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The Castle of La Barben and its wonderful zoo May 09 2019, 0 Comments
This month, Calisson by Gilles brings you to the discovery of a 1000 year old Castle and its zoo in the surroundings of Aix en Provence. Spring is the best time to discover this place, weather is warm, days are sunny and this is for sure the best period for a memorable visit.
As its name indicates the Castle of La Barben is located in the small village of the same name. La Barben is located in the middle of the Department of Bouches du Rhône, halfway between Salon de Provence and Aix en Provence. The area is a lush green countryside and is crossed by the Touloubre River which supply all the area with water; an oasis in the middle of a dry area in summer.
Now let's begin our journey with the discovery of the castle of La Barben!
Its History
This superb mediaeval fortress belonged to King René in the 15th century. But the fortress is much older and was mentioned first in the 11th century! The earliest record of the property is from 1064, when it was owned by the Abbey of Saint Victor de Marseille. Historical records reveals that a century later the castle became the property of a medieval lord, Pierre de Pontevès and remained in his family until the 14th century when a descendant collapsed during a revolt against the King of Naples. The French royal family owned it for about a century before it was bought by the Forbin, a local noble family who managed it for 500 years!
The fortress was victim of many assaults in the 16th century and extension were added to the main structure in the 17th century. There was a heavy restoration work from the 19th up to the end of the 20th century; almost 200 years! Today you can visit the Castle which has been restored to all its former splendor. Ceilings are in the traditional French style, 400 years old printed cloth on the walls. All the rooms in the Castle have decoration and furnishings of its original times.
In the 1960s, the Forbin family had a lot of properties in Provence and Limousin area and the family was not able to keep them all. André Pons who was a friend with the Marquis de Forbin, bought the castle. Today the Castle belongs to his son-in-law Bertrand Pillivuyt. Now, Calisson by Gilles is going to give you an exclusivity: the Castle of La Barben in on sale! If you want to own it you will have to spend $17 million!
Bed and Breakfast
Since Bertrand Pillivuyt is the owner, he and his wife Ghislaine have opened the house and garden to visitors. They turned the Castle into a 15 room's bed and breakfast! You can directly book on the website for a memorable night! Be sure to bring one of our sweet boxes of Calisson by Gilles to make it an even more memorable moment. It is very likely that people have enjoy Calissons there for centuries!
The castle is also available for private events.
The outdoor terrace can entertain 300 people, and the interior can accept 200 people. Weddings are often books years in advance for a slot in full season.
The Visit
If you can't affort to stay, you will be able to visit it. Daily tours usually take place with a guide dressed up and a riddle game all through the visit. You will be able to visit the 15 rooms of the castle: the dining room, the bedrooms, the lounge, the chapel and many others. All the rooms are richly furnished and picturesque. You will have to pay 9 € for the visit.
You will also be able to visit the surrounding such as underground passages, archery and even a jail with a medieval knight. The visit including the grounds is a little bit more expensive, 16 €.
For kids, there are very nice treasure hunts around the castle that will bring them through its history; It is really worth it! Like everywhere, at the end of the visit a boutique of souvenirs is waiting for you.
La Barben Zoo
André Pons the previous owner of the La Barben Castle, founded in 1970 the Barben Zoo. André Pons was a farming engineer and animal enthusiast. This is the reason why he decided to establish a zoo on his property. La Barben Zoo is the closest zoo from Marseille and the main one in Provence!
In the very heart of Provence, La Barben zoo is a great place to get away from it all in a beautiful green setting of Mediterranean vegetation.
The zoo grounds cover 85 acres with 6 miles of paths among the green oak trees, taking visitors through the animal kingdom. The zoo is an experience of immersion in wildlife, with its 700 animals from over 130 species!
In the early 2000's, la Barben Zoo changed its old conception of zoo and went beyond the step of a simple animal representation. It developed the conservation of species and the education of people in this domain which is today a major issue. The zoo participates continuously in scientific research programs and it also promotes relaxation and entertainment of visitors.
The zoo is now in the 21th century by providing visitors a digital entertainment with audio guides throughout the path. Nevertheless the zoo preserves its essence and all the area is totally dedicated to nature and wellbeing of the animals.
The Barben Zoo provides a large animal collection in a variety of modern facilities. Animals lives in very good representation of their respective natural habitat and visitors enjoy an optimal observation of every wildlife. A very good praiseworthy initiative has been to create dedicated retirement areas for all animals when they want to move away from visitors for resting.
The most modern facility is the whole reviewed cheetah area which has been extended to enable the felines to reach their 60mph of running! Cheetahs arrived at the zoo in 2017 with panthers from Sri Lanka which is also a magic creature. The panthers area is also stunning, a lot of vertical attractions for this outstanding climber!
During the hot season be sure to bring caps and solar cream to avoid any embarrassing sunburn. Bring pack of water even though that you will get some snacks spots in the shade of green oaks for some resting moment. La Barben zoo is a family outdoor activity, hence you can bring stroller and discover all the zoo like any other walker. The 'stroller' path has been very well thought despite the rugged terrain of the zoo. There is even a little train that will take you at the entrance of the zoo and bring you in the playing area over the hill. Single trip is 1€ ! Calisson by Gilles really advises to discover this zoo, you will forge very good memories.
About The Author:
Gilles Cailleaux is the Owner & Master Confectioner at By Gilles, an online French candy store based in Orange County, California. They sell traditional French confections called Calissons from Provence. Gilles is always ready to share his 25 years plus experience of candy making and baking with everyone and want to hear about your experience with his calissons. Gilles and his team are sensitive about taste and harmony. They prepare your packages with special care and attention.
Les Gorges du Verdon April 05 2019, 0 Comments
Last month, Calisson by Gilles brought you to the discovery of the world of Faience in Provence and more particularly the village of Moustiers. This April we will discover together the surrounding area of Moustiers called "les Gorges du Verdon".
How to get there:
You can reach the site from two directions: from the West, take the Manosque exit (n°18) of the A51 highway while driving from Aix en Provence to Gap, and cross Valensole and Riez signals to finally reach Moustiers Sainte Marie. The gorges will be 5 minutes away.
Or you can reach the Gorge du Verdon from the East if you are coming from Saint Maximin. Follow the directions toward Draguignan, Aups to the Lac Sainte Croix and Gorge of Verdon will be mentioned.
One of the most beautiful natural sites:
Provence is filled with surprises and hidden treasures that locals enjoy and try to keep for themselves. The images of Provence that are popular are landscapes of olive tree and vineyards, Mediterranean pine forests and blooming lavender fields. PACA is an abbreviation for Provence which means Provence - Alpes - Côte d'Azur, (Provence Alps and the Riviera). We mostly have in mind Provence and Riviera but often forget that Provence is also a part of the Alps mountains! The Gorges of Verdon belong to this category. While approaching the limestone massifs of the Alpine foothills, land becomes arid and climate here is generally dry. But there is a unique area crossed by rivers flowing down from the snowy peaks of the Alps. These rivers have carved deep valleys, and the longest and deepest one is the Verdon river. The Gorges of Verdon are the deepest gorges of France. This is a natural must-see attraction of central Provence.
From its source near the Italian Border, the Verdon runs south as far as the village of Castellane, and then joins the Durance River near Manosque. The most impressive scenery of the canyon is located at the East of the Lake Sainte Croix. This is a 25 kilometers long and 700 meters deep river canyon. There is no road to the gorge, but a breath-taking circular "corniche" route that require careful driving!
It has been called Verdon because of its brilliant turquoise-green water. Vert in French means green, hence the name Verdon river.
