investment fund: 2012

четверг, 15 марта 2012 г.

Montgomery blames government-backed racism as need for Reparations

Among those speaking at Ald. Dorothy Tillman's (3rd) 2003 National Reparations convention will be famed attorney James D. Montgomery who Monday said Blacks should be compensated because of government-sanctioned racism.

Montgomery said racism is one of many vestiges of slavery with captured Africans forced to build this nation free of charge, enabling white slave owners to amass wealth and pass on their fiscal legacy to their family.

He and his partner Johnnie Cochran, are among the presenters of Tillman's convention, being held from 9 a.m. to 4:30, p.m., March 28-29, and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Parkway Ballroom, 4455 S. King Dr.

They will be joined by …

Local UK govt steps up to save red phone boxes

Britain's bright red telephone boxes are increasingly unused and unprofitable, but far from unloved.

The fate of more than a third of the country's 12,700 iconic red telephone booths is up in the air: telecommunications company BT says it wants to scrap about 400 of them and is in negotiations with local authorities about what to do another 4,000.

Villages and local governments are stepping up efforts to salvage the street furniture, converting the booths into community notice boards, greenhouses, or possibly even miniature art galleries. They have until Saturday to apply to adopt a phone booth.

The small English hamlet of Lighthorne, about 90 …

Everything but the kitchen sink ; The newest Audi to hit the showrooms has been redesigned from the ground up with advanced lightweight construction techniques and a raft of technological tricks and treats, writes Chris Walsh

Constructed from an aluminium and steel compound, Audi's new A6'sshell weight is 15 per cent lighter than an all-steel equivalent andthe A6 becomes the fourth model in the range to feature theultrabright, ultra-light, all-LED signature headlamps.

The newest Audi to hit the showrooms has been redesigned from theground up with their most advanced lightweight constructiontechniques.

With weight kept in check through aluminium and steel compositeconstruction, the new entry-level diesel is capable of deliveringover 57mpg and outputs just 129g/km of CO2.

Tipping the scales at a relatively modest 1,575kg, the A6maximises economy and minimises emissions, …

среда, 14 марта 2012 г.

Indian Doc Accused of Link to Terrorists

BRISBANE, Australia - Australian federal police on Saturday charged an Indian doctor with providing "reckless" support to a terrorist organization by giving his mobile phone SIM card to two of the suspects accused in the failed British bomb attacks.

Muhammad Haneef, 27, is the second person to be charged over the botched attacks on London and Glasgow June 29 and 30. The other is Bilal Abdullah, who is being held in London on charges of conspiring to set off explosions.

British police tracked a SIM card in the possession of one of the men accused in the failed Britain bomb attacks to Haneef, and alerted their Australian counterparts.

At a bail hearing before the …

NBA Leaders

…

G FG FT PTS AVG

James, Clev. 23 240 169 679 29.5

Bryant, LAL 27 244 189 723 26.8

Iverson, Den. 27 238 212 713 26.4

Anthony, Den. 27 250 162 685 25.4

Jefferson, N.J. 27 216 232 682 25.3

Boozer, Utah 28 291 109 691 24.7

Wade, Mia. 20 158 168 486 24.3

Redd, Mil. 26 201 165 622 23.9

Howard, Orl. 29 236 206 678 23.4

Quicken Loans wins overtime trial in Detroit

DETROIT (AP) — A federal jury in Detroit says Quicken Loans doesn't owe overtime to more than 300 former mortgage brokers who claimed their jobs amounted to sales for the online mortgage giant.

The Thursday verdict means jurors were convinced sales was not the brokers' primary job when they made calls and tried to get people to agree to loans between 2002 and 2006.

Quicken argued an administrative exemption for certain financial …

African immigration to Europe

Although there is nothing new about Africans migrating to Europe, the increase in such migration over the last 20-30 years has become noteworthy and is finally reaching the attention of the mainstream media in the U.S.

The rebellions which took place in the French suburbs in 2005 carried out by the children of African immigrants brought global attention to an aspect of this situation. The increased coverage of the plight of those currently trying to get to Europe has shed new light on a growing crisis, and one from which we can actually better understand the situation of migrations to the U.S.

During the colonial era, African and Caribbean immigration to Europe was limited …

Pakistan's new parliament holds first session since anti-Musharraf landslide in elections

Pakistan inaugurated a new parliament on Monday dominated by opponents of President Pervez Musharraf who have vowed to crimp his powers and review his U.S.-backed policies against al-Qaida and the Taliban.

At stake is the future course and political stability of the nuclear-armed nation of 160 million people, which is struggling against economic problems as well as Islamic militants.

Elections last month in which Musharraf's allies were routed illustrated the growing unhappiness with the former general, who dominated Pakistan's politics during eight years of military rule.

Sen. Tariq Azim, a Musharraf loyalist, hailed the inauguration of the …

Recordbreakers

Jumping from a plane is a terrifying thought for most people.

But Fiona Birnie has manged to top that by taking to the skies ina record sky-diving stunt.

Fiona, who has been jumping for 18 years, has smashed five worldand British records.

She is even happy to give up buying new shoes and handbags to fundthe sport.

Fiona, originally from Fraserburgh, set the record for the largestfreefalling formation in a bid to help the British Red Cross.

With 51 other gutsy ladies, the 35-year-old took to the skies toform an iconic Red Cross emblem.

Dressed in matching red suits , they leapt from three planes inNottinghamshire, at around 14,000 …

Shaping future officers

WEST POINT, N.Y.

For the fifth consecutive year, members of the 84th Division instructed U.S. Military Academy cadets here during Intercession from Jan. 6-17.

Intercession is a period between academic semesters where the focus is on military subjects.

Reservists from the institutional training division taught a variety of subjects, including map reading, troop leading, combined arms operations, and military law and ethics.

Organizing and preparing for the mission was challenging because Reservists came from several different brigades within the 84th Division, headquartered in Milwaukee. Also, 19 officers and NCOs from the 98th Division, Rochester, N.Y., …

Sri Lanka-India Scoreboard

Scoreboard at stumps Thursday on the second day of the first cricket test between Sri Lanka and India at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo:

Sri Lanka won the toss

Sri Lanka 1st Innings

(Overnight 85-2)

Michael Vandort c Karthik b Sharma 3

Malinda Warnapura c Dravid b Singh 115

Kumar Sangakkara c Dravid b Khan 12

Mahela Jayawardene c Karthik b Sharma 136

Thilan Samaraweera not out 111

Tillekeratne Dilshan not out 20

Extras: (4b, 5lb, 16nb) 25.

