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19 New UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Should Add To Your Travel Wish List

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xinjiang tianshan chinaUNESCO has added 19 new places to its list of World Heritage Sites this year. 

Two of the 19 new sites can be found in China and two in Italy. The rest represent a wide array of countries around the world.

For a site to be included on the World Heritage List, it must be "of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria," which help the committee to both classify potential sites and evaluate them based on their overall global importance. You can read the full list of criteria here.

Ultimately all sites considered must be of either "natural" or "cultural" significance. Fourteen of the sites named this year were cultural while just five were natural, but all of them are beautiful.

Al Zubarah Archaeological Site - Qatar

"The walled coastal town of Al Zubarah in the Gulf flourished as a pearling and trading centre in the late 18th century and early 19th centuries, before it was destroyed in 1811 and abandoned in the early 1900s. Founded by merchants from Kuwait, Al Zubarah had trading links across the Indian Ocean, Arabia and Western Asia. A layer of sand blown from the desert has protected the remains of the site’s palaces, mosques, streets, courtyard houses, and fishermen’s huts; its harbour and double defensive walls, a canal, walls, and cemeteries. Excavation has only taken place over a small part of the site, which offers an outstanding testimony to an urban trading and pearl-diving tradition which sustained the region’s major coastal towns and led to the development of small independent states that flourished outside the control of the Ottoman, European, and Persian empires and eventually led to the emergence of modern day Gulf States." - UNESCO



Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora - Ukraine

"The site features the remains of a city founded by Dorian Greeks in the 5th century BC on the northern shores of the Black Sea. It encompasses six component sites with urban remains and agricultural lands divided into several hundreds of chora, rectangular plots of equal size. The plots supported vineyards whose production was exported by the city which thrived until the 15th century. The site features several public building complexes and residential neighbourhoods, as well as early Christian monuments alongside remains from Stone and Bronze Age settlements; Roman and medieval tower fortifications and water supply systems; and exceptionally well-preserved examples of vineyard planting and dividing walls. In the 3rd century AD, the site was known as the most productive wine centre of the Black Sea and remained a hub of exchange between the Greek, Roman and Byzantine Empires and populations north of the Black Sea. It is an outstanding example of democratic land organization linked to an ancient polis, reflecting the city’s social organization." - UNESCO



Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe - Germany

"Descending a long hill dominated by a giant statue of Hercules, the monumental water displays of Wilhelmshöhe were begun by Landgrave Carl of Hesse-Kassel in 1689 around an east-west axis and were developed further into the 19th century. Reservoirs and channels behind the Hercules Monument supply water to a complex system of hydro-pneumatic devices that supply the site’s large Baroque water theatre, grotto, fountains and 350-metre long Grand Cascade. Beyond this, channels and waterways wind across the axis, feeding a series of dramatic waterfalls and wild rapids, the geyser-like Grand Fountain which leaps 50m high, the lake and secluded ponds that enliven the Romantic garden created in the 18th century by Carl’s great-grandson, Elector Wilhelm I. The great size of the park and its waterworks along with the towering Hercules statue constitute an expression of the ideals of absolutist Monarchy while the ensemble is a remarkable testimony to the aesthetics of the Baroque and Romantic periods." - UNESCO



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 20 Most Prestigious Law Firms In America

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Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz law firms Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz kept its iron grip on the top slot in Vault's annual ranking of America's most prestigious law firms.

The only notable changes in the top ten was Sullivan & Cromwell retaking the No. 3 spot from Skadden.

Vault's ranking is based on a survey of nearly 17,000 law associates, featuring comments and analysis about each firm. With their permission, we've highlighted the top firms here.

#20 White & Case

1,900 employees

New York City headquarters

Uppers

  • “International work and opportunities”
  • “People don't get worked to death”
  • “Good relationships with senior associates and partners”

Downers

  • “Lack of transparency”
  • “Unpredictable hours”
  • “Slim partnership prospects”

The Buzz

  • “Great international practice”
  • “Good work product”
  • “Slightly impersonal”
  • “Too big”

Read the full report at Vault.



