New Britain Herald - Holiday Gift Guide 11-23-2012

Plainville’s holiday marketplace – 2 Good Housekeeping’s top toy picks – 9 Westfarms ready for ‘Black Friday’ – 12 Thursday, November 22, 2012

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2 | Thursday, November 22, 2012

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

‘Handmade in America’ dominates Marketplace

as she priced a shipment of jewelry, which still makes up the bulk of items sold at the store. The PLAINVILLE – Thirty-three Victorian-style cottage is brimyears ago, Martha Couture decid- ming with handmade items, and ed she wanted a hobby. the faint sound of wind chimes “I needed something to do to keep busy once my children had grown up,” she said. “So I started making jewelry.”

Her husband, Jim Couture, built a small shop on East Street in Plainville. Martha named it The Silver Sun and sold her jewelry there, but soon decided she would like to sell crafts made by others as well. So Jim went back and built her a larger shop, which became Artisan’s Marketplace.

Martha, who now lives in Avon, Mike Orazzi | Staff eventually stopped making jewHoliday gift ornaments from Artielry to focus full time on the san’s Marketplace in Plainville. business. She attended shows in Philadelphia and New York to find the best hand-crafted mer- and the aroma of potpourri fill chandise for her store. Now, the the air. shop sells items from 400 artists These days Martha’s daughter, from all over the country.

Diane Couture, handles much of “We still have a lot of the the day to day operations. She people we have been buying from returned to the area 11 years ago for years,” Martha said recently after gaining extensive experience

By DIANE CHURCH Staff Writer

in retail management in New York.

Customers accustomed to lowcost mass-produced merchandise may be a bit surprised by the store’s prices for the handmade version. A lamp with a stained glass shade is priced at $196, a hand-painted wine glass fetches $28 and a clock that looks like a cat or dog is $52 (various breeds available).

However, Diane mentioned some of the more affordable options that she feels would make great holiday gifts. Felted soap by Ten Good Sheep is $15, a baked brie dish by Kent Follette is priced at $30, an Original Comfy Cup by Clay in Motion fetches $24, a pair of mismatched socks by Soulmates is $22 and a Therapeutic Medicine Ball, which can be heated or chilled to relieve aches and pains, is $12.

Nearly all the items are handmade in the USA. “Our motto is ‘handmade in America,’” Diane said. “That is our brand.”

Martha’s other daughter,

Some holiday ornaments at Artisan’s Marketplace.

Plainville resident Cynthia Logan, helps with marketing and used to enjoy making stained glass, but now spends much her time at home caring for her daughter Rhianna Logan.

Rhianna, now 20 years old, was diagnosed with Sanfilippo B Syndrome at the age of two.

Children with the disorder are

missing an essential enzyme that breaks down a complex body sugar called heparin sulfate. This sugar slowly builds in the brain, stopping normal development and causing hyperactivity, sleep disorders, loss of speech, dementia and typically death before adulthood.

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New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Thursday, November 22, 2012 | 3

Artisan’s Marketplace participates in community

From Page B2

Artisan’s Marketplace is raffling off a folk-style fabric Santa on a reindeer sculpture to raise money for research on Sanfilippo B Syndrome. Tickets are $5 each.

The store is also participating in Small Business Saturday on Nov. 24, where customers can earn a 10 percent rebate of their purchase back for use in January or February.

Artisan’s Marketplace is located at 120 East St. Hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Stockings are hung with care at Artisan’s Marketplace

Diane Church can be reached at 860-584-0501 ext. 7250 or by email at dchurch@bristolpress.com

Artisan’s Marketplace is located at 120 East St. in Plainville.

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

To experience an 18th century holiday, Wethersfield is place to be December 6

BY ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER

WETHERSFIELD — Want to experience an old-fashioned Christmas?

Take a stroll down Main Street in Old Wethersfield on the evening of Dec. 6.

You’ll be transported back to an 18th century New England, with horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas caroling, and sidewalk vendors selling handmade crafts and

warm homemade treats.

