2008 Wrap it Up

WRAP IT UP

2008

FROM:

The Santa M onica Daily Press

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wrap it up 2008

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wrap it up 2008

Santa Monica Daily Press

FILE PHOTO

PERFECT GIFTS FOR THE

FOODIES IN YOUR LIFE

BY J.M. HIRSCH AP FOOD EDITOR

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or some people, the tough economic times will quash the usual holiday spending fervor. And maybe that’s not such a bad thing. A decked out kitchen can be fun, but a kitchen full of friends and family is even more so. And it’s free.

This year, consider giving the gift of time, whether it’s inviting an elderly neighbor over to bake her favorite holiday cookies, cooking a romantic dinner with your spouse or teaching the kids how to make their favorite meal.

Relative to most gifts, ingredients are inexpensive. But the time spent turning them into a meal can be richly rewarding.

And don’t bother aiming for perfection. The goal here is quality time, not quality of cooking.

For the kids They may ask for iPods and action figures, but what they really want is you. This holiday season, carve out extra time to get in the kitchen with your kids. You bond, they learn, everyone eats, and it’s cheap. That is the holiday spirit.

To make a gift of it, consider what interests your child. If it’s deciding what the family eats for dinner, make a packet of “gift passes.” Each one can be traded in for the right to pick — and help make — dinner.

If your child loves the local Mexican or Chinese restaurant, make the passes redeemable for alone time with Mom or Dad in the kitchen trying out different recipes from the favored cuisine.

The best child-friendly recipes are easy,

inexpensive and call for plenty of hands-on work. Pasta, for example, requires nothing more than mixing together flour and eggs, and kids love playing with the dough.

Breads and other baked goods are another great choice. This recipe for kid-friendly focaccia (Italian flatbread) is simple, cheap, impossible to mess up, and gives children plenty of opportunity to get messy and play with the dough.

Still need inspiration? Check out Zebra Mix baking kits ($5.99). Available in brownies, cupcakes and cookies, the kits include game boards that walk you and your children through the recipe while teaching math and foreign languages.

Or check out K. A. F. Kids baking mixes ($5.95) from King Arthur Flour Company.

The kits, which use organic ingredients, include muffins, cupcakes, cookies, a dough alphabet and pizza crust.

If games about food are more your family’s style, check out the Green Eggs and Ham Speedy Diner game ($19.99) for ages 4 to 8. It’s a fun and fast-paced Dr. Seussinspired game in which children get to serve up silly foods.

There’s also Playskool’s Noodleboro Learning to Listen Pizza Palace game ($19.99), in which children ages 4 and up must listen to instructions, then assemble pizzas with funny toppings such as stinky socks and eggs.

For the stockings Affordable stocking stuffers are easy. No cook ever can have too many measuring spoons, silicone spatulas and wooden spoons. And real cooks aren’t spoon snobs.

You can spend considerable sums on exotic olive wood spoons and name brand

spatulas and measuring spoons, but it’s unnecessary.

Better to have four inexpensive spatulas than one pricey one that must be washed multiple times while cooking.

The best way to do this is to head to your nearest dollar store and stock up. I recently walked away with eight wooden spoons and eight silicone spatulas of various sizes.

Total cost: $4.

If it makes you feel better, ditch the cheap packaging and wrap them nicely.

For the bookshelf Books generally aren’t cheap (though deals usually can be found online), but these two offer a lot for the money.

— Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Fizz Carr’s “The River Cottage Family Cookbook” (Ten Speed Press, 2008, $32.50) Fearnley-Whittingstall already is huge in his native England, and he’s poised to become the next big thing here. His familythemed cookbook, his latest released in this country, is a gorgeous, approachable masterpiece of family-friendly cooking.

This massive book is jammed with recipes, ideas, tips and activities, from making butter (all you need is a jar and heavy cream) to building a campfire. This is not dumbed down for kids; it is real food for real families.

— “1001 Foods You Must Taste Before You Die,” editor Frances Case (Universe Publishing, 2008, $39.95) It’s a tantalizing concept — a visual encyclopedia of global flavors worth scouting. The 960-page book is divided into chapters, such as fruit, vegetables and bakery, with brief descriptions detailing why

and how to taste each item.

