Author: Gerardo Orlando

I’m a sucker for luxury sport sedans, so I was excited to drive the updated Acura TL and came away very impressed with the vehicle. This isn’t a stodgy sedan that floats along the road. The TL has real quickness and power with a tight suspension and it will put a smile on your face as soon as you get behind the wheel. Acura has made changes to the previous version of this vehicle that should excite consumers. Exterior The exterior design of the 2012 TL has been refined from the previous version and represents a huge leap forward for…

The Nissan Cube is a Mini MPV that has been around in Japan for over 10 years but was introduced in North America in 2009. We tested the 2011 Cube 1.8 S Krom®, a specialty edition with exclusive sport body pieces, 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a custom interior with exclusive black and gray seats, and other premium features. Exterior MPV stands for “multi-purpose vehicle,” and Mini MPVs are subcompacts characterized by a taller build. The Cube has a boxy design softened by curves and rounded edges with oval design elements for the large windows. The most striking feature is the asymmetrical…

The 2011 Elantra Limited offers yet another impressive offering from Hyundai. This compact sedan will fool you into thinking you’re driving something larger and more expensive, even though you’re in a very affordable vehicle that gets best-in-class 29 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway. With the Limited version you’re also getting leather seats with front- and rear-seat heaters, a sunroof and 17-inch alloy wheels. Exterior We’re seeing bold styling coming out of Hyundai, and the Elantra is no exception. Hyundai calls its design language Fluidic Sculpture which aptly describes the overall impression one gets when looking…

Craps is one of the best casino games, but few people know how to play. Even some Vegas regulars don’t feel comfortable walking up to a craps table, even though they’ve heard the yelling and screaming at hot tables for years. Craps is complicated for novices because there are so many bets you can make, with so many players making bets all over the table all at the same time. To most uneducated observers, the craps table appears to be chaotic. Yet it’s controlled chaos, and if you get familiar with just a few of the basics, you can feel…

The first time you see the totally redesigned 2011 Kia Sportage you’re going to be impressed with the design. This sporty crossover is a real eye-catcher with a sleek and modern look that makes you completely forget the previous versions of this vehicle. The Sportage was designed by Peter Schreyer, former designer for Audi who has taken over as the Chief Design Officer at Kia. I had the EX AWD version to drive for a week, and I didn’t want to give it back. Exterior The new Sportage looks great from every angle. The roof lines are low and create…

In another article, we discussed some ideas for charitable giving. Yet there’s so much more that you can do for others besides donating money. Many people don’t have a lot of money to give, particularly in these difficult economic times, but you can give back to the community and help others by donating your time or possibly your expertise. In many ways, these charitable activities are even more rewarding, as you can get to see firsthand how people are helped by your contribution. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Imagine the satisfaction of helping someone build their home. Imagine working with your hands,…

Unfortunately, we’ve seen an awful avalanche of tragedies over the past year all around the world, from the earthquake in Haiti to the tsunami in Japan. More recently, the disasters have hit home, as we’ve experienced the most destructive tornado season in years. Hundreds have died in Alabama and Missouri, and we’ve seen a staggering amount of destruction. In times like these, people come together and the outpouring of support can make a huge difference for those caught up in the disaster. Organizations like the Red Cross have seen an impressive spike in donations. While disasters highlight the need to…

We all understand the importance of tipping service providers like waitresses and bellhops who rely on tips for a large part of their income, but if you’re a newbie to casinos in Las Vegas or other cities, you should know that it’s often appropriate to tip your dealer as well. The key is knowing how and when to do it. When you’re playing at the tables in Vegas, you’ll learn pretty quickly that there are rules for everything. When you’re placing a bet, you need to stack your chips in one stack. In a single-deck blackjack game you hold your…

The Dodge Durango is back as a 2011 model after being sidelined for a short time, and I had the opportunity to test drive the new SUV in the beautiful setting of the San Francisco bay area. While Dodge retained essential elements like three rows of seating and towing capacity in this third generation of the Durango, the new version sports sleek styling and an improved driving experience that should broaden the appeal of the vehicle. The older Durangos looked and felt like trucks, offering a very practical option to drivers with large families or an active lifestyle. With its…

For years I’ve felt that the American auto brands each needed a sport sedan the evoked the best traditions of the brand while offering a stylish yet affordable option for the American car market. Specifically, they needed cars that would appeal to American men who didn’t want to break the bank buying a high end sports car or a pricey European sedan. After Dodge gave me the opportunity to drive the completely redesigned 2011 Dodge Charger R/T AWD through the winding roads of Highway 1 outside of San Francisco, I’m convinced that Dodge has a winner that will satisfy this…