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信息來源於四川新聞網 / Cited from .newssc.org/工農新農村一角。工農鎮瓷蓮廣場鳥瞰圖。　　工農鎮千佛村新農村建設成果。工農鎮總體規劃鳥瞰圖。　　　　按照工農鎮的規劃，新蒲崗迷你倉通過打造一鎮(瓷窯新鎮)、一泉(溫泉休閒度假區)、一堡(利州盧森堡)、一區（入口形象展示區）、兩園(濱水游樂園、生態運動公園)等六大旅遊策劃項目，與中部森林公園有機聯繫，工農將成為集山地游樂、休閒娛樂餐飲、濱水體驗為一體的都市邊緣大休閒空間格局，並與千佛崖一起，構成蜀北核心遊憩圈。　　廣元市利州區工農鎮，是嘉陵江畔一個正在崛起的小城鎮。境內千佛崖摩崖造像石窟融匯了我國古代南北石刻藝術的精華，素有“歷代石刻藝術陳列館”之稱，1961 年被國務院公佈為首批全國重點文物保護單位。這裡資源豐富，隨著地下溫泉資源的開發利用，將打造溫泉度假聖地。隨著金銀花和畝核桃基地建設，農民腰包日漸鼓起來。隨著農棚戶區的組團改造，一個現代化的新城鎮正在崛起。各方說法　　“有女莫嫁賀家坡，一年四季莫水喝；有兒莫生工農鎮，出門都是亂石坡。”　　??過去在利州區工農鎮流傳多年的順口溜　　“再過一段時間，工農鎮就將成為全市人氣最旺的鄉鎮。”　　??工農鎮黨委書記羅華章　　“這裡離主城區近，交通十分方便，空氣又新鮮，還可以吃到地方特色小吃核桃餅、酸菜面皮等。”　　??廣元市民李先生　　“今後的工農鎮將成為川北地區最大的溫泉露天浴場。”　　??項目規劃方案利州盧森堡降工農 瓷窯新鎮再現輝煌　　沿著川北二專線，從北方進入四川的遊客，抵達廣元市區的門戶就是工農鎮。千佛崖隧道這頭，眼前看到的是整潔平坦的道路、利用新能源發電的路燈、正在建設的女皇溫泉，以及繁華的棚戶區改造現場。　　這裡一個以瓷窯鋪命名的收費站提醒人們，這裡曾是唐宋時期最重要的官窯生產基地。它的影響力甚至可與毗鄰的千佛崖石窟齊名。“再過一段時間，工農鎮就將成為全市人氣最旺的鄉鎮。”工農鎮黨委書記羅華章自信地說。據他介紹，按照規劃，結合瓷窯鋪遺址以及川北民居建築風貌，打造後現代的瓷窯新鎮。將設置兒童歡樂園等，完善地域文化、品牌旅遊系列。　　據瞭解，2010年廣元市委、市政府將工農場鎮納入城區棚戶區改造項目之列。工農組團棚戶區改造項目規劃占地4960畝，計劃投資66.99億元。該項目結合當地的歷史文脈，規劃擬通過北區旅遊集散地、旅遊服務區的打造，結合北區“為千佛崖服務的旅遊配套區、旅遊集散地，以娛樂休閒度假為主，兼容居住辦公，發展旅遊地產的城市核心區”定位，通過重點打造一鎮(瓷窯新鎮)、一泉(溫泉休閒度假區)、一堡(利州盧森堡)、一區（入口形象展示區）、兩園(濱水游樂園、生態運動公園)等六大旅遊策劃項目，與中部森林公園有機聯繫，創造集山地游樂、休閒娛樂餐飲、濱水體驗為一體的都市邊緣大休閒空間格局，並與千佛崖一起，構成蜀北核心遊憩圈，將工農打造成5A級旅遊新鎮。“屆時，盧森古堡，盧森堡啤酒街、阿道夫大橋等mini storage域風情，在這裡均可以體驗。”夏避酷暑冬泡溫泉 庭院養生首選工農　　每到節假日，千佛村賀家坡賀繼紅的農家樂桃園人家總會坐滿遊客。“這裡離主城區近，交通十分方便，空氣又新鮮，還可以吃到地方特色小吃核桃餅、酸菜面皮等。”廣元市民李先生是這裡的常客。經過災後重建，工農鎮的民居環境得到大改善。　　“目前，我們正按照規劃，著力推進濱水游樂園、生態運動公園以及溫泉度假區建設。”羅華章說，溫泉休閒度假區以已探明的溫泉為依托，打造溫泉休閒區和溫泉酒店、溫泉會所、溫泉別墅等相關產業。　　“今後的工農鎮將成為川北地區最大的溫泉露天浴場。”查閱該項目規劃方案，記者看到，未來工農鎮規劃為南北兩區：南區定位為高品質的山地高尚居住區；北區定位為為千佛崖服務的旅遊配套區、遊客集散地，以休閒娛樂度假為主，兼容居住辦公，發展旅遊地產。“整個設計注重低碳生活、低碳發展，打造一個綠行者的生活聖地。”　　“看千佛文化，賞新春美景。”工農鎮依托千佛崖4A級石刻文化景區、現代農業園區及新農村建設成果，大力發展鄉土特色文化，不斷提升農家樂經營水平，庭院養生逐步由規劃變為現實。“春賞鮮花，夏避酷暑，秋嘗百果，冬泡溫泉。”工農鎮正努力將農家小院打造成千佛崖景區的“遊客接待中心”。產業發展立體化連片開發惠民生　　“有女莫嫁賀家坡，一年四季莫水喝；有兒莫生工農鎮，出門都是亂石坡。”這是一首在利州區工農鎮流傳多年的順口溜，人們今天唱起它，已經有了一種憶苦思甜的樂趣。　　5日中午，工農鎮亮婭村村民張森雲從地里回來後，走進廚房，點燃沼氣，一會兒，一桌可口的飯菜就端上了桌。“這要是在以前，只能用幹柴燒火做飯，農閑時大家就上山砍柴，煮飯時煙熏火燎，一個人還忙不過來。”　　“張森雲的廚房變遷，僅是全鎮居民生活改變的一個縮影。”工農鎮鎮長白剛介紹說，受自然條件影響，工農鎮的北部山區過去聚集著大量貧困村民。廣元市利州區�動了秦巴山區連片扶貧開發項目後，工農鎮堅持缺啥補啥和以獎代補的原則，結合本地實際情況，按照重點向貧困戶傾斜，對貧困戶以幫助為主，對一般戶以引導為主的原則確定補助標準。項目實施後，學地、楓香、三顆等扶貧村人居環境和產業發展都得到很大改觀，以優質核桃為核心產業，以蔬菜藥材為配套產業，以鄉村旅遊為延伸產業。核桃種植面積1.4萬畝，基本形成了萬畝核桃鄉鎮雛形。准化種植蔬菜1300畝、金銀花2700畝。　　“當前，我們重點要做好產業發展、改善民生和基層組織工作。”羅華章說，將堅持產業發展立體化，以工農現代核桃產業園區為載體，大力發展以核桃為主體，金銀花、石榴、李子、柿子等為補充的特色林果業。依托千佛崖AAAA級石刻文化景區、現代農業園區及新農村建設成果，以鄉土特色文化體育活動為載體，大力發展生態鄉村旅遊。“要讓全鎮百姓的錢袋子鼓起來，進而實現全面小康，當前我們除了對場鎮的規劃和發展外，對於其他區域的民生工程更是重中之重。”　　彭富 華西城市讀本記者 羅思章圖片由工農鎮提供self storage

那天早上，迷你倉出租由於我剛好坐在車門口第一排的位置，所以，當中途停車，把等候在路邊的一位女子接上巴士來的時候，我自然向窗邊挪過去，她就坐到我的旁邊來。先是匆匆頷首向我打個招呼，然後就直視前方，不再言語了。我卻不太習慣。好歹都是同車旅遊，禮貌上試著交談一下，應該比較自然些吧。想不到，我剛側過身去，還沒來得及開口，她就轉過頭來對我說：「我不是你們一團的，只是剛好有位波蘭詩人邀我來參加今天的活動而已。」面部沒什麼表情，講話的速度很快，說完就又把頭轉回去，一副拒人於千里之外的感覺。我幾乎是被噎住了。只好也轉過頭來面對右邊的車窗，笑臉一時還收不回去，心中卻有了怒意，莫名其妙，誰怕誰啊？你這西方人不想寒暄，我這東方人也不見得非要理你不可。是的，我們之間最初的分野，就在於此。從外表來分，只是西方與東方的差異而已。那是1999年的夏天，我應邀參加以色列的國際詩歌節，這天是會後旅遊，一車子的詩人從特拉維夫出發，直奔死海而去。越走景色越顯荒涼，都是寸草不生的山丘，後座有些人在高聲談笑，我與她依舊互不干擾，保持沉默。走著走著，窗外是不斷下降的路面，路旁灰白的岩石層層堆疊，隊伍裡有位導遊，忽然出聲提醒我們，說前面就快要經過那處發現了「死海經卷」的洞穴了。大家都安靜了下來，屏息等待，再順著他的手勢往車子右邊的山上望去，果真遙遙看到，在山坡高處的岩石之下，似乎是有處略顯低矮的洞口。珍貴的經卷就藏身於如此荒涼的山野之間嗎？我聽到鄰座的女子就在我身側輕聲吁嘆，想她也正和我一樣，還伸長著脖子往那已經逐漸遠去的山坡上方眺望著吧。其實，這時候的我已經不生她的氣了。這幾年，在旅途中遇到不少類型的怪人，有的人真的是不喜歡說話，像她這樣開門見山地先宣示了，也沒什麼不好。我靜靜地繼續觀看窗外景色。不過，這些色彩灰白乾澀的石頭山丘，實在不能稱之為「風景」。不禁在心中自問，這就是離散了千年又千年的猶太人念念不忘的故土嗎？「我母親生前最後一次的旅行就是到以色列來的。」有聲音從我左側傳來，用的是英語，是在對著我說話嗎？轉過頭來，果然，是我的鄰座，她淺褐色的雙眸正對著我。還繼續說下去：「我母親在那次旅行所拍的最後一張相片，就是在死海附近拍的。」我心已經變得非常柔軟，開始仔細地端詳起她來，是個三十多歲，裝扮樸素的女子，微胖的臉頰，一頭蓬鬆的棕色短髮，她還在繼續對我說話：「那張相片上的她是微笑著的，很愉快的樣子。所以，母親過世之後，我一直也想來看一看以色列，重走一次我母親走過的路。」見我對她微笑，她略顯羞澀。但是，我相信自己凝視著她的目光一定鼓勵了她，所以，就再繼續說下去：「其實，我自己也覺得很奇怪。我們家雖然是波蘭的猶太人，但是，我生在瑞士，長在瑞士，對父母談話中的波蘭雖然也不是不感興趣，卻從來沒有想回波蘭去看一看的念頭。我念的是化工，現在也在學校教書，我在瑞士過得很好。我覺得父母的前半生好像只是一頁應該早已經翻過去的歷史一樣……」說到這裡，她停頓了一下，好像要想一想再如何解釋。然後，低垂了雙目，她說：「在我父親逝世之後，日子好像還可以像從前一樣過下去。但是，等到母親也過世之後，我就沒辦法了。有個什麼東西一直在我心裡搗亂，逼得我非採取行動不可。所以，我終於去了一次波蘭，去好好看了一次我父母曾經生活過的地方，不一定是他們的家鄉，而是那整個地方的感覺。好像非要這樣走一趟，才能重新回到瑞士，重新生活下去，你明白我的意思嗎？你明白這種感覺嗎？」語氣如此急切，想是心中貯存已久的思緒都在此刻爭先恐後地要找人傾訴吧？所以不得不抓住眼前這個東方女子做為對象，可是，又怕她不能了解自己的苦楚。畢竟，東方與西方，相隔那樣遙遠，除了地理上的、文化上的，應該還有心理上很難跨越的距離吧？在當時，我們兩個儲存倉誰也沒體會到，關於「遠離鄉關」以及「追尋母土」這兩個主題，是生命裡最基本的主題，並無東方與西方之分。所以，我只是很自然地回答她：「我想，我應該是可以明白的。」然後，我就用很簡短的幾句話，向她說明了我自己的身世：與她相同之處，是我也是個生長在他方，遠離了族群的蒙古人，並且一直到中年之後，才見到了父母的故鄉。而與她不同之處，則是母親雖然早已過世，但在我還鄉之時，父親卻仍然健在，並且很高興有一個孩子終於可以與他分享關於蒙古高原的一切。今與昔，明與暗，所有的滄桑變幻，在整整九年的時光裡，我們父女之間幾乎是無話不談，可是……可是，我告訴她：「去年冬天，父親走了之後，我才忽然發現，有許多非常重要，甚至非常基本的問題，我都忘了問他。我怎麼這麼大意呢？如今的我，心中充滿了懊惱與悔恨，父親已經離開這個世界了，我竟然沒有問過他一次，這麼多年的遠離鄉關，他靠著什麼樣的力量和勇氣才能熬過來的？」就在這個時候，心中累積的疼痛使我不得不流下淚來，坐在我身側的她，用著更急切的語氣向我說：「是啊！是啊！我也是後悔得很，怎麼沒有想到去問一問我的母親，問一問她心裡的感受？原本朝夕相處的親人，隨時都可以提問，可以得到回答，卻被我輕易地錯過了。現在的我，只能帶著她最後一次旅程的最後一張相片來到以色列，來到死海，猜想著母親在這裡留下來的微笑，是不是她留給我的最後的一絲線索？」