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Page 2 – Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - BLACK FRIDAY

Television show DVD sets make great gifts

By DIANE WERTS Newsday There’s lots to watch again this year, although TV’s DVD and Blu-ray box sets have pared back a bit on the collectible bells and whistles. (Even if there is an actual bell inside one.) The show’s the thing, after all.

And these gifts showcase favorites aired from the 1960s to just this month. (Expect deep discounts off these list prices at bigbox, online and other retailers.)

STAR TREK 50th ANNIVERSARY TV AND MOVIE COLLECTION (CBS) THE DEAL: You’ll watch long and prosper with 30 Blu-ray Discs in a strong double-width black gift box. It slides open to reveal the entire oeuvre of William Shatner’s Enterprise crew. A 2-inch case has plastic book pages holding NBC’s 1966-69 adventures and 1973 animated half-hours. Another Blu-ray case has the original crew’s six bigscreen features. Both get sleek black slipcases to fit separately on video library shelves.

(And each disc gets cool new custom art.)

EXTRAS: The movies rate six black-edged mini-posters, roughly 7x11, by celebrated “Trek” illustrator Juan Ortiz (who also designed the discs). A hefty crew badge with magnetic clasp comes in its own box. (All previous on-disc extras, too.)

LIST PRICE: $210 Blu-ray DOWNTON ABBEY: COMPLETE SERIES (PBS) THE DEAL: Sometimes, DVD and Bluray boxes can differ considerably. DVD’s “Limited Edition Collector’s Set” of the

52-episode British estate soap is a true gift set: It tucks all six seasons (with voluminous on-disc extras) into a hardcover book, inside a double-wide gold keepsake box, which also adds collectibles (details below).

“The Complete Collection,” on either DVD or Blu-ray, has a simple sleeve over familiar blue plastic cases, again retaining season sets’ existing extras.

EXTRAS: “Limited Edition” DVD box includes a working pull-bell on a wood plaque, six “crest” coasters and a photo booklet showcasing costumes. This and the other two “complete” sets deliver five hours of new extras, including 100-minute documentary “The Story of Downton Abbey” and varied “supercuts” of key scenes. (These join hours of existing extras like “Manners of Downton Abbey” and “Great Houses.”)

LIST PRICE: $200 DVD limited edition, $130 DVD complete/$150 Blu-ray HELL ON WHEELS (Sony) THE DEAL: AMC’s rail-laying Western reached its Promentary Point conclusion this summer after five seasons. Collected here, they vividly dramatize the cultural and economic dislocation of America’s post-Civil War push westward.

EXTRAS: The only thing new here is a simple slipcase enclosing all six previously released sets (Season 5 was split in two), with lots of existing on-disc extras.

LIST PRICE $120 DVD/$150 Blu DOCTOR WHO: THE CHRISTMAS SPECIALS BLU-RAY GIFT SET (BBC) THE DEAL: Collected here on three discs

Shopping on Thanksgiving Retailers mixed on holiday hours

By JAMES F. PELTZ Los Angeles Times Thanksgiving Day is around the corner, and that means the launch of the holiday shopping season — or does it?

In recent years, some major retailers looked to get a jump on holiday sales, which traditionally began on Black Friday, by opening their stores on Thanksgiving despite a good deal of criticism that retailing’s “Christmas creep” had gone too far.

This year, a number of chains kept their Thanksgiving plans under wraps, which heightened speculation that turkey day might be reverting to its shop-free roots.

Some stores and mall operators said they would stay closed Thanksgiving, mainly so that their employees could enjoy the holiday. Another likely reason: Sales on Thanksgiving dropped sharply last year, which left the stores with paltry earnings for the day, after accounting for worker holiday overtime, according to the research firm Drummers Ltd. Macy’s Inc. broke first, saying in mid-October that its 675 full-line stores would open this Thanksgiving at 5 p.m. local time — an hour earlier than last year — in addition to holding the 90th edition of its famed Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Then Kohl’s Corp. jumped on the bandwagon, announcing that its stores would open at 6 p.m. local time on Thanksgiving.

And this week, most other major retailers joined in, announcing Thanksgiving openings as early as 6 a.m. Toys R Us said that it would kick off the season at 5 p.m. local time on Thanksgiving and wouldn’t close its doors again until 11 p.m. the next day, which amounts to 30 hours of shopping.

“Our customers have voted at the doors year after year, and they continue to want the option to get an early start on their holiday shopping lists,” said Joe Venezia, Toys R Us executive vice president of global store operations.

All of which means Thanksgiving Day this year will be a mixed bag for consumers looking to stroll through physical stores. Among those staying closed are Nordstrom Inc., Office Depot Inc., Home Depot Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corp., according to the website TheBlackFriday.com.

“No question there’s going to be confusion about which stores are open and which aren’t,” said Ken Perkins, founder of the consulting firm Retail Metrics Inc. One certainty is that the growth of online shopping, primed with a flurry of Black Friday promotions, will continue Thanksgiving Day regardless of how many consumers stay home after dinner or head to the stores, analysts said.

Thanksgiving Day online sales are expected to jump 15.6 percent from last year ’s record $2 billion, according to Adobe Digital Insights. Online sales on Black Friday also are forecast to hit a record $3.1 billion, up 11 percent from last year.

“Those retailers closing their physical storefronts on Thanksgiving Day can still boost their bottom line by driving consumers online and offering special deals,” Becky Tasker, managing analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, said in a statement.

“It also gives consumers a chance to avoid the mad rush in stores, even if that means shopping on mobile devices at the dinner table,” she said.

Further confusing the situation is that some malls might plan to be closed Thanksgiving, but their anchor stores, such as Macy’s, which often have exterior entrances, might be open.

The giant Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., said it will close Thanksgiving Day. CBL & Associates Properties Inc. said it’s also closing 70 of its malls on Thanksgiving.

“We want to bring back the excitement of Black Friday shopping as the true start of the holiday shopping season and allow our employees, retailers and shoppers to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with their families,” CBL & Associates Chief Executive Stephen Lebovitz said in a statement.

The outdoor-goods chain Recreational Equipment Inc. is again taking a stand against Thanksgiving Day shopping. For the second consecutive year, REI said it’s staying closed both on Thanksgiving and Black Friday and urged its customers to get outside those days.

“Instead of feeding the Black Friday frenzy, we’re closing our 149 stores and giving our 12,287 employees a paid day off,” REI said on its website.

But Macy’s chose to open Thanksgiving “in response to significant, ongoing customer interest in shopping on Thanksgiving, both at Macy’s and at other retailers,” Macy’s spokeswoman Holly Thomas said.

The move also could reflect the struggling retailer ’s plan to close 100 stores after the holiday season. Staying open on Thanksgiving could in effect extend the closeout sale for those properties by one day.

Thomas said Macy’s also surveyed its employees “well in advance” to get their preference about showing up that day, “and we are working diligently to staff Thanksgiving with associates who volunteer.”

The 83,000 seasonal employees Macy’s has hired for the holidays joined the company “with the full understanding that they will work on Thanksgiving Day if our year-round employees choose not to work that day,” Thomas said.

Retailers began opening Thanksgiving in large numbers in 2011-2012. Even though online shopping continued to gain popularity, “there was a premise that everyone loves to shop, so we can finish the turkey, jump up from the table and run to the mall,” said Amanda Nicholson, a professor and retail specialist at Syracuse University.

are The Doctor’s holiday adventures, starring David Tennant (six episodes), Matt Smith (four hours) and Peter Capaldi (one outing), all of which have been released already.

EXTRAS: The big draw here is a Bluetooth speaker shaped like his time-tripping blue phone booth, the TARDIS (about 8 inches tall).

LIST PRICE $111 Blu-ray THE LUCY SHOW: THE COMPLETE SERIES (CBS) THE DEAL: Lucille Ball’s second sitcom maintains the antics of “I Love Lucy” into ‘60s color TV. With sidekicks Vivian Vance and Gale Gordon, she’s a widow raising kids and returning to work. Big-name guest stars include Carol Burnett, Jack Benny, John Wayne, Dean Martin, Milton Berle and Wayne Newton. All six seasons, now together on 24 discs in one megathick plastic case.

