The snowy and icy conditions of the past week has not helped local businesses during what should be the busiest shopping season of the year.  The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says while the weather keeps people in town, they tend to stay at home rather than heading downtown to shop.  She said in talking to business owners in the community, shopping was looking up before the storm hit, but now sales are trailing one year ago.  Farquharson does hope that as the weather warms, traffic in local stores will pick up for those final Christmas purchases.