Uptown business group asks city to help mitigate effects of construction

Business News

Breadcrumb Trail LinksBusiness & EconomyCity hallSaint John & SouthTimes GlobePublished Nov 28, 2024  •  Last updated 1 hour ago  •  5 minute readWorkers carry on excavating at 99 King Street in uptown Saint John. The Uptown Saint John Business Improvement Association is asking council to look at implementing some forms of construction mitigation for local businesses who are impacted by developments such as 99 King St. Photo by PAUL HUTCHINGS/BRUNSWICK NEWSArticle contentSAINT JOHN – Uptown Saint John Business Improvement Association staff have asked council to try and help mitigate the effects of construction on local businesses. Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERSSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the e-Edition, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalism and the next generation of journalists.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the e-Edition, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalism and the next generation of journalists.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to keep reading.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite journalists.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsDon’t have an account? Create AccountorSign in without password New , a new way to loginArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentA letter sent to council, signed by executive director Nancy Tissington, says its members are “seeking in tandem with these projects a percentage of the city’s marketing and/or capital budget be allocated to support impacted businesses in advance of and for the duration of construction.” As well, they are seeking a “point of contact for issues arising, parking, notices, updates and any other elements that affect the day-to-day operations” of small businesses in the area.A dollar amount can be discussed in the future, said Tissington, but she told Brunswick News the group’s main concern is that construction by private developers, who get their permits from the city and develop properties on their own, can often unintentionally interfere with local business.  She said uptown streets were dug up en masse by the city over the summer, with infrastructure improvements needed beneath Charlotte Street and several other areas. But with private developers, she said, contractors can often take up parking or put pieces of equipment, such as dumpsters or cranes, near store fronts, interfering with customers making their way inside a shop. Tissington said city staff did what she called an excellent job over the summer in being available to local businesses, helping them understand what was happening and whether there would be road closures or excessive noise. But with private developers, the same amount of communication does not seem to be happening. Morning Email Telegraph-JournalA clear and concise roundup to start your weekday morning.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Morning Email Telegraph-Journal will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentAdvertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article content“A private development, such as 99 King for example, gets a permit from the city, they come in, they may shut down the sidewalk with a dumpster, or (their contractors) may take over parking nearby with no communication coming out to the neighbouring businesses,” she said. “Whether it’s good or bad news, the communication is lacking from the privatized developers, so we’re asking the city when they go forward with permits, to put some construction mitigation components into their permitting.” As an example, she pointed to King Street businesses that have lost parking spaces in front of their store fronts. Some business owners show up to open their stores in the morning not knowing how much noise they’ll have to face or whether a dumpster will be sitting in front of their doors. “We’re not against development; we can’t wait to see residents in these (new buildings) because they’ll support small businesses,” Tissington said. “But while construction is happening, can’t we work towards ease of parking for our customers and patrons and more communication from developers?”Ninety-nine King Street developer Percy Wilbur told Brunswick News that he goes through a city liaison to communicate with local businesses. He said he understands what they’re going through. “We do our best to accommodate and to keep parking as clear as we can,” he said. “A lot of the problem too is that even though we tell everyone on site to respect neighbours, people will do it anyway, not the contractors, but citizens too, we put up barriers and barricades, and people will still drive and park where they aren’t supposed to – so it’s a difficult undertaking.”Advertisement 4Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentDeclining revenuesOther businesses agreed with Tissington. Corn Crib Natural Foods owner Kelly McCarthy told Brunswick News they’ve had several customers tell her that they did not want to shop uptown anymore, leading her to consider making home deliveries a part of the store’s business plan. Corn Crib manager Danielle Pellerin said their store’s revenue is down around 30 per cent over the last few months. “It wasn’t necessarily about the construction, but the road closures, and I kept asking workers when they’d be done, and every week I kept getting the answer of, ‘next week,’ but the following week it was the same answer,” she said. “I tried to park one day in front of our store and I got yelled at by a construction worker telling me not to park there – how is (any business) supposed to survive uptown if we’re always getting customers worried constantly about getting tickets or being towed while they’re shopping at our stores?” Urban Shoe Myth owner Shelly DeMerchant told Brunswick News she has had to put up signs in several areas directing customers to her business and telling them the shoe and accessories business is still open, with arrows pointing the way around construction areas.  DeMerchant guessed her business sales are down between 10-15 per cent, as at the beginning of the summer her business faced city work, and now is across the 99 King development. “It all just seems to be one big, long process here, and with sales here that equates to quite a bit,” she said. “I honestly couldn’t be more thrilled that the development is happening, but we need to be able to keep our businesses going until it’s completed.” Advertisement 5Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentShe said communication is key. “I understand that a portion of the street is going to be closed now and then, I know there’ll be disruptions,” she said. “But if we could be made aware it would at least allow us to prepare.” As an example, she said, if she had known about disruptions during particular weeks, she could have changed her stock deliveries to coincide with those days. Anne McShane, who owns the Feel Good Store and sits on the city’s Planning Advisory Committee, told Brunswick News more attention could have been paid to how all the construction would effect local businesses. “If they’re all talking about communicating better, that’s always great, because there’ll be no shortage of developments in the future,” she said. “It’s tough because each group has its own concern, one saying, ‘I’m just trying to sell soap!’ and the other saying, ‘I’m just trying to build this building!,” so it would be nice to have some of the key groups involved talking to each other to try and work this out.” The only councillor to respond to the letter was Brent Harris, who sympathized with those businesses involved, but said it’s something that every community deals with during development. “This is something that every city goes through and every community has had to come to grips with,” he said. “These are just pressures that a growing city faces, and there’s always room for improvement.” City Chief Administrative Officer Brent McGovern told Harris that staff intends on raising the issue again “based on the construction season and challenges” received by staff. He added the letter would “feed into a report to come back from staff in advance of the next construction season.”Out-of-province solutionsUptown Saint John’s letter to council includes links to construction mitigation plans in Halifax and Toronto, showing council that other areas have been dealing with the same issue. Toronto’s Transit Expansion Construction Program gives grants of $10,000, $25,000 and $50,000 to business improvement association’s that meet eligibility requirements. Halifax’s plan requires aspects of mitigation in the permitting and covers items like parking effects, dust and rodent control, and delivery control.Article contentShare this article in your social networkComments Join the Conversation Featured Local Savings

