Midas Touch Magazine February 2015
Midas Touch Magazine 2/2015
Welcome Welcome to Carnival time and February's issue of the Midas Touch Magazine, your link to Luxury Lifestyle in Spain and beyond. This month we take you on a journey to discover some of the very best in Spanish Real Estate, executive escapes, private islands, luxury cars and so much more. Midas Touch Magazine is a monthly eZine for Spain, with a British Isles edion every season, starting Spring 2015. Welcome to the Midas Touch Club in Spain... Enjoy the ride...
Fantastic Luxury Villa El Campello, Costa Blanca 1,475,000â‚Ź This incredible luxury villa is situated frontline, on El Campello, Costa Blanca. This fabulous six bedroom, four bath, frontline property offers spectacular sunrises from nearly every window, plus terrace and balconies. Build on 1,000 m2 parcel directly over the sea, this 400m villa is split over three floors. The top floor penthouse offers outstanding views from the master bedroom and has a large en-suite bathroom. Even though there are windows around the entire top floor the villas is extremely private as it faces solely out to sea. The ceilings are vaulted and have wooden beams for decoration. The bathroom is also new and the villa also has a walk in wardrobe. Six Bed, four baths with fantic vistas. M2 de vivienda 400 M2 Parcela 1.000
Contact: Luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
Fantastic Luxury Villa El Campello, Costa Blanca 1,475,000â‚Ź
For details on this or any of our luxury properties or services, please email: Luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
Isla de sa Ferradura Your Private Island for the Ultimate Escape Following its change of ownership, Isla de sa Ferradura has just concluded a total refurbishment and will be available for exclusive rental as of May 2016. The entire concept changed to that of an easy, modern and contemporary look and feel. The interior is dominated by cool Mediterranean chic and warm natural textures of a neutral and tempered color palette, giving this escape back its Balearic personality. Rates per week: Jan, Feb, Mch, Apr, Nov, Dec: 170.000€ May: 200.000€ Jun, Oct: 230.000€ Jul, Aug, Spt: 300.000€ Rental prices are on all inclusive basis on the highest gastronomic and service level for up to 16 guests. All prices are subject to 21% VAT. Rental requests will be considered following the receipt of full guest details and are subject to approval by the owner.
Location Sa Ferradura is an islet of the size of 3.5 hectares which is connected to the mainland by a small, hidden two-sided beach. Located in the Bay of Sant Miquel just off the north coast of Ibiza, this retreat is the latest and unarguably the most luxurious addition to Ibizaʼs lodging options. Accommodation The property offers accommodation for up to 16 guests in 1 sumptuous Master Suite and 7 additional, luxuriously appointed bedrooms with en-suite facilities, some of them with semi-open bathrooms to underline the beautiful Mediterranean setting of the island. Entertaining and outdoor spaces: Lounges, sitting rooms and the dining room are arranged around a large central patio. Floor-to-ceiling sliding windows disappear fully in the double walls, opening up the indoor spaces to the terraces, outdoor chill out spots and al fresco dining areas.
The 750 square meters rooftop terrace with spectacular sea views is the heart of Isla sa Ferradura. Equipped with 2 bars, shady pergolas, a DJ mixing deck and a stage for private concerts, there is not the slightest doubt that Isla sa Ferradura has discovered the pole position among the world始s most luxurious private islands. 20 internationally experienced, multi-lingual staff members ensure the smooth operation of this paradise, paying utmost attention to every culinary detail and to an omnipresent but discreet service.
Leisure activities: A large 23 meter swimming pool at terrace level as well as a free shaped laguna pool set amidst the beautiful tropical gardens, a gym, wellness and spa facilities as well as a selection of water sports activities complete the range of amenities of this truly stunning escape.
Environmental responsibility: The property is fully equipped with intelligent cutting edge technology and convinces with important intrinsic values. Fully sustainable, Isla sa Ferradura minimizes any environmental impact. Total water recuperation reuses all waste water for the garden始s underground irrigation system. For more information, please eMail: Luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com.
Isla de sa Ferradura
For details on this or any of our luxury properties or services, please contact: Luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
The Classic Car Show The all-new global TV series, The Classic Car Show, first aired on Thursday February 5th at 7:00pm on Channel 5. The first episode of the new 13 x one-hour series racked up staggering viewing figures and a huge amount of social media buzz.
The Classic Car Show premiered with 662,000 viewers and a 3.2% share, peaking at 886k viewers. This performance put it ahead of both the weekday 7.00pm slot average for 2014 and Thursday night slot average (475k/2.4% and 487k 2.5% share respectively). The show was also an instant hit on social media with over 511,000 organic impressions on Twitter and a 94% positive response to the show. Ben Frow, Director of Programming for Channel 5, said “We are exceptionally pleased with the viewing figures in what is known to be a very difficult slot. The reaction to the show on social media proves we have a winner in this series and weʼre very excited about how it can build from here.”
Life Is A Highway Quentin Willson, Jodie Kidd and some expert guests get fired up over some of the prettiest and most powerful cars ever produced. Quentin gets the show on the road with a trip to California to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Ford Mustang. Male supermodel David Gandy and rapper and designer Tinie Tempah navigate London Men’s Fashion week in a classic car and its modern counterpart - the 1950s Gullwing Mercedes 300 SL and the brand new Mercedes SLS AMG. They ask their celebrity friends at the exclusive GQ party which car radiates the brightest style halo. Comedian Alex Riley runs the rule over a more affordable classic most memorable for its controversial wedge shape. The Triumph TR7 evokes a love/hate reaction from all who see it and whether you share Alex’s passion for its elegance or not, you can pick up one of these plucky British sports cars for just five grand. Intrepid ‘barn find’ expert Chris Routledge, who makes it his business to seek out classic cars which have been left languishing and become derelict, unearths a rare and glamorous 60s American land yacht that has been hidden under a hedge for almost three decades.
Celebrity contributors - including the likes of Steve Coogan, Jennifer Saunders, David Gandy, Tinie Tempah and drivers Bruno Senna and Sir Stirling Moss - will add their thoughts on prestigious historic cars. Wilson and Kidd will travel around the world to explore events like the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang in California and the Mille Miglia rally in Italy, while one episode will see resident driver Bruno Senna race ten classics around the track at the legendary Brooklands circuit. Wilson said: "I'm delighted that Channel 5 will be showing The Classic Car Show. The global growth in classic cars, not just in terms of auction prices of high-end Ferraris, but the sheer number of people who share the passion, has driven the creation of The Classic Car Show.
World始s Largest Pure Grown Diamond Unveiled Pure Grown Diamonds announces a scientific breakthrough with the unveiling of the world's largest laboratory-cultivated white diamonds, which are indistinguishable from mined diamonds, even under a microscope, yet cost 30 to 40 percent less. The first-ever, largest lab-grown diamond is 3.04 carats. Pure Grown Diamonds have the exact same chemical composition, physical properties and optical features as earthmined diamonds, according to the International Gemological Institute. Pure Grown Diamonds mature within six to 10 weeks. They are eco-friendly and "conflict free," unlike mined diamonds. "This 21st Century technological achievement comes during the holiday season when 26 percent of all American couples get engaged; when most men spend 25 percent of their annual salaries on a diamond ring and when rough diamond prices are at an all-time high," explains Pure Grown Diamonds President and Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bissell. She is one of the few women CEOs in the diamond industry. She continues, "Most guys shopping for diamonds will suffer sticker shock because rough diamond prices are up 75 percent from five years ago, due to depletion of natural resources and increased global consumer demand." Bissell adds, "Many have tried and failed; no one, no company has achieved what Pure Grown Diamonds has accomplished -- culturing thousands of alluring diamonds, including the largest, which is more than three carats." Pure Grown Diamonds have the exact same chemical composition, physical properties and optical features as earth-mined diamonds; however, Pure Grown Diamonds mature within six to 10 weeks." For more information, please contact: Luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
WhatSim is Here! WhatSim is here! It is the first WhatsApp Sim that lets you chat absolutely free of charge and without any limits using WhatsApp, the world's most popular messaging system. Anywhere in the world. WhatSim connects to more than 400 operators in about 150 countries. Anywhere in the world it connects to the provider with the best coverage and signal right where you are. If you change your position, it automatically searches for a new provider. If a better one is available, it connects by itself without you even noticing it. Thanks to WhatSim and its worldwide data connection, you can finally chat with WhatsApp whenever and wherever you want without any limits. The idea came to an Italian entrepreneur, Manuel Zanella (38 years old), engineer, founder and CEO of Zeromobile, Italy's first Global Mobile Operator for low-cost roaming. Zanella is also famous for being in 2011 the "first mover" in the wearable technology industry with i'm Watch, the world's first smartwatch. WhatSim is a stroke of genius. Everyone now uses WhatsApp, even when traveling. But you need a data or Wi-Fi connection to chat for free. The most common problem is that the roaming data connection is usually expensive and Wi-Fi is not available everywhere and often it is not even free. WhatSim allows you to chat with WhatsApp whenever you want. WhatSim costs just €10 and you can chat for free all over the world for a year. WhatSim has neither fixed costs nor monthly payments and it never expires. Zanella had also the idea to realise a special version of WhatSim that is inspired by Pope Francis and designed for those countries of the world that the UN calls the Global South. In some of these countries, buying a WhatSim will cost €5 instead of €10. For Further Info: www.whatsim.com
New Smartwatches from Alcatel ALCATEL ONETOUCH Unveils a Full Line of Premium-Design Smartwatches — Affordable and for All Uses • Slim, premium smartwatches that offer different styles to suit everyone • Packed with sensors and apps that allow users to monitor daily activity • Connect to Android and iOS smartphones to control music, receive notifications and more • Long battery life with built-in USB connector for easy charging
It looks like a watch and feels like a watch but itʼs much smarter than that. ALCATEL ONETOUCH introduces the WATCH, a smartwatch that puts a premium on elegant design at a very accessible price. In launching the WATCH, ALCATEL ONETOUCH is not content just to make the latest connected technology available to the greatest number of consumers. Offering the WATCH at a fraction of the cost of competitors, the smartphone brand has implemented its design expertise to offer a series of fine finishes that meet the demands of those looking for the same look and feel as a traditional watch. “Itʼs called a wearable, so we wanted to make something that would be a pleasure to wear,” said ALCATEL ONETOUCHʼs Chief Marketing Officer Dan Dery. “The watch face and the band are slim, like a regular watch, but it has the multi-functionality of a smartwatch.” Available in several styles — sporty dark red/volcano black, feminine all-white, classic chrome/dark gray and elegant metal-white — the ALCATEL ONETOUCH WATCH employs materials such as brushed chrome, micro-textured resin bands and white stainless steel. This choice of finishes assures that it will appeal to both men and women, demonstrating ALCATEL ONETOUCH's dedication to bringing to the market products that fulfill everyoneʼs needs. While offering choice and style, the WATCH also offers multiple fitness functions and connects to Android and iOS smartphones via Bluetooth.
Monitors User Activity The WATCH is packed with sensors: the heart-rate monitor is embedded discretely on the underside of the watch face; there始s also an accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter and e-compass. The WATCH also allows users to track their sleep cycle, distance covered, steps taken and calories burned. To monitor their fitness goals, users can access the activity overview that the WATCH offers. Multimedia Remote Control and Phone Notifications When the smartwatch is connected to a smartphone, it sends users call notifications; social media updates and vibrates if users stray too far from their phones. Touching the WATCH始s screen activates a multimedia remote control. Users can control music, take pictures from their phone from a distance or make their phone ring in order to locate it.
