Ya está disponible el Diccionario Meteorológico de Meteo Orihuela

Nueva sección en Meteo Orihuela a vuestra disposición.

En el Diccionario Meteorológico de Meteo Orihuela encontraréis una completa lista con los términos meteorológicos más comunes donde podréis consultar su significado.

Para entrar a dicha sección podeis pinchar en el logotipo correspondiente que hay en la columna lateral o en la siguiente dirección: http://www.fergco.co/

Espero que sea de vuestro agrado.

Any source

Previsión Meteorológica para Nochevieja

Lunes, 31 de Diciembre de 2007 (Nochevieja)
Dia con riesgo nulo de precipitación. Cielos despejados. Se espera una temperatura máxima de 17º y una mínima de 3º. Viento flojo con rachas moderadas del Suroeste.

* Las temperaturas máxima y mínima citadas, evidentemente son cifras aproximadas.
* El icono meteorológico indica el fenómeno que va a predominar en determinado día.

Este día con el que despedimos el año 2007, se caracterizará por la completa estabilidad. Abriguense para esta noche si salen de fiesta, porque las temperatura durante la madrugada puede bajar hasta los 3ºC.

Meteo Orihuela (Pedro José Gómez Cascales) les desea un FELIZ AÑO NUEVO 2008.Any source

Ya no habrán más precipitaciones en este año 2007

Madrugada lluviosa la que tuvimos ayer en Orihuela. En una situación de aire frío en altura con un flujo húmedo de Levante en superficie bastante generoso. La cantidad de precipitación recogida no es que fuera muy importante, pero esta si que ha dado, al campo oriolano, la última regada de este año 2007. La lluvia no volverá a Orihuela hasta el año que viene, siendo el frío el último en despedirse.

Imagen de ayer al mediodia del satélite Modis Terra True Color. Véase como las precipitaciones tras afectar a Orihuela siguen su camnio hacia el Oeste.

De tal forma, ayer en Orihuela se recogieron 8,0 litros por metro cuadrado.


Destacar también las nevadas en zonas cercanas a Orihuela que produjeron las precipitaciones que nos afectaron previamente a nosotros.

Nevada ayer en Calar Alto (Almería), a 2168 metros de altitud.

Se han registrado nevadas en las provincias de Murcia (Revolcadores y Villafuerte), y Almería (Sierra de los Filabres).

(Pinchar en las imágenes para aumentar su tamaño)Any source

魔幻至極的怪譚鉅作──我是傳奇《小說》

小說名：我是傳奇 (I Am Legend)
小說家：理察麥特森 (Richard Matheson)
譯　者：陳宗琛
※1954年作品、授權春天於2007年10月中文版※


這是一個有點悲傷的故事，你將會感動於人類面臨絕境的掙扎、勇氣與希望。~by 封面副標~

副標前面下得對，不過若是定義為「這是一個絕望的悲慘小說」，那註解將會更為正確！後面就不對了（搖搖頭ing），什麼感動啊，這部恐怖小說害我驚駭得半死，423頁的小說裡，【我是傳奇】僅佔半本書篇幅，血腥度不高，但四面八方壓迫而來的孤寂感會逼得你並不情願跟主角一起舞進瘋狂世界、卻又硬是被拉了進去窮攪和，而接下來的短篇故事，有頁數少至4頁的【死亡的時間】，也有頁數多達48頁的【瘋狂之屋】，劇情發展簡單，多半著墨人類惡質情緒的那一部份，出場人物不多、有些甚至像是雙人相聲般的演出對手戲而已，共通點都是會讓人背脊發毛到直想不斷揉搓後頸。這倒是讓回我想起當初美國僵屍片最盛期間、為何沒有跟著一同歡樂到永遠的初衷啊。Q口Q

我在想，閱讀恐怖小說多半得具備被嚇到還是能夠很享受的素質，這點本人就不行了，我是那種被嚇得吱吱叫後會用力譙別人的沒膽人類，《我是傳奇》比較優的一點，在於它不只是寫出惡劣的嚇人招數，整個來說，麥特森的文字造詣深度足夠，雖然結局不出意外、篇幅結構也不複雜，但再再充滿魔幻魅力，完成度高且夠經典，交出不少出色的成績單，不過，老實說，因為魔幻到沒有法則可言，我還是很困惑這類型小說的價值性到底要定位於何處──即使我被嚇得一楞楞又看得很快樂。囧rz

除了【我是傳奇】，【埋沒的天才】、【獵物】、【瘋狂之屋】、【葬禮】、【移魂】這幾篇非常出色；【死亡的時間】、【黯影】也不錯看，但光芒不夠亮；【魔女之戰】IDEA還不錯、可惜我不喜歡這部短篇集的安排；【死亡之舞】、【白絲衣】，⋯⋯唉，這兩篇甭談了（抹抹臉）。

若細細品味【我是傳奇(I am Legend)】其中吊詭的設定，其實會覺得這部小說還滿有意思的，比方說，吸血鬼懼怕大蒜、陽光、十字架、鏡子、並且要埋在土裡與棺材等等，都是受到還處於正常人類時所吸收到外來訊息的思維牽制，當故事說了大半，透過奈佛發現這件事時，還是覺得挺令人莞薾。結局尤其悲傷啊，在生命走到最後一刻才意識到自己阻礙了新世界發展，身為最後一位正常人類的奈佛，是天賦還是詛咒，完全沒法定奪。

HBO曾播送過一系列詭譎瘋狂的馬戲團帶狀影集，【埋沒的天才(Buried Taleans)】風格就挺像這部影集。遊樂場丟球區來了個丟球丟得超神準的黑衣男子，勢利老闆眼見狀況不妙，出面阻止黑衣男子繼續丟球⋯⋯

如果寫法不一樣，【死亡的時間 (The Near Departed)】可以改成一篇諷刺世道的無厘頭笑話。

電影《鬼娃恰奇》很明顯有【獵物】的影子，倒也不是說恰奇沒創意，更何況這篇劇情發展的中規中矩，只是劇情越簡單、越值得讚賞其中出色的佈線手法，短短幾頁中就說明劇中三位主角的愛恨情仇與心結、其中兩位還是在電話另一端。而這一整篇的結尾更是超有看頭，明明是個令人髮指的追殺類型短篇集，但看到後來，我已經很神經質的乾笑好幾聲。

請注意列出的英文書名，這部小說的中英文書名有幾篇下得挺好的，而且，喔耶，密合到相輔相成，【魔女之戰 (Witch War)】，是的，請顧名思義去猜測其中涵意。

【死亡之舞 (Dance of the Dead)】是唯二之一我看不懂的短篇故事，大概知道【死亡之舞】在玩什麼把戲，但它到底要傳達什麼、魯鈍的本人完全組織不起來，是說，玩弄死亡、最後會賠上心智嗎？對我來說，人性本質不會因為看了一場活死人之舞就改變得如此之大，那樣的結束方式反而讓我很困惑⋯⋯

唯二之二看不懂的便是【白絲衣 (Dress of White Silk】，前半部還看得懂，但自從小女孩與朋友一同踏入媽媽房間後，我的邏輯法則就開始錯亂成一片散沙，結局到底是什麼，天殺的完全看不懂它在搞什麼。

看過電影《絕命終結站》嗎？【瘋狂之屋 (Mad House)】有傳達出那般至極的瘋狂特色。人類的怨恨似乎不免會隨著年歲增長而逐漸堆積在自身體內，發臭發爛，直到滲出惡毒的血水用力與無形的噴灑於空氣中，當環境受到感染，最終惡果將反撲至當事人身上。在這一篇裡，麥特森確實將人性本質看得透徹。

看似詭怪的【葬禮 (The Funeral)】，其實有《陰間大法師》的趣味感。這一天，葬儀社來了位奇異的客人，擺明他生前的葬禮不夠氣派，要經理再幫他舉辦一場隆重的葬禮，不敢不從的經理強忍著懼意、直到在半途中翻白眼昏死過去⋯⋯

【黯影 (From Shadowed Places)】是全部小說中最具異色與異國情調的作品，說起來，就是巫毒教作崇、另一巫醫如何幫忙解決災難的作品，我是覺得，咱們苗族姑娘對始亂終棄的負心漢下蠱的民間故事也不錯啊。

【移魂 (Person To Person)】，關於一位中年男子受苦於夜夜來自他靈魂深處吵人的電話鈴聲與電話另一頭的無稽說詞。沒什麼邏輯可言，但點子非常非常的有趣（笑）。

像這樣以死為樂的小說，偶爾來上一本也很好（笑），讚！是本讚得沒話說的恐怖鉅作。HomeAny source

痛並快樂著的異鄉人生－－異邦警察《漫畫》

漫畫名：異邦警察
腳　本：Richard Woo
漫畫家：Sugimura Shinichi
集　數：四集未完
※2006年～現在‧講談社於2007年授權東立中文化※


據估計，在東京約有十五萬左右非法入境、從事非法打工的外國人。其中雖然不乏作奸犯科的惡徒，但是也有一大部份是因為貧窮而赴日工作的民工、或是不被日本政府承認的難民。
這些非法移民在東京建立了一個不為外人所知、由非法移民所組成、專為非法移民服務的「都政府」。在這裡，有所謂的政府機關，有日本內政部門不承認的醫院，教育部門無法掌握的學校，也有金融監察單位管轄之外的銀行、郵局，甚至是警察等等。
在這之中，有個人守護著沒有護照的外籍非法打工人士與偷渡客，是這群見不得陽光的外國人地下東京都政府公認的唯一秘密警察，他就是－－久保塚早紀！

酷～！這年頭還真是什麼漫畫題材都有（笑）！同樣是探討都民與裡都民犯罪議題，《異邦警察》遠比《颶風》好看太多倍，勉勉強強生個五集、以毒品氾濫為出發點的《颶風》，看似自省、實際上骨子裡仍是部日本極道意識作崇且差強人意的二線漫畫，《異邦警察》可就不一樣了，初看會覺得此部作品的畫面線條慘不忍睹，不過，當畫風狂亂到某個境界，反而會認為這樣的筆觸天然得非常有味道，它不僅同情非法移民者的立場，也檢討著日本現行不友善的難民政策、政治疪護問題、與罪犯引渡條例，在排除僵化的異己思想之外、賦予吊詭並且認同的戲謔意識，嚴峻中有種黑色的幽默、壓抑中有份荒謬的喜感。

《異邦警察》的有趣，在於它打破不法犯罪與非法移民的等號公式，雜亂無章中理出頭緒，轉而建立起另類秩序，並以服務異邦居民的非法裡政府為劇情舞台，靈魂人物則是外國人都政府公認的唯一警察、久保塚早紀，與他的副手鈴木博隆、都知事流氓老大、都知事SP伊薩姆。因日本政府對非法裡政府毫不知情，久保塚不只要協助調查非法移民者的犯罪事端並保護非法移民者的安全，同時也得代為處理檯面上與官方政府的紛爭，在這樣的前提之下，故事中就時常可見小蝦米力搏大鯨魚的戲碼，而多文化共生的意念也無所不在，題材非常之有趣，已經到了徹底打破能夠想像的地步。

目前看來，《異邦警察》劇情還是在於關懷非法移民者的艱難處境居多，我很期待它再進一步跨出去後延展開來的風貌，畢竟非法移民本來就是即深沉又矛盾的社會現象，不只是日本處於飽受「對非法移民者大赦？或者遣返？」兩難抉擇的單一個案國家，舉凡美國、歐洲，甚至是台灣都有相同問題，國家最大的困境在於他們不能僅憑著同情心來無條件接納非法移民者的存在，那不只會吸引人蛇集團變本加厲的繼續從中弁取暴利，也必需考量到社會成本的龐大開支。我自己而言，就這議題還是處於遣返立場，如此一來，我倒是很希望Richard Woo能以不同觀點來說服並讓我能接納非法移民者的存在性，而不僅僅只是脆弱易折傷的同情心作崇而已。不過，最後或許也只能以人道來考量這項棘手的內政問題了。

這是一套閃著若你單單挑選好看畫風便會看不見其中耀眼光輝的好漫畫，下回挑書時，請不要被它醜醜的畫風給嚇到了，要領會其中的玄妙之處，請把它帶回家拜讀一番吧！XDHomeAny source

Kenneth Baker's Presentation on Risk-Based Approach in Financial Services

In autumn 2007, Deputy Managing Director Mr. Kenneth Baker's speaking was discussed twice. It was described that on October 16, the BVI Financial Services Commission published 2 presentations of Kenneth Baker that regarded the amendments to the BVI corporate legislation and on the Private Trust Companies Regulations.

Recently, another interesting presentation of Deputy Managing Director Mr. Kenneth Baker was published on BVI FSC site. The presentation is entitled Emerging International framework for Financial Services - Risk-Based Approach.

In his presentation, Mr. Baker disclosed the main purposes of risk-based approach and its benefits and challenges as well as described the Risk-Based Approach itself.

What seemed the most interesting to me was the descriptive part where Deputy Managing Director has structured and described in simple words the Customer Due Diligence procedures.

What does the BVI Financial Services Commission expect from Licensee?
1) Licensee must develop procedures to identify and verify identity of each customer and beneficial owner, as well as obtain appropriate information to understand customers business and transactions.
2) Licensee should apply differentiated approach based on predetermined risk levels. There are 3 recommended levels of Due Diligence requirements:
a) Increased Due Diligence for determined Higher Risk customers (correspondent banking, politically exposed persons, specific geographic location);
b) Reduced Due Diligence for Lower Risk cases (publicly listed companies and regulated financial institutions, individual where main source of funds comes from salary, transactions involving de minimis amounts);
c) Standard Due Diligence to Rest of customers.