她的語音微顫，她的臉頰微紅，淺褐色透明的雙眸已貯滿淚水，凝視著我，而我只能輕輕點頭向她表示同意。兩個心中充滿悔恨的女兒，在這一刻裡只能互相對望，默默無語。後座的導遊忽然朗聲宣布，我們的右前方已經可以觀看到死海了！於是，舉著小擴音器，這位導遊盡責地向我們提供有關死海的種種資訊和數字，車裡的遊客們也此起彼落地提問。車停之後，與我在這幾天會期裡彼此談得來的兩位詩人過來邀我同行，紛亂中，我和這位女子只能互通姓名，再微笑著握了一下手就分開了。而在回程的車上，她的波蘭朋友又把她包圍起來，歡歡喜喜地又唱又笑，車抵終點，在人群中，我們也只能遙遙揮手，就算是道別了。本來也只是萍水相逢，這樣的道別也沒什麼不可，當時，我在心裡是這樣想的。沒料到在第二天上午，在旅館門口，各國的詩人們正互道珍重，提著行李準備動身之時，她竟然匆匆地趕來了。依然是一頭蓬鬆的棕色短髮，依然是微紅的臉頰，她，安妮，這位我剛剛才認識的朋友有些靦腆地對我說：「我一定要再見你一面，要向你好好道別，更要向你道謝。昨天晚上，我想了很久，一直覺得我們之間的相遇對我有很深的意義。我想，你從幾千哩之外飛過來，難道就是為了在昨天的旅途中和我說那幾句話嗎？可是，也分明就是那幾句話讓我看清楚了自己現在的處境，好像那困惑著自己多年的迷霧已經散開了，你說，這不就是我要找的答案嗎？」我也被騷動了，不禁向前去擁抱她，向她道謝，她在我耳旁說：「是的，我對自己說，今天早上一定要找到你，好好地擁抱你，感謝你與我的相遇。」那是1999年的夏天。在擁抱的當時，我們都認為這樣的友情會持續下去，所以還互相交換了地址。可是，在台灣的921大地震之後，她曾來過一信殷殷詢問，我當時沒馬上回答，隔了幾個月才寫信過去，卻始終沒有回音，我也就沒再試著寫第二封。現在，十幾年都過去了，她的地址始終都還在我收藏以色列之行的資料袋裡，當時怕自己以後或許會忘記，所以我在她手寫的地址下面，用中文加註了幾個字：「死海之濱的同車。」有時在翻尋其他資料時偶爾瞥見，也想著哪天說不定再給她寫封信試試看。不過，現在的我已經有點明白，互通音訊其實並不那麼重要了。我相信，這友情還在持續，只是並不是以平常的方式。我相信，在我們兩個人的記憶裡，誰也不曾把誰忘記，只因為我們曾經一起面對過自己的命運，在那輛車上，在死海之濱。迷你倉沙田

自問稱不上是個動漫迷（起碼未至於為追看漫畫而去學日文），迷你倉新蒲崗但來到漫畫國的首都，想避免接觸動漫元素都幾難，既然如此，倒不如灑脫一點，安然接受當地文化的洗禮。今次獲「漫粉」同事臨危受命，直擊剛於上月開幕的《週刊少年Jump》主題館J-World Tokyo， 及慶祝「多啦A夢」作者藤子．F．不二雄老師誕生80周年的展覽，竟有意想不到的感受。悟空因樣子所限，擺任何甫士都只得一個「Chok」字。J-World 殺出財路我明白，動漫本身只能賺取人氣，應運而生的周邊商品才是電玩商不可多得的收入來源，但「生財有道」如J-World Tokyo者，還真是首見！付出?1,300（約HK$103）入場費後，換來的就只有進入總面積超過6,000平方呎主題館，以及在館內隨意拍照的權利，至於大大小小的玩樂設施，是需要逐項收費的！館內除有《One Piece》、《龍珠》、《火影忍者》3大遊樂區，還有《銀魂》、《全職獵人》、《BLEACH》、《網球王子》的攤位遊戲區Heroes Arena、扭蛋、夾公仔專區Amusement Arena，以及精品店J-World Store，若閣下是《週刊少年Jump》的忠實擁躉，在場內逛上一圈，奉獻的總金額，相信會令入場費顯得微不足道。當然，有人認為以?800（約HK$64）換取跟悟空學習必殺技「龜波氣功」物有所值，亦有人寧願「有��手」，豪擲幾千日圓夾個J-World限定首辦模型回家炫耀。而我，還是覺得「有�落肚」最實際！跟大部分主題公園一樣，J-World Tokyo內的食物價格絕不公道而且味道一般，唯一稍勝的，是造型尚算有心思，還有三大主角輪流出場跟食客合照，相信已是館方給予粉絲的最大「恩賜」。J-World Tokyo地址︰東京都豐島區東池袋3丁目Sunshine City World Import Mart 3樓查詢︰（81）359 502 181營業時間︰10:00am~10:00pm門票︰成人?1,300（約HK$104）、小童?1,000（約HK$80）交通︰JR池袋站Sunshine City出口步行約10分鐘網址︰.namco.co.jp/j-world多啦A夢 照亮東京鐵塔相比J-World Tokyo，「生誕80周年記念藤子．F．不二雄展」明顯少了商業味，除一票全包外，更跟藤本弘（藤子．F．不二雄本名）老師的作品一樣，多了一份經年累月所得的人情迷你倉出租。展覽佔據了東京鐵塔Foot Tower的4樓及天台，大致可分成8個部分，首先是天台位置55隻1︰1的《多啦A夢》，雖然跟之前在港展出的是同一系列，但這批《多啦A夢》並未有多了個鞋印或少了塊皮，明顯較其他「同伴」幸運。4樓的室內展覽，可先觀賞日本首個室內4D Projection Mapping影院「SF Theatre」（每次入場只可觀賞一次！），然後就進入珍貴的原稿展區，除不為人知的短篇作品外，更可以一次過欣賞到《Q太郎》和《多啦A夢》的第一話！再繼續走，就是《少太陽》專區，原來那些年的藤本老師，也是畫同人誌出身的！《少太陽》正是未拆夥前的藤子不二雄組合自家製作的漫畫雜誌，由封面繪製，到內頁標號，全部人手執行，對兩位漫畫家同樣意義重大。忍手多時，終於來到全層唯一可拍照的區域，當中設有多個錯覺場景，雖然看似得啖笑，但照片效果卻叫人滿意！穿過比實物還要大的隨意門，就會來到精品區，在原稿區未能拍下的《多啦A夢》第一話，這�有明信片、File夾及記事簿任君選擇，還嫌不夠圓滿，等入黑再看看亮起藍燈的東京鐵塔，就明白何為有心的展覽！「生誕80周年記念 藤子．F．不二雄展」日期︰即日~10月6日時間︰10:00am~9:00pm地址︰東京都港區芝公園4-2-8東京鐵塔Foot Tower 4樓及天台查詢︰（81）505 541 8600門票︰成人?1,500（約HK$120）、小童?800（約HK$64）網址︰.fujiko-f80.com自由組合 配合行程東京是港人熱門的旅遊目的地，不少人都會採用自由行的方式遊覽。以經營自由行套票為主的專業旅運，套票產品選擇齊全，由航班、酒店到交通工具等全部可以自由組合配搭，讓旅客輕易地配合行程計劃，加上全港分店數目超過60間，報名方便。即使事務繁忙未能親身到分行，一樣可透過WhatsApp或旅行社網站的網上聊天室，跟旅遊顧問即時對話並查詢報價，方便程度就如有個貼身旅遊助理一樣！TRAVEL NOTES簽證︰持有效特區護照或BNO均毋須簽證套票︰專業旅運3天東京自由行套票，乘坐國泰航空，住宿淺草Smile Hotel，每位HK$2,990起，網址︰.travelexpert.com.hk，查詢︰8228 8832貨幣︰?100約兌HK$8天氣︰8月氣溫約24℃~31℃特派記者︰吳倩瑩 　鳴謝︰專業旅運、Shangri-la Hotel Tokyo儲存倉

信息來源於四川新聞網 / Cited from .newssc.org/高縣沙河鎮美景。（資料圖）　　　　“千年沙河驛，迷你倉出租豆腐美食城。”宜賓市高縣沙河鎮處於高縣、長寧縣、珙縣三縣交界之地，區位獨特，交通便捷，商貿繁榮，人文薈萃，是南絲綢之路上的古驛鎮，舊名“沙河驛”，古時為“兵家必爭之地、商賈必駐之城”，而今著力打造“歷史文化名鎮、特色產業強鎮、三化聯動新鎮”，建設宜居沙河，美食沙河，產業沙河，人文沙河，成為宜賓南部古 k道上一顆璀璨明珠。　　近年來，為大力弘揚驛站文化、豆腐文化，打造特色鄉村旅遊品牌，沙河鎮以新農村建設和發展鄉村旅遊為契機，著力建設川南規模最大、品牌最響、區位最佳、特色最優，集餐飲、休閒、娛樂、服務為一體的沙河豆腐一條街??天府大道和沙河豆腐文化創意園，彰顯出“千年沙河驛，豆腐美食城”的獨特內涵。加快沙河豆腐產業發展打造沙河豆腐文化創意園　　沙河豆腐源遠流長，以其香、脆、嫩、鮮、酥、麻、辣、燙等特色，自清代已遠近馳名，現已享譽全國。　　沙河豆腐有麻辣豆腐、芙蓉豆腐、紙包豆腐等200多個品種，有鐘氏豆腐、鳳凰酒樓、黃桷樹豆腐酒樓、張記麻辣豆腐等數十家傳統沙河豆腐烹飪名店，因而沙河鎮富有“豆腐之城”之美譽。2011年6月5日，在山東煙台中日韓國際食品博覽會上，高縣沙河的“胡二娃”牌紅豆腐榮獲金獎。　　2011年12月8日-10日，首屆高縣沙河豆腐美食文化節成功舉辦，沙河豆腐、沙河板鴨、名小吃、娛樂、日常用品等各行各業的商家齊聚沙河驛，為八方來客呈上了一道美食文化盛宴。活動期間有5萬余人參加，盛況空前，國家、省、市等媒體宣傳報道70余條，進一步打響了沙河豆腐品牌，加快了沙河豆腐產業的發展，大力促進了沙河鎮鄉村旅遊經濟又好又快發展。　　據悉，該鎮將打造高縣沙河豆腐文化創意園儲存倉建成後將成為川南規模大、品牌響、特色優，集餐飲、休閒、娛樂、服務為一體的豆腐文化主題園區。沙河豆腐文化創意園屬該縣計劃“十二五”期間構築具有高縣特色的現代文化產業體系的重要組成部分，是建設酒、早茶、豆腐美食三個主題文化產業園之一，將集中彰顯“千年沙河驛，豆腐美食城”獨特魅力，弘揚具有高縣特色的驛站文化、豆腐文化，打造特色鄉村旅遊品牌，成為宜賓市旅遊大環線的一個重要節點。該項目位於沙河鎮鳳新村，占地面積50畝，計劃投資2億元，將建一個驛站和豆腐文化博物館、星級特色酒店、垂釣基地、多功能健身中心、酒吧、咖啡屋、露天舞場、KTV等休閒區域，建成高縣乃至宜賓市旅遊文化產品和地方特色農產品展銷購物中心。全力推進新型城鎮化建設打造川南美食文化旅遊名鎮　　在沙河鎮，除了色香味俱全的沙河豆腐之外，沙河板鴨、沙河紅豆腐、沙河生態烏雞、特小鳳西瓜等特色農副產品也深受廣大消費者青睞，不僅暢銷全國，而且走向了世界。沙河板鴨以其色好、肉香、味美，遠銷到新加坡、俄羅斯等地。而沙河“特小鳳”西瓜，2003年從外地成功引進的“特小鳳”西瓜進行種植獲得成功，在省、市優質西瓜評比中均獲金獎。這種西瓜以皮薄、味美、色鮮、大小適宜等特點而深受廣大消費者青睞，產品供不應求。目前，全鎮規模種植約1000畝，產值 約800萬元。　　“十二五”期間，沙河鎮將全力推進新型城鎮化建設，圍繞“特色立鎮，靚城興鎮，商貿活鎮，產業強鎮”發展戰略，構築精品小城鎮，打造川南美食文化旅遊名鎮，實現向綜合實力強鎮的跨越。充滿機遇和活力的沙河將以更加優良的投資環境、更加開明的政府形象、更加完善的配套設施和更加優質的服務水平，誠摯歡迎全國各地旅遊者、投資者和創業者前來沙河旅遊觀光、休閒度假、安居置業、投資創業、大展鴻圖。　　華西城市讀本記者 田富友 伍雪梅迷你倉沙田

