Valentine’s Day falls worldwide on 14th February

Valentine's Day falls worldwide on 14th February that celebrates the devotion, love and bonding between two spouses or lovers. On this day lovers give cards, chocolates, gifts, red flowers to their beloved or meals are arranged in restaurants. The doves, figure of the winged Cupid and heart shaped images are the symbols of Valentines Day. Many guys express their love on this day.

New York City Ballet Erring on Side of Variety

The installation by the artist JR at the David H. Koch Theater has transformed that building's greatest glory, its tall, spacious first-floor foyer. Unlike the 2013 cartoon tower by the Brooklyn art collective Faile, it doesn't spoil or invade the space; it both deepens and teases it. Go up to the fourth ring, and, from above, it looks like a Baroque ceiling. Virtually life-size images of New York City Ballet dancers are arrayed in rings, whorls and patterns around the floor in various trompe l'oeil effects.

I've heard this installation called pornography. (If so, it's surely an unsuccessful example of that genre.) I think it can certainly be described as kitsch. But it's also imaginative, and, on a fascinatingly large scale, intensely entertaining. And its sense of playfulness is very happy. Finer as art are some (not all) of JR's distressed black-and-white images of dancers in the ground-floor foyers, notably one of Emily Kikta (in the lobby by the left-side elevators), with fabric blowing around her à la Loie Fuller.

On Thursday night, the latest in City Ballet's series of Art Nights, the audience played on that floor, and posed for photographs all around it, like stucco accretions to its design. Disco was played beforehand and in the intermissions and afterward by a D.J. Though his choice of numbers grated beside the music played in the ballets, there need be no quarrel with the principle of occasional party nights of this ilk.

Art Night had a special repertory of five ballets: three - "Kammermusik No. 2," "Concerto Barocco" and "Rubies," all by George Balanchine - from the current repertory (I have already reviewed them), plus two pas de deux to modern music: Christopher Wheeldon's "After the Rain" and Peter Martins's "The Infernal Machine." In the context of ordinary repertory, it would matter more that the leisurely "After the Rain" number is little more than manipulative schmaltz and that the fast-and-furious "Infernal Machine" feels synthetic. What emerged here were their basic virtues of contrasting pace, which extended the evening's range as a primer in modern classical ballet.

It would be good to think some of Thursday's audience returned at once to see the new program that entered the repertory on Friday: a double bill of Jerome Robbins's "Dances at a Gathering" and Balanchine's "Union Jack." Celebrating the two choreographers most crucial to City Ballet history, it was called "Balanchine and Robbins: Masters at Work." (The "at work" tag is redundant; in which of their ballets were they not working?) What's impressive here is the new line taken by each choreographer, after decades of celebrity, and his success in sustaining it at remarkable length.

"Dances at a Gathering" was widely hailed as a masterpiece from its 1969 premiere on. It's set to an assortment of different piano pieces by Chopin (mazurkas, waltzes, études, one scherzo and one nocturne). And its informal manners, loose structure, suggestion of folk community, and changing moods all established a whole new kind of dance theater, with a dreamlike sequence of events that goes way beyond that of earlier ballets such as Michel Fokine's "Les Sylphides" and Balanchine's "Serenade" and "Ivesiana."

The way that Robbins changes the tone between one musical number and another is already amazing; the way he then keeps changing mood and organization within some individual longer numbers is more astonishing yet. In two solos, he strongly suggests that this is a memory ballet - the opening one for a man in brown and one halfway through for a woman in green, both of whom take the stage and seem to be sketching their remembrances of dances past. But all 10 characters, even if their connection to their music is often dreamlike, are marvelously real in behavior.

It's a work that can pall when not danced with a wealth of nuance. Tiler Peck (in pink) and Sara Mearns (in mauve) did much to make Friday's performance eloquent. Ms. Peck's phrasing - with miracles of changing balance in one number - was enthralling; and though Ms. Mearns is not currently in the finest physical condition, the subtlety of dramatic inflection she gives to a gesture, a glance, a step makes her a rare artist. Joaquin De Luz brought a new quiet maturity to the brown role.