Outrage over new Spain travel rules that will make holidays ‘much more complicated’

Travel

NEW rules being rolled out for tourists across Spain have been slammed by the country’s leading hotel association.From December 2, Brits heading anywhere in Spain will be required to give hotels and accommodation a number of extra personal details.New rules are being rolled out across Spain next week – which will make family holidays more complicatedCredit: AlamyThis includes 31 new pieces of information such as home addresses, email addresses and phone numbers.Families will also be asked their relationship to any children travelling with them, as well as their group size.The new rule have been introduced by the Spanish government in a bid to “crackdown on organised crime”.However Spain’s leading hotel association CEHAT has slammed the rules, after their request to dial down the details given was denied.Read more on SpainCEHAT Secretary General Ramón Estalella previously described the new rules as “Big Brother” and warned it will also massively delay busy check in times.They told the Telegraph: “Spain is already the only country in the EU where hotels must send guests’ ID info to the police, while in other countries they just have to keep that data for a period.“Not only could it violate fundamental privacy rights, but it also threatens to complicate and hinder the experience of millions of visitors who choose Spain as a destination.” They also said that many hotels do not have the correct technology to follow the new rules, nor to provide adequate data protection.Most read in News TravelThey added: “It is impossible to automate the process and it would involve additional and disproportionate manual work for establishments and a considerable increase in errors.”The new rules have already been delayed a number of times since January 2023 when they were meant to be introduced.Inside Spain’s ‘best all-inclusive’ resortAny hotel organisation that does not comply with the rules faces fines up to €30,000 (£25,000).A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry previously said: “It is justified for the general interest for the security of citizens against the threat of terrorism and other serious offences committed by criminal organisations.”Furious tourists have slammed the new rules with one saying: “They are off my holiday list.”Another said: “That’s a shame so much for that holiday in Spain. I am sure another country will be happy to take my money.”Tourists are already asked a number of other questions when entering the country.For example, arrivals must be able to show evidence of enough funds while in the country, with at least €100 (£85) for each day in Spain.Spain has a number of strict rules in place across the country.Smoking is banned on a number of beaches in Barcelona and the Canary islands, with fines up to £1,700.Some restaurants in Majorca ban any tourists who are wearing football shirts.READ MORE SUN STORIESEverything you need to know about visiting SpainBrits must have at least three months left on their passport from the day they plan to leave the country.Tourists do not need a visa if visiting for up to 90 days in an 180-day period.Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.Travellers may be asked to show hotel booking confirmations and that they have enough money for their stay at the border.Spain is one hour ahead of the UK.The country uses the euro with around €10 working out to £8.55.Flights to Spain from the UK take between 2-4 hours depending on the destination.And alcohol limits are in place on destinations such as Magaluf and Ibiza.Tourists at all-inclusive resorts will only be allowed to have three drinks in the day and three in the evening.All hotels will have to follow the new rules or risk thousands of pounds in finesCredit: Alamy

