Cancellation of flights causing inconvenience to passengers

Posted by on January 28, 2012 No comments

1327720147 25 Cancellation of flights causing inconvenience to passengers

SANDAKAN: The frequent cancellation of flights to Sabah has made air travel to Kuala Lumpur more costly and inconvenient for Malaysians particularly those from Sabah’s east coast Sandakan.

“There has been an outcry recently as the non-availability, insufficient seats and cancellation of flights to Sabah have contributed to a lot of unnecessary cost increase for Malaysians wishing to travel to Kuala Lumpur from Sabah and vice versa,” said state Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Peter Pang.

Pang was also made to understand that tourist arrivals to Sabah was also affected and for the first time in many years, hotels were not enjoying the usual high occupancy during the recent Christmas festive holidays.

“Businessmen from Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia complained of having difficulties in getting seats, let alone family members visiting each other during the festive season.

Happy seniors: Peter Pang (centre) with wife Datin Cheang Poh Nie and others during the programme at the Sandakan Community Centre recently.

“I wonder if all this happened and will continue to happen because of the recent share swap between Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia leading to the restructuring of their organisation,” he said.

Pang said the restructuring was held with a view of profiting or so called cost-cutting, hence, the number of flights were reduced and cancelled.

“Breach of anti-competition behaviour, abuse of dominant position and profiteering through monopoly was illegal,’ he said, referring to the Competition Commission Act 2010 which was passed in Parliament and enforced Jan this year.

Pang, who is also Karamunting State Assemblyman, believed MPs from Sabah should highlight this issue to the Federal Government.

He said this to reporters after presenting ang pow and goodies to 1,238 senior citizens from his constituency at the Sandakan Community Centre in conjunction with Chinese New Year celebrations.

D23 Announces Even More Discounts for D23 Members

Posted by on January 28, 2012 No comments

1327718946 35 D23 Announces Even More Discounts for D23 Members

D23 ADDS EVEN MORE SPECIAL DISCOUNTS AND EXCLUSIVE OFFERS TO ITS LINEUP OF NEW MEMBER BENEFITS

From Disney Artwork to Hotel Rooms, Movie Tickets to Science Centers, Dining and More, Members Have More Than Two Dozen Ways to Save

(January 24, 2012) From Broadway to Hollywood, from the Big Easy to the Aloha State, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has added a bevy of new benefits and special discounts to bring new ways for its members to save when shopping, traveling, dining, entertaining… even decorating their homes. 

From Disney collectibles to accommodations near the Disneyland Resort, D23’s most recently added special discounts include: 

In addition to these special discounts, Disney Vacation Club® — Disney’s innovative approach to vacation ownership since 1991 — is celebrating the opening of Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i, with a special limited-time offer.  Starting February 1, 2012, D23 Members have an exclusive opportunity to receive a vintage work of custom-matted art from Walt Disney’s 1937 animated short “Hawaiian Holiday” by simply learning more about the magic of Disney Vacation Club membership by phone.*

The newest D23 Member discounts and offers are in addition to ongoing special deals, a full list of which can be found online at d23.disney.go.com/special-offers-and-discounts-by-experience/. Continuing D23 Member offers also include:

Special pricing on the ever-popular Mary Poppins on Broadway, with orchestra-seat pricing starting at just $67 for D23 Members

Two ways to save on admission to the renowned Madame Tussauds in Hollywood, just across the street from the El Capitan Theatre; save $5 per ticket by or buy one adult ticket and get a child’s ticket for free 

  • A 10% discount on purchases at Two Scoops Ice Cream Parlor in Ko Olina, just down the street from Disney’s Aulani resort
  • From and to virtually any airport in the country, 10% off all services offered by SuperShuttle, including its ExecuCar private sedan service
  • A 15% savings on all video game catalog titles and select hardware from game publisher THQ 
  • A savings of 10% at all Ralph Brennan restaurants in New Orleans and Metairie, La., including Red Fish Grill, Ralphs on the Park and Café NOMA, as well as Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen at Downtown Disney Anaheim
  • 20% off all purchases made online at the ABC Store
  • A savings of 20% on purchases made at Brookstone.com

This is just a sample of available the D23 Member discounts and offers–with more coming throughout 2012, saving members literally hundreds of dollars a year.

For Disney fans everywhere, becoming a D23 Member as simple as visiting Disney.com/D23 and selecting from a Gold or Silver D23 Membership.  Gold D23 Membership ($74.99 a year) offers a one-year subscription (four issues) to the glossy, award-winning Disney twenty-three magazine, plus four special, collectible gifts — unique surprises that accompany every issue of Disney twenty-three.

All new and renewing D23 Members, including Silver D23 Members ($34.99 a year), also receive a member-exclusive gift from the Walt Disney Archives Collection, and specially priced admission to the bi-annual D23 Expo, the largest Disney fan event in the world.

