CityLife Magazine : Issue 20

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR FAITH IN THE FUTURE Helping people and being kind to others are great reasons to live, but there are always those who are opposed to that. While some will always work hard to build a better future, some will seek to destroy and harm. Small and large business owners affected by the recent riots will read this and understand.

Out titles aim to unite communities through positive news and helpful editorial. We have been attacked, even mocked in some quarters, because of our open affiliation and desire to work with community faith leaders and church groups.

We have never advocated one religion in preference to any other, for that is a very personal choice, we simply believe, wholeheartedly, that these organisations offer the tools and real ability to unite broken communities in ways that other organisations cannot.

Politically, economically and spiritually, our media group wants to support these builders of the future. We want to be a part of the healing process, reporting the local news in your area. It is what positive media is all about. It is how regional publishing can serve you best, and your involvement is vital to making this process work.

City life really can be all about breathing new life into your city, about leading by positive example.

The future direction of your town, really is, your choice.

Thank you for supporting our magazines.

Yours faithfully,

ISSUE 20

CONTENTS 6

The Goldfinger Touch

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Bartercard backs Weekly Sport

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Executive job hunting?

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Did you hear what I said?

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Gaddafi wasn’t credible

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Winter recipe - Beef Goulash

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Dawn of a new era

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Give the job to Beckham

CITY LIFE MAGAZINES STUDIO C, 41 EDITH GROVE CHELSEA, LONDON SW10 0LB

Tel: FAX:

0871 2341991 0871 2341992

EDITOR Duncan Williams (Mobile 07960 829 615) E-mail dwilliams@independentlocals.com SALES Amanda Knatchford Nacer Nib Andrew Pescud Scott Clancy

Duncan Williams Editor-in-Chief of Your Town Your Choice and CityLife Magazines

Find us on Facebook; www.facebook.com/citylifemag

DESIGN Stef Hayes DESIGN stef@hotbeddesign.co.uk Stef Hayes ISSN 1750-8967 stef@hotbeddesign.co.uk

CityLife Magazine is published by InCannes Magazine is published by Independent News Ltd (c) copyright 2011.

Independent News Ltd (c) copyright 2011 Company reg. 06735182

Company reg. 06735182

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SINCE the Great Recession the value of precious metals has skyrocketed. Gold especially has reached new peaks, even when inflation is factored in. The reasons for this are many, but one of the primary ones is gold's rarity - there's only so much gold in the world.

Moreover, since the government continues to print dollars and drive inflation higher, it costs more dollars to buy the same amount of gold. In this way, gold is much like a stock - it is a safer way to store your money than to keep it sitting in the bank, eroding through inflation.

If all the gold mined in the history of the earth were distributed equally to all of its residents, everyone would only receive 20 grams, less than an ounce.

Gold is so safe to invest in that it is regularly bought in times of currency failure, burgeoning national debt, and market declines, as well as during periods of social unrest.

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At present the prices of gold and silver are at some of their highest ever. The last time gold prices were so high was in the early 1980s at the close of the stagflation era. Interest rates are generally related to the price of gold.

When interest rates rise, the gold price typically falls. Inversely, when interest rates dip, as they have done of late, gold will rise in price. As a result it is possible to track the price of gold via the monetary policy of central banks.

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Much of the world's gold goes to jewellery. If you have old jewellery that you don't wear anymore, you may find yourself with a windfall.

Gathering up your own gold can be valuable, but you can also host a gold party by inviting your friends to sell their gold at your home. Certain companies will offer you a cash percentage of the gold you're able to pool by telling

your friends and hosting a gold party.

As China seeks to diversify and broaden its holdings of precious metals, you can expect gold and silver to rise even higher over the course of this year. Moreover, the weakening dollar augurs a similar bump in precious metals prices.

And Ben Bernanke's muted

interest rates amid economic recovery point yet another finger at a climbing gold value. So if you want to invest in gold and silver, now may be the right time. And if you want to sell your gold by hosting a gold party, it's time to start planning. You don't want to wait too long only to watch the bubble burst.