The Gorges of Verdon attract visitors for many reasons. You can go there to experience a spectacular road trip around the edge of the gorge, by car or by bike. You can even come to hike the numerous trails in and around the gorge. Then there are some who come to admire the bird life. You can try kayak or pedal boat in the gorge. For the bravest ones you can either jump off from the cliffs! Calisson by Gilles will detail for you everything in the coming lines!
Where to stay:
For a total harmony with nature, bring your tent and do a camping trip, dedicated camping areas are legion around the lake of Sainte Croix. This is the most popular way to spend few days in the area. For people who are wishing something else you can book a bedroom into a luxurious hotel. There are few and expensive.
What to do:
There are plenty of opportunities for hiking in and around the gorges du Verdon. Trails starts from the very gentle and easy level up to the technical and hard one. You will find what you are looking for. Footpaths are marked and start from the many parking spots of the area. One of the most popular but tough one is the Sentier de l'Imbut. The path starts near the Hotel du Grand Canyon, on the road 71.
The basic hike follows the GR99 (Grande Randonnée – Great Hike) hiking trail from the lip of the gorge then down to the bottom, and back up again. It takes roughly 4 hours. It's quite a hike, but accessible to most fit hikers. Proper shoes or boots are essential, refers to our tips to always have in mind during your stay.
From this path you will cross a footbridge over the Verdon river, and it is possible to continue on up the north side of the gorge. Down at river level, you will have to choose what kind of path to take.
Experienced hikers may like to continue along the path of Vidalwhich which includes sections cut into the rock, and a very hard one hour of climb, to go back up to the road RD71.
For a longer but less exhausting hike, you can continue on the GR99 or follow the GR49. From the GR49, you will reach a spot that provides perhaps the most breath-taking views down into the canyon.
Kayaking and rafting
Kayaking or boating into the lower part of the gorge is a popular activity, and kayaks and other types of craft can be hired at the top end of the Lac de Sainte Croix. Plan for a couple of hours to make your way around the beautiful Lac de Sainte-Croix. The lake is a man made lake, it was created in the 70's when the Electricity of France company built the Verdon dam to create electrical power. The dam generates 142 million kWh of electricity per year and is 94 meters high. However the original village of Sainte Croix is now completely underwater at the middle of the Lake! Divers can experience the exploration but at your own risks!
If possible, rent your boat for longer than one hour ; an hour isn't really enough time to see the gorge. A whole morning or afternoon will be the best to enjoy the magic sceneries of the gorge. Bring a picnic and drinks to chill and have good times during you boat session. For sure, do not forget to take our sweet collection of Mediterranean Calisson by Gilles box for a great and memorable moment.
Rafting is not practiced in the Gorges part of the Verdon river. For rafting in the Verdon, it is better to go higher in the valley, and reach the small town of Castellane. From there a couple of companies provide rafting trips on the river in July and August.
There are endless opportunities for adventures here. If you are ready for it, bring your climbing gear. The Gorge of Verdon is a paradise for climbers, it has over 1500 routes for technical climbing. The toughest one are more than 600 meters high. Absolutely incredible! For amateurs and neophytes, book a canyoning session with an official guide. It takes a whole day long, you will discover and try everything. A hike to meet a point of rappelling descent, often coupled with some portions of climbing. To finally doing some rafting down the Verdon river!
Bird watching in the Verdon
Vultures were reintroduced into the Verdon gorge in 1999. Today Griffon vultures and black vultures are among the largest birds that can be seen in the Gorges of Verdon. But there are also eagles and other large birds of prey. The vertiginous crags of the gorge provide perfect nesting areas for these large raptors.
Calisson by Gilles tips:
Best time for exploring Gorges du Verdon: We recommend starting your day early in Gorges du Verdon, especially during the summer. It is a popular spot from June to the end of September so get up early to beat the crowd.
Bring hiking shoes to explore. Keep in mind that there are not many casual paths, so your hiking shoes will be more comfortable and will prevent potential injuries of your ankles. Calisson by Gilles recommends that you use a GPS on your trip if you are driving in Provence. To rent a boat easily, get to the bridge called Pont du Galetas, park your car and go to the local renter hereunder. You can find the exact location of the Pont du Galetas bridge to get an idea of where you will want to go.
Risky tradition: the local youth keeps the tradition of jumping from this bridge even if it is prohibited nowadays. Stand on the bridge in front of the Verdon river to imagine how high and dangerous it is from there. You may encounter some young people challenging themselves to jump!
About The Author:
Gilles Cailleaux is the Owner & Master Confectioner at By Gilles, an online French candy store based in Orange County, California. They sell traditional French confections called Calissons from Provence. Gilles is always ready to share his 25 years plus experience of candy making and baking with everyone and want to hear about your experience with his calissons. Gilles and his team are sensitive about taste and harmony. They prepare your packages with special care and attention.
Faïence of Provence March 09 2019, 0 Comments
History of the Faïence in Provence
Owing to its location, the richness of its soils and its inhabitant's, Provence has always enjoyed a privileged location for creation and innovation. Halfway between Italy and Spain, Provence had and still continues to receive influences from these cultures. Furthermore, located on the Rhone axis, Provence is opened to Belgium, the Netherlands, the Germanic countries and England. This scheme is rather unique and has made Provence a hub for different techniques and know-how's through the centuries.
This month Calisson by Gilles will present the Faïence of Provence which has a worldwide reputation. The origin of Faïence goes back more than 1200 years ago. The first traces of Faïence were spotted in Baghdad, Mesopotamia in the 9th century. This art was introduced to Spain by Arab potters in the 13th century. It took 100 years for it to reach Provence and Italy.
For centuries now, Provence has kept a tradition of potters settled in many villages. These potters have drawn inspiration from the surrounding, colorful, and shimmering landscapes. You can feel it through the production of Provençal ceramics. The village of Moustiers Sainte Marie is dedicated to the Faïence and Calisson by Gilles brings you there today!
The Faïence of Moustiers
The local art of Faïence brings us to the gates of the Gorges du Verdon, in an exceptional environment and overlooking the Lake of Sainte-Croix, in the very popular area of the Verdon's region: the village of Moustiers Sainte-Marie.
The growth of earthenware in Moustiers is due to the Clérissy family, which created from 1679 the first large pieces of milky white enamel. A milestone will occur under the reign of Louis XIV. The king was in financial difficulty and to finance wars, he ordered the melting of all gold and silver dishes in the kingdom of France. This decision allowed Provençal potters the opportunity to make a place for the Faïence as a luxury item for wealthy families. Afterwards it has been diversified, and pottery Faïence was launched in a large panel of items. The reign of Faïence lasted over 2 centuries before the arrival of the porcelain. This was a hard time for the Faïence of Moustiers Saintes Marie because the porcelain was much easier to produce and cheaper than Faïence.
But in 1927 the industry of Faïence restarted in Moustiers, under the impulse of Marcel Provence who reignited a kiln of the village in order to restore the reputation of Moustiers as a great city of faience. And it worked well! Nowadays, about twenty potteries as well as a museum perpetuate this traditional Provencal art.
Each of these pieces is fashioned with respect for tradition. Everything begins with the preparation and selection of clay, which abounds in the village of Moustiers. Then comes stamping which consists in shaping clay slabs on a mold, turning (which applies for vases and pitchers in particular) and pouring (applied for more complex shapes), entirely made manually. Then comes the first of 2 cookings.
The first one is very high, at 1020°C to cook the biscuit. Next, the time has come to paint the decorations on the enamel. Then is the moment for the second firing to vitrify the enamel, at 960°C, making the faience shiny. The potteries offer authentic collections, with traditional or contemporary scenes.
