For the last 30 years, Ming Dynasty restaurant has provided residents of eastern North Carolina Chinese culinary delights along with extraordinary customer service, offering a truly authentic experience. The restaurant is at 3105 E. 10th St. in the Rivergate Shopping Centerbeside Ollies and close to the East Carolina University campus.

Upon entering, customers are welcomed into an artfully decorated restaurant. It feels as if you are stepping into a posh restaurant in China. The walls are adorned with authentic decor including an ornate wooden carved scene of a bustling Chinese waterfront and Chinese paintings. Relaxing music plays in the background. Its the perfect place for a date night, dinner party, rehearsal dinner, Mothers Day lunch or just a night out with friends.

Ming Dynasty specializes in Mandarin, Szechuan and Cantonese dishes as well as providing gluten-free, low-fat, peanut-free and vegetarian options. It also offers a lunch buffet for $9.95 from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays with an array of mouthwatering dishes. Ming Dynasty has loyal customers who frequent the restaurant several times a week enjoying its relaxed atmosphere, fabulous food and affordable prices.

Owner Mary Yuen takes great pride in her restaurant and promises satisfaction because all the dishes are freshly prepared every day with premium ingredients. This is evident in the colorful and delightful dishes that Chef de Cuisine Steven Zhou prepares. I sampled several customer favorites starting with the Crab Rangoon deep-fried dumplings stuffed with crab and cream cheese. They were flaky and succulent with a sweet finish. The spring rolls are thin and crispy wontons filled with fresh julienne vegetables and whole shrimp served with house-made duck sauce. Im pretty sure if I was told I could only have one more meal in my life, it would be these little delights. Eight Crab Rangoons are $5.25, and you can get one spring roll for $1.75.

After appetizers, I was served the Sizzling House Special that was wheeled in on a cart and finished table-side. The dish consisted of jumbo shrimp, flank steak, chicken and roasted pork mixed with mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, carrots and snow peas in a rich brown sauce. Once the cart is rolled out, the main dish is set on a sizzling skillet and mixed, causing an aromatic steam to billow from the plate. The smell was amazing and the combination of the meats and veggies were delicious. A definite crowd favorite. I give it two chopsticks up for its taste and affordable price of $16.

For round three, I tried the widely popular General Tsos Chicken. The chef takes tender chunks of crispy chicken and mixes it with a tangy, thick garlic sauce. The plate is garnished with sauteed broccoli, sliced oranges and red peppers. The chicken was sweet and fragrant and absolutely divine. It had flavors of orange, apricot and deep plum with a touch of heat on the finish. Heres the best part: its gluten-free because the chef uses a tempura breading that is made with a cornstarch base. The price of this entree is $10.95. Its officially my new favorite Chinese entree! Special thanks go out to Mary and my waiter, Matt, who was attentive, professional and knowledgeable.

If you decide you want to take food home with you, Ming Dynasty provides take-out that is fast and affordable. Call 752-7111 or order online at http://www.mingdynastygreenville.com.

Ming Dynasty is the kind of place that will keep you coming back, where you feel at home as soon as you walk in. Once you have eaten there and enjoyed the food, service and experience, you will frequent this little gem that truly shines.

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Hot Dish: Ming Dynasty - Greenville Daily Reflector

Today, we are increasingly surrounded by devices and interfaces. We have smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, smart cars and smart home appliances. With every person expected to own up to 20 connected devices by the year 2020, the Internet of Things (IoT) provides every marketer with the opportunity to derive business insight from a networked fabric of devices, data, people, and processes.

The growth of the IoT has profound implications for customer identity. Previously, brands could market to a device with a degree of confidence that they were talking to the same consumer. As customers increasingly interact more with more Things that are used by many people, the link with the identity of the end user is eroded. To make the most of the Internet of Things opportunity, it is vital that marketers can understand the identity of this end user.

Take, for example, internet-connected TVs. IAB research suggests that 78% of US adults who watch TV use another device while watching TV and the smartphone is the predominant second screen. However, who exactly is watching the TV at any given time? Marketers do not really know because it is currently still difficult for brands to personalise advertising based on who is in front of the TV. While a single user often uses a website, and even more often a mobile app, a connected TV can be watched by one person or many.

