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China’s growing love of luxury watches remains strong, despite economic headwinds By Leona Liu, CNN According to event CEO Matthieu Humair, 40% of Watches and Wonders' 49,000 attendees travelled from Asia, with a significant portion coming from China. Cyril Zingaro/WWGF/Keystone Geneva (CNN) — When the luxury Watches and Wonders fair closed its doors in Geneva earlier this week, it had hosted an estimated 49,000 luxury watch enthusiasts and collectors from around the world, all eager to be inspired by the best new designs and complications. According to a report by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FHS), mainland China and Hong Kong combined spent over 5 billion Swiss francs (5.49 billion) on watches in 2023, meaning luxury consumers in greater China are the biggest clients when it comes to the 26.7 billion franc (29.3 billion) watch exports business. But one region’s visitors stood out among the crowd — 40% of this year’s attendees hailed from Asia according to the event’s CEO Matthieu Humair, with a significant portion coming from China. Watching your wealth It’s not surprising. Despite economic challenges looming large — including prolonged downturns in both the housing and stock market — China’s fascination with luxury watches remains undiminished. In fact, luxury watches are seen by many affluent Chinese as a compelling alternative investment avenue during times of financial uncertainty, when diversifying away from “traditional” investments such as real estate or stocks is seen as prudent. At Watches and Wonders in Geneva, Switzerland, the leading names of the watchmaking and luxury industries put their new wares on display to potential clients, collectors and enthusiasts. Cyril Zingaro/WWGF/Keystone Certainly at this year’s fair, well-dressed, well-accessorized Chinese customers appeared unfazed by economic uncertainties. Mostly invited by brands, these high-spending VIP guests often pay millions for timepieces or jewelry, either at home in China or during overseas travels. Accordingly, Chinese brand ambassadors were also front and center at this year’s fair, with appearances by actors such as Jackson Yee at Jaeger Le-Coultre, Zhu Yilong at Chopard and Wang Yang at IWC. Other personalities including actor and singer Xiao Zhan conducted livestream sessions that enthusiasts could tune into. David Sadigh is CEO of Digital Luxury Group, a digital marketing agency in Europe and China whose clients include Patek Philippe and Van Cleef & Arpels. After more than 20 years working in the region, he believes China’s economic slowdown is just a temporary phase. “The higher-end price point brands are not concerned (by the downturn),” Sadigh told CNN during an interview at the fair in Geneva. “The situation may be slightly (more) challenging for mid-level luxury brands (whose clients’ disposable incomes are potentially more at the whim of market forces). But I’m confident that in the long run, China will be the biggest market for luxury watches.” Many executives of the 54 watchmaking brands that CNN spoke to at Watches and Wonders echoed this sentiment, expressing confidence in China’s ongoing passion for luxury timepieces and underscoring the resilience of this market segment amid the broader economic headwinds. Chinese watchbuyers are renowned in the industry for their discerning approach to both the design and complications of a watch. Valentin Flauraud/WWGF/Keystone Sales at Hublot, a prominent luxury watch brand in the LVMH stable, have this year rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, although growth rates have slowed compared to the peak of post-pandemic “revenge spending” (a phenomenon whereby customers rush to spend more than they usually would on something after being deprived of the ability to do so) in 2022. Despite commanding price tags sometimes into the millions of yuan, the brand continues to attract discerning consumers, with US and China as its biggest clients. “It’s understandable that people wait and see how to spend their money when the market is down,” said Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe. “For the Chinese consumers, once they consume, they will come back, because they appreciate luxury watches from the bottom of their heart.” Indeed, despite being a relatively new market for watchmakers, wealthy Chinese customers are already regarded as discerning clients alongside buyers from more mature markets like Europe and the US, who have long appreciated the artistry, elegance, and craftsmanship in haute horology. “We’ve seen in Asia — China in particular — average consumers are younger, around 35 (and) have an eye for unusual designs,” said Guadalupe. Unlike volatile financial markets, watches can offer tangible value combined with emotional attachment. Pierre Albouy/WWGF/Keystone Carson Chan, a timepiece expert whose previous titles include General Manager of Richard Mille Asia, Bonhams’ Head of Watches and Chief Advisor of Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH), is also a collector. “In Asia, where collecting large items like cars can be challenging, watches offer a compact alternative for collectors,” Chan told CNN in an email interview from his home in Hong Kong. “The strong learning culture and understanding of mechanisms in Asia further support a sophisticated market, evidenced by the rise of independent brands across the region,” he added. Raphael Young, who also lives in Hong Kong and works in financial services in the IT industry, has just returned from the fair in Geneva. “As a watch collector, the five main criteria I look deeply into (are) value, craftsmanship, history, innovation and the people behind the timepieces and the brand,” he told CNN via a phone interview and added; “There is a lot of learning, researching, meetings and almost scholarly pursuits involved in cultivating my collecting hobby.” Timeless designs A. Lange & Söhne, a smaller independent watchmaker producing just 5,000 pieces globally, maintains a distinctive niche in the market. The brand’s CEO Wilhelm Schmid also remained unperturbed by China’s economic conditions. “A. Lange’s customers are real collectors; it’s very niche. Though our price is not low, there are groups of clients whose finances are not affected by the market fluctuations, who just appreciate the best timepieces,” he told CNN in an interview at the event. The house’s new Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Honeygold Lumen, for example, integrates a flyback chronograph, a jumping minute counter, perpetual calendar with outsized date and a tourbillon with a stop-seconds mechanism. Some watchmakers appear to be courting Chinese buyers through unique design flourishes and Chan has observed that smaller case sizes are trending. Eleven years in the making, Vacheron Constantin’s record breaking one-piece-only giant pocket watch The Berkley has been designed to celebrate cultural fusion by combining traditional Chinese lunar calendar functions with Western horological complexities — for example a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, and tourbillon. Luxury watchmakers are appealing to groups of clients whose finances may not be affected by the whims of financial markets. Valentin Flauraud/WWGF/Keystone “The Berkley features the first Chinese perpetual calendar which, given the particularities of the complex and irregular cycle… is a feat of horological genius,” said Young. “China has the longest continuous history of any country in the world (with) 3,500 years of written history, and it is only now we have a mechanical timepiece for the Chinese perpetual calendar. As a Chinese, I would find it useful and would be very interested in having such a complication.” Meanwhile, renowned Swiss watchmaker Roger Dubuis created another novelty in celebration of the new Year of the Dragon, on display in Geneva earlier this week. Limited to eight pieces, it is expected to appeal to Chinese collectors and enthusiasts. Among some of the most popular luxury fashion brands in China — which also include Dior, Louis Vuitton and Gucci — Chanel and Hermes have joined the traditional watchmakers at the fair, expanding beyond fashion watches into the universe of high watchmaking. Hermès unveiled the Arceau Duc Attelé watch, featuring a sapphire dome top and new minute repeater; and Chanel debuted a 55-piece limited edition Mademoiselle J12 Couture watch featuring a dial adorned with the silhouette of Mademoiselle Chanel in a black and white suit, finished with 46 baguette-cut diamonds. Unlike volatile financial markets, watches offer tangible value combined with emotional attachment. Collectors appreciate the craftsmanship, rarity, and heritage associated with luxury timepieces, which can hold or increase in value over time. “In a world where everything is so connected, there’s nothing more beautiful than a wristwatch powered by mechanical movement. It’s timeless, a piece of art, something to pass down to generations.” explained Humair. “We’re very excited to see younger generations in Asia, especially China, show a lot of interest in watchmaking.” Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/19/style/china-luxury-watches/index.html

