Julie Krasniak, winner of the 2011 single-speed cyclocross championship in Golden Gate Park. Photo: Jason Perry via Cycling News

This week in the Ocean Beach news roundup: Farewell, Educational Exchange; cyclocross in Golden Gate Park; Playland among the flowers; hard work pays off at Noriega Produce

We can’t link to every story out there, but if you think we missed something, leave a comment here, or tell us on Twitter or Facebook.

• The Richmond District’s Educational Exchange store is closing after 40 years at 35th and Anza. – SF Chronicle
• Cyclists pedaled through muddy Golden Gate Park in pursuit of the 2011 single-speed cyclocross championship. – Cycling News, Go Means Go
• The Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park has a new exhibition. Think Playland-at-the-Beach in a tropical jungle. – Richmond SF Blog, Conservatory of Flowers
• Yes, you can go to Civic Center to see the opera and ballet (including “The Nutcracker”). But why schlep all the way down there when you can go to the Balboa Theater instead? – Balboa Theater
• There may be financial crisis in Greece, but the Greek American family that owns Noriega Produce is doing well. – ABC7
• Fresh off winning the 2011 ASP World Surfing Title (his 11th) at Ocean Beach, surfer Kelly Slater says he’s ready to surf this winter’s Maverick’s contest. – SF Chronicle
• That patch of floating plastic junk you’ve heard is loop-de-looping around the Pacific Ocean? It’s a fake, says a plastic-bag lobbying group. – SF Appeal