An excellent presentation by the Veneto Regional Tourist Board, by  dott. Giuliano Vantaggi, Director  for The Land of Venice, at the  DREAM HOTEL in New York, excited the journalists and travel community.  Veneto has the charm, nature, and people to welcome ALL  to their lovely region.  Watch the Video or listen to the Podcast and DREAM THAT  YOU ARE IN ITALY, and BETTER STILL GO.  I LOVE VENETO…like everyone else in the world.

The post Veneto Italian Regional Tourist Board Presents a BREATHTAKING PRESENTATION appeared first on Good News!.

Dhaka, Bangladesh – 22 August 2025 – The World Talent Economy Forum Institute (WTEFI) is proud to announce the launch of its Center of Excellence in South Asia, a groundbreaking initiative designed to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership development across the region and beyond.

 Watch the announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlMYsIpnqMM

The Center of Excellence will serve as a global hub for research, training, and capacity building, advancing WTEFI’s mission to connect talent with opportunity and accelerate sustainable economic growth. By leveraging cross-sector partnerships and global expertise, the center will empower youth, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and educators to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Key strategic partners joining this initiative include:

Blab Japan – advancing international collaboration and innovation.

Tando Institute – spearheading climate leadership and sustainability education.

PRBC (Pacific Research & Business Council) – driving policy and industry integration.

PRCC (Pacific Regional Cooperation Council) – fostering cross-border cooperation.

Africa Youth Kingdom – empowering young leaders across the African continent.

International Longevity Alliance – promoting global health, aging research, and longevity innovation.

iByond USA – delivering cutting-edge intelligent interoperability and quantum-driven solutions.

Climate Innovation – leading initiatives on sustainability, resilience, and green technologies.

Daffodil International University, IUT Bangladesh, CUET Business Incubation, ADUST Bangladesh

In addition, the Center of Excellence will integrate expertise and networks from all global partners of the World Talent Economy Forum, creating an inclusive platform for dialogue, research, and solution-driven programs.

“The launch of the Center of Excellence in South Asia is a milestone in our journey to build a knowledge-driven, inclusive global economy. By uniting our diverse partners from Asia, Africa, and beyond, we are shaping a new model of talent development and global cooperation,” said Dr. Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana, President of the World Talent Economy Forum Institute.

The South Asia Center of Excellence will focus on:

Innovation & Research – advancing applied research in AI, technology, and sustainable development.

Leadership Development – training the next generation of leaders in governance, entrepreneurship, and social impact.

Climate & Sustainability – driving inclusive solutions for climate adaptation and resilience.

Global Collaboration – connecting academic, industry, and government leaders worldwide.

The initiative reflects WTEFI’s belief that global partnerships are essential for tackling today’s complex challenges — from climate change and digital transformation to economic inclusion and education reform.

For more information, partnership opportunities, or media inquiries, please contact:

World Talent Economy Forum Institute

 Email: presidentwteforum@gmail.com

 Website: wteforum.org

The post World Talent Economy Forum Institute Launches South Asia Center of Excellence appeared first on Good News!.

Videos & Podcasts – What a gorgeous location & friendly people! Good News goes to Portopiccolo, Sistiana, Trieste,
Portopiccolo is not only a residential center, it was also conceived as a true marine village, in a fascinating synthesis of architecture combined with cutting edge technology, services and eco-sustainability. In Portopiccolo there is no traffic, pollution or noise, nonetheless you can drive right onto doorstep. http://www.portopiccolosistiana.it/en/_1.htm
info@ppst.it
+39 040 291291
Sales Office
Strada Costiera km 137
Sistiana, Trieste contacts

Discover an unexpected Italian Region – Friuli Venezia Giulia!

Wednsday, June 6th

10.45 am arrival at Venice airport

A driver will be waiting for you at the arrival area.

Transfer to Friulian Dolomites (1h30/2h approximately)

1/1.30 pm Meeting with Tatjana Familio and Linda Marcuzzi from the Tourist Board and lunch @

Hotel Margherita

Via Roma, 7

33080 Cimolais PN

Tel 0427 87060

cellulare 3357024323

A short stroll in the Friulian Dolomites, Unesco World heritage site, to see the extraordinary pinnacle Campanile di Val Montanaia well-known to climbers from all over Europe.