This is all part of the Chamber of Commerce’s third annual Holidays on Main, a winter wonderland event that brings over 4,000 visitors to the village to experience the best the season (and town) has to offer.

A silent auction will bring the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum’s Webb Barn alive, featuring donated decorated trees, wreaths, garland, menorahs and table arrangements.

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Profits from the auction will be shared with local nonprofits.

Also inside the Webb Barn, Frederick Wildman will be offering a free wine tasting. Those who prefer craft beer selections will enjoy a beer tasting courtesy of Ten Penny Ale, complimented by cheese and crackers from Ascot Catering.

As the tree beside Lucky Lou’s is lit up, carolers will invite passerbys to join in their sing-along.

Santa Claus will make a special visit to the firehouse and other live entertainment will enchant walkers on every corner. Last year

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BRISTOL — The St. Anthony’s Holiday Showcase of the Stars will be held Dec. 1, 7 p.m., at St. Paul Catholic High School. For tickets, contact Joan Pelkey at (860) 589-5692 or visit St. Anthony Church rectory between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or after Masses Saturday and Sunday.

The Manross Memorial Library, Forestville, will offer an afternoon of holiday classics and popular songs with the O’Brien Strings Guitar and Violin Duo Dec. 6 at 1 p.m.

There is no charge but registration requested. Visit the library, the library on Facebook or call (860) 584-7790.

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All of the gift shops and specialty stores on Main Street traditionally remain open for the evening, offering some unique deals and fun activities.

There is a continued need for silent auction donations, including decorated trees, wreaths, garland, etc. plus gift certificates and items to fill gift baskets.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce with any questions or if you’d like to help, at (860)-7216200.

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New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

Thursday, November 22, 2012 | 5

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Grocery gift cards top nonprofits holiday wish list Although primarily intend- ers around the community,” said ed for the winter holidays, the Pathways/Senderos Center’s Middle School Coordinator Heather Mills. “We find that people who donate during the holidays continue to donate throughout the year and want To request an electronic “Ways to become more involved to Share...A Holiday Wish List” by with our program.” county or region, contact Laurie Ways to Share...A Holiday Allen at lallen@CTphilanthopy.org Wish List - 2012 is generor (860) 525-5585. ously supported in part by Aetna.

You can access Ways to resource can be used year-round. Share...A Holiday Wish List on Each listing also includes a the web at www.holidaywish“big wish” — an item that is list.CTphilanthropy.net. The not specific to the holidays, Council will also be featurbut would nonetheless be a great--and greatly appreciated-addition to their agency. The list can also help nonprofits in building a base of supporters.

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Nancy Shapiro for Community Renewal Team commented, “The Holiday Wish List has resulted in generous donations of new warm clothing, toys and books and groceries for needy families.”

“The Holiday Wish List has brought in donations for our holiday programs allowing us to serve more families,” said Waterbury Salvation Army Major Annette Lock.

In addition to gift cards, items on this year’s list range from warm clothing and toys, to turkeys and nonperishable foods.

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Ways to Share...A Holiday Wish List is an online searchable database listing the holiday needs of children, families and adults served by 256 Connecticut nonprofits. The list makes it easy for individuals, families, church or civic groups, businesses and corporations to plan their holiday or year-end giving.

Each entry provides a brief description of the nonprofit organization and its work, the population it serves, contact information and a list of special items or volunteers they are looking for to make the holidays happier for the people they serve. Individuals can search volunteering and giving opportunities by town, type of service provided and by organization.

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

Holiday boutiques offer gift ideas, treats

SATURDAY, SUNDAY St. Gregory Church The St. Gregory Christmas Craft Fair will be held at the St. Gregory CCD Center, 1043 Stafford Ave. Bristol, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be 39 vendors, basket raffle, breakfast and lunch served each day, Santa will visit for picture. No admission charge.

For information, contact

Ginny DeLuzio at (860) 5848050.

DECEMBER 1 St. Paul’s Church St. Paul’s Church in Southington hold its seventh annual holiday boutique Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parish hall. Holiday and general handcrafted items featured. The café will have a continental breakfast, as well as chowder, soup, and grilled

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Get in the Christmas spirit and learn about the Bristol Historical Society and its calendar of events and programs.

