by Neena Strichart
Today is a day to celebrate romance with those you love. With that said, we wish a very happy Valentine’s Day to all of our sweet readers. Now that our Sweetheart Sweepstakes is over for another year, it is time to congratulate all 18 lucky winners and to thank all the advertisers and generous prize sponsors. This year we received a total of over 800 entries— that’s 300 more than entered last year!
With that kind of participation I know that we accomplished what we set out to do, and that was to entice our readers to visit local merchants, restaurants and service providers. During the process of prize pick-up and bucket drop-off/retrieval, the staff at the Signal Tribune did some Valentine’s Day shopping of our own. That’s what I call practicing what we preach!
I hope all of readers are remembering to shop locally so we can keep our local economy stimulated. Buying online and/or out of the area are status quo for some folks. However, those of us who want to keep our local businesses thriving do spend our dollars in our own neighborhoods. Whether it’s buying a gift at About U Boutique in Bixby Knolls, flowers at Signal Hill Florist or baked goods at Alsace Lorraine, please do your best to shop and dine in your own back yard.
I feel the same way about dining out. We have some nice eateries in Bixby Knolls, California Heights and Signal Hill. Whether you’re in the mood for Sunday brunch at Delius; comfort food at Café Bixby; Chinese cuisine at Le Yen or Panda Garden; Mexican food at City Mex, Patricia’s or Guadalupe’s; or sushi at Kashiwa, Atun, Your House or Bamboo Teri; please think twice before leaving the area. These restaurateurs want and need your business. And don’t forget about those who have been serving us for decades like Nino’s Italiano Ristorante.
Getting back to the subject of Sweetheart Sweepstakes! I hope those who entered enjoyed the process 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— RING-A-DING DINING
Maria Weston/Long Beach
• $100 gift card for dinner from Delius Restaurant
• Two custom-fit Tungston Rings from Jonathan Marc Jewelers in
Bixby Knolls (valued at $360)
• Champagne Basket from Wine Country
• Pair of tickets for LB Playhouse • Mini cakes from Bundts on Melrose
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
SUPREME PRIZE— RIDING ROMANCE
Shelia Johnson/Long Beach
• PEDIWAGON Belmont Shore excursion for party of 14!
(lbpediwagon.com) $370 value!
• Empower Yourself gift basket from Jumpstarter Bodyfuel Bars
• Disposable Camera, film developing & album from Tuttle Cameras
• Two pair red sunglasses from Signal Tribune
• Box of Chocolates from Fresh & Easy/Signal Hill
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
GRAND PRIZE— FORBIDDEN LOVE
Jeanne Webb/Long Beach
• $100 Gift Card from Forbidden City Restaurant
•Two tickets to Musical Theatre West
• Bottle of Sake/ two glasses from Kashiwa Restaurant
• Mini cakes from Bundts on Melrose
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/ Lakewood — up to $350 value
A SPORTY KIND OF ROMANCE
Kim Clary/Long Beach
• Two tickets to the Anaheim Ducks (Honda Center 2/28/14) – $200 value
• Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Car Wash & Detail Center
• Disposable Camera, film developing & album from Tuttle Cameras
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• 2 Flamebroiler bowls/Bixby Knolls • Giant chocolate bar/ Fresh & Easy, Signal Hill
I’LL TAKE ROMANCE
Emily Lloyd/Long Beach
All courtesy of The Undershirt in Signal Hill:
•Two Tickets to South Coast Repertory Theater (third row center)
•Ogio brand carry case for Ipad/Nook/E Reader
• Cozy Fleece Throw and tote • Bath Salts • Candles
• Steve Tyrell’s autographed CD “I’ll take Romance”
• Wine and 2 glasses • Chocolates
ANOTHER SPORTY ROMANCE
Roy Vidal/Long Beach
• Two tickets to the Anaheim Ducks (Honda Center 3/2/14) – $200 value
• Two skating passes at The Rinks/Lakewood Ice
• Disposable Camera, film developing & album from Tuttle Cameras
