Black Friday 2013

Gift the Gift of HEALTH!

3 Day Sale Starting

Buy Your Key, GET 1 Month FREE 24 R U O H GYM

L A N O PERS ER N I A R T

Limited Time Only!!

Friday, November 29th 10am - 12pm Saturday, November 30 10am - 12pm Monday, December 2nd 10am - 7pm • Access to thousands of clubs worldwide • 24/7 free virtual training • Activity and group training programs • Personal and group training programs

No Membership Required!

G N I N N TA STORE HOURS: Mon-Thurs 10-7 Fri 10-4 Sat 10-2

For More Information and For Future Deals!

233 Harvard Dr., Edwardsville, IL 618-656-4348 • www.anytimefitness.com

Page – Wednesday, November 27, 2013 - BLACK FRIDAY

A mix of the old and new keep annual parties fun

By MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON Associated Press As parents of a toddler, Miranda and Dave Anderson realized that ringing in the New Year with a late-night bash had gotten a lot harder. So they began hosting a New Year's Day brunch.

From the start, they billed it as an annual event.

"We wanted it to be a tradition," says Miranda Anderson, who plans to host the event again this year even though her family, which now includes two children, recently moved from Virginia to Austin, Texas.

It's fun to have a signature party that friends and family look forward to each year, and even better if you can change things up a little over time, event planners say.

"It is always nice to keep some of the old traditions, but adding in new activities is what will spice up the party every year," says Christina Berrios of Event Details in New York.

Don't be afraid to tweak the guest list, food and activities.

When Karen Martin of San Diego started hosting an annual Academy Awards party about 15 years ago, she included "Camp Oscar" — crafts and snacks set up in another room for guests' children. Adults would watch the awards show in a different room.

"We'd take turns checking on them," says Martin. Now, her guests no longer have young children.

Likewise, Sheri StLaurent, owner of The Inn at East Hill Farm in Troy, N.H., used to include sleigh rides at the Inn's annual Christmas party. But she stopped that when the number of kids declined and adults said they didn't like going out in the cold.

She's found that it's OK to make other little changes each year. She usually has a full bar, for instance, but when the budget is tight,

Associated Press

This 2012 photo provided by courtesy of Inn at East Hill Farm shows the annual Christmas party at Inn at East Hill Farm in Troy, N.H. Many people hold annual parties, and one good rule is to let those parties change and evolve as the guests do. she may opt to serve only beer and wine.

And she changes the menu from time to time — with one exception.

"I do serve shrimp," she says. "If I didn't do that; that might be a big deal."

Changing the food can help add excite-

ment to a party each year, says Jenny Goodman, an event consultant with At Your Door Events in Los Angeles. If you typically

serve a sit-down dinner, consider hearty appetizers or food stations.

Martin tries to serve food that reflects each year's Oscar-nominated movies. She made beef bourguignon when Meryl Streep was nominated for portraying Julia Child in "Julie & Julia," and in 2013 she served cheese steaks in honor of "Silver Linings Playbook," set in Philadelphia.

"The minute the nominations are out, that day is when I start thinking about the food," she says.

She always puts a red carpet outside the door at her Oscars party and photographs guests as they arrive. She also prints ballots so partygoers can vote for their favorite actors and movies.

Some annual parties lend themselves to an entirely new theme every year, says Berrios.

"There are different event trends that happen each year," she says. "It can be fun to have a new trend at your party, while figuring out how an old tradition can mesh with it." Different themes call for different décor, design and style, she says. "You can even have a signature cocktail to match the theme of the party."

Anderson often has a theme for her brunch.

One year, it was "Dip into the New Year," and she served fondue. For 2014, she has chosen "Texas Toast"; the menu will include French toast and sparkling juices.

She tries to keep the event informal so she can add guests as she and her husband make new friends. The party is usually an open house, and she sometimes asks people to bring a dish.

One staple of the party: a photo booth. She creates a backdrop and sets up her camera with a remote control and a tripod. Guests can snap their own photos. She also sets out a white board, and encourages guests to write down New Year's resolutions and take a picture with them.

Fresh ideas for holiday parties

By ERIN DAVIS McClatchy-Tribune (MCT)

Associated Press

In this Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, file photo, travelers at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport wait for ground transportation upon their arrival. During the 12-day Thanksgiving travel period in 2013, 25.1 million people are projected to fly, an increase of 1.5 percent from last year, according to Airlines for America, the industry’s trade and lobbying group.

Tips for surviving holiday travel

By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ AP Airlines Writer NEW YORK (AP) — There’s not much good news for fliers this Thanksgiving. Airports will be packed, planes will have few — if any — empty seats and you might sit apart from a loved one, unless you pay extra.

During the 12-day Thanksgiving travel period, 25.1 million people are projected to fly, an increase of 1.5 percent from last year, according to Airlines for America, the industry’s trade and lobbying group.

That would make this the busiest year since 2007, when an estimated 26 million people flew over the holiday period.

The busiest travel day will be Sunday, Dec. 1, with an estimated 2.56 million passengers, followed by Wednesday, Nov. 27, with 2.42 million passengers. In case you were wondering, the slowest travel day is Thanksgiving itself, with just 1.44 million people expected to fly.