Fall in W Asia, Africa route offset by traditional summer peak in EuropeSINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) eked out a 0.迷你倉庫3 percentage point growth in its July passenger load factor (PLF) to 80.8 per cent, as passenger demand for commercial flights continued on its upward trajectory.During the month, passenger carriage (measured in revenue passenger kilometres) grew 4.4 per cent, outpacing the growth in capacity (measured in available seat kilometres) at 3.9 per cent.At the same time, the number of passengers carried increased by 3.7 per cent to 1.61 million."The higher passenger load factor was due to the traditional summer peak. On the other hand, West Asia and Africa route region registered a decline due to the shift in the Ramadan period," SIA said yesterday.The fasting season pushed PLF in the West Asia and Africa route region 5.7 percentage points lower to 68.3 per cent. Even so, summer travel boosted the PLF in the European region by 3.1 percentage points to 85.9 per cent.The year has not been an easy one for the airline or the industry, which have struggled to shake off the effects of the 2008 global financial crisis. Since t儲存e start of the year, SIA has sought to cut down on crew overcapacity by letting go of expatriate pilots and waiving the bonds of its cadet pilots. In its latest earnings announcement for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, Singapore Airlines' breakeven PLF of 82 per cent outstripped its actual PLF of 78 per cent."The operating environment remains challenging, and efforts to stimulate demand to boost loads are expected to place continued downward pressure on yields," SIA said yesterday.In July, SilkAir's systemwide passenger carriage grew 6.1 per cent against a 13.4 per cent growth in capacity, driving its PLF 4.9 percentage points lower at 70.1 per cent.Cargo traffic (measured in freight-tonne-kilometres) continued to be dogged by soft demand for global airfreight, shedding 9.1 per cent and outpacing the 6.7 per cent shrinkage in capacity. Accordingly, the cargo load factor fell 1.5 percentage points to 61.5 per cent.Last month, SIA's cargo arm said that it had put four of its planes up for sale, following a $40 million operating loss in the quarter ended June 30, 2013.Shares in SIA closed at $9.94 yesterday, down eight cents.新蒲崗迷你倉

Source: Pittsburgh Post-GazetteAug.迷你倉價錢 15--Jill Ciciarelli is not saying that cave people canned.But the Pittsburgher's new book, "Fermented," does give recipes for canning and otherwise preserving foods our paleolithic forebears ate.The $29.95 softcover, published last week by Victory Belt, is subtitled "A Four-Season Approach to Paleo Probiotic Foods."Paleo meaning plants and meat, but not domesticated dairy or grains.Probiotic meaning with beneficial live bacteria, which fermented foods have.Both paleo and probiotics/fermentation are trendy topics in food, and Ms. Ciciarelli hopes her book and recipes will appeal to those who are into or curious about either.This is not your grandma's standard Ball canning manual, as you can tell by the look of the cover. Ms. Ciciarelli's sensibilities, like her lifestyle, are modern and urban."I don't have a root cellar," says the Beaver County native, who's lived in a Downtown condo for almost a decade now.She doesn't have a lot of space, period, so she tends to make and preserve things in small batches, not by the bushel."I don't know where to get a barrel," she says with a laugh. "I don't have any place to put a barrel."Now a holistic health coach, she got into paleo through CrossFit around 2010. That's where she became friends with Haley Mason, who became co-author with her fiance Bill Staley of a popular blog, primalpalate.com, that has turned into books on paleo cooking and eating and entertaining. In fact, that couple connected her to their Las Vegas publisher last summer, and Mr. Staley took the photographs in the book.As Ms. Ciciarelli explains in the introduction, on her own quest to eat and feel better, she tried various diets, such as giving up meat, but she got the most out of paleo and other "ancestral" diets, such as the one promoted by the Weston A. Price Foundation.That one calls for fermented foods, and also allows some dairy, and Ms. Ciciarelli occasionally will eat a little cheese. She encourages her clients as well as readers of her book to do what works for them. As she writes, "Strict observance for the sake of rule following is not recommended."She is careful, on her own blog (FirstComesHealth.com) and in the book, to stress that people take care, both making and eating fermented foods.The good bacteria can improve and maintain gut health, amplify nutrients in foods and make them taste great, she says."I think [fermentation] helps people be more