#19 Jones Day

2,400 employees

Washington, D.C. headquarters

Uppers

  • "Team atmosphere"
  • "Stability of the firm and its client base"
  • "Attempt at work/life balance"

Downers

  • "It's sometimes difficult to navigate the red tape at such a large firm"
  • "No transparency regarding compensation"
  • "The firm can be cheap in certain ways"

The Buzz

  • "Huge"
  • "International"
  • "Opaque"
  • "Fratty"

Read the full report at Vault.



#18 Sidley Austin LLP

1,693 employees

Chicago headquarters

Uppers

  • "Extremely pleasant place to work"
  • "Reasonable hours requirements"
  • "Commitment to diversity"

Downers

  • "Work flow can be unpredictable and a little unevenly distributed"
  • "Lack of transparency in bonus system"
  • "Biglaw is Biglaw"

The Buzz

  • "Obama worked there!"
  • "Great in Chicago"
  • "Hard-working"
  • "Conservative"

Read the full report at Vault.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Giant Dragon's Skull Washes Up On Beach In 'Game Of Thrones' Stunt

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game of thrones skull beach

In a UK marketing stunt of epic proportions, a bus-sized dragon skull washed up on Dorset's "Jurassic Coast"— known for its dinosaur fossils — to honor the arrival of "Game of Thrones" season 3 on streaming service Blinkbox.

The 40 foot long, 9 foot tall skull took two months to complete and is the coolest GOT campaign since February when HBO took out a two-page ad in the New York Times in which the shadow of a dragon eclipsed the paper's copy. This was in conjunction with a GOT exhibition in New York in which people actually got to sit on the show's iconic iron throne.

Taylor Herring PR is responsible for the Blinkbox campaign, which aimed to make it appear as if the skull had washed ashore. Last month it created a 12 foot statue of Mr. Darcy from "Pride and Prejudice" emerging from the Serpentine in London to celebrate the launch of a UKTV's new "Drama" channel.

Beachgoers were surprised to find a bus-sized giant skull wash up on Dorset's "Jurassic Coast."



It was 40 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 9 feet tall.



An ichthyosaur, a dolphin like creature which lived 220-65 million years ago, was found in the area in 2004. This is the first dragon.

Ichthyosaur, a dolphin like creature which lived 220-65 million years ago.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Neiman Marcus Stores And The Super-Rich Who Live Nearby [MAP]

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Want to know if luxury retailer Neiman Marcus is coming to your city? Chances are if you don't have at least 50 residents with over $30 million in assets, the answer is no.

That's what Wealth-X, a wealth intelligence firm, discovered when it mapped the distribution of ultra high net worth individuals in the U.S. (defined as those with assets of $30 million or more) against locations of Neiman Marcus stores (not including 'Last Call' outlet locations).

The Dallas, Texas-headquartered company currently has stores in 19 states. The densest amount of retail locations are in California, Florida, and New York, which together have more than 75% of Americans with over $30 million in assets.

“The emerging strategy for most retailers trying to capture the growing affluent market will be to use digital to drive retail traffic," said Wealth-X President David S. Friedman. "For this segment, the physical retail experience will be critical for capturing the growth in the affluent market."

The map below shows where you can find Neiman Marcus stores in or near cities with high numbers of ultra wealthy individuals.

neiman map wealth x

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What Not To Do When You Visit New York City

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New York City skyline and Statue of Liberty

Matador’s NYC-based managing editor, Julie Schwietert, lays out the city’s avoidable attractions … and what you should do instead.

1. Don’t… visit MOMA or The Met.

I don’t have anything against either of these museums. I used to be a card-carrying member of MOMA and I’m planning to check out their new exhibit, “Rising Currents: Projects for New York’s Waterfront.”

It’s just that a visit to MOMA will set you back $20 (unless you join the budget seeking horde on Friday night from 4-8 PM, when admission is free). The “recommended” admission for The Met is the same.

And besides, both of these museums are so huge that it’s hard to feel you’ve “done” them or squeezed the value out of that ticket price in just a single visit.

Do… visit MOCA, MOCADA, El Museo del Barrio, or The Jewish Museum.

Given New York’s immigrant history, it shouldn’t be surprising we have a museum for almost every diaspora, including MOCA (Museum of Chinese in America), MOCADA (Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts), El Museo del Barrio (located in Spanish Harlem, a museum for Puerto Rican and Latin American art), and The Jewish Museum.