The use of Faïence:
Since its beginning, Faïence is used for cooking utensils, plates or food storage. Today you can still encounter many Faïence items within a Provençal kitchen: a jar to preserve the oil, another for dried fruits, a daubière (a daube saucepan), a mortar to pound the garlic, a pot for cooking the famous Provencal bouillabaisse. The list could be endless. In addition to its utensils used in Provencal cuisine, you can enjoy your meals and delicacies in colorful plates, serve diners in Faïence dishes, drink in beautiful water jugs. These water jugs were used at the time to fetch water from the fountain of the villages. For sure, if you are going to Moustiers, you can bring a Faïence jar to store and preserve our delicious Calisson by Gilles. Our Calissons originally comes from Provence and the Faïence perfectly suits with them.
Some practical information on Faïence: you can use it daily. It will not be damaged, unless you use a brush too abrasive to clean it. You are used to using the dishwasher, so do not hesitate, Faïence does not mind!
Discover Moustiers
Moustiers Sainte Marie is a typical Provençal village located in the Alpes de Haute Provence. Moustiers Sainte Marie is listed as one of the most beautiful villages of France. Moustiers is at the gates of the "Grand Canyon du Verdon", at an altitude of 634 meters and is built amphitheatrically in the hills of Provence.
Moustiers Sainte Marie is a small picturesque village located on a remarkable and unique site: the Verdon Regional Nature Park. The village enjoys an exceptional environment with mountains, lavender fields and the lake of Sainte Croix!
Nestled against a rocky escarpment, Moustiers Sainte Marie remains a mysterious place! Many legends talks about its famous star suspended at 227 meters high. Its alleys are entangled and after climbing narrow steep stairs you will reach this charming village. Unsuspected places are hidden behind the walls. Red and yellow facades of houses with roofs covered with old tiles are memorable. Between shaded small stone fountains, and shaded streets you will feel the magic of this place. The center of the city is the same than other Provençal villages: the church square.
In all seasons, Moustiers Sainte Marie offers you beautiful walks in the heart of the village.
Must-do in Moustiers Sainte Marie:
Calisson by Gilles recommends its readers to do the hike to the Chapel "Notre Dame de Beauvoir". This beautiful chapel is built between the cliffs of Moustiers Sainte Marie. The walk up there is a must-do!
You will get incredible views on Moustiers rooftops but also on the lake of Sainte Croix. You will also have the chance to get closer to the star! The ground is a little bit slippery so be careful and wear proper shoes. Best times to get there? We would advise to do it either early morning or end of afternoon to fully enjoy the colors of the landscape. Calisson by Gilles tip: Take a coin of 1€ with you; you will be able to light up the inside of the chapel with a candle.
Another must-do in Moustiers is to taste the local beer of Moustiers! The store and factory is located close to the beginning of the Chapel path. Here you will find a little bar called "Saveurs & Nature". As you will quickly notice, most of the people sitting at the tables know each-others. This is here, in this hidden place that we find the "Mouss'Terrienne. A well found pun! The Mouss'terrienne is brewed and bottled here in Moustiers , it is a delicious craft beer made with special provence ingredients of this region : Honey and thyme ! a must taste if you coming here in Moustiers. Take a sweet break with our sweet Calisson by Gilles and this local beer; you will remember it all your life!
The local brewer is also a beekeeper! So you will find a range of products all made out of honey such as lavender honey, verdon honey, gingerbread and other delights. Why you will ask, simply because the brewer is above all a beekeeper!
You can also discover the Faïence museum in Moustiers, renovated in 2014, the Museum tells the story of the Faience since the 16th century. It provides a major collection of Faience which was made thanks to generous donations.
For sure, as in all Provençal villages, a weekly market takes place in Moustiers Sainte Marie! Summer and winter, the market takes place every friday morning till 1pm in front of the city hall and the church. According to the seasons, the size of the market change, obviously. The best time to get there is during summer season. You will find a lot of local products such as goat cheese, seasonal vegetables, lavender honey and much more. Enjoy!
About The Author:
Gilles Cailleaux is the Owner & Master Confectioner at By Gilles, an online French candy store based in Orange County, California. They sell traditional French confections called Calissons from Provence. Gilles is always ready to share his 25 years plus experience of candy making and baking with everyone and want to hear about your experience with his calissons. Gilles and his team are sensitive about taste and harmony. They prepare your packages with special care and attention.
La Route du Mimosa February 02 2019, 0 Comments
In January, we discussed the Mimosa: How it was introduced in France, its symbolism and the various species you can encounter in Provence. This month, Calisson by Gilles brings you to the discovery of the French Riviera during the Mimosa season. From January up to the end of March, the region of Var and Alpes Maritimes are dressed with a festival of gold, lights and fragrance from the Mimosa in blossom. The Côte d'Azur is wonderful in winter; the bright yellow of the mimosa perfectly contrasts with the deep blue sky and sea of Provence. It's a good time to discover or rediscover it!
The Road of Mimosa :
This symbolic tree of Provence in winter is the star of many festivals: carnivals, corsos and botanical exhibitions such as Mimosalia in Bormes-les-Mimosas (last weekend of January) where are showcased rare plants, and other unusual varieties.
The mimosa is also a 130 kilometers (80 miles) of a perfumed getaway between the department of Var and Alpes Maritimes, a trip of 8 stops in the most beautiful villages of Provence between Grasse and Bormes-les-Mimosas.
Calisson by Gilles gives you an overview of this stunning bucolic road trip.
Simply the most beautiful flowered village of France ! A medieval village of the 12th century with more than 700 rare plant species ! The Mimosa remains for sure the main attraction of Bormes-les-Mimosas. From January to March the medieval city is adorned with a long "gold scarf" , a wonderful explosion of yellows and perfume in the village. Capital of mimosa in the Var, Bormes-les-Mimosas has no less than 90 species of Mimosa. Nearby, the famous beaches of white sands and crystal clear waters of Cabasson, Brégançon, and Estagnol are an ideal place for chilling. A little anecdote: Fort de Bregançon is the official summer residence of the French President. Each year, the President of French Republic spends a week or more in this official residence. Late Général Charles de Gaulle was the first French Président to enjoy it and started the tradition.
The Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer is a charming, peaceful and tiny village where happiness is preserved. The village of Rayol-Canade was created with the extension of the Mole in 1925. It became an autonomous municipality in 1949, it currently includes 3 neighborhoods and extends about 4 km (2 miles). Exceptional site where the hills of Corniche des Maures plunge into the blue water of the Mediterranean sea with breathtaking views of the golden islands.
With 11 km (7 miles) of Mediterranean shoreline, Sainte-Maxime is a haven of peace in winter, where strolling along the water invite you to savor moments that we would like to be eternal. Have a taste of our sweet Calisson by Gilles at this moment, you will reach the summum of happiness ! The charm of Provence emerges through its houses with old tiles, its typical market, its shopping streets and shady walks.
Saint Raphaël
Saint-Raphaël, is a listed summer resort, located at the gateway to the Massif de l'Esterel is beautiful in winter. Mimosa trees are smartly placed everywhere in the village. Saint Raphaël invites you to discover its exceptional coastline and unspoiled nature. Its' 36 km (20 miles) of coastline will take you from the heart of the city, to the harbors, to the secret coves of Boulouris. Many things to do and discover in this village.
This is the first stop in the Alpes Maritimes department. This is the cradle of Mimosa culture. The village of Mandelieu-la-Napoule is located at the foot of the
Tanneron Massif, home to the largest mimosa forest in Europe. What to do there? a trail.
Take the « Chemin des douaniers » road with its castles along this path. Its red volcanic rocks, plunging into the turquoise water, are worth a visit.
Tanneron, with its 22 hamlets nestled in the heart of the massif of the same name, is the largest territory of mimosa cultivated as wild in France. This is a real yellow forest of small fluffy balls. It is totally beautiful to see the mimosa trees in their natural environment . From December to March, the abundant bloom of mimosa will leave you a perfumed scent, with, bright golden panorama : a delight.
