2022: The Mercury News Holiday Guide Special Section by Bay Area News Group Marketing

Advertising supplement

November 20

2022 I

Supporting Local Businesses

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Table of ConTenTs Crosswords, Number Puzzles, word Games, loGiC Puzzles aNd Trivia Wuzzles ......................................................................2, 17,1 9 Stickelers...........................................................................2, 8 Point and Solve .....................................................................8 Cryptoquip .......................................................................8, 18 Sheffer Crossword.................................................................8 Sudoku .................................................................................10 Super Quiz .....................................................................10, 18 Premier Crossword..............................................................14 Challenger ...........................................................................16 Hocus Focus........................................................................16 Word Sleuth.........................................................................16 Cryptoquote.........................................................................16 Wishing Well.......................................................................17 Joseph Crossword ...............................................................17 Multi-Sudoku 2x2 ...............................................................18 Battleships...........................................................................19 Even Exchange....................................................................19

All puzzles are syndicated by King Features Syndicate Inc. and have been previously published.

Solutions...............................................................................20, 21 In printing an article of 48,000 words, a printer decides to use two sizes of type. Using the larger type, a printed page contains 1,800 words. Using the smaller type, a printed page contains 2,400 words. The article is allotted 21 full pages in a magazine. How many printed pages must be in smaller type?

For any comments or questions about our Puzzle Brainia section, please contact us at content@bayareanewsgroup.com

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Working For You ... Today. Tomor row. Together. It’s been a rewarding year for Meriwest Credit Union

We are proud to be a part of the South Bay community delivering banking services that help our members save more, earn more, and do more! Join us at meriwest.com

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“Spirited” (PG-13) -Diehard Christmas fans no longer have to wait until December to watch new holiday movies, especially with one of the most expected ﬁlms of the 2022 season out on Nov. 18! “Spirited” reimagines the well-known tale of “A Christmas Carol” in a much more modern and grand sense. Ryan Reynolds is none other than Ebenezer Scrooge, while Will Ferrell portrays the Ghost of Christmas Present. Also part of the cast are Octavia Spencer, Sunita Mani and Patrick Page. Full of musical numbers and so many jokes thrown between Ferrell and Reynolds, this release will put you right in the Christmas spirit. (AppleTV+)

BY DANA JACKSON

Do the People’s Choice Awards still exist? As a kid, I remember them being on TV. I always wanted to take a survey to vote for my favorites, but never got the chance. -- H.L. A: Yes, the People’s Choice Awards are still a thing and are still broadcast on network television. This year, they’ll be hosted by Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”) and air on NBC and the E! channel on Dec. 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Voting is done online by Nov. 9 at www.votepca.com. The awards first aired in 1975, and up until 2005, the winners were determined through a Gallup poll. The first winners included Barbra Streisand as Favorite Film Actress and John Wayne as Favorite Film Actor. Ellen DeGeneres has won the most awards since its inception. This year, Ryan Reynolds (“The Adam Project”) will be honored with the “People’s Icon Award” for the bulk of his work. Each category for the stars, shows and movies consist of eight nominees each and include recent films like “Halloween Ends” and “Black Adam.” *** Did they ever find a permanent host for “Jeopardy!” or will they continue to rotate the two they have now? -- A.A.

A: In July 2022, it was ofﬁcially announced that Ken Jennings

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Here’s what to watch andwhere to watch it for the week of Nov. 21, 2022.

Depositphotos

Kenan Thompson, Host of the 2022 People’s Choice Awards

and Mayim Bialik would remain hosts of the hit syndicated game show “Jeopardy!” When Alex Trebek passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2020, there was a long rotation of hosts, including NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and fan favorite LeVar Burton (“Reading Rainbow”), until it was announced the search had ended because producer Mike Richards had landed the coveted job. He was soon ﬁred after past sexist and racist comments of his resurfaced. In the meantime, the show called upon past “Jeopardy!” champion Ken Jennings and sitcom star Mayim Bialik (“The Big Bang Theory”) to rotate hosting duties. It was such a ratings success that they were offered contracts, and the rest is history. Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

ON NOW: “The Cuphead Show! Part 3” -- Netﬂix ON NOW: “Fleishman Is in Trouble” (Limited Series) -Hulu 21-Nov: “Death in the Dorms” (Limited Series) -- Hulu 22-Nov: “Trevor Noah: I Wish You Would” -- Netﬂix 22-Nov: “Animal Kingdom” (Season 6) -- Amazon Prime 22-Nov: “Welcome to Chippendales” (Limited Series) -- Hulu

Courtesy of AppleTV+

Ryan Reynolds is modern-day Scrooge and Will Ferrell is the Ghost of Christmas Present in “Spirited.”

