New luxury car brands have a tough road to travel, literally. Competing with established brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin and the like require just as much compelling marketing endeavors as quality cars! Enter McLaren.
McLaren will be launching its first model, as I have previously covered, the MP4-12C sports car, next month at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Prior to the Pebble Beach show, it will be seen this month at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England, for the antsy types.
So it is "Ole! Ole-Ole-Ole!" that is ringing out across Spain and everywhere there are fans of the now-World Cup Champions for 2010.
Spain claimed its first ever world soccer title with a 1-0 extra-time victory over the Netherlands in Sunday’s final in Johannesburg, South Africa.
It was a rough game, with the Dutch having played very aggressively, tackling dangerously-hard, taking legs out from under Spanish forwards, and, in general, playing what some described as "dirty football." They said they felt they had to be aggressive in an effort to stop Spain from its famous "keep-away" tactics of ball possession.
The hard tackling and repeated fouls and holding resulted in 13 "yellow-cards" or cautions handed out by the referee during the match. Eight were slapped on the Dutch, and by the final minutes, they were forced to play one-man short as a result of all the "carding."
With the man-advantage, Spain was able to capitalize, as Andres Iniesta scored the winner with four minutes left in a thirty-minute extra period, giving Spain the 1-nil victory and preventing the match from being decided on penalty-kicks.
Observers around the world were critical of the way the championship game was played, saying the final was "not good football." Among the critics was Sepp Blatter, the boss of FIFA, the world governing body for football, who said it was "a shame," and that a "lack of fair play" in his view, spoiled the final. Even former Dutch superstar, Johan Cruyff, who led the Netherlands to World Cup final appearances in 1974 and 1978, was unimpressed with the play of his countrymen, calling it "dirty and ugly" and he added that Spain deserved the victory.
For their part, the Spaniards are just happy to be home, with the victory and with the trophy. They have the coveted golden statue in their hands for the first time in the 80-year history of the tournament, and they become just the eighth team in the world ever to win it.
The team flew to Spain immediately from South Arica to begin celebrating with their fans. When their plane arrived at Madrid’s Barajas Airport on Monday morning, goalkeeper and team captain, Iker Casillas, was first to emerge and he raised the World Cup trophy for the hundreds of cheering airport workers who began chanting "Campeones" or "Champions" as the players filed off into the 100-degree heat.
The squad had an audience with the Spanish King, Juan Carlos, and later with the country’s Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and then set off for an open-topped bus tour around the capital city where throngs of people lined the streets, cheering, singing and waving flags. The bus tour would be followed by a giant rally on a specially set-up stage on the banks of the Manzanares river where hundreds of thousands of fans gathered.
Suffice it to say, there will be quite a "fiesta" going on in Spain this week.
And it’s safe to assume that the players are happy for another reason. In addition to the huge salaries they will return to at their individual clubs like Real Madrid, and Barcelona FC, the FIFA organization gives 31-million Euros to the Spanish Soccer Federation for the World Cup victory. Each of the 23 players will receive 600,000 Euros, or $756,000 USD for their victory. Ole!
Nice pay for a month’s work. That might just put another luxury car in the driveway, and certainly afford them any luxury car rental in any city they choose!
Two new teams definitely made the World Cup final interesting!
When the trophy was awarded to the winners of soccer’s World Cup, it was destined to be a special joy for the players and for the nation of either team, as each was in line for a first-time champion.
Spain faced the Netherlands in the World Cup final on Sunday in Johannesburgh, South Africa, and the anticipation for both countries and their fans were off the charts.
Spain has never won the World Cup until now, and has never before reached the final. This, in spite of the fact they are one of the most respected teams in the game, sporting a roster full of elite players, and are the reigning European champions, having claimed that crown in 2008.
They dispatched a strong German team in Wednesday’s semi-final, winning 1-0 in an efficient, and impressive display of ball control and relentless pressure.
The Dutch whipped Argentina and England with 4 -goal outbursts in both games, and booked a spot in the final, edging pesky Uruguay 3-2.
The Netherlands have reached the final game twice before, losing to Germany in 1974, and to Argentina in 1978. It has been years of disappointment since then as they have fielded teams full of fabulous players, but have always fallen short. Earlier this week, after the semi-final win by The Netherlands, Amsterdam’s Museum Square was awash in the orange colors of the team and with celebrating fans, thrilled that they stood a chance to win the World Cup.
The Spanish were similarly jubilant on Wednesday. The goal that sent Spain to the final, came from veteran defender, Carles Puyol, and not only elicited tears of joy and much hugging and singing of "Ole! Ole! Ole!" back in Madrid’s Plaza Mayor, but even had the normally poised Queen Sofia jumping to her feet and cheering from her spot in the stands at the match in South Africa. The final game was even sweeter!
