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2012 in

Pop culture

From breakups to baby bumps, debuts and goodbyes, Our Top 10 most talked-about stories

PlanitNorthwest.com • Sunday, December 30, 2012

| PlanIt Style |

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Sundaysupper PlanIt Style is published each Sunday by Shaw Media, P.O. Box 250, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0250.

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Find m recipes ore your N fit for Eve bas ew Year’s h Northw at Planit e foodan st.com/ ddrink .

Sichuan Pepper Meatballs

By J.M. HIRSCH

Style Editor

Features Editor R. Scott Helmchen 815-526-4402 shelmchen@shawmedia.com

Northwest Herald Editor

Advertise 815-459-4040

Northwest Herald newsroom

815-459-4122 lifestyle@nwherald.com

announcements Births, engagements, weddings and anniversaries are printed for free in the Planit Style section every Sunday in the Northwest Herald.

Engagement announcements must be received no later than three weeks before the wedding date. Wedding announcements are accepted up to six months after the wedding date.

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ON THE COVER Photos provided

Reviews, Twinkies top 2012 food news The Associated Press

Valerie Katzenstein 815-526-4529 vkatzenstein@shawmedia.com

Dan McCaleb 815-526-4603 dmccaleb@shawmedia.com

The year in food

AP photo

Big flavor with a jolt

By J.M. HIRSCH

Sesame oil, for frying

The Associated Press Any food that can make your tongue tingle has got to be worth a taste.

I’m not talking a seltzer-like zippiness or even a searing, chili-like heat. I mean literally tingling because your tongue is at once numb and buzzingly alive.

That is the power of the Sichuan pepper.

But why would you want to (albeit mildly) numb your mouth? Because aside from the basic coolness of a tingling tongue, that sensation also changes the way you taste food seasoned with the pepper, adding a wonderful punchy vibrancy and warmth unlike anything else.

As its name suggests, the spice has left a serious thumbprint on the cuisine of China’s Sichuan province. It also is used in Japan, where it is called sansho.

In Chinese cooking, Sichuan pepper is toasted before being crushed or ground.

This mutes the spice’s citrus flavors and heightens its woody notes, making for an excellent pairing with meats.

Sichuan Pepper Meatballs Start to finish: 30 minutes Makes 3 dozen meatballs

For the meatballs: 2 teaspoons Sichuan pepper 1/2 star anise 1/2 teaspoon dry ground ginger 1 egg 4 scallions, whites and greens, finely chopped 2 teaspoons salt 1 pound lean ground beef 1 pound lean ground pork

For the dipping sauce: 1 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons honey Pinch salt Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray.

In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the Sichuan pepper, star anise and ginger for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Transfer to a spice grinder and grind until reduced to a fine powder. Transfer to a large bowl.

Add the egg to the seasoning blend, then whisk well. Mix in the scallions and salt, then add the beef and pork. Use your hands to mix well. Form the mixture into tablespoon-size meatballs.

In a large skillet over medium-high, heat about 1 tablespoon of sesame oil until nearly smoking.

Working in batches and without crowding the pan, brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5 minutes.

Transfer the meatballs to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining meatballs, adding oil to the skillet as needed.

When all of the meatballs have been browned, place them in the oven and roast for 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the dipping sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, honey and salt.

When the meatballs are finished, serve them with toothpicks and ramekins of the dipping sauce.

Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 80 calories; 50 calories from fat (63 percent of total calories); 6 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 25 mg cholesterol; 2 g carbohydrate; 5 g protein; 0 g fiber; 125 mg sodium.

Most Americans never will sip the watermelon margarita at Guy Fieri’s behemoth Times Square restaurant, nor savor the chicken Alfredo at the Olive Garden in Grand Forks, N.D. Yet both eateries somehow shot to the top of the nation’s culinary zeitgeist in 2012, for this was the year of the viral restaurant review, when the rants and raves of seasoned pros and naive octogenarians alike got superstar treatment on the world wide smorgasbord. It was a year when Twinkies died and Paula Deen endorsed a diabetes drug.

Which is to say, it was a year when the unlikely was the norm.

While restaurateurs bemoaned the influence of Yelp and other social media review sites, 85-year-old Grand Forks Herald restaurant columnist Marilyn Hagerty cut through the noise, heaping near rhapsodic praise on the fine dining at her community’s latest chain restaurant. Hagerty did OK for herself, landing a book deal with Anthony Bourdain.

Meanwhile, New York Times reviewer Pete Wells scored a celeb smackdown when he slammed Fieri’s New York restaurant, Guy’s American Kitchen & Bar, in a scathing 1,000-word review written almost entirely in questions. Wells took heat for beating on Food Network’s bad boy, but the review – which tore across Twitter the instant it was posted – certainly drove hordes to Fieri’s tables, even if only to rubberneck the culinary accident.

Another revelation – Twinkies may not last forever.

Blaming a labor dispute for ongoing financial woes, Hostess Brands decided to close shop this year, taking with it lunch box staples such as Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder bread.

The company said it would try to sell off its many storied brands, so maybe there is hope for the mysteriously enduring snack cakes.

POP

OF

“Mommy porn”

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If you haven’t read it yet, you’re curious.

Just admit it.

It’s at the top of library waiting lists, the best-selling book of all time and most recently the Book of the Year, as voted by the public in the Specsavers National Book Awards.

Yep, 2012 is the year of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Dubbed “mommy porn” because of its erotic sexual content and appeal to middle-aged women, the book continues to be in demand.

“We saw another resurgence of it over the holiday season, people who didn’t pick it up during the height of the craze,” said Arlene Lynes, owner of Read Between the Lynes in Woodstock.

