It’s happened to me many times. I buy the latest computer, printer, PDA or cell phone. A day, week or month later, it’s replaced through planned obsolescence with a newer model that’s faster, smaller, and/or cheaper. Now, Apple Computer has followed that trend — again — to better compete with low-end competitors by introducing a…
In the past, I’ve read that airlines often look at ways to squeeze out a profit every way possible. For example, switching to smaller peanut bags saved one airline millions per year. So American Airlines, which stopped serving hot meals to coach passengers on its domestic flights in December 2001, is going to convert its…
What’s the crookedest street in the City by The Bay? (Hint: It’s not Lombard.) How many rivets hold the Golden Gate Bridge together? What does a 92-year-old woman from Philly, Wilt Chamberlain and a pair of pink Chuck Thomas Converse shoes have in common? And what do tourists really want to see when they travel…
Since the early 1950s, Nevada casinos have been gaudy places with scantilly clad waitresses passing around free drinks to lubricate and attract high rollers. In fact, when I wrote ads for Caesars Tahoe Casino at Lake Tahoe, I attended a few meetings to discuss cleavage and such. Now that Hooters Hotel Casino has opened just…
I’ve often lunched or dined at Skates On The Bay, 25 minutes from my house across the eight-mile-long Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. The seafood is always fresh. The wait staff is always courteous. And the view is always breathtaking. Last night, as we took some golden/orange sunset photos, I turned our friend Carol from Dallas to…
How’s this for an innovative Valentine’s Day present for your loved one? The Chicago-based store, Vosges Haut-Chocolat, is offering a boxed gift with Champagne, Roses and Chocolate — all in one box — at its many venues from Honolulu to London. Its Web site says, “Inspired by the decadence of the Roaring 20’s, our special…
About six weeks ago, we first wrote about Maverick’s Reef and the world’s most dangerous surfing contest. We said the competition would be held when the conditions were deemed optimal for 30-foot waves. That time is now. The unique conditons of a northerly swell off Point Reyes, a west-northwest swell from further out in the…
When gays and lesbians throw a glitzy ski competition and costume contest known as Ascent, you know it may be just a tad outrageous. This Winter Party at Heavenly Valley Resort above the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe on the California and Nevada border runs from February 26-March 5, and offers daily skiing at…
You’re all set to dive into the latest best seller on your cross-country flight or complete a proposal due upon landing. But your seat mate pulls out his/her cell phone and starts gabbing away. “Hey, guess where I’m calling from,” you might hear. Then, it’s hours of “blah-blah-blah” while you’re trying to read, work, relax…
If you don’t want the expense of owning a car, the pain of filling it with gas or a cheaper way of getting around than a taxi, rent a www.zipcar.com. Now available in eight US cities — with 13 more to come soon (including Vancouver, B.C.) –– this unique, sustainable idea prices cars like a…
In case you haven’t noticed, we post articles daily. Sometimes, it’s one; sometimes, it’s five. It all adds up to some of the freshest content of any travel blog, especially when you’re looking for info about fashionable travel. Our traffic is exploding right now. In fact, last month, we received five times more hits than…
Gung Hay Fat Choy (“May You Prosper”)! In San Francisco and other cities with large Asian populations, the celebration of the Chinese New Year is welcomed by hundreds of thousands of people. I’ve seen many Chinese New Year Parades downtown here and am always amazed at the colorful costumes, beautiful floats, throngs of onlookers, dancing…