Plants that can cause damage to your garden, home and willpower, according to horticulturalists ABC Lifestyle - By Anna Chisholm AB Bishop says many popular plants have weed potential in the wrong garden. (ABC News: Alice Pavlovic) Have you found yourself in battle with expanding backyard bamboo? Coming to terms with a clump of yuccas? Or venting over the growth of an invading vine? You may have become the victim of a problem plant. Yuccas grow natively in arid areas of North and Central America and the Caribbean.(Wikimedia Commons: Tomas Castelazo) While some plants live indefinitely in harmony with other plants, fences and house foundations, others require more work and can damage their surrounds. Horticulturalists AB Bishop and Tammy Huynh say the line between a plant being a friendly neighbour or a rogue is often context dependent. Ms Huynh, who is also a Gardening Australia presenter, says we need to "be careful of what [we] do put in the ground". Common culprits Ms Bishop, who is the horticultural editor of Gardening Australia Magazine, says plant species with running roots or that sucker excessively are "often destructive forces in your garden". These plants, like Robinia Mop Top, which "is renowned for suckering", grow new plants from their roots. Yuccas also fall into this category and can multiply and overtake a space. "I'm convinced that people don't realise how tall they're going to grow," Ms Bishop says. Plants that drop things should also be carefully considered, says Ms Bishop, depending on how much time you have for maintenance. This can include varieties of palms that drop fronds, and varieties of gum trees that might drop seeds or bark. White cedar trees "also have those little fruits that when they fall can be very, very slippery." Beware of letting your indoor plants outdoors What makes a good indoor plant, does not always make for a good outdoor plant, according to Ms Huynh, "like the monstera and the rubber plant — or rubber tree." "Just a warning that if people were thinking 'it's getting too big for my home, let me throw it outside' — unless you keep it in a contained environment, those plants grow like monsters." Monsteras are "actually quite adaptable" so "don't underestimate that", Ms Huynh warns. Rubber plants can grow into "a large tree" with the potential to "ruin paving or fencing or infrastructure." Tradescantia or spiderwort trailing plants are also common indoors, but "its stems break off quite easily, which then in nature allows it to root quite easily." Ms Huynh says it "can then take over your garden bed and then when you do go and try and pull them out, they break off so easily." "Then the vicious cycle continues." Some plants will require management and maintenance Ms Bishop says "always check the weed lists of your local councils, because what is going to be weedy in one area isn't going to be weedy in another." She says species of fox gloves –mainly clump-forming plants that flower in a variety of flowers around a tall stem – have spread into the Tasmanian bush. Be mindful of anything that could escape your garden and "create havoc", she warns. Agapanthus also have a reputation for tricky expansionism, according to Ms Huynh. "The older varieties seed very easily, and birds also pick up the seeds and then distribute them." Tammy Huynh says it's important to select the right plant variety for your space. "Bamboo gets really bad rap," she says, but "choosing the right species will ensure … you don't end up lifting your neighbours' pavers". Controlling a variety of "running bamboo" – the kind that multiplies quickly – can involve a bit of work but "you can manage bamboo by cutting back new shoots of bamboo and painting them with weed killer." Depending on your budget, you can also install a physical barrier to contain running types of bamboo. "Digging down like 600 millimetres into the ground and putting either concrete or some sort of barrier so that the bamboo can't run." Plants can damage indoors too If you're a renter with a bond you're keen to reunite with, be mindful that plants can cause damage indoors too, Ms Huynh warns. She says a lot of popular indoor plants fall into the 'aroid category', which includes devil's ivy for instance. "They all have developed aerial roots, because in nature they like to climb up trees as they're searching for sunlight." This comes with a risk – especially to paintwork – when plants are pried away from skirting boards and walls. Ms Huynh recommends moving these kinds of plants away from any surfaces they risk damaging or giving them something to "cling to". Picking problem-free plants AB Bishop says gardeners could opt for native alternatives to agapanthus plant varieties. (Wikimedia Commons) Ms Bishop says council weed lists usually include alternatives to potentially problematic species. "Always consider native alternatives, especially indigenous ones — they're ones which have evolved in your area." They'll also attract more native wildlife to your garden, she says. If you've bought a house with an unwanted population of problem plants, her advice is to "bite the bullet and get rid of them and start afresh". She also recommends taking the neighbours into consideration when planting. Ms Huynh says there's also some great resources online for finding the right plants for your garden but speaking with your local nursery is another great option. "Most of them have trained horticulturists who will be able to advice," she says. "The more information you're able to give them, the better they're able to advise you." Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-18/plants-that-can-cause-damage-to-your-garden-home/103690400

