Rest in peace, rest green

If you are concerned about protecting the environment and leave a better planet for your loved ones, you might want to start thinking about your funeral. Indeed, although this is not a common topic of conversation is important.

A traditional coffin made of wood or metal, besides being expensive, contains various polluting elements (varnishes, metal parts and other synthetic elements) that cannot be degradable. Cremation is also a polluting process, since it involves the emission of toxic gases. 

Companies now are offering a wide range of ecological, innovative and cheaper biodegradable coffins and urns to help reduce the soil contamination, the carbon footprint and toxic gases produced during the incineration.

How to write a recommendation on Linkedin

Recommendations on Linkedin have become a serious issue; they can make the difference between getting or not your dream job or secure a contract with a potential client.

As they are seen by thousands of people, writers also jeopardize their reputation and credibility.

pixabay.com

Receive a warm reception to your new home with the Welcome Pack Canada

When I immigrated to Canada one of my new neighbors gave me a floor lamp. "I came 5 years ago, he said. And one day you'll probably do the same for someone else...” 

After all the immigration process, the emotional drama of letting go all what we had in our country of origin and the one way trip, here we were, me and my husband, sitting on the floor of our empty apartment, with just one lamp welcoming us to our new home. I cherish this kind gesture and I’m sure I will always remember it.

Whether Canada or any other country, immigrants are an important market for companies providing all kinds of products and services. Some brands might be familiar to them, some of them might not. The bonding process starts since their landing day and never stops. Over time, they'll develop affection and loyalty toward different brands.

Therefore, it is important that the brands present themselves to the newcomers and maintain a positive image, since this is an audience actively seeking for new suppliers.

Creating a “Welcome to Remember”

Image: Welcome Pack Canada

Entrepreneur and visionary, Albert Yue, created a new way to give immigrants a warm welcome to Canada while connecting them with national and local brands through the Welcome Pack Program and the Gift Box.

The Welcome Pack is a box that comes with daily use products and gifts from leading brands of different industries: banking, telecommunications, real estate, automotive, food & beverages, consumer products and services, etc.; as well as an informative magazine with advice and special offers.

The box was designed with caricatures of different families representing some of the places where new immigrants come from. “The welcome gift box that is gifted free of cost to each new immigrant who have recently arrived in Canada is designed as a keepsake ‘memory box’ to enable new immigrants record their fun and memorable life events/moments as they settle into this beautiful country”, explained Andrew Srinarayan, Vice President of Welcome Pack Canada Inc. in an exclusive interview for The Visionaries Media.

Srinarayan detailed the impact and benefits for the associated brands and companies: “The WelcomePack Canada program is a unique multi-dimensional marketing program connecting Canadian brands with new immigrants.

WelcomePack is the ‘Brand Ambassador’ on behalf of multiple Canadian brands of goods and services that welcomes new immigrants in Canada. Thereby we gain their unique attention and affection. We aim to gain lifetime customer value of the Canadian immigrants from their arrival and throughout their settling journey. This is a very significant role since when new immigrants arrive, they are new to Canadian brands and Canadian brands are new to them. They need to get to know and love these leading brands that they will continue to interact with during the rest of their lifetime and for their off-springs. WelcomePack enables Canadian brands establish a relationship with a range of touch points in short term, medium and long term, while extending significant value”.

Image: Welcome Pack Canada

Launched in 2013, the program also includes contests, gift cards and other rewards, such as the chance to win prizes after completing a survey on the website. According to company’s information, in 2014 there are 40 brands participating and coupons are over $1,000 in value and savings.

“The welcoming does not start and end with the gift box. WelcomePack continues to be by the side of the newcomers helping them navigate through the different stages of their settlement. We continue to provide them with helpful information, advice and tips in several formats – ebooks, bi-weekly emails, online content, webinars, etc., and more special offers, as well as fun and excitement through contests and prizes”.

The company is preparing for the launch of the 2015 WelcomePack program hoping to reach another 30,000 new immigrants. "This is our target each year. We will be having more brands/companies involved and more great offers for new immigrants, while creating much more helpful content for them in multiple formats. Our focus area will continue to be Ontario and particularly the Great Toronto Area where over 40% of new immigrants settle", Srinarayan added.