Yes, it’s mostly women, but men are buying it, too.

“I think people just really are looking for some form of escapism to get away from reality,” Lynes said.

A love story at its core, the book written by E.L. James as a sexy homage to the “Twilight” series first drew older fans of that vampire saga, said Penny Ramirez, assistant head of adult services at Crystal Lake Public Library.

“People want to see what it is all about,” she said.

F

rom the “mommy porn” craze that was “50 Shades of Grey” to the end of the blockbuster Twilight movie franchise to a huge music and comedy concert in

Woodstock, 2012 had its ups, downs and who-the-heck cares moments. Here are our picks for the 10 most talked-about stories of the year.

– Northwest Herald

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“Gangnam Style” On Dec. 21, “Gangnam Style,” Korean pop superstar PSY’s viral dance-along single, made it to an unprecedented 1 billion YouTube views. It topped the charts at No. 1 on Billboard’s K-Pop Hot 100 for five weeks and has held the No. 2 spot on the U.S.-based Hot 100 for 15 weeks.

It became the go-to song for DJs across the nation as bar-goers and club-goers alike hit the dance floor to move their hips like PSY.

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Legends lost A string of legendary musicians and entertainers died throughout the year. Pop icon Whitney Houston died at age 48 of drowning Feb. 11. Longtime TV show host Dick Clark died at 82 from a heart attack April 18. Disco legend Donna Summer died May 17 of lung cancer at 63. Other deaths included Etta James (Jan. 20), Don Cornelius (Feb. 1), Davy Jones (Feb. 29), Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys (May 4), Andy Griffith (July 3), Ernest Borgnine (July 8), Phyllis Diller (Aug. 20), Michael Clarke Duncan (Sept. 3), and Larry Hagman (Nov. 23).

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Rock revival

Rock ’n’ roll definitely had a revival in Woodstock in 2012 thanks to the second annual Wasted Plains festival. The daylong Wasted Plains Rock & Roll Revival in August featured nearly 20 bands from throughout Chicago and its suburbs and other entertainment, including live comedy, a late-nite talk show and attractions for kids and families.

Event coordinator Brandon Pacyna sought to expand the event from the year before and succeeded, drawing hundreds to the venue, both inside and outside the Woodstock VFW. Plans for 2013 already are under way.

Continued on page 4

| PlanIt Style | Sunday, December 30, 2012 • PlanitNorthwest.com

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PlanItNorthwest.com • Sunday, December 30, 2012

| PlanIt Style |

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Royal raucous 2012 brought plenty of Royal news.

It ranged from the scandalous – leaked photos of a nude Prince Harry playing pool and snapshots of a top-less, sunbathing Kate Middleton – to the celebratory, with the announcement of Middleton’s pregnancy. And then tragedy.

A London nurse killed herself after answering and falling for a prank call from two Australian DJs involving a pregnant and hospitalized Middleton.

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Kate Middleton (above) and Prince Harry (right) were top newsmakers in 2012.

Vampires bite the dust

After waiting one long year for part two of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” to be released in theaters in November, Twilight fans watched Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart as Edward and Bella on the big screen for the last time. The saga began in November 2008 with the first Twilight release based on the first book in Stephenie Meyer’s popular series. Right behind “Spider-Man,” the franchise became one of the top 10 highest-grossing movie franchises in America at number eight, bringing in $1.4 billion at the box office. Worldwide, the franchise grossed $3.3 billion.

• Continued on page 5

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The show must go on ... digitally.

Cherished by fans for the nostalgia it brings to the area, the McHenry Outdoor Theater launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2012 to raise enough money for needed technological upgrades.

Without the upgrades, the theater likely won’t be able to play movies in a few years. It must convert from 3 mm film to a full digital format at a cost of about $110,000.

The campaign failed to meet its goal of about $130,000, which also included general theater upgrades.

But theater owner Scott Dehn has said he will announce “Plan B” after the holidays.

“I will not give up until our goals are met,” he wrote on the theater’s Facebook page.

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Here she comes ...

Meet Alana Thomspon, 7-year-old self-proclaimed beauty queen and star of the TLC reality TV show, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo”: “I like to win because I want to win MONAYYY! A dollar makes me holler, honey boo-boo.” That’s how she presented herself as a contestant on “Toddlers and Tiaras” before TLC offered her and her family their own show. Her southern Georgia twang and sassy, dramatic glamgirl child speak was enough for producers to include subtitles. The 10 episodes focus less on the pageants and more on a behind-the-scenes look into Alana’s outlandish family. Although not popular with critics, each episode has averaged 2.4 million viewers, while the season finale ended on a high note with 2.8 million.

Classic expansion

Another local theater and landmark – Woodstock Classic Cinemas – also was in the news in 2012. Work began on a $4.8 million project to bring the historic theater on the Woodstock Square to eight screens from its previous four. Done in two phases, the theater will remain open during construction. The project, including the creation of a revamped and renovated building, is scheduled to be completed in late-summer 2013.

10

Celebrity split

When movie stars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes split in June, the divorce hit the tabloids and people dropped their jaws. But because of Cruise’s devotion to the Church of Scientology, this breakup wasn’t so out of the ordinary – in fact, it followed a pattern. Cruise and the church declared his ex-wife Nicole Kidman a “Suppressive Person,” Scientologists’ greatest enemy.

Penelope Cruz wasn’t good enough for the church, either, and even a Scientologist actress, Nazanin Boniadi, didn’t make the strict religious cut.

Concerned for her daughter, Holmes, a Christian, reportedly could not tolerate Cruise’s Scientology anymore.

She’s only lucky she hasn’t been declared an S.P. yet.

