FEATURE
The Women
After Self magazine called Long Beach women the most miserable in America, we asked Long Beach women to write us about what makes them happy. Long Beach women did. We gave one of them a bike. Happy?

NEWS
Historical, novel
Dave Wielenga visits the Historical Society of Long Beach’s digs, which are the old Harris Furs offices. He finds vaulted ceilings (in the vault) and—this being Bixby Knolls—all the mid-century moderniana you can shake an Eames Molded Plywood Leg Splint at. Forever and always: Vector Control and Criminy!

MUSIC
Rakaa
Chris Ziegler examines Rakaa on the eve of a colossal Long Beach New Year’s show (with X-Clan!) and wonders what’s behind MF Doom’s mask. Also: album reviews!

ART
Shiny! Pretty!
Naples can be beautiful this time of year—Naples Island, that is. Rebecca Schoenkopf goes to gaze admiringly at the holiday lights and to call people “Jews.”

FOOD+DRINK
Vint’s
Miles Clements tries out Second Street’s American Kitchen, then burns his tongue at Curry House. Also, Blottery and a champagne cocktail at CasaVino.

DEPT. OF COMMERCE
Retro Stereo
Owner John Karras explains why your rumpus room deserves the finest of vintage audio equipment. And in Buy Curious, treat yourself to a trophy. You’ve earned it.

FINE PRINT
Mike Carona
Ever seen that truck parked down on Naples Island, the one with the “Free Sherriff Carona” sign? We met the man who owns it (the truck) and asked him.

FILM
The Savages
Effed-up families and Great Debaters.