Admission at all four of these museums is less than that wallet-busting $20 you’ll drop at MOMA or The Met. ($7 at MOCA and free on Thursdays; $4 suggested donation at MOCADA; $6 suggested donation at El Museo del Barrio with free admission every third Saturday; $12 at The Jewish Museum and free on Saturdays).

But the real reason to visit these museums is because they’re smaller in size and let you walk away feeling like you really saw everything and learned something interesting in the process.

Plus, these museums aren’t overrun by crowds and the facilities are excellent. MOCA is brand new and El Museo’s paint has barely dried after a recent renovation.

2. Don’t… do the Statue of Liberty.

There’s something that feels unpatriotic about telling you to skip the Statue of Liberty, but I have my reasons. First of all, a visit to Liberty sucks up your whole day, what with long lines and strict security. Second, if you really just want to see the statue, you’ll get a much better view from the ferry or from Ellis Island than you will on Liberty Island itself.

Ellis IslandDo… visit Ellis Island AND the African Burial Ground.

Ellis Island— the nation’s “premier federal immigration station,” according to the National Parks Service — is far more interesting than the Statue of Liberty if you’re really passionate about American history.

The 30-minute film, “Island of Hope, Island of Tears” is a Ken Burns-esque documentary that tells the history of Ellis Island. If you’d rather walk than sit, guided tours convey the same information. And if you’re interested in genealogy, you can look up your ancestry here.

Another alternative is visiting the recently opened African Burial Ground, which, like Ellis Island is run by the National Parks Service. There’s no admission fee to enter the visitors’ center, explore the exhibits, or to visit the actual burial ground itself. You can read more about the African Burial Ground on my blog.

3. Don't… go to Central Park.

Yes, it’s enormous. Yes, it’s beautiful. Yes, it even has wildlife.

But New York City has more than 29,000 acres of OTHER parks, and many of them are just as beautiful — if not more so — than Central Park.

My favorites are Ft. Tryon (at the northern tip of Manhattan, with elevated views of the Hudson River, it was built by the son of the architect responsible for Central Park); The Hudson River Park (a long, narrow park that runs almost the entire length of Manhattan’s West Side and offers areas for picnicking, watching movies and live performances, bike riding, skate boarding, rollerblading, and kayaking, among other activities); and The High Line (an elevated urban park built on an old freight line).

Gantry Plaza State ParkOutside Manhattan, my favorites are Gantry Plaza State Park (a waterfront park in Long Island City with multiple piers — has THE best views of Manhattan; great for photos; also has hammocks in the summer, a kayak launch point, and a nearby “beach” bar), DUMBO’s Brooklyn Bridge Park (a work in progress, also waterfront), and Governor’s Island (open June through October).

4. Don’t… assume a hotel is beyond your budget.

“But New York hotels are so expensive….”

True, but your doctor bill may be more expensive after you spend a few nights on a bedbug infested hostel mattress or a few mornings in a sketchy hostel shower.

Do… check out hotels beyond Manhattan.

Check out the Ravel in Long Island City (waterfront views — and no, it’s not on Long Island; it’s five minutes from midtown Manhattan), which currently has rates as low as $99/night.

Hotels are popping up all over LIC, with a Holiday Inn being the closest to a subway line (39th Avenue stop on the N and soon to be defunct W train).

5. Don’t… go to Serendipity or Magnolia.

Do you really want to spend an hour in line for a frozen hot chocolate or a cupcake?
Serendipity and Magnolia are popular because they were featured in “You’ve Got Mail” and “Sex and the City,” respectively. Do you think that makes their desserts any better than anywhere else?

wafel & dingesDo… chase down the Van Leeuwen ice cream truck and eat some Wafel and Dinges.

Van Leeuwen serves artisanal ice cream out of a roving truck — red currant, giandujia, hazelnut, and ginger, to name a few flavors. They have a storefront in Brooklyn if you can’t catch up with the truck.

If ice cream’s not your thing, look up the Wafel and Dinges truck, which serves Belgian waffles with all manner of dinges — toppings — or find a truck to suit any craving you might possibly have. Check the City Room Blog’s Twitter list for a full roster of food trucks (many offer special deals to Twitter followers).