Terryville High School Terryville High School will be holding a Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 1 in the school’s cafeteria. There will be over 20 craft and venMike Orazzi | Staff dor tables to choose from Homemade crafts on display at a recent holiday boutique as well as a bake goods, a raffle table and lunch items. cheese sandwiches for sale. ety will hold its sixth annual Admission is free, but nonProceeds will be donated to Holiday Craft Fair on Dec. perishable food items will be the Southington Fuel Bank.

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New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

Thursday, November 22, 2012 | 7

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Boutiques offer more than shopping

Newington Historical Society The Newington Historical Society invites the public to its holiday open house and Christmas boutique to be held from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Kellogg-Eddy House and Museum, 679 Willard Ave. Free to members of Derynoski School the Newington Histori“The Giving Back Girls” cal Society; non-members will hold a bake sale from donations appreciated.

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. SaturChildren 12 years and day during Derynoski under will have the opporSchool’s Holiday Bazaar in tunity to create a ChristSouthington. mas decoration. Donations Donations of baked of non-perishable food goods welcome. List all items will be accepted to ingredients for anyone with benefit the Newington allergies. Baked goods can Food Bank be dropped off at The Arc of Southington, 201 W. DECEMBER 7 Main St., Plantsville, Nov. First Congregational, 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Southington or Derynoski School Dec. A holiday auction will 1 at 9 a.m. be held at the First ConProceeds benefit gregational Church of Southington Community Southington located on Services to adopt another the Green on Dec. 7. The family in need for Christauction is held in conjuncmas. For more information, tion with Southington’s call Tricia Gibney at (860) Hospitality Night. The 681-7303. church’s doors will open ` at 6 p.m. for a silent auction and preview until

6:45 p.m. The live auction will begin promptly at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall.

Items being auctioned will include hand crafted items, gift certificates donated by local stores, restaurants and businesses, as well as many goods and services contributed by the members of First Congregational Church. Refreshments will be available.

DECEMBER 8 New Britain Youth Museum Santa will visit the New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerford Park, 191 Farmington Ave., Kensington, Dec. 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. Children will receive a small gift from Santa and enjoy cookies and cocoa (coffee and tea for the adults). Holiday crafts, face painting and a choir will add to the fun. Adults, $5; children age 2 to 18, $3, children under 2 are free. No registration required. For further information, call (860) 8279064 or visit www.Newbritainyouthmuseum.Org.

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Plainville United Methodist The Plainville United Methodist Church is having its Sleigh Bells Craft Fair Dec. 8 from 9 am to 3 pm. To receive an application, call the church office at (860) 747-2328 or Donna Burns at (860) 747-1262.

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8 | Thursday, November 22, 2012

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

Simple ways to bulk up your Christmas tree

By AMY LORENTZEN Associated Press

The Christmas tree is the focal point of many homes during the holiday season, so if yours is looking less than lush, here are some tips from the pros for, well, spruc Whether your Christmas tree is real or artificial, placing it in the right spot can go a long way toward giving it a bountiful look.

Avoid placing a thin-looking tree in front of a window or light-colored wall, which will highlight its patchy areas. Real trees should be kept away from heat sources and radiators, which can drain them of moisture and fullness.

— Fluffing with Flourish Spend time fluffing your tree for a more voluminous look, says Jami Warner, executive director of the American Christmas Tree Association, a California-based trade group.

She advises starting at the bottom of an artificial tree and working your way up, carefully adjusting each section as you go.

To get the best coverage, tips that are closest to the center pole should be angled vertically and out to the sides to resemble a peacock’s fanned tail. Consider researching the natural bend of branches and tips that your tree should imitate.

“Modeling your tree after a photo of that style will help you ideally shape your tree,” Warner says. Her organization’s website, www.Christmastreeassociation. org, has pictures to help guide in fluffing.

— Nourishment Real trees should be well-nourished to keep them looking full.

Some green thumbs swear by a teaspoon of brown sugar or flat ginger ale, but Warner says fresh tap water daily is all you need.