But don’t fret, there are some things you can do — in some cases paying a little extra — to make your trip more pleasant, or to at least buffer the damage if something goes wrong.

DELAYS — If you miss your connection — or bad weather causes delays — the airlines will automatically rebook you on the next available flight.

However, with flights at near capacity, the next open seat could be several days away.

— Don’t like the flight you’re rebooked on?

Get in line to speak to a customer service representative. But also, call the airline directly. If the phone lines are jammed, try the airline’s overseas numbers. You’ll pay long-distance rates, but might not have to wait. Finally, consider sending a Tweet.

— Consider buying a one-day pass to the airline lounge. For one thing, there are usually free drinks and light snacks. But the real secret to the lounges is that the airline staffs them with some of its best — and friendliest — ticket agents. The lines are shorter and these agents are magically able to find empty seats. One-day passes typically cost $50.

SEATS — If you and your loved ones don’t have seats together already, and don’t want to pay an extra $9 to $99 domestically for a “premium” coach seat, it’s very likely that you will sit apart.

— Set up alerts for seat openings. ExpertFlyer. com offers free notifications when a window or aisle seat becomes vacant. For 99 cents, it sends an email if adjacent seats become available.

— Check the airline’s website five days before the trip. That’s when some elite fliers are upgraded to first class, freeing up their coach seats.

Another wave of upgrades occurs every 24 to 48

hours.

— Check in 24 hours in advance, when airlines start releasing more seats. If connecting, check for open seats 24 hours before the second flight departs.

— Keep looking. Even after checking in, seats can be changed at airport kiosks and on some airlines’ mobile applications.

LUGGAGE — Weigh a bag at home first. Anything over 50 pounds (40 pounds on some airlines like Spirit) will generate a hefty overweight surcharge — typically $100 — in addition to the typical $25 checked bag fee.

— Before your bag disappears behind the ticket counter make sure the airline’s tag has your name, flight number and final destination. As a precaution, place a copy of your flight itinerary inside your suitcase with your cellphone number and the name of your hotel.

— If you can’t live without it, don’t check it.

A lost bag can take days to recover. Don’t pack medication or outfits for tomorrow’s meeting or wedding in the bag you’re checking. The same with jewelry or electronics.

— You could be asked to check your carry-on bag, given today’s crowded overhead bins. Pack a small canvas bag inside the carry-on. Use that to hold onto your valuables if you have to check the carry-on.

Once upon a time, holiday gift giving and enthusiasm kicked off with a partridge in a pear tree and concluded with twelve drummers drumming. Thankfully, holiday gifts and entertaining have evolved. This season try applying a modern spin to an old favorite tune. Instead of live birds, milkmaids and drummers, get festive with these days of holiday-inspired parties.

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS PARTY “When I think traditional Christmas, I think about the tree as a focal point,” said Peyton Lambton, style expert from HGTV’s “Going Yard.”

“I’m a fan of white lights, and red, gold or silver ribbon and bows cascading over tree branches.

Burlap and linen are great options for a more ‘toned down’ classic look.”

Top off the holiday cheer with finger foods, homemade eggnog and cookies. “Add cranberries to a glass pitcher of champagne for a colorful kick to your bar area,” Lambton said.

COOKIE EXCHANGE It’s the party of Cookie Monster’s dream. Invite all guests to bring two-dozen of their favorite cookies. Provide stickers and pens for guests to label confections. Give each cookie-exchange participant an inexpensive festive to-go plate and a voting sheet. After everyone has perused the platters and filled their plates, have guests vote on cookies for: Best Looking, Best Tasting and Best Overall cookie.

Offer foil or plastic wrap to cover to-go plates.

SWEET AND SAVORY SOIREE From Halloween to New Year’s, households will be inundated with sweets. To balance out the sweetness of the holidays, incorporate savory staples to your next holiday party.

“As the host, provide savory and sweet martinis (or similar drinks) and have guests bring a dish of their choice,” Lambton said. Or, create a “pairing theme” like chili and cheesecake or mousse and mac and cheese and have each guest bring their favorite versions of each.

UGLY SWEATER PARTY Tacky and gaudy sweaters are the worst, but yet the best when it comes to an ugly-sweater party.

Take tacky a step further by offering at least a couple less appealing appetizers like mini gherkins and fruitcake. White-elephant gifts of Christmas’ past and stuffed animals are perfect for silly centerpieces and embellishments. Award the male and female wearing the ugliest sweater with — you guessed it — an ugly sweater.

IT’S A WRAP Wrapping can be tedious, so why not turn it into a reason to celebrate? Organize a party where each guest brings a few rolls of wrapping paper, tissue paper and assorted wrapping accessories: tape, bows,

ribbons, etc. Supply snacks and beverages and make sure to clear plenty of space to wrap gifts. Hosts with a generous giving spirit can even spring for a masseuse to do 15-minute neck and back massages for aching wrappers.