To turn this book into a gift that keeps giving, select a dozen ingredients from its pages and use them to plan out 12 meals.

Then you and your recipient can have themed dinner dates once a month for the coming year.

For those who want to spend — Keurig Mini K-Cup coffee maker ($79.95) For the coffee lover in your life, the new Keurig Mini is a surprisingly likable K-Cup coffee maker (K-Cups are mess-free, singleserve coffee shots used by a newer breed of coffee maker).

Unlike other K-Cup coffee makers, the Keurig Mini has a tiny footprint (thanks to having no water reservoir), making it ideal for small kitchens, offices or dorms. The machine is fast (3 minutes per 8-ounce cup) and makes excellent coffee.

— KitchenAid Pro Line Series food processor ($299.99) If you’ve got the cash, this is the king of food processors. With a 16 cup-capacity bowl, an extra-wide feed tube and a monster of a motor, there’s not much this machine can’t do. It even has a special attachment for whipping egg whites.

Because this is such a large and powerful machine, KitchenAid doesn’t put much marketing oomph behind it (so you won’t see it in many stores). But it’s worth hunting down online.

The processor makes easy work out of bread and pasta doughs, and includes two smaller work bowls, a 13-cup and a 4 1/2cup. It has the same easy three-button functionality as KitchenAid’s smaller models.

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Santa Monica Daily Press

GIVING SOMETHING SPECIAL

BY TAYLOR VAN ARSDALE SPECIAL TO THE DAILY PRESS

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hen it’s time to gather gifts for the tots and teens in your life there’s no better place to shop than Santa

Monica.

Marsha Bloom on Montana Avenue carries a variety of one-of-a-kind, handmade, colorful kids clothes. The fabrics are soft, combining cotton and polyester edged with lace and fleece jackets — a great place for a unique purchase.

For upscale silk holiday dresses try Cabaña. Created by famed designer Lilly Pulitzer these pieces combine festive green and pink. For boys there are haute couture ties and pants. Cabaña also sells Christmas tree ornaments, berets, and accessories.

Popular Mo Willem’s children’s books ($14.99) are available at Every Picture Tells A Story, along with Goodnight Moon art prints. Snuggly Steiff stuffed animals (ranging from $20 — $200) and hand-carved wooden animal figures from Germany are sure to be a favorite with the little ones.

Janie and Jack Cares sell high-end boys and girls clothing for kids up to 8. Their wool blend sweaters are plush and warm, and they carry a wide selection of denim pants, brown velvet vests and pieces in hues of soft muted pastels.

On the Third Street Promenade you will find a wide range of kid-friendly shops such as: Baby Gap, Gap for kids, and This Little Piggy Wears Cotton. This season’s most requested item at the Gap is their Sherpa hoodie, a real bargain at $40.

BRANDON WISE BRANDONW@SMDP.COM

For toys, there’s Puzzle Zoo, an eclectic mix of games, puzzles, and action figures for infants to adults. Most coveted item this year is the Japanese Anime Bakugan figurine starter pack. This strategy game set sells for $29.95.

Barnes and Nobles has a kid friendly section on their second floor supplying wellpriced books for kids of all ages.

Pebbles on Main Street launched their kid’s line Clothing for Wee Ones in the Spring 2008 and it was a huge success.

Inspired by world culture, designer Ann Lambardo’s clothes reflect, “A love of vibrant color, whimsical embellishments, and an unexpected mix of fabrics and embroidery.”

Quite possibly the best place for kid’s toys and gifts is Jenny Bec’s on Montana Avenue.

If you have young children you might want to think about purchasing a Rody Rocker (for $61), available in a multitude of colors.

“Apples to Apples is one of our best selling games,” says Jenny Mullennix, the store’s

owner. “The Bruder fire truck has functional parts that are not easy to break … and comes with a hose that you can run water through.”

The truck retails for $79 and includes a ladder, water pump and light and sound module.

For the little princess there’s Disney’s Princess Oven, which uses cool air technology to “cook” delightful snacks and desserts eliminating the risk of burns. news@smdp.com

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Santa Monica Daily Press

S Y A D I L O H Y P HAP

SALE

Thru - DEC. 27

Everything in Store on Sale!