TOTAL: (for …

If school starts in August, air conditioning needed

Many schools are now on what is called a Track E schedule, in which classes began Monday rather than in September.

There is always a back-to-school campaign and, with the new start date, the campaign is probably getting a little more coverage than usual.

I would like to point out that most of these schools where classes began Monday do not have air conditioning — these students will be trying to learn in stifling hot classrooms.

It is very important that students are in attendance on the first day …

Naperville Population Moves a Bit

Naperville is a city of transferees - so the story goes.One-third of the people transfer every three years. But thougheveryone seems to have heard this story, no one has figures tosubstantiate it.

Builder C. Cass Collins of Springwood Homes, a long-timeNaperville resident, said "Naperville is a very active transfereetown. There is a lot of middle management. People stay four to sixyears and then move on."

Collins said the research corridor on Interstate 88 is whatdraws so many people to the city and then causes them to move.

Problems are created by the transient lives of residents,Collins said. "A lot don't get involved in the community, which is asad thing. In elections, a small minority goes to the polls.(Results) may not mecessarily reflect the opinion of the people wholive here. But, Collins added, there are also a lot of people whohave lived in Naperville a long time.

Whether it's because people are moving out or up, CherylKrakenberger, of the Du Page Association of Realtors, said homes inNaperville sold in 57.63 days in 1992 compared with an average of 64days in 1991. There were fewer units sold in 1992 (2,285) comparedwith 1991 (2,315), but prices were higher. The mean price in 1992was $200,376, compared with $189,917 in 1991, she said.

Naperville's chief planner, Robert Kallien, said there are nofigures on transferees. "It is a perception I think is overstated."Kallien said the figure bandied about is that people live inNaperville between two to nine years.

Jane Franz, a resident of the Brighton Ridge subdivision since1987, said her next-door neighbor just moved back to Michigan on atransfer, and certain homes in her area have been on the market threeor four times in the six years she has lived there. "I don't know ifit is because they are transferring, though."

Ned Becker, a resident of the city for 22 years andtransportation director and city engineer, said he hears the averagestay in Naperville is three years.

"I'm not sure how much we can attribute to transferees," saidSchool Dist. 204 Asst. Supt. Howard Crouse, "but there is 15percent to 35 percent mobility in the schools each year."

вторник, 13 марта 2012 г.

World Features Digest

Below is a list of feature stories that The Associated Press plans to move in the coming week. Questions about the stories may be addressed to the North America Desk supervisor in New York at 212-621-1650 (fax 212-621-5449) or e-mail amidesk(at)ap.org or to individual bureaus in your country or region.

We will update this digest daily, adding new features as available. Feature stories that moved in the previous three days are included at the bottom for editors who may not have seen them.

New this digest:

FILM-CONTAGION

TRAVEL-TRIP-BLUESMAN HOTEL

MUSIC-Q&A-ROYCE DA 5'9"

FILM REVIEW-THE WARRIOR

SEPT 11-EXHIBITS

BLUESMAN HOTEL

FOOD-ANTIQUE APPLES

OKTOBERFEST IN AMERICA

ARTHUR AVENUE

GOLD THEFTS

CHICAGO SOUL FOOD

Wednesday, Sept. 7

FILM-CONTAGION

LOS ANGELES — The Hollywood disaster movie typically comes with quakes, asteroids, tornadoes or aliens ripping the planet to shreds and manly heroes tossing around wisecracks as they carry out impossible deeds to save the world. Yet Steven Soderbergh figured the more authentic a potential apocalypse feels, the scarier it becomes. Soderbergh's "Contagion" lays out a terrifying scenario — the swift spread of a deadly new virus around the globe — with a mix of personal drama and merciless realism that makes it both riveting and foreboding. By Movie Writer David Germain.

AP Photos.

TRAVEL-TRIP-BLUESMAN HOTEL

CLARKSDALE, Mississippi — It is not the Heartbreak Hotel or the Ritz, and George Washington did not sleep there. But The Riverside Hotel in Clarksdale is widely regarded as a historical exhibit of blues music. And, oh yes: Muddy Waters did sleep there and Bessie Smith died there. Waters and other blues icons roomed at the Riverside from the 1940s to early 1960s as they made their names in clubs throughout the South. By Rogelio V. Solis.

AP Photos.

MUSIC-Q&A-ROYCE DA 5'9"

NEW YORK — From the first moment Detroit rapper Royce da 5'9" met Eminem — "a skinny white kid pushing mixtapes" at an Usher gig in 1997 — he saw the potential in him. The pair had a falling out and feuded for a while but now are so tight, they put out a successful joint album over the summer. By Reetu Rupal.

AP Photos, AP Video.

GOLD THEFTS

LOS ANGELES — Gus Rodriguez looks more like a soldier than a jewelry store security guard, with a Beretta handgun strapped to his bulletproof vest, shades wrapped around his shaved head and pepper spray bulging from a breast pocket. After a summer of brazen attacks on gold stores, parts of downtown Los Angeles now look more like a militarized zone than a commercial corridor. The gold fever that has driven prices to an all-time high is also fueling a crime spree in the precious metal. Police are seeing an uptick in robberies and burglaries related to gold prices, which peaked at $1,891 an ounce last month, up more than $600 from a year earlier. By Thomas Watkins.

AP Photos.

CHICAGO SOUL FOOD

CHICAGO — Duct tape covers a large crack in the premier booth at Hard Time Josephine's Cooking, where waitresses call you "sweetie" and customers come for the steaming shrimp bisque and homemade peach cobbler that leaves a hint of cinnamon on the tongue. Not long ago, such an eyesore at one of Chicago's top soul food restaurants would have been unthinkable. Despite the name, times were good: Chicago was a bustling center of black America and people in the neighborhoods savored southern-style cooking. But in the past 10 years as the city lost more than 17 percent of its black population, one soul food place after another has closed and the surviving few like Josephine's are struggling. By Sophia Tareen.

AP Photos.

Also Moving Wednesday:

FILM REVIEW-THE WARRIOR

MUSIC REVIEW-GEORGE STRAIT

Thursday, Sept. 8

SEPT 11-EXHIBITS

NEW YORK — At least two dozen museum and gallery exhibitions are being shown around New York with a connection to Sept. 11. By Ula Ilnytzky.

