2010 Skagit Valley Herald Holiday Gift Guide by Skagit Publishing

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Gift Guide 2010

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A supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

Anacortes invites you to Celebrate

Tidings of Joy

Coast in. Hang out. NOVEMBER 26

• Opening of “Miracle on 34th at ACT Theater with performances through December 18

NOVEMBER 26 - 28

• Receipts for Raffle - Enter to win a prize package with every purchase at participating merchants

DECEMBER 3

• Celebration of Trees – Winter on the Waterfront Free Community Day at the Port Warehouse – 12 pm - 10 pm • Christmas Tree Lighting. Holiday music. Free pictures with Santa 6:00 pm at the Chamber of Commerce 9th and Commercial • Holiday Open House Retail Shops • Chamber Holiday Art Walk 6 - 9 pm

DECEMBER 4

• Breakfast with Santa, Anacortes Senior Center - 8 - 11 am • Chamber Holiday Art Walk - 10 am - 5 pm • Picture your pet with Santa at Walgreens - 10 am - 6 pm • Annual Lion’s Club Parade - Downtown – 11 am • Fidalgo DanceWorks presents “Winter Celebration,” 3:00 pm at AHS Brodniak Hall - (360) 299-8447

DECEMBER 11

• Fidalgo DanceWorks presents “The Nutcracker,” 7:00 pm at AHS Brodniak Hall - (360) 299-8447 • Helping our neighbors fill the Anacortes Food Bank. Bring a non perishable can food item and receive a discount on one item at participating merchants (look for signs) • Pictures with Santa at Read Me A Story - 1 to 4 pm

Hear Sleigh Bells Jingle & Carolers Sing! Starting on Nov. 26th Anacortes merchants are rolling out “the red carpet on black Friday,” kicking off a season’s worth of joyful tidings! Friends old and friends new stroll, mix, mingle and meet. Light the tree. Sing a carol. Take a carriage ride. Anacortes shines with music and festivities galore! So stay for the day or the night – shop, dine, dance and rejoice! We invite you to celebrate the season with “Tidings of Joy” in Anacortes.

DECEMBER 12

• Calico Cupboard – Breakfast with Santa - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm • Fidalgo DanceWorks presents “The Nutcracker,” 3:00 pm at AHS Brodniak Hall - (360) 299-8447 • Food drive continues

DECEMBER 16

• Guys Night Out until 8:00 pm at participating merchants (look for signs)

DECEMBER 18

• Christmas caroling throughout downtown • Lighted Boat Parade on Guemes Channel, view from the Port Warehouse event center – 5:30 pm • A Celtic Christmas Celebration with Geoffrey Castle, (free with donation to Boys and Girls Club, Toys for Tots or Anacortes Food Bank) at the Port Warehouse event center - 6:30 pm • Storytime with Santa at Read Me A Story - 2 to 3 pm

DECEMBER 19

• Calico Cupboard - Breakfast with Santa - 9:00 - 12:00 pm

Free • Horse Drawn Trolley Rides • Downtown Saturdays 11-26-10 thru 12-18-10

inside this issue

Holiday Gift guide production

When a Gift is Truly an Experience

Keeping it Local:

Skagit Valley Herald Publisher Stedem Wood

Before heading out of town or online, consider some perfect gifts close to home

Contributing Writers Whitney Pipkin, Aaron Burkhalter, Trevor Pyle

Design and Production Christina Poisal

Copy Editor

O t h e r

Beverly Crichfield

Photographers

Advertising Director Mark Dobie

Display Advertising Manager Deb Bundy

Advertising Consultants

Ad Production

Celebrating with Apples and Parmesan Cheese

Ashley Crerar, Jody Hendrix, Sarah Hickman, Christina Poisal, Patricia Stowell

f e a t u r e s

Oh Christmas Tree! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Pampering your pets for the holidays . . . . . . . . . . 9 Tips for hosts and guests on disaster free parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Local holiday events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Hot holiday gift ideas to match every cook’s style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The pawfect holiday for pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Gift guidance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 High-tech, low price toys top toy list . . . . . . . . 22 Add a personal touch, creative touch When wrapping gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Holiday recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-28

Scott Terrell, Frank Varga, Matt Wallis

Stephanie Harper, Leah Hines, Kathy Schultz, Paul Tinnon, Marcus McCoy, Jared Hanson , Michelle O’Donnell, Katie Sundermeyer

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

We Help You Make Christmas Magic! A store full of meaningful gifts that will be treasured for a lifetime. Gifts that have real value – right here in Anacortes.

new Burton Custom

Canadian diamond

hand engraved 18k yellow gold with natural yellow diamonds or 18k white gold with blue sapphires.

diamond snowflake pendant

24 diamonds, .72ct total weight 18k white gold. Made in America.

7tH & CoMMerCial • anaCortes 293-6469 • toll-free 1-888-293-6469 open MondaY tHrougH saturdaY 9:30aM to 5:30pM

Earrings that will make her heart sing! All sizes to choose from.

Your golden opportunity

Gold price per ounce is up but we are holding our prices down for you.

ewelers since 1930

natural Colored

Diamonds in all shapes and sizes pictured 3ct fancy intense yellow, flawless.

northwest silver

by Lois Bertolino Superb quality and wonderfully affordable. Made in Anacortes.

HolidaY Hours Beginning deC. 1st - 23rd MondaY tHrougH saturdaY, 9:30 - 6 pM CHristMas eve, 9:30 - 4 pM sundaYs, deC. 12th & 19th, 12 - 4 pM

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

Keeping it local: Before heading out of town or online, consider some perfect gifts close to home By WHITNEY PIPKIN Staff Writer Tucked into the industrial section of Anacortes is a small storefront that is all about shopping local — and sending local products all over the country. Known for its salmon, SeaBear Smokehouse sells most of its products online to people across the country. But manager Jesse Sturgeon said the small “off the beaten path” store draws plenty of tourists year-round and locals during the holidays. “For the locals, those are people that like to celebrate the area. They are getting their favorites here and sharing them with other people,” Sturgeon said. SeaBear, which now owns the Made in Washington stores in the Seattle area, sells an array of products made in the state, from its own smoked sockeye fillets to Seattle’s Market Spice Tea. The store specializes in gift baskets, including a range of products, which can be shipped for just $2 this holiday season. For those who want to go beyond gifting local products to giving something made locally — by them — Accidental Artist in Burlington has the

goodies. The paint-your-own pottery shop, which just opened in July, offers the materials for grandkids to make fingerprint-covered pottery for grandparents or holiday plates that will be used for years. “You make a mug with a little kid’s handprint on it and grandparents go crazy for that kind of stuff,” store owner Denise Mullen said. She said the pottery-painting experience can be a gift for the whole family, as well. Mullen said a family of four can paint a round of plates for less than they would pay for a trip to the movies, “and they’re talking and playing.” Grandparents also can find local products to return the thoughtful painted-handprint gesture. Barnett Implement Co. Inc. in Mount Vernon, the local John Deere dealership, has a vast selection of toys for the tractor-inclined little boy or girl. Barnett’s Kelli Otis said local farm families are among the store’s biggest supporters, “because all little boys like John Deere tractors.” “A lot of the people that shop here either know that we’re one of the few places that have a lot of

John Deere stuff, or they are farm families that prefer to do business with us rather than someone else,” Otis said. The store sells toy versions of the signature green tractors in nearly every size, along with sippy cups, sweatshirts and other John Deere memorabilia. “We have all things John Deere,” she said. Dan Macken, owner of Docking Bay 93 in Mount Vernon, said his selection of comics, hobby games and sci-fi collectibles caters to a different kind of fanatic. Family and friends of his “regulars” usually stop by to make Christmas purchases off their loved

“ You make a mug with a little kid’s handprint on it and grandparents go crazy for that kind of stuff” - store owner Denise Mullen

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

one’s list, including gift certificates or high-priced items they’ve been eyeing for a while. Macken said he tries to carry different products in the action figure category than other big box stores, though online stores remain his biggest competition for local dollars. “The people who shop here, they know full well they could get it cheaper elsewhere, but they want to shop locally,” Macken said. “They like perusing the shelves and talking to people.” The store’s edge is in its inventory of items customers can’t find elsewhere or that other stores run out of quickly during the holiday season. Macken expects themed board games like Settlers of Catan