adventurous with food," she says. "Therefore they eat more vegetables."But you have to make sure you don't make bad bacteria. And eating too much of even the good bacteria can cause problems, such as small-intestine bacterial overgrowth."It's about balance," she says. Most of the foods in her book "are meant to be condiments. They're meant to be side dishes."One of her favorite fermented foods is kombucha, a sweet tea made fizzy by a SCOBY, a blob that is a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. (In fact, the book started out to be an e-book on kombucha.)Her book shows you how to do that, as well as make perhaps more familiar foods such as sauerkraut and another of her favorites, fermented lemons and other citrus fruit.She also provides recipes for迷你倉庫fermented dairy and meat. She even gives one for hard cider, which is popular among paleo practitioners who don't drink beer (because it's made with barley).This summer, Ms. Ciciarelli says she'd like to try some regular canning, too. Making fermented foods is just an extension of that, and while some aspects of it might seem new-wave, people have been doing it for thousands of years."My big thing is for people to not be afraid of fermented foods."For more information, visit at FirstComesHealth.com and FermentedTheBook.com.FERMENTED CITRUS FRUITThis recipe works not only with lemons, but also with limes, grapefruits, oranges and kumquats, writes Jill Ciciarrelli, who uses the lemons in a simple carrot salad recipe (in the book) that was inspired by Downtown's Bluebird Kitchen.*2 pounds fresh lemons, thoroughly washed*Unrefined sea salt*Filtered waterCut off the stem ends of the lemons. Pierce each lemon about 1/2-inch deep in 3 or 4 places. The easiest way to do this is to cut them as though you want to quarter them, but do not cut all the way through. The fruit will still be intact, but have several deep cuts, thus maximizing the surface area for fermentation.Sprinkle a few pinches of salt into the cuts and put the lemons in a quart-size jar.With the handle of a wooden spoon, a muddler or any other blunt object, pound the lemons tightly into the jar. Doing so will create a brine with the lemon juice and salt. All the lemons will fit into the jar -- I promise -- so keep muddling until they do. The lemons and salt should have created enough brine to completely submerge the meat of the lemons, but if not, simply add enough filtered water to cover them. If necessary, weigh down the lemons with a shot glass or pinch bowl.Cover loosely and allow to ferment at room temperature for a week to 10 days.When lemons are fermented to your liking, cover tightly and store in the refrigerator.-- "Fermented" by Jill Ciciarelli (Victory Belt, Aug. 2013, $29.95)BLUEBIRD CARROT SALAD WITH FERMENTED LEMONS*1 pound carrots, cleaned thoroughly and cut into bite-size rounds*4 fermented lemons, finely chopped (rind included), seeds discarded*1 handful flat-leave parsley, roughly chopped*3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil*Salt to tasteInsert steamer basket into a large stockpot and fill pot with approximately 1 inch of water. The water level should not come above the bottom of the steamer basket. Bring the water to a boil and add the carrots.Cover and let the carrots steam for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they are slightly softened but still moderately crisp. Test with a fork to make sure they don't get mushy.Remove the carrots from the steamer and put them in a large bowl filled with icy cold water to stop them from cooking. Remove the carrots from the ice bath and drain thoroughlyCombine the carrots, lemons, parsley and oil in a large bowl. Toss thoroughly and add salt to taste.-- "Fermented" by Jill Ciciarelli (Victory Belt, Aug. 2013, $29.95)Bob Batz Jr.: bbatz@post-gazette.com and 412-263-1930 and on Twitter @bobbatzjr.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at .post-gazette.com Distributed by MCT Information Services儲存

遊客飽覽下龍灣美景後，存倉滿載而歸。本報記者 杜蔚濤 本報通訊員 韋萬春 陳健超 文/圖 北海至越南下龍灣旅遊航線恢複開通運行後，7月30日，記者登上“北部灣之星”號，感受久違的海上之旅。北海是古代“海上絲綢之路”的重要始發港，處於泛北部灣經濟合作區域結合部的中心位置。下龍灣則是越南北方廣寧省的一個海灣，因風光秀麗迷人，景色酷似中國桂林山水而被稱為“海上桂林”，是世界八大自然遺產之一。北海至下龍灣航線開通于1997年，但由於種種原因，2010年起暫停航行。2012年下半年，由北海市政府推動，投入資金280多萬元，完善口岸聯檢樓設施設備，重新打造這條海上黃金旅遊航線。廣西北部灣國際港務集團斥巨資購置“北部灣之星”號，改裝後於今年6月28日投入北海至下龍灣的運營。7月30日下午3時，記者一行來到北海港碼頭，憑身份證、護照相片，辦妥出入境通行證，下午7時30分，來到北海港客運聯檢樓，接受完邊防檢查、衛生檢疫後，登上了停靠在碼頭的“北部灣之星”自存倉郵輪。不一會兒，郵輪起航駛向下龍灣。據廣西北部灣郵輪碼頭有限公司運營部經理羅鋒介紹，“北部灣之星”號郵輪擁有各式客房69間，可供近400人入住。郵輪上還設有餐廳、咖啡廳、燒烤吧等完善的餐飲、娛樂設施，是一座海上“移動酒店”。目前，該航線每4天開通一趟往返航班。在茫茫大海上行駛了10多個小時後，郵輪于第二天上午9時抵達下龍灣景區，遊客開始轉乘越南木船遊覽下龍灣，一邊品嘗海鮮午餐，一邊領略奇妙的海上風光：溶洞、狼狗石、鬥雞石……大自然的鬼斧神工令遊客嘆為觀止。據瞭解，針對郵輪載客量大、人員密度高、聚集時間長、內部環境狹窄、飲食相對集中等特點，“北部灣之星”在北海檢驗檢疫局的支持幫助下配備了船醫，以便及時掌握旅客和船員的身體情況，防止疫情疫病傳播，確保遊客安全；同時對每批食品和飲用水都有供應記錄，確認其來源安全，且船上備水都要提供全水分析報告，每次經檢測合格後方可使用；對旅客所用餐具的清洗消毒、客房衛生條件等，也都嚴格按照相關的衛生制度執行。迷你倉新蒲崗