AP Photos

BLUESMAN HOTEL

CLARKSDALE, Mississippi — It's not the Heartbreak Hotel or the Ritz, and George Washington didn't sleep there. But The Riverside Hotel in Clarksdale is widely regarded as a history exhibit of blues music. And, oh yes. Muddy Waters did sleep there and Bessie Smith died there. Waters and other blues icons roomed at the Riverside from the 1940s to early 1960s as they made their names in clubs throughout the South. Today the hotel has established a loyal group of fans who love its authenticity as a "bluesman" hotel. By Rogelio Solis

AP Photos

FOOD-ANTIQUE APPLES

PORTLAND, Maine — Old-fashioned apples are back in fashion. Apple varieties that were popular decades or centuries ago are making a resurgence at pick-your-own orchards and farm stands after nearly disappearing from the marketplace. The varieties, known as antique or heirloom apples, carry names such as Sheepnose, American Mother, Lady Sweet and Nickajack. By Clarke Canfield.

AP Photos

OKTOBERFEST IN AMERICA

For most beer lovers, the thought of fall drinking conjures up images of steins the size of toddlers, sounds of boisterous drinking songs and an endless sea of picnic tables where people gather, drink and sing. Also along with these thoughts about Oktoberfest come a few more: distance, time, expense. Yes, the biggest beer festival in the world takes place in Munich, Germany. But there is plenty to do — and drink — in the U.S. during the fall beer festival season. Think of it as Oktoberfest in America. The festivals can be rambunctious parties, where you have to shout to be heard. Or they can be quieter affairs, with the hum of mingling and a focus on the task at hand: drinking beer. By Emily Fredrix

AP Photos

Friday, Sept. 9

ARTHUR AVENUE

Arthur Avenue in the Bronx is the kind of place where you might be bribed with a cannoli. Many years ago, my father, a teacher, was begged by a student not to tell his parents he'd been caught fighting. "I'll bring you a box of cannolis every Friday," promised the student, who worked at a pastry shop in this Italian-American enclave. I often had cannolis and other treats from Arthur Avenue as a kid growing up in nearby suburbs, but they were brought home by my parents; I figured I'd go myself someday but there was no rush. Then one day, I saw Arthur Avenue listed on an iPod app for New York City destinations. I feared the old neighborhood might be changed into a kind of Disney Land of Italian-Americanness. It hasn't. While Little Italy in downtown Manhattan has shrunk to barely a block and a half, what the residents have taken to calling the Real Little Italy in the Bronx is thriving. By Sarah diLorenzo

AP Photos

-0-

Previously moved:

Saturday, Sept. 3

FITNESS-WEIGHT WATCHERS FOUNDER

MAGGIE GOES ON A DIET

Sunday, Sept. 4

SEPT 11-CONVICTED FOR TERROR

SEPT.11-BRAZIL-NO TERROR?

SEPT 11-THERE AND HERE

SEPT 11-UNITED STATES

SEPT 11-NEW YORK'S POLICE COMMISSIONER

JAPAN-UKRAINE-RADIOACTIVE TOWNS

PARENTS ON PATROL

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-DUELING NARRATIVES

Monday, Sept. 5

SEPT 11-PROMISES

PATRIOTISM PAYMENTS

HAITI-RETURN TO THE COUNTRYSIDE

THE ART OF FLIGHT

SWilliams needs foot surgery, will miss 3 events

Serena Williams needs surgery on her right foot after cutting it on a broken glass at a restaurant.

The top-ranked women's player was injured last week and will miss three tournaments leading to the U.S. Open, the WTA Tour said on Saturday.

Williams has withdrawn from tournaments in Istanbul, Cincinnati and Montreal. The tour website offered no details about what happened at the restaurant.

"I'm so upset I won't be able to play in the upcoming events because of this foot surgery," Williams said on the website. "Thank you for all of your support. I can't wait to get back on the courts."

A message left with her agent was not immediately returned.

On July 8, days after winning her fourth Wimbledon crown and 13th major title, Williams played with an injured foot against Kim Clijsters in an exhibition in Brussels before a world record tennis crowd. On July 10, she attended the wedding of NBA star Carmelo Anthony in New York. In a photo, it appeared she had two bandages on the top of her right foot.

The Rogers Cup in Montreal begins on Aug. 16, and the U.S. Open starts on Aug. 30.

After winning the Australian Open at the end of January, Williams was sidelined through April because of an injured left knee. She lost in the French Open quarterfinals in June before capturing Wimbledon.

Duggars to welcome 19th child: ; Ark. family featured on reality show about brood

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - No. 19 caught Michelle Duggar by surprise.

The 42-year-old mom of 18 noticed that she wasn't losing weight -even though she and husband Jim Bob were on Weight Watchers - andher youngest child, 8-month-old Jordyn-Grace, was fussing whilenursing. In the past, she found a fussy infant meant a change inbreast milk that came with pregnancy.

So she took a pregnancy test. "And lo and behold, I was justpleasantly surprised that this was positive," Duggar said Tuesday."I was just jumping up and down going, 'Thank you, Lord. Here am I -42, thinking my baby days are over - and you've blessed us withanother one.'"

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar live in Tontitown, Ark., and arefeatured with their family on TLC's "18 Kids and Counting."

The announcement of the Duggars' 19th child comes as theiroldest, 21-year-old Josh, is about to become a father himself.

Married last year, Josh and Anna Duggar are expecting their firstchild, a girl, on Oct. 18.

The grandchild - whom Josh and Anna plan to name Mackynzie - willbe about five months older than her future aunt or uncle, due March18.

Michelle Duggar said her health is fine and the pregnancy isgoing along just like the others - with a decent bout of morningsickness.

"I am just so grateful that I have good health thus far and I'mjust enjoying playing with my kids every day," she said. "I don'ttake that for granted one bit. I still have a lot of energy left."

They're soliciting name suggestions for the new baby, who willjoin their family of 10 boys and eight girls.

The Duggars' 18 children all have names starting with the letterJ and include two sets of twins. Along with Josh and Jordyn-Grace,the family includes: Jana and John-David, 19; Jill, 18; Jessa, 16;Jinger, 15; Joseph, 14; Josiah, 13; Joy-Anna, 11; Jeremiah andJedidiah, 10; Jason, 9; James, 8; Justin, 6; Jackson, 5; Johannah,3; and Jennifer, 2.

The Duggars live in a 7,000-square-foot house in northwestArkansas, where they manage commercial real estate property. Theysay they'll keep welcoming more children as long as Michelle is ableto have them.

Michelle Duggar says they're recognized regularly thanks to theTLC show.

