World Pearl Forum

The Dubai Pearl Exchange is to host the first World Pearl Forum at the Atlantis hotel, Palm Jumeirah from February 17 - 18, 2009. The event will see participation from more than 200 leading pearl specialists from across the world addressing the opportunities and latest challenges in the global pearl sector. Don't miss it.

Useful links:
www.dpe.ae
www.dmcc.ae

Green Buildings In India

The CII-Godrej GBC will be hosting the sixth Green Building Congress in Mumbai, India, on September 27, 2008, which will include an exhibition and an international seminar on green buildings. According to S. Raghupathy, senior director/head of CII-Godrej GBC, green building concept is growing in popularity in a big way in India + by 2010, it's expected that about 1,000 green buildings, with over one billion sq ft would come up all over India.

Useful links:
www.igbc.in
www.ciigbc.org

Iconoclast

Iconoclast: A Neuroscientist Reveals How to Think Differently by Gregory Berns is an insightful book on inner workings of the iconoclast's mind. A must read.

Useful link:
http://www.ccnl.emory.edu/greg

Lead-glass Filled Rubies Update

Many are buying lead-glass filled rubies over the Internet/jewelry television channels as natural + these modified rubies are being offered for a few dollars a carat by many dealers and jewelers + they are also found at the mines and trading centers in Southeast Asia/South Asia/Africa + many have no skills identifying these disguised rubies. Please refer to the following for more information.

- AGTA Gemstone Update: Lead Glass Fracture Filling
- GAAJ: Lead-Glass Impregnated Ruby

If in doubt, always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

Matt Simmons

Brian O'Keefe's article on Matt Simmons, his bold predictions on crude oil prices and how to act soon to solve the crisis + lack of transparent information about oil production and reserves + the potential power of ocean energy + other viewpoints @ http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/15/news/economy/500dollaroil_okeefe.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008092216 was insightful.

Useful links:
www.simmonsco-intl.com
www.eia.doe.gov
www.iea.org
www.cera.com
www.peakoil.net

We should basically be going back to creating a village economy, so that we really reduce the energy intensity of how we live. We need bigtime conservation, not feel-good conservation. Make things where they're used. You'll end long-distance commuting, and we have the tools to do that now with webcams. Grow food locally. Grow food in your backyard. If they're not commuting, people will have time to do that.
- Matt Simmons

Matt Simmons was spot on.

SoftImage

For an in-depth/technical case-study of how designers created the innovative visuals, go to www.softimage.com for more information.

Useful link:
www.avid.com

The New School

The New School is a center of academic excellence where intellectual and artistic freedoms thrive with new programs, learning experiences, and research projects.

Go to www.newschool.edu for further information.

Heard On The Street

Boomerang theory - what goes around, comes around. You can never beat Mr Market.