Simplicity of Use Is Built In The WATCH is compatible with a number of ALCATEL ONETOUCH smartphones in the HERO, IDOL and POP series, as well as with any phone running on Android 4.3 or above and on iOS 7 or above. It is dust and water-resistant, with a long battery life. Speaking of the battery, the WATCH has a clever USB charger integrated into its band for simplicity of use. With beauty and functionality integrated into one device, ALCATEL ONETOUCH offers a smartwatch at a smart price, fulfilling its mission of making the latest technology available to all.
NISSAN REVEALS LE MANS CHALLENGER
And the six Bloody-minded choices are:
1901 Waverley Electric. “At the beginning of the 20th century, electric car outsold petrolpowered cars in parts of America. They were clean, quiet and didnʼt make ladiesʼ skirts grubby.”
1906 Cadillac Model K. “The real hero of the mass-produced car story isnʼt Fordʼs Model T but the Cadillac Model K.” 1933 Standard Superior. “It is widely accepted that Josef Ganz, a respected Jewish engineer, came up with the basic layout and philosophy of the Beetle.”
Here's the first glimpse of race-ready Nissan GT-R LM NISMO as seen during Super Bowl XLIX The Innovative new LM P1 racing car is like no other Le Mans car TAG Heuer, Motul and Michelin revealed as Nissan LM P1 partners Last Month, Nissan declared itself ready to take on the worldʼs best sports car manufacturers after revealing a glimpse of its Le Mans challenger – the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO – during the commercial break for Super Bowl XLIX. Last yearʼs Super Bowl was the most watched television programme in US television history with over 110 million viewers. The 2015 game was therefore the perfect opportunity for Nissanʼs “With Dad” commercial (view at www.withdad.com) to air for the first time, revealing the much-anticipated Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, the car that will take on the best in the world in the race to glory at the Le Mans 24 Hours. In a bold move, the Japanese manufacturer has interpreted the sportʼs technical regulations in an innovative way, producing a front-engined, front wheel drive car that is powered by a V6 3- 20 litre twin turbo petrol engine and a kinetic energy recovery system.
“It gave us great pride to reveal the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO during the Superbowl,” said Roel de Vries, Global Head of Marketing and Brand Strategy at Nissan. “The combination of the Super Bowl and the Le Mans 24 Hours – two of the most watched sporting events in the world – presented us with a unique opportunity to showcase our most ambitious motorsport programme in recent times. “The GT-R is our flagship road car,” he continued. “This, the ultimate GT-R, continues a sporting bloodline that goes back three decades with NISMO, the motorsport and performance arm of Nissan. Le Mans drives innovation so success on the track will lead to greater innovation in our road car range. We are the new kids at Le Mans; our opponents are the best in the world but we are ready.” The new car will contest the LM P1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the highest category in world sports car racing. Starting at Silverstone, UK on 12 April the series travels around the world to Spa in Belgium, onto the Le Mans 24 Hours and Germanyʼs Nurburgring, before going global with races in the US, Japan, China and the Middle East. The FIA World Endurance Championship is the ultimate proving ground for automotive companies as technological gains on the track can carry through to road cars. Racing car engineers are facing the same challenges as road car engineers as the spotlight falls on energy efficiency. With more technical freedom than Formula 1, the LM P1 engineers have ample opportunity to innovate. “This is innovation that excites,” said Shoichi Miyatani, President of NISMO. “Sustainability is at the top of our agenda and the technical regulations for Le Mans give us the freedom to pursue new ideas in this area. Our record at Le Mans is third place overall so we have unfinished business there. We want to win and we have the knowledge to do that – for our customers, our employees and our fans. The competition is exceptionally strong and we are excited by the challenge.” “Our LM P1 programme makes the connection between NISMO on the road and NISMO on the track, showcasing our brand DNA to a global audience,” explained Darren Cox, Global Head of Brand, Marketing & Sales, NISMO. “We are taking motorsport to the masses, telling tales of technical innovation but also human stories via all of the exciting communications channels that are open to us now. We will innovate off the track as well as on it so you can be assured that this is just the beginning of the story.” The intensive test programme for the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO that began in Arizona last year continues this week at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, where the team is making the most of the warmer climate of the Southern US. Nissanʼs LM P1 drivers will be revealed soon.
NW LM P1 PARTNERSHIPS REVEALED Nissan also announced three multi-year partnerships that will feature prominently in its LM P1 programme. Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer is the Official Watch Partner and Official Timekeeping Partner. The LM P1 drivers will all wear TAG Heuer watches and the partnership will be activated globally by both parties, with several exciting developments to be announced in the coming months Motul is the Official Lubricants Partner for the programme, working closely with NISMO始s engine department to develop highperformance products to enhance competitiveness and efficiency. Motul has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with NISMO over the past two decades and this natural expansion into the LM P1 programme comes soon after the Super GT Championship victory for the iconic #23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R. The LM P1 programme will use tyres supplied by Michelin. The French manufacturer has developed tyres especially for the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO and been an integral part of the car始s extensive test programme.
Marc Gene Nissan LM P1 Driver
Crowdfunding, Kickstarting and all that Jazz The not so new, but certainly more common buzzwords in investment circles, are Kickstarter and Crowdfunding. From the wild and crazy ideas, to board games, films, cars, electric bikes and motorbikes, watches, mobile applications, toys, home design to wherever your imagination takes you, somewhere, someone, has a new idea that they need money for. In recent years, inventors, film makers, theatre producers et all, would seek ʻAnglesʼ, investors, joint venture capital or pure bank credit, to try and get their ideas off the ground and into the public eye. According to Jordan Sale at Fundraise.com: “Simply put, crowdfunding is a method for financing projects by raising money from a large group of individuals, i.e. ʻthe crowd.ʼ Although crowdfunding has recently gained main street popularity, it actually has a long history in America and can be traced as far back as the 1700ʼs. In fact, the construction of the Statue of Liberty was partially crowdfunded by thousands small donations from around the world, a campaign organized by Joseph Pulitzer using his newspaper, The New York World.”
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Sale continued; “Kickstarter and Indiego are popular examples of donation-based crowdfunding platforms, where participants give money to further a project, with very few strings attached. Though equity is not distributed and donors donʼt receive financial benefits directly from the success of a project, there are often rewards or perks given out. Actor Zach Braff famously offered a filmmaking symposium to anyone who donated $2,500 to his campaign to raise funding for the production of an independent film. Rewards-based crowdfunding has become so popular that companies have emerged dedicated entirely to the fulfilment of rewards that have been promised.” There have a been some very high profile examples of the success of Crowdfunding. British rock band Marillion funded a US tour by raising nearly $60,000 via online donations from fans. In part this led to the creation of ArtistShare in 2000, the first platform entirely dedicated to crowdfunding. That eveolved into Kiva, one of the most successful micro-lending platforms, who have raised over $165 million through crowdfunding, with a 98.83% repayment rate. Entrepreneur Michael Sullivan cameup with the name “crowdfunding” in 2006. Three years later, Kickstarter made its name as a place for entrepreneurs to raise funds for companies and campaigns. According to Sale, “Kickstarter reports that $1,261,961,419 has been pledged on its site and more than 67,000 projects have been successfully funded, as of August 2014.”
Other new kids on the block jumped on the bandwagon starting in 2010 including GrowVC, aimed at connecting start-ups and investors: Fundrise, whose Co-Founders Ben and Dan Miller had the goal of giving everyone the opportunity to invest in and benefit from real estate development. At Midas Touch Magazine, we pay for staff, production, research, development and other costs through basic advertising and partnering with companies as their marketing agent, and sharing a small commission with them. It始s a pure contra deal. However, as we did deeper into the world of Crowdfunding, we have come across many worthy, interesting, innovative and sometimes just pure 驶fun始 ideas that we feel are worthy of recognition. We are delighted to help these small companies and individuals spread their word, absolutely for free and in turn, possibly find an investor or investors from the readership of Midas Touch Magazine. If you are seeking Crowdfunding, feel free to send us details or a product for review by contacting us in the first instance to: info@MidasTouchMagazine.com. Next month we始ll look at a few films made on the Costa Blanca through the Crowdfunding format, along other innovative ideas.
Our first 'focus on film' article will provide you with a peak at the new wave of independent film and video producers who are producing low budget films funded almost entirely through Crowdfunding. It's an exciting age for 'indie' producers and the mark this gorwing market, a new film festival is also in the planning stage, which itself will be looking fo crowdfunding. While the majority of these are documentaries, as these are primarily produced by a small team, there are a few groups with a full blown cast of actors, begging or borrowing cars, boats, plans, drones, equipment, locations and everything in beteen to produce their films. Find out more next months about Joe Stummer misplacing his car, Franco upsetting Cliff Richard at Eurovision, a former World Champion Kick Boxer setting up shop on the Costa Blanca and a buch of retired spies coming out of the woodword.
Kickstarter of the Month Ghostbusters - The Board Game Are you troubled by strange noises in the middle of the night? Do you experience feelings of dread in your basement or attic? Have you or your family ever seen a spook, spectre, or ghost? If the answer is "yes," then don't wait another minute. Pick up the phone and call the
professionals . . Ghostbusters: The Board Game is an episodic adventure game for one to four players, who are charged with busting ghosts and sealing gates to the Spirit World. The game is customizable, cooperative, and highly re-playable. It features unique illustrations and figures based on original artwork and designs by Dan Schoening, the artist of IDW's Ghostbusters comic book series. Each Ghostbuster has a distinct role and unlocks unique abilities by gaining experience. The game offers modes for different levels of players, making it accessible to beginners and challenging to experts. Now is your chance to save the world! Ghostbusters TM & © 2015 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. • Box Dimensions: 12.125"W x 12.125"H x 4"D • 48 Custom 32-50mm Plastic Mini Figures • 10 Double-Sided 5.5" x 5.5" Game Board Tiles • 6 Dice (5 D6 & 1 D8) • 43 Tokens (Streams, Slimes, Gates, XP Trackers) • 1 PKE Meter • 4 Player Cards (4"H x 6"W) • 6 Ghost Cards (4"H x 3"W) • 1 Ghostbusters Operations & Field Manual
Up to 4 players take on the roles of the Ghostbusters and attempt to return balance between the Spirit World and ours, busting ghosts and sealing the gates from which theyʼre invading. Completing a scenario requires teamwork, planning, and resourcefulness. Featured ghosts from the movies, cartoons, comics, and toylines have unique abilities as well, in terms of how they move and react to your actions. The game features 3 campaigns, each with 4 unique scenarios. Itʼs a fast-paced game: each scenario takes approximately 30 intense minutes to play. Every campaign concludes with an epic battle against an iconic boss character. The game uses dice to resolve a lot of the action, so itʼs never the same game twice! The three types of dice represent the proton packs and ghost traps, the unpredictable movements of the ghosts, and the chaotic activity of the gates. During each turn, players move, shoot proton streams, deposit trapped ghosts, use unique character abilities, and drive the Ecto-1 to complete objectives. Each scenarioʼs map is constructed using double-sided tiles, featuring street and park imagery by the talented Robb Mommaerts. With a starter mode and a challenge mode, Ghostbusters: The Board Game will keep you enthralled for hours! To create the best game possible, weʼve collaborated with some incredible people: game designers, avid game players, and Ghostbusters fans. This project is on Kickstarter because we want to make this game extra special for you. We want to provide you many ways to customize your experience with a selection of cool add-ons and Kickstarter exclusives you can't get anywhere else, including a snazzier version of the game box design. And we canʼt wait to announce some of the amazing stretch goals! Basically, you get the version of the game you want, and you get it before anyone else. The estimated delivery date for Ghostbusters: The Board Game is October 2015. However, please keep in mind that this is a projected date. As an experienced board game company, we at Cryptozoic know that unexpected delays can occur during the production and shipping of a game. We are committed to producing a high quality game and we will not take any shortcuts to make a specific date. Our goal is to send you the most amazing, perfect board game youʼve ever played.