SCROOGE PARTY Let’s face it; some folks are more enthused about the holidays than others. For those on Team Ebenezer Scrooge or Team Grinch, try throwing the ultimate un-merry Christmas. Instead of holiday décor, adapt a Tim Burton spin and string up some Halloween-inspired orange, black or purple lights. Pin up “Bah Humbug” and other sneering quotes of iconic holiday naysayers. Encourage guests to dress down or come in their pajamas. Provide a cereal buffet, finger foods or anything devoid of the holidays.

FESTIVUS For those not so jolly, but not quite a Grinch, there’s “Festivus for the rest of us.” What began as a Seinfeld holiday parody has become a popculture phenomenon. Take the lead of Frank Costanza and swap tree for aluminum pole. Festivus dinner is a perfect opportunity to carry out the “Airing of Grievances,” in which guests participate in a friendly communal roasting session. Brave hosts can submit to “Feats of Strength,” allowing themselves to be wrestled to the ground. Of course no Festivus is complete without an airing of the infamous “Seinfeld” episode.

LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION Even if the weather outside is frightful, the glow of holiday lights can be quite delightful. Invite neighbors and friends for a family-friendly post-dinner drive. Provide coffee, hot chocolate and dessert before wagon-training to a local community or light attraction. Bring a camera and encourage kids to snap their favorite home or yard display.

When the light tour is over, head back to a cozy fire and exchange pictures of the evening’s tour.

HOLIDAY MOVIE AND TRIVIA “How many times does the line ‘you’ll shoot your eye out?’” occur in “A Christmas Story?” This is just one of endless fun and frivolous movie quotes to challenge partygoers. Select a favorite holiday movie or a collection of clips and compile a list of trivia questions prior to the party. If any prominent meals appear in your featured flick (like Chinese food in “A Christmas Story”), provide them. Showcase movie-oriented décor like the infamous “leg lamp,” or a bell or two for “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

CAROLING FOR A CAUSE Seasonal songs may sound even sweeter when sung for charity.

Select a group of friends — the more the merrier. After designating a specific charity, scout out a family-friendly neighborhood or park appropriate to sing in. Bring along a wagon and pack it with hot-apple cider, hot chocolate and cookies to share. Set out a charity donation jar. Encourage onlookers to join in the caroling.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013 - BLACK FRIDAY – Page

Gift-worthy books for the holidays

By LEANNE ITALIE Associated Press

Associated Press

In this Jan. 14, 2013 file photo, a public works employee dumps a truckload of discarded Christmas trees on the beach as part of a project to rebuild dunes damaged by Superstorm Sandy, in Bradley Beach, N.J. Bradley Beach came through Superstorm Sandy in better shape than some other coastal towns in part because of its dunes. The governor had harsh words for oceanfront property owners along the Jersey shore who are refusing to let governments carry out protective dune projects because the work will affect their oceanfront views, calling them "extremely selfish and short-sighted."

Christmas tree recycling catches on

By BETH J. HARPAZ Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — It's one of America's great recycling success stories: Every year, hundreds of thousands of discarded Christmas trees are collected and reused.

Many are picked up curbside by local garbage collection services and turned into mulch. But there are other second acts for Christmas trees, too. They're placed on beaches to shore up dunes and sunk in lakes as fish habitats. They've even been milled into lumber for use in building homes.

How many of the 25 million to 30 million fresh Christmas trees sold each year are recycled is difficult to measure because most recycling programs "are implemented on such a local level," said National Christmas Tree Association spokesman Rick Dungey. The good news, though, is that tree-recycling efforts are now "ubiquitous" and recycling your tree is "easier than ever."

This will be the 27th year for Christmas tree recycling in San Francisco, where nearly 600 tons of trees are fed into a giant wood-chipper outside City Hall each year and turned to mulch. New York City's Department of Sanitation collects about 150,000 trees each year and mulches them in a joint program with the Parks Department.

The mulch is used in parks, playing fields and

community gardens. Residents lucky enough to have their own urban backyards can take home a bag at "Mulchfest" events held around the city.

New York's Rockefeller Center is famous for its towering Christmas tree, and for the seventh year in a row, this season's tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. The tradition began when the 2007 Rockefeller Center tree went to build a home in Pascagoula, Miss., for a survivor of Hurricane Katrina.

Lumber from the milled Rock Center tree is marked so that the families know its origin. In some years, families that have benefited from the construction have attended the tree-lighting event in Manhattan.

In Jefferson Parish, a suburb of New Orleans, Christmas trees help prevent marshland erosion.

The trees are placed in wooden cribs, in shallow water parallel to the shore, where they absorb the impact of waves.

"It protects the shoreline," explained Jason Smith, spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs. "The area behind it is calm, where vegetation can grow."

The trees decompose and must be replaced yearly. The program uses between 10,000 and 30,000 trees a year, and has been in existence since the winter of 1990-91.

Shawnee Mission Park Lake in Shawnee, Kan., is also a final resting place for recycled Christmas trees. About 100 to 150 trees are sunk each year

with concrete blocks to provide fish habitat.

Many beaches also use recycled Christmas trees to protect against erosion. Strategically placed, the trees catch sand and are eventually covered by it, becoming part of the dune system.