Among the other parts, Adrian Danchig-Waring (green) combined crispness and freedom; Brittany Pollack (blue) showed a newly adult quality; and the charm and good manners of Tyler Angle (purple) made an important contribution. Though the persona shown by Megan Fairchild (apricot) remains too lightly adolescent - she seemed the only child onstage - her boldness was welcome. I find Maria Kowroski's physicality wrong for the green solo, despite effective moments.

Though "Union Jack" is seldom singled out as one of Balanchine's most original works, you can't watch it without feeling the risks it takes. No choreographer had a stronger sense of ceremony than Balanchine, but the amount of slow procession and parade here remains breathtaking - and tremendous. The ballet is a salute to Britain, and Balanchine catches several layers of the British persona: reverence and irreverence, the stiff upper lip and the twinkling eye.

Janie Taylor, Ms. Mearns and Teresa Reichlen, leading, first, regiments of kilted guards and naval units also, all have the glamour of old navy black friday 2013-time movie stars. Ms. Mearns, at the head of a thundering all-female dance unit, begins to restore to it the galvanizing dynamic force it lost over 20 years ago (more, please); while Ms. Reichlen, subtly cheeky and elegantly gorgeous at the same time at the head of a line of Wrens, is in full bloom.

Amazon.com to begin collecting sales tax

To the dismay of many online customers, Promotional Codes.com announced it would begin to collect sales tax in North Carolina Feb. 1, an official confirmed Thursday.

This move will make North Carolina the 20th state in the nation to have sales tax collected from an online vendor, said Janie Lyn, an Amazon employee.

But this is not the first time North Carolina has brought Amazon's policies into the public eye.

Mike Meno, spokesman for the North Carolina ACLU, said the organization has challenged the state government's involvement in collecting information from Amazon's online orders.

"Our contention in that case was about the state getting involved and having the customer information turned over to the state," he said. "It's a pretty clear violation of someone's privacy."

Meno said a federal judge found it unconstitutional for the government to link customers to the items they purchased in a 2011 settlement.

But Meno said he did not foresee similar problems occurring with Amazon's latest North Carolina policy.

"Now that this tax issue seems to be settled, the government doesn't seem to be interested in collecting that data," he said.

Jennifer Rudinger, executive director of the North Carolina ACLU, said the organization did not take a position on the question of whether sales tax needed to be collected.

"The decision by Amazon to begin collecting sales taxes on the front end of purchases will save customers from having to keep receipts and pay use taxes on the back end, and will negate any interest the state could have in tracking customers' purchases on Amazon.com," she said.

But not everyone is dissatisfied with Amazon's latest move. Some shop owners believe the imposition of a new sales tax could help level the playing field for local brick-and-mortar businesses.

Stacie Smith, manager of Bull's Head Bookshop, said this change could potentially help her business, as well as others in the area and around the state.

But Smith remains skeptical.

"I hope it makes a difference," she said. "But sales tax, to me, has never seemed that high."

Smith said Bull's Head has lost a lot of business to online merchants, but the store still manages to hold on to its loyal customers.

"We get good feedback when they come in," she said. "They appreciate that we're local."

Smith said while Bull's Head cannot match Amazon's prices, the store discounts more books to remain competitive and does not mind taking requests for future book orders.

"Everyone has sort of been trained by Amazon that they should get 40 percent off, so we thought, 'Why not?'" she said.

"I think it's a good thing, I just don't know how good a thing yet."

Linnie Greene, marketing director of Chapel Hill's Flyleaf Books, said she has similar views and thinks the tax is fair.

"I think that they should pay the tax just like the rest of the businesses in North Carolina," she said.

Greene, a self-proclaimed proponent of "mom and pop" businesses, said she was happy with the decision.

But like Smith, Greene said she remains skeptical that the tax will have any dramatic fiscal effect.

"Places like Amazon tend to undercut a smaller business," she said. "If the end-all be-all is that customers want to pay less money, then I don't think we'll ever be able to compete."

Greene said cost will always be the deciding factor of where customers choose to shop.