TRUMPETS • TROMBONES • KEYBOARDS •FRENCH HORNS • SAXOPHONES • CLARINETS • FLUTES • OBOES • VIOLAS • VIOLINS • CELLOS • BASSES • DRUMSETS • PERCUSSION • KITS • CONGAS • SUPPLIES • GUITARS

CONTEST

SCHOOL INSTRUMENT RENTAL PROGRAM ALL RENT CAN APPLY TO PURCHASE!!

WIN BIG PRIZES!

DISCOUNT ON REPAIRS!! OK TO SWITCH INSTRUMENTS!!

PRIVATE LESSONS ON ALL INSTRUMENTS PHOTO COURTESY ROXY

WINTER AT

THE BEACH

BY DANIEL ARCHULETA MANAGING EDITOR

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e know it never rains (or snows) in Southern California, but it does get a little chilly at times. So what better to wear during cold winter days and nights than something from a surf wear mainstay that knows a thing about the beach lifestyle.

Roxy, produced by Quicksilver, offers a whole line of cold weather gear that embodies the company’s unique style.

Hats and scarves What winter outfit is complete without accessories? Roxy has created a collection of scarves and head gear that are sure to keep any beach bunny warm. Both come in a variety of prints and colors that illustrate the company’s fun attitude and youthful style.

Jackets Winter just isn’t winter without a nice jacket. There may not be many opportunities to wear it here on the left coast, so when the mercury drops be sure to wrap yourself in one of these fun, colorful designs. From loud patterns to subtle earthy tones, this collection has something for any personality type.

Hoodies These hoodies aren’t for street toughs. Available in a number of fun designs, these warm (but not too) numbers help keep the cold out and the style in.

SINCE 1972 TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU 10862 Washington Blvd.

Culver City (at Girard St.) 310-202-6874

1901 Santa Monica Blvd.

Santa Monica (at 19th St.) 310-453-1928

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GIFT IDEAS FOR

BY KIM COOK FOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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eenagers are tough customers for gift giving. The days of buying them cute ensembles, Hot Wheels and craft kits are so over.

But must we resort only to envelopes of cash or FavoriteLabel-Retailer gift cards?

According to many teens, cash gifts are at the top of their wish lists. And they’re not a bad idea: They put kids in charge of weighing wants versus needs, which fosters decision-making and budgeting.

But if you’re interested in giving something more specific, or more wrappable, below are some holiday gift suggestions vetted by actual teenagers.

None will break the bank. And it should be said that instead of exchanging gifts, some teens might like to help their communities. Families may want to support a child in a developing country, or help a local food pantry or family shelter.

“Sit down and talk as a family about supporting a children’s charity,” says Alina Tugend, a consumer columnist for The New York Times.

And if the economic downturn means your family’s holiday spending will be cut back, don’t be afraid to talk about that with teens, Tugend says.

“Some parents may find it good to say everyone gets one store-bought present, and all others have to be homemade in some way,” she suggests.

Customized gear Gifts that let teens express their identity and be creative in a cool way are good ones.

— Zazzle.com, a Redwood City, Calif.,-based online retailer, has developed a following by letting kids customize all sorts of stuff. You can create a design from scratch or choose from Zazzle’s library of images, and Zazzle will then print the design on sneakers, skateboards, T-shirts or

Santa Monica Daily Press

TEENS

other items. The Keds sneaker images, for instance, range from bold argyle prints to celebrity head shots. Zazzle also provides a platform for aspiring designers to sell their creations. (from $50) — More customizable gear is at converse.com, where a pair of Chuck Taylor low All-Star sneakers can be tricked out in one of more than a dozen patterns and colors. (about $60) — From xtremegeek.com comes a ceramic model train with sheets of graffiti and tag decals to give it that urban edge ($39.99).