D23 Members can take advantage of the Official Disney Fan Club’s ever-increasing member benefits and offers, have full access to the D23 website (Disney.com/D23), and receive exclusive invitations to special, member-only events including private tours of The Walt Disney Studios and the Walt Disney Archives; D23-exclusive celebrations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts; and movie screenings of classic Disney films.

* THIS PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL IS BEING USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF SOLICITING SALES OF TIMESHARE INTERESTS. Exclusive merchandise – no retail value. DVC-GIFT-31-A.

– Posted January 25, 2012

Stunning, large, light, airy studio for rent

Posted by on January 28, 2012 No comments

1327716577 83 Stunning, large, light, airy studio for rentArea: East Putney Postcode: SW15 (Area info) Available: 12/02/2012 Min term: 8 months

This advert is for a 1 Bed Property

Whole property: £995pcm

This stunning, recently refurbished L-shaped studio on the top floor of a well known building on one of East Putney’s desirable roads is available from 12 February 2012.

It is less than a few minutes walk from East Putney tube, approx 8 mins to Putney Rail and right next to the A3.

Neutrally decorated, it has a new carpet and lovely new bathroom.

The flat is L-shaped so has a separate sleeping area with a double bed, bedside cabinet, wardrobe plus built in double cupboard.

There is a hallway with another built in double cupboard so there is plenty of storage.

It is additionally furnished with a merchants chest, book case, table and very comfortable leather sofa.

The kitchen comes with fridge/freezer, electric cooker and washing machine.

There is also a balcony overlooking the huge shared garden big enough for a table and chair. The garden itself is managed weekly by a gardener, secured by a padlock for residents sole use and has two clothes driers and a table and chairs for those warmer days.

The building is serviced by a lift although there are only four levels.

Parking is first come, first serve, although you can get a parking permit and there are always spaces available on the road. There is also a secure bike shed.

The flat would be perfect for a professional. No smokers or pets please.

Please email me if you are interested.

Namale Resort & Spa in Fiji Offers A Romance Package that Includes Two Free Nights

Posted by on January 28, 2012 No comments

1327715347 23 Namale Resort & Spa in Fiji Offers A Romance Package that Includes Two Free Nights

This is Namale’s best offer of the year. Voted the Best Hotel for Romance in the South Pacific by Trip Advisor® and One of the Top 50 Most Romantic Places on Earth by Luxury Magazine, Namale served as The Bachelorette Ashley Hebert’s fantasy getaway.

Namale Resort & Spa in Fiji announces a special Holiday Romance package, offering guests the chance to stay seven nights at the 5-star resort for the price of five. Voted the Best Hotel for Romance in the South Pacific by Trip Advisor® and One of the Top 50 Most Romantic Places on Earth by Luxury Magazine, the all-inclusive resort and spa provides the idyllic backdrop for romance, unparalleled luxury and privacy. To take advantage of this package, guests must plan to stay at Namale now through February 28, 2012. Couples can also expect extra perks upon their arrival at the resort. Namale’s Holiday Romance Package includes two free nights in any bure or villa, plus the following amenities:· All Meals – Full service breakfasts, 3-course lunches and 5-course dinners and snack in between each meal· All beverages including beer, liquor, red and white wines and champagne· Round trip transfers to and from Savusavu Airport· Fully stocked and daily replenished mini-bar· Daily laundry service· Complimentary access to the Namale Fitness Centre, Kava Bowl (Indoor Entertainment Centre) & Hydrotherapy Room at the Namale Spa & Sanctuary· Complimentary activities include freshwater pools, snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, golfing, volleyball, bowling, virtual golf, waterfall hikes, movie theatre and more! Namale Resort & Spa served as The Bachelorette Ashley Hubert’s fantasy getaway in the ABC’s Television Network’s seventh season.  Namale offered Ashley and her potential suitors the ultimate in romance –private villas, walks around the grounds to nearby rushing waterfalls, private dinners and luxurious spa treatments – an experience any couple can take advantage of with Namale’s Valentine’s Day package. Offering 19 bures and villas of award-winning accommodations, along with 120 on-call staff members, Namale caters to anything their guests could ever need or want. Set on a volcanic cliff near an opaque rain forest, the Namale Fiji Spa and Sanctuary provides world-class treatments, ancient aromas, soothing rhythms and skilled therapists to guide guests on unforgettable journeys of rediscovery.For more info visit: namalefiji.com

Brief History of Timeshare Companies

Posted by on January 28, 2012 No comments

1327714154 36 Brief History of Timeshare Companies

Jan 12th, 2012 | Written by S. Thompson | Posted in Travel |

We often hear about timeshare companies but do we actually know where it came from? Apparently, this industry had its roots in Europe in 1960s. Specifically France and Switzerland had two companies that started the first vacation ownership offerings for travelers as well as tourists. In the mid 1960s, the French company offered time sharing products in the resort called Devoluy. On the other hand, the company in Switzerland was founded early 1960’s which expanded to Spain and Italy. In Fact, that company, Hapimag is still successful in the business and is actually the forefront of the timeshare market.