Coro and Keeneland today. Cigar was great. Racing was entertaining but not profitable. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks better than a lot of the fakes you’ve posted 😁

So,this happened @BigGuns.🤣😵‍💫

I wonder if brands like Aroma de Cuba will be next in line.

I stole this from here, so I’m returning it here.

Stupid people are unable to analyze and run proper research. They always want a lazy way: someone should put something in their mouth and HELP them to swallow.

Apple Pulls Meta’s WhatsApp and Threads From App Store in China After Government Order BY MARK GURMAN AND SARAH ZHENG / BLOOMBERG - APRIL 19, 2024 12:50 AM EDT Jonathan Raa—NurPhoto/Getty Images Apple Inc. said that it removed Meta Platforms Inc.’s WhatsApp and Threads from its China apps store after an order from the country’s internet regulator, which said the services pose risks to the country’s security. The order comes on the heels of a cleanup program Chinese regulators initiated in 2023 that was expected to remove many defunct or unregistered apps from domestic iOS and Android stores. The action against the American tech services comes as the U.S. government is taking steps toward a ban on TikTok, the hit video app from Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd. U.S. politicians have also cited national security concerns in their push to force the company to either sell TikTok to a non-Chinese owner or face a ban in the U.S. market. “We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree. The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns,” Apple said in a statement. “These apps remain available for download on all other storefronts where they appear.” Foreign social media platforms like WhatsApp were already largely inaccessible from China without tools to circumvent Beijing’s Great Firewall, such as virtual private networks. The removal of these apps will make it more difficult for users within the country to view content on these international platforms. In August, China asked all mobile app developers to register with the government by the end of March, a move that Beijing painted as a bid to counter telephone scams and fraud. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said that it would carry out supervision work on those filings from April to June, and to take action against apps that were not registered. App developers would also be required to set up and improve mechanisms to handle “illegal information.” The MIIT move was another step by Beijing to tighten controls across its cyberspace, forcing domestic and foreign companies to block off information considered politically sensitive. Beyond apps, websites and large language AI models have also been subject to greater content curbs. China’s action comes as TikTok divestiture legislation is expected to be included in a fast-moving aid package for Ukraine and Israel that Congress is expected to vote on this Saturday. The Wall Street Journal was first to report the removal. A Meta spokesperson referred Bloomberg News to Apple’s statement. China is a key nation for the iPhone, its largest consumer market outside the U.S. and its primary production base. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook visited the country earlier this year and emphasized its importance to his business. Apple has long said that it needs to follow local laws as part of operating its app store effectively in different countries. Source: https://time.com/6968950/apple-whatsapp-threads-china-app-store-government-order/