Mr. Kenneth Baker emphasized that suspicious transaction reporting is critical for the BVI to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other financial crimes and that reporting a suspicious transaction or activity to the BVI FIA is mandatory, but he also pointed out that, to make the system, there should be thresholds below which an activity will not be reviewed.

It should be also noted that a substantial part of the presentation was dedicated Training and Awareness as well as Internal Controls Framework.

Brian Obvi,
Offshore Analyst

Article any source

Nuevo cambio de Tiempo de apenas 48 horas

La atmósfera vuelve a cambiar de nuevo sobre Orihuela, tras una jornada de Navidad resplandeciente y con temperaturas bastante agradables en las horas centrales del día. La nubes, el frío y posiblemente algo de lluvia, van a ser los protagonistas de estas próximas 48 horas en Orihuela. Las nubes altas o avanzadilla del frente ya enmarañaban los cielos de Orihuela anoche.

Imagen del satélite Meteosat anoche. Se puede apreciar como el frente que entró desde el Océano Atlántico barre toda la Península Ibérica.

Pero centrándonos un poco mas en la situación atmosférica que nos va a traer este cambio de Tiempo, podemos decir que la causa principal es la entrada de un embolsamiento de aire frío, durante esta madrugada, por la mitad occidental de la Península Ibérica y que, con un movimiento norte - sur, se va a situar sobre el Norte de África mañana por la mañana. Esta bolsa de aire frío no va a tener reflejo en superficie y por tanto podríamos llamarla DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos). Esta alcanzará temperaturas de hasta - 24ºC a 5500 mts y 0ºC a 1550 mts sobre el sureste peninsular.

Mapa a 500 hPa previsto para las 06Z del 27/12/07. Altura Geopotencial (líneas blancas), temperatura a 5500 metros (áreas coloreadas), viento a 500 hPa (flechas marrones).
En superficie dominará un potente anticiclón centrado casi sobre la Rusia europea, que favorecerá la llegada de un débil pero húmedo flujo del Mediterráneo, que arrastrará nubes bajas hasta nuestra zona. Puesto que este flujo va a ser débil, las precipitaciones van a quedar más restringidas a las costas, pero pueden afectar perfectamente a Orihuela. Lo más destacable será la bajada de las temperaturas, sobre todo las diurnas, que notaremos hoy y mañana, Jueves 27 de Diciembre.

Mapa de superficie previsto para las 06Z del 27/12/07. Isobaras en superficie (líneas negras), cobertura nubosa en % (áreas grises), precipitación acumulada en 6 horas (áreas en tonos verdes y azules), viento en superficie (flechas naranjas).

(Pinchar en las imágenes para aumentar su tamaño)

Como ya expresa el título de la noticia, este empeoramiento del Tiempo tan sólo va a durar 48 horas ya que, en la jornada del Viernes 28 de Diciembre, el Sol volverá a brillar sobre Orihuela. Las temperaturas diurnas subirán, pero las nocturnas bajarán de forma moderada.Any source

House of Blues Files Trademark Infringement Suit

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The Way Forward to Islamic Banking in India

By Riyazi Farook Islamic Finance News, 5th January 2007.

Islamic banking is the fastest growing concept the world over but has not caught on in India. There are currently a handful of foreign banks operating in the country which are offering Islamic banking products. These include Lloyds TSB, Citibank, Grindlays, Standard Chartered, HSBC and ABN AMRO, which are already operating interest free banking in several west Asian countries, Europe and the US. There are a few home-grown banks like ICICI and Kotak Mahindra which offer Islamic banking products as Indian banks become increasingly aware of the Islamic banking concept and confi dent of the huge potential market in India.

The resilience of the Islamic banking industry already seen in many parts of the world could progress further with the distinctive advantages which India can offer. A population of over 1.3 billion is certainly a massive market to tap. India has the capability to offer huge manpower and natural resources. Opportunities which India can offer are in the areas of technical and managerial talent, with the added benefi t of international experience, given the underlying strength of its economy in which the country has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

At this juncture, Islamic banking in India is limited to the co-operative sector scattered in various states all over the country. Islamic banks in operation number less than 15, with deposits of about US$150 million. In reality, they are just non-banking fi nance companies (NBFCs) which function on the basis of profi t and loss. These so-called Islamic banks cater to the needs of their locality except for a few that operate across districts or states. As their sources of funds are limited and their existence is small scaled, they miss out on any economies of scale.

Islamic banks in India provide housing loans on the basis of coownership, venture fi nance on Mudarabah or profi t-sharing and Musharakah or equity participation and consumers’ loans. Some banks fi nance transport also on the Murabahah or mark up basis through hire purchase.

As for investments, the Islamic banks put their funds in government securities, small savings schemes or mutual funds and to a smaller extent, investment in shares of companies or the stock market. Conventional banks are showing preference to undertake this form of interest-free banking. However, the absence of a legal Islamic banking framework is making it diffi cult for scheduled commercial banks to manage this form of banking or even adopt the Islamic banking system in a small way. Islamic banks in India are not under the control of its banking regulations but are licensed under the Non Banking Finance Companies Reserve Bank Directives 1997 RBI (Amendment) Act 1997, operating on profi t and loss (Mudarabah) under Islamic principles. RBI has also introduced a compulsory registration system.

Even if banks are allowed to set up windows that offer Islamic banking services, they need to maintain cash reserves and a Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) which involves interest. ettlement and clearing facilities are not available from these banks, therefore their inability to issue cheques.

There is an urgent underlying need to regulate the fi nancial institutions in India given such an immense market among Muslims. A regulated Islamic banking industry would offer the masses an avenue to channel their money into the formal banking system, be it conventional or Islamic.

Muslims in India have undoubtedly regarded religion as the biggest hurdle for them to deposit their money in the bank or to obtain funding for developing their businesses or ventures. A huge proportion of this population even avoids serving in fi nancial institutions. The nonparticipation of Muslims in India’s formal banking institutions has not only weighed down their economic prospects but also prevented a huge sum of money belonging to the Muslim community to participate in the national development. Islamic banking can certainly revolutionize the micro-fi nance sector in the country and become an advantage for the debt-ridden farmers in areas like Maharashtra.

The Indian fi nance ministry has advised the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to draw a roadmap for Islamic banking in the country. This is a step in the right direction to tap both the local market as well as major fi nancial players from the middle-east.

Subsequent to this advice, RBI has taken the initiative to explore the feasibility of Islamic banking. A committee comprising senior bankers from the State Bank of India and other government and foreign banks and headed by Anand Sinha, chief general manager in charge of banking operations and development have tabled a feasibility study along with their recommendations. The fi ndings have yet to be made public.

Other initiatives towards Islamic banking in the country have been sporadic in the form of press briefi ngs, literature circulation and seminars. A recent move to get the government’s involvement in Islamic banking was the presentation to the fi nance ministry and RBI by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), on the need to amend the RBI Act and launch Islamic banking in India. (JIH is one of the leading Muslim organizations based in Delhi).

A Bahrain-based private equity fund, with an amount of US$1 billion has expressed an interest to start an India-specifi c fund. Also fi rms like Abu Dhabi Investment, Qatar Investment Authority and Islamic Bank Finance House are looking at investing in India. This will all lead to the speeding up of the development process for the country as a whole.

Regulatory issues need to be put in place before Islamic banking can be introduced in India and its benefi ts can be enjoyed to the fullest.

Any source

BVI FSC publishes FATF recommendations

On Deceber 14, 2007, two important documents were published by the BVI Financial Services Commission. These documents are nothing new in the world of anti-money laundering, however, publishing them signifies the commitment of the British Virgin Islands to this world-scale problem.

The documents are the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) recommendations that are often treated as number-one anti-money laundering guidelines by many respectable sources and bodies.

The 1st document is the FATF 40 Recommendations, it was worked out by the FATF as a complete set of anti-money laundering measures in 2003. The recommendations cover the financial system and its regulation, the criminal justice system and law enforcement, as well as international co-operation as regards money laundering.

The 2nd document is published by the BVI FSC is the FATF Special 9 Recommendations, which includes additional special recommendations on terrorist financing added by the Commission in 2004.

It is worth noting that the FATF recommendations were published just days after the Seminar on Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism was postponed by the BVI FSC.

Brian Obvi,
Offshore Analyst

Article any source

Previsión Meteorológica para Nochebuena y Navidad

Lunes, 24 de Diciembre de 2007 (Nochebuena)
Dia con riesgo medio de precipitación. Cielos nubosos, con posiblidad de dejar chubascos de carácter débil en la madrugada, durante el dia el cielo se irá despejando cada vez más. Se espera una temperatura máxima de 18º y una mínima de 10º. Viento flojo del Sur.

Martes, 25 de Diciembre de 2007 (Navidad)
Dia con riesgo bajo de precipitación. Cielos poco nubosos o despejados. Se espera una temperatura máxima de 17º y una mínima de 5º. Viento flojo del Sur-Sureste.


* Las temperaturas máximas y mínimas citadas, evidentemente son cifras aproximadas.
* Los iconos meteorológicos indican el fenómeno que va a predominar en determinado día.

Estos dias tan señalados en estas fechas se caracterizarán por el descenso de las temperaturas que se notará sobretodo a partir del Martes debido a la llegada a la franja mediterránea de una bolsa de aire frío. En general los cielos estarán nubosos y pueden dejar chubascos debiles sin importancia.


Meteo Orihuela (Pedro José Gómez Cascales) les desea FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PRÓSPERO AÑO NUEVO.
Any source

Food prices face new surge

Global food prices face a new surge. In Chicago wheat and rice prices for delivery in March 2008 have jumped to an all-time high, soyabean prices are at a 34-year high and corn prices at a 11-year peak. The agricultural commodities price rises are the result of high demand, poor harvests and low stockpiles of food.

Food prices in the UK are more than 5 per cent higher than a year ago. Bread prices have jumped 11.6 per cent over the last year, double the increase for cake or biscuits. Butter and eggs are about a third more expensive than last November, milk prices are 16.6 per cent higher and cheese is up 8.8 per cent.

Eurozone food price inflation was up to 4.3 per cent in November. It was one of the main reasons for the jump in the zone's annual inflation rate from 2.6 per cent in October to 3.1 per cent, the highest level in six years. In the US, annual food price inflation of 4.8 per cent in November combined to a rise in the inflation rate to 4.3 per cent.

Deeper long-term economic influences are likely to have more influence on the future supply and demand of major food commodities and therefore on medium to lomg-term price levels, than the current boom in biofuel production. This is the main conclusion of a new report from the International Food Policy Institute: Food . One might add, however, that biofuel demand is more susceptible to the effects of policy initiatives, in particular over generous subsidies and tax reliefs.

The report points out that while overall world economic growth is likely to remain in the 4 per cent a year average range, growth in the developing countries with expanding food demand is expected to average 6 per cent a year well into the next decade. IFPRI points out that of the world's most food insecure countries, which have the greatest propensity to import food, twenty-two had average annual growth rates ranging from 5 per cent to 16 per cent between 2004 and 2006.

What IFPRI characterises as 'diet globalisation' is also a major long-term demand changing factor. More affluent city-dwelling Asian consumers are increasingly seeking non-traditional foods. This is leading to reduced rice consumption and increased consumption of wheat and wheat-based products, temperate-zone vegetables and dairy products - and increases in demand for animal feeds for the livestock producing many of these foods.

One by-product of rising food prices is that import tariffs for agricultural commodities, in paricular cereals, vegetable oils and rice, are being slashed in an effort by developed and developing countries to cushion their local markets against rising food inflation. On the other hand, export tariffs have been raised by several key exporting countries such as Argentina in an attempt to keep local markets well supplied.

Given that the rise in food prices is not likely to be a short-term phenomenon, one might question why the commercial aspects of farming continue to require subsidy.Any source

Invasión de polvo sahariano en Orihuela

Durante la jornada de ayer se produjo en Orihuela una entrada de polvo del desierto del Sahara en superficie, que disminuyó de forma considerable la visibilidad, dando un aspecto "calimoso" al ambiente. Estas "advecciónes de polvo sahariano" son poco frecuentes en las fechas en las que nos encontramos, debido a que, sobre la zona del gran desierto africano no se producen ascensos térmicos tan importantes como en el verano, que eleven el polvo hasta la atmósfera. El único factor que puede hacernos llegar el polvo del desierto en superficie, es un fuerte viento del Sur o Sureste que eleve ese polvo y recorra miles de kilómetros hasta llegar a Orihuela y en general al sureste peninsular.

Imagen del Eumetsat ayer a las 12:00 horas del medio dia. Se puede apreciar (a vista de halcón) polvo en suspensión por la zona del sureste peninsular.

(Pincha en las imagen para aumentar su tamaño)

Las causas que han motivado esta entrada de polvo sahariano en su superficie las encontramos en la borrasca que en estos momentos se sitúa sobre el Golfo de Cádiz. Los vientos que circulan por su periferia, en sentido contrario a las agujas del reloj, pasan por la zona de Marruecos, cruzan el Mar Mediterráneo y penetran hasta nuestra zona arrastrando esas partículas de polvo. Con la lluvia que ha caido hoy y la que caerá mañana, este polvo desaparecerá de la atmósfera arrastrado por las gotas de lluvia.

Lluvia hoy (hasta las 13:14 horas): 1,0 litro por metro cuadrado.
Lluvia en Diciembre: 3,0 litros por metro cuadrado.

