Bartoli’s Pizzeria
Location: North Center

Bartoli’s – it’s a great place to watch a sports game (and you can bring your own beer), so you can imagine why it’s a favorite of the locals. Between the fun, inviting environment and the sauce-heavy deep dish pizza, Bartoli’s made our list.

Pizano’s
Location: Loop

Pizano’s shares some common themes with the rest of the places on this list, and that’s pizza history. The current owner is the son of the founder, and the family recipe apparently hasn’t changed from day one (we haven’t tried the original). They have, however, added some new variety, which is controversial to pizza purists but is still adored by many.

My Pi Pizza
Location: Bucktown

If you’re looking for a lighter, (kind of more thin) deep dish slice, this is your spot. It’s typically meant for a place to drop by, rather than staying for a while. It made our list because of the unbelievably fresh tasting pizza, making it PERFECT for a nice night out.

Pizzeria Uno
Location: River North

Pizzeria Uno has deep dish pizza that is the perfect combination of tradition and uniqueness. It offers the traditional satisfaction of your delicious deep dish, though the crust and sauce have a different taste which is really good! There’s a lot of sauce, yet really crunchy so every bite kind of feels like the first, which is obviously ideal for any pizza fan.

Gino’s East
Location: River North

Pizza is obviously delicious and if you know how much we love a good craft beer, you’ll understand why Gino’s made our list. The existing Chicago chain started as a single establishment in the mid-1960s and has grown through its cheesy slices and now… beer? That’s right! You can also go to happy hour for $3 beers on draft with a slice!

Bacino’s
Location: Loop

This is a place that puts the “deep” in “deep dish pizza”. A more classic, traditional Chicago can be found in the home of “America’s 1st Heart Healthy Pizza”. These slices are equipped with arguably the best sauce bases, best enjoyed with a nice glass of “heart healthy” red wine.

Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co.
Location: Lincoln Park

Talk about history – the Oven Grinder has been around for decades and has seen its fair share of things, including the notorious “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre”. That’s right, this is the place. But enough about the energy, we’re here to talk about pizza! Here you can find one of the most complete (good cheese:sauce, without overdoing anything). Also, they have one of the largest menus on this list.

Giordano’s
Location: Loop

Giordano’s is another establishment turned chain, as it’s one of the most famous spots for a deep dish slice. Since 1974, this has been recognized as an elite pick for tourists and locals alike. They have a wide variety of choice, while most stick with some version of the deep dish pizza. We prefer the classic with mushrooms, pepperoni, and green peppers.

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Location: River North

Presenting the legendary (one of the staples) deep dish pizzas! Lou’s has his name in lights for a reason, and it’s because they have one of the best pizzas around. It’s become a chain and honestly, the atmosphere doesn’t really matter, but the pizza just stands out.

Burt’s Place
Location: Suburbs

Talk about classic, now we’re getting into the real special places. Burts is more of an old school establishment with paper towels on the wall, but don’t be fooled – the pizza here is to die for. The pizza and the excellent drink selection will make you come back, it’s that good.

The Art of Pizza
Location: Lake View

One word. Sauce. The Art of Pizza has the best sauce of any deep dish pizza we’ve ever had, hands down. There isn’t much to say, just grab yourself a slice. Ranked #1 by the Chicago Tribune, there’s only one place we liked better…

Pequod’s Pizza
Location: Lincoln Park

There is nothing quite like the whale tale. They don’t have the best sauce or the best cheese, but when you put everything together, they have the best deep dish pizza. There is also a great atmosphere that makes it fun, but honestly, who cares? This is the best deep dish that isn’t too greasy, or cheesy, it’s like the perfect combination that will make your mouth water. Go.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly: It is hard to find on restaurant menus but few of us have not experienced a PB&J in our early youth. The iconic sammie features a commercial product straight from the jar, and may be smooth or various degrees of crunchy, with strawberry or grape jelly on white bread, with or without crusts. Variations abound and today other nut butters substitute for those with peanut allergies. Where did this paragon come from? Dr. Kellogg of Battle Creek Michigan opened a sanitorium in the 1880s for wealthy folks suffering from a wide assortment of ailments. With money came notoriously poor diets, that were too rich in fats and animal proteins. At his wellness resort, Kellogg introduced the elite to the benefits of exercise, fresh air and healthy foods. For one of his kitchen experiments (he also invented cereal), Kellogg added vegetable oil to mashed peanuts, for reasons unknown named it “Skippy”, and a lunchbox staple was born!

Fortune Cookie: Although its origins are murky, the Fortune Cookie most likely was conceived on the West Coast, possibly in San Francisco, where there was and is a large Asian population. Traditional Chinese meals do not end with dessert, whereas, by the early 1900s, emerging middle-class Americans liked to show off their newly acquired fortunes by closing a repast with coffee and something sweet. In warmer climates the thin dough did not require leavening and was crisp, light and the perfect accompaniment to strong coffee. The cookie’s enclosed fortune made the meal and the occasion more memorable. And today, as a sign of the times, many fortunes are supplemented with Lotto numbers! Like Chow Mein, do not expect to find Fortune Cookies on any menu on the Chinese mainland. Asians apparently disdain any bastardisation of their beloved cuisines. Perfect. As. Is.