The Friulian Dolomites are the most western mountain area of Friuli Venezia Giulia and include the Valcellina, the Valle del Tagliamento and Val Tramontina valleys. The high degree of wilderness that they still retain means makes them the most untouched area of the entire Dolomites massif.

The Friulan Dolomites are a paradise for hikers and cross-country skiers, fans of nordic walking, climbing and ice climbing. With their skyline that makes you think of a series of churches with their bell towers and the colours of the sunset reflecting on the rock, they are a favourite with photographers. Well-kept paths and trails allow you to cross the eponymous natural park or follow a loop of trails which go from chalet to chalet.

5.30 pm departure and check in @

Villa Verde Hotel&Resort****

Via delle Acacie, 1

33034 Fagagna (UD) – Italy

www.villaverderesort.com

7.30 pm Dinner at the Resort

Thursady, June 7th

9.00 am check out and departure

9.30 am Udine city tour

Udine is a town with squares of Venetian charm and ancient buildings: from Piazza Libertà, defined as “the most beautiful Venetian square on the mainland”, to Piazza Matteotti (or Herbal) which, all surrounded by porticos, seems to be an open-air lounge; here you can observe the slideshow of ancient and colourful historical buildings which impart the spirit of Udine.

On the hill of the town rises the castle : from its walls you can see the whole city, the mountains all around it, whereas to the south, less than an hour’s drive away, there is the Adriatic Sea.

In the eighteenth century, Udine was the city of Giambattista Tiepolo who reached his artistic maturity here: today, his masterpieces can be admired in the Gallerie del Tiepolo (in the Patriarchal Palace), in the Duomo (Cathedral), and in the Chiesa della Purità. Today, Udine is a city that is open to innovation while tying its image to authentic taverns where one of the most-loved rituals is celebrated namely, the tasting of a goblet of wine (tajut) all in a very human and cordial atmosphere.

1 – 4 pm Cooking lesson & lunch @

Risotrante La Taverna

Piazza Castello, 2

33010 Colloredo di Monte Albano

Udine

www.ristorantelataverna.it

5.30 pm Check in @

Laguna Palace****

Riva Brioni, 17

34073 Grado (GO)

www.lagunaspa.net

7 pm Stroll in Grado and dinner @

Ristorante Androna

Calle Porta Piccola, 6

Grado GO

Tel: +39 0431 80950

http://www.androna.it/

Grado, the “Golden Island”, stands in a picturesque lagoon amidst a maize of small islands. Joined to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, has a graceful Venetian style historic town centre where you can wander through the alleyways and squares flanked by picturesquely cluttered fishermen’s houses: a charming world of its own where time seems to have stopped.

In the wonderful setting of “Campo dei Patriarchi” in the “old city” you can admire the early Christian buildings such as the Basilica dedicated to Santa Eufemia, from which top stands the statue of the Angel San Michele (called “Anzolo” and symbol of the city), the Baptistery and the Lapidarium. Moreover, there, you can visit the Basilica dedicated to Santa Maria delle Grazie, the oldest of Grado.

A very relaxing fine-sanded beach, classed as an environmentally protected “Bandiera Blu” beach for many years now. In Grado you will find good quality service with an emphasis on comfort and safety for children, who can play for hours in the shallow, clean and always calm water.

Up to the beginning of the 19th century, the Hapsburg aristocracy used to come here to bathe and use the excellent seaside thermal springs.

Friday, June 8th

9.30 am Boat tour in the Grado lagoon

The lagoon is a spectacular natural setting in which Grado lies in the Adriatic sea. 
A small fantastic world, immersed in the calm of nature with the intertwining canals and streams, paths of faith of ancient origin as witnessed by the Sanctuary of Mary of the Island of Barbana, one of the most visited in Italy.

An area rich in history in which archaeological finds reveal the ancient Roman road, now completely covered by water, that connected Aquileia to Grado.
And the presence of the casoni, characteristic housing with straw roofs, takes us back to the time they were inhabited by fishermen.

The lagoon is an area fertile in trees, in particular, tamarisk, elm, poplar, junipers and pines, whilst the fauna presents a considerable variety of birds such as gulls, grey herons, wild ducks, sea swallows.