Mañana dispondreis de la previsión meteorológica para los dias de Nochebuena y Navidad.
Any source

Wine reform watered down

EU farm ministers have agreed a reform package for the wine sector that dilutes the package proposed by Commissioner Fischer Boel. Pressure from France and Italy means that fewer vineyards will be scrapped and the surplus of low quality wine will continue to be distilled for industrial use over a four year period.

The Commission's plan to outlaw chapitalisation (using sugar or must to add sweetness to alcohol) has been scrapped and it will still be allowed in those statements where it is already legal. This proposal was opposed by Austria, Germany and Hungary. One consequence is that subsidies will have to be prolonged to producers in the southern states which use must as the grape juice is more expensive.

Traditionalists will also be pleased that an overall harmonisation of labelling practices throughout the EU as planned by the Commission will not take place. However, winemakers not using geographical indications and designations of origin will in future be allowed to indicate their wines' grape variety and vintage on the label.

In this connection, UK Labour MEP Brian Simpson commented, 'This is the battle for the £6 bottle. There is too much snobbery about wine, which has caused the resistance.'

Much of the annual €1.3bn EU wine budget, about half of which buys up unwated wine, will be put into national envelopes for member state governments to use in promotion and restructuring.

Putting a brave face on the deal, Commissioner Fischer Boel admitted, 'We didn't get everything we wanted, but we have ended up with a well-balanced agreement.' In other words, the wine producing states have exerted effective pressure to defend their interests.

The underlying problem is that traditional growers like France and Italy have been consuming a third less of their own crop. Where consumption is growing in countries like Britain and Sweden, it is often being driven by 'New World' wines which are perceived to offer better value.

Whether the EU wine lake can be drained in five years as is hoped remains to be seen. Much will depend on effective implementation at member state level.Any source

Holiday stress? Google Mobile to the rescue!

Posted by Joshua Siegel, Product Manager, Google mobile team

The holiday season can be a stressful time in the U.S., but it should be enjoyable. Whether you need flight updates, store locations, or price comparisons, let Google Mobile offer you some peace of mind.

At the airport...

• Search for flight info: You're heading to the airport to pick up your relatives from New Jersey and want to check the status of their flight. Just go to www.google.com on your cell phone and search for the flight number to get departure and arrival times.
• Find a popular restaurant: Once at the airport, you suddenly realize you forgot to make dinner reservations! Crisis? Not at all. Find them the best lasagna money can buy -- just go to www.google.com on your cell phone, search for "Italian restaurants", and see ratings and reviews of local favorites.

Shopping...

• Keep track of to-do lists: Keep your family's wish lists, grocery lists, and all your other "To-Dos" in Google Notebook and access them while you're out and about. Easily update them online on your computer, then visit google.com/notebook/m on your cell phone when you're on the go.
• Compare prices: Before heading to the cash register, compare in-store prices to online retailers' prices by texting product names, ISBN or UPC numbers ("price mp3 player," "price 1591841410") to GOOGLE (466453). We'll send the results back to your cell phone in a snap, so you'll always know where to get the best deal.

On the way to the holiday party...

• Get directions: Try the "My Location" feature on the newest version of Google Maps for Mobile to find out where you are. Then, enter the destination address and get directions to the party. You can even turn on the traffic overlay to find out which highways to avoid. Just go to google.com/gmm on your cell phone to download the application.
• Find a last-minute gift: The moment you find your way, you realize you forgot to pick up a gift for the hosts! Avoid a social faux pas. Dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-4664-411) and say "florist" to find a flower shop on your way. GOOG-411 can even connect you directly. If you have an iPhone, say "map it" and we'll send you a link to a map showing the florist's location.

Discover some other ways Google Mobile can help you reduce stress this season.

Happy holidays from the entire Google mobile team!Any source

Lluvia y ambiente frío hasta Nochebuena

El mal Tiempo se ha instalado en Orihuela y lo va a seguir haciendo, al menos, otros tres días más. Lluvia, ambiente frío, nubes y algo de viento, van ser los protagonistas del Tiempo atmosférico en Orihuela hasta Nochebuena. Aunque las precipitaciones no van a ser intensas si que, en algunos momentos, pueden llegar a ser persistentes, pero registrándose ligeras mejorías.

Fotografía del cielo de Orihuela en el día de hoy.

Las temperaturas no van ser excesivamente bajas, las mínimas se quedarán rondando los 10ºC y las máximas los 15º No obstante la alta humedad que vamos a tener, dará lugar a una sensación de frío bastante importante. Las causas de este mal Tiempo vienen de la mano de una borrasca que se ha instalado sobre el Golfo de Cádiz y que, durante los próximos cuatro días, va a seguir mandándonos masas nubosas, acompañadas de vientos húmedos de Levante que favorecerán las precipitaciones.

Mapa de superficie previsto para las 06Z del 22/11/07. Isobaras en superficie (líneas negras), cobertura nubosa en % (áreas grises), precipitación acumulada en 6 horas (áreas en tonos verdes y azules), viento en superficie (flechas naranjas).

(Pinchar en las imágenes para aumentar su tamaño)

Temperatura máxima hoy: 16,4ºC a las 13:03 horas.
Temperatura mínima hoy: 13,0ºC a las 6:06 horas.
Precipitación hoy (hasta las 17:15 horas): 1,0 Litro por metro cuadrado

Como veis, estos dias se caracterizan por la escasa amplitud térmica.

Any source

Digicel gets mobile license in BVI

On December 17, Digicel announced that it has been granted a license to operate in the British Virgin Islands. Soon, the fastest growing mobile operator in the Caribbean and new entrant to Central America will be able to operate a GSM network in the BVI.

The liberalization process that preceded the license was initiated by the BVI Government in the beginning of 2005. With the licence, Digicell becomes the 3rd entrant into the BVI mobile market, so, it should create good competition and move mobile telecommunications development further – and bring enormous benefits including competitive pricing, better choice and technology innovation to mobile customers in the British Virgin Islands.

The BVI is to become the company's 24th market. It should be reminded that entering a number of Caribbean markets was not an easy task for Digicel. Previouslly, Digicel had filed legal action against the BVI Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, and won it, and then it filed an application against the rival operator Cable & Wireless that, as Digicel claimed, used illegal practices to delay the entry of Digicel into a number of Caribbean markets.

Digicel is planning to spend USD 15 million as its initial investment. This is needed to build a network that would offer close to 100% population coverage. The company will directly have 20 employees in BVI as well as create hundreds of indirect jobs.

Digicel’s goal announced by Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO, is becoming the number one operator in the BVI.

Brian Obvi,
Offshore Analyst

Article any source

Food miles

The BBC is currently highlighting the travel involved in our food and the resulting additional atmospheric carbon. There is the trip from abroad before it gets to the shops, and what we travel to buy it - up to 135 miles per adult per year. Waste food and packaging add to the problems. We are all struggling to find the real facts and effects, and an article by Hattie Ellis on www.bbc.co.uk/food puts as many questions as answers.

Ideas in The Free Lunch – Fairness with Freedom put the issue in another frame. The current planning laws are directly opposed to food production at the level of the household since the permitted new housing densities make this virtually impossible. At 40+ dwellings per hectare the resulting ‘gardens’ are minute. The owners will never be able to eat much food without a lot of travel having been involved.

We need planning law options that allow houses to have a good sized, unshaded food-growing plot. Food grown at home is not only low cost and wholesome but reduces waste food, travel costs, fuel consumption and carbon emissions; it also eliminates the need for packaging and its disposal. The use of geo-thermal heat for a house on such a plot would be more cost effective if also used to heat a poly-tunnel for growing food over a longer season.

The Free Lunch is a book for anyone who wants to increase choice for ordinary people. It addresses other issues that need to be considered along with such topics of the day as food miles.

www.the-free-lunch.com , or www.amazon.co.uk , or order from your local bookshopAny source

Meteo Orihuela en los medios de comunicación local

Meteo Orihuela ha aparecido hoy, martes 18 de Diciembre del 2007, en el periódico local Activa Orihuela. Un maravilloso artículo redactado por Antonio Peñalver sobre mi página web. En dicho periódico la noticia está en la página 19, pero también se puede ver a través de Internet en la siguiente dirección: http://activaorihuela.es/notis/index.htm?cod=2523


Artículo publicado en Activa Orihuela.

Meteo Orihuela, aparte de salir publicado en el periódico Activa Orihuela, también esta presente y lo estará en la web Vega Baja Digital, en la siguiente dirección: http://www.vegabajadigital.com/


Aqui os dejo la fotografía ganadora del concurso nacional y europeo por si alguien no la habia visto todavía. "En el Ojo de la Dana".

Estoy muy contento y muy orgulloso de mi en este tema. He recibido y estoy recibiendo muchos elogios. Muchas gracias a tod@s.Any source

Join the CAP health check debate

You can do so at: Debate . Jack Thurston of farmsubsidy.org starts off with a critique of the shortcomings of the Health Check, but gets slagged off later for 2nd rate left-wing journalism! Inevitably, those with axes to grind are there whether ideological (GM) or particular (suckler cows in N.Ireland). There is also a plaintive plea for more information in Bulgarian.

I suppose that my view of these exercises is that they give the semblance of participation while the real decisions are taken elsewhere. As a debate, it is very difficult to get people to move from their fixed positions.

Launching the debate, Fischer Boel once again showed her susceptibility to food security discourses. Referring to an 'atmopshere of anxiety' surrounding the markets, she said: 'Renewed awareness of the importance of food is a good thing. We should never be complacent about supplying life's basic necessities.'

Given that farmers (other than livestock farmers) are now getting a better return from the market, one might think that now was a good time to substantially reduce subsidies.

In her presentation to the European Parliament Agriculture Committee, Fischer Boel seemed to go further than the Communication itself, for example by clearly indicating her preference for a longer-term shift towards a flat rate Single Farm Payment or for ending the 45€/ha. energy crop premium.Any source

Masa de Aire Polar Continental

La nieve puede hacer acto de presencia en zonas cercanas a Orihuela el próximo domingo por la tarde y sobre todo durante la madrugada del lunes 17. Esto es lo que nos puede traer la masa de aire polar continental que va a llegar el domingo por la tarde desde los Balcanes y que nos va a dejar un ambiente muy frío durante esos días en el este-sureste peninsular.


Mapa de superficie previsto para las 00Z del 17/12/07. Isobaras en superficie (líneas negras), cobertura nubosa en % (áreas grises), precipitación acumulada en 6 horas (áreas en tonos verdes y azules), viento en superficie (flechas naranjas).

Esta masa de aire frío va a ser impulsada por un potente anticiclón que ya está sobre las Islas Británicas y una borrasca que, mañana sábado, se va a formar sobre Italia. Tras su paso sobre el Mediterráneo, esta masa de aire irá cargándose de humedad y llegará hasta nuestras tierras dejando precipitaciones en general débiles, aunque localmente pueden ser moderadas.


Mapa a 850 hPa (1500 mts) previsto a para las 00Z del 17/12/07. Altura Geopotencial (líneas blancas), temperatura a 1500 mts (áreas coloreadas), viento a 850 hPa (flechas marrones).

El problema que existe es que todavía no se sabe con exactitud la cota de nieve que vamos a tener, aunque en principio se espera que sea de unos 700 mts. Aún así, y de forma puntual, esta puede descender hasta los 600 mts e incluso los 500 mts. Por tanto podriamos soñar con ver en la Sierra de Orihuela un poquito de nieve. Si tengo que poner una probabilidad de ver nieve en nuestra Sierra, viendo los modelos meteorológicos, pondria 15% (probabilidad baja).
Puede nevar, pero la cosa esta super justa. Deben darse las condiciones apropiadas en un momento dado, para empezar, debe caer algo más de agua de lo que nos ponen los modelos meteorológicos, de esta manera se puede producir un pequeño bajón térmico por desplome... y si además lo hace de madrugada a las 6 o 7 de la mañana estariamos hablando ya de probabilidades casi altas de que nieve en la Sierra de Orihuela. Es lo que pasó cuando nevó en la Manga del Mar Menor hace unos años, la nieve cayó sobre las 6-7 de la mañana cuando la temperatura es la más baja posible (casi siempre) y encima cayó un buen aguacero. Tenemos como mucho mucho una -3ºC a 850Hpa, que eso quiere decir que a 700-800 metros habrá 0-2ºC que es cuando empieza a nevar aproximadamente, más algún desplome, la nieve podria caer a 600 o incluso 500 metros. Deben darse las condiciones adecuadas en un momento adecuado.
Lo que si es casi seguro es que nevará en Sierra Espuña (Murcia) y en la Sierra Aitana (Alicante).


Mapa a 500 hPa previsto a para las 00Z del 17/12/07. Altura Geopotencial (líneas blancas), temperatura a 5500 mts (áreas coloreadas), viento a 500 hPa (flechas marrones).

Se recomienda seguir las previsiones en Meteo Orihuela durante las próximas horas ante la posibilidad de cambios, ya que la situación es muy difícil de predecir. Pueden entrar en:
http://www.fergco.co/
Any source

BVI - the top outward direct investment destination and the 2nd largest inward direct investment source in Hong Kong economy for 2006

Yesterday, the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government provided the following information regarding investments in the jurisdiction:

According to official figures released on December 13, 2007, at the end of 2006, the stock of Hong Kong's inward direct investment (DI) rose significantly by 42.3% from a year earlier to $740.9 billion at market value.

The Census and Statistics Department indicated that the substantial increase can to a great extent be explained by the large gain in market values of some listed prominent Hong Kong resident companies upon the surge in their share prices as well as an increase of direct investment inflow to these Hong Kong affiliates.

In accordance with the analysis of immediate source of investment, the 2nd largest investor territory at end-2006 was the British Virgin Islands, which took up 33.8% of the total stock of inward DI. So, one of the most popular offshore jurisdictions was 2nd only to China, which stood at 35.1% and reflected the importance of its investment in Hong Kong.

The BVI was followed by the Netherlands, Bermuda and the US accounting for 6.8%, 6.1% and 4.8% of the total stock of inward direct investment at end-2006 respectively.

Stock and Flow of Inward Direct Investment (DI) of Hong Kong at Market Value by Major Investor Country/Territory, 2005 - 2006

HK$ billion

Major investor country/territory	Stock of Inward DI	at end of year	DI Inflow	during the year
	2005	2006	2005	2006
Mainland of China	1,271.9	2,024.3	72.9	108.7
British Virgin Islands	1,270.7	1,950.6	47.0	78.8
Netherlands	327.1	390.9	17.0	28.1
Bermuda	271.5	350.1	36.0	23.8
USA	205.8	277.9	-29.7	51.3
Japan	131.7	151.4	14.1	18.0
United Kingdom	88.5	105.6	13.7	15.4
Cayman Islands	66.7	101.3	12.0	18.4
Singapore	84.3	85.2	11.0	8.1
Taiwan	30.0	33.7	3.5	8.7
Others	308.0	300.9	64.0	-9.4
Total	4,056.3	5,771.9	261.5	350.0

As regards outward direct investments, the Census and Statistics Department of the HKSAR said that, at the end of 2006, the stock of the country's outward DI increased by 44.1% from a year earlier to $675.8 billion at market value.

According to the analysis of immediate destination of investment, the British Virgin Islands remained the most popular tax haven economy for indirect channeling of DI funds as at end-2006 it accounted for 46.9% of the total stock of outward DI of Hong Kong.

Stock and Flow of Outward Direct Investment (DI) of Hong Kong at Market Value by Major Recipient Country or Territory, 2005-2006

HK$ billion

Major investor country/territory	Stock of outward DI	at end of year	DI outflow	during the year
	2005	2006	2005	2006
British Virgin Islands	1,609.3	2,467.6	18.1	78.0
Mainland of China	1,477.4	2,117.2	130.3	166.6
Bermuda	126.1	137.8	12.5	-5.0
United Kingdom	59.6	62.1	4.9	-0.2
Japan	29.7	60.8	-9.2	34.7
Cayman Islands	25.1	41.1	14.8	7.9
India	6.7	37.1	0.8	28.9
Thailand	23.0	34.7	2.6	6.4
Singapore	40.0	33.1	6.0	2.1
USA	26.3	29.1	0.9	3.1
Others	230.7	243.8	29.8	26.8
Total	3,653.9	5,264.5	211.5	349.4

Brian Obvi,
Offshore Analyst

Article any source

Upload Geo-Tagged YouTube Videos from your Helio Ocean

Posted by Christine Lee, Product Marketing Manager, YouTube

Helio has just released a custom-built application that enables you to watch, record, upload, and share YouTube videos on your Helio Ocean phone. Now, you can really interact with the YouTube community on your Helio Ocean by rating videos, posting text comments, sharing videos with friends, saving videos to your Favorites and Playlists, and subscribing to new channels. You can even let everyone know where you shot a video by attaching a "geo-tag," which includes the GPS coordinates for the location where you shot the video.

You can also personalize your YouTube experience on the Helio Ocean by customizing your video feeds like My Subscriptions, My Favorites, My Playlists, My Videos and Received Videos. Of course, you can always view traditional YouTube categories like Most Viewed, Most Recent, Top Rated and Recently Featured.

What better way to show you than via this video:


To get the new application in the U.S., just "JUMP" to YOUTUBE by entering 9688823 (YOUTUBE) from the Helio Ocean idle screen. You'll then receive a link to download the application.

This is a nice example of how mobile providers can bring YouTube to their customers. We're pretty excited about the opportunities for YouTube on the small screen. Now people can watch YouTube on their phones and participate in the YouTube community without having to be at their computers.Any source

¿Un invierno 07-08 normal o un poco más cálido?

La Oficina Meteorológica Británica (Met Office) ya ha sacado sus previsiones meteorológicas estacionales para el próximo invierno 07 – 08. Esta institución realiza unas de las previsiones estacionales mas fiables del mundo, por medio de sus potentes modelos meteorológicos que manejan grandes cantidades de datos atmosféricos a escala planetaria. Si bien las previsiones estacionales deben interpretarse de modo orientativo sobre posible tendencias que vayan a seguir las temperaturas o las precipitaciones en los próximos meses. Para este próximo invierno y atendiendo a nuestra zona, Met Office nos da un invierno en cuanto a temperaturas, con grandes posibilidades de que llegue a ser ligeramente mas cálido de lo normal. Como podemos ver en el mapa inferior, que muestra la anomalía de temperatura con respecto a la media normal del trimestre Diciembre, Enero, y Febrero, el tercio norte de la Península Ibérica y gran parte de la fachada mediterránea, tendrían un invierno ligeramente mas cálido de lo normal. Todo el interior y tercio sur de nuestro país, quedaría con temperaturas en la media.


Anomalías de temperatura en Europa para el próximo invierno según Met Office.

Si nos fijamos en el mapa inferior de tendencia de las precipitaciones, podemos ver como estas serían bastante escasas en todo el territorio peninsular y sobre todo en la zona centro y suroeste peninsular. Tan solo desde la parte central del Francia hacia el norte, las precipitaciones estarían por encima de la media.


Anomalías de precipitación en Europa para el próximo invierno según Met Office.

Según estos mapas mi interpretación sería la siguiente: parece que durante este invierno vamos a tener una circulación zonal bastante marcada sobre Europa, es decir, que vamos a tener una circulación de borrascas por el Atlántico. Parece que estas van a desplazarse por latitudes superiores a las normales para estas fechas, debido a la posible formación de un importante Anticiclón de la Azores que va a impedir que estas penetren en la Península Ibérica. Posiblemente tendremos temperaturas máximas mas altas de lo normal para el Invierno y los dias serán protagonizados por fuertes inversiones térmicas. Y en cuanto a las precipitaciones, pues ya lo ven en los mapas, estas serían muy escasas y vendrían de la mano de posibles entradas de aire húmedo del Mediterráneo, en un intento del Anticiclón de las Azores por desplazarse hacia el norte e inyectar ese flujo de aire húmedo sobre la fachada mediterránea peninsular. De todas formas estas previsiones estacionales son simplemente tendencias y no quiere decir que el Tiempo sea siempre el mismo. Nunca hay que descartar la posibilidad de Olas de Frío, pero con estas configuraciones atmosféricas hay que reconocer que estas posibilidades se reducen. De momento vamos a esperar a ver lo que pasa, por que el invierno es largo y acaba de comenzar. Ahora tocan días de frío y en contraposición a esta noticia, las temperaturas bajarán moderadamente.
Any source

No more excuses for being late

Posted by Marcus Foster, Product Manager, Google mobile team, London

A few months ago we released a mobile version of Google Calendar. I find it incredibly useful, especially when traveling and running from one meeting to the next. I know that wherever I am, my Google Calendar travels with me.

Since we know how much Calendar users depend on their schedules, we are always trying to make it easier to access at any time. For example, I live in London, and like many people in major metropolitan areas around the world, I spend a lot of time underground, on the Tube (a.k.a. subway, Metro, U-Bahn...). At least in London, there is no mobile network coverage on the Underground, so I cannot always access Google Calendar on my phone.

But now there's a solution. Starting today, you can use Google Sync for mobile to synchronize your BlackBerry handheld with Google Calendar. Simply go to http://m.google.com/sync in your mobile browser to download and install the Google Sync for mobile application.


Once installed, simply click on the Google Sync icon (which looks like this):
Then, sign in to your Google Account or your Google Apps account, and that's it. The Calendar application on your BlackBerry will always be synchronized with your Google Calendar. You can even edit events or create new ones on the handheld.

Get more information on Google Sync.Any source

Picasa Redefined for your iPhone

Posted by Joe Walnes, Software Engineer, Google mobile team in London

I was sitting in the pub recently (I'm a Brit, it's what I do), and I wanted to show my friend a photo of the sunset I saw on my honeymoon. I pulled out my phone and started typing in the URL for Picasa Web Albums. Before I could continue, he threw his shiny iPhone into my hand. He told me to launch the Safari browser bundled on the iPhone and give that a try.

I had a look around some websites and I really liked how they looked on the iPhone. I could get to everything I needed. I went to picasaweb.google.com but it didn't quite feel right. It was using some very cool AJAXy features, but these were designed with a desktop web-browsing experience in mind. So the next day I had a go at creating a new interface for Picasa Web, designed for the iPhone.

Today, I'm happy to tell you that we've just released this new iPhone interface for Picasa. After you go to Picasa on your iPhone and log in, you can quickly see all your albums that you've uploaded to Picasa Web. If you click on any of the albums, you can get a full view of your picture with comments from your friends. Or you can click on Slideshow, sit back and watch the pictures scroll. You can also search for photos in your album or through community photos. Finally, with one of my favorite features, you can view your friends' albums through favorites.

What are you waiting for? If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch go to http://picasaweb.google.com and check it out. Alternatively, you can go to www.google.com and launch the application from the "More" tab. Note that we've only launched in English so far, so you'll have to change your language preference if you're not in an English-speaking country.

For those that have never used Picasa before, visit our web site for PC users or Mac users. You can easily upload all your photos from your desktop. If you have any suggestions or feedback, please leave us a comment below.

Any source

BVI FSC Postpones the Seminar on Anti-Money Laundering

The BVI Financial Services Commission has announced that its Seminar for the non-regulated sector of the Territory's economy on the BVI obligations and responsibilities in the areas of money laundering and terrorist financing has been postponed. The one day Seminar which was initially planned to be held today (Tuesday, 11 December 2007), now is re-scheduled to the beginning of 2008.

The Seminar on Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) is to bring together money transmitters, dealers in precious metals and stones (including those engaged in the sale of jewellery), real estate agents, dealers in other high valued goods such as yachts, cars and heavy duty vehicles.

Brian Obvi,
Offshore Analyst

Article any source

“Efecto Föehn” en Orihuela

¿Pero dónde está el frío?... Seguro que esa pregunta se la hicieron muchos oriolanos y oriolanas el pasado domingo por la mañana cuando salieron de sus casas o cuando estaban de marcha en la madrugada del sábado al domingo. El viento soplaba muy templado o mas bien “calentujo”, y esto se debe a un fenómeno poco conocido aquí, pero que forma parte del clima oriolano como es el “Efecto Föehn”. Su mecanismo es muy sencillo y se da muchas veces al año, pero sobre todo durante la estación invernal y otoñal. Cuando una borrasca se coloca el Noroeste de Galicia, esta impulsa vientos de componente Oeste sobre la Península Ibérica. Estos vientos atraviesan toda la meseta manchega antes de llegar hasta nuestras tierras, saltando por encima determinadas Sierras.


Esquema del mecanismo y consecuencias del "Efecto Föehn".

Este viento, al ser una cordillera extensa en su dirección SW – NE, no puede rodearla y por tanto se ve obligado a saltar por sus cumbres. En este ascenso por el lado a barlovento (de cara al viento) la masa de aire comienza a enfriarse. En este enfriamiento aumenta su humedad hasta que llega a la saturación y comienzan a formarse las nubes que, en determinadas ocasiones, pueden dejar precipitaciones o no. Si estas no se producen, se denomina”Falso Föehn”, aunque los efectos en la otra cara de los relieves son los mismos en ambos casos. Este viento, como ya hemos dicho antes, asciende por la ladera a barlovento y llega hasta la cumbre. Una vez sobrepasa esta cumbre comienza su descenso por el lado a sotavento (de espaldas al viento). En este descenso la altitud va disminuyendo a la vez que aumenta la presión atmosférica (a mas altitud menos presión y a menos altitud mas presión). Este aumento de presión hace que la masa de aire se comprima y por tanto las moléculas que la forman tengan menos espacio para moverse y existan mas rozamiento entre ellas. Este rozamiento hace que aumente la temperatura de la masa de aire y por tanto que disminuya su humedad relativa, por lo que se alejada del nivel de saturación y las nubes desaparecen quedando el cielo muy limpio y despejado, con una visibilidad excelente. El proceso de calentamiento que he explicado anteriormente, pueden experimentarlo ustedes mismos con una bomba de bicicleta. Si presionamos la parte superior del aparato, el aire dentro del tubo se comprime (mas presión) y sale hacia el exterior. Si se repite este movimiento unas cuantas veces, podemos notar como la parte del tubo de la bomba que alberga ese aire comprimido, comienza a calentarse de forma inmediata. Pues esto es lo que pasa con esa masa de aire que llegaba hasta Orihuela durante la madrugada y la mañana del pasado Domingo.Any source

UPDATED STATE INCENTIVE INFORMATION

Here is an update of state incentive information which is listed on our website at: http://www.marklitwak.com/resources/domestic_programs.html


UPDATED 01/03/2008


ALABAMA
Incentive information: http://alabamafilm.org/filmakerincentives.htm
Film office: http://www.alabamafilm.org

Linda Swann, Film Office Director
Alabama Center for Commerce
401 Adams Avenue
Suite 616
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: 334-242-4195 or 334-353-0221
Fax: 334-242-2077
Email: film.office@ado.alabama.gov

Incentives:

There are no incentives available in Alabama. The exemption from sales tax and lodging tax has expired.


ALASKA
Film office: http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/oed/film/home.cfm

Alaska Film Program
P.O. Box 110804
Juneau, AK 99811-0804
Phone: 907-269-8112
Fax: 907-465-3767
Email: alaskafilm@alaska.gov

Incentives:

There is no sales tax and no income tax in Alaska.


ARIZONA
Incentive information: http://www.commerce.state.az.us/finance/motionpic.asp
Film office: http://www.commerce.state.az.us/Film/default.asp

Harry Tate, Director
Arizona Film Commission
3800 N. Central Ave. Bldg. D
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: 602-771-1135
Fax: 602-280-1384
Email: harryt@azcommerce.com

Incentives:

Income Tax Credits
Provides for transferable income tax credit for costs in Arizona based on total costs paid in AZ, as follows:

• $250K - $1M gets a 20% credit.
• $1M - $7M gets a 30% credit.

The cap on the amount of tax credits a production can receive is capped at $7 million.

Additionally, AZ now offers an infrastructure credit equal to 15% of the investment.

All incentives are subject to a production company’s qualification as an exempt company, with such limitations including but not limited to employing 50% AZ residents full-time (2008-2010).

Tax credits are reserved on a first-come basis; credits still remain, and applications are now being accepted. All funds have been allocated for 2007. Applications for 2008 are now being accepted. There is $50 million available in 2008.

Transaction Privilege Tax Exemption
Machinery, equipment, other personal property, leases, rentals of lodgings, catered food and drink, and construction contracts used in the production of a motion picture are all exempt from Transaction Privilege Tax.

Use Tax Exemption
Machinery, equipment, and other tangible personal property used in the production of a motion picture are exempt from use tax.

CALIFORNIA
Film office: http://www.film.ca.gov
Amy Lemisch, Director
California Film Commission
7080 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 900
Hollywood, CA 90028
Phone: 800-858-4749
Phone: 800-860-2960
Fax: 323-860-2972
Email: alemisch@film.ca.gov
Stefanie Coyote, Executive Director
San Francisco Film Commission
Phone: 415-554-6241
Email: film@sfgov.org
Website: www.filmsf.org

FilmL.A., Inc.
Phone: 213-977-8600
Website: www.filmlainc.com

Incentives:

Location Incentives
The California Film Commission facilitates all aspects of the filmmaking process and provides production and troubleshooting assistance. Free on-line permits for state property locations (parks, beaches, roads, prisons, etc.); no location fees for state properties; and, coordination with a network of 50 in-state film commissions providing localized support services for filmmakers.

Hotel Occupancy Tax Exemption
There is no state hotel occupancy tax. Most cities or counties that impose a local hotel tax have a tax exemption for occupancies in excess of 30 days.

Sales Tax Exemption
There is a 5% sales tax exemption on production or postproduction equipment. (Exemption is taken by the seller of the equipment and passed on to the buyer at the point of purchase.) There is no sales tax on productions services.

Los Angeles
FilmL.A., Inc. coordinates permitting for the City of Los Angeles, sections of Los Angeles County and other local jurisdictions. Their Production Planning team helps productions navigate a range of location filming logistics. The City of Los Angeles waives location use fees at many frequently filmed City facilities including City Hall, city-owned office buildings and property and all public library facilities.

San Francisco
San Francisco Film Rebate program is a refund of all city costs in the city. Also, the city refunds a portion of hotel, sales tax, and all San Francisco payroll taxes. Productions with a budget of $3 million or less must shoot at least 55% of principle photography in the City of San Francisco. Productions with budgets over $3 million must shoot at least 65% of principle photography in the City of San Francisco. Per production cap is total City taxes paid.


COLORADO
Film commission: http://www.coloradofilm.org

Kevin Shand, Executive Director
Colorado Film Commission
1625 Broadway, Suite 1700
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-620-4500
Fax: 303-720-4545
Email: Coloradofilm@state.co.us
Email: Kevin.shand@coloradofilm.org

Incentives:

Any production company that spends at least 75 percent of its production expenditures in Colorado on qualified local expenditures and at least 75 percent of payroll expenditures on local hires can claim an incentive payment. If the film originates in Colorado and total qualifying expenditures are at least $100,000, the incentive will be equal to 10 percent of the total qualifying expenditures. If the film does not originate in Colorado, but total qualifying expenditures are at least $1 million, the incentive will be equal to 10 percent of the total qualifying expenditures. Only $600,000 is available across all productions every year.

Hotel Occupancy Tax Rebate
Colorado hotels may offer a sales tax rebate for stays of 31 days or longer. As the rebate is discretionary, ask before booking your stay. Colorado offers no other incentive programs.


CONNECTICUT
Incentive information: http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=2126&q=302556&CCTNAV_GID=1637

Film, Video & Media Office: http://www.ctfilm.com/
Heidi Hamilton, Director
Connecticut Film, Video & Media Office
805 Brook Street, Building 4
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Phone: 860-256-2724 or 860-256-2800
Fax: 860-256-2800
Email: george.norfleet@ct.gov

Incentives:

A 30% tax credit is available for qualified productions with expenditures over $50,000 in the following areas:

Optioning or the purchase of any intellectual property including, but not limited to, books, scripts, music or trademarks relating to the development or purchase of a script, screenplay or format, provided:

-The intellectual property was produced primarily in the state.
-75% of the qualified production based on such intellectual property in produced in the state.
-Production expenses or costs for such optioning or purchase are less than 35% of the production expenses or costs incurred in the state.

Expenditures for production of a motion picture and other costs directly associated with the production.

Expenditures for mass market distribution of a motion picture including marketing and duplication costs in any format.

In addition, state law waives the 6% sales and use tax for the purchase, rental or lease of most equipment and materials used in production. The state also provides a number of fee-free locations, and the hotel tax is waived for days numbering beyond 30. In addition, a five-year exemption on local property tax is provided on machinery and equipment used in motion picture, video and sound master recordings.

DELAWARE
Incentive information: http://dedo.delaware.gov/filmoffice/information/incentives.shtml

Nikki Boone, Liaison
Delaware Film Office
99 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: 302-577-6823
Email: nikki.boone@state.de.us

Incentives:

Delaware has no sales tax, personal property, or inventory taxes. Permit fees are low and generally negotiable. The state has no other incentives directly targeted toward filmmaking.


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Film office: http://www.film.dc.gov

Crystal Palmer, Commissioner
Office of Motion Picture and Television Development
410 8th St. NW, 6th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20004
Phone: 202-727-6608
Fax: 202-727-3787
Email: mptd@dc.gov
Email: crystal.palmer@dc.gov

Incentives:

A refundable grant equal to the lesser of: 10% of the qualified expenses or 100% of the sales/use tax paid to DC. To qualify, the film or television project must spend at least $500,000 and film five or more days in DC.


FLORIDA
Incentive information: http://www.filminflorida.com/ifi/incentives.asp
Film office: http://www.filminflorida.com

Paul Sirmons, Commissioner
Governor's Office of Film and Entertainment
Executive Office of the Governor
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Phone: 877-FLA-FILM (toll-free) or 850-410-4765
Fax: 850-410-4770
Email: Paul.Sirmons@myflorida.com

Susan Simms, Los Angeles Liaison
Governor's Office of Film & Entertainment
5426 Simpson Avenue
North Hollywood, CA 91607
Phone: 818-508-7772
Fax: 818-508-7747
Email: filmflorida@earthlink.net

Incentives:

Financial Incentive
A qualified production is eligible for a 15% tax credit based on at least $625,000 in qualified expenditures for the entire run of the project. Production is capped at $25 million. The qualifying productions will be placed into one of two queues depending on the nature of the production. Money will be distributed, subject to appropriation, to the productions in queue and then on a first come-first serve basis.

Sales Tax and Use Exemption
Qualified motion picture, TV motion picture, TV series, commercial advertising or music video production and sound recording companies engaged in Florida may be eligible for a sales and use tax exemption on the purchase or lease of certain items used exclusively as an integral part of the production activities in Florida.

Bonuses
To help rebuild Florida as a 12-month production state, FL offers a 5% off-season bonus from June through November (hurricane season) to many productions. FL also adds a 2% bonus for family-friendly films.

Qualified Target Industry Refund
Companies creating jobs in motion picture production in Florida, excluding location filming, are eligible for a Qualified Target Industry (QTI) Tax Refund. Pre-approved applicants who create jobs in Florida receive tax refunds of $3000 per new job created, and $6000 in an Enterprise Zone or Rural County. For businesses paying 150% of the average annual wage, add $1000 per job; for businesses paying 200% of the average annual salary, add $2000 per job. For more information about this program, call Enterprise Florida at 850.488.6300.

Rural & Urban Job Tax Credit Programs
Companies creating jobs in any of Florida’s 15 designated rural counties and 15 designated urban areas can qualify for tax credits from $500 to $2000 per qualified job. For more information contact the Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development at 850.487.2568.

Enterprise Zones
Business that create jobs within an enterprise zone may be eligible for additional tax credits, including a sales and use tax credit, tax refund for business machinery and equipment used in an enterprise zone, sales tax refund for building materials used in an enterprise zone, and a sales tax exemption for electrical energy used in an enterprise zone. For more information contact the Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development at 850.487.2568.


GEORGIA
Film office: http://www.filmgeorgia.org

Bill Thompson, Director
Georgia Film, Video & Music Office
285 Peachtree Center Ave., Suite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-656-3591
Fax: 404-656-3565
Email: Film@georgia.org
Email: bthompson@georgia.org

Incentives:

Investment Tax Credit
Georgia offers a 9% investment tax credit on productions that spend at least $500K in the state in a single year. Salaries of both residential and out-of-town hires may be included in the tally (cap of $500,000 per person per production). An additional 3% credit will be awarded for all Georgia residents and for any expenditure in designated Georgia areas (typically underdeveloped areas). For companies that spend greater than $20M an additional 2% credit will be awarded. Credits are applied to Georgia tax liability. If a company has little or no tax liability in Georgia, credits may be transferred or sold to Georgia-based entities.

Sales and Use Tax Credit
Qualified film producers and qualified film production companies in George are exempt from sales and use tax on most below-the-line equipment rentals/purchases. Most below-the-line materials and service purchases are included in the exemption. Georgia state sales tax is 8%.

Qualified productions include: feature films, television movies and series, commercials, music videos and documentaries that will be distributed to areas outside of the State of Georgia.


HAWAII
Incentive information: http://www.hawaiifilmoffice.com/film/incentives-tax-credits
High Tech Investment Tax Credit information: http://www.state.hi.us/tax/a2_b2_6hi_tech.htm
Film office site: http://www.hawaiifilmoffice.com

Donne Dawson, Commissioner
Hawaii Film Office
No. 1 Capitol District Building
250 South Hotel St., 5th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808-586-2570
Fax: 808-586-2572
Email: info@hawaiifilmoffice.com

Incentives:

Refundable Production Tax Credits
Hawaii offers a refundable tax credit based on expenditures in Hawaii on qualified projects. The credit equals 15% of qualified production costs on Oahu and 20% on the other islands. There is an $8 million cap per production.

Qualified High Tech Business Tax Credit
The state’s high tech business investment tax credit provides a 100% return on cash investments in a "qualified high tech business" (QHTB) as state income tax credit disbursed over 5 years (35% credit in the year of investment, 25% in the following year, 20% in the second year following, then 10% each in the third and fourth year following). Qualified research activities include performing arts products such as motion pictures. The credit is designed to give investors a 100% return for their investments of up to $2 million per year per QHTB. The credit applies against Hawaii income tax liability only. The credit can be taken by individuals and corporations paying Hawaii income tax, and by banks and insurance companies against their franchise and insurance premium tax.

Moreover, if money from outside Hawaii is invested, the tax benefits can be allocated to Hawaii investors so they can obtain up to a 150% return. So for example, if a Hawaii investor put up $1,000,000 and an Arkansas investor put up $500,000, the parties could agree to allocate all the tax credits, equal to $1,500,000 to the Hawaii investor (since the Arkansas investor doesn't pay taxes in Hawaii they are worthless to him anyway). So the Hawaii investors get back a % return over 5 years. In return, the Arkansas investor could be given a greater share of the back end, or preferred recoupment.

The production entity would be required to employ, to own capital or property or maintain an office in Hawaii, to have more than 50% of its total business activities related to performing arts products and to conduct more than 75% of those activities in Hawaii. In other words, 75% of the budget needs to be spent in Hawaii. I currently represent a Hawaii company that can serve as the production entity that has received a comfort ruling from the Department of Taxation indicating that the company qualifies as a QHTB eligible for the investment tax credit.

In order to qualify, companies need to stay in business in Hawaii for at least five years, and should have some copyright ownership of the picture. There are many more details but those are the basics.

For additional information about Hawaii’s 100% high tech business investment tax credit, go to http://www.state.hi.us/tax/a2_b2_6hi_tech.htm.

Intellectual Property Royalty Exemption
An individual or QTHB’s royalty income derived from copyrights (and other intellectual property) can be excluded from gross income on its Hawaii state tax return. This exemption applies to individuals, qualified businesses, assignors, licensors and licensees.


IDAHO
Incentive information: http://www.filmidaho.org/page.aspx/250/production_incentives
Film office: http://www.filmidaho.org/

Peg Owens, Marketing Specialist
Idaho Film Bureau
700 W. State Street
Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0093
Phone: 800-942-8338 or 208-334-2470
Fax: 208-334-2631
Email: powens@idoc.state.id.us

Incentives:

Idaho offers an exemption from sales or hotel taxes on lodging stays of 30 or more days. The state offers a rebate on the 6% sales tax when $200,000 is spent on a wide variety of qualifying expenses.


ILLINOIS
Film office: http://www.commerce.state.il.us/film/

Betsy Steinberg, Managing Director
Illinois Film Office
100 W. Randolph St., 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-814-7179
TDD: 800-419-0667
Email: betsy.steinberg@illinois.gov

Springfield Office
620 E. Adams
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: 217-782-7500
TDD: 800-785-6055

Incentives:

Production Tax Credit
Illinois offers a 20% tax credit for Illinois productions during each taxable year. An additional 15% tax credit is available for wages paid to Illinois residents who reside in economically disadvantaged areas. Vendors’ Illinois labor costs may also be included in the calculation of the credit. Production companies are asked to make a good-faith effort to hire and train an ethnically diverse team. The credit is transferable one time and can be carried forward up to 5 years. The restrictions on the credit area as follows:

1) limited to the first $100K of wages paid to each employee
2) productions must spend at least $100K on wages for productions over 30 minutes and at least $50K under 30 minutes
3) tax credit has to directly contribute to the production filming in Illinois.
4) The additional credit for labor expenditures for residents of impoverished areas will only be allowed for those employees whose compensation exceeds $1,000.

Hotel Occupancy Tax Waiver
The 14.9% hotel occupancy tax will be waived after a room is occupied for 30 days. After 30 days, the initial stay will also be credited.


INDIANA
Film commission: http://www.state.in.us/film/

Leigh Durbin, Director
Indiana Film Commission
Indiana Department of Commerce
One North Capitol Avenue, Suite 700
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2288
Phone: 317-232-8829
Fax: 317-233-6887
Email: filminfo@commerce.state.in.us
Email: ldurbin@iedc.in.gov

Incentives:

Indiana offers an exemption from both sales and local innkeepers’ taxes for hotel stays of 30 days or more. The state provides certain state-owned properties free of charge.


IOWA
Film office: http://www.iowalifechanging.com/filmiowa/iaproductions.html

Tom Wheeler, Manager
Iowa Film Office
Phone: 515-242-4726
Fax: 515-242-4809
Email: filmiowa@ided.state.ia.us
Email: tom.wheeler@iowalifechanging.com

Incentives:

Tax Credit
Kansas allows a production company to apply for a non-refundable tax credit equal to 30% of in-state expenditures. Minimum expenditure to qualify is $50,000 if under 30 minutes and $100,000 if over 30 minutes. The state will fund $20 million over the next 10 years with $2 million cap per year.

This state offers a tax reimbursement of 4.9% on certain film, TV, or commercial projects. Productions must spend minimum of $200,000 per project in the state to qualify.

No hotel occupancy tax for stays in excess of 28 days.


KANSAS
Film office: http://www.filmkansas.com

Peter S. Jasso
Director
1000 S.W. Jackson Street Suite 100
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1354
Phone: (785) 296-2178
Fax: (785) 296-3490
E-mail: pjasso@kansascommerce.com

Erin M. Schroeder
Assistant Director
1000 S.W. Jackson Street, Suite 100
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1354
Phone: (785) 296-4927
Fax: (785) 296-3490
E-mail: eschroeder@kansascommerce.com

Incentives:

Tax Credit
Kansas allows a production company to apply for a non-refundable tax credit equal to 30% of in-state expenditures. Productions must spend minimum of $100,000 per project over 30min and $50,000 for projects less than 30min in the state to qualify.

Hotel Occupancy Tax Exemption
No hotel occupancy tax for stays in excess of 28 days.


KENTUCKY
Incentive information: http://www.kyfilmoffice.com/taxrebateinfo.htm
Film Office: http://www.kyfilmoffice.com

Todd Cassidy, Director
Kentucky Film Office
500 Mero Street
2200 Capital Plaza Tower
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-3456
Toll Free: (800) 345-6591
Fax: (502) 564-7588
Email: todd.cassidy@ky.gov
Incentives:
This state offers a 6% sales and use tax refund for qualified production expenditures.


LOUISIANA
Incentive information: http://www.lafilm.org/incentives/index.cfm
Film office: http://www.lafilm.org

Christopher Stelly, Director of Film & Television
Office of Entertainment Industry Development
1051 North 3rd Street, Suite 173
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
Phone: 225.342.5403
Fax: 225.342.5554
Email: led-entertainment@la.gov

Incentives:

Investor Tax Credit
Investors who are taxpayers domiciled and headquartered in Louisiana can claim an investor tax credit if they invest in a nationally distributed feature-length film, video, television program or commercial made in Louisiana in whole or in part. The credit is earned at the time of expenditure.

If the total base investment is greater than $300,000, each taxpayer can take a tax credit of up to 25% of the actual investment made by that taxpayer. If the investor pays for Louisiana payroll on the production, he is entitled to an extra 10% of the LA payroll, except for individuals receiving payment in excess of $1,000,000.

It also offers an infrastructure tax credit of 40% of the investment for the construction of new production facilities or studios.


MAINE
Incentives: http://www.filminmaine.org/
Film office: http://www.state.me.us/decd/film/

D. Lea Girardin, Director
Maine Film Office
59 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Phone: 207-624-7631
Fax: 207-287-8070
Email: filmme@earthlink.net
Email: lea.girardin@maine.gov

Incentives:

Wage Based Incentive
Maine will reimburse 12% of certified production wages paid to employees who are Maine residents and 10% paid to non-residents. No reimbursement for wages in excess of $1 million for any single person. The production must spend at least $250,000 within a 12-month period.

Income Tax Credit
Maine will credit all income taxes that would otherwise be assessed against income associated with the production on productions spending at least $250,000 within a 12-month period.

Sales Tax Exemption
Maine-based production companies and out-of-state production companies working in Maine can apply for sales tax exemptions for equipment and machinery purchases.

Fuel and Electricity Sales tax Exemption
Companies creating film, TV, video and new-media projects in Maine can be exempted from paying tax on 95% of the cost of fuel and electricity used at production sites such as film locations and studios.

Lodging Tax Reimbursement
Production companies staying in hotels for more than 28 consecutive days can apply for a lodging tax reimbursement.

Fee-Free Locations
A number of Maine public lands—including many state parks—are offered without location fees.

Surplus-Property Program
Productions may borrow—free of charge—furniture and other surplus property from the state of Maine.


MARYLAND
Incentive information: http://www.mdfilm.state.md.us/incentives.htm
Film office: http://www.mdfilm.state.md.us/

Jack Gerbes, Director
217 E. Redwood St., 9th floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 333-0044 fax
(410) 767-0067 HOTLINE
Email: jack@marylandfilm.org

Incentives:

Rebate
Maryland provides a rebate equal to 25% of the total in-state direct costs incurred while filming on location. The production must spend $500,000 in the state. There is a statewide cap of $4 million, of which $3 million still remains. Wages and salaries of residents and nonresidents qualify for this incentive.

Sales Tax Exemption
Maryland offers an exemption for its 5% sales tax for production expenditures.


MASSACHUSETTS
Film Office: http://www.mafilm.org

Nick Paleologos
Executive Director
Massachusetts Film Office
31 St. James Ave. Suite 260
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-423-1155
Email: nick@mafilm.org

Incentives:

Tax Credit
There is a 25% film tax credit on all qualified spending in the state. No caps. No limits. No pre-certification. No pre-application. Minimum spend is $50,000. Credits, once earned, may be sold to any other Massachusetts taxpayer or taken as a rebate directly from the state—whichever is more favorable to the filmmaker. State rebates are guaranteed at 90% of the value of the credit. Companies may carry tax credits forward for up to five years.

Sales Tax Exemption
Production spending in state is also sales tax free.


MICHIGAN
Film office: http://www.michigan.gov/filmoffice

Janet Lockwood, Director
Michigan Film Office
702 West Kalamazoo Street
Lansing MI 48915
Phone: 800-477-3456 or 517-373-0638
Fax: 517-241-2930.
Email: jlockwood@michigan.gov

Incentives:

Refundable Sales Tax Credit
Michigan provides a rebate of 12% ($500,000 production expenditures) to 20% (above $5 million) on in-state spending on a sliding scale. The cap is $2 million per production. The annual amount available overall is $7 million per tax year.

Following the Federal American Jobs Creation Act, investors in qualifying film and television productions may elect to immediately deduct the cost of qualifying film expenditures in the year the expenditure occurs, with the aggregate cost of the film not exceeding $15 million ($20 million in low income areas). A 9% deduction can also be applied to the net income of a qualifying production.


MINNESOTA
Incentive information: http://www.mnfilm.org/board/incentives.asp
Film Office: http://www.mnfilm.org

Lucinda Winter, Executive Director
Minnesota Film and TV Board
2446 University Ave. West
St. Paul, MN 55114
Phone: 612-332-6493
Fax: 612-332-3735
Email: Lucinda@mnfilmtv.org

Incentives:

Production Rebate
Minnesota offers a 15 percent rebate for the cost of production. At least 60% of the film must shoot in the state. Only expenses for resident cast/crew are qualified. Purchases, rentals, and services must be from local vendors to qualify.

Sales Tax
TV Commercials are exempt from the 6.5% state sales tax.

Hotel/Lodging Tax
All production personnel who stay in a hotel or other lodging under a lease agreement for 30 days or more are exempt from state lodging tax.


MISSISSIPPI
Film office: http://www.visitmississippi.org/film/

Mississippi Division of Tourism
Woolfolk State Office Building
501 West St
Jackson, MS 39201

Post Office Box 849 Jackson, MS 39205
Phone: 601.359.3297
Hot Line: 601.359.2112
Fax: 601.359.5048
Ward Emling, Manager
Phone: 601.359.3422
Email: wemling@mississippi.org

Incentives:

Cash Rebate
Productions are entitled to a 20% of the first $1 million of local spend, sliding up to 30% of the local spend over $5 million. All local payroll included. Wages for out-of-state residents qualify for a 10% rebate. Maximum rebate of $5 million per project.

Sales Tax Exemption and Reduction
Many production materials are exempt from the state’s 7% sales and use tax. Sales and use tax on production equipment purchases are reduced by 5.5%.


MISSOURI
Incentive information: http://www.missouribusiness.net/film/incentives.asp
Film commission: http://www.missouribusiness.net/film/

Jerry Jones, Director
Missouri Film Commission
University of Missouri
165 McReynolds Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
Email: mofilm@missouri.edu

Kansas City Film Commission
Toll Free: 800-767-7700 ext 3872
www.kcfilm.com

Incentives:

Qualified film production companies can receive a state income tax credit of up to 50% of the company’s expenditures in Missouri necessary for the making of a film, not to exceed $1,000,000 in tax credits per project. The tax credit is fully assignable, that is, the entity earning the credits may apply them against state income taxes or corporate franchise taxes, or they can be sold or transferred to another state taxpayer who may then apply them to their Missouri income tax liability.

The credits can be applied when earned or carried forward for up to five additional tax periods. To qualify, the production company must spend $300,000 or more in state on expenditures necessary for the production of the film. Qualifying expenses include costs for labor, services, materials, equipment rental, lodging, food, location fees and property rental.

Note that Missouri will only grant $1.5 million in these tax credits per year. Companies must therefore apply as early in production as possible, and must apply before they have selected Missouri as the project’s location.


MONTANA
Incentive information: http://travelmontana.state.mt.us/OURPROGRAMS/Film/incentives.asp
Film office: http://montanafilm.com/

Sten Iversen, Manager
Montana Film Office
301 S Park Avenue, Helena MT 59620
Phone: 800-553-4563 (outside MT only) or 406-841-2876
Fax: 406-841-2877
Info Hotline: 406-444-3960
Email: montanafilm@visitmt.com
Email: Siversen@mt.gov

Incentives:

Rebate
Montana offers a 14% rebate based on hired Montana Labor. It applies to first $50,000 of wages per Montana resident. The state also offers 9% rebate based on qualified expenditures. The rebate includes hotel and lodging expenditures, production equipment rental, fuel costs, expendables, lumber/construction materials, vehicle rentals, and food expenditures. There is no minimum spending requirement.

No Sales Tax in Montana

Licensing Exemptions
Out-of-State commercial vehicles and equipment used exclusively in the production of motion pictures, television, or commercials are exempt from licensing requirements for 180 consecutive days. Other out-of-state commercial vehicles entering Montana require permits.

Accommodation Tax Exemption
Production Companies staying longer than 30 days at the same hotel/motel are exempt from the 7% accommodations tax.


NEBRASKA
Film office: http://www.filmnebraska.org/

Laurie Richards Nebraska Film Officer
Nebraska Film Office
301 Centennial Mall South, 4th Fl.
Lincoln, NE 68509-4666
Phone: 800-426-6505 or 402-471-3746
Fax: 402-471-3365
Email: infor@filmnebraska.org

Incentives:

Nebraska has no lodging tax after a 30-day or longer stay at the same
facility.


