| Gold: A "Bridge over Troubled Water"
When Simon & Garfunkel recorded "Bridge over Troubled Water" back in 1969, they knew they had a potential hit on their hands. And they were right, as it went on to become a number-one hit (staying atop the top of the charts for six weeks) and be covered by literally dozens of other singers. Like Simon & Garfunkel, those who started investing in the gold market around 2001 have also scored a smash hit. Quite simply, gold has performed spectacularly here in our new century. And the best news? We're still early in what should prove to be an epic bull run. With so many other investments looking dubious and the world economic situation experiencing significant uncertainty, gold can provide the savvy investor with a bridge over troubled water. Demand Far Surpassing Supply According to the World Gold Council, the demand for gold reached a record high of $65.3 billion in 2006, driven by strong demand for industrial purposes and jewelry manufacturing.
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Lately, an invisible wall seems to have been built around Auld Reekie's music scene; the type of impenetrable parapet where no-one wants in and few ever get out. The grimy shadow from across the M8 lingers forebodingly over the city's cobbled streets, turning heads to the tune-ridden hyperbole of jingle-smiths like Franz Ferdinand, Belle & Sebastian and the 1990s while Edinburgh's dishevelled artists are left clenching their teeth with the bitterness of an attention-starved younger sibling. That's not to say there's been a lack of effort from ‘The Best Place To Live In The UK''s natives – Found and The Magnificents slay the senses with more verve than any recent Blighty-based exponent of sonic pandemonium – but while the world transfixes its gaze on the smorgasbord of West Coast delights, Scotland's capital sits pensively awaiting it's call to the spotlight.
Gypsy of the Year Competition Announces Date Change
Because of the ongoing stagehands strike and the subsequent loss of fundraising opportunities in the 27 darkened theatres, the dates for the 19th Annual Gypsy of the Year competition � a fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS � have been changed. Originally scheduled for Dec. 3 and 4, the annual competition will now be presented Dec. 17 at 4:30 PM and Dec. 18 at 2 PM at a theatre to be announced. The annual competition usually follows six weeks of intensive fundraising by various shows on and off Broadway as well as touring productions throughout the country. Because of the strike and the loss of fundraising revenue at the theatres, Broadway Cares has introduced Team Raiser, a chance for interested parties to donate to the competition on-line. Contributions can be made to one's favorite show, and people can also register to fundraise themselves.
Movie Review: The Mongolian Tale ( Hei jun ma ) - The Muse of Love Lost in Modern Times
You might have missed this foreign film when it was released in 1997 in the US and it wasn't widely reviewed, going to video in 1998. Based on a novel by Zhang Chengzhi, the actual Mongolian title translates into "black horse" and comes from a Mongolian folksong about such an animal. The main character is a motherless boy whose father (Gangbater) hasn't even taken the time to give him a proper name. Now transferred to the city, he brings the boy (Guanghulag) to an old woman (Dalarsurong), known for taking in strays — orphaned animals and humans. She already has an orphaned girl, Somiya (Bayirtcya), staying with her but accepts this boy, naming him Bayinbulag. The children grow up together as children of the grasslands.The black horse in question comes, as the grandmother says, like a gift from the gods.
Entertainment Calendar
Belisimo's: karaoke, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturdays; 2900 Baltimore Blvd., Westminster; 410-833-5777. Casa Rico: The Singing Cowboys, Thursday; TownMall of Westminster, 400 N. Center St., Westminster; 410-857-8009 or www.casa-rico.com. Down Under Pub & Grill: karaoke, 8:30 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday; The National Trivia Association presents Quizzo Trivia Contest, 8-10 p.m. Monday; music by Ben Sherman, Wednesday; 4 W. Main St., Westminster; 410-876-0320. J&P Pizza: karaoke, today; DJ Fridays; 2600 W. Liberty Road, Westminster; 410-875-2779. Spargos/Two Doors Down: karaoke with Lou Marshall, 8:30 p.m. today; DJ, 8:30 p.m. Friday; Anamide, 8:30 p.m. Saturday; open pool and beer pong, 7 p.m. to close Sunday; APA pool league, 8 p.m. Monday; ladies' night (ladies drink free) Wednesday; 3165 Main St., Manchester; 410-374-0035.
China expects Rs.1-billion business at Mumbai expo
Mumbai, Nov 23 (IANS) Over 150 Chinese companies will converge in the city Dec 13-15 at the fifth China Product Exhibition, which is expected to generate business worth Rs.1 billion. 'With the slowdown in the US economy, China is aggressively pursuing its partnership and business plans with India, as the two countries are expected to dominate world trade in the years to come,' said a statement of the joint organiser of the exhibition, popularly known as the China Mumbai Expo. The exhibition is organised jointly by China Council for International Trade and Worldex India Exhibition and Promotion Pvt Ltd. 'The three-day event -- which saw 40,000 visitors from across the country last year -- shall facilitate striking of deals, joint ventures and signing of major contracts between Indian and Chinese businessmen,' the statement said.
Guided by a holy spirit
In the 17th century this was a wild and dangerous region, roamed by bandits. Today, most of Japan's 120 million people still live on the flat, coastal plains, while the heavily forested mountains of Tohoku (which includes the prefectures of Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Yamagata, Miyagi and Fukushima) are a place to get away from it all, to experience nature and relax at one of the region's numerous onsen (hot-spring resorts). Like Basho 300 years ago, I stop off on the way to the mountains at Matsushima, a seaside town in Miyagi Prefecture fronting a bay scattered with hundreds of pine-covered islets. For centuries Matsushima has been appreciated as one of the Nihon sankei, the "three scenic places" considered the most beautiful in all Japan. The pine islets, with their crumbling Buddhist shrines and wind-shaped trees are still beautiful, but in many ways Matsushima has been damaged by tourism.
Paris puts off charity trip to judge beauty contest
American socialite Paris Hilton may not be ready for her planned charity work in Rwanda, but she was up for judging a beauty contest in Tokyo on Tuesday. Hilton and her younger sister, Nicky, each chose one finalist for the Miss Universe Japan contest. A dozen or so more will be selected next month. .
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