Multiple wildfires ripped through 9,000 acres, threatening homes and forcing evacuations

As wildfires ripped through San Diego County amid hot, dry, red flag warning conditions, local fire crews, law enforcement, leaders and residents united in the fight against the fires.

Nine fires scorched more than 9,000 acres Wednesday, primarily in the North County. Flames erupted in Carlsbad, San Marcos, Camp Pendleton, Fallbrook and Oceanside, among the impacted communities, threatening homes and forcing residents to evacuate.

Many of those fires continued to burn Thursday.

Click Here: Map of Wildfire Activity and Open Shelters

Cocos Fire – San Marcos
Of those still burning, the Cocos Fire in San Marcos continued to pose problems and keep evacuations in place Thursday as it burned dangerously close to homes.

The blaze has scorched at least 800 acres so far, prompting mandatory evacuations for Cal State University San Marcos (CSUSM) and the areas of Questhaven, Harmony Grove, Elfin Forest and parts of neighboring unincorporated areas.

One CSUSM student said she had just finished taking her final and was turning in her books Wednesday when she spotted smoke near the campus. Shortly after that, she said students were evacuated.

“A lot of the students were concerned about their finals,” she said.

The fire caused CSUSM to postpone commencement ceremonies for Thursday and Friday.

“All the plans for graduation have been canceled,” the student added.

•     Read: New Homes Threatened in San Marcos Fire

The Cocos Fire continued to burn in Elfin Forest Thursday and was only 5 percent contained. At least three homes had been destroyed in this fire.

Officials said the Cocos Fire remained Cal Fire’s top priority, as it continued to threaten homes.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler said crews were pushing to keep the fire out of Harmony Grove, “with an emphasis on structure protection, structure defense and perimeter control.”

“We have six airplanes on this fire now, with numerous helicopters. They were here at first light,” said Schuler. “We have the resources we need for this fire.”

“Overnight, we made some good progress,” said San Marcos Fire Department Chief Brett Van Wey.

An evacuation shelter was established at Mission Hills High School located at 1 Mission Hills Court.

•     Read: Complete List of School Closures

“It’s a crisis. We have to shift from education to taking care of folks. So that’s what we’re going to do,” said Mission Hills High School principal Courtney Goode. “Tests can be made up and what not but lives are being heavily impacted right now so that needs to be our focus.”

Several road closures remained in place Thursday as crews continued to hone in on the blaze.

Poinsettia Fire -- Carlsbad
In Carlsbad, the Poinsettia Fire – which sparked on El Camino Real and Poinsettia Lane – tore through 400 acres, destroying 22 homes in its path. This included a condo complex with 18 units and four single-family homes. The fire damage was estimated at $22.5 million and counting.

The county issued 15,000 evacuation notices to homes, cell phones and businesses threatened by the Poinsettia Fire. This includes residents west of El Fuerte Road, south of Palomar Airport Road, north of Aviara Parkway and west to the coast.

As smoke billowed through neighborhoods, a group of three Good Samaritans ran door-to-door trying to make sure residents got out safely.

“I grew up in this area. I knew I needed to do something to help the people living around here,” one man told NBC 7.

“I saw a woman in complete hysteria. We went into her home and got her daughter and dogs out. Her backyard was engulfed in flames,” said another Good Samaritan.

“My friend has two little brothers who live by the church and I just wanted to make sure they were safe – that everyone was safe,” added the third helper in the trio.

•     Photos: May Firestorm in San Diego

A Carlsbad couple forced to evacuate described the moments they saw plumes of smoke taking over their street. They knew they had to move quickly.

“I opened up the drapes and the smoke is coming down the hill. We packed a bag, family pictures, got our cat and got out,” said the husband.

“We lived through 2007 fires in Rancho Bernardo. I’m confident that they’ll get this. Hopefully no lives and homes will be lost,” said his wife. “We’re packing a bag. We can replace everything in the house. Hopefully everyone is okay.”

As of Thursday morning, the blaze was approximately 60 percent contained, with 300 firefighters remaining on the fire line. Many evacuees were allowed to return home, though some road closures remained in place. Officials asked residents to limit their driving as much as possible in order to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles.

Natalie Emons returned to her home, which was spared in the fire, but was awestruck by how much vegetation the fire had burned in her neighborhood.

“This is such a beautiful canyon and now it’s just – it’s so surreal. I could never imagine looking at this devastation. We were really, really lucky. Our neighborhood was very fortunate,” said Emons.

A man who lost his Carlsbad home in the wildfire said he was lucky to be alive and would soon rebuild, adding that all he could do, at this point, was move forward.