Five ideas for a kid-friendly bash

H

By LAURA JOFRE – The Associated Press

ow do you make a New Year’s party the whole family can enjoy?

For years, I barely acknowledged New Year’s Eve to my three kids so they wouldn’t know they were missing anything. I either went to some flashy grownup event or skipped it and went to bed. In the morning, I explained about the date change.

Last year, though, our family attended a party at a friend’s, and it was genuinely heartwarming. I began to think it was worth making an effort to mark the holiday, together, at home.

New Year’s is not just for adults. A small party is doable and relaxing; think about inviting extended family or close friends and their children.

“Parents feel more comfortable with their kids around,” said Selvi Rudge, a mother of three in Larchmont, N.Y., who often hosts friends and kids for New Year’s. “And having the kids there just makes the celebration better.”

Preparing with some simple crafting and cooking projects can make everyone feel part of the holiday.

1. New year’s poster – Take an 18-by-24-inch poster board and label it, “What I want to do in 2013.” It can be simple, with a lot of room to write, or it can be decorated by kids who know their way around a poster board. Tape it up somewhere central – I like the refrigerator – and keep washable markers nearby. Write in an entry or two, whether resolution-like (“I want to take up jogging”) or wishful thinking (“I want to explore the Amazon”). The poster can be a family project or it can be opened up to guests as a less-formal guest book at this less-formal party.

2. Table top – Table décor can be kid-constructed and reusable, and it does not have to look childlike or chaotic. A great idea from Sabrina James, style director at Parenting Magazine, is to paint inexpensive plastic chargers (the larger plates that go under dinner plates) with black chalkboard paint, then have the kids decorate the plates with white chalk. They can draw stars or write guests’ names or “2013.” “It all stays black and white, it still looks sophisticated, and the kids have a hand in decorating the table,” James said.

3. Making some noise – Of course there must be noisemakers.

James suggests this fresh take:

Paint small, empty raisin boxes with silver or gold paint – spray paint is easiest – and then decorate them with small gems or sequins.

Fill the boxes with dry pasta or rice, and tape a Popsicle stick to the back. The noisemakers can sit in vases around the table. Kids will be proud of their contributions, and you’ll be happy to have them as attractive table decorations.

4. Food – To avoid holiday feast fatigue, a New Year’s feast should consist of foods the family actually likes. You’re not tied to tradition, so focus on old family favorites, or on foods that some cultures say bring good luck. According to Epicurious. com, cooked greens symbolize money and good fortune; pork means prosperity. Don’t eat anything that moves backwards, like lobster.

5. After-meal activity – Karaoke is a new tradition for our family; we learned it from the friends who held last year’s party.

Systems range in price from less than $100 to more than $1,000, and can be rented, too. Whether you rock the oldies or attempt to rap, the kids are just as entertained as the adults. And they will want their turn, so make sure your song list includes some current hits or favorites they know.

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| PlanIt Style | Sunday, December 30, 2012 • PlanitNorthwest.com

New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to be just for adults

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PlanitNorthwest.com • Sunday, December 30, 2012

| PlanIt Style |

6 announcements Werderitch Conklin

Campion Russell

LAKE ZURICH – Christina Werderitch and Ryan Conklin, both of Lake Zurich, were married in a double-ring ceremony at 2:30 p.m. July 14, 2012, at the Catholic Parish of St. Francis de Sales in Lake Zurich. The Rev. David Ryan officiated.

She is the daughter of Michael and Corrine Werderitch of Crystal Lake.

He is the son of Cheryl Conklin of Peoria and the late Tim Conklin.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a strapless Ella asymmetrical, floor-length gown with a sweetheart neckline. She carried a clutch-style bouquet with purple hydrangeas, lime-green roses, Picasso callas, purple lizzy and green hypericum.

Maids of honor were Melissa Werderitch of Crystal Lake, sister of the bride; and Liz Metropulos of Lake Geneva, Wis., friend of the bride. Bridesmaids were Alysia Hicks of Okinawa, Japan, sister of the bridegroom; Jill Kivland of Crystal Lake, cousin of the bride; Jaimie Ostrom of Crystal Lake, cousin of the bride; Melanie Mannina of Palatine, friend of the bride; and Kari Hafer of Wauconda, friend of the bride. Flower girls were Olivia Franzese of West Dundee, cousin of the bride; and Keira Greven of Castle Rock, Colo., niece of the bridegroom.

Best man was Josh Cipri of Peoria, friend of the bridegroom. Groomsmen were Chad Hicks of Okinawa, Japan, brother-in-law of the bridegroom; Ryan Burke of Cordova, Tenn.; Joe Kinsey of Peoria, Dave Jackson of

SHOREWOOD, Wis. – Announcement has been made of the engagement of Angela Campion and Craig Russell, both of Shorewood, Wis. She is the daughter of James and Barbara Campion of Woodstock. He is the son of Anne Russell of Prescott Valley, Ariz., and the late Robert Russell.

The bride-to-be is a 1992 graduate of Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock, a 1996 graduate of St. Norbert College in DePere, Wis., with a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business, and a 1999 graduate of Marquette University Law School. She is an attorney with Campion Law in Shorewood and an adjunct professor of law at Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee.

Her fiancé is a 1985 graduate of Seligman High School and a 1992 graduate of Northern Arizona Uni-

Ryan Conklin Christina Werderitch Chicago, Casper Meichert of Chicago, Mike Gilmore of Peoria, and Rob Hafer of Wauconda, all friends of the bridegroom. Ushers were Brian Rosette of Palatine, friend of the bridegroom; and Nate Simmnos of Peoria, Ariz.