Green giving — Environmentally aware teens might like the Ecosphere, a small, ecological world in a glass ball, available at Greenfeet.com. Tiny red shrimp, algae and plant life thrive in a sealed globe filled with filtered sea water. There is minimal maintenance involved. (from $57.95) — Many teens have ditched the backpack in favor of a book tote. An inexpensive alternative is the reusable tote found for 99 cents at most grocery stores. But for a fashionable, right-on-trend statement, go to bhappybags.com. Happy Bags are made of machine-washable, upholstery-weight cotton with a comfy, poly-webbed handle. Made in America, and available in many peppy prints, solids and colors. ($24)

Plugged-in presents — New cell phones or iTune cards are traditional teen favorites, but there’s more fun to share with Griffin Technology’s iKaraoke microphone and processor, which plugs into the car or home stereo. The gadget removes the vocal track so users can sing over the instrumentals. ($49.95) — Girls might love PBTeen.com’s heart-shaped digital photo pendant. The screen displays a slide show or a single frame. ($29.95) — Not everyone is a Photoshop wizard, so ipopmyphoto.com does the creative legwork for you by turning any

jpeg photo into an image that looks like an iPod ad. ($19.95)

My personal space — Rooms can be cozied up with the Linus Blanket, from Urbanoutfitters.com. Just like the one belonging to Charlie Brown’s friend, this blanket is light blue, soft and trimmed in satin. Part of sales goes to support Project Linus, which gives security blankets made by volunteers to needy kids. ($36) — New Yorker Clinton Van Gemert is making heads turn with his silk-screened hoodies. He imprints images of heads on the sweatshirt hood — pop icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, a playing card king, a gorilla, a Greek god, a skeleton and more. The effect is startling, which could be a hit with teens. (Headhood.com, $49.95) — PBTeen.com is featuring a snazzy hair dryer in three colorful patterns that would make it easy to locate in the messiest room. ($69) — Uncommongoods.com has a chic travel bag made from laminated newspapers that would be a perfect toiletry or pen/pencil kit. Each one is different. ($30) — Kids love unusual, fun things. Modernartisans.com has Jeff Davis’ snack bowl made of genuine LPs. Choose from several music genres, including jazz, ‘80s pop and rock. The base of the bowl will be a well-laminated LP label. ($24.99) — Make anything in the room look upholstered with uptoyoutoronto.com’s unusual “padded decals,” black and clear stickers that can be applied to furniture or walls for an interesting optical illusion. (Eight for about $16)

Stocking stuffers — Perpetualkid.com’s Drip Clips paper clip holder is a miniature sink that comes with 25 standard-size blue clips.

The clips stick to the “faucet” like little water droplets. ($7.95) — The To-Do 12-pack of tattoos, complete with gel pen, means that assignment lists no longer need to be Sharpied on the back of one’s hand — just apply the blank-lined tattoo and head to school. ($3.99)

Five generations of family jewelers Custom Design • In House Manufacturing Serving the Community of Santa Monica for Five Generations Specializing in Platinum, Gold and Engagement Jewelry.

Gregory Edward Avedis

Eddie Avo

331 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica 310.451.1349 www.readersjewelers.com

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Santa Monica Daily Press

THE ZEN OF GIFT GIVING

BY TAYLOR VAN ARSDALE SPECIAL TO THE DAILY PRESS

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co-friendly gifts abound this season as many companies step up their efforts to help protect our environment.

Kiehl’s most eco-friendly item is their 100 percent biodegradable Aloe Vera Liquid Body Cleansing lotion ($16.50). According to their Web site, “All of Kiehl’s net profits from the sale of this product will support the work of JPF (Jolie-Pitt Foundation) ECO SYSTEMS, a charitable partnership created by Kiehl’s and Brad Pitt to maximize awareness of environmental sustainability.”

All of the net profits from the sale of Kiehl’s “Aloe Vera” Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser will be used to help fund “Make It Right,” which is an initiative dedicated to the construction of environmentally sustainable, affordable housing for the displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina which devastated New Orleans in 2005.

Superbly Restorative Body Lotion ($35), Oil ($30) and Skin Salve ($25) are made with the Moroccan argan fruit. “Women in Morocco cold press the oil, take it to market and obtain full value for it so purchasing this fairly traded product is a good way to support women in Africa,” said customer service rep Lynn Capri. The items are also available as a holiday box set ($90) and come with unscented red and gold potpourri and green bay leaves.