New to Canada?

If you are a Permanent Resident; 18 years of age or older and immigrated to Canada after September 2011, you are eligible to receive your free gift box.

Learn more about how to obtain your package here: http://welcomepackcanada.com

About Albert Yue, President of Welcome Pack Canada Inc.:http://welcomepackcanada.com/a-welcome-from-the-president-ceo/

Your First Job in Canada – No Canadian Experience? No Problem!

http://welcomepackcanada.com/offers/your-first-job-in-canada-no-canadian-experience-no-problem/

As part of the ongoing engagement and relationship building with newcomers, the organization has launched a new series of short stories in an ebook version. More branded information products covering a bevy of topics in this format will be released in the next months.

See the first ebook:

English version - http://welcomepackcanada.info/ebooks/01/en/

Chinese version - http://welcomepackcanada.info/ebooks/01/ch/

Aída Ulloa
The Visionaries Media
Follow us: Twitter @VisionariesMed
www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia

Simple ideas, great business opportunities

Do not discard a business idea, however simple it may seem. You don’t always have to invent something for being an entrepreneur. By adding value to a daily use product you can turn your idea into a profitable business.

Annick Lévesque, Smart handbags with an elegant style

Entrepreneur and designer Annick Lévesque from Montreal, Canada, knows about it. She offers a great selection of high quality handbags and accessories made in leather with an elegant, classic and timeless style. Her flagship is a collection of “Smart” handbags with built-in lights. “Composed of an automatic switch activating two mini LED lights, each sawn individually with 24 handmade stitches”, according to a company’s press release.

Annick Lévesque came up with the idea while working at a restaurant’s coat-check. “I had to help clients find their coat-check coupon in their bags with a flashlight numerous times…”

www.annicklevesque.com

“Lotería Jarocha”, a revamp of a traditional Mexican game

Help Alec Dempster launch the Lotería Jarocha game.

This project will only be funded if at least $6,000 is pledged by Thursday, Aug 14 2014 10:59 PM EDT. 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/276896498/loteria-jarocha-a-game-of-mexican-music-poetry-and

Visual arts and musician Alec Dempster is transforming the traditional Mexican "Lotería" game and creating a new musical version to promote the game in Mexico and abroad. Recently he started a campaign on the website Kickstarter.com to fund the cost of recording a CD that will accompany the board game.

The “Lotería” game is a Mexican form of Bingo. The traditional “Lotería” consists of images and verses rather than just numbers. His adaptation called “El Fandanguito” includes 60 images which represent “sones”, which are jarocho folk songs from the state of Veracruz. The songs are sung while the players listen and try to identify the corresponding images on their boards. 

Sources: alecdempster.net / cafeconpan.ca

The new game will include the CD, 8 letter press boards and a deck of 60 illustrated cards (linoleum printed images with the lyrics or verses, written specially for the playing of the game). Each verse is an "adivinanza" (riddle) with the title coming at the very end or poetically insinuated. The game is played by reciting or singing the verses, explains Dempster on his website.

Dempster spent three years in Mexico creating the print images which then custom printed on 8 playing boards at Lunar Caustic Press in Toronto, using the letter press technique, explains on Kickstarter. 

Sources: alecdempster.net / cafeconpan.ca

Watch the images from the Lotería Jarocha game:

http://www.alecdempster.net/Loteria_Jarocha/Fandanguito_Gallery.html

Supporters may receive one the following rewards:

- His most recent CD "Nuevos Caminos a Santiago" along with a CD of unreleased live Cafe Con Pan music group recordings.

- Signed copies of his book about son jarocho called "Lotería Jarocha"

- Choose from 30 of the "Lotería" limited edition prints.

About Alec Dempster:

Dempster was born in Mexico City and grew up in Toronto where he received his formal art training. It is in Veracruz, Mexico however that his work became synonymous with son jarocho folk music and other aspects of local popular culture. Over a period of twelve years his printmaking has been part of a multidisciplinary project combining; research of local oral history, doing field recordings with elderly musicians, creating educational games, as well as performing professionally with established son jarocho groups. 

