional methods. Waxing, shaving and plucking only produce short term results and can be associated with with unwanted side effects.

Laser hair removal has been shown to be fast, gentle and effective and is becoming more popular as people recognise the benefits it can offer. This procedure can be a solution for sufferers of ingrown hairs and shaving rash as the hair is removed and the associated maintenance with having to wax or shave is no longer needed to keep the area free from hair. Laser can be utilised safely on many areas of the face and body, and after several treatments a significant reduction in the number of hairs will be evident.

Laser is a single wavelength of light which is pulsed onto the skin in the treatment area to in order to reduce the number of actively growing hairs. The light energy converts to heat once absorbed into the hair shaft thus damaging the follicle and preventing it from growing another hair. The process is called selective photothermolysis in which the laser targets the melanin rich hair follicle whilst bypassing the lighter colour of the skin.

This heating of the hair follicle is what is felt during treatment resulting in a slight pinching sensation. It is important that laser hair removal treatments are accompanied by a cooling mechanism to reduce discomfort from the treatment and protect the skin whilst ensuring the treatment is delivered effectively. The length must be removed off the hair prior to treatment (usually by shaving) to ensure the energy is transferred to the base of the follicle where the cells responsible for hair growth lie. This process damages the cells responsible for growing a hair if it is in the active or anagen stage of growth.

Several treatments are required as not all hairs are in the active stage of growth at one time, though a reduction in the number of hairs should be noticed after each treatment. Subsequent treatments are usually performed when the next phase of hairs appear in around 4 – 5 weeks time. Hair that regrows will be fine and sparse and these are the hairs that will be targeted in the next treatment. During a course of laser hair removal treatments it is important that the skin remain as pale as possible as this results in a more effective treatment as well as minimising unwanted side effects. Tanning and solariums should be avoided and fake or chemical tans should not be used at least 1 week prior to treatment.

Post treatment it is advisable to keep the area cool for the next several hours, so avoid sun exposure as well as hot baths/sauna/spa’s. The hair remains in the follicle post treatment and gradually moves up and sheds within approx 2 weeks.

No waxing or plucking should be done in between treatments; however the area can be shaved if needed. Removing the hair with waxing or plucking during the course of laser hair removal treatments will render the treatments less effective as there will be less hair present to treat. Costs vary depending on the area and the amount of hair growth of the individual, as will the number of treatments required.

For more information about laser hair removal Brisbane and laser hair removal Sunshine Coast, please contact Image by Laser today.

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Five Signs that Your Local Marketing Needs a Tune-up

March 10, 2010 – 10:41 am

Local marketing is a powerful tool that can help any business generate leads and close new business at a local level. It is an unreasonable expectation to think that most business people will be highly skilled in the fine art of local marketing so here’s a quick snapshot of some pointers that may indicate that your local marketing could do with a tune up.

1.Your business is mono-tactical in its approach to generating leads and winning new business. This is quite common – especially amongst small businesses. For example a local plumber may advertise in the local classifieds to generate 100% of his leads and sales. Some companies may use a handful of local marketing tactics. The point here is that your business will go from strength to strength if it increases the actual number of local marketing tactics used.

2.Your company doesn’t have a local marketing budget allocated, but instead will look at opportunities as they arise. This is another popular approach amongst franchisees and small businesses. The key here is that there is no pro-activeness in funding and executing local marketing strategies on a regular basis. Imagine the possibilities that arise when you regularly allocate funds to local marketing programs.

3. Your firm is oblivious to peaks and troughs in your revenue cycle and schedules local marketing activities without thinking about the impact they may have at various times of the year. Just as you wouldn’t dare plant carrots in June because they won’t grow, there my be times during the year when local marketing will have a minimal impact on your target market whilst at other times clients will be falling all over themselves to do business with you. Identifying these cycles and making the most out of them is the key to being successful.

4.Your company doesn’t track the return on investment it gets from any local marketing activity that it implements. This is possibly the biggest local marketing sin a business can commit. Without a formal review of the success of local marketing activities undertaken a company can’t realistically make a well considered decision to replicate or reject a tactic that it has used.

5.Your business doesn’t have a formal, conscious plan that incorporates the use of other people’s people and other people’s money. Your suppliers, local business associations, sponsorship properties and even charitable organisations have much power in being able to assist you in successfully marketing your business throughout your local territory. By identifying ways to use other people’s people, money, resources, advertising, business relationships, time and capital a company can expand its local marketing capability and reach.

So there you have it – some common local marketing mistakes that franchisees and small businesses tend to make and some of the ways to overcome them. By addressing one or more of these five areas a company can positively impact the number of leads and new sales it can attract through local marketing activities.

For more information about local marketing and local area marketing planning, contact Greg Mullane, Marketing Manager, LAM Plan

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Hawaii History

March 8, 2010 – 4:59 pm

The Pacific had been crossed many times and most of the lands around it had been explored before the world knew there was an inhabited archipelago in its very center.

The first white man to discover the islands was Captain James Cook in 1778. He called them the Sandwich Islands, after the Earl of Sandwich. Captain Cook, making his first landing on the verdant island of Kauai, found the islands populated by about 300,000 natives. They were Polynesian in origin, and among the most advanced of all the Polynesians. The islands were ruled by four warring native kings.

About 30 years later, the local wars ended with all the islands united under King Kamehameha I, the wisest and most enlightened of the native rulers of Hawaii. He welcomed other lands, promoted trade and commerce. Traders from abroad brought goods for the from far lands and bought the exotic products of Hawaii in return. Unfortunately they also brought diseases for which the isolated Polynesian People had no natural immunity.

Within 100 years the native population had dropped to 50,000. In the meantime the trends which were to most the Hawaiian Islands one of the Polyglot regions in the world in ethnic origin, had started. First came the missionaries, from New England. They found native people ready to embrace a new religion, and set about converting Hawaii to Christianity.

They also saw in Hawaii opportunities for business. They established small firms to trade with the rest of the world. They succeeded so well that the children of the missionaries are now the chief directors and owners of Hawaii’s great companies, operating huge plantations and far-flung trading companies.

With the dwindling of the native population through the ravages of disease and the development of Hawaii’s plantation fields, field labor was recruited from other lands. The first groups were Chinese. Japanese, Koreans, Filipinos followed. Puerto Ricans, Germans, and Portuguese came later.

During this period Hawaii was a monarchy. Toward the end of the nineteenth century agitation for annexation to the United States began. For a brief period the islands were a republic. Annexation was accomplished in 1898, and in 1900 Hawaii became a Territory of the United States, under a governor named Sanford P. Dole. At that time two-thirds of the population were foreign-born aliens, most of them uneducated Orientals.

Impetus to the transition between an Oriental crossroads community and an integrated American society was given by the sudden impact of World War II, the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, the establishment of the islands as one of the great military bases for the war and a staging ground for the whole Pacific Campaign.

It brought to the islands many thousands of fighting men to man the installations, and hundreds of thousands more who stopped briefly in the islands in transit between the distant fighting fronts and home areas. With the war’s end many stationed in the islands stayed to work and live; others who had sampled the benign climate and glimpsed the exotic charm of the islands, returned. With the war’s end the fighting bases became great permanent military installations with a military personnel of about 50,000.

Hawaii has a very heterogeneous population with Americans of Polynesian, Asian, European, and African extraction, immigration to Hawaii still continues. Most of the newcomers are young people. Hawaii’s varied population is reflected in the food specialties which are served. These include poi, a paste made from taro root; roast pig and coconut. The islands have superb fruits; some of them, like the passion fruit, are quite rare. Others are guava, papaya, pineapple. There are also native nuts that are unusual. All are served at the popular luau feast.

Looking for an overseas holiday? For Bali Holidays, cheap flights to Thailand and cheap flights to New Zealand you can’t go past Escape Travel. Contact Escape Travel today for a great deal on a package holiday.

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Holistic Tips to Soothe Dry Winter Skin

March 1, 2010 – 1:07 pm

The skin all over your face and body needs some tender loving care to survive Winter. Sensitivities, eczema, psoriasis and itchy skin are often made worse in the cold, dry weather. A holistic approach works best—that means thinking about what you put on your skin, what you put inside your body and factors in your environment.

Natural skin and mineral makeup excel because they don’t contain detergents or synthetic substances that dry and irritate skin. Plant oils closely resemble the oils in your skin and work to nourish the deep layers. Swapping from a chemical or petroleum-based skin or makeup product will make a difference and keep your natural beauty glowing.

1. Drink plenty of water: Hydrate your skin from the inside out and help carry nutrients to your skin cells. Eating lots of juicy fruit and vegetables helps too.

2. Pull on an extra jumper and turn down the heaters: A cooler environment helps reduce moisture loss from your skin. If you do put on the heater, place bowls of water around the room.

3. Keep showers short and warm: As glorious as a long hot shower can be in Winter, hot water will strip moisture from your skin. And, we all know that shorter showers save precious water.

4. Luscious lips: No-one’s lips are safe in Winter. When dry lips crack or become stressed, you increase the chance of a coldsore. Keep lips protected with a plant-oil lip balm. Petrochemical lip balms sit on the skin rather than soaking in and working to heal the skin as well.

5. Use gentle, creamy, plant cleansers: Ingredients such as sulphates, propylene glycol and alcohol can irritate and dry skin. Choose soaps hand made from 100 per cent olive oil. Shampoos that contain sulphates and chemicals can also cause itchy scalp and dry skin problems.

6. Use a natural moisturiser that nourishes your skin.
Petrochemical or mineral oil moisturisers form a layer on top of your skin rather than being absorbed in to lubricate and support the skin. Apply the moisturiser while your skin is damp to lock in extra moisture. Intensive skin boosters like rose hip, sweet almond and jojoba oils do wonders for your natural beauty.

7. Exfoliate and hydrate. Gentle exfoliation removes the dead cell layer making it easier for your skin to absorb moisturisers. Hydrating flower mists or masks help refresh dry skin.

8. Use plant oil-based makeup or mineral makeup. Synthetic-free makeup and makeup without petrochemicals is gentler and less drying for your skin. However, not all mineral makeup is pure. Some mineral makeup contains irritating and drying ingredients, so avoid those that list Bismuth Oxychloride and Talc.

Another benefit is that mineral makeup containing the minerals Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are non-chemical sun blocks that also help to protect skin from damage in Winter.

Holistic skin tips provided by Biome Eco Stores.

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The Caribbean

February 26, 2010 – 10:59 am

Sun-drenched beaches, warm air, and swaying palm trees typify the West Indian islands of the Caribbean. On these islands, as varied as the countries—Spain, France, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Portugal—responsible for their early development, relaxation is the byword. Industrialization and urbanization have taken place on many of them, but with little sacrifice to the leisurely atmosphere and carefree life for which the West Indies are famous.

The West Indies are peaks of a partially submerged mountain chain—the Caribbean Andes—that once connected North and South America. They now form a 2,500-mile arc from Cuba, 50 miles off the tip of Florida, to Trinidad within sight of Venezuela. This arc forms a dividing line between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Prior to the arrival in the New World of Christopher Columbus, the unexplored land between the Canary Islands and India was called Antilia. Columbus found not one mainland, but a series of islands, so Antilia was changed to the plural Antilles. The term “West Indies,” which is synonymous with Antilles, resulted from Columbus’ belief that he had reached India; he called the people he found on the island “Indians” for the same reason.

Two major island groupings—the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles—are found in the Caribbean below the Bahamas. Within these two groupings are the islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, the British West Indies, the Netherlands Antilles, the French West Indies, Trinidad, and Tobago.

There is much contrast in climate between the islands, often on the same island. Caribbean climates are always comfortable—warm but not oppressive. A few days or weeks in late summer or early autumn can be hot and humid, but the heat is tempered by northeast trade winds. The nights are always cool.

Rains are usually heavy, but brief, and vary from an average of around 50 inches in the low islands, such as Antigua, eastern Guadeloupe, Barbados, and Marie-Galante, to 100 inches and more, annually, on the mountainous islands such as Dominica. There is, in some areas, a brief wet season around April, but as a general rule the heavier rains fall between July and October.

Hurricanes, named for the Indian god, Huracan, meaning the “Despoiler, Lord of the Circular Tempest,” threaten the middle or northern Antilles from August to October, but less often now than in past years. They can be spotted days in advance and preparations made against them, with time to spare.

If you are looking for great value holiday packages and cheap international flights, contact Escape Travel today. Escape Travel has a range of holiday deals and Gold Coast holidays for all tastes and budgets.

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Water Bottles Need to be Clean to be Safe: How to Clean Your Water Bottle

February 22, 2010 – 1:07 pm

You are doing the right thing for the planet by filling up at home and carrying a reusable water bottle and you’ve chosen a safe, non-toxic bottle-but if it’s not kept clean then it may not be healthy.

Whether your drink bottle is a stainless steel bottle, SIGG bottle or a BPA free plastic water bottle, it is important to stop mould and other deposits forming in the bottle.

Wash your drink bottles with warm, soapy water at the end of every day and let the bottle air dry upside down with the top off every day where possible.

Should any mineral deposits or lime scale form inside, fill your clean water bottle with Distilled White Vinegar and let it soak for 24 hours. Then rinse with warm water mixed with one tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), rinse out and let dry. Spots inside the bottle that look like “corrosion” are most likely a mineral deposit.

Fill your bottle with filtered water wherever possible. It tastes so much better, but also because water contains different minerals in every area this may affect what happens inside your bottle.

Do not allow liquids such as fruit juice to ferment inside the bottle.

With all reusable water bottles you can also try SIGG cleaning tablets and a specially-designed SIGG bottle cleaning brush, or simply a baby bottle brush. Only ever use a soft brush on aluminium bottles with lining like SIGG so as not to damage the lining. Stainless steel water bottles like Klean Kanteen and Nathan can handle a hard brush.

While all bottles are technically dishwasher-safe, it is recommended to not put them in a dishwasher. Most dishwasher powders are caustic, so they will eat into the metal of your bottle and damage the exterior pattern. Bottle tops should also not be put in the dishwasher because extreme heat expands and deteriorates the plastic.

Never freeze metal bottles as metal can split even with only a little water inside. Water does not always expand in a predictable direction! Freezing plastic water bottles is also not advisable because it may cause the plastic to breakdown and toxins to leach. It is fine to place your bottle in the refrigerator.

Tips on cleaning your water bottle brought to you by Biome Eco Stores Australia.