"We feel like it's just an opportunity to encourage families toenjoy their children, enjoy children while they have them andrealize that they are a gift from God," she said.

"That's our prayer. This is an opportunity to just encourageothers to value family and just enjoy the time you have with them."

BUSINESS APPOINTMENTS

Kemper Capital Markets named James Fitzgerald, Robert Davis Jr.,Peter Lahti, Richard Morton, Thomas Reedy and J. Douglas Caseyexecutive committee members; and Davis, Lahti and Morton executivevice presidents.

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago elected A. Charlene Sullivan adirector.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago elected Edward J. Burns adirector.

First Midwest Bancorp elected J. Stephen Vanderwoude a director.

Republic Bank of Chicago appointed Carlos X. Montoya a director.

Chicago Osteopathic Health Systems elected Norman Bobins adirector.

First Chicago Corp. elected Christopher P. Sandvig president andchief executive officer, First Chicago Bank of Mount Prospect.

Rymer Chicken named Milton Smallwood president.

Thrall Car Manufacturing Co., Elmhurst, named John E. CarrollJr. president.

Gleeson, Sklaar & Sawyers named Steve M. Brillion and ThomasKlym partners, Lincolnshire office.

Hartshorn & Associates Ltd., Palatine, named Karen Saunders apartner.

Chicago and North Western Transportation Co. named JulesEberhardt vice president, systems and information services; andRichard H. McDonald vice president, planning.

Square D Co., Palatine, named Juris Vikmanis corporate seniorvice president, quality and technology; John C. Garrett executivevice president, industrial sector; and Robert D. Williams vicepresident and general manager, transformer business.

First Midwest Bank N.A. appointed E. Gerald Gale executive vicepresident, credit administration.

Boulevard Bancorp appointed Portia L. Jones vice president andquality manager.

Saffer/U.S.A. Advertising named George Hermelink executive vicepresident and creative director.

Centel Corp. appointed Nancy S. Pitz vice president, marketing,telephone operations.

Real Estate Research Corp. named Diane Robinson vice president;Douglas Benschoter vice president, marketing; Julie Ryder vicepresident, Bank Consulting Group; and Mary Lisa Meier an assistantvice president.

Altschuler, Melvoin and Glasser named Richard A. Goodman andKenneth S. Pinsky partners; Morton S. Kessel partner and operationsdirector; David M. Jackson director, financial services; andAlexander Patterson director, manufacturing consulting services.

Wolf & Co., Oak Brook, named David Siehoff and Ben B. Kuhajdapartners; Jody Gauthier manager; and Jodi T. Mersinger and Timothy J.Medema senior accountants.

Boulevard Bancorp appointed Richard J. Melnick assistant vicepresident, commercial lending.

Chicago Title Insurance Co. appointed Jack Grust manager, metrosupport services; Linda H. Pease area manager, Chicago; William A.Craig area manager, Lake and McHenry counties operations and head,Arlington Heights, Park Ridge and Skokie satellite offices; H. StatGeer area manager, Kane/ Kendall, Du Page and Will countiesoperations and head, Evergreen Park, Hillside, South Holland and OakForest satellite offices; and Leanne Walsh-Klein commercial andindustrial sales representative, Du Page, Lake, Kane and Willcounties.

Patrick Engineering, Glen Ellyn, named Devin A. Moose vicepresident, environmental and planning services.

Land and Lakes Co., Park Ridge, named James T. Ambroso vicepresident for environmental affairs.

Bayer Bess Vanderwarker named Jim Ensign vice president andPeggy Brown media supervisor.

Cole Taylor Bank, Wheeling, appointed Richard C. Keneman groupexecutive, corporate banking.

Eighth-inning blast the difference in victory vs. Cards: Cubs 3, Cardinals 2

First baseman Derrek Lee's third home run in the last three gameswas the decisive blow in the Cubs' 3-2 comeback victory Saturdayagainst the St. Louis Cardinals, but he wasn't taking credit for theresult.

"Michael Barrett was the hero today," Lee said of Barrett's pinch-hit, two-run home run against

reliever Josh Hancock in the seventh inning that tied the score 2-2. "He picked us up."

That was especially true for Lee, who was charged with an errorwhen he let pitcher Carlos Zambrano's pickoff throw get away in thesixth. It allowed the Cardinals' Jim Edmonds to reach third base, andhe scored when shortstop Ronny Cedeno made an errant throw to firston Scott Rolen's grounder. When Rolen later scored, Zambrano was in a2-0 hole despite not allowing an earned run.

"I felt horrible about missing the ball," Lee said. "Z threw itright at my chest. When Z was pitching such a great game, you don'twant to make a mistake."

Especially because reigning Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenterwas dealing just as efficiently. Carpenter allowed four hits andstruck out nine in six scoreless innings.

"What can you do? I threw to the best first baseman in the bigleagues," said a forgiving Zambrano, who allowed four hits and fourwalks and struck out five in six innings. "You let it go and face thenext guy and don't worry about it. You won't see D-Lee missing manyplays like that."

Lee's homer against losing pitcher Brad Thompson (1-1) leading offthe eighth set things right for the crowd of 40,182 at Wrigley Field.Reliever Bob Howry earned his first victory with the Cubs, and closerRyan Dempster worked the ninth for his first save.

"It was a great comeback victory after we gave them those tworuns," manager Dusty Baker said. "Z pitched outstanding. Our bullpendid a great job, and Bobby Howry got his first win as a Cub."

Even the negatives weren't devastating. Cedeno committed twoerrors, but the first wasn't costly.

"I'm trying to make the plays," Cedeno said of his two throwingmiscues. "It was hard to grip the ball, but it's part of the game.I'm happy now because we came back and won."

Zambrano felt a twinge in his groin in the sixth, but he brushedit off afterward.

"I'm OK," he said. "With some treatment, it'll be OK. Even thoughI don't have a decision [in two starts], I still have 32 more. Andthe good thing is we got the win."

No one was more jubilant about the outcome than Barrett, whoadmitted still feeling "high" about the Cubs' 5-1 victory in theirhome opener Friday.

"Even though it was, like, 10 below zero Friday, I can't tell youwhat it's like to play for the Cubs and play in Wrigley Field andthis rivalry to open the season," he said.

Barrett's homer was his first of the season and the second pinchhomer of his career. With Henry Blanco getting his first start of theseason behind the plate, Barrett was watching the action inside theclubhouse and taking a cue from new teammate John Mabry.