Legendary Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher’s watch collection is going on sale Michael Schumacher won seven Formula One Driver's World Championships, and some of his luxury personalised watches uniquely celebrate these victories. Paul Gilham/Getty Images CNN — Eight of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher’s luxury and personalized watches are going up for auction – and they could sell for more than $4.8 million in total. The rare timepieces will be exhibited in New York from May 3 to May 5, the weekend of the Miami Grand Prix, ahead of the auction in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 13, according to auction house Christie’s. Schumacher’s family holds an array of watches collected by the champion driver over the years and, “more recently, they decided to part ways with specific watches of the collection, where they believed watch collectors would be able to appreciate the true value of the pieces,” Christie’s head of watches Remi Guillemin told CNN Thursday. “We’re really just extremely happy to have these watches and to have been able to collaborate with the family,” he added. The Rolex stainless steel Paul Newman Daytona watch was named after the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, according to auction house Christie's head of Watches Remi Guillemin. Christie's Images LTD. 2024 The collection will form part of Christie’s traditional rare watches auction, consisting of vintage and modern pieces of high-caliber watchmaking from brands such as Audemars Piguet, F.P. Journe and Rolex. Standout pieces include Schumacher’s platinum F.P. Journe Vagabondage 1, which holds almost half the estimated value of the entire collection, with an expected sale price of up to $2.2 million. Meanwhile, a Rolex stainless steel Paul Newman Daytona watch is expected to sell for up to $440,000 and Schumacher’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch is expected to sell for up to $280,000. The Rolex watch was named after the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, according to Guillemin, who described the timepiece as “one of the most iconic watches that Rolex ever made.” Schumacher's white gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was gifted to him by his early mentor and former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt at Christmas 2003, according to Christie's. Christie's Images LTD. 2024 The white gold Royal Oak chronograph was commissioned as a personalized gift for the seven-time F1 World Championship winner from his early mentor and former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt, according to the auction house. Presented to Schumacher at Christmas 2003, its features celebrate the six Championship victories he had achieved by that time, Christie’s said. The 30-minute register dial is surrounded by six stars, and there are depictions of Ferrari’s famous prancing horse emblem and Schumacher’s red racing helmet. “It’s a unique watch,” said Guillemin. “When you see the watch from afar, you just know that it’s something special and that it speaks to Michael Schumacher.” Schumacher's platinum F.P. Journe Vagabondage 1 features a striking red dial and features that celebrate his seven F1 Driver's World Championships. Christie's Images LTD. 2024 The platinum Vagabondage 1 watch was also a gift from Todt, but for the following Christmas. So, while it has similar features, its striking red dial hosts symbols that represent the seventh Championship Schumacher won for himself and Ferrari. A prototype of the watch was sold in 2003 to benefit the Paris Brain Institute (ICM) Foundation, of which Schumacher and Todt are founding members, according to the auction house. “These watches (are) for people who are following Formula One, who have followed, like I have, Michael Schumacher when he was racing. It’s just a true piece of memorabilia and history – and, on top of that, these two watches are important for watchmaking,” Guillemin added. Schumacher sustained a brain injury after suffering severe head trauma during a skiing accident in 2013. He has not appeared in public since, but his wife Corinna said in a 2021 Netflix documentary, “We live together at home. We do therapy. We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he’s comfortable.” Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/19/style/michael-schumacher-watch-collection-auction-intl-scli/index.html

Upmann Connoisseur 1 I love the marca and love this stick. Connie A are a bit too much for a daily but these while lacking some of the complexity give you all that toasted tobacco, shortbread Upmann goodness. It’s not stellar about a 89/90, just lacks that development to be a top top cigar but for a random Friday night smoke it’s everything I want.

From what I understand OAK is being underutilized because people don't realize how close it is to SF. Including SF in the name will prompt people to realize it's just as close as SFO. And seriously, who would want to be associated with SF right now unless they had to be?

San Francisco sues Oakland over new airport name that includes ‘San Francisco’ FILE - Travelers prepare to enter Oakland International airport Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. San Francisco has sued Oakland after officials there voted in favor of changing the name of the city’s airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. San Francisco officials say the change will cause confusion and is already affecting its airport financially. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco on Thursday sued Oakland after officials there voted in favor of changing the name of the city’s airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, saying the change will cause confusion and is already affecting its airport financially. Last week, the Board of Commissioners for the Port of Oakland voted unanimously to move forward with the name-change and scheduled a second vote for final approval on May 9. The airport is currently called Oakland International Airport. “We had hoped Oakland would come to its senses, but their refusal to collaborate on an acceptable alternative name leaves us no choice but to file a lawsuit to protect SFO’s trademark,” San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu said in a statement. San Francisco is asking the court to prevent Oakland airport from moving forward with its name-change and rule that the new name violates San Francisco International Airport’s trademark. “The renaming plan appears intentionally designed to divert travelers who may be unfamiliar with Bay Area geography and lead them to believe OAK has a business relationship with SFO, which it does not,” Chiu said, adding that the renaming would be particularly confusing for international travelers who don’t speak or read English. Oakland airport officials said they plan to implement the name-change and defend their right to do so in court. “OAK’s proposed renaming does not infringe upon SFO’s mark,” the Port of Oakland said in a statement. “We will vigorously defend our right to claim our spot on the San Francisco Bay.” Source: https://apnews.com/article/san-francisco-oakland-airport-name-change-lawsuit-d4cf4197fa484b5321d4523b6757d19b

The last band I put together was in 2011. It took about 3 months of 3 nights a week rehearsals before I thought we were ready to play out. Talented players, present company excluded. 😬 5 months later, I was already sick of the drama. .. Can you imagine being trapped in a hotel room with 3 other guys for 8 years? “You sniffled, @JohnS. You know how much I HATE the sound of your sniffles?!!!” Ugh. The Liverpool lads were much better men than I could ever be.

