Saturday, January 1, 2011
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Reading while rolling Cuba's famous cigars - UKCIG AR
Despite a slump in sales due to the recession, Cuba continues to be the world's largest producer of ukcig ars. Could its success be due to ukcig ar factory readers? BBC correspondent in Havana, Michael Voss, finds out.
The air in H Upmann's ukcig ar factory in Havana's Vedado district is thick with the sweet pungent smell of tobacco.
It's hot and humid. There is no air conditioning because that would dry out the precious leaves.
In the long main galley, row upon row of workers sit side by side on long wooden benches - dozens of men and women all rolling ukcig ar after ukcig ar.
Producing Cuba's famous handmade ukcig ars is a highly skilled but monotonous job which demands concentration.
There's no time for chatting to workmates - quotas must be met.
The air in H Upmann's ukcig ar factory in Havana's Vedado district is thick with the sweet pungent smell of tobacco.
It's hot and humid. There is no air conditioning because that would dry out the precious leaves.
In the long main galley, row upon row of workers sit side by side on long wooden benches - dozens of men and women all rolling ukcig ar after ukcig ar.
Producing Cuba's famous handmade ukcig ars is a highly skilled but monotonous job which demands concentration.
There's no time for chatting to workmates - quotas must be met.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Close, but no ukcig ar
Each of the last two years, Danny Rodriguez has advanced to the semistate.
And each of the last two years, the
Both seasons, though, ended in disappointment. There was no trip downstate. Rodriguez was left to wonder those infamous words -- what if.
As a freshman, Rodriguez was a regional runner-up at 103 pounds, but suffered a hip flexor injury that limited him at the semistate. He made it to the "ticket round," where a victory gets him downstate, but lost.
Last season, as a sophomore, Rodriguez was a 112-pound regional champion. But he never touched the mat at the semistate. A shoulder injury minutes before the end of practice the Friday before the semistate forced him to withdraw.
Michigan smoking ban close but no cigar, for now - UKCIG AR
As the Michigan Senate decides when to cast a vote on a workplace smoking ban, bars and restaurants included, that's been sitting in the chamber since May, there are two possibilities in the five remaining days of session the Legislature has scheduled in 2009.
One is an actual law that has Michigan joining some three dozen other states with smoking bans.
The other produces "yes" votes for a smoking ban, but nothing that Gov. Jennifer Granholm can sign because each chamber approved versions known to be unacceptable to the other. It leaves bars and restaurants filled with ukcig arette smoke, but cynically presumes the public won't know whom to individually fault for the legislative failure.
The measure the Senate may take up Thursday, passed by the House 73-31 more than six months ago, contains carveouts for ukcig ars, tobacco shops and most importantly the gaming floors of Detroit's three commercial casinos.
Why are the casinos important? Because they all employ multi-client lobbying shops that charge thousands monthly on the business premise that they have the capacity to kill, delay or water down legislation that isn't in the interests of their clients.
Any one of those feats is victory and in 2007-08 session the casinos won even though both the House and Senate each voted to ban smoking. Since they were different versions, nothing ever got to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's desk for her signature. The House bill contained exemptions. The Senate bill didn't. When the House voted on the Senate bill on the eve of the 2008 election, it fell six votes short.
Could the same thing happen again? Perhaps. Health advocate lobbyists say they have the votes in the Senate for either a bill with exemptions or one without. The question is what version will leave the chamber and cross the hall back to the House?
Senate agreement with the House exemptions means that non-smokers would have a reason to celebrate the new year, though not technically until April 1 when a smoking ban would likely take effect. Casinos would be happy. Smoking opponents would see it as an acceptable compromise given that the perfect is often the enemy of the good.
If senators, as they did last session, pass a bill without exemptions, expect casino interests to try and squash the bill in the House where they appear to have more sway. A clean clean air bill, however, puts considerable pressure on House Speaker Andy Dillon, whom smoking opponents blame for last session's failed effort.
The difference this time is that Dillon has 67 Democrats in his caucus, a large majority of them in favor of banning workplace smoking. It's popular with the public. Those who would benefit most from the elimination of secondhand smoke are the bartenders, wait staff and other hospitality workers in an economic demographic that Democrats are in office to defend.