Source: http://www.alecdempster.net/

Alec Dempster‘s biography on Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/people/dempstergrafik

About the music group: Café con Pan

Alec Dempster and Kali Niño conduct interactive son jarocho workshops, classes and courses, for all age groups. They lead to a broader understanding of Mexican culture, Spanish language, and develop musical skills. An important component is the zapateado dance form which has been described as “Mexican tap”, as well as singing, playing the jarana and percussion.

Source: http://www.cafeconpan.ca/ 

 

Aída Ulloa, Editor The Visionaries Media Follow us: Twitter @VisionariesMed www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia

Tackle the hidden job market: Buy your next job

The hidden job market is not a secret to anyone. Approximately 80% of jobs are not published; meaning that employers are filling the positions by promoting their staff or employees' referrals. In this way is much easier, faster and cheaper.

Accessing the hidden job market is not easy; HR experts suggest: contact potential employers, use your network, make new connections on Linkedin, join a job-finding club and a professional association, visit career fairs, volunteer, attend conferences, speak with alumni, conduct information interviews, etc. Uff... Exhausted? But what if none of this is enough and you still cannot find a job?

Good Golem (www.goodgolem.com) tackles the hidden job market by giving job seekers the opportunity to buy their next job.

www.goodgolem.com

What Makes You Come Alive? "The One week job project"

What you want to be when you grow up? It is the typical question we face when we are kids. The reality is that a lot of us will have more than one career path in our lives and is not easy to find a job that we really enjoy.

If we are going to spend most of our waking hours each day working, why not spend that time doing something we enjoy and are truly passionate about?, says Sean Aiken, creator of "The One week job project", a true young visionary leader.

Sean Aiken, http://www.oneweekjob.com/about-the-project/seans-bio/

Sean Aiken struggled with the same question throughout his years in High school and into College in Vancouver. "I spend all this years in school, I came out of there with a piece of paper that says Business Administration Degree, but I really had no idea what was next for me and what steps to take", says Sean in an interview with Taimour Zaman from One Million Acts of Innovation.

The thought of choosing one career for his entire life, trade his work for money and then reach the retirement age to finally do what he enjoys did not sound appealing to him. "I made a promise to myself that I was gonna find something that I was passionate about".

In 2008 Sean developed "The One week job project" (www.oneweekjob.com/) to help him and others find their passions in life and define want they really want to do for living. Aiken completed an epic journey around North America, working 52 jobs in 52 weeks. Sean tried every job he could: Bungee Instructor, Dairy Farmer, Advertising Executive, Baker, Stock Trader, Firefighter, radio DJ, Martial arts instructor, Aquarium host, NHL mascot, snowshoe guide and more.

In 2010, he published a book “The One-Week Job Project” and released a feature-length documentary. Now the OWJ project has gone global, with new participants launching their own journeys.

He suggests that we’re experiencing “a revolution in work consciousness. A shift in how we as a culture view work and our relationship with it.”

In 2013 OWJ started raising funds for One Week Job USA and help Linda Chase, a 60 years old woman from Portland, Oregon to work 52 jobs in 52 weeks throughout America. In our youth obsessed culture, ageism in the workforce is a harsh reality.

Watch Linda’s story: http://youtu.be/Nk01rwKiZYM

Aída Ulloa, Editor The Visionaries Media 

Follow us: Twitter @VisionariesMed 

www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia

Jill and Jack Kids, clothes to inspire the next generation of leaders to think beyond pink and blue.

Image: Jill and Jack Kids

For generations we have accepted the established cultural frames to differentiate what is feminine and masculine, as the typical color-coded: pink for girls, blue for boys. The standards governing societies have changed and in that sense, fashion must evolve to embrace diversity and changes in taste and ways of thinking, especially when it comes to the youth generations.

The mainstream in retail stores is still limited and stereotypical. Because of this, Graphic Designer, Jenn Nielson, from Toronto, Canada, decided to start her own business: Jill and Jack Kids, to make clothes that change the messages we’re sending to kids.