By Zheng Yangpeng ( China Daily) Workers fasten cables on the Jiaxing-Shaoxing bridge in Zhejiang province.迷你倉新蒲崗 Some local governments still see big-ticket infrastructure projects such as rail lines and urban renewal programs as a way to shore up economic growth. Shen Da / For China Daily For the central government, it is time for cautious mini-stimulus. But in reality, some local governments may be making mini-stimulus into, once again, a campaign for building huge public projects on huge investment and huge borrowing.Experts said they worry that some of these projects aren't commercially viable. They urged an overhaul of China's local financing system.Just this past Sunday, Chongqing municipality approved the construction of a 51-kilometer urban rail line. The line is scheduled for completion by 2018, with total investment of 31.4 billion yuan ($5.13 billion).Another local rail line costing 4.1 billion yuan also passed preliminary evaluations.A few days earlier, Northwest China's Gansu province approved a feasibility study for the first subway line in the capital city, Lanzhou. The project would cost 18.9 billion yuan.Citing Zhu Maokun, former chief engineer of the Ministry of Railways, which is now named China Railway Corp, the 21st Century Business Herald reported that 36 cities have approved the construction of urban rail projects.By 2020, there will be nearly 6,000 km of urban rail systems in China, and total investment could hit 4 trillion yuan.While domestic media were quick to characterize the urban rail construction boom as a localized version of a "stimulus program", experts said projects should be weighed on a case-by-case basis."These cities, such as Chongqing, Lanzhou and Kunming are large by Western standards. The concentration of population makes it viable to build an urban rail transit," said Shi Hongxiu, a public finance professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance.He said as China's urbanization proceeds, urban rail projects, as well as flood control and sewage systems, will be in great demand. Grouping all of these under the umbrella of "stimulus" spending might be misleading, he said.Lu Ming, an economics professor with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said that as exports and consumption are hard to expand in the short term, scaling up infrastructure investment was indeed the most effective way to spur growth.Lu and other experts said the key cause for concern was whether these cities' already-high liabilities would be increased - whether these new projects could recover thei迷你倉出租 costs.To address the financing problem, Shi said it is essential to develop China's capital markets and allow city governments to issue project-backed bonds directly. At present, local governments are banned from issuing bonds directly.As a way around this restriction, many local governments in recent years turned to financing vehicles.But the central government has moved to rein in these operations since 2010, pushing some local governments to turn to high-cost shadow-banking debt.That has exacerbated doubts about their repayment abilities. Lu noted that urban rail systems rarely achieve an operating profit, and local governments should consider allowing operators to participate in their development projects.Local governments also plan to invest in inter-city railways and highways, airports and urban renewal projects.Since mid-year, the State Council, China's cabinet, has ceded more administrative approval power to provincial governments. This was seen as a major move to facilitate the project launch process.Chongqing's urban rail system is the first infrastructure project to be approved by the municipal government.Shi said he is worried about giving more approval power to local governments, not because the central government is wiser, but because giving provinces this power could make it easier for local administrators to interfere with the market.Local governments "tend to be insensitive to the risks and price signals of the market".Rather than delegating approval power to local governments, it would be better to just remove such power, Shi said."We cannot say all of the projects are unnecessary. But we also have to ask, how many of these projects have undergone rational examination?" Lu said. "Is there a more economical way to carry out these projects? For example, light rail and tram systems can also reduce congestion, but they are much cheaper than subways." Apart from direct investment, some local governments have reportedly secured funding support that is essentially coming from the central government.For example, Shanghai will receive a 250 billion yuan loan from Agricultural Bank of China Ltd to help fund the city's planned Disneyland park and free-trade zone, according to a South China Morning post report.Lu said although he could not comment on the specific project, the measure could be necessary. "Shanghai, with its free-trade zone plan, is projected to be a growth hub for the next decade. Financial resources should go to where the growth is," he said.zhengyangpeng@chinadaily.com.cn儲存倉

