 Although you have dreamed of your children attending college, it can be very difficult to say good-bye when the time comes for them to leave home. Email, text messaging, phone calls, and video chats do make it easier to communicate across long distances. However, there is more to staying connected than simply sending emails or talking on the phone.
Be Accessible
Today’s technology offers many options to stay connected with your children after they leave for college, but only if you are set up to use it. If you haven’t tried using text messaging and video chatting, this is a great opportunity to put them to use. When you both have busy schedules, email and text messaging are more convenient ways of staying in touch on a regular basis.
Make a Plan
While intermittent emails and text messages are nice, setting a regular schedule to stay in touch via phone or video chat will give you an opportunity to have more organic conversations. Decide on a comfortable plan together. Your children will be more likely to stay in touch if they’ve helped set the expectations for calls home, instead of being ordered to call at a specific time.
Develop a New Relationship
While you will always be your children’s parents, college is a time to begin transitioning into your new adult relationship with them. Your little boy or girl is growing up and will begin to need a different kind of support from you. Pay attention to the way you speak to your children and look for ways to acknowledge that they are becoming adults. Transition periods can be awkward; however, navigating toward a more adult relationship will be rewarding for both you and your child.
Minimize Your Advice
When your children are born, they are completely dependent on you. As they grow, you teach them to stand on their own, take care of themselves, and ultimately become independent adults. Now that your child is in college, try not to offer advice unless you are asked. Encourage them to take ownership of their finances with something like the Audi Graduate Program. Your child needs to make his or her own decisions, and it will be easier to stay connected if you respect their decisions without adding your unsolicited advice.
Discuss More Than Schoolwork
Though college is a highly social experience, the purpose of matriculating is to get a good education. Worried that their children might lose sight of this, parents tend to focus conversations on grades and schoolwork. This is an important topic, but it shouldn’t be the only discussion. Talk to your children about their social activities and friends. Branch out to talk about current events, sports, fashion, or whatever you would discuss with your adult friends. Hearing their thoughts will help you get to know the adults they are becoming.
Be Wary of Social Networking
Social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter might seem like a great way to stay connected with your children after they leave for college. However, this might not be the best approach. As your child begins pursuing an adult lifestyle, setting up some boundaries and offering a little extra privacy may be better for your long-term relationship.
College is a transition period when you and your children begin to develop a new adult relationship. If you are respectful of these changes, your children will be more willing to stay in touch, and you will find that it is not that difficult to stay connected, no matter where their lives may take them.
 It is easy to forget when we think of panini that the word literally means “Italian sandwiches.” This means that we are not confined to using the bread types commonly designed for making panini. In reality, we can use whichever bread type we desire. If you want to try making panini a little bit different to please your family for lunch, dinner, or even as a snack, try buying a large bloomer style white loaf and serving a rustic themed dish. A salad of fresh tomato, cucumber, black olives, and arugula as an accompaniment gives your meal the perfect Mediterranean feel.
Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, and Pesto Panini
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 3 to 5 minutes
Serves one
Ingredients
2 1-inch thick slices of bread
1 large tomato
2 tablespoons of your favorite pesto
3 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon chopped basil leaves plus extra for garnish
Salt and black pepper
Directions
Sandwich presses are all different, and it may be necessary to preheat yours, prior to starting to assemble your panini.
Begin by spreading the pesto on your bread. You may not require the full two tablespoons but ensure each slice of bread is spread evenly, on one side only.
Slice your tomato as thinly as possible and lay it on the bottom slice of bread. Overlap the slices, each one covering about half of its predecessor, to ensure a thick and even distribution of flavor and texture.
It is important to use buffalo mozzarella or another type of fresh mozzarella that is soft and sold in brine. Slice the mozzarella finely and either lay it on top of the tomato, or intersperse slices of tomato and mozzarella for what the best effect–overlapping three quarters of the way over each previous slice. Season at this stage with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Scatter the basil over the tomato and mozzarella before placing the top on your panini and lightly pressing down. Place your panini in your sandwich press and cook for three to five minutes, as per your preference.
When your panini is done, remove it from the sandwich press to a plate. Scatter a little more fresh basil over the top as a garnish and serve hot with your chosen salad or other accompaniment.