Getting The Best Gold Price If you are hoping to trade in your old metals for a nice amount of cash or in the market for some new jewellery to adorn your neck, you want to know what you should be looking to pay. It seems pretty random to an outsider and often customers feel taken advantage of by the store owners because they have no idea what kind of prices to expect. If you are searching for a gold price, you need to know how they determine what to charge.

Although every store will set its own costs and determine how much profit they make on each item, it is usually within a certain range. That means that their necklaces and bracelets will usually reflect the general cost of the metal on the market, plus have the additional fees for the work they have done and any stones that were added.

If you follow the stock market or simply the market for this one item, you will be able to get an idea of how well that economy is doing relative to the prices for gold. The currency that they use will be compared to the price of one billion and this will give you an idea of whether they are on the upswing or not.

When looking for an auspicious time to pawn off your old items, always choose a time when the price is at its highest. The style and fashion of your old things don't matter, so don't be nervous that they are not cool anymore, because jewellers are simply taking them and melting them so they can create something new.

Knowledge

If you want the best gold price, you should look for a time when the market is doing well because as soon as the economy goes down, the cost of this metal goes up. People like to buy something reliable and stable so they will turn to gold when the rest of the market looks poor.

Of course, if all you are interested in is buying another piece of jewellery, then it is helpful to

Value The price of gold actually has a much bigger effect than simply what you will get if you hand in your grandmother's old watch. It actually reflects the current state of the country's economy because this precious metal is something that never loses its inherent value.

know the current cost of this precious metal.

Although it will always stay within a certain range because of its inherent value, there are definitely times when it is cheaper or more expensive than other times.

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Bartercard backs a new look 'Weekly Sport' tabloid!

Creating a proper sports focused red top, providing real sports news rather than soft porn or that familiar 'loony tune' editorial, the Weekly Sport has attracted some leading UK advertisers through its membership of Bartercard.

Bartercard gives the Weekly Sport a flying start.

Weekly Sport is now owned and published in the UK and Eire by Independent News Ltd. and has recently won a significant advertising revenue agreement through their media company's longterm membership of Bartercard.

Bartercard is a trading exchange that allows businesses to link up with each other and swap services and goods in exchange for trade pounds.

These can then be used to save cash.

"This is just what an exciting title like the Weekly Sport needs," says Bartercard's regional rep Scott Clancy.

"The direct injection of our mainstream advertisers will kick start this sporty title straight into the game running..."

During a recession, with advertising hard to secure, Bartercard may just be the winning formula that gives the Weekly Sport a competitive edge.

The title was launched by a team of journalists keen to create a tabloid suitable for all the family.

As such, the Weekly Sport aims to provide genuine sports news coverage throughout the Olympic year and to offer our readers intelligent editorial commentary on current news.

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"We aim to bring positive and beneficial news to all our readers and profits to our all advertisers," says publisher Duncan Williams. "Already we have thousands of readers signed up to our digital Weekly Sport bulletins which are accessed during live matches and contain valid sporting commentary from some of the very best journalists working in the UK." Advertisers certainly do seem reassured by the stats.

Reading your news on an iPhone or iPad is certainly nothing new, but ousting porn advertising in favour of attracting leading brand advertisers, keen to be associated with a title that is paving the way for digital journalism, is a revolutionary move for the tabloid media.

"From a moral perspective too," insists Duncan Williams. "The move away from negative press, lies and soft selling pornography, is both ethical and a very wise evolutionary move forward following a wave of public scandal within the industry."

"Frankly, the red top must either evolve or die. And by this I mean both technically and content wise. I believe I have the team and resources to do this."

Williams is certainly no stranger to a challenge and boasts a 20 year career in the newspaper industry. His

passion for media is evidenced during the many detailed lectures he has given on the subject of British media.

He certainly won no friends within the American based Rupert Murdoch camp when he was one of the first to assert that British media ought to be owned by the British. He has been vocal in objecting to News Corp's stranglehold on the British media industry for decades and was vehemently opposed to James Murdoch's bid for BSkyB. Only a growing readership and advertising will finally tell if the Weekly Sport will gain a foothold in the cut and thrust world of the tabloid. Bartercard will certainly help.