6. Don’t… go see a movie.

New York is a great place to see a movie because we have so many specialty theatres, like the ImaginAsian, an arthouse cinema featuring Asian films.

But did you really come to New York to see a movie?

Do… go see a movie being filmed.

The Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting lists films and TV shows currently being filmed in the city, and if you follow @olv on Twitter, you can find out where and when filming is scheduled to occur.

7. Don’t… shop for knock-offs on Canal Street.

“Psst. Want a Coach bag? Prada? Prada?”

You don’t believe that $20 Coach bag on Canal Street is real, do you?

Besides being cheap, your purchases on Canal Street support an underground economy, the consequences of which are largely hidden from view (and involve immigrants living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in stairways and closet-sized rooms in the buildings where you’ll be taken to view the merchandise).

Do… support local artists in Union Square.

Keep your conscience clean and get something real by browsing Union Square. Local artists sell paintings, photos, jewelry, homemade t-shirts, indy films, and lots of other wares at tables arrayed around the southern end of the park. You’ll get something that’s really original…and you don’t have to feel bad about it.

8. Don’t… visit Little Italy or Chinatown.

Again — nothing “wrong” with Little Italy or Chinatown (visit the former during the San Gennaro festivities, the latter during Chinese New Year celebrations). Both of these neighborhoods remain cultural enclaves that have somehow managed to resist encroaching gentrification.

Brooklyn Academy of MusicDo… visit lesser-known immigrant districts.

But why not explore one of the lesser known neighborhoods like Koreatown, Little Brazil, Polish Greenpoint, and predominantly Greek Astoria? These immigrant neighborhoods are just as lively — and less touristed — than Little Italy and Chinatown.

And if you’re headed to Astoria, let me know. I’ll meet up with you at Omonia for some Greek coffee and Sokolatina.

9. Don’t… go to a show at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, or Broadway.

Like MOMA and The Met, these are all world-class venues, but there are dozens of other event spaces where incredible concerts, lectures, and performances are given by well-known and totally fresh talent.

Do… get your culture fix at a venue you’ve never heard of.

Some places worth checking out include BAM (the Brooklyn Academy of Music), Bargemusic, The LAByrinth Theater Company, the Manhattan Theatre Club, and The Chocolate Factory.

Join the conversation about this story »

The Best And Worst Dressed At The ESPYs

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maria sharapova ESPYs

ESPN's annual sports award show The ESPYs took place in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

Athletes, models, and celebrities were all in attendance, but some of them were dressed much better than the rest.

Many of the attendees were daring with their style choices. Some of them worked, and plenty did not.

BEST: Jack Hoffmann showed his Nebraska pride and looked great in a suit



WORST: What is that scarf Dwyane Wade?



BEST: Robin Roberts looked stunning in red to accept her Arthur Ashe Courage Award



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Carson Block Shreds American Tower, Warns Of Misstatements, And Explains Why Its Stock Will Collapse (AMT)

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carson block

Muddy Waters founder Carson Block took communications powerhouse American Tower Corp to task on Bloomberg Market Makers yesterday.

Block's research firm is out with a new report that casts doubt over AMT's work in emerging markets, hinting that the company has been misleading, if not outright fraudulent.

"We rate AMT a Strong Sell and value it at $44.57 per share, representing downside of 40%," Muddy Waters writes in the report. "It has engaged in a value destroying investment binge overseas, and we have identified a significant material misstatement in the Company’s accounts that could amount to fraud."

Muddy Waters flagged one transaction in particular, a $585 million purchase of towers in Brazil. "There is an approximately US$250 million discrepancy between what AMT claims to have paid for the acquisition of towers in Brazil, and the actual selling price," according to the report.

Muddy Waters provided the research to the SEC.







See the rest of the story at Business Insider

31 Style Terms Every Man Needs To Know

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men fashion

GQ compiled a list of 31 style terms every man needs to know.

From recognizable clothing to more obscure pieces, check them out and stay in the style loop.

Here's your dressing room dictionary >

More From GQ:

The Belstaff Trialmaster Jacket dates back to when Belstaff hit mud-caked, sweat-laden, road-rashed gold with the debut of the brand's most iconic outerwear piece.