Is Bigger Better?: Small Business Saturday is on the horizon

Business News

Mark Fedde chuckles when he thinks about the first time he stepped into his grandfather’s store on Colorado Boulevard during the ’60s.“There were certainly a lot more small businesses here in Pasadena then,” Fedde said. “It was such a different time. The challenges today are far more complicated than it was back then.”However, Fedde Furniture, which opened in 1937, is still in business, led by its third-generation owner. Fedde, 61, has worked at the family business for nearly 40 years.

Fedde Furniture and other Pasadena small businesses do their best to stay afloat. Helping with this is Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30), slated annually for the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This kicks off Shop Local Pasadena, a citywide campaign celebrating its business landscape of over 1,600 retail outlets and more than 700 restaurants“That’s always a good thing,” Fedde said about Small Business Saturday. “It’s always nice when people are encouraged to visit small businesses. It’s always a good day for us.”Kristin McGrath, executive director of Visit Pasadena, said in a statement, “Pasadena is a destination for those who value authentic experiences. This holiday season, we encourage visitors and community members to support local entrepreneurs by exploring the independently owned shops and eateries that make Pasadena such a special place.”Small Business Saturday focuses on the independent shops that make Pasadena “a charming and multicultural destination.” To promote all things Pasadena, shoppers can visit a welcome kiosk at various businesses to pick up a free canvas tote Saturday, Nov. 30. The shopping totes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.The small business shops range from the Dog Bakery, which makes freshly baked canine treats, to Sybilline Records, which specializes in vinyl, to The Portrait Space, Pasadena’s first self-portrait studio.And then there is the array of Pasadena restaurants, such as The Pasadena Sandwich Company and Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery.“There are so many great small businesses in Pasadena,” Fedde said. “It’s a unique and wonderful community.”

Small Business Saturday is Julia Cowlishaw’s favorite day. She is the chief executive officer of Vroman’s Bookstore.

Russell Gearhart

To further encourage local shopping and dining, Pasadena Transit will allow free rides on Friday, Nov. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 30. Visitors can access Pasadena’s retail areas, with schedules, maps and real-time arrival information available at pasadenatransit.net.Small Business Saturday is Julia Cowlishaw’s favorite day. She is the chief executive officer of Vroman’s Bookstore.“We love focusing on the community and other local businesses to highlight what makes Pasadena special,” Cowlishaw said. “It’s great to be part of a community where we can easily recommend other local businesses to our customers, friends, and out-of-town guests.”Locals may not know it, but there is a considerable benefit for shopping in their own community.“Local businesses are important because we return three times more money to the community for every dollar spent than a chain does, not to mention online giants,” Cowlishaw said. “We also utilize other local businesses, donate to schools, non-profits, and community partners. We also have a smaller carbon footprint.”David Klug, Pasadena’s economic development director, shared the sentiment in a statement.“Shopping locally is more than just a transaction — it’s an opportunity to experience the creativity and community spirit that make Pasadena unique. By supporting local businesses, shoppers are not only finding one-of-a-kind items but also helping sustain a thriving, diverse business community that’s at the heart of Pasadena.”Cowlishaw and Fedde have watched the small business takeover make a more significant impact each year in Pasadena. However, the 2024 event will be the first for AMT Vintage owner Meika Franz, who isn’t sure what to expect.