"I'm sure there are people in Chapel Hill who use the internet for the majority of their shopping," Greene said. "But a lot of people in the area are conscientious about putting money back into the community."

Samantha Bender, a junior at UNC, said she bought an assortment of items from Amazon, from textbooks to Keurig's K-Cups.

"It's so much cheaper than buying them here," she said.

Even with the sales tax, some students said their purchasing habits probably wouldn't change.

Nathan Owens, a freshman and frequent Amazon shopper, said he was not aware of the tax change.

"I don't feel like it's been advertised as much as it should," Bender said. "I'll probably still buy from (Amazon) because it's cheaper."

state@dailytarheel.com

Handmade gifts -- ideas for her include craft supplies

Your Valentine will love any of these thoughtful handmade gifts -- ideas for her include craft supplies, a bottle of wine from a significant year, and her favorite romantic movie. Mix and match our ideas to create the perfect Valentine's Day gift for her or use our ideas for inspiration to make your own unique gift. Send this list to your guy so he'll know exactly what to get you for Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day, the 14th February, is the day we celebrate our feelings of affection for our boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands and wives. It is traditional to do this with a special romantic gift. Looking for a Valentine's Day Gift for him or the perfect token of love for her? Look no further than here! Alternatively browse all of our Valentine's Day gifts listed below to find the perfect present. If you're looking for something slightly more risque', check out our Adult Gifts.
Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

If you're looking for a gift for your Valentine, you've come to the right place. We've gathered up all our top picks for Valentine's Day 2014, from men and women's watches and fragrances, to jewelry, chocolates, clothing and more. Whatever age you're shopping for, we've got Valentine's ideas you'll love. Have a look around and find something special for your Valentine.
Find the Perfect Gift for Your Valentine
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80% Off Target Coupons 2014 - Online Promo Code & Free Shipping

Newark, DE -- ( SBWIRE) -- 01/21/2014 -- Target is the second largest discount retailer in America. They are headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and they are ranked at number 36 on the Fortune 500. Target stores stock a huge range of different products including clothing, a small amount of groceries, shoes, jewelry, health and beauty products, electronics, DVDs, bedding, kitchen supplies, sporting goods, pet supplies, automotive supplies, hardware supplies, and more.

- Target.com: Save 5% OFF Entire Order + Get Free Shipping

- Target.com: Get Up to 80% OFF on Clearance Sale

- Target.com: View All Target Online Coupons & Deals

They also stock certain seasonal products such as patio furniture during the summer, and Christmas decorations during November and December. With such a diverse range of products available, visitors to the store will never be short of things to buy, and they can benefit from huge savings and special promotions if they adopt a coupon code search strategy and do a quick search at HelloCoin for the latest Target coupons and promo codes every time they shop online at Target.

Target coupons are available freely, and to demonstrate the great money saving opportunities available with coupons and promo codes, shoppers only need to take a closer look at the links listed in this press release.

The first coupon available to use at Target is one which entitles anyone to $5 discount on their order, as long as the order value amounts $50 or more. Not only does this coupon entitle the customer to a $5 discount, but it entitles them to free shipping too.

The second Target Printable Coupons available is one which entitles Target customers to save 5% off of their entire purchase, and once again shipping is free with this coupon too!

The third coupon available in this release is one which offers savings of up to a staggering 50% in the Target clearance sales. That's a huge half price discount! Don't miss this chance for some extreme bargain hunting!

The fourth Target coupon on offer is one which can be used on smaller orders, this coupon code entitles the customer to free shipping on selected items throughout the Target store.

Efficient Money Savings with Target In-Store Coupons
The coupons of target.com can be used for different purposes. Some interesting facts that should be known about the coupon promos are.

- Which one are better, the online ones or the paper target promotion codes.
- Is it possible to combine the target coupons code with other type of discounts?
- What are all the ways of redeeming these discounts out of the target online coupons?
- What If the target printable discount coupon is lost? All the answers could be available readily when going through their website.