Source: Jordan Times, AmmanAug.迷你倉 15--AMMAN -- One photo was missing from Ala Hamdan's collection of hundreds-of-photos she took of Jordan's attractions, until last night."I always wanted to take a night overview shot of the Roman Theatre in downtown Amman from the Citadel," the amateur photographer said.Hamdan had not been able to take her "dream photo" because the Citadel in Jabal Qalaa neighbourhood usually closes at 5pm.But everything changed with "Amman's Candle".Hamdan was one of many professional and amateur photographers who were able to take photos of the Roman Theatre as it was lit by candles on Wednesday night.The "Amman's Candle" event was inspired by a similar activity held in Petra three days a week, said Mutaz Abo Alrub, who is behind the initiative."I liked the idea that Petra is lit by candles, so I wanted to hold the same event in Amman. I chose the Roman Theatre because it is one of the capita文件倉's main attractions," he told The Jordan Times on Wednesday.Abo Alrub said he got more than 200 tickets so that photographers could go to the Citadel and take photos of the Roman Theatre.He noted that all lights at the theatre were switched off and the site was only lit by candles.The event, held in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Department of Antiquities, started at 8:15pm and wrapped up at 9:30pm."The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Department of Antiquities were really helpful. It only took me two days to organise the event," Abo Alrub said.In addition to celebrating one of Amman's main attractions, the event was also aimed at thanking all Jordanians who contributed to the capital's growth, he added.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Jordan Times (Amman, Jordan) Visit the Jordan Times (Amman, Jordan) at .jordantimes.com Distributed by MCT Information Services存倉

Source: Tulsa World, Okla.迷你倉庫Aug. 15--Cuts to the city's Legal Department budget have left it with $15,953 this fiscal year to cover the costs of depositions, expert witnesses, independent medical exams, transcripts, court fees and other litigation expenses, city records indicate.Last year, the department's budget for litigation expenses was $252,396 -- including $125,000 in one-time funding, city officials said.Meanwhile, the department's travel and training budget sits at $1,536, potentially leaving the city scrambling to pay for the travel expenses of expert witnesses and others needed to testify in any of the city's more than 200 pending cases.City Attorney David O'Meilia declined to comment Tuesday when asked whether the lack of litigation expenses is hindering his department's ability to try cases.More than two-thirds of the department's $3.3 million budget goes to salaries.The Legal Department was one of several departments that took 3 percent cuts in fiscal 2014. It also lost $27,000 it had requested for travel and training and $100,000 for outside legal council under a $3.2 million budget amendment.The bulk of the amendment -- $1.9 million for police staffing increases -- came from a proposal by Councilors G.T. Bynum and Karen Gilbert to add a second police academy this fiscal year and hire 16 civilians to move sworn officers from desk work to the field.The council also chose to give the City Attorney's Office only half of the $250,000 it had hoped to recoup from the city's trash board for services the department provided to the board in 2010.Mayor Dewey Bartlett said that unfortunately the council's budget amendment had the effect he'd warned against.The budget amendment "ends up hurting because money was taken away from departments -- the Legal Department, for example -- that need it to do their jobs," Bartlett said.He said he plans to sit down with the council to address the issue as soon as possible."Because we must obviously defend the city, and the Legal Department must have the tools to do a good job," Bartlett said.Bartlett said he has worked to fully staff the