Potato Chips: Back in the 19th century, wealthy Manhattanites summered in lakeside resort towns, such as Saratoga Springs in upstate New York. The story goes that at the upscale Moon Lake Lodge, the nation’s leading captain of industry, Cornelius Vanderbilt, kept returning his side dish of fried potatoes complaining that they were too thick. By the third time Vanderbilt rejected his efforts, Native American chef George Crum had had it with American royalty’s pompous attitude. For his fourth effort Crum sent out a plate of potatoes sliced to the point of transparency, fried to a crisp, then heavily salted. Surprise! They were a big hit and the chef was lauded in the press around the world. So why aren’t they called ‘Potato Crumbs’? (Grace note: by the time this author attended college in Saratoga, the Lodge was long gone, but Crum’s memory was being kept alive. Nearly every menu in town honored his ‘invention’, and none served commercially-made chips from a bag!)

Mac and Cheese: Before chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese was one food item known to appease little ones and their finicky palates, even if it meant creating a carb addict for life. If you have raised a toddler, you know mac and cheese is a godsend. This creamy, salty, hot, and comforting meal in a bowl still makes toddlers of us all. It’s origins are unknown, but it appears on menus from Monticello, and it is known to have been Thomas Jefferson’s favorite repast. Ten years ago, mac and cheese went upscale and began appearing at many a fine dining establishment. Handmade veggie pasta or with the addition of squid ink, toppings that included caviar and lobster, and mascarpone, butter, https://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/essential-ingredients/heavy-cream-vs, and wine substituted for humble American or cheddar cheese and milk sauces. Guess we all never outgrew our beloved Mac and Cheese! We don’t have to!

Buffalo Wings: Today there is a national chain that just produces this product in many variations, but allegedly, Buffalo Wings were invented in the 1960s. Late one night, to appease a group of hungry frat boys, one of which was her own son, Teressa Bellissimo, who owned the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY, set about crafting a midnight snack for the horde. She used whatever she could find in the walk-in: food scrap chicken wings intended for use in soup stock. That night the lads dined on deep fried wings anointed with hot sauce, accompanied by celery sticks and a ranch dressing chaser. (Following this author’s education trail- by grad school I was a vegetarian so while my friends raved about the wings at Teressa’s, across the table I had to make do with a pallid salad. True. Story.) Three things about Buffalo Wings: purists will never eat wings that have been pre-frozen, order your fresh wings from your butcher a week before Super Bowl Sunday or miss out, and no one in Buffalo, NY refers to them as “Buffalo Wings”. Don’t. Ask.

Turducken: What can you say about a food whose first syllable evokes something you’d find in a barnyard? Which came first, the chicken, the duck, or the turkey? Essentially three nested carcasses of mixed poultry slow roasted to doneness in an oven, the Turducken came into being in the South in the 1980s. This author experienced the delicacy at that time and at the place of its origin and was underwhelmed. Suffice it to say it is an acquired taste and, due to its expense, not wildly populating menus anywhere. But it does have its rabid loyalists. BTW: If you make this at home remember to use a meat thermometer!

So the next time you reach for one of your mandatory diet staples, remember where they came from and what each does to make your day and life a little bit brighter! Nutrition be damned!
Joy rules!

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1. Clean, clean, clean. Before you contact a local cleaning franchise consider that you may have to continuously clean your home every couple of days. Having a cleaning service perform this chore for you will have you in the poor house in short order. Instead, rent a rug shampooer or buy a name brand that cleans and dries in one step. If you have hardwoods and/or tile, a floor steamer is a must. Happily, these tools can be used for years in this and your next home and are well-worth the modest investment. Buy gallon-size refills of window cleaner and wash windows inside and out at least once a week. Why? Buyers find light, airy homes more appealing.
2. Banish odors. Happily, few of us smoke anymore, but just about everyone has pets. Be vigilant about keeping litter boxes clean and pets well-groomed. Use electro-static dusters to capture stray strands of fur and do not forget to dust recessed lighting! Buy aerosol fabric fresheners by the case at the big box store and spray couches, cushions, drapes, carpeting, bedding, and even your clothes closets. When selling your home, perception is reality, and the buyer’s nose knows!
3. Let there be light: preferably in dark places. Did you know that one of the most popular buyer requests is for lights in their closets? No need to call an electrician- this is a simple fix. Buy battery operated LED puck lights from the big box store and either screw them into the doorframe or use the self-adhesive pads that come with the set. Now think about it, where else would throwing a little light on the subject be helpful? Your. Kitchen Cabinets. That’s where. Especially the one under the sink. Ditto your basement storage room. Got enough light in the furnace room? We thought so. Buy a few sets and go to town with them around your house. While we are on the subject, a burned out bulb is a bummer so stock up and have replacements at the ready should one burn out on your watch. Don’t forget to dust any bare bulbs in the house- these are dust magnets and make your home look rundown.
4. Especially if your home has one full bath, it must be updated, impress, and sparkle. Big hint: Twin sinks sell homes. Also Carrara marble. Ditto multiple showerheads. And of course, spotless shower doors. Ever notice those cars with the showroom-clean windshields that wick away moisture quickly? Once you clean the soap scum off your shower doors (this author personally recommends using a razor blade followed by a window cleaner spray), be sure to seal the deal by treating this newly pristine surface with a slick coating used for vehicle windshields. Be sure to use a squeegee after you shower. Oh and stock up on those erasers that claim to work by magic. They do, especially on grout. Trust me on this one.
5. Is your house on the small side but offers great potential? How about drawing up a schematic as to how your home could be upgraded? This is a great idea to allow buyers to ‘see’ how your home can grow along with their need for more space. If drafting is not your thing, write how easily your attic can be dormered to create a new and spacious master suite including a walk-in closet. Are you blessed with low taxes? Research and list programs in your state that may provide additional tax savings.
6. Comparative analysis: in your neighborhood, what makes your home a standout? Is it secluded and offers more privacy than surrounding homes? Does it have a well-manicured lawn and lush landscape? Is it an entertainer’s backyard with a pool and outdoor kitchen? Deck or patio? What about a pergola? Mature trees? Wait! You have the only two-car detached garage on the street? Well, give it a shout out!
7. Not all upgrades can be seen. Refer to your credit card statements for the years that you have owned your home and draw up a list of upgrades that you have made during your tenure. It is very important to note mechanicals such as a new roof, heating/cooling systems and a hot water heater as well as the year that they were installed. Not only will it demonstrate that your home has been well-maintained, but also allows buyers to see when a system may be at the end of its service life and to plan for its replacement. Don’t forget windows and doors- include upgraded hardware, locks, and automatic garage door openers!
8. Remember, just because your home is listed does not mean that you should stop upgrading and improving it. Very often prospects will return to your home for a second look. If they see upgrades even small ones such as new switchplates, they’ll assume the owner has great pride of ownership and attention to even the smallest of details.
9. Generally, the first offer will be the highest that you receive. Before you cave in and agree to it, be prepared to negotiate, even if you find this task distasteful. Conversely, if the home selling gods have smiled upon you and your home has initiated a bidding war, consider all offers and do not immediately accept the highest bid. That’s because many offers come with contingencies that include an inspection (no problem), having to sell their home first (may not dovetail with your timeline), want to rent with option to buy, or are going for mortgage products that will take months for a response such as a Fannie, or Sallie, Mae, an FHA, or a VA among others. Some potential buyers may require a co-signer such as a relative, and each of these scenarios benefits the buyer, not the seller. In a seller’s market why would you be willing to make such an accommodation?
10. Capital Gains Taxes: Real estate’s dirty little secret. If your home sells for more than you paid for it, you’ll either have to use your one-time get out of jail free pass (for real) or expect to be taxed on the amount of appreciation you’ve realized over the years. One way to take the sting out of the latter is to deduct every upgrade you have made to the home during your tenure. Since most of us use our credit cards for purchases, it should not take too long to compile a list with accompanying receipts. Your attorney or accountant can advise on how to submit your deductions.