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Sydney Toll Roads

February 18, 2010 – 6:26 pm

Driving in Sydney can be an expensive exercise as the various toll roads are the quickest and easiest way to get from one side of the city to another by car. Some toll roads allow you to pay the toll by cash but others only accept E-Tags.

If you are visiting Sydney you may not have an E-Tag and will need to ring the toll road operator in order to pay the toll using your credit card. All E-Tags from Victoria and Queensland work on Sydney toll roads.

If you do not have an E-Tag you must pay by cash (where available) or pay by credit card by ringing the appropriate number displayed on the tollway within 48 hours of passing through the toll collection point. The toll road operator will charge a fee to accept your payment by credit card.

Note that cash booths are usually un-manned so it helps if you have some small change to pay the toll using the automatic collection booths.

Failure to pay tolls within 48 hours will result in an infringement notice being issued. This will be sent to the hire car company who will pass it on to you. Note that the car rental company will charge an Administration Fee for processing an infringement notice. For example, Thrifty car rental have a $35.00 fee for processing any infringement notices.

So, when driving a Sydney rental car be sure to take note of the many toll road signs and be prepared to pay to drive. To find more information about driving in Sydney visit car hire Sydney.

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Is every stainless steel bottle created equal? Protecting your health and the planet

February 11, 2010 – 12:25 pm

K12-stainlessThere are two stainless steel mixing bowls in my kitchen cupboard. One feels more solid and has aged gracefully with use, the scratches are almost absorbed into the worn smooth metal surface, and it remains a grayish stainless steel colour. The second, purchased at a discount store, has taken a distinct yellow tinge and is displaying tarnish, its surface seeming artificially glossy.

I understand now that there are different grades of stainless steel and the quality will affect how it wears and what toxins it may pass on to to food or liquids stored in it. How will this quality affect my choice of a stainless steel drink bottle? There are important features to consider when choosing a reusable stainless steel bottle

Stainless steel is always made using chromium, because it is what makes steel “stainless”. Other elements are also used including nickel, nitrogen and molybdenum. These elements can leech into liquids, so it is very important that the bottle is made from high quality, 18/8 food-grade stainless steel – but also that you trust the manufacturer is telling the truth when they say what the bottle is made from. Some will claim to make the bottle from the thinnest and cheapest stainless steel they can in order to reduce manufacturing costs and hence increase profits.

Other features are also important:

  • Are the lids made from a BPA free plastic?
  • Can you see sharp corners or joins inside where dirt and bacteria can build up?
  • Is the thread around the screw top easily cleaned?
  • Will the lid leak and can you buy a replacement lid without buying a whole new bottle?
  • Does the manufacturer provide a guarantee?

Consider who the manufacturer is. Do they have a long history of quality, who are the real people behind the company and what is their story? In 2004, Klean Kanteen was the first company to make a water bottle from stainless steel. They have continued to lead the way with innovative stainless steel products. Another leading sports hydration company making high quality stainless steel bottles is Nathan, using a clever straw drinking mechanism. Perhaps the grandparent of all stainless steel is Thermos, whose name has become synonymous with insulated bottles for hot water. Many of us grew up taking “the thermos” on a picnic.

From an environmental point of view, is a stainless steel bottle more eco friendly than a plastic bottle? A Life Cycle assessment study published in the New York Times in 2009, considered the environmental and health impact of stainless steel bottle from the extraction and processing of its ingredients, to its manufacture, distribution, use and final disposal. It found that if your stainless steel bottle takes the place of 50 plastic bottles, the climate is better off.

From a human point of view, who made the bottle and was that person treated fairly and compensated for their time. This is the hardest criteria to judge because few of us can actually visit the factories in China where most of the bottles are made. We can at least always go to the manufacturer’s website and ensure they have published a statement about their factory and worker conditions. Again, as with most things in life, we have to make a judgement call on whether we trust the company and what they are saying.

Written by Tracey Bailey, Founder of Biome eco friendly retail stores.

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What is Polished Concrete ?

February 9, 2010 – 9:19 am

Concrete floor polishing was initially used for a matter of function in commercial buildings and warehouses as it increases lighting using the natural reflection off the floor, eliminates dusting and is extremely low maintenance saving time and money. Polished concrete techniques have advanced and technology now allows a qualified contractor to give colour and different finishes to the concrete making each floor unique which has made polished concrete floors the ideal after flooring solution for residential, retail and office buildings as it is functional and visually appealing.

Concrete is manufactured from natural materials and can also be mixed with some recycled materials; the concrete itself can also be recycled. Concrete is so versatile as its durable, the materials are readily available and it can absorb then release heat better than other floor coverings as concrete polishing doesn’t change the thermal mass of the floor which is a property that enables materials to absorb, store than release heat.

The materials in concrete absorb the energy slowly and hold it for a long period of time which can help to reduce heating and cooling requirements. Concrete floor polishing eliminates any need for additional floor coverings, all of which would require manufacturing and transportation so polished concrete reduces the effects on the environment. Depending of the quality and condition of the concrete, polished concrete has a longer life cycle than traditional floor coverings and if correctly installed by a qualified specialist in concrete floor polishing it can last forever which reduces the environmental waste which would be caused by replacing carpet, vinyl and tiles.

A polished concrete floor will resemble a polished stone floor; with a high-gloss finish the floor will have a mirror like effect. Polished concrete floors also improve the air quality, unlike carpet it doesn’t trap pollutants or bacteria and the surface is reflective which will reduce the need for unnatural lighting. Polished concrete has many more benefits which cannot be achieved from any other traditional floor covering. The concrete floor polishing process uses non-toxic chemicals, and no sealers or solvents are required.

Concrete floor polishing is created by processing the concrete surface by means of a mechanical process which involves grinding and refining the surface using diamonds till a desired finish is achieved, this process takes some time and only a qualified specialist in concrete floor polishing should be appointed to install a polished concrete floor. Polished concrete enhances the new or existing concrete which reduces the use of energy draining manufacturing processes and fossil fuels used for traditional floor coverings.

There are many different results that come from polished concrete floors by using multiple abrasives which are measured in grits which are generally applied from roughest to finest and each density will refine the surface in preparation for the desired finish. A specialist in concrete floor polishing may use up to nine different grits to achieve the durability, reflection and clarity of polished concrete and will apply a densifier which has a chemical reaction in the concrete resulting in a hard crystalline structure making the concrete floor more durable and resistant to stains, offers extra protection to the floor and prevents water from penetrating the surface. These reasons and more are why polished concrete is the eco-friendly and sustainable flooring solution which cannot be compared to any other flooring option available.

Concrete flooring is a great option. If you are considering polished concrete in Brisbane or concrete polishing in Brisbane , and would like a free onsite evaluation call (07) 5549 3573 now. We have offer our unique high-gloss finished backed with a 10 year warranty in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

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Get Married in Paradise? So many choices for your and your wedding party!

February 8, 2010 – 2:55 pm

bride-groomWhen you get married, it is all about the love, sharing that special day with your partner, family and friends. However, as air fares get cheaper and destinations more accessible, it is becoming more and more common for couples to take their weddings off-shore, or off-state to a new and romantic location.

Why is this becoming popular? Firstly, it allows you tailor your wedding around a favourite holiday destination or place of significance. Did you dream of getting married on the beach, frangipanis in your hair and a golden sunset, but you are stuck in the city? Dream no more, tropical weddings are affordable and professional with many tropical destinations offering specialist wedding and honeymoon packages.

Destinational wedding packages can be tailored to suit your dreams. From romantic couple only escapes to complete family and friends getaways.

When thinking of taking your wedding away, beachside nuptials appear to be the preferred escape and Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the perfect destination. Cairns offers happy couples a variety of options. A ceremony on the beach, with the sand between your toes, or something more formal in a seaside chapel, followed by a beach reception with tables set up in the sand. Arrive by car, or for something different, you can kayak or even sky dive into your nuptials. Many couples have experienced the thrill of this in Cairns, Australia and it brings a whole new meaning to pre-wedding jitters or nerves.

Is this not close enough to the water for you? In Cairns, you can even get married underwater, while diving the Great Barrier Reef. Don’t believe me! ~ It has been done, underwater photographers are available to capture your special moment with nemo and a graceful sea turtle as your witness.

If that is too extreme, but you want to include a visit to the Reef in your destinational wedding, then simply plan a half day or full day trip around your nuptials. There are plenty of combinations available in Cairns Australia, from a helicopter trip to an isolated coral cay, to an exclusive charter taking you to a remote, pristine coral reef.

What about your guests? Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia are considered a must visit destination for many people. Everyone wants to go there, most just need an excuse. Make your wedding a trip of a lifetime for you and your guests by bringing them to Cairns.

As well as being a part of your special day, this tropical paradise offers a range of exciting activities. Reef trips, rainforest excursions, beach horse riding, tropical taste tours and some of the world’s leading spa retreats are all found here.

If you lean more green than blue in your wedding choices, Cairns is the only place on earth where World Heritage tropical rainforest slides down to meet the golden beaches and fringes of the Great Barrier Reef.

These are the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforests and you can get married here, celebrating your love in this pristine nature’s paradise. Let towering cathedral figs be your altar, mossy pavers your aisle and falling leaves your confetti. Rainforest weddings can be as formal or informal as you like. A range of chapels are nestled amongst the greenery for more traditional ceremonies, or slip off your shoes and take your celebrant somewhere remote for a memorable ceremony.

Your guests will thank you for bringing them to this amazing tropical paradise. When they are not at your wedding, they can enjoy luxurious accommodation, explore the reef and rainforest, cuddle a koala or even take an outback tour.

There are many activities to choose from that the wedding party and guests can enjoy. There could be activities such as shopping, snorkeling, boat rides, guided tours or even wine tasting. Just keep in mind that it is typically the bride or groom or their families footing the bill so be sure not to tell your guests the cost of the bill because they more than likely would feel uncomfortable having someone else paying for them.

The great part of destination weddings is that it is usually more intimate and typically only the close family and friends come. So you could have more personal activities. You could have a sleepover the night before the wedding and have everyone over to the hotel for movies, drinks, and popcorn.

Just remember that for many of your guests your destination wedding may double as their vacation. So be sure to find out their plans so that you don’t over book. Some guests may choose to plan their own activities.

Any activities you choose, your destination wedding will be sure to be special and a long lasting memory for many years to come.

When planning your destinational wedding, make sure you use a professional Cairns wedding photographer, because you will want to capture your Cairns Wedding Photography in the best possible light. Photographers can also capture amazing images of you, whilst scuba diving in Cairns

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Schoolie Survival Guide – 10 Top Tips

February 1, 2010 – 1:50 pm

schooliesSchoolies, or more correctly, school leavers week, is a yearly right of passage for thousands of Australian teenagers. It usually happens a week or so after the end of Grade 12 exams. Originally starting at the Gold Coast in Queensland, it has grown to include many more tourist destinations. Schoolies is very big business and injects millions of dollars into the tourism economy.

If you believe the news, Schoolies is all about alcohol, sex, music, motor vehicle accidents and violence. It isn’t. It’s just that the conservative press play to established prejudices so they can sell products that appeal to the over 55 viewing audience.

Notwithstanding all the bad press about Schoolies week, tens of thousands of Australian teenagers have a great time during their post exam Year 12 break. The reality is that because of all the bad publicity, Schoolies is now a very safe activity well serviced by police, ambulance and volunteer organisations like Red Frog. The local and State governments pour lots of taxpayer’s resources into helping keep Schoolies safe.

If you or your children are considering going to Schoolies this year, here 10 tips to improve safety and enjoyment.

Fights – get help, don’t get involved
When lots of young men, and more recently, young woman, get into large groups and consume alcohol, there is an increased chance of disagreements leading to violence. If one of your friends gets involved in a fight, don’t get involved, get help from police or other authorities. If you get involved one of two things may happen: you will get hurt, or you will hurt somebody. Both can have very bad consequences.

Learn what a standard drink looks like
If you are going to drink alcohol, drink in moderation. Three to four standard drinks in a six hour period would be a reasonable amount. Ask your parents what a standard drink of beer, spirits or wine looks like, or read the label. A standard drink is a lot less than you may think.

Use protection
Did you know that 500 babies are conceived at schoolies each year? Boys will be boys and girls will be girls. Unfortunately this leads to unwanted pregnancies and the spread of nasty diseases. If you are going to indulge in sexual activities, use protection.

The Police are there to help you
Police love Schoolies week. It means they get to do what’s called “Specials”; big slabs of overtime. If you do get involved with police be polite and don’t be a smart-mouth. You will not win a battle of wits or a physical encounter. And having to fetch your parents or guardians and go to court the next morning is not a good look.

Leave no one behind
When at Schoolies team up with a friend or two and don’t get separated. At the end of the night’s activities make sure you are still all together and do what the Marines do: leave no one behind. That cute guy you met will still be around tomorrow morning. Give him your number and agree to meet-up in the morning. In the harsh light of a sober day you may have to reconsider.

Have an escape and evasion plan
If you are really unlucky and everything turns pear-shaped, make sure you have an escape and evasion plan. Agree with your friends a secret code word that when spoken means “lets get out of here right now and meet up at the agreed location”. Make sure you have enough cash, enough clothing and all the location details you need to get back to your emergency rendezvous point to plan the next move.

In case of emergencies
A lot of people don’t know this but police, ambos and other emergency service workers when dealing with an unconscious person look in the address book of the person’s mobile phone. They are looking for an entry called ICE. It stands for “In Case of Emergency call this number”. Make sure you have an ICE number in your phone. It could be a friend, it could be a parent or guardian. Do it now.

Watch out for the unknown silent killer
Do you know what the biggest life-threatening risk at Schoolies is? It’s not drugs, car accidents, or violence or the other risks reported in the news. It is sunburn. The second degree burns you get during schoolies week this year may turn into the skin cancer that kills you in 20 or 30 years time. As the ad says, slip on shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat. Get in shade in the hotter parts of the day and if you are drinking alcohol, drink at least one glass of water for each standard drink.

Watch Out for Valuables
Lots of young excited people tend to attract thieves and other low-life. If you are going to Schoolies only take stuff you are prepared to lose. Borrow you Dad’s old clunky mobile phone, leave the fancy jewelry and shoes at home, don’t make yourself a target by strutting around with the latest iPhone or notebook.