EXTRAS: As with “I Love Lucy” (now in its own thick-pack for $80 list price), great extras are carried over from season sets: interviews, original episode opens/closes/ commercials, separate specials (“Lucy in London”), more.

LIST PRICE $64 DVD SOUNDBREAKING: STORIES FROM THE EDGE OF RECORDED MUSIC (Athena) THE DEAL: The new PBS docuseries races to disc Nov. 29, exploring the art of recording as a “sonic laboratory” that manipulates sound to create its own music. Outlining the effort are producers like George Martin,

Don Was and Mark Ronson, with artists including Paul McCartney, Cat Stevens, Chuck D, Questlove and St. Vincent.

EXTRAS: Just a few quick interview clips on disc, but also a great booklet with episode song lists and nine artist essays (George Benson, Joni Mitchell, others).

LIST PRICE: $50 each DVD or Blu-ray T-A-M-I SHOW / THE BIG T.N.T. SHOW (Shout Factory) THE DEAL: These groovy-’60s concert films were once a late-night cable staple for good reason. “TAMI” (Teenage Music International) has a dozen acts rocking out, before screaming teens, as go-go dancers (Teri Garr!) exhaust themselves behind.

James Brown’s near-20-minute set stakes his Hardest Working Man in Show Business claim. The young Rolling Stones rock wild to follow it. Also: the Beach Boys (with Brian Wilson), Lesley Gore, Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry, lots more. Follow-up show “TNT” reaches wider — Ike and Tina Turner, Roger Miller, Joan Baez, Ray Charles — but lacks the original’s infectious energy.

EXTRAS: Reminiscences, original trailers, director Steve Binder commentary/interview, plus deep-dive 36-page essay booklet.

LIST PRICE: $30, Blu-ray MOTOWN 25: YESTERDAY TODAY FOREVER (Time Life) THE DEAL: This all-star 1983 TV tribute is now available retail (formerly online only), with all its goodies intact. Michael Jackson does his famous moonwalk, Diana Ross reunites with the Supremes, the Temptations battle the Four Tops. It’s

aimed squarely at “big chill” nostalgia, but younger fans get an introduction to Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and many more.

EXTRAS: Extended concert, hours of interviews, info booklet, more — all in a glittery silver double-width box.

LIST PRICE: $80 DVD KNIGHT RIDER: THE COMPLETE SERIES (Mill Creek) THE DEAL: The DVD package may be bare bones — 16 discs in cardboard sleeves inside a flimsy slipcase — but the kid (or grown-up kid) who gets this gift isn’t likely to care. He (or maybe she) will be too busy watching the “high-tech” ‘80s adventures of talking supercar KITT (a customized Firebird Trans Am) and driver / crime fighter David Hasselhoff. And the buyer will like the bargain price. (Blu-ray comes in standard plastic cases for each of four seasons.)

EXTRAS: None.

LIST PRICE: $70 DVD/$100 Blu-ray THE TWILIGHT ZONE: THE COMPLETE SERIES (CBS) THE DEAL: The new box with black-andwhite spiral cover delivers all 156 episodes of Rod Serling’s 1959-64 original creepfest, uncut, remastered and looking sharp. Fans who just want to watch, not deep-dive, will be plenty happy with solid packaging that merely drops previous sets’ extras to lower the price.

EXTRAS: None.

LIST PRICE: $80 DVD ($127 Blu-ray out Dec. 13)

Tips for finding Black Friday deals

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Serious deal-seekers are already planning their Thanksgiving weekend shopping, and experts believe that once again the holiday itself may offer better deals than Black Friday the day afterward.

Amid the clutter of deals clamoring for attention, smart and careful shoppers can come out ahead. Many stores are increasing their inventory so as not to frustrate shoppers. WalMart Stores Inc. is increasing the number of products for online orders by 50 percent for the holiday kickoff compared to a year ago.

“Start researching and planning,” says Benjamin Glaser, features editor with DealNews. com, a deal comparison website.

Here are four ways to get the most out of Black Friday weekend — and beyond.

STUDY UP: Make a comprehensive list of what you plan to buy, research what those items usually sell for at full price and on sale, and figure out how much you want to spend.

Also check out store flyers from previous years online, since many retailers repeat the same deals at the same price.

Eighty percent of the products and 43 percent of the prices highlighted on the front pages of the 2015 and 2014 Black Friday flyers of Best Buy, Macy’s, Target, Kohl’s, Walmart and J.C. Penney were the same, says Market Track LLC, a price tracking firm.

Make sure to note at what times different stores plan to start their Black Friday deals — both online and at the store.

For example, J.C. Penney is making its deals available on its website on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving for the first time. It will open its doors on Thanksgiving at 3 p.m., the same time as last year. Kohl’s offered last Thursday a subset of the Black Friday deals that will be available for Thanksgiving, when it opens its doors at 6 p.m.

For the first time, it will offer “doorbusters” online starting on Thanksgiving while supplies last. In the past, doorbusters were only at the store.

Wal-Mart and Target will again start their sales at their stores at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving, the same as last year. Best Buy will open its doors at 5 p.m., also the same. And they’ll all offer their deals earlier that day online.

Wal-Mart’s will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Thanksgiving, earlier than last year.

Target says that starting this Wednesday through this Thursday, its Black Friday early access sale will allow customers to shop a selection of Black Friday deals on its website; new this year, shoppers can get them in all stores via its Cartwheel savings app.

LOOK AT THE WHOLE SEASON: Retailers have been starting to spread their offers out, with some starting well before Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Earlier this month, WalMart and Amazon.com both kicked off holiday deals on thousands of items.

Still, there’s a good chance you can get a better deal on Thanksgiving for certain items.

DealNews.com says 38 percent of the specials pushed on the holiday were what the site considered top deals, compared to only 31 percent for Black Friday.

But not every deal is the best on Thanksgiving. DealNews. com says it’s likely better to buy cameras, TVs, tablets and major appliances on Thanksgiving, and tools on Black Friday. On the Monday after Thanksgiving, known as Cyber Monday, is also a good day for shoppers to get deep discounts on clothing and laptops.

Traci Gregorski, senior vice president of marketing at Market Track, says that Monday is also a good time to buy laptops, small appliances and toys and

games, based on an analysis of more than 1,400 listings across Amazon, Best Buy, Kmart, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart.

“It’s to the shoppers’ benefit to do their homework to ensure they are getting the best deal,” Gregorski said.

USE APPS AND REWARDS: Strategize how to leverage the store rewards points you already have or holiday bonus offers.

Look for the apps that work well for you.

For example, Flipp recreates the traditional print flyer experience so you don’t have to sift through all the weekly store flyers — and not just on Black Friday. DealNews Black Friday keeps track of specials throughout the holiday season too.

Plenty of retailer apps offer customers special discounts.

Customers who use the Staples app will have gotten a sneak peek of the Black Friday deals, which started Sunday, and will be able to see the latest specials throughout the season.

And Wal-Mart is making its Black Friday circular available starting this Thursday through its app.

THINK PAST THE HOLIDAYS: If you don’t need items by the holiday — or aren’t seeing some friends and relatives until afterward, shoppers might do better waiting to buy toys and clothing like sweaters and coats until the end of the season. That lets them take advantage of clearance sales, says Glaser. For clothing, discounts are on average of 40 percent over the Thanksgiving weekend, but at the end of the season, they go to 70 percent.

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Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - BLACK FRIDAY – Page 3

Coffee table books that are sure to please

By LEANNE ITALIE Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Come holiday time, there's never a shortage of splashy coffee table books to please just about any aficionado.

Some suggestions: FASHION & STYLE "Fashion Made Fair," by Magdalena Schaffrin and Ellen Kohrer, Prestel, $49.95. Know someone deeply committed to sustainability in fashion?

Taking a truly world view, this book dives deeply into companies that do it well. In Zurich, for instance, look to the brothers Freitag, Daniel and Markus. They're bag makers who launched F-abric, a line of compostable workwear.