We hope these tips place you on solid ground, poised to get through the selling process and on to the next chapter of your life!

The post Top 10 Updates Before You List Your Home and a Few Tips When It’s On the Market appeared first on Koshka.

Oskar Blues and its unique style is not only one of our favorite Colorado breweries, but national breweries as well. They have such great variety from their Blue Dream IPA, G’Knight, Old Chub, Death By Coconut and so much more! As far as the brewery and tap room are concerned, they have a nice array of blues and rock music on a wide-open venue, which can sometimes include a spur of the moment basketball game. It’s a really cool place – we recommend it! If you aren’t in Colorado, (because Oskar Blues has gone national) you can likely find their delicious brew in your local beverage distributor!

Avery Brewing Company
City: Boulder
Favorite Beer: Maharaja IPA

When it comes to quality, it’s hard to top Avery. We especially enjoy their sour ales because of their quality and uniqueness. We’d not had a ginger or apricot sour ale before our journey and they completely blew our minds. The only thing you can only have a couple before your stomach becomes a pool of acid, but that’s beside the point!

New Belgium Brewing
City: Fort Collins
Favorite Beer: The Hemperor

While New Belgium may be known mainly for their hit “Fat Tire” beer, they are so much more than that! We’re big fans of the hemperor, sour ales, and voodoo ranger collections in particular. You can visit their brewery for tours or for Fat Tire Friday, which is always lots of fun.

Boulder Beer Company
City: Boulder
Favorite Beer: Spaceman Double IPA

Every brewery has their own culture and traditions and Boulder has one that we thought was pretty memorable. After going for a tour you can grab a delicious bite to eat – they have excellent choices for lunch and dinner (we love the buffalo chicken flatbread).

Left Hand Brewing Company
City: Longmont
Favorite Beer: Nitro Milk Stout

Nitro Milk Stout was the first nitro beer we’ve ever had and we certainly have not looked back! They have a solid range of beers that go far beyond nitro beers – they’ve especially branched out with their recent seasonal brews that have really taken us back. But let’s talk about the culture! Left Hand is active within their community, participating in the bike ride for MS and the Longmont Humane Society. It’s fair to say these are pretty good guys, so go for a tour soon!

Odell Brewing Company
City: Fort Collins
Favorite Beer: Myrcenary Double IPA

With two taprooms (Fort Collins and Denver) offers double the fun and adventures. They have all kinds of fun, active events at both taprooms (like the winter bike from work bash) and have live music pretty regularly. Add the awesome food trucks that they usually have at the brewery and it makes for a great day (or night).

Odd 13 Brewing
City: Lafayette
Favorite Beer: Noob Pale Ale

Do you like beer and comic books? If so, Odd 13 Brewing is the place for you! They have a comic-themed thing going on with characters and settings that take their brewing experience to the next level. The brewery is decorated with action-y things and they have a store with merch surrounding all of their beer comic characters. You can check their schedule to see which food trucks will be present at what days, as they have a cycle of some sort, which adds a nice touch of variety for regulars.

Call To Arms Brewing Company
City: Denver
Favorite Beer: Really, Realy, Ridiculously Good Tasting

This brewery has personality! Call To Arms has a fun, artsy kind of feel. You can count on tons of fun – there are events like twice per week and they range from food to music, comedy, and active-themed. We’d say Call To Arms is probably the unique child of the bunch here.

Ratio Beerworks
City: Denver
Favorite Beer: Hold Steady

We don’t know about you, but we absolutely LOVE aged beer. Ratio Beerworks ages some of their (better) beer in bourbon and scotch barrels. The authenticity of their beer is matched with the environment at their taprooms. There’s tons of cool art and a nice variety of bands that visit for live music.