The upcoming new items are listed in the website as new attractions and the upcoming proposals. One thing is needed to bother about is that kids are going to be stubborn in getting these attractive dolls immediately at once they see them. Do not show it all to them or in other case will have to shell out a lot of money out of pockets in purchasing whole heap of products but yet all attractive though.

Target promo codes are available in the retail stores. There are possibilities to get the promo codes online itself from the dedicated websites for this purpose. A simple search in the internet could get a handful of such options. Official websites of the target coupon codes is yet the best place to do related inquiries and for target printable coupons there are different sources to procure them. Use these coupons and shower loved ones with gifts. They would remember these gifts for their lifetime to show all affection and love towards in return. Possible to walk with pride as children are boasting their doll set to their friends. Dolls and other items similar to the furniture sets and physical therapy kits that are sold in the stores inculcate a lot of meaning in the minds of the children. They are designed and made with a purpose to improvise the mind-set of the kids. It is the duty of the parents to take care of the kids in the righteous ways and getting them what they love and need. But as a homely money saving agent, a person have to use target discount offers to save and boast the same. In case, there is no any requirement of such a kind, then please do not waste one. Pass it on to those that are yearning to catch up with a coupon. It is because of the hefty savings up to a maximum of about sixty percentage and odd in their purchase of the commodities.

About HelloCoin
The fantastic discounts which can be obtained by using these coupons make shopping at Target - or any store - a much more enjoyable experience. Team at HelloCoin.com is working hard daily to provide their customers with up-to-date Target coupons and online codes, so never shop online till HelloCoin site is not checked, because amazing deductions for Target and a lot more top US and worldwide known stores is waiting.

Five Offbeat Predictions for 2014

The New Year is upon us and it's time to ponder the future.

Some forecasters play it safe by predicting Brad and Angelina will break up.

Not I.

I'm offering five mind-boggling predictions for 2014.

NFL Plays First Game On Moon

Sports fans rejoice! The NFL decides to have its first game in outer space. Watch in awe as the New England Patriots square off against the Miami Dolphins. Zero gravity will make for exciting action, as players somersault skyward, hoping their suits don't tear. Of course, the losing team will be stranded on the lunar surface until next year.

Miley Cyrus Cloned for Broadway

Theatrical producers hire a scientist to clone pop sensation Miley Cyrus. The medical miracle will allow the controversial singer to perform every role in a Broadway revival of "Cats." Where do the box office receipts go with the added feline twerking? You guessed it, through the roof.

Apple Saves Detroit From Bankruptcy

Tech giant Apple Inc. reveals it will use a chunk of its cash hoard to pay Detroit's long list of creditors. The company renames the city Appleville and develops new technology to rid the Motor City of urban blight. Starting with the laser app, iSore.

Kim Kardashian Added to Mt. Rushmore

Fans of reality star Kim Kardashian will have plenty to talk about as their idol is added to Mt. Rushmore. Sure she's not a president, but some folks in high places press to have her kisser chiseled in granite. The entire project will be part of a reality show on A&E called "Rock On!"

Washington Tornado

A giant twister will scoop up the Lincoln Memorial and place it hundreds of miles away in Pigeon Forge. The task of moving it back to D.C. is deemed too expensive, so the structure will remain where it landed. Making it the second biggest tourist attraction in Tennessee, next to Dollywood.

So there you have it, several offbeat predictions for a memorable 2014.

Happy New Year!

Parking partners upbeat over deal

What was a low-key partnership on parking between Port Canaveral and two hotels has expanded to 12 hotels. And both sides say the Online Deals has been beneficial.

Port Canaveral is offering a 40 percent discount on parking to cruise passengers who stay at one of the participating hotels before their cruise.

Even with the discount, the port can benefit if it means cruise passengers are using its lots, instead of parking at off-site operations, according to David Poston, the port's director of cruise, hospitality and business development.

"We would recapture our lost revenue on parking — or, at least, some of that revenue," Poston said. "It's been working really, really well. It's a wonderful program to market."

Poston updated port commissioners on the program this week, and they were impressed by its expansion, with four more hotels added to the program in the last month.