 The Audi A6 has a new cousin. Audi has just unveiled the all-new Audi S6, and this exciting new sedan builds upon the already-excellent package of the A6, adding new performance systems, a newly-developed engine, and first class technology.
The S6 houses a new 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 TFSI engine that cranks out 420 horsepower with an accompanying impressive 406 pound-feet of torque. The S6 can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds, and tops out at an electronically-governed 155 mph.
Three new systems – cylinder-on-demand, active engine mounts, and active noise control – give the S6 sportier performance than the previous model’s 5.2 liter V10 engine, and allows it to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 25 percent. When the engine deactivates four cylinders under part load, active engine mounts counteract vibration while the active noise control (ANC) system quiets loud noise from the interior cabin. Meanwhile, four microphones in the headliner monitor noise levels in the cabin and actively cancel unwanted sounds via the main speakers and subwoofer. The activation and deactivation of the cylinder is nearly undetectable, yet delivers great efficiency benefits while still allowing the driver to have the full power of the twin-turbo V8.
The inside of the S6 is all about sporty elegance. The power-adjustable sport seats are wrapped in leather with diamond stitching. The leather sport steering wheel has colored stitching, and the shift paddles are aluminum. An S6-specific instrument cluster is featured on the main console. Available technologies include LED headlamps, climate controlled multi-contour seats with massage function, Audi parking system, and Audi MMI Navigation with MMI touch.
The S6 will be available for the 2013 model year, and we at Audi North Atlanta can’t wait! Keep checking back with us for more news and delivery dates for the S6!
Each month, we let one of our expert mechanics here at Audi North Atlanta answer a commonly asked auto question from you. This month’s tips come from Audi Master Certified technician Cody Ramer.
Q. When and how often am I supposed to have my tires rotated?
A. Your tires should be rotated every time you service your vehicle, or as recommended by your car’s manufacturer. Most manufacturers recommend that you rotate your tires every 6,000-15,000 miles. That’s a pretty big range, isn’t it? Insert ubiquitous “check your owner’s manual” advice. How you drive and what kind of car you drive can make a difference. For the average driver of the average car, the average (sensing a trend here?) would be about every 10,000 miles.
Tires wear unevenly and this can affect the life of the tire and your car’s handling. Your front tires wear differently and more quickly than your rear tires. Your front wheels do all of the turning and that adds pressure and wear. If your car is front wheel drive, that makes your front tires wear even faster.
The most common rotation pattern is the cross-x where the front right tire is moved to the rear left, etc. But, if you have directional tires (tires manufactured to spin in a certain direction) you can’t use the cross-x. In that case, you’d just move the right front to the right back and the left front to the left back, keeping them on the same side of the car so they can rotate as they’re supposed to.
Some four-wheel drive cars need their tires rotated frequently to keep the wear even. Whatever type of car you drive, rotating your tires regularly can extend their life and save you from dropping dollars to get new ones.
Think it’s time to have your tires inspected and rotated? Come on down to Audi North Atlanta today! And remember, we always perform a courtesy tire inspection each time we service your vehicle. Plus, we offer a Best Price Guarantee on all of our tires—meaning that we promise to beat any advertised price on new tires.
Thanks, Cody! Got a question you want answered? Hit us up on Facebook or Twitter, or come by Audi North Atlanta and ask one of our mechanics in person!
 Cool news from Green Car Reports:
Many automakers claim that their exploits in the world of motorsport go towards improving their road cars.
It’s a tenuous connection sometimes, but Audi could lay fair claim to motorsport-derived technology in its road cars, from its Le Mans program.
With maiden wins for its TFSI technology in 2001 and TDI diesel in 2006, Audi will this year field a diesel-hybrid Le Mans Prototype at the famous 24 hour race in France.
The hybrid racer will provide a compelling rival for Toyota’s gasoline-electric TS030, also set to debut at Le Mans this year.
With several wins for diesel technology under its belt, Audi has wisely decided to continue with the fuel for its latest challenger, but pairs it with a hybrid system. “To develop the hybrid technology for Le Mans is at least as ambitious and challenging as our diesel project was in its early stages,” explains Audi’s head of motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.
