President Zarkosy plans leadership of Europe.

PARIS: President Nicolas Sarkozy of France strode into the Napoleon III salon of the Élysée Palace and staked his claim to the leadership of Europe.

It’s so refreshing to have an old allie’s return. Putting up with his predecessor was stifling, realizing that the general French population continued to exist under a regressive socialist govt. under the command of an old president wedged in era long gone.

Pres. Sarkozy made his position clear:

"I can't be criticized for wanting first place for France," Sarkozy said in an interview with The New York Times and the International Herald Tribune, his first with English-language news organizations since becoming president last May. He added, "If France doesn't take the lead, who will?"

"I want to tell the American people that the French people are their friends," he said. "We are not simply allies. We are friends. I am proud of being a friend of the Americans. You know, I am saying this to The New York Times, but I have said it to the French, which takes a little more courage and is a little more difficult. I have never concealed my admiration for American dynamism, for the fluidity of American society, for its ability to raise people of different identities to the very highest levels."

Feel welcome to read the speech in its entirety.

Fabulous French Cuisine, Fabulous American Food

Any French restaurant with a star is a revelation. Anything less would make some of the average restaurants in the US look pretty special ...New England seafood, South West Mexican, Louisiana Creole and ......North Carolina barbeque, South Carolina shrimp. And the price is hard to argue with. I’m surprised there aren’t more Restaurants Américain popping up in France where ExPats hang out.

One item in day-to-day French restaurants that reminds me of certain restaurants in the US—in particular Italian Restaurants in San Francisco—is the over cooked spinach. Spinach is cooked to mush, and is always le végétarien du jour. With the exception of North Beach Restaurant, this is the San Francisco North Beach one and only vegetable. When I found it popping up in
restaurants moyens (average restaurants) in France, I felt kind of let down.

So if hand shaped carrots in a 2-star restaurant are for you, go for it. And make sure your credit card has plenty of room.

Of course the three food items the French excel in are bread, wine and cheese, and they’re considerably less expensive than hand shaped carrots.

Bon appétit

CAN YOU BELIEVE, “St. GREENSPAN” DIDN’T KNOW?

Even Alan Greenspan didn’t realize the danger to the nation’s economy as a result of faulty mortgage loans. As Chairman of the Federal Reserve, wouldn’t mortgage fall under his watch? His explanation is in “Fed Speak,” as are all communications from the Federal Reserve.

As I understand it, the idea behind the Federal Reserve is to keep things running smoothly, so banks that are members of the Fed are federally insured, which should be reassuring to depositors. It seems that there were fraudulent practices that were swept under the rug: the Feds ignored, lenders denied, and borrowers are hung out to dry with.

So now we discover that Alan Greenspan wasn’t the financial genius he was thought to be,or he was asleep at the switch? His explanation: "It’s difficult for regulators to control." And unfortunately it seems his replacement is proving no more helpful controlling the mortgage loan business than he was.

As home buyers and sellers ponder what to do next in today's volatile real estate and money markets, the conflicting opinions of industry professionals may not offer much help. Greed, the original raison d'être, continues to triumph.

A number of loan programs, once widely available, have disappeared, or now require larger down payments, higher credit scores and more thorough income and asset documentation. Some people have found the original loan they qualified for no longer exists.

Credit tightening at the jumbo end of the market, means agents are having to learn "different ways of putting deals together." Deals that include sellers paying points to buy down the buyer's interest rate, making deals contingent on buyers first selling their homes, or even more modest incentives such as paying off homeowner association fees.

It looks like the borrowers and their lenders are proving more creative than the Feds when creating a means of dealing with this conundrum.

Chicago, USA, Considering Adopting Paris Self-Service Bike Scheme

Chicago? (Kind of hard to get around in the snow with a bike. And the humidity without A.C. might be unbearable at times.)

How did we in the perennially warm climate of the California’s South Bay, USA overlook this opportunity to put a major dent in the areas of horrendous gas consumption, and to help get the absurd gas guzzling vehicles off the road. After all, who needs $40,000-plus ego satisfying vehicles for transportation? The French know how to do it...small cars are derigueur. (The price of petrol may have something to do with this.)

But this aside, bicycles are practical. Parking isn't a problem, the cost of renting is far less than gas, and vehicle cost is eliminated. And of course, there is no pollution.

In Paris it works like this: Riders can pick up a bike at any time of day or night, after lodging a 150-euro safety deposit. The first half hour is free, with prices rising to one euro (1.4 dollars) for every extra half hour.

The "Velib" scheme in Paris has 10,000 bicycles at 750 hire points dotted around Paris, with plans for 20,000 bikes at 1,400 hire points by year end.

Residents of the South Bay pride themselves in physical fitness and outdoor sports. Here’s a plan with fascinating possibilities. (Of course. freeway use is not recommended.)

All Cash or Finance?

You’ve spotted the most beautiful chateau in France and cash is burning a hole in your pocket. Why bother with a morgage and the additional costs?

True, paying cash for a 2nd home or investment property will avoid interest payments. However, paying 100 percent cash for any residence is risky, especially when you are buying in an unfamiliar or vacation area.

It would seem imprudent to tie up a large amount of cash in one asset, which might be difficult to sell if you need cash or if unforseen problems should occur. A mortgage of 50 to 80 percent of the purchase price might be the safest approach. Once one becomes comfortable with the property and area, refinancing should be available.

Buying a property in a foreign country is always an emotional experience. Don’t let subjectivity fog your decisions.

Come visit: Burgundy,Cluny,RhoneAlps,Lyon,Beaune,Macon,Bresse,
Auvergne,Moulins,Vichy.

Le vin au tonneau?

Why not ? We can find just about everything known to man ‘on draft’ in the U.S.. Why not wine? Sure, wine is available on draft in bars, saloons & licensed restaurants.

Wine refills are available in France at roadside free-standing wine kiosks you'll see dotting the country, particularly in the south, among the very vineyards whose wine they are selling.

The one in the picture above, for example, sits right on the edge of Collioure, selling the region's famous rosés, and faces the most beautiful sight imaginable: those steep terraced hills whose vineyards produce Banyuls.

Yes, you can buy it here by the bottle; but if you take your empty Perrier or Volvic containers, the proprietor will fill them up, tout de suite, and charge you (next to nothing!) by the liter. Take an even bigger container and you've got table wine for a week.

Best of all, as someone who has been known to over-imbibe on occasion, I can tell you that the stuff is good. Very. So here's to wine on tap; now that's French!

In France, wine is an everyday member of the table, and a healthy ingredient. Wouldn’t it be nice if Coke and products of it’s ilk could make the same claim?

At our Annual Beach Arts and Crafts exhibits, beer and wine corrals are constructed so that imbibers—alcoholic consumers—can “enjoy” alcoholic beverges. Like a collection of pets that must be isolated from the general public. If wine is consumed of course in the context of a tasting at the local Country Club, it’s elevated to another level.

Being a wine aficionado, I kind of like the appreciation of, and freedom to enjoy, one of Gods finest gifts to man. The French love of wine is tradition.

Come visit: Burgundy,Cluny,RhoneAlps,Lyon,Beaune,Macon,Bresse,
Auvergne,Moulins,Vichy.