Brands have tried to solve this problem before, through partnerships with mobile apps such as Shazam, but Customer ID mapping will allow for a more comprehensive solution. Mapping users devices with a household to a TV ID allows messaging to be personalised based on their activity on other devices. If you can bring profiles on the users devices, especially mobiles, then it is also easy to build a strong idea of the customer that is watching the TV.

Another breakthrough IoT device is the connected speaker and the virtual assistants that live on those devices, such as Amazons Echo speaker with Alexa baked in. Amazon has built an open API that allows brands to build Alexa skills. Skills are mini voice apps that allow the end user to use voice to user services, such as Alexa call me an Uber or Alexa play me some relaxing music on Spotify.

Customer identity matters here too. Of course, it is important that the Uber being ordered be paid for by the right person. Different household members may also have very different ideas of what constitutes relaxing music. For this reason, Amazon allows you to set up an Amazon Household and add users to it. This process still feels rather clumsy Alexa requires you to remember whose profile you are using at a given time, breaking the seamlessness of the user experience.

Connected cars are also showing significant promise. Google, Apple and tech providers like Cisco all provide platforms for car manufacturers to integrate with, allowing cars to get smart. In some ways, customer identity for cars is more straightforward, as identifying the driver will nearly always be done deterministically.

However, there is still the challenge of knowing who else is in the car, a potentially important factor in customising the experience. For example, imagine if it was possible to identify that a partner was in the market for a holiday, and replace radio ads with information about that destination? This level of retargeting is becoming a reality as identity technology is increasingly sophisticated and able to deliver with increased accuracy which customer is using a connected device.

Identity and IoT will also have a major role in the retail store of the future. A retailers interactions with its customer used to end at the point of sale. That is no longer the case. Today, by managing and analysing the real-time data that IoT devices provide (for example smart and interactive point of sale material), companies can gain new insight into how their products are performing, consumer trends and purchase behaviour, and how that ties back to individual users.

These are just some examples of how identity in a world of internet-connected devices is evolving, forcing marketers to keep up. Marketers that can stay ahead of the curve, however, should be able to leverage significant first-mover advantages and enjoy a wealth of new opportunities for creating the sophisticated and personalised experiences that customers demand.

The key, as ever when looking at new technology, is not to get too caught up in the technology and for the marketer to stay rooted in the customer experience.

Link:

Why Brands Need to Get Smart About Customer Identity and the Internet of Things - Fourth Source

The Imperial Orchestra and the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority sponsor the weekly event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each Monday from October through March.

LAKELAND Today is the last opportunity this season to start out the work week with Music Munndays, a lunchtime concert in downtown Lakelands Munn Park.

The Imperial Orchestra and the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority sponsor the weekly event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each Monday from October through March.

Todays concert will be by Motett with Lemay Olano-James. Motett is a jazz trio featuring Davis Collister on bass, Jody Marsh on keys and Jean Bolduc on drums.Olano-James is a violinist.

Expect to hear some swing, foxtrot, rhumba and mambo.

The original ideain October 2015 was to provide a break for downtown office workers, said Julie Townsend, executive director of the Downtown Lakeland Development Authority.

Mondays kind of bum people out," she said. "This way they can start their work week out with a relaxing time in the park.

And it has been a way to promote the park, she said.

Instead of rushing by on their way to and from lunch, people can stop at the park with a blanket or sit on one of the benches and relax, listen to music and play board games or fill out one of the adult coloring pages available at a tent on the Kentucky Avenue side of the park, she said.

Over timethe office crowd morphed into more of a community crowd, Townsend said. Retirees and young parents with toddlers come from home for the free concert, bringing lawn chairs or blankets and lunch, Townsend said.

And sometimes school groups or community groups make a field trip out of it, she said.

The Imperial Orchestra arranges the musical entertainment, Townsend said.

