Friday, February 25, 2011

Downtown Disney: Raglan Road and Cooke’s of Dublin

With Pleasure Island in the midst of an extensive “reimagining” project at the Downtown Disney dining, shopping, and entertainment district, it is easy to miss the two Irish restaurants that stand at the gateway between Pleasure Island and Disney’s Marketplace. Raglan Road and Cooke’s of Dublin serve traditional Irish fare both indoors and outdoors, with an atmosphere that will make visitors want to stay around a wee bit longer and have a pint of Guinness.

Of the two adjoining locations, Raglan Road is the more formal sit-down restaurant. Raglan Road has a wait staff, a bar, and a stage for nightly entertainment—and don’t forget the gift shop with items imported from Ireland. Raglan Road’s main dishes include the Fada Burger, Keen Eye for the Shepherd’s Pie, Lobster Club, and the signature One & One beer battered fish and chips with fresh tartar sauce.

The One & One is also on the menu at Cooke’s of Dublin, which has a smaller menu, fast food service and guests must order their food at the front counter. The main courses include battered chicken, beef & lamb pie, chicken and field mushroom pie and smoked haddock pie. Like all Disney restaurants the portions are hearty and a single One & One dish can easily feed two people, or at least one adult and one child (and British patrons will be pleased to know that there is plenty of malt vinegar to go around).

When the sun goes down, both Irish restaurants come alive with music and laughter. The Hole in the Wall is the outdoor section that joins the two restaurants together, where customers can enjoy a drink or two while watching the throngs of tourist crowds traverse the length of Downtown Disney.

Find more Orlando restaurants - Orlandoescape has put together the most popular restaurants in the area. Click here to view a list of Top 20 Orlando restaurants

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Dubai Lagoons


Sama Dubai, the international real estate investment and development arm of Dubai Holding, launched Lagoons, a 70 million square foot, Dubai Creek waterfront project.

Located near the heart of Dubai, 'The Lagoons' will offer a unique environmental living experience created by a series of enhanced waterways and delightful buffer islands next to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. 'The Lagoons' is a landmark real estate project being formed by extending the Dubai Creek further inland and creating a series of seven lush interconnected islands earmarked for a mixed-use project unique to Dubai.

The Lagoons are giving prospective buyers the opportunity to live in an area that will allow easy access to arteries and central areas of Dubai. Buyers will be drawn to the numerous qualities of the master planned development including its close proximity to Dubai International Airport, excellent access to Emirates Road and Sheikh Zayed Road, as well as other major arterial routes in Dubai. The lagoons can also be reached by sea from Bur Dubai, and Deira. A new bridge will cross the creek to Al Jadaf.

'The Lagoons' will offer freehold property with 100 per cent ownership to all nationalities. Half of the project will be sold to third party investors for development. The remaining 50 per cent of the area will be developed, marketed and operated by Sama Dubai.

'The Lagoons' is set to offer inspiring landscaped surroundings enhanced by a plethora of waterways, parks and green belts with reduced density housing and reduced building heights. Sama Dubai recently unveiled the project's master plan showcasing the upscale residential communities (with villas and apartments), 5 stars Hotels, Marinas, as well as world-class retail complexes and business facilities which 'The Lagoons' is to host. The project will also offer great shopping, fine restaurants, and exciting nightlife, Spas, along several cultural attractions. As well as its natural surroundings, and in line with the project's promise of an idyllic living experience, residents will have culture on their doorsteps in the form of Dubai's first Opera House, designed by an internationally acclaimed architect. Other cultural elements will include a planetarium, museum, art centre and theatre.

'The Lagoons' will have seven beautifully landscaped islands, comprising of residential units, shopping centres, office buildings, and marinas. These detached islands will be linked by bridges. The project will also incorporate a unique work environment with its own Central Business District (CBD), where multi-nationals and regional corporations can establish their headquarters.