A number of beaches at the New Jersey shore were built up using Christmas trees after last year's Superstorm Sandy. Beaches at the Rockaways, in New York City, which were also devastated by Sandy, benefited from a Christmas tree project as well. The Rockaways effort was sponsored by a California wine company, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, an E. & J. Gallo Winery brand. Barefoot Wine has been working with the Surfrider Foundation, which promotes ocean protection, on beach cleanups and restorations for seven years. But the Rockaways program was Barefoot's first using recycled trees.

Those who prefer artificial Christmas trees usually don't throw them out after one year. But when the time comes, there's even a program to recycle them. Polygroup, one of Walmart's largest suppliers of artificial Christmas trees, sends them — including lights and electric cords— to a recycling center in China where they are shredded and broken down for reuse in other products.

The bad news: Consumers must pack and ship the trees back to Polygroup themselves. The good news: You can send in any brand of tree, and you need only ship to Polygroup's Indiana offices, not to China.

NEW YORK (AP) — The holidays bring out the inner-coffee table book obsessive in gift buyers. They’re easy, weighty and satisfying to give. You’ve done your job with your pricey treat.

A few to consider for music lovers, history buffs, foodies, fashionistas and more: MUSIC “The Beatles: The BBC Archives: 1962-1970,” by Kevin Howlett, Harper Design, $60. The Fab Four’s years on air at home, as told in transcripts of interviews, photos and internal documents. Coincides with the November release of a new album, “On Air — at the BBC, Volume 2.”

“Soul Train: The Music, Dance and Style of a Generation,” by Questlove, Harper Design, $45. Aretha, Smokey, Ike and Tina, Marvin, Michael, Diana — and plenty of photos and text covering the work of Don Cornelius, host of the longest running syndicated program in TV history. The frontman for the Roots takes us on the journey through the show’s debut in 1971 to 1993, the final episode Cornelius, the creator, hosted.

“Legends, Icons & Rebels: Music that Changed the World,” by Robbie Robertson, Jim Guerinot, Sebastian Robertson and Jared Levine, Tundra Books, $29. For young readers, the music industry vets offer an introduction to 27 legends, including James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding.

Includes two CDs totaling 27 tracks.

HISTORY & MEDIA “Smithsonian Civil War: Inside the National Collection,” edited by Neil Kagan and Stephen G. Hyslop, Smithsonian Books, $40. From the story of Winchester, the swift-footed horse of Union commander Philip Sheridan, to Winslow Homer sketches.

“Vanity Fair 100 Years: From the Jazz Age to Our Age,” edited

by Graydon Carter, Abrams, $65.

Anything you ever wanted to know about the magazine in archival black-and-white, color covers and illustrations, all spanning the arts, war and politics.

“Vietnam: The Real War,” by The Associated Press, $40. Mostly blackand-white, up-close photography of the fog and debris of war, including an injured John McCain and the cut of a knife into the belly of a Viet

Cong prisoner under interrogation by a South Vietnamese soldier.

FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY “Guillermo del Toro, Cabinet of Curiosities: My Notebooks, Collections and Other Obsessions,” by del Toro and Marc Scott Zicree, Harper Design, $60. Notebooks, sketches and interviews from the mind of the “Hellboy” and “Pan’s Labrynth” creator. Thoughts from Neil Gaiman, Ron Perlman and others.

“Humans of New York,” by Brandon Stanton, St. Martin’s Press, $29.99. Includes 400 color portraits from the meandering chronicler of the New York condition.

“The Wizard of Oz: The Official 75th Anniversary Companion,” by Jay Scarfone and William Stillman, Harper Design, $40. Production stills, munchkin and Dorothy hair and wardrobe tests. Mock certificates for a brain, courage, heart and home are included in a back envelope of memorabilia, along with a death certificate for the Wicked Witch of the East.

“Caught in the Act: Actors Acting,” by Howard Schatz, Beverly J. Ornstein and Owen Edwards, Glitterati Inc., $65. Portraiture by Schatz with oral histories and improvisation at his direction. See Sam Waterston respond to the prompt: “You’re a dairy farmer who hates cows, hates milk and hates getting up at 4 a.m. seven days a week, just after signing a mineral rights deal with a natural gas drilling company.” One hundred percent of royalties from sale of the book to be donated in equal shares to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the SAG Foundation.

FASHION & CELEBRITY “Dior Glamour,” by Mark Shaw, Rizzoli New York, $115. Shaw was behind the lens at the House of Dior shooting haute couture from 1952 to 1962. Color and black-and-white candids, portraits, commercial spreads and shots of intimate fashion shows for small crowds, conducted in utter silence and without music.

“The Dirty Side of Glamour,” by Tyler Shields, HarperCollins, $25.

Celebrities bloodied, naked, on fire and otherwise staged for the unrelenting, Los Angeles-based provocateur. He includes the infamous chainsaw hacking of a $100,000 Birkin bag, Gary Busey in a straitjacket and never-before-seen work.