More on the Belstaff >



Modern-day Brogues are abbreviated, decorative dots that give a shoe a nice bit of personality.

More on the Brogues >



The Button-Down Collar Shirt is one of those all-important pieces that remains a cornerstone of American style.

More on the button-down >



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Two Of New York's Biggest Sensations Met For A Glorious Moment

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The two most sensational New York City attractions of the moment have been combined in one of the most annoying tweets we've ever seen.

Dominique Ansel of pastry fame went to the Museum of Modern Art's Rain Room exhibit and took a picture of a cronut — his donut/croissant hybrid pastry that has New Yorkers going insane— in his outstretched hand.

Some people wait in line three hours for a cronut. Meanwhile, New Yorkers have been lining up at least three hours in advance to experience the Rain Room at the MoMA. Sometimes, the line for the Rain Room can even last as long as seven to eight hours.

That means to do what Dominique Ansel did, you'd have to wait almost half a day in line. As Grub Street notes of the photo, "this is what dreams are made of."

SEE ALSO: 34 Things Every New Yorker Should Do This Summer

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What Your Travel Style Says About Your Financial Personality

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guy in pool

As summer heats up, your idea of the perfect getaway is probably pretty straightforward: anywhere that’s not your desk.

But once you look past the need to just turn off your phone and stop answering emails … try closing your eyes and imagining the magical word “vacation.” What image pops into your head?

Whether it's filled with palm trees or winding, cobblestone streets in Europe, travel styles say a lot about a person’s personality and priorities. In fact, we might even go so far as to say that your idea of the perfect vacation reveals a little something about the way you manage your money.

SEE ALSO: 11 Outrageous Things People Did To Save Money

Your Ideal Vacation: Relaxing on an Exotic Beach

Your Money Type: The Savvy Saver

The most exhausting aspect of your vacation is getting to that remote island. Once you arrive, the most taxing activity on your to-do list will be, "Apply more sunscreen." And, when it comes to saving money, you're also likely to be the slow and steady type.

That's the good thing: putting in the initial effort—then laying low while your money grows—is something financial experts recommend all the time. For example, setting up automatic deposits from your checking account to your savings or retirement accounts is the best way to make sure you actually get your goals—one of which just may be vacation, or retirement, on that exotic isle.

RELATED: Need Financial Motivation? Try a "Phrase to Save"



Your Ideal Vacation: A Whirlwind Trip to Europe

Your Money Type: The Smart Spender

If your perfect trip includes a jam-packed itinerary with six European cities and 42 museums, then odds are you also own a few dog-eared guidebooks you've read cover to cover. And it's also no surprise that you'd be an information hound when it comes to your money.

Why is being this type helpful? Your very un-laissez-faire approach to your finances means you're more likely to be on top of your saving and spending. (See why LearnVest C.E.O. Alexa von Tobel takes a Money Minute every morning.) Doing hardcore research into important financial decisions will definitely benefit your bottom line, especially if you take the time to keep a close eye on your credit score, shop for the right credit card or land the best mortgage lender.

In fact, if you make sure to max out your reward points, like the guy in the story below, you just might be able to take a seventh country on to your itinerary!

RELATED: How I Pay for My Life With Credit Card Points



Your Ideal Vacation: Backpacking Around the World

Your Money Type: The Balanced Budgeter

If the idea of backpacking excites you, you’re probably happy with just a roof over your head and someplace safe to store your passport.

The ability to live with only a few essentials on your back says that you have the valuable ability to distinguish between what’s a necessity--and what’s simply a fun extra. Drawing this line means you'll always know which expenses come first, and which can wait until you have some extra cash to spare. Keeping that line in mind, make sure your budget aligns with your values with LearnVest’s 50/20/30 rule.

By making sure your “must-haves” fall under 50% of your net income, you’ll be able to achieve your financial goals more quickly … like buying flights to South America for your next backpacking excursion.

RELATED: I Sold Everything to Travel for 5 Years



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 18 Biggest Snubs And Surprises Of The Emmy Nominations

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Kevin Spacey House of Cards

The 65th Primetime Emmy award nominations weren't without a little drama.