GIZMOS AND GADGETS E-Ink Fashion is now available through Tago Arc, an E Ink fashion accessory that can be customized to look exactly aw you desire
Go 'anti-headphones with Buhel's SG05 SoundGlasses that provide audio to the wearer via bone conduction, allowing you to hear everything going on around you...
Put all your details from your debit, credit, loyalty and gift cards on one card with the 'Swyp Card'...
A new take on handlebar video is the Fly12, which is a combination headlight and camera.
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Pledging its support for the Micro Four Thirds System, drone-maker DJI is offering an interchangeable lens use for aerial photography enthusiasts.
GIZMOS AND GADGETS Coming soon to a cardboard suitcase near you, is the the very lightweight and fun, cardboard ping pong table.
Tactonics brings you 'Tact messaging' so you can send your 'loved ones 'sensory messages' so you can 'feel the love'.
Teqball arches the ping pong table's back so you can use the table for a brand new game
ProjectPOLE offers coaches and athletes the same feedback ask professional athletes, with its Tracky motion-tracking sportswear.
Acumulus9 brings you their version of the lifelogging camera experience by allowing its QindredCam select when and where to take photograph of your life.
How to Face Each Day... Even When You Don't Want To... Robert Landau You know the feeling. You wake up in the morning after a restless night and you don't even feel like getting out of bed. The feeling isn't as much a physical thing as it is a mental thing. Realizing that you can't stay in bed all day, you force yourself to get up and face the day ahead. Do you feel great about it? No! Would you like to crawl back into bed and stay there? Oh yes! There's nothing wrong with having a negative outlook concerning the day ahead even before it begins. We're human beings and there are millions of times when we feel less than positive. While it's OK to feel down sometimes, just make sure you don't attach yourself to those feelings so that you end up becoming the negativity that you're thinking about. It's possible to feel the bad feelings and then move on. How do you do that? It's actually easier than you think. The next time you find yourself dealing with negatives emotions, realize that you have the choice to rise above them. The process of rising above is getting yourself back into being who and what you really are. You don't need to feel like a helpless victim to your negative thoughts and feelings unless you make the choice to do so. The same energy it takes to stay in negative thought is the very same energy you can use to rise above it. The choice is always yours. Many people don't like to hear that they have a choice to remain negative. Our ego's mindchatter loves to swim in pools of negative thought. It's as if our mind-chatter wouldn't know what to do with itself if you chose to move into more positive ways of thinking and being. So how would you actually use the ideas that I'm suggesting here? Let's take the "First Thing in the Morning Scenario" I just presented. You've just woken up and even before your eyes open you happen to find yourself thinking negative thoughts that might go something like this; "Uhh! It's cloudy again today. I just can't handle more rain. Enough already! Oh...I have that meeting today at 10am. I just know that what I'm going to present won't go over well. I have major issues with most of the people that will be attending that meeting. Even after my day should be over today, it won't be over. There's that darn dinner get together that I have to go to. What a lousy day!" How did you feel when you read those words? Probably not very joyous! All too often we program ourselves and the rest of our day by talking to ourselves in the way you just experienced. Is it any wonder that the rest of your day would end up turning out just the way you thought it would lying in bed?
The same energy it took to negatively program your day is the very same energy it takes to program your day in a more positive manner...even if you're not crazy about the day's events. Here's how a more positive "First Thing in the Morning Scenario" would look like; "It's raining today. No problem, I'll just take an umbrella. The meeting at 10am will be just fine. They might not like what I have to present but they also understand that it's in the best interest of all involved. I'll explain to them that this is temporary as we're well on our way to truly great things. The dinner event will work out well. It's only the third time I'm meeting with those people and there's a real possibility to forge ahead with some great ideas that could become very successful in the near future. Time to get out of bed and put my best foot forward!" Either one of these "First Thing in the Moring Scenarios" are choices that you can put to use each and every day. The operative word here is "choice". You have more power than you often think you have. As human beings we truly have the power to make choices that shape our day and our lives in the best ways possible. The key to all of this is remembering that true change starts from within. Only after you feel it within will it manifest without. So tomorrow morning, see what it feels like to lie in bed and positively program the day ahead. You just might be overjoyed with the results. The choice is always yours. Robert Landau is also the published author of six books. His website is www.robertlandaumotivation.com Robert Landau Bio Motivational Speaker Robert Landau has delivered over 2,700 presentations and workshops in over 20 countries in his 15 year speaking career. Robert is also a Certified Life Coach that works with individuals and businesses via Skype to help facilitate positive and productive results. An accomplished Actor in New York City, then a celebrated international Cruise Director for 10 years with 300 ports of call on 400 cruises with major cruise lines, Robert also makes many appearances on radio and television broadcasts. One of his most recent appearances was on the world-wide HLN/CNN Cable News Networks. Landau is also the published author of six books. His website is http://www.robertlandaumotivation.com Robert's popular Daily Robertisms program consists of 365 personally created motivational quotes that are sent free of charge to your email address for a year. To sign up please visit: www.dailyrobertisms.com Robert Landau International Motivational Speaker, Consultant and Published Author www.RobertLandauMotivation.com www.DailyRobertisms.com : www.FUNSeniorActivities.com Please "Like" me on Facebook - www.facebook.com/RobertLandauSpeaker Follow me on Twitter - @LandauChat Connect with me on LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/pub/robert-landau/
Oceanco Delivers INFINITY
Oceancoʼs new 89 meter INFINITY is the superyacht industryʼs first delivery in 2015. Built under the project name Y710, this magnificent yacht boasts a commanding exterior design by Espen Øino and an exceptional interior design by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design and David Kleinberg Design Associates. True to her name, the possibilities for INFINITY are endless. She is a goanywhere yacht that offers safety, comfort, elegance, and the best possible lifestyle afloat. INFINITY accommodates her owners in a spectacular master suite including a private exterior deck and whirlpool,
as well as 10 guests in 6 guest suites, including 2 VIP cabins. She has an outdoor beach/swimming area on the Lower Aft Deck and on the Main Deck is another spacious relaxation area featuring a circular swimming pool measuring 5m in diameter with seating all around and an adjacent indoor wellness area. Ascending to the Upper Deck, there is an indoor/ outdoor al fresco dining and entertainment area. The sundeck is dedicated to a private indoor/outdoor area with whirlpool, bar and an observation lounge. INFINITY will be delivered and depart the shipyard on 3 February, when her Captain and crew together with the Oceanco team will gather to mark their successful collaboration and join in Oceancoʼs traditional good luck bite of a Dutch herring. Headed for her first season, INFINITY is powered with twin 4,828hp / 3,600kW MTU engines capable of reaching speeds of 20 knots.
Technical Specifications Builder : Oceanco Type : Steel Hull and Aluminium Superstructure Length : 89m / 291ft Beam : 14.2m / 47ft Exterior Designer : Espen Øino Interior Designer : Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design and David Kleinberg Design Associates Delivered : 2015
For more information, please email: Luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
Own the Yacht of your Dreams with Fractional Yacht Ownership Fractional ownership is a business concept that has been around for decades. It is a method of ownership that allows several people to own a 驶share始 in an expensive asset. Investors choose a fractional approach to investment when they do not want to spend the amount of money required to own the entire asset and they do not want all of the risk or hassle that accompanies ownership of such. Our Partners through Midas Touch, have pioneered the use of fractional ownership applied to a specific class of asset, the luxury yacht. The Advantages of Fractional Yacht Ownership Fractional ownership splits the cost of purchasing the asset and managing the asset across a set of owners. Because an independent professional handles management, the fractional owners are free to enjoy themselves and be removed from the management responsibilities. Each owner is free to use his/her share of the asset according to the terms of the purchase. We have applied the fractional ownership concept to luxury yachts because most yacht owners only use their yacht several weeks a year and the costs to acquire and maintain a yacht are immense. Under the our Yacht Share Program, Fractional yacht ownership is perfect for owners who want the yachting experience with no hassles and no waste of their hard earned capital, or time. Virtually all of our owners could afford to purchase the entire yacht outright, but do not want the waste that comes with letting a major asset sit idle in port and the hassle of management. It始s also a great concept for sponsorship. The most common misconception about fractional ownership is that it is a timeshare by another name. This is a mistake. With timeshare arrangements, you do not own a share in a property, merely the right to use that property for a set period of time. When your time runs out, you are left with nothing. With fractional ownership, you own the asset and receive a deeded title reflecting your ownership. If you desire, you can transfer or sell your asset whenever you want.
Major Benefits Your Advantages and benefits of Yacht Share 1. Shared costs for purchase and maintenance. 2. Full yacht management with crew possible. 3. Fair, flexible and individual usage through 4 season system. 4. All seasons available and all-inclusive service package. 5. Real and secure fractional ownership by 25% shares in company. 6. Online reservation system for easy booking. 7. Change over cleaning service. 8. For regatta program experience crew available. 9. Sailing Event Sponsorship. 10. Ready to race and win regattas. 11. Full insurance.
Own a New Beneteau Oceanis 38 Daycruiser for just 35.000€ Enjoy all the advantages of owning a beautiful yacht in Spain for just a fraction of the cost. Share Your Dream Through Midas Touch we can help take care off all the hassles and make your dream come true. By sharing costs for purchase and maintenance of your yacht with others you save a lot of money without having to sacrifice your personal wishes. Your Advantages and benefits of Midas Touch Yacht Share •
Shared costs for purchase and maintenance.
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Motor and Sail yachts of renowned brands.
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Full yacht management with crew possible.
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Fair, flexible and individual usage through our four season system.
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All season available and all-inclusive service package.
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Real and secure fractional ownership by 25% shares in company.
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Online reservation system for easy booking.
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Cleaning service and security.
CO Owner Structure: 25 % Share acquisition price 35.000,00â‚Ź Yearly costs 5.000,00â‚Ź The Beneteau Oceanis 38 Daysailor is new from 2014 and will be launched in April 2015
The Beneteau 38 will be registered in Spain in a Spanish SL. The Co Owner will be owner for 25 % of the company. This is NOT Time Share but real ownership. The co-owner has 80 days a year. In every season 20 days, also possible that Midas Touch yacht Share will take care of the chartering benefits for Co-Owner. Every year new anti-fouling and full inspection from the yacht. After every period the yacht will be cleaned and inspected by Midas Touch Yacht Share. Secure property and easy to trade. Your share in the Beneteau 38 is always free for trade.
All costs are fair and transparent. The Beneteau Oceanis 38 is located in Marina Salinas in Torrevieja, a modern and full equipped yacht club with restaurants, bars and very well located.