"This is a creative partnership," Port Authority Chairman Tom Weinberg said. "This is a win-win. Our revenue improves, and, frankly, it's an advantage to the hotels," partly because the hotels don't have parking spaces filled by vehicles of people who are on a cruise.

Jim Underwood, managing partner of the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Melbourne and Titusville, said the program has been "a great program for us. Our guests love it, and we get a lot of good comments. It's been a real good drawing card for us."

On Friday, for example, occupants of six rooms at Underwood's Titusville hotel took advantage of the program.

Underwood said he also already has gotten repeat business through the program, which his hotels began in April.

Port Canaveral charges $60 for those taking a three-day cruise, but the parking fee is reduced to $36 for guests staying at participating hotels.

For a seven-day cruise, the $120 parking fee drops to $72.

Poston said the program has generated more than $310,000 to the port in added parking revenue so far.

As a bonus, Poston said, the port is able to gather general data on cruise passengers using the program, such as the ZIP code of their residence, to help determine the port's customer base and devise marketing strategies for the port.

Poston said, in addition to Florida, the greatest number of cruise passengers using the program are coming from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Alabama.

Frustrations over Best Buy cable TV offer

Cable companies are losing customers every month to other providers. So they are fighting back with deals and bonuses to get you to come back., or switch to them for the first time.

But as one customer learned, getting the "welcome back" bonus is not always so easy.

Offer at Discount Buy hard to resist

Joe Matthews wasn't sure he needed Cable TV anymore, with streaming video and HD local channels available free with an antenna.

But like a lot of people shopping at Best Buy, a deal to come back to cable caught his eye.

"It was TV, phone service, and Internet," Matthews said. "And we would get an email from Best Buy, to go into a Best Buy store and get any iPad up to $250."

Successful Promotion

Cable companies nationwide from Time Warner to Cox to Comcast have been offering Best Buy gift cards the past year as a way to bring back customers who cut the cord.

It works.

So Matthews signed up, then waited.... and waited... and waited. "We got the cable, the phone, the Internet," he said, "but no email gift card from Best Buy."

Why so many complaints?

He's not alone: Complaints of long delays in receiving Best Buy gift cards have been piling up at online forums the past year.

So we contacted Time Warner Cable, which was the partner in this promotion, and promised to expedite Matthew's gift card.

Time Warner has explained that a third party company is handling the program.

That firm has to make sure that customers meet all the conditions first, such as getting all required services, and keeping those services for a certain time period.

It says everyone will receive their gift cards. But Matthews, like others, says the wait is frustrating.

"Somebody should step up and deliver those iPads or gift cards," he said.

What you can do

If you are thinking of switching back to cable, these offers are tempting.

But make sure you meet all the qualifications, and then hold on to all emails and paperwork in case you hit a delay.

A website called "Stop the Cap" even has a section devoted to how to get your promised promotion.

That way you don't waste your money.

______________________________________

Don't Waste Your Money is a registered trademark of the EW Scripps Co. "Like" John Matarese on Facebook

Follow John on Twitter (@DWYM)

Why Amazon's Kindle Fire Is Not a Threat to Apple or Google

The Kindle Fire line of tablets from NASDAQ: NASDAQ: amazon app store ( AMZN ) seems like an incredible bargain compared to higher-priced options. The latest entry, the Kindle Fire HDX, has technical specs that rival or surpass the new iPad Air from Apple ( AAPL ) in most areas, while selling for a significantly lower price. The lower-end models are outrageously inexpensive for a tablet, with the most basic version selling for just $139. But a tablet is more than just technical specs, and in the case of the Kindle Fire, you get what you pay for. While the Kindle Fire seems to be a big threat to Google's and Apple's mobile business models, it's really nothing more than a niche product.

NASDAQ: Limited price, limited options
Amazon sells its tablets essentially at cost, looking to make money when people use the tablets to buy things like movies and books. Kindle Fire tablets run an operating system based on Google's ( GOOG ) Android, but heavily modified to allow Amazon to control the experience. The tablets are built specifically to sell content through Amazon, and they work wonderfully for that purpose.