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now open evenings & saturday monday tues-thurs Friday saturday

9 to 6pm 9 to 8pm 9 to 6pm 9 to 4pm

Cascade Cosmetic CENTER

Laser • Skin Care • Surgery A Cascade Medical Group Center of Excellence

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360.336.1947

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to be a big hit this year, and he is “fully stocked” with the game and extensions. Dave Cornelius, co-owner of Easton’s Books Inc., a used bookstore in downtown Mount Vernon, is less worried about following the trends than keeping the shelves stocked with whatever used books have rolled in. Cornelius, who’s run the store for 35 years, said November through January have always been good months for business, from the start of Christmas shopping to when those holiday gift certificates are used. He said it’s hard to tell how trends such as more books being purchased online and Amazon’s Kindle hitting the market are affecting his book sales. “Our business is about the same,” said Cornelius, who keeps about 60,000 books in the store and sells another 10,000 through Easton’s online business. “If you come buy a used paperback, it’s $3, and a download on a Kindle is $9.” • Whitney Pipkin can be reached at 360-416-2112 or at wpipkin@skagitpublishing.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/biz_svh.

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

~ Oh Christmas Tree! ~ Skagit County Area Tree Farms

ALAN ACRES TREE FARM 27314 36th Ave., N.W. Stanwood 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, starting Nov. 26 to Dec. 22 360-629-3877 www.alanacrestreefarm.com ALPINE MEADOWS TREE FARM 3585 Valley Highway 9 Deming 9 a.m. until dusk Mondays through Saturdays, starting Nov. 26. 360-595-1019 www.alpinemeadowstreefarm.com BIG LAKE TREES 19117 Highway 9 Mount Vernon 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends, start-

ing Nov. 26 through Dec. 20. 360-422-5124 www.biglaketrees.com DBC TREE FARM 16204 Calhoun Road Mount Vernon 9 a.m. to dark Fridays through Sundays, starting Nov. 26 through Dec. 25. 360-424-9869 HOLIDAY FOREST TREE FARM 3125 280th St., N.W. Stanwood 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, starting Nov. 26 through Dec. 19. 360-629-9097 or www.holidayforestchristmastrees.com

JOHNSON’S CHRISTMAS TREES 9865 District Line Road Burlington 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, starting Nov. 20 through Dec. 23. 360-757-4294 MCLEAN ROAD TREES Corner of McLean and Penn roads 15621 Penn Road Mount Vernon 9 a.m. until dusk daily, starting Nov. 26. 360-424-3829 MOUNT BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST Permits to cut Christmas trees will be offered for sale at ranger stations and the Verlot and Glacier Public

Service Centers. Permits are also available at REI’s Alderwood Mall store and the Outdoor Recreation Information Center located inside the downtown Seattle REI store. Maps of cutting areas are provided where permits are sold. Permits cost $10 each and are limited to one tree per permit, with a tree height limit of 12 feet. Trees taller than 12 feet require a special permit at a minimum price of $20. Permits are nonrefundable. If your tree-cutting trip includes parking in a designated Sno-Park lot, a parking permit is also required. Check with ranger stations for road and weather information, or visit www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs. Mount Baker Ranger District 810 Highway 20 (Continued on page 7)

SELL • Y BU E• D A R •T

Baby

Bo-Peep 2222 Riverside Drive

Mount Vernon

360-848-7800 Open 7 Days a Week

SELECT ITEMS

20%-50% OFF STOREWIDE

We also carry: Junior Teen Clothing and

BUY 2 ART SUppLiES AnD gET 1 fREE! *Equal or lesser value. Excludes store credit purchases..

Toys, Puzzles & Games!

BLACK FRIDAY SALE STARTS AT 7AM

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

~ Oh Christmas Tree! ~ Skagit County Area Tree Farms

Sedro-Woolley 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays 360-856-5700, ext. 515 PAPA’S U-CUT CHRISTMAS TREES 22989 Franklin Road Mount Vernon 9 a.m. to dusk every day, starting Nov. 27 through Dec. 25. 360-445-4682 PILCHUCK SECRET VALLEY TREE FARM 9533 Mose Road Arlington 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, starting Nov. 20 through Dec. 23 360-435-9799

www.pilchuckxmastrees.com PATERSON’S LAZY ACRES TREE FARM 1315 188th St., N.E. Arlington Open daylight hours Wednesdays through Mondays, starting Nov. 26 through Dec. 20. 360-652-7661 RIVER’S EDGE U-CUT CHRISTMAS TREE FARM 4773 Deming Road Deming 9 a.m. until dark seven days a week, starting Nov. 26 through Dec. 24. 360-592-5220 www.riversedgeucut.com SCHUH FARMS

15565 Highway 536 Mount Vernon 9 a.m. until dark, starting Nov. 26 through Dec. 22 or until sold out. 360-424-6982 TAZER VALLEY FARM 7314 300th St., N.W. Stanwood 10 a.m. until dusk, Thursdays through Sundays, starting Nov. 26 through Dec. 19; after Dec. 19 by appointment only. 360-391-1923 www.tazervalleyfarm.com

“We’re proud to give back to the community we call Home” Sebo’s is committed to giving back to the neighborhood where we live and work. That’s why we contributed our time, energy and support to these organizations in 2010: New Hope Christian Fellowship • Anacortes School District Volunteers Relay for Life. • Kid’s Fishing Derby • Dog Island Run • Fidalgo PTA Boys and Girls Club • Dash Group • Guemes Island Library Board Anacortes Little League • Ana Seahawks Boys Basketball Booster Club Anacortes Youth Sports Coalition • Mt Erie PTA • Meals on Wheels Island View PTA • Skagit County Fire Protection District #13 • Anacortes Rotary Fidalgo Island Rotary • Kiwanis Sunrisers • Wrestler’s for Life • Anacortes Boy Scouts Secret Harbor • Kids -R-Best Fest • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation • Anacortes Baseball Club Sister Cities Foundation • Bark in the Park • Anacortes Solar Tour • Garden Art Fair Island Hospital Foundation • Thunderbird Aquatic Club • Anacortes Co-op Preschool Youth Dynamics • Anacortes Salmon Derby • Skagit Land Trust • Ducks Unlimited Friends of the Forest • American Red Cross • Island Hospital Employees Guild Woodchopper’s Ball • Anacortes Senior Center • Anacortes Community Forest Lands

HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT RENTAL 1102 Commercial • Anacortes

360.293.4575 www.SEBOS.com

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

When a Gift is truly an experience By AARON BURKHALTER Staff Writer What do you buy the person who has everything? Not more stuff, for starters. Christmas is historically about stuff. Some of it’s memorable; some isn’t. Local businesses are offering an alternative to the traditional gift — experiences. Families can buy each other gift certificates and tickets for things to do rather than things to have. By gifting experiences, families get the benefit of a fun activity they’ll remember and a clear conscience when it comes to the impact their gift-giving will have on the environment. According to the ULS Report — an organization whose name stands for Use Less Stuff — household garbage in the United States increases by 25 percent annually between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. ULS reports that Christmas produces a heap more unnecessary garbage than usual, from wrapping paper to the cardboard packaging surrounding your Hannah Montana-themed makeup kit. Local businesses have a few ideas for wastefree gifts you can give. Skagit County has dozens of salons and spas that provide a range of services, from manicures, pedicures and massages to haircuts and facials. Most offer gift cards that can be used for any service. Christa Goings said she sells gift certificates at

Salon Bella Bella & Day Spa for individual services or package deals. The spa offers a “Spa for the Day” options that include massages, pedicures and manicures or individualized services for lower prices. Movie gift cards are common as stocking stuffers or gifts for film buffs. Most offer gift certificates, and some, including the Lincoln Theatre and McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon, even offer certificates redeemable for local shows. Thom Mayes, executive director of the Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon, said gift cards allow audiences a choice of what they would like to see. And that’s a good thing, considering the variety of entertainment the Lincoln offers, including art-house films and live, high-definition broadcasts of productions at the Metropolitan Opera and National Theater. Gifts can be more practical, too, like paying for lessons or education. The Skagit Valley Academy of Dance offers gift certificates for its tap, jazz, lyrical and hiphop dance classes. The prices of each class vary with a person’s age. Students sometimes need all the financial help they can get, so Skagit Valley College offers tuition gift certificates. Parents or relatives can help a student pay for some of their winter quarter classes. And the college offers gift certificates for its Community Education Workshops on everything from photography and fly fishing to paint-

ing and computers. Considering giving a gift from one of the above-mentioned businesses? • Salon Bella Bella & Day Spa 3218 R Ave., Anacortes 360-299-2227 or www.salonbellabella.com • Lincoln Theatre 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon 360-336-8955 or www.lincolntheatre.org • Skagit Valley Academy of Dance 1522 Jay Way, Mount Vernon 360-424-6677 or www.skagitvalleyacademyofdance.com • Skagit Valley College 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon 360-416-7600, 877-385-5360 or www.skagit.edu • Aaron Burkhalter can be reached at 360416-2141 or aburkhalter@skagitpublishing. com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ schools_svh.