Page – Wednesday, November 27, 2013 - BLACK FRIDAY

Social media can spoil holiday cheer

By SAMANTHA CRITCHELL Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — It's so easy to share all that holiday fun in an instant: One click and you can cover Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all your other social media accounts. Two seconds later, everyone who wasn't included will know about it, too.

Or someone might notice that you've checked in at a store that holds the item at the top of their gift list. There goes that surprise.

Surely no one wants to make hurt feelings or spilled secrets part of the holiday tradition, yet it can be as tempting to post pictures as it is to grab an extra helping of pecan pie.

To avoid uncomfortable situations, take a breath, experts say, and think about how your status update will be received. What will it say about you beyond your enjoyment of some seasonal cheer?

Social media will be part of the holidays this year — parties, gifts, photos, shopping — in a way it was not five years ago, notes Anthony Rotolo, who teaches social media strategy at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies. He thinks that's mostly a good thing, since your followers or friends are there because they want to be.

Be mindful of others' feelings, however, and try to grow a tougher skin yourself, he says.

Guest lists can be particularly sensitive. The very social Samantha Yanks, an avid Tweeter, Facebooker and Instagrammer and editor-in-chief of Hamptons magazine, says she uses them all to keep up to date with people she likes and admires.

She reminds herself that social media is not an accurate popularity barometer. If others are out having a good time, she tries to celebrate it.

And she'll do the same. "I don't want to feel guilty for being there," Yanks says.

Someone might very well know they've been left out, says party planner Kia Martinson of Storrs, Conn., so she encourages her clients to deal with it up front. Some people spell out on the invitations whether they want social media use at the event or

not, she says. Most of her hosts fall into two categories: those who embrace a public-facing party, dreaming up their own hashtags and arranging shared photo sites, and those who want to do it on the down-low and don't want any social media "coverage" at all.

If someone calls you out for leaving them off the guest list, Martinson says it's best not to dance around it. "If someone says, 'Looks like you had a great party,' just say yes, you did, thanks."

If you're feeling left out, remember that what people post is a selected window into their lives, not a panoramic view, says digital strategist Tamar Weinberg, author of "The New Community Rules: Marketing on the Social Web" (O'Reilly, 2009).

"While social media is a great thing, and I love to see all the kids growing up, and the engagements and marriages, but yes, sooner or later your feelings will be hurt too," she says.

Yanks asks permission to post updates and especially photos if they involve anyone else. She doesn't want to jeopardize someone else's job or relationships. And, she notes, parents are sensitive about having images of their kids posted.

She had an early conversation with her sister-inlaw, and now there's a blanket deal that photos of her niece and nephew are OK. Besides hurt feelings, Rotolo is concerned about the botched surprises that can come when people check in at an airport (or even an airport coffee shop), or if they claim an online shopping deal that's visible to their network. "At this point in time, there's not much surprise left. You have to go off the grid to keep a secret. ... If you want a holiday surprise, you need to plan a connection-less strategy."

However, Weinberg says that with so many people now online and comfortable using social media, there might actually be fewer faux pas going forward.

"There is a growing sensitivity on the part of the poster, but people also are growing that thicker skin," she says. "You don't want it all to be fully sanitized. As long as you are not intending to be exclusionary, people will forget and forgive."

Associated Press

This undated photo provided by Samantha Yanks shows Yanks, editor-in-chief of "Hamptons" magazine in New York. The very social Yanks, an avid Tweeter, Facebooker and Instagrammer, says she uses them all as a tool to keep up to date with people she likes and admires, and to keep them posted on what she’s doing. Yanks is conscious of asking permission to post updates and especially photos if they involve anyone else.

Is it rude to ask guests to take their shoes off?

NEW YORK (AP) — In Michigan, you're expected to leave snowy boots in the mudroom before going inside. In Alaska, boots are taken off in "Arctic entries." In Japan, Thailand and many other countries, you wouldn't dream of

entering a home with your shoes on, regardless of the season.

But removing shoes before coming inside has not been the norm in much of the U.S. These days, however, city dwellers and suburbanites from New York to Los Angeles often find that hosts expect footwear to be left at the door. Sometimes it's

because of weather; other times, homeowners want to protect lightcolored rugs and high-gloss wood floors from dirt and dings, or parents don't want street germs on floors where kids play.

Some guests find the request irksome — especially at holiday parties when they're dressed up.

"But this is an outfit!" squeals

Carrie Bradshaw in a "Sex and the City" episode when asked to take her shoes off at a baby shower.

(Insult to injury: Her high-heeled Manolos are stolen during the party.)

Shalena Broaster of Philadelphia — whose friends call her "the diva" — says her first thought when asked to remove shoes is: "I

just pray I have a fresh pedicure!"

Since she's only 5 feet tall, she also misses the height her stilettos provide.

Classy hosts with a no-shoes rule hand out "guest socks" or inexpensive slippers that folks can take home. But please don't offer Broaster your old tube socks.

"Nasty!" she said.