No doubt you are aware that Peter Jackson, the director who brought us the Lord of the Rings Trilogy to the silver screen in the early 2000s, and who spent nearly four years editing the original video and audio from the documentary footage of the Beatles rehearsing and creating songs for a live concert and album initially titled, 'Get Back'. That undertaking by Peter Jackson became a near 8 hour, 3-part documentary series, released in 2021, that was much better critically acclaimed and received than the original 80 minute film by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, released in the aftermath of the announcement of the break-up of the Beatles in May, 1970. I watched Michael Lindsay-Hogg's film in an independent, retro movie theater near the CBD in Sydney, Australia in 1992 and I remember thinking that it didn't make the band members look as 'jovial' as the comedy film from the mid-1960s, those being 'A Hard Day's Night' and 'Help!'. I suppose Lindsay-Hogg was hampered by the cut he was instructed to release by McCartney, Harrison and Starr who all objected to the extra footage of John and Yoko in the initial cut of the film in July 1969. That initial cut was 1 hour longer. According to Michael Lindsay-Hogg: "There was much more stuff of John and Yoko, and the other three didn't really think that was appropriate because they wanted to make it a 'nicer' movie. They didn't want to have a lot of the dirty laundry, so a lot of it was cut down." Peter Jackson's documentary series famously put the conflicts in the project into a larger context, and so it showed a lot more camaraderie amongst the band members than Lindsay-Hogg's original film. “LET IT BE” – AT LAST Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s Original 1970 Film About The Beatles, Meticulously Restored by Peter Jackson’s Team at Park Road Post Production to Launch Exclusively on Disney+ May 8, 2024 BURBANK, Calif. (April 16) – Today, Disney+ announced that “Let It Be,” director Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s original 1970 film about The Beatles, will launch exclusively on Disney+ May 8, 2024. This is the first time the film is available in over 50 years. First released in May 1970 amidst the swirl of The Beatles’ breakup, “Let It Be” now takes its rightful place in the band’s history. Once viewed through a darker lens, the film is now brought to light through its restoration and in the context of revelations brought forth in Peter Jackson’s multiple Emmy Award®-winning docuseries, “The Beatles: Get Back.” Released on Disney+ in 2021, the docuseries showcases the iconic foursome’s warmth and camaraderie, capturing a pivotal moment in music history. “Let It Be” contains footage not featured in the “Get Back” docuseries, bringing viewers into the studio and onto Apple Corps’ London rooftop in January 1969 as The Beatles, joined by Billy Preston, write and record their GRAMMY Award®-winning album Let It Be, with its Academy Award®-winning title song, and perform live for the final time as a group. With the release of “The Beatles: Get Back,” fan clamour for the original “Let It Be” film reached a fever pitch. With Lindsay-Hogg’s full support, Apple Corps asked Peter Jackson’s Park Road Post Production to dive into a meticulous restoration of the film from the original 16mm negative, which included lovingly remastering the sound using the same MAL de-mix technology that was applied to the “Get Back” docuseries. Michael Lindsay-Hogg says, “’Let It Be’ was ready to go in October/November 1969, but it didn’t come out until April 1970. One month before its release, The Beatles officially broke up. And so the people went to see ‘Let It Be’ with sadness in their hearts, thinking, ‘I’ll never see The Beatles together again. I will never have that joy again,’ and it very much darkened the perception of the film. But, in fact, how often do you get to see artists of this stature working together to make what they hear in their heads into songs. And then you get to the roof and you see their excitement, camaraderie and sheer joy in playing together again as a group and know, as we do now, that it was the final time, and we view it with full understanding of who they were and still are and a little poignancy. I was knocked out by what Peter was able to do with ‘Get Back,’using all the footage I’d shot 50 years previously.” “I’m absolutely thrilled that Michael’s movie, ‘Let It Be,’ has been restored and is finally being re-released after being unavailable for decades,” says Peter Jackson. "I was so lucky to have access to Michael’s outtakes for 'Get Back,’ and I’ve always thought that ‘Let It Be’ is needed to complete the ‘Get Back’ story. Over three parts, we showed Michael and The Beatles filming a groundbreaking new documentary, and ‘Let It Be’ is that documentary – the movie they released in 1970. I now think of it all as one epic story, finally completed after five decades. The two projects support and enhance each other: ‘Let It Be’ is the climax of ‘Get Back,’ while ‘Get Back’ provides a vital missing context for ‘Let It Be.’ Michael Lindsay-Hogg was unfailingly helpful and gracious while I made ‘Get Back,’ and it’s only right that his original movie has the last word...looking and sounding far better than it did in 1970.” “Let It Be,” directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, stars John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, with a special appearance by Billy Preston. The film was produced by Neil Aspinall with The Beatles acting as executive producers. The director of photography was Anthony B Richmond. “Let It Be” will debut exclusively on Disney+ May 8, 2024. Source: https://www.thebeatles.com/let-it-be-last

I partly agree. NC's are not inferior imitations but taste-wise I am not aware of ANY NC's that comes close (not even a bit) to a CC, so I kind of agree with the German court.

