Happy Father’s Day! Gift ideas for that special guy

Happy Father’s Day to all our pops out there! For those of you still wondering what to get your dad this year, take in a few of these ideas to get the gears grinding.
The do-it-yourselfer
If your dad’s into fixing things on his own, stop into our local home improvement shops to find just the right tool or accessory he’s been complaining he doesn’t have. And a shiny new grill or porch swing are the perfect additions to any home.
Maybe you’d like to pick up those cool outdoor rock speakers everyone’s been talking about lately, or just get a cool project the two of you can build together.
Some local home improvement stores include Gavin’s Ace Hardware (16025 San Carlos Blvd., 466-7777), Sun Hardware (7205 Estero Blvd., 765-5000), Beach Paints (2801 Estero Blvd., 765-6111), or Jay’s General Store (1741 Estero Blvd., 765-8900).
The bottle shop
If your dad’s into beer, wine or fine liquors, stop by one of the many local liquor shops around town. Check out Jameson Irish Whiskey’s new look with special reserves bottled strong: Jameson 12-Year-Old Special Reserve, Jameson 18-Year-Old Limited Reserve, Jameson Gold Reserve and Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve.
Or check out Hennessey’s limited-edition stock, bottled in the most elegant of decanters.
Johnnie Walker’s always a crowd favorite, and with so many special blends to choose from (Black Label, Red Label, Blue Label, Green Label, Gold Label, Swing, and King George V), it’ll be hard to decide which is the perfect gift for Dad.
Jack Daniels is another staple on the liquor store shelves. Good ‘ol No. 7 Whiskey has been around for quite some time, and has quite an array of blends, too. Check out Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Gentlemen Jack, or the all-new Country Cocktails, ready-to-drink malt beverages.
Quirky shot glasses, a basket of miniature liquors or a complementing cheese can also work nicely with an alcoholic gift.
Local liquor shops include Valerie’s Lounge and Liquors (17264 San Carlos Blvd., 466-7788), Town and Country Liquor (2555 Estero Blvd., 765-1311), Nicola’s Liquors (7205 Estero Blvd., 463-4013), and Beach Discount Liquor and Wine (1133 Estero Blvd., 765-9463).
For the bookworm
Is your dad into picking up the latest read or perhaps has been searching a copy that hasn’t printed in ages? So many local book stores offer both sides of this spectrum, you’d be loopy NOT to stop in to find out.
A few of the top-rated books of ’09 include “The Waking: Dreams of the Dead,” by Thomas Randall; “North of Beautiful,” by Justina Chen Headley; “Same Difference,” by Siobhan Vivian; and “The Map of Moments: A Novel of the Hidden Cities,” by Christopher Golden, as rated by Amazon.com.
Some top-rated books of all time include “Lord of the Flies,” by William Golding; “Animal Farm” and “1984,” by George Orwell, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” by Ken Kesey; and “White Noise,” by Don DeLillo, according to Time Life.
Smoke and mirrors
If your father likes to lean back with a pipe on more than one occasion (or not), stop by a tobacco shop for some great, customized pipes and accessories.
Every dad likes to puff on a cigar every now and then. Whether he’s looking for a strong flavor out of Maduros or softer, lighter taste from a Double Claro, you’re bound to find just what he’d like at a local tobacco shop.
If you’re not quite sure how to select a cigar, remember the darker wrappers usually tend to be a sweeter smoke. The lighter they are, the drier they are.
Local tobacco shops also manage to have fun knick knacks too, like cigarette cases, zippy lighters and other novelties.
Some local tobacco shops include Beach Tobacco (19041 San Carlos Blvd., 463-5177), the Cigar Hut (1172 Estero Blvd., 765-5550), Discount Cigarettes, Etc. (17105 San Carlos Blvd., 482-1947) and Bonita Smoke Shop (3300 Bonita Beach Road, 495-9296).
A night on the town
What’s always bound to turn into a great time, take your dad (and mom) out for a night on the town. Splurge at the local bars and clubs for some early cocktails and apps, then head down for a nice dinner to catch up on good memories shared between the family.
After that, soak in the tunes of our musicians, well-oiled machines in their field.
If, for whatever reason, you can’t make it out, most of our local businesses offer gift cards and gift certificates good on anything they offer, so you can save a memorable time for a future occasion.
Happy Father’s Day!