11/29

By BETH J. HARPAZ Associated Press

ANNOUNCING OUR

W E E K E N D &2)$!9 s ./6 4(25 35.$!9 s $%#

BLACK FRIDAY

FINAN 12 MO

CING

NTHS

WITH

AVAIL AB

SAME

APPRO

VED C

AS CA

REDIT

LE

SH

$

GUITAR DAY

8.95

GUITAR $

UKELELE’S STARTING @ IBANEZ HARD-SHELL

GUITAR CASES

$

BRING IN YOUR ACOUSTIC GUITAR

39.95

$

GET A SET OF MARTIN

STRINGS INSTALLED

49.95

ABSOLUTELY FREE!

19.95

ONE DAY ONLY NO RAINCHECKS

199 PRO QUALITY $ BRAND NAME

GUITARS

IBANEZ DELUXE

BASS GIG BAGS ELECTRIC GUITAR &

AMP PACKAGES

$

4!9,/2 s -!24). s3%!'5,, s !,6!2%:

$

DRUMSTICKS

5

AT PRICES THAT CAN’T BE BEAT

70% OFF LIST

50% OFF LIST

SALE

HUGE GUITAR SAVINGS

1 Hour Massage or Facial Special

Salon de Guerra & Day Spa Highland, IL 618-654-2043

$40

Expires 12/21/13 New Customers Only.

bareminerals • bareminerals • bareminerals • bareminerals • bareminerals • bareminerals • bareminerals

HOLIDAY DEALS! $2,699*

ALL OTHER GUITARS & BASSES AT LEAST 40% OFF SOME UP TO 50% OFF (LIST PRICE) IBANEZ, PEAVEY, ESP, G & L, STERLING AND MORE! ALL PROFESSIONAL QUALITY

LIKE WAMPLER, SUHR, FULLTONE, Z-VEX AND MORE ON SALE SUNDAY!

FREE SCHWAG

VOX, PEAVEY, TRAYNOR, ORANGE GUITAR & BASS AMPS MARKED WAY DOWN

STOMP-BOX EFFECTS

Polaris Outlaw or Sportsman 90cc ATV (includes helmet and flag)

FLY Riding Gloves $9.99

BUY ONE NOW AND WE WILL STORE IT FREE TIL X-MAS EVE

(Reg $29.99) YOUTH & ADULT SIZES

SUHR, DUESENBERG, RICKENBACKER, IBANEZ JEM SERIES & MORE

VISUAL SOUND TAP DELAY PEDAL �� VISUAL SOUND TRUETONE CLEAN BOOST PEDAL �� PLUS OTHER GREAT STUFF! �

4 Glen Ed Professional Park ~ Ginger Creek Glen Carbon, IL 618-655-0602

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY, JUST SHOW UP AND PICK UP A SHIRT. (ONE PER CUSTOMER)

SUPER SUNDAY

ENTER TO WIN

BareMinerals

ALL AMPS ON SALE

ALL IN STOCK DRUM HARDWARE

DRAWINGS ALL-DAY

1 Time a Year!

Double Stamps on ALL

NOW Carrying EMI-Jay Hair Tires

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE AT ALREADY DISCOUNTED PRICES

ALL IN STOCK BASS DRUM HEADS

Black Friday ONLY!!

Salon & Spa

ALL GUITAR & BASS STRINGS

A PAIR

FREE T-SHIRTS

bareminerals • bareminerals • bareminerals • bareminerals • bareminerals • bareminerals • bareminerals

• bareminerals • bareminerals • bareminerals •

SPECIALS SATURDAY KORG BASS & ACOUSTIC GUITAR TUNERS 9.95 STANDS

10

SMALL BUSINESS

• bareminerals • bareminerals • bareminerals •

eet in Str 2025 a M .

6 144 N dsville, IL .com r a s u ic Edw ojosm m . w ww 00 55-16 618-6

$39.99 $4,399* RZR 170 (includes 2 helmets and flag)

BUY ONE NOW AND WE WILL STORE IT FREE TIL X-MAS EVE

AFX FX-17 OFF ROAD/ATV HELMET

$1,999*

Youth(MD-LG) and Adult sizes(SM–XXL) While supply lasts

Polaris Outlaw (pink or blue) 50cc ATV (includes helmet and flag)

(Reg price $109.99)

Prices Prices good good thru DEC. 24TH, 2013 (WHILE QTY LAST) DEC 24TH, 2013 (WHILE QTY LAST)

BUY ONE NOW AND WE WILL STORE IT FREE TIL X-MAS EVE

* Price does not include tax, title, freight/setup

ACTION POWERSPORTS 817 W UNION AVE LITCHFIELD, IL 62056

Hours: Mon-Thurs Friday Saturday

10am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-4pm

Wednesday, November 27, 2013 - BLACK FRIDAY – Page

Pajamas a perennial holiday gift favorite

By LISA A. FLAM Associated Press Cynthia Greenwood's three girls always get new sleepwear at Christmas, the only gift they are allowed to open on Christmas Eve. The sisters waste no time getting comfy before the family sits down to a holiday dinner and relaxes by the fire.

"They come right in from church, they look under the tree and there's the box of PJs, and they run back to their room and put them on and we start the festivities," said Greenwood, of Arlington Heights, Ill. "It's just a really nice night. It's special."