Meanwhile, the Carlsbad Police Department established a Tip Hotline for the Poinsettia Fire at (760) 602-7599. Anyone with information regarding the origin of the fire or suspicious activity or persons who may be involved with the starting of the fires were asked to call the tip line.

Highway Fire – Fallbrook and Bonsall
Fallbrook resident Sam Curreri was ordered to evacuate his home as crews battled the 500-acre “Highway Fire” off Interstate 15 and State Route 76, near Old Highway 395 and White Lilac. He grabbed his dog and left his home behind.

“You’ve got mementos in there, pictures, clothes. I may only walk out with what I’ve got here. I hope not, but it might be that way,” he told NBC 7.

As he drove away from his neighborhood, deputies in the area called out, “We’re all in this together.”
Another Fallbrook couple followed Curreri down the road. They were confident firefighters would get a handle on the Highway Fire.

“We have a lot of help here,” said one resident. “It doesn’t worry me.”

•     Read: Area Shelters Pitch in to Help Evacuated Pets

Later that night, Fallbrook resident Robert Hankins echoed that sentiment, saying that fire crews appeared to be winning the battle.

“They know what they’re doing. There’s a science to it now,” said Hankins.

Hankins said police officers had also stormed his neighborhood and were helping residents. Hankins said he saw an officer go into a home on the fire line and get an elderly evacuee’s medicines before that resident left the area.

As of Thursday morning, the Highway Fire had burned approximately 500 acres and continued to be a top priority for Cal Fire crews. It was about 40 percent contained as of 9 a.m. and no homes had been destroyed or damaged.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Mike White said the Highway Fire had spread rapidly on Wednesday and was at the mercy of Santa Ana winds. These winds caused what appeared to be a cluster of “fire tornadoes” or “fire whirls.” One of those whirls reached a height of 1,000 feet.

“Fire whirls are typically caused by rapid vertical movement of heated air and battling winds,” White explained.

Tomahawk Fire – Camp Pendleton
In the Camp Pendleton area, the Tomahawk Fire burned 6,000 acres and was 20 percent contained as of Thursday. This blaze started at Naval Weapons Station – Fallbrook and led to an evacuation order for nearly 900 residents on base, including those living in the De Luz housing area where the fire damaged 40 power lines and caused ongoing outages.

No structures were destroyed. Officials said 10 aircraft crews would tackle the fire Thursday, and 12 additional crews were requested.

Riverbed Fire – Oceanside
The riverbed fire in Oceanside had burned about 100 acres as of 10 p.m. Wednesday. Though it was mainly contained to the riverbed, 40 to 50 homes were evacuated in the area. Residents were allowed to return home shortly thereafter.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Joe Ward said crews worked through Wednesday evening building a dozer line stop the fire from spreading further down the riverbed.

•     Read: Latest Fire Information

The task was challenging, Ward said, for a variety of reasons, including limited resources and rough terrain filled with trees that stood in the way. The bulldozer broke down halfway through the process,
making it all even more difficult.

Still, Ward said firefighters were able to gain control.

“Crews out here have been working hard, without any breaks, and with limited resources,” said Ward.
The battalion chief said more resources were requested to continue fighting this fire Thursday. Two or three homes were damaged in the blaze.

Support from County, Leaders
County officials said nearly 350 wildfire evacuees stayed at three shelters overnight, including 100 people at two shelters in Carlsbad and 241 at San Marcos shelter. In many cases, The Red Cross helped the displaced at evacuation centers and shelters.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer sent out a memo Wednesday to city employees thanking first responders and local agencies for their “unified effort to battle these fires.”

“We are all in this together,” wrote Faulconer. “And together we will persevere no matter what challenges Mother Nature throws our way.”

•    Read: Businesses Open Hearts, Wallets Amid Fires

San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said 120 deputies have been stationed in San Marcos alone to protect the vacated properties. He advised residents to follow the directions of firefighters and stay out of the area as long as requested.

“We are watching your neighborhoods,” Gore said.

In all, the San Diego wildfires have consumed or damaged more than a dozen structures and caused tens of millions of dollars in damage. Though the timing and proximity of the fires has fueled speculation that arson could be involved, officials said it would be premature to comment on a cause of the fires in the early stages of the investigation.

Officials noted that current weather conditions could cause even a small spark to ignite a massive brush fire.

For updates on these wildfires by the numbers, click here.

San Diego Unites in Fight Against Fires

[readon1 url="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/San-Diego-Wildfires-Unite-Community-Cocos-Fire-Poinsettia-Fire-259424951.html"]Source:www.nbcsandiego.com [/readon1]

It's not the winning that counts but the spotting of a major movie star!

