By Amy L. Schubert Food Writer Published Nov 19, 2008 at 10:13 AM

Besides food and writing, one of my other huge passions is Bay View, and with the holidays upon us, I thought it was a great time to share just a few ideas to get you started shopping locally-owned businesses for the holidays:

1) Chocolates, Webkinz and all kinds of delectable goodies at Franklin's Fine Chocolates, 2474 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

2) Wine and wine accessories from Dee's Wine Stop, 2327 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

3) Massage / spa gift certificates at Hairy's Hair Bar, 2385 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. or massage / acupuncture gift certificates at Apple A Day Massage, 437 E. Lincoln Ave.

4) Dog grooming gift certificates at Embark Pet Spa, 1208 E. Oklahoma Ave.

5) Ice cream, custard, or cakes from Babe's Ice Cream, 2264 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. or Bella's Fat Cat, 2737 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

6) Music and videos from Rush-Mor Records, 2635 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

7) Family Photographs at Front Room Photography, 2637 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

8) Bay View-Centric items at the Bay View Historical Society Gift Shop, 2590 S. Superior St.

9) Party trays at G. Groppi Food Market, 1441 E. Russell Ave.

10) Vintage clothes, accessories, and jewelry at Luv Unlimited, 2649 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

11) Free Trade items at Sweeney Todd Salon & Fair Trade World Bazaar, 2999 S. Delaware Ave.

12) A really cool T-shirt at the Palomino, 2491 S. Superior Ave.

13) 40 percent off books at Broad Vocabulary, 2241 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (due to their unfortunate going out of business sale)

14) A nativity set or Irish items at T.H. Stemper Quality Church Supplies, 1125 E. Potter Ave.

15) Tickets to travel to Michigan on the Lake Express Ferry, 2330 S. Lincoln Memorial Dr.

Amy L. Schubert is a 15-year veteran of the hospitality industry and has worked in every aspect of bar and restaurant operations. A graduate of Marquette University (B.A.-Writing Intensive English, 1997) and UW-Milwaukee (M.A.-Rhetoric, Composition, and Professional Writing, 2001), Amy still occasionally moonlights as a guest bartender and she mixes a mean martini.

The restaurant business seems to be in Amy’s blood, and she prides herself in researching and experimenting with culinary combinations and cooking techniques in her own kitchen as well as in friends’ restaurants. Both she and her husband, Scott, are avid cooks and “wine heads,” and love to entertain friends, family and neighbors as frequently as possible.

Amy and Scott live with their boys, Alex and Nick, in Bay View, where they are all very active in the community. Amy finds great pleasure in sharing her knowledge and passions for food and writing in her contributions to OnMilwaukee.com.