Audi says early testing has been encouraging, but the cars, run by Audi Sport Team Joest, won’t be replacing the standard diesel cars entirely – instead, they will be part of a four-car team in both the Le Mans 24 Hours, and this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship.
If Audi’s technology really does filter from its Le Mans efforts to its road cars, perhaps the diesel hybrid is a sign that the company is also exploring similar technology for the road?
The hybrid Le Mans Prototype’s first outing will be at the 6-hour race at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium, on May 5. This year’s 24 Heures du Mans takes place on June 16-17.
Stay tuned to Audi North Atlanta for results from the race and more Audi news!
Audi’s S4 is one of the most prestigious vehicles available within the high-performance luxury sedan class. A high-performance version of the A4, the S4’s eye-catching and aggressive styling makes this model stand out from the crowd, combining luxury and sporting performance in a package that is hard to beat on the road today. The masculine, powerful body shape gives the vehicle enormous presence on the road, and aside from some variations in the standard equipment specifications, the 2012 model has kept most of the features that made its 2011 predecessor such a hit.
Luxury Comes Standard
The 2012 model is available in two trims, Premium Plus and Prestige. The interior build quality across both trims is top-notch, with a meticulous and understated attention to detail – as evidenced, for example, by the brushed aluminum inlays – that is in keeping with the brand’s reputation for excellence. The cabin is roomy and can comfortably accommodate five adult occupants, with three-zone climate control to ensure your and your passengers’ comfort. Both vehicles are impressively appointed, with luxuriously heated S4 sports seats complete with perforated Alcantara® inserts coming standard. Also standard are driver memory, Homelink® remote transmitter, and the Audi music interface with iPod®/iPhone® integration. The Prestige features some added bonuses, including a Bang & Olufsen® sound system, rear parking sensors, and Audi’s MMI® Navigation plus system.
High-Performance Sport Handling
The 2012 Audi S4 sports a 3.0-liter V6 engine that pounds out 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. Manufactured entirely from aluminum, the V6 engine combines FSI direct injection with supercharging to deliver impressive torque over a wide range (2900 to 5300 RPM). That makes the engine’s full power available to the driver at pretty much any speed. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the drive is raucous and exciting, unlike many vehicles within the class, but still offers a comfortable, smooth ride that won’t leave your passengers white-knuckled when you reach your destination. The supercharged V6 unleashes power virtually instantaneously, and the shifting action on the standard 6-speed manual transmission is impressively smooth. And if the manual gearbox doesn’t fit your tastes, there’s an optional S tronic 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to make life a bit easier.
Audi’s quattro© all-wheel drive and sport-tuned suspension ensure that the vehicle copes admirably as you put it through its paces, with excellent, responsive handling and barely any body roll. The quattro© system adjusts the power to the front and rear axles at an astonishing rate of more than 100 times per second, offering the driver the best possible combination of traction and handling, irrespective of the driving conditions. The S4 will reach 60 miles per hour in under five seconds (4.9) and can reach a top speed of 155 mph. The fuel economy is well above average for the class, and with the standard manual transmission, you can expect to see 18 miles per gallon around the city, increasing to 27 on the highway. Stepping up to the S tronic nets an extra 1 mile per gallon on the highway.
The feature lists for both the Premium Plus and Prestige trims make for impressive reading, with specifications to boost safety, comfort, and performance. All models feature stability control, antilock brakes with brake assist, and front and side airbags. The Prestige can also be fitted with additional option packages, such as Audi adaptive cruise control, the Audi Drive Select Package (which enhances the sporty drive), and the Titanium Package (which gives the car a darker, more menacing exterior finish). The Premium Plus trim starts at $47,300, with the Prestige starting at $54,000.
The 2012 S4 remains an impressive choice for buyers looking for a performance luxury sedan vehicle. By combining outstanding performance, a responsive, exciting drive, comfort and safety, and the many technical features that drivers of this class have come to expect, the S4 stands out in its class.
Schedule a time to come by Audi North Atlanta and experience this masterpiece in work!
