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For a lot of us, the holidays means some manner of travel so that we can spend the time with our families. But sometimes, that travel means your family comes to you. The bonus in that scenario is - obviously - you don't have to deal with a lot of the stress and rigmarole that goes into traveling during the busiest season of the year to travel in. But on the down side? Now you have to clean house, potentially do some cooking, and figure out how you're going to entertain the family unit for however many days they're visiting.



Stumped for things to do so that they're kept busy and you're not tearing your hair out? Luckily, we have some suggestions that might help.

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Finding a good bartender can be a challenge at times. Finding the best one? You're getting into needle-in-a-haystack territory. But one company isn't just looking for the best, they're looking for the finest... and the finest in the world of gin.



EWG Spirits & Wine's G'Vine, Gin de France officially announced the G'Vine 2010 Connoisseur Program in late October, an official worldwide quest for the finest gin bartender.

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Isla Vista beaches and parks in Santa Barbara County, Calif. has a permanent ban on alcohol as of Wednesday. The reason given for the ordinance is the safety of the community. The beach, which just enjoyed a night of Halloween partying, will now require a special-event permit if alcohol is going to be consumed at an event. Violations can result in a fine of $100 to $500.



Back in April of this year, there was an event called Floatopia, where around 12,000 guests came to the beach to party. Along with the partying came leftover trash. Plans for another party appeared on Facebook and the number of RSVPs was already up to 10,000 for the event. But this emergency ordinance put an end to the party. As a result, the amount of trash left on the beach will decline.

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As we're getting into the mid-Autumn season, diners everywhere are seeing variety and, most importantly, good value on restaurant menus.

The holiday season is officially on, and that means we're seeing a big focus on seasonal ingredients. Frascati in San Francisco serves a hearty smoked trout salad that's accented with persimmon and pomegranate.

Nobhill Tavern in Las Vegas has a fall tasting menu that features celery root soup and maple creme brulee. Meanwhile, Denver's Rioja has Muscovy duck, brussell sprouts, figs, and quince on their menu.

In terms of budgets, many of us won't be shelling out hundreds of dollars on fancy meals. At The Peninsula Beverly Hills, posh dinner entrees are now starting at the mid-$20 range.

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We're barely into the holiday season, and already charities are reporting up to a 30% increase in assistance requests. And while a lot of charities go the traditional route of offering food drives, soup kitchens and the like, there are a lot of outlets that are looking at doing more targeted approaches to helping the homeless this year.



For example, the New York City Rescue Mission is holding a coat drive, an annual event that takes place through November and December wherein residents are encouraged to donate their old winter coats to people who need them most.

And it seems their coat drive has caught fire elsewhere in the nation.

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Holiday travel can be stressful and expensive, but that doesn't mean you should skip your vacay. If you can't get home to the family this holiday season, why not plan a great staycation?



Here are ten ways to enjoy your time off right in your own neck of the woods:

1. Check Out a Museum
This a wonderful way to spend the day and we bet you haven't been to a museum in a while. If you've got the kids in tow, a children's museum is great fun.

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Ladies, it's time to take your special man out on a fun date! Sadie Hawkins Day is next weekend, and for once you're in charge of asking the guy out and planning the date. There are plenty of fun ideas to charm the sweetheart in your life. Here are some great activities to generate some sparks:

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As a born and bred Canadian, I have to say that after living in your fair country for the last ten years, I have come to know and love it well, and adopt it as my second home.

I love Target, I get an endless amount of enjoyment out of Disneyland and World, and I've partaken in a reasonable amount of Krispy Kremes ... but I cannot tell a lie: they pale in comparison to the offerings of Tim Hortons. Thank god Tim's has come to America.

It seems to have been a slow burn in terms of their American infiltration, but according to their press page, there are currently 536 places to get Timbits. So where can you find them?

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For many drinkers, the holidays tend to be prime time for booze. Bottles of wine are poured at gatherings and served to guests. For help choosing great wine, sommelier and Mutineer Magazine co-founder Alan Kropf has advice on the best wineries in the U.S.

In chilly weather, you'll need a spirit to keep you warm. Turn to saké because we've named November "Sake Month." Also, find great wine bars around the country, check out our bar of the month and experience Ireland, Beer Goggins-style.

Click for the rest of November's Drink World:

Drink World, Nov. '09
- Shaken & Stirred
- Eleven Great Wine Bars
- Kropf's Top Wineries
- Irish Pub Crawl
- Drink Across the Web
- Bar of the Month
- Drinking History

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With the cool weather in place and the holidays upon us, 'tis the season of wine drinking! It's time to gather your friends and family and head to one of the many wonderful wine bars across the country to share some good vino and some good times.



So what makes a wine bar a great one? A cozy, laid-back atmosphere is key, but it's the wine list itself that can really make or break the place. A well-rounded wine list should feature small producers and a wide range of price points. And, of course, delicious food to pair with the wines is essential.

To help you find your way to a grape escape, we've identified eleven wine bars across the country that hit all the right notes. Just be sure to read up on these wine tasting basics before you go so you can mingle with other oenophiles and sip and swirl like a pro.