As examples of the type of entertainment the Monday crowds hear, Imperial Orchestras Facebook page lists the entertainment for the month of March as an ISO Brass Quintet, Acoustic Dose (acoustic guitar and vocals), Jazzanovoa (Latin-influenced instrumentals) and todays entertainment by Motett with Lemay Olano-James (jazz with electric violin).

We try to mix it up, to expose people to different types of music, Townsend said. It is just a good time -- just a couple of hours over lunch to hang out, have a good time playing board games and relaxing with coloring while getting exposed to something you may not normally listen to.

Marilyn Meyer can be reached at marilyn.meyer@theledger.com or 863-802-7558. Follow her on Twitter @marilyn_ledger.

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Music Munndays is wrapping up the season with 1 last concert - The Ledger

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Parents listen up. With spring break underway, are you looking for some fun and safe places for your kids to hang out thisweek?

If you feel like you missed signing up for camps and everything is filled-up, Ashley shows us places that are open and have plenty of space for you and your littles ones.

From strolls at the zoo, toscience atMcWane Center, to tumbling with your tots or relaxing with your tweens, there are still a number of ways to spend the days even you havent enrolled your kids in everycamp across the state this week.

Topping my list is theBirminghamZoo.Freestylin isa new way to do Zoo Camp! Campers will have the freedom to choose their activities throughout the day. A few options might include zoo hikes, games,a ride on or see an animal show.Freestylin is designed for your camper by your camper.

Ifyou are looking for a more relaxing day, try the Villager Yoga in Mountain Brook. (http://www.villageryoga.com/)You can actually drop your older kids off and go run errands or have mom time.

AnnieDamsky of theVillager Yoga is offering two mini-camps on Tuesday and Wednesday. Were doing a day at the spa so kids will get to come. Well do yoga together. Were going to make fresh smoothies and well have some skin treatments.

If youre looking to share thefun, look for Mommy and Me classes too, from newborn on up.

Annie says You get to just come and bond and free yourself a little bit from distractions and start really teaching your kids about self-care from an early age.

For yourmusicians, head over to Mason Music. Itsgeared to students who have little or no experience with music.This campallows childrento learn how to sing and play instruments like the guitar, piano, drums and violin. The goal is to allow students to explore their musical interest.

There is alwaysMcWane Center and all that it has to offer. Check out the latest IMAX orlet thekiddosrunthrough the halls and explore the science of the world around them. Be sure to check in early if you are theparent of a little one, Itty Bitty Magic City is a huge hit for kids under 5.

Kids can roll into a good time doing gymnastics. Find your local gymnasium and see what hours and special classes they offer this week. Its a great way to let the youngster burn off some much-needed energy.

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Ashley's Mom Monday: Last-minute ideas for Spring Break fun - WIAT 42

Last updated13:56, March 28 2017

JIM CHIPP

Wellington High School Adult Community Education director Colin Wharton.

Colin Wharton, Director of the Community Education Centre at Wellington High School, will retire this week after eight years at the helm.

He was previously Director of the Newlands Community Learning Centre and has spent 40 years working ineducation inNew Zealand.

What are you passionate about?

Working with communities of learners who have real need brings great satisfaction. Whether working with children or adults, to see a student arrive with a need [and] then to see that need met and the student leave

better than they arrived, that really sparks my passion!

READ MORE:

*Night class lights undimmed by cuts

What isthe biggest changeyou have seen over your time at the CEC?

The biggest change in Community Education during my time has been the establishment of digital online enrolment and administration systems. This has transformed how community education is managed and run.

What is your best memory from your time at the CEC?

Meeting and working with people where a practical difference can be made and seen. It is exciting to see the language needs of immigrants, refugees and migrants being met and their language and social skills improve.

What do you see as the biggains New Zealand has made in education since you started, what areas need improvement?

The biggest gains New Zealand has made in providing quality education is in the move away from book-based and formal learning to online education and internet based learning. Every classroom at Wellington High now has a data-show projector. Wireless connections are

accessed across the school. Students arrive in year nine with their digital device and this device is central to their learning. Use of digital devices is now stretching right throughout our adult programme in the evenings and weekend as tutors source content and plan

activities using digital media for our community education students. Going forward, the biggest challenge to Community Education I see will be providing the necessary language and social skills for migrants as they are welcomed into New Zealand.