 Each month, we let one of our expert mechanics here at Audi North Atlanta answer an auto question from you. This month’s tips come from Service Manager Matt Hamby!
Q: What length between tire rotations will get me the most mileage from a set?
A: Rotating your tires is important due to tire wear. Tires work differently depending on their location on your vehicle, so rotating them on a regular basis will even the wear and prolong their lifespan.
Every vehicle is different, but most manufacturers recommend that you rotate your tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. According to Goodyear, one of the largest manufacturers of tires, “a good rule of thumb is to rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.” Check with your owner’s manual for information specific to your vehicle.
Rotating tires is a simple procedure that can be done by yourself if you are properly equipped. Always follow safety guidelines and refer to the owner’s manual for a recommended pattern for your vehicle. Most professionals have resources and experience that expedite the procedure at a reasonable price.
Right-side tires have more exposure to curbs and other road hazards; moving them to the other side of the vehicle prevents excessive outside wear. Front tires will show more wear if you are driving a front-drive vehicle. It is important to visually inspect your tires on a regular basis. Obvious signs of wear need immediate attention.
Rotating your tires on a timely basis will help keep maintenance cost down on your vehicle. Evenly wearing through your tires will prolong their life and lessen the frequency of having to invest in a new set.
Thanks, Matt! Got a question you want answered? Leave it in the comments, or come by Audi North Atlanta and ask one of our mechanics in person!
 Grab your reusable grocery bags, small wheely cart, and a wad of cash with plenty of small bills. It’s time to go to the farmers’ market! There’s nothing quite like fresh, local produce. Every season has its own flavor. Going to your local farmers’ market is a great way to make the most of seasonal ingredients, buy organic and help out the little guy in the process.
Here are a few tips from Audi North Atlanta to help you get the most out of your marketing.
- Get there early and have a plan, but be open to new ideas.
- Make a loop to get a lay of the land.
- Talk to the farmers. They know their stuff and are usually more than happy to give you tips on how best to prepare the food.
- Availability of some items will vary from region to region. To learn what’s in season in your region, take a trip to Field to Plate and click on your state for more information.
Not sure where to go? To find a farmers’ market in your area, check out Local Harvest.
Spring
Ah, the joys of Spring! The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and the Yankees are headed to Florida. And, it’s a great time to head out to your local farmers’ market and start enjoying some of nature’s abundance. Here are just a few of the fruits and vegetables that spring has to offer.
Arugula – Spring is about greens. Arugula is just one of the many delicious greens available. Baby forms of greens have wonderfully tender leaves which are great for salads.
Apricots – Look for these in late spring and early summer. If you’ve never tried it, apricot cobbler is a great spring/summer desert.
Artichokes – Tastiest. Thistle. Ever. Don’t let it intimidate you. Get some kitchen sheers and show it who’s boss. Pluck off some of the straggler leaves and steam or braise for a tasty side dish.
Asparagus – Grill it, roast it, steam it. Serve it with a drizzle of olive oil or a little lemon butter. Get creative and chop some up and toss into an omelets.
Baby carrots – They might be immature, but they sure are adorable and good for you too. These are not the whittled down big carrots you buy at the grocery store; these are the real baby deal. Eat them raw or cook them and add a little dill butter.
Green garlic – They look a bit like leeks, but don’t let that fool you, this is genuine, fresh, hasn’t had a chance to dry yet garlic. They’re versatile and can add flavor to oodles of dishes. Make a pesto or a soup or plop in whole with your roast.
Fava beans – This buttery, nutty and sometimes bitter bean comes in a big alien head pod. They’re great in salad or pureed with cream and butter. Oh, and don’t forget a nice Chianti!
Fiddlehead ferns – This crazy little veggie is only available for a few weeks in spring, so be on the lookout. They’re the unfurled fronds of a small fern and look like something out of a James Cameron movie. They taste a bit like asparagus. Try them gently sautéed with garlic and butter.
Mint – Mint starts appearing in the spring and is usually available up until fall. How does some tender lamb with a nice mint chutney sound? If you’re not sure about minty food, you can always mix yourself up a Mint Julep and retire to the veranda. Oh, Magnolia!