After a reception at Embassy Suites in Schaumburg, the couple took a wedding trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

The bride is a 2003 graduate of Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake, a 2007 graduate of Illinois State University in Normal and a 2011 graduate of St. Xavier University in Chicago.

She is a sixth-grade teacher at Parkland Middle School in McHenry.

The bridegroom is a 2003 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Peoria and a 2007 graduate of Illinois State University. He is an insurance unit manager for Travelers Insurance in Naperville.

They reside in Lake Zurich.

Gem Talk

Angela Campion Craig Russell versity in Flagstaff with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering.

He attends Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. He is manager of product planning for Harley-Davidson Motor Co. in Milwaukee.

They have plans for a September 2013 wedding.

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announcements Rous Sarff

Kelly Powers

McHENRY – Announcement has been made of the engagement of Jaime Rous and John Sarff, both of McHenry.

She is the daughter of Edward and Barbara Rous of McHenry.

He is the son of Joyce Sarff of Kewanee and the late Jerry Sarff.

The bride-to-be is a 1995 graduate of McHenry West High School and a 1999 graduate of Winona State University in Winona, Minn., with a Bachelor of Science in cell and molecular biology.

She is a quality engineer with a focus in microbiology for Catalent Pharma Solutions in Woodstock.

Her fiancé is a 1992 graduate of Kewanee High School and a 1996 graduate of North Central College in Naperville with a Bachelor of Arts

CHICAGO – Announcement has been made of the engagement of Adrian Erin Kelly and Steven Daniel Powers, both of Chicago.

She is the daughter of Brian and Pat Kelly of Crystal Lake. He is the son of Brian and Carol Powers of Somonauk.

The bride-to-be is a 2003 graduate of Prairie Ridge High School, a 2008 graduate of Loyola University Chicago with a dual bachelor’s degree in biology and nursing. She is pursuing a Master of Science degree in nursing as an adult-gerontological nurse practitioner at Loyola University Chicago. She is a nurse at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood.

Her fiancé is a 2003 graduate of Somonauk Junior-Senior High School.

He was a sergeant in the Illinois Army

John Sarff Jaime Rous in U.S. history.

He is an associate at Costco in Lake Zurich.

Their wedding will be May 4, 2013.

Adrian Erin Kelly Steven Daniel Powers National Guard from 2002 through 2010. He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, having proudly served in Afghanistan from 2008 through 2009. He is an accomplished finish carpenter and is a real estate broker for Century 21 in Chicago.

Their wedding will be in October 2013.

8BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS ALGONQUIN

Natalia Margaret Cruickshank, 7 pounds, 1 ounce, 19 inches, was born Dec. 12, 2012, at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock to David and Kalina Cruickshank of Algonquin. She joins a brother, Andrzej Patrick Cruickshank, 2. Maternal grandparents are Andrzej and Justyna Styrczula in Koscielisko, Poland. Paternal grandparents are Martin and Maggie Cole in BlanzacPerignac, France, and John and Hanna Cruickshank in Hoffman Estates. Maternal

great-grandparent is Babara Chronowska in Krakow, Poland.

Arnold of Johnsburg.

McHENRY

Rachel Rose Samuelson, 7 pounds, 2 ounces, 20.5 inches, was born Nov. 27, 2012, at Advocate Condell Medical Center, Libertyville, to Mathew and Lisa Samuelson Prairie Grove. She joins two brothers, Aaron and Joshua. Maternal grandparents are Jim and Chris Aronson of Lake Villa. Paternal grandparent is Beverly Samuelson of Morton Grove. Maternal great-grandparents are

Noreen Mary Arnold, 8 pounds, 2 ounces, 20 inches, was born Dec. 3, 2012, at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington to Patrick and Heather Arnold of McHenry. She joins a sibling, August, 2.

Maternal grandparents are Mary Schnulle and Butch Schnulle, both of Woodstock.

Paternal grandparents are Pat and Holly

Clayton and Jean Schwanbeck of Lake Villa and Gladys Aronson of Genoa City, Wis.

PRAIRIE GROVE

WARREN

Addalynn May Vincent, was born Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at Monroe Clinic, Monroe, Wis., to Melody Borwn-Miller and Travis Vincent of Warren. Grandparents are Christine Vincent of Monroe, Wis., Eddie Smith and Melissa Boettcher of Wonder Lake. Great-grandparents are Eddie Sr. and Pamela Smith of Kenosha, Wis.

Congratulations! You’re Engaged!

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7) Start your A & B guest list.

8) Secure your wedding date at 31 North!!

9) Let 31 North’s experienced event coordinators take care of the details to ensure a Magical Day. 10) Enjoy the happiness of your engagement as you begin your journey to Wedded Bliss!!

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| PlanIt Style| Sunday, December 30, 2012 • PlanitNorthwest.com

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PlanitNorthwest.com • Sunday, December 30, 2012

