Notable

Clinton charities 

*****

Who's pledged what

Some notable donations to the Clinton Foundation:

$10-million to $25-million- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 
- Frank Giustra,
- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

$5-million to $10-million
- Government of Norway, 
- Michael Schumacher

$1-million to $5-million- Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative,
- Victor Dahdaleh,
- Robert Disbrow,
- Lukas Lundin,
- Friends of Saudi Arabia,
- Lakshmi N. Mittal,
- Victor Pinchuk,
- Paul Reynolds,
- State of Kuwait,
- State of Qatar,
- Government of Brunei

$500,000 to $1-million 

- Magna International Inc.,
- Soros Foundation,
- Steven Spielberg,
- Thomson Reuters

$250,000 to $500,000 

- AIG Inc.,
- Michael Cooper (CEO of Dundee REIT)

Andy Hoffman

http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081219.wrmining19/BNStory/Business/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20081219.wrmining19
Read more at http://www.stockhouse.com/blogs/viewdetailedpost.aspx?p=86630#B5DmI7UPsujBBzdj.99 

Lucas Lundin - Lukas Lundin

Down time

Ashley Hughes

How to read this blog

Believe nothing. No matter where you read it, or who said it, even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.

Buddha

Always leave them wanting more.

"She's a mysterious girl and I think that ladies like her who have a mystery – where there's something hiding beneath the surface – are the really interesting ones."

There can be no prestige without mystery, for familiarity breeds contempt. 

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Marg Helgenberger to co-host our Fundraiser October 20, 2012 in Vancouver

Ashley Hughes and Marg Helgenberger 

On October 20th, 2012 Fraser Riverkeepers host their 5th anniversary fundraising gala with co-host Marg Helgenberger.

From vancitybuzz:

Fans of the original CSI series get a rare chance to meet the show’s star Marg Helgenberger in Vancouver this weekend as she co-hosts a fundraiser for Fraser Riverkeeper (FRK). The fundraising gala kicks off a renewed campaign to bring Fraser River conservation into the mainstream.
“In the Lower Mainland, we live at the gateway to the Fraser River, which supports more salmon runs than any other river in the world,” says executive director Lauren Hornor. “We are the gatekeepers of the river, all of us who live in Vancouver to Hope. How we treat the Fraser here affects not only fish but hundreds of thousands of people throughout BC. The fundraiser is one fun way people can support our work to help protect it.”

The fundraiser takes place on October 20^th and will feature sustainable seafood, local wines, a swimwear fashion show, music, and a silent auction featuring local artists and designers.
The issue of clean water is a passion for Helgenberger, who supports the FRK’s initiatives. “I grew up fishing, swimming and boating the Platte River in Nebraska with my father,” says Emmy-winning Helgenberger. “Those are treasured memories for me, and I believe we have to all fight for the clean waters we love. I’m a huge fan of the work Fraser Riverkeeper and other Waterkeeper Alliance groups are doing for swimmable, drinkable, fishable waters across North America.”

Among their projects, the FRK has initiated legal challenges, removed garbage from the Fraser near Chilliwack, and most recently launched a free smartphone app, Swim Guide, that gives users up-to-date data on water quality at their favourite beaches.

The Fraser Riverkeeper group wants to restore the Fraser River the same way their sister group, Hudson Riverkeeper, was able to do in New York State. “This event is a chance for Vancouverites to give back and support a cleaner, healthier Fraser River by having a good time, “ says Hornor. “It’s going to be an incredible evening thanks to Marg Helgenberger and all the talented artists, business-people and organizations that have donated their time and resources.”

The Fraser Riverkeeper an autonomous Canadian member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, an international organization founded in 1999 by Robert Kennedy Jr.

What: Fraser Riverkeeper’s 5^th Anniversary Fundraising Gala
When: October 20, 2012, 7:00 p.m.- 10 p.m.
Where: The Arthur Erickson Waterfall Building, 1540 West 2^nd Avenue, Vancouver
Tickets: $125 (include admission to BarNone after party)
For more information, please visit fraserriverkeeper.eventbrite.ca

Event committee: Ashley Hughes, Lauren Hornor, Ms Evans, Victoria Mackie and Lesley Mapstone.