12 am Lunch in the lagoon

5 pm Aquileia guided tour

Aquileia was an important city of the Roman Empire and then the main centre for the diffusion of Christianity in Northern and Eastern Europe. It has been a UNESCO site since 1998 due to the importance of its archaeological area and the beauty of the floor mosaics that it safeguards. Among them, the largest and most well-known attraction is the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to the fourth century. However, added to this are other precious mosaic remains from the Roman and early Christian ages, which make Aquileia a kind of capital of the Western Roman mosaic.

6.30 pm transfer to Collio wine area

Dress code: casual / casual chic (i.e. a jacket could be useful because of the dinner in the winery)

All press tours of “BUY Friuli Venezia Giulia” event will joint @

Russiz Superiore winery

Via Russiz, 7 – 34070

CAPRIVA DEL FRIULI (GO)

Tel. +39 0481 80328 / +39 0481 99164

Fax 39 0481 808398

rp@marcofelluga.it

www.marcofelluga.it

A special taste of Wine and Dine route of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the new food&wine regional project launched in 2017.

A unique trail, perfectly connecting the Friuli Venezia Giulia coast with its mountains, travelling through its vineyards and hills, and creating a network of regional food and wine resources together with cultural and environmental ones, in order to build a transversal and integrated product to enhance food and wine tourism and make it more accessible for tourists. This is the ambitious goal of the project which brings an important change to the Italian wine tourism world: Friuli Venezia Giulia is in fact the first region in Italy to regulate (art. 6 of the Regional Law 22/2015) the administration of traditional agro-food production, and speciality and quality non-cooked production along with tastings during wine cellar visits.

Overnight stay in Grado

Saturday, June 9th

8.30 am check out and departure

9.30 -12.30 am Trieste city tour

Trieste is the most international city in the region, suspended between a glorious past and the present cosmopolitan city. From the Audace pier to the old Lanterna, there is a succession of sails, antique shop window displays, shops and beautiful buildings: in the distance, one can glimpse the white profile of Miramare, the romantic castle of Maximilian and Charlotte of Hapsburg. A journey to discover the city’s history, literature and art, from the Roman era to medieval wonders, to the Habsburg splendour. The wealth of architectural styles in the palaces in Trieste is remarkable: Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Eclectic and Baroque, coexisting in a harmonious blend with Roman remains, eighteenth century buildings and Hapsburg style buildings.

Coffee is one of the flagship products of Trieste, city of a mixture of religions: this is evident as soon as you arrive in the city, which, for many centuries, has had (amongst others) a Greek Orthodox Church, a Serbian Orthodox Church, a Synagogue, a Lutheran Evangelical Church and, the oldest of all, a Swiss Evangelical Church.

Trieste means love of the sea too: people here love going to the sea, and the beach resorts – or ‘bagni’, in local slang – are frequented all the year round, for sunbathing, swimming or just strolling.

12.30 pm Lunch @Harry’s

Piazza Unità d’Italia, 2

34121 Trieste

www.duchi.eu/en/harry-s

3 pm A very special Italian style transfer J

4 pm check in @

Hotel Falisia*****L

Strada Costiera km 137

Porto Piccolo

Sistiana TS

Tel +39 040 291291

info@ppst.it

http://www.portopiccolosistiana.it/en/

4 – 5 pm Guided tour @Portopiccolo luxury resort

Free time

7.30 pm Aperitif at Maxi’s Beach Bar in Portopiccolo and special dinner @PortoPiccolo with all the BUY FVG participants (press&tour operators)

Dress code: casual chic

Monday, June 11th

5.30 am (timetable to be confimed) Transfer to Venice Airport

A presto in Friuli Venezia Giulia!

The post DISCOVER AN UNEXPECTED ITALIAN REGION – FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA Videos & Podcasts appeared first on Good News!.

Our beautiful “green” hotel, Hope Lake Lodge, features 106 luxury condominium style suites. Arcadia Village, located next to the hotel, offer additional lodging in units that are spacious with all the comforts of home.

Amenities at the resort include three restaurants, a world-class customized spa, fitness center, and a 41,000 square foot indoor water park. The Resort is positioned within 7,000 acres of State protected land that is accessible by all residents and guests for cross country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. Additionally, Greek Peak Mountain Resort operates an Adventure Center with a Mountain Coaster and 4 tandem zip lines operating year round and a ten lane winter snow-tubing center.

History

In 1958, New York’s Governor, Averell Harriman, conducted the Opening Day Ceremonies for a new ski area called Greek Peak. The Governor called it a “first class development” and predicted that it would “make a real contribution to skiing in New York State.”