| PlanIt Style |

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thepuzzler ACROSS 1. Group of graduates 6. Gores 11. Bribery 16. Grief 21. Spartan slave 22. Kind of lamp 23. Speeder’s undoing 24. Destroy by degrees 25. Friendship 26. Mountain nymph 27. Fine instrument 28. Raze 29. “A Boy Named --” 30. Golf standard 31. Drizzle 33. Flavoring for gin 35. Letter after zeta 36. Borgnine or Hemingway 39. Discern 43. Set afire 44. Rob -45. Schoolbook 47. Serious 49. Use needle and thread 51. Jet 54. Official order 57. Come forth 59. Woeful cry 63. Skeletal part 64. Animal enclosure 66. Character in a play 68. “Essays of --” 69. -- Scotia 70. Lendl or Turgenev 72. Literary collection 74. Twist 76. -- ex machina 78. Abbr. in citations 79. Object from space 82. Watery trench 84. Child’s winter garment 86. Hippodrome 87. Painful 89. Expired 91. In addition 92. Cunning 93. Psychic ability 95. Chinese dynasty 97. Navigation hazard 99. Lump 101. Mil. rank 104. Writer -- Fleming 106. Water bird 108. Brooks and Gibson 110. Scandinavian 114. Emotional breakdown 117. Louver 119. Reject as untrue 121. Ill-mannered 122. Line of rotation 124. Level 126. -- poetica 127. Dishonest one 128. “-- -- a kick out of you” 129. Test 131. Cut short 133. Abbr. in bus 135. -- Lanka 136. Mexican money 137. Loved 139. Seafood item 141. Della or Pee Wee 143. -- sequitur 145. Kind of congestion

147. Warning 149. Edge 152. Paved ways (abbr.)

154. Face on a ten spot 157. Flowering 161. Actress -- Thurman 162. Type size 164. Call it -- -165. Breakfast food 167. Employ 168. Indian prince 170. In the company of 173. Ordinary language 175. Moving about 177. Old marketplace 178. Talent show 179. Des Moines native 180. Root 181. Actress Sophia -182. Leaf 183. Dozed 184. Towel material DOWN 1. Pursue 2. Arboreal animal 3. Foreign 4. Drunken fellow 5. Pigpen 6. Old Greek portico 7. Dawdled 8. Honest -9. Raucous sound 10. Car type 11. Stone for building 12. Crash against 13. Town in Oklahoma 14. Waller or Domino 15. Warble 16. Take out 17. Mineral 18. Inamorata 19. “-- -- Billie Joe” 20. Send along 30. School org.

32. “-- a boy!”

34. River in France 37. Eagle 38. Ooze 40. Kind of coffee 41. Notoriety 42. Produce 46. Hopper or Rodman 48. Wipes 50. Dies down 51. -- donna 52. Body organ 53. Lessen 55. Cry of a crow 56. Streetcar 58. Thin and bony 60. Egyptian water lily 61. Benefit 62. Like brine 65. Cup handle 67. Walked on 71. Hawaiian goose 73. Particle 75. Duo 77. Before very long 80. Fertile spot 81. Guitarist Clapton 83. Abound 85. Injury 88. Slaughter of baseball

90. Antlered animal 94. Daddy 96. Tiger’s game 98. Tiny performer 100. Seethe

101. Gaza or Sunset 102. Estimate 103. Ebb and neap 105. Vetoed 107. Soft mineral

109. Time of year 111. Union demand 112. Top actors 113. Strange 115. Reveal (2 wds.)

116. Ford’s predecessor 118. Field cover 120. Serv. branch 123. -- Jessica Parker 125. Rocky hill 130. Tableland 132. El --, Texas 134. Complainer 137. “The King -- --” 138. Marred 140. Variety of apple 142. Annex 144. Little -- Annie 146. Box top 148. Old horse 149. Countrified 150. Adult insect 151. Important 153. Ascot 155. -- lazuli 156. Region in the Alps 158. External 159. Willow rod 160. Cheerful 163. Part of AARP (abbr.)

166. Fellow 169. Exist 171. Ab -172. Mother Superior 174. Be in debt 175. Play part 176. That girl

Photo provided

‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ dominates publishing

By HILLEL ITALIE The Associated Press NEW YORK – The story of 2012 in publishing was the story of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” in more ways than one.

E L James’ erotic trilogy was easily the year’s biggest hit, selling more than 35 million copies in the U.S. alone and topping bestseller lists for months. Rival publishers hurried to sign up similar books, and debates started over who should star in the planned film version.

Through James’ books and how she wrote them, the general public was educated in the worlds of romance/ erotica, start-up publishing and “fan fiction.”

But the success of James’ novels also captured the dual state of the book market – the advance of e-books and the resilience of paper. In a year when print was labeled as endangered and established publishers referred to as “legacy” companies, defined and beholden to the past, the allure remained for buying and reading bound books.

James already was an underground hit before signing in early 2012 with Vintage Books, a paperback imprint of Random House Inc., the house of Norman Mailer and Toni Morrison, a house where legacy is inseparable from the brand. She could have self-published her work through Amazon.com, or released her books from her own website, and received a far higher percentage of royalties.

“We had a very clear

conversation back in January about the need for a very specific publishing strategy,” Vintage publisher Anne Messitte said. “We talked about distribution, a physical format, publicity.

And she was basically clear that she needed what we did as publishers to make that happen.”

“Fifty Shades” began as an e-phenomenon, understandable since digital erotica means you can read it in public without fear of discovery. But according to Messitte, sales for the paperbacks quickly caught up to those for e-books and have surpassed them comfortably for the past several months.

Everyone was in on the secret. The series sold big at Amazon.com, but also at Barnes & Noble and independents, at drugstores and airports.

Publishers from several major houses agreed e-books comprise 25-30 percent of overall sales, exponentially higher than a few years ago, but not nearly enough to erase the power of paper.

And the rate of growth is leveling off, inevitable as a new format matures. Simon & Schuster CEO Carolyn Reidy said e-sales were up about 30 percent this year, less than half what she had expected.

“There are some people who think that print will go away, but ‘Fifty Shades’ is an indication of why that’s not going to happen,” said Messitte, who added the books attracted many nonreaders who don’t own e-devices. “You’re going to need a mix of ways to read.”

