Recommended Wine

Archive for March, 2012

Be careful if you count the number of drinks you have before you drive. A conscientious driver may try to make sure he or she doesn’t exceed one drink per hour before driving. If you don’t know what’s in your glass, counting drinks can get you arrested or killed. As a DUI lawyer, I represented many clients who have been arrested for DUI or DWI simply because they only counted the number of drinks they had.

I hear all the time “I only had two drinks”. People are usually unaware of what they are drinking and what will cause them to get drunk. The number of drinks and the elapsed time is not an accurate indicator of your blood alcohol content. There are many, many other factors which must be considered.

Besides counting the number of drinks you had, you need to know how much alcohol is in the drink. Who made the drink? Maybe a bartender give you an overly generous amount of alcohol for a big tip. How big is the glass? Is it a tall glass or a standard size wine glass or 12 ounce can of beer? Is it a mixed drink that uses more than one shot of alcohol, such as a Long Island Iced Tea?

5 large glasses of orange juice each containing 1 ounce of 100 proof alcohol; and 5 small glasses of orange juice each containing 1 ounce of 80 proof alcohol will have very different effects on you.

One of the drinks, probably responsible for more DWI arrests than any other drink is the Long Island Iced Tea, probably because it is very popular; has an elegant sounding name; has been seen on TV and in movies such as Sex and the City; and is a large drink with a lot of alcohol.

A Long Island Iced Tea is made with 5 equal parts of alcohols:

1 part Vodka
1 part Tequila
1 part Rum
1 part Gin
1 part Triple Sec
1 1/2 parts sweet and sour mix
1 splash cola

One of my female clients who weighs 95 pounds told me she only had two drinks and the cop was lying when he said that she was weaving in and out of her lane. She blew a blood alcohol level of.23. I asked her what she was drinking; how big were the glasses; how long a period of time elapsed; and what she was doing at the time.

My client said that she was at a restaurant having dinner with a friend and only had two Long Island Ice Teas during the course of 1 1/2 hours. She showed me with her hands that the size of the glasses were large. She probably had the equivalent of 8-10 drinks (a drink contains 1.2 tablespoons of pure alcohol). Since an average adult body breaks down one drink every two hours, by the time she left the restaurant she was seriously drunk.

She never thought of how much alcohol was in her drink and only thought that since she only had two drinks over the course of 90 minutes, she was ok to drive. The reality was that she was so drunk, she was pulled over on the street just outside the restaurant. She never got very far.

While there are other factors you need to consider, you need to know how much alcohol is in your drink.

The acai berry is internationally known as the newest superfruit. The clamour for information on anything acai berry–its benefits, its side effects and its other uses is enormous. So far, from what we can see from current research and reports, doctors as well as weight loss and health specialists concur that the acai berry is a potent source of antioxidants. It helps combat many diseases such as cancer and heart attacks. It also combats premature aging because it has ten times more antioxidants than red grapes, as well as up to thirty times the anthocyanins found in red wine.

These berries are also a good source of healthy fats and dietary fibers. These help to promote good digestion and cardiovascular health. The said fatty acids in acai berries are like those found in olive oil as it is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. What is oleic acid anyway? This acid helps omega-3 fish oils in penetrating our cell membranes, making them more supple, ensuring that our hormones, neurotransmitter and insulin receptors are functioning properly and efficiently. Which again, fight against aging.

This superfruit also aids in flushing out the toxins in our bodies. Making us feel lighter and ready to take on more physical activity for the day. Another great thing about acai berries is that it is a good source of energy. Those who consume this fruit like the energy boost they get. The question is however, what does this fruit taste like? Many are skeptical and will think that such a “smart” fruit is probably icky tasting.

They could not be more wrong. If someone were to ask me, “What does acai berry taste like?” I will tell them that they will be in for a surprise. Acai berries actually taste delicious! Most people describe the taste as a blend of berries and chocolate. Others say it tastes like a blend of red wine and chocolate. Either way, it is yummy. I mean, who does not like chocolate? If only chocolates were as good for us!

Southern Thailand houses some of the world’s exotic dishes, which is evident by the number of Thai restaurants that have mushroomed around the world during the past few years. It is also evident in Koh Samui the locals here are quite creative for choosing and presenting the food. Whether you go to a local street seller or a major restaurant you are sure you’ll get something as per your taste and pocket.

There are 3 major places in Samui for restaurants and bars; and another 4 more isolated regions to discover. The first and most famous place is Chaweng beach. Here there is a wide variety of restaurants to select from; they include French, Japanese, Italian and Royal Thai, amongst others. You can enjoy them sitting on the beach below the stars under a thatched roof or in cool air-conditioned room.