But the low cost comes at a price. There's no Google Play store, meaning that all apps must come from Amazon's app store. This means that Amazon has direct control over what apps you'll be able to use, and some significant omissions may be enough to avoid the device entirely. There are ways around this, but nothing the average consumer could pull off.

First, users have absolutely no choice when it comes to the browser. All Kindle Fire tablets run Amazon's Silk browser by default, and it's not possible to download an alternative from Amazon. Also missing are most of Google's apps, like Gmail, Maps, and YouTube, as well as apps like Dropbox. Again, it's possible to install these apps using various methods posted on the web, but it seems simpler to just buy a normal Android tablet and avoid the hassle.

One of the reasons why Android has been so successful is because it's open. Anyone can build an app and put it in the app store, even if it competes with a Google product. Imagine if Google banned the Dropbox app because it competes with Google Drive, or if it banned the Pandora app because it wanted people to use its own music service. Android users would not be happy.

Since Google gives its Android operating system away for free, the company relies on selling apps through the Google Play store -- as well as getting people to use its services -- in order to monetize the platform. With the Kindle Fire bypassing Google Play and not offering Google's services, Amazon's tablets represent a threat to Google's mobile business model. If the Kindle Fire were to pick up a significant share of the tablet market, Google would essentially be subsidizing a major competitor.

For Apple, the threat comes from the Kindle Fire HDX matching the high-end specs of the iPad while selling for a far lower price. The iPad is a premium product, but when a Kindle Fire tablet with the same or better hardware sells for a significantly lower price, it brings into question whether Apple will be able to maintain its premium pricing.

The good news for both Google and Apple is that the Kindle Fire's software, with the lack of major apps and the Amazon-centric design, makes the line of tablets undesirable to anyone looking for the full tablet experience. The hardware isn't the main selling point of a tablet, the experience is, and both Android tablets and iPads trump the Kindle Fire in that regard. The Kindle Fire is a niche product at best, and Amazon investors should be questioning the wisdom of selling hardware at-cost when Amazon's apps are already available on Android and iOS.

Who, exactly, needs Mayday?
One of the biggest new features to come with the Kindle Fire HDX is the Mayday customer service feature. By tapping on the Mayday button, users will be connected with a customer service representative within 15 seconds, with a live video popping up on the screen. This representative can help users by explaining a feature, drawing things on the screen, or taking over the tablet and doing things directly. "Revolutionary" is the word used by Amazon to describe the feature.

But here's the problem: Mayday is an admission that the Kindle Fire is not intuitive enough to use. The user interface should explain itself, and the fact that people even need the Mayday feature is an admission that this isn't the case. Or it's an admission that Amazon thinks its customers can't figure out a simple touch-screen device. Either way, it's more pointless than revolutionary.

Why do iPhones and iPads not have a feature like Mayday? Because they don't need it. The devices are intuitive, and it's simple to figure out how things work. The goal of UI design is to not need to explain how to use the device. If I were an Amazon investor, I'd be questioning why the company was spending money on the Mayday system at all. When customer service is the most-touted feature of a device, something is seriously wrong.

The bottom line
The market share that the Kindle fire can attain is limited by the crippled functionality of the devices. If you want to buy an Amazon store front, the Kindle Fire is perfect for you. I suspect that most people would prefer to pay a bit more for an Android tablet or an iPad and be able to download any app that they want. Amazon's strategy of selling the devices at cost prevents the Kindle Fire from offering all of the features of normal tablets, since that would defeat the purpose of Amazon selling tablets in the first place. The Kindle Fire is not a real threat to Apple or Google because, ultimately, most people won't accept the restrictions that come with it.

The tech war doesn't end at tablets
Television, as we know it, is on the verge of a transformation. The companies that prevail in this epic disruption could go on to earn their shareholders untold sums of money. And the companies that lose could very well end up in bankruptcy court within a matter of years. With this in mind, our top technology analysts created a groundbreaking free report that sorts out the likely winners from the losers. In doing so, they reveal the handful of companies that are best positioned to make their shareholders exceptionally rich over the next few decades. To download this invaluable free report before the rest of the market catches on, simply click here now.

