By Jim Mimiaga

With a fresh blanket of snow drifting to nearly an inch in some places around town, it finally looks and feels a bit more like the holiday season should. And area merchants are reporting brisk business as the shopping days before Christmas slip away to just one.

A brief survey of local shopkeepers revealed an overall mixed bag, with most reporting an average season, and some showing slightly slower sales.

"So far so good," said Bob Helms, manager of The Toggery clothing store. "Of course the snow boots aren’t selling well, but in spite of that business has been good."

Carhartts, a line of heavy-duty work clothing that has lately turned trendy are especially selling well this year, he said, as are polar-fleece jackets.

This season’s woeful lack of snowfall is really hurting the market for skis, snowboards and snowmobiles. But practically dry trails and clear sidewalks are perfect for going biking or skateboarding this holiday break.

"Our snowboard sales are down this year, but we were expecting that somewhat after last year’s no-snow situation," said Jimbo Farley, co-owner of Kokopelli Bike and Board. "Skateboards, bikes and warm clothing have been selling OK though."

Down the street at the Quality Book Store, owner Goldie Fowler says history, humor, cooking and pop-culture-mystery are selling well.

"Of course Hillerman’s Hunting Badger ($26) is going fast," she said, referring to the fictitious account of the violent events that paralyzed the region in the summer of 1998. The accompanying map ($14.95) of the Southwest, which details the various settings for Hillerman’s culturally-rich storytelling, has also been a popular item.

Other hot sellers: Tom Brokaw’s The Greatest Generation, David Bowyer’s video on the San Juan Skyways, and Howard Greager’s books on local history.

Radio Shack, that iconic American-electronic store, reported on-average sales also. Satellite dish systems on sale for $49, and remote control cars, boats, off-road trucks and planes are hot items this year, reports manager Steve Freeman.

"Both kids and adults really love them," he said of the classic Christmas toy. Computer sales are down however these days, he added, likely due to Y2K fears of a societal meltdown -- caused, in part, by older computers’ astonishing inability to read the correct date.

Next door at Wal-Mart, toy department manager Michelle Palmer summed up the scene nicely.

"It’s been crazy here, last Saturday there was barely room to stand," she said amid the early morning calm before the storm. Hot items are Pokeman dolls and accessories, Toy Story II characters, and interactive "smart" animals like Pikachu that learn language, talk, and dance at the urging of the user.

For those too lazy to actually skateboard, so-called fingerboards offer an easy alternative. Strap your index finger into a tiny "binding" and pretend to shred, dude.

"They even have different tracks for them to follow along," said Palmer.

K-Mart’s parking lot has been chock full because of the discount store’s close-out sale. Holiday shoppers are lured in via a giant banner announcing that all merchandise is marked down 30 to 50 percent. K-Mart will close its doors sometime in January.

"That was perfect timing for a close-out sale," said one business owner.

Internet shopping is a booming industry nation-wide, yet the effect has not really hurt retailers as many initially feared. In fact, the opposite has happened as savvy shoppers browse on-line for products and then head out to the stores to buy.

"Most people want to actually touch the products they purchase," said Freeman. "Asking questions face-to-face and getting opinions on different brands is important too, so I do not think Internet shopping has had any negative effect for us."

American shoppers are truly of the "kick the tire" variety, and besides, hunkering over the computer to shop instead of hitting the streets is so anti-social.

"Computers take the joy out of shopping because you end up sitting at home," said Cortezan Val Duncan before heading into the fray. "Some people might think it is a hassle, but I really enjoy getting out and seeing people. It’s a good reason to get out and about."