A Note to Parents
If your child is going to Schoolies make sure they understand that’s it’s OK to call them at any time of the day or night. Preplan an emergency pickup point. Work out a way they can get emergency cash in a hurry.

Want to book some accommodation for schoolies? For schoolies gold coast or schoolies Lorne, visit bookschoolies.com and browse and book the wide range of locations both in Queensland, New South Wales and
Bali.

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Best Australian Online Shopping Sites Featured On New Portal

January 23, 2010 – 1:25 pm

HelpMeSis.com.au is a brand new website that acts as a portal featuring the very best Australian online shopping sites and information websites. The comprehensive and well-researched website has been two years in the making and saves women valuable time and frustration by only showing the best and most relevant websites in each of the many categories.

After 2 years of meticulous research and web development, HelpMeSis.com.au was officially launched in Sydney on 1 January 2010. This comprehensive website acts as a useful portal for busy Australian women, showing them the very best Australian online shopping sites and information websites.

The extensive and informative guide to Australia’s best and most relevant websites was created to help time-poor women find quality products, information and services quickly and easily. Its launch was the culmination of two years of labour by former high school teacher Veronica Ryan.

“Over the past few years, I have visited and revisited many thousands of Australian websites and have hand picked hundreds of the very best to be included in the HelpMeSis website,” said Ms Ryan. “I have chosen these websites for their overall quality, integrity and security and their usefulness and relevance to Australian women,” she said.

The website listings and reviews have been organised into logical categories. Along with a logo, name, link to the site and description of products and services, Ms Ryan has also included practical details such as each company’s ABN and shipping information for shopping websites.

“To have all this information available on one website means women no longer need to visit dozens of individual websites first to find out exactly what they offer and whether they provide online shopping and Australia-wide shipping. They can compare all of this on the HelpMeSis website and only visit the most relevant website, saving them a great deal of time,” said Ms Ryan.

The manual selection process for included websites, together with the navigational simplicity of the portal, its sheer comprehensiveness, detailed information and overall relevance to Australian women, sets HelpMeSis apart from other online directories.

In addition to Australian shopping websites, the HelpMeSis portal also includes a number of themed information sections. A ‘Green Guide’ offers a great deal of information about green products and services and links to quality businesses that sell natural Australian organic products. The ‘Useful Information’ section provides answers to many common queries Australian women have. A complete ‘Parenting’ and baby shopping section gives links to Australian stores specialising in quality parenting & baby products and to sites offering expert information and advice for parents.

Other noteworthy sections on the HelpMeSis website include a ‘Health and Fitness’ section and a ‘Leisure’ section, which offers links to websites providing What’s On information for all Australian capital cities and the Gold Coast. The site further features a blog spot and people can sign up to receive an informative monthly HelpMeSis newsletter.

Men needn’t feel left out either, as Ms Ryan has also launched a ‘brother’ site, aptly named HelpMeBro.com.au where men can shop online at the best Australian online shopping sites. This guys-only site has many of the features of the women’s site but has been styled for men and doesn’t include any of the ‘girly’ content.

To find out more, please visit the HelpMeSis and HelpMeBro websites.

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Jet Power and the Birth of the Jet Aviation Age

January 20, 2010 – 3:48 pm

The invention of jet propulsion was ideal for fighter aircraft. Although at first it reduced range and endurance and often increased the take-off run. The German Messerschmitt Me 262 and the British Gloster Meteor twin jets saw action in 1944, together with the tailless Me 163 rocket interceptor which sacrificed range and endurance for astounding climb and speed in defending local areas against heavy bombers.

Germany was far in front of other countries in another factor too: armament. A range of 30 mm (1 inch) cannon, radically new high-speed cannon with multiple-revolver chambers, very large recoilless guns, spin-stabilised air-to-air rockets fired in salvoes, and wire-guided air-to-air missiles were all under test before the Luftwaffe s defeat. They gradually inspired similar developments in other countries: one German gun, the Mauser MG 213, led to the American Pontiac M-39, the French DEFA, the Russian NR-30, the Swiss Oerlikon KCA, and the British Aden, all of which are still in use.

Many early jet fighters were fitted into more or less conventional airframes. The fighter often considered the ultimate achievement of the piston era, the long-range North American P-51 Mustang appeared both in a twinned double-fuselage form and, with few changes, as a US Navy jet.

But the US Air Force decided to wait a year until its makers could sweep back the wings and tail at 35 degrees, which German research had shown could lead to higher speed. The result was the F-86 Sabre, which in 1948 set a speed record at 1,080 km/h (671 mph) and outflew all other fighters. Later versions carried radar and rockets and reached 1,150 km/h (715 mph).

During the Korean War (1950-3) the F-86 met a previously unknown machine built in the Soviet Union, the somewhat lighter and simpler MiG-15, and although the MiG could climb higher and had heavy cannon, the Sabre’s skilled pilots and better equipment gave it the edge in combat.

North American’s next fighter was the F-100 Super Sabre, which exceeded the speed of sound in level flight. The MiG bureau built the twin jet MiG-19, which was even faster, and is still in wide use. The US Air Force ordered various all-weather interceptors with largely automatic radar and flight control systems so that, with guided missiles, they could intercept and destroy enemy aircraft without the pilot ever seeing them.

The British ordered a jet-fighter flying-boat, but discovered that this way of doing business without airfields resulted in an inferior fighter. The Americans suffered similar problems with a ‘hydroski’ fighter, which could dive faster than sound, but took off and landed on retractable water skis.

Two even stranger fighters were designed around powerful turboprop engines and, standing on their tails, screwed themselves vertically into the air (they were intended to operate from the confined decks of warships or merchant vessels). Britain built high-altitude supersonic fighters with ‘mixed power’ from a turbojet and a rocket. In 1957 the British Minister of Defence suggested there would soon be no more manned fighters at all, only missiles. The Americans stuck to fighters, but made them very large and armed them with missiles, but no gun.

Today the wheel has turned full circle. In the past 10 to 20 years there has been a powerful trend to get back to the ‘eyeball-to-eyeball’ type of confrontation of the man in the Sopwith Camel. The pre-eminent Western fighter, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, was rebuilt with an internal gun, a rapid-fire 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon with six barrels firing up to 6,000 rds/ min, and a slatted wing to pull tighter turns in combat.

New small fighters appeared, such as the General Dynamics F-16, which, although bigger and heavier than any single-engined fighters of World War II, are nevertheless small and light by comparison with such impressive machines as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and MiG-25 Foxbat, The RAF’s next interceptor, the ADV (Air-Defence Version) of the Panavia Tornado, is a careful midway compromise, smaller than the three monsters just listed, but with two engines, long range, powerful radar, and extremely effective Skyflash missiles.

Modern interceptors defend vast blocks of airspace up to 160 km (100 miles) in radius, with powerful radar able to look down at the surrounding land and water and spot low-flying intruders trying to slip through the defences unnoticed. Their task is eased by the presence of special surveillance, early-warning, and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft, with enormous radars and sophisticated command and control systems to manage all a nation’s defences in the most efficient way.

There is no better feeling than being in the cockpit during your jet fighter flight. Jet fighter flights and jet fighter joy flights are the ultimate gift giving and receiving experience that will be remembered forever. Your jet fighter pilot experience is available in Melbourne, Cairns and Townsville. Visit flyingwarbirds.com.au for more details.

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Welcome to Cairns Queensland

January 15, 2010 – 10:10 am

Tropical happiness, warming sun and photographs of a carefree FNQ holiday, these are ideal elements for the holiday of a lifetime when you and your family come to Cairns and Australia’s Queensland.

Blessed with an ideal climate most of the year, bragging temperatures in the summer months (October-April) of 29-33 degrees C, and winter (April-October) 25-29 degrees C, Cairns can offer some of the planet’s most engaging natural things to see and do, the barrier reef, the rainforest and the Australian outback, and they are all here awaiting for you to discover.

The very friendly public of Tropical North Queensland will display the kind of friendly and courteous friendship that has become the envy of other tourism areas. Adventure tourism, night life, fine dining and shopping add to the excitement and attraction of this internationally secret destination.

If you have been here previously, welcome home. If you are here for your first adventure, bathe in our tourist offerings and make the most of your stay. Australia’s finest regional city, Cairns is the international gateway to Tropical North Queensland. It is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with warm, sunny tropical days tempered by cool onshore vespers.

Indulge in a stroll along the interesting Esplanade or satisfy your tastebuds in one of Cairns’ many multi-cultural, diverse and prize-winning eateries. Cairns provides access to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforests along with the Australian Outback. Cairns, with its international and domestic airport, is the first stop for many visitors who want to see the Dundee Australia. Laze on the tropical beaches, dive on the reef and experience the unique tropical rainforests that date back to when the continent was part of ancient Gondwanaland, thousands of years ago.

Venture a swim in the relaxing Cairns Esplanade lagoon, then look across the calm waters of Trinity Inlet and you will discover coastal mountains and mangrove areas that have not changed since the site was named by Captain James Cook in 1770. The beautiful Esplanade Lagoon is the perfect place to spend a sultry day soaking up the sun and wading in the lagoon’s cool and seductive shallows.

There are many shady spots to take refuge from the sun in the heat of the day, as well as cooking facilities. The boardwalk has unique displays of Cairns’s local history and has many exercise facilities for those keen on getting a bit of exercise.

Cairns is extremely well suited to walking, or transport by bicycle. Well trodden routes and dedicated walking paths are popular. A visit to the Cairns Botanical Gardens is not to be neglected. It boasts 38 hectares of natural tropical gardens which are kept to lush standards, and many species found here cannot be seen elsewhere.

Positioned among the vegetation is a cafe and restaurant, which is open daily for breakfast and lunch. Access to the gardens is highly recommended.

This article is brought to you by seo cairns. If you’re looking for Cairns seo or a Cairns internet marketing specialist, visit seocairns.seovoodoo.com.au.

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Fundraising

January 2, 2010 – 9:53 pm

Fundraising is exactly what the word implies – it’s the process by which non-profit organisations raise money, by requesting donations or selling products or services. Fundraising is a significant way that these community groups obtain the money that’s required for them to perform their operations, and pay for the facilities and programs that the group wishes to manage. Apart from needing money to merely survive, often these fundraising groups also fundraise for a particular purpose, for example a major fundraising campaign may be undertaken to raise money for a new building project, or a school may want to update its extra curricular sports equipment.

While donations often underpin the fundraising of many of these community groups, money is also often generated by the selling of fundraising products. Most fundraising groups continually search for new and interesting ways to fundraise, in order to keep their core support group (made up of parents, relatives and friends) interested and dedicated. The internet is used almost exclusively these days by fundraising groups in order to find interesting and profitable methods by which to raise much needed funds. There are literally hundreds of fundraising companies available these days offering an abundance of ideas and products that can be used for fundraising purposes.

The majority of people assume that fundraising is as simple as holding bake sales, cent auctions or some other organizational activity until enough money is raised. If you only want to raise a small amount of money these ideas may be fine, but for many groups this approach is too uncertain and too limited to be very effective. Most fundraising groups that have been around for a while need to raise money consistently in order to keep their group financially viable.

Deciding which fundraising program to run is a difficult decision, because it all depends on the particular fundraising group as to how much funds are required, and how much time has been allocated. Brainstorming at your monthly meetings is usually a good way to go about the process of deciding on new fundraising options, and the simple ideas are usually the best. It’s advisable to stick with fundraising ideas that are simple, easy to run, take up minimal time, and will gain you the most profit.

Of course planning ahead is the key to running a successful fundraiser. No matter what fundraising company or type of fundraiser the group chooses to run, the planning is paramount. Tasks should be allocated to each member, and plenty of time should be allowed for each task, so that they can be completed in a timely and efficient manner, and even if there are hold ups or other problems, the fundraiser can finish on the designated date. What time of the year to run the fundraiser is another important decision in the planning process. The fundraising group should carefully do its homework, and organise for the fundraiser to run at a time of the year when there are no other major events taking place, so that the whole focus will be on the fundraiser.

Gold Star Gifts and Stationery are fundraising specialists. They supply their novelty gifts and stationery items to schools, clubs and other community groups for fundraising purposes. They offer large discounts to fundraising groups, and free delivery. So if you’re looking for school fundraising ideas, ideas for fundraising or new fundraiser ideas, contact them via their website for more information on their fantastic fundraisers.

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Relationship Marketing Fundamentals

January 2, 2010 – 4:56 pm

As a customer service concept, relationship marketing is not new. For decades, business-to-business marketers have employed account managers who have the responsibility to dedicate themselves to key clients. In the financial world, `relationship banking’, whereby high-yield customers are assigned a personal manager, has been practised for many years.

When direct marketing is embraced to establish connections or relations between the marketer and the consumer, it is too easy to suggest that all forms of direct marketing communications achieve a closer relationship, a closer bond between the two parties. Such a conclusion exaggerates what generally happens in the marketplace.

Direct marketing is all about generating a direct response from the consumer and about direct communications to the consumer. A direct response is needed to generate better understanding of the advertising message or to motivate transactions. Direct communication is simply about media reach efficiency. Relationship marketing is a concept that transcends these pragmatic direct marketing objectives.

Kotler appropriately positions the concept of relationship marketing as one which applies principally to business-to-business situations:

Smart marketers try to build up long-term, trusting, `win—win’ relationships with customers, distributors, dealers and suppliers. That is accomplished by promising and delivering high quality, good service, and fair prices to the other party over time.

It is accomplished by strengthening the economic, technical, and social ties between members of the two organizations. The two parties grow more trusting, more knowledgeable, and more interested in helping each other. Relationship marketing cuts down on transaction costs and time; in the best cases, transactions move from being negotiated each time to being routinized.

Outside of `membership’ or `continuity’ programs, there are two basic ways to approach consumers. The first is with a product and price combination considered to be `the standard’. That is, the proposition is essentially of long standing and relies on the features and benefits being competitive. The second way, normally of short-term duration, is a `special offer’. Direct marketing textbooks are full of the theory, practice and case histories relating to `the offer’.

The choice of basic propositions or selection of special offers depends on the circumstances of the individual firm and its competitive environment. The right proposition or offer can make a world of difference to response cost-effectiveness.

Looking for online marketing assistance? For seo brisbane contact seovoodoo.com.au For assistance with web copywriting, contact copyvoodoo. Landing pages by salespages.com.au

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Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has a Proud Sporting Heritage

December 30, 2009 – 8:16 am

sunshine-coastThe Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia has become well known in the Southern Hemisphere as the region of choice for the well-heeled to holiday.