“I’m new to Pasadena so I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I’m excited about it,” Franz said. “What I do know is that everyone on my block is independent and Holly Street is amazing and I’m so happy that I ended up here on Holly Street. I guess the event will be similar to our Small Business Saturday event at our other store, which is in Jersey City.”Fedde’s grandparents, Arnold and Ellen Fedde established Fedde Furniture 87 years ago. Vroman’s, which opened in 1894, pre-dates Fedde Furniture, but few small businesses hit triple digits.“Berg Hardware was here forever,” Fedde said. “But it closed a few years ago (2014) after being around for about 100 years.”Fedde Furniture will tie Berg Hardware next year as it climbs the longevity ladder. Fedde reveals some secrets to small business success.“You need to work with good people,” Fedde said. “You have to be true to your brand. You realize quickly that you can’t be everything to everybody, and it takes a lot of hard work to succeed. You also need to offer a quality product. We carry Stickley Furniture and Simply Amish Furniture, which stand the test of time. What’s great about being here is that this community has always been about shopping local.”Locals and those from out of the area looking for an alternative to chains trek to Pasadena for the small business experience.“One of the most unique things about Pasadena is the support of local businesses,” Cowlishaw said. “Vroman’s is celebrating our 130th anniversary this year, and we couldn’t do that if our customers and community didn’t believe in shopping local.”For Rob Poquez of Pasadena’s Bricks & Minifigs — a Lego aftermarket reseller for minifigures, sets, bricks and accessories — Small Business Saturday and the holiday season are vital to his shop.He said it’s great to work with the city of Pasadena and give the public a reason to visit small businesses. In turn, stores like Poquez’s show why they are uniquely Pasadena-ish.“We enjoy working with the city of Pasadena to support small, locally owned businesses like ourselves. For us, we are able to show what makes us uniquely Pasadena. We have a rose-shaped brick and our employees wear a patch with that logo.“We’re putting the Pasadena in Bricks & Minifigs.”The store is offering a week-long promotion, with discounts on bulk bricks, certified used sets and new sets, and minifigures.This is the first holiday season — and Small Business Saturday — for Rebecca Crews, who helms her eponymous boutique in Bokaos Salon at 52 Hugus Alley in Old Pasadena. Crews, the wife of actor Terry Crews, specializes in suits and coats. She’s using the day and season as a research tool.“I’m excited to see what people like and where I get a strong response,” Crews said. “This is my first outlet, other than online. We’re still learning from the public what part of the brand speaks to them.“I’ve been loaning the clothes through a PR house and suit wear and coats were popular. When they come into the boutique, they love the coats. We’re trying to gather that information to determine which way to we should go in the future.”For Crews, this is the start of something fabulous.“My goal is world domination,” she said. “I want to open another store in the next year or two—somewhere in the Midwest or South. By 2030, I want to be worldwide.”Small Business SaturdaySmall Business Takeover is slated annually for the Saturday after Thanksgiving. For more information, visit bit.ly/shoplocalpasadena. Welcome station locations include: Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery 40 W. Green Street AMT Vintage 16 E. Holly Street The Battery Books & Music 26 S. Los Robles Avenue Bricks & Minifigs 350 S. Lake Avenue, Suite 110 Buttercup 300 E. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 157 Chapala Bakery No. 2 265 E. Orange Grove Boulevard The Dog Bakery 36 W. Colorado Boulevard El Dorado 140 E. Orange Grove Boulevard Fedde Furniture 2350 E. Colorado Boulevard Ferrazzani’s Pasta & Market 1976 Lincoln Avenue Han’s Beauty Støre 3644 E. Foothill Boulevard Hello You’re Welcome 445 E. Colorado Boulevard La Michoacana de Dena 1373 N. Lake Avenue Lucky Boy 531 E. Walnut Street Octavia’s Bookshelf 1353 N. Hill Avenue The Original Whistle Stop 2490 E. Colorado Boulevard Pasadena Antique Center & Annex 480 S. Fair Oaks Avenue Pasadena Sandwich Company 259 Sierra Madre Villa Avenue, Suite 102 PlayLab Beauty 25 N. Fair Oaks Avenue Portrait Space 110 W. Green Street Rebecca Crews 52 Hugus Alley Soccer Plus 1640 E. Washington Boulevard Sybilline Records 15 S. El Molino Avenue Ten Thousand Villages 567 S. Lake Avenue The Unicorn Store 12 Douglas Alley Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Boulevard#placement_703074_0_i{width:100%;margin:0 auto;}