In Pégomas, the Mimosa is honored, it delights our view and our sense of smell,. Cultivated on the hills of Tanneron, we take care of it, we spend time. The Mimosa Garden is home to 11 varieties. The last weekend of January Pégomas celebrate the first strands through a local event in the heart of the village. Pegomas has a nice and colorful image of a holiday land. Calisson by Gilles recommends Pégomas as a must stop place to discover its true and beautiful nature.
Perched to sunny hills, the village of Grasse discovers its charm when you stroll along its winding streets and cozy squares. World capital of perfumes, Grasse showcases its rich heritage thanks to its Label City of Art and History. Its historic center, its international perfume museum, its tourist perfumeries are all assets for tourists. A must-do village also !
About The Author:
Gilles Cailleaux is the Owner & Master Confectioner at By Gilles, an online French candy store based in Orange County, California. They sell traditional French confections called Calissons from Provence. Gilles is always ready to share his 25 years plus experience of candy making and baking with everyone and want to hear about your experience with his calissons. Gilles and his team are sensitive about taste and harmony. They prepare your packages with special care and attention.
The Mimosa of Provence January 04 2019, 0 Comments
A bunch of sun! With its shiny yellow, the mimosa warms the roads of Provence in the heart of winter.
A brief history of the mimosa in Provence
Around 1880, the mimosa, native from Australia, made its appearance on the slopes of the Croix des Gardes in Cannes.
The mimosa was introduced its great winter hosts, such as the Marquis of Morès and the Duke of Vallombrosa. The Horticulture and Acclimatization Society greatly contributed to its promotion. The mimosistes (mimosa nursery owner) made their apparition in French Riviera's cities such as Mandelieu, Pégomas, Tanneron. The train stations of Cannes and Mandelieu were the main hubs to export the mimosa to all major cities of France and Europe.
The mimosa became the king of winter in regions enjoying a warm climate like the French Riviera. This is the only area of Provence where the mimosa can survive the winter. Nevertheless we can sometimes see a beautiful mimosa tree in private gardens throughout the whole Provence region. There are more than 1200 species of Mimosa around the world and over 400 grow in Provence.
Some types of Mimosa
Gallic (Acacia Dealbata): Large, very vigorous tree with dark green foliage. Abundant flowering (yellow sulfur) that emerges largely from the foliage from late January to March.
Mirandole: Great development. Big leaves with a light green color. Flowering in a large cluster of pure bright yellow from late December to February. The Mirandole Mimosa suits for very large gardens.
Astier (Astier dealbata): One of the Mimosas tree which resists colder temperatures. It withstands without damage to -8 / - 10 ° C.
4 season mimosa (Acacia Retinodes): It is one of the most resistant to cold (-9 ° C to -10 ° C). Spring-summer bloom. The last producer of this mimosa is located in Tanneron.
The Mimosa and its symbols
Yellow gold, the mimosa is one of the most used flowers in terms of symbolism.
With a delicate scent, it speaks to each of us with the accent of the South of France. Our Calisson by Gilles come from the same area and each mouthful of our sweet delicacy brings you to Provence. The savory blend of almond married with cantaloupe and a hint of orange reminds us of the golden Mimosa.
Here and there in Provence, the flowers of Mimosa naturally represents the Sun.
In the language of flowers, the mimosa is the evocation of secret loves. Symbol of gold and sun, the mimosa is also the image of triumphant life, owing to the hardness of its wood and the victory over the forces of evil.
The Road of Mimosa
This symbolic tree of Provence in winter is the star of many festivals: carnivals, corsos and botanical exhibitions such as Mimosalia in Bormes-les-Mimosas (last weekend of January) where are showcased rare plants, and other unusual varieties.
The mimosa is also a 130 kilometers (80 miles) of a perfumed getaway between the department of Var and Alpes Maritimes, a trip of 8 stops in the most beautiful villages of Provence between Grasse and Bormes-les-Mimosas.
Calisson by Gilles will give you an overview of this stunning bucolic road trip next month.
About The Author:
Gilles Cailleaux is the Owner & Master Confectioner at By Gilles, an online French candy store based in Orange County, California. They sell traditional French confections called Calissons from Provence. Gilles is always ready to share his 25 years plus experience of candy making and baking with everyone and want to hear about your experience with his calissons. Gilles and his team are sensitive about taste and harmony. They prepare your packages with special care and attention.
Lavender August 03 2016, 0 Comments
Jean Giono quoted : "Lavender is the soul of Provence"
We can't imagine Provence without its splendid fields of lavender! People who have ever been there will tell you the same thing: Magnifique (magnificent)!
The Provence's most beautiful season takes place in June and lasts for 2 months, up to August. At this time of the year lavender fields are in full bloom, hues of colors and essence are unique. Driving, biking or walking between these prairies will make you feel in a postcard landscape!
Lavender fields in early summer
Keep in mind these dates for your future visit, the beauty of the lavender will turn your Provence escape into a perfect one. The color, the texture, the scent of these lavender landscapes create a unique atmosphere, you can only experience in Provence.
It is very common to see locals, adults and kids, harvesting lavender and pack it within little bags that they put in their home or in their cars. Many of Provence habitants experienced it in their childhood and now carry on the tradition. What is more natural and enjoyable than this ?
Lavender freshly harvested
Best places:
The most famous lavender shot in Provence is the field of the Senanque Abbey near Gordes. A 12th century abbey where you can be sure to get a memorable photo. The best time to come is very early when the light is in the right position to catch up all the colors and the contrast of this beautiful and timeless landscape. On a practical aspect, it will be less crowded as well.
The Senanque Abbey
A lot of events in this area of Provence are deeply rooted with lavender, hence you can attend lavender festivals in Sault or Valreas where you can buy lavender products like oil, essences, fragrance, soap … and in all the open markets of Provence.
Festivals season is happening generally in mid of July. There is even a Lavender Museum in the village of Coustellet showing and relating the history of farming lavender in Provence.
Lavender is said to repel insects and is used in healing insect bites and appease burns. It can soothe headaches if you apply it to the temples and it helps you sleep if you have the flowers within your pillow. Dried lavender is used to repel moths in clothes closets. Lavender oil is also said to cure acne. The essential oil of Lavender has antiseptic properties, it was used in hospitals in the 1st world war to disinfect wards. You can use it in the bath for relaxation and you can found it in household products like room fresheners.
In your food:
Lavender is not traditionally used in cooking in France but some chefs are experimenting with it. Hence you can taste some handmade Lavender sorbet on a summer day in old and charming villages of Provence.
And of course it is used in some of our calissons. You can find it in our Cezanne collection or you can order a box of Lavender calissons in the Amandon collection (http://www.bygilles.com/collections/amandon).
If you plan a visit in Provence do not miss on this unique and scenic country of Lavender which is a cornerstone of this beautiful region.
About The Author:
Gilles Cailleaux is the Owner & Master Confectioner at By Gilles, an online French candy store based in Orange County, California. They sell traditional French confections called Calissons from Provence. Gilles is always ready to share his 25 years plus experience of candy making and baking with everyone and want to hear about your experience with his calissons. Gilles and his team are sensitive about taste and harmony. They prepare your packages with special care and attention.
8 Delectable French Candies Everyone Will Love October 06 2014, 0 Comments
French candies are among the finest candies in the world and if you've ever traveled to any part of France or simply had the imported versions that arrive stateside you know why. However, if you're not quite sure what French candy to buy, either for yourself or as a gift, you're not alone.
Check out the top 8 most delectable French candies that everybody will love. Stock up now and you'll always have some on hand.
1. Licorice Drops
Perhaps the best known French candy, licorice drops have been sold in pharmacies and small stores all over the country since the 1800s. They're delectable and easy to enjoy, even for picky kids.
