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A few stocking starters

So you know you should be shopping for Christmas but you're just not yet ready to drop the big bucks. Here's a few local hints to get you going, painlessly.
The MOCA store has cool arty holiday cards; the pic above is from the card designed by SoCal artist Mark Ryden.
CandyBlog reviews Sharfenberger Chocolate Coverd Cacao Nibs, finds them superb.
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog was NBC's top download on their first day of jumping on the iTunes video bandwagon (via Fishbowl LA). He's $25 at the NBC online store.
The Giant Robot store is chock full of new t-shirts, calendars for '06, candy and toys. You can shop online, on Sawtelle or in Silverlake.
Coffee Bean is stocked to the gills with The Perfect Holiday Gifts. At least, that's what they're calling caffeine and chocolate.
If you're still not in the mood, Little Tokyo grocery store Mitsuwa has Christmas carols playing over their speakers -- in Japanese.
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It's been many, many years since we saw this much snow in our mountains. Going up there right now isn't safe, but here are some places where you can enjoy the view and snap a pic.
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April Valentine died at Centinela Hospital. Her daughter was born by emergency C-section. She'd gone into the pregnancy with a plan, knowing Black mothers like herself were at higher risk.
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A look at years past when snows creeped into our citified neighborhoods, away from the mountains and foothills.
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In the face of a drier future, that iconic piece of Americana is on its way out in Southern California.
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Another Missing Hiker Has Been Found Dead In San Gabriels As Search For Actor Julian Sands ContinuesBob Gregory, 62, went missing the same day as Sands. His body was recovered near Mount Islip.