Near to Ibiza, Mallorca and Mar Menor. Technical Specifications Build 2014 launch planned in April 2015 Length 11.50 M Beam 3.99 M Draft 2,06 Fuel 130 Litre Water 330 Litre Mainsail 36.5 m² Genoa 33 m² Spinnaker 114 m²
For more information please email: Luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
Trafico education on Facebook THE GUARDIA Civil Trafico Department from Torrevieja have set up their own Facebook page. Not much too surprising about that except that this page has been created to expressly educate expatriate drivers in Spain on traffic law, obligations, directives and to give hints and tips to make you a better and safer driver.
Set up by a couple of agents from the Torrevieja Branch in their spare time, the information provided covers the southern Alicante region, down to San Pedro and inland to the AP7. The ʻpageʼ was launched last month and has surpassed 3,000 followers already. The agents involved said: “We would like to say thanks a lot for your support. We decided to create this Facebook page, because we know there are many misinformed drivers they have heard "Chinese whispers" about traffic matters, and we thought it could be a good idea to create a site where all expats could find true traffic information. Therefore, we are publishing articles about all traffic matters.” The informative Facebook page is well worth a browse over the articles published during the past few weeks. To make it interactive, they have added questions about driving law, speed limits, drink driving limits and are working hard with trafico in Alicante and Madrid to sort out the confusion over the new laws regarding Driving Licences. They are also looking to answer your questions, which should be of an objective and general nature rather than a specific circumstance. Guardia Civil Trafico for the region is
headquartered in Torrevieja, where the majority of their fleet of cars, motorbikes, Q-Cars and Drink and Drug Testing Vans are located. They are fully aware that the interpretation of the law can vary from region to region and note: “We would appreciate knowing where you live, because we have received messages from Almería, Malaga, Javea,... to publish information we have received from the local police of your town. We also would like to know where you are from. We are providing this service in our ʻfree-timeʼ, so please be patient if you do not receive an immediate response, as we will do so as soon as possible. Thank you very much. We will keep working to give you a better service.” Even such things as the law for circumnavigating the dreadfully poorly designed Spanish Roundabouts can be found here, along with explanations, plus a look at new traffic laws and initiatives being introduced and tested around Spain, to help make driving safer and hopefully cut down on the high death and accident count in Spain. Nick, from Torreviejaʼs Sunday Drivers Club remarked; “Their initiative should be applauded by expatriates as its first time that we have had a point of contact with Trafico, in English, to discuss the problems and concerns of residents and visitors.” The informative page can be found at: www.facebook.com/ TorreviejaTrafficDepartment or searching for N332.
Artists Photographed While Art may certainly be in the eye of the beholder, one aspect of an art form that is often overlooked is photography. In this age of paparazzi, the internet and digital imaging, the value of photography as an art form has been diluted. Everyone has a camera, or a camera on their phone or tablet and is able to capture an image. But before digital photography, and especially before the 1980ʼs capturing the ʻmomentʼ could result in an image as worthy of comment, and in todayʼs world, reprinting and commercialisation, as a quality, hand painted or drawn artwork. Our partners at Images Art have a special collection of artists on film; captured in their prime, offering an iconic image that could take and place on any wall, desk or mantelpiece in your home or office. While these are not for investment, their conversation and curiosity value is immense.
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Title: Salvador Dali at the Plaza Hotel, New York by Michael Delon Medium: Vintage Silver Gelatin print, circa 1980, signed by Michael Delon, a later impression Image Size: 135 x 180 mms Condition:
good
Price: £265.00 Black and White photography offers up special imagery, from a bygone age, that todayʼs digital photography can but try and replicate. However, there is no getting away from the fact yesteryears press and portrait photographers, often with their full frame, 6x4 inch cameras, offer a special dimension, not seen in modern photography.
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Title: Salvador Dali au Ritz a Paris - 1966 by Andre Villers Medium: Resin coated Silver gelatin print, signed and dated by the photographer in ink (recto), signed and stamped verso Image Size: 400 x 300 mms Condition:
very good
Price: Price On Application
Pablo Picasso Title: Picasso with revolver and hat of Gary Cooper by Andre Villers Medium: Silver gelatin print, 1958, Original issue on Baryte paper, signed by the photographer in ink (recto) and stamped verso Image Size: 240 x 333 mms Picasso Vu par Villers photographies, page 40 Condition: good
More details on any artwork or photography offered by sending an email to: Luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
Price is not an issue. Many of the prints, signed by the photographer and in limited editions, are less than Their conversation value alone is worth the price of a good lunch. For more details on any of these photos, or to enquire further about their quality selection of original hand signed pieces by such famous names as Pablo Picasso, please contact us by email at: Luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com.
Cecil Beaton Title:
Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
Medium: Silver Gelatine print, 1956, mounted onto stiff paper, signed Elizabeth R and dated by the Queen. Verso is the photographers stamp with a reference B737/1 Image Size: Mount size 182 x 250 mms, Image size 220 x 153 mms Condition: Very good Price:
Price On Application
Sir Cecil Beaton was one of the most famous WWII photographers and went on to working for such magazines as Vogue. Famous for his iconic images of Audry Hepburn and his work on the film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' he was to become the favouite of the Royal Family and photographed them on many occassions until his death in 1980. His favourite Royal subject was the Queen Mother, who he photographed many times. This special mage of the Queen Elizabth II is signed and dated by the Queen. Please email:
Luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com for more details.
Galician Roots Two Young Entrepreneurs Create Galician Roots, a Travel Agency Specialising in the Galician Territory and the Camino De Santiago The best way to discover Galicia is to do it with Galician people. Within this philosophy is born Galician Roots. A travel agency exclusively focused on the main sights of this land that proposes a different way of approaching its charms.
Behind this initiative are two young entrepreneurs in their early thirties that have seen the huge potential of this remote green corner still unknown for many travellers. Their aim is to share with the visitor the habits, landscapes, gastronomy and culture of the place where they live in, a land they know like the back of their hand and which they始re proud to belong. Showing Galicia from a Galician point of view, this sounds obvious but leaves a distinguishing and unique mark to Galician Roots, since the vast majority of agencies operating nowadays in this land are located abroad. The Camino de Santiago is the cornerstone of this small company but it also offers a whole range of possibilities on ecological, wine and gastronomic tourism to the visitors. With a fully updated view in accordance to the current times Galician Roots brings a tailor-made tourism with customized tours and trips that can be created by the customer itself. A thousand ways for your feet. It is said that there始s not only a Camino but thousands, as much as pilgrims. The options are plenty and Galician Roots aware of that has developed various tours allowing the traveller to complete the last 100 kilometres of the French Way; from the most basic tour including hostel accommodation to the most exclusive one including accommodation in manors, country houses and charming hotels.
The key principle is to offer a full spectrum of options allowing the traveller to simply enjoy its vacation. That始s why to a greater or lesser extent all the tours can include the transfer to the starting point, luggage transfer, physiotherapist sessions and even dinners with traditional music. And if any of the options
mentioned above convinces there始ll always be a trip made to measure for the traveller as Galician Roots also offers the possibility of personalising each stage of the French, Primitive and Portuguese path. Discover the essence of Galicia. A great way to know Galicia is being immersed in its culture, something that is not always accessible with conventional tours. As good connoisseurs of their land Galician Roots people know that Galicia has to be enjoyed through the palate too as one of its essences is the food. That始s why gastronomy has such a relevant importance in their offer, with workshops teaching the elaboration of some of the most representative dishes such as the pulpo a feira, Galician bread, Galician seafood, the empanada and much more. Galician food has such an important role but also the wine. Another strong bet of this travel agency is the wine tourism, a field you始re invited to explore through the most traditional aspect of the production of the wine from a Ribeira Sacra. Visits to hundred-year-old cellars, trips and explanations about the production process making one of the best wines of Spain. The eco-friendly trips and weekends of Galician Roots are another good way to discover the spirit of this land, so well preserved in some small towns, which will allow the travellers to know the way of life in rural areas and take part in organic farms in the heart of Galicia. A different way to enjoy a different place: Galician Roots.
BCNewt: the new look at office space A Coworking in Barcelona Transforms Recycled Wood in Shared Creativity The communion between architecture, design and creativity, is the inspiration for BCNewt space, located in Barcelonaʼs Poblenou neighborhood. At the beginning it was all ideas. The objective, to create an authentic work space. To achieve it, the community of BCNewt coworkers decided to be as far away as possible from the mass-focused aesthetics of the large chains of home equipment. "Thanks to some industries which still are in the neighborhood, we had every day a lot of wooden pallets disposal all around us,” explains Gustavo Franco, project manager. BCNewt was born in the summer of 2014 with the intention of create a coworking environment that feeds creativity. Now, after an extensive renovation, the place has a story to tell. The pallet design The first task was to transform an estimate of 17 pallet —timber structures used to transport goods— in suitable building material for different functional elements. Everything was filthy, covered with rusty nails and splinters. So they set about the task of selecting the pieces that were clean and in better condition. This part of the process took about two weeks. "I had the challenge to create ceiling lamps that were functional and aesthetically interesting," explains Mercurio Sobocki, interior decorator and project adviser. That is how the pieces were constructed, with an assembly that spans over the different work areas, achieving an attractive geometric minimalism. In total, three lighting sets, with warm tones lights, on a format of elongated lamps, on linestra style or round bulbs.
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With the solid pallet pieces was built what is now a strong conference table. At the edges, you can still read the burned imprint of the European railway systems, a sign of postindustrial identity. With other pieces, the thinner ones, the kitchen table was built. Here the community of coworkers remembers every day how important it is to share resources. Finally, when the wood remains seemed destined again to be abandoned, the thinner strips were used for the baseboards. "The decor of coworking spaces is the wave of the future in terms of office decoration, as it appears to be more professionals each year seeking to establish their business in this type of activity spaces," said Gustavo Franco. About BCNewt Located in the heart of interconnected 22@ District, epicenter of urban and technological innovation in Barcelona, BCNewt offices stand in an industrial building at Carrer Llull 47. In one of the European cities with the highest number of rooms and offices for cowork (according to coworkingspain.es), the new coworking proposals must be refreshing.
Recognizing this value, BCNewt始s style pointed to shapes and has distanced itself from the chromatic monotonies and the traditional designs. Thus, they have inaugurated a multipurpose center with ecological and transgressive spirit, where space reflects and represents the philosophy of coworking. A series of renovations were made around the office. On one hand, ceiling lamps, kitchen and meeting room tables, floor baseboards and divisions between the kitchen and the workroom, were built from pallets worked for reuse. On the other, windows, concrete columns and beams were restored to give new decorative details; the same for the electrical system, which happened to be green consumer, and for which they have created unique pieces from coupling nozzles and bulbs. BCNewt understands space and architecture as does the architect Santiago Calatrava: "An art that determines the identity of our time and improves the lives of people." In short, a space that will motivate, commune and communicate the experiences and wishes of the coworkers of the future.