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

Pampering Your Pets for the Holidays

Local stores offer a bevy of gifts for the pet or pet owner in your life.

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

grooming salon in Mount Vernon, recently held a seminar on coloring your dog — one of the many services available at the salon that could be given with a gift card. As a pair of poodles curiously wandered over — one with a pink shock of fur atop its head — Thomas said the service has allowed some local pet owners to express themselves creatively. “It’s picking up more and more. It’s really popular in the cities,” she said. “It’s fun, it’s different and it’s fun for the holidays.”

By TREVOR PYLE Staff Writer Among the pets Thomas and her staff have colored are a white dog-turned-purple ( “It was the cutest thing you’ve ever seen”) and a poodle with a tulip on its back to celebrate the region’s tulip festival. “It’s an art, it really is,” Thomas said. “It’s not just putting on colors.” If a dye job is a bit too wild for the pet lover in your life, you can always go for a more traditional gift, such as treats or toys, Thomas said. Several local stores carry an array of products to please the most finicky of pets. (Continued on page 23)

MOUNT VERNON — Whether it’s something to chew or a new ‘do, holiday shoppers should consider gifts for their feline, canine or other pet friends and their families. While holiday shopping can be a challenge for four-legged family members, local business owners offer a variety of products and services at a range of prices. It might be a squeaky toy for a dog to munch on, a furry fake mouse for a cat to bat, or a sparkling-new castle for your favorite goldfish — chances are you can find it in Skagit County. Nancy Thomas, owner of the Lickety Clips

help us give BACK! Skagit County Community Action Food Drive

Bring this coupon to receive:

Why PAy More? 3 DAYS ONLY! Nov. 28th, 29th & 30th

$0 Enrollment, Dues $26 per month

Offer ends 11/30/10. See below for restrictions.

Membership subject to a one time enrollment and processing fee. No $ value. Call club for details. No other discounts can be used or combines with these offers. Must be 18 or older. Offer valid on first visit to club. Must be validated between 9am-8pm. After hours and OOA guest jubject to a $10 guest fee. Minimum 12 month term required for hours and pro otional pricing. Dues paid montly EFT. First month dues collected at time of enrollment. Expires 11/30/10. NWC

www.urbanfitnessclub.com

360-848-1616 • 525 e College Way Mount Vernon

hours: 4:30am-10:30pm M-Th • 4:30am-9pm Fri, 8-7 Sat & Sun

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

GIFTS OF DISTINCTION

La Conner HoLiday events SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH Season of Giving: 31 Businesses, Benefits Hospice of the Northwest SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4TH Santa Breakfast 9-11am • Maple Hall Holiday Bazaar 10-3 pm • La Conner Middle School Tree Lighting 5 pm • Gilkey Square SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5TH Season of Giving: 31 Businesses, Benefits Humane Society of Skagit County FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10TH Taste of La Conner • 4-8pm SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11TH Lighted Boat Parade 6:30 pm • Swinomish Channel SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12 Season of Giving: 31 Businesses, Benefits Skagit County Boys & Girls Club TH

Open Daily 360.466.4148 Complimentary Gift Wrap 101 South First Street • La Conner, WA

Cole haan • donald J Pliner • Josef Seibel • romika • teva • Keen • vasque • Men’s, Women’s & Children’s Shoes Smartwool Socks Give the Gift of CoMfort and Style and more!

thiS holiday! • Gift Certificates available! •

360-466-3397

105 South first Street, la Conner

The Museum Store Delightful! Affordable! Unique!

THIS YEAR, ExploRE noSTAlgIA & plEASE EvERYonE on YouR lIST! Exciting new merchandise lines & seasonal items: • Woolrich hats & gloves • vintage toys, games, books • plush toys & hand puppets • unique décor items & custom jewelry • Collectible cookbooks • Cards & books

FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS: visit www.LaConnerChamber.com

Skagit County Historical Museum

360.466.4778

360.466.3365 • www.skagitcounty.net/museum

501 S. 4th St., La Conner • Tues -Sun 11-5

Bring in this coupon

Spend $25 and get

$5 OFF!

Spend $50 and get

$10 OFF!

Good 11/23 - 12/24

Peace on Earth

www.christiansonsnursery.com 15806 Best Road • Mount Vernon • 360-466-3821 Open 9-5 Daily

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

Gourmet soup mixes, jam

Brighten your Holidays with a

Real FReSh CUt ChRiStMaS tRee! U-Cut, We-Cut, Pre-Cut Christmas Tree farm. 15 Acres of Skagit grown trees! Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, Nordman Fir and Balsam Fir varieties. • Our own Evergreen Wreathes and Holiday Arrangements •15 varieties of Gourmet Pies including Pumpkin (Pre Orders Welcome) • Huge selection of “Made-In-The-Northwest” Products • Gourmet Gift Baskets (custom or made to order)

• Our own frozen Lingonberries and Lingonberry Preserves • One of a Kind Locally Made Gifts and Holiday Decor • Smoked Salmon and Cougar Gold Cheese!!

Santa Pictures

Open Until Sunday December 19 - Closed Mondays Hours: Tues thru Sun 10am-5pm (360) 466-1923 • 14285 LaConner-Whitney Rd.

! on t he Weekends

Just off of Hwy 20, Turn at Farmhouse Inn towards La Conner. We are 1/2 mile down the road on the left.

desserts, dip & bread mixes, cookies, ice cream, bread, pasta

popcorn, GrillinG sauces

local Honey, salad kits, coffee & pies, bread dip

Tips for hosts and guests on disaster-free parties By The Associated Press

Tips for hosts and guests on turning a bumpy evening into a memorable one: Huge Selection of Jewelry Boxes and FREE Gift Wrapping Available! 100% American Made

709 South First Street • La Conner, WA 98257 • 360-466-4741 WOODMERCHANT.COM

Books & Gifts for readers of all ages!

• Espresso, Soups & Pastries • Great Books for the Readers in Your Life Books & Classic Toys for Children, Calendars

Everybody Reads at Independent Bookstores www.n e x t c h a p t e r. c o m 721 S. First St. • La Conner • 360-466-2665

Hosts: 1. Make a plan. And a Plan B. Identify tasks you can do ahead of time, and spell out contingencies when something doesn’t go as expected. 2. Budget properly. Don’t guess at costs. Visit venues ahead of time, and calculate the amount of food and liquor you will need, with some cushion in case guests have big appetites. 3. Practice, practice, practice. Whether it’s test-driving a new recipe a few days before or simply hosting enough parties to become comfortable, practice makes perfect — or at least it makes you more at ease with imperfect. 4. Let guests help resurrect the party and contribute solutions. 5. Maintain your sense of humor. 6. Consider hiring a professional. An event planner, caterer, bartender, disc jockey or florist will have experience coping with the unexpected. Guests: 1. Don’t minimize the disaster. “The host doesn’t want to hear, ’Oh, don’t worry, no one noticed that the chicken was still frozen in the center,”’ said Michael Fazio, principal of Abigail Michaels Concierge in New York. “The best thing to do is to acknowledge the disaster and become part of a collaborative solution.” 2. Reassure your host that you aren’t perfect either. For example, note that your toilet overflows, too, or comment calmly on how you’re glad to know other families besides yours squabble during the holidays. 3. Offer to help. If the turkey is still frozen, offer to help pull together another main dish. 4. Remember that relationships are top priority. “The reason people are coming is to be with friends and family. They won’t care that you don’t have monogrammed ribbons on each bottle of wine or that they had to park on the lawn,” said Kia Martinson-Wenzel, a party and wedding planner in Storrs, Conn.