It has all the ingredients that are sought by the hard working executive to relax and recharge their batteries. Stunning beaches, a consistent climate, world class restaurants, great surf and an endless supply of cold beer. However hidden beneath the surface of this holiday paradise is the fact that it is consistently producing and training world class athletes.

Pat Rafter who was ranked number 1 mens singles tennis player in the world in 1999 and won 2 US open titles at Flushing Meadow, was honing his tennis skills from an early age in Eumundi,(he went to the same primary school as Kevin Rudd, the current Australian Prime Minister).

Gary Elkerton was raised in a beachside caravan park in Mooloolaba, where he honed his surfing skills. He finished runner up on the world tour three times in the 80′s and 90′s and won the Quicksilver Masters in France in 2001. Alexandra Headland, Point Cartwright, Old Woman Island, Moffats and Double Island Point are where he learnt his trade.

Mal Meninga was raised in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, starting his A grade Rugby League career with Palmwoods then moved onto the Nambour All Whites. He went onto captain Australia as well as lead the Maroons to four straight State of Origin series wins as coach (the best coaching record in the history of Origin). He also holds the world record for shortest political career when in 2001 he resigned within 28 seconds of announcing he was running for parliament.

Ian Baker-Finch grew up in Nambour and joined the PGA tour in 1979, he gradually built a reputation as a world class golfer through the eighties finally winning the most coveted major in golf, the 1991 Open Championship.

After retiring from the professional tour he became a commentator for CBS in the States and gained worldwide press headlines when he stood by the 18th green commentating at the 2007 Barclays tournament, to be hit on the head and laid out unconscious by a stray shot from the American Rich Beem.

Other world class athletes from the Sunshine Coast include Grant Kenny who grew up in Maryborough and won canoeing bronze in the LA Olympics of 1984, Billy Slater who grew up in Nambour and has become one of the stars of the NRL as well as representing Australia and Josh Constable, born and raised in Noosa, who won the World Longboard title in 2006.

The Coast is also currently home to Evonne Cawley(winner of 6 Grand Slam singles tennis titles), who lives in Sunshine Beach, Michael O’Connor (represented Australia at Rugby Union and League) who lives in Sunshine Beach, Raelene Boyle(winner of 7 Commonwealth Games gold medals and 3 Olympic silvers in the 100m and 200m) who lives in Buderim and Lisa Curry-Kenny (winner of 7 Commonwealth games swimming gold medals), who lives in Minyama.

If you are looking for Sunshine Coast accommodation, particularly a Mooloolaba resort, you will find the best Mooloolaba apartments at Bluewater Point resort.

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Don’t Buy Steam Powered Games – A Christmas Tale of Disappointment

December 25, 2009 – 10:50 am

dissapointed-son-steam-powered-gamesHow disappointing for my 11 year old son. I bought a copy of Order of War for him for Christmas today, but when I installed it, I got the message:

“Duplicate Product Code – The product you’ve entered has already been activated by an existing Steam account and is therefore invalid. Your activation of Order of War Retail has not been completed.”

You see this game is “Steam Powered”, which means you have to have an internet connection and a Steam account to install the bloody thing. Oh, it is written on the box, in about 4 point type on the back.

I suspect the Steam Powered is a clunky and unreliable way of trying to overcome software piracy.

So now I have to go through the process of either returning the game to the retailer when next it opens in the new year, or work through the Steam help desk process to try and get it fixed.

Based on the feedback on the Internet about Steam support, I think I’ll just return the game to the retailer, get a refund and ask them what non-Steam powered games they have.

You see the Steam CD Key reactivation process is a pain. You have to register for yet another Steam account, no, you can’t use the Steam account you created when you first install the game.

The process is along the lines of:

1. Register a support account at Steam support
2. Confirm the email
3. Find the support request area
4. Realise that you have to take a digital picture of the back of the instruction book to prove that you did, in fact, buy the game.
5. Borrow a digital camera. Hey Steam Support – not everyone owns a digital camera !
6. Take the picture of the back of the instruction book
7. Upload the picture to your PC
8. Complete the support request and attach the digital picture from your PC
9. Return the digital camera from where you borrowed it
10. Wait for Steam support to get back to you with an answer. Who knows how long that will take over the Christmas period.
11. Write a blog post slamming the whole Steam system

I don’t know, we can land a remote vehicle on Mars, but we can’t some up with a simple and reliable software activation process.

Do not, I repeat, do not buy Steam powered games. Especially if you don’t want to disappoint a child on Christmas day.

Angry Dad of Disappointed Child

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Vancouver Island British Columbia

December 22, 2009 – 11:52 am

vancouber-islandVancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, just off Canada’s Pacific coast, separated from the mainland by the Strait of Georgia. It is 460 km (286 mi) long and up to 80 km (50 mi) wide, a magnificent landscape of emerald forests, snow-capped mountains, flower-filled meadows, crystal-clear ice-cold lakes and rivers, and pristine coastline pounded by the Pacific Ocean. The island is paradise for outdoor pursuits enthusiasts, and it is one of the few places in the world where you can play golf and go skiing on the same day.

There are mountains down the centre of the island, the Vancouver Island Ranges, dividing it into the rugged and wet west coast and the drier east coast with a more rolling landscape. The highest point on the island is the Golden Hinde at 2,195 m (7,200 ft), lying within the Strathcona Provincial Park, and there are a few glaciers here, the largest of which is the Comox Glacier.

The west coast is rocky and mountainous, characterized by fjords, bays and inlets, while the interior has many rivers and lakes, of which Kennedy Lake, northeast of Ucluelet, is the largest.

At the southern tip of the island is the elegant capital, Victoria, with its historic parliament, narrow streets dotted with cafes, pubs and colourful gardens, and boats floating lazily in the sparkling harbour. There is an abundance of sights to experience here, including the world-famous Butchart Botanical Gardens, with over a million plants. The gardens are divided into themed areas, such as Japanese or Italian, and each is a beautiful garden in its own right.

Activities available in this big outdoors include skiing, white-water rafting, caving, mountain biking, surfing, sailing, diving and snorkelling, bungy jumping and many other exciting pursuits. There are deep-sea fishing trips for halibut, salmon and chinook, whale-watching excursions or kayaking in the inlets of the Pacific Rim National Park.

Trekking and hiking through the wilderness is also popular here, and can be done on horse or on foot along the trails in the fir-lined woods. Wildlife viewing is becoming more and more popular, with black bears high on the wish-list, and ecotours by boat can offer sightings of bald eagles, sea lions and sea otters.

Looking to travel overseas or within Australia? For cheap flights to Gold Coast, cheap flights to Cairns or cheap flights to Brisbane, contact Flight Centre today.

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Laser Hair Removal

December 21, 2009 – 2:39 pm

laser-hair-removalThere are now many different types of equipment to perform hair removal the best being genuine Quantum IPL machines.

Permanent hair reduction is performed by using a specific wavelength (colour) of light to destroy the hair follicle and to restrict the hair regrowth.

IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light to target the hair follicle. This means both the hair and skin are treated at the same time.

If the hair removal laser has only one specific wavelength of light this is why there are so many different types of lasers in the world today because each specific laser is built to do a certain type of procedure.

The laser most suitable for hair removal is either the 755 Alexandrite laser or 810 diode laser. These two types of lasers are pretty much equal. The Alexandrite is great for light skin and dark hair, whereas the 810 diode laser is better suited to a slightly darker skin tone.

IPL was generally regarded as one of the better forms of hair removal until knock-off machines became available at ridiculously low prices. These machines are typical of the saying you pay for what you get and the results relate to this.

Though you will get some hair reduction with these knock-off IPL’S , most of the time the hair follicle is only made dormant, rather than destroyed, and the hair tends to regrow after about six months. That is why clinics who use this type of equipment will say that you will need maintenance treatments.

The latest technologies in laser hair removal are the IBL Alexandrite and IBL Diode laser. The reason these lasers are superior to the older types of laser is that the new lasers can change the pulse duration as well as the pulse power. This means a vastly superior hair reduction treatment on more hair types and more skin types.

The Alexandrite is a unique laser that can be customised to treat hair with different degrees of thickness and density. This is achieved through a large range of spot sizes. Another advantage of the Alexandrite lasers is that they are fast. With professional use, they can remove male chest hair in about less than 40 minutes.

Due to the specialised nature of laser equipment, professional laser hair removal clinics are required to be licensed with state health authorities. The strict regulations that clinics must adhere to and number of licenses that must be obtained means that there are very few genuine specialised clinics in the community.

Image by Laser has been in hair removal business since 1999 during this time we have treated thousands of happy clients. No-Cost, no-obligation consultations are available at Image by Laser Brisbane and Image by Laser Sunshine Coast. Our friendly, informed, and qualified laser technicians will customise a laser hair removal program to meet your individual needs.

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Free: The Magic Word in Copy Writing

December 20, 2009 – 8:50 am

free-signThere’s no doubt people like getting goods or services for free. If you include the word free in your headline somewhere, it’s more likely to be read. In fact, the most successful campaigns I’ve read always had free sticking out boldly somewhere in the ad. There are some caveats to that however.

First, if you deceive people into reading your ad using a massive FREE at the top, then don’t deliver on the promise, your campaign will definitely fail and your reputation will take a bath. You may also get a call from the regulators. For example, I once read an ad headed with the word FREE. The word took up a third of the ad. Underneath it said: soft drink with every main meal over $20. Big deal I thought.

Needless to say, that was something of a let down. It makes you feel cheated and deceived, which in turn will make you even less likely to visit the restaurant, call the business or whatever it is the ad is trying to encourage you to do as a result of reading it.

If you use the word free in such a bold way, make sure that the offer is truly something remarkable, or else the whole thing will backfire and people will be turned off dealing with you (when they were neutral about buying from you before). Not all publicity is good publicity as Tiger Woods has recently found out.

Secondly, if you are offering something completely FREE (that is, with no obligation to purchase anything else) be prepared for a surprise.

I remember running a promotion with a florist. We handed out fliers offering a free flower. No one took us up on the offer. It was completely bewildering. It was only later that I worked it out. Depending on the product or service, people are often too embarrassed to claim something free. It seems people who like buying flowers, like BUYING flowers. Free is not an attraction to them.

Maybe the promotion should have said: A free box of Swiss chocolates with every bunch of roses? All very well in 20-20 hindsight.

It’s strange but you have a better chance with a `free x when you buy a y’ appeal than you do with a `free x no strings attached’ approach. People just don’t expect to get something for absolutely nothing. They are cynical and mistrusting.

Free is probably the most over-used word in marketing, so you need to remember to only pull it out of the toolbox when you’ve got something pretty amazing to give away and, only when it is tied in with something else. The offer has to be compelling but believable, if you understand.

Need a web copywriter? For web copywriting in Brisbane, visit copyvoodoo.com.au. Face it, we all need a good copywriter for our landing page sometimes.

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Stop Blushing, Compulsive Lying, and Addictions with Hypnotherapy and Mindfulness Therapy

December 17, 2009 – 4:30 pm

Do you want to stop blushing, compulsive lying or do you need an addiction treatment? These problems may differ but they have two things in common – they can all cause stress to those that suffer from them; and all can be treated using hypnotherapy and mindfulness therapy.

Can you just picture the sense of freedom and control you will feel if you are able to finally gain control over blushing, compulsive lying or your addiction? If you’d like to regain control read on to find out how hypnotherapy and mindfulness therapy can put you back in charge!

How to Stop Blushing
People often associate social anxiety and social phobia with blushing but this isn’t always the case. Just because you blush doesn’t mean you have social anxiety but blushing can lead to social anxiety. The interesting thing is that the fear of blushing, rather than blushing, becomes the greatest problem. Whether you have a problem with excessive blushing or not, you’ve probably noticed that when you’re in a situation that makes you fear that you will blush, blushing comes rushing!

The person who suffers from excessive blushing can feel they have no control over the actions of their body and this creates fear which makes matters worse – but mindfulness therapy combined with hypnotherapy can help you to control the fear and as a result, control the blushing.

Keeping a cool head so to speak becomes easier when you learn just how to let go of the fear of blushing. Hypnotherapy can help you to manage your mind body connection, including your relationship with temperature and facial flushes. If you have tried hypnotherapy for blushing and not achieved a result, it may be because it wasn’t combined with mindfulness therapy.

Mindfulness therapy is a technique that involves intentional, non judgemental experiencing of your sensations, thoughts and feelings. It allows you to gain an awareness and understanding of the mind-body connection. In essence, you’ll get to know your blushing problem intimately and as a result, be able to reduce fear and anxiety.

Stop Compulsive Lying
Compulsive lying or pathological lying is a learned coping behaviour which can destroy close relationships. Most compulsive liars have learned to lie as easily as they shake hands and rarely feel there is a problem telling lies. It’s easy to understand the devastating effect this problem can have on the personal, work and business relationships of the person telling the lies but for the compulsive liar, it’s difficult to control the problem.

What causes compulsive lying? It’s usually shame – an underlying feeling that they are unworthy, deficient or inadequate as they are. They begin to make things up and eventually compulsive lying becomes an almost unconscious, attempt to cover shame feelings by appearing special.

Effective treatment for compulsive lying involves mindfulness therapy, counselling and hypnotherapy. The techniques are combined to work with both conscious and unconscious habits of mind. Mindfulness and attachment therapy combined provides the person suffering from compulsive lying with a secure relationship with a therapist. Within that secure relationship they are able to be authentic and honest without fear of judgement. It allows them the opportunity to get to know themselves on a deeper level and deal with feelings of shame and inadequacy which in turn can remove their need for compulsive lying.

Treatment for Addiction
Addiction treatment usually involves counselling, rehabilitation, medication or a twelve step recovery program but most addictions suggest a deeper problem that needs to be addressed if a long lasting result is to be achieved.

Addictions are often an attempt to avoid feelings of anxiety, guilt, shame, anger and depression. The addiction might vary but whether it’s compulsive shopping, binge drinking, or an addiction to drugs, chocolate, coffee or gambling, the common element is an unconscious attempt to avoid unpleasant and possibly unconscious feelings.

Hypnotherapy combined with mindfulness therapy can be effective in addiction treatment. The addict is able to identify and deal with the feelings they’ve been avoiding, bringing them to a conscious level, thereby reducing the need to avoid them and gaining control over their addiction.

