by Neena Strichart
Hallelujah! The Sweetheart Sweepstakes is over for another year! Congratulations to all the lucky winners, and a big thank-you to all the advertisers and generous prize sponsors. This year we received a total of over 500 entries. With that kind of participation, I know that we accomplished what we set out to do, and that was to encourage our readers to visit local businesses. During the process of prize pick-up and bucket drop-off/retrieval, we at the Signal Tribune did some Valentine’s Day shopping of our own. Now that’s what I call practicing what we preach!
I hope all of our readers are doing what they can to keep our local economy moving forward. Buying online and out of the area are the status quo for some, but those of us who want to keep our local businesses local spend our dollars in our own neighborhoods. Whether it’s buying a gift at Bella Cosa, flowers at Signal Hill Florist or baked goods at Alsace Lorraine, please do your best to keep your shopping as close to home as possible. Same goes for dining out. We have some nice dining spots in Bixby Knolls, California Heights and Signal Hill. Whether you’re in the mood for chili at Curley’s, Mexican food at Patricia’s or Guadalupe’s or sushi at Kashiwa or Bamboo Teri, please think twice before leaving the area; these restaurateurs want and need your business.
Getting back to the subject of Sweetheart Sweepstakes!I hope those who did enter enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed putting it all together. Winners were contacted by phone Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon. Who won? I’ve included their names and what they won below!
ULTIMATE PRIZE— Jan Peacock
High on Love!
• Fly the skies on this Beaches Day Tour for two, courtesy of Sunset Flying (Fly over: Queen Mary, Los Angeles Airport, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Trump Golf Course & the Horseshoe, Catalina Island, Ports of Los Angeles & Long Beach, Vincent Thomas Bridge & Sea Launch) $399 value!
• $100 gift card for dinner from Delius Restaurant
• One-time-use camera, film developing and surprises from Tuttle Cameras
• Giant Teddy Bear from the Signal Tribune
• Box of truffles from Signal Hill Fresh & Easy
• Two bags of Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Candies
GRAND PRIZE— Vicki Sue Grice
Riding Romance
• Pediwagon Belmont Shore excursion for party of 14! ($370 value!)
• Energy snack basket from Jumpstarter Bodyfuel Bars
• Dozen cupcakes from Alsace Lorraine Bakery
• 14 bags of Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Candies
SUPREME PRIZE — Kim Clary
Spa-like Splendor
• One-hour couples massage in your home while a chef prepares dinner! Courtesy of G-Spa Massage Clinic ($300 value!) (includes appetizer, main course, dessert, wine or champagne or love cocktails)
• Cuddly Teddy bear with heart-shaped button from the Signal Tribune
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Cupid’s Choice — Roy Vidal
Overnight stay at Quality Inn Signal Hill (with continental breakfast) • Champagne basket from Wine Country
Two $25 gift certificates from Kashiwa Restaurant • Pair of tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
“Love in Bloom” original painting by Cory Bilicko • Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers
Two bags of Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Candies
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Beary Cozy Valentine Package— Jill Fiala
Breakfast For Two from Black Bear Diner ($25 Bear Bucks) • Two Black Bear Diner Coffee Mugs
Black Bear Diner His & Hers Fleece Jackets • Black Bear Diner Teddy Bear
Dinner For Two from Black Bear Diner ($50 Bear Bucks)
Romance On Your Mind?— Sam Chaysavang
Dinner for two at Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria • Pair of tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
Couples photography sitting plus print courtesy of Vangie Ogg Photography
Custom couples framing courtesy of Andazola’s Gallery
Fluffy, red, heart-shaped pillow from About U • Two bags of Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Candies
Oh-So Utterly Romantic! — Betty Lee
Two $25 gift certificates from Kashiwa Restaurant • Pair of tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
Chocolate-Scented Teddy Bear from Signal Tribune • Avon bubble bath from Kat Evans
Box of Truffles from Signal Hill Fresh & Easy •Â Two bags of Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Candies
Sleepytime Loving — Janet Anderson
All courtesy of The Undershirt in Signal Hill: Cozy plush throw for 2 & Spa Set
2 Mugs & Sleepytime Tea • Ladies’ Bamboo nightshirt & Men’s Bamboo T-shirt
Romance Novel, Candle & Bath Salts (packaged in a large zippered tote bag) —Value $180
Insuring Your Lasting Love — Larry Outland Jr.
All courtesy of Brenda Soto Bryan Insurance Agency: $50 dinner gift certificate
Two AMC movie tickets • Gift certificate for a box of candy
Tasty Lovin’ for Two — Marc Welder
$25 gift card courtesy of Blackbird Café • Pair of tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
 Bottle of wine and 4 wine glasses from the Signal Tribune • Cuddly Teddy bear from the Signal Tribune • Box of truffles from Signal Hill Fresh & Easy • Two bags of Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Candies
So Happy to be in LOVE! — Kirkdell Joe
Dinner for two at Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria • Two tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
Cuddly Stuffed Tiger from Signal Tribune • Three-month post office box rental at UPS Store #4466 • Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers • Two bags of Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Candies
A Day of Delight — Damion May
Pancake Mix, Maple Syrup & Hot Cocoa Mix from Fresh & Easy • $50 gift certificate for Donato’s Hair Salon
Coffee basket courtesy of Starbucks/Signal Hill • Pair of tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
Dinner for two at Le Yen Restaurant • Box of truffles from Signal Hill Fresh & Easy
Two bags of Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Candies
For A Delightful Duo —Cade Klock
Pancake Mix, Maple Syrup & Hot Cocoa Mix from Fresh & Easy
His and Hers gift certificate for Goldhill Hair Salon • Coffee basket courtesy of It’s A Grind/Signal Hill Pair of tickets for Long Beach Playhouse • $25 gift card at Bamboo Teri House Box of truffles from Signal Hill Fresh & Easy • Two bags of Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Candies
So Utterly In Love! — Nelson Cole
Dinner for two from Patricia’s Mexican Restaurant • Two passes for Museum of Latin American Art Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers • Box of truffles from Signal Hill Fresh & Easy Chocolate-Scented Teddy Bear from Signal Tribune • Two bags of Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Candies
Loving You Is SO Easy! — Dianna Woods
Dinner for two from Guadalupe’s Grill Restaurant • Two passes for Museum of Latin American Art
Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers • Box of truffles from Signal Hill Fresh & Easy Chocolate-Scented Teddy Bear from the Signal Tribune • Two bags of Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Candies