Where else are the best timeshares to own?

Aside from Europe, the Vacation Internationale in the US also started the same venture. At this time, they introduced the point system in order to offer greater vacation options to owners. The more points you have, the greater your opportunity to have flexible vacation package. In addition, the points can also be claimed in any resorts offered by the company. In the US, Florida was the first state to embrace timeshare developments in 1970’s.

Timeshare Exchange Companies

In the year 1974, the Resort Condominiums International or commonly known as RCI was founded. This renowned exchange company offers timeshare owners the chance to exchange holiday weeks with resorts from other companies. This means, once a member here, you have a more flexible holiday options and a wide variety of resorts to choose from. This is the best way to visit other place for less.

Continued Development

Due to the great offer of timeshare industry, it continues to rise. In fact, it is all over the world from Europe to Asia. At present, resorts still are being built and opened. List of major hotel companies like Sheraton, Ramada, Hilton, Disney, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Radisson and Westin are now offering timeshare properties because they see this blooming industry. This is actually a good investment because there are legal organizations that regulate the industry.

Timpeall na háite

Posted by on January 28, 2012 No comments

1327711747 90 Timpeall na háite

By If you would like to include something in next week’s column please email or text the details to 087-763570 before 11am on Monday January 16.

Wednesday January 11 2012

SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY IN CONCERT

Sacred Heart University Band (Fairfied, Connecticut) will present a special concert performance in the Dingle Skellig Hotel tonight (Wednesday January 11). Students from Sacred Heart University enjoy a period of study in Dingle’s An Díseart every year as part of their study-abroad programme. The concert, featuring a 60-piece ensemble from the University, begins at 7.30pm and promises to be a wonderful evening of music. They will also be supported on the night by Cór Naomh Mhuire and Cór Iarthar Dhuibhne. Proceeds from the concert will go towards Hope Guatemala. Tickets are available from the door on the night – tickets are also available from An Díseart and the Goat Street Café. Doors open at 7pm.

DINGLE LADIES HOST AGM

Cumann Peile na mban will host their AGM on Sunday January 22 at 6pm in Benners Hotel. All are welcome to attend, especially new members.

DINGLE TRADFEST FUNDRAISER

Dingle Tradfest organisers hosted a very successful fundraising draw in Teach na Cuirte last Sunday night. Local businesses donated a number of prizes and tickets sold will benefit the Dingle Tradfest which will take place in 2012. The first prize, a weekend break in one of Southbound’s Cottages, was won by Niall Devane (Kildare); a Louis Mulcahy Lamp went to Martin Enright (Sligo) and a Dingle Crystal Piece was won by Rhianne Kelly (Galway). Berney De Brún won a voucher for the Charthouse while Deirdre de Bhailís, Ballymore West won a voucher for John Bennys. Brosna’s Evelyn O Connell won a painting by June Mcintyre, Coum’s Tadhg Leahy won a voucher for Murphy’s IceCream and Patrick O’donoghue of Ballinaboula won a 3-month voucher for Dinglenews.com.

PLAYWRITING WORKSHOPS

Mike Venner, writer in residence with Beehive Theatre, will be running a series of playwriting workshops over a period of eight weeks beginning this month. If you would like to participate contact the Beehive Theatre, Cooleen at 066-9152924.

BUSY YEAR AHEAD FOR CORCA DHUIBHNE AG CAINT

Bernie Ni Mhuircheartaigh and the team at Corca Dhuibhne ag Caint are busy planning for the year ahead with a number of initiatives in the pipeline aimed at promoting the use of Irish in everyday business on the Dingle Peninsula. “From January until at least March we’re directing our energies towards those who speak the language and who seek a service through Irish,” said Bernie. “We are currently designing a brochure to raise people’s awareness on their choice of language and the decision making that goes into that choice, included also will be information on services and language support facilities available.” According to Bernie, plans are also underway to lead a language awareness campaign, supporting children to use the language in their local shops. From March onwards they will create a package geared towards cultural tourism, involving a language trail connecting various aspects of cultural life in Corca Dhuibhne such as walks, music, history, food and archaeology.

- If you would like to include something in next week’s column please email or text the details to 087-763570 before 11am on Monday January 16.

 

Yes, it even beats Khan in my book. ?/p> Choose a Good Holiday Schedule ?/p> It is difficult to look for a great deal of travel package during peak season. Or if you're a mature traveler or senior who is a slow walker or just wants a slower pace, becoming more informed about disabled travel services and disability travel resources, will lessen the anxiety that often accompanies disabled travelers. Size and Shape of the Bag: To select the best overnight travel bag for you, you should look for its size and shape also. Even closer-to-home stand-bys like Canada aren't looking like too much of a bargain thanks to the weakened dollar - unless you want to take a cut-rate trip and who wants to wonder if clean sheets are included in the cost of the hotel? You can afford the best then we will find you the best hotels hand picked for their uniqness.

