Amanda with Support of FGA Security Girl Staff

In their never ending quest to explore the world of art, the Fluge Global Team traveled to Argentina to find the best silversmiths in the world. Silver has been used by mankind since Pre-History, and its oldest reference to the element appears in the book of Genesis. It is also the only element after which a country – Argentina is named. FGA’s South America and silver expert James Marlow led the expedition (and Nick Fluge followed with an open mind and a hand notebook to learn as much as possible about silver creativity).

James Marlow, Mariano Draghi, legendary creative silversmith, and Nick Fluge

After landing in Buenos Aires, the team headed directly towards the Pampas and the beautiful town known as San Antonio de Areco home of the world renown silver family, the Draghi’s. The pampas of Argentina have a long and romantic history. Much of it revolves around an almost mythical character – the Gaucho. His freedom and bravado, celebrated in many poems and songs, once represented the spirit of Argentina’s open range. In the 18th and 19th centuries the grasslands of Argentina were dominated by vast estates. (Some still owned by the Draghi’s). The owners of those ranches were and are South America’s rural aristocracy. The Gauchos were the cowhands of those estates. Independant and proud, they rode (and still ride) the range herding cattle. With his wandering lifestyle and fierce code of honor the Gaucho was also the symbol of an earthly nobility. Today this is a remains a way of life although it is disappearing as the open range land turns favor to agricultural soy and corn.

Besides owning Estancia’s and producing various agricultural commodities, the Draghi family workshop is legendary in Argentina and around the world. Makers of superb jewelry, knives and equine finery such as bridles and other Gaucho gear, the family is visited by heads of state, hollywood, as well as average citizens of the world.

Fluge Learning the Craft From Valeria Draghi

Both Marlow and Fluge found themselves welcome with the very hospitable Draghi family in the museum, workshop and the family estancias and homes even amidst the public tours which seemed endless of people from all around the world wanting to visit the museum, workshop and store of the family. Team FGA was treated to Asado’s classic Argentine BBQ complete with attendance by many in the community, tours of the local art community which includes leather craftsmanship as well as silver creative art and design, and even the prestigious “Passion Play” on the banks of the Rio de Areco with soon to be family actress “Maria”.

After their visit Fluge returned to the U.S. to sort out his new race car and James Marlow traveled far south in Argentina to challenge the ice bergs and come as close as any human does to the Antarctic in April (very late season in the Southern Hemisphere).

Lucilla Draghi                                              James, Camila, and Nick

James Marlow’s Ice Berg Adventure                           James Marlow’s Ice Bergs near Antarctic

Actress and Adventurer              Valeria, Nick, Marta, and Lucilla               Mariano and Maria

By Nicole Wright, FGA UK SPECIALIST, London, England

On April 25th , 30,000 runners will flood the streets of London, aiming to complete the grueling 26.2 miles that make up the world famous London Marathon. I will be somewhere in those thousands trying to make it to the end without needing to use one of the 500 stretchers that will be on hand to pick up those not quite so lucky to make it over the finish line.

Unlike some people who have a very clear aim of completing a marathon in their life time, I was adamant that a marathon was not for me. I like my 10km races, going fast, getting it over and done with, no hassle of hours of training and feet so sore that you can’t walk the next day. However, in the true spirit of adventure, (something I know Nick Fluge and his Global Adventure team understand well!), when a charity running place needed to be filled urgently I did not hesitate to sign myself up.

So now it is early morning runs before work, track and hill sessions after work and long weekend runs. Motivating myself to run 15 miles on a Sunday morning, a time usually designated to a long lie in or a cosy brunch with friends, is hard I can’t deny it. However, surprisingly I have found myself enjoying all of this, feeling satisfied when I have already completed a long run when the rest of the world is only just waking up.

So in less than 2 months I will be putting all my training to the test and be proudly taking part in the 29th London Marathon, running as part of the UK Youth charity team, raising funds to help disadvantaged young people throughout the UK. Reading Nick’s account of his Portland Marathon experience I know that it is not going to be an easy experience, but where would the fun be in that anyway? I know that I can do this and I look forward to letting you know how it all goes!

Another Fluge Global Adventures year is now in the ‘books’. The FGA team was able to experience many new (and some old) adventures and even participate with some charities along the way. 2009 was quite a year.

Following such exciting adventures in 2007 and 2008 that included a trek to Everest Base Camp, triathlon and biking athletic tests, a Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Sports Car Club of America Championship racing, a Gumball Rally race across America and even the hunting of the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland, 2009 was equally testing.

The year started out in the spring when Nick Fluge and Bill Lowblad entered the World Poker Challenge. It was a change from the previous three consecutive years at the World Series of Poker but a new and challenging venue existed to be conquered. Bill performed up to his usual high standards and Nick was even able to crack the “Final Top Four Tables” while playing against some of the best ‘hold-em’ players the world had to offer.

Regular Zine subscribers might remember that Fluge spent the winter in the south of France learning oil painting, ceramic painting and glass blowing. Well, while his talent might have been a bit thin, it didn’t stop him from opening an art gallery which has included many of his personal works as well as some by other well known artists. While the Gallery adventure is only a ‘temporary’ project – it has allowed Nick to share both art and Scotch with friends and other interested guests.

