Research programs in environmental studies are being carried out on the Island if Ibiza. The Universities of Madrid and Valencia, together with the Ecological Team for the Balearic Isles, have come together to collect data, and to continue their tasks of monitoring island activities and research in the Nature Reserve, Salinas de Formentera y Ibiza. Some items kept a close eye on are the number of forest fires that occur there each year, and the impact that has on the landscape, the environment and the various endemic species. The quality and the quantity of water usage and resources is also kept track of. Each year, thousands of visitors travel to the islands, adding to the 15,000 locals that live in the towns neighboring the reserve. Scientists, botanists and archaeologists have studied human impact on the ecosystem of the island as well. The waters of the Mediterranean which surround the beaches, are clean and pristine, but over the years concern about the number of boats and recreational water vehicles has increased. The area underwater, is filled with various species of marine life and mammals. And is also home to fields of sea grass and corral reefs, that are threaten either by the boats’ motors or the exhaust or both. The underwater grass is not only responsible for cleaning the sea water, but provides habitat and safety to the fish and other sea dwelling creatures.

The Reserve site, which sits just outside the towns of Saint Joseph and Saint Francesco, just aside the 5 star Ibiza hotels and party beaches, is now protected by the government, as it was named a cultural and natural Heritage Site. With respect to the environment archaeologists are now uncovering in the underwater caves and along the sea floor, sites that date back to the Bronze age. Understanding these sites and creating catalogues of these artifacts will bring a greater understanding to the history and evolution of not just the island of Ibiza but of all the Balearic Islands surrounding the coast of Mainland Spain. The delicate care taken by the scientists has ensured that this will continue to be a working ecosystem, between that of the natural world and the world as human beings affect it.

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Police are investigating the theft of a six-foot tall emerald idol from a Kerala temple, but have few leads at the moment. The theft was discovered by a priest on Saturday morning when he opened the temple.

The statue of Lord Shiva is made of emerald green stone. Officials are unable to estimate its value. The King of Nepal gave the idol to the King of Mysore who in 1910 gifted it to the Sringeri Mutt. The idol was installed in this temple, marking the birthplace of Adi Sankaracharya.

Thieves also made off with silver decorations and prayer utensils that are kept near the idol. Police also reported that cash was stolen from the Arya Amba Samadhi in the temple complex.

Kerala is proud of its diverse religious and spiritual heritage. The state is home to Hindus, Christians, Jews, and Muslims. The beautiful architecture of the various churches, temples and mosques in the area draw thousands of tourists to the best hotels Kerala each year.

The temple is located in Kalady, Kerala on the banks of the Periyar river. Police are visiting neighboring states to find clues to the robbery.

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The artist must train the eyes. Train the way the brain and the hands work together. While most have the belief that artistic talent is born, much of it is, to be honest, learned. And throughout all times of creation, and in this time right now, artists have so created a very subtle and very intense relationship between what the eyes see and the ability to get the hands to put that on paper or canvas or to pull it out the marble or clay. And while some create landscape paintings or floral designs, and some build buildings or design houses, others are right now, designing the 2015 model for the next BMW. Artists have stated that the most difficult subject to capture, is the human form. Years are spent in art schools around the world, spent with students drawing and observing the human form. And it is said quite frequently in the art world, that if you can paint a human you can paint anything. In Singapore it has become an ironic situation, for as the country is striving to be atop the list of the most successful and artistic in the creative world, to join the company of New York or Paris or Rome, the ideas that are ingrained in their culture regarding nudity, create a bit of conundrum. The nude body is needed in art class, but the models are viewed in negative light. A nude model in Singapore is seen by some as unethical or lacking character, and is regarded in much the same way as the prostitute is regarded in society.

Singapore is desiring to thrive in the world of international art, and to be in the company of such cultural and artistic heartbeats as Paris with salons in the 1920′s or as Manhattan with Washington Square Park in the 1960′s. The government holds sessions to attempt to ‘figure out’ how these cities garnered such a following and such an emotional, as well as technical and economic, following. Festivals are planned such as the Biennale or the Showcase Singapore, draw crowds, but leave the local artists wondering if it is really about the art, or just simply about the commerce. And every business, the business of art as well, must be concerned with the bottom line, Singapore 5 star resorts are just as concerned with the economy as the artist selling their work on the street. The point is, that much of was is created in art is the body, and in a city-state wherein so many are investigating ways to climb the ladder, the view of the nude form seems a bit old fashioned. Some of the most famous pieces throughout art history are based on the nude, and in Singapore, galleries have been required by law to remove some of those paintings from their walls. Artists have been forced to censor what they create. This topic has prompted heated debates and discussions, in relation to not only the art world, but the views as a culture and society on the whole.