Green Toys (available at Jenny Bec’s) makes a children’s tea set out of recycled milk jugs ($31.99). All Green Toys products are 100 percent made in the USA, and are produced in California, a state known for strict toy safety and environmental laws. Since the raw materials and toys aren’t shipped from overseas, energy is saved and greenhouse gasses are reduced.

Ecotronic designs “planet friendly techno fun” toys that light up and make noise but do not require batteries. Owner, Jenny Mullennix, recommends, “The space ship with ecofriendly packaging.”

REI in Downtown has an exclusive holiday line of 1 liter reusable SIGG bottles in three designs to celebrate the holidays; snowdrift, mountainscape and holiday snowflake ($24.95). Klean Kantine’s are only $18.95 and are available in a variety of celebratory colors. If you’re looking for something lighter, Nalgene makes plastic bottles that are BPA free. In fact, REI does not carry any products that contain BPA’s.

REI ecoSensitive clothing line has a lower environmental impact and uses renewable, recycled and/or organic fibers. Their goose down Davos II jacket ($179) has an 88 percent recycled polyester shell.

For board game junkies there are several new versions of Parker Brother’s “Monopoly.”

“Planet Earth” emphasizes buying, selling and trading the earth’s most beautiful environments — the box is 100 percent recycled material.

Dog lovers will delight in “The Dog Artist Collection” where players vie for various breeds in lieu of property. A portion of the proceeds from this purchase benefits Canine Companions for Independence, the oldest and largest non-profit provider of assistance dogs for people with disabilities.

Natural High on Main Street has natural hemp fiber and organic cotton clothing for men and women. Festive red and green shawls are available for $88. Retail manager Patrick Hartsell, says, “95 percent of the clothes are made in California which helps assure quality control during the manufacturing process.”

It’s so easy to forget your health during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. The gift of yoga is a great way to restore balance and increase your energy level.

For affordable yoga, try classes with Maurice Kaehler at Yo Mama Yoga studio on the Third Street Promenade between Anthropologie and Lush. Classes are Wednesday evenings and cost $16 per session.

“Winter is the time of year when we’re supposed to rest and replenish our energy, a time to seek wisdom within,” says Kaehler, a 20-year yoga practitioner whose clients include Madonna, Tim Daly and Keith Addis. For information on how purchase private or series gift classes, call (310) 349-7044.

Yoga Works on Montana Avenue is another quality facility. Instructor Charlie Samos says, “Giving the gift of yoga is really giving the gift of peace.”

A series of classes or single classes can be purchased by calling Samos directly (401) 9961577 or via e-mail at peacethruyoga@yahoo.com. news@smdp.com

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GAMER’S HOLIDAY

BY ROBERT SUMMA PRODUCTION MANAGER

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or the videogame shopping novice, today’s offerings can seem a bit intimidating.

There are so many different console platforms, game types, and fickle gamers to appease. Let us help you ease that pain in what seems like such a daunting but important task of pleasing the person you love most in your family this holiday season.

For the old-school 2D fighting fan Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (Xbox 360, PS3) No longer the bottomless quarter-pit arcade cabinet that millions were familiar with, Capcom revisits this classic with a downloadable offering (Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network) that not only puts a well-deserved high-definition polish and shine on the original, but also some balance between the different fighters — not to mention online play is nearly flawless.

For the person who loves to role play Fable 2 (Xbox 360) Not only do your actions and decisions affect your character and the world around you, but you also have man’s best friend by your side helping you along. What else could a gamer want?

Gears of War 2

For the person who likes to blow things up Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360) What has quickly become one of Microsoft’s marquee titles for its Xbox 360 gaming console, it doesn’t get much better for shooter addicts then with the sequal to this action-packed series.

Valkyria Chronicles (PS3) This masterpiece for the PlayStation 3 is the kind of thing fans of Japanese role-playing game fans have been waiting for. With a unique spin on the traditional turn-based combat system, games just don’t get any more beautiful and techinically innovative than this.

Fallout 3 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) Marking a long-awaited return of a much-beloved but certainly niche turn-based RPG series, Fallout 3 modernizes itself with a more familiar first-person view and shooting system. For any RPG fan, this game is a must have.