Create Your Own Valentine's Day Perfume Perfume has always been a precious good and a great gift idea for Valentineʼs Day. But what if you could create your very own perfume in a personalized perfume bottle? The startup-company MyParfum is specialized in exactly this: The creation of individual perfumes. Customers are becoming perfumers themselves online (www.uniquefragrance.com). With an innovative onlinetool and recommendations of MyParfum fragrance experts, customers can create their own scent from over 50 notes and 10 character fragrances. With more than 150 billion possible combinations of the ingredients, the custom perfume is most likely absolutely unique. Also the perfume bottle can be personalized with a message, name or by uploading a personal picture. Every step of the production process is hand-made in the Berlin-based perfume lab. The fragrances are shipped to the US and worldwide in just two to three weeks. Also, a US perfume lab will soon be opened. Using the intuitive MyParfum online fragrance design tool is a very special experience. Developed with French perfumers, the fragrance system gives the customer the opportunity to easily create their own masterpiece in just a few steps. Customers can also get free support by a fragrance expert, using an online-questionnaire. MyParfum experts create these bespoke perfumes, matching the customerʼs style and preferences and character. More than 130,000 unique perfumes have been sold in Europe already. Now the company is growing to the US, combining the traditional art of perfumery with modern technology and design. Just in time for Valentineʼs Day, MyParfum developed the special limited edition designer perfume bottle “PASSION”. The bottle has a coated backside in glossy red. Inside the glass bottle a real Swarovski crystal is shining through. Every perfume bottle can be fully customized with a personal message, name or picture. There is also a selection of gift sets, fragrance sets, and last-minute gift certificates. A custom perfume (1 fl oz) is available starting from 49.90 USD, produced by hand and shipped world-wide in just 12-20 days (free global shipping starting 70 USD). Moreover MyParfum offers a full satisfaction and moneyback guarantee. About MyParfum MyParfum (www.uniquefragrance.com) is an innovative and lifestyle-oriented startup based in Berlin, Germany. The young company has over 90,000 customers and over 130,000 hand- crafted fragrances sold so far and is number one in the world for custom perfumes. The innovative company has been awarded the Global Innovation Award in the US, the Service Innovation Award and the Think Different Innovation Award. MyParfum offers perfumes, which are not like any others, bought from the shelf, but truly unique. The company has found a way to let anyone design their own perfume online. MyParfum serves those who like to underline their very own look and style with the most elegant and mysterious accessory: a custom perfume.
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SIMON ELLINAS IS one of Londonʼs foremost professional caricaturist and cartoonists. Simon began drawing cartoons and caricatures of his friends and teachers at school, and now heʼs renowned for drawing some of the most famous faces in the world. What on Earth can you use Caricatures and Cartoons for? Looking for a unique and memorable gift? Caricatures from Photos for Gifts: Nothing could be more unique and memorable than a professionallydrawn caricature from a photo! Not only will your friend or business colleague be flattered that you took so much care and trouble but they will always be able to keep the memento of your friendship and generosity forever afterwards. If youʼre looking for a caricature drawn from a photo, then check out the variations that are available below: Caricatures at Parties Give your guests the time of their lives – book a caricaturist to draw caricatures of them, leaving them with a gift they will keep forever. You can have caricatures at parties drawn by a live caricaturist. Itʼs always a great entertainment and I personally have drawn caricatures at weddings, Christmas parties, birthday parties, corporate events, product launches and exhibitions. Here I am with Radio One's first ever DJ, Tony Blackburn.With each sheet of paper pre-printed with details of the event, including any company logos, the caricatures become a highly effective PR tool and very frame-able souvenir. I can draw caricatures live at any event anywhere in the world. Cartoons by Simon Ellinas A CARTOON IS a drawing showing the features of its subjects in an exaggerated and humorous way, especially so in satirical cartoons often found in newspapers or magazines. Iʼve been a cartoonist virtually from the moment I could pick up a pencil. I was always interested in drawing people, as cartoon characters, in a variety of imaginary scenarios. Cartoon Illustration is extremely useful in the field of publishing for those instances when a photo or a diagram just wonʼt do the topic justice. A cartoonistʼs imagination can extract the elements that will occur in the readerʼs mind which are not actually stated in the article, whether that be for a magazine, book or a website. If youʼre looking to commission a caricature or cartoon, either for yourself or on behalf of someone else, you can contact me by email: simon@Caricatures.org.uk; mobile: 07790 893239 • tel: 020 8449 1368
Caricature of Angela Merkel WITH THE CURRENT news about the ongoing tensions in the Ukraine, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel has rarely been absent from newspapers and TV. I have meant to draw a caricature of Angela Merkel for a long time having been disappointed by an earlier attempt some time ago. It is interesting to note that she is the first German Chancellor who grew up in the Soviet-controlled East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Forbes Magazine reckon she is the most powerful woman in the world. Starting out as a research scientist she became involved in the democracy movement after the fall of the Wall, followed by various political appointments leading to her current position on the worldʼs stage. Thereʼs something Polish about her facial features (we caricaturists notice the differences in racial bone structure quite a lot) and, indeed, her grandfather was Polish. Itʼs in the width of the face with slightly melancholy blue eyes and small nose. This caricature was simply drawn on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet whilst half-watching television. The beauty of working digitally on the tablet is that you donʼt have to have numerous pens, pencils and assorted artistsʼ equipment to be able to draw adequately wherever you happen to be. Samsung have beaten Apple in one main regard – that of providing a dedicated stylus to work with the tablet. And the Samsung stylus really works and feels like a proper pen or pencil with the fine point making the expected marks in the same way as a normal pencil. With the Apple iPad you depend on styli with awkward rubber tips which have to mimic a fingertip and they are nowhere near as satisfying to draw with, making results much more uncertain. Digital caricatures are increasingly the norm these days and most of the colour caricatures that I provide are finished off in Photoshop from a scanned black and white original and supplied as digital JPEG files. Simon Ellinas
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TUPAC Unseen: eBook & Website Publishes Previously-Unseen Tupac Shakur Collection of Photographs, Showing Icon in Rare New Light Now Available on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo... Joel D. Levinson photographed Tupac Shakur in 1993, creating portraits that showed the human side of an icon. Two-decades later, Levinson is making these 'hidden' portraits public along with Original Artwork, launching a new book and website in a project entitled "TUPAC Unseen." Upon meeting Tupac Shakur, Joel D. Levinson was greeted with unguarded enthusiasm and an open invitation to photograph him on an unrestricted basis. It was 1993, and the trust forged between Shakur and Levinson resulted in the creation of thirty-six bold and spellbinding portraits that show a human and compassionate side of the star that was rarely made public. Only a half dozen of these images were previously released for publication.
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TUPAC Unseen, is comprised of thirty-six portraits photographs Levinson made in 1993 and thirty-six original Artworks (one of each portrait, completed in 2014) each one an individual homage, for a total of seventy-two original works. It is a remarkable collection of work and quite simply the collection of Tupac photographs that illuminates his serious, meditative and friendly personality, with depth. "I was so struck by Tupac's natural warmth that I became obsessed with researching not only his work, but its cultural impact," explains Levinson, who has had thirteen One Man Museum exhibitions of his work, is represented in forty-two Museum Collections in North America and Europe and in the past five years has seen over three hundred of his photographs placed in twelve MuseumCollections.
"I found my interest in Tupac's work develop deeper and deeper with each month of research, and greater familiarity with his music and developed an affinity for this man and his work. What began as a six month, purely photographic project to publish portraits (the vast majority previously unseen and unpublished) to illuminate sides of this man I had not seen offered in any other photographs or images, initially developed into something that encompassed much more. Eventually, it extended into an eighteen month project, which further extended to four years and finally after seven years, it is being released ahead of the Art Book/Exhibition Catlog in an eBook. "My goal was to display a side of Tupac that was rarely seen in other photographs and artwork created during his lifetime. Seven years later, we're releasing something that I believe is going to expand the perception of Tupac."
Aside from the book, Levinson is also continuing the TUPAC Unseen project via a new website. TupacUnseen.com site was launched to coincide with the eBooks official release. They initially plan to use it as a virtual companion to the eBook and expand by offering two exclusive downloadable mini posters that will be added on a regular basis along with other content. The site exists as an expanding memorial to an immortal entertainment and cultural legend.
Property Styling Tips & Tricks With the property market improving, sellers should be getting more for their property and finding it much easier to sell, yet many are still struggling. Real Estate Agents Nordica have been investigating this to help their buyers sell at the right price and have found that the interior styling of a property can make all the difference. To test the theory, they styled a property which had been on the market for over a year and sold it in just one week with its new look – at full asking price. They now have a Home Styling service, located in Nueva Andalucia on the Costa del Sol and wanted to share their insights on this new trick for selling your property. What is Property Styling? – Preparing and dressing your home with furniture and accessories, moving things around and enriching the space, rather than doing building works Why does it work? - Buyers lack vision and need to be shown the property at its very best and see what to do with particular spaces and rooms. The key is that buyers need to fall in love and see themselves living in your property so they can make an emotional connection with the property and make an offer! Your home as you are living in it may not make this statement, or evoke this emotion, but with basic decoration and layout changes we can make a real difference. When does it work? – There are hundreds of examples of property styling selling houses, with identical properties which sell on the interiors alone. Often with some basic decoration, thorough cleaning and styling you donʼt need to do refurbishment, so it can save you money and unnecessary stress. What should you do before styling? - Get your house sparkling clean and de-clutter. Simply removing excess items of furniture, books, clothes, toys etc, makes the place look much bigger, brighter and more neutral so people can imagine living there. Clear away all clutter and once clutter has gone and the place is beautifully clean, the styling can begin! What should you try to achieve with styling? - You should try to create a home which is neutral, but doesnʼt lose the homely feel and become clinical. Your property should make people feel that they want to live there and imagine the amazing life they will have there.
Styling To Sell Top Tips • Shine a light – Lighting is essential. Try to incorporate 8 points of light in each room, light darker areas with lamps, consider brighter bulbs, light candles in the evening, pull back blinds and curtains and let as much light in as possible during the day • Think of the target market for your home and show them their ideal life: If you have the classic family home, but donʼt have kids, consider creating kidsʼ rooms rather than an office so people are shown exactly how they could live there. • Beware of big furniture – It makes the space look tiny. • Donʼt leave difficult spaces unfurnished - If you have a penthouse or loft space donʼt leave it without furniture as the eye doesnʼt accurately judge space without the reference of a furniture • Rearrange to create focal points and order: Arrange things in groups, e.g. replace lots of small pictures with large paintings to make a focus, or group smaller pictures together for order. Rearrange your furniture and try symmetrical arrangements and inviting areas. • Dress each room with accessories - Clear worktops in the kitchen, then add well-placed items such as coffee maker, herbs, plants, fruit etc for a sense of place and purpose • Make sure the temperature is right and make it feel like a great place all year round • Give the illusion of space - Put up mirrors to make rooms look bigger and brighter • Increase the curb appeal – Make sure the exterior paths and drive are clean, ensure house numbers can be seen, plant blooming flowers and fresh greenery, mow and tend lawn, wash front windows, add a light, replace doormat • Style your dining room table to give a focus to the room: Try flowers, a fruit bowl, tea lights and place mats to make it look inviting. • Create a gender-neutral, comfortable and appealing master bedroom: Make use of space, remove personal items and clutter, dress with clean, crisp linens, a stylish bed spread/blanket and cushions which tie into colour scheme. Show off storage and make sure youʼre happy for people to look inside. Aim to have 20 to 30 percent open space in each closet to give the impression of spaciousness. • Beware of kidsʼ toys and paraphernalia: everything should have its place and not alienate buyers without kids for example • Use 'extra' rooms wisely and ensure each room has a clearly defined purpose rather than just a dumping ground. By putting in a desk and good storage you can create a home office out of your junk room • Create a lifestyle people are looking for inside and out: Display accessories which give people the idea of a certain way of life, or arranging an area with an aspirational purpose; be creative For more information email: sales@nordicamarbella.com; call: 952 811 552 or visit: www.storeyinterior.com
E-twow electic Scooter E-twow is a new electric kick scooter equipped with some of the most innovative technologies used in the transportation industry. Considered by industry experts as a revolutionary vehicle, E-twow is already available for purchase in the US and will also be launched on European market this spring. This new innovation of the electric transportation industry is regarded as a successful alternative to cars and public services thanks to its capacity to take urban mobility to a higher level. E-twow is great for going to work, the post office, the bank, the park and any other place of interest because it is quite easy to handle, truly stable and enjoys full portability. E-twow is an urban mobility scooter specially designed to provide the urban population with an eco-friendly and distinctive mode of transportation. Its design, structure and weight distribution ensure a proper balance which makes it quite easy to use even if you happen to be a beginner. Moreover, the vehicle is equipped with a new shock absorbing system that annihilates vibrations from the rough terrain and reduces the noise caused by friction. As a consequence you get to benefit from a smooth and comfortable ride no matter the terrain and your level of experience. But E-twow is not only about safety and stability. This vehicle also enjoys high overall performances. The life of the battery revolves around 41 km/25 miles, making it ideal for working employees who have to commute. And in terms of speed, you can go as high as 35 km/h with the Booster model. In addition to that, due to the fact that it is the lightest vehicle ever designed at only 10.7 kg, it is quite easy to carry up and down the stairs. It is a great way of moving around and at the same time a truly efficient one. The E-twow fully portable electric scooter is equipped with high-end technologies like kers, regenerative braking system, magnetic brake or zero start. All these remarkable features ensure a safe and smooth ride and are a guarantee of an effective transportation from one place to another. No more getting stuck in traffic jams, no more searching for a parking space. E-twow streamlines your movement and thereby enables you to reach your destination without wasting precious time in traffic. If you want to take control of your time, if you want to ride an environmentally-friendly and distinctive vehicle, E-twow represents an alternative worth taking into consideration.