Denver Beer Company
City: Denver
Favorite Beer: Incredible Pedal IPA

We hope you like saisons and other beers with sweet aromas! You can find anything from “pedal power” to “pretzel assassin amber” lagers here so get your taste buds ready. With plenty of room and regularly new taps – this is the spot to hang in Denver! They also know what their customers want – they have large warm pretzels that go PERFECTLY with their beer!

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What’s that you say? Unless you have awoken from a coma, or have missed today’s news, today Musk unveiled and demonstrated the efficiency of his latest venture: underground transportation technology. Back in 2016 Musk boasted that he planned to start digging tunnels to provide relief from LA’s fabled freeway congestion. Now, hearing of this, most native New Yorkers will scoff. After all, we have had tunnels under Manhattan and a subway system since the late 19th century. Back then, tunnelling was a relatively easy technology to implement as Gotham sits on bedrock. Most every other urban oases do not and, up to now, their citizens could only look eastward towards NYC with envy.

Musk’s Boring Co. is Anything But

In recent years international tragedies have provided an opportunity for Musk to offer aid. As previously mentioned, Elon Musk is the father of six boys. That may have been the reason for his generous offer via Twitter to provide assistance for the 12 boys and their leader trapped in a cave in Thailand this past summer. As numerous rescue attempts were made over a two week period, Musk directed Boring and SpaceX staffers at the site to fashion a kid-sized submarine from a liquid oxygen transfer tube. Later Musk joined his team, but even his presence was not enough to convince the Thai government to abandon standard rescue procedures. However, Musk was allowed to leave the capsule (which had been tested and proven successful) in Thailand for future rescue attempts.

Using Technology to Further Humanitarian Efforts

Also, when disaster struck Puerto Rico a second time, plunging the entire island into darkness, it was Musk who sent Tesla batteries to the battered tropical paradise where they will remain in use until power is fully restored. Granted this is grandstanding to a degree, but it also demonstrates a major humanitarian effort. At a time when little aid or even kind words were coming from the Oval office, the Governor of New York was sending aid,and utility repair crews into the region, and many grassroots and relief organizations were doing whatever they could. By sending needed battery power as part of the rescue and recovery effort a voice who could make a positive contribution to help people in the stricken area to recover was heard: Elon Musk’s.

So we’re established that Musk is both a humanitarian and a trailblazer (there’s enough ink about SpaceX’s mission to Mars so we will not detail that here. Google it.) What does building a tunnel under LA do for his street cred? Is he serious about building a tunnel under LA as a model for other cities across the U.S.? Apparently so. Musk’s 1.14-mile long prototype to relieve traffic congestion is considerably more than just a reinforced hole in the ground. Reporters who braved the inaugural tunnel ride (which did not include Mr. Musk as a passenger), reported a smooth ride not unlike that at an amusement park. Which is fitting because Musk himself refers to the project as “a weird little Disney ride in the middle of LA”. For this weird little ride, Boring company built specialized tunneling equipment but to date, has been prevented by citizen groups from building another tunnel in his “LA network” by a group of citizens who took Musk to court and won.
Washington to NYC in 29 Minutes?!

That’s okay, because what LA is skittish about, drew raves in Chicago and Baltimore (which is looking to implement another commuter route to Washington D.C.) As we go to print, Musk is said to be drafting proposals for those cities, even as he states that his urban tunnels are ‘in the prototype stage’. Nor has he given up on LA just because its well-heeled citizens cannot get behind him. Currently Boring Co. is planning another LA tunnel, this time to connect Los Feliz, East Hollywood and other lower socio-economic regions with Dodger Stadium.

Across the nation, bloggers to seasoned journalists are asking if Musk is serious. After all, he built a castle in LA at the tunnel exit. At the grand opening party, a full-time staffer was hired to be its ‘Watchtower Guard’ and to hurl epithets with a French accent (as in the Monty Python movies). Yet his engineers and technicians are first rate and his ingenious approach to conveying traffic through his tunnel evolved from placing vehicles on an electric skate as propulsion, to self-powered vehicle transit. For the Baltimore-Washington project Musk is currently proposing to whisk passengers between these cites, and even to New York in his Hyperloops, a high-speed capsule inside a vacuum tube. Sound familiar? It should. That was the technology that Musk sent to Thailand to rescue the trapped scouts.

By this time, the light should be beginning to dawn. Everything Musk conceives is meant to dovetail some project at varying stages of its development. And utilizing these inventions as globally and as creatively as possible Musk furthers his branding, and his personal and corporate credibility. With Musk, a man of apparently great heart, it also appears that he believes that one hand washes the other.

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It is not the first time a major corporation has been closely associated with one person. There have been many precedents. A decade ago, Howard Schultz returned to Starbucks (the company he had led to major achievement) when his successor took the multinational brand to the brink of extinction. Policies Schultz presumably cast in stone had been discarded as executives eager to create their legacy overextended the brand’s reach. Starbucks exponential growth spawned the observation/joke that there was a Starbucks on every corner. Despite a dismal ROI, Starbucks stores proliferated like bunnies until the economic downturn of 2008 all but shuttered the chain. On the brink of bankruptcy, Starbuck’s board returned to the past to find its future and reinstated Howard Schultz as CEO.

Schultz returned to perform necessary housekeeping. He closed thousands of stores, and reined in the product lines which now included a line of less than popular ice creams (but they were delicious). Schultz refocused the business away from self gain to selflessness. The customer and the grower/suppliers were to be treated like gold, because they were the heart and soul of the Starbucks enterprise. A less dilute product line starring, would you believe, coffee was instituted. In addition, Starbucks initiated the paradigm shift towards providing superior customer service. Slowly, then in legions, customers came back.