Fed up with euro, France flirts with coupon money

Whether buying bread, filling a pharmacy prescription, getting a haircut or going to the doctor, some residents of Montreuil, France, are rejecting the euro in favor of 'La Peche', a local community currency.

In France, local currencies are growing in popularity as trust in state institutions erodes. An elaborate Coupon system lets locals pay for services and goods with special local banknotes, which are recycled and kept within the community.

France, Europe's second largest economy, has at least 20 different types of complementary currencies. Worldwide there are over 4,000 community-centered money schemes.

"First it's practical. Local currencies stay and develop in the region. Second ideological. A lack of confidence in official currencies makes people want to have something they understand, that they can control, and that they can trust, not just something that is printed, you don't know how, with no control and leads to speculation," Herve Pillard, a French finance lawyer told RT.

Both electronic or paper, the currency is spent and then directly fed back into the community from where they come from, which cuts down on the number of monetary circuits through which it passes, which in theory strengthens the community, reduces the ecological footprint, and is a hedge against speculative markets and tax havens, according to the organization's website.

Traditional money like the euro lost its appeal as Greece's credit crisis dragged the currency to record lows in September 2011.

The value of one 'peche' is directly tied to the euro at a 1:1 exchange rate.

"The problem with the Euro is that it's not just a mode of exchange, but it also became a mode of speculation to feed banks. While local currencies support local projects on the ground, which means it works for us, the people," Ghislaine Scheffer of 'La Peche, Monnaie Locale' association told RT.

Economies around the world have tried to use monetary and fiscal policies as a tool to strengthen economic growth. The US opted to pump billions of stimulus into their economy, and Japan used monetary easing to boost exports on a weak yen.

"Banks play enough with money but at the end of the day ordinary people have to pay for mistakes and losses. This is why people want to have a currency they will be sure will serve them and not disappear in a fiscal paradise, global finance systems, or banks," Etienne Hayem, entrepreneur and local currency expert told RT.

The intentional 'currency wars', at first criticized were later deemed acceptable by G20 nations as a way to guide their economies back on track.

Put into circulation in January 2002, the euro is currently administered by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the eurozone central banks. In 2014, the Frankfurt-based ECB will officially take over supervision of more than 6,000 eurozone banks.

Startup currencies, both hard and digital, have been making headlines in 2013, with Bitcoin the clear winner. Following the spectacular rise from just pennies to over $1000 , the cryptocurrency has won fans from the US to China to Cyprus, and amongst consumers looking for an alternative approach to state-backed financial systems.

Though alternative money has been making waves, most experts agree it won't replace the central bank-backed conventional ones.

New Ebay Promotional Codes in January 2014 Announced by CheckBestCoupons.com

<Deal Of The Dayp>

New York, NY -- ( SBWIRE) -- 01/08/2014 -- In uncertain economic times, consumers are turning to age old practices reengineered for the digital world. Gone may be the days of clipping coupons from magazines, but couponing, and the thrifty mindset, is anything but history. That's why more shoppers than ever are turning to CheckBestCoupons.com.

Launched 2013, CheckBestCoupon.com is designed to supplant other online coupon and discount providers. Where before consumers had to jump through hoops for their discounts, now they have a streamlined option in CheckBestCoupon.com.

For 7 years, the site's CEO closely monitored other digital couponing tools. His research allowed for the creation of a smooth platform, where no gimmicks that stand in-between shoppers and discounts. And not a moment too soon.

CheckBestCoupons.com strives to give consumers a free concise method to access the best available popular deals and discounts such as ebay promo codes, without the headache. The simplicity lies in the fact that the top deals are directly based on customer feedback. Offers which are the most frequently voted for and commented on show up at the top of the page. Truly a site of the people, CheckBestCoupons.com puts the power in the purchaser's hands. And continual updates, taking into account the most recent data, ensure it stays that way.

According to PSSmarketing, an online publication for "marketing, branding, sales and advertising specialists," online couponing is on the rise. "Digital couponing has been growing in leaps and bounds recently, a trend that is expected to persist for the next few years," said their mobile marketing division.

