2022: The Mercury News Holiday Guide

Tableof ConTenTs

Inprintinganarticleof48,000words,aprinter decidestousetwosizesoftype.Usingthelarger type,aprintedpagecontains1,800words.Using thesmallertype,aprintedpagecontains2,400 words.Thearticleisallotted21fullpagesina magazine.

Howmanyprintedpagesmustbeinsmaller type?

AllpuzzlesaresyndicatedbyKingFeaturesSyndicate Inc.andhavebeenpreviouslypublished.

BYDANAJACKSON

Q:DothePeople’sChoice Awardsstillexist?Asa kid,Irememberthembeingon TV.Ialwayswantedtotakea surveytovoteformyfavorites, butnevergotthechance.--H.L.

A: Yes,thePeople’sChoice Awardsarestillathingandarestill broadcastonnetworktelevision. Thisyear,they’llbehostedbyKenanThompson(“SaturdayNight Live”)andaironNBCandtheE! channelonDec.6at9p.m.ET/PT. VotingisdoneonlinebyNov.9at www.votepca.com.

Theawardsfirstairedin1975,and upuntil2005,thewinnerswere determinedthroughaGalluppoll. ThefirstwinnersincludedBarbra StreisandasFavoriteFilmActress andJohnWayneasFavoriteFilm Actor.EllenDeGenereshaswon themostawardssinceitsinception.Thisyear,RyanReynolds (“TheAdamProject”)willbe honoredwiththe“People’sIcon Award”forthebulkofhiswork.

Eachcategoryforthestars,shows andmoviesconsistofeightnomineeseachandincluderecentfilms like“HalloweenEnds”and“Black Adam.” ***

Q:Didtheyeverfindapermanenthostfor“Jeopardy!”orwilltheycontinueto rotatethetwotheyhavenow?

--A.A.

A: InJuly2022,itwasofficially announcedthatKenJennings

Depositphotos KenanThompson,Hostofthe2022 People’sChoiceAwards

andMayimBialikwouldremain hostsofthehitsyndicatedgame show“Jeopardy!”WhenAlex Trebekpassedawayfrompancreaticcancerin2020,therewasa longrotationofhosts,including NFLquarterbackAaronRodgers andfanfavoriteLeVarBurton (“ReadingRainbow”),untilitwas announcedthesearchhadended becauseproducerMikeRichards hadlandedthecovetedjob.He wassoonfiredafterpastsexistand racistcommentsofhisresurfaced.

Inthemeantime,theshowcalled uponpast“Jeopardy!”champion KenJenningsandsitcomstarMayimBialik(“TheBigBangTheory”)torotatehostingduties.Itwas sucharatingssuccessthatthey wereofferedcontracts,andtherest ishistory.

SendmeyourquestionsatNewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com,orwritemeatKFWS,628 VirginiaDrive,Orlando,FL32803.

(c)2022KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.

Here’swhattowatch andwheretowatchitforthe weekofNov.21,2022.

ONNOW:“TheCupheadShow! Part3”--Netflix

ONNOW:“FleishmanIsin Trouble”(LimitedSeries)-Hulu

21-Nov:“DeathintheDorms” (LimitedSeries)--Hulu

22-Nov:“TrevorNoah:IWish YouWould”--Netflix

22-Nov:“AnimalKingdom” (Season6)--AmazonPrime

22-Nov:“WelcometoChippendales”(LimitedSeries)--Hulu

23-Nov:“Wednesday” (Season1)--Netflix

24-Nov:“Love,Lizzo”--HBO Max

25-Nov:“FantasyFootball” --Paramount+

25-Nov:“TheHipHopNutcracker”--Disney+ (c)2022KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.

“Spirited”(PG-13)--

DiehardChristmasfans nolongerhavetowait untilDecembertowatch newholidaymovies, especiallywithoneofthe mostexpectedfilmsofthe 2022seasonoutonNov.

18!“Spirited”reimaginesthewell-knowntale of“AChristmasCarol” inamuchmoremodernand grandsense.RyanReynolds isnoneotherthanEbenezer Scrooge,whileWillFerrell portraystheGhostofChristmas Present.Alsopartofthecast areOctaviaSpencer,Sunita ManiandPatrickPage.Fullof musicalnumbersandsomany jokesthrownbetweenFerrell andReynolds,thisreleasewill putyourightintheChristmas spirit. (AppleTV+)

yearslater.Afterthedeathof theOldMan,thenowgrown-up Ralphiemakeshiswaybackto hisformerhomeonCleveland Streetwiththeintenttogive hischildrenaChristmasjust liketheonehehadwhenhe wasakid.Ralphie’slongtime friendsFlickandSchwartzalso makeappearancesinthesequel. (HBOMax)

“AChristmasStoryChristmas”(PG)-- ReleasingNov.

17,yetanotherChristmas moviewillalreadybeout pre-Decemberforviewersto enjoy.Dubbedastheofficial legacysequeltothe1983film “AChristmasStory,”Ralphie Parker(PeterBillingsley) returnsfromthefirstfilm,30

“Disenchanted”(PG)-Speakingofsequelscoming decadesaftertheoriginal, thesequeltothe2007film “Enchanted”headsstraight tostreamingonNov.18.A majorityoftheoriginalcast willreprisetheroles,including AmyAdamsasGiselle,Patrick Dempseyasherhusband, Robert,JamesMarsdenas KingEdwardandIdinaMenzel asQueenNancy.Giselleand Robertmovewiththeirnow16-year-olddaughter,Morgan, fromNewYorktoasuburb calledMonroeville,butwhen themoveisn’tgoingexactlyas planned,Gisellegetsaningeniousideajusttowishforhappinessinstead.Unfortunately, whenthespellbackfires,Giselle isforcedtomakeaplantosave herfamilyandherhomeland fromdemise. (Disney+)

(c)2022KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.