2. Anise Candy
Made from anise, these candies have a similar flavor to licorice drops but with a bit more spice and a little less sugar. They also have a more herbaceous flavor that you will find rich and exciting.
3. Calissons
Prepared with ground mixed almonds, orange rind and melon; these pastry-like candies are something you'll only find in a bakery. However, they are well worth the effort and making them at home is relatively easy too.
4. Dragées
Sometimes known in the US as Jordan almonds, these delicious candies are sugar-coated almonds that kids and adults love.
5. Berlingots
A hard candy that comes in flavors like tea and bamboo, these are strictly for the adults with more developed tastes.
6. Lavender Candy
A hard candy made from lavender essential oil, this is another candy that adults will like more than kids.
7. Haribo Candy
The delicious gummy bear that many already know is actually a French specialty.
8. Malabar Gum
The French version of Bazooka bubble gum, Malabar gum is a simple treat kids love.
About The Author:
Gilles Cailleaux is the Owner & Master Confectioner at By Gilles, an online French candy store based in Orange County, California. They sell traditional French confections called Calissons from Provence. Gilles is always ready to share his 25 years plus experience of candy making and baking with everyone and want to hear about your experience with his calissons. Gilles and his team are sensitive about taste and harmony. They prepare your packages with special care and attention.


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Women are now able to kick butt even harder, thanks to outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. Recently, Panetta decided to allow female soldiers to take combat jobs in the Army, which could eventually lead to "more than 230,000 jobs" for women, according to the AP.
This is a huge step for women's equality, and it's even a step toward narrowing the wage gap since the change makes military women eligible for certain promotions they couldn't get before.
All together now: YAY!
No longer are women too weak be out on the battlefields or too feeble to undergo tough training. They won't be sent along to assist the men. They won't be subordinates, they'll be bosses.
But there's still one big, looming problem. In 2012, more light was shed on the issue of sexual abuse and rape in the military. If you haven't heard much about it yet (most of the cases go unreported) check out a documentary called The Invisible War, which was just nominated for an Oscar.
Panetta has actually done a lot to combat the insanely high rate of sexual abuse in the military (up to 19,000 cases are reported every year,) but now that he's moving on there's no guarantee the women in these 230,000 new jobs will be safe from their own colleagues. The work of amazing military women like Jane Baldwin and Col. Ellen Haring, who sued Panetta for the right to serve in combat last year, has gotten us far, but there's still a long way to go.
Follow Emma on Twitter.

subset: commoncrawl


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FLASH MEMORY SUMMIT, August 13, 2013 – SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, today announced the company is enhancing its solid state drive (SSD) line-up for businesses with the addition of the nimble and power-efficient SanDisk X210 SSD. The SATA-based X210 SSD is an ideal solution for IT decision-makers looking to maximize data center performance or enhance the responsiveness of PCs and notebooks. The new SSD is available now through SanDisk's SSD hardware and software sales channel, the SanDisk Commercial Business Channel.
"Since launching SanDisk's commercial SSD channel earlier this year, we have received a tremendous response from businesses that have seen significant advantages from incorporating SanDisk solid-state technology into their data center and workplace PCs and notebooks," said Tarun Loomba, vice president of Storage Solutions marketing at SanDisk. "Leveraging SanDisk's most advanced flash memory technology and smart power-saving capabilities, the X210 SSD is an exceptionally fast and cost-effective storage solution for this growing market, and a great addition to our SanDisk SSD portfolio."
The X210 SSD is optimized for businesses that prioritize fast, consistent access to data, such as search engine and cloud storage providers and streaming media companies. When used in micro- and entry-level servers in data centers, the SSD offers highly responsive and sustainable performance in read-intensive environments, and notably reduces I/O bottlenecks.
Available in large quantities through the SanDisk Commercial Business Channel, the 2.5-inch X210 SSD easily integrates into desktops and notebooks, and enables IT managers to significantly bolster the performance of workplace computing devices. The reliable X210 SSD enables rapid boot-up, improves data-transfer speeds, and brings a fast and enjoyable performance to large applications and multi-media experiences.
Introduced earlier this year, the SanDisk Commercial Business Channel offers OEM and enterprise-grade SSDs to value-added resellers (VARs), system integrators (SIs) and direct market resellers (DMRs). Today, the Commercial Business Channel product portfolio provides a full line of solid-state solutions for businesses, including the SanDisk X210 SSD, SanDisk X110 SSD, Lightning® SAS Enterprise SSD and Lightning PCIe Enterprise Solid State Accelerators. More information on the SanDisk Commercial Business Channel and SanDisk Premium Partner Program may be found at businesspartners.sandisk.com.
SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) is a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, from research and development, product design and manufacturing to branding and distribution for commercial and retail channels. Since 1988, SanDisk's innovations in flash memory and storage system technologies have provided customers with new and transformational digital experiences. SanDisk's diverse product portfolio includes flash memory cards and embedded solutions used in smart phones, tablets, digital cameras, camcorders, digital media players and other consumer electronic devices, as well as USB flash drives and solid-state drives (SSD) for the computing market. SanDisk's products are used by consumers and enterprise customers around the world.
SanDisk is a Silicon Valley-based S&P 500 and Fortune 500 company, with more than half its sales outside the United States. For more information, visit www.sandisk.com.
© 2013 SanDisk Corporation. All rights reserved. SanDisk and SanDisk Extreme are trademarks of SanDisk Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. nCache is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation. Lightning is a U.S. registered trademark of SanDisk Enterprise IP LLC. Other brand names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their holder(s).
1 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user capacity less.
2 Up to stated speed. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon drive capacity, host device, OS and application. 1 megabyte (MB) = 1 million bytes.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including expectations for market growth, product sales, industry trends, product capabilities and future products that are based on our current expectations and involve numerous risks and uncertainties that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate. Risks that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate include among others: the market demand for our products may grow more slowly than our expectations or our products may not be available in the capacities that we expect or perform as expected, or the other risks detailed from time-to-time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q and our annual report on Form 10-K. We do not intend to update the information contained in this news release.


text:
3 x 3 Pass 5 yrs and under
HST will be added to price at time of purchase.
Passholders must pick up their passes at Customer Service. A photo will be taken prior to the pass being issued.
Valid any nights the hills are open: Thurs., Fri., Sat. & Holidays from 4 pm to 9 pm
Valid mid-week days from January 1, 2018 to end of season
Terms and Conditions:
Night and Mid Week Pass Holders receive 30% off regular rates for 6 Hour Flex Tickets on Sundays upon presentation of their pass at the Ticket Counter.
All persons must sign a 'Release of Liability' agreement prior to obtaining their pass.
Season Passes remain the property of Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area Inc. and may be revoked for misuse or violation of the 'Alpine Responsibility Code'. Use of this pass by anyone other than the registered passholder, or alterations to the Season Pass will result in cancellation of that pass.
Season passes are non-transferable. We may request identification to verify validity.
Season Passes are refundable for medical reasons only. 100% refund to December 10; 50% to January 1; 25% to February 28. No refunds are issued after March 1.
A $25 processing fee will be charged for replacing lost passes.
All Pass Holders must have their passes on them at all times to have access to the lifts.
**All age category cut-off dates are December 31, 2018. Proof of age is required (i.e. Birth Certificate)
Payment Plan: Credit Card or post-dated cheques accepted for three equal payments at the time of registration. Passes will not be issued until all payments have cleared and all waivers are signed.


text:
MGIC Investment Gains 14% on Surprise Profit
- Order Reprints
- Print Article
MGIC Investment (MTG) was not to supposed to turn a profit during the quarter. If the analysts were right, the mortgage insurer's second-quarter profit was supposed to be a blip and MGIC would return to its money-losing ways.