By 1960, two T-Bars had been built and construction began on the A-Frame Lodge. A young Al Kryger (the current President and Chief Executive Officer of Peak Resorts, Inc.) was commissioned to build Central New York’s first chairlift in 1962. Greek Peak recognized the potential for skiing and led the industry in developing the concept of packaging and selling to local schools and colleges. This philosophy, combined with early pioneering in snowmaking and night skiing, brought Greek Peak to the forefront of ski areas in the East.

In the early 1970s, Al Kryger had the foresight to begin planning for the next phase of Greek Peak’s growth. He was instrumental in acquiring land adjacent to the ski area, and a Master Plan for a new recreational community was drawn. Over the years, the development of slope-side condominiums and townhouses has transformed Greek Peak from a ski area into a full-fledged regional destination ski resort.

– See more at: http://greekpeak.net/about/about-us/#sthash.lAk6oPhR.dpuf

The post Greek Peak Mountain Resort appeared first on Good News!.

In 1974, Andrew Colaruotolo (Mr. C), an immigrant from Gaeta, Italy, founded Casa Larga Vineyards as a hobby, seeking to create wines reminiscent of those produced by his family’s vineyard in Italy. The first three wines were produced in 1978, and earned gold and silver medals in the first competition they entered. Casa Larga continues this tradition of excellence to this day – producing high-quality, award-winning wines, while acting as a driving force in the evolution, growth, promotion and recognition of the Finger Lakes wine region.

Casa Larga produces red and white table wines, Champagne and Ice Wine. The winery produces three lines of wines, classified under the names Casa Larga, Fiori and Vineyard Hill. Casa Larga’s Fiori line, created in the mid-1990s, is reserved for only the highest quality wines, produced through traditional methods, including the French Methode Champenoise and the German Eiswein process.

The vineyards at Casa Larga occupy 45 acres of land, located atop one of the highest points in the Finger Lakes region, where they grow two varietal classes: the European Vinifera and French-American Hybrids. Particular varieties of wines produced include Chardonnay, Viognier, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscat D’Ottonel, Pinot Grigio, Vidal, DeChaunac, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Casa Larga is proud to have won over 600 awards in major competitions.

Ice Wines are Casa Larga’s star products. The Fiori Vidal Ice Wine is the most awarded ice wine in the United States. It has received some of the highest recognitions in the wine industry, including the “Governors Cup” for “Best Wine in New York State.” In 2010, the wine won “Best Dessert Wine” at the International Riverside Wine Competition, Double Gold and “Best Dessert Wine at the New York Wine & Food Classic, Gold and “Best of Class” at the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition and a Gold Medal from the Beverage Tasting Institute.

Casa Larga features a wine shop and tasting room that is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Hours vary by season.

In 2004, Mr. C. passed away and was succeeded by his wife Ann, who assumed the role of Casa Larga Vineyard’s President. His son John assists as winemaker. His daughter Mary Jo manages the Finance Department and his daughter Andrea is the Director of Operations.

The post Casa Larga Vineyards and Winery, Est. 1974 appeared first on Good News!.

The post Bristol Mountain appeared first on Good News!.

OASIS Adaptive Sports, Inc. (Outdoor Adventures for Sacrifice in Service) is a non-profit organization offering instruction, equipment and support to disabled military veterans in a variety of sports activities. We assist these veterans in reconnecting and resuming productive lives in society through participation in outdoor recreational activities that promote independence, and social and emotional well-being. Our mission is to do everything possible to make each outdoor experience meaningful and thereby help the veteran regain physical and mental health, with formal evaluations done by professionals in these fields. We differ from other organizations offering primarily event-type outdoor experiences to veterans by adding an evaluation and an advocacy phase to each veteran’s participation in each of our programs.
OASIS Adaptive Sports, Inc. is located in the Finger Lakes Region of western New York State, and our intent is to serve the needs of disabled veterans in the Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area (RMSA), which includes Monroe, Livingston, Orleans, Ontario, Wayne and Genesee counties.
OASIS Adaptive Sports, Inc. prohibits discrimination against current or prospective participants, family members, and volunteers on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristics in any of its programs and activities.

The post Oasis Program, www.oasisadaptivesports.com appeared first on Good News!.