department and changed city policy to ensure that lawsuits are more aggressively defended, leading to fewer judgments against the city.The city is defending itself in at least 12 civil suits filed by people who claim that they were victimized by police corruption, which was the subject of a grand jury probe into the Tulsa Police Department.The investigation resulted in charges against s儲存x current or former Tulsa police officers and an ex-federal agent, as well as accusations of criminal behavior against five officers who were never charged.Attorney Clark Brewster is donating his law firm's services to defend the city in civil cases related to the corruption investigation. Brewster's litigation expenses are covered under a contract with the city and are not paid out of the Legal Department's litigation expense fund.The city recently agreed to settle a police corruption-related lawsuit for $50,000.Demario T. Harris' life sentence was vacated as a result of the police scandal.Harris, 33, filed his lawsuit on Aug. 4, 2011. He had been convicted in Tulsa federal court in April 2005 of possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm.He was sentenced in November 2005 to life in prison but was ordered freed in October 2010. The order vacating his sentence notes that the prosecution conceded that Harris' "conviction was obtained in violation of the defendant's due process rights."City of Tulsa Litigation Division Manager Gerald Bender said at the time that the choice to settle the case was a "business decision" that was made by evaluating the lawsuit and what it would cost to defend it.Council Chairman David Patrick said he warned councilors during their discussions of the trash board payment that the Legal Department needed the full $250,000 and would likely be returning for more money if it did not receive that amount."If they bring a budget amendment down, I will sure do my best to put it forward," he said. "I don't want to lose a case because we don't have a few bucks to put in the pot.Bynum said the council faces a conundrum each year when evaluating department budget presentations."There is no way to pay for all of the worst-case scenarios in the beginning of the year, but as we go through the year, we should be in a position" to address those, he said.Bynum added that the council will always work to provide the resources needed to defend the city of Tulsa in any litigation."So if the Legal Department has particular needs that aren't projected -- but actual (current) needs -- then I would hope they would bring them to the council and mayor so we can find a way to address them," Bynum said.Kevin Canfield 918-581-8313kevin.canfield@tulsaworld.comCopyright: ___ (c)2013 Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) Visit Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) at .tulsaworld.com Distributed by MCT Information Services新蒲崗迷你倉

美國freelance作者Bob Harris，迷你倉新蒲崗接了一個六合彩頭獎夢幻筍job：替商業雜誌實地考察全世界最豪華酒店，試住試食（當然還要寫評論）。幾個月的免費旅遊加奢華享受，還有錢賺，夫復何求？他在旅程中卻發現，各地的奢華和赤貧，往往只是一街之隔，越是大吃大喝就越感內疚，結果想到贖罪方法：把那個job的二萬多美元酬金（等於他半年收入），全數捐出做善事。他希望這筆錢用得其所：能幫助發展中國家貧困人士，不只是短期救濟，而是長期改善生活，由本地人主導找適合當地情況的出路，最好還能讓他知道錢的確切用途。結果，他找到了網上微型貸款平台Kiva（.kiva.org）。網上微貸助窮人改善生活孟加拉經濟學者尤努斯（Muhammad Yunus）創立「鄉村銀行」（Grameen Bank），為數以百萬計貧民提供小額創業貸款，更得了諾貝爾和平獎。Kiva則把微型貸款發揚光大，夥拍各地志願機構，收集及甄選需要借款人士，替他們上載「計劃書」（例如是買兩隻乳牛來賣牛奶，買種子肥料種田，開小雜貨攤檔，或擴充家具工場）；有心人便可選擇合心意的「計劃書」提供貸款，最低消費25美元（約200港元）。和傳統捐款最大不同之處在於，貸款會分期償還，「善長」可以收回，或再借往其他人士，善款便可生生不息（Kiva微貸壞賬率只有1%）。套用Bob的講法：就像管理自己的慈善基金一樣；我認為更似個人創投基金。借出他的幾百宗貸款後，Bob希望近距離觀察微貸的作用，於是去迷你倉出租肯雅、盧旺達、波斯尼亞、柬埔寨、印度等多國，探訪接受自己貸款的人士（過程中並沒披露身份），及當地志願機構工作人員。他既是旅遊作者，理所當然把經過寫成《International Bank of Bob》一書。親眼目睹借款人的積極生活態度，憑微貸做生意改善生活、供小孩上學，以及志願機構工作者的無私奉獻，令他深受感動。但他也不會盲目唱好，報喜不報憂：書中也講述一些微貸業害群之馬，胡亂放貸和脅迫追債，令債仔走上絕路的悲劇。貧窮和微貸本是沉重的題材，但Bob除了分享感人觀察外，筆觸亦不失幽默。他特別奉勸讀者，千祈不要心思思效法他去參觀這些地方，因為交通飲食住宿溝通都非常困難（Bob也曾在旅途上患登革熱險些送命），當地志願機構人士也忙�做實事，難以分身招呼遊客；讀這本書，就當精神上走了一趟好了。讀到這�，你或者有此疑問：微貸能幫助香港那過百萬窮人嗎？我不是專家，但對此頗悲觀：假如你上Kiva網站，會發現微貸能做的生意，大多是農業和零售。香港僅餘的鄉郊土地紛紛「被規劃」作發展，哪�還有農業？零售則面對天價租金，小販亦早已被政府取締，難道去租政府辦那些「XX墟」拍烏蠅嗎？不過，世界其他角落倒是仍有千百萬人可以受惠，而且只要花200元，和十分鐘時間上Kiva網站，就可以改變世界，你無理由不加入吧？（申報：我也是Kiva用戶，至今借出共58宗貸款，詳情可看我的Kiva個人專頁.kiva.org/lender/yiujanwayne）姚崢嶸儲存倉