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

Local Holiday Events ANACORTES “MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET” When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 26-Dec. 18 Where: Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave. Details: Kris Kringle is hired by Macy’s Department Store to play Santa. He is so realistic that staff begin to judge his sanity, but one little girl’s belief can save the day. $16. 360-293-6829 or www.acttheatre.com.

ANACORTES CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING When: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3 Where: Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, 819 Commercial Ave. Details: Celebrate the lighting of the community Christmas tree with performances by students from Anacortes schools, the town crier and a visit from Santa Claus, who will pose for pictures after the lighting ceremony. Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided. 360-293-7911 or www.anacortes.org. HAVE PANCAKES WITH SANTA When: 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 Where: Anacortes Senior Center, 1701 22nd St. Details: Sit down to a pancake breakfast with Santa, enjoy live entertainment, make and take crafts, photos with Santa and more. $3. A limited number of tickets are available at the Parks and Recreation Office at the Anacortes City Hall, 904 Sixth St. 360293-1918.

LIGHT OF GOLD When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 Where: First Baptist Church, 2717 J Ave. Details: Cantabile of Skagit Valley presents its annual Christmas choral concert. Admission by donation at the door. www.cantabileofskagitvalley.org. CELEBRATION OF TREES When: Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4 Where: Port of Anacortes Warehouse, 100 Commercial Ave. Details: • Free Community Day: noon to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3. Visit with Santa and take your own pictures, check out the decorated trees, enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, coffee and listen to musical performances throughout the day. Cheer for your favorite team and gingerbread house. • “Winter on the Waterfront,” a free community event from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4. Get professional pictures with Santa Saturday morning or purchase tickets to the reception and live tree auction Saturday evening. • Reception and auction: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. $35. Funds from the live and silent auction benefit Island Hospital’s Community Health Screening Program providing low-cost and no-cost health screenings to the public. 360-2994201 or www.islandhospitalfoundation.org/events. html HOLIDAY EXPRESS When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 Where: Depot Arts Center, 611 R Ave. Details: Check out original artwork and handmade crafts from the Skagit Valley Camera Club, NW Washington Wood Turners, Whidbey Island Camera Club, Cascade Clay artists and more at the Holiday Express art and craft show. Admission: $1 or a donation of two cans of food or toys. 360-588-6968 or kklocke1@mac.com. LIGHTED BOAT PARADE When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18 Where: Boats will line up at Fidalgo Bay outside Cap Sante Boat Haven and parade up and down

the Guemes Channel. Details: Subject to rough weather. For information or to participate: 360-293-4499. “THE NUTCRACKER” When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 Where: Brodniak Hall at Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St. Details: Enjoy lavish costumes, a magnificent backdrop, a magical growing tree and a cast of nearly 100. 360-299-8447 or www.fidalgodanceworks.org.

CONCRETE “CHRISTMAS IN CONCRETE” When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 Where: Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main St. Details: A parade, Christmas program with a variety of entertainment and more. Free; everyone welcome. 360-941-0403 or info@concrete-theatre.com.

LA CONNER COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 Where: Gilkey Square Details: Enjoy music, singing, refreshments and Santa’s arrival on a fire engine. For information: 360-466-4778. LA CONNER LIGHTED BOAT PARADE When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 Where: Boats leave from the La Conner Marina, turning south along the La Conner waterfront and ending up in Shelter Bay. Details: The annual Swinomish Yacht Club’s holiday event. 360-466-4902 or 206-297-020.

MOUNT VERNON SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION FESTIVAL OF TREES When: Friday to Sunday, Nov. 26-28 Where: St. Joseph Center, 215 15th St., Mount Vernon Details: • Gala evening and tree auction: 5:30 p.m. Friday,

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Local Holiday Events Nov. 26. $100. Hors d’oeuvres and spirits, dancing and a chance to bid on a decorated Christmas tree. Proceeds benefit the Mental Health Center Project at Skagit Valley Hospital. 360-814-5747. • Community Days: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27-28. Public viewing of decorated Christmas trees, children’s activities. 360-814-5747. ARRIVAL OF FATHER CHRISTMAS When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27 Where: Christianson’s Nursery & Greenhouse, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon. Details: Children can join Father Christmas in his

SEDRO-WOOLLEY

Where: Hillcrest Park Lodge, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon Details: Visit with Santa, listen to holiday music and enjoy a breakfast of pancakes and ham. $5. 360-336-6215. CHILDREN’S SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA When: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 Where: In the Skylight Room at Hillcrest Park, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon Details: Kids can shop for holiday gifts for everyone in the family — all priced at $5 or less. 360-336-6215.

“MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS” When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 Where: Hammer Heritage Square and Metcalf Street downtown Details: Events begin at 3 p.m. with free pony and train rides; the lighting of the tree and parade kicks off at 5 p.m. Santa will be available after the parade to meet with kids. 360-855-1841. SANTA BREAKFAST When: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 Where: Sedro-Woolley Community Center, 325 Metcalf St. Details: Kids eat free and parents by donation. Purchase a professional photo with Santa, or bring your own camera. Musical entertainment by Sedro-Woolley Community Fellowship. 360-8551841. (Continued on page 15)

CELTIC YULETIDE When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19 Where: Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon Details: Enjoy Celtic-flavored holiday music played on Celtic harps, hammered dulcimers, violins, cello, whistles, concertina and other instruments, along with singing, dancing, juggling, caroling, storytelling and more, performed Ibanez Acoustic Guitar Jam Pack by three generations of the Boulding family Jam Packs are perfect for beginning $ 99 and friends. Advance students and come with “Everything You Need To Get Out and Jam” – guitar, reserved seating tickets electronic tuner, an Ibanez learn-to-play DVD are $14-$21. 360-336that makes learning easy, and a whole lot more. 8955 or www.lincolntheEvery Jam Pack guitar is individually inspected atre.org.

99.

bright red sleigh to share their Christmas wishes and pose for photos. 360-466-3821 or www.christiansonsnursery.com. CHRISTMAS PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING When: 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28 Where: First Street in downtown Mount Vernon. Details: Immediately following the parade, a ceremonial tree lighting and visit from Santa will take place in Pine Square. Free hot chocolate. 360-3363801 or www.mountvernondowntown.org. SWING INTO THE HOLIDAYS When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3 Where: St. Joseph Center, 215 N. 15th St., Mount Vernon Details: annual EDASC event, with a dinner, dance and auction. $75; $575 for a table of eight. 360-336-6114 or www.skagit.org. BREAKFAST WITH SANTA When: 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4

and features a limited lifetime warranty.

LIGHT OF GOLD When: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19 Where: Salem Lutheran Church, 2529 N. LaVenture Road, Mount Vernon Details: Cantabile of Skagit Valley presents its annual Christmas choral concert. Enjoy the sound of voices raised in holiday song. Admission by donation at the door. www.cantabileofskagitvalley.org.

S e rv i n g S k ag i t C o u n t y

SinCe

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M-T h 9:30-6 F 9:30-9 S at 10-6 S u n 12-5 360.757.0270 800.714.7780 1025 g o l d e n ro d r d . B u r l i n g to n

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

Hot Holiday Gift Ideas to Match Every Cook’s Style Courtesy of Metro Creative Connection

or the cooking enthusiasts on your gift list, hone in on each person’s style of cooking and entertaining to find the perfect match from today’s ever-widening array of culinary tools and equipment. To help streamline your shopping this season, here are some new and recently launched products that are sure to get lots of smiles and good use in the kitchen.