“A Christmas Story Christmas” (PG) -- Releasing Nov. 17, yet another Christmas movie will already be out pre-December for viewers to enjoy. Dubbed as the official legacy sequel to the 1983 film “A Christmas Story,” Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) returns from the first film, 30

years later. After the death of the Old Man, the now grown-up Ralphie makes his way back to his former home on Cleveland Street with the intent to give his children a Christmas just like the one he had when he was a kid. Ralphie’s longtime friends Flick and Schwartz also make appearances in the sequel. (HBO Max) “Disenchanted” (PG) -Speaking of sequels coming decades after the original, the sequel to the 2007 ﬁlm “Enchanted” heads straight to streaming on Nov. 18. A majority of the original cast will reprise the roles, including Amy Adams as Giselle, Patrick Dempsey as her husband, Robert, James Marsden as King Edward and Idina Menzel as Queen Nancy. Giselle and Robert move with their now16-year-old daughter, Morgan, from New York to a suburb called Monroeville, but when the move isn’t going exactly as planned, Giselle gets an ingenious idea just to wish for happiness instead. Unfortunately, when the spell backﬁres, Giselle is forced to make a plan to save her family and her homeland from demise. (Disney+) (c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

1. Black Adam (PG-13) Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge 2. One Piece Film: Red (PG-13) Mayumi Tanaka, Kazuya Nakai 3. Ticket to Paradise (PG-13) George Clooney, Julia Roberts

4. Smile (R) Sosie Bacon, Jessie T. Usher 5. Prey for the Devil (PG-13) Jacqueline Byers, Virginia Madsen 6. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (PG) Constance Wu, Scoot McNairy

7. The Banshees of Inisherin (R) Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson 8. Till (PG-13) Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall 9. Halloween Ends (R) Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak 10. Terriﬁer 2 (NR) David Howard Thornton, Jenna Kanell (c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Need Help Finding Services and Support Systems for Older Adults?

Sourcewise Information & Awareness Can Help The Sourcewise Information & Awareness (I&A) program is committed to providing accurate and thorough information for resources available within Santa Clara County. A Sourcewise Community Resource Specialist can also connect you with programs at Sourcewise like Meals on Wheels, Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP), Care Management, & more.

Contact Sourcewise I&A Today

(408) 350-3200, press option 1

mysourcewise.com/information

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A gift for everyone: Smuin’s “The Christmas Ballet!”

Smuin artist Oliver-Paul Adams looks on in amazement at the dancing tree in Rex Wheeler’s “Christmas Tree Rock.” (Keith Sutter)

Exuberant holiday fun with a little something for everyone— that’s Smuin’s “The Christmas Ballet!” San Francisco’s premier contemporary ballet company has returned with its beloved holiday program, performing December 1-24 in Mountain View, Carmel, and San Francisco. Set to holiday tunes and featuring a wide range of dances from ballet to tap, jazz, and more, the two acts are packed with both breathtaking classical ballet and festive contemporary numbers. Along with the unveiling of two world premieres, this year’s edition of “The Christmas Ballet” includes many fan favorites, such as the ever-popular “Santa Baby” number featuring the “world’s longest feather boa.” “The Christmas Ballet” was created more than 25 years ago by Tony Award winning choreographer Michael Smuin, who decided it was time for

alternative holiday fare, setting dances to all different types of holiday tunes. The result is two stunning acts offering flawless classical ballet set to beloved carols, followed by red-hot contemporary numbers set to pop favorites. This year’s first act, Classical Christmas, will unveil a new pas deux by Nicole Haskins set to music created from a prayer for Ukraine, in addition to favorites such as Michael Smuin’s stately “Bach Magnificat” and the festive “Wassail,” and other playful dances highlighting winter’s wonders. The Cool Christmas second act will feature a spirited medley of contemporary festive numbers such as Michael Smuin’s sultry “Christmas in New Orleans” and a spirited tap dance in “Bells of Dublin,” as well as a world premiere by acclaimed dancemaker Amy Seiwert. And fans can rest easy, Smuin’s iconic “Santa Baby” will be back!

The Smuin Company in Michael Smuin’s sultry “Christmas in New Orleans.” (Keith Sutter)

“Christmas Ballet” followers love the dancing conifers in “Droopy Little Christmas Tree” and eagerly await the “White Christmas” finale, when drifts of snow settle on the cast and the audience—but most agree the iconic momentis when slinky “Santa Baby” strolls onstage, trailing the world’s longest feather boa. Says Smuin Artistic Director Celia Fushille, “It is the one number we can never take out—too many people tell us it’s their favorite!” Today, Smuin fans are in the habit of “BYOB” (Bring Your Own Boa) and some even come prepared with umbrellas, ready for the finale’s audience snowfall. An excellent outing for the whole family, Smuin’s “The Christmas Ballet” will tour the Bay Area, with shows in Mountain View (December 1-4), Carmel (Dec 9-10), and San Francisco (December 14-24). Tickets ($25-$99) are available by calling (415) 912-1899 Or visit smuinballet.org

Smuin artist Brennan Wall slinks across the stage with ‘the world’s longest feather boa’ in “Santa Baby.” (Chris Hardy)

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Recycle and reduce waste for the holidays

“SHEER JOY!”