The following morning we travelled to the Memramcook Valley of Southeastern New Brunswick to visit the Monument Lefebvre National Historic Site, which commemorates the survival of the Acadian people from before the expulsion until the present day. Our guided tour included a video on the deportation and a one hour visit of its historical exhibit “Reflections of a Journey – the Odyssey of the Acadian People.”  This exhibit allowed us to appreciate the history, culture and accomplishments of the Acadian people.  There story is one of survival.

In 1604 a group of French colonists ventured from France to the coastal regions of Canada where they established the first permanent settlement in North America. Following a difficult winter the settlement was moved to Port-Royal, Nova Scotia in1605. During this period they relied on the help of the native inhabitants to establish new colonies.  These were landmark years for French colonization, heralding the birth of the Acadian people. Acadia was the frequent target of fighting between France and England. The turning point of Acadian history began in 1755 when the British began the deportation of the Acadians for their refusal to sign an alliance to Britain. Their houses were burned, their cattle seized and their crops destroyed.  Many Acadians were lowered into boats, separated from their families and deported to the United States, England and France.  Louisiana became a meeting point for the exiled Acadians and they formed the Cajun culture. Hundreds of Acadians were allowed to return to Acadia after almost ten years in exile.  English settlers had taken over their farm land and they too had to start over in more isolated areas. In 1884 Arcadians began to understand their roots when the American Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his poem “Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie” which depicted their suffering and deportation. Today, Acadians can be found all over the world.

We left the Monument Lefebvre National Historic Site and continued to Bouctouche, arriving at Le Pays de La Sanguine, a theme park filled with Acadian entertainment and history.  Le Pays de la Sanguine is based on Antonine Maillet’s award-winning book “La Sagouine” published in 1971. Through Ms. Maillet’s impressive literary work she tells the story of the Acadian suffering and their enduring strength and sense of humor in the 17^th and 18^th century.  Our lunch at the La Paneterie Restaurant offered us Acadian specialties, including the famous potato dish poutine and a rape pie made of pork and potatoes.  After lunch and a theatre performance we walked across a bridge to Flea Island where musical and theatrical performances were held inside and outside 18^th century homes.

From Bouctouche we continued our drive to Caraquet, New Brunswick, located in the heart of the Acadian Peninsula.  As we approached Caraquet we saw flags of red, white, yellow and blue everywhere.  Some houses were completely decked out in their colors and had displays of wooden Acadians. The next three nights we would stay in Caraquet.

The following morning we visited the Acadian Historical Village where we traveled back in time through this remarkable authentic historic site which portrayed the lives of Acadians in the 18^th, 19^th and early 20^th centuries.  More than forty buildings were staffed by interpreters in period costumes who explained typical life and activities that enabled the ancestors of today’s Acadians to survive. We visited a straw house making brooms, a crochet house, a blacksmith, a fishing house, a school house, a church and tasted breads of that period.

Tonight’s dinner was at the Hotel Paulin, situated on the Bay of Chaleur along the Acadian Peninsula. It was the first hotel constructed in Caraquet in 1891.  Hotel Pualin is a beautiful living history of early Acadian architecture and is one of the oldest family operated hotels still remaining in Canada.  Today, Hotel Paulin is an up-scale boutique-style hotel, preserving the charm, elegance and spirit of the 19^th century operated by Innkeepers Gerard Paulin and his wife Karen Mersereau, a well-known Acadian Chef.

On Sunday our drive took us to the northeastern corner of New Brunswick where we visited Shippagan, Lameque and Miscou Island.  The Shippagan Aquarium and Marine Center is the perfect place to learn about sea life. Our tour started by viewing a presentation on the history of fisheries.  The Marine Centre has a large collection of more than 100 species of fish as well as a rare Blue Lobster native to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Atlantic Canadian lakes and rivers.  Some of the local fish seen were cod, mackerel, snow crabs, Atlantic salmon, white flounder and Greenland shrimp.

The Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Center is also a museum. The museum exhibits focused on the contemporary fishing industry and the gear and equipment required. There was a life-size wheelhouse equipped with all the electronic devices, including navigation instruments used by fishermen to locate and catch fish.  Our guide, Gilbert, explained that lobsters are lured into the back of a 40 pound wire mesh trap by the smell of the bait and cannot get out.  Lobsters are measured and smaller ones are thrown back into the sea while the remaining lobsters are sent to market.  Gilbert’s best catch was 32 lobsters in one trap.