Protection of the environment is a key component of the development. 'The Lagoons' is one of the first projects in Dubai to undertake a comprehensive Integrated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) following international standards across all facets of the project.

In addition, Sama Dubai is working in cooperation with Dubai Municipality to explore ways to protect and enhance the internationally-important wildlife sanctuary in Ras Al Khor which will provide 'The Lagoons'' future residents with spectacular views and vistas.

The project was launched in April 2006, and was planned to be completed in 2010.


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10 Common Career Management Misconceptions

Most people do not believe in career management, they only believe in career damage control which means when something goes wrong they will fix it. Until then, most people don't bother to manage their careers to prevent disasters from occurring in the first place.

Listed below are ten misconceptions with regard to career management:

1. Only the most qualified people get the job - This is simply not true. It does not matter how qualified you are for the job. What matters is the way you have presented yourself during the interview process. Qualifications are not the only criteria for getting good jobs, other things like dedication, confidence and attitude also matter.

2. No need to work at a career just because you have a job - This could be the biggest mistake you make and quite possibly the most popular misconception. This way of thinking has potential for disaster. You never know when you may be downsized or laid off from your current job, and if you do not have a career plan then you are in serious trouble. Make sure that you spend some time on managing your career even if you have a job. Do small things like update your resume and network with your peers.

3. Professional education stopped after graduation - This cannot be further from the truth. You need to continuously work at your professional education to maintain a competitive edge. Read trade magazines, write articles for relevant magazines, attend seminars, and pursue certificate and training courses.

4. The most generous salary is always offered - This is not true. In fact most employers offer a low salary just to see your negotiation skills. This is an old trick of the trade, where the employers check to see whether the candidate has done sufficient research from every angle.

5. I have job Security if I perform well - This is not true, especially in an economy where downsizing, mergers and outsourcing seem to be the order of the day. No one has a secure job, no matter how well you do your job. You have to take a hands-on approach by managing your career properly to ensure security.

6. Only a resume is required - All job seekers need to have certain tools for job hunting and the resume is only one of these tools. Other tools include cover letters, references and so on.

7. Recruiters are sufficient for job searching - No, they are not. Yes, recruiters will help you and guide you in the best way possible, but you cannot leave it completely up to them to get you the best job. You have to be proactive and take charge in your job-hunting process.

8. Employers are responsible for defining career paths - No, employers aren't responsible for anything except getting the job done. You are the only person who is responsible for getting your career on the right path and for defining the way you want your career to head.

9. No need to network - Networking is essential to every business and for every person. You as a career oriented person need to constantly network. It is one of the most important aspects of career management.

10. Jobs are easily identifiable - Most people think that jobs are posted on the Internet or advertised in newspapers. This also is not true. Only a small percentage of jobs are advertised in this manner. Most people identify jobs by networking.

By keeping in mind the above misconceptions, you can avoid them and keep your career on the right track!

Ranthambore National Park: Experience Of Wildlife Beauty

Ranthambore National Park, the wildlife beauty of West India. The Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan become one of major wildlife attraction recent time. The natural beauty of Ranthambore National Park can’t be described in words. Ranthambore park tour is full of adventure and thriller. This national park is also very famous as a birding destination in west India. The famous places to see in and around see are Padam Talao In Ranthambore, Rajbagh Talao In Ranthambore , Malik Talao, Ranthambore Fort, Raj Bagh Ruins, etc.

The ranthambore tour gives you an extra ordinary experience. The resorts of ranthambore welcoming you. Do not restrict yourself to visit the amazing wildlife destination of Ranthambore National Park. We all set to make your ranthambore tour more exciting even before. We are one of the cheapest tour planners for ranthambore. We have greatest selection of ranthambore tour packages. You can book your ranthambore tour online with us.