EXCLUSIVE: Shriya Pilgaonkar on not doing a single Marathi film after her debut Ekulti Ek, “Haven’t resonated with the scrips that have come my way so far”

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Currently, Shriya Pilgaonkar is one of the known actors of today’s era, especially on OTT. But she made her acting and big screen debut with the Marathi movie Ekulti Ek. The film was directed and produced by his father Sachin Pilgaonkar and it also starred Supriya Pilgaonkar. In fact, Shriya played their onscreen daughter Swara in the film. However, post this film, Shriya hasn’t done any Marathi movie yet.EXCLUSIVE: Shriya Pilgaonkar on not doing a single Marathi film after her debut Ekulti Ek, “Haven’t resonated with the scrips that have come my way so far”During an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, when the actress was asked the reason for it, she said, “I love working in different languages. And language has never been a barrier for me because the passion for cinema transcends all boundaries and even languages. So, for me, the decision of working in projects has always been based on the story.”Shriya added that she is still searching for the right script in Marathi. “So, if I get a film that I really like (I will do it). Up until now, the scripts that have come my way (in Marathi), I have not really resonated with them. This is why I am being patient. But aisa kuchh nahin hai. I am absolutely open to working in all languages,” she said.Shriya added, “I have also done a Tamil/ Telugu film with Rana Daggubati called Haathi Mere Saathi. So, then there is no reason why I will not do a Marathi film. My priority is always the story and the character and what new I can do in it. So, that is how I make my decisions. I have a very open mind when it comes to being an actor. I have so many interests. I am also interested in direction.”Shriya was recently seen in a song cameo in the Marathi movie Navra Maza Navsacha 2, which starred his parents.Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Shriya Pilgaonkar says father Sachin is “film university in himself” with “energy of a newcomer”.also-read{border-radius:10px;background:#f2f2f2;padding:10px 15px 0}.also-read .bx-wrapper{max-width:100% !important}.also-read h2{font-size:20px;margin-bottom:5px}.also-read ul{display:flex;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box}.also-read li{position:relative;flex:0 0 33.333333%;max-width:33.333333%;padding:0 5px}.also-read .imgsnb .imaginary img{border-radius:8px}.also-read h5{margin-top:10px}.also-read h5 a{color:#000 !important;font-weight:400;line-height:15px}#also-read .bx-controls-direction{display:none}@media only screen and (max-width:400px){.also-read li{width:31.10% !important}}.addformobile{display:none}@media only screen and (max-width:767px){.addformobile{display:block}}Tags : Bollywood, Bollywood Features, Cameo, Features, Marathi, Marathi Movie, Navra Maza Navsacha 2, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Supriya Pilgaonkar, TrendingBOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATESCatch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2024 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.

EXCLUSIVE: Shriya Pilgaonkar on not doing a single Marathi film after her debut Ekulti Ek, “Haven’t resonated with the scrips that have come my way so far”

