What You Get for … $1.3 Million (New York Times)

A three-bedroom Victorian in Valley Center, Calif., a condo in Seattle and a stone carriage house in Nyack, N.Y.

Fewer Gifts and Frills Are Expected in a Rough Economy (New York Times)

Penny-pinchers are giving greeting cards instead of presents, or presents without greeting cards. And nearly everyone is snipping someone from their list.

Shopdropping with Michele Pred (Oakland Local)

In 2007, Oakland artist Packard Jennings made headlines when the New York Times cited his sneaky method of placing “battle in Seattle” style Anarchist action figures for sale in local Target and Wal – Mart stores just in time for a holiday season filled with more than a few unsuspecting consumers.