The tradition has been going strong for about two and a half decades in the Greenwood home: The sisters, now 31, 28 and 23, have seen their gifts evolve from one-piece footed numbers to matching ruffled nightgowns to two-piece pajama sets.

New pajamas are a holiday custom in many families and a perennially popular gift, whether it's Mom and Dad outfitting the kids in coordinating PJs for keepsake photos, a husband or wife tired of seeing their spouse in the same old ratty nightwear, or a treat for a special friend.

"Getting sleepwear is very nostalgic," said Jennifer Wilson, associate corporate merchant for L.L. Bean. "You're giving the gift of warmth and comfort. It's cozy but it's practical at the same time."

People spend a lot of time in their PJs, often changing into them right after work, snuggling up on the couch to watch a football game or even wearing them out of the house, notes Stacey Buonanno, director of product development for online retailer PajamaGram.

"People are trying really hard to carve out family time together and relaxation time, whether it's playing a game together or watching a movie. A lot of that time happens in your PJs or sweats," said Buonanno.

Pajamas also make a great gift because many people neglect to buy them for themselves, she added.

And sleepwear is easier to buy for someone else than a sweater or pair of jeans because you don't need to worry about the perfect fit. "With PJs, just go up a size if you're not sure and say you wanted them to be comfortable," Buonanno said.

There are a lot of choices when shopping for jammies. Does your guy like a classic button-front or pullover style? Do the kids need fleece or cotton? Does the lady in your life prefer a gown (short or long? sexy or demure?) or a two-piece set? Will your recipients appreciate the whimsy of a reindeer eating a candy cane or do they expect a traditional tartan?

A look at some options: KIDS For parents, there may be nothing cuter (or more relief-inducing) after a long day of holiday celebrations than seeing the kids all washed up for bed and in new PJs. Matching family sets — the same print for

Associated Press

This photo provided by CafePress shows Keep Calm and Spin the Dreidel Women's pajamas and Keep Calm and Spin the Dreidel T-Shirt on the child. New pajamas are a holiday tradition in many families.

PJ set for babies and toddlers, superhero PJs for boys and Hello Kitty sets for girls.

WOMEN PJs are more popular than nightgowns, retailers say, but there are many holiday options in both styles.

At L.L. Bean, the ankle-length tartan flannel nightgown and pajama come in a traditional red royal Stewart and in colors new this year: a light blue and a blackwatch plaid that includes a shot of bright pink.

"The gowns would be great for your grandmother and the flannel PJs might be

men, women, children and pets — are a hit at PajamaGram, with orders quadrupling over the last few years, Buonanno said. The company's most popular family looks are a red Stewart plaid and the holiday stripe: red, green and white striped pants with coordinating red and green tops.

If matchy-matchy isn't your thing, there are countless choices for kids to show off their individuality. At Kohl's, look for sleepwear featuring a favorite team, a beloved cartoon character or a cool design, like camouflage. Old Navy offers a festive Santa suit

girlfriends," Buonanno said. "It keeps her warm from head to toe, plus she looks really cute in it."

MEN The classic button-front and the pullover style are equally popular at PajamaGram.

At L.L. Bean, Wilson likes the fleece sleep bottoms, the monochromatic waffle-knit PJs and the scotch plaid flannel PJs, which come in several color combinations.

Look for one-piece footed PJs from online retailer Jumpin Jammerz, which offers prints showing "Star Wars," Kiss and the Hulk.

perfect for your sister," Wilson said.

For a less "high holiday" look, or if you are not sure what a woman likes, Wilson suggests Bean's pima cotton flannel PJs in a cornflower blue with white dots. "It's got a pretty universal appeal," she said.

PajamaGram offers everything from button-up PJs to satin ones to pretty gowns, but a best-seller is the Hoodie-Footie, a grown-up version of the infant sleeper. The one-piece fleece has a hood, zip-off feet and pockets.

"Men love to buy them for their wives and

Hardwood HOURS M-F 9-8 • SAT 9-5 • SUN 10-5 www.thecyclery.net

NEW STORE OPENING IN SHILOH All instock cannondales

Starting at FREE HELMET WITH BIKE PURCHASE

329

$

99

MTB BIKES Starting at

FREE HELMET WITH BIKE PURCHASE

299.99

20%off

Carpet Tile Vinyl

Included With All New Bike Purchases

Lifetime Maintenance • 10% OFF Accessories For First Year • Financing for qualified buyers

FULL SERVICE RUNNING DEPARTMENT Your Local Running Experts

SELECT RUNNING SHOES 40% OFF

• Trained Staff • Gait Analysis • Computer Arch Analysis

All The Brands You Trust

msrp

• Nike • Saucony • Asics • Brooks • New Balance • Mizuno • Pearl Izumi

COME SEE US FOR ALL YOUR RUNNING NEEDS! TRUE M30 Elliptical $2249 $ 99

1,899

Schwinn Recumbent starting at $ 99

349

Free Delivery Within 30 Miles 1 Year In-Home Care on Most Models.