And those subscription figures already seem very favourable.

It is hoped that this will continue to expand as a long term positive media project, and help to restore the lost integrity of the red top and its central part in our popular British culture.

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Available now at your local newsagents You can follow the good news on twitter twitter.com/thesonpaper City Life Magazine

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The Daily Worker - Report by Laura Smith-Proulx

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e v i t u c e x . b .

E jo g?. n i t n u h I

f you're an executive planning your next career move, it might intrigue you to learn that you'll be judged by more than just your resume during your job search.

In other words, a full resume is not necessarily the best fit for each interviewer or contact.

Surprised? You'll find that recruiters, company owners, Boards of Directors, and other hiring decision-makers often look at your experience through a series of interviews and investigations which means that your executive resume is just one part of the process.

Not only should you consider which audience is looking at your portfolio, but also the steps required (initial screening, in-depth interviews, panel reviews, Board interviews) in the hiring process, before assuming that your resume is the best fit for each situation.

Here are 4 must-have documents for an executive portfolio designed to capture attention at all the right levels - along with recommendations for the timing of each component:

y 1 - Executive Biograph A short, narrative-form document, the Biography often appeals to readers that are not engaged in the technical detail of a full resume.

In addition to being shorter than a full resume, the bio can also be infused with more personality, and can therefore give the reader a different perspective on your leadership traits,

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beliefs, and principles.

The best readers for an Executive Biography are usually networking contacts or Boards of Directors. This means that the bio will be most useful either early in your job search, or in the later stages of your executive interviews.

As an example, you'll probably encounter networking contacts who may be messengers, rather than hiring

decision-makers. This group is easily overwhelmed by a full resume, and can be much more receptive to the singlepage Executive Biography.

Later, after you've passed initial stages of your executive interviews, your full resume will have been already examined by hiring authorities. This is the perfect time to bring your Executive Biography as a leave-behind document for an interview with the Board.

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2 - LinkedIn Profile While not technically a "document" created just for job hunting, your LinkedIn Profile is a critical and often underutilised - piece of an executive portfolio.

Most executives set up a Profile very quickly and then abandon it, becoming preoccupied with their work. In executive job hunting, however, this is a costly mistake!

Your LinkedIn Profile may very well be the first piece of information encountered by a

3 - Cover Letter Despite the myth that hiring authorities rarely read cover letters, some audiences (company owners, CEOs, and Presidents) might not even glance at your resume until they've fully digested the contents of your letter.

These groups are usually probing for specific leadership and communications abilities

4 - Full Resume Not a month goes by when a social media or recruiting expert poses the question, "Is the resume dead?"

Not to worry - the need for a resume won't go away soon.

You'll absolutely be asked to send your resume to many contacts at different stages of your search.

Of course, since your executive resume is technically the centrepiece of your presentation, it must therefore convince employers of your brand, value proposition, and leadership standing - no small

recruiter or corporate independent headhunter.

Therefore, it must be polished, professional, and keywordheavy (the latter of which aids others in finding you through LinkedIn's internal search engine).

While your full resume can be attached within LinkedIn, it's best to have populated each of the site's main sections (Headline, Summary, Specialities, Experience, Education) with sufficient information to convey your executive brand and trigger a recruiter's interest.

that they feel are more evident within the letter. Investors, in particular, like to read a very short, bottom-line value proposition letter, in lieu of a resume.

In short, don't write off a cover letter as an important document in the hiring process, as you might find that it was this part of your portfolio that influenced an interviewing decision.

feat!

To create such a powerful document, you'll need to get up to speed on resume trends.

Formats and presentation styles have changed considerably: a full executive resume should encapsulate your strategic contributions, along with metrics, testimonials, success stories, and leadership competencies, all inside a masterpiece.

Often, the best readers of a full resume will those that thrive on analytical detail (such as operations or technology executives that hire EVP and Director-level candidates).

In summary, an executive portfolio is a must for serious job hunters ready to assume a leadership role. The days of distributing an executive resume without backup in the form of a Executive Biography, LinkedIn Profile, or Cover letter are gone!