— Dazzle With Light So you’ve placed your tree in a cozy spot, arranged its base and branches just so, and now it’s time to make it shine. Sabrina Soto, Target’s home style expert and an HGTV designer, says one of the easiest ways to give a tree life is through lighting. She recommends allotting at least 100 bulbs for every foot of height.

“A full, brightly lit, decorated tree gives a feeling of abundance that puts everyone in a happy holiday mood,” Soto says.

A lighted garland can go far in filling empty space on a thin tree, she says, and creates an even warmer glow.

Add any extra lighting before you decorate with ornaments so you’re not getting them tangled up.

Also, while lighting makes your tree sparkle, it also can highlight bare

areas and show where ornaments or other items may be needed to create an ample appearance.

— Trimming the Tree If you’re looking to create bulk or a new look, Soto says hot ornament trends this holiday season include unconventional colors such as pinks, purples and blues. Jewel tones and bright citrus hues are also popular, as are gilded and mercury ornaments that really “jazz up” a tree.

Also popular are nature themes, and upcycled or recycled items.

Karen Edenfield, a designer with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, suggests using feathers, pine cones or artificial pine stems for naturallooking filler, or floral stems and bushes for bulk, texture and color.

Berry stems can be placed deep in the tree to mask gaps and give a glimpse of color. Reused and recycled items could include old sheet music, jewelry, and gift wrapping or bows.

Other trendy themes include wine and grapes; seashore; and cupcakes and other sweets. Themes can be a great fix for sparse-looking trees: “People won’t focus as much on the tree as they will on the overall look,” Edenfield says.

Ribbons are another simple way to fill out a scraggly tree, and can be found in an array of patterns.

If placed horizontally, they should go on after lights and before ornaments. Or use a large, multi-bow ribbon at the top of the tree with ribbon streamers hanging down for a finishing touch.

And decorations aren’t just for the tips of the branches. Remember to place lights, ornaments, garlands,

(AP Photo/Jo-Ann Stores, Inc.)

A festive Holiday room scene crafted by Jo-Ann Fabrics in Hudson, Ohio. up

picks, stems and other decorations deep and outward to give more dimension.

“A full-looking tree signifies abundance, family and warmth of the holiday season,” Warner says.

— Preparing for Next Year Carefully packing and storing your artificial tree can ensure that

its needles don’t flatten out, and will make decorating next season a little easier.

Edenfield recommends a cool, dry storage area. Heat can shorten the life of the needles. Ideally, she says, store the tree so it doesn’t have to be crammed back into its small box.

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New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

Thursday, November 22, 2012 | 9

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Good Housekeeping picks top toys for holidays NEW YORK — Not all the testers for Good Housekeeping’s annual Best Toys list wear lab coats. Some are barely out of diapers.

For its 2012 list, engineers reviewed hundreds of toys for safety and educational merits. But the true test comes from 140 kids, ages 3 to 13, who play with the top 135 new toys at the magazine’s product-testing laboratory in New York.

There are more price-conscious choices under $25 to choose from this year, according to the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, along with toys that teach, including robotics for very young children and sophisticated

art projects and models for older kids. Others fall into the category of back-to-basics, abandoning tech in favor of more open-ended play.

“Parents can feel confident that our winners are safe, fun and encourage creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills,” said Rosemary Ellis, editor in chief of Good Housekeeping.

The winners of Good Housekeeping’s 2012 Best Toy Awards are revealed in the December issue, on newsstands Tuesday: — Ages 3 and up: The Hexbug Hive Habitat Set ($35) has mechanical bugs running through a customizable maze, and the Techno Source Glow Crazy Doodle Dome ($20) is a tent that

allows children to draw on the walls with a green light wand.

— Ages 4 and up: T.S. Shure ArchiQuest Architectural Elements ($30) is a set of wooden blocks “in fresh shapes and bright hues” while the Playmates Shellraiser ($35) is a car for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ($10 each).

