THE NEWSPAPER ATTACK
Surrounded by children waving newspapers in front of you is a diversion to take you attention away as they pilfer your wallet or other valuables
THE BUS 64 SCAM
Bus 64 passes in front of many of Rome`s most favorite locations so it is very popular with tourists and scammers alike. Working in teams of three to four they will get your attention while making off with wallets ,cameras and other items from you person.
THE HOT DOG TRICK
The perp accidentally squirts mustard on you while eating a hot dog.( It is a tube of mustard in a bun).Full of apologies ,he clumsily tries to help clean up the mess whie his partner makes off with your carry on luggage .Always place you bags between your legs in a public setting whether you are standing or sitting.
Jan , 2008
Milan traffic faces pollution emission charges
Jan 2, 2008
Milan launches 'eco-pass' fees to reduce pollution, traffic
VATICAN CITY - THE Vatican said on Thursday it had discovered a lost drawing by Renaissance master Michelangelo of a design for the dome of St Peter's Basilica.
The Vatican newspaper l'Osservatore Romano said the small drawing, done in the spring of 1563 when Michelangelo was 88, was believed to be his last known sketch before he died the next year.
The drawing, a section of the dome, contains some measurements and is thus believed to have been done to give stone cutters guidance after the master deemed work on an earlier batch of stone inadequate.
Michelangelo worked as the architect of the basilica from 1547 until shortly before his death in 1564.
The newspaper said Michelangelo, who destroyed many of his sketches for the basilica, probably drew it on the construction site, giving it directly to workmen with his instructions.
Drawn with blood-colored chalk on paper, it apparently survived because part of the paper had been used again for calculations, perhaps by workmen. It wound up by accident in files concerning the costs of the basilica's construction.
The newspaper said the drawing would be presented to the media on Monday. -- REUTERS
Dec , 2007
Truffles Anyone??
A Macau casino mogul bid a record $330,000 at auction Saturday to win a giant white truffle dug up in Tuscany, organizers said. Billionaire Stanley Ho made the winning bid for the 3.3-pound truffle during an auction staged simultaneously in Florence, London and at Ho’s Grand Lisboa hotel in Macau, said auction organizer Giselle Oberti.The price bested the previous record for a truffle of $212,000, she said.The unusually heavy truffle was dug up last week by truffle hunter Cristiano Savini, his father, Luciano, and dog Rocco in Palaia, a town about 25 miles from Pisa. The Savinis said Rocco started sniffing “like crazy” when he zeroed in on the fungus.Guinness World Records lists a 2.86-pound white truffle found in Croatia in 1999 as the biggest.Truffles usually weigh from 1 to 2.8 ounces apiece. Slivers of white truffles, with their strong aroma, are prized in Italy to flavor pasta sauces and rice dishes.
May , 2007
Mario Ponte attends the “Jewels for the Queen” Exhibition in Naples, Italy
Mario Ponte, of Exeter Jewelers in Exeter, N.H. was recently the guest of the Italian Trade Commission of Los Angeles, California and at the invitation of the Provincial Director of the City of Naples, Italy to attend a four day Exhibition called “Jewels for the Queen”.
This exhibition , promoted by the Administrative Council Office for the Artisans in the Province of Naples was to promote the talents of the goldsmiths and engravers working today in Naples, Torre Del Greco and other Vesuvian territories. It was a journey through the history of The Kingdom of Naples based on the study of the State Archives of Naples allowing viewers to see a representative repertoire on the regal fashionset with jewels and jewelery from the Bourbon Reign (1734-1860) and during the French domination of Naples (1806-1815) created by the Goldsmiths and Engravers enrolled in the “Corporazione dell` Arte” for the elite classes.
The art of the Neopolitan Goldsmiths and Vesuvian Engravers has kept alive the traditional techniques making it possible for history to take a new look at magnificent jewelry being designed with a modern sensibility.
The exhibition “ Jeweles for the Queen “ is a collection of magnificent jewels from an array of different designers meant to portray and imitate the styles worn by and in the fashion of the 19th century Neoploitan Kings and Queens
Mario Ponte,of Exeter Jewelers, was one of only seven jewelers and manufacturers from across the United States to receive this prestigious invitation to this magnificent exhibition from The Italian Trade Commission and the City of Naples, Italy. Exeter Jewelers is a specialist in and Direct Importer of 18 KT and Platinum Italian Designer Jewelry and Italian Gifts.
May , 2007
Traveling with Children
First rule of traveling with kids: You'll be better off when you face the fact that your own needs and preferences have nothing to do with packing for the family's vacation.
