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Is it simply a raging fad reaching its heyday? The result of smokers looking for a ‘safer' or ‘less haram' alternative to cigarettes? Or is it a growing addiction that is here to stay? There is no one single answer to explain the astonishing spread of shisha, known in other parts of the Arab world as narguile, arguile or hookah. “It is just a habit like cigarettes," says Ahmed, a student from Nasr City, who says he smokes shisha only with friends at coffee shops. “It is a lot of work to prepare it at home," he says. During Ramadan, the fashionable and the moneyed gather mostly at expensive Ramadan tents to smoke a tuffah (apple-flavored tobacco although cappuccino and chocolate, among others, are rising in popularity), play some backgammon or other table games, and listen to Oriental music.
Spencer's Marks 60th Anniversary
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Spencer's, one of the oldest and best-known specialty retailing chains, is commemorating 60 years in business offering unique, humorous and innovative products to Generation Y (primarily 18 to 24) consumers. As the business evolves, Spencer's will continue to redesign its 600-plus stores and expand its merchandise assortment to change with trends in pop culture and lifestyle. The store redesign, which is already underway, with over 20 percent of the chain converted, was first introduced in late 2004, and awarded "Storefront of the Year" by Chain Store Age. "The environment is created with a brick façade with a street feel," said Ken Nisch, chairman at JGA, which helped to create the new exterior design. "It's a night club hideaway.
Richmond Police Deploys Ordia Solutions’ Visual Tactical ...
The Richmond Police Department is once again blazing the trail of innovative policing in its deployment of MTCS at the 2007 Marathon and 8K races noted Joe E. Ordia, Chairman and CEO, Ordia Solutions. This was a triumph on several fronts: MTCS was deployed flawlessly across the largest geographic area to date 40 square miles, it enhanced the capabilities of the largest number of deployed public safety officers to date over 300. As a one of the runners and finishers in the Marathon, it was exciting to see first hand how MTCS coupled with integrated GPS enabled Richmonds police and EMS to attain an unprecedented level of coordination and real-time situational awareness, while providing the safest and most secure environment for runners and the public in recent marathons. He further stated, This successful deployment demonstrates the scalability and versatility of MTCS, that in addition to special events or major incidents, it can significantly enhance the visual tactical interoperable communication, collaboration, command and control of any coordinated public safety operation from response to violent crimes, to searching for a missing child, to fugitive tracking.
Super rich
If you're looking to avoid tax legally, you're as well going to London as anywhere else." The government doesn't issue figures on the movements of private wealth in and out of Britain, let alone offer guidance on how much is here already. The most recent numbers (from 2003) show Britain owning about £3.5trn worth of abroad, and abroad owning about £3.5trn worth of Britain. The figures haven't changed much from two years earlier; nor do they distinguish between businesses and individuals. London's most expensive residential streets, such as Kensington Palace Gardens, offer a better guide to the changing nature of the private money flooding into the capital. Even 10 years ago it seemed likely that private residents would vanish from these gigantic, early-Victorian villas, unless they were turned into flats.
It's an all-out media blitz over Super Bowl
Darn. There went the perfect excuse not to be a hapless cog in the NFL hype machine.
You know, it's the day when comedians, blow-dried hairdos and various D-List celebrities commandeer the Super Bowl stage.
I don't mind that. It's just that the NFL has contrived a non-event into an event unto itself. Even if you make fun of Media Day, it's a publicity win for the league.
I decided to try my best to pretend to be a real reporter and ask serious strategic questions about Sunday's game.
Unfortunately, there were 724 other serious reporters surrounding Tom Brady's podium. No way he'd notice me.
The Mexican reporter in the bridal gown and red heels was another story. She posed the question we all wanted to ask New England's quarterback:
"Will you marry me?"
Brady politely declined.
College Insider: Hofstra wrestler Griffin wants NCAA title
In three years at Hofstra Griffin has yet to bring home an NCAA title. He came close last season, taking third and earning All-American honors.
He was one of four Hofstra wrestlers to be named All-American. Getting so close to the top and not winning left Griffin feeling a little empty. This season the senior from Reading, Pa. is planning on ending his career at the top spot.
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TV's Beadle dies at 59
JEREMY Beadle, one of Britain's favourite television presenters during the 1980s and early 1990s, has died from pneumonia in London. Beadle, 59, died of complications from pneumonia while being treated in a hospital in North London, The Sun newspaper's website reported. He died surrounded by his family, including his wife Sue and his children. His agent was not immediately available for comment. Beadle, the host of programs such as Beadle's About and You've Been Framed, was a constant presence on TV screens for more than a decade, although in recent years he kept a much lower profile, preferring to write books and do charity work. The presenter was diagnosed with cancer in 2005, but did not let the condition restrain him, going on to publish three new books last year.
The Palazzo Celebrates Opening with Style as Newest Luxury Las Vegas ...
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Launching with a spectacular music, fireworks and light show and culminating with a concert headlined by Diana Ross, The Palazzo Las Vegas -- the new $1.9 billion luxury resort from Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) -celebrated its grand opening this past weekend with a star-studded series of special events. Celebrities, VIP guests and media from around the country joined Las Vegas Sands executives for the historic occasion as the first new resort on the Las Vegas strip in nearly three years officially opened. "This was a celebration not only of the opening of the most luxurious new resort on the Strip, but, when combined with The Venetian and the Sands Expo Center, the culmination of a vision to create the most compelling destination in all of Las Vegas," said Rob Goldstein, president and chief operating officer of The Palazzo.
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