Often when we think about December and the festivities that are before us we think about gift-giving. This can mean many things to each of us. Gifts of time are precious, thoughtful, and everyone could use some extra hands in our lives with a friend or family member taking care of a home project. The gifts from the garden or homemade gifts showcasing your talents and local gifts that our neighbors create with their own hands are truly meaningful. All of them worthy, valued and appreciated when received. A jar of jam is not just a jar of goodness. It was a season of growing, nurturing, watering, picking, and then making the jam in their own kitchen with all the right equipment not to mention the cleanup. So when you get a jar of homemade jam, or a homemade card, or a painted rock – please smile and know you are blessed to have received the finest in gift-giving. When you want to add something a little extra shop local of course!

This month I want to offer a shout out to ‘The Sea Trader’

I don’t think anyone on the coast has been in business longer than Kathy. Everyone knows Kathy as she is the sunshine on the coast and we all love you! You make everyone’s day with the kindness you share with each of us as we browse your store. The first thing you will experience is the incense burning. It is as if the incense wasn’t burning than something is just not right. Noted on Facebook from Karen Pyle “The soft new age music ... the smell of candles ... the owner ...it's the ambiance that makes me feel like I've gone back in time ... I'm completely relaxed the moment I walk into the store. It's a must to visit every time we vacation ……, which we've done since 1980.”  I will always ‘stop in’ at the Sea Trader and find the perfect gift. The address is 38640 S Highway 1 in Gualala. 

The Dolphin in Gualala  ( http://gualalaarts.org/dolphin-gallery/ ) is all local artists with awesomeness.

Four Eyed Frog ( https://www.foureyedfrog.com/ )  with many book ideas, puzzles, and more,

Accents By the Sea   ( https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Gift-Shop/Accents-by-The-Sea-169548079729231/ )

Gualala Nursery and Trading Company  ( https://www.facebook.com/GualalaNurseyCA/ ) has great gifts.

Heart of a Child (https://www.facebook.com/Gualalatoys/)  is a great places to shop.

So many of our local stores have truly unique handmade homemade gifts! I am sure there are a few more places that I am missing so it is best to get out and explore.   

In Point Arena, you have  The Art Collective,  Cove Coffee,  Outback Garden,  Point Arena Lighthouse,and the  Tileworks (which is very cool) are all listed at https://pointarena.net/shop/.  

And there are plenty of festive things to do on the coast. Timber Cove Resort continues Locals Night Live Music every Wednesday and locals getting a discount of 20% every Tuesday and Wednesday. Visit them at https://www.timbercoveresort.com/activities.  The

Point Arena Lighthouse offers tours and special events. Please visit their calendar at https://www.pointarenalighthouse.com/visit/lighthouse-tours/.

Gualala Art Center has one art opening reception, the 2019 Gualala Salon and Salon des Refusés, on Friday the 6th. This is the showing of fine art that is judged and juried and has become a local favorite. It looks like a lot of fun with viewer’s participation. Read about this at  http://gualalaarts.org/2019/12/2019-gualala-salon-and-salon-des-refuses/.   A painting class in oil and acrylic will be offered Friday the 13th and three festive musical events with the Ernest Bloch Bell Ringers on Saturday the 14th  at 3:00 PM and Kitka on Saturday the 21st  at 7:00 PM, and a Winter’s Evening with Wind in the Wires on Sunday the 22nd. All of these are uplifting and great for the whole family. Visit   http://gualalaarts.org/category/events/   for more info. 

The darkest day of the year, our Winter Solstice is Saturday, December 21, 2019, at 8:19 pm. In Universal Coordinated Time it is on Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 04:19. We used to always have a big bonfire and each person brought things they wanted to burn to get rid of ending the New Year clear and clean of unwanted clutter and even memories. One friend brought an old chair, and another a stack of paperwork, and another an old photo. Then we all said what we were thankful for and our hopes for the New Year. My wish for each of you is a bright and cheerful holiday, to find happiness in small things, and to cherish each other. Many blessings!

PS – if you would like me to highlight your business, event, store, craft, or anything about you or someone you know please contact me atRobinJoy@mcn.org   as I am beginning to set my calendar for the year. 

 

 

 

 

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