"I was in the clubhouse trying to get loose, and I'm watchingMabry go about his business," Barrett said. "He's an experiencedbench guy, and I noticed the things he was doing. I'm trying to pickup and learn from experienced guys. I want to be the kind of playerwho's ready to go no matter what. I hope when Dusty needs me everyday, I'll be ready. Seeing Mabry helped me get ready.

"I was glad Carpenter was out of the game. I was watching him inthe clubhouse. He was hitting both sides of the plate.When he's doingthat and keeping hitters off-balance and then throwing that bigcurveball, that's what made both Carlos and Carpenter tough today.

"Those two have had some of the best games I've ever seen head-to-head. I was excited about the rematch and glad we pulled it out."

tginnetti@suntimes.com

Hung up on laundry? // If wash is getting you down, just recall the bad old days

Is that pile of family laundry putting you into a depressed state?Come along with me on a trip to the 19th century.

As a housewife of the last century, face that pile of dirtyclothes, but not before you have made the soap from lye and grease.Then you can tote the water from the well and heat it in heavy tubson the wood stove. Next, sort the clothes and boil the white pieces.Then scrub each item on a washboard. Wring, rinse, wring again andimmerse some pieces in starch water or bluing. Tired? You can't be.You must hang out the wash in the backyard.

Tomorrow will be easier. You will heat the irons on the stoveand reheat them each time they cool.

Tell me, would you like to return to the present and yourautomatic washer and dryer? OK, let's go!

Smile as you approach that pile of laundry and whisper a fewsmall prayers for those geniuses who invented the women's liberatorsof our century.

TIMELY TIPS: Keep embroidery hoops in the laundry room. Whenworking on stains, stretch the fabric in the hoops. When material isheld taut, it is much easier to remove spots.

DEAR DORSEY: Here is a hint that I have been using for years. Iuse the plastic net bag that comes with onions and oranges as adishcloth. It is particularly great to clean Teflon pots and pans.It never scratches them. I use it for all types of pans. The netrinses out easily and is ready for the next time. Best of all, itcosts nothing. ADELINE KENAR

Thanks, Adeline. There must be other uses for those net bags -let's hear!

DEAR DORSEY: After checking the prices of tiny cedar bags tohang in closets to chase moths, I came up with the reasonablesolution. I bought a 3-pound bag of cedar shavings for under $4 in apet shop. They are used for small animal cages. I packed one cupfuleach into the toes of old nylon stockings and then knotted thestockings. I tie two of these together to hang over the poles of mycloset. The shavings do not go through the nylons but the woodsyodor does. Put them in sweater drawers, too.

We have moved to Raleigh, N.C., but remain subscribers of theSun-Times and your wonderful column. If you use this letter, pleasesend the $5 to the Tree House Animal Foundation. Thank you. LOUISE CARLYLE

Thanks to you, Louise, for the woodsy tip!

Send your helpful hint and time- or money-saving idea to DorseyConnors, Chicago Sun-Times, 401 N. Wabash, Chicago 60611. If yourletter is used in this column, we will send you $5.

UPS exclusive plan makes express shipping and saving $ a snap for members

The Institute has forged a new partnership with United Parcel Service that will make express delivery-and everything else that comes with rushing to finish something for your business-much easier for its members.

UPS is universally recognized as one of the most dependable express services. AlChE members will now get the following benefits from AIChE's plan.

- $1.50 off the rate for UPS next day letters.

- A 10% discount off UPS Next Day Air(TM) package rates.

- A 20% discount off all U.S. origin UPS Worldwide Express rates.

Members can help support AIChE and at the same time reduce the hassle of express delivery through a couple of easy steps. It's as simple as calling the UPS customer service number (1-800-3257000) and identifying yourself as a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. At that point, UPS will assign a shipper billing number. The discounts will appear on members' UPS billing statements each month. There are no contracts to sign, no enrollment fees, and no minimum usage requirement.

"UPS has an excellent reputation. The best thing about them is that they are everywhere. They have thousands of service centers world-wide," Diana McCauley, AIChE's director of member services, stated. "Members who are currently frustrated with the quality of their express service can switch to UPS, save money, and improve the service they have. It's a winwin situation."

Hugh Horowitz, AIChE's Manager of Office Services and frequent user of UPS' service, seconded McCauley's sentiments. "UPS basically always does what it is supposed to do, with a minimum of fuss and no nonsense.

"Everything gets where it's supposed to be, when it's supposed to be there. No one could ask for anything more."

For more information on this new benefit, contact Diana McCauley at 212/591-7329; e-mail dianm@ aiche.org

Toxic Dumps Becoming Minorities' Neighbors

Racial minorities are increasingly more likely than whites tolive near hazardous waste sites in America, a new study says.

In Illinois, neighborhoods with hazardous waste sites have, onaverage, a42.5 percent minority population, according to the study,which defines neighborhoods by ZIP code. U.S. census figures showthat Illinois has about a 25.7 percent minority population, the studysaid.

"If you are a person of color, you are much more likely to livenear one of these sites than a white person," said Benjamin A.Goldman, co-author of the report to be officially released today.

Co-sponsored by the United Church of Christ, the NAACP and theWashington D.C.-based think tank Center For Policy Alternatives, thestudy said that a member of a racial minority has a 47 percent betterchance than a white person to be living near hazardous wastetreatment, storage and disposal facilities.

"I could have told them that without any studies," saidSoutheast Side environmental activist Hazel Johnson of the People fora Community Recovery. "We are under attack."

In 1980, 25 percent of the people living in a neighborhood thatcontained one or more hazardous sites were non-white. By 1993, thatfigure had risen to 31 percent, the report said. Nationally, theaverage neighborhood is 14.4 percent minority, Goldman said.

In Illinois, six of the 30 hazardous waste sites are inneighborhoods made up mostly of minority residents. Fourteen sitesare in neighborhoods where the minority makeup is above the nationalaverage.

Within the state, hazardous waste communities range from 1.47percent minorities in downstate Aledo to 95.15 percent in Chicago'sWest Side ZIP code neighborhood of 60651.

Figures from earlier years for Illinois were not available togauge increases or decreases.

Goldman said the study cannot pinpoint the exact reason for whatthe group calls "the disconcerting connection between the location oftoxic waste sites and communities of color."

Goldman said the situation is getting worse as more peoplebecome aware of the controversies surrounding waste facilities.Fewer people want them in their communities, which, in some cases,force plants to cluster in areas already hosting a facility.