Sources: http://blog.ranthamborenationalpark-india.com/ranthambore-national-park-experience-of-wildlife-beauty/

Acoustic Sessions with CARL DIXON at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando


Acoustic Sessions with CARL DIXON formerly of The Guess Who

Thursday, March 3, at 7:00 pm
Join us for a special unplugged-style Acoustic Sessions with Carl Dixon, formerly of The Guess Who, performing hits "American Woman," "The Point Of This Life," "Undun," No Sugar Tonight," "Long Lost Friend," "Faithful" and more.

SHOW ENTRY IS COMPLIMENTARY
Cash bars and cocktails service, plus free self parking or $5 valet parking

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Magic Kingdom: Main Street Confectionery

While it is easy to find sweet treats throughout Walt Disney World, nobody does it sweeter than the Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom. Here you will find hundreds of colorful treats, including lollipops, fudge, candy coated crisped rice treats (in the shape of Mickey Mouse and other fun shapes), Mickey marshmallows, cookies, chocolate and caramel apples, Disney character PEZ dispensers, and much more.

The Main Street Confectionery also sells Disney-themed utensils for the home cook who would like a little help in the kitchen from Mickey and Minnie. And those items are just a sampling of the kitchenware that can be found in other shops around Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney.

Just about any confection in the shape of Mickey’s head can be found at the Main Street Confectionery, with one main exception that can be found nearby: the very popular Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar, which is always just a few steps away at vendor stands located throughout the Disney World theme parks.

More info about Magic Kingdom:

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Hotel Fires

The Franklin Hotel, Assiniboia, burned down on December 16, 2008.  Photo by Landon Ullrich
Another small-town Saskatchewan hotel went up in flames this past weekend. Carol MacCallum, the owner of the Choiceland hotel and bar, vows to rebuild the hotel. “This is a great town, these are great people” MacCallum told the Saskatoon StarPhoenix. “They need a bar. The bar is a community centre.”

Many hotels that once commanded the corners of Railway and Main have burned to the ground over the years.  It didn’t take much – a live cinder drawn up the chimney by a strong wind and igniting the flat tar roof; the explosion of a coal oil stove – to set these rambling old wooden buildings ablaze.  

Queen’s Hotel fire, Macrorie, 1957.
From Jubilee Reminiscences:
A History of Macrorie (1957)

Hotel fires caused death and destruction. In 1912, the hotel in Antler, Saskatchewan, caught fire after an explosion of the gas works which provided the building’s light and heat. According to the town’s history book (1983), the guests in the front part of the hotel escaped unharmed, but it was a different story for staff members in the back of the building. “Two chambermaids were saved by the Chinese cook, who forcibly threw these two frightened girls over the hole, and they escaped unhurt. Dan Morrison, who was also in the back part, had his hair and face badly burnt. Fred Brown, a man of German descent, a carpenter and resident of the hotel, died in this event. He was found with his mattress still under him; evidently he died of smoke inhalation, never waking. They had held a birthday party for him the day before the fire.”

Aftermath of the Macoun Hotel explosion, 1914.
One of the most tragic hotel fires in Saskatchewan’s history occurred in Macoun on a windy April day in 1914. Thirteen people died and many were injured when an acetylene lighting plant in the hotel basement exploded. It was lunch time, and the hotel dining room was filled to capacity. The owner’s son smelled gas and decided to go down to the basement to investigate – with a lit cigar in his mouth. As soon as he opened the basement door, the place exploded. The entire building was thrown about thirty feet in the air, and then crashed back down. The young man with the cigar survived with only a few bruises, singed hair and eyebrows. Everyone else caught in the conflagration – save two – perished in the fire, or died later as a result of their injuries. 

In the early days, few of Saskatchewan’s small towns had the means to extinguish the flames of a big fire. A disastrous hotel fire prompted many a town council to buy firefighting equipment. Other town passed bylaws mandating the construction of firewalls between adjacent buildings.  Roofs had to be made of incombustible materials. The front verandas and covered balconies that once graced most old hotels had to be removed as they added to the fire hazard. In 1933, the town of Radville passed a bylaw forcing every hotel to provide fire escapes, signs leading to theses escapes, fire extinguishers on each floor, and a rope for each guest room. The minute book of the town of Webb records Hotel Bylaw No. 19: “Every public hotel shall be provided with one cotton rope at least three-quarter inch in diameter to be firmly fastened at least two feet above the windowsill in each bedroom.”