Things quickly turned to youth – as FGA was honored to sponsor the Concord Elementary School Outdoor School which included a writing contest for the kids; “One World Infinite Adventures”. Outdoor school was an opportunity for elementary school students to learn more about themselves and the environment around them through hands-on activities and projects in an outdoor environment.

In addition to sponsoring the week long Outdoor School trip, we asked the students to share with us their ultimate adventure, or life dream, in an essay for the first ever Fluge Global Adventures “One Word…Infinite Adventures” writing contest.

Among the essays were career aspirations, dreams of meeting heroes, hopes of world travel, and of course, becoming the next American Idol! The common thread was that they all have faith in their goal and a passion for achieving it. These are the traits that make for a true Adventurer.

Nick Fluge returned to the World Series of Poker for one event at mid-year and while he played strong – he was eliminated early. Given his high standing in his 2006 WSOP “Main Event” this was disappointing but his thoughts were focused on his first Professional Sports Car Race.

Certainly, the training and strength of team, has paid dividends in sports car racing circles. Not only did Nick win a 3rd consecutive class championship (GT1), but he now owns 4 track records at PIR (the most of any individual driver). He also moved into the professional ranks by driving against some of the world’s best sports car drivers in the summers’ Trans-Am Championship race. Fluge’s qualifying position of 6th put him in the thick of things throughout the event.

With help from Matt at Speed Sports and Todd at ProDrive, Fluge is always prepared with gear and with driving acumen. However, great thanks go to Steve Gatrell and his entire ProFab team (Spence, Patrick, Leo, and others) for keeping the Derhaag running in world class condition. A special thanks to Aimee who often creates the greatest parties and BBQ’s for many of SCCA’s participants.

Fluge worked with Youths at Risk and the Regional area Santos youth soccer teams/league by assisting Ruma Perez (group organizer) with a check but more importantly inviting the kids to his pro race and proudly running the Santos banner along with that of FGA.

August heat led to one of the zanier of FGA’s adventures. Nick Fluge and Bill Lowblad entered John Deere’s in farm country’s “Combine Demolition Derby”. Local farm competitors viewed them as city slickers – but were still orderly – until the combines started moving. Fluge was quickly taken out by a variety of machinery and while Bill continued admirably – he was also prevented an overall win due to losing much of his rear tire/wheel/suspension combination which is so critical.

Not a win – but a wild experience!

While finishing behind 1000′s of competitors, Nick Fluge, a late entry, was strong enough to finish the event and still have a number of entrants behind him. While he hadn’t trained for this specific event and chose to enter only the day before the race – he credits his trainers, Yelena King and Troy Carter with always keeping him in shape to do such a thing – even without much preparation.

The final event of the year continues periodically and will through early 2010. It’s the Fluge Poker Championships – named after the Poker Man himself. Here, local friends and acquaintances meet to play Hold-em often throughout a year period with the winner taking home a special FGA Award. As of this writing, Bill Lowblad is holding the lead position but is being threatened by the likes of James (IceMan) Marlow who has won or finished very highly in the last several events. Fluge is holding his own in the middle of the pack – but is being challenged by the up and coming Poker Star, Troy Carter.

Rumors suggest the Amazon may be the next hurdle for Team FGA. Kayaking, battling deadly snakes and other regional flora and fauna could be a part of such an adventure – but as we say each year – only the future will tell the final story.

Without the FGA team to guide him, Nick has made his way to the south of France to expose himself to the world of art.  Fresh from securing his 2^nd straight Sports Car Club of America road racing Championship trophy in November, Fluge flew directly to the south of France to begin a month of work on various projects that would 'expose' him to the world of art.  Renting a small place in Antibes, near Nice and where the masters like like Van Gogh, Picasso, Dali, and Chagall worked  - Fluge set up 'shop' so to speak for the month of December.


Fluge has long proclaimed himself devoid of artistic talent.  However, like some of his other mini-adventures, he decided to immerse himself into the art and culture of Provence to see what result he could emerge with in 2009.  His first foray was in the world of ceramics working for an intense several long days under the tutelage of Pascal Pontet, owner of Ceramic Crea in Antibes.  No doubt Pascal was confused by Nick's questionable French and even more so by his questionable ceramic talents, but she did allow for words like charming and unique in describing Fluge and his work.

Nick mimicking Picasso and Chagall with ceramic work

Next, Fluge began a several week journey in the world of oil painting on canvass.  Here he travels to Nice each day to work with the well known regional artist Benoist Chapel.  Again, a great teacher for FGA's adventurer, but Fluge's work appears challenging at best.  (More vague terms have been used to describe him but with another week in oil, we will see…………………..).

Half way through another FGA Masterpiece

Finally, Fluge has begun a week long study in the world of glass blowing in the ancient famed town of Biot.  Famed for the small bubbles (carbonic) that lie in the glass, Fluge is working at the very building (and in front of the public) that first brought 'Biot Glass' to the world.

Fluge with Master Glass Maker looking on

Stay tuned for a possible showing of humble Fluge works from his "December Period" in early 2009 (assuming the French government allows for transportations of genuine art from their adopted son – Fluge).