A number of us love ideas for creating our personal, dream Cigar Den at home. Check out this article below... A Vibrant Collector’s Paradise And Cigar Lounge In Orlando Apr 18, 2024 - By Garrett Rutledge Manuel Delgado, located in Orlando, Florida, used the space between his house and his garage to create a cigar lounge that serves as a love letter to his many passions. If you imagine a room filled with memorabilia and various collectibles, vivid colors and a contemporary aura likely aren’t the first defining characteristics to come to mind. Your imagination may be more inclined to conjure up visions of a cluttered space with a dated, rugged ambiance. But Manuel Delgado of Orlando, Florida has built a gorgeous cigar room that’s full of bright colors and trendy furnishings, yet it also doubles as a home to an assortment of collectible items and keepsakes. Delgado, a real estate professional originally from Venezuela, built his house back in 2013. Originally there was no cigar room, and last year, Delgado remedied the initial exclusion in a fairly unique way. When the house was constructed he opted to have a detached garage, leaving a roughly 200 square-foot void between it and the main residence. “I told my wife ‘hey this is a great space for a cigar room,’” says Delgado. “She allowed me.” He conceptualized a design for the room with the help of his son, who studies architecture. By September of last year, after six months of permit approval, framing walls and adding a roof, the Casablanca Lounge, as Delgado calls it, was complete. The decor of Delgado's room jumps out, but don't let it distract you from his fine, and deep, inventory of premium cigars. Delgado knew from the beginning he wanted to have a glass garage door as part of the room, offering a trendy look and flexibility depending on the weather conditions. Even so, the weather isn’t much of an issue. “If it’s super hot or super cold, it doesn’t matter,” says Delgado, and not just because of the nice Florida climate but because he has a mini-split heating and cooling system inside the room as well. There’s three entryways in total, including another glass door next to the garage door, as well as a door in the back right corner of the room that leads to Delgado’s actual garage. The front side of the room merges into Delgado’s charming back patio area. For ventilation, Delgado has a smoke extractor and a RabbitAir mounted to the wall. The room is lit via bright LED lights that Delgado opts for when he’s working or looking for a lighter ambiance. When it’s time to kick back, he turns on the warm, retro-style light fixture positioned on the center of the ceiling. The tile flooring is quite unique, and may cause you to double-take at first glance. “People think it’s just carpet and it’s not,” says Delgado. “It looks like an old vintage Moroccan or Spanish flooring.” The subdued tiling seamlessly merges into the muted, light gray-colored walls, which allow for the vivid decor and memorabilia hung throughout to pop and stand out. Delgado deserves some credit, not just for his assortment of collectibles, but for his design capabilities too, as he furnished the room without the help of an interior designer. The harmonious flow of the room with its many trinkets and colors is perhaps the most admirable part of the whole space, especially when you consider that Delgado furnished the entire room on his own, without the help of an interior designer. As you enter the Casablanca Lounge from the front side, where the garage door is located, you see a caramel, grain leather couch in the center of the room, accompanied by a matching-color, grain leather chair with wooden armrests. (Sometimes a second one of these is placed in the room as well.) In the corner between the couch and chair, is a towering, silver, three-level ashtray from Drew Estate that’s hard to miss. At the foot of the resting spots is a light brown, retro-style coffee table that Delgado is particularly fond of. It’s not just the look of the table that earns Delgado's appreciation, but the fact that it has a top level that can extend up and out, allowing him to comfortably sit while working on his laptop. As per any coffee table, a few rotating items take up the real estate atop the structure, notably including a table top cutter, Star Wars memorabilia and a few recent issues of Cigar Aficionado. Various trinkets atop the kitchen cabinets, alive with color, pull your attention in multiple directions. The sharp-eyed aficionado will notice some merchandise from a well-known Drew Estate brand. Over on the right-hand side, mounted to the wall, sits a flat screen television, which, if we had to guess, has played its fair share of the Star Wars franchise. The television hangs above custom-made, azure blue kitchen cabinets, topped with loads of memorabilia and various trinkets. You may spot more Drew Estate merchandise, among other things, on the cabinets (and elsewhere in the lounge) which are fitting for the bold, eccentric aesthetic cultivated in this space. Towards the back wall, a modern retro style dresser with subdued, steel blue drawers and two glass doors, sits below the small window. In this small area, it’s quite hard to focus your full attention on any one particular item. The vinyl record player atop the dresser draws some intrigue, and seems well-suited for this room as a classic item that has seen a resurgence in recent years. Delgado specifically pointed to records from Marvin Gaye and Al Green as some of his favorites to enjoy while smoking a cigar. The contents behind the glass doors of the dresser are quite appealing as well, which includes a stack of vinyl, whisky glasses, branded cigar ashtrays and even a little statue of Carlos Fuente Jr., among other things. This section of Delgado's room encapsulates the theme of this space, from the unique memorabilia to the vivid colors and the marriage between modern and retro styles. The urban, contemporary Star Wars art pieces in this area are unavoidable as well, from the Darth Vader helmet atop the dresser to the paintings on the wall, all done by the same artist, Oriana Gerez. For any true cigar smoker, however, there’s one item that is sure to immediately grab your attention, the classic cigar store Native American statue. Delgado originally found the statue via the help of the nearby Old Fashion Cigar Lounge in St. Cloud. But, when he received the statue, he found it to be mostly unpainted and quite dull-looking. Thankfully, he was soon put in touch with someone who specializes in painting such relics. “The guy came to the room, saw the colors, took it to his house and within a week I had it