They also cited an eMarketer survey which indicated that over 92 million people redeemed digital coupons in 2012. By 2014, that number has soared to over 100 million.

To ring in the New Year, CheckBestCoupons.com is now promoting its new collection of deals on EBay, as well as a whole list of free samples. Individuals can try dozens of products from familiar companies including, Philips Norelco, Hormel, MARS Chocolate and other everyday brands.

Unlike at competing sites, patrons of CheckBestCoupons.com will be spared the tedious process of building profiles and surrendering mountains of personal information. Instead they need only enter their name an email if they want to leave a comment. And if they only wish to vote on a particular deal? No information is required at all. Not only is CheckBestCoupons.com more efficient than other deal websites, it is far safer.

Coin conscious shoppers should see where they can save by checking: http://checkbestcoupons.com/ebay.

Additional information is available on the site's YouTube videos, which offer quick how-to lessons:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVvtpIRZLac

Despite the shifting sands of physical commerce, the dependability of finding online discounts is stable. Nowhere is this truer than at CheckBestCoupons.com. The site that consumers have come to trust will continue to deliver throughout the coming year, and beyond.

Contact Information:
Jesus Sanchez
Email: Admin@CheckBestCoupons.com
Ph: 408-471-8047

Deals of the Day

Venture Capital Deals

CAN Capital, an online provider of small business capital, has raised $33 million in new VC funding. Meritech Capital Partners led the round, and was joined by Ribbit Capital, QED Investors and return backer Accel Partners. www.cancapital.com

Aquion Energy Inc., a Pittsburgh-based developer of water-based sodium ion batteries, has raised $20 million in additional Series D funding, bringing the round total to $55 million. New backers include Bill Gates, Yung's Enterprise, Tao Invest, Bright Capital and Gentry Venture Partners. Return backers include Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Foundation Capital, and Advanced Technology Ventures. www.aquionenergy.com

Avelas Biosciences, a San Diego-based startup focused on visualizing cancerous lymph nodes in breast cancer patients, has raised $6.85 million in Series B funding. Existing backer Avalon Ventures led the round, and was joined by Torrey Pines Investment and WuXi AppTec. www.avelasbio.com

Private Equity Deals

Affinity Equity Partners has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire juice bar chain operator Retail Zoo from The Riverside Company, according to The Australian. UBS is managing the process. www.boostjuice.com.au
ComplexCare Solutions Inc., a New York-based provider of healthcare payer services, has raised $40 million in growth equity funding from Warburg Pincus. www.complexcaresolutions.com

Macquarie Group, TPG Capital and Vitol Group are considering bids for some of Royal Dutch Shell's Australian downstream operations, according to Bloomberg. The Amazon Sales could be valued at around $2.7 billion. www.shell.com

IPOs

Flexion Therapeutics Inc., a Woburn, Mass.-based developer of therapeutics for musculoskeletal disorders, has filed for an $86.25 million IPO. It plans to trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol FLXN, with BMO Capital Markets serving as lead underwriter. Shareholders include Versant Ventures (29.76% pre-IPO stake), Sofinnova Capital (19.25%), Pfizer Inc. (17.32%), 5AM Ventures (15.52%) and Novo AS (11.2%). www.flexiontherapeutics.com
, an Emeryville, Calif.-based developer of biomarker platform technology, has filed for a $48.3 million IPO. It plans to trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol KNMD, with H.C. Wainwright & Co. serving as lead underwriter. www.kinemed.com

OTHER DEALS

Glori Energy Inc., a Houston, Texas-based provider of biotech solutions to increase recovery from mature oil wells, is going public via a $185 million reverse merger with Infinity Cross Border Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: INXB). Infiniy's sponsors are Infinity Group and Hicks Equity Partners, while Glori Energy backers include GTI Ventures (18.5% stake), Oxford Bioscience Partners (19%), The Ozmest Group (18.3%), Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (15.7%), Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund (13.5%), Energy Technology Ventures (6.9%), Gentry Venture Partners and Advantage Capital Partners. www.glorioil.com

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