I watch them on TV and see the headlines in the newspaper.eight more soldiers killed in Iraq, 20 more soldiers injured in Afghanistan.and feel somewhat numb.  Sure, I feel angry.  And of course I feel terrible for their families - but it is just another day of news, and after awhile, the headlines sort of blur together.  What I didn’t expect was their humor. They told stories about the war, their wives, their injuries, their kids..and through it all - they found humor in everything.

Darryl Worley’s words, music and convictions personify what Diageo’s Spirit of the Americas program is all about. From the men and women in uniform, to the disenfranchised; in the confusing times that politics or acts of God may transform lives forevermore, we humbly aim to let people know we have their backs during periods where and when they need it most.

I also attended the event at Walter Reed Hospital. And, yes, the star attraction was country singer Darryl Worley, however the real stars were the troops themselves. Many of them were young and even though injured, in some cases quite badly, I was struck by the optimism that they had for their future and the sense of belonging to their units. Although I think that we did the right thing by bringing them some entertainment while they are going through recovery I could not help feeling concerned that once they leave the security of their ‘unit’ and return home they will be away from their support mechanism and that this is when they will be vulnerable. Let’s hope that the same mistakes of 30 years ago are not repeated.

My entry today is one of a more personal nature and has less to do with industry practices and more to do with the importance of remembering, honoring, and taking time to thank our servicemen and women fighting overseas.

On December 9th, our company sponsored what I think was one of the most meaningful venues as any I’ve ever been a part of.  There are many worthwhile charities spanning throughout our great country, particularly during the holiday season when we are by and large feeling more charitable, but as an  incredibly passionate supporter of our nation’s servicemen and women, when our company proposed exchanging our traditional holiday party in favor of hosting a concert and luncheon for injured U.S. soldiers currently residing and rehabilitating at Walter Reed Memorial Hospital outside the nation’s capitol, there simply was no indecision on my or our team’s part to do so.

So working for a global company has its perks.  One of those is the relationships we forge through our brands with celebrities. Darryl Worley, a chart topping country musician who is revered in the US Armed Forces realm as a true activist for our troops, and whose lyrics literally speak to and for so many servicemen and women, agreed to hold a private concert hosted by DIAGEO and the USO. 

Last Sunday, an audience of largely war torn, physically struggling but ever so honorable young men and women intently sat, listened, and sang along as Darryl so willingly gave his time to entertain these heroes for the afternoon. Tears and gratitude for this day of enjoyment were spoken over and over again, but I can’t  help but wonder, do they have any idea that the sincere appreciation came from our ability to do it? The joy and gratitude we felt to have this honor and ability to express our thanks for their service is beyond description. Their lives are indeed forever changed by their service and sacrifices, and after spending time with them this brief afternoon, mine is too.

With the holiday season in full swing I’m sure that if you’re like me, your schedule is already booked with numerous invitations to holiday parties given by your company, business associates, friends and family. Dust off that TiVo receiver because the days of wiling away an evening in front of the TV set with a bowl of popcorn are over! Who has the time to be a couch potato when there’s shopping to be done (for those of us who don’t get it done months in advance), schedules to juggle and parties, parties, parties!

With all the festivities comes tons of food, tons of carbs and tons of calories. If you don’t want to forgo your Aunt Mabel’s famous fruitcake,  try this – Zero Carb cocktails!

Just pair Crown Royal® Whiskey, Johnnie Walker® Scotch Whiskey, Jose Cuervo® Tequila, Smirnoff® Vodka or Tanqueray® Gin with your favorite diet soda or a splash of water or tonic and you’ll have a beverage that tastes great with zero carbs per serving.

So when you’re watching what you eat at one of this season’s holiday parties, watch what you drink too. Here are a few suggestions for low carb cocktails made with 1½  ounces of premium spirits… 

Smirnoff Martini

Tanqueray and diet tonic

Crown Royal and soda

Johnny Walker and diet ginger ale

Cuervo and diet coke or diet ginger ale

According to thebar.com’s “Toasts and Tastes” survey that came out on December 6, a lot of people - 60 percent of respondents  — would be happy to receive wine, spirits or beer as a corporate gift this holiday season. Add me to the list.

Like many people who participate in the gift-giving tradition in December, I’m not done with my gift shopping.  I don’t have a lot of anxiety about gifts for the adults on my list, though, since I am purchasing a wine or spirits for many of them.

The recipients of my gifts of wine or spirits always seem appreciative.  And if you think it’s repetitive to give the same type of gift every year, I would say that I think it is better than the vast multitude of decorative scented gift candles that are “on deck” in my basement waiting to be called into use.  (It’s safe to bet I’m not the only one out their with an extensive candle collection.)