Netflix's original series "House of Cards" made award show history as the first program delivered online to earn an Emmy nod — squeezing "Boardwalk Empire,""The Newsroom,""The Good Wife," and "The Americans" out of the crowded Drama category.

"American Horror Story,"FX's little-miniseries-that-could, picked up an impressive 17 nominations.

SEE ALSO: "American Horror Story" Leads Emmy Nominations With 17 Nods, A Complete List

Surprise: "American Horror Story" lead the way with a jaw-dropping 17 nominations, including Outstanding Miniseries or Movie.



Snub: AMC's "Mad Men" cleaned up well at the nominations, but creator Matt Weiner was shut out of the writing category for the first time since the show's premiere.



Surprise: "Scandal" star Kerry Washington became the first African-American woman to earn a Best Actress in a Drama nomination since 1995 (Cicely Tyson, "Sweet Justice").



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The Best Looking Golf Clubhouses In The World

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archdigest2

Time to tee off! 

AD rounds up the most significant structures around the world—from the United Kingdom's stately stone piles to cutting-edge designs in Sweden, New Zealand, and beyond.

Click here to see the clubhouses >>

More From Architectural Digest:

Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in New Songdo City, South Korea

Iranian architect Mehrdad Yazdani’s clubhouse vision for South Korea’s first Jack Nicklaus golf development, which opened in 2010, is about as chic as golf gets. Fitted with curved zinc roofs, the pavilions sit on neutral-color stone plinths and feature pilasters made from local Merbau wood that minimize glare and heat gain. Inside, it’s all marble floors, bead-blasted stainless-steel columns, and limestone wall panels. The combined effect is, as Nicklaus says, “Something very unique and very special.”



Loch Lomond Golf Club in Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Situated on a lakeside estate that used to be home to the Colquhouns, a Highland Scottish clan, Loch Lomond’s clubhouse is built of local pink and yellow sandstones—some of which had been salvaged from the clan’s 18th-century Georgian-style Rossdhu Mansion. To keep their spirit alive, the Colquhouns, who lived on the 660-acre estate throughout the 1970s, lent original artwork and furniture to the estate after it was reimagined as a golf course in 1994.



The Bridge in Bridgehampton, New York

Constructed on the site of a former racetrack in 2010, the boldly modernist 40,000-square-foot glass-walled clubhouse at the Bridge boasts unparalleled views of the Rees Jones–designed course—through louvered and sustainably sourced cypress shutters. The interiors of the turbine-bladed Roger Ferris + Partners–designed two-story structure are equally stunning, showcasing works from such blue-chip artists as Richard Prince and Tom Sachs (both of whom are members of the club).



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

14 NYC Companies Took The Stage Last Night To Compete For $25,000

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crowdfundxIt was like the finale of a reality TV show, only actually real.

Wednesday night's CROWDFUNDx NYC Challenge at The New School's Theresa Lang Center pitted 14 top NYC small businesses, social enterprise, and startup companies against each other for a $25,000 grand prize. 

Crowdfunding platform Crowdfunder partnered with American Express OPEN Forum and Nokia@Work to host New York City's first annual CrowdfundX event to show how crowdfunding can support business growth and job creation. 

More than 130 entries were submitted to the challenge in three categories: small business, social enterprise, and startup. The top 14 entries were chosen to compete Wednesday evening, with each pitching a 3-minute presentation to a panel of judges and more than 300 people in the audience.

First, meet the small business candidates.



Made in the Lower East Side is a network of public shared workspaces, creating short-term uses in prime real estate of New York.

With over 200 vacant storefronts (equivalent to 250,000 square feet of unused space), Made in the Lower East Side has repurposed the area into pop-up shops, office space, event venues and more. They are the winners of ArchDaily and HP's Innovation Challenge, a contest that rewards innovative workplace design.




NOOKA Inc. is a modern watch company, connecting fashion and technology.

Referred to as the “Apple of the accessory market", NOOKA has attracted celebrity tech endorsements including Foursquare's Dennis Crowley and Dropbox's Drew Houston. NOOKA is also releasing a line of shoes and t-shirts with Fila China.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

25 Reasons Why Detroit Is On The Verge Of An Epic Comeback

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detroit red wings

Detroit just became the largest American city ever to file for bankruptcy

The city is staring down a $20 billion unfunded liability vortex.