Lameque is noted for the Saint-Cecile Church.  When the church was built in the 19^th century the interior of the church was a drab brownish color.  In the 1970’s the priests spray painted the inside of the church in the colors of peach, yellow, ivory and tortoise.  Every summer since 1975 Lameque has hosted an annual Baroque Music Festival and has attracted thousand of music lovers to this picturesque island.  Its program features chamber music and solo pieces performed in the colorful Sainte-Cecile Church with exceptional acoustics.

Miscou Island is at the most northeastern tip of the Acadian Peninsula and has one of the oldest operating Lighthouses in New Brunswick (1886).  It has a white, octagonal wooden tower with a red lantern. The island’s sand dunes and lagoons make it a favorite location for migrating birds.

Monday morning we traveled south along the Acadian Coastal Drive toward Moncton arriving at Kouchibouguac National Park, a wilderness Canadian National Park located on the east coast of New Brunswick. The name Kouchibouquac (Kou-she-boo-qwack) means “river of long tides.”  The park includes barrier islands, sand dunes, lagoons, salt marshes and forests and offers excellent opportunities for hiking, canoeing, camping, picnicking, rowing, bicycling and swimming.

It provides habitat for seabirds, including the endangered Piping Plover which is a small, well-camouflaged shorebird. Their nests are small holes that they dig in the sand on the beach. Each nest contains up to four spotted, sand-colored eggs.  Because the eggs are well camouflaged people often walked right over them, which made it necessary to fence the nests for their protection.  Other natural wonders around the Park are the second largest Tern colony in North America.Like Piping Plovers, nesting Terns also face many obstacles and are especially vulnerable to human disturbance.

After a long day, we set out for Shediac known as the Lobster Capital of the World, situated on the east coast of New Brunswick. The first mention of the word “lobster” appeared in the Maritimes Archives in 1578.  Our last night was at the Maison Tait House, an historic mansion built in 1911, located in the heart of downtown Shediac, New Brunswick. Our beautiful room had a fireplace and canopy beds with all modern amenities, including telephone, air-conditioning, television and high speed internet.  At our farewell dinner at The Maison Tait House we enjoyed beautiful amazing food, wine and pastry.

http://www.net-brunswick.net

The post NEW BRUNSWICK: CANADA’S ACADIAN REGION By Terri and Martin Hirsch appeared first on Good News!.

One day out of the year, we take time to appreciate our fathers. If you’re like most, you don’t know what to get for your dear old dad. Lorne Cousin, USA Ambassador for The Balvenie, the most handcrafted single-malt scotch is available to discuss some unique artisan gifts for dad for Father’s Day.

In 2011 & 2012, The Balvenie Brand Ambassadors traveled across America in a custom hand built Morgan sports car to find the best craftsmen and artisan in the US. From brewers, vintners and cheesemakers to apothecaries, tailors, bicycle makers and all points in between, they discovered and celebrated the burgeoning community of like-minded American artisans dedicated to the practice and preservation of traditional crafts. The top craftsman was awarded a Fellowship Award of $5000 earlier this year and a trip to The Balvenie Distillery in Scotland, to help continue their craft.

The gift ideas Lorne will discuss for Father’s Day are dedicated to exposing America to some of its best and brightest craftsmen and encouraging the public to appreciate and support these top-notch artisans.

About Lorne Cousin – The Balvenie Ambassador, Western USA

From his highland roots in Scotland’s legendary Campbeltown – an area steeped in whisky tradition – Balvenie Brand Ambassador and renaissance man Lorne Cousin brings a wealth of craftsmanship and skill, and a lifetime’s worth of unexpected experiences, to his role with the most hand crafted Single Malt Scotch. In a career that has seen him representing Scotland’s most beloved cultural products – music and whisky – he has travelled the world, sharing a platform with characters as diverse as royals, distillers, international pop stars and athletes.

Lorne began his successful career and then became an accomplished piper. He rapidly became one of the world’s most renowned bagpipe players, earning some high profile gigs along the way. A collaboration and series of onstage performances for the British Olympic team as well as with Queen of Pop Madonna on her 2004 world tour firmly established his credentials. In between all these achievements, he also managed to be included at number 6 in Scotland on Sunday’s Top 50 “Most Eligible Bachelors in Scotland” list, and was featured in countless newspaper, magazine and broadcast appearances.