— Ages 5 and up: Moose Toys Fortune Cookie Maker ($25) lets kids make their own fortunes and cookies with a little help from the microwave, and the Jakks Pacific Power Trains Auto Loader City ($40) has a five-car train and 18 feet of track for “an affordable alternative to die-cast models.”

— Ages 6 and up: The Moose Toys Micro Chargers Loop Track ($20) has fast-charging cars that shoot through a stunt track, the Crayola Marker Airbrush ($25) uses markers to create spray paintstyle art and the Lego Friends Adventure Camper ($30) creates a motor home with dolls, bikes and a surfboard.

— Ages 7 and up: The Techno Source Codee ($8) is a twistable chain of blocks that can be made into creatures like a bright flamingo or robot, and the Playmobil E-Rangers Headquarters ($130), has a swiveling LED spotlight and a working solar panel.

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For board games and more information: http://www.goodhousekeeping. com/toyawards

246 Lake Ave., Bristol • 860-582-0516 Celebrating 67 Years In Business

CaTering For all oCCaSionS:

$12.99 Per Person

Stop in to see our Bridal Displays

ized ride for dueling cars that requires assembly of more than 1,000 pieces.

— Ages 10 and up: The Ravensburger 3D Building Set ($26) is a puzzle kit to create replicas of famous sites like the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building.

Ar tificial Flower Shop

GREER’S CATERING 30 Person Minimum: add $1.00 Per Person For less Than 50 People $20.00 Setup & Delivery in Bristol • $30.00 Setup & Delivery Outside of Bristol

— Ages 8 and up: The Silverlit Porsche 911 Carrera ($80) is a replica of the sports car that can be steered by iPhone, or kids can create colorful domino-type patterns with Colorfall from Marbles: The Brain Store ($45).

Wild Planet Night Sight ($40) is head-mounted infrared nightvision goggles, and Hasbro’s Bop It! Smash ($23) has players trying to hit a moving light — Ages 9 and up: The K’Nex Atomic Coaster ($71) is a motor-

HOLLY DAY OPEN HOUSE

64 Matthews St., Bristol CT

Casual Weddings * Showers * Stags * Birthdays * Funerals

This product image released by Good Housekeeping shows the Playmates Shellraiser toy with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, sold separately.

027794

By The Associated Press

SEMI-METALIC PADS $20 EXTRA

With coupon only.

Not valid with any other offer. Expires 1/31/13.

OIL CHANGE SPECIAL

860-793-0505 17 $

1217 QUEEN ST. SOUTHINGTON/PLAINVILLE

MON-FRI 8-5, SAT 8-12 • CLOSED SUN

Vehicles 99 OilMost Recycling $2.00

Lube, Oil & Filter Change with up to 5 Quarts Kendall Quick Lube.

With coupon only.

Not valid with any other offer. Expires 1/31/13.

COOLANT SERVICE

• Radiator Flush • Radiator & Hose Inspection • Environment-Friendly Process Free 15 Point Inspection

Most Vehicles

399

$

With coupon only.

Not valid with any other offer. Expires 1/31/13.

ENGINE TUNE-UP

4999

$

� Check Fuel Systems � New Spark Plugs � Set Timing, Carb. & Idle Speed � 21 POINT SAFETY CHECK Most Vehicles � Engine Analysis 12 MO/12,000 MILE GUARANTEE � Diagnostics Additional With coupon only.

Not valid with any other offer. Expires 1/31/13.

SERVICING ALL FOREIGN & DOMESTIC MAKES & MODELS

10 | Thursday, November 22, 2012

mickeyfinnstores.com

holiday sale is on! mickeyfinnstores.com

MENS jEANS

MENS THERMAL $38 8 COLORS

29

99

$

– RELAxED – STRAIgHT – LOOSE ALL

$40

6 COLORS

3499

$

2999

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LOwEST PRICE

MENS & LADIES FLEECE PANT $16.99

MENS SIgNATURE PANTS – PLEATED OR FLAT FRONT

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

HOOD $16.99

CREw $16.99

Great holiday savinGs

on all your favorite brands!