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LEAOS Solar Electric Bike The first self-sufficient Series E-bike with fully integrated solar panels for charging The LEAOS Solar fuses high tech with high aesthetic standards. It is the first solar electric bike with the solar panels fully integrated into the vehicle. As a result, the high-tech solar film is an attractive design element. With medium usage of up to 20 km/ day, LEAOS is completely selfsufficient, that is to say, independent from conventional power sources. Activating the solar charging requires no action on the part of the user. The energy gained and current battery level is shown on a display. If the solar power is insufficient, it can be easily connected to a conventional power source. STYLISH APPEARENCE LEAOS White cleverly plays with the elements. The star held in carbon gloss and the line of the design, all the way to the rear light, give the bike a look that is light and attractive. A COMPLETELY NEW DRIVING EXPERIENCE Secure, with perfect road performance. This is the result of the low entrance, the center of gravity and the sophisticated geometry. THE PERFECT SYMBIOSIS Mid-engine and continuously variable automatic gear shifting from NuVinci. No pops, no cable pulls. Enjoy floating silently along and comfortable shifting. Perfect for Spain's sunny weather, LEAOS say the e-bikes will be available globally from July/August 2015. They can be pre-ordered now with prices starting from from 7,900â‚Ź ($8,960) depending on configuration More information from: www.leaos.com.
New QUANT F debuts at Geneva
"This car is enormously powerful, environment-friendly and unique in one," says Nunzio La Vecchia, Chief Technical Officer at nanoFlowcell AG, of the new QUANT F, which will have its world premiere at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show on 3 March 2015. Electric automobile with range of 800 km and exceptional performance The four-seater e-sports sedan with nanoFlowcell® drive technology is a further development of the QUANT E from 2014, the first automobile with flow cell drive to be approved by the German TÜV technical inspection authority. The new QUANT F has been completely re-engineered and re-designed. With its new 2-speed automatic transmission nanoFlowcell AG has developed a new drive system, the likes of which has not existed to date. This 2-speed transmission was developed in-house specifically for impressive QUANT performance with nanoFlowcell®. A top speed of over 300 km/h in all-electric mode with nanoFlowcell® drive technology and zero harmful emissions round off the exceptional performance attributes of the new QUANT F. The enhanced nanoFlowcell® continuously feeds over 50 amperes of current into the newly developed buffer system of the QUANT F. In turn, this buffer system is briefly able to supply over 2000 amperes when needed for full performance. "To our knowledge, no-one has ever before put a system delivering over 2000 amperes on the road in a passenger car. This is unique. We achieve this by combining our flow battery with the new buffer system. This system opens up vast potential for the future of electric mobility," says Nunzio La Vecchia. A newly developed monocoque made of carbon fibre with a narrower A-pillar provides the QUANT F with a more spacious interior and elegant lines while offering exceptional safety for four passengers.
Range of 800 km with nanoFlowcell速 and ionic liquid In addition to the QUANT F's outstanding performance data and design, the vehicle also boasts impressive range: "Please consider that we are driving a 5.25-metre long sports sedan in all-electric mode over a range of 800 km. This is not a small car, but a large sedan for four people. A sports sedan. As such, nanoFlowcell AG is pointing the way to the future shape of sustainable electric mobility," observes La Vecchia. As an alternative drive system, the nanoFlowcell速 is operated with an ionic liquid. "Instead of using hydrogen and oxygen as in a conventional fuel cell, we work with two ionic fluids - one with a positive charge and one with a negative charge," explains Nunzio La Vecchia. With a total tank capacity of 500 litres, comprising two times 250 litres in two tanks accommodated separately in the QUANT's substructure, in the space of only nine months we have achieved an increase in range of over 30 percent in comparison to the QUANT E from 2014. "We are only in the initial phase of our development work. The fact that we store the energy for our drive in a fluid provides us with enormous advantages over systems employed to date in the field of electric mobility. We can use all the cavities in the vehicle to transport the ionic liquid. As the liquid is neither flammable nor toxic, we believe we are absolutely on the right track with this medium," Nunzio La Vecchia adds.
Disengageable front axle for optimum performance As another innovation on the QUANT F, the permanent 4x4 all-wheel drive, which is implemented via four electric motors, can be converted automatically into a rear-wheel drive at appropriately high speeds or high acceleration rates. To this end the front axle is declutched and subsequently runs in idling mode. "We endeavour to provide the driver with optimum acceleration and stability in every driving situation, especially at higher speeds. This is easier to achieve with rear-wheel drive than with permanent 4x4 drive," explains La Vecchia. 2-stage rear aerofoil for sporty driving The 2-stage aerofoil is another new feature on the QUANT F. This is activated automatically on attaining a speed of 80 km/h, applying additional negative lift force to the rear wheels for sporty driving, particularly at high speeds. "Thanks to its aerodynamic design, the QUANT F achieves outstanding drag coefficients. The 2-stage rear aerofoil enables the driver to apply the necessary grip to the road for even sportier driving, even at extremely high speeds and acceleration rates. It's the ultimate thrill behind a steering wheel," enthuses Nunzio La Vecchia. More information from: www.nanoflowcell.com
SOUNDGLASSES™ SG05 by Buhel High Tech sunglasses with BCT™ may soon be a rerality if a Kickstarter program reaches fuition. SOUNDglasses™SG05 are high tech sunglasses that enable hands free communications, thanks to the innovative Bone Conduction Technology (BCT). SG05 also allow you to listen to music or any audio source from a multitude of sources. This also allows for higher levels of awareness and increased safety when compared to conventional earphones / earbuds.
BUHELVIBE™ SPEAKER AND NOISE CANCELLING MICROPHONE The two comfortable Buhelvibe™speakers can transmit audio without the use of earbuds and produce a crisp and clear sound without cutting off the world outside. The cutting-edge bidirectional microphone is integrated into the bridge of the sunglasses, assuring that the transmission is clear and not disturbed by wind or other sounds. REVOLUTIONARY SOLUTION With this amazing product you can easily make and receive phone calls via bluetooth, listen to music without earphones or earbuds, communicate with GPS systems and other electronic devices and be able to hear surroundings sounds like voices traffic, alarms etc. You can even drive, ride cycle, ski, sail, run or climb with your ears 100% free to hear every sound around you! SG05 are fully compatible with iPhone, Android and most Bluetooth devices and increase yours and otherʼs peopleʼs safety immensely.
www.KEITH.PHOTO If it Moves; shoot it
www.KEITH.PHOTO Weddings: Real Estate: Business:Yachts: Automobiles: Bikes: Travell: Tourism: Magazines: Journalism:Graphics: People:
email: Keith@Keith.photo / Tel: +34 609 06 36 14
Going Western in Spain Ranch in Spain For would-be Cowboys everywhere
This is a Ranch, built just six years ago in 2009. All the wood used in the construction was specially imported from Canada. This 392m ranch is divided on two floors, with two bedrooms downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs, each room with its own ensuit bathroom of which three of them have whirlpool tubs. The views from all the rooms looks over the beautiful natural countryside from its many balconies. This property is situated in the middle of the 15,000m plot of land just five minutes away from the town of Hond贸n de Los Frailes. It still just 35 minutes from the coast and 20 minutes from Alicante airport. There is a new kitchenette area with a dining table made a beautiful wood and in the very large living room there is a huge traditional Ranch fireplace. In the garden there is a beautiful 10 x 5 swimming pool and an additional detatched guest house for your visitors. The property also includes air conditioning, air conditioning, Jacuzzi / Spa,
Satelite TV and broadband internet, garages, garden lighting, covered outside terraces and the whole immediate plot is fenced in.
Enquires: Peter Fenton Telephone: (+34) 966 848 849 Email: Luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
Enquires: Peter Fenton Telephone: (+34) 966 848 849 Email: Luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
Midas Touch Communications Reaching a Global Marketplace At Midas Touch, one of our specialities is Communication. We have always been at the forefront of Telecom and Technology and we bring this with us to Midas Touch Magazine... Our emails are eye catching and contain the latest in technology: the Video Newsletter... allowing us to highlight our partners offers If you need a professional video through the printed page; video and produced, don't worry as we have music. contacts in the film, music and video business who can provide everything you need to your requirements.
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Photography is for everyone Keith Nicol Today, everyone has a camera at arms reach, whether they know it, or use it, or not. Be it your mobile, smart phone, tablet or even a real camera, everyone can now take and share their photos with friends, family or the whole world, if one wishes. Yesterday始s trained photographers may have a better understanding of depth of field, aperture, depth of focus, f-stops, the law of thirds and other photographic terms and techniques. However today, we have the advantage of an inexpensive, reusable, instant result format of digital photography. The beauty of which, is that it allows everyone to just keep taking photos, until one you like comes out. While the average person may not have the skill and anticipation of a sports, live action, entertainment or press photographer, for those of us that are happy with snaps of our friends and family, today始s technology offers us everything we need. Usually, we can satisfy that need to take a photo, or the famous 'selfie' just by picking up that mobile of ours, which often doubles up as a telephone too. Just keep pointing and shooting and recording life as you know it. Millions of photos are taken around the world every day, all going to keep memories alive for generation after generation to come.
Some ideas from yesterday will never die. The majority of people, especially the over forty set, still like to feel and hold an actual printed photo, or look through an album. Digital printing allows you to produce quality albums of your images at a fraction of the price of yesteryear, be it from your Wedding, Birthday, Anniversary, Holiday or just for fun. Turning old photos or maybe something special, such as your Parentʼs Wedding Albums into a digital album can give it a brand new lease of life, and maybe the perfect present for the person who has everything. At Midas Touch Magazine, each month weʼll take a look at what is new in the photographic world. From cameras to lenses, mobile phones to tablets, printers to albums weʼll look at some of the important issues; worthy of not. Plus, weʼll throw in some advice for real estate professionals, first time wedding photographers, event planners, travellers, tourists and everything in between.