About The Balvenie

The Balvenie is a unique range of Single Malt whiskies hand crafted in Scotland’s Speyside region by William Grant & Sons. Created by internationally renowned malt master David Stewart, The Balvenie is unique in that it retains complete control over the five rare crafts that go into the production of its acclaimed whisky: nowhere else will you find a distillery that still grows its own barley, malts in its own traditional malting floor, employs coopers to tend every cask, a coppersmith to maintain the stills and a malt master to ensure that the resulting spirit is consistently excellent. It is this dedicated to producing a truly handcrafted whisky that has led to the Balvenie receiving the highest plaudits at a range of international spirits competitions, with the Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood recently picking up the Single Malt Trophy at both the International Spirits Challenge and the International Wine and Spirits competition.

For more information visit http://www.thebalvenie.com/

The post Lorne Cousin, USA Ambassador for The Balvenie appeared first on Good News!.

Music by Michio Miyagi.

We fly on the exceptional China Airlines through  their new route to Osaka, Japan, and for most they go on to Taiwan.  This trip was for  media and brought to us by China Airlines and The  Foundation for Kansai Region promotion.  We travel along with the leading Asian media in America; Asian Fusion Magazine, The Sing Tao and The World Newspaper and had a fascinating time.  Everyone was special and it was a  trip to remember for a life time.    This post is the first of many to be shared with our audience and we hope that you will share your comments and experiences with us in audio, video or text. 

We feature video about The Japanese Doll Festival (雛祭り, Hina-matsuri^?), or Girls’ Day, is held on March 3.Platforms covered with a red carpet are used to display a set of ornamental dolls (雛人形, hina-ningyō^?) representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants, and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian period.Origin and customs

The custom of displaying dolls began during the Heian period. Formerly, people believed the dolls possessed the power to contain bad spirits. Hinamatsuri traces its origins to an ancient Japanese custom called hina-nagashi (雛流し^?, lit. “doll floating”), in which straw hina dolls are set afloat on a boat and sent down a river to the sea, supposedly taking troubles or bad spirits with them. The Shimogamo Shrine (part of the Kamo Shrine complex in Kyoto) celebrates the Nagashibina by floating these dolls between the Takano and Kamo Rivers to pray for the safety of children. People have stopped doing this now because of fishermen catching the dolls in their nets. They now send them out to sea, and when the spectators are gone they take the boats out of the water and bring them back to the temple and burn them.

The customary drink for the festival is shirozake, a sake made from fermented rice. A colored hina-arare, bite-sized crackers flavored with sugar or soy sauce depending on the region, and hishimochi, a diamond-shaped colored rice cake, are served. Chirashizushi (sushi rice flavored with sugar, vinegar, topped with raw fish and a variety of ingredients) is often eaten. A salt-based soup called ushiojiru containing clams still in the shell is also served. Clam shells in food are deemed the symbol of a united and peaceful couple, because a pair of clam shells fits perfectly, and no pair but the original pair can do so.

Families generally start to display the dolls in February and take them down immediately after the festival. Superstition says that leaving the dolls past March 4 will result in a late marriage for the daughter.

 Placement

Hinamatsuri store display in Los Angeles, California featuring all 7 tiers.

The Kantō region and Kansai region have different placement orders of the dolls from left to right, but the order of dolls per level are the same.

The term for the platform in Japanese is hina dan (雛壇^?). The layer of covering is called dankake (段掛^?) or simply hi-mōsen (緋毛氈^?), a red carpet with rainbow stripes at the bottom.

First platform, the top

An Emperor doll with an Empress doll, in front of a gold screen. The optional lampstands are also partially visible.

The top tier holds two dolls, known as imperial dolls (内裏雛 (だいりびな), dairi-bina^?). These are the Emperor (御内裏様, Odairi-sama^?) holding a ritual baton (笏, shaku^?) and Empress (御雛様, Ohime-sama^?) holding a fan. The words dairi means “imperial palace“, and hime means “girl” or “princess”.

The dolls are usually placed in front of a gold folding screen byōbu (屏風^?) and placed beside green Japanese garden trees.

Optional are the two lampstands, called bonbori (雪洞^?), and the paper or silk lanterns that are known as hibukuro (火袋^?), which are usually decorated with cherry or ume blossom patterns.

