Stark Insider

Many people are familiar with brandy. A good brandy, served in a snifter and warmed gently by the palm of the hand, can release intoxicating aromas and explode on the palette as a soothing after dinner aperitif — a grand way to end an evening and, as my father says,...

Guest post by Carl Orthlieb One of the things we needed when the four of us arrived in Puerto Vallarta on our way to Bucerias was a rental car. Specifically, I wanted a mini-van capable of holding 6 people as my parents were meeting us in a few days after...

(guest post emailed to blog@starkinsider.com. You can too!) Today was a Livermore wine day with visits to Retzlaff and Fenestra.  First stop at Retzlaff to pick up futures we'd barrel tasted and purchased last year. Surprisingly the parking lot was relatively empty when we arrived, but that was "fixed" shortly after...

This is the time to watch for whales. Spring is the season for whale watching in Loreto and also on the pacific coast at Isla Santa Magdalena. The Blue Whales come into the Sea of Cortez but you will need to travel to the pacific side to see the...

  As we travel around the world, we seldom think about "what if..." Today in Danville, CA, thousands gathered in the cool mist weather to welcome home and congratulate the man that always, in his professional life, thought, "What will I do, If..." As a result 155 Us Airways passengers...

The following tax forms need to be submitted by US holders of Foreign Trusts. There is some disagreement as to whether or not holding a real estate trust for ownership actually is what these documents represent, but like most things with the IRS sometimes it's better to err on the side of caution. For...

Guest post by Carl Orthlieb Ok, we've gone to market, had our coffee and croissant, what is there left to do? How about an authentic Mexican meal at the Cottage of the Tiger? Just down Gonzales Ave near the end of the street is a colorful restaurant done with orange arches...

Guest post by Carl Orthlieb Today is your lucky day. You've had margaritas at restaurants including American knockoffs with their weak limey slush and little to no alcohol. You're disappointed--perhaps you've vowed to never again have another margarita. You've taken to sulking on Cinco de Mayo with a tepid Corona...

Guest post by Carl Orthlieb Ah, farmers' markets. There's nothing like fresh fruit and veggies at great prices. That is, unless you're in Bucerias, in which case you also get fish, shrimp, hot sauce, baseball caps, laundry detergent, bowls, brooms, CDs, and more! If you look closely at the map...