British Colonialism in Sydney

By Phin Upham

You may have heard that Australia was once a drop-off point for British convicts. There is definitely truth to this description, but it had to do with the Declaration of Independence. England used to send its convicts to America, but the July 4^th Declaration ended that and left England with a surplus of criminals.

So Britain looked at territory that was claimed in the name of England by James Cook, and founded a penal colony on what would become Sydney. The first fleet consisted of 11 ships and transported 850 convicts, but the location chosen was deemed unsuitable because the soil lacked nutrients and fresh water was scarce.

Eventually, Sydney was founded in February of 1788 named after Thomas Townshend, Lord Sydney.

43,000 convicts would come to call Sydney home within just 4 years of the founding, and the colony seemed to be a barebones facility. Maps from the time don’t show structures onsite, and convicts were basically expected to fend for themselves once they arrived on the island.

Supplies quickly ran low, and residents (including officers of the Crown) began to suffer from starvation and outbreaks of smallpox. In 1810, things began to take a turn for the better. When Lachlan Macquarie became governor in 1810, he brought Christianity and education to the colony under Macquarie’s watch, Sydney began trading wool and quelled the Rum Rebellion of 1808. Sydney continued to come out of isolation, and by 1822 the town was basically modernized with banks and markets. Sydney even had working roads and other infrastructure. A true marvel in innovation, but a cruel form of capital punishment.

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Phin Upham is an investor from NYC and SF. You may contact Phin on his Phin Upham website or Twitter page.

Destination: Frozen Yogurt Party!

Written by: Gelato Products

Spring will be upon us before you know it, and there is no better way to celebrate the season than with some delicious gelato to cool you off as the temperatures rise. You’ll need to start by cataloguing what frozen yogurt supplies you need, how you will keep everything cool throughout the day, and then scouting a location. Here are some tips to get started.

Supplies

No kids party is complete without some themed decorations. Start at your local party stores, or browse online looking for table cloths and cups for your child’s favorite heroes and characters. Next, order colored plastic spoons that match the theme you’ve built. Don’t forget the details either! Pan liners for the gelato or frozen yogurt will keep everything tidy, and you’ll need separate containers for the toppings (preferably with covers to keep away the creepy crawlies).

Aside from plastic yogurt spoons, you’ll want some paper cups that are easy to recycle. Biodegradable cups are only a slight bump in price, and the cost is worth it to teach kids about recycling. If you want to avoid leftovers, opt for lids to make a to-go container.

Preparation

The number one priority you have in preparation for a frozen yogurt party is keeping the yogurt cool enough to serve. Yogurt can melt very quickly if the temperature gets too hot, so it’s best to choose  a mild day to host your gathering. You will most likely need several ice chests, and it may be a good idea to do any fresh fruit cutting on-site so you can keep everything delicious without getting soggy.

The next priority is coverage. The outdoors are full of bugs and they get everywhere there is food if you let them. Your local sporting goods store or even supermarket will carry small netted tents you can use over fresh items. Pan liners tend to come with plastic covers, or you can just use the containers themselves. Pan liners tend to look professional, and they last too. If you like the experience, you can use them in a part time catering business.

Location Scouting

Many municipal parks have picnic sites, but those sites tend to be first-come-first-serve. If you can, have someone appear early in the day to do some set up work and stake out a good site. Another idea is to travel to a more secluded park, but that may require a short drive to get there. Coordinate with parents to see who is willing to drive, and arrange for a carpool to make things easier.

Related Story: I Scream For Ice Cream Cups

Related Story: The Importance of Gelato Supplies

Richmond in the Winter Season

Written by The Steele Group Sotheby’s International Realty

The state of Virginia is not only beautiful during summer. It also offers a wide range of activities during the winter season. The city of Richmond is known to offer a great deal of outdoor activities. You might for instance, be able to make the most of the powdery mountain resorts if you are seeking some adventure. You would need to be mindful about dressing for the cold and bringing the right equipment.

Snow Activities

There are several resorts available in Richmond that would enable you to indulge in activities such as cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowboarding and backcountry skiing. The slopes and snow of Richmond are ideal for these adrenaline-packed activities for the family or as a couple. Some resorts also offer ski school services for both children and adults.

Wineries

If you are considering Virginia more as a gastronomical getaway, you might not be disappointed. Richmond offers the possibility of several fine dining restaurants. Most importantly, the state boasts over 230 wineries, some of the most popular of them are found in Richmond. You would thus be able to indulge in wine tasting during winter time.

Relaxation

Richmond offers the possibility of relaxation at several spas that use the healing properties of natural springs. These places have become ideal spots for retreat and rejuvenation of the body and mind.

The Steele Group Sotheby’s International Realty is a good of realtor Richmond Virginia and offer advice to people wishing to relocate to Richmond. A realtor in Virginia might be able to guide you on Chesterfield county real estate.

Start-ups in Richmond

Written by The Steele Group Sotheby’s International Realty

The economy of the city of Richmond is mainly composed of companies in the finance, law and public sector. The city holds a number of local, federal and state government agencies. Richmond is also host to some well-known banking and legal companies. Having a nice blend of traditional occupations and more modern ones, in Richmond you will also be able to find the Great Turning Basin which is mostly used by boats.

In the month of May 2013, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond had made public its Annual Report covering the year 2012. The report also featured an article that depicted the economic mobility situation in Richmond. Economic mobility has declined in Richmond, this was mainly the case for people either at the top or bottom of the income ladder. A number of factors were cited as being conducive to the retention and achievement of a change in economic status. One common factor that has brought this advancement was the ability that people in Richmond have of acquiring cognitive and noncognitive skills. These skills acquisition strategies were at first targeted at children in poor families. In a positive way, educational initiatives have brought a large returns on investment to the city.

Start-ups have also sprouted in Richmond and there are even regular events mostly for IT start-ups. One such event is the 54 hour Hackathon or the Startup Weekend. Richmond has become a location where startups thrive.

The Steele Group Sotheby’s International Realty might be an option if you are seeking a Chesterfield realtor in the state of Virginia. Making the choice to relocate to Richmond might be an interesting business decision. A Virginia real estate agent would be able to provide advice on home Richmond Virginia.