The full moon brings out people’s rowdy tendencies, so why not channel that energy into a fantastic evening with like-minded revelers? This Saturday marks the Ritz-Carlton South Beach’s inaugural Full Moon Party at DiLido Beach Club, the only ocean front lounge in South Beach.  For the occasion, the hotel will offer specially priced cocktails and a mouth-watering menu of Mediterranean delights prepared by Chef Jeff McInnis of Top Chef fame. When not captivated by the moon, turn your attention to the exotic entertainment, which will include belly dancers, fortune tellers, and a deejay spinning world lounge music from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

If your schedule is already booked this Saturday, don’t fret; The Full Moon Parties will also be held throughout the year when the moon is at its most stunning.

Sunday, February 8
Wednesday, March 11
Thursday, April 9
Saturday, May 9
Sunday, June 7
Tuesday, July 7
Thursday, August 6
Friday, September 4
Sunday, October 4
Sunday, November 1
Wednesday, December 2

Cirrus Design Corp., maker of Cirrus SR20, SR22, the 22 turbo version, SRS, and the category killing Vision SJ50, began production Monday after a month-long winter timeout. 500 furloughed employees will gradually be recalled, meaning suppliers can get back in the game as well (they used the downturn to diversify, always a good thing). Cirrus is capable of producing 16 aircraft per week, but in order to be in line with market conditions, the the firm has its sights set at eight. It’s well positioned competitively, with a focused commitment to the Vision Jet program, ongoing innovation in their piston products, and their flexible lean-manufacturing capabilities. It also has a strong balance sheet and sound financial performance, receiving strong support from its primary backer, Bahrain-based Arcapita Bank. Cirrus plans to recall each of 165 workers to its Grand Forks facility, and about 265 of 335 to its Duluth facility by the end of the week. The company provided insurance benefits for its workers throughout its month-long shutdown and “offered supplemental pay to complement unemployment,” according to the Duluth News Tribune. Moving forward, the company plans to remain nimble in adjusting its workforce capacity, making changes as demand requires. Cirrus suppliers will lag behind, slightly. One Cirrus component manufacturer, Northstar Aerospace, will bring its workforce back to 40 percent over the first months of the year. Another, SCS Aircraft Interiors, recently invested more than $2.5 million to install a facility in Duluth and relies on Cirrus for 75 percent of its business. Cirrus’ return to production is essential to SCS’ viability.

http://www.luxist.com/2009/01/05/cirrus-begins-plane-production-again/

Mike Shanahan: Englewood, Colorado

Famed watchmaker Cartier is releasing their latest model at this year’s Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie Genéve later this month. Entitled the Baignoire Grande Modele, the woman’s watch harks back to the early 20th century when Cartier released one if its most beautiful lines sharing the same name, as the shape of the watch was originally (and still is) inspired by the Baignoire bathtub. This updated model is traditional in function but offers a larger case that is comprised of 18k rose gold with a solid silver dial adorned with sunburst guilloche machine polishing. Inside the casing lies the thin manually wound Piaget 430C movement offering the ultimate precision. Details such as the Roman numeral hour makers, blue hands, and sapphire jewel cabochon set in the crown makes the traditional remake one of the finest. The beige strap is made of the finest satin and the buckle is made of 18k gold, completing the look.

No one sets a trend like monarchs, and England’s royal family proves this fact with their latest green efforts. Prince Charles had his Aston Martin converted to run on bio-ethanol made from aged English wine, and his Audi, Jaguar, and Range Rover all run on old cooking fat. The Queen Mother has followed her son’s actions and is having her two bespoke Bentley limousines converted to run on bio-fuels. Bentley has been making its own effort to go green by designing new engines to replace the 400bhp twin-turbo 6.75-liter V8 engines that previously powered the Queen’s Limos. The new engine models are part of the company’s “flex-fuel” system, and all new Bentley cars will have the capability to run on both plant-derived fuel and petrol. The famed automakers new initiatives are predicted to improve fuel economy by as much as 40 percent by 2012, and with the Queen’s support this trend is sure to take off.