As the saying goes; “Watch This Space” and remember, “If it moves; Shoot It...”
What's Your Pleasure? Our partners at Midas Touch offer a vast array of products and services. We can source luxury properties, exotic and classic automobiles, yachts and cruise ships, aeroplanes, microlights, wedding destinations, fashion, jewellery, antiques, furnishings and everything inbetween from mobile phones to electric bikes. Let us know your pleasure... Guilty or otherwise... luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
The winners have been selected and we are proud to announce the winnerʼs for this years Cigar Industry Awards presented by the Cigar Media Association. The 14 members of the CMA created three categories narrowed down the nominations and then submitted their selections. The votes have been tabulated and the winners are: Cigar of the Year: Illusione Fume DʼAmour Brand of the Year: Crowned Heads CMA Member of the Year: Cigar Dojo Cigar of the Year: When the votes came in, there were cigars here and there that were receiving the Cigar of the Year vote by members of the association, but the one cigar that was consistently ranking well, if not first, by the members of the Cigar Media Association was Fume DʼAmour. It gives me great pleasure to announce that the 2014 Cigar Media Association Award for Cigar of the Year goes to Illusione Cigars for Fume DʼAmour. Released at the 2014 IPCPR, Fume DʼAmour is the newest regular production release from Illusione Cigars, and is a cigar that is ground breaking on many levels. It is translated as “to love smoke,” and is offered in a variety of more traditional vitolas. Crafted of entirely Nicaraguan tobacco, none of which from the ligero primings, the cigar delivers a wonderful amount of body while having a tremendous complexity level. No matter the vitola being smoked, Fume D ʻAmour delivers everything that a great cigar should while remaining balanced and refined. We can all agree that Dion has tremendous blending skills, and his work with Casa Fernandez and AGANORSA tobacco have created magnificent blends in the past, but this is possibly one of the best he has created, and is a regular production cigar at that. Congratulations to Dion Giolito and Illusione Cigars for a terrific cigar and a successful 2014 year. As always, we look forward to future projects!
Illusione Fume De A'Mour Brand of the Year: There were a lot of brands, both big and small, and new and old, that had a great 2014 year. In fact, there were so many that the votes were very close at times in terms of who would receive this award. But the end of the day though, the 14 members of the Cigar Media Association voted and the votes kept pointing to one brand. It is my honor to announce that the 2014 Cigar Media Association Award for Brand of the Year Award goes to Crowned Heads . Crowned Heads CigarsHailing from Nashville, Tennessee, and led under the direction of Jon Huber and Mike Conder, Crowned Heads had a tremendous year and one fitting of the name. The year began with the companyʼs first project with My Father Cigars, Las Calavares, and a limited vitola addition to the successful Headley Grangeline, Laguito No. 6, which was worked on with E.P Carrillo. Out of the gate, Las Calavares was a hit and it was a cigar that had smokers loving the dynamics between Pepin and Huber. Those releases were followed up by the companyʼs first TAA release, The Angelʼs Anvil, a cigar that was once again made with E.P. Carrillo. After that, the company announced its first regular production release from 2014, and that was the successful Jericho Hill. The cigar was showcased at the 2014 IPCPR trade show and is a cigar that pays tribute to Johnny Cash and Nashville, Tennessee. While that would be enough work for most individuals, Crowned Heads wanted to take it further and released five more limited releases and one regional release in 2014. One of the limited editions, The Buckingham, was crafted for a member of the Cigar Media Association, Logan Lawlerʼs Cigar Federation, and the regional release done was The Tennessee Waltz, released for Huberʼs state, Tennessee. While we all have our favorites from Crowned Heads, and the years in which they were released, there is no question that 2014 was a huge year for the company and that they dominated the media waves for nearly the entire year. Congratulations Crowed Heads, you had a terrific year and you should be proud of it. We look forward to your work in 2015.
Cigar Dojo app CMA Member of the Year: When the Cigar Media Association members discussed the concept of presenting awards, it was easy to say that we wanted a Cigar of the Year Award and a Brand of the Year Award. Those two are givens, but we wanted to offer a third award for the first year. We discussed the options available, and there are plenty, but what we kept throwing out there was an award for the Media Member of the Year. We thought it was a great way of recognizing online media, and also recognizing the work that we all put into the cigar industry. We all have our own styles and methods, each great in their own way, but we wanted to recognize a media member for the excellent work they did in that year. Every company has internal awards- most sales, most improved, etc., and we wanted to have an internal award as well where we could recognize the great work that he or she did for the industry that year. This is the first time this has been done, no online media outlet has ever done this, and we believe it says a lot about who is in the Cigar Media Association and what we stand for in doing it. There were a lot of great nominees for this award, we think that everyone involved in the association is contributing a great quality, but at the end we picked a winner with Cigar Dojo . Master Sensei and the Cigar Dojo crew are doing terrific work right now and have a very unique approach to the industry. They are groundbreaking in many ways, and they are media member who is reaching out to the industry like no other. While most media members are website focused, Sensei is reaching out to the industry through the Cigar Dojo app on mobile devices and tablets, reaching consumers on the go. They have taken on a mission statement of Never Smoke Alone, and to this day have been accomplishing just that with their ever growing community. Along with the app, Master Sensei host his own show, Smoke Night Live, a show dedicated to and for the members of Cigar Dojo, DOJONATION. Continuing down this road of success, Cigar Dojo has lead and been involved with cigar releases to the market such as the Undercrown Dogma with Drew Estate and Smoke Inn, the Sarsparilla with Espinosa Premium Cigars and Famous Smoke Shop, and has had a cigar made in its honor with the La Jugada Nunchuck by Moya Ruiz Cigars. Cigar Dojo is a member of the online media that is truly going places, and the Cigar Media Association is pleased to have them on board. I am thrilled to announce the 2014 Cigar Media Association Award for Online Media Member of the Year to Cigar Dojo. The Cigar Media Association would like to congratulate all of this year's winners and we look forward to 2015.
Valentine's Day with Keith on the Radio February is the month of love around the world as we all celebrate St. Valentineʼs Day. If you are looking for that something a little different, heartfelt and personal to give a loved one, why not dedicate a record to a ʻloved oneʼ. On the afternoon of Saturday February 14th, TKO radio presenter Keith Nicol will be playing all your requests and dedications and offers you the chance to spread the love, maybe reach out and touch someone from Far Away, as Nickleback might sing: be they in San Diego, Rio, Fort Lauderdale, London, Australia or just next door.
Just drop Keith an email with your request to: NickInSpain@Mac.com with your names, your dedication, name of song and maybe even why itʼs so special, and heʼd be delighted to play it for you, be you round the corner or around the world. As the late American DJ Casey Kasem once said about the power of radio: “Despite all the technical improvements, it still boils down to a man or a woman and a microphone, playing music, sharing stories, talking about issues -- communicating with an audience. For the most part, that message hasn't changed a lot over the years -- love is still love, and heartbreak is still heartbreak.” "You are hearing something that someone else is experiencing," Kasem said. "When I do the letters, sometimes it takes me three, four, five times to read them until we get it exactly right. Every letter has its own feel, and none of them are just by rote. Anytime in radio that you can reach somebody on an emotional level, you're really connecting.” Why not reach out and touch someone on St. Valentineʼs Day. You could even send an anyonymous message, a cryptic note, that maybe only your loved one will understand. Whatever the message, one thing is for sure: ʻLove is in the Air (waves)ʼ. You can listen to Keith locally on the southern Costa Blanca between 3.00pm and 6.00pm, on 91.9fm or 90.8fm, stream TKO via www.TKO.fm or download the app. You can also follow Keith on Facebook/keithontheradio. If you have a business and you want to really get your message out there, Keithʼs Saturday show is also available for Sponsorship. Just contact him for more information. And yes: the King, Elvis Presley will be featured on the show.
LOCAL TOUCH: TKO Radio
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TKO brings you a great line-up of professional, experienced and local presenters. Our style and genre of music has often be described as being "Modern Radio 2", playing non-stop classic hits and the very best from the UK Top 40. After 10 years they are still doing it, and doing it right...
Schedule Monday to Friday: 07:00 - Peter Hurst 09:00 - Chris Ashley 11:00 - Dennis Christian 13:00 - Alex Trelinski 16:00 - Neil Couzens
Follow Keith on: www.facebook.com/radiokeith Saturday:
Join Keith Nicol every weekend for the Saturday Session: 3.00pm until 6.00pm Spanish time. The best music from today and yesteryear, sports updates, chat, requests and dedications plus a little nonsense picked up from the World Wide Web. Keith is just one of TKO's team of expereinced presenters bringing the best in radio entertainment for the English Community on the Southern Costa Blanca and beyond. Tune in, around the corner or around the world on www.tko.fm / listen locally on 91.9fm or 90.8fm and don't forget to send them your requests, dedications, quiz answers via email: studio@tko.fm, Facebook at: TKO Spain or www.TKO.fm
09:00 - Trev Massey 12:00 - Peter Hurst 15:00 - Keith Nicol Sunday 09:00 - Trev Massey 12:00 - Tony De Love 15:00 - Gordon Lack
Coys Rent A Car Mike and Heidi, the owners of Coys Rent a Car are not only celebrating being together for 25 years next year but also the running of their successful car hire business, Coys Rent a Car, for the past 20 years, since 1995. Heidi said `working together for this long is sometimes testing but we must make a great team as it has worked really well for us." The couple, originally from the Midlands, add that they always finish the day with a smile and forget about work when arriving at home. Mike and Heidi decided to leave their jobs in the UK back in 1995 and seek pastures new in one of the healthiest places in the world where they could eventually raise a family. Back home Mike was a Sales Executive for Peugeot and Heidi was a travel agent so life changed more than just a little when they arrived in Spain although Mike’s history and knowledge of the car industry has always complimented their car rental business. Coys Rent a Car is an independent car hire company serving the Costa Blanca and including Alicante-Elche and Murcia (San Javier) airports. Based in Torrevieja, Coys Rent a Car do not claim to be the cheapest when you compare prices on the internet, however you can be sure that the price you get quoted will be the price you pay on arrival with no hidden surprises. The company has a very clear pricing structure so as not to confuse the customer as they understand from experience that a happy customer means that their business will continue to prosper even further. Mike said `we appreciate that hiring a car can sometimes be a confusing experience, we try hard to make car hire simple and as transparent as possible, we are not just offering competitive prices with no hidden charges, we offer the highest of customer service, easy booking procedure, fast replies and most of all quality cars`. They have an excellent easy to use website www.coysrent-a-car.com Or if you prefer, you can also email them on info@coysrent-a-car.com Or telephone them on (0034) 966 702 816 or (0034) 629 362 764 You can also Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. 60
This Is Spain Welcome to This Is Spain The intention of ThisIsSpain.info is to give information to those considering moving to Spain or those already here, particularly those still finding their way around. Our specialist area of knowledge is the Costa Del Sol (in particular the Marbella/Fuengirola/Mรกlaga area), the Costa Blanca (in particular the Torrevieja/Orihuela Costa area) and the Canaries (Lanzarote). However, much of the information will be applicable to all of Spain. We also run ThisIsFuengirola.info and ThisIsBenidorm.info. To help those looking to purchase a property, we have partners all over Spain ready to offer you bespoke services, to find that perfect property. Contact us through: Sales@MidasTouchMagazine.com. The driving force behind ThisIsSpain is my desire to give accurate and upto-date information about expat life. With a country that is changing as fast as Spain, this is not always easy and hence I always value updates and new information. Please do not hesitate to advise me through the contact pages of any additions or errata. ยกMuchas gracias. We have contacts in every section of Spanish Life and can put you in touch with lawyers, builders, financal advisors, web designers, translators, film makers, photographers, entertainers, clubs, groups, associations, town hall officials, departments of tourism and all other areas to make you stay or life in Spain as perfect as possible.