With young children in tow -- in my case, four-year-old twin boys -- packing well takes a little common sense and a lot of creativity.
Through it all, I've learned to pack all of my stuff and my sons' stuff in one suitcase. My husband, on the other hand, fills up a second suitcase with just his belongings. There's a lesson here. Women are pros at squeezing things into little places.
On that note, here's some advice to help you pack more efficiently (and avoid back aches and access baggage charges) on your next family holiday.
Top Toy Tips
Aside from a stash of the usual crayons, paper, books and super heroes, when packing toys for young children, consider the noise factor and the pain quotient. I don't bring anything that will give me (or anyone else nearby) a migraine. I also skip anything my boys can use as a makeshift weapon.
• Inflatable toys. Safe, soft, quiet and easily stowed, blow-up beach balls and toys are a godsend. Go to www.orientaltrading.com to get great cheap inflatable animals.
• Old photographs. For airplane trips, I bring old or duplicate photographs of the kids and family members; my boys love looking at them, drawing on them, and plastering stickers all over them.
• Presents. After the boys' birthday and after Christmas, I stash a way a few unopened presents (when they're not looking of course) and bring those on plane rides and cruises. What kid doesn't love opening presents? It's a great distraction.
• Beach toys. Buckets and shovels can double as bath toys.
• Toy basket. I bought these great mesh light-weight storage baskets from Target. They collapse into a flat square, about two feet by two feet, and fit easily in a suitcase. Once in your cabin or room, set one up and dump in all of your kids' toys to keep the room tidy. A great sanity saver.
• Zone out. I still haven't succumbed to the portable DVD player or Game Boys, though I hear they're the ultimate antidote to long days in transit. Anyone with manners won't let his or her children use these without headphones or the sound muted.
Clothes Confidential
Goes without saying (doesn't it?), but plan on wearing clothes more than once before washing. And don't, of course, bring stuff that wrinkles.
• Avoid whites and light colors. With young children especially, stay clear of packing white t-shirts, khaki-colored pants and delicate fabrics like linen that show stains.
• Do Denim. It's easy to spot clean and doesn't wrinkle easily.
• Pack two bathing suits. If you're going someplace warm, your kids will live in them. One can dry while the other's worn. Boys' trunks can double as shorts.
• Long-sleeved PJs. Even if you're headed some place warm, remember cruise ship cabins and hotel rooms are typically super air conditioned. Bring long-sleeved PJs for your kids.
• Souvenir t-shirts. Chances are you're going to buy a couple of souvenir t-shirts, factor them in and pack less.
• Splurge on laundry service. Suck up the cost to have your laundry done on the ship or in the hotel. Spending another $20 or so for a load or two of laundry sure beats the hassle of trying to squeeze too much into your luggage or spending a few hours of your precious vacation in the laundry room doing it yourself (some cruise ships, for example, have self-service laundry rooms charging a few bucks a load).
Gear: What to Bring and What to Leave Behind
I started traveling with my children before they were a year old. There was a lot to schlep in those days, believe me, from jars of baby food to stacks of diapers. To cut down on the crap, here's what I didn't bother bringing:
• Bibs. Instead of going through three or four (or more) cloth or disposal bibs a day, on cruises I would tie the restaurants' cloth napkins around my boy's necks at meal time. They looked like sporty little Frenchman in ascots, and better yet, someone else was doing the laundry. Plus, as a part-time tree hugger, it felt good not wasting dozens of throw-way bibs.
• Baby bathtubs. Don't cart along a plastic or sponge baby tub. When my guys were babies, if the room didn't have a bathtub, I'd bath them on a folded up towel right on the shower floor (either using an extendable shower hose or cups of water). Their precious little bums weren't touching the germy floor and were on a nice soft, wet surface.
• Adult shampoo. If tight on space, bring just the kids' no-more-tears style shampoo and use it for yourself as well for hand washables.
• Beach towels. Cruise ships and hotels will always have them.
• Beach blanket. Skip the bulk, instead bring a large sarong. They're super lightweight, dry fast, take up no room and mom can also use it as a cover up when it's not being used as a beach blanket.
Now, here's what you think you might not need but definitely should bring:
• Diapers. Though some airlines supply them, for example, you'll never know if they'll have your size or brand. Don't take a chance.
• Baby food. Though some airlines have a few selections, most do not. Same for cruise ships and hotels, a few will offer jars of baby food, but the vast majority will not.
• Medicine. Cruise ships have infirmaries (that charge a fee), but save a visit there only for the serious stuff. Bring your own cold and fever meds.