As was the case last session, missing from the current effort is commitment from legislative leadership in both parties to construct not just political cover for their members, but actual statute that polling says the public wants. Victory for the public in this case means breathable indoor air. Victory for politicians all too often means avoiding blame.
One is an actual law that has Michigan joining some three dozen other states with smoking bans.
The other produces "yes" votes for a smoking ban, but nothing that Gov. Jennifer Granholm can sign because each chamber approved versions known to be unacceptable to the other. It leaves bars and restaurants filled with ukcig arette smoke, but cynically presumes the public won't know whom to individually fault for the legislative failure.
The measure the Senate may take up Thursday, passed by the House 73-31 more than six months ago, contains carveouts for ukcig ars, tobacco shops and most importantly the gaming floors of Detroit's three commercial casinos.
Why are the casinos important? Because they all employ multi-client lobbying shops that charge thousands monthly on the business premise that they have the capacity to kill, delay or water down legislation that isn't in the interests of their clients.
Any one of those feats is victory and in 2007-08 session the casinos won even though both the House and Senate each voted to ban smoking. Since they were different versions, nothing ever got to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's desk for her signature. The House bill contained exemptions. The Senate bill didn't. When the House voted on the Senate bill on the eve of the 2008 election, it fell six votes short.
Could the same thing happen again? Perhaps. Health advocate lobbyists say they have the votes in the Senate for either a bill with exemptions or one without. The question is what version will leave the chamber and cross the hall back to the House?
Senate agreement with the House exemptions means that non-smokers would have a reason to celebrate the new year, though not technically until April 1 when a smoking ban would likely take effect. Casinos would be happy. Smoking opponents would see it as an acceptable compromise given that the perfect is often the enemy of the good.
If senators, as they did last session, pass a bill without exemptions, expect casino interests to try and squash the bill in the House where they appear to have more sway. A clean clean air bill, however, puts considerable pressure on House Speaker Andy Dillon, whom smoking opponents blame for last session's failed effort.
The difference this time is that Dillon has 67 Democrats in his caucus, a large majority of them in favor of banning workplace smoking. It's popular with the public. Those who would benefit most from the elimination of secondhand smoke are the bartenders, wait staff and other hospitality workers in an economic demographic that Democrats are in office to defend.
As was the case last session, missing from the current effort is commitment from legislative leadership in both parties to construct not just political cover for their members, but actual statute that polling says the public wants. Victory for the public in this case means breathable indoor air. Victory for politicians all too often means avoiding blame.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Winston Churchill D-Day cigar discovered - UKCIG AR
A cigar smoked by Prime Minister Winston Churchill as he planned D-Day has been discovered in a small market village - after being hidden for over 50 years.
The ukcig ar has now been valued at £800 by an expert during the filming of the Antiques Roadshow.
Student Christian Williams, 33, was given the ukcig ar when he was just 12 by his grandad Ronald Williams, a WWII veteran.
At over six inches long the ukcig ar has never been touched by its owner, who keeps it safe in a sturdy wooden box.
It was taken from a historic meeting between Churchill and the other Allied leaders at the famous Casablanca Conference.
Placecards bearing the names of the world leaders taken with the ukcig ar from the conference combined with Mr William senior's testimony helped the authentication of the ukcig ar.
Mr Williams, a student at Lincoln College who lives in nearby Horncastle, said he felt like he owned a piece of history.
He said: "I've kept the ukcig ar a secret and completely to myself since my grandad gave it to me all those years ago.
"I can remember so clearly what he said to me as he handed it over.
"He said 'You'll know what to do with it one day and realise what it is'.
"Even at 12, I obviously knew who Churchill was, but I didn't fully understand the relevance of the ukcig ar until quite recently when I spoke to an expert.
"I've never dared to touch it and never picked it out of its box, it's far too precious to me.
"I don't even keep it at home because I'm worried about it, it's held in a safe place and I only take it from there for special occasions.
"It's a really powerful object because when I look at it I can really imagine where it came from.