Back to Basics Cooks

The “back to basics” cook is always on the search for no-nonsense equipment that will help get meals on the table faster with minimal fuss and fanfare. The elegant, utilitarian design of the new Anolon Wood Tools ($7.00-$13.00 retail) will please the cook who craves simplicity and convenience. These natural beechwood tools will not scratch delicate cooking surfaces, and the modern, light-colored wood tone pairs well in both contemporary and traditional style kitchens. Another winning gift for the nononsense baker is the new gourmetquality BonJour Bakeware, which includes 8 basic pieces, as well as 3 specialty items ($10.00-$25.00 retail). Designed for years of rigorous use,

BonJour Bakeware is constructed of professional-weight aluminized steel with wire-reinforced rims for additional strength. The interior nonstick surface is the best quality available to home cooks, and the lighter exterior nonstick prevents over-browning and makes clean up super fast and easy. Best of all, each piece includes an imprint of its exact measurements and dimensions for fool-proof results. If you’re looking for a gift that will add sparkle to someone’s everyday cooking, consider the new vibrant red hue offered in the popular Rachael RayTM Porcelain Enamel Nonstick Cookware ($160.00 for the 10-Piece Set). Grippy silicone handles in matching red are comfortable and oven safe to 400*F while tempered glass lids allow for monitoring of foods without lifting the lid. Slow oven roasting, a hallmark of “back to basic” cooking, is one of the easiest ways to prepare affordable cuts of meat, as well as tease out sweet and robust flavors of winter vegetables, such as pumpkin and acorn squash, sweet potatoes and parsnips. The retro-style KitchenAid 13x15 Covered Dome Roaster with Flat Rack ($70.00 retail) features a bright red porcelain enamel over stainless steel exterior, and can be used with or without the rack and lid for all types of oven roasting.

KitchenAid Covered Dome Roaster with Flat Rack

Locavore Cooks and Entertainers

Sophisticated foodies are becoming increasingly keen on using seasonal, locally grown and produced ingredients, whether purchased from

the supermarket, farmer’s market or picked from their own backyard. Encourage their dedication to preparing fresh and delicious meals from scratch by shopping for holiday gifts that are top-notch in quality and performance, and built to last. For example, Anolon Ultra Clad Cookware ($400.00 retail for the 10-Piece Set) provides all the benefits of professional-style clad metal cookware with added convenience features. It’s made with three permanently bonded layers of metals for optimum cooking performance, including a thick core of aluminum for fast and even heating and a stainless steel cooking surface that won’t react with acidic foods. A portion of the exterior layer of stainless steel that is stripped away and covered with a handsome black band to keep the cookware from getting too heavy and difficult to lift. It’s also dishwasher-safe and compatible with all cooktops, including energyefficient induction burners. For cooks who are partial to using traditional culinary tools, there’s the new BonJour Mezzaluna and Cutting Board ($40.00 retail). A staple in European home kitchens for centuries, the mezzaluna has two extra sharp blades for dicing and mincing fresh herbs, nuts and other ingredients with precision and speed. The updated and contemporary beechwood cutting board includes a concave basin to corral ingredients for chopping, and the reverse, flat side can be used to slice bread. For safe storage, the mezzaluna slips over the handle of the board and remains securely in place with magnets. Heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil is a favorite ingredient of Food Network star Rachael Ray, who coined the phrase “EVOO.” Her new Rachael RayTM EVOO & Vinegar Set ($25.00 retail) adds a dash of fun and color to kitchen countertops, while keeping this prized ingredient within handy reach. Available in red, orange, blue and yellow, the artistically sculpted and opaque

ceramic bottles feature a tight fitting, stainless steel pouring spigot to keep delicate oils from spoiling. The set also comes with a funnel for easy filling.

Rachael Ray™ EVOO & Vinegar Set

Healthy Foods First

With First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Lets Move” initiative to fight back against the rising tide of obesity among children, more families are adopting a healthier cooking style. Asian style stir-fry dishes are among the fastest and most flavorful ways to sneak in lots of healthy vegetables into the dinner menu. Make it easy for anyone to enjoy this healthy cooking method with a gift of the new and generously sized Circulon Elite Platinum 14-inch Open Stir Fry ($50.00 retail). The heavy-gauge, hard-anodized pan has a durable nonstick cooking surface that prevents foods from sticking, even when little oil is used -- a bonus when trying to trim calories. The elegant platinum hued nonstick exterior keeps the cookware from staining and is pretty to look at, especially when displayed on a hanging rack. Bakeware is not just for desserts. Cookie pans and jelly roll pans can be pressed to do double duty for healthy, oven-baked “fries,” ovenroasted chicken breasts, meatballs, salmon steaks, and more. The new Circulon 25th Anniversary Bakeware Set ($25.00 retail) combines two 10x15-inch cookie pans with a cooling rack that can also serve as an oven roasting rack to elevate foods (Continued on page 29)

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

(Continued from page 13) HOLIDAY HOME TOUR When: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 Where: Sedro-Woolley Museum, 725 Murdock St. Details: Tour five historic homes in the Sedro-Woolley area, decorated for the holidays. $5 per person. Meet at the museum at 4 p.m. Saturday, purchase a ticket and receive a map. Tickets also available at Oliver-Hammer Clothes Shop in Sedro-Woolley or the museum. 360-855-0638.

STANWOOD THE LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS When: 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 2-5, 9-12, 16-23, and 26-29 Where: Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Drive Details: More than a million Christmas lights will be displayed over 15 acres. This is the largest holiday light display in the Northwest and features family-oriented entertainment, live music, theater, crafts, food, pony rides, a petting farm and Polar Express Train rides. Meet Santa Claus or talk with “Bruce the Spruce” Christmas tree. General admission: $8-$14. Season passes available. Theater events are extra. 360-652-7575, 800-228-6724 or www.warmbeachlights.com. OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 Where: Floyd Norgaard Center, 27108 102nd Ave. N.W. Details: Free Santa pictures, gift bags, crafts, treats, entertainment and other family fun. 360-629-0562 or www.stanwoodchamber.org

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Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

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Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Holidays from

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Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

Gift Certificates & Complimentary Gift Wrapping Available

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Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

The Paw-fect holiday for pets: Seasonal tips for pet parents Courtesy of Family Features

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s including your pet in a family photo, taking them on a family trip or giving that perfect holiday gift or treat, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important for pet parents to consider the unique behaviors of each and every pet,â&#x20AC;? Jaynes added. As families everywhere kick off the season, PetSmart has a few simple tips to help pet parents make it a safe and enjoyable time for their pets.

Put Up Pet-Friendly Decor

This holiday season, share seasonal celebrations and traditions with the entire family, including four-legged family members. According to a national PetSmart survey, 72 percent of pet parents include their pet in holiday festivities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The holidays are about being with our loved ones â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and that includes our pets, too,â&#x20AC;? said PetSmart veterinarian and pet care expert Robyn Jaynes.

Keep your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety in mind and help furry friends steer clear of dangerous decorations. â&#x20AC;˘ Holiday lights mean extra electrical cords and plugs. For pets, these items are tempting â&#x20AC;&#x153;chew toys.â&#x20AC;? Taking extra time to tape down or cover cords will help prevent shocks, burns or more serious injuries. â&#x20AC;˘ Christmas trees are sure to attract a petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention. Secure Christmas trees to keep them from toppling over if a pet should try to climb them, use them as a scratching post or simply bump into them.

The Farmhouse Lutefisk & Scandinavian Buffet

â&#x20AC;˘ Forgo small ornaments, especially balls, bells and tinsel that are attractive to pets â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but deadly if consumed.

Traveling With Furry Friends

Many families travel at this time of year. Whether pet parents are taking their pets along or leaving them at home, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to make sure their pets are safe and comfortable. â&#x20AC;˘ Pet parents who board their pets should look for facilities that are clean and have friendly, responsive staff and strict policies on health and safety issues. â&#x20AC;˘ If pets are included in a familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s travel plans, many resources can help you find hotels that accommodate pets. Visit www.petswelcome.com for more information. â&#x20AC;˘ Many products are available to keep pets safe in the car, including harnesses and barriers that secure pets in the back of the vehicle.

