Dreams of durable goods and prayers for the stabilization of foreign markets were far from our thoughts in this photo from our personal holiday scrapbook. But now, slouching toward presidential censure and Y2K with more fear than you can shake a cell phone at, we find that a vacation may be the only solution. We can bear up--we can make all the right choices if you'll only give us this little break. We're going to be out of the office and away from our phones for the month of December, so please hold your Class Ad copy, letters, and calendar items until January. Get your stuff to us by January 15 (display advertisers have until January 22), and we'll do our best to squeeze it in the February issue, which appears Wednesday, February 3. Yes, we can rise up renewed and be the angels we were once upon a time--again--with your help. Have a safe and sane one, and we'll see you in 1999. Photo courtesy of Pamela Gerard

Lick Kids Ask for a Warmer Welcome in Noe
Neighbors Spruce Up Three Local Parks
Coffee Ban Nears Passage
Tinsel Trees Strung Up on 24th Street

Ferreting Out Family Day Care In Noe Valley
Ye Auld Neighborhood Psychic
Noe Valley Author Finds The Promised Land
Tom Baker -- An Equal Opportunity Spiritual Guide
Supervisor Mark Leno Hangs on to Nice Guy Image

Florence's Family Album: 'Tis the Season to Be Jolly
Kids Picks: It's Better to Give Than to Receive
More Books to Read
Short Takes
Calendar of Events

Police Beat: Man Leaving ATM Robbed at Gunpoint
Rumors Behind the News: Noe Votes
Letters to the Editor