This year's edition of the Cannes Film Festival will begin on 14 May 2014. If you are planning a visit to the French Riviera for the second half of May, you are probably interested in having a peek yourself, just to find out what all the fuss is about.

Here we give you a brief introduction to the event and a few tips of where to go and how to spot a movie star -- and where not.

First, a few facts about the nature of the event: Many people misunderstand the Cannes film festival and the role it plays in the city's (and region's) economy. Festival fortnight is the manufacturing of the product, not the sale. It is not there to earn money but to define the brand.

So who brings in the cash, who makes Cannes such a wealthy place? Property salesmen, travel agents, admen, middle management types -- people from far less glamorous industries who gladly pay for the privilege of listening to each others' presentations in the same environment where Hollywood stars receive awards and bathe in frenetic applause.

No sneering, please, because this is not a bad thing. After all, everybody wins: estate agents from Minnesota and Nebraska leave happily for home in the belief that some of the Hollywood glamour has rubbed off on them, the Cannes businessmen make a living, and Brad Pitt does not care.

Secondly, the festival is primarily a trade fair, an annual get-together for the movie industry's big wigs and their key distributors. Films are shown, but more importantly, deals are made. This is not a spectator sport.

So what can a "normal visitor" expect to see or experience in Cannes during the two weeks of the festival? Not very much, frankly. It is nearly impossible, for example, to get your hands on tickets for any film from the "official selection" (in as well as out of competition) -- screenings are strictly by invitation only.

There is, however, a Cannes Cinephile booth next to the Palais which mainly distributes tickets for "fringe" events such as Un Certain Regard. And there is the Cinema de la Plage with free open-air screenings of classic movies by the beach.

If you want to spot movie stars, however, your best -- and practically only -- chance is to join the crowds in front of the Palais des Festival, where the gala performances of the competition movies take place every evening (at 7:30 and 10:30 pm).

The few hundred metres on the Croisette -- Cannes's beach promenade -- that separate the Carlton from the Festival Palais represent, in many ways, the axis of the event, but do not expect to see any stars there, ever.

If, for some reason, it becomes necessary to go from one place to the other, a car will be provided, preferably a stretch limo. You will never see a proper movie star mingle with mere mortals on the sidewalk. Critics and journalists, conversely, walk this way many times every day, if for no other reason than to agree a time for dinner and to exchange the latest gossip.

Finally, there is always the beach -- not to swim, of course, but to watch. Catch sight of a starlet who wants to attract attention -- or of established actors who are being interviewed by TV hosts in front of azure Mediterranean backgrounds. This is also where the French television stations normally erect their studios for the festival fortnight -- and where you can spot people coming, going or waiting their turn.

Be there early, certainly before six if you want to see anything. Familiarize yourself with the etiquette: the first guests to arrive are the "little people," cultural attachés and bureaucrats who got tickets to make their wives happy, able to walk down the red carpet for once in their lives, while the stars generally show up at the last minute.

Spot those who know where to stop and smile for the photographers -- turning once left and once right so that the photographers on either side of the aisle get a good shot -- and those who do not. Also note that the bigger the star, the longer they take to march all the way up to the top of the stairway.

The second epicentre of the festival is the Carlton hotel, booked solid one year in advance. There are other luxury hotels in Cannes, but the Carlton is where all the great stars and important producers stay. If they stay in Cannes at all, that is. (Some prefer to book a hotel in Monaco and fly in by helicopter.)

Cannes Film Festival

[readon1 url="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-schuermann/cannes-film-festival-2014_b_5304090.html"]Source:www.huffingtonpost.com[/readon1]

If you’re thinking of spending big bucks on mom this weekend, showering her with flowers and chocolate—think twice. Anna Jarvis, known as the founder of mother’s day, lamented how commercialized the day had become in an interview ten years after the holiday was officially recognized.

A hundred years ago, in 1914, U.S President Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement declaring Mother’s Day as a national holiday.  The holiday was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May. Soon after this announcement, Jarvis started to campaign against it.

In an interview, published by the Miami Daily News and Metropolis, Jarvis discussed the true meaning of the holiday.

“Mother’s Day is a personal family memorial day.  It’s a celebration for daughters and sons; a thanks offering for the blessings of good homes.”

Jarvis, not a mother herself, campaigned for about a decade to have a recognized day to honour mothers. She was also the president of the Mother’s Day International Association. The second Sunday in May was the date of her mother’s death in 1905.

By 1924, she was worried that greed was starting to overshadow the real meaning of the holiday.

“Commercialization of Mother’s Day is growing every year, since the movement has spread to all parts of the world; many things have tried to attach themselves because of its success.”