Meanwhile, crime, unemployment and broken infrastructure remain endemic.

But we're banking on the city getting its act together — and it's not just because things can't get any worse.

We've put together 25 signs Detroit is on the mend.

 Here's the summary: 

  • In several major economic indicators, Detroit's rate of improvement has matched or exceeded the national average.
  • Former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick aside, the city enjoys strong leadership.
  • The auto industry is booming.
  • Its sports teams remain hugely successful.
  • It's also becoming an increasingly popular center, for a new wave of entrepreneurs.

Hear us out.

Let's start with the obvious: cars.

The auto industry is leading the entire nation in the recovery: manufacturers sold more than 14 million vehicles in the United States last year, up 13% from 2011, according to UPI's Al Swanson. Credit Suisse said vehicle purchases accounted for around 30% of domestic economic growth during the first six months of last year, Swanson reported.



Here are GM's recent and projected revenues — up every year since 2010...



And Ford's, on pace to break $140 billion next year.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

HOUSE OF THE DAY: NASCAR Legend Jeff Gordon Sells His $30 Million NYC Apartment

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Nascar Jeff Gordon apartment new york

After only two months of sitting on the market, NASCAR superstar Jeff Gordon's NYC condo has found a buyer.

According to the New York Observer, the 15 Central Park West pad in Manhattan has officially gone into contract, but Gordon has told his broker at Halstead Property not to disclose the final sale price.

The home was originally listed for a cool $30 million. Gordon and his wife Ingrid Vadebosch bought the home for $9.67 million back in 2007, and completely redecorated and customized the condo, according to The New York Times.

Even if Gordon didn't meet the $30 million price tag he envisioned, chances are he at least doubled his investment.

The three-bedroom home has Brazilian cherry floors and gorgeous views of Central Park. The master suite alone takes up 743 square feet of the 3,454-square-foot pad.

Welcome to Jeff Gordon and Ingrid Vadebosch's 15 Central Park West home.

Source: Halstead Property



It has 3,454 square feet, with views of Central Park outside the windows.

Source: Halstead Property



The home has an open floor plan, as well as an oak "sushi bar" in the living room.

Source: Halstead Property



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 25 Best Companies For Having A Life Outside Of Work

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SAS InstituteSavvy workers know that salary isn't the only thing that matters. We want the flexibility to make a living, have a life, and raise a family, without compromising any of them.

Some employers have figured out how to offer this rare balance.

Glassdoor, an anonymous employer rating site, identified the best companies for work-life balance, even as ratings for work-life across all companies have declined in recent years.

"What set these companies apart over the past year is employees speaking favorably about flexible schedules, work from home options, and having managers who understand life outside of work," Scott Dobroski, community expert for Glassdoor, told Business Insider.

Top companies have a culture that encourages balance, like at FactSet, where "working 8-hour days is the norm and your career will not suffer if you don't put in 60-hours," an employee says.

This year's list saw eleven newcomers, including Yahoo, Nokia, and Mastercard, as well as a new number one: Cary, N.C. software company SAS Institute.

25. NetApp

This data management company is based in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Work-life balance rating: 4.1

What employees think:

“Company gives a lot of flexibility. The work is very very good and the people are extremely good. No middle management politics.” – NetApp Employee (location n/a)

“Flexibility and supportive management. Good global exposure and travel opportunities.” – NetApp Program Manager (Bangalore, India)

Source:Glassdoor



24. STMicroelectrics

This semiconductor company is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Work-life balance rating: 3.9

What employees think:

“Direct managers take in consideration their employees, work/life balance is good, payed time off is more than adequate.” –STMicroelectronics Employee (Santa Clara, CA)

“Provides an opportunity to balance work and life - usually a relaxed work culture, typically European. Good company time policies - employee friendly.” – STMicroelectronics S/W Developer (Greater Noida, India)

SourceGlassdoor



23. REI

This retail corporation is based in Kent, Wash.