Firefighting demonstration, Comstock Hotel, Halbrite, n.d.
Plowshares to Pumpjacks (1984)
Not everyone was sad to see the town hotel burn down.  When the women of Clavet heard that the hotel was on fire in 1915 - the year Prohibition was introduced in Saskatchewan, it is reported they said, "Hell is burning." 


Small-Town Saskatchewan Hotels Destroyed by Fire (list in progress):
  1. Aberdeen: Aberdeen Hotel, March 3, 1997 
  2. Abernethy: King Edward Hotel, May 27, 1909 
  3. Aneroid: Aneroid Hotel, June 3, 1953 
  4. Antler: Antler Hotel, 1912 [started in the hotel gas works; several injured, one killed]
  5. Ardill: Ardill Hotel, October 1965
  6. Asquith: Asquith Hotel, October 24, 1911 [explosion; four injured] 
  7. Assiniboia: Franklin Hotel, December 16, 2008 
  8. Atwater: Atwater Hotel, 1927 
  9. Avonlea: King George Hotel, 1916 
  10. Balgonie: Balgonie Hotel, November 7, 1909 
  11. Beechy: Closes Hotel, December 1948 
  12. Bengough: Bengough Hotel, 1978 
  13. Biggar: Eden Hotel, July 13, 1982 
  14. Broadview: Broadview Hotel, Jan. 1956 [$100,000 fire; and café] 
  15. Brownlee: City Hotel, June 30, 1929 [smaller hotel built in its place] 
  16. Cadillac: Vendome Hotel, December 27, 1923 
  17. Cadillac: Cadillac Hotel, 1946 [rebuilt] 
  18. Carnduff: Clarendon/Queen’s Hotel, 1921 or 1924 
  19. Carrot River: Carrot River Hotel (Derniuk’s), 1933 
  20. Ceylon: Ceylon Hotel, December 25, 1911 
  21. Chamberlain: Chamberlain Hotel, June 21, 1942 
  22. Chaplin: Chaplin Hotel, September 1933
  23. Chaplin: Chaplin Hotel, October 1956 [$80,000 damage] 
  24. Choiceland: Choiceland Hotel, Feb. 19, 2011 
  25. Clavet: French Hotel, 1915 
  26. Craik: Craik Hotel, January 31, 2003 
  27. Craven: Iroquois Hotel, 1908 
  28. Craven: Empress Hotel, 1961 
  29. Cudworth: Cudworth Hotel 1973 
  30. Debden: Debden Hotel, 1926 
  31. Debden: Debden Hotel, early 1930s 
  32. Debden: Debden Hotel, early 1960s
  33. Delmas: Delmas Hotel, 1912 [at least one person killed] 
  34. Disley: Disley Hotel, July 1954 
  35. Earl Grey: Hotel Grey, 1924 
  36. Eastend: Cypress Hotel, March 1916; rebuilt 
  37. Eldersley: White (Tice) Hotel, December 1927 
  38. Elrose: Elrose Hotel, September 12, 1993 
  39. Elstow: Elstow Hotel, 1916 or 1918 [two people killed] 
  40. Estevan: Estevan Hotel, Feb. 27, 1936 [hospital also destroyed] 
  41. Fairlight: Fairlight Hotel, 1978 
  42. Fielding: Fielding Hotel, July 22, 1922 
  43. Fiske: Fiske Hotel, May 27, 1919 
  44. Flaxcombe: Silver Hotel, January 26, 1929 
  45. Fort Qu’Appelle: Fort Hotel, Feb. 1974 [$250,000 damage]
  46. Gainsborough: Queen’s Hotel, between 1900-1905 
  47. Glen Ewen: Glen Ewen Hotel, 2007 
  48. Goodeve: Goodeve Hotel, January 19, 1982