True Fitness Body Solid AFG Fitness Schwinn Fitness In Business for 34 years Factory Trained Technicians

TRUE M30 Treadmill $1899

1,57999

$

Home Gyms

Floor Design Center & Outlet

starting at $ 99

999

Mark Vallow Rich Vallow Seth Renken

656-7788

2472 Troy Rd., Edwardville • 618-692-0070 1009 Plummer Drive

Edwardsville

HOURS: Mon-Wed-Fri 9am-7:30 pm; Tue & Thurs 9am-5:30pm; Sat 9am-4pm

www.vallowfloor.com

Page – Wednesday, November 27, 2013 - BLACK FRIDAY

Christmas around the world

Above, a group of people dressed as Santa dash across the tarmac at Sydney Airport during the launch of the 5th annual Santa Fun run Christmas appeal in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. The Santa fun run will weave its way through Sydney central business district on Dec. 1, 2013 starting at Darling Harbour and finishing at the Opera House. At left, a man dressed as Santa Claus rings a bell as he arrives on a bike for the opening of the most famous German Christmas mail office in the small village of Himmelpfort (Heaven's Door) north of Berlin, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013. Last year, over 292,000 children from all over the world sent their Christmas wishes to the small village to 'Christmas mail office, 16798 Himmelpfort'. Each one was answered by German mail staff. Bottom left, children look at Christmas trees decorated by Plattsburg (Mo.) residents for the 2013 St. Joseph (Mo.) Holiday Food and Gift Mart at Civic Arena, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. Below right, this Nov. 1, 2013 photo released by SkyBitz shows the 2013 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree being loaded on a flatbed truck that was cut from the 1.1 million acre Colville National Forest in Wash. The six-story tall evergreen will travel more than 4,000 miles and stop in three Utah cities before reaching its destination on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Bottom right, for the 10th year, the Swarovski Star is raised to the top of the 76-foot Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, in New York. The Star, features 25,000 crystals and weighs 550 pounds, will sit atop the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree which will be lit on Dec. 4th. Associated Press photos.

4225 S St. Rt. 159 Suite 1 Glen Carbon, IL 62034 Mon. - Fri. 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Sat. 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Sun. Closed

*Excludes Redwing Brand Shoes & cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer.

Your Headquarters For Comfort Shoes!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013 - BLACK FRIDAY – Page

Page – Wednesday, November 27, 2013 - BLACK FRIDAY

â?„

â?„

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS - NOV. 29TH 9AM - 1PM 4 HOURS ONLY

999

$

.99 a pair

CLOSE OUT SPECIAL! priced with manufacturer participation ! % 4 3

! % 4 3

Reg. $79.99

SALE $ 99 4

Buy Any Qualifying Electric or Gas Range Get An Over the Range Microwave for

1

$

*

Refrigerator Regular Price $99999

s 1UICK 7ASH s 3ANITIZE 7ASH s 3TEAM

s 1UICK $RY s 3ENSOR $RY s 3TEAM $RY

BUY 1 PEDESTAL REGULAR PRICE GET THE 2ND FOR $1

699

$Refrigerator 99 • Ice Water • 25 Cu. Ft. White Only. s )CE 7ATER Stock Only. s #U &T

ED5KVEXVQ

Not valid on previous purchase. While Supplies last.

Take home this 4-piece stainless steel appliance suite

BUY 3 PIECES GET THE MICROWAVE FOR $1.00

FFMV164LS

FOR A TOTAL OF * $

1,999

LIMITED SUPPLY STOCK ONLY Upright sizes 14, 17 or 20 cu. ft.

AMV1150VAS

FFBD2411NS

FFHS2622MS FFEF3048LS

4-PIECE PACKAGE SRP $2,47996 AER5630BAS

ASD2575BRS ADB1100AWS

MICROWAVE s CU FT #APACITY s /VER 4HE 2ANGE s (IDDEN 6ENT DISHWASHER s (EATED $RY s -ULTILEVEL 7ASH s 4RIPLE &ILTER 7ASH 3YSTEM

FREEZER BLOWOUT

RANGE s %LECTRIC s 3ELF #LEAN s 3MOOTH 4OP REFRIGERATOR s 3IDE BY 3IDE s )CE 7ATER $ISPENSER

STAINLESS STEEL DISHWASHER s $ECIBEL 3OUND ,EVEL

1,999

$

26 CU. FT. STAINLESS STEEL SIDE-BY-SIDE REFRIGERATOR s &ILTERED )CE 7ATER $ISPENSER

STAINLESS STEEL SMOOTH TOP ELECTRIC RANGE s CU &T #APACITY /VEN

BLACK FRIDAY BLOWOUT!

ONLY 99*

Chest Sizes 5, 7, 9, 15 or 20 cu. ft.

1.6 Cu. Ft. 1000Watt Stainless Steel Over-TheRange Microwave

FFU14F5HLE FFU14F5HW

FFFC07M4NW

JUST ARRIVED! TRUCK LOAD OF SRATCH & DENT!

Hurry for best selection!

Special In-Store Price Only Stock Only

618-397-1216

10338 Lincoln Trail Fairview Heights, IL 62208 www.kleinsbrandsource.com See store for details on all claims, offers, financing and rebates.

Hours: - & s 3AT s 3UN