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Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

Gift Guidance: It’s the thought that counts

By Katie Aberbach The Washington Post

As we approach Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Christmakwanzakah, Festivus and various other end-of-the-year occasions, two types emerge. There are those who seem to give the perfect gift every year, and those who seem to give the perfect amount of effort — but always miss the mark. Common sense tells us that giftgiving is an art and those who excel at it are simply gifted (pun intended), but picking presents can be a science, too. We talked to a few psychology experts to learn how cognitive theory can help everyone earn a gold star in gift-giving.

Ignore the Crowds

’Tis the season for items to become inexplicably hard to get our hands on. Remember the hype over Tickle Me Elmos in 1996, or the frenzy to nab a Cabbage Patch Kid in the ’80s? In both instances, harried parents fought each other in the aisles of Toys R Us stores across the country. Cuteness or creepiness aside, the dolls had one major factor going for them: They were in short supply. Blame heuristics — ingrained inclinations to behave without thinking. In this case, the scarcity heuristic makes us value things that are hard to obtain, says Wray Herbert, the author of “On Second Thought” ($25, Crown). “Simply perceiv-

ing that something is rare skews your thinking and behavior,” Herbert says. “That’s what merchandisers are doing when they say ’available for a limited time’ and ’while they last.’ They’re trying to create this false sense of scarcity or rarity so it will boost our desire for something.” You think you should: Get a hot new piece of video game equipment, such as the widely anticipated Kinect sensor for the Xbox 360 ($150). During the last week of October, retailers including Amazon, Best Buy and Toys R Us sold out of pre-orders for the gadget, which detects players’ sound and motion without using controllers. It’s looking like some unlucky gift-givers might end up camping out in front of the neighborhood Target so their households will be the only ones on their blocks with a Kinect. Try this instead: Get an old-fashioned board game. (We’re surprised it’s true, too.) Stevanne Auerbach, author of “Smart Play Smart Toys,” analyzes a wide range of playthings each year. She believes the best presents for kids — and many adults — are often not trendy, hard-to-find items, but ones that can be enjoyed with others. “Playing board games with the family is something kids remember for a long time,” says Auerbach, who has a Ph.D. in child development and psychology. Check out some updated crowd-pleasers such as Clue: Secrets and Spies ($25) or Monopoly: Revolution ($35).

Familiarity Is Misleading

From annual visits to the community Christmas tree to decking the halls with boughs of holly, seasonal customs make us feel like the holidays are here. Advertisers love traditions, too — especially the time-honored practice of preying upon our deep-seated desire for what we know (that is, taking advantage of the familiarity heuristic). “Madison Avenue tries to keep drilling brand names into your brain so that they become so familiar that you associate them with comfort, safety and feeling good,” Herbert says. “Buying Dad a tie for Christmas: It’s a joke we laugh about, but we don’t want to break away from it because our brain resists change. We stick with what we know is going to work.”

You think you should: Get the latest gadgets from famous brands Apple and Amazon. Those would be Apple’s iPad (starts at $499), the fastest-adopted new nonphone technology ever, with 4.5 million units sold per quarter, according to Bernstein Research; and Amazon’s newest generation of Kindle e-readers (from $139), which became the best-selling products on Amazon.com by the end of October. Everybody else has one, so they have to be good, right? Try this instead: Consider other brands’ versions of the same idea, some of which are also shaping up to be hot holiday gifts, according to Consumer Reports electronics editor Paul Reynolds. They’re at least worth researching before you buy, because one device doesn’t truly fit all. Among the standout alternatives: Barnes & Noble’s Nook Color (starts at $249) is seeing brisk sales, and Samsung’s Android-based Galaxy 7-inch tablet ($600) is also already looking popular, Reynolds says.

Less Is More

We don’t envy Santa. With a frigid home base and a vast, multispecies workforce to manage, the Jolly One has a pretty unglamorous life for 364 days of the year. But for Christmas, he has a major advantage: wish lists. Picking from a vast spectrum of potential presents “paralyzes us” as shoppers, says Barry Schwartz, a professor of social theory and social action at Swarthmore College, and the author of “The Paradox of Choice” ($15, Harper Perennial) and the forthcoming “Practical Wisdom” ($26, Riverhead). “It’s hard enough when we’re choosing for ourselves, but when we’re choosing for somebody else, it’s even worse.” (Continued on page 25)

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

f or t h e ki d s of S ka g i t C o un ty

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for Humanity SANTA CLAUS

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P H I L A N T H R O P I C

Thank you for your tax deductible donation to The Skagit Valley Herald Christmas Fund: Q cash Q check#_________________ Q credit card (see below) I would like to donate $________________.______ dollars. Name____________________________________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________________________ Telephone number_________________________________________________________________ Is this donation given anonymously? Q YES Q NO If not, may we publish your name (in thanks) in the newspaper? Q YES Q NO Name(s) to publish_________________________________________________________________ Or, you may wish to give your donation in memoriam; if so, name to publish In memory of______________________________________________________________________ Credit Card#______________-_______________-_______________-______________ Amount to charge card $______________. _______ Exp. Date____________ CVV Code _________ Mail to (and checks payable to): The SVH Christmas, PO Box 578, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Skagit Valley Herald Christmas Fund is a 501(c)3 status non-profit organization (Tax ID 91-1304740)

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

High-tech, low-price toys top toy list

By MAE ANDERSON AP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) — This year’s hot holiday toys are high-tech — and low-price. From tiny remote-control cars from Mattel to nearly paper-thin electronic guitars and drums from WowWee Toys called Paper Jamz, technology is infused in many of this year’s projected hot toys. But that doesn’t mean the return of $100 price tag, which seems to have been for the most part banished since the recession. Many techie toys are wallet-friendly at under $30. Jim Silver, an analyst at Time to Play Magazine, which offers an influential list of hot toys each year, says toy prices overall have come down, but technology has gotten better. The highest-priced toy on the list is $59.99. “This year’s toys are about great play tied in with value,” said Jim Silver. “Not necessarily the price point.” A case in point: Paper Jamz, thin electronic instruments that offer three modes of play, including freestyle. Silver said the toy’s $24.99 price point is impressive.

“It’s unbelievable value, a ton of toy for $20,” he said. Silver said he and his team conduct research and analyst point-of-sale retail trends to develop their annual “Most Wanted” list, which was released Tuesday. Other tech-heavy toys that made the list: — Spin Master’s Air Hogs Moto Frenzy, $24.99 4-inch remote-control motocross racing bikes. — Mattel Inc.’s Hot Wheels remote control Stealth Rides, $24.99 remote control cars that are about the size of a deck of cards. — Mattel Inc.’s Loopz game for $29.99 that uses motion detection technology as the basis for memory games. — Hasbro Inc.’s Scrabble Flash, a $29.99 electronic game with five cubes with digital screens on them that click together to form words. — VTech’s V.Reader, a $59.99 electronic-book reader for kids that works with VTech software. — LeapFrog’s Leapster Explorer $69.99, an electronic device with games, e-books, a video recorder and other features. Toys have been fairly resilient during the recession, and retailers are banking that toy sales will be strong. Toys R Us, for example, is opening up 600 temporary stores for the season and hiring (Continued on page 23)

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

(Continued from page 9)

The Mount Vernon Petco offers a lot more than the typical chew toys or bags of food. A snack bar provides bulk dog treats such as dog-friendly pretzels and cookies; a row of plush toys includes soft, chewable animal replicas, such as slithery snakes and plush gorillas. In addition to bags of specialty food and carriers, there are more extravagant items for pets, such as towering cat trees or huge, plush beds for dogs. There’s also a small clothing section with shirts or sweaters for pets. Gift certificates (maily for pet owners) and chew toys are at the top of many customers’ gift-giving lists, said Wendy Richeson, owner of Pampered Pets and Grooming in Burlington. Kitty and doggy stockings, and chew toys shaped like candy canes — even striped red and green — are hot sellers, Richeson said. “People are nuts about their pets,” she added. She said some customers like to purchase gift certificates for members of their families to bring

their dogs in for grooming services, especially around the holidays. Thomas agreed, and said a package of products would make for a nice gift, especially for older friends or family members who usually wouldn’t splurge on such items for their pets. “Many are on a fixed income so they can’t afford those things,” she said. Thomas said some of the popular items she offers among her selection are clothing — one of the items is a T-shirt for dogs that says, “Hand over treats and nobody get hurts” — and all-natural grooming products. “All-natural is huge right now ... it’s very popular,” she said. “There’s nothing harmful to the dog, and nothing harmful to the environment.” She said she tests products herself by running them past demanding customers — her five dogs. If they don’t like the product, she won’t carry it, she said. “If I don’t use it, I don’t sell it,” she said.