"Reigning Men, Fashion in Menswear, 1715-2015," by Sharon Sadako Takeda, Kaye Durland Spilker and Clarissa M. Esguerra, DelMonico Books, $55. Going back to the 18th century, this tome celebrates all aspects of men's dressing, from the French court to Speedo.

Among contemporary high points: An intricately bleached denim suit

by Vivienne Westwood and a futuristic ruffle suit by Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garcons.

"Francois Nars," by Francois Nars, Rizzoli International, $85. With some of the most famous faces in fashion represented, the visionary behind NARS Cosmetics tells his story in beautiful close-up color, with snippets of remembrances and inspirations. He includes the communion looks of both his parents and makes it clear beauty begins with beautiful skin.

THE MUSIC LIFE "The Lyrics: 1961-2012," by Bob Dylan, Simon & Schuster, $60. The Nobel Prize-winning man of the hour, and of oh-so-many hours, has released 36 studio albums that have sold more than 120 million copies.

This book includes lyrics from his first album to "Tempest," released in 2012. Dylan has edited dozens of songs for the book, to reflect the words he uses as he performs them now.

"The Rolling Stones: All the Songs,

the Story Behind Every Track," by Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon, Black Dog & Leventhal, $50. The book covers 50 years and 340 songs, beginning with the band's 1963 debut album. More than 500 photos are included, along with details like what instruments were used in the studio.

"David Bowie Play Book," by Matteo Guarnaccia and Giulia Pivetta, ACC Art Books, $29.95.

What better way to honor the icon who died in January than with a color, cut and play set. Includes paper dolls and his favorite footwear spanning his ever-changing look and a coloring page of the people who inspired him, from Dylan to Marlene Dietrich.

THE BIG SCREEN "Hollywood Icons," by Robert Dance, ACC Editions, $65. Stunning studio portraits of film icons from the 1930s through the '60s from the collection of the John Kobal Foundation. Kobal was a film journalist and historian who amassed a huge collection of Hollywood portraits and set images. Look for Bette Davis, shot by George Hurrell for Warner Bros. in 1939.

"My Elizabeth," by Firooz Zahedi, Glitterati, $75. Friend and acclaimed photographer Zahedi offers a private peek into Taylor's life from 44 into her 70s. Includes the Washington, D.C., years, jaunts in Montauk, New York with Halston and Andy Warhol and intimate photos of her children and stepchildren. There's Taylor making fried chicken, on a boat in Venice, on a trip to Iran.

"The Malkovich Sessions," by Sandro Miller, Glitterati, $95. "Being John Malkovich" is so 1999. In this book, rather than on film, John Malkovich gets to be himself, in all his goofy, creepy glory. And he gets to recreate some of the world's most iconic portraits, with the help of photographer Miller, in a book that offers both pathos and whimsy.

WILDLY MISCELLANEOUS "Young Frankenstein, The Story of the Making of the Film," by Mel Brooks, Black Dog & Leventhal, $29.99. Whether you're a first-gen-

Associated Press

At left, this book cover image released by Harper Design shows “Shop Cats of New York,” a guide to New York City shop cats

by Tamar Arslanian and Andrew Marttila. At right, this book cover image released by Black Dog & Leventhal shows “The Rolling Stones: All the Songs, the Story Behind Every Track,” a guide to the songbook of the iconic rock band. eration "Young Frankenstein" fan or trying to nudge along the next, nobody does this 1974 classic better than Brooks himself. With a foreword by Judd Apatow ("Even Gene Hackman is funny in it") and behind-the-scenes photos, a great to hear the now 90-year-old Brooks in his own voice.

"Shop Cats of New York," by Tamar Arslanian, photos by Andrew Marttila, Harper Design, $21.99. To heck with that Yelp reviewer who dissed the bodega cat. This book shows that shop life can work for felines, with a warning that not all may be treated like kings and queens. Dwelling in

wine shops, bookstores, dry cleaners and yes, The Algonquin Hotel, think "Humans of New York," only cats.

"Dream a World Anew: The African American Experience and the Shaping of America,"

by National Museum of African American History and Culture,

Smithsonian Books, $40. As much a primer on the slave trade and racial discrimination as a celebration of early black entrepreneurs, musicians, writers, activists and athletes in a nuanced, global context. Marks the opening of the new museum in Washington, D.C., great for tweens and teens.

Target, Wal-Mart take cues from each other for holidays NEW YORK (AP) — Wal-Mart and Target are each taking a cue from the other this holiday season.

After years of emphasizing low prices, Wal-Mart wants to up the ante, but it also wants to be known for top customer service. Target, which has a better image in that regard, has stressed a focus on offering deals.

The shift underscores how traditional retailers have to perfect every aspect of their operations as shoppers who could easily shop online instead become more demanding about price, selection and service. With online leader Amazon.com cementing customers with its juggernaut Amazon Prime shipping service, retailers like Target and Wal-Mart need to offer more exclusive merchandise.

Heading into the critical holiday shopping season, Wal-Mart has the momentum. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company raised its profit outlook in August after reporting its eighth consecutive quarterly increase in a key revenue measure.

Target had cut its profit forecast as customer traffic fell for the first time in a year and a half during the second quarter. Its key revenue measure also fell.

“Wal-Mart has been benefiting from better service and for this holiday season, it should be a boon,” said Ken Perkins, president of research firm Retail Metrics LLC. “I expect Wal-Mart will outpace Target. Target has a big price hurdle.”

ON SERVICE: Wal-Mart has been working to improve service in its stores, and its move to raise wages and increase training for hourly workers has helped.

For the end of the year, the world’s largest retailer plans to deploy “holiday helpers” stationed at the checkouts, who can direct customers to registers with shorter lines or even run back to the aisles to pick up an item someone forgot.

It’s adding staff to handle customers picking up online orders at the stores, and designating a manager for that area. During the holiday season, Wal-Mart sees five times as many same-day pickup orders compared to a normal week. The goal: To make sure shoppers have an easy experience when they come to collect their orders.

“We want to serve the customer as they want to be served,” WalMart’s Chief Operating Officer Judith McKenna, said at a store in Teterboro, New Jersey, on Wednesday.

For service, Target is also focusing on making online ordering and pickups easier. Starting Nov. 1, it’ll have 1,106 stores that will ship directly to online shoppers, double the current number. That should speed up delivery, and Target will be able to fulfill more orders. Online shoppers also can pick up their orders at all of Target’s stores.

but noted that online shoppers who spend less than that can opt for store pickup.

ON MERCHANDISE: Both Target and Wal-Mart are offer-

ing even more exclusive products.

Wal-Mart is offering 400 exclusive toy items including what is already a hit — a Disney Princess Carriage priced at $398. It’s also adding thou-

sands more items that will be available for store pickup.

Target is offering 1,800 new or exclusive toys, about 15 percent more than last year.

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Associated Press

At top, this 2015 photo, shows a Target store in Miami.

Below, Walmart's Black Friday event will offer something for everyone ON PRICE: Wal-Mart promises to be even more aggressive on prices as part of an investment of several billion dollars over the next few years. It similarly plans to offer more consistent pricing, instead of shorter-term deals. For example, a Roku 32-inch HDTV that was priced at $125 last year during a Black Friday sale will have the same price all season this year. Skinny jeans that sold last year for around $9 are now $7.88.

Target, which has acknowledged that it failed to deliver on the second part of its “Expect More, Pay Less” slogan, say about 60 percent of its mar-

keting message this holiday season will be about value, up about 20 percent from last year. The Minneapolisbased retailer is repeating some of last year’s promotions but also adding new ones aimed at getting shoppers to more areas of the store.

“Value is the No. 1 determiner of where a guest will shop,” said Rick Gomez, Target’s senior vice president of marketing.

Target is also extending its free shipping promotion by a week, waiving the shipping fee for all digital orders from earlier this week to Jan. 1.

Wal-Mart doesn’t plan to waive the $50 minimum for free shipping,

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Page 4 – Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - BLACK FRIDAY

Furry, fuzzy holiday decor catches on

By KIM COOK Associated Press This season, faux furs, wools and other softly textured materials are giving holiday decor a cozy, festive feel.

The trend was prominent at this fall's Maison et Objet trade show in Paris.

Booths were populated with winsome, appliquéd, felt people and animals.