9

| PlanIt Style | Sunday, December 30, 2012 • PlanitNorthwest.com

sudokutriples

The year in books

PlanItNorthwest.com • Sunday, December 30, 2012

| PlanIt Style |

10

Dear Abby

Questions? Visit dearabby.com

Jeanne Phillips

Sister torn between needy nephews, husband Dear Abby: My sister, the mother of three boys, is now unable to take care of them. My family is asking me and my new husband to take them in.

To me it’s a no-brainer – something I’d do in a heartbeat. My husband refuses! He says if we do, we’ll never have children of our own. I feel like I’m being forced to choose between my husband and my nephews. What would you do? – Pulled In Two In Cincinnati Dear Pulled In Two: I’d keep talking

to my husband about it, and find out why he thinks taking in your nephews would prevent you from having children of your own. As a newly married man, he may be feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of having three boys to raise and support, so he can’t imagine having another child with you.

Do not let the subject rest until you have the answers to all of your questions. If the reasons are financial, per-

haps he’d be more open to the idea if the rest of the family is willing to chip in. If that’s not the case, then you will have some serious choices to make.

Dear Abby: I have been with my wonderful wife for 35 years. Friends have said they wish they could have a relationship like ours, but an interloper has come between us, interfering with our ability to communicate.

Her cellphone has taken over her life. She’s constantly playing word games with 12 different friends, texting, etc. It starts first thing in the morning and lasts into the night. I returned my cellphone after two weeks when I saw the writing on the wall.

My wife and I used to sit together and have nice conversations. Now they are interrupted by weird noises when her phone announces she has another text.

I took a friend on a fishing trip to Mexico, and his phone never left his palm. Is this my future? – Missing

Face Time In Arizona Dear Missing: Yes, unless you are

able to negotiate an agreed-upon period of time during which you are your wife’s first priority and her cellphone is turned off. As to your fishing buddy, either accept he has a new toy, or cast around for someone who is less technology-addicted to join you next time.

Dear Abby: After two years of dating, my girlfriend, “Noelle,” and I have become engaged. I asked for her father’s blessing, and after first telling me he wanted a few weeks to think about it, he said yes. He then complained because he thought I’d ask him “somewhere with less distractions.” (We were at the house, alone.

He was sitting on the couch, and I was in a chair.) I think he was just looking for something to gripe about.

After receiving his blessing, I proposed. Her dad says he’s happy for us, but keeps acting like the wedding

straight talk

is years away. We have set a date for nine months from now, but he won’t even discuss the budget. He calls Noelle and tells her who he wants her to invite, but seems surprised to find out it costs money. He’s breaking her heart.

I am buying a condo, so I don’t have much money available, but I have offered to help as much as I can. It’s killing Noelle to have her father act this way. He is complaining about being forced to take out a loan. Is there anything I can do to get him to realize he’s ruining this for his daughter? – Stressed-Out Groom,

Redwood City, Calif.

Dear Stressed Out: Probably not, but you could relieve the stress on everyone by talking Noelle into a romantic elopement.

• Write Dear Abby at www. dearabby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Questions? Visit northwestcommunitycounseling.com

Rick Atwater

Self-centered people often feel isolated, misunderstood Mr. Atwater: I have been married for 21 years, and I know my husband well.

He is very generous to me and the kids, and he seems really friendly and warm, but that is mostly when other people are around. Even though he sees himself as a giver, he mostly thinks about himself. When he buys me things, they generally are things he likes. When he says how well he supports us (and we live in a nice house with all the trimmings), it’s more for his ego than because he wants to make me comfortable.

We argue about this, the drinking, lack of sex, how poorly I do at raising the kids, how dirty the house is and how I spend too much money – the usual – but the thing that baffles me is how a person can give so much materially and so little emotionally.

Dear Reader: It is confusing when someone is generous and self-centered. Generous or selfish describe acts while self-centered describes a characteristic. Self-centered people may be generous when it serves them, but they often believe in their

selflessness while having no hesitation about reminding you of the price you must pay for the generosity. A truly generous act has no cost.

Self-centered people often believe their giving suffices for understanding, emotional connection and intimacy. It always rings hollow.

Self-centered people are in a prison of their own thoughts, opinions and points of view. They have an inability to see beyond their own limited perceptions. They are always right, whether they are or not.

All outside events are seen

through the filter of how it may affect them.

Self-centered people, while they may appear friendly and outgoing, often feel isolated and alone. They often respond internally with the feeling they are misunderstood and not being treated the way they deserve. In this way, they add resentment to the prison bars.

In a way, self-centeredness is like alcoholism, which it is a symptom of, in that the sufferer is unaware of its severity and consequences and is unable to change it.

Like alcoholics, self-centered

people often are surrounded by those who have tolerated it for their own reasons.

Have you let the material things suffice for intimacy because of your own fear or materialism? Have you let the self-centeredness pass and let resentments build? If so, you may have some work to do on yourself.

A selfish act may deserve our rebuke, but a self-centered person deserves our compassion.

• Rick Atwater is a licensed clinical professional counselor.

www.mchenrycountyturningpoint.org

815-338-8081 “To confront violence against women & children in McHenry County”

QUICKCRITIC

Mini-reviews & local showtimes of CURRENT movies

On screen now

Local showtimes

“Django Unchained” HH Rated R for strong graphic violence throughout, a vicious fight, language and some nudity, 2 hours, 35 minutes STARRING: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Walz, Leonardo DiCaprio PLOT: With the help of his mentor, a slave-turned-bounty hunter sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner.

VERDICT: For his latest blood fest, Quentin Tarantino largely replays all of his other blood fests, specifically his last flick, “Inglourious Basterds.”

