Well, I am happy to report that the Sweetheart Sweepstakes is over for another year. Congratulations to all the lucky winners— all 20 of them! Also, a big thanks goes out to all the advertising and prize sponsors. This year we received a total of 982 entries. With that kind of participation, I know that our sweepstakes was once more a big success. It looks as though we accomplished what we set out to do, and that was to encourage our readers to visit local businesses. During the process of picking up prizes and bucket drop-off/pick-up, our advertising staff (including yours truly) did a little Valentine’s Day shopping of our own. Now that’s what I call practicing what we preach— shop locally!
With that said, I hope our readers are doing what they can to stimulate the local economy. Whether it’s getting your car washed at Bixby Knolls Detail Center and Car Wash, buying gifts at The Wine Country and/or flowers at Stalks and Blooms, or dining at one of the local Long Beach or Signal Hill restaurants, it is very important that we remember to keep our dollars spent as close to home as possible. Without customers, our local shopkeepers and restaurateurs cannot and therefore will not be able to stay in business.
Getting back to the subject at hand, I hope those who entered enjoyed participating in the Sweetheart Sweepstakes this year. We sure enjoyed putting it together for you.
This year’s winners were contacted by phone Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon. So that our readers know who won, I’ve included the winners’ names below, next to their winnings.
Grand Prize— Forbidden Love: Betty Lee
• $100 Gift Card from Forbidden City Restaurant
• 2 tickets to Musical Theatre West
• Romantic Basket from The Wine Country in
Signal Hill
• Mini bouquet of flowers by Margaret Rose
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/ Lakewood (up to $350 value)
• Gift bag from Jumpstarter Bodyfuel Bars
A Sporty Kind of Romance: Steve Liivoja
• 2 tickets to the Anaheim Ducks (Honda Center 4/1/15-up to $200 value)
• Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Detail Center & Car Wash
• Selfie Camera Stand & Bluetooth remote from Tuttle Cameras
• Gift bag from Jumpstarter Bodyfuel Bars
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Elegant Fresh Rose from Stalks & Blooms
Picture-Perfect Love: Vivian Chipman
• $50 Dinner for two at Red Barrel
• Vangie Ogg photo sitting for 2 + 8×10 print
• $50 gift certificate for framing from Andazola’s Gallery
• Mini bouquet of flowers by Margaret Rose
• 2 passes for California Science Center Dead Sea Scrolls
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
Stylish Romance:
Susan Quint
• $50 gift card for Delius Restaurant
• Mini bouquet of flowers by Margaret Rose
• Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Detail Center & Car Wash
• 2 passes for California Science Center Dead Sea Scrolls
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Box of Truffles from Fresh & Easy/Signal Hill
Hearts and Flowers:
Kim Clary
• $50 gift certificate for Kashiwa Japanese Cuisine
• 2 tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
• Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Detail Center & Car Wash
• Elegant Fresh Rose from Stalks & Blooms
• Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
Guaranteed Romance: Vicki Grice
• $50 gift card for Delius Restaurant
• 2 tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
• Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Detail Center & Car Wash
• Elegant Fresh Rose from Stalks & Blooms
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Box of Truffles from Fresh & Easy/Signal Hill
Cupid’s Choice:
May Parks
• $50 gift certificate for Kashiwa Japanese Cuisine
• Gift certificate for couple’s haircuts at Donato’s Hair Salon
• BeautiControl spa kit from Kathy Green
• 2 passes for California Science Center Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Elegant Fresh Rose from Stalks & Blooms
There’s More For Four: Gerry Facon
• Chipotle/Signal Hill — 4 burritos, chips and drinks ($50 value)
• 4 tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
• 4 skating passes for The Rinks/Lakewood Ice
• Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Detail Center & Car Wash
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Box of Truffles from Fresh & Easy/Signal Hill