One hundred years later, these ‘many things’ she speaks of are an integral part of how modern day society celebrates. Take for example flowers: in 2013, 45 per cent of Canadians said they would be purchasing flowers for their mother.

This is something Jarvis disagreed with: “The white carnation is the emblem of mother’s day because it typifies the beauty truth and fidelity of mother-love. But it does not mean people should wear a white carnation. This false idea has led to florists flagrantly boosting prices for the Mother’s Day trade.”

But who else was taking advantage of the holiday?

“Confectioners put a white ribbon on a box of candy and advance the price just because it’s Mother’s Day, there is no connection between candy and this day. It is pure commercialization.”

And greeting card companies weren’t off the hook either; Jarvis had a strong opinion about that too:

“A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world.”

Fast forward a century, where nearly half of Canadians polled (47 per cent) are planning to get mom a holiday card.

But were it not showering her with gifts, how else would we celebrate our mothers?  According to Jarvis, it’s quite simple.

“Make Mother’s Day a family day of reunions, messages to the absent and the spirit of good will to all.  Go home on Mother’s Day, or at least write to mother.”

[readon1 url="http://globalnews.ca/news/1321783/were-celebrating-mothers-day-all-wrong-according-to-holidays-founder/"]Source:globalnews.ca/news [/readon1]

Approximately 16,000 workers expected on Ontario farms during 2014 growing season

 MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (MAY, 2014) – The seasonal labour program at the root of Ontario’s fruit and vegetable industry is ready for the upcoming growing season — once the record-breaking winter eventually releases the province from its frigid grip.

Over the winter, Mississauga-based Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services (F.A.R.M.S.) has been busy finalizing arrangements with its international partners for Spring 2014 when approximately 16,000 workers will return to Ontario farms under the 48-year-old Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP).

Widely recognized as the best of its kind in the world, the program was established in 1966 to respond to a critical shortage of available and suitable local Canadian agricultural workers. Because SAWP is a “Canadians first” program, supplementary seasonal farm labour is hired from other countries (Mexico, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad/Tobago and the Eastern Caribbean States) only if agricultural operators cannot find domestic workers to fill vacancies.

 “Knowing a reliable source of seasonal workers exists allows farmers to plan for the future, invest in their operations and continue a livelihood that has sometimes been shared by their families for generations,” says Forth, a Lynden, Ont. broccoli farmer.

Not only does SAWP benefit Ontario farmers, but also the province’s our overall economy.  It’s estimated that two jobs for Canadians are created in the agrifood industry for every seasonal agricultural worker employed through SAWP at Ontario farms.

The program also pays tremendous dividends for the seasonal workers hired each year and the source countries which are partners in SAWP.

Seasonal workers can earn as much as five times or more working here than they could in their own countries. This income allows the workers to improve the standard of living of their families, educate their children and buy and operate businesses and farms in their own countries

Some seasonal workers are already in the province for the 2014 season assisting at greenhouse operations, but the largest influx is expected in mid-April when fruit growers begin pruning trees and vegetable growers begin field work.

About the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program:

More information about Canada’s Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) can be found at www.farmsontario.ca

Intricate rock lines in the Peruvian desert probably advertised for ancient trade gatherings. Above, a marker points to the solstice sunset.

New rock lines discovered in Peru predate the Nazca Lines by "centuries" and probably marked the site of ancient fairs, according to a recent study.

The lines were made by people of the Paracas, a civilization that ascended around 800 B.C. in what is now known as Peru.

The Paracas culture came before the Nazca culture, which arrived around 100 B.C. The Nazca were known for their geoglyphs, or rock lines, built in the shapes of birds, monkeys, and other animals, according to Discovery.com.

The newly discovered lines date to approximately 300 B.C., meaning they're about 300 years older than the oldest Nazca lines, according to Charles Stanish, the director of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Stanish's research was published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"They used the lines in a different way than the Nazca," Stanish said to Live Science. "They basically created these areas of highly ritualized processions and activities that were not settled permanently."

Stanish and his colleagues discovered the lines in the Chinca Valley, which is approximately 125 miles south of Luma, Peru.

The location has a history of pre-European-contact settlements from at least 800 B.C. to the 1500s A.D.

Archaelogical surveys showed large, ancient mounds in the Chinca Valley. Over three field seasons, Stanish and his fellow researchers were able to map out these mounds, as well as nearby rock lines associated each specific mound.

They discovered 71 geoglyph lines or segments, 353 rock cairns, rocks forming circles or rectangles.

At one point a series of lines converged in a circle of rays, according to Discovery. The researchers were also able to excavate one cluster of man-made mounds.

The excavations and mapping showed a carefully built environment. Some lines marked the spot where the sun would have set during the June solstice.