That's not quite what happened. MGIC reported a profit of 4 cents a share versus forecasts for a loss of 10 cents, according to FactSet and MGIC's shares popped 14% to $8.29.
Its big day has also boosted other insurers. Radian Group (RDN) has risen 7.2% to $14.39, while Old Republic International (ORI) has advanced 2.1% to $15.24, Genworth Financial (GNW) is up 3.6% at $13.41 and MBIA Inc. (MBI) has jumped 4.3% to $10.76.
Susquehanna's Jack Micenko credits a better economy with boosting earnings:
The beat was driven by lower loss reserving - $180 mln versus our estimate of $225 and the consensus estimate of $240, as favorable economic trends helped drive their default book claim rate and severity lower...
Micenko expects MGIC's shares to hit $13, a 57% gain from its current price.


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Surreal nature images that will make you want to see the world — our second video compilation. This time we're show-casing some of the most beautiful nature images we've ever seen. Sit back, relax, and we hope you enjoy!
Don't forget to check us out for more inspiring photo ideas, and photo to canvas print options!… Read more


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Fernando Alonso has been given the all-clear following a precautionary visit to hospital after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
An alarm on the chassis of his Ferrari was triggered when he bounced over kerbs at high-speed when rejoining the track after avoiding contact with Jean-Eric Vergne. The alarm is designed to alert medical staff when a driver has been subject to a G-force exceeding 15G, and in Abu Dhabi it measured that Alonso had experienced 28G vertically.
As a result, Alonso was required to visit the medical centre at the circuit and then hospital, but before being given the all-clear he joked that he hadn't noticed any serious issues.
"I still have all my teeth after the bump!" he said. "My back is in a little pain because it was a big hit. We have an alarm on the chassis and after a minimum of G-force there is an alarm on the chassis for big crashes to tell the medical car and whatever. The chassis has this alarm now in parc ferme, but hopefully I am okay for Austin."
Auto Motor und Sport also reported that the Ferrari G-Force sensor was not mounted correctly, and that Alonso was actually subjected to less than the recorded 28G.


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Limo Service Leon Valley, Texas
Limos serving Bexar County and all surrounding areas.
This black Lincoln town car will be your ride to business conferences, airport arrivals or departures, or any significant event. Renting a chauffeured car service a better solution than riding in a taxi-cab. With lots of legroom, dim lighting, and comfortable seats, the sedan rental is an ideal alternative for limousine rentals. Get a quote today!
This Vehicle Includes The Following Amenities:
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This Vehicle Includes The Following Amenities:
This Vehicle Includes The Following Amenities:
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International Black 32 Passenger
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Make and Models Vary By City
We do not guarantee color of vehicle we only take request.
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Make and Models Vary By City
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InnoDB prints an operating system error
during a file operation, usually the problem has one of the
following causes:
You did not create the
InnoDB data file
directory or the
InnoDB log directory.
mysqld does not have access rights to create files in those directories.
mysqld cannot read the proper
my.cnf or
option file, and consequently does not see the options that
you specified.
The disk is full or a disk quota is exceeded.
You have created a subdirectory whose name is equal to a data file that you specified, so the name cannot be used as a file name.
There is a syntax error in the
innodb_data_home_dir or
innodb_data_file_path value.
If something goes wrong when
InnoDB attempts to
initialize its tablespace or its log files, delete all files
created by
InnoDB. This means all
ibdata files and all
ib_logfile files. In case you have already
created some
InnoDB tables, delete the
.frm files for these tables
(and any
.ibd files if you are using multiple
tablespaces) from the MySQL database directories as well. Then you
can try the
InnoDB database creation again. It
is best to start the MySQL server from a command prompt so that
you see what is happening.


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Accomplice sentenced to 14 years in package store shooting
Cosmo Frieson, who plotted a robbery with Gary L. Clarke and supplied Clarke with the gun that killed New London package store owner Jared Silva five years ago, was sentenced Friday in New London Superior Court to 14 years in prison.
The 24-year-old Frieson, a tall, slim man who was just 19 when he took part in the botched robbery, received a reduced prison term because he had cooperated in Clarke's prosecution. Clarke is serving a 25-year sentence.
Standing before Judge Patrick J. Clifford, Frieson turned to Silva's family and read them a statement in which he asked for forgiveness. Frieson said he lies awake most nights thinking about how it must feel "losing a loved one at the hands of some kids."
"It might sound selfish, but I can't forgive myself or move on without the forgiveness of you, Jared's loved ones," he said.
Silva, 47, was the well-regarded owner of Jared's Packy at Ocean Avenue and Squire Street. The community was shocked and outraged when he was gunned down Oct. 12, 2007, as he left the store at closing time. According to testimony, Silva struggled when Clarke approached him. Frieson punched Silva and knocked him to the ground.
Silva stood up, and Clarke fatally shot Silva in the face during the scuffle that ensued.
Silva's mother, Dorothy "Dot" Silva, and his sister, Nancy Donovan, did not immediately respond to Frieson's plea for forgiveness, but Silva later asked an official to convey her appreciation to him. Both the mother and sister had asked the judge to impose the full 20-year sentence Frieson was facing.
"This is not about vengeance," Donovan said. "We've always wanted just to understand what happened that night. We wanted the participants to take responsibility."
Silva's family said they understood the need for the court to plea-bargain with Frieson but said he was an active participant in Silva's death.
Frieson turned himself in to police following the crime, then signed a cooperation agreement with the state's attorney's office. Frieson confessed that he had stolen the handgun from an unlocked car days earlier and that he and Clarke were looking to acquire some fast money because Frieson's sister, who was Clarke's girlfriend, was about to be evicted from her apartment.
Clarke, 25, was sentenced in August to 25 years in prison for manslaughter with a firearm.
Frieson testified at Clarke's first trial in January 2011, but the proceeding ended with a mistrial because the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Frieson was "ready, willing and able" to testify at Clarke's retrial in May 2012, according to State's Attorney Michael L. Regan, but Clarke accepted the state's offer to plead guilty to a lesser charge after the first day of testimony. Regan said he made the offer based on weaknesses in the state's case, including witnesses with credibility problems.
The state could not have prosecuted Clarke without Frieson's help, Regan said.
In arguing for a reduced sentence, Frieson's attorney, Sebastian O. DeSantis, said that Frieson, the son of a drug-addicted mother, had been moved from foster home to foster home during his youth and was physically and mentally abused. DeSantis said it was not an excuse, but that it helped to explain how Frieson became a participant in Silva's death.
"You can't get around the fact that it truly is a horrible and senseless crime," DeSantis said. "Gary Clarke shot Mr. Silva, really, for no reason at all."
Judge Clifford said that in his opinion, both Clarke and Frieson deserved harsher punishment, but the case illustrates the uncertainty of the criminal justice system.
"In a perfect world, for a crime like this, Mr. Clarke should receive 50 to 60 years, and you should receive more than I am going to give you," Clifford told Frieson. "But the realities are ... people who cooperate must, to encourage others to cooperate, receive less than they should."
Frieson will be on special parole, a strict form of state supervision, for six years after his release from prison.
Silva's family had been supported by members of the Survivors of Homicide support group while the case was pending. The group's leader, attorney Chester Fairlie, noted that the case had been pending for five years, and said it seemed unfortunate that Frieson had not apologized sooner.
Also apologizing to the Silva family Friday was Arthur Ladson, Frieson's great-uncle.
"I'm here to support Cosmo and to give my strong feeling of regrets for what happened that night," he said.
Man who allegedly harassed Stonington forum moderator arrested again
Stonington officials say Amtrak fencing hurts emergency access
Officials developing plan to address drainage, parking problems in downtown Mystic


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Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: British financial services company, Legal&General has joined a group of 34 businesses working with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Business for Inclusive Growth (B4IG). The initiative was launched this morning by President
Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: About half of companies buying other businesses' divested assets in the first half of the year outperformed an industry benchmark by an average of 1 percentage point (pp), while two-thirds of companies divesting assets during that period underperformed by 7pp.
