| Donations needed for Christmas Wish
More than 400 families have sent in Christmas Wish requests. Fufilling these wishes depends on the generous residents of the Twin Lake Area. Donations of toys, clothing and money may be made at the Wish Distribution Center in the former Beuford's Bar-B-Q building in Georgetown Square. The center is open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 20-Dec. 13. .
Christmas season is full of hot toys … and recalls
Years ago, I remember tromping from store to store during the Christmas season looking for a large Buzz Lightyear toy for my son. I was desperate to find the item, knowing it was at the top of my son's list. Luckily, someone returned a Buzz to a local toy store just as I called. The store held the toy for me and the story had a happy ending. Or so I thought. As many parents will attest, the toy of the moment can quickly lose its luster. Buzz was buried at the bottom of a toy box in no time. A few years later, he was garage sale fodder. I'm not sure if my son ever even played with the darned thing. Buzz wasn't the only toy I chased through the years. I have vague memories of Pokemon card quests, Power Ranger missions and WWF matches. And all of the items have wound up sold, boxed in the garage or headed to the Salvation Army.
Lights, music, parades set in south E.V.
�Tis the season to celebrate, and cities and towns in the south East Valley will be doing just that. Here is a list of holiday festivities in Gilbert, Queen Creek and Florence: � Gilbert is celebrating the holidays with Winter Wonderland at the Freestone Park Amphitheater, 1015 E. Juniper Ave. The free event, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 13, will feature a holiday tree lighting, an appearance by Santa and performances by the Dickens� Carolers. For information, call Gilbert Community Services at (480) 503-6200. � Queen Creek is kicking off the holiday season by lighting up Town Hall and the 40-foot holiday tree out front with more than 20,000 lights. The event will feature local group performances, a snow play area and visits with Santa. Several new activities will be added this year, including a fine art market.
Cubs keep Wood for $4.2 million
CHICAGO Given his history of arm problems, even Kerry Wood was surprised at all the interest he drew in free agency. While Wood was tempted to leave the Chicago Cubs, he couldn't be lured from the team he has pitched for his entire career. After making the switch to the bullpen last season after a swift recovery from shoulder problems, Wood agreed Monday to a $4.2 million, one-year deal to return to the Cubs, spurning what general manager Jim Hendry said were numerous multiyear offers elsewhere. He called his decision to stay with the Cubs an easy one. "Chicago's my home," Wood said during a conference call. "Chicago's been great to me. There's no better place to play, especially if you're winning." Wood, the 1998 NL Rookie of the Year, can make an additional $3.45 million in performance bonuses based largely on games finished from 20 to 55.
USC gaining recruits from the state of Alabama
The state of Alabama continues to be fertile recruiting territory for South Carolina. Last week, DB Jarrett Burns (6-3, 186) of Huntsville committed to the Gamecocks after getting an official offer from recruiter Ron Cooper and head coach Steve Spurrier. "It was a comfort level," Burns said. "I talked to coach Cooper all the time. He showed me he could be there for me if I need something. That was a big thing to me." Burns is viewed as a big corner by the Gamecocks and had 79 tackles with one interception this season. "My advantage is my height," he said. "And I like to beat up the receiver. I like to come up and hit. And I roam the field well." Burns had an offer from Louisiana Tech and said he was getting strong interest from Clemson, Auburn, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisville and Mississippi State.
JT Special Feature: Things you never knew about Tony Romo
Journal Times sports reporter Peter Jackel offers glove-like coverage of Racine County sports. Today he draws upon his years of experience to answer some of the toughest and most obscure questions about Tony Romo.Question: Several features written about Tony Romo claim that he never had a winning record in high school? Is that true?Answer: No it is not. While Burlington went 3-6 during Romo’s senior season in 1997, the Demons went 9-3 despite an 0-2 start in 1996 and advanced to the third round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs. After never having played quarterback in high school prior to his junior season, Romo completed 126 of 193 passes (65.2 percent) for 1,863 yards, with 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.Question: What were the reasons for Burlington going 3-6 during Romo’s senior season? .
GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW: O-K Gold
Things are looking good for this year's Bulldogs. Coming off of a 16-7 season, Byron Center returns four starters, including a couple of four-year and three-year starters. "We have a lot of experience on the varsity this year, and we're returning a lot of talent," said Bulldogs coach Glenn Davis. Headlining the returning players is fourth-year starter Logan Marsh. Marsh, a point guard, sets the tone for the offense with her quickness and ability see the floor in the transition game. Four other seniors also figure to play a big role in things this year for the Bulldogs. Lindsey Karsten and Ashley Wightman, a pair of starting senior forwards, can play down low and run the floor on the break. Lindsi Russo, another senior who comes off the bench, is a lock-down defender.
From an Iranian Childhood of More Work than Play, a Tycoon Rises
Were you to talk to Isaac Larian about his childhood in Iran, he would not wax nostalgic over childhood games or playthings. In fact, he would tell you that when his friends and cousins played or went on vacation, he did “constant, hard work" helping his father run a retail textile business. Today, Larian is president and chief executive of the largest privately held toy company in the world, MGA Entertainment, based in Van Nuys, California. (The ranking is based on market share comparisons.) On November 17, Larian was named national Entrepreneur of the Year at a ceremony in Palm Springs, California, for his “innovation, financial success and personal commitment" in building a world-class business, according to Ernst & Young, the accounting firm that sponsors the annual award.
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