United Way re-gifting program brings holiday spirit to 600 children BRISTOL — The Young Professionals for United Way and Webster Bank are now accepting donations for unused items for Bristol’s Annual Re-Gifting Program.

This program, formerly organized by Bristol Youth Services and in jeopardy of ending last year, allows over 600 children in lowincome areas in Bristol to learn the joy of giving by being able to pick out donated gifts for two special people in their lives.

The Young Professionals for United Way and Webster Bank stepped up and are now entering their second year of coordinating this community program.

Everyone has received gifts in the past that for some reason or another were never utilized. Those unused gifts are the items that are being sought for this program.

The gifts will be collected during November.

In December, the donated items will then be distributed to select locations throughout Bristol where children can “shop” for a holiday gift for their loved ones.

The Young Professionals and Webster

Bank understand that during this time of year, individuals may be asked to donate to a variety of causes.

They ask that people keep in mind that they are only seeking items that individuals already own but do not have a need for.

Items are needed for both men and women.

Some possible gift items include grooming kits, gloves, scarves, mugs, flash lights, sports paraphernalia, games, perfume/cologne, household decorative items, jewelry, etc. Also, they are in need of holiday gift bags and tissue paper.

This program has been a great success in previous years and with the continued support of the community, the children of Bristol will have yet another joyful holiday season.

Gift items can be dropped off at the following locations: the Bristol Public Library, the Bristol Adult Resource Center, the Manross Library, the United Way of West Central Connecticut Office, and any Bristol Webster Bank location.

Anyone questions can contact Keith Bernier at (860) 585-2945.

948 Terr yville Ave. Bristol 860-583-3585 036106

LADIES

MENS

505 REgULAR FIT 550 RELAxED FIT 559 STRAIgHT 514 SLIM

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$

BOYS (4–20) $19.99 – $24.99

Market & Restaurant

gREAT SAvINgS ON OUTERwEAR FOR MENS, LADIES, kIDS

524 jRS. SkINNY 518 jRS. BOOT CUT ALL

524 MS. BOOT CUT 518 MS. STRAIgHT ALL

PULL OvER FLEECE HOOD

Specializing in fine imported Italian products Meats, cheeses, oils, vinegars, pastas, olives, pastries, spices

LOwEST PRICE

2999 $3699 $

With over 20 years of catering experience, we can help you select the perfect foods for your holiday parties and celebrations to enjoy in your home or at a private party in our restaurant.

Choose from a wide selection of items from our catering menu at www.martinosmarket.com.

We are currently accepting holiday special orders for cookie and antipasto trays, strombolis, lasagnas, gift baskets, and housemade beef or pork braciole, ricotta gnocchi and ravioli

4999

$

6 COLORS

Make your holiday shopping easier by purchasing a Martino’s gift certificate that can be redeemed in the market, deli, restaurant or for one of our monthly cooking classes.

Market: Mon. - Fri. 7 am - 6 pm, Sat. 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Restaurant: Fri. & Sat. 5:30 - 9:00 pm

mickeyfinnstores.com

874 Berlin Turnpike, Berlin, CT 860-828-6547 OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 9:30-9; SAT. 9:30-6, SUN.11-5

OPEN FOR DINNER FRI, & SAT. EVENINGS 5:30 PM TO 9:00 PM

Please visit our website

www.mar tinosmarket.com 016668

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

$ SAVE $

Everything you need All in one place!

THE BRISTOL PLAZA

Hamelin & Sons AutoCare Center 64 West St. (Rt. 69) Bristol CT

036064

Keep Your Warranty Alive Without Killing Your Budget We Perform Factory Recognized Vehicle Maintenance Check Your Service Needs & Call Us for Prices * GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE*

• 860-583-3292 • hamelinautocare.com

mily e Fa . rvic e . r S e . ll ent r Fu re C with You 195 Central Street r Ca happy i a H e ir. ’ll b Forestville Center ids r ha You &K you n’s e Next to Cumberland Farms m o r& o W l , o ’s C www.sassucuts.com Men ircuts, Texture ) Ha hts, ning A PAUL MITCHELL FOCUS SALON hlig traighte g i H S & rms ing: ) Open 7 Days Per Week.

