So you’re thinking about finding a used bicycles shop? Way to go. Buying a used bike will save you money, keep the environment cleaner, as well as encourage the recycling process in general, which leads to more people being able to helps themselves and their environment.

Used bicycles are a win / win proposition. I’ve heard people voice their concerns that used bicycles are not likely to last as long, that they’ll break down sooner just because they’ve been used more.

But anyone that rides bikes regularly knows that there are just going to be repairs to have done from time to time, whether the bike is second hand or brand spanking new.

If you live in a larger city there are whole sub-cultures of bike riding enthusiasts and these people can be some of your best allies in finding out where the best bike shops are, which bike shops deal in used bikes and / or offer reasonably priced and quality bicycle repair services.

If you live in an area that has some independent publications next to the major newspapers, pick up a few. Chances are you’ll find some ads for some of the cooler bike shops.

And nearly every town or city has Salvation Army centers and other resale shops like that. These are wonderful places to find used bicycles. Just be sure to call ahead and find out if they have any bikes. Sometimes, especially in larger cities, certain types of items will all be at one particular location. It’s better to know ahead of time if you’re going to the right location for the best chances of finding a bicycle.

There are also online auction websites where you can search auctions by location. This way you can search all the new and used bikes for sale from auction sellers that live close to you. When you take shipping costs out of the online shopping experience, many viable items and options come to light.

Then there’s also the good old classified ads in the local newspaper. If you don’t see something right away, keep checking back every week and you’re sure to come across some used bicycle ads eventually.

Scott Byers
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/used-bicycles-sustainability-anyone-83120.html

If you have been thinking that the business sector is only focused on how they would be able to keep their sales up and going strong, then you are dead wrong. This important sector in our society is also trying to deviate from the business side of things and is finding ways so as to help ordinary citizens and consumers in their common problems.

And with the environment and pollution being one of the top hottest issues right now, even business drivers are now on the alert and are thinking of ways wherein they can contribute. The fact that they are very much conscious of their jobs and the role that they could play is a real good sign. This is as per a study and a survey done by LeasePlan wherein the respondents are business drivers.

According to the survey conducted, the respondents did share that they are very much willing to do their fair share and be part of the whole goal which is to help keep our environment greener (not dirtier) than ever. Some even disclosed that they are going to give more of their time to this cause. A huge 91% of the whole group did even confirm that they do have a part to play and that they are willing to play out that role. As compared to a similar study done in 2002, more and more business drivers do have awareness when it comes to such an issue.

The whole group of respondents also did mention that if they were to choose, they would be going for green vehicles like alternative fuel automobiles. However, they did also mention that they would do such a thing if they would be given such vehicles to use and if the expenses would still be the same for if they had to purchase extra special Corsa exhaust parts, for example, they would then still stick with the old vehicles.

“We should be honest about our position; we deal with an underlying asset that is a heavy contributor to overall pollution. We do not believe there is a viable alternative to its usage, but we do want to contribute to decrease the effects that transportation is having on the environment,” expresses Vahid Daemi who is the chief executive officer for LeasePlan and Daemi also does continue to affirm that this is certainly the right time to act and save the environment.

Jenny Mclane
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/pollution-of-the-environment-also-an-issue-in-business-sector-138948.html

For fun and adventure and culture, yes culture! Read on…

Here are Some Great Ways to Discover Florida.

# 1. Fun and Adventure

With over 34 million visitors each year, Orlando is the undisputed theme park capital of the world. But if you are after more fun and adventure after visiting the theme parks at Disneyworld, Universal Orlando Resort and Seaworld, you should try the sensational Busch Gardens in Tampa, the world famous Daytona International Speedway and exploring the Everglades national park.

Don’t Miss a Space Shuttle launch…

Cape Canaveral on Florida’s ‘Space Coast’ is the only place in the West where people are launched into space. Being there when the Space Shuttle blasts into space is a truly incredible experience.