Your job search will be smoother, faster, and more effective with a well-rounded, branded portfolio that appeals to the diverse audiences you'll encounter.

...You'll need more than a resume City Life Magazine

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Does it bother you when people do not respond to your communication?

When they just look at you, or act as if you said nothing?

On the other hand, do you want people to confide in you? To value their time with you? To regard you as a good conversationist?

If so, you will like this simple, yet powerful, communication technique.

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CITYLIFE After someone tells you something, what should you do next?

“Acknowledgment: Something said or done to inform another that his statement or action has been noted, understood and received. 'Very good,' 'Okay,' and other such phrases are intended to inform another who has spoken or acted that his statement or action has been accepted.”

“Acknowledgment

itself

does

not

necessarily imply an approval or disapproval or any other thing beyond the knowledge that an action or statement has been observed and is received.” -- L. Ron Hubbard For example, if I ask you for the time and you reply, “It's nine o'clock,” how would you know I received your answer if I didn't give you an acknowledgment?

You might feel a little confused and wonder why I didn't say anything.

For example, I ask, “What time is it?”

You reply, “It's nine o'clock.”

I then ignore you.

How would you know I received your answer if I didn't give you an acknowledgment? You might feel a little confused and wonder why I didn't say anything.

If I then say, “thanks,” you know I heard you and you can move on.

How to Give a Good Acknowledgment • Pay attention, listen and wait until the person is finished.

• Indicate you received and understood the message. "Okay," "Thanks," "Good," "All right," "I got that," "Makes sense," "Sure thing," "Fine" and so on.

Nine Acknowledgment Facts

1. Some people do not like to talk. Why? Perhaps at some point, they tried to express themselves and were repeatedly ignored. They have given up the idea that anyone listens to them.

2.

Other people talk too much. Why? They believe no one hears them. They are still trying to get through. They think that if they talk long enough, someone will listen.

If someone would acknowledge them, they could relax.

3.

When employers give their staff members a good acknowledgment for completing their work, the staff members feel proud and satisfied.

"Boss, I finished that project ahead of schedule and under budget!"

or she feels satisfied and can then move on to other duties.

"Good!"

If the boss does not acknowledge the project completion, the employee will either repeat the statement or give up and lose interest in taking on future projects.

4. Employees who are not acknowledged will demand more pay because pay is a form of acknowledgment.

5. Your bosses (and parents) need to be acknowledged as well.

"Could you clean up this area before you leave?"

Silence.

"I said, clean up this area before you leave."

6.

Acknowledgments help keep your relationships going. If you forget to thank people for their gifts, you eventually get no gifts. If you never return telephone calls, your phone goes silent.

Acknowledging e-mail communication is also important. Because of spam filters, there is always a question if emails might be blocked. You improve your relationships when you acknowledge your e-mail: "Thanks for the note."

8. Children who are not acknowledged get upset and demand more attention.

"Mommy? Watch this! Mommy? Watch me! Mommy? Look at me! Mommy?

Mommy?" Parents who acknowledge their children have calmer, more confident children.

Blank face.

"DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME? I SAID CLEAN UP THE AREA BEFORE YOU LEAVE! GOT IT?" If you always acknowledge your boss, he

9. If you feel the urge to repeat yourself, speak louder or get angry, check if someone has failed to acknowledge you.

Just realizing that the other person has been thoughtless can make you feel better so you can move on.

How to test this success tip If you are not sure an acknowledgment is important, listen to someone talk to you and then say nothing.

Remain silent. Don't even nod your head. Notice how they react.

Then give the person some relief and

say, "Oh, sorry. Yes, I heard you."

If you do not acknowledge people, you will not be successful. If you do acknowledge people, they will appreciate and support you.

Give it a try!

Provided by TipsForSuccess.org as a public service to introduce the technology of L. Ron Hubbard to you.

Copyright © 2011 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard.

Subscribe, buy books or learn more about TipsForSuccess.org at www.tipsforsuccess.org For permission to copy, print or post this article, go to www.tipsforsuccess.org/reprint_info.htm Take better control of your life with the TipsForSuccess coaching website at www.tipsforsuccesscoaching.org

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T ’ N S A W I F A D GAD : E L B I CRED His successors must be !

