HAPPY HOLIDAY SHOPPING THINK FUNKY FOR YULE GIFTS.Byline: BARBARA CORREA Staff Writer It's the most wonderful, er, the most hectic time of the year -- and it's here again. For some, the week after Thanksgiving marks the kickoff of a frenzied, high-powered shopping blitz to fill every last friend, acquaintance and loved one's stocking. For others, it's a gentle reminder that about a month from now, the near and dear will be expecting not just a gift from you, but a very special little something. But the annual ritual of mass consumption in the name of peace on Earth doesn't have to be drudgery. Giving gifts creates good cheer, right? And once shoppers have that in mind, the holiday shopping experience can be fun and fulfilling. Of course, there is always the supremely efficient gift card -- easy to buy, easy to give and easy to get. In this busy era, it's perfectly acceptable -- and safe -- to wrap up that little piece of plastic. After all, most of us would rather get a retail wild card than a sweater or tie hand-picked by a casual acquaintance. But consider going the extra mile to find something different for the people in your life who are, well, different. Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, may be known as mall heaven, but it's also chock full of funky stores for every taste and passion. Is there a snorer snore intr.v. snored, snor·ing, snores To breathe during sleep with harsh, snorting noises caused by vibration of the soft palate. n. 1. The act or an instance of snoring. 2. in the house? L.A. Outback in Studio City claims that its didgeridoos relieve sleep apnea sleep apnea, episodes of interrupted breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder in which relaxation of muscles in the throat repeatedly close off the airway during sleep; the person wakes just enough to take a gasping breath. and snoring snoring, rough, vibratory sounds made in breathing during sleep or coma. The noisy breathing is the result of an open mouth and a relaxation of the palate; it is frequently induced by lying on one's back. . Didgeridoos are the wind instruments created by Australian aboriginal groups. They are 3- foot-long pipes made out of eucalyptus, bamboo or other material and decorated in various styles. They sound like a cross between a wood trumpet and electric guitar feedback. L.A. Outback sells the instruments, paraphernalia, and all things Aussie, and it runs classes too. (Didgeridoos begin at $79.) Something fishy Something Fishy is a novel by P. G. Wodehouse, first published in the United Kingdom on January 18 1957 by Herbert Jenkins, London and in the United States on January 28 1957 by Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York, under the title The Butler Did It. ? Sue Oxarart, marketing director at Inland Empire In·land Empire A region of the northwest United States between the Cascade Range and the Rocky Mountains, comprising eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, northern Idaho, and western Montana. Farming, lumbering, and mining are important to the area. supermall Ontario Mills Ontario Mills is a large enclosed outlet mall located in Ontario, California; it is one of the primary tourist attractions in the Inland Empire. , says one of the most unusual things she's seen for sale in the mall kiosks is the Fish 'n' Flush Toilet Tank Aquarium. It's basically exactly what it sounds like: a fish tank (fresh or salt water) where the regular water tank normally is. The fish habitat is separate from the actual toilet tank, leaving the fish undisturbed by flushing. This should be a big hit with kids, from 1 to 92. ($299.) Everything's unique in the antiques and collectibles department. But the Radio and Amp Recycler shop in Hesperia is truly one of a kind. This repair shop is the kind of place where ham or vintage radio enthusiasts could sit around for hours just chatting with owner Dean Jones, who runs amateur radio station An amateur radio station is a facility equipped with the apparatus necessary for carrying on radiocommunications in the Amateur Radio Service. There are several types of amateur radio stations: an amateur radio station may be located in a building, installed in a vehicle, located K6DDJ DDJ Dr. Dobb's Journal DDJ Data Dependent Jitter DDJ Dell Disc Jockey (Mp3 Player) from the store on antique equipment. Getting a vintage radio or guitar amplifier restored for a loved one sure beats a gift card. (Call for prices) Swede swede: see turnip. and leather Pasadena is a lot of things, but the hippest fashion destination isn't usually one of them. That may have changed in September, when Swedish uber-trendy boutique H&M opened its first Southern California store on Colorado Boulevard. Known as the IKEA IKEA Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd (Swedish home furnishings retailer founder's initials and location) of fashion for its low prices, H&M offers edgy duds for middle-income people. And finally, something for everyone can be found at Bertrand Smith's Acres of Books in Long Beach, the largest used-book store in the state. The store stretches one city block along Long Beach Boulevard and was designated a cultural heritage landmark by the city in 1990. It's author Ray Bradbury's favorite and is a haven for buyers searching for rare books of all kinds. And you never know what you'll find hidden deep within some of the weighty tomes. Manager Christopher Scott once found tucked inside the pages of a family Bible a papal bull, written in Latin and marked with the seal of Pope John XXIII See also: 15th-century Antipope John XXIII. Pope John XXIII (Latin: Ioannes PP. XXIII; Italian: Giovanni XXIII), born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli . barbara.correa@dailynews.com (818) 713-3662 Top 10 holiday shopping survival tips 1) Shop after 6 the evening before a sale is advertised to begin. Many retailers program registers the night before, so you may get the sale price early. 2) Prepare a shopping list and include alternatives. 3) Shop during stores' early and late, extended hours. 4) To avoid confusing stores and items, take complete ads with you so you don't end up in the wrong store. 5) Staple a gift receipt to the merchandise tag in case it needs to be returned or exchanged. 6) Remember: Gift shopping is buying for someone else's wants and needs, not yours. 7) Watch your personal belongings at all times, including your purchases. 8) Save yourself some wear and tear; let the charity group at the mall wrap your gifts for you. 9) When shopping online, have your credit cards and address book handy. Many Web sites have timed windows to complete a transaction, so you need to have any shipping information at your fingertips "Fingertips" is a 1963 number-one hit single recorded live by "Little" Stevie Wonder for Motown's Tamla label. Wonder's first hit single, "Fingertips" was the first live, non-studio recording to reach number-one on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in the United States. . 10) Wear sensible shoes. Source: National Retail Federation Store Sites: www.laoutback.com/ www.fishnflush.com/ www.radamp.com/ www.hm.com/ acresofbooks.com/ CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: (color) no caption (cartoon of woman holding lots of gifts with christmas tree Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. in the background) Box: Top 10 holiday shopping survival tips (see text) |
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