Here’s a rare Wheels post that doesn’t talk BMWs. This past weekend my wife Gabriele and I purchased a brand new 2011 Toyota Highlander. Readers of this blog will know I’m no believer in buying new cars. My view is let someone else take the new car depreciation hit. But as I explain below, the […]
Happy 2011 everyone! Hope all had a nice holiday break. The folks at WordPress have been busy — see below for a nicely done “good job in 2010” email I received Sunday. (The image they chose below is the ABS unit in my 2001 BMW 530 – my biggest DIY money saver to date.) I […]
I have so much to be thankful for this year, including items in the three categories of this blog. So on Christmas Eve, here are some Work, Wine and Wheels highlights from 2010. In the work realm, 2010 was a great year. A lot of what Strategic Communications Group accomplishes for clients doesn’t become public […]
As readers know, we’ve been exploring Chapoutier wines since being impressed with his entry level Belleruche Cotes du Rhone. After being disappointed by the first 100% Syrah wine of his we tried, we recently had a Les Granits 2007 from Saint Joseph. Here’s my take.
Last weekend Gabriele and I had a very nice experience at Tempo, on Duke Street in Alexandria. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking, set back from the street a bit and next to an Enterprise Rent a Car as you drive out of Old Town. The cuisine is old-school French/Italian served in a […]
BMW M — that’s a term that means a lot to auto enthusiasts. It’s a term that connotes a car that is the epitome of its class, the absolute sporting pinnacle of that particular style of car. Ever since BMW put the twin turbo, 300HP N54 engine in it’s 1 Series car, there was speculation […]
With every new day the WikiLeaks saga seems to reveal another story line. As the expression goes, “you can’t make this stuff up.” In the process, it’s highlighting rapidly changing — and often unstable — elements in Internet-based communication. First let’s take the emerging model of cyber attacks. People no longer just get angry at […]
Over two years ago I wrote a review about The Majestic, on King Street in the heart of Old Town. It was a strong performer that night, and was again recently when Gabriele and I returned. Last time at the Majestic I wrote about us enjoying a 2006 Allan Scott Pinot Noir with dinner. The […]
My latest interview is with Beth Hardy Okun, a PR professional located in Atlanta, Georgia. Beth and I met via a PR discussion group in LinkedIn, where she was discussing the PRSA Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) program she had just completed. Beth and I discuss the value of the APR certification, agency work vs. […]
In my last blog post, I made mention of my quest for a good value, good tasting $20 Bordeaux. It has not been an easy quest. But I’m excited to say I’ve made two discoveries worth sharing. Here are links for more information: Chateau Beaumont 2005 – .pdf from the vine maker with lots of […]
See below for thoughts on a very enjoyable, “old world” CNP and the latest from my search for a good value Bordeaux. Here are links for additional information: Domaine La Roquete Chateauneuf du Pape 2007 Chateau Monestier La Tour Emily 2005
One of the first things you should do if you own a BMW out of warranty is find a good independent mechanic. On this blog I talk about the DIY things I’ve accomplished, but the big stuff needs a professional. Gary Martin at Martin Motorsports is an enthusiast who I can trust to maintain my […]