Glamorous, jewel-toned feather trees dressed up tabletops. There were furry pillows printed with wildlife photos or embellished with metallic threads, sequins and pearls.

"That natural, organic, homespun feeling was all over the runways and it's trending at home, too," says New York designer Elaine Griffin.

"For holiday, it manifests as an emphasis on bringing the outdoors in — think stylish, simple-chic arrangements of branches, leaves, berries, pine cones and moss — coupled with cozy, textured, wintry textiles like felt, faux fur and chenille."

There's a lot of versatility in these materials because faux fur, brushed wool, hides, and even velvet or feathers can say "winter cabin" as easily as "luxury suite." It's all in how you incorporate other style elements.

Emily Henderson, host of HGTV's "Secrets from a Stylist" and a Target home-style expert, is also a fan.

"Yarn and wovens are two of my favorites — they make a space feel extra warm and welcoming, which is what the holidays are all about," she says.

Some examples from retailers: Little cone trees wrapped in cream-colored yarn, from Target's Threshold holiday collection, make a cozy tablescape.

Here too are felted wool deer, bears and snowmen ready to create an arboreal winter woodland.

A photo-printed stag on a soft, velvety throw pillow makes for a welcoming accessory. (https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/VAOGBmTwavnfZ ) Restoration Hardware's felt stocking garland is a different take on the advent

Associated Press

This undated photo provided by Target shows creamy felt winter animal ornaments that can decorate lots of different things, and can stay out after the holidays to warm up winter. calendar. And there are plushy gift bags and stockings in faux mink, coyote or wolf fur. (https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/5JgLBrTnw3LF6 ; https:// p ro t e c t - u s . m i m e c a s t . c o m / s / g 5 a 0 B E FKVNXUL ) At Z Gallerie, long-haired faux fur

runners, tree skirts and wine bags come in cream or gray. (https://protect-us. mimecast.com/s/oX3mBEfv19gtm ) Frontgate has Christmas stockings crafted of sumptuous coral or burgundy velvet. (https://protect-us.mimecast. com/s/ANoxBwUZYe5tx )

And Grandin Road has a collection of hooked wool pillows with whimsical images of moose, cardinals, foxes and various canines sporting holiday garb.

A faux fur throw that looks like pheasant feathers could be repurposed as a glamorous tree skirt.

Or get creative with 5 feet of chocolate-y brown faux fur trim, from New Orleans-based ribbon designer Donna Stevens. It could edge a mirror, wrap a gift or garland a tree, perhaps. (https:// protect-us.mimecast.com/s/3RQaBlTpmJVUA ) Children and nature lovers might enjoy Pier 1's whimsical stockings embroidered with owls or squirrels and embellished with a faux fur collar, wing and tail.

Red and white felt snowflakes come in garland or placemat form. (https:// protect-us.mimecast.com/s/qO4ZBEf8n1NFp ) Another nice thing about this trend is that it isn't limited to Christmas; if you're celebrating Hanukkah, you can easily incorporate some blues and silvers. Or if you just want to celebrate winter, you're good to go.

H&M Home has sets of white, fauxfur balls on gold ribbons, and black or white feathers nestled in clear glass ornaments on silvery loops. (https:// protect-us.mimecast.com/s/4Q5LBzflWA3t0 ) Cone trees cloaked in feathers make pretty "evergreens" with their long silky fringes. Grandin Road has a bright, emerald-green one, while AllModern offers a smoky gray version.

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Today's crafted ornaments can become tomorrow's keepsakes

By JENNIFER FORKER Associated Press Making your own ornaments and decorations for the holidays has its own rewards — the need to create is strong in many of us — but it feels particularly good to dig out your art supplies at this time of year.

As Bob Richter puts it in his new book, "A Very Vintage Christmas" (Rowman & Littlefield): "At the heart of it, this is what Christmas means to me . passing along warmth, memories, tradition, stories and so much more."

Richter keeps his childhood memories alive by decorating with vintage ornaments, some of which he received as a small child from relatives. Each delicate piece evokes a memory.

"As my grandmother grew older, she took pleasure in letting me decorate her tree, and I have many happy memories of doing it," Richter reminisces in his book. "Now one of my favorite and most treasured ornaments is her favorite Santa Claus.

Each year when I hang him on my tree, I think of her and smile."

Our children's handmade ornaments — perhaps incorporating a

tiny handprint, a school photo or the year of its making — evoke similar sentiments every holiday season.

"Especially in this culture of timepressed, technology-obsessed and often distracted people, I think it's more important than ever to pass along the things that really connect us," says Richter. "And Christmas does that."

From the December/January pages of Woman's Day magazine come a few ornaments that evoke holidays past. We've amended them with another from the magazine's website that evokes a vintage feel.

These crafts require just the simplest of materials, such as toothpicks, yarn and wooden clothespins.

Especially when little glue-sticky fingers are at work, these crafts could become next year's treasures.

KNIT BAUBLE "The ball ornament is the most recognizable ornament at Christmastime," says Woman's Day lifestyle director Taryn Mohrman.

"You can use one that's a little chipped . with a bit of yarn, you can turn it into something that evokes soft and cozy, and adds warmth to your tree."

Remove the metal top from a

plain ball ornament. Hold two colors of yarn together and hot-glue them inside the opening of the ornament. Once dry, wrap both strands around the ornament to cover it completely; use hot glue to secure as you go.

Then apply red acrylic paint to the balls of two rock candy sticks, and trim the ends into points using scissors. Once dry, thread these "knitting needles" through the yarn on the ornament and replace the metal top.

SWEET SCENTED TREE "These ornaments make great gift toppers," says Mohrman.

Bend a 3 1/2-inch piece of naturally coiled wrapped wire, available at crafts stores, in half to form a loop, and then gently push each end into the hollow part of a cinnamon stick. Use hot glue to attach cut sprigs of fresh rosemary for branches and small gems for ornaments.

SPARKLING STARBURST This ornament "is about the metallic, the glitter and the shine," says Mohrman.

Carefully push whole and halved toothpicks into a 1 1/2-inch foam ball, and then apply one or two coats of silver spray paint. While

the ornament's still wet, dust fine silver glitter over it. Use a dab of hot glue to attach a string for hanging.

CLOTHESPIN SNOWFLAKE "This is a good sturdy ornament that can be packed away and stand the test of time," says Mohrman.

You need: eight clothespins, craft glue, white acrylic paint, a paintbrush, a foam paintbrush, white glitter, red string and scissors.

Start by carefully sliding the metal clips off of the eight clothespins and discard. Reattach two wooden clothespin pieces by gluing the flat sides together. Repeat for the remaining wood pieces. Arrange these reattached wood pieces in the shape of a snowflake and glue together at the base; let dry completely.

Apply white paint to the edges

and one side of the snowflake.

While the paint is still wet, sprinkle on white glitter.

Once dry, flip the snowflake over and apply paint and glitter to the other side.

Finally, slip a length of red string through one of the openings in the snowflake and tie the ends into a bow; use it to hang the ornament.

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Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - BLACK FRIDAY – Page 5

Holiday customers enjoy paying it forward

By MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON Associated Press Lisa Ludwinski expects to sell more pie at her Detroit bakery during the holiday season, and not just to people enjoying it themselves. She anticipates that customers will buy pieces of pie for strangers through the shop's "Pie-it-Forward" program.

Ludwinski, owner of Sister Pie, launched the program last fall. Shoppers buy a coupon for a free slice of a pie, and the coupons get hung on a wall. Anyone who visits can take one down to get some pie.

"It's a way to provide pie for a variety of people — people who are hungry or people who have never been to our pie shop before," said Ludwinski, whose specialties include Salted Maple and Cranberry Crumble.

Although the program runs year-

round, Ludwinski has found that customers are more enthusiastic about it during the holidays.

Pay-it-forward programs seem to gain momentum around Christmas. Customers at Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts around the country have made headlines in recent Decembers by buying coffee for the person behind them in line — leading to chains of hundreds of free drinks in streaks that can last for hours.