Located close to the famous Big Buddha, towards the north of the island, lies Bophut beach. Originally a main fishing area, today it is a home to a variety of restaurants and is the culinary capital of Koh Samui. The calm and scenic setting makes it an excellent spot to spend a romantic evening.

The fisherman’s village, regarded by many to be one of the oldest places on the island, is scattered with wooden houses, reminding you of the time gone by, has now been restored and today has shops and restaurants. Here there are French, Indian, Thai, Italian and seafood restaurants that are very close to the sea.

Big Buddha beach offers many wonderful Thai restaurants besides international ones. Outstanding and innovative pub food is sold at trendy cafés that are littered all over the area.

Towards the south of the island, lies Samui’s 2nd biggest beach – Lamai beach. Overall the cost of eating here is less than that at Chaweng beach and here you will get a wide array of small, family run Thai eateries. While this area still has an assorted blend of restaurants, ranging from European to Asian fusion, thus catering to everybody’s taste buds.

One of Samui’s calmest and most scenic beaches is Maenam. There are restaurants here catering to everyone’s pocket and provide cuisine from around the world. The place is littered with street stalls where a share of Pad Thai is available and eat it on the beach for a cheap yet unforgettable dining experience.

For the adventurous souls and those who like to go off the popular tourist trail should head for the south-east and west coasts. Since most of the island’s fresh fish is caught here, seafood lovers will be in seventh heaven. Some restaurants here are so small that they are totally unnamed but you are assured a tasty but very spicy meal and a friendly Thai hospitality.

Traverse City Michigan has long been an addictive destination for travelers over the years which begs the question, why do travelers find Traverse City to be such a memorable experience when recalling their visits to the area? Literally speaking there have been numerous articles with top ratings written on the area over the years, and they speak to some points of why this area is so appealing. In reality though, there are no limitations to the reasons for appeal when you look at the variety of the articles, and still these articles just lightly scratch the surface of what’s really here.

The natural beauty, the water and beaches, the climate, the culture, the medical care and hospital, the many major and minor annual events and festivals, the fishing, the golf courses, the award winning wineries, the outdoor recreation, the friendly people and on and on.

A few of the many great articles written on Traverse City’s appeal are

• Relocate America’s top 10 places to live 2007
• Top places to live at age 50+, 2007
• CNN.Money best places to live 2007
• Forbes cheep places to live rich 2006
• Fly Rod & Reel’s top 12 fly fishing retirement towns 2005

But these articles simply do not give justice to the true rapid growth of culture here, and more so, what’s to come.

Over the last several years the corporate dollar has been flooding into the area poising it for extended growth. One of the major advantages that Traverse City has is that it’s a tourist destination for many reasons all year round, this is obvious from the moment you arrive.

Major events like the National Cherry Festival, the Traverse City Film Festival, and the Traverse Epicurean Classic bring thousands of visitors to the area for the first time along with continual repeat visitors. The Traverse City Film Festival a landmark for instant record setting success is just in its infancy and no doubt will always be one of the grandest of festivals in the north.

Traverse City itself is a very environmentally friendly population with strong desires for community property enhancements and accumulation. Hundreds of acres have been acquired through grants, tax assessments, and non profit organizations for the purpose of being preserved. Development rights are being purchased from farmers for the same purpose. The City itself has grand plans in the works for the downtown waterfront, a focal point for Traverse City’s beauty. A detailed study and plan for the waterfront by the states colleges visits the history and trends of Traverse City to create what can only be described as paradise waterfront plan for the city.

Real estate values currently across the country are a mixed bag of tricks with some areas like Florida due to higher taxes and insurance costs pulling at the values for homeowners and investors alike. What you have to ask yourself is where do I really want to live and are the values wherever this may be going to stabilize and increase. Traverse City rated as one of the happy porch swing communities best value (Cheep Places to Live Rich) by Forbes Magazine article July 16 2006 is in fact immune to a lot of the depressed financial situations most areas find themselves in these days. Simply put the prices here were still very reasonable prior to the economic slide so the values now can be quite the steal, and with the ever increasingly up and coming culture and appeal this area has always had its just getting better. There’s no doubt that when this market takes off again its going to leave a lot of people in the dust for good that just waited too long. If you know where you really want to live long term or retire, dig in now and look around or it may be you that’s left behind wishing you’d picked up your bargain retirement pad.