Don’t Miss Florida’s largest and fastest roller coaster…

Is Busch Gardens, Tampa

Prepare for the thrill of your life on Sheikra, Florida’s tallest roller coaster and the world’s tallest dive coaster. 70mph of pure adrenaline-pumping excitement. Travel 200 feet up and then plunge to the depths of an underground tunnel, with water!

Don’t Miss Bush Gardens Zoo…

With over 2600 animals, the zoo at Busch Gardens is one of America’s top zoos

# 2. Culture

Look beyond the more obvious tourist attractions and you will be surprised at what you find.
There is an abundance of architecture, museums, forts, art galleries.

Don’t Miss Historic Wrecks…

Pensacola has fascinating wrecks to explore. This includes the 500-foot World War 1 battleship USS Massachusetts, the Russian freighter San Pablo and an A-7 Corsair aircraft that fell off the deck of the USS Lexington.

Don’t Miss Art Deco Buildings…

Take a stroll down Ocean Drive, Miami, and enjoy South Beach’s Art deco buildings. Painted pink, lavender and turquoise, they line the palm-fringed walkway.

Don’t Miss a Driving Tour…

If you have a car whilst visiting Miami, do yourself a favour, and take a driving tour of Coral gables. Coral Gables Driving Tour isn’t just one of the country’s richest neighbourhoods, it’s a separate city within Greater Miami. Known as ‘The City Beautiful’ for good reason, its elegant homes line winding avenues shaded by banyans and live oaks. This driving tour winds its way along the lush peaceful lanes and is both relaxing and cultural.

Along the tour are these beautiful sights:

1. The Granada Entrance – a replica of the gate to Granada in Spain.
2. The Country Club Prado Entrance – complete with ornamental pillars.
3. Alhambra water Tower – built in 1925.
4. Coral Way – lined by live oaks and Spanish-style houses.
5. Venetian Pool – a beautiful public swimming pool.
6. Coral Gables Congregational Church – built in Spanish Baroque style.
7. Biltmore Hotel – one of the most stunning hotels in the country, beautifully restored to its 1920s century grandeur.
8. The Lowe Art Museum – contains European and Native American Art.
9. French City Village – one of several international villages built to add variety to the city.
10. Dutch South African Village.
11. French Country Village.
12. Chinese Village.
13. French Normandy Village.
14. Coral Gables City Hall
15. Miracle Mile – the district’s most important shopping street.

Other Bits of Culture:

- Hemingway’s House in Key West, where the novelist lived from 1931-1940.

- Little Havana in Miami – 3.5 square miles of Cuban culture and life.

- The Ringling Museum of Art and Ringling Museum (Sarasota).

- Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island – a charming Victorian resort.

- Salvador Dali Museum, St Petersburg.

Where To Stay

Choose your home away from home. If you are after home comforts, fully equipped Orlando and Gulf Coast homes can be rented directed from the owners at http://www.milkriver.co.uk and http://www.worldwidevillas.net They have their own separate pools and are set in private communities and offer you and your family the freedom to do what you want and the space to do it in.

Tim Burton
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/2-great-ways-to-discover-florida-99764.html

The Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally said last Monday that global warming is real, manmade and caused in part by auto emissions. “The vast majority of data indicates that the temperature has increased, and I believe the correlation and the analysis says that is mainly because of the greenhouse gases keeping the heat in. You can just plot it with the Industrial Revolution and the use of all of our resources,” he said during a telephone press conference.

The conference was called to announce the promotion of Susan Cischke to the newly created post of senior vice president which is responsible for the company’s sustainability, environment and safety engineering. The move, according to Mulally, was meant to underscore the importance of this issue to Ford’s corporate strategy. “It’s about sustainability, it’s about mobility, it’s about safety, it’s about (being) stewards of our environment,” he said. “This is the biggest agenda we have at Ford. I think it’s going to be one of the most important considerations to the customers that buy our products and services going forward.”