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• 2 Flamebroiler bowls/Bixby Knolls • Giant chocolate bar/Fresh & Easy, Signal Hill
INSURING YOUR LASTING LOVE
Jill Fiala/Long Beach
All courtesy of Brenda Soto Bryan Insurance Agency:
•1 lb. box See’s Candy Gift Certificate • (2) AMC Movie Tickets
• $50 gift card to California Pizza Kitchen
SO HAPPY TO BE IN LOVE
Andre Blakely/Long Beach
• Dinner for two at Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria •Wine & glasses from Signal Tribune • Two skating passes for The Rinks/Lakewood Ice
• Gift Certificate for $25 Gift Certificate for Andy Liz/Bixby Knolls
•Italian Praline Candy from Fresh & Easy
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
A DAY OF DELIGHT
Joan MacKnight/Signal Hill
•Gift certificate for his & her haircuts at Donato’s Hair Salon
• Two passes for The Rinks/Lakewood Ice
• Pancake Mix & Maple Syrup from Fresh & Easy
• Coffee basket courtesy of It’s A Grind in Signal HillÂ
•Italian Praline Candy from Fresh & Easy/Signal Hill
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
CUPID’S CHOICE
Stan Peacock/Long Beach
• Dinner for two at Your House ($40 value)
• Bottle of Sake/ glasses from Kashiwa Restaurant
• Pair of tickets for LB Playhouse
• Mini cakes from Bundts on Melrose
• Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
BEARY COZY VALENTINE
Nelson Cole/Long Beach
Dinner For Two from Black Bear Diner ($25 Bear Bucks)
• Black Bear Diner His & Hers Fleece Vests • Two Black Bear Diner Coffee Mugs • Black Bear Diner His & Hers T-Shirts
• Black Bear Diner Lotion • Black Bear Diner Soap
ROMANCE ON YOUR MIND?
Marsha Hatchett/Long Beach
• Dinner for two at Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria
• Pair of tickets for LB Playhouse • Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers • Wine & glasses from Signal Tribune • Italian Pralines from Fresh & Easy/Signal Hill • Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
OH SO UTTERLY ROMANTIC
Betty Blaylock/Long Beach
• Dinner for two at Atun Restaurant in Bixby Knolls • Pair of tickets for LB Playhouse • Sake & glasses from Kashiwa Restaurant • Mini cakes from Bundts on Melrose •Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Car Wash & Detail Center
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/ Lakewood — up to $350 value
SO ROMANTICALLY INCLINED
Greg & Martha Czopek/Long Beach
• Dinner for two at Your House ($40 value)
Bottle of Sake/ glasses from Kashiwa Restaurant
• Pair of tickets for LB Playhouse
Box of Truffles from Fresh & Easy/Signal Hill
• Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
FOR A DELIGHTFUL DUO
Tiffany Minter
His and Hers gift certificate for Goldhill Hair Salon • Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Car Wash & Detail Center • Two passes for The Rinks/Lakewood Ice • Pancake Mix & Maple Syrup from Fresh & Easy/Signal Hill • Coffee basket courtesy of Our Coffee Corner & Signal Tribune • Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
TASTY LOVIN’ FOR TWO
Steven Liivoja/Cypress
• $25 gift card at Applebees/Signal Hill •$50 gift certificate from Orozco’s Auto Service for service or repair •Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Car Wash & Detail Center • Two passes at The Rinks/Lakewood Ice
• Box of Swiss chocolates from Signal Hill Fresh & Easy
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
SO TOTALLY IN LOVE
Joy Martin/Moorpark
• Dinner for two at Le Yen Restaurant • Two skating passes at The Rinks/Lakewood Ice • Three-month P.O. Box rental at UPS Store #4466
•Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers
•Box of truffles from Signal Hill Fresh & Easy
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SMITTEN
S.W. Dorrell/Signal Hill
• Dinner for two at Bamboo Teri House • Pair of tickets for LB Playhouse
• Bottle of Sake/ glasses from Kashiwa Restaurant
• Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Car Wash & Detail Center • Mini cakes from Bundts on Melrose
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