Most people — even those who don't donate to charity — value generosity, and paying for someone's coffee is an easy way to express that, said Patricia Snell Herzog, an assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville who co-authored "American Generosity: Who Gives and Why" (Oxford University Press, 2016).

"It just makes you feel good," she said.

"It's like smiling at someone. You're passing on visible goodness."

Also, nobody wants to be the person who breaks the chain, she said.

"It's put right in front of you. This person in line is being really generous.

It makes you feel called to respond," she said.

MaryJo Dunn was amazed when an anonymous gift that she made in honor of her late son became a pay-it-forward phenomenon at the First and Last Tavern in Glastonbury, Connecticut. On Feb. 20, what would have been Luke's second birthday, Dunn bought a gift card and asked the manager to give it, along with a note explaining the date's significance, to a family having lunch at the restaurant.

The family that was chosen was celebrating their son's birthday; they insisted on reloading the card and giving it to another family, said Molly Shanahan, creative director for the restaurant. Diners continued to load the card through the next day.

"It took off," said Shanahan. "It created this energy. It inspired people. It was a flame that ignited the whole place."

For Dunn, whose son died of cancer in 2015, the outpouring made a bad day more bearable. She and her husband, Shane, routinely buy coffee and doughnuts for others and give the recipients printed cards asking them to "pay it forward in memory of Luke." They find that these small gifts not only keep Luke's memory alive but inspire others to perform "random acts of kindness," she said. "We are so happy that people continue to do this. It definitely lightens our hearts."

Mason Wartman also has seen how powerful pay-it-forward opportunities can be.

He has given away more than 70,000 slices of pizza paid for by the customers of his Philadelphia restaurant, Rosa's Fresh Pizza.

The effort started a couple of years ago when a customer learned that homeless

people occasionally visited the eatery, which sells pizza for $1 a slice. The customer offered to pay in advance for a slice to be given to someone in need. He also told Wartman about an Italian custom called "caffe sospeso," or suspended coffee: Someone who has had good fortune pays for an extra cup of coffee to be given later to someone down on his luck.

Wartman decided to keep track of the prepaid slices with sticky notes, which soon covered the walls of his restaurant.

After the pay-it-forward program was featured on local and national media, the sticky notes became unwieldy and Wartman created a button on the cash register to record the free slices.

Customers like the program because they can see it helping others, he said.

"It's very transparent," he said. "My employees never ask, would you like to donate today? It's just out there.

Everyone knows what we do."

Hollywood ready to roll out films for the holidays With barely four months until the Oscars, the movie landscape looks a little like the early presidential race: a few clear front-runners and countless contenders.

When it comes to movies, though, you can never have too many options. Starting Nov. 18 and continuing through year ’s end, Hollywood will roll out its most ambitious dramas, its glossiest biopics, a last-minute entry from Martin Scorsese and even a musical called “La La Land” starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. That film, by the way, is already being called a shoo-in for the best picture Oscar.

As always, the studios will be competing for ticket sales as well as awards. That means a reliance on recognizable names such as Jennifer Lawrence, Denzel Washington, Will Smith and J.K. Rowling, who makes her screenwriting debut with “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”

Speaking of potential box-office gorillas, “Rogue One,” the first stand-alone film in the new “Star Wars” franchise, arrives Dec. 16.

All told, a determined moviegoer could see at least one new Oscar contender each week until Dec. 28 — the last release-date of the year — and maybe even find time for a comedy such as “Bad Santa 2.” Here are 27 movies to put on your holiday season watch list.

NOV. 23 ALLIED. During World War II, an intelligence officer (Brad Pitt) and a French Resistance fighter (Marion Cotillard) fall in love.

Directed by Robert Zemeckis.

BAD SANTA 2. Billy Bob

Associated Press

In this image released by Universal Pictures, Mo'Nique, left, and DC Young Fly appear in a scene from the film, "Almost Christmas," released prior to the holiday season.

Thornton returns as Willy Soke, the reprobate mall Santa, this time planning to knock off a Chicago charity. Kathy Bates plays his mother.

MOANA. An animated Disney adventure about a Pacific Island teenager who must fulfill the ancient quest of her ancestors.

With the voices of Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson.

RULES DON’T APPLY. In his first directing effort since 1996, Warren Beatty delivers a romantic comedy starring himself as Howard Hughes. With Lily Collins and Alden Ehrenreich.

DEC. 2 THE COMEDIAN. An aging

comic (Robert De Niro) accosts an audience member and must perform community service.

With Leslie Mann and Harvey Keitel.

JACKIE. Natalie Portman is already the subject of Oscar talk for her performance as the newly widowed Jacqueline Kennedy in this film from Chilean director Pablo Larrain. With Peter Sarsgaard.

DEC. 9 OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY. This ensemble comedy with the self-explanatory title stars Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Kate McKinnon and many others.

LA LA LAND. Ryan Gosling

and Emma Stone play Los Angeles dreamers in this original musical from Damien Chazelle (“Whiplash”) and his longtime collaborator, composer Justin Hurwitz.

DEC. 16 COLLATERAL BEAUTY. A New York ad executive (Will Smith) copes with a tragedy by writing letters to Time, Love and Death — and gets a response.

With Edward Norton and Kate Winslet.

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY. The first stand-alone film in the new “Star Wars” series stars Felicity Jones (“Inferno”) as an unlikely Rebel who must steal the plans to the Death Star. With Diego Luna and Forest Whitaker.

THE FOUNDER. Michael Keaton plays Ray Kroc, the man who turned a California hamburger joint called McDonald’s into a global fast-food empire. With Laura Dern and Nick Offerman.

THE SPACE BETWEEN US. A teenage boy raised on Mars decides to visit the Earth girl he met online. With Asa Butterfield and Carla Gugino.

DEC. 21 ASSASSIN’S CREED. This feature film based on the popular

video game — about dueling secret societies — features an impressive cast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons and Charlotte Rampling.

PASSENGERS. Two astronauts on a spacecraft must learn why they woke from hibernation 90 years too early. With Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt.

Directed by Morten Tyldum (“The Imitation Game”).

SING. An animated musical about five animals who enter a singing contest. With the voices of Seth McFarlane, Scarlett Johansson and Matthew McConaughey.

PATRIOTS DAY. Mark Wahlberg and director Peter Berg (“Lone Survivor,” “Deepwater Horizon”) reunite for a drama about the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

DEC. 23 WHY HIM? An overprotective father (Bryan Cranston) discovers that his daughter (Zoey Deutch) is dating a socially awkward Silicon Valley billionaire (James Franco).

A MONSTER CALLS. A lonely preteen befriends an ancient creature in this fantasy-adventure based on Patrick Ness’ novel. With Felicity Jones and a motion-captured Liam Neeson.

SILENCE. Martin Scorsese’s last-minute entry — announced in late September — explores the lives of 17th century Christian missionaries in Japan. With Liam Neeson, Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield. Based on Shusaku Endo’s 1966 novel.

DEC. 25 FENCES. Denzel Washington directs and stars in this drama about a once-promising baseball player struggling to raise his sons in the 1950s. Based on August Wilson’s Tony-winning play. With Viola Davis.

GOLD. Matthew McConaughey plays a prospector searching for gold in the jungles of Indonesia.

Based on a true story. With Bryce Dallas Howard and Edgar Ramirez.

HIDDEN FIGURES. The true story of three African-American women (Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae) who played pivotal roles in NASA’s mission to send John Glenn into orbit. With Kevin Costner.

LIVE BY NIGHT. Ben Affleck directs and stars in a Prohibitionera crime drama about a man who double-crosses the mob.

With Brendan Gleeson and Elle Fanning.

ALL GLIK’S STORES 11/25

By RAFER GUZMAN Newsday

Celebrating the holidays solo

By BETH J. HARPAZ Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — For most Americans, major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas are an opportunity to gather with family and friends. But some folks choose to spend those holidays alone — not because they have nobody to celebrate with, but as a way of unplugging from busy lives and creating a serene, relaxing day.

They might take a hike or a bath, read a book or just spend time reflecting.

For Ben Freedland of Austin, Texas, the holidays are a "crazy time." He runs his own fashion business, Zink , and between extra orders, website traffic and popup stores, "we do so much business in those weeks," he said.