In Tarantino’s new tale of wickedly savage retribution, a black man (Foxx) gets to rewrite Deep South history by becoming a bounty hunter on a killing spree of white slave owners and overseers just before the Civil War. Granted, there’s something gleefully satisfying in watching evil people get what they have coming.

But the film is Tarantino at his most puerile and least inventive, the premise offering little more than cold, nasty revenge and barrels of squishing, squirting blood. The usual Tarantino genre mishmash – a dab of blaxploitation here, a dollop of Spaghetti Western there – is so familiar now that it’s tiresome, more so because the filmmaker continues to linger with chortling delight over every scene, letting conversations run on interminably and gunfights carry on to grotesque excess. Tarantino always gets good actors who deliver, though, and it’s the performances by Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz and Samuel L. Jackson that make the film intermittently entertaining amid moments when the characters are either talking one another to death or just plain killing each other. – David Germain, The

Associated Press

theaters Classic Cinemas Woodstock 209 Main St., Woodstock, 815-338-8555 www.classiccinemas.com AMC Lake in the Hills 12 Randall Road, Lake in the Hills, 800-fandango www.amctheatres.com/LakeHills McHenry Downtown Theatre 1204 N. Green St., McHenry, 815-578-0500 http://cyouatthemovies.com Regal Cinemas 5600 W. Route 14, Crystal Lake, 800-fandango www.regmovies.com

RATINGS HHHH - Excellent HHH - Recommended HH - Not recommended H - Awful

•••••••

“Les Misérables” HH½ Rated PG-13 for suggestive and sexual material, violence and thematic elements, 2 hours, 37 minutes STARRING: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfreid PLOT: Years after ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman) breaks his parole to become a virtuous man, fanatical policeman Javert (Crowe) continues to hunt him. While avoiding Javert, Valjean helps a dying prostitute (Hathaway) and, years later, her daughter (Seyfried).

VERDICT: Director Tom Hooper’s interpretation of the blockbuster stage show is a musical in close-up. With

his actors singing their roles “live,” Hooper can push his camera’s right into their faces. This is riveting for the first hour, then becomes repetitive. Jackman, Crowe and Hathaway are electrifying. This film was made for fans of the stage show. Others who don’t know the story going in will be lucky if they know it going out. – Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest

Herald •••••••

“Parental Guidance” HH Rated PG for some rude humor, 1 hour, 44 minutes STARRING: Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei PLOT: Artie and Diane agree to look after their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents need to leave town for work. Problems arise when the kids’ 21st-century behaviors collide with Artie and Diane’s old-school methods.

VERDICT: The schmaltz is piled on thick, and if the comedy were any broader it would require an Imax screen, but still there’s something touching about how hard Billy Crystal and Bette Midler hustle to peddle the threadbare material that makes “Parental Guidance” a perfectly tolerable, if uninspired, moviegoing experience. It would have been nice if director Andy Fickman (“Race to Witch Mountain”) and husband-andwife screenwriters Lisa Addario and Joe Syracuse (“Surf’s Up”) could have mined some fresher stuff from this frequently played ballgame, but at least when you’ve got Crystal calling the shots, you can still count on the occasional change-up.

– Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter

“django unchained” Sunday, Dec. 30

AMC Lake in the Hills 12 – 12:50, 4:30, 8:10 p.m.

Classic Cinemas Carpentersville 1:00, 4:20, 7:45 p.m.

Regal Cinemas – 11:10 a.m., 2:45, 6:20, 10:00 p.m.

“THE GUILT TRIP” Sunday, Dec. 30

AMC Lake in the Hills 12 – 11:00 a.m., 1:45, 4:40, 7:15, 10:30 p.m.

Classic Cinemas Carpentersville 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30 p.m.

Regal Cinemas – 11:35 a.m., 2:10, 4:40, 7:50, 10:35 p.m.

“the hobbit: an unexpected journey” Sunday, Dec. 30

AMC Lake in the Hills 12 – 2D: 12:15, 4:15, 8:15 p.m.; 3D: 11:30 a.m., 3:15, 7:15 p.m.

Classic Cinemas Carpentersville 2D: 12:35, 4:00, 7:25 p.m.; 3D: 2:10, 5:35, 9:00 p.m.

Classic Cinemas Woodstock – 12:35, 4:00, 7:25 p.m.

McHenry Downtown Theater – 12:45, 4:00, 7:15 p.m.

Regal Cinemas – 2D: 11:20 a.m., 3:00, 6:40, 10:30 p.m.; 3D: 11:40 a.m., 12:40, 3:30, 4:30, 7:10, 8:10 p.m.

“Jack Reacher” Sunday, Dec. 30

AMC Lake in the Hills 12 – 12:45, 4:00, 7:00, 10:00 p.m.

Classic Cinemas Carpentersville 1:20, 4:10, 7:00, 9:50 p.m.

$10 Large, 3 Topping Thin Crust Pizza Not valid with any other offers. Must present coupon.

Pick up only. Expires: Dec 31, 2012 222 N. Western Ave • Carpentersville • 847-426-3700

Family Special: 18” 2 Topping Pizza, Mozzeralla Sticks & 2 Liter Pop: $19.99

4502 W. Elm St. • McHenry

(815) 363-1974

3525 Diamond Dr. • McHenry

(815) 385-3820

335 S. Eastwood Dr. • Woodstock

(815) 338-9499

847-426-3700

Not valid with any other offers. Must present coupon.

Pick up only. Expires: Dec 31, 2012 222 N. Western Ave • Carpentersville • 847-426-3700

Regal Cinemas – 12:20, 1:20, 3:40, 6:50, 7:20, 9:50, 10:20 p.m.