back with those colors,” says Delgado. If you haven’t caught the drift by now, Delgado is quite the collector—and not just with cigars and whisky. The Orlando resident has an obvious affinity for Star Wars and the science-fiction genre as a whole. The decor was a purposeful show of fandom from Delgado, who takes his passions seriously. He is not alone either, the love for the Star Wars franchise is one he shares with his son, which also includes an extensive Star Wars Lego collection. The father-son duo has an impressive collection of cars as well, but with unfettered loyalty to one popular maker, Porsche. If you step into the 800-square-foot garage from the cigar room, you may need a second to reorient yourself. The vibrant, colorful ambiance is at-once transformed into that of a hardcore racing garage, complete with a black-and-white, checked floor. Plus, you may be caught in awe over Delgado’s lineup of Porsches: 1956 Porsche Speedster, 1982 Porsche 911 SC, 2019 Porsche Cayman 718, 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S and 2022 Porsche Macan. “We’re all Porsches in the house,” says Delgado, with what almost feels like an understatement. Delgado's enthusiam is certainly bountiful, whether it be seen in his cigar collection or his remarkable lineup of beautiful Porsches. While it’s easy to get lost in all the memorabilia or the beautiful cars, Delgado’s cigar, humidor and spirits collection is equally impressive, if not more so. Over on the left side of the cigar room, a pair of gorgeous, refurbished cabinets, sourced from Asia and the Pacific Rim, serve as the resting place for Delgado’s vast cigars and spirits collection. In total, he estimates he has about 15 humidors on-hand to go with more than 700 cigars. The humidors range from small in stature, holding about 25 smokes, to large 300-cigar vessels. “I don’t keep them all the way full but they are really tight right now,” says Delgado. His selection of fine spirits is no slouch either. The well-versed connoisseur will notice quite a few familiar favorites, from various bottles of Weller to Macallan and Johnnie Walker. Delgado keeps a balanced inventory though, including mezcal, Tequila and various types of rum. For him, it’s more than just the spirit itself. Finding the perfect pairing for a given cigar is a process Delgado thoroughly enjoys. Nearly all of Delgado's passions converge on the left side of the room: cigars, spirits, the science-fiction genre (notice Groot from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise) and of course, Porsches. During this trial-and-error process, Delgado will pick his cigar, then grab a handful of bottles from a particular spirit category he is in the mood for or thinks is best for the smoke. From here, he likes to engage in a taste-testing process, trying each pairing out until he finds the perfect companion. “Sometimes it’s just experimenting. It’s getting out there and trying it, right?” says Delgado. “That’s how you learn, that’s how you open that flavor profile.” Occasionally, Delgado will opt for a classic cocktail, the Old Fashioned. “We always experiment with different types,” he says. “I’ve done your regular Old Fashioned with Bourbon, I’ve done it with rum and mezcal as well.” The latter combination, though not conventional, is made with a dash of agave to serve as the sweetener. Delgado's humidor collection has slowly grown over the years, but he may have to add more soon as space for more cigars is running thin. Narrowing down a favorite is never easy, but Delgado says some of his go-to cigar brands include La Flor de Las Antillas (or anything from My Father Cigars), Undercrown 10, Arturo Fuente, Padrón and Perdomo. Delgado also keeps Cubans on-hand, and generally has an open mind when it comes to cigars and brands. Overall, he has an extensive and diverse cigar inventory, including some real gems. But as many aficionados know, sometimes having a deep reserve of “special occasion” smokes can become overwhelming. “You know, every once in a while you get a special occasion where you just pop one out and smoke it,” says Delgado. “You never know when your time is up.” He likens the all-too-familiar dilemma to that of fine China collections found, yet seldomly used, in most households, or even to a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 20 that he won at a raffle years back. “I need to open it up on a special occasion, but sometimes you’re out and you’re like ‘man what if it’s today and I’m gone, I better open that thing up,’” says Delgado, with a laugh. “So the day is coming closer to that happening.” A cigar collection like Delgado’s isn’t built overnight. For him, it’s a process that’s been two decades in-the-making. “I started in 2003,” he says. “A buddy of mine said ‘hey, start with a small humidor, you might like it you might not, then you go from there.’” He was also inspired through his work. Delgado was in the banking industry working as an asset manager for a bank owner, of whom was quite fond of the finer, if not exotic things in life. “One day he gave me a Golf Digest and a Cigar Aficionado magazine,” says Delgado, who took a weekend to look them over before attempting to return the periodicals to the owner on Monday. “He was like ‘No, no, no. This is for you to learn, this is going to be part of your business, this is something that’s going to make you thrive. And that’s how I started with cigars.” From that point on, cigars would morph into a personal passion of Delgado’s. “I would buy a box here and there, then all of the sudden you have five humidors, six humidors,” he says. “You think you’re going to stop but you don’t.” Nowadays, he looks to cigars and the beautiful lounge he built for socialization, personal refuge and even professional purposes. “I just dress up and walk over, here I am, that’s my office,” says Delgado, who also uses the place to sometimes host clients. “You’re bringing him to your space, that way you can create that interaction with him.” Delgado (right) finds many uses for his lounge, with the common denominator always being an authentic appreciation for premium cigars. “I always have people over, it’s just a different vibe,” says Delgado, who’s admittedly in the room most days of the week, whether alone or with company. “Everyone who sees it loves it, it’s something different.” As remarkable as the space is, Delgado was keen not to sensationalize himself or the prospect of completing such a project. “Anyone can do it, and I think that’s the most important part.” Source: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/a-vibrant-collector-s-paradise-and-cigar-lounge-in-orlando