FRK: Lauren Hornor, Tyee Bridges and Cassie Beecham

Fraser Riverkeepers

Photos from FRK Fraser Riverkeepers 5th anniversary fundraiser.

FRK Fraser Riverkeeper's Fundraiser (Vancouver - October 20, 2012)

Dear friends of clean water:

In the past five years, FRK has joined forces with hundreds of volunteers to clean over 30 tons of garbage from sensitive salmon-spawning riverbeds and took legal action against Metro Vancouver to stop them from dumping raw sewage into the waters we drink, swim, fish and play in.

Now they need your help.

On October 20th, 2012 Fraser Riverkeepers are hosting their 5th anniversary fundraising gala with co-host Marg Helgenberger.

For tickets, click here

Fraser Riverkeepers

Relationship building

Hermes is one company that prides itself on it relationships with preferred customers.

Aim high. First page.

The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As your case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.

There is always hope.

Ashley Hughes Vancouver UECS. 

PS: If this works, my next quote will be higher.

For Al-Nashir Jiwa and Dev Randhawa. This is a test to see if I am able to assist you. 

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Dead and dying seas. Bodélé Depression

The Bodele Depression is all that is left of Lake Megachad. The remains of this freshwater lake now plays hosts as the dusiest place on earth. The depression is a major source of dust for the Atlantic, depositing calcium, iron, potassium, and phosphorus needed by phytoplankton. It is also the major source of dust that fertilizes the Amazon basin in South America.

Kings, Heroes and Lovers

Parviz Tanavoli (born 23 March 1937 in Tehran) is an Iranian sculptor, painter, scholar and art collector.

He belongs to Saqqakhana group of artists who, according to the scholar Karim Emami, share a common popular aesthetic. He has been influenced heavily by his country's history and culture and traditions, (he was once cultural advisor to the Queen of Iran, and has always been fascinated with locksmithing.

Tanavoli's work has been auctioned around the world leading to overall sales of over $6.7 million dollars, making him the most expensive living Iranian artist. 

Ashley Hughes attends a special tea with this amazing artist to discuss possibilities and how to acquire nothingness.

A lesson in perspective...

Q: Are you Naughty or Nice?

A: Depends on you


I don't give my card out to just anybody.


I once learnt that some reporters write out their stories in a secret code - a shorthand - that they can only read. I use a theory of that to store phone numbers in code names on my phone to protect my contacts and to jot down important key pieces of information in a language unique to me. I discuss the Voynich Manuscript and Leonardo da Vinci; Cryptanalysis, code-breaking and shorthand with my friends...

The question and answer above is meant for a reflection based lesson. It works only for those that think outside the box. The ones that can touch the stars. The ones sending us to outer space.


If you don't recognize the exact card from which I am quoting and referring to, I have attached a hint below.

I don't give this card to just anybody.

Are you naughty or nice?

This concludes a small lesson in judgement.

Post is dedicated to the lovely Cayman's Island. Special note to the play on words.

"the main marketing man", Virgin, Richard Branson Vancouver, Ashley Hughes Vancouver, Marketing, SEO, Sir Richard Branson, Lady Ashley Hughes     

The twelfth night

"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."










this post is for raj

Après-Ski

Ashley Hughes on the peak of Vail

Ashley Hughes soaking in the natural hot springs

Groomed

Ashley Hughes, Ashley Hughes Vancouver, Lady Ashley Hughes, Lady Ashley Hughes Vancouver, skiing, vail, beaver creek, aspen, whistler, hot springs

The air up here

Heli-skiing in Beautiful British Columbia

You know a sport is dangerous when...

Play safe.

Ashley Hughes enjoying an afternoon in the helicopter

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Cue the antagonist.

Magnum Jodanger. 