Blushing, compulsive lying and addictions have yet another thing in common – they are all essentially habits that rely on the sufferer being unaware of, or unable to deal with feelings that are for the most part, unconscious.

If you need addiction treatment or you want to stop blushing or compulsive lying, a combination of hypnotherapy and mindfulness therapy may be effective for you. It can put you in touch with unconscious feelings and break the hold that addiction, blushing or lying has on you.

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Cyprus: Birthplace of Aphrodite

December 16, 2009 – 4:07 pm

Cyprus, probably named for its copper, smelted since Neolithic times, is the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite. Two impressive mountain ranges surround a huge fertile plain and lovely beaches circle the coastline. Its climate has long attracted visitors, it is now renowned as a place for retirement – or partying.

Lying close to the Middle East and always strategically important, it was taken by many great powers including Greece. Rome and Egypt. The long reign of the French Lusignan dynasty brought prosperity and Roman Catholicism. In 1570 the Turks took the island.

It became a UK Crown Colony after World War II Independence came in 1960, but intercommunal strife increased and in 1974 an unsuccessful Greek coup prompted a Turkish invasion. The island was divided. It is now possible to cross the border, but violence and negotiation alternate and rules can change overnight.

However, north or south, the islanders are warmly welcoming and Cyprus has many attractions. The southeast with its raucous resorts also has archaeological sites and sunsets from Aphrodite’s ‘birthplace’ at the Rock of Remios. Pafos, though surrounded by development, remains a charming town. To the northwest is the remote Akanas Peninsula, with further isolated regions along the coastal hinterland, the magnificent Troodos region has forested mountains, lost villages, painted churches, unique wildlife and winegrowing.

In the North, small resorts cluster around the beautiful harbour town of Kyrenia. Famagusta is full of ruined Gothic churches inside its golden stone walls; outside lies a haunted, wired-off modern town, The rocky coast and bristling Kyrenia range hold unspoilt beaches and villages, classical sites, monasteries and Crusader castles.

Lefkosia (Nicosia) is the world’s only divided capital, Inside the massive Venetian fortifications, both sides – the cosmopolitan south and the north with its dusty lanes – are fascinating. Both have streets which end in a wall fluttering with defiant flags.

For all your travel needs both international and domestic talk to Flight Centre. We have cheap flights to Sydney, cheap flights to Melbourne and cheap flights to Perth, call or visit today.

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Digital verses Offset Printing

December 15, 2009 – 4:55 pm

The differences and advantages of each process and deciding which is best for your project.

Digital printing and its technology have grown exponentially the past few years, bringing about more advancement and in turn, many more options when it comes to printing. However, it has also brought about some confusion amongst printing clients. An understanding of the differences between digital printing and the more traditional offset printing process, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of both, is vital in making the right choice.

Most Commonly Used Process
Offset lithography is the most commonly used high volume commercial printing process. In offset printing, the desired print image is burned onto a plate which is then transferred, or ‘offset’, from the plate to a rubber blanket, and then to the printing surface. The process of lithography is based on the repulsion of oil and water. The print image attracts the ink from the rollers, whilst the non-printable area attracts a film of water, which therefore keeping those areas ink free.

Digital Printing
* Shorter turnaround time.
* Elimination of the numerous mechanical checks and steps required with offset such as making colour proofs and printing plates.
* Cheaper costs for low volume printing. When you waive setup costs associated with offset printing, digital provides lower per unit costs for small print runs.
* Can only use the CMYK process to replicate Pantone colours and therefore some colours such as orange cannot be produced accurately.
* Offers Variable Data Printing as a way of customising your digital printing at a low cost. Using information from an excel spreadsheet for example, unique text can be printed on each item without stopping or slowing down the press.

Offset Printing
* High image quality.
* Minimum print runs, as larger quantities are much more economical – Offset printing is the cheapest method to produce high quality printing in commercial printing quantities i.e. the unit cost goes down as the quantity goes up.
* Same colour each time around. The use of Pantone colours mean that your chosen colour will not vary from print run to print run. Especially important for corporations with logos (think ‘Coca Cola red’).
* Offset can also print with CMYK process but can be expensive with low runs due to the cost of the plate’s make-ready time.

For more assistance with offset and digital printing services including business cards, brochures, posters and much more visit www.admc.com.au

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The Island of South Georgia

December 10, 2009 – 2:28 pm

The island of South Georgia, an inhospitable frozen wasteland of glaciers, snow-capped mountains and freezing winds, lies in the southern Atlantic Ocean east of Tierra del Fuego.

This remote Antarctic island is part of the British territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The British claim to sovereignty of South Georgia dates from 1775 when Captain Cook landed here and dismissed the island as not worth discovering. Argentina also claimed the island in 1027, an unresolved dispute which contributed to the 1982 Falklands war when Argentine forces briefly occupied South Georgia.

In 1916 Ernest Shackleton became stranded on Elephant Island to the south-west, while on his Imperial Straits Antarctic Expedition, Shackleton and a small group of men left the rest of the party to summon help and ended up, after an arduous journey, at King Haakon Bay on the south coast of South Georgia.

They then managed to make it overland to reach help at Stromness whaling station, which led to the rescue of the remaining men. Daring a later expedition in 1922, Shackleton died on board a ship off South Georgia and he is buried on the island at Grytviken.

There is no permanent human population on South Georgia, only the British Government Officer, research scientists and museum staff at Grytviken, but there are enormous populations of penguins, the largest colonies anywhere on earth, with around 400,000 breeding pairs of king penguins, two million pairs of the macaroni penguins and large colonies of four other species.

Visitors come here to watch penguin couples overcome the extreme climatic conditions and nurture their precious eggs through hatching and the vulnerable chick stage into fully fledged members of the colony. The charming creatures work tirelessly together avoiding the seals that lurk in the shallows waiting to pounce and protecting their young from ferocious skua gulls who will snatch one and tear it to shreds.

When he landed here in the 18th century, Captain Cook noted the huge seal and whale populations around the island, but just two hundred years later both had been hunted nearly to extinction. South Georgia is, however, home to 95 per cent of the world’s southern fur seals, half the southern elephant seals, 250,000 Albatrosses, including the massive Wandering Albatross, and up to ten million other seabirds, making a trip here a totally unique experience.

It doesn’t matter what your travel needs are, if you are looking for cheap hotels, cheap flights to London or cheap flights to India, visit or call Flight Centre today.

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The Development of Trucks During the Great War

December 10, 2009 – 10:35 am

An immediate demand for mechanical military transport following the declaration of war in Europe was partly solved by a considerable influx of well-engineered cross-country trucks from the United States. Those countries that had prepared in advance by introducing “subsidy” schemes soon found they were in a far superior position to those that had not. Despite this, problems abounded.

Steam-powered vehicles such as traction engines had been used on a small scale in earlier situations, but the internal-combustion engined truck had never been used in war conditions, and weaknesses in design were soon apparent. These included insufficient power, lack of ground clearance, and poor protection of mechanical units from the ravages of water and mud, for which the Flanders battlefields were soon renowned.

There was, however, another major problem that few had foreseen. Both sides in the conflict used many components supplied by firms on the opposing side: German-manufactured Bosch magnetos were used almost exclusively by the Allies, while German forces relied largely upon British and French manufactured Dunlop and Michelin tyres. Luckily, the Bosch magneto had been developed jointly by Robert Bosch and the American Frederick Simms, and German supplies were replaced by magnetos from the Simms Magneto Co factory, Watsersing, New Jersey.

At this stage it is worth looking in depth at some of the “subsidy” schemes operating at the time. The instigators of this idea were the Germans who, in the years prior to 1914, had been building up their military reserves. The German scheme is understood to have applied to any truck which an operator was prepared to release to the military upon mobilization. The operator received an initial grant of £150 towards the purchase of the vehicle, followed by a subsidy of £60 for each of the next four years. By the time war was declared, some 825 “subsidy” trucks had been released to the German Armed Forces.

A similar scheme was organized by commercial vehicle industry. The British government offered the purchaser of an approved vehicle a subsidy. However, the vehicle had to be handed over to the authorities within 72 hours of mobilization.

One of the most advanced British “subsidy” types was the 3½ ton Dennis `A’-Type, although the `L’ or `RAF’-Type Leyland was certainly the best known. The Dennis had considerable influence on British truck design after the war, its most striking feature being a rear axle with removable upper casing containing the worm shaft, worm wheel, differential and bearings, thus enabling the entire final-drive mechanism to be inspected or replaced without disturbing either the chassis or the wheels.

Leyland Motors, on the other hand, built both a 1 1/2-tonner and the 3-ton ‘RAF’-Type, while Albion supplied 6000 “subsidy” vehicles, and the Associated Equipment Co Ltd over 10,000. Many of their London General Omni-bus Co `B’-Type open-top double-deck buses were also commandeered and ordered to the Front. The standardization of models and components required by the British “subsidy” scheme enabled so-called cannibalization to take place to keep transport moving, whereas the adoption of any suitable vehicle by the French and German forces gave no such advantage.

As the war progressed, so British forces began to take delivery of new American-built trucks designed specifically for arduous work. Amongst these was the Mack `AC’, nicknamed the “Bulldog” because of its snub nose and rugged construction. Ultimately, this became so well-known by its nickname that the bulldog was adopted as the Mack logo, which it remains to this day.

Some American manufacturers, such as General Motors, were now concentrating almost exclusively on the construction of military vehicles, while certain European manufacturers, such as MAN, Magirus in Germany or Societe d’Outillage Mecanique et d’Usinage d’Artilleries (Somua) in France, were building their first trucks in an attempt to turn the tide. Indeed, Somua was established for the sole purpose of building army trucks.

Throughout the Western world, factories not involved in the manufacture of military trucks were turned over to the production of armaments such as shells, firearms and aero engines, while others manufactured both military vehicles and also armaments.

Many American-built trucks saw service not only in Europe but also in the Mexican border campaign of 1916, when the United States government waged war against the Mexican bandit Pancho Villa. This served as a proving ground for these trucks, many of which were later shipped to Europe for military service. At this time, few US-built military trucks were standardized, and it was not until the development of the US Quartermaster Corps’s `B’-Class heavy truck, known as the “Liberty”, that proper standardization occurred.

On the civilian front, gas was used to combat the lack of petrol, and in the United States the 1916 Federal Aid Road Act was instrumental in establishing a new interstate highway system which contributed greatly to the development of American commercial vehicles. With a rubber tyre shortage, particularly in Germany where manufacturers had relied upon British and French made supplies, unconventional steel-wheeled vehicles, sometimes incorporating metal plates backed by small leaf springs, appeared for a short while, but these were mainly for heavy tractors used for hauling artillery.

Developments in commercial vehicle design, such as the use of shaft-drive, glass. windscreens and electric rather than acetylene lighting, were now creeping in from the passenger car side and, although apparent in many light commercials, it was some years before these were adopted for the heavy commercial market. Pneumatic tyres were also becoming commonplace on lighter types but, again, were to remain a rarity on “heavies” for some time.

While the war did much to establish new standards for commercial vehicles, military vehicle requirements were far different from those used on the public highway. High payloads and economy were more important to civilian operators than high ground clearance or all-wheel drive. Thus, with a return to peace, much re-organization was necessary.

If you are looking for Lusty trailers or Lusty low loaders, visit Lusty trailers today.

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Does your website deserve to be sacked?

December 8, 2009 – 11:04 am

If your website was one of your sales staff would you be happy with his results? A good website design should deliver you quality leads and generate a return on your investment – not just than just sit there and look good.

Remember that website design is a marketing activity not a technology decision. So many people seek out a web developer as their first port of call when they need a website. But that’s putting the cart before the horse.

Your first activity when contemplating a website should be to think about your marketing objectives and what job you need your website to do for you.

To do that let’s revisit the sales person analogy. If your website was a sales person what should its sales process be? How will it get customers to engage with them and your company. Thinking about this analogy forces you consider what information and functions your website needs to get you real sales results.

For a start, You need to arm your ‘online salesperson’ with information to they can appear knowledgeable about the benefits of your products and services. He needs to be able to succinctly articulate what your unique selling proposition is.

You need your salesperson to acknowledge that customers are different stages of their buying process and therefore have different informational needs. For example, provide product comparisons for people who haven’t yet decided on the right product, but also provide in depth product information for those who are further advanced in their decision process.

You need people to trust your online salesperson too – so consider what do you need to do or say on your website to engender trust. Even the aesthetics of your website can contribute to trust. A shabby looking website from 1992 isn’t going to help your image.

Not everyone will buy or engage on their first visit. Your online salesperson needs to provide a reason for the customer to come back. Constantly updated content gives people reason to return. Make sure your website is a worthy destination. A website that never changes is like a retail store that doesn’t change their window display. It makes people think they’ve already seen everything you have to offer and they won’t bother to come in.

At some stage in the process, your ‘online salesperson’ needs to ask the customer’s name and contact details. To do this, you usually need to give them the promise of something in return (eg. early notification of specials, a free assessment). This is a critical point in your sales process. Now your visitor isn’t anonymous – he has a name and you know how to contact him and have permission to do so. At this point, you can call them an actual ‘lead’. Yippee.

Once your online sales person has promised something they have to deliver. They need to follow up on their promise. If you promised email notifications of sales, make sure you do it. Take every opportunity to re-engage with them. That means more opportunities to communicate with your customers and ultimately make sales.

If you actually want to sell your products online, at some point you need to facilitate the sale. Online shopping cart facilities make this easy. Design your sales process so that it provides a good shopping experience. No-one likes waiting in a checkout queue and similarly online shoppers don’t like clunky purchase processes.

So when you’re ready for a new website – remember, the brief to your web designer should read more like a job description than a shopping list.

Jane Davies is founder and Director of Cat and Moose Marketing Solutions and specialises in online marketing in Brisbane. The core philosophy is to create and design websites that deliver real marketing results rather than just sit there and look good. Cat and Moose Marketing Solutions also advises clients that online marketing be used as part of a broader marketing plan.

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Ten Things to do in Brisbane

December 8, 2009 – 9:02 am

Brisbane is Queenslands capital and a fabulous place to visit. But what to do when you get there? Here’s some suggestions:

Sightseeing bus tour
The best way to find your bearings in any new city is to do a “City Sights” tour. Brisbane has a “City Sights” tour which operates in the day time. There is also a Brisbane Lights Tour which showcases the spectacular night lights of Brisbane.

