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OUR YUCAIPA |DECEMBER 2014 7 Geographically, it's ideal. We're positioned far from the prying eyes of the freeway rats and have the hills to shield us from the winds that pummel nearby cities. We're not a destination town with outsiders swarming to our malls, our rodeos, our funny car races, our giant swap meets — which is just fine with me. When I first moved here, I called one of my best friends who lives in Laguna Niguel and told him he had to come and check it out. The houses are huge, I told him, and it's really quiet. I actually said, "It needs a mall or two but it has potential." He laughed at me and told me I need to reduce the dosage of whatever I was on. Now I tell no one. Frankly, I don't want anyone else to know how freaking amazing this little town is. And I don't want ANY malls, big box stores, or crazy attractions. Close the gates and turn off the porch lights. Let's enjoy our weird, wonderful voluntary isolation. Just us. You, me and our neighbors. In order to keep this town small yet viable, we must patronize local businesses. Did you know that for every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. Spend it online and nothing comes home. This holiday season, please keep your money where your home is, where your heart is… in Yucaipa. Yucaipa is the best small town in America. There, I said it. Somebody had to. All the ornaments on this page were photographed at Kimberly Hallmark, 34488 Yucaipa Blvd., Ste. G (between 4th and 5th Streets in the Stater Bros. shopping center) Want to spruce up the house with amazing art? Need stocking stuffers? Goodies for Fido? Or Fifi? Is your table screaming for a gorgeous centerpiece? Need super cool Christmas ornaments? Shop yucaipa! By Courtney Taylor with shopping support from Stacey Parr