Honestly though what can you do here in Traverse City? Is it right for you? Well from my experience in travel, culture and amenities I can tell you that its simply much easier to list what you cant do. You cant climb a mountain or walk across a desert, you cant go deep sea fishing although the great lakes fishing can compare in a lot of ways. Michigan is in fact the Great Lakes State with the largest supply of surface fresh water in the world. It is surrounded by a staggering 84 percent of North America’s surface fresh water and about 21 percent of the world’s supply. In reality whether it be indoor or out, Traverse City has so much culture and outdoor activity that it rivals cities of a much grander scale and territories from around the globe.

The trails for skiing, hiking, biking, snowshoeing and sightseeing are endless and growing. Local favorites include the Grand Traverse Commons property trails that overlook the city and the VASA Pathway, Boardman Lake Trail, Leelanau Trail and TART trail system that is a continuously growing network for pedestrian travel. But don’t think for a minute that that’s it, actually its just the tip of the iceberg as the saying goes when it come to the enormous amount of hiking trails around.

So what about shopping and dining? Well over the last 15 years Traverse City has sealed itself as the shopping Mecca of the north. Anybody who’s anybody has looked into the area and the big boxes along with the specialists and specialty shops have set up camp. In some ways there is more variety and competing business here than you see in much larger scale cities like Grand Rapids to the south. That’s businesses taking their hold for what they see is the future here. Fortunately it is a controlled growth, as mentioned earlier the public population does create an environmentally friendly atmosphere. A few years ago the public shot down a vote on a parking garage in downtown. Not because they don’t need another one, it’s obvious that with the growth of Traverse there will be more and more needs to condense and control the traffic. Its just that this public is not going to be forced, bullied or steered into something that isn’t the best choice and value for the community. It’s all part of loving where you live and making sure growth doesn’t ruin it.

Downtown Traverse once a floundering shopping district when the new mall opened up, has now become the shopping and activity center of TC. Highlights are it’s relation to the downtown waterfront and annual festivals, along with the grandest variety of mouth watering cuisine found anywhere in the north that will surely appeal to even the most select of appetites. Downtown itself is a hardened atmosphere with strong roots in traditional foods, flavors, wines and service that will surely bring you back.

Venture off to the sand dunes on lake Michigan, cast your rod and reel on the rivers of the great lakes state, spend the afternoon in the winery tasting rooms of the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsula’s, hike, bike ski or snowshoe the trails of the north. bask on the numerous golden sandy beaches, Lay back to gaze at the stars and northern lights, Golf the lush green forests and fairways, spend the day kayaking, canoing or tubing the rivers, bays and lakes. It’s endless… You may leave, but you will want to come back.

If you’re thinking of hosting a corporate event for your staff or customers then you should consider what it’s involved in hosting such an event.

It’s not as simple as finding a venue, ordering some food and drink and getting on with it. Corporate event management – involves careful planning and execution, with great attention to detail, especially if the event is for your customers.

Here’s a list of things you will need to consider for your corporate event:

1) The Venue

This is the first thing you need to decide on, based on the goals of your event, the number of people invited, the atmosphere you want to create and the facilities you need. It’s also likely to be one of the biggest costs, so you had better have your budget in mind too.

2) Event Theme and Decor

Your event venue should be decorated according to what you want to achieve. Are you looking to impress your clients and customers with a formal theme or dazzle them with something unusual? Perhaps you want to create a party atmosphere for your staff to celebrate success? Either way, the theme and decoration is a serious consideration to get the atmosphere for your event just right.

3) Audio Visual Requirements

Most corporate events, whether they are product launches, parties, awards ceremonies or anniversary celebrations, involve a speaker or speakers. You’ll need to arrange a stage, lighting, audio equipment, any required visual aids such as video, televisions, large projection screens and the like.

4) Catering

The provision of food and drink for your guests is a vital component of any corporate event. Do you want a sit down dinner with wine on the tables or a buffet with a bar or even a mixture? How many people do you need to cater for? What sort of food do you want to serve? Are there any special requirements to bear in mind? This is another big decision for you to make.

5) Event Staff

Your event will run smoothly if you have a team – large or small – of expert staff on hand for your guests. From waiters and waitresses through welcoming hosts to expert bar staff, you’ll need the best to impress your guests.

6) Guest Speakers and Entertainment

You might want to have a guest speaker at your event, perhaps a celebrity or comedian. After dinner speakers are very popular and should at least be considered as part of your corporate event management.

7) Budget

Maybe this should have been the first item on the list! All the above is going to cost you money so a carefully planned budget, allowing you to decide what you need and don’t need – and what you can afford! – is a must.

If all the above sounds very daunting then you should consider using a corporate event management company.

As experts in their field they will work to your expectations, your budget and do all of the hard work for you to ensure that your event goes ahead as planned and your guests leave impressed and happy.