As a result, he often spends Thanksgiving "alone in order to decompress, relax, have time to myself, to gather my thoughts for the busy holiday season. ... You know nobody will be calling you or emailing anything that's work-related."

He feels obligated to have turkey, even dining solo, but usually picks up a meal to go from Whole Foods.

Dagny McKinley, an author, blogger and photographer who lives in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, has "spent birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year's alone. For me, having a day of peace and quiet is the best way I can spend any day."

Her routine is "to get up early, go for a long hike with my dog, come home and clean the house, cook a favorite meal — either spaghetti or roast beef — take my dog for another good walk, take a long bath and read a book."

Alena Gerst, a New York Citybased psychotherapist whose prac-

tice focuses on the "mind-body connection," says it's not surprising that some folks decide to "opt out of the frenzy" surrounding the holidays. Many people feel emotional and financial stress connected to shopping, gift-giving and traveling to holiday gatherings, while others may experience "anxiety about spending time with family members whose company leaves them feeling worse off."

As a result, Gerst said, "opting to spend one or more of the holidays completely alone to tend to one's own emotional, physical and financial health can become its own cherished tradition."

But it is important to distinguish between "solitude and loneliness," says J.W. Freiberg, an attorney, social psychologist and author of a book called "Four Seasons of Loneliness: A Lawyer's Case Stories," which chronicles four cases where extreme social isolation left individuals "no ally when trauma entered their lives." Being "anxiously disconnected from others" is very different from choosing to be "peacefully alone, which is something we all do and need to do," he said.

Someone who is extra busy at work in the lead-up to Christmas and then "exhales" with a day spent alone, "to the extent that that's a reflection of finding a moment of peace and calm, we can all understand that," Freiburg said.

Jayo Miko Macasaquit, a human resources manager for a nonprofit in Oakland, California, has spent Christmas alone nearly every year for the past five years. Macasaquit says that's partly due to his unusual upbringing as a "Filipino-born, New Zealand citizen who grew up in a very Mormon-like religious environment that prohibited celebration of most of the major holidays," including Christmas and Easter.

"It sucked not getting presents, but I've come to appreciate always being situated on the outskirts of the mainstream looking in," Macasaquit said.

He's also come to enjoy using Christmas breaks to undertake "a mini-reinvention" of himself: "One break I took up baking bread in an aggressive way. Another break I picked up all my instruments again in a serious way. This break I'll probably go on a trip by myself and record something, who knows."

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Page 6 – Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - BLACK FRIDAY

Tips on celebrating Friendsgiving

By BETH J. HARPAZ Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Thanksgiving is traditionally a day for gathering with your family and eating turkey, but there's a twist on the holiday as a purely social gathering, and it's called Friendsgiving.

The menu might include anything from beer and cheese fries to cocktails and salmon. But instead of the host slaving away for hours in a hot kitchen, it's more likely to be a party-style potluck.

The trend is also turning up in ads, charity promotions, Evites and even on a cruise ship, with Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas ship hosting a Friendsgiving celebration for passengers two weeks before Thanksgiving this year.

This fall's premiere issue of The Magnolia Journal, a magazine from HGTV's "Fixer Upper" stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, also featured a story about Friendsgiving.

And while Americans have long celebrated Thanksgiving with friends when they couldn't be with family — whether they were living abroad, at college or in the military — Friendsgivings aren't usually replacements for traditional family gatherings. Instead, Friendsgivings are held in addition to the traditional Thursday turkey dinner, specifically scheduled on a different day so as not to conflict with family get-togethers.

New Yorker Hannah Redfield says she and her 20-something friends are "really into" Friendsgiving, which they've celebrated since 2014. She calls it "a millennial-driven interpretation of Thanksgiving. This demographic of people isn't as concerned with preparing the traditional Thanksgiving meal but is looking for an excuse to celebrate friendship. In my experience, people aren't necessarily expected to show up with solely mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc." Instead, they bring everything from cheese fries to spaghetti squash — "whatever they could muster or afford with entry-level salaries."

Nina Foley of Chicago agrees that Friendsgivings offer an opportunity to break traditions: "While a family Thanksgiving would never allow for anything other than traditional canned cranberry, creamed

Associated Press

This Nov. 11, 2016 photo provided by Royal Caribbean International shows guests gathered for a Friendsgiving celebration at sea aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Harmony of the Seas. Friendsgiving is a twist on Thanksgiving, usually a gathering of friends getting together on a day other than the traditional Thursday holiday. When hosted at home, it's often a potluck party, but this year Royal Caribbean offered an organized Friendsgiving at sea for passengers. corn casserole or green beans, because it's Friendsgiving, we have the freedom to get creative." One friend in her group went to culinary school and includes ingredients with his gourmet turkey that "none of us ever saw

on our plates as kids — figs, preserved oranges, fried sage!"

Friendsgivings are also often more like parties than staid sit-down dinners. There are Friendsgiving pajama parties, and themed

events with arts and crafts or games.

Michelle Platt is hosting her third Friendsgiving this year — a potluck — in Briarcliff Manor, New York, for friends from college who are now in their 40s. "We almost

all have kids, so I hire a babysitter to watch them so we can have some adult time," she said.

Platt uses the online invitation service Evite for her Friendsgiving and noted that "the first year was slim pickings for invite designs, but now there are a lot to choose from."

Evite reports a 29 percent increase this year over last in the number of events that its Friendsgiving designs are being used for, totaling in the thousands.

Some Friendsgivings double as fundraisers, with hosts inviting guests to support a good cause. A charity called No Kid Hungry, which focuses on ending childhood hunger by connecting kids to the meals they need, offered a Friendsgiving fundraising option last year and raised $28,000 from some 50 participants. This year, No Kid Hungry has registered 1,400 Friendsgiving fundraisers, raising $78,000 so far. Hosts ask guests for donations or charge for a specific cocktail or treat.

Kory Stamper, associate editor for MerriamWebster, says the term "Friendsgiving" hasn't yet made it into the company's dictionary, but "it's a good candidate for future inclusion." She says Friendsgiving started being used around 2007, with boosts from a 2011 Bailey's Irish Cream ad and also from a "Real Housewives of New Jersey" episode.

Branding expert Nancy Friedman said on her blog, Fritinancy, that Friendsgiving first turned up online in 2004 and was popularized in part by a 2013 Taco Bell promotion.

Some people think the term is connected to the TV sitcom "Friends," which was famous for its annual Thanksgiving-with-friends episodes, but Friedman doesn't think the word was ever used on the show, which ended in 2004.

Danielle Paleafico, 29, started hosting Friendsgiving five years ago in one of her first apartments after college, and now it's grown into an all-day, drop-in event for 30 to 40 friends at her home in Morristown, New Jersey.

"We watch football, I make turkey, all the usual side dishes, homemade pasta and meatballs, dessert, etc.," she said. "Everyone usually brings a dish and a bottle of wine or beer and we all just come together casually, watch the games, catch up and enjoy each other."

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Wednesday, November 23, 2016- BLACK FRIDAY – Page 7

And if you're looking forward to New Year's Eve

By SUSAN SELASKY Detroit Free Press Nothing says ringing in the New Year like an array of terrific appetizers. We’re here to help with a crowd-pleasing and easy-to-make spread.

This will help you get a jumpstart on planning your party and give you inspiration for bringing a few nibbles to share. We take our appetizers serious because nothing shines at holiday parties more than a tray of scrumptious bitesize snacks.

Our collection of 10 crowd-pleasing and easy-to-make appetizers offers something for everyone.

There’s spicy Thai-inspired shrimp to mini-pull apart lobster rolls to cheese-covered grapes. And it wouldn’t be an appetizer roundup if we didn’t include something with trendy bacon. For that we have bacon-wrapped chicken bites seasoned with spicy black pepper and brown sugar.

These appetizers are also festive looking from the whipped Feta topped with a mix of tomatoes and parsley to the simple Italian Skewers with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil.

And finally, say what you want about deviled eggs, but there are never any leftovers of this classic.

Today’s twist is the addition of pimento and Dijon mustard for a tangy flavor.

So we hope you enjoy the selection.

Happy noshing!

SPINACH PUFFS Makes: 12 / Preparation time: 20 minutes / Total time: 1 hour In this recipe, spinach and feta are bundled in tiny puff-pastry packages.

1 package (10-ounce) frozen chopped spinach, thawed 1/2 cup crumbled feta 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup minced onion 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon chopped dill 1 teaspoon minced garlic Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 large eggs 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3-ounce package), thawed, rolled out to a 12-inch square, kept chilled Have ready a 12-cup mini muffin pan.

Using your hands, squeeze spinach until dry, forcing out as much water as possible (too much water will make for a soggy filling; you should have about 2/3 cup welldrained spinach). In a medium bowl, mix spinach with feta, mozzarella, onion, olive oil, dill and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, beat 1 egg to blend; fold into spinach mixture.

Cut the puff pastry into 12 equal square pieces. Place a square in each muffin cup, pressing into bottom and up sides and leaving corners pointing up. Divide filling among cups. Fold pastry over filling, pressing corners together to meet in center. Spinach puffs can be assembled 3 hours ahead.

Cover puffs and chill.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Beat remaining egg to blend in a

small bowl. Brush pastry with egg wash (this will give the pastry a nice sheen). Bake until pastry is golden brown and puffed, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; let puffs cool in pan for 10 minutes. Run a sharp paring knife around pan edges to loosen; turn out puffs onto rack to cool slightly before serving.

Adapted from www.bonappetite.com Tested by Susan Selasky for the Free Press Test Kitchen.

Nutritional information not available.

CROSTINI WITH WHIPPED FETA AND TOMATOES Makes: 20 to 25 appetizers / Preparation time: 30 minutes / Total time: 45 minutes 6 ounces good-quality feta, crumbled 2 ounces cream cheese, softened 2/3 cup good olive oil, divided 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons minced shallots 2 cloves garlic, peeled, minced 2 tablespoons good red wine vinegar 2 ripe heirloom or cherry tomatoes, ½-inch-diced 3 tablespoons julienned fresh basil leaves, plus extra for serving, optional 20 to 25 (1/2-inch-thick) diagonal baguette slices, toasted 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, place the feta and cream cheese.

Pulse until the cheeses are mixed.

Add 1/3 cup of the olive oil, the lemon juice, 1/2teaspoon salt, and 1/4teaspoon pepper and process until smooth.

For the tomatoes, up to an hour before you’re serving, combine the shallots, garlic and vinegar in a medium bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 1/3cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Add the tomatoes, stir gently and set aside for 10 minutes. Stir in the basil and taste for seasonings.

To assemble the crostini, spread each slice of bread with a generous amount of whipped feta.

With a slotted spoon, place the tomatoes on top. Put the crostini on plates and scatter with the pine nuts. Sprinkle with extra basil and serve.

From “Barefoot Contessa Foolproof” by Ina Garten (Clarkson Potter, $35).

Tested by Susan Selasky for the Free Press Test Kitchen.

Nutritional information not available.

PEPPERONI AND CHEESE CAPRESE BITES Makes: 24 / Preparation time: 35 minutes / Total time: 35 minutes 24 mini mozzarella balls 24 basil leaves 24 pepperoni slices (about 2 inches in diameter) 24 cherry or grape tomatoes 24 small (3- to 4-inch) skewers 1/2 cup or more as needed Italian vinaigrette Thread the mozzarella ball first, then fold the pepperoni in half and half again and thread onto the toothpick. Next add the basil leaf and finally the tomato. Place on

a serving platter and drizzle with the vinaigrette.

Adapted from several recipes at www.pinterest.com Tested by Susan Selasky for the Free Press Test Kitchen.

Nutritional information not available.

SPICY THAI-INSPIRED SHRIMP Makes: 36 / Preparation time: 15 minutes / Total time: 1 hour Chili paste and fish sauce give these shrimp a Thai-inspired flavor. Both are available in the ethnic food aisles at most grocery stores.

SAUCE 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 3 to 4 limes) 1 tablespoon Asian chili paste (such as sambal oelek) 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce Kosher salt 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro, optional SHRIMP Vegetable oil 36 large shrimp (about 3 pounds), peeled and deveined (tails left intact; optional) Coarse salt 18 wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes to prevent charring To make the sauce: Bring sugar and lime juice to a simmer in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lime zest, chili paste and fish sauce. Season with salt, and stir in chopped cilantro if using.

Preheat the grill to high or preheat the broiler. Brush grill grates with oil. Thread 2 shrimp onto each skewer; season with salt. Divide sauce in half; reserve half for serving. Grill or broil the shrimp for 1 minute; brush with sauce. Flip, and grill for 1 minute more; brush with sauce again.

Flip, and grill, brushing occasionally with sauce, until opaque, 1 to 3 minutes more or until shrimp are cooked through. Serve with reserved sauce.

Adapted from “Martha Stewart’s Appetizers” by Martha Stewart (Clarkson Potter/Publishers, $27.50).

Tested by Susan Selasky for the Free Press Test Kitchen.

Nutritional information not available.

SWEET AND SALTY CHICKEN BACON BITES Makes: about 48 / Preparation time: 25 minutes / Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes You can season the chicken pieces any way you like in this recipe.

2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into 1 inch cubes Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, optional 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional 1 pound regular (not thick) sliced bacon 3/4 to 1 cup dark brown sugar, or more as needed Fresh chopped Italian parsley for garnish Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a rimmed baking sheet

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with foil for easy clean-up. Place a wire baking rack on top of the baking sheet.

Place the chicken cubes in a bowl and season generously with salt and pepper. If desired, season with the garlic powder and red pepper flakes.

Cut the bacon slices into three pieces.

Place the brown sugar in a bowl or shallow plate.

Wrap each piece of seasoned chicken with a piece of bacon.

There is no need for toothpicks, the bacon will stick to the chicken.

Roll the wrapped chicken into the brown sugar, making sure each piece is nicely coated. Place the chicken, seam side down, on the wire rack on the baking sheet.

Season again with more freshly ground black pepper.

Bake for about 45 minutes or until bacon is nice and crisp.

Remove from the oven to a serving platter and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Adapted from several recipes.

Tested by Susan Selasky for the Free Press Test Kitchen.

Nutritional information not available.

PIMENTO STUFFED DEVILED EGGS Makes: 24 / Preparation time: 20 minutes / Total time: 30 minutes 12 large hard-boiled eggs 1/4 cup sliced pimientos 1/4 cup good quality mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste 2 green onions, minced, plus additional for garnish Fresh herb sprigs for garnish Slice each egg lengthwise in half.

Gently remove yolks and place in small bowl; with fork, finely mash yolks. Stir in pimientos, mayonnaise, mustard, cayenne pepper, salt and minced green onion until well mixed. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Using a paring knife, remove a small slice from the bottom of the egg whites so they don’t roll around on the platter. Spoon yolk mixture into egg-white halves.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving garnish with additional minced green onion and herbs if desired.

Adapted from “The Good Housekeeping Christmas Cookbook: Recipes Decorating Joy” (Good Housekeeping Cookbooks, $30).

Tested by Susan Selasky for the Free Press Kitchen.

Nutritional information not available.

ITALIAN ANTIPASTO CUPS Makes: 24 / Preparation time: 15 minutes / Total time: 30 minutes 24 slices Genoa salami, 1/8 inch thick (see note) 1 cup artichoke hearts, drained and finely chopped 1/4 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish, optional 1/2 cup mini fresh mozzarella balls, cut into quarters 1 can (2.25 ounces) sliced black olives, drained 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/4cup Italian dressing Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Using two 12-cup muffin tins, place one salami slice in each cup.

Press salami into cups so it lines the cup. Bake 6 to 8 minutes, or until salami is crisp. Remove from oven and let cool, then place on serving platter.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, basil, mozzarella, olives, Italian seasoning and Italian dressing. Fill salami cups with artichoke mixture and garnish with extra basil. Serve immediately, or chill until ready to serve.

Cook’s note: The thickness of the salami is important; if it’s too thick or too thin, it won’t hold its shape once it’s baked.

From “Wheel of Fortune Collectible Cookbook” (Mr. Food Test Kitchen; $21.95).

Tested by Susan Selasky for the Free Press Test Kitchen.

Nutritional information not available.

BAKED BRIE WITH MAPLE, WALNUTS AND DATES Serves: 16 / Preparation time: 10 minutes / Total time: 30 minutes The original recipe called for 3 quartered fresh figs, but they are not widely available, so we substituted sweet dates.

1 wheel brie (8 ounces), wellchilled 1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts 5 medjool dates, quartered 3 tablespoons warmed maple syrup Crostini or crackers for serving Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Coat a small ovenproof dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cut the rind off the top of the brie and

place the cheese, cut side up, in the prepared dish. Press walnuts into the cut side. Arrange the dates over the top.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until warm and just starting to ooze around the edges. Remove from the oven, let cool about 5 minutes, drizzle with syrup and serve with crostini or crackers.

Adapted from “Maple: 100 Sweet And Savory Recipes Featuring Pure Maple Syrup” by Katie Webster (Quirk Books, $22.95).

Tested by Susan Selasky for the Free Press Test Kitchen.

Nutritional information not available.

GRACIOUS GRAPES Serves: 10 / Preparation time: 20 minutes / Total time: 45 minutes The only trick to this recipe is making sure the grapes are very dry so the cream cheese mixture sticks. You can easily cut the recipe in half. The grapes keep for several days in the fridge.

1 1/2 pounds seedless red or green grapes, or a combination 2 cups toasted walnut pieces 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley 8 ounces block cream cheese (regular or reduced-fat), softened 4 ounces Roquefort or other crumbly blue cheese 4 to 5 tablespoons heavy cream Remove the grapes from the stems (you should have about 4 cups). Wash and dry the grapes very well, placing them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a kitchen towel to dry completely.

Finely chop the walnuts by hand so they are chopped, but not pasty.

Put the chopped nuts in a shallow bowl, stir in the parsley and set aside. With a hand-held mixer, mix the cream cheese and Roquefort in a medium bowl until smooth. Add the heavy cream, a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is the consistency of softened butter.

Using a fork or spoon, roll the grapes in the cream cheese mixture a handful at a time until they are completely coated, then roll in the nuts. Place the grapes on a parchment-lined baking sheet while you roll the remaining grapes. Chill the grapes until the cheese is firm, about 1 hour.

From “Farmhouse Rules” by Nancy Fuller (Grand Central Life & Style, $30).

Tested by Susan Selasky for the Free Press Test Kitchen.

Nutritional information not available.

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Page 8 – Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - BLACK FRIDAY

Biscotti makes a perfect holiday gift - or snack

By MELISSA D’ARABIAN Associated Press I remember the first party I ever hosted.

I was 5 and my mom invited all of my kindergarten girlfriends and their moms for a holiday singing gathering. We knoshed on homemade cookies dunked in hot cocoa made from packets of powder dissolved in boiling water. Standing there around our piano, surrounded by tiny off-key singers with crumby, smiling mouths and steamy chocolate breath, I fell in love with hospitality. I felt in my heart the joy of feeding people, especially around the holidays. Joy to the world, indeed.

As the days grow colder and shorter, and cookie-baking season is ushered in, the calorie-counter in me steps aside just enough to strike that balance of reasonable, but small, indulgence. A perfect example of smart cookie indulgence is the biscotti.

Biscotti are firm, dry Italian cookies that are typically served alongside an espresso or coffee for dunking. Biscotti are dryer and harder than your average cookie, due to a double-baking process (which is easy, so don’t be intimidated) and relatively lower amounts of fat and sugar.

But the harder texture has a huge tactical advantage: biscotti take longer to nibble your way through, so the chances of me accidentally downing seven or eight are pretty small. One or two of these little guys, especially with a little espresso, and I feel like I’ve participated in the joy of holiday dessert.

Plus, biscotti feel a little fancy. Fancy enough, in fact, to double as a holiday gift — wrap some up in cellophane and take as a hostess or neighbor gift, or even send home with your guests as a little party favor.

Today’s recipe is flavored with dark chocolate and rosemary because they are classic winter flavors that I love together, but feel

Associated Press

This Nov. 1, 2016 photo shows dark chocolate and rosemary biscotti in Coronado, Calif. This recipe for biscotti, the firm, dry Italian cookie, is flavored with dark chocolate and rosemary because they are classic winter flavors. free to play with zests, spices, herbs and chocolate types to make a combo you love.

Bonus points if you eat them with friends singing around the piano.

Dark Chocolate Rosemary Biscotti Start to finish: 1 hour, 15 minutes Servings: 16 biscotti 1 cup white whole wheat flour

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon finely-grated orange zest 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely minced 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, finely chopped 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted Preheat the oven to 350 F. Combine the flours, salt and baking powder in a small bowl and set aside. In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar together with a hand or stand-mixer until light in color, fluffy and creamy, about 3 minutes.

Add the eggs in, one at a time, mixing well after each one. Add the vanilla, zest and rosemary and mix until incorporated.

Add the flour, half at a time, mixing until incorporated after each half. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the dark chocolate and the almonds.

Place the dough on a lightly-floured surface and divide into two. Shape into two logs, about 14 inches each, and place on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly press each log flatter, to make a rounded strip, about 15 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide. Remove excess flour with a clean pastry brush.

Bake the logs until golden, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes. Meanwhile, reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees. Carefully transfer each flattened log to a cutting board and cut each log on the bias into 8 slices (16 slices total). Place the slices cut side down on the parchment-lined baking sheet and continue baking until the cookies are golden and crisp, about 30 more minutes.

Once baked, let cool completely. Can be stored in airtight container for several days.

Nutrition information per serving: 133 calories; 59 calories from fat; 7 g fat (4 g saturated; 1 g trans fats); 35 mg cholesterol; 41 mg sodium; 18 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 9 g sugar; 3 g protein.

Mini pies a hit as a holiday dessert option

By ELIZABETH KARMEL Associated Press When I have a lot of people coming over, I love to make mini pies, or “pie cups.” I coined the name “pie cup” when I created a “pie program” for one of my restaurants and vowed to make pie the new cupcake in NYC. Since then, the mini, hand-held pie has exploded in popularity. The beauty of the mini pies is that they are portable, easy to make and the perfect proportion size.

Most people I know don’t make their own pie because they are afraid to make the pie dough from scratch.

There is so much pressure on the cook for Thanksgiving that the holiday is not the time to learn how to make pie

dough. This recipe offers the option of using pre-made graham-cracker crusts. If you already make your own pie dough, you can make this pie in mini pie shells or a muffin pan.

Once you the pie crust is taken care of, you will understand the meaning of “easy as pie”: Assembling the filling requires just a bowl and a fork.

I add dark chocolate to a traditional pecan pie for all those chocolate lovers out there. I also add a touch of Kahlua to deepen the flavor of the chocolate, but you could stick with the traditional bourbon if you prefer.

If you don’t like pecans, this pie is also delicious made with walnuts.

MINI CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE CUPS Start to finish: 30 minutes

Servings: 12 12 individual Keebler graham cracker pie shells or homemade 3-inch pie shells 1 cup pecan halves plus more for decorating the tops (substitute walnuts if you prefer) 4 tablespoons butter, melted 2/3 cup granulated white sugar 1/2 cup dark corn syrup 2 large eggs, beaten 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 4 ounces 70 percent bittersweet chocolate, melted 1 heaping teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons of Kahlua Whipped Cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Put two tablespoon of nuts into each unbaked pie shell. Set aside.

Combine butter, granulated sugar, corn syrup, eggs, salt, chocolate, vanilla and Kahlua and stir until well mixed.

Place the mini pie crusts on a half sheet pan. Pour the pie mixture on top of nuts just until the first line of the crust (if you made your own crust, this is about 1/4 inch from the top). Do not overfill as they will puff up as they bake. Decorate the tops of the pies with a few nuts.

Place the sheet pan in the center rack of the oven. Bake about 20 minutes or until cooked through, a little puffy and crusty on top. Let cool on a rack for at least 3 hours.

Refrigerate leftover pie.

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