Detroit automakers have recognized that climate change is a serious issue that must be addressed. But Mulally’s statement was one of the clearest. “I’m just gratified that it seems like, in the court of public opinion, we have moved to the place where we all are starting to appreciate and agree that this really is an issue, and that we all want to do something about it,” he said. The statement was reiterated last Monday afternoon in an e-mail addressed to Ford employees.

The letter said, “I firmly believe we are at an inflection point in the world’s history as it relates to climate change and energy security. The time for debating whether climate change is real has past. It is time for a conversation about what we, as a society, intend to do to address it.”

To that end, the CEO said that Cischke will oversee a company-wide effort to create a greener Ford. “It’s the product development side, it’s the manufacturing piece, it’s the supplier community – it’s a lot of things. It also includes the working conditions aspect, the human rights issue. It’s balancing the people side of it as well as the economic side and the environmental side and trying to figure out how it fits together,” said Cischke, Ford’s former vice president of environmental and safety engineering. “While we have a clear picture of where we’d like to be in the next five to seven years, I’ve got to look beyond that.”

While environmentalists are positive about Mulally’s openness on global warming, some criticized his choice to lead Ford’s environmental efforts. “We’re a little concerned. Sue Cischke has been Ford’s public face for fighting a lot of things that would help stop global warming,” said the Sierra Club’s Brendan Bell. “Clearly, there is a desire at certain levels of Ford’s management to promote sustainability. But they’re much better at creating new positions than new policies.” Some analysts think that Ford should have the efficiency of its EBC brake rotors in order to be good at braking and avoiding empty promises that have ruined enthusiasts’ trust in the past.

Also Monday, General Motors Corp. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said that the U.S. government needs to take a Manhattan Project-like approach to creating a national energy policy, bringing the best minds in the country to bear on the issue of energy sustainability and independence.

Mulally added increasing those regulations only makes sense as part of a broader solution to global warming, one that includes sacrifices by other industries. “We’re only going to make the progress we all want to make if we move this up to include the generation of all energy, as well as the use of the energy.”

While GM has suggested more research needs to be done into the causes of global warming, the company said it is not waiting for the answer. “We’re not waiting for the scientific community to finish its discussion on the specifics of climate change,” said GM spokesman Greg Martin. “As we’ve said from L.A. to Capitol Hill, we see it as both a business necessity and as our obligation to society to develop advanced technologies that run on diverse sources of energy to lessen the automobile’s impact on the environment.”

Anthony Fontanelle
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/ford-responds-to-climate-change-concerns-137766.html

Do you want to get involved in investing in real estate but don’t seem to have any extra money in the bank? This is a common problem, but what you may not realize, is that you can start investing with little or nothing in your bank account. Basically, if you own your own home, you can leverage this asset and find yourself investing in no time flat.

As long as you own your own home, pay your mortgage and have fairly descent credit, it will actually be easy to get started in real estate investing. There is most likely a pretty good amount of equality in your house. Even if you have only owned your house for a short time, you have been paying it off and it is most likely has been increasing in value. Just take a look at the balance of your mortgage and subtract it from its current value. Of course you may need to include a second mortgage or and other liens that may be on your property, but you should still have equality to work with. This is your green light to move forward into investing.

Here three ways to use the equity in your home to raise the capital for real estate investing.

1. Refinancing Your Home – You can refinance your house, get a better interest rate and also get some cash out from a refinance mortgage. You can use the cash to purchase an investment property outright, or you should at least have least enough money for a down payment of a property. Be sure to check with your lender or mortgage broker for any of the rules about cash-out refinancing. Keep in mind, a cash-out refinance mortgage may have higher interest rates than other types of mortgages.

2. Using a Home Equity Loan – A home equity loan uses the equity in your home as collateral, this would be a second mortgage to the one you already have. The mortgage amount is based on a percentage of the equity in your house. You may be able to borrow up to 100% of your homes value, but if you are getting a home equity loan on a second property, you may not be able to borrow as much. This type of loan allows you the option to pay the loan back early without penalty, just a nice little bonus.