Looking at ZIP code plots, the study found that aboutone-fourth of the 530 commercial hazardous waste treatment, storageand disposal facilities in the United States were in neighborhoodswhere people of color were the majority. Some 310 neighborhoods, orclose to 60 percent, were above national average in terms of minoritypopulation.

WMX Technologies Inc. of Oak Brook, a major waste facilityoperator in the United States, disputed the idea that the communitiesare disproportionately minority.

A University of Massachusetts study funded by WMX used smallercensus tracts to find that neighborhoods closest to the facilities"are in fact working-class, industrial white neighborhoods," saidCharles McDermott, director of government affairs for WMX.

"We do agree that environmental justice is a serious issue and a problem in certain areas," McDermott said. "There are communitiesof color disproportionately impacted by pollution. But when onelooks at demographic data based on census tracts, (neighborhoodsnearest facilities) are not disproportionately minority."

понедельник, 12 марта 2012 г.

Kirstie Has The Looks For The Job

Say Girl's World to most women aged in their 20s or 30s and watchthe nostalgic smile spread across their faces as the memories floodback.

This was the toy at the top of every little girl's Christmas list.A life-size doll's head with hair you could style and a tanned rubberface you could smear with make-up then wipe off and create a new look- from punk to princess to prostitute.

It was Kirstie Stanway's favourite childhood toy, and fanned aflame which was later to set the world of film and television alight.Decades on, she is now an internationally-renowned TV and film hairand make-up designer.

Kirstie said: "When I was young I had a Girl's World and I used tolove experimenting with all sorts of looks on her and cutting all herhair off.

That's where it all started for me.

"I've always been interested in hair and make-up, and I used tolook at the hair and make-up used on TV and film characters and wantto have a go myself." Born in the village of Iron Acton, north ofBristol, Kirstie was a pupil at the former Collegiate School inWinterbour ne.

She did a foundation course at Filton College before moving toLondon to study for an HND in theatrical make-up and special effectsat the prestigious London College of Fashion.

Kirstie said: "I really enjoyed the course. I had to learn allabout the different periods of history and how to get exactly theright effects, as well as learning how to use prosthetics."Prosthetics involves using materials such as latex, rubber, plasticor gelatin to create a body part, mask or gory realistic-lookingblood-gushing wound.

Kirstie left college aged 23 and became a freelance hair and make-up designer based in London.

For the next four years she worked on feature films with Oscar andBafta award-winning Bristol firm Owen, King and Turner, the companywhich makes wigs for the Lord of the Ring films.

She worked on the hit film Little Voice with Absolutely Fabulousstar Jane Horrocks and Trainspotting hunk Ewan McGregor.

She worked with McGregor again on the glam rock film VelvetGoldmine and was his personal hair and make-up artist.

Kirstie said: "Ewan remembered me because we'd worked togetherbefore. He's good fun, a really nice person. I've been really lucky.The actors I've met have all been good to work with but I've heardsome of the American stars can be difficult.

"I don't get fazed by meeting famous people - after all, they'rejust people like everybody else. But I can never sleep the nightbefore I start a new job. That's pretty nerve-wracking." Kirstie alsoworked on the film Sleepy Hollo , which starred Johnny Depp andChristina Ricci.

She said: "Johnny Depp is probably the most famous person I'veworked with so far." Working on multi-million pound film sets withsome of Hollywood's sexiest stars - and getting paid for it - soundslike the ideal job.

But Kirstie said: "People think my life must be glamorous, and Ido love my job. It can be really exciting, but it's hard work andlong hours as well.

"When filming on location, you're away from home and have to get uvery early in the morning.

"The working day is 13 hours minimum, six or seven days a week,often including night shoots.

"And before you even get to the set, loads of research andplanning has to go on before filming starts." Kirstie even had acameo role as a make-up artist in Velvet Goldmine after the directorwanted as many people as possible behind the camera to take a turnunder the spotlight.

While working on that film, Kirstie made a rare gaffe, which stillmakes her cringe.

She said: "I forgot to give one character a beauty spot which wasreally central to the role.

"It wasn't spotted until half wa through a day of filming, and itdidn't go down too well.

"But they didn't have to re-shoot the scenes in the end, they cutaround it.

"I've never had a wig fall off in a period drama, though!" Kirstiehas worked on BBC Bristol-made medical dramas Holby City andCasualty.

She said: "I've had to create burns, dog bites and a stapled headwith hair sticking out, and one time a doctor had to look like he wasdrilling into someone's head to relieve the pressure.

"I'd like to think it all looks realistic.

"It's enough to make people feel squeamish, which is reallrewarding. It's a good job I have a strong stomach.

"We have medical meetings where real doctors offer advice, and Ilook at books and videos to help recreate the look exactly." Kirstiehas designed hair and make-up for three BBC programmes about CharlesDickens and she was nominated for a Royal Television Society awardfor her work on one of the shows. She also worked on a BBC programmeabout the life of novelist George Eliot, starring the actor JohnSessions.

And she designed hair and make-up for the popular Channel 5 seriesKings and Queen , much of which was filmed in the West Country.

Kirstie gets involved with different projects through word-of-mouth, having established herself over the past eight years as amajor talent in screen hair and make-up.

She moved back to Bristol about a year ago and now lives on theHarbourside.

Kirstie said: "I'm not a huge fan of London. As I come fromBristol, I always wanted to moved back to the city. There's a lotgoing on here at the moment." When asked which actor she would mostlike to work with, she said: "I'd really like to work with moreBritish actors. We've got some fantastic ones in this country.

"My ideal job would be working as a designer on a major Britishfilm." Her work has taken her all over the world, including trips toNiagara Falls and Venice, both for the BBC, last year.

Looking to the future, 31-year-old Kirstie has more work lined upon Casualty and will soon start work on an adaptation of PeterAckroyd's book about London.

Mongolia airline buys 3 Boeing planes for $245 mln

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Commerce Department says Mongolia's national carrier is buying three Boeing jets for $245 million.

The purchase agreement was announced during a visit by Mongolia's President Tsakhia Elbegdorj.

Elbegdorj is meeting Thursday with President Barack Obama to discuss steps to expand diplomatic, economic and defense cooperation.

The Commerce Department said Mongolian Airlines will acquire one 767-300ER and two 737-800 aircraft, and will get U.S. funding for training airline executives.

The two governments also signed trade and economic cooperation pacts.

Mongolia is an Asian country bordered by China and Russia. One-third of its 2.7 million people live in poverty.

U.S. exports to Mongolia rose 184 percent in 2010, totaling $115 million.