(Continued from page 22)

45,000 seasonal staffers. Other stores such as Sears are expanding their toy aisles. Silver said if the stock market remains steady, he expects toy sales to rise 1 percent to 2 percent during the season compared with last year. “The average price point of the toys has come down, but units will be up, so overall dollars should be up,” he said. ——— On the Web: www.timetoplaymag.com

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Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

Add a personal, creative touch when wrapping gifts “Be resourceful,” Wen says. “Create your own wrapping paper by stitching or taping photos on craft paper, or even on a brown grocery bag.” The best-wrapped present that Leslie Carola, author of “Wrapped with Style” (Universe Publishing, 2009), ever received was one from her husband wrapped in paper decorated with their children’s fingerprints. The best-wrapped gift she ever gave was when she was 8 and wrapped a gift to her mother in her mitten. By SUSAN ZEVON For The Associated Press A gift-giver’s thoughtfulness is as apparent in how a gift is wrapped as in what’s inside. “In our world of ubiquitous merchandise, wrapping can make a gift distinctive,” says Wanda Wen, author of “The Art of Gift Wrapping” (Potter Craft, 2010) and owner of Soolip, a gift-wrap shop in West Hollywood, Calif. “When you wrap a gift, do it with grace and consciousness.” MAKE IT PERSONAL Wen approaches every gift she wraps with two things is mind: She is honoring the recipient, and giving a little piece of herself. Select things that speak to you, she says, and consider the person receiving the gift. For a nature lover, for instance, wrap a gift in a big, beautiful leaf, or use a bundle of twigs for the topper instead of a ribbon.

REUSE AND RECYCLE Being mindful of the earth’s resources, as well as your own, can lead to inspired gift wrapping. “Think Green — reuse and recycle,” Carola advises. “Keep your gift wraps out of the trash. Use the tissue paper from the dry cleaners, pretty tea containers, recycle a beautiful ribbon presented to you.” Go outside and look for pine cones, pebbles, stalks and twigs. Particularly after a storm, you may find all sorts of beautiful leaves and twigs on the ground. Wen says you can “turn any object into a gift topper using thin wire and a little ingenuity.” In her book, she gives step-by-step instructions for creating toppers with wire, or by putting pressed flowers and herbs under clear packing tape. Susan Swan, an illustrator and paper crafter whose designs are included in Carola’s book, suggests, “Make the wrapping part of the gift.” “A beautifully collaged card or tag can be part

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of the gift, and may be framed afterward as a memento,” she said. KEEP IT SIMPLE “Use your imagination and your heart, and don’t overdo your wrapping,” Carola advises. Wen likes to create “high and low” juxtapositions, such as topping a gift wrapped in an imported $32 sheet of paper with a bunch of twigs, or using a rock as a topper for a colorful box. “In our highly digital world, people want tactile things,” she says. To make even a simple gift wrap look professional, Wen suggests folding in all the edges and using double-edged tape so it doesn’t show. When you’re finished, she says, pinch the corners for a crisp look. “It’s like architecture for the gift,” she says. THINK ARTFULLY With inspiration from surrealist artist Salvador Dali, Kaaren Gray of New York created a big, black cardboard telephone with a bright pink ribbon for a friend convalescing from a broken leg. Attached was a gift certificate for a dozen dinners from a neighborhood caterer, “Call Cuisine.” For a special birthday present, Gray — a former editor at House and Garden, Elle Decor and other magazines — devised a box with half a dozen collages, each representing a gift from which the recipient could choose. For her father’s birthday, Gray took inspiration from the artist Jim Dine to make a box that

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0Thursday, November 25, 2010

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

(Continued from page 20)

“Playing board games with the family is something kids remember for a long time” – Stevanne Auerbach, author of “Smart Play Smart Toys”

looked like the gift inside: a striped robe. CELEBRATE THE SEASON “Red berries make a perfect holiday gift topper,” Wen says. Or create seasonal ribbons using plastic wrap filled with rows of red-and-white peppermint candies. Gray likes to use knotted, clear cellophane bows instead of ribbon for Christmas presents. For gift cards or cash, Swan suggests a handmade envelope. You can download a template from the Internet (thepapermillstore.com has some), cut or tear the shape out of festive paper, insert a card coordinated with the envelope, and seal it with a holiday sticker.

BE ORGANIZED “Keep a stash of things you love to use for your gift wraps,” Wen says. “If you are short on space, keep your gift wrapping supplies in an under-bed storage box with wheels, which you can find at Target or The Container Store. When you use things you love, it becomes a joy rather than a chore.” ——— Online: www.callcuisinecaterers www.soolip.com www.susanswan.com www.thepapermillstore.com/envelopes-templates

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You think you should: Get a gift card, which would allow the recipient to buy whatever he or she wants — and would take the pressure of choosing off of you. Try this instead: A gift card puts the pressure to make a choice on the recipient. (Plus, it might not even get used! A recent Consumer Reports survey showed that 27 percent of Americans who received a gift card last December still hadn’t used it by mid-October.) Try surprising the recipient with something that “makes a connection between you and them, that tells them you’ve noticed something

about them or appreciate something about them,” recommends Sheena Iyengar, a professor at Columbia Business School and the author of “The Art of Choosing” ($26, Twelve). “Gifts that stay in the memory bank have more value.” Schwartz recommends experiential presents. “I think the greatest gift is the gift of time, so if you can give gifts that free up time for the recipient, that’s a lot better than a sweater,” Schwartz says. “There’s a lot of evidence that doing is more satisfying than having. Cook them dinner.” Or take them skydiving — now that will be memorable.

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Holiday Recipes

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

Eggnog

A Holiday Tradition The holiday season is rife with tradition. From gift-giving to kissing under the mistletoe to spending time with family and friends, the holidays are a time of great tradition and family fun. Another holiday tradition for adults only is the drinking of eggnog. No holiday party is truly complete without a batch of delicious eggnog. This season, ensure guests get their fair share of this holiday staple with the following recipe for “Excellent Eggnog” from A.J. Rathbun’s “Good Spirits” (Harvard Common Press). Excellent Eggnog Serves 8 8 Large eggs, preferably organic 2¼ Cups superfine sugar 8oz. Brandy 8oz. Rum 4oz. Bourbon 1qt. Milk Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish

No holiday party is complete without delicious eggnog

1. S eparate the eggs from the egg whites, setting the whites aside for a moment. 2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the yolks with a hand mixer until completely combined. Add the sugar and beat until it reaches a creamy consistency. 3. Add the brandy, rum and bourbon, and then the milk, beating well. 4. In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until soft peaks form (be sure before beating the whites that you have cleaned and thoroughly dried the beaters). 5. Fold the egg whites into the yolk, sugar and alcohol mixture. Refrigerate the mix until well chilled (at least three hours). You may also refrigerate it overnight if desired. 6. Stir to recombine as needed. Serve the eggnog in mugs, topping each serving with some nutmeg. Note: For a fun party game, take a vote as to who thinks “eggnog” derives from the English word “noggin” (a small glass with an upright handle) versus a combination of “egg” and “grog.” All those on the side with the fewest votes make the next batch.