It just sounds so James Bond to me. Especially with the Scandenavian accent. 


As my life constantly feels like I am in the midst of an adventure novel and when the real life Magne Jordanger was introduced to me at a business lunch, his heavy accent made it sound like Magnum Jodanger.  


We then carried on the conversation about fisheries and fish farming but I was lost in swirling thought about the perfect villain name... even though his company was very pleasant. I seek inspiration from some of the strangest things. 

Hooray!

Lady Moura

Nasser Al-Rashid


http://www.rashidengineering.com/


This post is just acting as a reminder for me.

Quintessentially Emirati

Ashley Hughes and little falcon in the desert in UAE

If one is looking for a royal activity, observing or flying falcons in the Arabian desert is the sport.

Ashley Hughes Vancouver, Lady Ashley Hughes Vancouver, photographs, business, investments, consultant, international, real, of vancouver,  Falcons vs. Pigeons at French Open: Officials at the French Open have had it with pigeon droppings. The slimy deposits can alter how balls bounce on the courts, not to mention the mess is just unpleasant. So the tennis organization has introduced some avian competition: falcons. Eight falcons with knife-like claws and soaring speeds were released at Roland Garros to take on the pesky pigeons. Despite the falcons' killer reputation, officials claim they're just hoping the birds of prey will scare off the pigeons -- not necessarily kill them. Indeed pigeons have already cleared out, but falconer Ludwig Verchatse says that doesn't mean they'll stay away, explaining, "pigeons are stupid. They don't transmit the information to their friends." Expect the falcons to become a long-term fixture at the courts. Talented, regal birds of prey.

Bokonon ;)

"I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.'"

LL Chondrites

Will update this post a little later. Just reserving platinum space.

Dunebunny.

Ashley Hughes kicking back, relaxing and enjoying the view.  Dune buggy racing in the desert is hard work.

Off of the record (part 3)

“To be nobody but yourself in a world that's doing its best to make you somebody else". Why would I let you, be the executive producer of me? So silly. Be yourself.

The third element.

The third element of the periodic table is Lithium.

I would like to introduce you to a place where heaven meets the earth - Salar de Uyuni: the salt flats of Bolivia.

When wet, they are the most reflective surfaces in the world. As these are the flattest surfaces on the face of the planet, satellites use these salt flats to recalibrate their positioning in orbit. It is home to something wondrous. It's where flamingos migrate and breed. Imagine the worlds most reflective place, mirroring multitudes of brilliant pink flamingos.

But a special plea to all Governments, Uyuni has 50-70% of the worlds supply of lithium. It rests in the brine from which the flamingos feed. Please take care when recovering what is proving to be an extremely valuable resource. For our iPhones, cameras, computers, electronics... they all use lithium.

This post is dedicated to Kevin O'Leary  and Frank Anderson.

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Isle of man

The Isle of Man has become a centre for emerging private space travel companies. A number of the competitors in the Google Lunar X Prize, a $30 million competition for the first privately funded team to send a robot to the moon, are based on the Island. The team summit for the X Prize was held on the Island in October 2010. In 2010 the Island was named the fifth most likely nation to reach the moon next. In January 2011 two research space stations owned by Excalibur Almaz arrived on the Island and were kept in an aircraft hangar at the airfield at the former RAF Jurby located near Jurby.

D'Arros

Sometimes there are methods to the madness that initially do not appear to the casual observer. 


Look harder. 

Bolshoi

Ashley Hughes drinking champagne from chocolate red-soled heels

I am thinking of going back east to catch the Bolshoi ballet in Toronto later this month. Every time I see the Bolshoi ballet, I have a fleeting visual of Russian men drinking vodka out of ballet slippers...



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Double Entendres

So.

There is this elephant in the room.

Ashley Hughes looking a bit sad and bewildered after an encounter with the elephant in the room. Luckily it is being donated to a museum for education for children.

 Technically more a garage than a room.



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Hint hint.. wink wink.

Its not what you look at that matters, it is what you see.