Russian lawmakers protest rigged local elections

Dozens of Russian lawmakers staged a rare walkout from parliament Wednesday to protest what they and independent monitors describe as rigged local elections across Russia.

It was the first time in nine years that all factions except the main Kremlin-favored United Russia party had walked out in protest.

The United Russia party won an overwhelming victory Sunday in more than 7,000 local elections in 75 of Russia's 83 regions. In Moscow, the party won all but three seats on the 35-member city council.

United Russia is a power base for Vladimir Putin, the current prime minister who has not ruled out a return to the presidency in 2012.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the nationalist Liberal Democrats, was the first to lead his faction out of the State Duma session in protest. They were soon followed by the Communist Party and Just Russia, which along with United Russia was formed with Kremlin support.

"We demand a re-count of the votes across the country. We don't agree with the election results," Zhirinovsky said before leaving the session, the first since Sunday's elections. "We will return only after a meeting with the head of state."

Independent election observers and opposition parties, including the Communists, insist there were mass electoral violations during the voting. They cite evidence of multiple voting and ballot stuffing, while opposition candidates claim they were hindered from campaigning and some were denied places on the ballot.

Liliya Shibanova, executive director of Golos, a non-governmental organization that monitors elections, said the violations were even worse than in previous years.

"There has been absolutely no feedback or any reaction from the election commission whatsoever to the reports of violations," she said. "These elections have shown that local election officials ... feel they can act with impunity."

Central Elections Commission head Vladimir Churov said Monday the elections were held in accordance in the law.

The elections were seen as a test of President Dmitry Medvedev's commitment to democracy in Russia. Medvedev has spoken out in support of a multi-party system and recently wrote of the need to renew Russia's political system to allow for "free competition."

Yet Medvedev echoed Churov in describing the latest elections as "well-organized" and conducted "in accordance with the law." He also congratulated party leaders on their "convincing" victory, which he said showed the authority the party had acquired.

Party leader Boris Gryzlov, the parliament speaker, called the walkout irresponsible. "The elections are already behind us and populist actions make no sense," he said.

United Russia dominates the State Duma, where it holds 315 of the 450 seats. The three other parties generally offer little opposition.

"It is dishonorable to take away the last (democratic) things that are left in the country _ freedom of speech and elections," said Vladimir Kashin, deputy head of the Communist Party.

_____

Associated Press writer Nataliya Vasilyeva contributed to this report.

Review: An implausible 'Next Three Days'

The main dynamic you have to accept in "The Next Three Days," the one that the entire story, all the drama, all the risk, hinge upon, is that Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks actually belong together.

Always strong individually, they make no sense as a couple. Chalk it up to miscasting, a lack of chemistry, whatever: It is simply too hard to buy them as husband and wife. And that is a problem, since it undermines our ability to become emotionally immersed in the life-threatening danger in which they find themselves.

As a result, Paul Haggis' thriller, based on the 2008 French film "Anything for Her," ends up feeling even more implausible than it might have. A couple of thrilling chase sequences in the film's third act and intense moments within Crowe and Banks' performances, as well as one great scene involving Liam Neeson, unfortunately cannot salvage the whole endeavor.

The latest movie from the Oscar-winning "Crash" director finds Banks' Lara Brennan being charged and convicted of killing her boss in a Pittsburgh parking garage. Lara insists she did not commit the crime despite having a smudge of the victim's blood on her trench coat, and Haggis' script provides obscured flashback glimpses of that night's events, keeping her guilt or innocence a mystery until the end.

Once all of Lara's appeals have run out and she is on the verge of being transferred to a state penitentiary, her husband, John, hatches a scheme to break her out of the joint. John, mind you, is a mild-mannered community college English professor who already has his hands full caring for the couple's 6-year-old son, Luke (Ty Simpkins), alone.

Somehow he finds the time to research how to make bump keys and construct intricate surveillance of the various delivery vans that come and go from the jail. He covers a bedroom wall with maps, photos, notes to himself and really obvious, giant, felt-pen dollar signs and question marks, all of which he manages to keep hidden from the rest of his family. At night, he trolls the city's seedy side, buying drugs as an entry to inquire about fake passports. He walks around with a gun and wads of cash. He gets his butt severely kicked.

One would think John might be dissuaded, or perhaps sleep-deprived, given all the juggling he is doing and the dual lives he is living. But despite Crowe's indisputable ability to transform himself and dig deep for every character he plays, we never get a sense of whether crafting this plot weighs on John's conscience. He is understandably bereft and driven, given the possibility that his wife and the mother of his child will be locked up for the next 20 years, but this is ridiculous. Banks, meanwhile, is believably hardened by her time behind bars; she develops a sadness and an edge to her usually bright personality.

But the most intriguing figure of all is Neeson as a grizzled ex-con who has literally written the book on prison breaks. The scene in which John tries to seek out his advice, without giving away his intention to spring Lara, briefly brings "The Next Three Days" to life. You would watch a whole movie about that guy. And you would buy it completely.

"The Next Three Days," a Lionsgate release, is rated PG-13 for violence, drug material, language, some sexuality and thematic elements. Running time: 122 minutes. Two stars out of four.

Obama spends less in June, saves resources

Barack Obama cut back on his spending in June after securing the Democratic presidential nomination, building up his cash on hand as Republican rival John McCain outspent him with a heavy dose of television advertising.

Unlike McCain, who spent more than he raised in June, Obama accumulated cash during the month, holding back on a ramped-up television campaign until July. Obama is now matching McCain's and the Republican Party's spending on advertising.

McCain reported his June fundraising in a monthly report filed Friday with the Federal Election Commission. Obama has until midnight Sunday to file his report.

But Obama's campaign announced last week that he raised $52 million in June, more than twice the nearly $21.5 million raised by McCain during the month. Obama reported having $72 million cash on hand to McCain's $27 million.

While McCain reduced his cash on hand from May to June, Obama increased his by $29 million.

The different financial pictures reflect two distinct strategies by the campaigns. McCain plans to accept $84 million in public funds for the fall presidential campaign, a move that prevents him from raising or spending any more money above that sum.

Obama has decided to the bypass the public finance system, the first major party presidential candidate in three decades to do so in the general election. That means Obama needs to build up his cash reserves going into the fall campaign, whereas McCain needs to deplete his.

Obama and McCain, meanwhile, are still busy raising money. McCain held fundraisers in the Hamptons in Long Island on Saturday and was headed to Maine on Sunday for more fundraising and a speech in South Portland. One fundraiser, at the estate of billionaire Ronald Perelman, raised money for the campaign, his joint victory fund with the Republican National Committee and various state parties.