"The first time I went shopping for my daughter I expected to find fun, bright colours for her to wear – I was disappointed to find girls’ departments that were all pink and frills, and boys’ departments filled with trucks and sports. Even though I know lots of kids who love these things, most boys are into more than just sports, and we need to tell girls that even if they like princesses, it’s cool to like other stuff - like dinosaurs - too!", says Nielson on Kickstarter.com

Getting to the gate keepers of your dream job

Are you a job seeker tired of receiving automatic notifications? Like this: “After careful review of your application and qualifications, we have chosen to pursue other candidates at this time. We will continue to keep your profile active in our database for future consideration and welcome you to apply to other positions you are qualified for.”

After sending hundreds of emails, applying constantly on job boards and corporate websites you probably feel exhausted and discouraged. And at this point if you are not receiving any phone calls maybe is time to revamp your Resume and consult with the professionals. Finding a job is a job itself.

Amazon.com

Estamos en la "Edad de Oro para ser emprendedores", afirma Teresa Kruze

Estamos en la " Edad de Oro para ser emprendedores " y nunca ha habido un mejor momento para iniciar un negocio, dice Teresa Kruze en su libro:  "The In-Credibility Factor" o "El Factor In-Credibilidad", del cual es coautora junto con Terry Beech.

En una entrevista con la cadena CTV News de Canadá, Kruze explicó algunos de los factores detrás de la declaración: un mayor apoyo del gobierno canadiense; costos iniciales bajos, así como la increíble cantidad de información disponible en Internet.

En "El Factor In-Credibilidad", Kruze presenta las historias de 30 empresarios canadienses; sus momentos de triunfo, ensayos y éxitos. Es interesante ver que los multimillonarios y dueños de negocios enumerados tienen varias cosas en común como sus orígenes humildes.

Después de entrevistar a tantos empresarios, Kruze reunió algunas de las claves de su éxito:

- La gestión sabia del tiempo.

- El rodearse con el mejor equipo de trabajo posible.

- Contar con mentores.

- Saber manejar el riesgo.

- Ser perseverante: "Siempre creer en uno mismo".

Teresa Kruze es una personalidad de la televisión canadiense. Ha trabajado como reportera, presentadora  de deportes, conferencista internacional y productora. Hoy en día cuenta con un talk show de televisión interactiva y dirige una compañía de producción. ¡Nada mal!

En el libro también da algunas ideas para pensar y actuar como emprendedor/empresario y da algunos consejos para conseguir el dinero y a la gente adecuada.

http://www.teresakruze.com/

Encuentra su libro en Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/The-In-Credibility-Factor-Teresa-Kruze/dp/0987950703

Checa la entrevista completa que dio a CTV News y escucha algunas de las historias de éxito que dieron forma a su libro:

http://canadaam.ctvnews.ca/video?binId=1.815911

Amazon.com

Aída Ulloa, Editor The Visionaries Media Follow us: Twitter @VisionariesMed www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia

We are at the "Golden Age of Entrepreneurship", says Teresa Kruze

We are at the "Golden Age of Entrepreneurship" and there has never been a better time to start a business, says Teresa Kruze in her book: "The In-Credibility Factor", coauthored with Terry Beech.

In an interview with CTV News, Kruze explained some of the factors behind the statement: a greater support from the Canadian government; low start-up costs as well as the amazing quantity of information available on the Internet.

In “The In-Credibility Factor", Kruze showcases the stories of 30 Canadian entrepreneurs; their moments of triumph, trials and successes. Is interesting that the listed multimillionaires and business owners have several things in common, starting with the fact that many of them have humble origins.

After interviewing so many entrepreneurs, Kruze gathered some keys to success:

• Wise time management.
• Surround yourself with the best team possible.
• Take advantage of mentors.
• Risks management.
• Persevering: "always believe in yourself".

Teresa Kruze is a Canadian television personality. She has worked as reporter, sports anchor, international speaker, host and producer. Nowadays she hosts an interactive television talk show and runs a production company.