Call of Duty: World at War (PC, PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, Wii, DS) Returning to the familiar World War II landscape, Call of Duty: World at War allows gamers to fight in the Pacific instead of just those nasty Nazis. Also, if you beat the singleplayer mode, mulitplayer junkies can get their fix with an incredible zombie mode.

Resistance 2 (PS3) A follow-up to one of the few quality PlayStation 3 launch titles, Resistance 2 does everything the first did except bigger and better. Grab some friends and prepare for a co-op experience that few can rival.

Left 4 Dead (PC, Xbox 360) Speaking of co-op, one of the year’s best shooting experiences that requires a little help from your friends is the zombie romp Left 4 Dead. Want to be the last remaining human against hordes of zombies? Now is your chance.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles

For the person who loves to go fast Midnight Club: Los Angeles (PS3, Xbox 360) Easily the pride and joy of the Midnight Club series, Midnight Club: Los Angeles places wannabe street racers in a near-identical shrinked-down version of Los Angeles complete with a representation of Santa Monica, the pier, and the promenade. Where else can you drive 200 mph in a Lamborghini Murciélago down the Santa Monica Pier without going to jail for life?

MotoGP 08 (PS3, Xbox 360) Instead of getting your thrills along PCH, motorcycle enthusiasts can get a good old-fashioned adrenaline rush with this superb return of the MotoGP series — complete with 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP-class bikes. Smooth, accurate, and great offline and online play will give hours of satisfaction for any speed junkie.

Fable 2

Santa Monica Daily Press

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GIFTS MADE

EASY

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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eed some help sorting through the dizzying array of gift guides? Here are some of the more distinctive gifts from the annual gift guides by major specialty publications.

Pets From Modern Dog magazine THE PICK: Eco Naps dog beds. These super-soft and super-comfy earth-friendly dog beds from West Paw Design are a great gift pick for the eco-conscious dog on your list, said Jennifer Nosek, editor of Modern Dog magazine. The fabric and filling contain IntelliLoft material, which comes from recycled plastic bottles. More than 40 plastic bottles are diverted from landfills with every Extra Large Eco Nap, according to the Web site. The mats are available in five sizes.

PRICE: From $27.90 WHERE TO GET IT: www.westpawdesign.com.

Check out the full gift guide, www.Moderndogmagazine.com, or the upcoming Winter 2008/2009 issue.

Gadgets From WIRED magazine THE PICK: Peek — for people who want email on the go. WIRED gets thousands of devices over the course of the year, but only 10 make the WishList, said Mark McClusky, senior products editor. “With the Peek, we were just blown away by the smart design, and the ease of use,” he said. “Instead of trying to do everything, the Peek does one thing (mobile email), but it does it really, really elegantly and simply.”

PRICE: $79.95 (through Dec. 1, then $99.95) plus $19.95 a month for service.

WHERE TO GET IT: getpeek.com, target.com.

Other ideas: www.wired.com or the December issue.

Green Toys From TheDailyGreen.com THE PICK: Discover Rig from Sprig Toys, a kids’ push toy. This is the latest must-have eco-toy, according to editor Dan Shapley. “It’s made from recycled kid-safe materials, requires no batteries, and we truly could not stop playing with it around the office,” he said.

The vehicle, part of the Sprig Adventure Series, comes with Adventure Guide Cap Faraday who plugs into the driver’s seat and plays story snippets and music to help children imagine a safari-themed adventure. Power is generated when the vehicle is pushed.

Recommended for ages 3 and up.

PRICE: $59.99 WHERE TO GET IT: Toys “R” Us and Amazon. Find local stores at www.sprigtoys.com.

Other ideas: www.TheDailyGreen.com.

Games From Prevention magazine THE PICK: ColorKu: The Color Sudoku Puzzle. Trade in numbers for colors in this fun twist on the popular brain teaser, said Karyn Repinski, deputy editor of Prevention magazine. The wooden board has indents for wooden colored balls that take the place of numbers. Players start with one of the 104 puzzle cards that range from easy to difficult and then work to get one of each color ball in every row, every column, and in every 3 x 3 box. The puzzle also comes with a color conversion card so you can solve any Sudoku puzzle.