I believe there is a serious disconnect between the desire of government to provide workers for expanding employment opportunities, and the social and practical help those same people need to successfully settle into their new country and culture.

What is on the cards for 2017-2018?

Our next move is to Feilding and back to the rural [life]. There is a house to build, a garden to develop, some native bush needing attention and a few in-lamb ewes to care for.Ahhhhh retirement!

What was the last book you read?

The Bone Labyrinth by James Rollins. I love a novel with plenty of action and intrigue.

What are you listening to?

Selah. Selah is an Australian gospel folk group. I love harmony and so love their music! The word 'Selah' is a biblical one meaning 'pause and reflect'. There will no doubt be plenty of time for that in retirement!

What does a perfect day in Wellington look like?

Working in the garden or relaxing with music, an exciting book and a cup of frothy cappuccino. That will make the day a good one for me!

What is something people don't know about where you grew up?

I grew up in Stratford, milked a house cow, spent some years with shearing gangs and much time walking a lambing beat. For 30 years I have greatly enjoyed beekeeping. These days I really enjoy developing gardens and working with wood. Give me a chainsaw and I'mhappy!

-Stuff

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Look who's talking: Colin Wharton - The Press West Coast

The Imperial Orchestra and the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority sponsor the weekly event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each Monday from October through March.

LAKELAND Today is the last opportunity this season to start out the work week with Music Munndays, a lunchtime concert in downtown Lakelands Munn Park.

The Imperial Orchestra and the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority sponsor the weekly event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each Monday from October through March.

Todays concert will be by Motett with Lemay Olano-James. Motett is a jazz trio featuring Davis Collister on bass, Jody Marsh on keys and Jean Bolduc on drums.Olano-James is a violinist.

Expect to hear some swing, foxtrot, rhumba and mambo.

The original ideain October 2015 was to provide a break for downtown office workers, said Julie Townsend, executive director of the Downtown Lakeland Development Authority.

Mondays kind of bum people out," she said. "This way they can start their work week out with a relaxing time in the park.

And it has been a way to promote the park, she said.

Instead of rushing by on their way to and from lunch, people can stop at the park with a blanket or sit on one of the benches and relax, listen to music and play board games or fill out one of the adult coloring pages available at a tent on the Kentucky Avenue side of the park, she said.

Over timethe office crowd morphed into more of a community crowd, Townsend said. Retirees and young parents with toddlers come from home for the free concert, bringing lawn chairs or blankets and lunch, Townsend said.

And sometimes school groups or community groups make a field trip out of it, she said.

The Imperial Orchestra arranges the musical entertainment, Townsend said.

As examples of the type of entertainment the Monday crowds hear, Imperial Orchestras Facebook page lists the entertainment for the month of March as an ISO Brass Quintet, Acoustic Dose (acoustic guitar and vocals), Jazzanovoa (Latin-influenced instrumentals) and todays entertainment by Motett with Lemay Olano-James (jazz with electric violin).

We try to mix it up, to expose people to different types of music, Townsend said. It is just a good time -- just a couple of hours over lunch to hang out, have a good time playing board games and relaxing with coloring while getting exposed to something you may not normally listen to.

Marilyn Meyer can be reached at marilyn.meyer@theledger.com or 863-802-7558. Follow her on Twitter @marilyn_ledger.

Read this article:

Music Munndays is wrapping up the season with one last concert - News Chief

KAROLINE TUCKEY

Last updated13:52, March 27 2017

KAROLINE TUCKEY/FAIRFAX NZ

Niko Tofa, 13, has shown dedication to practising the bagpipes.

Niko Tofa, 13, is in love with music, especially bagpipes.

He loves chilling at home playing, regularly has jam sessions with his brothers and dad, writes his own music, and is part of the school band.

Tofa is part Samoan and part Scottish. His Samoan father started him playing ukulele when he was 3 years old, then taught him guitar, and his Sottish-born older brother passed down his love for bagpipes.