Work-life balance rating: 3.9

What employees think:

“Flexible schedule, employee discounts, incredible co-workers, company values.” – REI Analyst (Kent, WA)

“Great work/life balance, especially for people with families and kids.” – REI Employee (location, n/a)

SourceGlassdoor



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 Pictures Of People Who Can Barely Cope With This Brutal Heatwave

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Half of the United States of America feels like its melting.

The National Weather Service says that heat advisories and warnings will remain in effect from the Midwest and Ohio River Valley through the Northeast for the remainder of this week.

Many Northeastern states logged temperatures in the triple digits over the last five days, and things won't cool down until thunderstorms roll through this weekend.

So naturally, people and animals are trying to stay cool anyway they can in America's biggest cities.

Seek inspiration from these geniuses on how to beat the heat.

Sun too glaring for you? Break out your umbrella while strolling the streets like these ladies in NYC's China Town.

heat wave new york

Grab a rag and soak it in ice cold water, like this vendor in New York City.

heatwave new york hot man water

There are plenty of fountains in Washington D.C. — take a break and ease in your feet like these friends did.

heat wave washington dc

The absolute coldest water is always the melted ice at the bottom of the bucket. This woman in Harlem knows what's up.

heatwave new york drinking ice water

Send your kids out to play under the spray of an open fire hydrant. Look at how cool these kids in the Washington Heights section of upper Manhattan look.

heat wave new york

They even have them in Brooklyn!

heat wave new york

These girls in our nation's capital city dance under a fountain of water in one of the parks.

heat wave washington dc

This shirtless man wades into a fountain in NYC's Columbus circle.

heat wave new york

And don't forget about your pets! Stay cool, little guy.

heat wave washington dc

SEE ALSO: The Most Elaborate Ice Hotels Around The Globe

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The Sexiest Financial Journalists Alive!

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David Faber

When you're taking in your must-read financial news, you're probably dreaming about the journalists who brought you each sentence and number.

Brains are, after all, very attractive.

Now, put that together with an actually good looking person and you've got a dangerous combination.

We found the 35 sexiest financial journalists in both print and TV who embody brains and beauty.

They'll get some information out of you for sure.

Jon Hilsenrath, economics reporter for the Wall Street Journal. He's known for breaking stories about the Fed.



David Faber, CNBC host of 'Squawk on the Street.' He's a badass deal reporter. He breaks a lot of news.



Trish Regan, Bloomberg TV's 'Street Smart' anchor (She was a former Miss New Hampshire in the Miss America pageant)



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These Golf Tee Markers Prove That Every Small, Insignificant Detail In Sports Can Be Branded

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2013 Marathon Classic

The LPGA is in Ohio for the Marathon Classic this week. As you can see in the image at right, they are using miniature Marathon gas pumps as tee markers to indicate where players are to tee off (see more examples below).

Sponsor logos on tee markers is not a new phenomenon. But over the years the sponsors have gotten very creative when it comes to presenting their brand.

The result is often adorable forms of advertising that people don't mind seeing at a sporting event.

On the next few pages we will take a look at some of our favorite tee markers from the last few years.

2011 FedEx St. Jude Classic used FedEx trucks



Michelin man bobblehead dolls at the 2005 Michelin Championship!



At the 2009 Wegmans LPGA Championship, it was tiny Wegmans shopping carts



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Wealthy NYC Parents Are Hiring 'Playdate Consultants' To Help Their Kids Get Into Elite Schools

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attached image

Forget about college counselors — a report in the New York Post says the latest trend among rich Manhattan parents is to hire a recreation "expert" to teach their kids how to play in preparation for private school admission tests.

The $400-an-hour service includes a playdate among three to five 4-year-olds. The children are closely monitored to see how each plays and interacts with the others.

Parents are then told what their child needs to work on before applying to top-end schools, where the toddlers will be judged on skills such as sharing, coloring, holding a pencil, and taking directions from authority figures, according to the Post.

In the crazy competitive world of New York preschools, that edge can really make a difference. Getting into public pre-K programs in New York City can be harder than getting into Harvard, and for private schools like Trinity and Horace Mann, admissions are even more competitive.

But still, experts told the Post that too much coaching can do more harm than good and cause kids to sound like robots instead of 4-year-olds, raising a red flag with schools.

Read the full New York Post story here.

SEE ALSO: America's REAL Most Expensive Colleges

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