| Scottish & Newcastle deal marks the end of an era
The deal also raised concerns from the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) over consumer choice and the future of S&N's products which include John Smith's, Newcastle Brown Ale and Foster's alongside the familiar Scottish brands.Mike Benner, the organisation's chief executive, warned: "The inevitable result of consolidation is brewery closures, brand losses and less choice for Britain's consumers."S&N began in 1749 when Younger noticed a niche in the market. With plans for the New Town fast progressing, the construction sites were filled with working men.A canny Younger thought it a prudent business plan to quench their thirst, and soon, the likes of his Edinburgh Pale Ale found widespread favour.After two centuries of consolidation in its heartlands and a successful expansion internationally, S&N's portfolio held big-name brands including Kronenbourg 1664, McEwan's and Strongbow cider.From that humble brewery in Leith emerged one of Scotland's most successful companies, proud to still be headquartered in its home city, exemplified by its successful rebuttal of a takeover attempt by Australian brewer Elders IXL in 1988, when S&N's feisty political savvy made much of its Caledonian roots.According to Mr Waterson, that trait ought to be seen by Carlsberg and Heineken as an asset to build on.He said: "We appreciate that business must move on, but maintaining the ethos of S&N is vital.
UPDATE: Heath Ledger's death might be drug related
The drugs could turn out not to be Heath Ledger's. From what I hear they're probably his. No one will know for 10 days until a more thorough autopsy is complete. But it gives eerie resonance to Jack Nicholson's cryptic remark last night of "I warned him." UPDATE: The NYPD is saying there was no visible residue on the rolled-up $20 bill, according to the AP. .
Coveting the many talented gifts of Tiger Woods
This has been apparent to golfers since the world's No. 1 player cut his famous Nike commercial 12 years ago. Although the ad played to his connection to galleries diverse in age, ethnicity and social and economic backgrounds, golfers of all stripes quickly discovered they can hardly associate their games with his. "If you ever get half as good as Tiger, you'd be a pretty good golfer," PGA Tour pro Geoff Ogilvy said last year when Woods won seven times, captured his 13th major, at the PGA Championship, and won the inaugural FedExCup playoffs. "We almost expect him to win all the tournaments that he's playing," frequent practice round partner, good friend and colleague Charles Howell III said last week. As Woods tees off at 2:02 p.m. ET Wednesday (2-6 p.m., Golf Channel) in the first round of the WGCAccenture Match Play Championship in Marana, Ariz., near Tucson, he's firing on all cylinders again.
New Boat Trips Planned At Tennessee Aquarium
An exciting new journey is about to launch at the Tennessee Aquarium. Visitors will soon have the opportunity to extend their Aquarium experience by venturing into the heart of Tennessees Grand Canyon. The River Gorge Explorer will transport as many as 70 passengers up to five times daily - into the Gorge to experience this unspoiled stretch of the Tennessee River.
Each 90 minute cruise will begin as passengers board the River Gorge Explorer at the Chattanooga Pier next to the Tennessee Aquarium. Four water jets will propel this catamaran-style watercraft smoothly and swiftly downstream. Angled seating will allow each guest to relax in the climate-controlled cabin and enjoy the scenic beauty and wildlife through oversized windows and overhead sky panes. An onboard concession kiosk will offer guests an opportunity to purchase refreshments.
Tommy Suharto countersues over Indonesian land scam
THE youngest son of Indonesia's ex-dictator Suharto has filed a counter-lawsuit against the national logistics agency Bulog, seeking about a billion dollars in damages, his lawyer said. Bulog in August filed a civil suit against Hutomo Mandala Putra – known as Tommy – alleging he was involved in a 1995 land exchange scam through Goro Batara Sakti (GBS), a company for which he was a commissioner. Bulog is seeking 550 billion rupiah ($A67.67 million) in material and immaterial damages. But Tommy Suharto's lawyer, Elza Syarief, told the South Jakarta district court that it should reject Bulog's claims. "All the accusations were filed in a criminal case in 2000 in which Tommy Suharto was cleared of all charges," she said.
Find the perfect pooch at Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows
Ask any dog lover. Picking the right dog for your lifestyle is as important as selecting a romantic partner. As with a person, the secret to any good relationship with a dog is to know who you are and understand their distinct personality. Are they the independent outdoorsy type or a cuddling homebody? One place to do some soul-searching is during the 100th and 101st Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows, happening Saturday and Sunday at Detroit's Cobo Arena. The canine extravaganza includes more than 2,000 dogs representing 169 breeds, competing for everything from Best of Breed to Best in Show. Last year, the Best in Show winners were a Weimaraner on Saturday and an Alaskan malamute on Sunday. .
Cashing in on pollution
They intend to build homes, apartments, stores and a world-class golf course atop four garbage dumps in the New Jersey Meadowlands. Like a value investor who buys out-of-favor stocks, Cherokee is a real estate investor company that sees opportunity in assets that others don't want. Based in Raleigh, N. C., Cherokee buys properties known as "brownfields" that have been polluted and abandoned, cleans them up and either sells or redevelops them. Cherokee launched its first private equity fund in 1996, raising money from institutional investors and high net worth individuals; the company takes about a 1.5% management fee and 20% of the profits. Since then, Cherokee has raised more than $2.1 billion and cleaned up more than 500 sites in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Lawmakers face tough vote on smoking ban
The legislation highlights the inconsistencies in the smoking debate. If it's important to protect the health of restaurant and bar employees, why shouldn't casino employees be afforded the same protection?Ultimately, it's difficult to predict what a smoking ban might look like after it snakes its way through the legislative process. Some House GOP members are set to offer amendments that would exempt bars and family farm corporations from smoking bans.Who can say no to family farmers? And if smokers can't go to a bar to puff, where can they go?It all raises some difficult questions for state lawmakers, who likely will have to take votes that will anger some people back home. The question is, which people. .
Dear Abby: Man plans to make proposal a family affair
DEAR ABBY: I have waited 36 years to marry. Most would say I was the quintessential bachelor. When I was younger, I never thought I'd date anyone with a child. I didn't want to deal with the "baggage" I thought came with dating a single mother. Needless to say, I have been dating a delightful woman who has a 4-year-old son with whom I get along great. We've dated for a year and a half, I love her, and it's time I propose. The three of us are a little team, and I'm wondering, when I ask her to marry me, should I involve her son and buy something for him - and if so, what? I was thinking of a custom-made charm for a chain (remember, he's only 4). I would like it to be something he can keep with him the rest of his life. Your advice would be greatly appreciated. - Bachelor in Dover, N.H.
Cockrel withdraws his choice of City Council attorney
Detroit City Council President Ken Cockrel Jr. announced today that he is withdrawing his choice of Robert W. Palmer to serve as the councils independent attorney to represent its efforts to oppose Mayor Kwame Kilpatricks appeal to stop the release of key documents in the text message scandal. .
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I'm talking about a groundbreaking year, with innovations just coming into their own, great actors hitting their stride, memorable rookies stepping onto center stage, maybe even some of the all-time legends making The Leap. In other words, I'm talking about 1984. Here are 84 reasons why 1984 can never be topped: .
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