3. Open a Home Equity Line of Credit – A home equity line of credit has a credit limit similar to a credit card. This is not much different from a home equity loan, the amount that you can borrow is based on your credit score and the amount of equity in your home. You can transfer funds from your home equity line of credit, or even write checks directly from the account. Interest rates are generally lower than cash-out refinance mortgages, and there are tax advantages as well. Another advantage is that you are only paying interest and making payments on the amount you owe at the time, not the entire amount of the loan. In the future, you may also be able to renegotiate for a higher credit line when the equity in your house increases, especially if you have made improvements to your house.

Real Estate Investing is not only for the rich. The average homeowner can get started in real estate investing even if you don’t have a lot of money in the bank. You can use cash-out refinance mortgages, home equity loans, and home equity lines of credit to begin your journey as a real estate investor, and continue to build more investments into the future.

Kevin Kiene
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/yes-you-really-can-invest-in-real-estate-without-123202.html

A drug-free workplace is a protective workplace. They are linked to drug-free and happier families, school and communities. Working Partners ensures a drug-free and secured environment for everyone and helps the employers and employees work together. They also play a vital role in reducing the drug use and end the social, economical and emotional destruction in its wake.

Drug-free workplace

It is working environment free of the health, productivity and safety hazards, which are caused for abusing drugs, alcohol, or any such substances by the employees in that workplace. To attain a drug free workplace, many companies are developing various drug-free workplace programs. Usually, these programs include five components: Drug free workplace policy, Employee Education, Superior Training, Employee Assistance and Drug Testing. However companies don’t include all the five components, it is suggested to explore them when developing the program.

Reasons for Establishing a Drug Free Workplace

The law may require your workplace to be a drug free environment. If you are in a government organization, or if you have a transportation industry or if you are billing for more than $ 25000 per annum, then the Law requires you to have a drug free workplace.

Though the law doesn’t require, there are other reasons for establishing a drug free workplace. They are:

• It reduces operational costs.

• It can preserve investor or shareholder interests.

• It can protect loyal employees

• It can improve products and services

• It results in better service to customers and clients

• It can increase your profits.

• It helps many people lead healthier lives

Tools and Resources for Drug Free Workplace

To develop a drug free workplace, there are certain tools and resources that the employers can adopt. They are:

• Drug-free Workplace Advisor: It is a tool used to develop tailored drug-free workplace policies and programs and informs companies and workers about its requirements and coverage.

• Substance Abuse Information Database (SAID): It is an online repository of various documents related to workplace alcohol/drug abuse and legal information.

• Resource Directories: It has the updated lists of local, state and national resources such as, Summaries of state laws related to workplace drug and alcohol abuse, Helplines that assists the individuals who have the alcohol/drug problem.

• Training and Educational Materials: Resources to provide drug and alcohol education in the workplace such as, brochures, presentation materials, articles and fact sheets and posters. They also include, statistics about how substance abuse impacts the workplace in general and across a range of industries.

This information gives you in understanding about the drug free workplace and its tools and resources. It helps you in maintaining a drug free environment in your workplace.

Drugteststrips.com
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/evolving-a-drug-free-environment-in-your-workplace-315285.html

In the United States, geographic location makes a huge impact on the climate and landscape of your home. For example, some places are arid and brown while others are humid and lush. If you prefer trees to sagebrush, you might be interested in several Arkansas homes that are for sale. In Arkansas, the weather is mild in the winter and hot in the summer, but the humidity helps keep the state green and beautiful. And, if you don’t like being warm, several lakes and rivers across the state make it easy to cope with the heat.

In addition to the beautiful environment, residents enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities. Whether you decide to live in the Ozarks, Timberlands, Ouachita, Central, Delta, or River Valley region, outdoor adventures are never far away because the state is full of mountains, rivers, lakes and underground caves. In fact, every region has at least one state or national park. As a result, there are ample opportunities for hiking, fishing, rock climbing, boating and biking in the area.

