Retail Roundup

Can it be time for this column again? We suppose so, but we’re sort of

disoriented after our massive post-Thanksgiving shopping extravaganza. We

feel like Col. Kurtz in “Heart of Darkness” muttering “the horror, the

horror.” Except that in our case, the phrase that pays is “the bargains,

the bargains . . .”

Will our editor cut out that Joseph Conrad reference? Probably so, but

we won’t let that discourage us.

So what does this have to do with blown glass?

We’re not sure, but United Glassblowing will be holding an opening

night holiday sale from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday. The sale will feature

a “sneak preview” of work by artist Bob Siemons.

United Glassblowing is at 1630 Superior Ave. in Costa Mesa. And you

can tell ‘em Mr. Kurtz sent ya!

FLORAL INTRUSION

Another shockingly local item: Costa Mesa’s Flower Warehouse Inc. has

come out with some important tips for those of us who will be making

floral holiday centerpieces for our tables.

“The biggest complaints we receive about centerpieces,” says Flower

Warehouse founder Barbara Kohan, “are either they are too tall or too

big, intruding on guests’ dining experience.”

What can we learn from this? Either to get smaller flowers or make the

food bigger. Above all else, gentle reader-consumer, the dining

experience must be preserved!

SHIITAKE!

Finally, we just want to note that a 14-inch log that grows shiitake

mushrooms when you soak it in water is available from a company in

Oklahoma for only $37.95.

And that’s what we expect to see in our stocking: a big, fat log,

perhaps with a few shiitake nubs already beginning to sprout from within

the craggy crevices of its bark.

What else can we tell you? Not much. Go buy something. It might not

make you happy, but it’s bound to pass the time.