  49. Govan: Silver Plate Hotel, 1960 
  50. Govan: Govan Hotel damaged, February 1978 
  51. Gravelbourg: Cecil Hotel, August 12, 1926 
  52. Gravelbourg:  Gravelbourg Hotel, May 1972 
  53. Grenfell:  King’s Hotel, 1927 
  54. Gull Lake: Lakeview Hotel, June 12, 1921 
  55. Harris: Commercial Hotel, 1924 
  56. Hazel Dell: Hazel Dell Hotel, October 2, 1978 
  57. Herbert: Commercial Hotel, 1918 
  58. Herschel: Herschel Hotel, December 25, 1979 
  59. Hoey: Hoey Hotel, 2004 
  60. Hudson Bay:  Etoimamie Hotel, 1935 
  61. Hudson Bay: Red Deer Motor Hotel, February 1979 
  62. Humboldt: Humboldt Hotel, 1923 
  63. Indian Head: McIntosh Hotel, early 1890s 
  64. Indian Head: Indian Head Hotel, 1993 
  65. Ituna: Carlton Hotel, 1925
  66. Jasmin: Jasmin Hotel, 1920 
  67. Kandahar: Lakeview Hotel, 1925 or 1926 
  68. Kelliher: Grand Trunk Hotel, December 22, 1931
  69. Kinistino:  Kinistino Hotel, March 1950 [two killed] 
  70. Kuroki: Kuroki Hotel, April 30, 1922 [one man killed] 
  71. Lampman: Lampman Hotel, January 24, 1932 
  72. Lancer: Lancer Hotel, 1958
  73. Lanigan: Lanigan Hotel, October 25, 1958
  74. Laura: Laura Hotel, November 1, 1966 
  75. Leask: Hotel Windsor , Feb. 9, 2011 [arson suspected] 
  76. Lebret: Lebret Hotel, October 5, 1916 [and dance pavilion] 
  77. Lebret:  Lebret Hotel, September 6, 1927 
  78. Limerick: Dickenson Hotel, early 1920
  79. Lockwood: Lockwood Hotel, March 9, 1951 
  80. Loverna: Vernon Hotel, 1960s 
  81. Lumsden: Maple Leaf Hotel, February 23, 1909 
  82. Lumsden: Lumsden Hotel, Sept. 1977 [caused by smoking; people killed] 
  83. Lumsden: Lumsden Hotel, Nov. 21, 1998 [damages in excess of $600,000] 
  84. Macleod: Commercial Hotel, July 13, 1891 
  85. Macoun:  Macoun Hotel, April 20, 1914 [13 people killed] 
  86. MacNutt: MacNutt Hotel, 1924; rebuilt 
  87. Macrorie: Queen’s Hotel, January 31, 1958 
  88. Manitou Beach: Manitou Beach Hotel, 1943 
  89. Manor: Manor Hotel, 1910 
  90. Margo: Margo Hotel, November 5, 1954
  91. Maryfield: Arlington Hotel, 1945; rebuilt 1946 
  92. McGee: Van Alstyne’s Hotel, 1915 
  93. Meath Park: Meath Park Hotel, October 22, 1995 [arson?] 
  94. Meota: King Edward Hotel, 192
  95. Melville: Killaly Hotel, November 11, 1981 
  96. Melville: King George Hotel, February 17, 2010 [arson]
  97. Milden: Milden Hotel, 1985
  98. Moosomin: Queen’s Hotel, 1905 
  99. Moosomin: Moosomin Hotel, Jan. 19, 1969 [one man dead, two missing] 
  100. Neilburg: Golden Oak Inn / Pitt's Bar & Grill, April 23, 2011
  101. Nipawin: Anderson Hotel, 1923 
  102. Nipawin: Nipawin Hotel, 1933 
  103. Nipawin: Park Hotel, 1953 
  104. Nipawin: Nipawin Hotel, May 17, 1979 
  105. Nokomis: Patricia Hotel, May 25, 1926