Too Cute for Two:
Joy Anne Johnson
• $50 gift certificate for Weiland Brewery
Restaurant
•Gift certificate for couple’s haircuts at Goldhill Salon
• 2 tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
• BeautiControl spa kit from Kathy Green
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Elegant Fresh Rose from Stalks & Blooms
Sharing the Love:
Jill Fiala
• Chipotle/Signal Hill — 4 burritos, chips and drinks ($50 value)
• 4 passes for Ca Science Center Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit
• 4 skating passes for The Rinks/Lakewood Ice
• Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Detail Center & Car Wash
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Box of Truffles from Fresh & Easy/Signal Hill
Day Full of Delightful Dining:
Beverly Giannelli
• $15 certificate for Breakfast/Supper Club of Long Beach
• $25 certificate from Bixby Brooklyn Deli
• $25 gift card from Applebee’s/Signal Hill
• 2 passes for Ca Science Center Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Elegant Fresh Rose from Stalks & Blooms
For Lovers and Friends: Glenn Baker
• Chipotle/Signal Hill— 4 burritos, chips and drinks ($50 value)
• 4 passes for Ca Science Center Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit
• 4 skating passes for The Rinks/Lakewood Ice
• Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Detail Center & Car Wash
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
Orozco’s Auto Service “Nuts and Bolts Guide”
Day of Dining and More: Denise Paige
• $15 certificate for Breakfast/Supper Club of Long Beach
• $25 certificate from Golden Eagle/Signal Hill
• $25 gift certificate for Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria
• 2 passes for Ca Science Center Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Box of Truffles from Fresh & Easy/Signal Hill
Beautifully Blissful:
Roy and Debbie Hess
• Coffee basket courtesy of Our Coffee Corner/Organo Gold/Signal Hill
• Pancake Mix & Maple Syrup from Fresh & Easy
• Sunday Lunch for 2 courtesy of Bixby Knolls
Towers
• $25 gift certificate for Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria
• 2 tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
Beary Cozy Valentine: Vicki Palacios
• $50 Bear Bucks from Black Bear Diner
• Black Bear Diner His & Hers Fleece Vests
• Black Bear Diner Huckleberry Lotion
• Black Bear Diner Huckleberry Soap
• Elegant Fresh Rose from Stalks & Blooms
• Huge chocolate bar from Fresh & Easy
Isn’t Love Grand?:
Elsa Morgan
• $25 gift certificate for E.J. Malloy’s/Bixby Knolls + 2 adult logo shirts
• 2 passes for Ca Science Center Dead Sea Scrolls
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Elegant Fresh Rose from Stalks & Blooms
• Box of Truffles from Fresh & Easy/Signal Hill
• Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers
So Totally in Love:
Roy Vidall II
• $25 gift certificate for BIG E PIZZA
• 2 tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
• Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Detail Center & Car Wash
•Box of truffles from Signal Hill Fresh & Easy
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Elegant Fresh Rose from Stalks & Blooms
Oh-So Utterly Romantic: Marcia Harris
• $25 gift certificate for Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria
• 2 tickets for Long Beach Playhouse
• Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Detail Center & Car Wash
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Elegant Fresh Rose from Stalks & Blooms
• Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers
Tasty Lovin’ for Two: Patricia Aragon
•Applebee’s card at Applebee’s/Signal Hill
• 2 passes for Ca Science Center Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit
• Box of Truffles from Signal Hill Fresh & Easy
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• 3-month P.O. Box rental from UPS Store #4466/Bixby Knolls
• Elegant Fresh Rose from Stalks & Blooms
Romance on Your Mind:
David Fitzgerald
• $25 gift certificate for Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria
• 2 passes for Ca Science Center Dead Sea Scrolls
• Combo B Gift Certificate from Bixby Knolls Detail Center & Car Wash
• Tax Preparation from Liberty Tax/Lakewood — up to $350 value
• Elegant Fresh Rose from Stalks & Blooms
• Scented candle from Capital Investment Advisers