In the book she also gives some ideas on how to think and act like an entrepreneur and tips to get the people and money you will need. 

http://www.teresakruze.com/

Find the book on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/The-In-Credibility-Factor-Teresa-Kruze/dp/0987950703

Watch the complete interview on CTV News and listen to some of the inspirational stories that give shape to the book:

http://canadaam.ctvnews.ca/video?binId=1.815911

Aida Ulloa

Amazon.com

Joyería para mascotas, al último maullido de la moda

Algunos amantes de los animales convierten a sus mascotas en sus hijos, dándoles toda la atención y cuidados que merecen, aunque en ocasiones van más allá de cubrir sus necesidades básicas y los visten y adornan con accesorios que valen miles de dólares.

Ciertas empresas toman ventaja de estos “dueños consentidores”. Checa estas empresas que se dedican a fabricar joyería para mascotas como collares, moños y placas con brillantes y hasta piezas de Swaroski.

Entre las empresas destacadas se encuentra Diamond Dogs, de Inglaterra, que ofrece collares para gatos y perros con elementos de Swaroski. Un collar para gato cuesta en promedio $194.5 dólares, mientras que un juego de collar y correa para perro puedo costar hasta $700 dólares.

Diamond Dogs

Diamond Dogs

Otra compañía es Designer Dog Necklace; aquí se pueden encontrar collares hechos con acentos de oro y plata, Swaroski y perlas. Luxe Pets es otra marca que ofrece placas de identificación personalizadas y collares de diseñador, para que tu mascota luzca piezas únicas.

No es de sorprender este boom de productos de lujo para mascotas. En los últimos años la industria ha visto un crecimiento considerable en el gasto promedio de los norteamericanos en sus mejores amigos.  La Asociación Americana de Productos para Mascotas (APPA, por sus siglas en inglés), estima que en Estados Unidos los dueños de mascotas gastaron en 2013 la friolera cantidad de 55.72 billones de dólares en productos y servicios.  La Asociación estima que para 2014 la cifra aumentará a 58.51 billones de dólares, de los cuales 4.73 billones se destinarán al arreglo de las mascotas (como cortes de pelo, entrenamiento y productos diversos). Tan sólo en Estados Unidos, la  APPA informa que el 68% de las viviendas cuentan con mascota, lo que equivale a 82.5 millones de hogares.

Aída Ulloa

APPA - American Pet Products Association: http://www.americanpetproducts.org/

Checa otras empresas de joyería para mascotas:

Weizhi - USA, Japan: http://www.weizhi.co.jp/

Luxe Pets: http://www.luxepets.com/

Kole Kreations: http://www.kolekreations.com/

Diamond Dogs: http://diamonddogs.eu/dog-collars-leads/

Designer Dog Necklace: http://www.designerdognecklace.com/

http://accesoriosparaperros.blogspot.ca/2009/01/colgantes-para-perros-joyera-de-moda.html

http://www.modacaninayorkshirechihuahuas.com/tienda/accessories-c-3.html

The Visionaries Media Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @VisionariesMed www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia

Pet Jewelry; the latest fashion meow

A lot of pet lovers give their dogs and cats attention and cares that sometimes go beyond basic needs.

Among the leading companies we find Diamond Dogs, from England, offering dog and cat collars with Swarovski elements. A cat collar costs on average US $ 194.5, while a set of collar and leash for dogs can cost up to US $ 700.

Diamond Dogs

Diamond Dogs

 Another company is Designer Dog Necklace. Here you can find necklaces made of gold and silver accents, Swarovski elements and pearls. Also, take a look at Luxe Pets, a brand that offers custom identification plates and unique collars made by the owner and designer.

Not surprisingly is this boom of luxury products for pets. In recent years the industry has seen considerable growth in the average spending of Americans in their best friends. The American Pet Products Association estimates that U.S. pet owners spent in 2013 a whopping amount of 55.72 billion dollars in products and services. The Association estimates that by 2014 the figure will increase up to 58.51 billion dollars, from which 4.73 billion will go to grooming & boarding, pet sitting and miscellaneous. According to the 2013-2014 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 68% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 82.5 millions homes. 