Complete sets would include accessories placed between the two figures, known as sanbō kazari (三方飾^?), composing of two vases of artificial peach branch kuchibana (口花^?).

The traditional arrangement had the male on the right, while modern arrangements had him on the left (from the viewer’s perspective).

 Second platform

The second tier holds three court ladies san-nin kanjo (三人官女^?). Each holds sake equipment. From the viewer’s perspective, the standing lady on the right is the long-handled sake-bearer Nagae no chōshi (長柄の銚子^?), the standing lady on the left is the backup sake-bearer Kuwae no chōshi (加えの銚子^?), and the only lady in the middle is the seated sake bearer Sanpō (三方^?).

Accessories placed between the ladies are takatsuki (高坏^?), stands with round table-tops for seasonal sweets, excluding hishimochi.

 Third platform

The third tier holds five male musicians gonin bayashi (五人囃子^?). Each holds a musical instrument except the singer, who holds a fan.

Left to right, from viewer’s perspective, they are the:

1. Small drum Taiko (太鼓^?), seated,
2. Large drum Ōtsuzumi (大鼓^?), standing,
3. Hand drum Kotsuzumi (小鼓^?), standing,
4. Flute Fue (笛^?), or Yokobue (横笛^?), seated,
5. Singer Utaikata (謡い方^?), holding a folding fan sensu (扇子^?), standing.

 Fourth platform

Two ministers (daijin) may be displayed on the fourth tier: the Minister of the Right (右大臣, Udaijin^?) and the Minister of the Left (左大臣, Sadaijin^?). The Minister of the Right is depicted as a young person, while the Minister of the Left is much older. Also, because the dolls are placed in positions relative to each other, the Minister of the Right will be on the viewer’s left and the Minister of the Left will be on the viewer’s right. Both are sometimes equipped with bows and arrows.

Between the two figures are covered bowl tables kakebanzen (掛盤膳^?), also referred to as o-zen (お膳^?), as well as diamond-shaped stands hishidai (菱台^?) bearing diamond-shaped ricecakes hishimochi (菱餅^?). Hishidai with feline-shaped legs are known as nekoashigata hishidai (猫足形菱台^?).

Just below the ministers: on the rightmost, a mandarin orange tree Ukon no tachibana (右近の橘^?), and on the leftmost, a cherry blossom tree Sakon no sakura (左近の桜^?).

Fifth platform

The fifth tier, between the plants, holds three helpers or samurai as the protectors of the Emperor and Empress. From left to right (viewer’s perspective):

1. Maudlin drinker nakijōgo (泣き上戸^?),
2. Cantankerous drinker okorijōgo (怒り上戸^?), and
3. Merry drinker waraijōgo (笑い上戸^?)

 Other platforms

On the sixth and seventh tiers, a variety of miniature furniture, tools, carriages, etc., are displayed.

 Sixth platform

These are items used within the palatial residence.

• tansu (箪笥^?) : chest of (usually five) drawers, sometimes with swinging outer covering doors.
• nagamochi (長持^?) : long chest for kimono storage.
• hasamibako (挟箱^?) : smaller clothing storage box, placed on top of nagamochi.
• kyōdai (鏡台^?) : literally mirror stand, a smaller chest of drawer with a mirror on top.
• haribako (針箱^?) : sewing kit box.
• two hibachi (火鉢^?) : braziers.
• daisu (台子^?) : a set of ocha dōgu (お茶道具^?) or cha no yu dōgu (茶の湯道具^?), utensils for the tea ceremony.

 Seventh platform, the bottom

These are items used when away from the palatial residence.

• jubako (重箱^?), a set of nested lacquered food boxes with either a cord tied vertically around the boxes or a stiff handle that locks them together.
• gokago (御駕籠 or 御駕篭^?), a palanquin.
• goshoguruma (御所車^?), an ox-drawn carriage favored by Heian nobility. This last is sometimes known as gisha or gyuusha (牛車^?)).
• Less common, hanaguruma (花車^?), an ox drawing a cart of flowers.

Elsewhere

The Hinamatsuri is also celebrated in Florence (Italy), with the patronage of the Embassy of Japan, the Japanese Institute and the historical Gabinetto Vieusseux.

Song of Hinamatsuri

The song is sung as a celebration of the festival. Its lyrics are as follows:

The post Good News Planet announces Good News Japan. appeared first on Good News!.