Biz Beat: Spirit of giving is good business

A bit of a different take on Business Beat this week, focusing on folks who are doing various things to give back this holiday season:

It's Christmas Day, you've eaten dinner, the kids have played with their new toys. Now they're bored, and you're broke because of said toys.

What now?

Joe Gonzales wants to give you an option. Gonzales, owner of Breaktime Billiards in Modesto, is opening his business on Christmas and inviting folks to come in and play pool — for free.

"It's a gift from us to the customers and whoever else wants to come in and play," Gonzales said.

Breaktime Billiards has been open since October 2009, and Gonzales, who said he does not have family locally, typically opens up shop on the holidays.

"We do get business on Christmas Day," he said. "There are a few customers that come in."

This year, that number is likely to increase, because he's waiving the $6- to $11-an-hour fee for play. The kitchen will be open for those who want to buy snacks, but there's no money required, Gonzales said.

Breaktime Billiards is at 304 McHenry Ave. Call (209) 846-9656.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

Lancaster Painting is accepting nominations for its annual paint job giveaway.

Each year, the Turlock painting company selects a business or individual for its "Paint It Forward" service. Past recipients have been a school in Turlock and a Ceres foster family home.

Nominations can be made at www. lancasterpainting.com under the "services" tab.

Lancaster staff will make its selection in January and complete the project in February.

Hi-Tech Emergency Vehicle Service Inc. delivered a firetruck Friday. That's nothing new for the Oakdale-based company. What is different is the color: It's pink.

Hi-Tech repainted the older fire engine pink "for a bargain price," sales coordinator Dan Burch said in an email. Vacaville firefighters wanted the pink truck to promote breast cancer awareness.

Firefighters in recent years have worn and sold pink shirts during October to raise money for breast cancer awareness and treatments — departments in Turlock and Ceres did it this year. But Burch said he thinks Vacaville's pink firetruck will be the only one most folks ever see.

Have an item for Business Beat? Contact Patty Guerra at The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; (209) 578-2343 or pguerra@modbee.com.