Aída Ulloa

APPA - American Pet Products Association: http://www.americanpetproducts.org/

Weizhi - USA, Japan: http://www.weizhi.co.jp/

Luxe Pets: http://www.luxepets.com/

Kole Kreations: http://www.kolekreations.com/

Diamond Dogs: http://diamonddogs.eu/dog-collars-leads/

Designer Dog Necklace: http://www.designerdognecklace.com/

http://accesoriosparaperros.blogspot.ca/2009/01/colgantes-para-perros-joyera-de-moda.html

http://www.modacaninayorkshirechihuahuas.com/tienda/accessories-c-3.html

The Visionaries Media Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @VisionariesMed www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia

Comments:

Joanne Mahon / Managing Director, Diamond Dogs, http://diamonddogs.eu/

As manufacturer’s of handmade leather pet accessories our main concerns are about producing top quality collars and leads that are durable and last the lifetime of the pet. The safety and comfort of the animals is also of paramount importance to our company. Our handmade products happen to be beautiful pieces in their own right whether they are plain leather or embellished with Swarovski crystal. Being involved with dogs for over 50 years and as the owner of 14 large hunting dogs, I do not treat them as children nor I do not dress them up in clothes but they do wear beautiful, durable Diamond Dogs collars every day. You might be surprised to learn that dogs derive pleasure from wearing beautiful collars because they attract the attention of strangers who then make a big fuss of them, giving them praise and attention. It is precisely what every dog craves, so our Swarovski collars work for the real benefit of the dogs in a round about way. I also learned a long time ago that its much better to buy quality items once than to have to replace them after a short time. As the saying goes, ” the quality remains long after the price is forgotten.” Our passion for making beautiful, durable accessories for our companion animals goes far beyond the simplified notion of designing luxuries for pets .Perhaps only those of us who know and understand the pleasures of living with companion animals can truly appreciate why are pets are worth it and what they give us back in return.

Fish Flops – Businesswoman and is just 16 years old

Just turned 16 and already was a millionaire. Maddie Robinson is a young visionary from Texas that at her young age already moves as an experienced businesswoman in the fashion industry. Her company is creating a true brand identity on social media and has attracted the attention of business magazines as important as Forbes, to celebrities like Selena Gomez.

Robinson had the idea of creating a business of flip flops that combine her interests: swimming, fishing and drawing. Fish Flops (http://www.fishflops.com/) is the name of her company and already sold in boutiques in several states in North America and important retailers like Macys and Nordstrom.

In addition, Fish Flops has an online store and new products such as hats and T-shirts that combine perfect with the flip flops.

Top it off, Maddie is also a writer. Her book "Living together in the sea" teaches about life in the sea. The main character is Orkicky the Orca Whale. "Swimming with Spinner" is an adventure story and guides to learn how to swim; the main character is Spinner the dolphin. Maddie created and drawn a series of characters that are the basis for her stories.

None of this would have been possible without the support of her father, Dan Robinson and her entire family. Now Maddie has enough money to pay for college.

Visit her page Nicole Madison Style:

www.MadisonNicoleStyle.com

The Visionaries Media Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @VisionariesMed www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia

Fish Flops – Empresaria a los 16 años

Apenas cumplió 16 años y ya era millonaria. Maddie Robinson es una joven visionaria de Texas que a su corta edad ya se mueve como toda una empresaria experimentada en la industria de la moda. Su empresa está creando una verdadera identidad de marca en las redes sociales y ha captado la atención de revistas de negocios tan importantes como Forbes, hasta celebridades como Selena Gómez.

www.fishflops.com

Robinson, tuvo la idea de crear un negocio de sandalias que combina sus intereses: nadar, pescar y dibujar.  Fish Flops (http://www.fishflops.com/) es el nombre de su empresa y ya vende en boutiques en diversos estados de la Unión Americana y tiendas tan importantes como Macys y Nordstrom.  Además, Fish flops ya cuenta con una tienda en línea y nuevos productos, como gorras y playeras que combinan perfecto con las sandalias.

Por si fuera poco, Maddie también es escritora. "Viviendo juntos en el mar" enseña acerca de la vida en el mar de distintos animales. El personaje principal es Orkicky la orca. "Nadando con Spinner" es un libro de aventuras y guía para aprender a nadar, donde el personaje principal es el delfín Spinner. Maddie creó una serie de personajes que son la base de sus historias.