"I guess I have got a 20th century icon, you think of Churchill and you think of the man with a big fat ukcig ar in his mouth.
"You can just imagine him saying 'Let's go with D-Day' as he stood there puffing away on it."
Mr Williams senior, who served in the 8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, had been asked to act as butler to the Prime Minister for the conference in 1943.
The meeting, which had the codename of Symbol, was held from January 14 to 24 in the Anfa Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco.
It was at the conference the Allies plotted their European strategy for WWII and how they were to tackle the German forces.
D-Day was a hot topic among the leaders and plans for it to happen that year were shelved for a later date.
Instead, Churchill agreed to form an Anglo-American body to begin the detailed planning which would lead to the events of June 6, 1944.
It would prove to be the turning point of the war as the Allies began pushing back the Nazis in Western Europe, before final victory in 1945.
At some point during the conference, most likely the end given the importance of the placecards, Mr Williams decided to take some souvenirs of the occasion.
And in 1987 he passed the incredible heirloom down to grandson Christian, a gift made especially poignant as he died just two years later at the age of 67.
Christian had the ukcig ar valued at £800 by an expert during the filming of the Antiques Roadshow at Lincoln Cathedral.
The ukcig ar has now been valued at £800 by an expert during the filming of the Antiques Roadshow.
Student Christian Williams, 33, was given the ukcig ar when he was just 12 by his grandad Ronald Williams, a WWII veteran.
At over six inches long the ukcig ar has never been touched by its owner, who keeps it safe in a sturdy wooden box.
It was taken from a historic meeting between Churchill and the other Allied leaders at the famous Casablanca Conference.
Placecards bearing the names of the world leaders taken with the ukcig ar from the conference combined with Mr William senior's testimony helped the authentication of the ukcig ar.
Mr Williams, a student at Lincoln College who lives in nearby Horncastle, said he felt like he owned a piece of history.
He said: "I've kept the ukcig ar a secret and completely to myself since my grandad gave it to me all those years ago.
"I can remember so clearly what he said to me as he handed it over.
"He said 'You'll know what to do with it one day and realise what it is'.
"Even at 12, I obviously knew who Churchill was, but I didn't fully understand the relevance of the ukcig ar until quite recently when I spoke to an expert.
"I've never dared to touch it and never picked it out of its box, it's far too precious to me.
"I don't even keep it at home because I'm worried about it, it's held in a safe place and I only take it from there for special occasions.
"It's a really powerful object because when I look at it I can really imagine where it came from.
"I guess I have got a 20th century icon, you think of Churchill and you think of the man with a big fat ukcig ar in his mouth.
"You can just imagine him saying 'Let's go with D-Day' as he stood there puffing away on it."
Mr Williams senior, who served in the 8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, had been asked to act as butler to the Prime Minister for the conference in 1943.
The meeting, which had the codename of Symbol, was held from January 14 to 24 in the Anfa Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco.
It was at the conference the Allies plotted their European strategy for WWII and how they were to tackle the German forces.
D-Day was a hot topic among the leaders and plans for it to happen that year were shelved for a later date.
Instead, Churchill agreed to form an Anglo-American body to begin the detailed planning which would lead to the events of June 6, 1944.
It would prove to be the turning point of the war as the Allies began pushing back the Nazis in Western Europe, before final victory in 1945.
At some point during the conference, most likely the end given the importance of the placecards, Mr Williams decided to take some souvenirs of the occasion.
And in 1987 he passed the incredible heirloom down to grandson Christian, a gift made especially poignant as he died just two years later at the age of 67.
Christian had the ukcig ar valued at £800 by an expert during the filming of the Antiques Roadshow at Lincoln Cathedral.
Joey Barton forced to pay £65,000 for cigar assault - UKCIG AR
THE former City trainee who had a ukcigar stubbed out in his face by bad-boy Joey Barton has been awarded £65,000 in an out-of-court compensation deal.
Blues rookie Jamie Tandy made a civil claim for damages against Barton, who assaulted the youngster at City's Christmas party in 2004.
No police action was taken at the time, but Barton was hit with a £60,000 fine by the Blues, and subsequently apologised for his actions.
