In this issue:

In Destinations: Perhaps it is a cliché to say that the Caribbean is heaven on earth. But to someone lying on a fine white sandy beach under a swaying palm tree, as they stare into the aqua green turquoise waters that dissolve magically into a clear sapphire blue sky… they might disagree. By Barbara Penny Angelakis

In Arts and Antiques: On a recent trip to the heart of England, I was presented with a ticket to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s performance of “The Taming of the Shrew” in Stratford-Upon-Avon. By Manos Angelakis

Also in Destinations: Birmingham, is often considered the second most important city in the United Kingdom. By Manos Angelakis

In Events: A tasting I recently enjoyed at the Oyster Bar in New York, was designed to identify our choice of Sauvignon Blanc to serve with four types of seafood -- oysters, scallops, crab cakes and wild salmon. By Morton Hochstein

In Hotels & Resorts: The Lodge at Chaa Creek, in the Cayo District of the tiny Central American country of Belize, mixes Eco-tourism with luxury accommodations. By Barbara Penny Angelakis

In Gastronomy: Writing about food and cooking, and wine and spirits, and traveling to exotic places to taste native foods is my mission and I recently discovered my beliefs are basic to the message of Slow Food. By Benay Bernstein

Also in Hotels & Resorts: The all-suite Palazzo Las Vegas, picks up right where the Venetian leaves off. By Buzzy Gordon

In The Oeno File: I think I have a definitive answer to the cork vs. Stelvin™ closure controversy. By Manos Angelakis

In Cook’s Corner: A very tasty Cantaloupe Salad Recipe. By Exec. Chef Rob Pronk, The Lodge at Chaa Creek

From the Editor’s Desk

In Memoriam.

George Carlin was a genius, a counterculture hero that constantly breached on stage the acceptable norms, challenging us to examine such things as the influence of religion in everyday language, misplaced shame, and free speech.

Unapologetically irreverent, Mr. Carlin had an exceptional repertory ranging from cerebral satire to cultural commentary. In one of his most famous routines, he commented on the use of euphemisms in American culture. He believed they had become so widespread that in our country no one can simply “die”. He said, “Because of our fear of death in this country I won’t have to die, I will ‘pass away’. Or, I’ll ‘expire’, like a magazine subscription. If it happens in a hospital, they’ll call it ‘a terminal episode’. The insurance company will refer to my passing as ‘negative patient care outcome’. And if it’s the result of malpractice, they’ll say it was a ‘therapeutic misadventure’”.

George Carlin was a philosopher and astute social commentator on the human condition. He spent a lot of time blasting religion, politics, and political correctness. He all but invented the standup comedy TV special at HBO. He helped launch “Saturday Night Live” at NBC and graced more than a few movies. He won four Grammy Awards for best-spoken comedy album and was nominated for five Emmys. A few weeks ago, it was announced that he was being awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Many of his routines are now classics; including “The Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television”, a routine that resulted in a 1978 Supreme Court decision which kept taboo on broadcast television many of those seven words, up until a few years ago. I’m particularly fond of his ode to hair “My wife bought some hair at a fair, to use as a spare. Did I despair? Au contraire. Spare hair is fair”.

George Carlin died on Sunday, June 22, 2008. He did not “pass away”, he did not “expire”, he died. And our country is poorer for his death.