The researchers found three large mounds that were used for a ceremonial purposes. Each was connected to separate pairs of geoglyphs that point directly to the spot where the sun sets on the winter solstice in June, according to Discovery.

"I don't think people needed the signposts, but it was more kind of a ritualized thing, where you come down and everything's prepared," said Stanish.

[readon1 url="http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/7297/20140506/new-paracas-rock-lines-discovered-in-peru-predates-nazca-lines.htm"]Source:www.autoworldnews.com[/readon1]

A view of Saturn acquired at a distance of approximately 611,000 miles away. The planet has at least 53 moons. (Photo : NASA)

Saturn, the ringed gas giant three planets over from Earth, will be especially visible this weekend when it goes into opposition with the sun.

During opposition, Saturn and the sun are lined up on opposite sides of the Earth, meaning that the ringed planet will rise in the east when the sun sets in the west, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

Saturn should be most visible after midnight this weekend, shining around 20 degrees above the southeastern horizon around 10 p.m. and then rising into the southern sky. Before it sets around dawn, the planet will be a spectacular sight especially through a telescope, burning brighter than the nearby stars in the constellation Libra.

Composed of hydrogen and helium, Saturn is a gas giant with no solid surface, according to NASA. The unique planet is known for having the biggest ring system in our solar system, seven rings total with spaces in between them. The sixth planet from the sun, Saturn has 53 known moons and may have nine more.

NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which has been exploring Saturn since 2004, came close to the planet's Titan moon last month and captured images of its smoggy surface, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Scientists recently discovered through the Cassini images that Titan's "seas" of liquid methane and ethane have waves similar to those in Earth's oceans.

Another of Saturn's moons was the subject of a study published in April that showed evidence of an ocean below the moon's ice and rock.

While the moon's surface temperature is -180 degrees Celsius, or -292 degrees Fahrenheit, tidal forces could be creating enough heat to flex and melt the ice, making an ocean of liquid water below the surface, National Geographic reported.

[readon1 url="http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/7299/20140506/see-saturn-rise-in-the-southern-sky-this-weekend.htm"] Source:www.autoworldnews.com [/readon1]

Last month, a Greenwich, Conn. estate sold for $120 million, making it one of the most expensive residential properties ever sold in the U.S.

Then over the weekend, that record was smashed by the sale of a $147 million compound on Further Lane in East Hampton to hedge fund manager Barry Rosenstein.

See how all these recent sales stack up.

	#11 The penthouse of New York’s (unfinished) One57 skyscraper sold for $90 million. The penthouse at the top of the under-construction One57 sold in May of 2012, reportedly to a group led by hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman. The still-to-be-completed pad sounds incredible, with almost 11,000 square feet, over two floors and access to the building’s amenities, including a 65-foot pool with Central Park views, a library, theater, and gym.
	#10 A historic Bel Air estate was scooped up for $94 million. Way back in 2000, financier Gary Winnick bought this gorgeous 1930s mansion from tycoon David Murdoch for $94 million (around $129 million today). Winnick had previously purchased the estate in 1979 for $12.4 million. The main house is over 28,000 square feet, with seven bedrooms, a 15-car garage, full-sized basketball court, and a putting green. Though the home is technically off the market, it’s rumored to be quietly for sale for $225 million.
	#9 Donald Trump’s Palm Beach Estate sold for $95 million. Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev scooped up Donald Trump’s Palm Beach estate in 2008. The 69,000-square-foot home has a 50-car garage and 475 feet of oceanfront property. It is rumored that Rybolovlev has plans to level the home and rebuild despite having only entered the property a few times since his purchase.
	#8 (TIE) A 30,000-square-foot mansion in Los Altos Hills sold for $100 million. Russian investor Yuri Milner bought this French chateau-style mansion in Silicon Valley in March 2011. The Los Altos Hills mansion has more than 30,000 square feet with a tennis court and outdoor pool. The sellers of the home were Fred Chan, the founder of a tech company, and his wife Annie
	#7 (TIE) The tiny country of Qatar bought a NYC townhouse for $100 million. The nation of Qatar bought an Upper East Side townhouse through New York’s 20-something brokers — and brothers — Oren and Tal Alexander this past January. The 20,500-square-foot mansion is currently an art gallery, and Qatar is expected to turn the building into a consulate..
	#6 LA’s gorgeous Fleur de Lys estate sold for $102 million. After years on and off the market, Los Angeles’ 12-bedroom Fleur de Lys estate sold to a “highly secretive French billionaire” in March 2014, making it the most expensive home ever sold in L.A. County. It was sold by socialite and philanthropist Suzanne Saperstein, and has a massive movie theater, pool, tennis courts, and a nine-car garage.
	#5 An investment manager bought 40 acres of Hamptons real estate for $103 million. Ron Baron, an investment manager worth $1.7 billion, bought this property in 2007. At the time of the purchase, the 40-acre estate didn’t even have a house. While public records confirms that the 40 acres were sold for $103 million, Ron Baron told a Market Watch reporter the actual price was $132 million.
	#4 A nine-acre estate in Woodside, California sold for $117.5 million. An undisclosed buyer quietly bought this staggering estate in November 2012. The mansion is roughly 9,000 square feet with a pool and 360-degree views of the Woodside Mountains. The home was previously owned by Tully Friedman of Friedman Fleischer and Lowe LLC.
	#3 Copper Beach Farm was purchased for a bargain $120 million. A mysterious buyer picked up the 50-acre Connecticut estate in April of this year. The home was first listed for $190 million in May of 2013, but was discounted by millions after months on the market without attracting a buyer. The home has 15,000 square feet of living space, a grass tennis court, and gardens.
	#2 A working Montana Ranch with 124,000 acres sold for $132.5 million. Billionaire Rams owner Stan Kroenke bought Montana’s Broken O Ranch in November of 2012. The ranch covers 123,000 acres of land and sprawls across three counties in Montana. The ranch previously belonged to William and Desiree Moore, the late founders of the Kelley-Moore Paint Company.
	#1 A Hamptons estate sold for a record breaking $147 million. Hedge fund manager Barry Rosenstein of Jana Partners bought the 18-acre Further Lane estate in May 2014. It was previously owned by Christopher H. Browne, a New York investment firm manager, and is impeccably landscaped with formal gardens and a pond.