Stay at a boutique hotel in Brisbane
While Brisbane does not have a massive amount of heritage buildings, a few of them have been beautifully restored as boutique hotels. These typically have modern amenities and luxury facilities. Boutique hotels have more space than other hotel rooms with a special ambiance not found at other Brisbane hotels. Situated in the heart of the city, the heritage listed Royal Albert Hotel is one of the best located of the boutique hotels in Brisbane.

Steak-out at the Brekky Creek Hotel
The Brekky Creek Hotel (officially the Breakfast Creek Hotel) is about 15 minutes from the heart of the city by car. If you want the best char grilled steak in Brisbane, the Brekky Creek Hotel is the place to go! Choose your own steak from the array in the window, and sit in the Spanish beer garden while the chefs go to work. The trimmings, which haven’t changed for 40 years, include salad, bread roll and a jacket potato, but they like to leave enough room for your steak!

Australia Zoo
Just one hour from the heart of Brisbane Australia Zoo is more than a zoo. It is home to many communities of crocodiles, koalas, tigers, leopards, snakes, and elephants. Become a Wildlife Warrior by hand feeding the elephants. Watch the Crocoseum shows where you may see Terri, Bindi and Bob feed the crocodiles.

Lone Pine
A great way to see Brisbane is to catch a boat from the city centre along the majestic Brisbane River to Lone Pine.
From echidnas to emus, wombats to wild lorikeets, kangaroos to koalas, Lone Pine is one of Australia’s oldest and best known animal sanctuaries. After spending a few hours cuddling a koala and hand feeding the kangaroos, you can return to the city by boat or bus.

Wheel of Brisbane
Erected in 2008, the Wheel of Brisbane has become a land mark for Brisbane. Sit in air conditioned comfort with views around Brisbane as the world rotates below.

Bridges
Brisbane has two relatively new bridges. The Goodwill Bridge connects the Botanical Gardens and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to Southbank. This bridge was named after the Goodwill Games hosted by Brisbane in 2001.
The Kurilpa Bridge opened in 2009 and links Roma Street Parkland to QPAC (Queensland Performing Arts Centre), the Queensland Art Gallery and GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art). Kurilpa is the Aboriginal word for West End and means “the place for water rats”.
Both bridges have a reasonable amount of shade and are architecturally significant in their own right. It is a matter of time before the Kurilpa Bridge is nicknamed the Spiderweb.

Southbank – Botanical Gardens – Roma Street Parkland
Starting in Albert Street, walk down to the Botanical Gardens in Alice Street and explore the lakes and forests, or walk along the river through the mangroves. Walk up the hill through QUT and across the Goodwill Bridge as you admire the Brisbane River and city skyline. At Southbank you can walk through the 17 hectares of sub-tropical landscaped gardens and rainforest, swim in the city beach while enjoying the stunning CBD and river views. Walk along the Southbank Arbour, a spectacular steel framed structure constructed to support the bougainvillea vines which provide continuous shade. After crossing the Kurilpa Bridge, you will find the lush Roma Street Parkland. Roma Street Parkland is an oasis in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, set over 16 hectares of green space and is the largest urban subtropical garden in the world. The Forest and Fern Gully offers the chance to explore a subtropical misty rainforest in the centre of Brisbane!

Exploring the river
An easy way to explore the Brisbane River is by City Cat. Explore the university grounds at St Lucia, stop off for a XXXX (beer) at the historic Regatta Hotel (where you can smell the hops from the XXXX brewery), and stroll through the Sunday markets at Riverside. Other good stop offs especially for lunch include Bretts Wharf and Bulimba.

Cycle along the river
There is an extensive network of shared cycle and pedestrian paths along both sides of the Brisbane River and elsewhere. This is a great way to see the city skyline and river, and healthy as well! Valet Cycle Hire will drop off your bikes to your Brisbane Boutique Hotel with suggested bike tours. The Brisbane City Council plan to have 150 bike parking stations across the city where bikes can be picked up and dropped off at little or no cost.

There’s a variety of boutique hotels in Brisbane. For a list of boutique hotels in Brisbane and other hotels in Brisbane, visit hotelsinbrisbane.com.au

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Fundraising for Schools, Clubs, Groups and Organisations

December 2, 2009 – 11:01 am

All fundraising groups must first decide what type of fundraiser they want to run. There are so many different fundraising companies offering their products and services these days, it can become a confusing and daunting experience to try to establish which company will best serve the needs of the group.
The first step for the group is to determine what they hope to accomplish with the fundraiser. After their goals have been clearly established and agreed on by everyone involved, they should set out to ascertain which fundraising company will best suit their needs and assist them to achieve the desired result. Each member should be asked to research fundraising companies and report back to the group on their findings.

Most fundraising groups want to achieve exactly what the name implies – they want to raise money, and most members of these groups are already busy people who don’t really have much time left to give on a daily basis. So it makes sense to try to avoid any fundraising ventures that take up excessive amounts of time, and also ones that require too much money or payments up front. The last thing a fundraising group needs is to run a high risk, time consuming fundraiser which could in the long run cause the group to actually lose money on the venture. It’s best to keep the event simple, manageable, and cost and time effective.

Deciding what time of year to run the fundraiser is an important part of the process. The group needs to do its homework and ensure that no other major events are taking place at the same time. For example, a school might want to run a Christmas fundraiser, but holding it too close to exam time might prove detrimental to a successful outcome.

Planning of the fundraiser is paramount. To make sure that everything occurs in an orderly fashion, the tasks should be delegated as much as possible. Each member of the group should take responsibility for at least one task. Setting deadlines for each task is a good idea, and extra time should be allocated to allow for mishaps and hold ups. This is because when the inevitable occurs and problems arise, the fundraiser can still progress smoothly and finish on time and as planned.

The group should create a budget for the fundraiser and stick to it. The event will need to be advertised, and this includes flyers, posters, brochures and newsletters. There should be an overall printing budget, which should include photocopying costs. The group should try to find a printing company who is willing to donate the printing costs, or perhaps reduce the costs in exchange for a small ad of their own on the advertisements.

At the conclusion of the fundraiser, the group should send out thank you notes to everyone who was involved and helped to organise the event, including those who donated time, merchandise or money. A detailed report on the success of the event should also be distributed to all members and their families.

If you’re looking for new fundraising ideas, Gold Star Gifts and Stationery are a Brisbane based fundraising company who supply quality novelty stationery and gifts to fundraising groups Australia wide. They offer tremendous rebates and free delivery, and supply everything that’s required to run successful fundraisers, including all brochures, order forms and final tally sheets. They can be contacted for a free information pack via their website.

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Are you thinking about a move to a retirement village?

November 24, 2009 – 11:35 am

If you are thinking about moving into a retirement village, below are 10 top tips to consider:

  • Timing is the key. You need to decide when a move is right for you. If you are not ready, you won’t feel settled, but if you leave it too long you will wish you had moved earlier.
  • Age is not the best indicator. Age is simply a number. There is no set age when you should move to a retirement village.
  • Share your thinking with family and/or friends. Those who know you will help you to make the decision that is right for you.
  • Make the decision to move before selling your home. Once you have made a decision you can then deal with the issues concerning the physical move. By having a clear decision in your mind, the details of selling your home will not be as overwhelming.
    Make a list of questions before visiting facilities. This will ensure that you receive the information that is most important to you. It is also a good idea to visit a number of different villages.
  • Take a friend or family member with you on village visits. This will give you another perspective from someone who is close to you.
    Spend time in and around the village of your choice to get a feel for how it would be to live there. Visit the village more than once and at different times of the day.
  • Check the reputation of the village operator. Aged Care Queensland can provide you with information such as does the village operator have a good demonstrated history within the industry? What other villages do they operate? You can also check the operator’s certificate of registration.
  • Does the village provide for your future security needs? Does the village have on-site ongoing care or a transfer arrangement with another of their sites? Are Care Packages available within the village units? Is there an emergency call service available to provide 24-hour coverage?
  • Does the village offer community features? This could be physical assets such as a swimming pool or community hall or it could be opportunities and places for discussion and meeting with other residents or it could be a regular church service.

The above is by no means a comprehensive list. However, it does provide you with some food for thought when considering a move to a retirement village. Churches of Christ Care operates 13 Queensland retirement villages. For more information about retirement villages in Queensland, please visit their website www.care.cofcqld.com.au

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Accessible and Exciting Bangkok, Thailand

November 23, 2009 – 2:20 pm

Bangkok may be the most vibrant destination in South-East Asia. Its charm is accessible to anyone who is not put off by its busy atmosphere. Bangkok demands that visitors dive in and enjoy the lifestyle of South-East Asia.

Bangkok is a captivating, fascinating and dynamic city with countless places to see, terrific shopping opportunities, a diverse and exciting nightlife, and thousands of restaurants. Since traffic is usually standing still, it is better to take the Skytrain and remain above street level. Even there, expect crowded platforms full of people shoving to board the cars.

Siam’s new beginning.
Large parts of Thailand fell under Burmese rule during the eighteenth century. After the destruction of the former Thai capital, Ayutthaya, a handful of men under the leadership of General Tak Sin went in search of a new place to establish the government of the kingdom. In 1772, they settled on Thonburi, a small town on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The little town was built around an important temple. The site was well protected by the river and hastily erected land walls. Tak Sin expanded the temple complex into the royal temple of Wat Arun, in honour of the goddess Aruna. Wat Arun survives today as the landmark of Bangkok.

An inglorious end.
Tak Sin ruled the Kingdom of Siam with an iron fist for ten years. Years of war transformed him into a merciless despot. He saw himself as Buddha’s successor, and demanded to be worshipped as a god. This led to rebellion and to his execution on 6 April 1782. In accordance with time-honoured custom, he was placed in a cloth bag and beaten to death, because royal blood could not be allowed to spill on the ground.

A city of temples.
Following Tak Sin’s death, Bangkok was founded anew as a different city on the opposite bank of the river. King Rama I used the old capital of Ayutthaya as a model for the construction of his new residence. There he built the Royal Palace and the Royal Temple of Wat Phra Kaeo, named after the statue of the Emerald Buddha, which Rama commanded be brought here from Wat Arun. Today, this is Thailand’s most revered image of Buddha. The area around the Royal Palace is the historic centre of present-day Bangkok, Canals, called khlongs, used to wind through and around the new capital, and much of the city’s commerce took place directly on the water. Nearly all of the khlongs were filled in during the twentieth century to allow for the expansion of the city.

All of Bangkok’s busy streets and wide boulevards were originally canals. The first bridge over the Chao Phraya River, the Memorial Bridge, was dedicated in 1932, joining Thonburi with the constantly expanding city on the opposite bank. The last of the khlongs with their colourful floating markets can still be found in Thonburi.

The face of the Bangkok metropolitan district, known as Krung Thep Mahanakhon in the Thai language, was mostly modernized in the 1980s, when an explosion of construction of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers forever altered the cityscape. The Skytrain now weaves its way through a concrete and steel jungle, with only the occasional glimpse of a golden stupa or ornately decorated palace to remind the visitor of Bangkok’s glorious past.

Interested in cheap flights and holiday deals from Escape Travel? We offer thousands of Australian and International Travel deals, accommodation, cruises, family holidays, honeymoons, tours and more. For cheap flights to Thailand, cheap flights to New Zealand and Victorian holidays, talk to Escape Travel.

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Algiers – a Wonderous Mix

November 17, 2009 – 12:56 pm

algiersAlgiers is located on series of terraces that clamber up the hillsides from the sea, towered over by the ramparts of the medieval Casbah, the Old City. Full of flowers, beautiful villas and luxuriously green gardens, the geography of this Mediterranean city is best understood as a huge triangle.

The seaside European quarter is its wide base, which narrows as it ascends the close winding lanes to the Moorish quarter, eventually coming to a point at the city’s old fortress high above.

Island of the Gull.
The first settlers on the coast of Algiers, aside from the native Berber tribes, arrived around 400 BCE. These were Carthaginian merchants in search of a convenient harbour in the western Mediterranean. During the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage, this settlement, known as Ikosim (“Island of the Gulls”) fell to the Roman Empire.

The most significant moment in the city’s history came with the conquest of the Late Roman Numidian Kingdom by the Muslim Arabs around 700 CE. The official founding of the city did not take place until 935 CE, when the Berber tribes (by then converted to Islam) named their harbour Al-Jazir (“White Island”). The city extended no further than what is today the Old City of Algiers, the Casbah.

A bastion for pirates.
After the Moors were driven out of Spain in the fifteenth century, Algiers was the launching point for numerous military expeditions to the Iberian Peninsula, but the Moors were never able to regain control of Spain. In fact, the Catholic Spaniards conquered Algiers instead, taking control of the city in 1509. The city suffered under Christian oppression for ten years before Ottoman Khaireddin Barbarossa recaptured Algiers in 1519 in a daring naval assault. The city and country would henceforth be part of the Ottoman Empire.

In the following years, Khaireddin Barbarossa built Algiers into one of the most powerful bastions on the Mediterranean. Up until his death 1546, he used it as the base for countless raids along the Mediterranean coast, besieging Spanish as well as Moorish cities, and bringing all of Algeria under his control. In Europe, the name Algiers became synonymous with a pirate’s den. In France, however, this was not the case. The French had long been in league with Khaireddin.

From allies to conquerors.
Although European nations tried again and again to recapture the city, all attempts failed miserably. Then, in the 19th century, the French gave it another try. Their conquest of Algeria began with the landing in 1830 at Sidi Fredj near Algiers. The final subjugation tool over fifty years.

After Algiers became a French colony in 1882, a huge influx of French companies and workers arrived and the city grew exponentially. The European residential areas built at that time still shape the cityscape of contemporary Algiers particularly at the base of the “triangle” along the 2-km-long boulevard along the harbour.

In the Casbah. The interplay between Berber pride, Ottoman organization and French sophistication lends Algiers a special charm. Visitors climbing from the French-influenced harbour district up to the Old City of the Casbah experience the city’s different cultures as well as its history.

Built around 1500 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, the Casbah is the old citadel of the Ottoman governors of Algiers. The higher one climbs, the more narrow and twisting the lanes become. The houses are crammed so close together that they nearly touch, and balconies are connected to one another above street level. Several important mosques are located in the midst of this confusion, including the Grand Mosque, the New Mosque and the Ketchaoua Mosque. All are renowned for their antiquity and architectural diversity.