Reboot What Worked

Customers returned to environments that were spotless, and ideal for socializing. The stores were now gathering places where everyone would be welcomed and treated as individuals with each and every beverage hand crafted one at a time. And what beverages they were! Exotic coffees were sourced across the globe and their growers were paid fairly. The massive, espresso machines with their precise, chrome-plated gauges cost if not a king’s ransom, then more than anyone’s first car. Attention was paid to the last little detail, and every customer complaint was addressed immediately. Within a year Starbucks stock had recovered, realizing gains of 143% YoY in 2009.

Schultz stayed on through 2017, but shortly after he passed the baton yet again, a racial bias incident once more caused consumers to question the brand’s sincerity. Following the public’s outcry, it was Schultz, not CEO Kevin Johnson, who appeared at a press conference to both apologize and set out steps to remediate bias across the chain. Schultz mandated that all the stores be closed for a day and the staffers ‘retrained’ to become aware of and sensitive to ‘unconscious bias’. He may not punch a clock, but to many Starbucks loyalists, Howard Schultz is Starbucks.

Did you think we were straying off point? The point is that Elon Musk is Tesla, Tesla is Elon Musk. This past week Musk agreed to step down as Tesla’s Chairman, yet is allowed to remain as the Company’s CEO. For those readers who are unaware, Musk was fined $40 million by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a Tweet (yes, you heard right) that stated he was taking the company private and had the funding to buy out stockholders at $420 a share. When in fact, there were no plans in place, no investors, and no funding to buy out anybody. Both sides reached an agreement for Tesla/Musk to pay the fine but not admit wrong doing. This move ensured that Tesla stock, which dropped a significant 14% after the announcement, would eventually rally, and in effect, “the farm would be saved”.
Maybe Not Such a Bad Move…

As with Starbucks, Tesla Motors has had to step back from the way it performs daily operations, take a deep breath, and regroup- for now. Also as in the Starbucks scenario, Tesla had been teetering on the edge of the precipice for some time. The firm has not made a dime in 15 years, despite Musk’s repeated insistence that it is on the verge of doing so. This could actually be true in the near future. Across the globe there is keen interest in Musk’s Tesla Model 3 sedan, an electric car for the masses. Unlike Starbucks, however, where Schultz is the mastermind who guides and directs his former enterprise to greater success, Musk’s genius needs to be reined in at times. He is idea, not process-driven, and employs any means to achieve his intended end. Some of his upstart ideas, such as announcing what was essentially a hoax buyout, will not fly with the U.S. government not the SEC. And, for the public to buy the Model 3, first there must be a Model 3 in production. In short, the fines were seen as essentially a move to harness Elon Musk and to save him from himself. Don Quixote-like, the man does appear to tilt at windmills.

What happens next at Tesla Motors? Still in the picture at Tesla (he is the majority stockholder), but moved to the background, Musk is free to settle any stockholder lawsuits resulting from his Tweet. If this allows him any free time, he can continue to commandeer his vast technological empire, dividing his time between Tesla and SpaceX, his San Francisco Bay area enterprise which designs, produces, and launches rockets and spacecraft. Its goal? To enable people to ultimately reach and live on other planets. Clearly, Mr. Musk is not the entrepreneur next door. Back at Tesla, the goal for all concerned is for the Model 3s to roll off the assembly lines sometime in 2019. For a few years now,there have been charging stations at Interstate rest stops bearing the name ‘Tesla”. However this author has not yet observed a line of cars waiting for their turn to recharge.

Tesla always seems to be a company poised on the brink. From electric vehicles, and driverless cars, to SpaceX’s rockets to Mars, Elon Musk’s mind appears so diversified, that his two enterprises suffer. We propose that he continues as the resident genius at both or either, and allows new management to direct ONE project to completion. This way the enterprises associated with Elon Musk would leave the world of Buck Rogers and enter the stratosphere that the rest of us occupy daily: reality. If it takes a staggeringly high fine to mandate him to put on the brakes, then so be it. As for moi, I’m living for the day I can pull off I-95 and recharge my Model 3 -at a Tesla station of course!

The post Will Tesla Survive Elon Musk’s ‘Departure’? appeared first on Koshka.

Company: Founders Brewing Company
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Favorite Beer: Centennial IPA

Founders has been a long-time favorite of ours for quite a long time. They are one of the (if not the) largest national breweries from the midwest and most beer connoisseurs have had at least one brew from Founders. From their popular session “All Day IPA” to their more aggressive “Backwoods Bastard” Porter, we can all find a delicious beer here.

Their brewery came up in the mid-1990s, which we consider the “golden age of craft beer”. This was the time when microbreweries started to surface and gave rise to the wonderful world of beer we see today. The taproom has plenty of beers ready on draft and an awesome deli that goes perfectly with their brew!

Company: Great Lakes Brewing Company
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Favorite Beer: Hop Madness Double IPA

Great Lakes is in the middle of the Ohio City neighborhood, which is a fun area with a warm midwestern culture. Their 7-barrel brewhouse offers plenty of classic and new beers to try and the brewpub has awesome bar food. We recommend starting with the pub bites and going with the mac and cheese. You really can’t go wrong (unless you’re lactose intolerant).

Company: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Favorite Beer: Aunt Sally

Honestly, what can we say about Lagunitas? Technically they started in California, but their main brewery is in Chicago, so we’re including them here. They are one of our favorite all-time breweries for two reasons. 1) Lagunitas IPA is the best (easily accessible) national IPA and 2) the variety of beers they have is excellent. Everything from their lagers to IPAs, to sour ales, are wonderful and they’re always coming out with new stuff.