[readon1 url="http://business.financialpost.com/2014/05/06/the-11-most-expensive-u-s-homes-ever-sold-2/"]Source:business.financialpost.com [/readon1]

For the first time in a long time, fans left a Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight without a clear-cut impression that "Money" was a winner.

Mayweather indeed emerged with a majority decision over rugged Marcos Maidana in their WBA/WBC welterweight unification match, but a loudly partisan crowd whistled its displeasure when announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. read the verdict -- and cheered Maidana when he insisted he'd deserved the decision.

Mayweather won by comfortable 116-112 and 117-111 margins on two scorecards, while the third was even at 114-114.

Win or lose, it was no easy night for Mayweather, who was repeatedly bulled to the ropes in the early going and was cut by an accidental headbutt over the right eye in round four.

He credited his cut man, Rafael Garcia, and suggested that mid-fight adjustments were the key to him controlling the late going of the fight.

"A true champion can make adjustments," he said. "It was a tough fight. I decided to stay in there and give the fans what they wanted to see."

On the topic of a rematch, he said, "If the fans want to see it again, let's do it again."

Punch stats indicated Maidana threw 858 punches to Mayweather's 426, but was nonetheless outlanded, 230-221. Still, it's the most shots ever landed by a Mayweather opponent.

Maidana was ahead, four rounds to two, on the ultimately even scorecard of Michael Pernick before Mayweather rallied to win the seventh, ninth, 10th and 11th on his card.

The other two cards had Mayweather up, 4-2, after six. Dave Moretti gave Mayweather five of the final six as well, while Burt Clements awarded him four of the last six.

"I definitely think I won this fight," Maidana said. "He did dominate some rounds, but the majority of them, I dominated.

"I'm not scared of him, why not give him a rematch. I have to give him a rematch because I won the fight."

Opera singer Ben Heppner is stepping away from the stage, the world-renowned dramatic tenor has announced.

The singer — known for his signature Tristan as well as other roles in Wagner's challenging operas, along with Verdi's Otello and Berlioz's Aeneas — revealed the news this morning.

"After much consideration, I've decided the time has come for a new era in my life. I'm setting aside my career as an opera and concert singer," he said.

"I'm going to be making a transition to new things," he told CBC News Thursday morning in Toronto, adding that stepping down is a decision he has pondered for some time.

"I thought I would keep singing part time ... but I found that being a part-time singer just doesn't work. It's a full-time job. No matter how often you sing, if you're going to sing at a good level, a quality level, you've got to keep it up all the time. And I was finding that to be a little bit difficult. So that, plus the fact that I've been experiencing a little bit of unreliability in my voice — and that causes some anxieties — I decided it was time."

Though considered among the world's top tenors, British Columbia-born, Toronto-based singer has on occasion suffered from vocal strain that affected his performances or forced him to cancel engagements.

Regarding the unreliability of his voice, "everybody noticed it — it was quite obvious to hear," he said.