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“THE FINEST TOAST TO THE SEASON!”

– San Francisco Chronicle

The holiday season is a special time of year. Individuals often spend a little more on gifts, indulge a little more on rich foods and treats and make a concerted effort to enjoy more time with their loved ones during the holidays. The tendency to overdo things during the holiday season can create a lot of waste. In fact, Americans produce 25 percent more garbage from Thanksgiving through the end of the year, according to Waste Advantage magazine, a publication of the waste and recycling industry. That uptick equates to one million tons of extra trash per week throughout the holidays. Extra food, plastic and paper waste is generated this time of year, but people can be mindful of the potential to go overboard and take some steps to be more waste-conscious as they entertain. • Reuse a small portion of wrapping paper or look for other wrapping items. Sunday comics, newsprint, colorful magazine pages, and even pieces of fabric can be used to wrap gifts in lieu of purchasing new wrapping paper. Otherwise, collect used wrapping paper and reuse it next year, doing the same with boxes and bows. According to researchers at Stanford University, if every American family wrapped just three presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

• Skip disposable party items. It’s certainly easy to use disposable plates, napkins and cups when hosting holiday parties, but that is very wasteful. Opt for durable, reusable products that can be packed away and used each year during holiday events. • Buy durable and reusable items as gifts. Avoid fad gifts and focus on items that will have staying power. Homemade gifts, such as foods, knitted scarves, artwork, and more, are generally eco-friendly. • Set up marked trash and recycling receptacles. Remind party guests to recycle the appropriate materials by clearly marking a pail designed for collecting recyclables, such as cans, plastic beverage bottles and glass wine bottles. Most hard plastics can be recycled. • Remove your name from catalog lists. Call companies and ask to be taken off promotional mailing lists to reduce paper waste. • Send a photo. Mail holiday card recipients photos of the kids or the entire family in lieu of cards. They’re apt to save the photos and display them, helping to keep even more paper trash out of landfills. • Research new recipes for leftovers. With an abundance of food remaining after entertaining, turn leftovers into new meals by exploring recipes from friends or by doing a little research online. Waste can get out of control during the holidays, but there are ways to tame the excess.

Don’t miss the premier Bay Area holiday ballet, unwrapping a treasure trove of festive favorites and all-new surprises! From captivating classical ballet, tap, swing and more, this exuberant celebration is fun for everyone. Simply irresistible!

NOV 19–20 | WALNUT CREEK DEC 1–4 | MOUNTAIN VIEW DEC 9–10 | CARMEL DEC 14–24 | SAN FRANCISCO

ORDER TICKETS TODAY!

smuinballet.org / 415-912-1899

Terez Dean Orr | Photo by Chris Hardy

Content provided by Metro Creative

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Point and Solve

Cryptoquip

In this crossword puzzle variety, the clues appear in the diagram itself. Simply enter the answers in the directions indicated by the arrows.

RVDU SRQ QB SVD IFZD OXUC QB

BEKXS TQQO UQSVXUW FTXOD, SVFS

ZXWVS GQIIXPTH PD CXI-GDFE-XSH. Today’s Cryptoquip Clue: Q equals O

Crossword

by Eugene Sheffer

Answers on page 20

ACROSS 1 Dame Dench 5 Pulsate 9 To and — 12 Part of the loop 13 St. Louis landmark 14 Erstwhile acorn 15 Lucky 17 Genetic matter 18 Requests 19 Arbuckle of old Hollywood 21 “Metamorphosis” author 24 Hagar the Horrible’s daughter 25 Lotion additive 26 Sugar measure, in song

The Cryptoquip is a substitution cipher in which one letter stands for another. If you think that X equals O, it will equal O throughout the puzzle. Single letters, short words and words using an apostrophe give you clues to locating vowels. Solution is by trial and error.