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Investors withdrew another $8.42 billion from the global hedge fund industry in July, according to the latest 2019 eVestment Hedge Fund Asset Flows Report. However, positive performance has helped to keep industry assets above $3 trillion. Total industry AUM sit
By: Catherine Anderson, Brian Prewitt,
Foley Hoag LLP
Investment advisers, hedge and private fund managers and U.S.-resident entities should review whether they have any filing obligations under Treasury International Capital Benchmark Form SHL. Form SHL is a five-year benchmark filing requirem
B. G., Opalesque Geneva: The largest pension fund in the world has been clarifying its sustainability goals in the last few years and fund managers ought to take note, as it is an initiator and it is working with other large asset owners.
On Tuesday, CalPERS's
In the week ending August 16th 2019, a new investor and operational due diligence (ODD) analyst survey revealed that investors shift focus to social media analysis during hedge fund
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Like many investors, private and community foundations had a rough 2018. But, data from the newly released Council on Foundations - Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations shows that the long-term prospects for these in
B. G., Opalesque Geneva: How much sense does it make for a hedge fund to apply ESG criteria in its investments? It does make a lot of sense on two main counts: pressure from asset owners, and positive performance over the long term. Then there's also a moral imperative.
Environmental, so
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Private credit shop Crayhill Capital Management is providing a senior secured credit facility of up to $100 million to Mutuo Financiera, a vehicle fleet leasing company focused on clean energy passenger transportation in Mexico. Crayhill Capital Management is l
In the week ending August 9th 2019, research from law firm Seward & Kissel showed that close to half - 46% - of the 200 largest hedge fund managers experienced a material decline in regulatory assets under management in 2018 compared to the prior year. The study also
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Deloitte & Touche is suing hedge fund manager Jeremy Leach, associate William McClintock, and several other entities for $17.8 million in damages over allegedly fraudulent fees and other transactions related to Leach's Traded Life Policies Fund. Deloitte was
In the week ending August 2nd 2019, reports said hedge fund Coatue launched a $700m venture fund that will focus on early-stage investments. The New York-based firm submitted a filing for the vehicle with the SEC in November.
Set up as a technology sector hedge fund by Philippe Laffont after lea
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: The Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) has issued its first public debt offering with a $100 million Sustainability Bond issuance. The Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) offering was ten times oversubscribed.
LIIF is a community development f
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Priya Kaftan has joined Heard Capital as head of investor relations and product strategy. Kaftan joins the firm from Silver Point Capital where she was previously a senior associate.
Heard Capital is a Chicago-based fund that invests in six sectors - technol
B. G., Opalesque Geneva: Dr Juan Alfredo Gomez, a hedge fund manager with a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from M.I.T., combines engineering process optimisation and control concepts with quantitative finance to manage the three major risks in options trading. This arrangement allowed his strategy
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Gibson Dunn has released its mid-year securities enforcement report. The report covers significant developments in securities regulation to date.
So far, broad trends indicate that the SEC is continuing to focus on individual investor protections. The SEC
In the week ending July 26th 2019, Investors pulled $16.43bn from the hedge fund industry in June, bringing year-to-date (YTD) outflows to -$44.61bn, said eVestment. According to the Ju
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York for New Managers: Citadel alum Greg Blotnick is launching a new fund Brattle Street Capital. The fund takes long and short positions in small and mid-cap consumer stocks like retail
By: Raymond Bogenrief, Oliver Brahmst, Gary Silverman, White & Case LLP
Despite accumulating a vast, historic pile of capital for acquisitions, private equity has moderated its pace of buyouts in the first half of the year.
Buyout activity fell 14 percent compared to the first half of 2018,
By: Paul M. Grassi, CPA, MBA
A combination of self-delusion and excuse-making has left the hedge fund and asset management industries vulnerable to hacks and their costly consequences.
When I talk about the risk of computer
By: David Warburg, Seyfarth Shaw
ILPA Updates Its Best Practices Guidance in "Principles 3.0." Responding to private equity and other alternative asset investment trends and new issues, the Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA) recently released "ILPA Principles 3.
By: Brian Hooven, Joshua Newville, Proskauer
A recent action where the SEC focused on the presumably conservative undervaluation of assets suggests that it is more than willing to use valuation as a hook to deter "smoothing" of returns. As we previously noted, while the SEC consistently announces
By: Justin Savage, Ogier
A combination of diminished returns across the hedge fund industry amid challenging market conditions for generating alpha and a continued and increased focus on performance has given rise to a shift away from more traditional hedge fund products to the more attractive r
By: Philippe Goutay, Linda Hesse, Jones Day
The Situation: ICOs and digital assets have become a new phenomenon that has impacted many aspects of our modern economies and created an alternative way of financing for start-ups or small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Result: T
By Jessie M. Gabriel and Lauren T. Attard of BakerHostetler
Asset managers are always looking for a valuation edge. But even when key factors are identified, the data may not be available. This is particularly true with environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. No one will dispute their
By: Foley & Lardner
This conference season, private equity (PE) investors and provider compared notes on the current state of the markets, trends, opportunities and challenges. Below is a summary of key trends that have been discussed.
A recent Health Care Private Equity Panel during the Yo
Opalesque Industry Update - Six out of 10 investors are now actively seeking to move assets out of Britain as a perfect storm looks set to hit the UK economy, reveals a new poll.
The survey of more than 740 clients carried out by deVere Group, one of the world's largest independent financial
Hedge funds take record short bets against Aston Martin
From FT: Hedge funds have taken record short positions in the debt and equity of Aston Martin, betting that the luxury carmaker will continue to struggle after one of the most disastrous stock market debuts of recent years.
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Private credit shop Crayhill Capital Management is providing a senior secured credit facility of up to $100 million to Mutuo Financiera, a vehicle fleet leasing company focused on clean energy passenger transportation in Mexico. Crayhill Capital Management is l
Swedish AM hires long/short equity veteran
From City Wire: Swedish asset manager Catella has hired Mattias Nilsson as a new portfolio manager to focus on long/short investing, the firm has announced. Nilsson will start on 26 August and will be part of the firm's long/short equity capabi
European Central Bank confirms website hack and data breach
The European Central Bank (ECB), the central bank of the 19 European countries which have adopted the euro, has shut down a compromised website after it discovered that hackers had planted malware that stole information from ne
Featuring : Learn how PREDICTIVE cyber intelligence prevents cyber threats that bypass traditional security products.Companies spend millions a year on cyber security, however, 42% of today's cyber threats bypass traditional security products.Jeremy Samide, a highly-sought after, global cybersecurity expert specializing in cyber threat inte...» Watch the video
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Currently: Short Looking to: Cover @ 1.0492As of 8/16/19 close: 1.1090LAST WEEK: We suggested getting short at 1.1287 with stops above 1.1300 and with a target of 1.0452.UPDATE: The EURUSD cross was crushed this week and still appears to us to be heading towards 1.0452 eventually. We would continue to sell rallies until that level is approached or tested.We would be selling longs and getting short at 1.1220 with stops on a close above 1.1266 and would continue to look to cover down at 1.0492.
Currently: Short Looking to: Cover @ 1.0492
As of 8/16/19 close: 1.1090
LAST WEEK: We suggested getting short at 1.1287 with stops above 1.1300 and with a target of 1.0452.
UPDATE: The EURUSD cross was crushed this week and still appears to us to be heading towards 1.0452 eventually. We would continue to sell rallies until that level is approached or tested.
We would be selling longs and getting short at 1.1220 with stops on a close above 1.1266 and would continue to look to cover down at 1.0492.