Obviamente, nada de esto hubiera sido posible sin el apoyo de su padre, Dan Robinson y de toda su familia. Ahora Maddie cuenta con el suficiente dinero para pagar la universidad.

Visita su página Madison Nicole Style

www.MadisonNicoleStyle.com

www.fishflops.com

Aída Ulloa

The Visionaries Media Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @VisionariesMed www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia

Planet Solar: Breaking record after record

The genius of some visionaries never ceases to amaze. Humans have always sought to defy nature and thanks to the amazing machines that have created, have surpassed all "limits", like traveling to the Moon and perhaps we are not far from seeing the first manned spacecraft bound for the planet Mars.

The visionaries who created the Swiss company Planet Solar always surprise us as they continue to break world records and defy nature, through the operation and administration of the catamaran MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, powered exclusively by solar energy.

On 4 May 2012, after 584 days of sailing and more than 60,000 km sailed, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar completed the first trip around the world powered by solar energy. After undergoing significant maintenance, the vessel left La Ciotat (France) on 8 April 2013 for the US coastline and began its second life, by being transformed into a scientific platform for the “PlanetSolar DeepWater” expedition. The purpose of that mission was to collect an ongoing series of physical and biological measurements along the Gulf Stream, in both water and air using high-tech measurements and the expertise of scientists from the University of Geneva.

After this success, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar spent the winter at the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly in Lorient. Included in the museum visits, the boat was open to the public and schools during its stay.

The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar will soon cast off for new unexplored solar expeditions. In parallel, the company will expand its sphere of activities into the renewable energy and clean mobility sector. Gérard d’Aboville, who captained the vessel during the 2013 campaign, will resume control of the Swiss solar boat for its 2014 expeditions

The official launch of this new campaign will take place from 14 to 28 April at Boulogne-sur-Mer (France) where the boat will be the guest of honour at the 23rd Festival des Images de Mer (Festival of the Sea Images), organised by the National Sea Centre (NAUSICAA).

Photo Source: http://www.arch2o.com/planet-solar-boat/arch2o-planet-solar-boat8/

The catamaran will then continue its journey toward the Mediterranean Sea. It will return to the Principality of Monaco, witness of the success of the first solar powered tour of the world in 2012, to offer its services to the Solar1 Monte Carlo Cup 2014 (first solar boat race) which will take place in mid-July. 

The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar should then head toward Greece where it is scheduled, in collaboration with the University of Geneva, to resume its role as a scientific platform for the purpose of studying submerged prehistoric landscapes. The catamaran would be involved in conducting undersea research led by archaeologists.

The Visionaries Media Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @VisionariesMed www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia

Relaxation techniques of Patch Adams

A long time ago I had the opportunity to listen to one of Patch Adams conferences in Mexico City. Yes! The real Hunter "Patch" Adams, the visionary doctor who revolutionized medicine with laugh therapy.

Laugh improves mood for any patient but his teachings can help us not only in the field of medicine, but also to improve our daily lives and stop being so grumpy at work.

In his lectures, Adams provides some exercises that appear to be simple, but in reality are loaded with significance and are really good for relaxing. Try some of his techniques and see the difference in your mood.

The first exercise is to act as furniture, for example a sofa. "You do not necessarily have to be a living thing to be happy, I used to take people to the morgue and tell them don’t you feel better than that poor man?” said Adams.

The second is to act as a statue in a salute position; the third is to make funny or enthusiastic faces. The fourth is to approach a stranger and talk about the joys of life (if you don’t have, you must invent them). "As a doctor you have to know how to love people, I asked my students to greet everyone and achieve a dinner invitation after half an hour."

Other activities that help improve mood are: dance, have physical and visual contact with others, build strong communities and relationships that give a sense of belonging to combat loneliness and avoid depression. In addition, develop creativity (e.g., inventing things with just a sheet of paper).

Being grateful is vital. "To be grateful you got to turn and see famine and places like Africa," said Adams.

Joy is not only a reward for something (like graduating from college or getting a good job); we celebrate being alive. 

Aída Ulloa

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