Each year, when I head to my parent’s for the holidays, I like to arrive at their home in Southern California with a can or two of coffee beans straight out of Sonoma County. That’s the benefit of living in a foodie capital, and anyone who has family out-of-town should exploit this fact by bringing savory, local treats to lucky relatives.

Since my parents drink coffee like there’s no tomorrow, fresh-roasted beans make the perfect gift. Last year, it was a can of my favorite Taylor Maid Coffee – a delicious Goat Rock Blend. This year, I’m going to add a can of Bella Rosa Coffee to the mix because they’ve got some darn tasty beans. Smooth, with low acidity, these are coffees for most any palate. The family-owned, Santa Rosa based company’s all organic and fair trade blends include Italian Espresso, Four Seasons, and my favorite, Roaster’s Reserve.

You can find the custom-roasted beans at stores at Oliver’s Market, Community Market, Fircrest in Sebastopol, Share Exchange, Redwood Empire Farmer’s Market, or at the Bella Rosa Café, which opened in September 2013.

The café sells canned and bulk coffees, “at a steep discount off regular in-store prices” according the company’s website. Bella Rosa Café. 5491 Skylane Boulevard, Suite 140, Santa Rosa. 707. 542. 6220.

It might be tempting to get the beer enthusiast in your life one of those goofy “Beers of the World” 12 packs at Cost Plus, but here’s a way better idea; Head over to BeerCraft in Rohnert Park and let the knowledgeable staff help you put together a hand-selected case of some of the finest American craft beers in existence. Run by true blue beer lovers, the shop has a vast selection of beers from craft breweries all over the nation. They regularly carry selections from Knee Deep Brewing, Stone Brewing Co., The Bruery, Allagash, Ballast Point, Heretic, Clown Shoes, Firestone, Prairie Artisan Ales, Evil Twin, Lagunitas, Drakes, Green Flash, Caldera, Deschutes, Crooked Stave, and, well this list goes on and on. The owner’s actually travel “out of market” to find beers that aren’t available through normal distribution channels, so you’ll find stock here unavailable at Whole Foods or other stores. If you’re worried about picking out the wrong beer (does that even exist?) pIck up a gift certificate and your beloved beer lover can go crazy with the amazing selection.

If you really want to make a big impression, spring for a gift membership in BeerCraft’s Craft Beer of the Month Club. For $162.95, they’ll receive, by mail, 3 bombers (22oz or 750ml) of hand-selected, high quality craft beers delivered right to their doorstep. Check out the store’s website for more information. Now that’s one thirst-quenching gift idea.

BeerCraft also hosts free tasting nights on Thursdays from 6pm-8pm.This month’s featured brewery is Speakeasy Ales and Lagers on Dec. 12. Beer Craft is located at 5704 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park. 707. 206. 9440.

“Whoa, I think that was Nick Offerman,” said my friend. I didn’t see the guy, so I asked who that was, because I thought it might be a friend of a friend that I had maybe met once or something. I didn’t recognize the name because I’m used to hearing a different name in reference to the mustachioed man’s man: Ron Swanson, the character on TV’s Parks and Recreation. I don’t watch the show but am familiar with the character because I’m a young person with Internet access. But I didn’t believe my friend, anyway, because why would such a big star be getting a cup of coffee at Acre in Petaluma?

So, we did what any reasonable people would do: waited outside the shop, drinking our coffee, trying to decide if it was him or not. In our five minute not-stalking-just-enjoying-coffee sit down, I asked my friend what he would do if it turned out to be the actor. A photo would be too much to ask, and he didn’t want to be “that guy” anyway. Maybe just say “hi” or something. We didn’t come to a conclusion when he exited the shop, so we did what any reasonable people would do: waited a minute then followed him downtown.

Turns out it was him, which we confirmed inside Chick-a-Boom Vintage Clothing when the clerk was even more excited to see Mr. Offerman than my friend was. Apparently he was in town promoting his book, and his wife wanted to do a bit of shopping (of course, this is third-hand store clerk knowledge, not an official news source like TMZ or anything). So I did what any reasonable person would do: tried on a tuxedo jacket and walked around the store, giving Mr. Offerman a respectful nod I caught his eye. My friend and I then left and walked around town some more, talking about how cool it was that we just “met” Nick Offerman. We are dorks.

This week’s cover story on supporting local businesses kicks off a whole month of holiday shopping. We here at the Bohemian aim to inspire your shopping to happen locally, for a variety of reasons. One, it helps the local economy. Two, it sends a message to the big-box chains who think they can get away with paying employees terribly. Three, chain stores are totally boring, and shopping online is lonely.

All through the month of December leading up to Christmas Day, we’ll be posting testimonials to North Bay businesses we love in Sonoma, Napa and Marin Counties, the types of places that come immediately to mind when someone says “Name a local business you can’t live without.” Think of them as positive reviews by people you know you can trust—people who’ve lived and worked here for years.

Just as we did last year with our 25 Days of Shopping Locally project, we’ll feature different businesses on our homepage every day. These are absolutely not paid advertisements; they’re simply the types of places that come immediately to our writers’ minds when someone says, “Name a local business you can’t live without.”

When small businesses thrive, we all benefit. This December, get out there and shop locally.

–Gabe Meline, Editor

Day 1: BeerCraft

Day 2: Bella Rosa Coffee Company