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Personal Security Incidents Can Put Everyone at Risk
When employees use their own devices for work, there's no such thing as a personal security breach
It's no exaggeration to say that mobile smart devices have changed the way people work. With smartphone in hand, employees now expect to be able to check email from their kid's baseball game, finalize financial transactions on the fly, and log into cloud-based services at the gym—not to mention play Angry Birds whenever they want. The downside to this round-the-clock connectivity is the security risk it can introduce to your network and, because devices are personally owned, the difficulty of locking them down. These days, there's no such thing as a personal security breach. A security incident on a personal device can put your entire network at risk.
This isn't as far fetched as it might sound. According to the Cisco 2011 Annual Security Report, three out of four employees worldwide have multiple devices, like a laptop and a smartphone, and one in three young professionals use at least three different devices for work. The research also shows that the most popular mobile platforms—Apple iPhones and iPads and Google Android devices—have become targets for malware. Malicious software can be introduced in a variety of ways, but many small businesses have found themselves infected by malware inadvertently passed on from an employee's personal device.
Blurring the line between personal and professional
As people continue to blur the line between their personal and professional activities, you can expect to see more personal security breaches affecting the local business network. For example, many small companies maintain a Facebook page for marketing purposes, and many employees who administer these fan pages also have their own Facebook profile pages. While checking his or her personal Facebook pages, an employee may unknowingly download and install an applet that runs in the background to capture data in the web browser window. If they then switch over to the company's Facebook page, that malware can capture data from that page, too. Therefore, to help mitigate this exposure, people should shut down their browsers between sessions to help prevent this from happening. (See this post for more information on how to safely and securely use social media for your small business.)
Worse, some malware can continue running in the background even when the browser's been exited after use. If the malware has been installed on a computer, perhaps a company laptop or desktop, it can then possibly capture sensitive business data stored on or accessed through that device. The same thing can happen on personal smartphones that are used to access web-based applications, such as a customer relationship management (CRM) client. That personal security breach just became a problem for your entire network.
Of course, your business can be impacted by a personal security breach in other less direct ways. Consider the employee who just discovered she was the victim of identity theft. She's going to be worried and she's going to spend a lot of time, emotional effort, and money to restore her identity, making phone calls to her bank, dealing with debt collectors, and more. As far as your business is concerned, her productivity is going to drop significantly while she's dealing with this time- and attention-consuming problem.
Although it's not your direct responsibility to protect the individual privacy of your employees, especially on their personal devices, doing so benefits your company. It not only safeguards your local network, it also ensures employees' ongoing productivity.
All for one and one for all
The first step in helping employees protect themselves from security incidents is through education. Make sure they're aware that security is their responsibility, too, and that security threats pose a real danger to them personally. It's important to educate everyone on the basics such as learning how to spot dangerous email and potentially malicious websites. Second, your acceptable use policy must include information about how personal devices can be used in the workplace and what happens in the event of a security incident either for the company or themselves. And third, find out if your security solution can also help protect personal smartphones and tablets as well as your company's computers. For example, a security appliance like the Cisco SA500 Series will monitor for web threats as employees browse the Internet from their own devices just as it does from company computers, and can block any inadvertent attempts to download malware from a known malicious site. Of course, this only works if employees are accessing the Internet over the local network from behind your firewall.
Finally, encourage employees to install security software on their smartphones and tablets that will protect their personal data. Even though you can't require employees to install certain apps on their own devices, you can make it a condition of using those devices to access your company's network. Consider apps like TaintDroid and Lookout Mobile Security, which can show users which mobile apps are accessing their location and other personal, sensitive data.
In this age of BYOD, it pays to take a holistic attitude towards security so everyone is looking out for everyone else. Remember, if someone you have a relationship with experiences a security breach, chances are good it will trickle down to you. Even if a virus, malware, or other security threat starts out on just one smartphone, it can quickly proliferate throughout your network.
Have you taken steps to help your employees protect their personal devices from security breaches?
If you're interested in reading more, check out these related posts:
- Help Keep Company Data Safe on Employees' Personal Devices
- Protect Mobile Devices, Protect Your Network
- Smartphones Are Business Tools, Too
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.
1 Comments
Good article, security is very useful in IT.


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More news in the Office Nomad front. I have now confirmed January and February 2010 host companies.
February host is Arc Technology, an ABB– and Ruukki-owned company. I know the company and some people from there, but I guess the offering has evolved from what I remember. Looking forward to see how this heavy industry specialist will operate.
And then there is the January 2010 host company. It has been confirmed, but we will take some time before the announcement. I believe it will be an interesting one for me and for them. I'll let you know.
Also, new potential hosts are appearing. I got today three new ones, expecting to come into some sort of agreement within couple of weeks.
This looks a bit like it's gonna get crowded soon. Luckily there will be more Office Nomads soon.


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Calendar | Community
| Family & Friends in the Armed Forces
| Milestones
Community Action |
Humane Society | YMCA
Another sunny walk around the park
for MS
Send a link to a friend
[May 06, 2014]
LINCOLN - Every spring since 2000, the
Logan County community has been gathering for a walk with a purpose
around Kickapoo Creek Park. This last Sunday was perfect weather for
the 13 teams and individuals who came out to support the 15th annual
MS Walk.
Near 70 people were pre-signed to walk the approximately 3 mile
distance, twice around the park. They first got charged up with fun
music provided by Joe Hackett of Music 4 U, chocolate chip cookies
and pizza.
Even the dogs were brought into the act looking cool while sporting
specially designed bandanas.
Later, there were awards, recognitions and door prizes, and special
this year, a drawing for a $50 gift certificate from Lincoln IGA.
Funds raised this day help to support research on multiple sclerosis
and to assist those struggling with the disabling disease of the
central nervous system.
MS is generally diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. Symptoms
can range from numbness in the limbs to paralysis or loss of vision.
The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person
cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatments are
giving hope to those affected by the disease.
[to top of second column]
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides
programs and services that make life better for Americans with
multiple sclerosis, their families and friends. The programs are
designed to inform and empower people to maximize their health and
According to the Greater Illinois chapter, "Twenty thousand families
in Illinois live with the daily challenges of MS."
Back to top


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Dr. Michael Roach's newest version of Photoshop tutorial is a hit. Roach takes aim at photographers and artists who are ready to take a systematic, measured approach to learning arguably one of the most difficult photo editing programs to master. With this tutorial open on an iPad in view, a user can go through and unlock many of Photoshop's mysteries. Systematic is a word that best describes Roach. During his tenure of 30+ years teaching photography at an East Texas university, Roach devised … [Read more...]
Review: Dr. Roach's Photoshop Tutorial App for the Ipad
For The iPad- Adobe Photoshop CS5: Tutorial for Beginners Available in the Apple Store
If you have noticed my free version of Adobe Photoshop CS4 Tutorial which has been available here for download at DigitalAppleJuice.com, I have to tell you that Apple has just accepted my Adobe Photoshop CS5—A Tutorial for Beginners as an App in the iPad section of the Apple App Store.Searching by my name from your iPad is the fastest way to find it, and it is available for $3.99 until the first week in October (October 9, to be exact) as a "Back to School Special." After that it returns to its … [Read more...]
Dr. Roach's Guide to Photoshop CS4 For Beginners: Preferences
There are still a lot of people using Photoshop CS4 even though Photoshop CS5 has been out for some time. In the spirit of sharing, this series of downloadable lecture notes for CS4 is placed online for those who may need some help with the basics of the program. Much of the basics remain unchanged in CS5 and I believe that the original tutorial will prove useful for many of the steps of the revised Photoshop CS5, but there are minor differences sometimes. Originally, these notes were part of … [Read more...]