30 Crossword clue abbr. 31 Spin 32 Playwright Levin 33 Blood lines? 35 Zooey’s “New Girl” role 36 Mosque bigwig 37 Six-pack, often 38 Cat’s-paw 40 Ape 42 Ostrich’s kin 43 Old phonograph 48 Scepter 49 One 50 “Exodus” author 51 — out a living 52 Timber wolf 53 Bound

What number comes next in the following sequence? 7

DOWN 1 Peter Pan rival 2 Popular card game 3 “Le Coq —” 4 Consumption 5 Tellers’ workplace 6 Historic periods 7 Performance 8 Certain tarot card 9 With extra alcohol, as wine 10 Carry on 11 Fine 16 Part of N.A. 20 Curry of TV 21 Potent Polynesian drink 22 Winged

23 Ability to face adversity 24 — d’oeuvres 26 Take to the pool 27 Chart format 28 — Major 29 Scottish girl 31 Waiter’s load 34 Type squares 35 Happy 37 Agent 38 Father, in France 39 Out of control 40 Baby’s bed 41 Director Preminger 44 Yoko of music 45 Anger 46 By way of 47 Kreskin’s sense

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Stand Out With These Unique Holiday Decorating Ideas Home Sweet Home I Presented by Bay Area News Group Celebrate the holidays in style! These holiday decorations are classy yet bold and are sure to bring out the “ooos” and “ahhhs,” and maybe even a round of applause! Thinking beyond the traditional reds and greens and trying new colors will help you stand out. Plus, you can surprise your family with decorations in the most unexpected places in your home. These unique and warmly wonderful decorations are sure to catch the attention of even the most discriminating holiday elves. Let it Snow No matter where you live, cascading Christmas lights

will be the centerpiece of your front yard. Most options have LED lights that turn on and off in sequence, creating the illusion of falling snow. You can connect strings of lights together, and many options are waterproof for outdoor use. That way, you can also use them on your patio or in your garden. You don’t need a big budget to have some of the best decorations on the block! These Do It Yourself Christmas Light Balls (christmaslightsetc. com/sw/diy-ideas/how-tomake-christmas-light-balls) in multiple sizes and colors are replicas of balls seen at the Chicago Botanical Gardens. Made from a little wire and LED lights, the balls look amazing when randomly scattered across your lawn, with or without snow!

imaginima via gettyimages.com

Magical Memories Giant outdoor ornaments will delight guests of all ages! Festive, fun, and larger than life, most options

have a flat base for sturdy positioning on your front porch. No one will be able to walk past giant, life-size ornaments without taking a

second look. Plus, they make an excellent backdrop for family photos. See STAND OUT Pg C11

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Sudoku

Super Quiz

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

Take this Super Quiz to the Ph. D. Level. 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the Graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph. D. Level.

Answers on page 20

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Stand Out from page 9

Nothing is more aweinspiring than a shooting star. This two-foot Shooting Star Christmas Light (oogalights. com/Shooting-Star-ChristmasLights-900230.aspx) has a 20-foot tail illuminated by 400 clear mini lights. The tail has five separate strands of lights, creating the illusion of motion. Create some magic by hanging between two trees. Create a cozy spot for reading a holiday classic in your window seat with a gauzy drape strung with LED lights.

Ima magine. a Design. Cre reate. e

Aja Koska via gettyimages.com

Trim the … Stairs?! Many garlands available are prelit and can be mounted on your staircase without requiring extension cords or proximity to an outlet. They often come with white LED lights, berry clusters, pinecones, and red velvet bows. Some options are even equipped with a timer that turns the lights on at the same time every day! Self-adhesive stair stickers are fun for everyone! Just peel and stick! You can find these at many retailers and choose one of several designs, including snowmen, Santa, trees, and reindeer. You are sure to garner a smile every trip upstairs! Trimming the Tree Extraordinarily Make your tree stunningly bluetiful! Choose blue holiday lights instead of the usual red, green, or white. You can also look for different shapes such as balls, finials, onions, ginger jars, and teardrops, plus a mix of glossy, matte, and translucent finishes. You might also want to go with pink or purple lights or ornaments for an even more stand-out look! Hold onto precious memories of your children with a handmade keepsake ornament. Easy and fun to make, many options allow you to preserve your child’s handprint on a holiday-themed ornament. They are sure to become lifelong family treasures!

Holiday Love in the Least Likely Places Decorate your table with holidaythemed table runners and placemats. Many options on the market include all your holiday favorites, including Santas, reindeers, snowmen, and more. Even your bathroom can get into the spirit with things like holiday-scented candles, decorative towels and soap dishes, or even a Christmas-y shower curtain! Mantles with Flair Transform the lanterns you already have into magical holiday decorations for your mantle. Fill your vintage lanterns (midwestliving.com/ homes/seasonal-decorating) with pinecones, candles, greens, and even your child’s drawing of Santa or a pretty holiday card. You can also add flameless wax candles of all colors, shapes, and sizes to create a warm glow with a faux flame that mimics the light of a real candle. Now that you’ve added some fun, unique, and creative decorations to your collection, you are ready to start decorating. Put on some festive music, pour yourself some hot chocolate or a favorite coffee drink, and let the spirit of the holidays begin!