ALMOST 40 Cruise Ship Visits In 2012 — Includes Link To Full List

Posted by on January 28, 2012 No comments

1327710554 45 ALMOST 40 Cruise Ship Visits In 2012 Includes Link To Full List

GREENOCK will host almost 40 cruise ship visits this year.

The Ocean Terminal will welcome 14 different ships a total of 39 times between March and November.

Terminal operators Clydeport estimate that they will deal with more than 60,000 passengers.

Princess Cruises again dominate with four ships – Grand Princess, Caribbean Princess, Emerald Princess and Ocean Princess – calling a total of 11 times. Three of the ships can carry more than 3,000 passengers.

Cunard’s newest vessel – Queen Elizabeth. pictured below – returns in August.

On 21 August, two ships call at the terminal on the same day – Ocean Princess and Aida Cara.

Small cruise ship Hebridean Princess is the first visitor, starting and finishing cruises four times in March.

The 113,000-tonne Grand Princess is the first large cruise ship to arrive, sailing in from Bermuda on 17 April.

Full List Of Ship Visits

Manila Standard Today — — 2012/january/23

Posted by on January 27, 2012 No comments

1327708150 18 Manila Standard Today 2012/january/23

by Ed Biado

The annual Golden Globe Awards not only acts as a platform for movie industry analysts to predict Oscar frontrunners, but also serves as a preview of the state of fashion. As the first major red carpet event of the year, all eyes are on the star-studded arrival area, where we witness the best and worst dressed celebrities pose for the cameras.

This year’s ceremony is all about the accessories—the very items that complete an ensemble. Stylists pay extra attention to the details to make sure that their clients are as well put together as possible. Use of high-end jewelry like those from Bulgari is one of the most effective ways to achieve this goal.

Matching the refinement of her BCBG Max Azria in blue, Emily Deschanel steps out in three items from Bulgari’s High Jewelry Collection: earrings in white gold and emeralds (13.05 carats) and diamonds (2.76 carats), a platinum ring with a triangular tsavorite (3.75 carats) and two TB diamonds and a platinum and 18-karat white gold ring with a square emerald-cut emerald and 12 diamonds. She finishes the look with a Parentesi Openworks white gold bracelet with full pave diamonds.

Claire Danes accentuates her edgy J. Mendel look with platinum earrings with princess-cut diamonds totaling 4.17 carats from the High Jewelry Collection and a Spiga bracelet in 18-karat white gold and diamonds.

Shining in an intricate Gucci number, Jessica Alba goes minimal with her jewelry. From the High Jewelry Collection, she chose platinum earrings with 37.14 carats of diamonds, a white gold bracelet with 386 diamonds (23.51 carats) and a white gold ring with diamonds.

Jodie Foster’s classic teal Armani was dressed up with platinum earrings two emerald-cut diamonds, six pear-shaped diamonds, baguette diamonds and round brilliant-cut diamonds, a platinum bracelet with 84 diamonds (42 61 carats) and a white gold ring with a round brilliant-cut diamond, a pear-shaped diamond and pave diamonds—all from the High Jewelry Collection.

Complementing the flair of her white Monique Lhuillier gown with blue blotches, Sarah Michelle Gellar’s sparklers include white gold earrings with chalcedonies, sapphires and round brilliant-cut diamonds and a platinum ring with three round brilliant-cut diamonds and pave diamonds from the High Jewelry Collection. She also wore an Elisia Diamond white gold and diamond bracelet and two Parentesi Openworks bracelets.

The gents were equally at their dashing best. Albert Brooks accessorized with Quadrato cufflinks and an Assioma watch. Josh Brolin’s cufflinks were from the Quadrato collection as well. Mark Wahlberg matched his cufflinks with shirt studs. All were in 18-karat white gold with diamonds from the High Jewelry Collection. Menawhile, Ty Burrell’s pink gold Sotirio Bulgari watch provided a style boost to his suit.

ESPN Soccernet – On the Move – Will he, or won’t he?

Posted by on January 27, 2012 No comments

ESPNsoccernet’s On the Move transfer blog is where you will find a hearty round-up of all the rumours and signings during the January transfer window. Get your teeth into the below to find out which player(s) your side are being linked with today.

willianshakhtarceleb20111019 800x450 ESPN Soccernet On the Move Will he, or wont he? Shakhtar’s forward can’t play in the Champions League © Getty Images

00.00 GMT Right folks, another day of the transfer window draws to a close – thanks for reading. Just five days left now, could Friday be the day when the floodgates open? We predict not.

23.40 GMT: Turkish forward Sercan Guvenisik has joined San Jose Earthquakes, subject to the receipt of a visa. Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop said: “We had him on trial last year and followed him ever since. He’s an intelligent, experienced player who should help with the depth on our squad. We’re happy to have him in San Jose.”