Recommended for ages 6 and up.

PRICE: $29.95.

WHERE TO GET IT: colorku.com, Amazon, www.museumtour.com , www.mindandmemorystore.com www.playfairtoys.com.

Other ideas: www.prevention.com or the December issue.

NEW MENU ITEMS TUSCAN GRILLED CHICKEN CHICKEN SPINACH AND APPLE SALAD BBQ RIBS

Come be a part of “Our Family” and see why your Santa Monica IHOP is perfect for your family meal.

Hours: 6:30am - 10:00pm Daily / Christmas Day Open 7:00am - 2pm (310) 829-9597 • Christmas Eve Open 7:00am - 6pm 1920 Santa Monica Blvd. (Corner of 20th & Santa Monica Blvd)

Home From House Beautiful THE PICK: Balsam TasselAire from Agraria. This home fragrance combines the scents of sweet balsam, Californian Redwood, an evergreen tree native to coastal California, a hint of French sage and fresh flowers in a decorative tassel. The tassel has a sachet in it that contains microbeads with the scent. Hang the tassel on a door knob or armoire key or use it to tie back a curtain. The scent lasts about six months. “It’s pretty,” said Stephen Drucker, Editor-in-Chief of House Beautiful.

PRICE: $35.

WHERE TO GET IT: www.agrariahome.com for retailers.

Other ideas: www.housebeautiful.com or the December issue.

Toys From FamilyFun magazine THE PICK: Spin Master Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro all surface radio controlled car.

A fast and sleek remote control car that can drive on any flat surface — on the floor, up walls, across ceilings — thanks to an air displacement system that works like a vacuum.

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Santa Monica Daily Press

PHOTO COURTESY SIERRA NEVADA

HOLIDAY

CHEERS

BY DANIEL ARCHULETA MANAGING EDITOR

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iving in Santa Monica has its distinct advantages over much of the country. While it snows in the Rockies and freezes in the Midwest, we enjoy a much more temperate winter. Thankfully for everybody, we do share a couple of seasonal treats. When the temperature is chilly and the nights are long the nation’s beer and liquor makers get working on special recipes and products to help fight off the cold. Many of these offerings are here just for the season, so let’s make a toast to winter delights and cherish these rare libations.

Kilo Kai Spiced Rum This tasty offering from Curacao is new to California, but is here in time for the holidays. Its blend of fruits and spices gives it the perfect character to serve as the backbone for any stiff drink. Mix it with a splash of pineapple for a tangy twist or mix it with warm cider and a cinnamon stick to fight off the cold. If mixed drinks aren’t your thing, Kilo Kai is great straight up or on the rocks.

Bushmills 1608 It isn’t often a distiller turns 400, but such is the case for the folks at Bushmills. To note this special occasion the venerable whiskey maker has issued Bushmills 1608. The full-bodied Irish whiskey is made with crystal malt, which makers say creates an exceptionally smooth liquid with toffee and chocolatey notes. It might be a bit pricey ($100 for a fifth), but is well worth it. This limited-edition offering is available through the end of the year.

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale There must be something in the water in Chico. The little college town is home to Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., which produces some of the finest brews in the West. The brewers at Sierra Nevada continue their fine seasonal offerings with Celebration Ale. Available during the winter months, this offering is dry-hopped for a lively, intense aroma. Like all of Sierra Nevada’s ales, it features a bold, hoppy taste that starts nice and bitter and finishes with a crisp aftertaste that mellows with time.

Samuel Adams Seasonal Beers The master brewers at Sam Adams are at it again. The renowned beer maker is offering an entire slate of seasonal brews that are sure to be crowd pleasers. Winter Lager is a dark brew which features the warm aroma of cinnamon and a hint of ginger. Old Fezziwig Ale is a sweet beer that reminds drinkers of a gingerbread cookie. A hint of orange peel really sets this spicy choice off right. Cranberry Lambic is flush with a clean fruity flavor topped off with an almost creamy finish. Finally, Holiday Porter is a deep, rich malty experience. The deep ruby black color is a feast for the eyes.

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