C A LI F O R N I A

INTERIORS & DESIGN 25 w 43rd ave. san maTeO Open Tuesday, Thursday, and saTurday 11:00am TO 6:00pm Or by appOinTmenT (650) 477-7790 Or infO@cal-inTeriOrs.cOm hTTp://www.cal-inTeriOrs.cOm

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Creative Stocking Stuffers That Won’t Break the Bank The Entertainer I Presented by Bay Area News Group The stocking hung by the fireplace stuffed to the brim with goodies is an iconic symbol of Christmas. They sit there just waiting to be dumped out all over the floor. And, be honest: Who wants a pair of white socks or a bag of candy coal? These stocking stuffers are sure to bring out a “ho ho ho!” from young and old alike! From tech to coffee to fun and games for kids of all ages, these little packages snuggled deep in a knitted stocking may end up being the most-loved gifts of them all. Plus, they are all around $10, so they won’t break your holiday bank. These trinkets prove that good things still do come in small packages! Tech Talk A cell phone stand keeps texts and videos in clear view and them hands-free. Most options are compatible with any smartphone. Plus, the stand keeps cables organized on their desk, kitchen counter, or bedroom nightstand. Are they tired of messy fingerprints on their tech gear? A screen cleaning pad is a reusable faux suede cloth sized for home or office use and is perfect for all their touch screen devices. Ensure they never misplace their AirPods or headphones again with a carrying case that protects their investment in regular or wireless earphones. Many come in all different shapes, colors, and sizes—so check your local retailer for options and get creative!

Time to Relax Do they need some relaxation after the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations? A reusable pouch filled with skincare products like facemask and lotions is great for your on-the-go loved one. Who wouldn’t love luxury soaps? They make for a beautifully packaged gift and come in all sorts of fragrances—lavender, carrot, cucumber, fig, peach, cherry blossom, tangerine, you name it! These are sure to pretty up everyone’s guest bathrooms! Even little girls and boys need a chance to relax! Crayola Bath Dropz are fragrancefree, non-toxic water-coloring tablets that will magically change your tub to blue, yellow, or red. Why should kids have all the bath time fun? Create rich bubbles and vibrant colors while treating your skin with beneficial ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, and essential oils. Bath bombs are the perfect stocking stuffer for someone who is already a fan or as an introduction for newbies. They often come in fun shapes like cupcakes, hearts, and donuts, too! For the Coffee Lovers A package of coffee paired with a trio of mini syrups makes a great stocking stuffer for every coffee lover in your life or your favorite at-home barista! For Kids of All Ages Have a budding astronomer in your midst? A mini star projector beams the constellations of the astrological zodiac onto the walls of your home. Fun and educational, a mini star projector is the perfect way to bring the planetarium home!

dszc via gettyimages.com

Edwin Tan via gettyimages.com

Does your family love games? Codenames Board Game is a spy game for multiple players ages 10 and up. Two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents, and teammates know the agents only by their code names given on the cards. Add this unique game to your holiday fun! Or, keep them laughing all day long with a holiday joke book for boys and girls.

For Anyone and Everyone Save the planet with easyclean reusable straws. Most are dishwasher safe, and some even come with a linen carrying case! They’re perfect for a greener lifestyle. You can also consider getting them a personalized key chain. Many retailers offer options with common names, or surf the web for a way to make a truly customized gift

in their favorite color or style. It’s just the thing to let them know how special they are! Are they ready to travel? Get them prepared with a universal power wall charger with a power plug adapter. Look for an option that will work in many countries. Ready, set? Shop! Time to shop to fill those stockings with fun and affordable gifts for everyone.

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Meet the Women of California Interiors & Design Inc. California Interiors & Design Inc. has been building, designing, remodeling and furnishing homes for decades. Founder Mary Seaton began her career in real estate and had purchased and built her first home by the age of 21. Although she currently holds both an AS and BS degree in unrelated fields, her vast knowledge of design, build and function comes from many years in the trade. It was natural for her to open a showroom hosting custom upholstery along with everything else a home would need. Mary’s daughter, Collette, joined the company after getting a degree from Cal Berkeley and trying her hand at law school. Collette is a very integral part of the business. She is extremely detailoriented and knowledgeable when it comes to layout, material selection and design. Her daughter, Amaya, is only 8, but has literally grown up in the showroom. She’s a child prodigy and is often heard telling Google, “show me a modern, contemporary home, not a farmhouse.” Amaya sketches houses she likes and has been drawing 3D renderings since she was five. She has aspirations to become an architect and Mary and Collette are sure that, that will come to fruition. The women of California Interior & Design Inc. have a colorful life, and all who come through the doors, quickly become their friends. You can visit California Interior and Design Inc at 25 W, 43RD AVE, SAN MATEO, CA 94403 | (650) 570-5534 | cal-interiors.com