23.28 GMT: DONE DEAL: One from the left-field here, Olympiakos have snapped up former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll from OFI.

22.52 GMT: The Daily Mail is doing well to provide us with a gossip stream tonight – apparently Everton boss David Moyes wants to sign Paris St Germain striker Guillaume Hoarau on loan and is also keen on AEK Athens centre-back Kostas Manolas.

22.37 GMT: Fernando (not Torres) has his say on Arsenal:

Is Wenger leaving his January transfer buys to the last possible second, as he did in the summer? He must be because I cannot fathom that he will not make any purchases. If he doesn’t, I gaurantee RVP will not re-sign and Arsenal will be left to mid table mediocrity for years to come.

22.14 GMT Monaco have announced the acquisition of ACV Vienna’s Dutch striker Nacer Barazite, who is though to have cost the principality club in the region of €3 million.

21.56 GMT: Greek side Panionios have signed Jean-Jacques Pierre on a free transfer, after he was released by Nantes.

21.32 GMT: The Daily Mail believe Sunderland are favourites to land Kevin Davies from Bolton, with the Wearsiders reportedly ready to step up their pursuit after Nicklas Bendtner was ruled out for a couple of weeks with facial injuries.

21.08 GMT: Hardly groundbreaking this one but Wayne Rooney’s brother, John, has penned a deal with with American third-tier side Orlando City of the United Soccer League.

20.43 GMT: Fulham boss Martin Jol won’t be losing any sleep if Rafik Halliche leaves Craven Cottage in January: “With Halliche, he is probably our fifth centre-back so he is in a difficult position. I feel for him because he played for the reserves when we beat Arsenal and played a terrific match. He is a good player, but I can’t play five centre-backs. If there is a good opportunity for him, I would like to help him.”

20.22 GMT: Tony Pulis says Stoke may still be tempted into the transfer market despite chairman Peter Coates insisting no business will be done before deadline day: “Never believe chairmen! We’ll see. We are very open to going either way. If there is an opportunity and we think it is a good one, that will never cease at this football club.

20.03 GMT: Gazzetta dello Sport reckons that Genoa want to bring out-of-favour Inter Milan attacker Sulley Muntari to the club.

19.50 GMT: DONE DEAL: League Two promotion hopefuls Crawley have signed Arsenal forward Sanchez Watt on loan for the rest of the season.

19.39 GMT: DONE DEAL: Taiwo moves to Leyton Orient on loan. No, new QPR signing Taye has not fallen even further down the football pyramid, his namesake Solomon has moved from Cardiff to East London until the end of the season.

19.21 GMT: Staying in France and Toulouse have agreed a reported €1.3 million fee for Lens teenager Serge Aurier, according to L’Equipe.

19.07 GMT: DONE DEAL: Lorient have completed a deal to bring Senegal defender Lamine Gassama to the club from Lyon.

18.55 GMT: Moussa Sow has headed straight to Turkey after Senegal’s African Nations Cup exit to put the finishing touches to his move to Fenerbahce from Lille. Sow said: “Yes, I’m leaving for Turkey. But it’s not done until it’s official. I’m going to pass the medical and then we’ll see. I’ll be back tomorrow [Friday].”

18.36 GMT Giovani Dos Santos’ name has cropped up plenty of times in the transfer window, but the Spurs attacker won’t be heading to Sevilla according to the Primera Division side’s president Jose Maria del Nido: “(Tottenham wanted) an exorbitant amount for him. In the end they were asking for 6.5million euros.”

18.19 GMT: Toronto FC have confirmed that they have completed a swoop for Ecuador defender Geovanny Caicedo from LDU Quito: “Caicedo brings great club and international experience to Toronto FC and can compete for a starting position. He is a player that we have been watching for some time and we felt he would be a good fit at our club and in Major League Soccer.”

18.01 GMT: Reports in Spain suggest that Chelsea are ready to step up their interest in Ajax defender Gregory vander Wiel.

17.48 GMT: A wonderfully/tragically accurate summation of the January 2012 transfer window here from Jake:

“This has been the most anti-climatic transfer window ever and I think it is that way because there was so much activity during the summer. But you would think that teams like arsenal, liverpool, chelsea, or even newcastle who are so close to the 4th spot, would be looking to bring in one or two players that could make a difference.”

17.34 GMT Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre claims the club have money to spend in the transfer window but nobody they need to sign. “Money is not an issue,” Ayre said. “If an opportunity presents itself I am sure we will look at it, but right now it’s about keeping going. We have got some great players in a great squad of players.”

16.47 GMT Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean has been told must sell midfielder Mauro Formica, who is a target for Olympiakos, before he can sign any new players.

16.12 GMT Inverness have signed Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sam Winnall on loan for the rest of the season, the Highland club have confirmed on their official website.