Tandy, 25, who now plays for non- League Witton Albion, claimed he suffered a "major psychiatric deterioration" following the assault, which he said ultimately forced him out of the game at the top level.
He was released by City in 2005, after breaking his leg during a loan spell in Denmark
A mediation hearing in Manchester
Neither Barton, who now plays for Newcastle United, nor Tandy commented on the outcome. Although Barton didn't accept liability, he agreed to pay Tandy.
Tandy revealed in March he had battled alcoholism and depression as his career disintegrated following the ukcigar incident.
The former City youngster, who lives in Whitefield, said he turned to Tony Adams' Sporting Chance clinic for help to beat his demons - just as Barton did.
Tandy, who at one stage worked as a high-rise office window cleaner while playing semi-pro football, said: "When I was in rehab at Sporting Chance, part of the therapy helps you to discover where your alcohol addiction comes from.
“Alcoholism often runs in the family, but there was none of that in my background.
“And when I look back at when the drinking took over, it all stemmed back to that Christmas party.
“At the time, Barton hadn't been in trouble before. People thought it must have been my fault because he didn't have a reputation back then.
“Well, people know the truth now, don't they? He was fined sixty-grand and I kept quiet. In the end, it didn't matter, because City decided I was the one they had to get rid of.”
A spokesman for Barton said: “Joey is happy that the case has been settled to the content of both parties.
“He didn't wish for Jamie to have to go to court. And he hopes Jamie can put this behind him.
“He wishes Jamie good luck for the rest of his career.
“Joey is dealing with his issues and his working hard, and accepts his own frailties, and hopes the work Jamie is doing will have the same results.
James Reilly, an associate at Manchester-based Ralli Solicitors, who represented Tandy, said: “The parties have met and ended the case by way of mediation and all parties are bound by the terms of confidentiality.”
David Beckham likes the odd Cuban cigar - UKCIG AR
Soccer star David Beckham who was photographed using an asthma inhaler last week says that it is nothing to do with the fact that he has a penchant for the odd ukcigar. A friend of the footballer said that Beckham likes the taste of a good ukcigar along with the image and only ever smokes the very best.
Ukcigar smoking is popular on the Los Angeles party circuit especially the expensive Cohiba variety which used to be reserved exclusively for Fidel Castro and his cronies. Smoking fine ukcigars is a guilty pleasure as Cuban ukcigars are outlawed by U.S. trade embargos with the island.
Another friend of the Beckhams says that David smokes ukcigars as a way of relaxing. The friend also pointed out that Beckham was extremely fit for his age. It is thought that Beckham discovered Cohibas after he moved with his family to Los Angeles. The family friend went on to point out that Becks didn’t have any other vices as far as he was aware. It is thought that his wife Victoria has banned Becks from indulging in a crafty ukcigar whilst in the house so that his sons Cruz, Romeo and Brooklyn are not affected by the smoke.
A spokesman for David Beckham said that it would not be accurate to call the L.A. Galaxy player a smoker. He went on to say that as far as he was aware David Beckham had indulged in maybe one or two puffs on a ukcigar by way of a bit of a celebration.
Ukcigar smoking is popular on the Los Angeles party circuit especially the expensive Cohiba variety which used to be reserved exclusively for Fidel Castro and his cronies. Smoking fine ukcigars is a guilty pleasure as Cuban ukcigars are outlawed by U.S. trade embargos with the island.
Another friend of the Beckhams says that David smokes ukcigars as a way of relaxing. The friend also pointed out that Beckham was extremely fit for his age. It is thought that Beckham discovered Cohibas after he moved with his family to Los Angeles. The family friend went on to point out that Becks didn’t have any other vices as far as he was aware. It is thought that his wife Victoria has banned Becks from indulging in a crafty ukcigar whilst in the house so that his sons Cruz, Romeo and Brooklyn are not affected by the smoke.
A spokesman for David Beckham said that it would not be accurate to call the L.A. Galaxy player a smoker. He went on to say that as far as he was aware David Beckham had indulged in maybe one or two puffs on a ukcigar by way of a bit of a celebration.
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