And, as a host, I do like to see a bottle of wine coming in the door as a gift.  If I don’t particularly like the selection, I can always cook with it and use the cork for the bulletin board I’m making.  I’m don’t usually re-gift, buy you can do that easily with wine and spirits.  A new gift bag, and presto

So, there is still time to get that bottle.  I recommend Bailey’s — always a perfect gift, and now there are new flavors - mint chocolate and caramel - to make your gift even more interesting.

Happy holidays.

To build on Steve Heller’s comments and in light of the holiday season that is upon us, I wanted to post about Operation Maestro. Operation Maestro, is a Diageo-sponsored program in Canada that helps making the smart choice of having a designated driver, a little easier and top-of-mind.

Though there have been sharp declines in alcohol-related traffic accidents in Canada during the past 25 years, an average of just under 4 Canadians are still being killed every day. In light of these statistics and in the context of focus by many within our industry on alcohol safety, Diageo Canada’s year-round designated driver program, Operation Maestro, aims to prevent alcohol-related automobile accidents by encouraging Canadians to “Celebrate life responsibly”. In fact, Operation Maestro is one of many programs and part of a worldwide initiative, the latest chapter in Diageo’s longstanding commitment to responsible drinking and road safety.

Throughout the month of December, as part of Operation Maestro, Diageo will once again partner with police forces across Canada, by sponsoring RIDE programs and driver spot checks, aiding police to communicate safe driving messages and STOP impaired drivers.

While we are pleased with the progress that has been made to address the issue, more efforts at all levels of government and within our industry are needed to support public awareness, education and enforcement.

Remember that while out celebrating this holiday season (and always), to ensure that family and friends act responsibly and either take a cab or appoint a designated driver.

Hope everyone has made it through the first hurdle of the holidays safely.  As the festive season gets into full swing, it occurs to me that there is an increased importance of planning your transportation needs to and from holiday parties ahead of time.  I know, in my house, nearly every evening of the week and then again on the weekend from now until New Years, it seems there is some holiday function, event or after-work get together to attend.  Ok - so it’s not every night - but the social schedule is certainly in full-swing.  And though I love the celebration of it all, I also know that when it’s time to leave - I had better know how I’m getting home because by the time the party is over - it’s too late to figure out who is going to drive.  

As you get swept up in the evening, talking to friends you haven’t seen in awhile, or catching up with family or co-workers, you may not realize how much you’ve had to drink.  That’s not to say that every night is a long, meandering trip down memory lane only to wake up in the morning having wished you hadn’t had that last cocktail.  But, why take the chance any night?  When you start the evening with a safe ride home - there’s no need to even question your abilities when the party is winding down.  A combination of drinking responsibly and getting a safe ride home will ensure everyone has a happy and wonderful holiday.  It’s just that easy!

In my neighborhood, we’ve talked about planning a night out with all the neighbors at a local restaurant.  But in the spirit of the holidays, we’ve decided if we’re going to do it, we’re going to rent a “fun bus” to take us to the neighboring town and bring us home.  That way we know that everyone can enjoy the atmosphere and celebration, without worrying about getting home safely. 

Some other ideas I’ve heard of among my other friends - making sure that they have taxi service posted visibly in their homes during holiday parties, and having multiple car service numbers in their cell phones should their trusty backup service be subject to the inevitable holiday backlog.  It also doesn’t hurt to have some extra bedding ready to go - just in case your guests decide it’s better just to stay the night.

I know it’s common sense to plan ahead - but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded once in awhile, does it?

Happy holidays!

It’s that time again.  The chill is in the air, the smell of leaves will soon turn to the smell of pine garlands and cinnamon.  The Thanksgiving turkey roasting in the oven will invite friends and family into our homes.  It’s a busy time of year and a time for connection, reflection and celebration.  Our calendars are filled with holiday parties and our blackberries hold the list of gifts to give.  It can get a bit stressful, especially when you throw in the holiday traffic jams and the crowded malls and stores.

That’s why I’m a firm believer in buying everything online during the holidays.  It is much more efficient.  That doesn’t always solve the problem of WHAT to give, though - especially for those who have everything (like my husband).  I think I’ve finally found the answer: order luxury spirits online.  It works sort of like the way you order flowers for someone across the country.  I place my order at www.luxurybar.com, and they send my order to the local package store and that store delivers my gift to my friend.  They even put it in a gorgeous gift package.