When you look for a home, you need to consider more than the environment and local attractions though. For most people, median home prices are the most important factor in the equation. Fortunately, all of the natural beauty in Arkansas still wears an affordable price tag. For example, the median price for a 2,000 square foot home in Arkansas would probably be right around $140,000; which is almost $100,000 dollars lower than the national average. When you combine the low housing prices with a low cost of living, Arkansas seems even more attractive to a lot of home buyers.

In general, the northwest and central regions are more expensive because the Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith are all located in those areas. And, as the three largest cities in Arkansas, they are also commercial and financial centers. If you don’t mind living in a smaller city, a town, or on a farm, the prices get successively better.

If you aren’t familiar with Arkansas, a Realtor can help you sort through all the Arkansas homes that are for sale. They will probably start by asking which areas appeal to you tastes and move on to size, amenities and budget. With such an important investment, you will probably want them involved to make the transition go smoothly as well. After all, a Realtor brings a lot of experience and high ethical standards to the table.

Art Gib
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/buying-a-home-of-your-own-in-arkansas-471729.html

Depending upon the way in which we choose to view it, the strengths or weaknesses of the concept of social entrepreneurship lie in the fact that most of its applications are in the form of a hybrid between private, non-profit and public sectors. As described, one such hybrid is found in non-profit organisations with an entrepreneurial offshoot that generates revenue for the organisation’s social objectives. With greater emphasis on the private, for-profit sector, a hybrid model is emerging whereby businesses lend money and expertise to non-profits. Increasingly, this latter model is linked to public pressure for businesses to demonstrate a measure of social responsibility.

The most realistic and desirable way for any business to be socially responsible is through what is called ‘‘strategic philanthropy’’ – selected giving in areas tied directly to the company’s interests and in arenas that the company can justly claim to have knowledge and a direct stake. The use of the term clearly suggests an indirect financial return on the philanthropic investment. Indeed, the exercise of traditional philanthropy does not make good business sense as it does not provide a tangible return. In a more refined consideration of types of philanthropy today, the notion of strategic philanthropy yet emphasises that highly motivated and visionary business leaders can bring together networks of organizations in new community ventures.

Like the term ‘‘strategic philanthropy’’, ‘‘social entrepreneurship’’ is an articulation, a combination of two concepts that do not naturally fit together and yet which seeks acceptance as common sense. It is the lack of a natural fit that renders the term open to resistance and challenge. Challenges, implicit or explicit, range from different interpretations of how the terms might justifiably be joined to denial that they should be used together at all.

Language is a key component in the shift towards rationalization of the concept of social entrepreneurship. This is because discourse acceptance precedes or runs in parallel with material acceptance. Thus we see the emergence of terms that were previously restricted to the business sector, such as ‘‘social venture capital’’, ‘‘social return on investment’’, ‘‘invest’’

rather than ‘‘donate’’, ‘‘revenue streams’’ and ‘‘client groups’’ applied to the social and public sectors.

If the colonisation of the social and public sectors by the language of business is accepted, the breakdown of barriers between the sectors becomes normalised. However, the terms cited are in contrast to the distinction between entrepreneurs who create social or artistic capital rather than financial capital, with social capital referring to that which is valuable to communities.

On the other hand, opposition could arise from the close association of the term ‘‘entrepreneur’’ with the creative and destructive aspects of capitalism. Those who are concerned about the negative aspects of business will be resistant to the blurring of the boundaries between public, private and civil society suggested by social entrepreneurship with the potential for increased influence of business beyond the private sector. The non-profit sector has long been associated with the creation and maintenance of a strong civil society. Marketing of that sector then calls that association into question with concerns for the viability of an independent civil society.

Furthermore, if business has the power to choose which non-profits are to benefit materially through socially entrepreneurial partnerships, what happens to those that are not chosen and therefore are marginalised?

