My best friend is a thrift shop junky and has a North Park tip to share.  She swears by the Windmill Thrift Shop on University Ave.  It's close to the Bank of America at 3081 University Ave, (619) 291-2415.

She likes that it's small, well organized, and has a friendly staff.  But best of all, the prices are reasonable.  She nearly always finds little treasures when shopping there.  Everything from charming little chotchkies to regal victorian-era furniture.  One recent treasure she found is a mid-century salmon colored stool.  (To sit on or use as a foot stool.)  A favorite find was a sterling tiffany bookmark for 99 cents...in the shape of a maple leaf.    Wow, you can't beat that!  Also worth mentioning are several wonderful 40's era hats, gloves, and purses she's come across.

She occassionally finds interesting items at Pat's Corner (corner of 30th & Upas) as well.

Get out there and enjoy some North Park thrift shopping.

Like many San Diegans, I was pretty interested in the Mayor's Proposal for mid-year budget cuts.  Turns out, his plan also includes cuts in Fiscal Year 2011 (note: unlike most people, government budgets go on a "Fiscal Year" that goes from July 1 of one year to June 30 of the next year).  I was curious about how some of the Mayor's Proposals would impact North Park so I contacted Pam Ison in Councilmember Gloria's office.  Here's the Q & A:

An illness in the family kept me from going out this week.   Next week, it's ON!

Before I go any further, let me get this out of the way. I neither love, nor hate chain coffee. If you drink coffee, you've probably already got your opinion about Starbucks, and I won't try to steer you in any particular direction.

All I'll say is, the Starbucks at University & 29th Street is classy and comfy, fitting the neighborhood nicely. And I enjoyed my mocha very much.