In this market, it is important to choose your investments wisely. The stock market is not looking like the soundest place to put your money, but real estate-especially the kind that provides annual income-is always a sound choice. The Bordeaux brand Château Latour, considered one of the Medoc region’s finest, is being offered by François Pinault for $200 million to $280 million-the exact price is up for debate.  (Pinault bought the vineyard in 1993 for $150 million; his current financial troubles are the reason for the sale.) The price will get the lucky investor 190 acres of Bordeaux vineyards, but only grapes from the 115 acres that surround the actual chateau at the heart of the estate are used to make the Grand Vin de Château Latour. The grapes offer a sound ROI: A case of the 1961 vintage fetched an impressive $170,000 at auction by Christie’s in Hong Kong last month.

Via London Times

The spawn of soccer superstar is already rolling in style. As the saying goes, like father, like son, and since David Beckham has a well-known penchant for fine autos, it makes sense that this affinity is passed along to his baby boys. And while most little ones cut their motoring teeth in a Power Wheel, when you are making the type of bank the Beckhams are, only the best will do. In this case, “the best” refers to a $72,610 customized toy Porsche that the eldest son, Brooklyn, is driving. The single-seater toy car is handcrafted and is powered by a diesel engine. While not street legal, Brooklyn can cruise in the expansive backyard of the Beckham’s Beverly Hills manse.

Via Born Rich

Happy New Year! Did 2008 treat you (and your stock portfolio) well? No? You are not alone. Many of even the most well-to-do billionaires weren’t pounding the bubbly when the ball dropped to celebrate the new year but to drown their sorrows about the last. But, according to the wealthiest among us, 2009 might bring the light at the end of this recession tunnel.

Forbes talked to 12 members of its infamous Billionaires List and got their predictions about what 2009 will bring. While many of those queried predicted the Dow to bottom out in the next three months, Randal J. Kirk eloquently quoted quote Goldwyn: “Nobody knows nothing.”  So what do you think will happen in ‘09? Check out the link to see what the billionaires predict. And for those so brazen,  the entire questionnaire is listed below; leave your predictions in the comment field.

1. What is the most alarming trend facing the economy today?

2. What will a barrel of oil cost next December?

3. What level will the Dow bottom out at? When will this happen?

4. When will the economy return to positive growth?

5. What levels of unemployment will reach in 2009?

6. What is the first fiscal policy decision the Obama administration should make in January, and how much market regulation should they pursue?

7. Has your attitude toward philanthropy changed as the economy has faltered?

8. What’s the 800-pound financial gorilla in the room?

9. In 2008 the minimum fortune required to be ranked on The Forbes 400 was $1.3 billion. What do you believe the price of admission will be in 2009?

10. What is your bold prediction for 2009?

Forbes

This 6,962 square foot executive semi-furnished home has marble tiled floors with mahogany wood walls and some mahogany built in furniture, cedar lined closets,  central a/c, ceiling fans and carpeted stairways. 7 bedrooms, 7 baths. The master bathroom has a large whirlpool marble tun and separate shower. Chandelier fixtures are in all of the common rooms. A large pool with pool house is situated at the rear of the house.

Offered @ $4,300,000

Contact Kings Realty @ 242.394.4397 or bahamas@kingsrealty.com. Or visit www.kingsrealty.com.

Red, The Steakhouse’s original Cleveland location has been featured as one of Gourmet’s top steakhouses, one of America’s top 10 steakhouses in Playboy, and Esquire’s “Prime” locations and top five restaurants.

So when they opened their South Florida location on December 23, we were obviously more than thrilled. Located on South Beach in the South of Fifth neighborhood, Red, The Steakhouse is on track to give Prime 112 a run for its money. Also located nearby is Smith & Wollensky’s, Jeffrey Chodorow’s Kobe Club and Tuscan Steak, as well as the imperial meat houses Texas de Brazil and Fogo de Chao. Apparently, South of Fifthers are hungry for a lotta meat.

And Red is here to answer that call, although in an anti-steakhouse setting. Red, The Steakhouse defines haute minimalism at its very best. Designer Richard A. Lalli, who designed Red in Cleveland, has once again created a space that steers clear of the stereotypical steakhouse. The menu, however, is all about juicy cuts of beef. Red features Certified Angus Beef Prime, on and off the bone, but what may very easily distance Red from its counterparts is its a selection of six very impressive pasta dishes, reflecting the steakhouse’s Mediterranean influence.

And of course, there is red wine. The Cleveland locale has received the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator every year since opening in December 2004, and Miami’s Red is trying to match that. The restaurant will have a selection of more than  500 wines, and it debut its new private label wine at the opening of its Miami location.