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Currently, Shriya Pilgaonkar is one of the known actors of today’s era, especially on OTT. But she made her acting and big screen debut with the Marathi movie Ekulti Ek. The film was directed and produced by his father Sachin Pilgaonkar and it also starred Supriya Pilgaonkar. In fact, Shriya played their onscreen daughter Swara in the film. However, post this film, Shriya hasn’t done any Marathi movie yet.EXCLUSIVE: Shriya Pilgaonkar on not doing a single Marathi film after her debut Ekulti Ek, “Haven’t resonated with the scrips that have come my way so far”During an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, when the actress was asked the reason for it, she said, “I love working in different languages. And language has never been a barrier for me because the passion for cinema transcends all boundaries and even languages. So, for me, the decision of working in projects has always been based on the story.”Shriya added that she is still searching for the right script in Marathi. “So, if I get a film that I really like (I will do it). Up until now, the scripts that have come my way (in Marathi), I have not really resonated with them. This is why I am being patient. But aisa kuchh nahin hai. I am absolutely open to working in all languages,” she said.Shriya added, “I have also done a Tamil/ Telugu film with Rana Daggubati called Haathi Mere Saathi. So, then there is no reason why I will not do a Marathi film. My priority is always the story and the character and what new I can do in it. So, that is how I make my decisions. I have a very open mind when it comes to being an actor. I have so many interests. I am also interested in direction.”Shriya was recently seen in a song cameo in the Marathi movie Navra Maza Navsacha 2, which starred his parents.Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Shriya Pilgaonkar says father Sachin is “film university in himself” with “energy of a newcomer”.also-read{border-radius:10px;background:#f2f2f2;padding:10px 15px 0}.also-read .bx-wrapper{max-width:100% !important}.also-read h2{font-size:20px;margin-bottom:5px}.also-read ul{display:flex;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box}.also-read li{position:relative;flex:0 0 33.333333%;max-width:33.333333%;padding:0 5px}.also-read .imgsnb .imaginary img{border-radius:8px}.also-read h5{margin-top:10px}.also-read h5 a{color:#000 !important;font-weight:400;line-height:15px}#also-read .bx-controls-direction{display:none}@media only screen and (max-width:400px){.also-read li{width:31.10% !important}}.addformobile{display:none}@media only screen and (max-width:767px){.addformobile{display:block}}Tags : Bollywood, Bollywood Features, Cameo, Features, Marathi, Marathi Movie, Navra Maza Navsacha 2, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Supriya Pilgaonkar, TrendingBOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATESCatch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2024 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.

Journey to Pagani, between cars and beauty, art and science

Science and Health

Tommaso Romanin When you sit inside a Pagani Utopia Coupé the very first sensation is of being inside a car from another era, rather than a modern hypercar with 864 horsepower and 1,100 nm of torque, a concentration of power, technology, uniqueness, refined attention to detail. The look is vintage, with home-made leather and aluminium, analogue instruments reminiscent of old watches and a single digital display in front of the driver, and then the manual gearbox with the linkages on display. But all it takes is for the engine to turn on and warm up for a moment and the majestic V12, developed by AMG specifically for Pagani, floods the passenger compartment and in a flash the characteristics of the car and all the ability to immediately create “a connection, a emotional bond with the driver, leaving room for involvement and fun”, as Francesco Perini, Head of Technical Department of the San Cesario sul Panaro (Modena) car manufacturer, explains in an interview with ANSA, during a visit to the company. Utopia means non-place: alternative to reality, leap into the irrational. Horacio Pagani pursues all this, who when he describes the third act of his story, the car produced in a limited series from 2023 (99 Utopia Coupés, while there are 130 examples of the Utopia Roadster, launched in the summer at the Monterey Car Week), uses often the expression “timeless”. And a journey to a place, at least in part, out of time, is also what takes you to the factory where the Pagani are made, created with around 7,000 components made entirely by hand. Here mechanics, craftsmanship and the search for beauty come together.

The Horacio Pagani Museum, inaugurated in 2017, is a clear demonstration of this, an immersion in the history of the company and its founder, from his childhood in Argentina, to his years at Lamborghini, to the foundation of Modena Design and Pagani Automobili in 1998. The models made as a child, the notebooks with notes and drawings are on display, the garage where he designed a Formula 2 in 1979 is reconstructed, then there are the letters of introduction written by the driver Juan Manuel Fangio when Horacio decided to move to Italy in 1981 and work in the world of motors. So make room for the iconic Zondas, the Huayras, like the one in the ‘Tempesta’ package from the Transformers film or the one used by Cristiano Ronaldo in a famous commercial. If the museum is a look through the past, the journey to the present continues with the atelier. Imagined as a city square, with a clock tower and arches, it is the space where unique creations are developed. The objective is to combine art and science, copyright of Leonardo Da Vinci, another point of reference for the founder. In the atelier, nine chassis are worked on simultaneously to produce 55 cars a year. From start to finish, it takes about six weeks to see a finished Pagani. All Utopias, Coupés and Roadsters, have already been sold. The roadster, the latest arrival, has a starting price of 3.1 million euros net of local taxes. The first to order it will be able to have it in April 2025, the last in 2027. In the Atelier you don’t notice any worries, but you see people mostly intent on discussing and carrying out precision work on the cars, at a different level of assembly. Many of the 230 employees are young, the average age is 32 and several hold responsible roles. The idea is to encourage and train integrated work: designers with engineers and vice versa, an experience in the field that leads everyone to actually be part of the whole. Communicating with the large square, there are the cutting, rolling and trimming rooms, the autoclaves where carbon and composite materials are processed, another Pagani strong point. Details are taken care of to the point of exhaustion because customers can request customizations of all kinds, from mechanical components to aesthetic elements, right down to the last bolt, as long as they comply with safety and international approval standards. For Utopia there were around fifty crash tests and even more emissions tests, to achieve certification of conformity in various countries. “The customer is our true employer”, we remember in signs hanging on the walls: it is another of Horacio’s slogans. Pagani is a family company and customers are part of it. “Customers – exemplifies Francesco Perini – very often want to express a part of themselves through the cars they purchase. There are more obvious aspects, such as bodywork, interiors, paintwork, but other more extreme ones such as finishes, materials, dedicated components” . But we don’t stop there: we also get perfectly tailor-made cars. And so the ‘grand complications’ division was born, dedicated to special projects. Like for example the Huayra Codalunga or the Pagani Imola, works of art in very few examples. The search for beauty does not stop at cars: there is Pagani Arte, the creative and interior design space for planes, helicopters, yachts and suites, all in the name of research into shapes, styles and materials. Above all, of emotions.
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Unitika exits textile business after long history