Source: Kuwait TimesAug.迷你倉出租 15--A machine or an apparatus for testing a horse's tendons and ligaments was discovered by a Kuwaiti air-force pilot. The apparatus discovered in 2009 by Lt Col Ahmad A Abul includes a base plate and a rotatable plate with a guide member for receiving and positioning the horse's hooves. The invention is an apparatus for testing the soundness of a horse's tendons and ligaments by flexing its lower leg. This method is said to be proved viable and can be mass-produced to help horsemen around the world.During the olden days, horses were mainly used for public transportation. They were the buses, trains, helicopters and airplanes during that time. In this modern era however, horses are used in various competitive sports like endurance-riding, show-jumping, tent-pegging, vaulting, polo, horse-racing and rodeo. Horses need to be in a nurturing environment to perform well. They should be fed nutritiously and not just given some grass. They should also be kept in clean stables with enough space for them to move around freely. When they are treated well, horses can perform many jobs really well.According to Lt Col Ahmad Abul, the inventor, most of the horse's problem was undetected tendons and ligament cramps which usually leads to more serious troubles. "Horses do not necessarily complain unless they are physically ill or badly injured. So, early detection of the ligaments and tendons problem can lead to better results, especially when they are about to race," he said.With his experience, he was able to invent the much-needed machine to detect horse's medical problems. The machine can analyze pressure in the body by measuring the reaction time. This method was disclosed in Pratt's US patent. The system can be used to measure physiological force associated with motion such as the gait of humans or animals. The machine enables relatively unskilled individuals to test the soundness of his horse without the assistance of a vet. The tester is portable and convenient. The machine can quickly determine whether the tendons and ligaments are sound enough to compete, walk or run. The machine can detect if the horse suffered any previous injuries in the lower leg, a part badly needed by a horse.The machine is durable and relatively expensive but adaptable to different horses. Abul said he created his invention in 2003 but he finally got patent approval only in 2010. "So had to wait almost a decade before I was able to get the patent. Horses are very close to my heart. I always wanted to be a horseman whe儲存倉 I was a kid. It is a dream come true. Now, I want to do something and help this animal. I have been reading up on horses and when I found no inventions like this, I thought of creating one," said Abul pointing to his invention.Abul started his experiment in the US. He started the experiment with wood, but then started using metal. "But it was too heavy so now, so now we have evolved to stainless steel," he added. The invention is not available in the market but will be displayed very soon. "I got the certificate from the US Patent and Trademark Office in 2010. It is indeed a very significant discovery and invention of our time, and I am proud that my country has been honored because of this invention. I am ecstatic and greatly humbled," he said.A Kuwaiti air-force instructor and maintenance test pilot, Abul is also known to be an equine instructor. "I love this work that I am doing. I love horses so, it is in my genes to discover something for the greater benefit of the sector I like most. I'm a pilot by profession but my passion is horses and their welfare," he added. His invention will soon be added to a list of his achievements. He studied in America to be an air-force pilot, and Abul admits that he struggled for recognition."Imagine the process. It was certified and patented by the US Patent and Trademark Office only in 2010. A company in Germany had already offered a big amount to buy my invention, but I didn't give it, because I want my country to be recognized," he beamed. "Now I think Kuwait is ready to produce and sell this product to other countries. The good thing is that a Kuwaiti is associated with this invention and I am glad that I am being recognized now," he added.METHOD:The method to test the soundness of a horse's tendons and ligaments by flexing a horse's lower leg, includes:a.) Providing an apparatus with a base plate and a rotatable plate adapted to be rotated with respect to the base plate through an angle of 55?;b.) Positioning a horse's hoof on the rotatable plate with the horse standing in a balanced position on four legs;c.) Elevating the hoof by rotating the rotatable base;d.) Monitoring the angle between the base plate and the rotatable plate;e.) Determining that the horse's tendons and ligaments in its lower leg are sound when an angle of 55? is obtained without the horse taking its weight off of the rotatable plate.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Kuwait Times (Safat, Kuwait) Visit the Kuwait Times (Safat, Kuwait) at .kuwaittimes.net/ Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉沙田