Star Wars: A Music Journey was originally a bonus DVD with the Revenge of the Sith soundtrack album. On an April night in the O2 Arena, London, it became a live stage show. One of the most entertaining nights I have ever enjoyed. John Williams' finest movie score mixed with video montages spanning 6 movies and a lifetime of memories.

In the middle of Paris one establishment stands out among the rest. The architecture of the building is quintessentially Parisian and the neighborhood is a typical village near the signature Eiffel tower but what sets this building apart is inside. Its name is Hotel Gavarni and it is about to become the first independent hotel in Paris to be awarded with a European Ecolabel, a certified stamp of approval for green business practice.

It was just before dawn in May 1864. The Army of the Potomac, now led by Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, moved into position in front of the Confederate Army. Both sides were optimistic. The Federal Army were still enjoying the victory at the Battle of Gettysburg. The Confederate Army was keen to avenge the Battle of Gettysburg. The area around Fredericksburg had seen some bloody fighting before with the Battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. They knew the area and the memory of General Lee's Greatest Achievement was still fresh. Yet again the Confederates were heavily outnumbered. A. P. Hill and Richard S. Ewell had been promoted to succeed "Stonewall” Jackson but neither were anywhere near as good generals as Jackson had been.

During the American Civil War the fields around Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania became sites for some of the bloodiest battles. Some 100,000 men were wounded or killed in battles in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Chancellorsville and Wilderness. The 1862 Battle of Fredericksburg had seen the Union Army of the Potomac, led by General Ambrose E Burnside, first look for a way to cross the Rappahannock River which would put them in a pitched battle against General Robert E Lee's Confederate Armies. The goal was to take control of the area and install supply lines on an assault for Richmond, Virginia's state capital.

In the beginning God created day and night. He created day for footy matches, going to the beach and BBQ's. He created night for going prawning and BBQ's and God saw that it was good.

In the days before the town was called Alexandria, the area was bought by Scotsman John Alexander from an English ship captain in exchange for tobacco and cask. The location by the Potomac River meant growth from tobacco exports. In 1748 local landowners, led by William Ramsey and John Carlyle, petitioned the Virginia General Assembly to establish the town and, named in honour of John Alexander, Alexandria was born.