Amaya’s 3D Rendering

Collette Seaton and daughter Amaya

Mary Seaton

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Premier Crossword by Frank A. Longo

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Answer on page 20

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5 Recipe Collections for a Healthier Holiday Healthy Living I Presented by Bay Area News Group It’s never too early to prepare your menus for the upcoming holiday season. Whether you prefer to serve traditional dishes that taste comforting or try new, innovative dishes that use surprising ingredients, it can be challenging to find recipes that keep all of the flavor without all of the calories. This year, plan ahead and adapt your recipes to match your wellness goals. These five cookbooks and recipe collections are full of ideas for brunch to dessert—and everything in between! Nourished Simply (nourishedsimply.com/55healthy-holiday-recipes) This collection of healthy holiday recipes can be your one-stop location for the best food blogs on the internet. Not only are there delicious recipes from the Nourished Simply team themselves, but most of the selections come from other health-conscious sites. Some of the recipes, like the Roasted Carrot Souffle, are fancy creations that will impress your guests while staying true to a low-calorie diet. Others, like the Roasted Turkey Breast, give a fresh take on the flavors in classic meals that friends and family have come to expect. Not only will this collection provide a wide variety of choices for your upcoming holiday meals, it will also undoubtedly introduce you to many wonderful sources of healthy recipes to use in the year ahead. Eating Well (eatingwell. com/recipes) You may be familiar with the popular Vermont-based

fstop123 via gettyimages.com

magazine Eating Well, which has helped families follow and understand healthy diets since 1990. The companion website offers hundreds of recipes, articles, and interactive elements to make following any lifestyle diet simple. Their collection of low-calorie recipes takes the guesswork out of combining flavor with nutrition for the holiday season. Enjoy the “staff picks” section for innovative recipes like the Christmas Breakfast Casserole. You can impress your house guests with this low-calorie meal on Christmas morning after the frenzy of present-opening is done! Each recipe also clearly notes the “nutrition profile” of the dish so that you can easily see whether it aligns with your wellness goals. The Guilt-Free Gourmet (theguiltfreegourmet.net) The Guilt-Free Gourmet site is dedicated to transforming high-calorie meals into delicious lower-calorie versions using innovative ingredients and surprising techniques. The best part? Everything is free

mapodile via gettyimages.com

to download (or you can purchase a printed version if that’s your preference). The holiday recipe collection combines popular items from previous cookbooks into an easy-to-use guide to special occasion cooking. One of the best sections in this cookbook is Dips and Dressings. We often overlook these small items when it comes to healthy cooking, and a high-calorie dip can go a long way towards ruining an otherwise carefully planned nutritious meal. Recipes like the French Onion Dip are great options to take to all of the holiday events that feature appetizers and small bites. Cara Clark’s Healthy Holiday Cookbook (caraclarknutrition.com/ healthy-holiday-cookbook) Run by nutritionist Cara Clark, this site hosts various recipe collections and meal challenges that help individuals reach their nutrition and wellness goals. A new cookbook of “fresh and festive” recipes is available for digital download ahead of the holiday

season. The sections for Christmas Cookie Options and Seasonal Beverages are real highlights in this collection; these two categories are often overlooked in healthy holiday cookbooks. If you’re planning a cookie swap or cocktail party this season, the recipes here will help you reimagine your holiday favorites in a calorie-conscious way. Skinnytaste (skinnytaste. com) Founded on the idea that eating seasonal, clean food can be healthy and delicious, the Skinnytaste site features

hundreds of recipes that align with various lifestyle choices. In the holiday collections, you’ll find many recipes that feature classic flavors (like the Chicken Sausage and Herb Stuffing) alongside innovative ideas (like the Butternut Squash Risotto). It’s easy to use the search function to find particular ingredients you’d like to feature, so turning your traditional holiday meal into a lower-calorie feast is a simple task! Browse these holiday cookbooks today as you prepare for the upcoming celebrations!

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Hocus Focus

Answers on page 21

Cryptoquote

AXYDLBAAXR is LONGFELLOW One letter stands for another. In this sample, A is used for the three L’s, X for the two O’s, etc.

JMZ

LQR

—

JTKR

JVIL

LQR

JVIL

JVKR

MYXCROKRC

KMOLTVXR

OVKVAJ

SROO.

OVIR;

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Wishing Well HERE IS A PLEASANT LITTLE GAME that will give you a message every day. It’s a numerical puzzle designed to spell out your fortune. Count the letters in your ﬁrst name. If the number of letters is 6 or more, subtract 4. If the number is less than 6, add 3. The result is your key number. Start at the upper lefthand corner and check each of your key numbers, left to right. Then read the message the letters under the checked ﬁgures give you.