Naturally, a large, popular beer brand is going to have a fun brewery and boy do they deliver! From the live music a few times per month, to the delicious bar food, Lagunitas is a great spot to grab a drink and have a fun night out.

Company: Revolution Brewing
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Favorite Beer: Galaxy-Hero IPA

You like beer in cans? Than Revolution is for you. We see them as a very modern brewery with a “hoppy” way of doing things. They have quite a few seasonal beers (Rosa is really good) so visits throughout the year can vary, making it a relatively new experience each time.

The brewery isn’t the biggest, but is intimate and always delivers the warm feeling of being surrounded by high-quality beer. If we’re being honest, you’re visiting for the drinking experience.

Company: 3 Floyds Brewing Company
Location: Munster, Indiana
Favorite Beer: Dreadnaught IPA

This is something that I love about the new age of craft beer – the creativity! The designs and brand identity around the different beers are awesome! It’s like they each have their own personality.

Complimented perfectly by their delicious IPAs, are their appetizers, pizzas, and sandwiches. The quality is great and prices are fair. The tables are kind of small, but they won’t stop you from bringing a few friends to enjoy a fun outing.

Company: Sun King Brewing
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Favorite Beer: SKB IPA

There’s no way around it, Sun Kind is awesome! The brewery/tasting room is like a mini Wonka factory in the way it’s designed and we are into it! You know what annoys us? Breweries with like 6 taps – that’s the worst! You won’t have to deal with that here, there are plenty of classic and experimental blends.

Company: New Glarus Brewing
Location: New Glarus, Wisconsin
Favorite Beer: Hop Hearty

Who likes brewery tours? We do and New Glarus offers multiple tours (with guides or self-guided). The merch is a fun idea, they give you take-home glasses with your first drink, which is something other breweries should do. We all love souvenirs, but don’t want to have to grossly overpay for them! We appreciate a slightly better experience, just a notch above a planned social gathering. Be in the moment!

Company: Surly Brewing Co.
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Favorite Beer: Hop Forward

Speaking of tours, this is the place! It’s “Surly” a large brewery and the tours don’t hold back. This company stands for quality beers and caring about what they make! If you’re truly a fan of beer, you’ll love it here for the taste and the showings.

Company: DryHop Brewers
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Favorite Beer: Milkstachio

This is heaven for people who love hoppy IPAs! As good as the beer is, the brewery isn’t a whole lot to look at. But we had to include them for two reasons: their brew and burgers (oh man). The burgers really impressed us, this is not a normal place for a beer and a burger!

Company: Heavy Riff Brewing Company
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Favorite Beer: Left Coast Envy IPA

We love the beer selection and think this is the go-to brewery to visit in St.Louis. They also have a few good ciders, which can break it up and please more people in your group of friends. And can you say barbecue? As much as we love bar food, we love the classic St. Louis twist they add to their delicious menu. Get the sliders when you go!

The post The 10 Must-Visit Breweries in the Midwest appeared first on Koshka.

Most culinary school-educated chefs who rise to the top ranks in multi-star restaurants want to break out and open their own dining establishment. As most new dining ventures fail within the first two years, financing a new restaurant can be hard to come by. Also, many industries were adversely affected by the 2008 economic downturn forcing a sector of the population to look to themselves for employment. A food truck makes an ideal start-up for would-be culinary entrepreneurs. It is relatively low-cost (as compared to a brick and mortar) to purchase and maintain. Best of all, ‘down the road’ should owners decide to open a brick and mortar, they have already culled a loyal following, thereby increasing their chances for business success.

An added perk is mobility. Being locked into a lease in a section of town impacted by say, a long-term construction project preventing pedestrians in the area, will soon shutter most local establishments. With a food truck, however, if foot traffic wanes or proves seasonal, owners can just move their business to a new location, such as a stadium, outside a college lecture hall, a new neighborhood, or one of many tourist attractions. Aside from foot traffic, how do people find these businesses? Advertising is simpler and cheaper as well. No other industry takes full advantage of social media like food truck owners. They utilize this inexpensive marketing tool to get the word out to followers about their location, times, menu, promotions, etc., thereby creating a buzz and often, lunch lines around the block. In addition, food truck owners are not even locked into a certain cuisine, they can change their menus on the fly to comply with whatever their trade demands. This makes food trucks an ideal solution for those who dream of owning their own business, as well as the flexibility not offered brick and mortars to quickly adapt to changing consumer tastes. In a later article, we’ll discuss how to get into the food truck business, the expenses, requirements, et. al. Until then, here is our list of the top ten food trucks currently serving up taste sensations nationwide.

El Toro Loco, Miami FLA

In Brazil the word for barbecue is Churrascaria, and that is that you’ll get in this carnivore’s delight. (Vegans, scroll down, you’ll have your day, too.) Strangely, this steakhouse on wheels began as a butcher shop! Now it offers a full menu featuring Brazilian pork sausage, pork ribs, filet mignon wrapped in crisp bacon, and cue-based meals starring succulent leg of lamb. This trendy yet very affordable meals on wheels venue is popular for lunch and dinner.

Seoul Taco, St. Louis, MO

Yep. Get ready for a mobile Korean-Mexican fusion experience. From the land that brought you kimchi and gochujang sauce expect these in tandem with rice, chopped raw veggies, fried egg, cheese, sour cream and crushed sesame seeds in a fried taco shell or rolled into a burrito. Just add a squeeze of lime and rejoice!