He hung in there for over four decades. But, in the end, like all lunatic despots, his lunacy became unbearable and his own people turned on him.

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The opinions and ideas expressed in this articl own and are not necessarily shared by any

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But as a reputation management professional, I have to say that he is/was a wily old fox. As a great believer in ethical PR, I believe the truth will out and that spin lasts only just so long. Gaddafi will not be remembered in a kind light by the world. But, gosh, he lasted for forty years.

Now it’s time for the rebels to organise properly, get some gravitas and play Gaddafi somewhat at his own game.

When you want to establish your reputation on firm ground:

Make powerful friends The West, to its eternal shame, did the same in the period of rapprochement with Libya. Tony Blair hugged the b…..d, for Chrissakes.

The rebels, once they have won, need to align themselves firmly with those who can help them stabilize the country.

Rebels, find some believable front men, always tell the truth, and make some friends. Otherwise you’re lost.

Expose your opponent’s lies Create stability A dumb thing the rebels did – they lied that they had detained Gaddafi’s son Saif Al Islam (or some of them did).

World leaders do not like being made to look like fools.

Enter Saif, with beautiful, expensive teeth, doing a brilliant job of smiling with his loyal troops. Here I am, he said. I’m fine. They lied.

Now the rebels need to expose Gaddafi’s lies. Of course, the world knows many of them. But they need to systematically attack the regime of lies whilst rigorously factchecking everything they put out. And, if they know what’s good for them, they’ll start with the Megrahi lie – mass murderer Megrahi is not ill – he’s alive and well and prisonready. I suggest they send him back to Scotland.

Gaddafi was nuts, therefore inconsistent. But he was a constant.

Now, a traumatised population needs true stability as soon as they can get it. Of course this won’t happen overnight.

But internally and externally, the message needs to be that those in charge are serious about moving to stability and a freer Libya.

As I write, William Hague is declaring that “these are still difficult and dangerous times” for Libya.

Ain’t that the truth…

Have a figure-head, or figure heads I advise business leaders all the time. In a company that is not getting its fair share of media coverage, inevitably there are leaders who want to hide behind “the company”. “I don’t want a personal profile”, they say, “I just want the company to have a profile”. I’ve got news for you. People don’t relate to entities, they relate to people. Every organization needs a human face or, even better, human faces.

We know who Saif is, and we know his father. But who are the new leaders? An amorphous mass of angry men won’t do the trick. The rebels needs to appoint some known leaders.

Pictures of Gadaffi when he first mounted his successful coup show that he had film-star good looks. If you don’t believe me look at this picture of him and Warren Beatty.

I guarantee you’ve never seen them in the same room at the same time (!) Sad but true: appearance matters.

Gaddafi knew that. First, he exploited his good looks.

Then, when he lost them (to madness I would suggest) he developed a distinctive, recognisable style. He was, for years, to many, the “charismatic” leader. A large number of his own people turned a blind eye to the increasingly obvious fact that he was bonkers. The rebels need credible leaders.

State a plan Gaddafi wasn’t short of plans, however loony they were.

The rebels need to come up with a plan for Libya – quick. They have, apparently already outlined a draft constitution, which declares a commitment to press freedom. But it needs to go further than that.

e for Independent News Ltd. are Lief Schneider's yone else in the Schneider Bartosch company.

News and current affairs commentary

by Lief Schneider.

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The legend continues...

CamelotCastle.com

For visitors to the Heart of London Oremus is the official publication for Westminster Cathedral. Published monthly and read by several hundred regular subscribers, Oremus offers intelligent articles and features presented within a highly professional full-colour magazine format.

• Monthly – eleven editions per year July-August being one edition • Full colour, high quality art stock • Reaching large Catholic congregations every Sunday and weekdays • General interest, quality magazine with background articles on Cathedral subjects • Growing readership including postal subscriptions to UK and overseas With a loyal readership of members of the Central London community, in addition to the hundreds of visitors and tourists who come to Victoria – for Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey (at the Parliament end of Victoria Street) and Westminster Cathedral (at the Victoria Station end of the same street) Oremus offers excellent marketing opportunities.

