A World of Fine Wine awaits attendees of the 3rd Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair . The event, which runs from November 4th-6th, will is expected to fill pretty much every luxury hotel in Hong Kong with buyers and connoisseurs from around the globe. Last year, more than 12,000 members of the general public attended the growing event.
The Fair will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and takes advantage of Hong Kong’s growing importance in the international wine community. As the distribution point for mainland China, Hong Kong expected to represent over $870 million (US) in sales over the next decade. This event will provide buyers and distributors a chance to network, shop, and learn about industry trends and innovations during the first two days of trade-only activities. The final day will be open to the public with tastings, classes and exhibitors from around the world. The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition will take place during the event as well tithe Asia Top Sommelier summit, and the Wine Industry Conference. This year’s partner country will be Australia (France was the inaugural partner company in 2009).
Texans are counting down to this year’s State Fair. The Fair , which has been held in Dallas since 1886, will run Sept 24th – Oct 17th at the downtown fairgrounds. Texas is known for doing everything BIG and their State Fair is no exception. Whether you’re a local of a tourist staying in any of the fine fivestar hotels, Dallas is calling you to enjoy the super-sized fun.
Big seems a superfluous word in Texas, but it applies to much of the Fair’s offerings. From the tallest Ferris wheel in North America to the largest new car show in the Southwestern US to a 8000 square foot greenhouse, everything is done to Texas-scale. There’s the 52-ft high Big Tex serving as a beacon for the event. In addition to the greenhouse and the Fall Garden Exhibition, there will be the usual livestock shows, cooking contests, and carnival rides. This year marks the first canine show and cutting edge entertainment including daily performances of Shrek the Musical at the Music Hall. Performers on the Main Stage during the 24-day event include the Pointer Sisters, Collective Soul, Mat Kearney,and Brooke White.
Sports fans will thrill at the annual playing of the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma University as well as a battle between Texas Tech and Baylor.
Most cities are known not for the city itself, but for certain historic and/or iconic neighborhoods. Imagine New York without Harlem and the five boroughs or Los Angeles without Hollywood, Santa Monica, and East LA. Singapore is both a city and a country in one, but it has its own distinct neighborhoods and districts, each with its own character, food, and culture.
Orchard Road draws countless tourists every year with its seemingly endless miles of shopping malls and centers. The Riverside Civic District also attracts visitors to its many theaters, museums, and colonial monuments as well as restaurants clubs and bars. Combine these with a section of Chinatown and you get what is commonly referred to as the CBD or Central Business District. Marina Bay is the newest district and consists mostly of a casino complex with the same name. Most of the best hotels in Singapore will be found in these areas.
Chinatown is only one of the neighborhoods known for its connection to the food and heritage of a specific settler demographic. Little India is self-explanatory while Bugis and Kampong Glam forms the old Malay district of the city, though it largely a shopping area today. Burmese temples and budget accomnodations are the highlights of Balestier, Novena, Toa Payoh and Newton which are still within easy distance of the center of the city.
Further out are the Woodlands (North) and Jurong (West) which consist of residential and industrial neighborhoods surrounding the city. The East Coast is predominantly residential, but includes the Changi Airport and a multitude of beaches and famous restaurants. Here is where you’ll find Geyland Serai, the original home of the Malays of Singapore. Sentosa is a separate island that used to be a military fort. Today it is a resort, featuring gambling, amusement parks, and other entertainments.
Drug addiction is a great family tragedy. Drug abuse claims thousands of lives every year. However, many addicts do survive their addiction, but they have to face a long and hard struggle in order to remain clean and sober. Drug rehab in Minnesota has reported they once looked upon the affliction of drug addiction to the indiscretion of the young and poor, but no longer. Now the culture of drugs does not discriminate only amongst the young, it is prevalent in all strata of society and with all age groups.
The statistics coming from a drug rehab Georgia study are better known for reveals that 19.5 million people in the United States above the age of 11 abuse drugs. The National Institute of Drug Abuse confirms the Georgian statistics and further adds that the cost related to abuse of drugs is well over $200 billion a year; $200 billion.
The effects of this addiction are destructive for the drug abusers family, for society and for the addicts themselves. It results in ruined lives and can result in death as well.
Millions of former addicts today are thankful to the efficacy of great drug rehab facilities across the country. Drug rehab centers offer addicts a treatment program geared to help them kick the habit. Rehab is not a cure, but a tool for addicts to stay completely off drugs. There is no ‘cure’ for drug addiction, except for never using again, ever. Treatment programs are there to help the drug addict by giving them all the tools, professional help and a safe haven necessary for them to continue with their sobriety once they leave the facility.