Bing Mi Food Truck, Portland, OR, Portland, OR

Food trucks are known for introducing far-flung cuisines and adapting them to local tastes. The Bing Mi truck’s focus is jianbing, a peasant dish from Northern China that elevates breakfast or lunch on the go. The most popular menu items features scrambled eggs, black bean paste, chili sauce, pickled veggies, along with green onion and crispy noodles all rolled into a crepe. Yes, a crepe that combines the tastes of sweet and sour, spicy, crunchy and chewy all in one deeply satisfying bite.

Aloha Plate, Honolulu, HI

A 4th season win on the Food Network’s acclaimed “Great Food Truck Race” jump started this local favorite known for its authentic Hawaiian cuisine. Popular with natives as well as tourists, Aloha Plate is best known for their braised beef Loco Moco, Huli Huli Chicken Tacos, Venison Chili Moco, and Pork Adobo. Owners/brothers Adam and Lanai Tabura do not have culinary degrees, rather they rely on their mom’s recipes, including those that feature Hawaii’s signature protein, Spam.

El Guapo, Detroit MI

One might think the food truck industry in Michigan is centered around college towns like Ann Arbor. Not so! Since 2011 El Guapo Fresh Mexican Grill (hungry yet?) has offered authentic tacos, burritos, and more as well as specialties like their pork belly taco and shrimp burrito. Best of all, and the reason this gem makes our list, is the price: nothing costs more than $9. Eat hearty in the Motor City!

The Cinnamon Snail, NYC, NY

Only in a town full of food trucks could we find a deserving vegan restaurant on wheels. Still not certain why it is so named, but the fare is anything but ordinary. Vegan sandwiches are the order of the day and include their Red Curry Tofu on a grilled pretzel bun with pickled jalapenos, carrots, curried cashews, arugula, and Sriracha mayo. Their burger is crafted from sage-smoked seitan with baked ziti, marinated kale, smoked chili coconut bacon (yes!), and roasted garlic aioli. Many of their foods are cooked sous vide. They’ll gladly adapt their menu items for the gluten intolerant, however be warned that there are also over 30 doughnuts and pastries daily. The only wonder is where they keep all their ingredients!

Oink and Moo, Florham Park, NJ

A New Jersey staple since 2012 this cue joint burst on the scene and, in lieu of opening risky additional brick and mortars, quickly dispatched food trucks throughout the state. What’s the fare? Sliders, chili, tacos, ribs, and quesadillas with beef brisket or pulled pork as the protein. And locals as far as Philly (land of the cheesesteak) cannot get or say enough good things about Oink and Moo’ goods!

Bite Into Maine, Cape Elizabeth, ME

When the world beats a path to your door, your truck can stay put. Long a Cape Elizabeth staple, the Bite Into Maine food truck offers every known variation of lobster roll including Maine (with mayo), Connecticut (hold the mayo), curry, wasabi, chipotle, and their house version on a bed of coleslaw. Every roll is made using locally sourced lobster and tastes even fresher than you can imagine! P. S.: Their scratch-made desserts from local fruit are worth the trip alone!

The Waffle Bus, Houston, TX

The Waffle Bus came out of somewhere to become a top contender on numerous lists and was featured on The Food Network, Cooking Channel, and Zagat. Waffles. Sweet or savory, it is what they do. For an upscale treat, try their Strawberry Irish Cream Brulee. Looking for dinner? The Waffle Bus’ twist on fried chicken and waffles includes spicy mayo or ancho chile honey!

House of Mac, Miami, FLA

Not your mama’s Mac and Cheese! Classically trained chef/owner Derrick Turton serves up unique combinations of this childhood staple using ingredients such as crab meat, beef, salmon, and pizza! This food truck’s constantly innovative menu rates top billing and it’s over 50,000 social media followers agree!

Check out our other posts on Restaurants.

The post Top 10 Food Trucks in the U.S. appeared first on Koshka.

Whereas up until 2007 (the year before the economic crisis), a number of high-powered sports models made the top sellers list, this year, to date, the entries are serviceable vehicles. These range from true economy models, (the Honda Civic), to the Ram, F-Series, and Silverado trucks the currently favored commercial vehicles. Not a single electric car, nor a luxury model has made the top 15 of 2018 to date. Without further fanfare, at mid-year, here are the top selling cars of 2018, and the numbers sold to date:

1. Toyota Tacoma: 53,779
2. Jeep Wrangler: 55,504
3. Nissan Sentra: 60,002
4. Honda Accord: 61,601
5. Ford Explorer: 52,804
6. Nissan Altima: 63,406
7. Ford Escape: 67,350
8. Honda CRV: 82,046
9. Honda Civic: 82,149
10. Honda Civic: 82,398
11. Honda Civic: 90,767
12. Ram Truck: 103,964
13. Nissan Rogue: 116,454
14. Chevy Silverado: 135,545
15. Ford F-Series: 214,191

Some of the innovations that are prompting buyers to fork over their hard-earned dollars include, back-up cameras, superior sound systems by Bose and other top audio manufacturers, and luxurious interiors including leather seating, even in popular-priced models. Over the past twenty years all our lives have been influenced by the internet. Automakers have embraced connectivity as a means to keep our online-directed lives on track, even when we commute. This functionality can be carried to extremes, however, evidenced by Land Rover’s app which enables users to raise and lower all but the driver’s seat via cell phone. Still other amenities which close the sale for many buyers are once-high end only options, such as all-wheel drive, now standard on many entry-level and mid-range lines.
More Buying Options Than Ever Before

Another reason for buyer confusion is the more expansive array of models, let alone buying options they face when considering a new ride. A decade ago one could purchase a new or used vehicle from a dealership, run the VIN and see if a vehicle had been in any accidents. Today, prospects know to ask the dealer for individual vehicle history reports like CarFax, or Car Guru, producing these documents has become requisite at most resellers. Another option for locating a reliable used car had been to peruse the classified ads in community or local newspapers hoping for a bargain. These ads are fewer and far between now as many older vehicles remain in the family, handed down to college-age children, or become commuter cars.