• Snacks.
Of course bring snacks for the plane or car ride, but plan on bringing enough to last all day -- through flight delays and long queues. You know what your kid will eat. Mine love peanut butter sandwiches. I make a stack and fill the bread bag back up with them. They can last the day without spoiling and they're not smelly. Avoid stuff that can get squished in your purse (like bananas) or food that can be a choking hazard (like grapes) in moving cars and airplanes.
May , 2007
Exeter Jewelers as Benefactor and we now have a BLOG about all things ITALIAN
EXETER JEWELERS has always been most generous, committed and well noted for the many charities and community services it supports and now we are adding one more to our list. This is a beautiful Collection of Jewelry by a local designer,
Cathi Remington, has started the SOLDIER`S HUG FUND at OCEAN NATIONAL BANK .
EXETER JEWELERS has decided to team up with her to do our part although small it may be. YOU, too can play a part in this important project by taking a look at this marvelous collection and purchasing a piece for your self or a loved one .They are truly remarkable and one of a kind. We are sure you will be pleased and just think how good you will feel doing your part to help the families of soldiers lost in the Afghanistan and Iraqi Wars.
Please read on for a full explanation of the Soldier` s Hug Fund and how we are trying to assist
A SOLDIER`S HUG……
These beautiful Sterling Silver and Swarovski Crystal Bracelets, Necklaces or Earrings will undoubtedly become a the newest "MUST HAVE" fashion statement while becoming a HUGE SUCCESS and serving a very GOOD CAUSE.
The concept is commendable as well as very clear and simple. These are Hand Crafted Beautiful Pieces of Sterling Silver and Swarovski Crystal Jewelry Designed and Hand Crafted by Cathi Remington - a Former United States Marine from Hampton, NH and owner of Bead Creative. Called "Soldier` s Hug" Jewelry these "Fashion Forward" Sterling Silver and Swarovski Bracelets, Necklaces and Earrings are not only beautiful but they are dedicated to serving a good cause – helping those military families who have lost loved ones while serving our country in the Iraqi War.
It is also about honoring all of our Active Service People in the Armed Forces stationed anywhere and everywhere in our ever- frightening world.
It is about honoring them NOW and in the future.
This is a great way for all of us to GIVE BACK by indirectly "Hugging a Soldier” who should never and will never be forgotten.
Remember....They have and continue to fight for Our Freedom!
Here is how it works - 10 % of the proceeds of all sales of these beautiful pieces of jewelry from both the designer, Cathi Remington and Exeter Jewelers Inc. will go to Ocean National Bank `s "Hug a Soldier Fund". These funds will then be transferred to another fund "The Fallen Patriots Fund Organization." which was established by Mark Cuban - the Owner of the "Dallas Mavericks. It is this organization, “The Fallen Patriots Fund “ Organization” that will receive all the money collected in our local “Soldier` s Hug Fund” and which will oversee and will, in turn, insure that the funds are dispersed to the Families of Our Active Soldier` s and Armed Forces who have lost a loved one in the Iraqi War.
Sterling Silver and Swarovski Crystal Bracelets, Necklaces and Earrings are custom made with a Heart-Shaped Toggle Clasp " in a variety of solid Swarovski colors or combinations of Swarovski colors.
We also are making a new Pink Bracelet in honor of this October` s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a lovely bracelet of Sterling Silver and Round Pink Swarovski Crystal with your choice of a Sterling Silver “Awareness” or ‘Survivor” Charm. With each sale of a bracelet 10% will go to the Dr Susan Love`s Research Foundation to help in the research for a cure for breast cancer
Another event we have been associated with for so many years is the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce annual Sweepstakes. This past summer `s Sweepstakes proved again to be a huge success and along with the $10,000.00 Give Away there was also a trip for 2 to go on an African Safari. We also donated a Raffle prize of a Beautiful Champagne Colored Diamond .The Theme of the raffle was “ Champagne Wishes- Diamond Dreams ” . There are some pictures from that festive evening that we would like to share with you and you will be able to see those pictures under “Latest News” column in our Navigation bar with this email newsletter we do not currently have a way to upload the photos to this area.
We are off to Italy again in 2 weeks to set up relationships with new designers and manufacturers and possibly to meet our wonderfully talented artists that produce the Sterling Silver and Hand Enameled collectibles at their factory in Tuscany. If we are able to fit that in we will be sure to take photos for you all to see.