The Waiopehu College year 10 pupil also plays and writes for piano, and this year joined a school band as the drummer. They're working on a name, and plan to take on the Rockquest in June with one of his songs in their repertoire.

"Music's something I really, reallylike to do.I feel like I've listened to music since I was born.My mother played old CDs and tapes to me."

The teen doesn't gravitate to modern pop - it's theEagles, Glen Campbell and Little River Band he picks as his current favourites, and he loves the "relaxing and stirring" sound of the bagpipes.

This year he and his brothers joined the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band. The band has been practising hard - last year they played in grade 4A, which combined with grade 3 this year, so they wanted to bring their standard up.

"So we worked really, really hard, and we went to the nationals in March, and we came second in grade 3. We never expected that."

Meeting other young people who play bagpipesand hearing all the different bands from throughout New Zealand playing differently at thenationalswas a good experience, he said.

"If you went out for a walk through the town as you passed each motel you could hear a different band play.It was beautiful."

Tofa began learning bagpipes when he was 8. "I started off on the practice chanter - it's like a recorder.

"I practised everywhere, and I took my chanter everywhere - to the supermarket, and practised in the car.

"I wanted to not play until I was not going to make really horrible noises come out, so I practised just blowing and the finger [patterns] until I could do it."

Tofa hopes to keep playing all his instruments and to keep writing music, and would love to one day have a career in it.

-Stuff

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Bagpipes playing 'relaxing and stirring', young fan says - The Dominion Post

Los Angeles, Mar 27 (PTI) Sia is all set to work on her new single with Labrinth and the songstress says creating music with him is like having a relaxing meal at a cool eatery.

The 41-year-old diva took to Twitter where she posted a picture of the Jealous hitmaker playing a guitar.

Working with the extraordinary @labrinth is like a relaxing meal at a hipster cafe, tweeted Sia.

The Greatest singer, who was standing opposite a mirror, made sure her face was not visible while clicking his snap.

Neither Sia nor Labrinth have revealed the details of their project together.

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.

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Sia collaborates with Labrinth - India.com

Its Mothers Day, and right now thousands of women are clutching spa vouchers, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. Or not.

Ironically, the very thing thats meant to relax us can actually feel pretty intimidating. Ive been a beauty journalist for 15 years, but Ill confess it took a while before I could truly love spa treatments.

Part of me suspected I was a scruffy anomaly in this fragrant, candlelit world, and that nobody else had ever turned up for a massage with chipped toenail polish and hairy legs. Now, though, a spa is my (rare) piece of bliss, and it can be yours too.

So please dont just stick that gift voucher in a drawer until it expires read this, book in and switch off.

Therapists are like nurses; theyve already seen everything. And while YOU might be thinking about your stretchmarks or stubbly legs, theyre only thinking about whether youre enjoying your treatment.

"Weve seen all shapes, sizes and ages and we really dont judge," says Declors education consultant Laura Ford. "Your therapist will leave the room when youre getting undressed, and youll be covered up by towels in the treatment. If you dont want to take your bra off for a back massage, for instance, just say so we can just undo the clasp instead."

Its pretty lousy me time if youre shifting awkwardly on the massage couch, fretting about what to make for tea.

"Try to focus on the here and now," advises Lisa Brown, founder of spa review site The Luxury Spa Edit. "The first thing I notice when I enter any spa is the aroma most are scented with relaxing oils to instantly de-stress clients." And if youre physically uncomfortable in a treatment, speak up.

"Some find theyre more comfortable with folded towels under their knees, for example," says Laura.

Therapists will usually explain the treatment first, and then take their cue from you in terms of chat. Its not rude to be quiet in the treatment, youre not there to entertain anyone.

"If you feel awkward, a good tip is to say you feel tired and close your eyes, or ask for relaxing music to be played," says Lisa.

Tips are always appreciated but definitely not expected, says Laura.

"Theyre not factored into therapists wages like they are for waitresses. Nobody will think any the less of you for not tipping."

