| Black Caps gear up for tough match
New Zealand coach John Bracewell believes his team can take heart from the way they pushed South Africa until the last over in the Pro20 match last Friday and the first MTN one-day international (ODI) in Durban on Sunday. South Africa won the Pro20 with a ball to spare and the ODI off the last ball of the match. "The recognition is that South Africa are a very good side, particularly at home, and any win is a tough win. We've got to take some confidence out of the fact that we pushed them to the last over in two games," Bracewell said on Wednesday. "We are starting to put together some batting performances the bowlers can attempt to defend. It's more about fighting every game, and seeing where we are after three games and not so much looking at the fact that we're one-nil down. "We've got to move together as a unit.
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.
Land of lakes
Thanks to its location far from Interstate highways and sizable cities, this little town in western Maine has stayed much the same for decades. The biggest news in the past couple of years has been about the expanded and relocated IGA supermarket, the addition of a Thai restaurant, and a new ski lodge at Saddleback Maine. The region known as Rangeley Lakes has 110 lakes, ponds, and streams, and it includes the small village of Oquossoc 7 miles west. Surrounded by mountains, the area is largely undeveloped, though more and more houses are being built along winding dirt roads in the woods. While Rangeley became legendary as a hunting and fishing mecca, now it attracts nature lovers year-round. RestIf you want to stay "downtown," you can't beat The Rangeley Inn and Motor Lodge (2443 Main St., 800-666-3687, rangeleyinn.com).
For the kids: Toy wishes
An avalanche of toys that encourage activity and imagination are here for the holidays. For the rock star in the house, the latest musical-instrument video games and karaoke software should fill the bill. For the budding builder, some new kits from Lego and a fast-paced, magnet-powered roller-coaster set might do the trick. Among the other offerings: a soft puppy that grows (and speaks), remote-controlled helicopters that duel indoors and a Barbie "doll" that doubles as an MP3 player and interacts in her own virtual world online. These ideas, of course, make up just a tiny fraction of the possibilities. Today, in launching our annual holiday gift guide, we've consulted magazines, retailers and toy experts. Most of the items suggested are sold at toy, retail and discount stores; and through online outlets.
Generosity makes wishes come true
Christmas Wish volunteers are gearing up for the hard task of filling wishes for hundreds of Twin Lakes Area families. The ability to fill these wishes is dependent on the generosity of area residents who unselfishly donate toys, clothing, decorations, household goods and money year-after-year to make the program successful. In the past 18 years, Christmas Wish has not failed to provide a better holiday season for thousands of children by supplying nice toys, warm clothing and food to make Christmas brighter.How to donate .
Video Game Delays Are A Slap In The Face
Game delays are like the physical equivalent to being slapped in the face and being offered an ice pack two months after the fact. Well not a slap to the face, maybe just a punch to the stomach. Game developers in their infinite wisdom and kindly nature find it in their best interest to get the gaming public overwhelmingly excited about an upcoming game and then move the date of its release so far-off in the future that you lose any hope of playing that game before your next birthday.
Developers may even postpone a title's release so far in the future that you might not see yourself playing video games at that time, but rather raising your grandchildren. Maybe that's an exaggeration, but different developers have a variety of different reasons for delaying games - some of them are good reasons, some are bad reasons and some are reasons the public at large may never understand.
Christmas Cheer
There are people in the local area who need help to have a happy holiday season. They may be ill, alone or elderly. As Alamance County residents have done in the past, you can make a difference by sponsoring one of the needy through Christmas Cheer. The agency has opened its doors in downtown Burlington to begin the sponsoring process 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may sponsor one or more children by providing new toys, groceries or gift certificates if needed for Christmas dinner and winter clothing if necessary. You may sponsor an elderly person by providing Christmas dinner and providing any appropriate special request. Donations of new toys, non-perishable food or money may be made directly to Christmas Cheer. The office is located at 331 S. Main St., telephone 229-9969.
Aerobics/Dance/Yoga
Beginners Ballet classes: The MultiPurpose Center, 9031 Viscount is now offering classes for ages 4 and up Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30-7:30 p.m. Fee: $20/month. Information: 598-1155.
Beginners Hip Hop classes: The MultiPurpose Center, 9031 Viscount is now offering classes for ages 6 and up Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30-8:30 p.m. Fee: $20/month. Information: 598-1155.
Gary Del Palacio Center "Jazz Funk" classes: Hip Hop class every Friday. Plaza Theater Performing Hip Hop class every Monday and Wednesday. Fee: $20.00, and new Jazz Funk class on Fridays, $10.00.
Carolina Recreation Center Aerobics classes: Held Monday-Thursday AM and PM. Carolina Recreation Center is located at 563 N. Carolina. Fee: $20/month. Information: 594-8934 or YbarraRM@elpasotexas.gov.
Hip Hop Dance Classes: are forming at the Leona F.
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