Please be sure to read our new BLOG located at the bottom of our Navigation bar .We are hoping it catches on and that we, and all of you, can begin to share stories, recipes and general information about all things “Italian”
Ciao, Eileen
May , 2007
Time to Warm up with Limoncello
You can purchase some wonderful bottles and aperitif glasses to give your LIMONCELLO gifts at places like Pier One Imports and as a final touch for gift- giving by tying some lovely organza ribbons around the neck of the bottle; Simple but beautiful!
This will take approximately 80 days to prepare and it will be wonderful.It is very important to remember that LIMONCELLO needs to be served ice-cold., so store the bottle for at least 24 hours in the freezer and chill the little liqueur glasses in there as well.
I will try to source a local vendor for LIMONCELLO glasses to sell on our website to make the “LIMONCELLO EXPERIENCE ” more authentic for you and your friends Importing them would be difficult as they are so fragile. So we will see if I can find a source before Christmas. .Wouldn `t it be nice to be able to give some glasses along with you Home made LIMONCELLO to all your special friends and loved ones.
Ingredients
15 thick-skinned lemons (Eureka, Lisbon or Citron if you can find them , otherwise any
organic lemons will do)
2 bottles (750 ml each) of the best 100 proof Vodka or a 750 ml bottle of 190¬proof alcohol
4 1/2 cups sugar
5 cups water if you use Vodka, or 8 if you use grain alcohol
Preparation
Wash the lemons in hot water before you start. Remove the peel with a vegetable peeler, removing all white pith on the back of the peel by scraping with a knife, and put the peels in a 4-quart Mason jar
Add 1 bottle of Vodka, or half the alcohol, and stir. Cover the jar, date it, and put it to rest in a dark cabinet at room temperature.
After 40 days, take out the lemon-Vodka mixture. In a sauce pan set over high heat, stir the sugar and water together and boil for 5 minutes. Let the sugar syrup cool completely in the pan, about 10 minutes. Add the sugar syrup to the lemon-Vodka mixture along with the second bottle of Vodka or the remaining alcohol.
Stir well to combine. Replace the cover on the jar and note the finish date. Return it to the dark cabinet and store for 40 more days.
At day 80, remove the Limoncello from the cabinet. Strain the mixture and discard the lemon peel.
Pour into clean, unused bottles with caps or decorative corked bottles. Store the bottles in the pantry, but put one bottle at a time in the freezer until ready to use.
Makes approximately 3 quarts.
Limoncello Cream:
This is a very nice variation on the standard Limoncello from Sorrento.
Ingredients:
4 organically grown lemons
1 quart of grain alcohol
1 quart of milk
1 pound of sugar
1 pint of water:
Preparation :
Using a paring knife, trim the zest from the lemons, leaving the white part behind, and steep the zest in the alcohol for several days- 6 should be fine, shaking the jar daily. Combine the water, milk, and sugar and bring it to a boil 4-5 times, but it is IMPORTANT to remove it from the burner EACH time it boils up. This serves to keep it from curdling subsequently.
Once the milk has boiled up for the last time remove it from the fire and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Now stir in the alcohol and at this point it should be getting thick and creamy Let it sit a bit more to cool and the to bottle it you will need to pour the mixture through a fine wire mesh to filter out any rinds and curds that may have formed. Once this is done use a funnel and serve it up in your bottles.
May , 2007
Street Smarts in Italy
Yes I know. We all want to parade around with a Louis Vuitton or Dior or Prada hanging affluently in full view from our arm.... But. WAIT there is trouble brewing for you if you stop and purchase those Counterfeit bags, sunglasses and clothing from the ever so popular street vendors that can be spied throughout Italy and other European countries. The authorities are reaally starting to crack down now. Before if the police were spied approaching the street vendors, they would immediately pack up and run.....to another street corner. But now it`s Buyer Beware. In Italy laws have just been passed that allows the police to fine anyone selling or PURCHASING Counterfeit goods up $10,000.00 Euros!!! Why, for that, you could have bought a ORIGINAL less expensively. These laws are being enacted in France and other European nations as well.
*Disclaimer:
In the unlikely case that information is posted on our site due to an
error or omission, we reserve the right to correct these errors or omissions
when they occur. We will not honor inaccurate or wrongful prices or gem
weights. All prices are subject to change without notice.
Oro Verde is a Division of Exeter Jewelers Inc. Direct Importers of 18 Kt. and Platinum Italian Designer Jewelry
101 Water Street
Exeter, New Hampshire NH 03833
ph: 603.772.6414
fx: 603.775.7121
Exeter, New Hampshire NH 03833 
Exeter, New Hampshire NH 03833 