Interested in cheap flights and holiday deals from Escape Travel? We offer thousands of Australian and International Travel deals, accommodation, cruises, family holidays, honeymoons, tours and more. For Fiji holidays and great holiday packages, talk to Escape Travel.

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What does Adelaide Have to Offer?

November 16, 2009 – 5:49 pm

Adelaide’s city centre covers and area of just one square mile. Wherever you are in the city, it is within the heart of Adelaide. Festivals, food, arts, culture, shopping and sports, this is Adelaide. Whether you want to party or relax on your next holiday, South Australia’s capital has it all. With vibrant inner-city districts, stunning architecture and plush gardens, plenty of accommodation to select from, Adelaide is the perfect place for all sorts of vacation activities.

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, located on the Torrens River and surrounded to the east by the ranges and to the west by the beach, it prides itself on its live music and arts scene, its historic building heritage and its central location to one of Australia’s best known wine grape growing regions, the Barossa Valley.

You might prefer to follow in the footsteps of sporting champions at the world-famous Adelaide Oval. Or retreat to the beachside suburbs of Henley Beach, Glenelg & Semaphore. As Adelaide is situated on the coast, its beaches are many. One can choose between city beaches or quieter out-of-town beaches about half an hour from the city centre.

Since Adelaide is situated in a gulf, the beaches are family-friendly and safe. For those who enjoy surfing, the open sea beaches are about one hour away. Since the beaches face west, one can enjoy the most magnificent sunsets.

There is little doubt that Adelaide Oval is indeed one of the most beautiful and photographed cricket grounds in the world. Australians take their cricket extremely seriously, and Adelaide is without doubt an important element of the Australian sporting scene.

Residents of Adelaide can play or watch a number of sports including Aussie Rules Football, swimming, tennis, netball, soccer, hockey, cycling, horse racing and a variety of water sports. South Australians pride themselves on their level of involvement in sport and have a proud tradition of participation and winning in a wide variety of sports.

The mighty Murray River is an hour’s drive from Adelaide. It is a favorite aquatic location for South Australians and provides many diverse leisure activities such as skiing, angling and swimming.

At the University of Adelaide the new Business School creates a stimulating multidisciplinary learning environment that fosters the pursuit of leadership and excellence in both research and education.

South Australia has over 78,000 small businesses. Of these an estimated 55,000 are located within the Adelaide metropolitan area. Almost 40% of these employ between 1 – 19 people making small business a major source of regional employment within Adelaide.

Adelaide offers a diversity of food, wine & culture, it offers a thriving sports scene and growing small business sector. When planning your next holiday destination or a new residential location take a close look at Adelaide. When in Adelaide don’t hesitate to use the Adelaide Locality Directory to find everything form community groups, hospitals, restaurants, accommodation, employment and much more.

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Cairns Tours

November 10, 2009 – 9:15 am

Fun, tropical sun and memories of a blissful summer holiday, these are perfect parts for a vacation of a lifetime when you holiday in Cairns and tropical North Queensland.

Blessed with an ideal climate most of the year, boasting temperatures in the Summer months (October-April) of 29-33 degrees C, and Winter months (April-October) 25-29 degrees C, Cairns boasts some of the planet’s most interesting natural attractions, the barrier reef, the rainforest and the Australian Outback, and they are all here awaiting for you to discover.

The very friendly residents of Tropical North Queensland will show you the kind of warm and efficient service that has become the envy of other tourism hot-spots. Adventure tourism, night life, fine dining and shopping add to the variety and attraction of this fabulous destination.

If you have been here previously, welcome back. If you are here for the first time, bask in our attractions and enjoy your stay.

Australia’s finest regional city, Cairns is the international front door to Tropical North Queensland. It is an exciting cosmopolitan destination with warm, sunny tropical days contrasted by cooling ocean breezes. Enjoy a stroll along the central Esplanade or satisfy your hunger in one of the city’s many multi-cultural, diverse and award-winning restaurants.

Cairns gives entry to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforests as well as the Australian Outback. Cairns, with its international and domestic airport, is the first stop for many visitors who want to see the real Australia.

Relax on the sandy beaches, dive on the reef and experience the unique tropical rainforests that date back to when Australia was part of ancient Gondwanaland, thousands of years ago.

Take a swim in the modern Cairns Esplanade lagoon, then cast your eyes across the serene waters of Trinity Inlet and you will see coastal mountains and mangrove habitats that have changed little since the site was named by Captain James Cook in 1770.

The beautiful Esplanade Lagoon is the perfect place to spend a sultry day soaking up the sun and dipping in the lagoon’s cool and inviting shallows. There are many shaded spots to take refuge from the sun in the heat of the day, as well as barbeque facilities. The boardwalk has unique displays of Cairns’s local history and has many exercise facilities for those keen on getting a bit more active.

Cairns is extremely well suited to walking, or travel by bicycle. Well trodden routes and dedicated walking tracks are abundant or a visit to the Cairns Botanical Gardens is not to be missed. 38 hectares of native Australian gardens are maintained to big city botanical garden standards, and many plants found here cannot be seen elsewhere. Located among the plants is a coffee shop and restaurant, it is open every day for breakfast and lunch. Admission to the gardens is free.

Looking for Cairns tours? Check out what’s available at http://www.attractionscairns.com.au

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Online Bingo vs Hall Bingo

November 6, 2009 – 9:10 am

Hall bingo has taken a back seat to online bingo in some respects with the introduction of the new anti-smoking rules and new legislations the popularity of the game has somewhat diminished. However there are still people who enjoy the game and the social aspect of playing bingo at the halls. There are some unwritten rules that you need to know if you’re planning on playing bingo in the halls. There are some rules that clubs implement as well so check them out before you go to your local club or just ask a friend.

The first unwritten rule of the bingo hall is not to make too much noise when playing. Chatting to your friend next door in a loud voice will not make you popular. You can talk but make sure that it’s at a time that’s appropriate like during the break. A lowered voice is considered appropriate but when the caller starts to call all players must be quiet. The general rule is that your voice should not be louder than the caller so that all the players can hear the numbers. It is considered rude to drown out the caller and will make sure you are very unpopular if you don’t obey this rule.

Another rule is to make sure your children don’t make a lot of noise when you take them to bingo. They should be in the children’s area while the game is being played and not running around the floor. Most people will understand if parents will want to bring their children but they also want them to be quiet during the game. The next rule is when you call “bingo”, calling bingo when the game is on will stop the game. The main rule is to make sure that when you call “bingo” you should make sure you actually have bingo. It will frustrate other players if you call bingo and don’t have bingo ;-)

Next is to make sure that you don’t take other peoples lucky seats. This is a harder rule to observe but if you go with a friend they should be able to let you know where the regulars sit. It seems like a strange rule but some people believe that where they sit will create luck. Finally the last rule is about the caller, if you have a problem or issue with the caller it should be resolved politely. It should be dealt with in private and any abusive yelling is considered unfair play. Therefore if you keep all these simple rules in mind when first playing hall bingo, if those rules don’t suit you just play free bingo online!

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Purchasing Catering Equipment On-line

November 5, 2009 – 1:40 pm

Purchasing catering equipment can be a stressful task. Buying online can make it easier, but only if you choose the right vendor. This article helps you make the right choice when it comes to selecting a vendor for your catering equipment need.

Selecting the right supplier of catering equipment is a big decision, one not to be taken lightly. You will want to ensure you are dealing with an honest company, getting a good deal and the best equipment for your needs.

Until relatively recently there were only two options available to enable you to select a vendor of catering equipment: call them on the phone or go and see them in person. This isn’t always reliable as you cannot view the equipment on the phone and visiting a company many hours away isn’t very practical. Once again the internet has come to the rescue, with on-line shopping, or e-commerce, it is now possible to inspect product images and specifications, compare deals and research suppliers all without leaving your chair.

Not all on-line retailers are the same
So now we have established that selecting catering equipment on-line is the way to go and far better than the old methods, we still need to ensure we select the best supplier and the right equipment. There are several things to look out for when visiting a potential supplier’s website.

Does the site look professional and business like? Rather like a physical shop or showroom you can tell a lot about the company you are dealing with by how their website looks. You wouldn’t buy an expensive piece of equipment from a dodgy looking shop with misspelled signs and messy display floor, nor should you from a business with a dodgy looking, messy and badly laid out website.

Does the website display prices? Many businesses use their websites as little more than on-line catalogues, displaying products but giving away little information. These companies hope that you will be tempted by the pictures to pick up the phone and place an order. This is an outdated way to run a website. Now days people expect the website to work much harder, they expect to see multiple images, full descriptions and lists of features. Any supplier of catering equipment not doing this on their site is either lazy, afraid of disclosing prices or simply out of touch with how the modern world does business.

Does the website allow you to actually buy on-line? Setting up an on-line shop takes a bit of time and money so only companies that are serious about selling on-line will go to the trouble. If a supplier has a well thought out on-line store or e-commerce shopping cart, as they are sometimes called, you can take it a sign of professionalism and good business practice. If the on-line store is packed with features like customer reviews, comparison, wish lists and order tracking you will know that this company means business and is likely to be reliable. And good on-line store will also make life easier for you the customer and that is always a good thing.

Shop around
Once you have selected a supplier of catering equipment that meets your requirements in terms of having a professional website that allows on-line purchasing it is time to compare. If you have a short list of potential suppliers the deciding factor will probably be price. You might think that location should be a factor too but it needn’t be if the price is low enough. For example if you are based in Sydney and looking to buy a cake display for your shop you might be tempted to use a Sydney based supplier, but what if a firm in Brisbane meets all the criteria listed above and offers the cake display at a price that is lower even when shipping is taken into account. I know what I would do.

So, in summary, choose a supplier with a great internet presence including a fully featured on-line store and, of course, low prices and you won’t go far wrong. Ambassador Catering Equipment is Australia’s leading on-line retailer of high quality catering equipment, commercial cooking equipment, commercial fridges, food displays, coffee machines and much more. Ambassador stocks top brands such as Roband, Fed/Thermatech, Anvil, Birko, Silfer, Boema. Based in Brisbane, Ambassador Catering Equipment can deliver all over Australia.

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Fundraisers

November 4, 2009 – 10:23 am

Fundraising has always been a primary source of income for many organisations like community groups, sporting clubs, and the Parents and Friends (or Parents and Citizens) Associations of schools. With restricted only financial aid from governments, many of these establishments wouldn’t be financially viable without the good and tireless fundraising exploits of their members. For example sporting clubs charge membership fees but with costs ever growing, it would not be possible for them to exist financially without fundraising.

The sorts of fundraising opportunities today are many and varied. There is a plethora of fundraising entities about going to try and entice organisations to utilize their services. From selling bottled water, wrist bands, homewares, clothing, jewelry and show bags to equine riding, shopping tours and engraving bricks and pavers. The choices are truly amazing and seemingly endless.

Schools and sporting clubs have traditionally stuck by the period honoured techniques of fundraising by selling donuts, lollies, chocolates and biscuits. Over early few years, nonetheless, due to child obesity issues from poor eating traits and under exercising, nearly all of these established fundraising products have started to fall out of favour with fundraising entities.

This has allowed the less traditional fundraising ideas to buy a foot in the doorway so to speak of this multi-million dollar industry.

So where do you turn to when you want to get going with fundraising? Say for example your child is in their second year of school, and you have determined to become more actively engaged in the comings and goings of their school. You attend the first P and C Association meeting of the year, and you end up on the Fundraising Committee for the year. You want to impress your peers; you want to do something positive for the environment and do the job successfully.

There are many reasons why the school might have to fundraise. It may need funds for quite a few extra computers in the library, or new playground equipment or maybe they would like to see a roof over a new walkway. How you should behave, where to get going to raise the required funds? Presently most people are turning to the internet.

The internet has become the hottest and powerful tool for locating facts, far more widely used now than the local newspapers or the yellow pages. When looking for ideas or facts, most people now do not consider any options other than the internet. There are many search engines for sale to the internet user, such as Yahoo!, Bing, Altavista, Ask and Lycos. But by far the hottest search engine on the web is Google.

ComScore is a marketing study company that provides marketing data and services to many of the internet’s largest businesses. According to estimates brought out by comScore at the conclusion of 2008, Google ended the year with 63.5 percent market share of all search queries performed in the U.S that year! That is a large slice of the pie.

Google provide a Keyword Tool, which allows access to information regarding the hottest search phrases used by internet users when searching on Google. The hottest search terms used with Google for fundraising are as a matter of fact fundraising, fundraiser, school fundraising ideas, fundraiser ideas, ideas for fundraising, fundraisers and fundraising ideas.

The upshot from all of these searches show a wide variety of sites that the user can access, the majority of them being fundraising directories that list many hundreds of fundraising entities offering their services.

One of the best websites in these search results appears to be goldstar.net.au which is the web address for the Brisbane based company Gold Star Gifts and Stationery. This company supplies novelty stationery and gift items to schools, clubs and organisations Australia wide for fundraising purposes. They provide free delivery, no upfront costs, and the fundraising entity keeps 50% profit from the sales of their products. So if you’re looking for fundraising, fundraiser ideas or fundraisers, check out Goldstar today.

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What is Architecture?

November 3, 2009 – 8:39 am

People need places in which to be alive, work, play, learn, worship, meet, govern, shop and eat. It is their responsibility private and public spaces, indoors and out including rooms, buildings, and complexes; neighborhoods and towns, suburbs and urban centers.

Architects, professionals trained in the art and science of building design and licensed to protect health, safety, and welfare, transform these needs into concepts and then develop the beliefs into building images that can be constructed by others.

In designing buildings, architects communicate between and assist people who have needs. These comprise clients, users, the public as a whole, and people who will make the spaces that satisfy those needs including builders and contractors, plumbers and painters, carpenters, and air conditioning mechanics.

Whether the project is a room or a city, a fresh building or the renovation of an old one, architects provide the professional services — ideas and insights, design and technical knowledge, drawings and specifications, administration, coordination, and informed decision making — whereby an extraordinary range of functional, aesthetic, technological economic, human, environmental, and safety factors is melded into a coherent and appropriate answer for the problems at hand.

This is what architects are, conceivers of buildings. What they do is to design, that is, supply concrete images for a fresh structure so that it is able to be put up. The main task of the architect, then as now, is to convey what proposed buildings should be and took like. The architect’s role is that relating to mediator between the customer or patron, that is, the person who decides to create, and the work force with its overseers, which we may collectively refer to as the builder.