(Pe Wax ip, Chin Call for hours & Appointments. s, L 036100 row

860-585-SASS 7277

Bagels Plus & Deli Dee’s Laundromat Dress Barn Dunkin Donuts Harvey & Lewis Supercuts Webster Bank Webster Bank Drive-In

b

(Eye

BUY ONE $25 GIFT CARD, GET ONE $15 GIFT CARD

FREE

OR

BUY ONE $50 GIFT CARD, GET ONE $30 GIFT CARD

FREE

Not valid with any other offer.

Exp. 12/24/12

MEN’S HAIRCUTS WOMEN’S HAIRCUTS

15

ONLY

ONLY $

KID’S HAIRCUTS

12

ONLY $

AGE 10 & UNDER

Not valid with any other offer.

Exp. 1/30/13

28

$

with Blowdry Long Hair Extra

Not valid with any other offer.

Exp. 1/30/13

Proud to Be An Official Sponsor Of The Miss Bristol - Forestville Scholarship Organization

036049

HOLIDAY BONUS COUPON

Happy Holidays start at

A gift that keeps on giving 4 weeks $9.99 We send out a special card announcing your gift, and put the paper just where they want it every day!

• Light fare for Lunch... comfort food for supper • $3 “tooL Box shots” aLL aBsoLute drinks $5 $1 off aLL BottLes, drafts and drinks

Please send a 4-week gift subscription to: Name ___________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________City ___________________ Zip________________ Phone ______________________________ Email _____________________________________

036657

• happy hour every day 3-6 pm

My Name __________________________ Phone _____________________________________ My check for $9.99 is enclosed. (Call 860-225-4608 for credit card orders) Mail to: Central Connecticut Communications 1 Court Street, New Britain, CT 06051 Offer good for new subscribers only (within 90 days)

entertainment nightLy • trivia Wednesday www.toolsbarandgrill.com

136 main street downtown new Britain

Thursday, November 22, 2012 | 11

call 860-505-7226 for information and reservations

036658

mon.-fri. 11am-1am • sat. 4pm-2am • sunday 4pm to close

Your community. Every day.

12 | Thursday, November 22, 2012

New Britain Herald | The Bristol Press

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Westfarms to give shoppers an early start FARMINGTON — Black Friday officially marks 32 days left of the Christmas shopping season. Westfarms shopping center has an unprecedented 41 stores opening at midnight, and others to follow in the early morning hours.

Following are the stores that will be open at midnight holding early door buster sales to give customers a head start on their shopping list while saving money: Midnight (41 stores): 77 Kids, Aerie, Abercrombie, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Au Bon Pain, Bakers, Bare

Escentuals, Bath & Body Works, Champs, Designer Perfumes, Disney Store, Dunkin’ Donuts, Express, Forever 21, GameStop, GameStop Kids, Gap, Gilly Hicks, Gymboree, Hollister, Hot Topic, Justice, Lids, Limited, LOFT, Macy’s (both stores), Nine West, Oakley, PacsuN, Pink, Sabarro, Solstice, Subway, Teavana, Urban Outfitters, Victoria’s Secret, The Walking Company, White House | Black Market, Zales; 4 a.m.: Aeropostale, Mrs. Fields Cookies 5 a.m.: Lord & Taylor All other stores will be opening at 6 a.m.

And closing time on Black Friday is 10 p.m. for the mall.

“Black Friday, the traditional one-day shopping event, has morphed into the Black Friday season at Westfarms,” says Christa Allen, Westfarms marketing and sponsorship director. “Black Friday-type sales have already begun and are expected to stretch out into the early part of December and beyond.”

Westfarms is considered the premier shopping center of central Connecticut and features more than 160 fine shops, including

anchors Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor and JCPenney.

The shopping center offers a mix of stores and restaurants, many unique to the trade area, including Apple, Bare Escentuals, bebe, Brio Tuscan Grille, California Pizza Kitchen, Coach, Free People, J.Crew, Janie and Jack, Louis Vuitton, Pandora, P.F. Chang’s, Rainforest Café, Restoration Hardware, Tiffany & Co., True Religion Brand Jeans and Th Route 9.

