At Gemuwine Designs, they like to bring on the bling. As in rhinestones. Lots of rhinestones.

Paul Hanson Partners has a number of good reasons to enjoy its new space in downtown Napa. More room, new furniture, being closer to downtown happenings — and don’t forget about the new barbecue on the new second story verandah.

Napa landscape architect Bill Snowden explained why he enjoys his work so much.

HAKODATE, JAPAN — My Japan trip has been in the planning stages for several years. I’d expected to go two years ago, failed again last year, and then finally pulled it off this summer.

Mike Alimusa, owner of Small World Café at 928 Coombs Street (between First and Second) believes in a fair meal for a fair price. Just like everybody else though, he is being impacted by the economy. “Food prices are getting higher every day,” he said. But while many businesses are passing the higher costs along to customers, Alimusa isn’t raising his prices. “So, I make a little less profit. My customers are still coming to me, and they will continue to come when the economy is better again. They make sacrifices, so I make sacrifices.”

The GustavoThrace winery tasting room has opened at 1021 McKinstry St. across from the Oxbow Public Market.

Last week I was meeting with a client and we discussed how difficult it is to consider making changes in business. We agreed that it is a major challenge to owners and managers.