A parallel can be drawn between the concept of social entrepreneurship and that of sustainability because sustainability is equally open to broad interpretation. Like social entrepreneurship, sustainability can favour either the social and environmental or the economic sectors, depending upon which model is adopted. Strong sustainability favours the social and environmental over economic development, upholding the social values of a truly civil society based social entrepreneurialism. Interpretations are derived from the beliefs and experiences of individuals. Social entrepreneurs and their work should ultimately be judged by the quality of the social outcomes, and that assessment should be made independently of the private interests of those entrepreneurs.

With concepts and movements such as social entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility, it is crucial that we pay close attention to the persuasive uses of the terms as well as to their practical implication. All of them are contested, value-laden labels that can be used to reference a wide variety of interests, motives, activities and outcomes.

Thanaseelan
http://www.articlesbase.com/entrepreneurship-articles/social-entrepreneurship-today-129823.html

The skyrocketing price of gasoline and the increasing awareness of the threat of global warming have increased the demand for fuel efficient and eco-friendly vehicles. Automakers like Toyota and Ford, in response, developed hybrid vehicles; these are automobiles equipped with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The said motor helps the relatively small internal combustion engine power the vehicle.

It is common knowledge that hybrids are popular among consumers in the United States. In Europe, automakers are developing clean diesel engines as their response to the call for clean cars. But Frost & Sullivan’s new study pointes out that the United Kingdom is one of the largest hybrid vehicle markets in the world. This is a clear indication that developed countries are increasingly taking steps towards protecting the environment. Unfortunately, developing countries are still unable to bring hybrid vehicles into their roads.

While the popularity of hybrid automobiles made analysts predict that a large number of these green cars will be sold all over the world, their expectations were still short. Frost & Sullivan’s study revealed that the growth in hybrid automobile sales all over the world has surpassed expectations. From the year 2000, sales of hybrid have been increasing although there is a slight decrease in growth rate. Last year, the study reported that 23 percent more gas-electric hybrid vehicles were sold in developed countries like Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Suba Swaminathan, Frost & Sullivan’s Team Leader Power Systems Group, pointed out the advantage of hybrid vehicles saying: “The advantage that a HEV offers with regard to construction and design aspects is that the engine designed in a HEV is small, which makes these vehicles more efficient.”

“Although hybrids are available in the automobile market for the past 10 years and are not as popular as conventional vehicles, the advantages of using hybrids are more with regard to economical and environmental aspects,” added Swaminathan. “One of the advantages of using HEVs is: improved fuel economy. Hybrids require much lesser fuel than conventional vehicles, offering greater savings on fuel costs. Another advantage is improved efficiency. In fact, they offer more mileage compared with conventional vehicles, which makes HEVs require minimal gas. They are environment friendly; hybrids have much lesser greenhouse gas emissions, and are therefore capable of reducing the smog-forming pollutants in the atmosphere; tax credits and incentives. Finally, many governments across different countries promote HEVs by offering tax credits and incentives that make HEVs affordable.”

Just as sure as the demand for auto parts like the Mazda thermostat is increasing, more and more hybrids will be sold by consumers from developed countries.

Anthony Fontanelle
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/study-names-uk-one-of-largest-hybrid-markets-245077.html

Climate change has been a much talked about subject in royal circles since Prince Charles started to use his position to push it up the agenda.

But a new royal has entered the debate, and Monaco’s Prince Albert recently joined Prince Charles at his innovative Poundbury village in Dorset.

The significance that it was Charles’ 58th birthday wasn’t overlooked by a Monaco travel guide, YourMonaco.com

‘Since Albert came to power he has made the environment his number one priority. And just as Prince Charles has become known for his views on everything from architecture to climate change, so has Prince Albert. Of course Albert’s position isn’t as important as Charles’ as future King of England, but where he can he tries to champion the environmental cause’.

In April 2006 Prince Albert made a trip to the North Pole to highlight the issue of global warming, and since then has taken part in other initiatives to try and push the environment up the political agenda of fellow world leaders, including involving Monaco more at the United Nations and for the first time calculating the tax haven’s GDP, which will allow Monaco to commit money towards developing countries.