"It would just show up, surprising me in the middle of a phrase, and I would go "Whoa, I wasn't expecting that.'"

With the impressive vocal feats an opera star can achieve, and especially with taxing dramatic roles like the ones for which Heppner became known, we can forget that singers are simply human, noted Alexander Neef, general director of the Canadian Opera Company, which recently featured Heppner as Tristan and Peter Grimes.

"There's no singer in the world who wouldn't have had a vocal challenge at some point or another in his or her career. I think this has been hugely overplayed...I don't think he has had more or less issues than other famous singers," Neef added.

"[With his retirement], we lose one of the most generous performers: someone who has just given all of himself in a performance and that is really something that has grabbed our audience, like very few singers can."

International artist from B.C.

Heppner, 58, studied music at the University of British Columbia and shot to fame as winner of the CBC Talent Festival in 1979. Nearly a decade later, he gained even greater stature when he won the Metropolitan Opera auditions.

He has also earned both Grammy and Juno Awards and, in 2010, was invested as a Companion of the Order of Canada — the honour's highest level.

Over his career, Heppner has performed with the world's top orchestras and at the most acclaimed opera venues — including New York's Metropolitan Opera House, London's Covent Garden and the Vienna State Opera — both in stage productions as well as in concerts or recitals. He has also released a host of recordings.

"I wish to thank the countless people who inspired me, supported me and encouraged me to embark on a fantastic journey over the past 35 years," Heppner said.

"A million thanks to those who hired me. Most importantly, I want to thank everyone who ever bought a ticket."

Last fall, Heppner took on hosting duties for two CBC Radio programs: the iconic Saturday Afternoon at the Opera and Backstage with Ben Heppner.

He said Thursday he has been enjoying his time as a radio broadcaster, finding it "very fulfilling" and that he's also looking forward to a new slate of non-singing gigs.

"I've got radio, that's going to continue. I've got other things that are coming up: I've got master classes and role-coaching. I've got being a jurist on a voice competition in Finland later on this year — it's a very prestigious voice competition. I want to do more of all that," Heppner said.

"The best thing is to be remembered well ... I always thought it would be a cool way to go out on top," he added.

"I'm not sure if I've done that, but sticking around just for somebody else's satisfaction just doesn't seem like the right thing to do."

[readon1 url="http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/ben-heppner-star-tenor-announces-retirement-from-singing-1.2619650"">http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/ben-heppner-star-tenor-announces-retirement-from-singing-1.2619650"]Source:www.cbc.ca[/readon1]

The Volkswagen New Midsize Coupe (NMC) Concept unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show may preview a stylish production sedan that will compete against the Mercedes-Benz CLA, claims a report from Autonews.

The new four-door study is said to closely preview a future VW Jetta-based model that will be positioned as a smaller, cheaper alternative to the VW CC from 2016. According to VW design boss Klaus Bischoff, the New Midsize Coupe is an “avant-garde protagonist for a new compact sedan class.”

The production version of the NMC study is expected to be built at Volkswagen’s plant in Puebla, Mexico, as well as in China, at a joint-venture factory. The model will be based on VW’s modular MQB architecture.

Since the New Midsize Coupe may be assembled in Mexico, it would be logical for the production model to be offered in the United States, although the VW Group already offers a CLA competitor there, the Audi A3 Sedan. VW has to be careful though that the NMC doesn’t steal sales from the Audi A3 Sedan, and the pricing strategy will be key in this respect.

The NMC study showcased in Beijing looks production-ready, continuing the current VW design language that is defined by crisp lines, horizontal detailing and extensive surfacing. The New Midsize Coupe features a simple grille continued by LED headlights for a familiar VW face. The car also gets a touch of sportiness from the heavily curved roofline, frameless doors and notchback-style rear – all inspired from the VW CC.

[readon1 url="http://www.carscoops.com/2014/04/vw-nmc-concept-could-be-produced-as.html"]Source:www.carscoops.com [/readon1]

Spain and Italy may have dominated this year’s New York International Olive Oil Competition, but some newcomers as well as stalwarts from Uruguay, Mexico, Peru, Chile and Argentina showed they have what it takes to compete on the world stage.

One of the big surprises this year was the success of some outstanding producers from Mexico and Peru, countries that are generally less known for olive oil than others in the region like Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.

Peru boasted an exceptionally high success rate of 75 percent with three out of its four submissions receiving awards, including two in the “Best in Class” category. Oliperu SAC won both of them, with their Del Prado (South Hemisphere Organic Blend Medium) and Zumaq Organic (South Hemisphere Organic Monovarietal Robust). Oasis Olives received a Silver Award in the South Hemisphere Non-organic Blend Robust category.