Why Architecture?

Why do you want to become an architect? Have you been building with Legos since you were two? Did a counselor recommend it to you as a result of a strong interest and skill in mathematics and art? Or are there other reasons? Aspiring architects cite love of drawing, creating, and designing, want to make a difference in the community; aptitude for mathematics and science, or a connection to a family group member in the profession. Whatever your reason, are you suitable for become an architect?

Is Architecture for You?
How do you know if the pursuit of architecture is right for you? Those within the profession recommend that if you’re creative or artistic and good in mathematics and science, you could have what it takes to be a successful architect. Still, Dana Cuff, author of Architecture: The Story of Practice, suggests it takes more:

There are two qualities that neither employers nor educators can instill and without which, it is assumed, one cannot become a “good” architect: dedication and talent.

Owing to the breadth of skills and talents essential to be an architect, you might be in a position to find your area of interest within the profession regardless. It takes three attributes to be a prosperous architecture student – intelligence, creativeness and dedication, and you must any two of the three.

Also, your education will develop your knowledge base and design talents. It is a harsh reality but, there’s no magic test to determine if flattering an architect is for you. Maybe, the most effective journey to decide if you ought to regard turning into an architect is to experience the profession firsthand. Ask many wonders and recognize that lots of related career fields ought to help you.

For the architect must, on the one hand, be an individual who is fascinated by how things work and how he can establish them work, not in the sense of inventing or repairing machinery, but rather in the organization of time-space elements to produce the sought after effect.

Constructing a pool to go with your architectural dream? For pool fencing Brisbane and glass pool fencing Brisbane, contact Oz Glass Pool fencing. Frameless glass pool fencing looks great, is safe and affordable.

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Health and Fitness Business Takes Childhood Obesity Front On!

November 2, 2009 – 9:03 am

Brisbane Based Health and Fitness Business, Executive Results, has come up with a unique weight loss and fitness program that will be available for schools in the northern suburbs of Brisbane to participate in. The program is a weekly Kids Boot Camp of just 30 minutes that will teach kids team building and leadership skills, while doing so they also get a good old school workout that will help them lose weight quickly and also have fun.

Respect and discipline is a fundamental part of the Boot Camp Program. The definition of discipline is the willingness and compliance to requests, respect for parents or teachers and other authority figures, self reliance and teamwork; it does not refer to physical discipline, there will never be any cursing or physical contact between the instructor and kids!

This program is intended for everyday kids, kids who need to get more active and/or get in better condition, the program is not intended for problem kids in any way. The program is run by Personal Trainers in Brisbane from Executive Results who all have a blue card and kids themselves! The Personal Trainer will show up in their Army Camouflage pants, Army coloured shirt and cap which will impress every kid, so far all kids have been very positive and always think they are dealing with the Boot Camp Commando (TV Character) or Jillian Michaels when Anna Junghans takes the camp.

Location
The Kids Boot Camp Program will be held on school premises if permitted by the school, or close to the school and is early in the morning before school or right after school. The program is for grade 3 till grade 6.

What to Expect
Kids will need to stand in line with their hands behind their back, they will need to remain silent when spoken to, and although there is a time for fun and games, talking and chatting during the fitness session is not allowed.

Healthy Eating
The program also promotes healthy eating habits by donating a percentage back in the form of fruit and healthy snacks that are handed out for free during the lunch break.

Anyone wanting to get their kids to participate in this Boot Camp Program should make contact with their school principal and ask about the Executive Results Kids Boot Camp Program, or contact www.executiveresults.com.au for more information. For the parents who want to get in shape or lose weight, we also have Personal Training Services and Adult Boot Camps available throughout Brisbane.

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Adverse Physical Conditions in a Dredging Contract

October 30, 2009 – 12:14 am

The assessment of a dredging projects soil conditions are the most important factor to determine dredgeability, the choice of suitable equipment, production rates and ultimately the associated costs for the works.

A prudent tenderer when analysing the site data needs to be assured that the data has been collected and prepared by a competent soil investigation company in accordance with relevant international standards such as BS, ASTM or others.

Rather than rely on the basic adverse physical conditions clause in the case of significant capital works involving excavation of varying subsoil, weathered or solid rock it is suggested to apply reference conditions in the Contract based on the actual information from the soil survey transposed into production rates which can be easily measured and reviewed, beyond which the Contractor is entitled to claim for additional compensation.
Of the contracts available for use on dredging contracts only the FIDIC 1999 Red Book and the UK’s NEC 3 Engineering and Construction Contract deal with the broad concept of reference conditions.

The concept of how adverse physical conditions are dealt with verges on the holy grail of marine infrastructure projects. On the one side they are part of a Marine Contractors ‘must have’ clauses whilst it is often viewed by Clients as the equivalent of a ‘get out of jail free’ card. The balance of risk has been hotly debated and fought over the years with the results little published or revealed due to disputes being resolved in arbitration or adjudication.

Added to this mix are the notion of unforeseeability and what an experienced contractor can expect its no wonder that the vast majority of marine infrastructure claims revolve around the issue of sub-surface conditions.

Even a full-scale and technically perfect soil investigation can only test a fraction of the volume that is to be dredged by the Contractor. Combined with the fact that natural conditions like rock strength, grain size, permeability, plasticity, presence of rock outcrops or boulders (to name a few) vary enormously, it is no wonder disputes on dredging contracts often focus on soil conditions that are claimed to be different from what “an experienced Contractor could reasonably have foreseen” .

The basic principle of adverse physical conditions this that a contract clause will give the Contractor the “right to claim for additional time and money in case unforeseeable physical conditions which may occur, which were not reasonably foreseeable by an experienced contractor”. This simple principle is present in one way or the other in virtually every dredging contract.

A dual purpose lies hidden behind this contract principle, namely to :

  • Compensate the Contractor for encountering conditions more severe than could be derived from investigations available at the time of preparing his offer. Employers must not and should not expect the Contractor to gamble: Taking a risk provision covering for every imaginable situation would make an offer non-competitive, whereas the absence of a risk provision is a denial of the fact that dredging has significant uncertainties by its very nature. Employers tend to be overly biased towards achieving the lowest contract price for their work by passing all conceivable risk to the Contractor whether he is in a position to dealt with it or not.
  • Protect the Employer from Contractors who may try to claim additional compensation for interpretation or calculation errors mistakes made by the Contractor and resulting in a loss on the project. A loss in itself is no justification for additional compensation, and furthermore the Employer has very limited possibilities to assess the factual cause of the loss.

In between the relative simplicity of the two extremes lies a gray area, and it is here that disputes are generally fought out. The author supports the view that a sufficiently high threshold for additional compensation should be present, balancing the interest of the Employer (by not having to battle over every minor issue) and of the Contractor (by having capped his risk and defined additional compensation above threshold). It is further suggested that a risk matrix framework could be established to assess the magnitude of the additional compensation before award of the contract.

For more info on dredging contracts, and maritime contracts, please visit Kinlan Consulting, a professional FIDIC Contract Consultant.

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Make it a Green Christmas and Stockpile Love not Landfill this Year

October 28, 2009 – 9:04 am

green-christmasA mountain of Christmas gifts and goods make their way out of stores and into homes each Christmas season. It is a harsh reality but, not long after the festivities subside, most of those well-intentioned gifts move on to mounds of landfill.

Slowing the migration is as easy as setting your family the Green Christmas Challenge to send as little as possible to landfill this Christmas. Inspired by the target of a approximately empty wheelie bin, you will all make decisions that generate less waste.

Many actions help with celebrating a green Christmas, like locally-grown foods to reduce food miles, switching to LED eco Christmas lights and donating gifts to charities. The massive amount of food, plastic and non-recyclable waste is the chief environmental problem, but it is a simple one for households to take on.

Sit the team down before Christmas and discuss methods of reuse, reduce and recycle. Here’s some ideas to get you started…

Good for the environment plastic-free picnics
Disposable plastic plates and cups are created from petrochemicals, so pollution is created in their manufacture and when thrown-away they sit in landfill forever. Choose reusable plates that you wash up or use palm leaf plates, a stylish plant alternative. They add a chic eco friendly style to your festive table and can be put onto your garden as mulch, instead of in the bin.

Trim a living tree
When Santa arrives in his carbon-neutral sleigh, surprise him with a live Australian Wollemi pine tree. This recently discovered prehistoric tree is now obtainable in nurseries. A potted Wollemi can grow with your family to be trimmed year after year. Or, why not a tradition to find a lovely Eucalyptus branch that can be composted when the Christmas festivities are over.

Wrap it again
A great way to stretch the budget and save piles of waste is to wrap presents in newspaper, magazines and even junk mail. For kids use the comics, for car lovers use the motoring pages. wrapping, place gifts inside reusable shopping bags, or sew cloth bags from festive Christmas material that your family can re-tie with ribbon every year. For an additional special Green Christmas touch, Earth Greetings make stunning post consumer waste wrapping paper with Australian Christmas designs printed with vegetable inks.

Detour past the bin
, is this Christmas gift wind up in the bin within a couple of weeks? If yes, select something else. The old saying quality not quantity is a great friend of the planet. Even the cheapest items use the planet’s limited resources, energy and water to manufacture. Instead of buy a risky gift, consider a gift voucher or make a donation to a charity on behalf of the person. Should you receive an unsuitable gift, pass it straight on to a charity like the Salvos.

A green Christmas gift for your garden
Food scraps make up a huge portion of rubbish and once in landfill they generate methane, a concentrated greenhouse gas. Compost at home instead and turn leftovers into fertiliser for your garden. The Bokashi composting bin is a popular system that sits conveniently in your kitchen.

Packaging-free paradise
Picture a paradise where Christmas morning is clear of mounds of discarded plastic packaging. It takes a little bit more thought and effort. Locally made and hand-made Christmas gifts are less likely to be over-packaged. A trip to the local Farmer’s Markets you stock up on fresh festive food with minimal packaging.

Rather than talking rubbish; this Christmas, your family will soon be asking is this for landfill, recycling or composting? And the joy of reaching your challenge will bring good tidings to all.

Biome Eco Stores is a chic retail outlet with a conscience. Firmly committed to eco friendly principles, Biome offers a unique and meaningful green Christmas collection for gifts and decoration.

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New Guinea – Island Paradise

October 27, 2009 – 1:53 pm

new-guinea-flagNew Guinea is the world’s second largest island, and is also one of the world’s last, vast and remote wildernesses. With a complex political history, this great island is divided. The western half, is now called Papua, a region of Indonesia, while the eastern half, Papua New Guinea or PNG, has been an independent country since 1975.

New Guinea is area of the Pacific Ring of Fire, and endures sporadic volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and occasional tsunamis. A mountain range rises across the length of New Guinea and deep rainforest is all enveloping.

The island contains an astonishing wealth of natural features, some protected by National Parks and UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserves, but huge swathes of it are unmapped and virtually unreachable. The chief cities of both countries are, naturally, on the coast, but there is little in the way of roads or infrastructure. Travel is mainly by boat. Rivers criss-cross the whole region or you can travel on foot, or by plane

New Guinea is inhabited by about 1,000 different tribes, speaking a corresponding number of languages. Tourists are few, mainly visiting the extraordinary Dani culture, in Papua’s gorgeous Baliem Valley. Despite being nominally Christians, the Dani live traditionally.

Men wear penis sheaths, females wear short skirts, made of orchid fibres, worn beneath the buttocks. This high valley, surrounded by mountain peaks, is a vision of incredibly fertile cultivated fields. The Baliem River provides fish, and pigs are essential, being consumed at every ceremony.

In PNG the major attraction is the tribal hunter-gatherers who live along the banks of the island’s longest river, the Sepik. This culture is intrinsically entwined with crocodiles, and the men’s massive scarification reflects the animal’s scales.

Living in communal longhouses, Sepik River people are famous for their wood-carvings. Varying in style from village to village, many of these find their way into the great museums of the world.

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By Article Bob | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

The Australian Building Business During WWII

October 26, 2009 – 11:16 am

After the declaration of war in September 1939 house construction went through a period of decreasing activity. But it did not drop to its minimal level until February 1942 when National Security Regulations posed severe restrictions.

Private building ceased in many areas and was limited in others. However, under the War Housing Program, state and commonwealth authorities did continue with essential housing, such as that needed for munitions workers and their families.

Clear indication of the degree of change is seen in the official statistics. More than 40000 new homes were built throughout Australia in the financial year 1938-39, but in 1942-1943 there were fewer than 4000.’

In the editorial of the Australian Home Beautiful for January 1942, we read of conditions up to that time. Building restrictions, at the moment of writing, limit expenditure on new domestic buildings to £3000 and on renovations to £250; but conditions grow harder week by week. In spite of this, a great deal of new and interesting building is being carried on over a widespread area and this will continue as long as materials are available.

War in Europe and North Africa was distant enough for Australia to seem relatively secure. With the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, and their inexorable advance in our direction, any remaining complacency evaporated.

A. V. Jennings, the well-known construction company founded in 1932, continued building houses on its construction within 25 miles (40 km) of the Melbourne GPO as well as restrictions on the transfer of land brought development of the estate to a halt.

As early as May 1941 wartime conditions had begun to cause shortages of building materials and dwindling sales. In that month A.V. Jennings advertised seventeen villa sites and seven business sites, all lots to include, electricity, gas, sewerage, roads, paths and crossings.’

Of the 121 residential blocks, fifty-nine houses had been completed by the beginning of 1942. They were typical of the well-built, double-brick houses constructed by Jennings over the previous decade. Beauview Estate was in a very attractive elevated area with panoramic views and a mere six-and-a-half miles (10.50 km) from the city.

In 1942, with home building now at a standstill, A.V. Jennings averted complete disaster with the sale of all unsold blocks on the estate to the large Melbourne estate agency T.M. Burke. As a company Jennings actually gathered strength through the challenges offered by wartime government construction contracts, so that when it returned to housing on a large scale in the mid-1950s it was able to regain and extend its early reputation in the domestic field.

Brick houses of the type built by A.V Jennings between 1932 and 1942 were basically conservative in their design when compared with the few examples of International Modern built at the same time. Some of the forms or details suggested the continuing popularity of `Spanish Mission’ or `Old English’, but generally, there was a tendency toward a common sense functionalism with easily maintained surfaces, modern kitchens, hot-water services reticulated to five or six points, internal toilets and many other features taken for granted by generations.

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