On Sunday, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton also planned to file her June fundraising report with the FEC. Clinton suspended her campaign in June after Obama locked up the Democratic nomination on June 3. Clinton in May had shown $10 million in debts to vendors. She also lent her campaign more than $12 million.

Clinton has continued to raise money and Obama has asked that his donors help her as well to reduce her debt. Much of Clinton's debt was to her senior adviser and pollster Mark Penn, but aides to Clinton said she first intends to pay off small vendors owed money by the campaign.

Lloyds Banking Group H1 net profit down 92 pct

Part-nationalized Lloyds Banking Group says its first-half net profit fell sharply even though its bad loans were almost halved from a year ago.

Lloyds, formed from the merger of Lloyds TSB and Halifax/Bank of Scotland, said Wednesday that net profit was 596 million pounds ($950 million), down from 7.1 billion pounds a year earlier.

Provisions for bad loans and other losses dropped from 13.4 billion pounds last year to 6.55 billion pounds.

Before taxes, the bank made a profit of 1.6 billion compared to a loss of 4 billion pounds a year ago and 6.3 billion pounds in the second half of 2009.

The government holds a 41 percent stake in the group which was bailed out during the credit crisis.

среда, 7 марта 2012 г.

PM: Australia world's strongest advanced economy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Australia has emerged from the global crisis as the world's strongest advanced economy, the nation's prime minister told U.S. business leaders Tuesday, urging increased American engagement in the Asia-Pacific for future prosperity.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard made the comments in a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a day after her first visit to the White House since taking office last year. She voiced confidence that the U.S. would also "bounce back" from the economic downturn.

Australia's own rebound was helped by booming Chinese demand for its exports of natural resources such as coal, metals and minerals. But Gillard also credited 25 years of reforms that meant its banks were effectively regulated, its domestic markets were competetive and and long-term inflation was kept low.

She said Australia's budget will come back to surplus by 2013 and government debt is forecast to peak slightly above 6 percent of gross domestic product.

"We have one of the strongest budget positions in the world," Gillard said.

She welcomed the Obama administration's engagement with the Asia-Pacific, which Gillard described as being the center of global growth.

She noted "tensions to be managed and new balances to be achieved" — a likely reference to concerns that China's currency is regarded by many of its trading partners as undervalued, favoring the Asian nation's exporters at the expense of those of competing nations such as the U.S.

"These only strengthen the argument that Australian and American engagement in the Asia-Pacific will be critical to our continued prosperity," Gillard said.

The U.S. is Australia's third largest trading partner behind China and Japan, and the leading destination for Australian foreign investment. Those deep economic ties reinforce a long-standing and close relationship, including a 60-year-old military alliance.

President Barack Obama declared Monday that the United States has "no stronger ally than Australia." Gillard will address a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday, making her the fourth Australian prime minister to be granted that opportunity.

On Tuesday, Gillard also met with intelligence chiefs and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Later this week, she will travel to New York, where she meets with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and visits the New York Stock Exchange.

Gillard will return to Australia at the weekend after stopping in Haiwaii to meet with the chief of the U.S. Pacific Command.

travel: GRENADA BLASTS BACK; Margaret O'Reilly on a paradise island finally fighting its way onto the west indies holiday map.(Features)

'GRENADA, isn't that where they shot their prime minister?" asked my hairdresser as I went for my pre-holiday trim and told him where I was heading.

And his wasn't an uncommon reaction. It seems that for many people in Britain, Grenada is still remembered for the assassination of its leading politicians during the uprising of 1983.

Maybe its image problem is the reason why this island, which gives the visitor a true taste of the West Indies, is still so undeveloped compared to nearby, more fashionable rivals such as Barbados.

But that is about to change as international property developer Peter de Savary is investing a staggering EUR1bn to put Grenada firmly on the tourist map. Within four years he plans to have created a marina glitzy enough to attract the rich and famous, with designer shops and multi-million dollar homes.

While the now stable government is delighted with the investment, it will also be keen to retain the island's natural beauty and charm.

Grenada's great advantages over many of its more popular neighbours is its unspoilt and often deserted beaches, delicious, cooling trade winds and a fascinating interior of rain forest, volcanic lakes and plantations.

Spear bananas onto tree branches and you can watch white-faced monkeys run down to snatch them. Try tasting cocoa beans straight out of their long red pods or just cool down under spectacular waterfalls.

Sand and sun may be the biggest draws, but Grenada has much more.

Among the attractions which make it different is the world's first underwater sculpture park. Don a snorkel to discover mysterious sculptures sunk into the sand.

Among the colourful tropical fish, you'll find Jason de Caires Taylor's eerie collection of artwork including a circle of children, hands joined, faces looking to the sky above, all totally hidden beneath the waves.

After that stop by the island's bustling market for a refreshing coconut milk straight from the shell, try the tiny apple bananas which taste like a cross between a banana and a Granny Smith, or stock up on the nutmeg and cinnamon which gave it its Spice Island nickname.

If you want to see exactly how fruits and spices grow take a trip to Mount Edgecombe, an historic plantation home high above the west coast. Enjoy a relaxing swim in the infinity pool with spectacular views down to the sea before a delicious lunch in the guest house.

Next year there are plans to add an eco-spa to the empire when Tufton Hall, an ancient plantation house in the heart of the rain forest, is restored. Guests will be able to relax in simple eco lodges and pick the fruit hanging on the trees around them.

You won't see vast hotel complexes or high rise blocks in Grenada - it's all very low key. There are tours of the island on offer, hire a taxi or rent a car, just don't expect too many road signs to guide you.

The colourful housing is an endearing mix of the shabby and smart, often sandwiched next to each other with chickens running around the gardens.

There is a relaxed feeling wherever you go, from the immaculately dressed children eating ice-cream as they saunter home from school to the technicolour lizards spotted basking in the sun.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Margaret O'Reilly stayed at Peter de Savary's Mount Cinnamon resort yards from Grande Anse Beach. Villas are set in tropical gardens with balconies overlooking the beach

A seven night B&B stay starts at pounds 1,750pp based on two sharing a Hacienda apartment, return BA flights and resort transfers. To book visit www.azurecollection.com or call Chester's Azure Collection on 01244 322 770

CAPTION(S):

The guns above the capital St George, the city's famous food market (inset top) and one of the island's many beaches (bottom)