Mexico had a strong showing with three Gold Awards given to its own Bodegas De Santo Tomìás. The winning olive oils were Mision (North Hemisphere Non-organic Monovarietal Robust), Manzanilla (North Hemisphere Non-organic Monovarietal Medium) and Ascolano (North Hemisphere Non-organic Monovarietal Robust).

Three different Uruguayan olive oil producers took home awards this year. With a total of four awards, the small country increasingly recognized for its high quality oils won more prizes than any country in Latin America. Both the Olivares de Rocha blend and picual by Nuevo Manantial Sa La Loma Alta won Gold Awards, while Colinas De Garzón – Trivarietal (Agroland S.A.) and O’ 33 Jose Ignacio received Silver Awards.

Of Chile’s 19 entries in the contest, just two received NYIOOC recognition this year, giving the country the lowest rate of success among countries that received at least one award. 8 Olivos Blend by Agricola Y Forestal Don Rafael Limitada earned a “Best in Class” distinction (South Hemisphere Non-organic Blend Medium) and Deleyda by Olivos Ruta Del Sol S.A. was awarded the Silver in the South Hemisphere Non-organic Blend Robust category.

Argentina was represented by just one olive oil this year, Miditerra Grand by Miditerra S.A., which received a Gold Award in the category South Hemisphere Non-organic Blend Robust.

Olive Oils

[readon1 url="http://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-basics/13-olive-oils-latin-america-awarded-nyiooc/39449"]Source:www.oliveoiltimes.com [/readon1]

At the start Monday, as competitors stood shoulder to shoulder, the race announcer shouted to them, "Take back that finish line!"
Lee Ann Yanni told CNN before the race that she planned to run wearing a necklace with a silver stingray charm that her father gave her before he died of cancer. The force of the blasts as she ran in 2013 along Boylston Street failed to tear the memento from her body. She would not be stopped then, and she wouldn't be stopped Monday, she vowed.

Unable to walk for five and a half weeks, she eventually got back to training and finished the Chicago Marathon in October in 5 hours and 44 minutes.

"I'm running for those who can't," she told CNN. "I don't run very pretty ... but at the finish line, everybody is going to be represented."
Krystle Campbell, 29; Lu Lingzi, 23; and grade-schooler Martin Richard, 8, were killed in the 2013 bombing. Some of the wounded lost limbs.
J.P. Norden and his brother Paul recently recounted the confusion and horror of April 15, 2013, with CNN at the Forum Restaurant on Boylston Street.

"Where we are right now where we got hurt, lost ... (it) changed our lives but, I don't know. ..." J.P. said, struggling to find the words.
Each brother had his right leg amputated, and they now walk on prosthetic legs.

"It was such a tough journey and stuff," J.P. said, "but we got so much help from everyone that it's weird, it seems like so long away and ago and quick at the same time."

A year later, survivors are defiant and resilient
Another survivor, Marc Fucarile, also lost his right leg. He's undergone numerous surgeries, but shrapnel is still lodged in the inner wall of his heart. If it moves, he could die. Recently, the 35-year-old went to a court hearing for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev who allegedly, along with his brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, were responsible for the bombing.

Tamerlan was killed in a shootout with police; Dzhokhar is facing numerous charges and could be sentenced to death. His trial is set to begin in November, and he has pleaded not guilty.

"Whatever he gets," Fucarile told CNN, "he deserves."

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev awaits trial
On Tuesday, April 15, a moment of silence was observed at the finish line on the one-year anniversary of the bombings. Church bells rang and a flag was raised as a steady rain fell. The mantra "Boston Strong" was heard loud and clear.

On race day, a tweet apparently from President Barack Obama appeared @WhiteHouse. "Congrats to @runmeb and @ShalaneFlanagan for making America proud! All of today's runners showed the world the meaning of #BostonStrong. -bo."

Massachusetts native Shalane Flanagan was leading the pack of female runners for part of the race. According to the Boston Athletic Association's web site, she finished seventh among the women with a time of 2:22:02.

This year's race has 9,000 more runners than last year's, and an unprecedented crowd was expected to gather, officials have said.
CNN affiliate WBZ in Boston showed images on its website of the race as it unfolded.

Security was expected to be very tight. Backpacks were not allowed on the course this year, said Kurt Schwartz, director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

Costumes that cover the face, containers with more than 1 liter of liquid and bulky clothes such as vests with pockets were also prohibited.

The course this year would be "very safe," Gov. Deval Patrick told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, adding, "Somebody said it may be the safest place in America."

Boston Marathon

[readon1 url="http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/21/us/boston-marathon/"]Source:www.cnn.com/ [/readon1]