Emotions run deep among soccer fans, and these finalists were two of the most passionate sports nations in the world. A "virgin" victory was assured for one of them, and Spain certainly deserved it!
Really? The NBA’s top player turns his decision about where to play next year into TV reality affair? Yes, it came down to that. But it seems the world has become accustomed to that route.
But however cheesy, and however manipulative it was, however it was milked to keep the NBA top-of-mind in the off-season…..it is official, LeBron James is headed for Miami!
He will complete a troika of superstars that will now patrol the hardwood in South Florida and turn the Heat into instant favorites to win the league title.
For the weekly dose of what is happening in Chicago, Imagine Lifestyles is going to step out of the box and look in a new direction. This week we take you to Highland Park, IL, one of the north shore’s nicest suburbs. So what are we doing in Highland Park you might ask?
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will be presenting Zukerman and Mozart at Ravinia Festival, one of the cities’ best outdoor music venues. World famous violinist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman will be presenting this All-Mozart performance. Look for special guest, Arianna Zuckerman, Pincha’s talented daughter.
One of our favorite things about Ravinia is the easy-access to and from the venue from the city. For those of you looking to avoid the hassles of traffic and even worse the crowded Metra, call Imagine Lifestyles to arrange for a luxury rental car. We can even arrange for your own personal driver for the evening. This will probably be the only time you invite that special someone out for a night of wine, cheese, and Mozart under the stars so make sure you travel in style with one of our exotic rental cars.
With all the headlines about young sailor Abby Sunderland recently while attempting to win the title as the youngest female sailor to circumnavigate the globe, it will certainly be a treat for those attending the Sydney International Boat Show, as Jessica Watson is making an appearance.
Jessica Watson holds the record as the youngest person to sail around the world solo, completing her trip before the ripe old age of 17. Recently, Abby Sunderland was attempting to compete with this record, but ran into some snags and was thankfully rescued.
The thrilling, often-mystifying, heart-in-mouth suspenseful, vuvuzela-blaring World Cup tournament in South Africa is down to four teams in the chase for soccer supremacy.
And it’s not the four countries people were expecting to be there.
Top-rated Brazil is gone, and so is perennial contender, Argentina. Both were shock losers on the weekend in quarterfinal action. Brazil was sent home by the hard-working, methodically efficient Dutch team; and the mercurial and emotional stars on Argentina were disgraced by a 4-0 loss to Germany.
The 18th annual Mango Festival is hitting South Beach July 10th-11th, hosted by Fairchild Garden and featuring the Mangoes of India. There are many layers to this fabulous festival, so don’t miss the one day it comes to fruition!
So why should you attend the Mango Festival? It is a historical celebration of not only a piece of fruit, but of Indian culture, music, cuisine, dance and more.
South Beach is one of the few places in the world where you can immerse yourself in a plethora of cultures, experiencing their lifestyles, food, music, dancing and more.
So the FIFA World Cup has hardly gone as expected during the first round. The vaunted soccer nations from Europe, including defending champions, Italy as well as England and Germany have struggled badly.
Spain, reigning European champions, suffered a stunning opening loss to tiny Switzerland, although they looked better in their second game. Portugal also struggled in their opener but then blasted an unbelievable seven goals into the North Korean net in a lopsided win in their second game.
It is that time of the year again, the time to rack your brain in efforts to come up with a cool gift idea for Father’s Day. Whether you are trying to outdo others in the family, or yourself, I have the perfect idea.
Why not take it up a notch for dear ol’ Dad this year and spring for a helicopter charter Miami style? Imagine the look of sheer surprise and elation on his face when he sees it, and realizes he is not getting just another wallet or pair of socks this year. This year, you could give him the exhilaration of a memory that will make him smile for years to come. And competition? Forget about it. This year, you could be the star (if you are a competitive type).
So it is "Ole! Ole-Ole-Ole!" that is ringing out across Spain and everywhere there are fans of the now-World Cup Champions for 2010. 
have always fallen short. Earlier this week, after the semi-final win by The Netherlands, Amsterdam’s Museum Square was awash in the orange colors of the team and with celebrating fans, thrilled that they stood a chance to win the World Cup.
The thrilling, often-mystifying, heart-in-mouth suspenseful, vuvuzela-blaring World Cup tournament in South Africa is down to four teams in the chase for soccer supremacy.
uit, but of Indian culture, music, cuisine, dance and more. 