If lovin' to save is wrong, I don't wanna be right ...

I know that volunteer service is supposed to be all about selflessly helping HUMANITY and really, it is.

That said, is it WRONG to cadge a few bargains along the way?

A few weeks ago I signed up to volunteer at a local Habitat For Humanity ReStore as part of Disney's Give a Day, Get a Day program. (Which, right there, kind of takes some of the 100% selflessness out of the equation and replaced it with a heaping dollop of greed and avarice).

Anywho, Mike stopped by there yesterday to get the lay of the land after I "discovered" this place (which has actually existed for years without my knowledge).

His haul yesterday was unBELIEVABLE.

One North Face brand 4-season tent. $599 retail. Purchase price $18.

One Stihl Pro Line trimmer (insert lots of technical stuff here that will impress gearheads but really, do we CARE?) $329+ retail. Purchase price $60.

I'd say it was a great day in the bargain hunting trenches.

Santa in the (photographic) flesh

As seen in this week's column, here is our beloved Uncle, Mike Szollosy, as he appeared as "Santa" in the Cleveland Plain Dealer c. 1981.

I dare you to tell me that he isn't THE Santa Claus.