We let you spend some time in Cali and already you’re thinking vegan.

My favorite hotel/resort has always been The Eden Rock resort on St. Barts. But honorable mention goes to The Jumeirah Hotel in Mallorca. We stayed there a couple of years ago and the service was above and beyond 5 star service. Bar? That's a hard one. I guess the bar at the Versace Mansion was pretty memorable. The bar in Sketch in London is really cool. Going back, I would say maybe Limelight or CBGB. Daniel in NYC has always been my favorite restaurant.

If you live in Colorado, or plan to visit the Rocky Mountains, check out the Durango smoke Shop in Durango... DURANGO SMOKE SHOP - DURANGO, COLORADO April 19, 2024 - Bruce Busch Do yourself a favor when in Colorado and take the Million Dollar Highway south to the utopian village known as Durango. This stretch of road is like nothing you have ever seen. It winds through the mountain tops of the Rockies at 10,000 feet of altitude and gives you a breathtaking perspective on how beautiful this part of the world is to the eye. When you reach Durango, you will experience an incredibly well put together town that has as much beauty in its people as it does the surrounding nature. Right in the middle of Durango lies Durango Smoke Shop, which beyond being a great tobacco shop, is just an overall fun place to be. The centerpiece of Durango Smoke Shop is the owner Courtney Callahan. She will keep you in stitches as you find the smoke of your choice and relax outside on the patio and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings with great company from the regulars. Courtney has a cigar lounge that mimics her cool personality and spontaneous behavior. It is impossible not to have a good time here. After your day on the mountain doing whichever activity you prefer, come down the Million Bucks Highway and visit Durango Smoke Shop. Go in the humidor and grab a stick and let Courtney show you the eclectically designed shop. Find a hidden passageway, pet Charlie the house dog, and retire to the patio and hoot it up with the people. If you do or say something particularly epic, you will wind up in Courtney’s deck journal, immortalized for all time! Source: https://www.cigarjournal.com/durango-smoke-shop-durango-colorado/

Colors look a little off but that could be the camera and the lighting. LCDH band should be burgundy brownish red. Otherwise, I'm not seeing anything evil jumping out here.

VERTIGO OMNI TWIN CUTTER ON THE WAY TO STORES APRIL 19, 2024 - BROOKS WHITTINGTON NEWS, PCA 2024 The Lotus Group is now shipping an all-in-one cutter under its Vertigo brand. Called the Vertigo Omni Twin Cutter, the new accessory is designed with four different cutting options: the first blade is a double guillotine cutter that will cut cigars up to 64-ring gauge, while the second option is an “extra deep” v-cutter that is also able to cut 64-ring gauge cigars. Both of those stainless steel blades are attached to a spring-loaded tray that also locks into place inside of the metal housing of the cutter. The Omni also features two different-sized punch blades that fold out of the ends of the cutter: an 8mm punch is located on the top of the cutter’s body, while a smaller 6mm punch blade extends from the bottom of the cutter. According to Lotus, there are five different exterior color options, all with the same MSRP of $99.95: black, chrome, gunmetal, orange and red. In an email, Rosemary Sharp, president of the Lotus Group, told halfwheel that all five versions of the Omni began shipping to retailers yesterday. April 18. Source: https://halfwheel.com/vertigo-omni-twin-cutter-on-the-way-to-stores/438021/

New players always welcome.