Answers on page 21

Crossword ACROSS 1 Jalapeño, for one 7 Green stone 11 Jockey Eddie 12 Nepal setting 13 Deskside item 15 Cover with frost 16 Mob revolt 18 Witty remark 21 Not his 22 Richard of “Becket” 24 Longoria of TV 25 USO patrons 26 Boxing great 27 Captain Ahab’s ship 29 Bend 30 Fuzz 31 Having a shiny coat 32 Congo’s former name

by Thomas Joseph 34 Edible gift 40 Highway exit 41 Consumption 42 Little devils 43 Didn’t go DOWN 1 Fido’s foot 2 Pitcher’s stat 3 Machines with CPUs 4 Cookout sites 5 Put up 6 Lounge attire 7 Reddish quartz 8 Inquire 9 Spotted cube 10 Consume 14 Way to serve roast beef

16 Whoop it up 17 Baghdad native 19 Stable section 20 Apartment sign 21 Cool, to jazzmen 22 Auction signal 23 Veto 25 Suggested 28 Opens a jacket 29 Cinco de Mayo event 31 Endowment 33 Sacred bird of Egypt 34 Work wk.’s end 35 Ewe’s mate 36 Diamond worker 37 Singer Starr 38 — out (scrape by) 39 TV’s Danson

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Multi-Sudoku

Super Quiz

Each puzzle consists of two or more Sudoku grids overlapping each other in various conﬁgurations. Overlapping areas must comply with the rules of more than one grid.

Take this Super Quiz to the Ph. D. Level. 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the Graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph. D. Level.

Answers on page 21

Cryptoquip The Cryptoquip is a substitution cipher in which one letter stands for another. If you think that X equals O, it will equal O throughout the puzzle. Single letters, short words and words using an apostrophe give you clues to locating vowels. Solution is by trial and error.

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Battleships Each Battleship puzzle represents an ocean with a hidden ﬂeet of ships, which may be oriented horizontally or vertically within the grid such that no ship touches another, not even diagonally. The numbers on the right and on the bottom of the grid show how many squares in the corresponding row and column are occupied by ship segments. Occasionally some squares may contain given ship or water segments to help start the puzzle. The object is to discover where all ships are located.

Even Exchange Each numbered row contains two clues and two 6-letter answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

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Answers on page 21

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Wuzzles - Page 2

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Point & Solve - Page 8

Cryptoquip - Easy - Page 8 WHEN TWO OF THE SAME KIND OF FRUIT LOOK NOTHING ALIKE, THAT MIGHT POSSIBLY BE DIS-PEAR-ITY.

Stickelers - Page 2 The answer is 17 pages. Let x be the number of pages in smaller type. Let (21 - x) be the number of pages in larger type. 48,000 = x (2,400) + 1,800 (21 - x) 48,000 = 2,400x + 37,800 - 1,800x 10,200 = 600x 17 = x

Stickelers - Page 8

Sheffer Crossword - Page 8

The answer is 69. The sequence is as follows: Subtract 3, multiply by 3, subtract 3, mutiply by 3, etc.

Sudokus - Page 10

Premier Crossword - Page 14

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Challenger - Page 16

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Word Sleuth - Page 16

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Wuzzles - Page 17

Joseph Crossword - Page 17

Cryptoquote - Page 16 GOD GAVE US THE GIFT OF LIFE; IT IS UP TO US TO GIVE OURSELVES THE GIFT OF LIVING WELL. — VOLTAIRE

Cryptoquip Hard - Page 18 Multi-Sudoku - Easy - Page 18 Battleships - Page 19

Even Exchange - Page 19

Wuzzles - Page 19

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Healthy Holidays: Using Seasonal Produce Healthy Living I Presented by Bay Area News Group While many associate summer with an abundant harvest of fruits and vegetables, plenty of delicious ingredients are best enjoyed in the early weeks of winter. Using in-season ingredients in your holiday meals is a great way to ensure your food has the richest flavors and is full of nutrients. As a bonus, in-season produce is less expensive, so your expansive holiday menu won’t break the bank! Here are six of the best in-season fruits and vegetables to include on your holiday table this year. Brussels Sprouts Winter is a wonderful time to harvest brussels sprouts, so look for them in your local markets—in abundance! Low in carbohydrates but high in fiber, this vegetable has made a popular resurgence lately due to its nutty flavor and versatility. Fresh brussels sprouts taste far superior to their frozen counterparts, so take advantage and include them in your holiday meals. As a side dish, this vegetable can be roasted or shredded raw, so you can include it in various forms on your holiday table. Leeks An often-overlooked vegetable in the same family as onions and garlic, leeks are a delicious and nutritious winter crop that can add a surprising twist to your holiday meals. Because they’re high in fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants, leeks are an excellent choice for soups and side dishes that would otherwise be composed mainly of carbohydrates