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Commart Thailand 2009 is in full swing at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok. The event, which began on March 19th will wrap up tomorrow, March 22nd.

With the flailing economy, this year’s event features a variety of new products and focuses on items priced below the 20K to 30K baht threshold. Organizers hope that this focus will bring more visitors to the exhibition. Many manufacturers agree with this approach and are hoping to boost lagging sales figures by putting more affordable models in front of the public.

The current economic dowturn makes any conference or trade show a boon to local businesses. Hotels in Bangkok Thailand are excited about a bump to the occupancy rates and restaurants and shops surrounding the convention center count on Commart and other events to keep their operations afloat.

This year’s Commart will be critical for the ongoing war of notebook computers. Acer, Hewlett-Packard and Toshiba are just a few of the companies launching more affordable notebooks at the evnt. Acer will also launch a low-cost desktop eMachine while Toshiba Thailand is hoping its new 3G PDA phone will cause a splash at the event.

Other companies participating in Commart Thailand include Dell, Intel, and Samart I-Mobile.

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Heralded as the “Mother of All Celebrations” the 2009 Cape Town International Jazz Festival is set for April 3-4 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. This year will be the 10th Anniversary of the event and will feature legendary musicians performing on five different stages.

The festival has witnessed an explosion in attendance in recent years, more than doubling in audience size between 2000 and 2008 (from 15,000 to 33,500 attendees). This year’s festival will showcase forty performances over the two-day event and include not only jazz, but jazz-related genres. The artists are evenly split between African and foreign musicians.

Some of the headliners at the event will includ Jonathan Butler with Dave Koz, Shakatak, Dr Philip Tabane and McCoy Mrubata. Trumpeter Hugh Masekela will celebrate his 70th birthday on stage. Latin-beat group, Loading Zone will mark their 20th Anniversary at the festival. Hip Hop star Mos Def is also scheduled to perform.

The event is sure to be a huge draw for both jazz afficianados and music-lovers of all sorts. The hotels in Cape Town, South Africa should be overflowing for the weekend and look for the better restaurants and clubs to be busy as well.

Vocalist Abigail Kubeka will give a special performance dedicated to Miriam Makeba and the the King Kong musical that ushered in the golden age of South African jazz. There will also be a “Jazz meets Opera” collaboration between diva Sibongile Khumalo, Dutch pianist Mike del Ferro, and local saxophonist Shannon Mowday.

Foreign artists scheduled to perform include the Dave Liebman Group, emily Bruce, Incognito, Zap Mama, the Al Foster Quartet, and Dinane Reeves.

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On the island of Mallorca, just a few miles from the capital of Palma, is the city of Santa Ponsa. Once a fishing village, and in 1229 the landing location of King Jaime I in response to the occupation of the island by the Moors, Santa Ponsa is now a famous tourist destination and the home to five star hotels Mallorca and resorts popular the world over. The landing of King Jaime is important to the history of the island as he took back what the Moors were attempting to hold. A cross commemorating that long ago event stands now at the marina, reminding those in present times, what past cultures accomplished and what they make now available as an island of relaxation and vacations and summer holidays. The culture of the night and the beach are what makes this culture stand out today. This is an active community, with the parties and the night life, but for the outdoor land activities as well as those in the clear and crisp waters of the Mediterranean Sea. There are many exclusive and high end clubs as well as sea side ‘mom and pop’ establishments. The city offers up something for everyone to enjoy and for all flavors of culture. There are pine trees growing just up to the edge of the beaches, quite aneclectic and exotic environment for all those traveling with the hopes of leaving the real world troubles behind.

For dining there are many options, fine dining gourmet restaurants or smaller quaint eateries offering up local flavor and flair. For from the expensive plate to the small tapas, all the food in Spain comes with a bit of flair. Over the years, due to the international guests on the island, Irish and Scottish influence has served to create an even more diverse cultural palette and provides even more options for a night on the town, in a town with many local options to begin with. Chinese, Italian and French influences are also seen in the restaurants, pubs and bars. Discos and Karaoke bars are also popular destinations for those wishing to spice up their night life activities and chances to mingle and socialize. And as for other day time activities, many companies offer up horse back riding tours or boat cruises, there are many golf courses on the island, for those that don’t want to leave that part of their real world, scuba diving and sailing schools. And activities for the kids such as skateboard parks and football makes this a destination the whole family can enjoy.

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