Car owners looking to upgrade or downsize today are face with choices that did not exist in their price range when they went car shopping previously. Since that time, reliable electric, hybrid, and crossover vehicles have entered the mass marketplace. Luxury marques such as BMW and Mercedes Benz, even Tesla now produce entry-level vehicles with an under $40K base sticker. Another consideration for today’s car buyers is the multiple driver car. At first they may be the sole driver, but during the course of ownership, the new vehicle will become the car that their children drive/own for the remainder of its service life.

In the end, every car-buying decision comes down to receiving the biggest bang for the buck, whatever the budget. Will the sluggish 2018 car sales metric recover? Possibly. The current model year vehicles are offered at reduced prices beginning in mid-May to make room for the following year models, which debut in September. Only a few years ago, these reductions began in July, and dealer lots were empty by late August. The strength of automakers’ marketing and promotions will determine the 2018 sales outcome for the remaining months. One such option is to extend the sales season, offering the best prices up front, not when only the less desirable models are left. Also to utilize online marketing strategies such as website-based promotions, email marketing, and social media campaigns that target specific demographics using peer recommendations to drive last-minute sales.

In 2018, the need for a new/used car will be supported by how affordable dealers and automakers make their varied options, as well as how each is presented to the buying public. This year, and going forward, driving (pun intended) home the concept of value to cash-strapped consumers via social media and other online outlets they have come to trust, will most likely seal the deal and influence more sales than TV and print ads alone. We’ll recap first quarter 2019 and see!

The post Mid-Year 2018: What Cars are Hot, What Cars are Not, and Why appeared first on Koshka.

Named for the elusive, eccentric Serbian inventor, Nikola Tesla, readers may be surprised to learn that the company was not founded by its current, high-profile CEO, Elon Musk. Instead, the organization was originally founded in 2003 and financed by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. These men saw an opportunity to launch a successful electric car company after GM recalled its entire unsold electric car output and destroyed them. Musk took over in 2008 with the goal to create affordable mass-market electric vehicles. His strategy to infiltrate the consumer market was to first produce commercial electric vehicles, then high-end sports cars, finally rolling out affordable sedans and compacts to appeal to the mass market.

Musk has flourished in his role as Tesla Motor’s guide overseeing Operations on a day-to-day basis. The firm’s first public stock offering, brought out in 2010 was for $17 per share. At today’s closing, Tesla Motors stock sold for $355 per share. Another first, most automotive manufacturers gladly accepted the U.S. Government’s bailout funding as part of 2009’s economic stimulus package. However, only Tesla Motors fully repaid the loan in May, 2013. Throughout the years, the automaker has repeatedly drawn fire for its maverick ways of raising funding to finance production and to pay off existing loans. Which brings us to the present.

Employee Sabotage Halts Production

In that weekend late-night email, Musk stated that in response to not receiving a wanted promotion, an Operations-based staffer confessed to having “sabotaged” the output at the company’s Freemont California plant. Specifically the employee altered the computer code that governed the company’s manufacturing operating system. This system was then hacked, and that several gigabytes of company-private data were (presumably) exported to unknown third parties not in Musk’s employ. The scheme was carefully devised so that the hacking software was operating on three separate computer systems assigned to other individuals at Tesla. This action would serve two purposes: to ensure that data would continue to be exported even after the hacker left the company, and to erroneously implicate those individuals. In addition, Musk stated that ‘false claims were made to the media.’

Musk’s email read in part, “There are a long list of organizations that want Tesla to die,” Musk wrote. “These include Wall Street short-sellers, who have already lost billions of dollars and stand to lose a lot more. Then there are the oil and gas companies, the wealthiest industries in the world — they don’t love the idea of Tesla advancing the progress of solar power and electric cars. Don’t want to blow your mind, but rumor has it that those companies are sometimes not super nice. Then there are the multitude of big gas/diesel car company competitors. If they’re willing to cheat so much about emissions, maybe they’re willing to cheat in other ways?”

In addition on Sunday night production of Model 3s was halted by a small fire, whose cause has not been determined. Asked if the fire and computer sabotage were related, Musk quoted Intel’s former CEO by stating, “Only the Paranoid survive.” He then asked his staffers to be vigilant about any activities that “…are not in the best interests of our company.”

Please note that the need to for Tesla Motors to produce 5,000 units a week is not entirely in response to the public’s demand for the Tesla Model 3. Rather, producing and selling 5K units a week is said to keep Musk’s automotive division from going under. Also note that Musk’s varied enterprises each have a history of teetering on the brink of failure, and Musk’s strategies including investing his own money to purchase his companies’ stock have been implemented with success.

Another view of the latest Model 3 production delay is that Musk’s enterprises thrive on media attention. After all, everyone roots for the underdog. Therefore the public will likely rush to support Musk in his endeavour to produce an affordable electric car, no matter how long the delay. So, despite detractors in the form of internal hackers, possible arsonists, stockbrokers, yellow journalists, et.al., the Model 3 seems to be on track to defy the odds yet again, and to make Musk’s automotive empire profitable- someday. As a man who earned and lost fortunes, as well as weathered many affronts from competitors and the media, Nikola Tesla would be justly proud.

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