15.47 GMT – DONE DEAL Championship side Reading have completed the signing of Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts on an 18 month contract. Full story

15.34 GMT Hertha Berlin have completed the signing of Freiburg defender Felix Bastians while also agreeing a contract extension with Christian Lell until 2016 on Thursday.

15.24 GMT Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle is hoping to land Liverpool’s young winger Raheem Sterling on loan, according to the Daily Mail. Coyle will face competition from Swansea City and West Ham United should the Reds decide to loan him out.

14.55 GMT Mark Hughes is eager to keep his recruitment drive going at QPR and has now targeted want-away Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega, according to reports. Hughes is ready to offer £4 million for the Colombian, who is a free agent in the summer.

14.22 GMT Lille have confirmed the arrival of Argentinian defender Mauro Cetto on a six-month loan deal from Palermo. The 29-year-old becomes the French champions’ second January recruit following the acquisition of striker Nolan Roux from Brest.

13.57 GMT DONE DEAL Injury-plagued Leeds defender Ben Parker has joined Carlisle on loan until February 25.

13.45 GMT Swiss-English right-back Scott Sutter is in talks with Blackburn over a possible move from BSC Young Boys.

13.34 GMT ESPNsoccernet reader Felix vents his anger over the Bayern fake: “I have song for Bayern after THAT announcement: “You’re so lame. You even think this rumor is about you, you’re soooo laaaame”.

13.23 GMT Fulham manager Martin Jol has quashed transfer speculation linking Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora with moves away from Craven Cottage, insisting he wants the to keep hold of the strike duo.

13.11 GMT: Well it’s taken a bit longer, but it appears that Bayern Munich have not signed anyone. Instead they have made a page showing your Facebook picture as the new signing… What. A. Let. Down.

12.53 GMT: Nigeria Under-23 striker Daniel Uchechi will join Aberdeen on loan until the end of the season after trials this week.

12.42 GMT: Bayern Munich chief Christian Nerlinger has revealed that the club will reveal a new striker at 1300 GMT. “There will be a spectacular new signing for the offensive area,” he said. Stayed tuned for that one… although some suggest that it could be a clever marketing ploy rather than a new player.

12.30 GMT: Chelsea have extended the contract of young Brazilian midfielder Lucas Piazon until 2017 and now have him available for first-team action if they so wish.

12.14 GMT: Sevilla defender Martin Caceres will undergo a medical today in Turin before completing his transfer to Juventus, the Spanish club confirmed today.

12.05 GMT: Chelsea defender Alex has yet to come to an agreement with PSG. His agent Giuliano Bertolucci said: “There is no agreement to date, we have not received a formal offer from PSG. [However] Alex remains eager to join PSG.”

11.49 GMT: Gus Poyet has hailed Albion’s link to Michael Owen as a sign of the club’s progress. “When we are being linked to those kind of players it looks like we are in a good place,” he said. “It shows how far Brighton have come. It is a little bit easier now to convince players to come here. It was a very difficult place in the past to convince players to come to.”

11.39 GMT: DONE DEAL Kieron Cadogan has joined Rotherham on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season.

11.33 GMT: Diniyar Bilyaletdinov has aimed a parting shot at Everton as he prepares to seal his move to Spartak Moscow. “Naturally, it (the open football) attracts me. This is exactly what Everton have been missing lately,” he said. “The team has problems with creating scoring chances, and converting them. There was a whole set of circumstances against me. It is not so easy to be a foreign player in England.”

11.18 GMT: Juventus are tracking Cagliari’s Belgium international Radja Nainggolan and could include Ciro Immobile in a deal for the midfielder according to Tuttosport.

11.06 GMT: DONE DEAL Nedum Onouha has joined QPR from Man City on a four-and-a-half year deal.

10.51 GMT: QPR are in talks with Samba!!! No, not that Samba, in fact it’s Nancy midfielder Samba Diakite, which is slightly less interesting than the Blackburn skipper.

10.49 GMT: Jason Roberts is having a medical at Reading, according to Sky Sports.

10.38 GMT: Roma are set to complete the signing of Fluminense attacking midfielder Marquinho on Thursday.

10.27 GMT: Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has revealed he wants to stay at the club for the rest of his career, indicating it would be pointless for any club to make a bid for him. He said: “I think other clubs know how much I love playing for Villa. I don’t think there’s ever been a bid for me. They know this is a club I want to stay at and it’s somewhere it would be hard to get me to leave.”

10.04 GMT: Queens Park Rangers boss Mark Hughes is confident of persuading Nedum Onuoha to leave Manchester City for Loftus Road. “A lot of boxes have to be ticked but certainly from a football side, I am sure we can convince him this is where his future lies,” he said.

09.45 GMT: Lazio are being linked with eeveryone left, right, and centre. Now Il Corriere dello Sport report that Milos Krasic could be on his way out of Juventus in the January transfer window and on his way to Rome.