Business News

The Japanese company, Unitika, which was a leader in developing the nation’s textile industry, is now withdrawing from the business altogether.
The firm’s textile segment, mainly for clothing, has been losing money in recent years in the face of fierce competition from China and other overseas rivals.
Unitika President and CEO Ueno Shuji said: “We were unable to carry out drastic business reforms given the potential challenges, such as declining profitability and a rigid cost structure. As a result, loss-making operations continued.”
Unitika expects a net loss of around 10 billion yen, or 68 million dollars, in the current fiscal year through March.It says it plans to receive capital support from a public-private investment fund. The fund will become Unitika’s largest shareholder, and all current executives will step down, in principle.
Unitika will now focus on its growing polymer business, which produces films for food packaging and semiconductor-related materials.
The Osaka-based company was founded in 1889 as Amagasaki Spinners. It contributed to the industry’s modernization and the country’s post-war economic boom through exports of chemical fiber.

Protesters at Hong Kong travel writer’s book launch accuse him of ‘spreading poison’ in second such disruption

Arts & Culture, Books

A book launch by a Hong Kong travel writer and democracy supporter has attracted a protest by a small group accusing him of secretly “spreading poison” two weeks after an earlier literary event by the writer was also disrupted.The independent bookshop Talentum in November, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Speaking to HKFP on Thursday, Pazu said five people were standing downstairs from the independent bookshop Talentum, which is on the first floor of a commercial building in Yau Me Tei, at around 6.30pm on Wednesday – one hour before the book launch began.According to photos he shared, one woman in a green hoodie displayed a sheet of A4 paper with a Chinese-language message reading: “Under the guise of a book club, spreading poison in the dark, sneaky and covert.”@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 320px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 90px;}}@media ( min-width: 780px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}
Pazu’s new title, a reflection of his travel experiences over the past few years, is launched in early November, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. “When I approached them and asked what they were doing here and what the poison was, none of them answered questions. They quickly put on their masks when I tried to take pictures of them and one of them even tried to take my camera off me,” Pazu said in Cantonese.“They didn’t seem to recognise me… I don’t think they went there voluntarily, but rather, they were sent by other people, who probably want to create a chilling effect for cultural events.”The writer often comments on Hong Kong’s current affairs and is an influencer who supports democracy. He recently published a new title Wandering Manuscript, a reflection of his travel experiences over the past few years, and has been hosting book launch events since early November. The one at Talentum Bookshop was the 10th.A group of people protest outside of the independent bookshop Talentum on the evening of November 27, 2024 when the travel writer hosts a book launch event. Photo: Pazu. A group of people protest outside of the independent bookshop Talentum on the evening of November 27, 2024 when the travel writer hosts a book launch event. Photo: Pazu. An earlier book launch on the evening of November 15 at independent bookshop Have a Nice Stay was disrupted by a group of people who came to the venue. They caused a disturbance, and insisted on joining the private event.They later went downstairs and harassed people on their way in, Pazu said. As seen from photos taken at the scene, two men and four women, all wearing masks, held up A4-size sheets of paper with messages reading: “Pazu, poisoning the readers.”A group of people wearing masks and holding signs accusing Hong Kong writer Pazu of “poisoning” readers outside the bookstore Have a Nice Stay on November 15, 2024. Photo: Pazu, via Facebook.Have a Nice Stay reported the incident to police and the group left immediately after officers arrived. In response to HKFP, the police said the case was classified as a “dispute.”On Wednesday night, Pazu said the group did not enter the bookshop. “They were not the same people who harassed us two weeks ago. But the way they did things, the A4-size paper with similar slogans… I believe they were sent by the same force, but I didn’t know who are behind those people.”Pazu said the latest book launch went smoothly. “Some participants said they felt frightened that the group was protesting there, but some just laughed if off.” He said he planned to report Wednesday’s incident to police.The writer said he had no clue why he was targeted. “I thought about what happened over the past two weeks… what triggered their harassment and I found no clues… Actually I think we can’t figure out the reasons, and we should continue to do what we are meant to do.”Space for independent bookstoresHong Kong’s independent bookstores have faced mounting pressure over the past two years.