This is your time, so do it your way. Your therapist should ask at the start how much pressure youd like, so just be honest.

"Theres nothing worse than sensing a client is in discomfort," says Laura.

Obviously some treatments are more vigorous than others, so if you prefer a light touch you might want to avoid a deep tissue massage, for instance.

Snoozing, especially during a holistic treatment such as a hot stone massage, is a really good thing, reassures Lisa.

"A 45-minute nap can completely re-energise you."

Its also a huge compliment to the therapist.

"Honestly, we love things like snoring and dribbling, because it means clients are relaxed and enjoying themselves," says Laura.

Combines Declors aromatherapy oils with facial massage to lift and sculpt.

We say: "After a cleanse, exfoliation and mask, my face was given a good working over a lot of knuckle kneading into the cheekbones, but not uncomfortably so. My skin felt the smoothest it has in years and I looked lifted. Several people remarked on how fresh and glowy my skin seemed and asked what Id been using!"

A full-body massage that incorporates breathing and visualisation for maximum relaxation.

We say: "The mindful bit at the start was incredible for getting me into a zen state. Its a full-body treatment, with gentle top-to-toe sweeping strokes (but the therapist checks in advance if there are areas youd like them to avoid). I felt like a calm, happy cat being stroked."

A service at 180 Arden counters, your face is spritzed with oxygen and a choice of detoxing, brightening, hydrating or lifting booster.

We say: "Perfect for perking up a tired face the mist felt refreshing, and the brightening boost revived my flagging complexion. You can do it over make-up and the cost is redeemable against an Arden purchase."

A nutrient booster for tired, stressed-out skin.

We say: "Available in 25 min or 60 min versions. A really good, classic facial: relaxing, refreshing, packed with oils, cleansing and masks. A great treatment for someone who hasnt been to a spa before. It taught me more about looking after my skin, was a pleasure to do, and I left feeling dreamily blissed-out with lovely hydrated, plumped skin."

Lisa Brown is founder of Theluxuryspaedit.com a dedicated luxury spa website sharing handpicked spas and wellness retreats in the UK and around the globe.

We had our Mindful Massage treatment at Espa Life at The Corinthia: Espalifeatcorinthia.com . The flagship spa offers a luxe 90-min version for 190.

More:

Your spa day questions answered - and the best new treatments to try this spring - Mirror.co.uk

MORE than 2,000 children from Gwent flocked to Newport to demonstrate their musical talent over the weekend.

The Regional Festival for Music for Youth - hosted by Gwent Music - was held at the Newport Centre and attracted an estimated 2,600 children from Friday, March 24 to Saturday, March 25.

Simon Linton, 45, who is business manager of Gwent Music, said the day was "wonderful".

He said: "The two days have been relaxing and had a lovely feeling to them.

"It's been wonderful to see so many groups and the audience having so much fun.

"There's been such a mixed age range here too - the youngest child taking part was four."

Mr Linton said the two days allowed children to "develop their musical talent".

"The days gave children opportunities," said Mr Linton, "and I think that is very important.

"They were also given feed back for their performances - this is the only way people can become even better."

"Each performance was roughly between eight to 10 minutes."

Young musicians wow Regional Festival for Music for Youth at the Newport Centre

Emma Archer, also of Gwent Music, added: "The day has been amazing and I'm very grateful to everyone who came."

A variety of ensembles - including woodwind and strings - performed pieces to a packed room of people.

Some of the groups which performed included Greater Gwent Youth Jazz Orchestra and South Monmouthshire Sax Ensemble.

Jean Barnes, whose granddaughter was performing in one of the groups, said: "I was moved when I heard my granddaughter play.

"She didn't know that I was coming so I surprised here.

"Music is lovely thing and it relaxes me."

Paul Parish, an ex-music teacher, said he had been coming to the music festival "for years".

"I really enjoy it," said Mr Parish, "I wouldn't keep coming back if I didn't.

"I see a lot of talent among the children and I think they'll all go far.

"This is a must event for all music lovers."

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Young musicians wow Regional Festival for Music for Youth at the Newport Centre - South Wales Argus