Remember, the eyes see only what the mind knows... so when you catch yourself thinking something about another, chances are it lies within you.

Also, for pure amusement I hide secret messages that only a few people know about in my posts... Are you one of the few?

Sultan of Brunei

Jefri smells like Égoïste by Chanel.


This post is in response when heard about when a girl was writing that he smelt like Calvin Klein.

Nine dragons

Zhang Yin (or Cheung Yan as she is called in Cantonese), runs one of the worlds most successful paper recovering and container board manufacturing businesses. She started the company with her savings of $3,800. Today, nearly 17 years after its founding, the company turns over business worth $3.8 billion. Dragon Lady Yin and her behemoth pulp "recycling" company Nine Dragons paper, is a true tale of trash-to-treasure. Nine dragons is symbolic of " highest fortune", something that this self made billionairess can relate too.

Burberry's joined the billionaire club

Burberry has joined a league of fashion heavyweights that includes Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton as a billion-pound label. "We are the only global luxury goods brand from Britain," the label's finance director Stacey Cartwright told the Evening Standard. "We are unique and we are balanced across clothing and leather goods. Our other difference is our focus on digital. Shoppers can buy straight from the catwalk with iPads in stores and we now have more than 12 million Facebook fans." The luxury British brand has reached record sales of £1 billion in the past six months - an increase of 18 per cent, thanks to a boost in the British, French and Chinese markets.

In a previous post I mentioned Lakshmi Mittal, which got me thinking about PPR - formerly Pinault-Printemps-Redoute - as it's another holding company I like.

Project Glass: One day soon.

People are always asking me what I personally invest in. Bet your bottom dollar technology is paramount.

Lakshmi Mittal

Vanadium, steel rebar... Mental notes

Billionaire boys club

N.E.R.D. alert! Ashley Hughes and Pharrell Williams.

Pharrell Williams (born April 5, 1973), commonly known simply by the mononym Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. His estimated net worth is $77.5 million. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music. He is also the lead vocalist and drummer of funk/hip-hop band N.E.R.D, which he formed with Hugo and childhood friend Shay Haley. He released his debut single "Frontin'" in 2003 and followed up with his debut album In My Mind in 2006.

As part of The Neptunes, Williams has produced numerous hit singles for various music artists. The production duo have earned three Grammy Awards amongst ten nominations. He is also the co-founder of the clothing brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Clothing.

He is also creative and one of Ashley Hughes's mentors for Business and Branding.

Diamonds may be a girls best friend... but Diamond mines are a lady's.

Kimberlite indicator minerals (KIMs): Finding tiny crystals of chromium diopside and pyrope garnets on the earth's surface is a good indicator that diamond crystals could have been forced through the mantle.

As you may know by now, I try to be diplomatic. I am also a proud Canadian who chooses to promote conflict free issues. Therefore, this post is dedicated to Chuck Fipke and Stuart Blusson for the contribution of one of the worlds man-made wonders, Diavik (and Ekati) diamond mines.

Diamond indicator minerals in kimberlite.

Diavik diamond mine in Canada.

Just wondering how long diamond mines last? Till they run out of diamonds? Then what?

The Personal Invitation

I've always considered it a particular privilege to be asked into someone's home while abroad. To accept hospitality is to cross the threshold from simple tourist to something more.

Giving my best to Luxembourg.

Pinky.

She is both of my favourite colours....  Pinky & Goldman.

She will probably beat you in golf.

Lady-Ashley-Hughes-Business-Vancouver

Not all those who wander are lost.

Ashley Hughes wandering about the desert in the middle east.

In case you haven't heard Mohammed al-Fayed (you may be familiar with his son Dodi), has sold the Harrods store to Qatar Holdings for a reported 1.5 billion pounds ($2.3 billion). I enjoy grabbing Harrods loose leaf tea whenever at the London airport. I had some this morning and it reminded me of another holding company I try to follow... the exotic al-Thani family's Qatar Holdings. The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), has a 20% stake in the London Stock Exchange and Harrods; as well as substantial holdings in Barclays Bank; slightly over 9% in Hochtief; Credit Suisse, 17% in Volkswagen and 10% in Porsche. Looks like the al-Thani family has a profitable future. 