For more information, call (860) 5613024 or visit www.shopwestfarms.com.

Charitable ‘adoption’ of soldier, buying a sheep fulfills holiday need DEFORESTATION

By LEANNE ITALIE Associated Press

NEW YORK — Buy a sheep, “adopt” a soldier or name a piece of rainforest.

There are lots of ways to honor loved ones for the holidays with gifts through charitable-minded naming and adoption programs.

Heifer International’s catalog at heifer.org offers shoppers a unique way to make giving more meaningful by buying cows, goats, sheep, llamas, water buffalos, bees, trees and more to benefit people in need around the world. A card of explanation goes to the giftee.

The National Wildlife Federation has an adopt-an-animal program. The adoptions are symbolic and represent a general donation to the cause but do include certificates and small tokens of appreciation, such as a stuffed animal, depending on the amount spent. An array of endangered species are covered, from sea turtles to baby pandas.

Order online at nwf.org.

Or try one of these lesser known programs:

While some animal adoptions are symbolic,without a specific animal to bring the experience to life for children, the Pacific Whale Foundation in Maui, Hawaii, offers the personal story of a specific dolphin or whale. And kids gifted a turtle get to name one!

It means a lot to young recipients who might not be so jazzed by a more general donation made in lieu of a holiday gift in his or her name. Adoption packAP ages range from $25 to $75 and offer downloadable This photo from Heifer International adoption certificates and plush animal toys in the shows Penda Ndong with a goat in Diarhigher range. Go to pacificwhale.org. rere, Senegal.

7.00

$

Holiday Take Out Menu

NAIL CLIPPING

available for home & business parties ~Catering Trays Available~

Ladies’ Night Out December 18th • 5pm - 8pm Men’s Night Out December 20th • 6pm - 9pm

Thank You for voting us Best Pet Groomer!

READE RS’

CHOIC E

CHOIC E

CHOIC E

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READE RS’

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READER’S

PO

BEST OLLF

2012

016862

BEST OF

164 Central St., Forestville, CT (860) 582-1108 www.nuchiesrestaurant.com For Full Take-Out Menu

036022

CHOIC E

READE RS’

860-583-8040

READE RS’

CHOIC E

Est. 1969 Open Tues.-Sat.

75 Stafford Avenue, Bristol 036037

WHALES

036084

Yankee Pet Grooming

READE RS’

19 Pine Street Plainville 860-747-0157

Lots of organizations arrange for holiday care packages shipped to active duty servicepeople. At the nonprofit adoptaussoldier.org, the experience goes deeper. The site “assigns” a U.S. soldier serving in one of more than 128 countries to send care packages and write letters to. Soldiers sign up to participate.

Large selecton of dog coats & sweaters

CHOIC E

1721 Meriden-Waterbury Tpke.

Southington, CT 06467 860-621-1252

SOLDIERS

HAPPy HoLIdAys to ALL our Customers

READE RS’

Licensed Childcare Since 1993

At adoptaclassroom.org, make a generation donation to benefit schools damaged by superstorm Sandy. The site promises 100 percent of donations will go directly to teachers for their students. A donor selects a classroom from hundreds registered by teachers to contribute by region of the country, school name, teacher name and other search criteria. If a donor has no preference, Adopt-A-Classroom partners

CHOIC E

PENNY’S PLAYGROUND

CLASSROOMS

READE RS’

Happy Holidays!

Cuipo, a preservation organization based in Newport Beach, Calif., has purchased swaths of Panama rainforest and allows supporters through its One Meter at a Time Foundation to help foot the bill. Pay $5 to $100 at Cuipo.org for various amounts of land or purchase gifts that come with codes on their tags where a meter of rainforest can be named through the website. New partner Sigg, the water bottle people, are offering Cuipo-branded bottles with the codes on tags for naming. The bottles are available for purchase at Whole Foods markets around the country.

the donor with an underserved classroom in their community.