Reads’ holiday model train display is best one yet
3
Red Nosers busy
Demand for holiday driving service is up considerably
6
House for a buck
Offer expires when the wrecking ball arrives
15
Optimist Delta
Newsstand 50¢
Devils capture cup South Delta defeats Pacers in inaugural rivalry game
31
for your
Holiday Shopping 12117727
Express ride
YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL SPORTS, NEWS, WEATHER AND ENTERTAINMENT! WWW.DELTA-OPTIMIST.COM The Voice of Delta since 1922 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2010
Our list reveals which homes are all lit up for Christmas
It’s that time of year again in South Delta when dark, often rainy nights are illuminated with blasts of colour. Many homeowners get into the holiday spirit by stringing lights along the eaves or trees, but there are a select few who do more — a lot more. The Clark Griswolds among us attach lights to pretty much everything and complement that with all manner of characters and creatures. For a list of the best decorated homes in town, see Page 21. PHOTO BY
CHUNG CHOW
PHOTO BY
CHUNG CHOW
Tsawwassen’s Glenn Flach has once again turned the exterior of his Golf Club Drive home into a twinkling wonderland.
Shoppers finding it locally
South Delta merchants managing to keep consumers at home this holiday season JESSICA KERR
Where are you doing your Christmas shopping? It seems South Deltans are trying to do as much as possible in their own backyard this holiday season as many local businesses are reporting higher numbers this Christmas. “It’s been pretty busy — better than last year,” said Marleen Flumerfelt, who owns Toys & Tech and Unforgettable Gifts in Tsawwassen. “Lots of people are starting to come in now.” With just two weeks left, Christmas shopping is in full swing.
In addition to commind knowing “We definitely have peting with the allure that exchangof big city shopping ing or returndeveloped a loyal malls, with South ing a locallyclientele that make Delta’s proximity to bought gift the U.S. border and the an effort to come in after Christmas strong Canadian dolwill be an easy and see us first.” lar, many local shopHenriette Leschert process. pers may be tempted “So many to venture down to locals, they do Bellingham or Seattle. a tremendous amount of shopping Tracey McKnight, who has locally,” McKnight said. owned South Coast Casuals with “I just think it’s a great sense her husband Bill for 15 years, said of community,” Flumerfelt said of cross-border competition is always wandering between local stores a concern but the store focuses where one might run into friends on going the extra mile to keep and neighbours while shopping. shoppers local with “top grade “It’s just such a nice experience.” customer service,” complimentary And once locals find a store gift wrapping and the peace of they like, they keep coming back.
Christmas Light Installation
“We definitely have developed a loyal clientele that make an effort to come in and see us first,” said Henriette Leschert, who owns C’est Moi in Tsawwassen. “Everybody’s time is precious, especially at Christmas,” she said, adding shopping locally takes less time and effort than heading out of town. That’s a sentiment Ali Roddam, who took over Ladner’s Buttercups Children’s Boutique with her mom, Catherine Morosoff, almost two years ago, echoes. “I try to plan my shopping trips locally first,” Roddam said, adding that shopping in South Delta saves time, gas and money.
As the sign says, the Town Centre Mall in Tsawwassen offers over 45 shops and services.
Shopping locally is also about helping the community as a whole, Roddam said. “We actually need people to shop locally to keep local stores in business.”
Light up your home, business or trees with perfect, professionally installed holiday lighting. www.lightitupvancouver.com | 604-532-7425
11061004
BY
jkerr@delta-optimist.com