Oremus, Westminster Cathedral, Clergy House, 42 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QW T: 020 7798 9052 F: 020 7798 9090 E: oremus42@gmail.com W: www.westminstercathedral.org.uk 20

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The new family red top for all your Sporting news

WeeklySport.co.uk City Life Magazine

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WINTER RECIPE

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s ’ y a Tod l a i c e Sp

h s a l u o Beef G s g n i l p m u D h t i w

Ingredients Ingredients

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GOULASH 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 4 cups onions, thinly sliced 1 tbsp sugar 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tbsp caraway seeds, toasted and ground 1 1/2 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika 1 teaspoon spicy Hungarian paprika 2 tbsp minced fresh marjoram leaves 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves 1 bay leaf 3 tbsp tomato paste 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 4 cups chicken stock 2 1/2 pounds chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes (remove excess fat) 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 /4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

DUMPLINGS 2 cups cake flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 3 /4 cup milk 2 tbsp melted butter

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Method

2. Add the sweet and spicy paprika, marjoram, thyme and bay leaf. Sauté another minute, until fragrant.

3. Add the tomato paste. Deglaze with the vinegar and the stock and add the pieces of beef, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Cover and cook until very tender, about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

4. To prepare the dumplings, sift together the cake flour, baking powder and salt. Combine with the milk and melted butter, mixing lightly.

After the stew has cooked until tender in step 3, drop the dumpling batter by (heaping) teaspoonfuls into the simmering stew. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Once you have covered the pan, do not uncover while the dumplings are cooking! In order for them to be light and fluffy, they must steam. If you uncover the pan, the steam will escape and the dumplings will boil instead. After 15 minutes, test the dumplings with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out clean, the dumplings are done.

Serves 4 to 6

Find the Foodologist on Facebook at : www.facebook.com/foodologist

WINTER RECIPE

1. In a large covered sauté pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the onions and sugar until caramelized. Add the garlic and caraway seed.

Cook another minute.

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w e n a f o n w a D l a c i h t e f o a r e a i d e m h s i Brit “Our company offers a specialised media consultancy service to churches, charities and other religious organisations seeking to expand their message and generate a successful income source via online, digital and print publishing.�

- Duncan Williams has over two decades of media experience; he is chairman of a long established regional newspaper and magazine group, speaks regularly on BBC radio's religious and community programmes and has lectured at the Church and Media Conference.

"The successful multi-dimensional media project needs financial profitability, as well as a beneficial message, as a key ingredient... To invest means to increase outlay, to have faith and to encourage expansion and return. In monetary terms this ought to be investing money for good willed purposes so as to reap further dividends of the same.

Money and goodwill need not, and must not be alien. The alignment of the two is the right use of financial expertise. Money is, after all, only a proxy for actual goods or services, and it can be an active and very potent energy for good works."

- Duncan Williams - Christian Media Investor and member of Christians in Finance - Speaking at UPLOAD : Standing Together - Christians in Journalism and theMediaNet.org held at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, February 19th, 2011

"...My aim (company agenda) is to publish positive news which is supportive of Christian values. British regional magazines and newspapers have a pivotal role in our local communities, both in the reporting of stories and in the employment of

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staff. For ten years now I have tried to make certain that a proportion of employees that I work with are deliberately drawn from marginalised sections of our society; including recovering addicts/alcoholics, exoffenders and members lower income communities. Never in preference of those who are already experienced or qualified, yet at the same time offering real job opportunities that can serve as work experience, even rehabilitation, to many people keen to be given a break. Having been involved with CAP (Church Action on Poverty) for many years, I am all too aware that the poor, and these other groups mentioned, have far less access to media and do need a voice to communicate effectively to wider society. Believe me - this isn't simply a philanthropic gesture; as experience has proven that exactly these same types of people work doubly hard and with a passion, once given an opportunity to be a part of, rather than apart from..."