“les miserables” Sunday, Dec. 30

AMC Lake in the Hills 12 – 9:50 a.m., 12:00, 1:20, 3:30, 5:00, 7:00, 8:45, 9:30 p.m.

Classic Cinemas Carpentersville 12:00, 3:15, 6:30, 9:45 p.m.

Regal Cinemas – 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:30, 3:20, 6:00, 7:00, 9:40, 10:40 p.m.

“LINCOLN”

Sunday, Dec. 30 AMC Lake in the Hills 12 – 10:00 a.m., 1:15, 4:30, 8:00 p.m.

Regal Cinemas – 11:05 a.m., 3:10, 6:30, 10:10 p.m.

“Parental guidance”

Sunday, Dec. 30 AMC Lake in the Hills 12 – 11:10 a.m., 1:40, 4:20, 7:10, 9:40 p.m.

Classic Cinemas Carpentersville 12:00, 2:20, 4:40, 7:00, 9:20 p.m.

Classic Cinemas Woodstock – 12:00, 2:20, 4:40, 7:00, 9:20 p.m.

McHenry Downtown Theater – 1:00, 4:15, 7:00 p.m.

Regal Cinemas – 12:00, 2:40, 5:20, 8:00, 10:50 p.m.

“THIS IS 40”

Sunday, Dec. 30 AMC Lake in the Hills 12 – 9:45 a.m., 12:45, 3:50, 6:50, 9:50 p.m.

Classic Cinemas Carpentersville 1:30, 4:20, 7:10, 10:00 p.m.

Regal Cinemas – 11:45 a.m., 12:30, 3:50, 6:10, 7:40, 9:20, 11:00 p.m.

“C” You At The Movies - McHenry Downtown Theatre

$5 Matinees (CHILD/SENIORS ALL SHOWS)

$7 Adult (NON-MATINEE)

1204 N. Green St. • 815-578-0500 www.cyouatthemovies.com – SHOWTIMES FOR FRI, DECEMBER 28 THROUGH THURS, JANUARY 3 –

PARENTAL GUIDANCE (PG) (105 minutes)

Fri & Sat: 1:00, 3:30, 6:00, 8:30 Sun-Thurs: 1:00, 4:15, 7:00

222 N. Western Ave (Rt. 31) • Carpentersville, IL

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

Same Great Food Since 1953

Fri & Sat: 12:45, 4:00, 7:15, 10:30 Sun-Thurs: 12:45, 4:00, 7:15

(PG-13) (170 minutes)

WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (G) (100 minutes)

Fri-Mon: 10:00 A.M.

THE WIZARD OF OZ

(G) (101 minutes)

Tues-Thurs: 10:00 A.M.

| PlanIt Style | Sunday, December 30, 2012 • PlanitNorthwest.com

11

PlanitNorthwest.com • Sunday, December 30, 2012

| PlanIt Style |

12

STYLES

THAT MADE OUR HEADS TURN

E

very year, fashion offers up the good, the bad and the ugly. But what the industry is really built on – and consumers respond to – is buzz. Here are the top moments of 2012. – Samantha Critchell, The Associated Press

Two-tone Stella McCartney dresses

Julianne Moore at the Emmys

Stella McCartney, no stranger to the red carpet, has created a style that celebrities can’t get enough of. Her ultra-flattering “silhouette” dress has become almost ubiquitous. It features one color on the bodice and back, and a graphic opposite on the sides and sleeves. Kate Winslet has worn several versions, and Brooklyn Decker, Kate Moss, Edie Falco and Liv Tyler have, too. The best turn might have been Jane Fonda at the Cannes Film Festival.

Julianne Moore’s neonyellow Dior Haute Couture outfit (really a sweater and ball skirt) spawned a love-itor-hate-it debate among armchair style critics.

What was largely left out of that conversation, however, was that it was Raf Simons’ big celebrity debut for Dior, which he took creative control of after the John Galliano scandal. At least Simons can claim the better reviews when it came to his showdown of next-gen designers at historic French houses against Hedi Slimane at Saint Laurent Paris.

007’s slim suits Daniel Craig’s wardrobe in “Skyfall” is impeccably tailored – and quite tight. Unlike the James Bonds that came before him who all liked the traditional looser, longer cut of a Savile Row-style suit, Craig, whose wardrobe is created mostly by Tom Ford, takes his suits Euro style with tapered legs and shorter rises.

Beyoncé’s body

Some new mothers claim they feel sexier than ever. Beyoncé was living proof at the Met Gala, the important industry event co-hosted by Vogue’s Anna Wintour.

Beyonce’s skin-tight, largely sheer– save the bodice beading and feathered fish-tail train – gown by Givenchy announced that Ivy Blue Carter’s mom wasn’t going to hold back.

Miley’s cROP When Miley Cyrus cut off the long hair her fans had become used to, she took some heat. She has said (and Tweeted) repeatedly, though, she was pleased with the new punkpixie look and was sticking with it. Short hair turned out to be a big trend, with Alicia Keys, Rihanna and Anne Hathaway all ending the year with much shorter locks than they started with.

matching hues

Michelle Obama and Ann Romney turned out to the second presidential debate in practically the same shade of hot pink. The potential embarrassment was chalked up to timing: October is breast cancer awareness month.

Angelina Jolie at the Oscars

The leg that peeked out of the high thigh-high slit of Angelina Jolie’s Versace gown was the most exciting appearance on the red carpet. The gown fit perfectly into the sleek, simple, sexy mold that Jolie favors, but it was Jolie’s pictureperfect pose to expose just enough thigh that launched a thousand memes. Her companion Brad Pitt gets an honorable mention for his scruffy appearance in a Chanel fragrance ad that left many scratching their heads.

Photos provided