I have to post another rave for Gene's. After having my car's AC inspected twice by some chain auto places (I'm sure you can guess who) and having them tell me "Sorry, we can't find the problem," I took it to Gene and he was like "oh, the problem was just this loose doodad causing a leak. I fixed it" (he was much more specific and explanatory than that, but that's what it translated to in my head). It cost half of what I was expecting.
So this is what it's like to go to a great mechanic.... it feels so.... dare I say?..... GOOD. I think I'll do it more often.