- Duncan Williams, speaking at the annual Church and Media Conference held in Derby.

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Why Sir Alex Ferguson won’t manage the British football team at next year’s Olympics... ... so, give the job to David Beckham

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WATCHING England stumble to a 1-0 victory over Wales at Wembley the other night got me thinking about the prospects of Team GB at next year’s Olympics in London. The Welsh and the English, along with the Scots and Northern Irish, have been invited to take part in a unified UK team – although only the English are keen to do so. The other three home nations are against the idea, fearing it could lead to them ultimately losing their right to take part as separate, individual countries in FIFA competitions in years to come.

I can understand those fears given the lunacy of the FIFA power brokers, headed by the king of the asylum, Sepp Blatter. But I can also understand the feelings of young players within the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish teams who would give anything to play for Team GB on such a stage. In particular, I am thinking of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey of Wales, who both caused so many problems for Fabio Capello’s England at Wembley.

I am also convinced that those young men will be able to achieve their dream, despite the misgivings of their nation’s FA bosses. International law and freedom of movement and trade make it inevitable that they will be able to take part, if they so desire. And they do desire, and understandably so. Wales have not qualified for a major international tournament since the 1958 World Cup – and similar failings by Scotland and Northern Ireland explain why their players would also probably jump at the chance of appearing in a major international finals (such as the Olympics) given the chance.

CITYLIFE The only real problem I can envisage is when the manager of Team GB chooses the majority of his players from England… with a couple from Wales, one from Scotland and none from Northern Ireland! That, more than any quibbling over whether their players should have refused to take part, is likely to cause the biggest headlines in the papers. No doubt there will be accusations of favouritism and discrimination against the manager.

Which, rather conveniently, brings us to the subject of just who that manager should be. The smart money is on Stuart Pearce, the man in charge of England’s Under 21s, being the chosen one… basically because he has been in charge of England’s Under 21s and he is, well, available for the role.

Indeed he has canvassed heartily for it.

But is he any good? Put simply… no, he is not good enough, not up to the job and shouldn’t even be boss of England’s Under 21s if truth be told. Remember when Kevin Keegan was the manager of England from 1999-2000? All pumped up passion, hand on heart, but no tactical nous.

Well, Pearce is the modern version but has even less tactical know-how judging by his results with the recent golden boys of the Under 21s and when he managed Manchester City (disastrously). Flip charts do not make you a tactical genius, neither does looking all grim and serious (and trying to look super intelligent).

No, the obvious candidate for the job is Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. But he does not want the job. Why? Well, would you want to choose a Team GB squad that contained only one name

from your Scottish homeland? (Darren Fletcher). No, you would feel embarrassed and maybe that you had betrayed your country. Fergie is no fool; why would he want to manage England (which is what Team GB will essentially be unless the authorities further decide there must be an even quota of players from each of the four home nations). He is as proud a Scotsman as they come and his only interest is Manchester United and Scotland… in fact, he loves to knock the English national side and, like all Scots, is happiest when they get a good hiding. No, Fergie is not the man for this particular mission (impossible).

So, who should manage the team, then? Well, let’s assume that Argentina, Brazil or Portugal dominate (like they usually do), the best England (sorry Team GB) can hope for is to reach the quarter finals (like they usually did until Capello became boss).

So why not give it to someone who will at least make our presence off the field bigger and better than the rest, even if we aren’t as good on the field?

Someone who will grab us the limelight by virtue of him being the most famous footballing face in the world and, indeed, one of the most famous people in the world.

Yes, step forward… David Beckham! OK, he’s no Sir Alex, but he’ll give us some much needed aura, he’s a better bet than Stuart Pearce (who is prickly and dull as well as not up to the job) and he knows all the England (sorry Team GB) players better than anyone… he should do, he was part of the team up to last year’s World Cup. And what of the likely Team GB line-up for the Olympics?

Eight Englishmen, two Welshman (Bale and Ramsey), one Scot (Darren Fletcher) and no Northern Irishmen.

Team United Kingdom? Team Disunited Kingdom more like…

A match report by Frank Worrall.

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