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LOCAL TOUCH
LOCAL TOUCH
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LOCAL TOUCH
MIDAS TOUCH SELECTION Valencia: Your place in the City 700,000â‚Ź This is just an amazing bargain to buy in the historical centre of Valencia near to the Torres Serranos. It is right in the heart of the Carmen but on a pedestrianised square. The whole building is for sale with over 800m2 available in four floors. There is even an extra part that is partially finished to the rear which offers a brilliant opportunity to have amazing glassed in terraces with views of the old Arabic wall that used to surround Valencia. The entrance leads us to an open plan lobby with potential to be a great common area for a hotel as there is a hotel quality kitchen on the first floor. Each floor is totally open plan with around 200m2 per floor and there whole building has been fully modernised recently. To the rear the extra unfinished part of the building stands ready to make this property extremely special. The building has plenty of possibilities and also boasts a large roof terrace and even an observatory. The potential for development is huge and the potential for eventual capital gain must also be considered if developed in the right way. This will be a brilliant hotel or it could also suit a group of friends wanting to have a flat each as each floor has a door leading from the stairwell and they are independent. There is also space to put in a lift if required. The best value building currently for sale in central Valencia in our opinion. For more information, please contact Steve at: luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
MIDAS TOUCH SELECTION Asturias: Stylish Country House Hotel
Beautifully renovated, with a stylish eye for detail, this fully operational country house hotel has a total of 8 en-suite bedrooms spread over 3 floors and a build size of 500m2. Nestled in grounds of 3,800m2 the property has stunning views to the Picos de Europa mountains. This Indiano-style mansion was renovated in 2006 by a Madrileña fleeing the stresses of big city life. It was her dream project and she poured her heart and soul (as well as her excellent taste and considerable sums of money) into the renovations and established an idyllic country retreat. But sometimes life has other plans for us. When her mother fell ill she was required to scale back the business and instead devote herself to being a carer. At the same time, the economic crisis struck – bad news for anyone with a million euro property to sell. She hung on, juggling the business and family commitments, closing for months at a time and rejecting the handful of offers that came in. Now the day has come when she wonʼt wait any longer. Sheʼs just slashed more than 50% off the initial asking price, putting this dream property within easy reach of the latest generation of big city escapees. A one million euro property marketed for urgent sale at just 450,000 euros More details direct from Steve: luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
MIDAS TOUCH SELECTION Malaga: Exclusive Villa POA
Villa for sale in El Madroñal, Benahavis, Málaga Stunning south-facing mansion on an extensive plot and surrounded by nature. Situated in the mountains above San Pedro, within a gated community with 24 hour security. A beautiful driveway leads to a magnificent courtyard with fountain, with the main house on the right and to the left a guest house with its own entrance gate. Distributed over 2 levels, accommodation comprises: on ground floor: entrance hall with guest toilet; living/dining room with fireplace; lounge with fireplace; kitchen; laundry room; amazing spa area with indoor heated pool, Turkish bath, sauna, massage room and gym. Most of the rooms have access to the beautiful garden with sea views. Upstairs: study with fireplace and access to enormous terrace; en-suite master bedroom with terrace with sea views and ensuite guest bedroom. There is also an independent apartment comprising: living/dining room with fireplace; kitchen; 3 bedrooms, 2 en-suite and the other with shower pre-installation and a guest toilet. Enormous terrace with spectacular views to the coast. Lower level: games room; wine cellar; storage area and machinery room. Garage for 3 cars. Guest house: living/dining room with fireplace; 3 en-suite bedrooms; nice terrace; guest toilet and garage for 2 cars. Lovely landscaped garden with plenty of space for outdoor entertaining. Other features include: under-floor heating except lower level, perimetral alarm system and lift. A delightful family home, close to golf courses and within a 7 minute drive to Puerto Banús. Contact Steve: luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
MIDAS TOUCH SELECTION Marbella: Six Bed Villa 5,400,000₏ A property with an absolute WOW factor! This is NOT a property for everybody but it is most definitely a home for SOMEBODY! This is a brand new villa with a WOW factor! Breathtaking panoramic sea and mountain views, one of the best you can find in Marbella! This high-tech, contemporary villa is located in the most prestigious area of The Golden Mile. It is built to the absolute highest standard, using the best materials and most luxurious modern technology. From the grand entrance to the huge living room, you have amazing views to the terrace and the sea. On the ground floor it consists of 4 large bedrooms all with en suite bathrooms. Double living area with fireplace, dining room, Bulthaup kitchen and a separate entrance. There is another bedroom en suite with salon and kitchenette for guests or au pair. On the first floor a spacious master bedroom with bathroom en suite, big walk-in wardrobes, bathroom with jacuzzi and large terrace offering stunning sea and mountain views! There is 305m² of basement with a cinema, a billiard room and a cellar which has a large window overlooking the outdoor pool. Under the terrace by the pool there is the spa with its sauna, pool and dip-fitness area and a window view into the swimming-pool, giving natural light to the room. All areas of the villa are accessible by stairs or elevator. This modern villa has a full home automation system, burglar and fire protection, cooling, heating and audio and video equipment in all common rooms, bedrooms and terraces, all running through panels or I-pads. The garden is big and flat with a 15m x 7m pool. At the end of the terrace there is a covered pergola with outdoor kitchen. BBQ and bar area with magnificent views! Air conditioning, underfloor heating, sliding glass doors into the walls and all electric blinds. For more information, please contact Steve: luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
The future of email is already here: Vmail@MidasTouchMagazine.com
The future of email is already here: Vmail@MidasTouchMagazine.com
Investment Opportunities Investment Opportunity Now reduced to 850,000 euros for quick sale: Original asking price 1.4 million LARGE LUXURIOUS PROPERTY offered for immediate sale due to recent bereavement. This is a unique opportunity on the island and is offered as an investment opportunity whether bought as a family home or small business.
COMPRISING: 5 KITCHENS 6 BATHROOMS 10 BEDROOMS (could be 12/14 using reception rooms) 8 RECEPTION ROOMS VIEWING GALLERY TO LOWER TERRACE OFFICE UTILITY ROOM LAUNDRY ROOM 2 UPPER TERRACES LARGE LOWER TERRACE with illuminated, balustraded garden area. LARGE MATURE EASILY MAINTAINED GARDENS, with mangoes, oranges, lemons, coconuts, datepalms, vines, guavas, pomegranates, and tangerines. There are 驶green始 water taps all around the garden for watering. SWIMMING POOL 11 X 5 METRES and SURROUNDING SUN TERRACES, with sunken low noise machine filter room, efficient solar heating and outside shower. The pool is lit at night via underwater lighting. GARAGE & WORKSHOP OUTBUILDINGS 3 KENNELS
LARGE ALJIBE (underground fresh water storage) BALUSTRADED BARBEQUE AREA 2 ENTRANCES & LARGE PARKING AREAS, for at least 12 cars. The bedrooms have high quality fitted wardrobes and there are numerous fitted cupboards throughout the property. Marble and wood used are of the highest standard. Telephone, ADSL Broadband, Sat TV and WIFI. Intercom entry system installed. Whole property is illuminated at night by over 30 outside lights. The accommodation is at present arranged as a large house on the upper level with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, and 4 apartments on the lower level with a total of 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The apartments are large, individual, furnished and equipped to a high standard, with new kitchens and bathrooms.
2538 SQ. METRE PLOT & 540 SQ. METRES OF BUILT AREA. The location is central for all island amenities, and 10 mins drive from the 2 golf courses, schools nearby and also large shops and supermarkets. Beaches, sporting venues and top attractions are all easily accessible from Casa Kernow. SELLING PRICE – 850,000€ to include furniture, fixtures and fittings. The owner will only remove personal objects. House: Casa Kernow was built in 1981. It was purchased by the present owners in 2003 and was completely refurbished to include new kitchens, bathrooms, doors and windows on the lower level. Three phase electricity and new PVC water pipes were installed in 2007. Upper windows have tinted glass and all upper bedroom windows have shutters. Solar heating has been installed for pool heating and the whole property is in pristine condition. Vacant possession can be in accordance with the needs of any prospective purchaser. ALL bedrooms will take double beds, in fact many will take 2 doubles or 4 singles. The bathrooms on the upper levels are sunken and the apartments have showers. There are bidets in all bathrooms. Further bedrooms can be added by change of use of other rooms. Apartments: All the apartments face south benefiting from day long sunshine. Nos 1 and 4 have single beds and sofa beds. Nos 2 and 3 have single beds, a double and sofa beds. There are numerous extra beds, a cot and other items that will be included in the sale including all the linen, towels, crockery etc. All apartments have sufficient equipment for a luxurious self catering holiday. Guests have access to a laundry room equipped with washing machine and all apartments have irons and ironing boards. Apartments have ceramic hobs, microwave ovens, extractor fans, toasters and fridge freezers, all of which will remain. Hairdryers, fans, bathroom and kitchen fittings will also be left by the owners. Sun-loungers around the pool, a Spanish BBQ and a permanent one will remain, a large pool sunshade and all tables and chairs around the property. In short, nothing will be removed from the ʻbusinessʼ areas of the house.
THE WHOLE HOUSE IS PRESENTED IN AN UP TO DATE AND LEGAL ESCRITURA. SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY USE There are several commercial enterprises already established in the area, and San Bartolom茅 Ayuntamiento have been approached about the granting of a commercial licence for the following suggestions and in principle there are not any problems. Businesses this property would suit include; Company headquarters. Dental practices. Day care centre for the elderly. Guarder铆a. Insurance agency. Law offices. Veterinary practices. Dive Academy. Architect offices. Doctor始s surgeries. Language school. Health and Beauty centre.
Physiotherapy, Massage and personal training centre. Cookery school. Corporate team building venue. Recording studios. Many types of clinic. Cycle sports centre. Triathlete centre. Old people始s home. Boutique Hotel. Cosmetic and beauty centre Wedding and special events. For more information about this very special investment opportunity, please contact Steve at: luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
THE LAST WORD Costa Blanca: Bespoke Villas 990,000â‚Ź
CONTEMPORARY VILLA 4 BEDROOMS – 4 BATHROOMS With a plot of 725m2 and living space of 247m2, these beautiful contemporary villas offer beautiful Golf and Country views in one of the most desirable areas of the Southern Costa Blanca. DESIGN & BUILD The custom designed villas are only a short walk from the famous La Glea beach in Campoamor, where you will find several popular restaurants including exclusive sushi restaurants. To the other side you will find a supermarket just a few hundred meters away, which is also the starting point for the famous Cabo Roig Strip with restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, plenty of night life and much more. This proposed villa will be build to the client's satisfaction by a long standing developer who offers bespoke specification. You can also have exclusive furnishings, artwork and any manner of special touches to make this your dream home in Spain. For more information and to view the showhouse, please contact Steve: luxury@MidasTouchMagazine.com
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