Best Anti-Aging Supplement in Pacific Grove

68 SKATE

1173 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove, 648-3300.

We like the fact that the city (grand) fathers in America''s last hometown are blowing through a life savings of political capital getting a pair of senior housing projects approved. But we really like the fact that a couple of PG post-adolescents can launch the Peninsula''s newest skateboard shop on the top of Forest Hill and in one gnarly move inject the city with a much needed dose of youthful spirit. With a totally rad mural of a street scene from this century on the outside of the building and a collection of skate products to match that vibe on the inside, 68 Skate successfully ushered in a youth movement in Pacific Grove this year. That''s cool.

Cutest New Kid on the Block

ROOMS IN BLOOM

246 Main St., Salinas, 753-7080.

It''s tough to know what you can count on in Old Town Salinas when it comes to shopping. Once you''ve found that perfect addition to your formal living room, you''d best hope you remembered your checkbook. You never know if the shop will be there the next time you mosey down Main. One place we''d be willing to bet will withstand Father Time''s unforgiving hand, Rooms in Bloom, is a home decorator''s ooh-la-la, from oy vey linens and art to pottery, candles, and foofie pedicure-in-a-box kits. The neighborhood newcomer is the creative genius of sisters Vivian and Yvonne Magana, who strive to fill their pleasantly decorated space with unique treasures and timeless gifts. So while that one piece you can''t live without may not be around long enough for you to fetch some cash, the store is more than likely to be.

Best Person to Keep an Eye on Your Private Plane

SUSAN PETERSEN

Monterey Jet Center, Monterey Peninsula Airport, 373-0100.

It''s not easy being a rock star or a professional athlete or a captain of industry or a world dignitary. There are tremendous time demands and it is difficult to get details taken care of, or just plain get away from it all. The Monterey Peninsula is one of the best places to come escape from the madding world to just play a little golf or attend one of the many great events for the rich and interesting. That''s where Susan Petersen comes in. As concierge for the Monterey Jet Center, her Rolodex reads like a who''s who and who''s gonna be who and who used to be who. When they fly in, she takes over, arranging this, setting up that, smoothing out the other, always in her inimitable style with the ever pleasant, genuinely caring attitude she displays to everyone. It''s a pressure-packed job, but she handles it with great aplomb and dignity.

Best Signs of an Economic Uptick

LOCAL COTTAGE INDUSTRIES

This year, counterbalancing some bad economic indicators, are the success stories of locals who have taken their cottage industries global. Victoria Knight-McDowell, a second-grade teacher from Carmel, developed an herbal formula to fight classroom colds. Today, a short five years from its launch at Surf and Sea drug store in Carmel, Airborne is the number one herbal cold remedy in the country and available at 30,000 drugstores across the country. WorldBLEND is a shoe company founded by Jeff Williams and Tom Burns from Carmel-they design, produce and sell hand-sewn European comfort shoes. Their shoes are available in 500 specialty shops across North America. And then there is Orange Guard, an eco-pesticide that was developed by a former real estate agent from Carmel Valley, Tor McPartland. Orange Guard is a water-based orange peel oil that is lethal to ants, snails, spiders and mites but totally friendly on kids and pets. McPartland reports that the EPA has recently approved Orange Guard for organic landscaping, houseplants and ornamental flowers and he anticipates approval for use on food this year. Enron, Shmenron. The story from here is that the good people of Monterey County are taking care of business, everyday.

Best Hillside One-Stop

TROIA''S MARKET

350 Pacific St., Monterey, 375-9819.

There''s a lot to like about Troia''s Market. Besides the fact that the crew at Troia''s is very friendly, plain and simple they''ve just got good stuff. They make tasty, cheap sandwiches. They have all the little grocery store essentials you need, like lip balm or the box of stuffing you forgot on the night you''re roasting a chicken. They also have an excellent snack rack, ruled by the delicious white corn tortilla chips made by Monterey Bay Foods of Prundale. They''ve got plenty of cold beer. They carry the New York Times and most important, the entire selection of Haribo gummi candy. You can''t ask for much else from a place you can walk to.

Best Shoes You Can''t Afford (Or Shouldn''t)

GIRL BOY GIRL

Mission and 7th, Carmel, 626-3368.

There''s nothing like pointy-toed Miu-Miu shoes to inspire that impractical shoe lust in women. Wandering by GBG''s shoe store (just separate from the clothing store near the fountain) is an experience in wanting what one can''t possibly afford. From sporty to painfully decorative, GBG has high-class shoes for high-class girls. You might never know how profoundly you''ve needed exactly what they have to offer until you windowshop their small (but impressive) inventory. C''mon. One pair of shoes. You know you want them.

Best Beauty for Beasts

PATTY PHILLIPS, PETSMART

1265 N. Davis Rd., Salinas, 775-0318.

It was his first time, and she was a pro. Knowing he was just getting out of a bad relationship, she promised to be gentle. "Hello, Sweetie," she cooed. Sensing his trepidation, she reassured, "Ooh, you''ll be just fine." She rubbed his matted coat and massaged his floppy ears. Bear, the rescue Newfoundland who''d been afraid of his own shadow, was somewhere in lala land by then. When she stopped, he threw his tail high up and pranced to the singsong of her voice as she led him to her parlor. Fresh breath and an immaculate coat later, she set him free. Bear''s not unique; Patty seems to bond with all of her guests. There''s something otherworldly about her touch, and the furry ones dig it.

Best Place To Stock Up On Utility Chic Gear

J&S SURPLUS & OUTDOOR STORE

Hwy. 1 & N. Struve Rd., Moss Landing, 724-0588.

Make love, not war, but do support our troops in the Gulf-by dressing in fatigues, combat jackets and all things Army green. Besides, utility chic is so in this season. One can spend hundreds of dollars on fatigues at Saks with tiny sequins sewn on. Or, pay a mere $35 at J&S and accessorize on your own. J&S is also a camping, survival and paintball headquarters, and sells military gear for all ages, from baby to grandma. I do have my eye on a ridiculously expensive shrunken combat jacket at Saks. And I''ll probably buy it. But I''ll be sure to pair it with my new pants from J&S.

Best Place for a Nip and a Tuck

JULIAN''S TAILOR SHOP

272 Main St., Salinas, 753-6910.

You stand in front of the mirror, so close to flawless you can feel it. Just one more inch could have you walking the walk. The guilty pleasure of perfectly cuffed pantlegs could be enough to catapult you into therapy over a rapidly progressing case of narcissism. If only. First, though, you''ve got to see the emperor of all things threaded, German Gutierrez, at Julian''s Tailor Shop. Go ahead and don your droopy duds for German. He''ll make it all better without batting a handsome lash at the funky ideas you have for the only Armani you''ll ever own. Just one look at the suits he wears to work every day, a testament to his keen sense of style, and you''ll learn to keep your opinions to yourself. Eventually, you''ll stop buying things you like and choose instead to buy things German can make into things you like.