09.33 GMT: DONE DEAL Bolton defender Tim Ream has signed for Bolton on a three-and-a-half year deal.

09.22 GMT: Roy Hodgson believes West Brom are beginning to see the best of midfielder Graham Dorrans and admits it is like having “a new player” at his disposal. Not sure it will, Roy.

09.13 GMT: AC Milan will make a final decision regarding the signing of Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez tomorrow, according to club vice-president Adriano Galliani. They have yet to reach an agreement with City regarding the transfer fee, however: “We will make a definite decision on Friday,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

09.00 GMT: Bayer Leverkusen custodian Rene Adler is poised to jump ship to Bundesliga rivals Hamburg at the end of the campaign, according to reports from Sport Bild.

08.47 GMT: Newcastle will also have to wait until the summer to sign United starlet Ravel Morrison after they would not pay the £4 million that the Red Devils want.

08.45 GMT: Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha and Burnley’s Jay Rodriguez are both understood to be on Newcastle’s list of targets. A senior United source, however, told The Journal nothing was imminent on either.

08.42 GMT: His contract runs out in June 2013, but Goal reckon that Theo Walcott will hold imminent talks with Arsene Wenger before deciding whether or not to stay. Some reports have suggested that he wants around £85,000-a-week.

08.29 GMT: Manchester City denied it yesterday, but it seems they are having talks with Israeli outfit MS Ashdod about signing midfielder Nir Biton. Ashdod owner Jacky Ben Zaken told the Jewish Chronicle: “They want to take him on loan immediately and want an option to buy him in the future.”

08.18 GMT: Birmingham are reported to have offered Espanyol the chance to sign Serbian striker Nikola Zigic on a six-month loan.

08.05 GMT: Papers, papers, papers, they are full of some fairly unsubstantiated nonsense this morning. Let’s try and find the gems.

Daily Mirror: QPR manager Mark Hughes is ready to launch a £4 million bid for Wigan’s contract-rebel striker Hugo Rodallega, who will leave in the summer… Bolton boss Owen Coyle’s hopes of a daring raid for Porto superstarlet Juan Iturbe are being raised – his dad is pushing him to go out on loan…. Martin Jol is still keen on bringing £7 million-rated FC Twente star Nacer Chadli to Fulham… Swansea midfielder Ferrie Bodde is wanted by Sheffield Wednesday to boost their League One promotion challenge.

The Sun: Newcastle are trying to land Dutchman Eljero Elia on loan – six months after Juventus pipped them to his signature… West Ham manager Sam Allardyce last night failed with a £7 million bid for Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic. Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has signed Jean Beausejour from Birmingham on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The Daily Mail: West Brom left-back Joe Mattock may go to Birmingham as part of the deal that takes Liam Ridgewell to the Hawthorns. West Brom have offered £1.5m for Ridgewell who has asked to leave… Chris Hughton is interested in signing Ajax striker Mounir El Hamdaoui on loan – if he can shift Nikola Zigic off his wage bill… Wigan are showing interest in Rennes striker John Verhoek.

The Times: Queens Park Rangers have switched their attention to Victor Moses after being unable to sign a winger from Tottenham.

08.00 GMT: First up this morning, Chelsea target Willian has indicated he would be interested in a move to the Premier League club, stating that the prospect of playing for a team which regularly wins silverware “excites” him.

Behind an expat’s wine startup success

Posted by on January 27, 2012 No comments

1327704547 43 Behind an expats wine startup success

FORTUNE — Language and cultural differences make it hard to be an expat entrepreneur under any circumstances. It’s doubly hard if the main market for your product plunges into a wrenching economic crisis. And it’s even more difficult if your costs are in a country that suffers incredibly high inflation.

That’s the position in which Michael Evans has found himself during the last few years. The Mendoza, Argentina-company he co-founded, Vines of Mendoza, was selling turn-key “vineyard estates” largely to Americans, whose disposable income evaporated following the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers and financial crisis. Even worse, as Evans’ buyers were disappearing, his costs were rising; Argentina’s already high inflation shot past 20% in 2010 and stayed there. Evans knew something would have to be done fast.

“I’ve been through something like this before in 2000, when I was at a dot-com. When something like that happens, you don’t know exactly what’s going to pass, but you know things will get worse before they get better,” says Evans, 46. Faced with tumbling income and soaring inflation, as 2008 moved into 2009, the company cuts costs by 40% by laying off 30% of its staff (“By far, the worst day of my life,” says Evans).

Breeding armchair Mondavis in Mendoza

Vines of Mendoza was born in 2005. At the end of 2004, after a stint on John Kerry’s presidential campaign came to naught, Evans visited Argentina with his friend David Garrett, and they ended up touring Mendoza with Pablo Giménez Riili, a member of an old wine family.

At the time, Argentina’s economy was recovering from its 2001-2002 collapse and peso devaluation. While it had been disastrous for most Argentines, the collapse was great news for the local wine industry, because it lowered production costs and made the wine regions attractive to tourists and investors.