Morels – This mushroom has built up a virtual cult following. And, if the idea of eating a little fungus among us doesn’t bother you, you’ll soon see why. Try them in a cream sauce with some Madeira, shallots and garlic.
Peas – Whether they’re snow, garden or snap peas, spring is a great time for peas. Sides, salads and soups. Peas do it all with a smile.
Strawberries – They’re beautiful, sweet and chock full of vitamin C. Put them on some ice cream, make some strawberry shortcake or just eat them by their little old selves.
Spring onions – These little guys are like the scallions’ big brother. They’re great in soups and salads or just grilled.
Meal Suggestion: Try a fiddlehead and morel salad on a bed of baby greens with a little Gouda cheese. Follow with roasted chicken flavored with spring onions and sides of snow peas and grilled asparagus. Top it off with an apricot cobbler and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Audi North Atlanta is excited to recognize this month’s featured employee, Greg Wall! Greg has been part of our family for seven years and currently works as our Parts Counter Specialist. He has an amazing way with everyone he works with and received an Ace Award from his peers for his exceptional service. Greg is a proud Harley owner and enjoys being able to ride his motorcycle year-round here in Atlanta. Thanks for everything you do, Greg!
 If only my office/bedroom/closet/kitchen were organized, everything would be perfect! Our lives are full of “if onlys” and the idea that über-organization will lead to superhuman productivity is one of the most common. And we’ve all fallen prey to places like the Container Store with its siren song of perfection. When those two things combine, they create a powerful concoction. It’s easy to go overboard and spend your time organizing your life instead of living it. Don’t worry, you can fix what needs fixing without going completely OCD. Here are some tips from Audi North Atlanta.
Assess the damage
Don’t rush out and buy colorful, collapsible totes and hanging letter caddies just yet. First things first. Take stock of your situation. What areas of your home really need addressing? Is your house actually pretty together and you’re just using organizing as a way to procrastinate? Or is it something out of A&E’s Hoarders? Be honest about it.
For most people, the same areas need the most love. Your garage and closets are dumping grounds. Your kitchen cabinets are full, but you can never find what you need. And your home office looks like the mob ransacked it. Find your trouble areas and concentrate on them.
Understand the why
Messes don’t just happen. There’s usually something gumming up the works. You started out with things in their places and now, not so much. Why? Why are you (or your loved ones) leaving shoes in the hall? Are you keeping stacks of magazines for one recipe inside? Do you even like flan? Look at how you’re using your space now and envision how it could be used better.
Git ‘er done
Now, that you’ve got an idea of what needs to be done, all that’s left is the doing. The first step in organizing any area of your life is taking stock and getting rid of the clutter. If you’d done this the last time you started to get organized, you wouldn’t have two label makers.
Once you’ve cleaned and culled, it’s time to get your organizing supplies, if you need them. Doing it first thing is like going to the grocery store when you’re hungry. Make a list of what you need and set a budget.
Ask yourself if you really need it. If your answer starts with “Well…”, then the answer is no, you don’t. Be ruthless. Get rid of as much as you can. Get three large boxes and label them “Sell”, “Donate” and “Trash”. The less stuff you have, the easier it will be to organize. And, more importantly, the easier it will be to stay organized.
- Empty that closet. You’ll be shocked at how few of your clothes you wear on a regular basis. Get rid of the things that don’t fit or you haven’t worn in 6 months. They’re just taking up valuable space.
- Clean the garage. The key to garage organization is wise use of the wall space. Get as much up off the floor as possible. Label boxes and put the least often used items in the hardest to get to areas.
- Linens ‘n things. This is one of the easiest areas to organize. Get rid of items you aren’t using or that have seen better days. Put the things you use the most often (towels and sheets) in the easiest to reach areas. If you’ve got some old, ratty towels, don’t throw them out, donate them to your local animal shelter.
- The paper chase. Get rid of old paperwork you don’t need. A few inexpensive file folders can do wonders.
- Kitchen aid. How much cumin does one person really need? Donate or toss duplicates. Marry items in cupboards to their appliances. Put pots near the stove. Put glasses and plates near the dishwasher. Consider using large clear containers for the items you use the most.
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