  106. Nut Mountain: Mountain House Hotel, Novemver 22, 2006 
  107. Ogema: Little Amego Inn, April 20, 1958 
  108. Otthon: Otthon Hotel, March 1925 [$20,000 loss] 
  109. Oxbow: Palace Hotel, August 1907 [rebuilt as Alexandra Hotel] 
  110. Parkbeg: Temperance Hotel, August 1919 
  111. Parkside: Parkside Hotel, 1961 
  112. Paynton: Paynton Hotel, 1915
  113. Paynton: Leland Hotel, 1920 
  114. Penzance: Penzance Hotel, May 18, 1941 
  115. Piapot: Piapot Hotel, January 15, 1932 
  116. Plato: Rymal’s Hotel, 1919 
  117. Ponteix: Windsor Hotel, 1929 
  118. Ponteix: Ponteix Hotel, June 26, 193
  119. Portreeve: Portreeve Hotel, February 1919 or 1920 
  120. Prelate: Prelate Hotel, August 10, 2009 
  121. Prud’homme: Flanders Hotel, 1957 [rebuilt the same year] 
  122. Punnichy: Glenrose Hotel, December 14, 1955 
  123. Ravenscrag: Ravenscrag Hotel, 1954 
  124. Redvers: King’s Hotel, 1951 
  125. Riverhurst: Riverhurst Hotel, 1975 
  126. Rosthern: Klondike Hotel, 1906 
  127. Rosthern: Occidental/National Hotel, August  26,1928 
  128. Rosthern: Queen’s Hotel, 1961 
  129. Rush Lake: Rush Lake Hotel, October 5, 1926 
  130. Ruthilda: Boon’s Hotel, summer 1926 
  131. Shaunavon: Empress Hotel, December 17, 1914 
  132. Shell Lake: Shell Lake Hotel, 1956 
  133. Shellbrook: Former Tynen Hotel, January 18, 1943.
  134. Somme: Somme Hotel, 1943 
  135. Sonningdale: Sonningdale Hotel, March 19, 1995 [cooking oil to blame]
  136. Sovereign: Sovereign Hotel, 1915
  137. Spalding: Spalding Hotel, 1922 
  138. Speers: Speers Hotel, December 7, 1989 
  139. Spy Hill: Spy Hill Hotel, 1940 
  140. Stoughton: King Edward Hotel, February 1, 1905 
  141. Sturgis: Hotel Sturgis, March 1926 
  142. Swift Current: Empress Hotel, December 25, 1931 [$100,000 loss] 
  143. Tantallon: Tantallon Hotel, December 5, 193
  144. Tisdale: Imperial Hotel, February 7, 1933 [seven died in fire] 
  145. Turtleford: Glenhavon Hotel, February 1, 1922 
  146. Tway:  Tway Hotel, April 5,1996 
  147. Vidora: Vidora Hotel, Feb. 19, 1925 [also pool hall and a store; $14,000 loss] 
  148. Vonda: Vonda Hotel, 1924 
  149. Walpole: Walpole Hotel, 1923 or 1924 
  150. Wapella: Wapella Hotel, June 1890 [two arsonists convicted of setting fire] 
  151. Webb: [Weere’s] Hotel, January 1962
  152. Willow Bunch: European Hotel, November 11, 1959
  153. Willow Bunch: Willow Bunch Hotel, Feb. 1995 [caused by electrical short] 
  154. Wolseley: Windsor Hotel, 1905 
  155. Wolseley: Leland Hotel, October 5, 1923 
  156. Wynyard: Wynyard Hotel, March 6,1932 
  157. Yellow Grass: Yellow Grass Hotel, November 13, 1994 [arson]
  158. Young: Young Hotel, November 13, 2011

© Joan Champ, 2011

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