The below are people and businesses which I highly
recommend, unreservedly, based on my own experience of receiving consistently
superlative service from them. It takes a lot to impress me, and even
more to get me to list someone here. If you decide to contact them, please
do let them know that you got their name from me; also, feel free to drop me a line and let me
know what you thought of them!
Travel Agency: Uniglobe Paragon Agency - Palo Alto: 415-424-9499
Ask for Angelica; she is just incredible - a true miracle worker! She
once got me round-trip, changable and refundable tickets to
London, at the last minute, on Christmas eve, for $970.00!
Bed & Breakfast: Mill Rose Inn - Half Moon Bay: 415-726-7673
The Mill Rose Inn, in Half Moon Bay, is an absolutely gorgeous,
romantic, fantastic Bed & Breakfast. The surrounding neighbourhood
isn't great, but it is right near downtown Half Moon Bay, and fairly
close to the Belle Vista Restaurant (see below)! Don't judge this
book by its cover (neighborhood) - it is perhaps one of the most
wonderful B&Bs I have ever seen!
Website Guest Book Services: Lpage
Lpage offers a free guest book service which allows you to set up your own, personalized website guest book,
so that people who visit your site can leave their mark.
Ice Cream: Real Ice Cream - Santa Clara: 408-984-6601
Real Ice Cream (yes, that's the name of the place) is located at 3077 El
Camino, in Santa Clara, just a block or two below Calabazas. It is on the
east side of El Camino, and is in a small plaza, behind the "Lotus"
chinese restaurant. It is between Calabazas and Bowers/Kiely.
Trust me, this place is worth finding. In fact, it's easily worth
a 1/2 hour drive, or more. It's a little hole in the wall, but the ice cream
is *fantastic*. All made on-premises, with clearly superior ingredients, the
only ice cream I'd had close in quality was my own homemade.
Furniture: The Magazine - Berkeley: 510-549-2281
The Magazine specializes in high end "name" furniture (such as that which
is designed by famous architects, etc.). Their selection and knowlege are
impressive, and their service is outstanding. Ask for Brian.
Hair Dresser: Jeanne Gitzen - Menlo Park: 415-323-0345
What more can (or should) I say then that I have sent hundreds (yes, really)
of people to Jeanne over the years, and they have all been
very pleased. Cut or perm, colour or crimp, you won't find a better
hairdresser this side of the Mississippi.
Dog Rescue Organization: K9 Haven - San Jose: 408-249-4118
Some of you will remember my pleas for someone to adopt Princess, the sweet, little
one-eyed terrier who was slated to be euthanized at the animal shelter; nobody
would adopt her because of her missing eye, even though she was the sweetest little dog!
K9 Haven came to bat for her, though, and rescued her from certain death. Thanks, guys!
Send email to K9 Haven
Cellular Phone Service & Accessories: Cellular Connection, Inc. - Santa Clara: 408-556-0900
Ask for Reyna ("rain-uh"); she's wonderful! When I was looking for a
headset for my Nokia 2160 (which are impossible to keep in stock),
even though they, like everyone else, were out of stock, she
quoted me a price, offered me a % discount off the price, kept me
posted as to anticipated delivery of the next shipment, called me the
moment they came in, and then when I got there, gave me a new, lower
price with the same % discount! Superb service!