www.beachandbaypress.com Thursday, December 17, 2009
CITY BUDGET UPDATE: Fire rings and public safety positions are among items facing cuts after City Council approves budget plan. Page 6
Celebrating the season near the CHAMPIONS! beach Photo by ANTHONY GENTILE
Undefeated Mission Bay High School captures the CIF Division IV Championship. Page 10
Those wanting to avoid the crowded malls might take a look at beach area businesses
A whimsical reindeer admires the warm, colorful atmosphere created by a seasonal display at Green Gardens Nursery, 4910 Cass St.
PAUL HANSEN | BEACH & BAY PRESS
Look locally for those last minute gifts BY RACHEL CURTIS | BEACH &BAY PRESS
Christmas shopping procrastinators who loathe crowds at the mall have happy tidings coming their way – there’s something for everyone right here in the beach area. Many hot department store items can be found in local shops, as well as specialty items that shopping centers don’t offer. Here are a few highlights, selected by the owners of some local stores:
made with no preservatives or additives. A variety of seasonal goodies are ava i l ab l e, like harvest brittle w i t h cashews and pumpkin seeds, and cranberry walnut fudge. For $6, a truffle in Santa’s boot makes a tasty Christmas keepsake or stocking stuffer. Chocolate Haus, 943 Turquoise St.
ley c r e a t e d s e ve r a l s m a l l e r p i e c e s a t Gallery owner Thayne Yungman’s request, and at a fraction of her normal prices. All works on display are by local artists. $60. Gallery at Land’s End, 984 Cass St.
With “a bottle of perfume in every candle,” Trapp Candles is particular about who carries its The 3G Venice beach cruiser, one wares. The winning boutique in PB is of Pacific Coast Bicycle’s most popular Original and un-reproduced 35 year-old, family owned and operatmodels, features pedals that are placed ed Green Gardens Nursery, where abstract oil farther forward for full leg extension original scents like “sexy cinnamon,” paintings by and less stress on knees. A soft, cush“Mediterranean fig” and “Bob’s Flowlocal artist iony seat and groove-less tires provide er Shoppe” are available. $16.95 for Eliza Tolley a smooth ride. $180. Pacific Coast 5 ounces; $7.50 for 2.1 ounces. are on disBicycle, 1637 Garnet Ave. Green Gardens Nursery, 4910 play at the Cass St. Gallery at The husband and wife team behind Land’s End. the Chocolate Haus offer the best kind SEE GIFTS, Page 15 Usually working in larger formats, Tolof chocolate money can buy – hand-
Siblings Mitchell, 9, Maddie, 5, and Margo, 7, run among the trees PAUL HANSEN | BEACH & BAY PRESS offered at the XMAS Tree Country lot.
Selling trees means a lot more than making money BY ADRIANE TILLMAN BEACH &BAY PRESS
One of Doug Irwin’s most rewarding moments recently was when three young boys came into his pumpkin patch at the corner of Garnet Avenue and Bayard Street dressed like him in a flannel shirt, red cap and
sporting a charcoal beard. “The service sucks but I guarantee it,” the boys chanted, mimicking Irwin who jokingly gives customers that same line but, in truth, is focused ardently on creating a warm holiday feeling at his SEE TREE LOT, Page 15