and refined ingredients. For example, this Leek Gratin recipe has all the flavors of the traditional potato dish but packs a better nutritional punch. If you like to serve a simple vegetable appetizer during the holidays, try this Parmesan Roasted Leek recipe for inspiration. Apples Apples are a staple in holiday cooking, so it’s a bonus that you should be able to find a wide variety of types readily available this time of year. Full of flavonoids (a type of antioxidant) and fiber, apples can add sweetness to a dish without contributing to a sugar crash later. Use apples as a dessert ingredient (like in this low-calorie Cider-Sweetened Apple Pie) or harness their complex flavor in a savory dish like this vegetarian Apple Quinoa Spoon Bread that could replace a typical holiday stuffing recipe. Cauliflower Cauliflower is a popular vegetable choice these days, and for good reason. Its high

nutrient content (including vitamins C, E, and K, folate, fiber, lutein) and antioxidants make it a great choice for adding something healthy to a meal. This holiday season, use in-season cauliflower as a substitute for popular dishes like mashed potatoes and cheesy sides. You’ll get a similar texture and flavor profile with far more nutrients and fewer carbohydrates. Pears Pears are a late fall/early winter fruit in many areas, so you can often find them in-season at your local market. High in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, pears are a great ingredient to use in your holiday cooking to promote overall health. You can feature this ingredient alongside meat to add some natural sweetness to the dish. If you’re looking for a holiday recipe that doesn’t revolve around ham or turkey, try this Pork Tenderloin with Blue Cheese and Pears to wow your guests. As a dessert ingredient, pears bring moisture and sweetness to a dish, so you can choose recipes

that are low in added sugar or oils like these Cranberry and Goat Cheese Stuffed Pears. Leafy Greens (Kale, Chard, Etc.) Leafy greens are a popular choice for healthy recipes year-round, but during winter months, these vegetables are in-season in many areas and thus less expensive. Adding leafy greens to your holiday recipes will infuse the meals with vitamin C, folate, calcium, and potassium, a key nutrient to combating

bloating and water retention from high levels of sodium (a common occurrence during the holidays!). You can make leafy greens the star of your holiday side dish with an easy recipe like this Kale, Roasted Pepper, and Olive salad, or add greens to a soup to turn leftovers into a filling and delicious healthy meal in the days following a big celebration. Including these seasonal fruits and vegetables in your holiday meals will make them nutritious and delicious!

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The Original San Jose Nutcracker

Experience the Magic of this Bay Area Tradition Audiences across San Jose will be swept up in the magic of the season with the 57th annual production of The Original San Jose Nutcracker at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, December 9-18, 2022. For 57 years, San Jose Dance Theatre has created countless family memories and holiday traditions with the magic of The Nutcracker! Originally choreographed by Paul E. Curtis Jr. and Shawn Stuart, this year’s production is directed by Mark Foehringer with accompaniment by the Cambrian Symphony. We invite you to this year’s production of the classic

holiday story. Step into the enchanting world of elegant sugarplums, waltzing flowers, a thrilling battle between brave soldiers and menacing mice, and a new extra-large Christmas tree that grows to over 200 feet in height! This year you will also be able to purchase The Nutcracker VIP package. See more than just the show, experience it! VIP ticket holders will take a behind-thescenes look at the production with a pre-show discussion. Meet and greet with the costumed cast members at the exclusive Candy Kingdom party held in the Ridder Lounge, all while enjoying delicious holiday treats. VIP ticket holders also skip the crowds by using a special

entrance into the theater and have use of the Ridder Lounge restrooms during Intermission. Fun for the whole family, it’s a show you won’t want to miss! We hope you can join us this holiday season! Performances: • Fri., December 9, 2022 @ 7:30pm • Sat., December 10, 2022 @ 2pm & 7:30pm • Sun., December 11, 2022 @ 2pm • Fri., December 16, 2022 @ 7:30pm • Sat., December 17, 2022 @ 2pm & 7:30pm • Sun., December 18, 2022 @ 2pm Tickets and more information are available at www.sjnutcracker.com

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2022

SAN JO S E DANCE TH EATRE PRES E NTS

DIRECTED BY

WITH THE

Cambrian n Symphony nyy

Mark Foehringer T THE Original San Jose Nutcracker ORDER TICKETS AT SJNUTCRACKER.COM

DEC 9-18, 2022 PERFO RMED WITH A LIVE O RCH ESTRA

SAN JOSE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 255 S. Almaden Blvd. San Jose, CA 95113

USE CODE MERC22 FOR 20% OFF YOUR TICKET ORDER!