NEVADA
Film office: http://www.nevadafilm.com

Charles Geocaris, Director
Nevada Film Office, Las Vegas Office
555 E. Washington Ave., Suite 5400
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: 877-NEV-FILM (877-638-3456) or 702-486-2711
Hotline: 702-486-2727
Fax: 702-486-2712
Email: lvnfo@bizopp.state.nv.us

Nevada Film Office, Reno/Tahoe Office
108 East Proctor Street
Carson City, NV 89701-4240
Phone: 800-336-1600 or 775-687-1814
Hotline: 775-687-4901
Fax: 775-687-4497
E-mail: ccnfo@bizopp.state.nv.us

Incentives:

Hotel Tax
Nevada reduces the hotel tax rate after 30 days.

Permits
Permits in Nevada are FREE.

Corporate and Income Tax
Nevada has no corporate or personal income tax.


NEW HAMPSHIRE
Film office: http://www.nh.gov/film

Mathew Newton, Film Specialist
The New Hampshire Film Office
20 Park Street
Concord NH 03301
Phone: 603-271-2220
Fax: 603-271-3163
Email: film@nh.gov

Incentives:

New Hampshire does not levy sales tax, personal income tax, use tax, property tax on machinery or equipment, or capital gains tax. New Hampshire also has no filming permit requirements.


NEW JERSEY
Incentive information: Click on “Filming Regulations & Guidelines” on the Commission home page.
Film Commission: http://www.njfilm.org/

Joseph Friedman, Executive Director
New Jersey Motion Picture & Film Commission
153 Halsey Street - 5th Floor
P.O. Box 47023
Newark, New Jersey 07101
Phone: 973-648-6279
Fax: 973-648-7350
Email: NJFILM@njfilm.org

Incentives:

Tax Credit
New Jersey offers a 20% tax credit for qualified production expenses if at least 60% of the total expenses of a project are spent in New Jersey, exclusive of post-production costs.

Loan Guarantee
Productions can be eligible to receive loan guarantees from the state of up to 30% of the bank financing, or $1.5M, whichever is less. The criteria for eligibility are at least ½ of the costs must be spent in NJ, at least 70% of the shooting days in NJ; the prevailing wages for workers and the project must possess performance bonds.

Room Tax Exemption
Productions that rent hotel rooms for 90 or more consecutive days during production are eligible for a refund of room taxes.

Sales Tax Exemption
NJ offers a 6% sales tax exemption when purchasing or renting certain tangible properties used in the production of a motion picture or video. Companies must fill out an Exempt Use Certificate to be eligible for the sales tax exemption.


NEW MEXICO
Incentive information: http://www.nmfilm.com/filming/incentives/
Film office: http://www.nmfilm.com/

Lisa Strout, Director
New Mexico Film Office
418 Montezuma Ave.
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: 800-545-9871 or 505-476-5600
Fax: 505-476-5601
Email: film@nmfilm.com
Incentives:

Tax Incentive Programs
Productions must choose either the 25% rebate program or the nontaxable transaction certificate program for any given expenditure.

Tax Rebate Program
New Mexico offers a 25% tax rebate on all direct production expenditures including labor that are subject to taxation by the state of New Mexico. There is no minimum spend required, no cap, and no sunset clause. Requirements: no obscene materials, credits must acknowledge filmed in NM, production must agree to pay all financial obligations incurred by film production company, production must publish notice in local newspapers notifying the public the need to file creditor claims, production shall agree that outstanding obligations are not waived should a creditor file late, production must agree to delay filing for rebate until the film office certifies that all requirements are met and production shall enter into an agreement accepting all these terms.

Nontaxable Transaction Certificates
New Mexico offers a sales tax exemption at the point of sale.

Film Investment Program
NM offers a 0% loan, with backend participation in lieu of interest, for up to $15M per project (which can represent 100% of the budget) for qualifying feature films or television projects (animation included). Requirements: film must not contain excessive or gratuitous violence, sexual content, hard language, drug abuse, culturally sensitive material or a combination; at least 85% of the film must be shot in NM; a guarantor for the principal amount of the loan must be in place; a signed distribution contract must be in place; and 60% of the below-the-line payroll and body count must be allocated to NM residents.

Talent Cap
NM has instituted a $5 million talent cap, which equates to $20 million in actor salaries. This is a maximum rebate of $5 million for all eligible talent per production qualifying for the NM rebate. This is not per person, but for all talent (including stunts) combined.

Film Crew Advancement Program
New Mexico offers a 50% reimbursement of wages for on-the-job training of New Mexico residents in advanced below-the-line crew positions. New Mexican Supervisors and Keys have the opportunity to hire and mentor qualifying NM crew in advanced positions for this program.

Production Facilities
Albuquerque Studios, an 8-stage facility is located 5 minutes from the Albuquerque airport, and offers Hollywood-type services, including 70,000 sq. feet of mill and construction space, plus a welding shop and offices.


NEW YORK
Incentive information: http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/incentives/incentives_home.shtml
Film office: http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/index/index.shtml

Katherine Oliver, Commissioner
The Mayor's Office of Film
Theatre & Broadcasting
1697 Broadway Suite 602
New York, New York 10019
Email: info@film.nyc.gov

Pat Kaufman, Executive Director
New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture & TV Development
633 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-803-2330
Email: nyfilm@empire.state.ny.usFilm
Email: pkaufman@empire.state.ny.us
Office: http://www.nylovesfilm.com

Incentives:

Tax Credit
Producers can obtain a 10% refundable tax credit from NY State (max per year for all films is $25 million) and a 5% (max per year for all films is $12.5 million) refundable tax credit from NY City on certain expenses. Below-the-line costs are eligible for the credit if a) the production shoots on a set or stage at a qualified facility, and b) at least 75% of the total facility related expenses are born at qualified facilities. Location and other costs are eligible if either a) at least 75% of the location shooting is done in NYC, or b) the production spends at least $3 million on facility related costs.

Marketing Credit
New York offers a marketing credit for film and television productions that complete 75% of their work in NYC. Outdoor media valued at 1% of NYC production costs will be offered to participating productions for co-branded advertising related to the “Made in NY” production. Examples of advertising using this credit include bus shelters and broadcasting on New York City Media Group Assets. In exchange for the Marketing Credit, productions must make a “cultural donation” to a not-for-profit cultural institution of their choice of .01% of NYC production costs.

"Made in NY"
Available to bona fide productions shooting in the City, the "Made in NY" discount card provides discounts and special offers when presented to participating vendors, including hotels, airlines, car rental and messenger services, banking services, production services and more. New York also offers productions a “Made in NY” logo for films shooting 75% of their movie in NY, a “Made in NY” premiere, and concierge services to introduce out of state productions to New York’s unique locations.

State Only Incentives:
Empire State Film Production Credit gives qualified productions a full refundable tax credit of 10% on most below-the-line costs, including crew salaries, equipment, processing, materials, background talent, etc. Credit is also applicable to preproduction, production, and post-production done in New York State. It includes crew and equipment even if brought in from outside the state. This credit can be applied against New York State taxes.


NORTH CAROLINA
Incentive information: http://www.ncfilm.com/film_incentives_benefits.asp
Film office: http://www.ncfilm.com/

Aaron Syrett, Director
North Carolina Film Office
301 North Wilmington St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: 919-733-9900
Fax: 919-715-0151

Production Hotline: 800-232-9227
Los Angeles Office: 310 246-0076
Email: asyrett@nccommerce.com

Incentives:

Tax Rebate
North Carolina now offers a refundable credit (paid directly by the state, after corporate tax returns have been filed) of 13.97% for all amounts spent in state and labor and services used in the state. The actual credit of 15% is subject to state corporate income tax of 6.9%, reducing the effective credit to 13.97%. Cast and crew need not be state residents, as long as state taxes are paid on their earnings.

Production companies must spend $250,000 in NC equal to 15% of in state spending for goods, services, and labor. The maximum tax credit is $7.5 million (for a feature film).

Spending for goods purchased or leased from a North Carolina business, including food, fuel, airline tickets are eligible for the tax credit, as well as spending for services, including compensation as wages, regardless of whether money is paid to residents or non-residents. Everything must be performed in North Carolina.

Qualifying expenses claimed as a credit cannot also be claimed as a deduction under the state’s tax code. Taxable income must be adjusted to conform.

Sales and use Tax Discount
The State’s 1% Sales and Use Tax for film-related purchases and rentals remains in effect, adding to the savings of filming in North Carolina.


NORTH DAKOTA
Film office: https://www.ndtourism.com/industry/media-links/

North Dakota Tourism Division
Century Center
1600 E. Century Ave. Suite 2
PO Box 2057
Bismarck, N.D. 58502-2057
800-435-5663
701-328-2525
Fax: 701-328-4878

Incentives:

Lodging Tax Exemption
Hotel stays over 30 days are exempt from all lodging taxes.


OHIO
Film commission: http://www.discoverohio.com

Christina Grozik
Director, Ohio Film Office
Division of Travel and Tourism
77 S High St
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1001
Phone: 614-644-5156
Email: cgrozik@odod.state.oh.us

Incentives:

This state refunds the room tax for hotel stays exceeding 30 days.


OKLAHOMA
Incentive information: http://www.oklahomafilm.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=3&tabid=6
Film office: http://www.otrd.state.ok.us/filmcommission/

Jill Simpson, Director
Oklahoma Film and Music Office Film
2015 N. Robinson, Suite 600
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone: 1-800-766-3456
In Oklahoma City: 405-230-8440
Fax: 405-230-8640
Email: jill@oklahomafilm.org

Incentives:

Rebate
Oklahoma provides a 15% rebate on qualified expenses if 50% or more of the below-the-line crew is from Oklahoma (10% for 25%-50% of local crew and 5% if below 25% local crew). The residency requirement is waived for budgets above $30 million. Minimum budget is $2 million of which $1.25 million must be spent in Oklahoma. $5 million have been allocated for this program.

Tax Credit for Oklahoma Film & Music Projects
Oklahoma gives state taxpayers who invest in film or music projects produced in Oklahoma a 25% income tax credit on profits made when those profits are reinvested in another film or music project produced in Oklahoma. Credit cannot exceed Oklahoma taxpayer's liability. Credit is non-assignable and non-transferable

Point of Purchase Tax Exemption
Oklahoma offers to qualified productions on sales taxes paid for property or services to be used in productions. There is no minimum budget or expenditure requirement to take advantage of this incentive. The state’s current sales tax is 4.5%. Local taxes, which vary from city to city and county to county, average between 3% and 4%. The POP tax exemption cannot be used in conjunction with the 15% rebate.


OREGON
Film office: http://www.oregonfilm.org/

Steve Oster, Executive Director
Oregon Film & Video Office
One World Trade Center
121 SW Salmon Suite 1205
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 229-5832
Email: shoot@oregonfilm.org

Kayla Thames-Berge, LA Representative
Phone: 323-656-0889

Incentives:

Goods/Services Rebate
20% Rebate on all goods/services paid to Oregon vendors. No per production cap, included any cost related to production as long as it is paid to an Oregon-based company.

Payroll Rebate
16.2% Rebate on all production payroll for work done in Oregon. No per production cap, covers all employees, including both Oregon and non-Oregon residents, for whom Oregon withholding applies.

No Sales Tax
No sales tax in the state of Oregon.

Fee-free State Parks
231 state parks covering 96,000 acres of fantastic Oregon scenery, including 362 miles of Pacific shoreline, all fee-free for film productions.

Lodging Tax Waiver
Lodging taxes waived for rooms held longer than 30 days.


PENNSYLVANIA
Incentive information: http://www.filminpa.com/filminpa/econIncentives.jsp
Film Office: http://www.filminpa.com/filminpa/index.jsp

Jane Saul
Pennsylvania Film Office
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 North Street, 4th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225
Phone: 717-783-3456
Fax: 717-787-0687
Email: jsaul@state.pa.us

Incentives:

Tax Credit
Pennsylvania offers a 25% transferable tax credit. Max available per year is $75 million. In order to qualify for the grant, 60 percent of the total production expenses must be incurred in Pennsylvania.

Film Grant
Pennsylvania provides up to a 20 percent Film Production Grant for film production expenses incurred in PA. In order to qualify for the grant, 60 percent of the total production expenses must be incurred in Pennsylvania. No more than $5 million per year can be awarded.

State Property Free
PA also offers free use of state owned property.


PUERTO RICO
Incentive information: http://www.puertoricofilm.com/incentives/
Film office: http://www.puertoricofilm.com

Cristina Caraballo
Marketing Manager
Deputy Film Commissioner
PUERTO RICO FILM COMMISSION
355 FD Roosevelt Ave. Suite 106
Hato Rey, PR 00918
Phone: (787) 758-4747 x2250
Fax: (787) 756-5706
Email: ccaraballo@puertoricofilm.com

Postal Address:
P.O. Box 362350
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-2350

Incentives:

Tax Credit
Transferable investment tax credits of 40% are available to investors in film projects licensed with the Puerto Rico Film Commissioner.

Requirements:
• License fee (1% of the total budget).
• Endorsement by Department of Treasury.
• Not less than 50% of the principal photography must take place in Puerto Rico.
• Total tax credit will equal 40% of budget items paid to Puerto Rican residents up to 50% of the cash invested as equity in the project.
• Maximum of $15 million per year.

Tax credits may be sold and purchased. The full value of the tax credit against one’s income tax liability can be used by anyone owning the credit. A market exists for these transactions and the tax credits are generally sold at a discount of 8-12%.

Other
Hotel rooms are available tax free to personnel engaged in production work. Income is subject to a flat 7% tax rate. Dividends or income distributions are 100% tax exempt. Personal property and real estate are 90% exempt from municipal and state taxes. Income is 100% exempt from municipal excise taxes. Net income from the rental of real estate dedicated exclusively to the exploitation of an infrastructure project is subject to a flat 7% tax rate.