According to reports from local media outlets, independent outlet Hunter Bookstore, was inspected by staff from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department during a book launch in July.The department accused the bookstore of hosting a public event when it was not licensed to do so but did not levy a fine.Supporters for Hong Kong independent bookstore Mount Zero linger outside the shop despite a drizzle on the evening of March 31, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.A series of titles showcased by independent bookstores and publishers at Hong Kong’s annual book fair were removed from sale in July. The event organiser, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, said it had reminded exhibitors to obey the fair’s regulations and national security laws.In April, independent bookstore Mount Zero bid farewell to its readers. It cited a string of inspections by authorities following anonymous complaints in late 2023 as the reason for closing.Support HKFP  |  Policies & Ethics  |  Error/typo?  |  Contact Us  |  Newsletter  | Transparency & Annual Report | AppsHelp safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team

Pushpa 2 runtime: Allu Arjun’s film to be longer than Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD?

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Pushpa 2, slated to hit the screens on December 5, is one of the biggest films of the year. The actioner has created a great deal of buzz among fans as it features Allu Arjun in the lead and is a sequel to Pushpa (2021). The upcoming film is now in the limelight for a surprising reason. According to reports, Pushpa 2 has a runtime of 3 hours and 20 minutes. This makes it one of the longest films in recent years. Is this the runtime of Pushpa 2?Allu Arjun is set to woo the audience with Pushpa 2, one the biggest films of his career. The biggie is set to hit the screens on December 5. According to Times Now, the film was recently screened for members of the CBFC and cleared with a U/A certificate. The team was also asked to make minor cuts. [embedded content]The report further states that the final version has a runtime time of 3 hours and 20 minutes. This means that it is longer than Kalki 2898 AD. The Prabhas-led film had a runtime of 3 hours and 1 minute. A long runtime is often considered to be a disadvantage. However, the phenomenal response to Kalki 2898 AD and the Ranbir Kapoor-led Animal suggests otherwise. About Pushpa 2Pushpa 2, directed by Sukumar, is an action drama that features Allu Arjun as a smuggler and explores his rivalry with SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil), his nemesis. The trailer suggests that the second instalment of the Pushpa franchise will be more action-packed and engaging than the well-received first part. It features Rashmika Mandanna, Sunil, Jagapathi Babu, and Rao Ramesh in key roles. Sreeleela makes a special appearance in the Kissik song. The film is produced under the Mythri Movie Makers banner. Pushpa 2 is set to hit the screens on December 5. The sequel comes nearly three years after the Pushpa, which emerged as one of the biggest hits of 2021. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.

Elon Musk schools Donald Trump in rocket science after president’s bizarre question

Science and Health

Elon Musk schooled Donald Trump in rocket science after the president-elect awkwardly asked whether a rocket booster that crashed into the ocean could be re-used.The Republican joined the billionaire, who has been tapped to head up the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, to watch a SpaceX launch in Texas.Mr Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, posted their interactions in a vlog on her YouTube channel.Mr Musk appeared baffled when Mr Trump asked if the destroyed booster could be retrieved from the sea, before explaining the rockets SpaceX plans to launch in the future.