‘As soon as he came to power he signed Monaco up to the Kyoto Treaty designed to cut the world’s greenhouse emissions’, add http://www.yourmonaco.com, ‘and he has established his own foundation to promote better understanding of the issues of the rise in sea levels and quality of water’.

With the threat of rising sea levels, it’s easy to see that Monaco could be affected as it sits on the shores of the Mediterranean. The world’s second smallest country, and the best known tax haven, Monaco has in the past increased her size by reclaiming land from the sea, resulting in area where the district of Fontvieille now stands, and one of the best known Monaco hotels, the Columbus, is situated.

But there is a danger that by championing the environmental cause that Prince Albert could turn off his people before he turns off the warming of the planet.

‘Monaco is home to the world’s wealthy’, say the travel guide, ‘And it’s a place of fun. The Monaco Grand Prix, the casino and the fact that it’s the most sought after tax haven in Europe might not sit comfortably with heavy politics. Happily the environment is an issue that has moved from the fringe to mainstream, and is something that nearly everyone is concerned about. Luckily for Prince Albert he has identified himself with an issue that is just as important to the tax exiles and business people who bring their money to Monaco as it is to everyone else. In the past Prince Charles has been slightly ridiculed with his views on the environment and organic farming, but now with hindsight a lot of people think he was ahead of his time.’

Referring to Monaco’s tax haven status YourMonaco.com add ‘Prince Albert needs to be careful not to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Monaco is to start asking businesses in strict confidentiality for finance figures so Monaco can do more at the United Nations and on environmental issues. If he looks down from his palace and sees the wealth surrounding him he might be tempted to tap into it for environmental causes as he believes in it in such a genuine and sincere way. There have been press reports of some of his staff leaving, and if true it can only be hoped that it wasn’t over fiscal matters. From the European royal families on environment issues we would view Charles as the king, and hopefully Albert will be the prince!’.

Monte Carlo Map

Prince Albert’s father, Prince Rainier, was Europe’s longest reigning Monarch until his death in April 2005. Known affectionately as the ‘builder prince’ he transformed Monaco into the world’s favourite tax haven and ensured the Monaco Grand Prix became one of the best known annual sporting events. The Principality Albert succeeded to was a country known throughout the world for money and glamour, and the Monte Carlo casino only added to its legendary status.

Albert has continued in his father’s footsteps with a plan to develop an island off Monte Carlo, and like his father with the reclaimed land in Fontvieille the Monaco map will change again.

In keeping with his stance on the environment, it is thought that a successful bid to build the island will need to be seen to be environmentally friendly, with the possibility of lower rise buildings than some parts of Monaco have endured to create more living space.

Monte Carlo has long been associated with glamour, heightened throughout the world in 1956 when Prince Albert’s father married his mother, US actress Grace Kelly.

Speculation was rife earlier this year that Prince Albert would be announcing his own engagement to South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock.

‘Things have gone quiet recently on the Charlene front’, comment YourMonaco, ‘Monaco is all about glitz and glamour and perhaps a surprise announcement will be made soon. But it’s possible that Albert is more interested in environmental affairs than affairs of the heart’.

Monaco has been making the news recently as Monaco real estate prices have escalated, and are on a level with London and New York.

Even the cheapest studios are edging towards the million Euro level according to Monaco property specialists Tribune Properties at http://www.monacoproperty.net

‘Increasing taxes elsewhere in Europe, especially in the UK, have seen inquiries increase significantly over the last twelve months,’ they say, ‘and it’s not the weather in Monaco that’s drawing buyers, but the income tax free status of being a resident, and the security that goes with living in Monaco. There’s one policeman for every one hundred residents and has to be the safest country to live in Europe’.

The 2007 Monaco Grand Prix, the possibility of a royal engagement and Prince Albert’s continuing campaign for the environment make the year ahead an exciting one for residents and visitors to Monaco alike.

Roger Munns
http://www.articlesbase.com/causes-and-organizations-articles/prince-of-the-environment-chills-his-palace-86467.html