Next Week

In much the same manner as a capricious tornado, the past year’s recession has touched down on many areas of the South Bay, throwing lives and businesses into disarray, while bouncing over other areas, leaving them virtually unscathed. The boating industry is barely afloat, but surf stores are riding high. The indicators that have muddled the financial picture nationally--some sunny, others signaling recession--similarly reflect a mixed scene in the South Bay as merchants struggle to bring post-war cheer to a sluggish local economy.