RHODE ISLAND
Incentive information: http://www.film.ri.gov/taxcredit.html
Film Office: http://www.film.ri.gov/index2.html

Steven Feinberg, Director
Rhode Island Film & Television Office
One Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
Phone: 401-222-3456
Fax: 401-222-3018
Hotline: 401-222-6666
Email: steven@arts.ri.gov

Incentives:

Transferable Tax Credit
Rhode Island offers a 25% tax credit for all Rhode Island spending. There are no caps. It also includes salaries for people working on the ground, in RI. The film/TV commercial/video game production must be filmed primarily in the state of Rhode Island and have a minimum budget of $300,000. A majority of the film must be shot on the ground in Rhode Island. No salary cap expenditures.


SOUTH CAROLINA
Incentive information: http://www.scfilmoffice.com/incentives.html
Film office: http://www.scfilmoffice.com

Jeff Monks
Commissioner
803.737.0492
Email: jmonks@sccommerce.com

Incentives:

Cash Rebate
If a production company spends over $1,000,000, it qualifies for:

• 30% rebate on South Carolina goods and services used for production.
• 20% rebate of local crew and cast wages subject to SC withholding tax (10% for those out-of-state). Max of $3,500 per person and salaries exceeding $1 million are excluded.

Sales, Use, and Accommodation Tax Exemption
A production company that spends $250,000 or more in SC within a consecutive 12-month period can be relieved of paying state and local sales and use and accommodation tax in connection with the production of the film.

Grants
The South Carolina Film Commission has established a grant fund for the promotion of collaborative production and educational efforts between state institutions of higher learning and motion picture related entities.

Indigenous Production Incentives
Production companies that invest >$500,000 in year in SC are eligible for an income tax credit equal to 10% of investment made in SC.
• Investors in development and/or production of a film may claim an income tax credit of up to 20% of the taxpayer’s cash investment up to $100,000. Credits may not reduce tax liability by more than 50% for any given year. Unused credits may be carried forward 15 years.
• Investors in production facilities may claim an income tax credit of up to 20% of the taxpayer’s cash investment up to $5,000,000 total credits claimed by all investors. Credits may not reduce tax liability by more than 50% for any given year. Unused credits may be carried forward 15 years.


SOUTH DAKOTA
Incentive information: http://www.filmsd.com/filming/default.aspx?id=16
Film Office: http://www.filmsd.com/

Lesa Jarding, Film & Media Rep.
South Dakota Film Office
711 E. Wells Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605.773.3301
Email: filmsd@state.sd.us
Email: lesa.jarding@state.sd.us

Incentives:

Sales/Use Tax Refund
For expenditures above $250,000, South Dakota will refund any sales/use taxes paid (including out-of-state taxes).

Lodging Tax Exemption
This state exempts state and city tax on lodging stays for 28 consecutive days.

South Dakota has no corporate or personal income tax.


TENNESSEE
Incentive information: http://www.state.tn.us/film/incentives.htm
Film office: http://www.state.tn.us/film/

Perry Gibson, Executive Director
Tennessee Film & Music Commission
312 8th Avenue North
Tennessee Tower, 9th Floor
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Direct: 615-741-FILM
Toll free: 1-877-818-3456
Fax: 615-741-5554
Hotline: 615-532-2770
Email: tn.film@state.tn.us
Email: perry.gibson@state.tn.us
Email: Nathan.lux@state.tn.us

Incentives:

Production Rebate #1
13% of qualified expenses; 2% added if 25% of the crew is from Tennessee. Another 2% is offered if the company spends at least $20,000 in post production, to acquire music written by a resident or to record music in Tennessee. Additionally, a 15% rebate of qualified expenses is offered if the production company is headquartered in Tennessee. Out-of-state salaries do not qualify.

Production Rebate #2
15% refunded on necessary expenses. Production Company must be headquartered in Tennessee. Minimum expenditures of $1,000,000.

Hotel Tax Exemption
Production Companies are eligible for a refund of Hotel Tax after a room has been occupied for thirty consecutive days. The Hotel Tax is then waived from Day 31 on.

In addition, Sales Tax will not be applied to rooms rented to the same person for a period of ninety continuous days or more. Sales Tax is therefore waived from Day 91 on.

Income Tax
There is no state tax or local income tax in Tennessee.

Ground Transportation Waivers
All truck permits, fees and fuel taxes can be waived except in the case of overweight and/or over-sized vehicles.

Free Locations
State-owned buildings and land are available to filmmakers free of charge. No state filming fees.


TEXAS
Incentive information: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/film/incentives
Film Office: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/film

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 13246
Austin, TX 78711

Street Address:
Bob Hudgins, Director
1100 San Jacinto, Suite 3.410
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: 512-463-9200
Fax: 512- 63-4114
Email: film@governor.state.tx.us

Incentives:

Grants
The state of Texas provides grants, similar to rebates, of 5% for all spending done in-state on a “moving image project,” up to $2 million for feature films, $2.5 million for television programs, $200,000 for TV commercials, and $250,000 for video games. Among other restrictions: at least 70% of the production crew, actors, and extras must be Texas residents, and at least 80% of the project must be filmed in Texas to qualify and only transactions with local vendors qualify. Minimum spending is $1 million for a film or television program, or $100,000 for a commercial or series of commercials.

If at least 25% of production (shoot days) is completed in an “Underused Area,” a project will be eligible to receive an additional grant of 1.25% of the project’s total Texas spend for work done in that area.

On most projects shot in Texas, the production company is 100% exempt from state and local sales tax on much of what is rented or purchased in the form of an upfront exemption.

Productions shooting for more than 30 days are also exempt from the 6% lodging tax on hotel rooms. In addition, the state refunds sales tax paid on fuel that is used off-road (think generators and boats).


UTAH
Incentive information: http://film.utah.gov/film_incentives/index.html
Film office: http://film.utah.gov

Marshall Moore, Director
Utah Film Commission
Council Hall/Capitol Hill
300 North State Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114
800.453.8824 toll free / 801.538.8740
Fax: 801.538.1397
Email: mdmoore@utah.gov

Incentives:

Rebate
Utah offers a 15 percent rebate to film productions of every dollar spent in Utah. The production must spend $1 million in-state. Wages paid to non-residents do not count. $2 million (out of $4 million) is still available for 2008.

Hotel Room Rates
Utah waives 4.25% lodging tax and the sales tax is waived on rooms where the stay is 30 days or longer.


VERMONT
Incentive information: http://www.vermontfilm.com/filmingvt/taxes.html
Film office: http://www.vermontfilm.com

Joe Bookchin, Executive Director
P.O. Box 129
10 Baldwin Street
Montpelier, VT 05601-0129
Hot Line: 802-828-3680
Telephone: 802-828-3618
Fax: 802-828-2221
Email Address: vermontfilm@vermontfilm.com

Incentives:

Sales Tax Exemption
Vermont offers Sales & Use Tax Exemptions on the purchase or rental of goods and services used in the making of a motion picture. The goods and services must appear in the film or be used directly in making the print. State sales tax is 5%.

Hotel Tax Exemption
Companies that book in advance and stay in a hotel for 31 days or more are exempt from hotel tax.

Income Tax
For the time that non-resident performers are working in-state, income taxes are assessed at whichever rate is lower, i.e., if the performer is a resident of a state that does not charge income tax, then they will owe no Vermont income tax. If the performer is a resident of a state that assesses a higher income tax than Vermont, they will owe the lower Vermont income tax on their wages earned.


VIRGINIA
Incentive information: http://www.film.virginia.org/VirginiatheFilmOffice/Incentives.htm
Film office: http://www.film.virginia.org

Rita McClenny, Film Commissioner
Virginia Film Office
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219-4048
Phone: 800-854-6233 or 804-545-5530
Fax: 804-545-5531
Hotline: 800-641-0810
Email: vafilm@virginia.org
Email: rmcclenny@virginia.org

Incentives:

Governor’s Discretionary Rebate
A performance-based incentive provides cash rebate at the Governor’s discretion taking into consideration length of filming, job creation, trainees hired, goods and services purchased.

Sales Tax Exemption
Virginia offers Sales & Use Tax Exemptions that are offered at the point of sale (rather than as a rebate). Production items exempted include production facilities, cameras and related equipment, and editing, dubbing and sound equipment. Tangible personal property and some production and crew services are also exempted.

Hotel Tax Exemption
Companies that stay in a hotel for more than 90 consecutive days are eligible for a 3.5% lodging tax rebate. Filming in most state-owned buildings can be done free of charge.

History Film Fund
Virginia created a fund to utilize filmed projects to showcase Virginia's significant contributions to the history of the United States. To qualify, projects must be from an established company with a proven track record of production, have a Virginia history theme, be filmed in the Commonwealth and primarily use a Virginia crew.

Government buildings are offered as locations for no fee.


WASHINGTON
Incentive information: www.washingtonfilmworks.org
Film office: http://www.filmwashington.com

Suzy Kellett, Director
Washington State Film Office
2001 6th Ave., Suite 2600
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: 206-256-6151
Fax: 206-256-6154
Email: wafilm@cted.wa.gov
Email: suzyk@cted.wa.gov

Amy Dee, Executive Director
WashingtonFilmWorks
1218 Third Avenue, Suite 1515
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-461-5809
Fax: 206-264-0667
Email: amy@washingtonfilmworks.org
www.washingtonfilmworks.org

Incentives:

Washington State Competitiveness Fund
Productions with in-state film related expenditures are eligible for rebates up to 20%, with a $1 million cap per production. The minimum budget is $500,000 for feature films, $300,000 for television productions, and $250,000 for commercials.

Tax Breaks
Washington offers a state sales tax exemption on rental equipment and the purchase of services. There is no state income tax. Production companies can receive a refund on local, state, and special use taxes on rental vehicles used in production. Permitting in Seattle is $25 per day including city owned property. Vendor discounts may be available to productions with budgets between $500,000 and $3 million.

Lodging Tax Exemption
There is also a lodging tax exemption available for stays of 30 or more consecutive days. The production must contract the stay before arrival.


WEST VIRGINIA
Incentives Information: http://www.wvfilm.com/incentives.htm
Film Office: http://www.wvfilm.com

Pamela Haynes, Director
West Virginia Film Office
90 MacCorkle Avenue, SW
South Charleston, WV 25303
Phone Toll Free: 1.866.6WV-FILM, US and parts of eastern Canada
Phone: 304-558-2200, ext. 382
Fax: 304-558-1662
Email: phaynes@wvfilm.com

Incentives:

Tax Credit
West Virginia offers a 27% non-refundable, non-transferable income tax credit on all direct production expenditures. There’s a 4% bonus for resident labor.

Tax Exemptions
West Virginia also offers sales tax exemptions on direct-use purchases and rentals, as well as state and local tax exemptions on hotel stays in excess of 30 days.


WISCONSIN
Incentives Information: http://www.filmwisconsin.net/Incentives/WhatTheyAre.asp
Film office: http://www.filmwisconsin.org/

Scott Robbe, Executive Director
FILM WISCONSIN
"Where Art & Commerce Meet"
648 N. Plankinton Ave - Suite 425
Milwaukee, WI 53207
Office Phone: 414 287 4251
Mobile: 608 338 6665
Email: FilmWisconsin@gmail.com
Email: scottrobbe@gmail.com

Incentives:

Film Production Services Credit
Wisconsin offers a refundable income tax credit equal to 25% of in-state qualified production expenditures (not including wages). Also there’s a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to 25% of the first $25,000 in wages paid to residents for in-state service (not including the wages paid to the tow highest paid employees). Also there’s a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to the sales and use taxes paid on purchases of personal property and taxable services.

Film Production Investment Credit
Wisconsin offers an investment tax credit that can be claimed for investing in Wisconsin based productions. For the first three years of doing business in Wisconsin, the credit is equal to 15% of purchasing personal property and 15% to purchase or remodel real property.

A comprehensive sales and use tax exemption for machinery, equipment and services used in production and post -production. A 0% tax for all film and television services contracted by out of state production companies.


WYOMING
Incentive information: www.filmwyoming.com/incentive
Film office: http://www.wyomingfilm.org

Michelle Howard, Manager
Wyoming Film Office
1520 Etchepare Circle
Cheyenne, WY 82007
Phone: 307-777-3400
Toll Free: 800-458-6657
FAX: 307-777-2877
Email: info@wyomingfilm.com
Email: michell.howard@visitwyo.gov

Incentives:

Cash Rebate
Wyoming offers up to 15% cash rebate of qualified production costs. Minimum in-state spending is $500,000.

Lodging Tax Waiver
Wyoming waives the lodging tax for stay in excess of 30 days.


ARRANGED TO PREMIERE IN NEW YORK December 14.

Congratulations to our client filmmaker Stefan Schaefer whose feature Arranged opens Friday, Dec. 14that the Quad Cinema in Manhattan. Two young women — one an Orthodox Jew, the other Muslim — meet and become friends as first-year teachers at a public school in Brooklyn. Over the course of the year they learn they share much in common, not least of which is that they are both going through arranged marriages.

For more info on the film, including the trailer, reviews go to: http://www.arrangedthemovie.com/

For info on the Quad Cinema, showtimes, and to purchase tickets in advance go to:
http://www.quadcinema.com

Stefan will be attending Q&A sessions with actors following the 7:30 shows on Friday and Saturday (Dec. 14thand 15th), as well as the Sunday showing at 3:00.Any source