The CEO of the Board of Directors of the Qatari state fund, Qatar Holdings, is Ahmad Mohamed Al-Sayed. This 35 year old international student has studied law and business acumen in Doha, Boston, New York and Paris. 

Another thing I found interesting was much of the natural gas now used to power the UK, is from Qatar. It is shipped as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), into Milford Haven, Pembrokeshir, Whales, before being piped to Gloucestershire for further distribution.  

 A little bird told me about tile and cement. hint hint wink wink

I love to travel. It is a key information medium for the business elite and ensures development of personal rapport. 


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You don't buy a yacht, you build one.

Citadel.  A place of refuge, safety.

I don't know about you, but the first thing I inquire about before I spend any lengthy time on a vessel is where my citadel is.

Another word you may know it by, panic room.

It is safe to say that if you are going to be on a luxury mega yacht, its best to assume the worlds wealthy are spending millions on specialized trained personnel, some even British SAS (SIS) / MI5 or 6.... and military-style James Bond technology.

A citadel is basically a hidden chamber on a vessel with food and water; telephones and radios; some even have toilets... basically the necessities for survival.

With no welding and minimal need for specialist equipment or training, the room offers ballistic and blast protection, smoke screen technology, and can keep a crew of 2-24 people safe for up to 5 days with ship to shore communication.

Even more extravagant is the "escape pod" - a submarine that is ready at all times to ferry those on board away to safety. The submarines are mostly used as a leisure addition on super yachts, but there are no denying the benefits of these dual purposed luxury items.

The Nautilus VAS Luxury Submersible is perfect for exploring and is a great escape if pirates are after you. The best part is you can listen to music on its stereo and use the minibar to fix yourself a dirty martini - shaken, not stirred. A steal for only $2.7 million, especially next to Paul Allen's 40 foot submersible. 

Ashley Hughes rests briefly after walking all around a megayacht. 

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Off The Record (part 2)

For some reason I keep having people message me about the real housewives and one common thing that is disclosed is that the housewives don't live at the addresses shown.  Please be advised that due to the safety of the show and their participants, during the casting the producers made disclaimers about shooting different houses and or apartments buildings than the actual ones where they live for everyone's safety. Besides, does it really matter where they live?

 There are some people that have multiple homes, cottages, condos and vacation properties. There are also some people whom prefer privacy and would do a short term rental or lease for the duration of the filming.

But thanks for the tips! I hope this post helps clarify. 

maybe we will get a glimpse of David Mez and his antics this week. Patty Stranger did call him a douchebag on millionaire matchmaker, but at least he is entertaining.

Eike Batista

X marks the spot.

Stealthy stake building of Bernard Arnault.

Ashley Hughes stands before the gardens of Newton Vineyards in Napa Valley. A lady always brings a scarf to wrap around her shoulders as temperatures can dip in the valley.

I have always had a special place in my heart for luxury goods. Ever since I spent the afternoon at Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton's (LVMH) vineyard Newton in California, I kept a close eye on their business and acquisitions. I was saddened when they engulfed one of my favourite brands Bvlgari, for 3.7 billion euros ($5.2 billion) in March of 2011, but I know Bvlgari is in good hands. After all, 2 members of the Bvlgari family now get seats on the board of LVMH.

I am a cautious investor in luxury stocks overall, but I am keeping an eye out on the Hermes / LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton saga. LVMH's 22% stake in Hermes International could be priceless over the long haul. The brand sets itself apart from the other leather luxury goods, there is a genuine demand for their products and the luxury industry is basically in the infancy of growth in places like China. Hermes and LVMH headlines have garnered a lot of attention as a recruitment story, but Hermes's holding company capital structure can assist the family and future generations and allow them to remain independent, at least over the 15-20 year view. 

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