Seeing that tourism was set to soar, Evans, Garrett, and Giménez Riili banged out a business plan for a company that would have a tasting room, a hotel, a mail order wine club and, most importantly, a vineyard estate business.

The vineyard estate idea was simple: people would pay Vines of Mendoza an upfront per-acre fee to buy, plant, and oversee a vineyard. After the vineyard started producing wine three years later, the buyers would start receiving bills for maintenance (today about $3,000/year per acre, including a 25% markup for Vines of Mendoza) and either sell their grapes or pay the Vines to make their wine (now about $5-12/bottle). In that way, they could become vintners — armchair Mondavis — without the expense, time, or expertise required of going in full-bore.

“These estates appeal to people’s interest in owning a vineyard without it becoming such a big ticket item that it excludes most people. It’s like buying a timeshare,” says Chuck Bedsole, managing director of the hospitality and leisure group at Alvarez & Marsal in Dallas, a consultancy that works extensively in Latin America.

With some of the $3.1 million they raised, Evans, Garrett, and Giménez Riili set up the wine club and bought or optioned 1,500 acres of land. To start, they offered land at $25,000/acre (including planting and three years of maintenance). The partners had chosen a propitious moment to launch their venture: the U.S. housing and stock markets were bubbling in 2006 and 2007, and Americans were looking to put their wealth into something fun, reasonably priced and, at least in theory, potentially profitable.

Argentine wine’s growing fame, coupled with prohibitively high land prices in California and Europe, and the project’s ease of use helped the partners sell 50 lots covering 250 acres by the end of 2008. They raised their per-acre price over the same period, to $55,000. Vines of Mendoza also pushed ahead on other plans: In 2006, they opened a wine bar around the corner from Mendoza’s Park Hyatt hotel, and in 2008, they opened another wine shop and bar inside the Park Hyatt itself.

Weathering an economic storm

The events of late 2008 threatened to destroy everything Evans and Giménez Riili had created (Garrett left the project in 2008 and now has several ventures, including the Entaste iPad restaurant wine list). Vineyard sales plunged, from 127 acres in 2008 to 87 acres in 2009. But Vines of Mendoza survived 2009 and 2010, and 2011 was a record year: revenues rose from $4.8 million in 2009 to an all-time high of $8 million in 2011 as 27 clients bought 110 acres, which today go for $73,000 per acre (now with two years of maintenance).

So how did Vines of Mendoza survive its perfect storm? Here are some creative maneuvers that helped:

Expanding the customer base

The first thing the Evans and Giménez Riili did after the crash in U.S. and Europe was aim at new markets, specifically Brazil, which was largely immune from the financial crisis.

“The U.S. and Europe are the big engines, but there are always new powers. And, luckily, we are close to one of them,” says Giménez Riili, 39.

Since 2008, Giménez Riili has travelled to Brazil 20 times to learn the business culture and find clients. As of early 2009, only one of the Vines of Mendoza vineyard owners was from Latin America, but today, 16 of the 100 owners are Brazilian and, says Giménez Riili, a third of the company’s business came from Brazil in 2011.

Discounting aggressively

As they searched for new clients in Brazil, the Vines of Mendoza partners aimed to keep revenues coming in by discounting their vineyard price by about 30%, from $55,000/acre to as low as $35,000/acre, to entice existing clients to buy more. While this sacrificed profitability in 2009, it saved the top line from an abrupt crash and covered ongoing costs. “We were very aggressive in offering special pricing for friends and family — our owners — to generate cash,” says Evans.

Making deals

Having a local co-founder was indispensible when it came to dealing with inflation of more than 20% in 2010 and 2011. “Pablo and his family have been through this for years. They know how to manage in Argentina,” says Evans.

The company started to price shop much more actively, because Giménez Riili knew from experience that during inflationary spikes some suppliers would raise prices before others. “When the economy is stable, almost all providers have the same price. But when it’s unstable, there’s lot of variation,” he says.

The company also started paying up front to get discounts from suppliers who were worried about inflation. “When they sell on credit and have to wait for payment for eight months, they lose 15% of the value. So they prefer cash in hand,” says Giménez Riili. “If you come with $300,000 in cash, they’ve give you a discount up to 20%.” According to Evans, this saved the company over $100,000 on vineyard costs alone in 2011.

Cutting ongoing costs

To avoid further layoffs, the company cut back what it spent on its daily operations. To lessen the need to buy new tractors when it planted new vineyards, the company expanded its farming day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. to 24 hours. While this meant spending on lights and night shift bonuses, those costs were less than buying new equipment. Giménez Riili says that this allows the company to work with six tractors instead of the 10 it would need with a shorter workday. Similarly, the company is converting four of its 10 company vehicles from gasoline to less expensive compressed natural gas.

Ian Mount is the author of the recently published The Vineyard at the End of the World: Maverick Winemakers and the Rebirth of Malbec.