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Add Pumpkin to Gingerbread for a Healthful Holiday Treat

PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD BARS Makes 12 servings By Jill Wendholt Silva McClatchy Newspapers Looking for a colossal dose of carotenoids? Call on the great pumpkin. After the obligatory wedge of pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dinner, this New World native always seems to get the boot. But before you push that can of pumpkin puree to the back of the pantry for another year, consider its health benefits. For starters, 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin puree has 42 calories and 3.4 grams of fiber. Pumpkin is also a good source of potassium, iron, riboflavin, folic acid and vitamin C. But what has really grabbed nutrition headlines in recent years are two carotenoids known as alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, both powerful phytonutrients. Like the deep orange, yellow or red fat-soluble compounds found in an array of fruits and vegetables, the winter gourd’s bright orange flesh is nature’s shorthand for carotenoids. The body turns the carotenoids into vitamin A, which helps boost the immune system and reduces the risk of some cancers, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory conditions and macular degeneration. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines included a reference list of foods high in vitamin A, and pumpkin ranked fourth out of 21 common foods. Still, studies show most American adults don’t get enough vitamin A in their diets. Pumpkin can be cooked like any winter squash, then added to soups and stews. But to create another layer of flavor, add the puree to a traditional dessert. The Kansas City Star’s Pumpkin Gingerbread Bars are moist and cakey, flavored with the traditional molasses and powdered ginger. Gingerbread is a good holiday choice because it is naturally low in fat and cholesterol. This recipe also is designed to keep the portion sizes in check. Carotenoids never tasted so good. Shopping tip: Canned pumpkin is available year-round. A secret: Most professional chefs prefer the convenience and flavor of canned pumpkin over making their own puree. Just make sure you choose a can of pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling that already contains spices.

Ingredients: 2 eggs 1/2 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup solid pack pumpkin 2 tablespoons molasses 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-inch square pan with nonstick vegetable spray. Beat eggs with electric mixer at high speed 2 minutes. Add brown sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin, molasses and vanilla. Beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and ginger; stir to blend. Add to pumpkin mixture; stir well. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes in pan; invert onto platter. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar. Serve warm. Per serving: 81 calories (10 percent from fat), 1 gram total fat (trace saturated), 31 milligrams cholesterol, 17 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein, 55 milligrams sodium, 1 gram dietary fiber.

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

Thursday, November 25, 2010T

Celebrating with Apples and Parmesan Cheese By ALISON LADMAN For The Associated Press

Apples and cheese pair so nicely together, we saw no reason not to join them in a Christmas dinner-worthy pie. In this double-crust apple pie, grated Parmesan cheese is blended into the crust, giving it a savory, salty hit that complements the sweet, tart apples so nicely. To make your dinner prep a little easier, make the dough for the crusts a day or so ahead, then divide it in two and form each piece into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap, then refrigerate until you are ready to bake. DUTCH APPLE PIE WITH PARMESAN CRUST Start to finish: 1 hour 30 minutes (30 minutes active) Servings: 8 For the crust: 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cold, cut in chunks 1 egg 1/4 cup ice water For the filling: 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons cornstarch 5 large baking apples, peeled, cored and sliced 2/3 cup raisins Additional sugar, if desired

Directions: In a food processor, pulse together the sugar, salt and flour. Add the Parmesan and pulse to mix in. Add the butter and pulse to combine until the texture resembles coarse cornmeal. Add the egg and the ice water and pulse again, just until the dough starts to come together. Shape the dough into 2 discs. The dough can be used immediately or wrapped in plastic and refrigerated. On a lightly floured surface, roll one disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan. If the dough cracks around the edges, pinch it back together. The dough should overhang the pan slightly. Roll the second disc into a 12-inch circle and set aside. Heat the oven to 350 F. To make the filling, in a medium bowl whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and cornstarch. Add the apples and raisins, then toss well. Transfer the filling to the pie pan, arranging it evenly over the dough. Carefully place the second round of dough over the apples. Fold the edges of the top dough under the bottom round, then pinch together, crimping to make a decorative edge. If desired, sprinkle the top with sugar if desired. Use a paring knife to cut a few steam slits in the top of the crust. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the crust is golden. If the crust begins to get too brown, tent with foil. Let cool before serving. Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 585 calories; 268 calories from fat; 30 g fat (18 g saturated; 1 g trans fats); 103 mg cholesterol; 70 g carbohydrate; 14 g protein; 5 g fiber; 570 mg sodium.

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(Continued from page 14) and allow fats from beef and other ingredients to drip down into the pan. Constructed from heavy gauge carbon steel, the cookie pans will not bend or warp. A high-quality silver-colored nonstick surface, coupled with Circulon’s signature Total(R) Nonstick System with Hi-Low wave technology, releases food easily -- even those prepared with little or no fat -- and makes clean up a snap. Circulon celebrates its 25th anniversary this year as the first made-to-last, gourmet brand of hard-anodized nonstick cookware. Being healthier today is also about avoiding materials that may be detrimental, such as the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) commonly found in plastic food containers, linings of canned goods, and more. The new BonJour Ami Matin BPA-Free French Press (3-Cup size $15.00 retail, and 8-Cup size $25.00) features an unbreakable, heat-resistant carafe crafted from Tritan(R), an innovative new BPA-free material favored for its durability, lightness, and shatterproof properties. This French Press is ideal for coffee lovers who enjoy brewing rich, smooth-tasting coffee without any worries of BPA, or breaking a delicate carafe. Tea delivers healthy antioxidants, many flavor options and a soothing respite. The perfect stocking stuffer for tea lovers, the new stainless steel Bon Jour Single Cup Tea Infuser ($13.00) is compact and simple to use. Just fill the infuser chamber with loose tea leaves and immerse into a cup of hot water for brewing. The matching stand provides an elegant place to hold the infuser without messy drips.

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Comfort Food Connoisseurs

Classic American dishes, such as hearty casseroles, meatloaf and “mac and cheese” are the most satisfying and appealing to “comfort food connoisseurs.” In the dessert category, quick breads like cranberry orange nut bread and sour cream coffee cake are perennial favorites. This season, bake a loaf of your best recipe as a gift for that special neighbor, tied with a printed recipe card, and present it in the new Rachael RayTM Stoneware 9x5 Loaf Pan in red ($15.00 retail). Dishwasher, microwave, oven and freezer-safe, the loaf pan features a high-gloss, festive red exterior that’s perfect for the holiday table. Mixing up a batch of holiday cookies -- the ultimate comfort food for kids -- is one of the easiest ways for little ones to learn basic baking skills and share in all the fun that can be had in the kitchen during holidays. The new Paula Deen Signature Kid’s Seasonal Cookie Mold Pan ($17.00 retail) makes a great gift idea for families or budding young chefs. The easy clean non-stick, carbon steel pans feature seasonal Snowflake, Tree and Gingerbread Man designs that imprint onto the baked cookies.

The Entertainers

Culinary enthusiasts who like to entertain enjoy collecting well-designed serveware and accessories that make their hosting talents look impeccably smooth and effortless. One of the best tricks to entertaining with ease is to use oven-to-table stoneware that goes straight from the oven to the kitchen or dining table. For beautifully presented casseroles, tarts and quiches, new BonJour Stoneware ($20.00-$50.00 retail) is available in two exterior color glazes, Rouge and Chocolate. Practical and hard working, the collection is oven safe to 450*F, and can be placed in the microwave, refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher. For the entertainer with a knack for baking, a gift of Paula Deen Signature Stoneware ($13.00$35.00 retail) in new Robin’s Egg Blue will inspire countless invitations to casual coffee and dessert get-togethers. Featuring a unique swirl pattern and

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Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

0Thursday, November 25, 2010

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Paula Deen Stoneware Baker For a fun twist to southern tradition, the Paula Deen Signature Cast Iron Cornbread Mold ($20.00 retail) features an embossed corn ear design. The cleverly shaped mold is crafted of heavy-duty cast iron and makes eight individual pieces of golden cornbread. Finally, for party hosts who enjoy playing “home barista,” there’s the new and sleek BonJour Triomphe French Press ($70.00 retail). Crafted of polished stainless steel, the double-wall insulated, 8cup carafe keeps coffee piping hot longer. For easy tableside pouring, a hollowed stainless steel handle keeps it cool to the touch. Triomphe includes BonJour’s signature “Flavor Lock” shut-off filter to eliminate bitter-tasting coffee, and a patented stainless steel filtering screen to keep sediments away from the cup. For more information on these holiday gift ideas, visit the following websites: www.anolon.com, www.circulon.com www.kitchenaidproducts.com www.bonjourproducts.com www.potsandpans.com

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Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

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0Thursday, November 25, 2010

Skagit Valley Herald / Holiday Guide

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