7.TheBansheesof Inisherin (R)ColinFarrell,BrendanGleeson

8.Till (PG-13)DanielleDeadwyler,JalynHall

1.BlackAdam (PG-13)DwayneJohnson,AldisHodge

2.OnePieceFilm:Red (PG-13)MayumiTanaka, KazuyaNakai

3.TickettoParadise (PG-13)GeorgeClooney, JuliaRoberts

4.Smile (R)SosieBacon,Jessie T.Usher

5.PreyfortheDevil

6.Lyle,Lyle,Crocodile

9.HalloweenEnds (R)JamieLeeCurtis, AndiMatichak

10.Terrifier2 (NR)DavidHoward Thornton,JennaKanell (c)2022KingFeatures Synd.,Inc.

CourtesyofAppleTV+ RyanReynoldsismodern-day ScroogeandWillFerrellistheGhost ofChristmasPresentin“Spirited.”

(PG-13)Jacqueline Byers,VirginiaMadsen

(PG)ConstanceWu, ScootMcNairy

Agiftforeveryone:Smuin’s“TheChristmasBallet!”

Exuberantholidayfunwitha littlesomethingforeveryone— that’sSmuin’s“TheChristmasBallet!”SanFrancisco’s premiercontemporaryballet companyhasreturnedwith itsbelovedholidayprogram, performingDecember1-24in MountainView,Carmel,and SanFrancisco.

Settoholidaytunesand featuringawiderangeof dancesfromballettotap,jazz, andmore,thetwoactsare packedwithbothbreathtakingclassicalballetandfestive contemporarynumbers.Along withtheunveilingoftwoworld premieres,thisyear’sedition of“TheChristmasBallet” includesmanyfanfavorites, suchastheever-popular “SantaBaby”numberfeaturingthe“world’slongestfeather boa.”

“TheChristmasBallet”was createdmorethan25years agobyTonyAwardwinning choreographerMichaelSmuin, whodecideditwastimefor

alternativeholidayfare,setting dancestoalldifferenttypesof holidaytunes.Theresultistwo stunningactsofferingflawless classicalballetsettobeloved carols,followedbyred-hot contemporarynumberssetto popfavorites.

Thisyear’sfirstact,Classical Christmas,willunveilanew pasdeuxbyNicoleHaskins settomusiccreatedfroma prayerforUkraine,inaddition tofavoritessuchasMichael Smuin’sstately“BachMagnificat”andthefestive“Wassail,” andotherplayfuldanceshighlightingwinter’swonders.The CoolChristmassecondactwill featureaspiritedmedleyof contemporaryfestivenumbers suchasMichaelSmuin’ssultry “ChristmasinNewOrleans” andaspiritedtapdancein “BellsofDublin,”aswellasa worldpremierebyacclaimed dancemakerAmySeiwert.Andfanscanresteasy, Smuin’siconic“SantaBaby” willbeback!

“ChristmasBallet”followerslovethedancingconifersin “DroopyLittleChristmasTree” andeagerlyawaitthe“White Christmas”finale,whendriftsof snowsettleonthecastandthe audience—butmostagreethe iconicmomentiswhenslinky “SantaBaby”strollsonstage, trailingtheworld’slongest featherboa.SaysSmuinArtistic DirectorCeliaFushille,“Itisthe onenumberwecannevertake out—toomanypeopletellusit’s theirfavorite!”Today,Smuin fansareinthehabitof“BYOB” (BringYourOwnBoa)and someevencomepreparedwith umbrellas,readyforthefinale’s audiencesnowfall.

Anexcellentoutingforthe wholefamily,Smuin’s“The ChristmasBallet”willtourthe BayArea,withshowsinMountainView(December1-4), Carmel(Dec9-10),andSan Francisco(December14-24).

Tickets($25-$99)areavailablebycalling(415)912-1899 Orvisitsmuinballet.org

SmuinartistBrennanWallslinksacrossthestagewith‘theworld’slongestfeather boa’in“SantaBaby.”(ChrisHardy)

SmuinartistOliver-PaulAdamslooksoninamazementatthedancingtreeinRexWheeler’s“Christmas TreeRock.”(KeithSutter)

TheSmuinCompanyinMichaelSmuin’ssultry“ChristmasinNewOrleans.”(KeithSutter)

Recycleandreducewaste fortheholidays

ContentprovidedbyMetroCreative

Theholidayseasonisaspecialtime ofyear.Individualsoftenspendalittle moreongifts,indulgealittlemore onrichfoodsandtreatsandmakea concertedefforttoenjoymoretimewith theirlovedonesduringtheholidays.

Thetendencytooverdothingsduring theholidayseasoncancreatealotof waste.Infact,Americansproduce25 percentmoregarbagefromThanksgivingthroughtheendoftheyear,accordingtoWasteAdvantagemagazine,a publicationofthewasteandrecycling industry.Thatuptickequatestoone milliontonsofextratrashperweek throughouttheholidays.

Extrafood,plasticandpaperwaste isgeneratedthistimeofyear,but peoplecanbemindfulofthepotential togooverboardandtakesomesteps tobemorewaste-consciousasthey entertain.

•Reuseasmallportionofwrapping paperorlookforotherwrappingitems. Sundaycomics,newsprint,colorful magazinepages,andevenpiecesof fabriccanbeusedtowrapgiftsinlieu ofpurchasingnewwrappingpaper. Otherwise,collectusedwrappingpaper andreuseitnextyear,doingthesame withboxesandbows.Accordingto researchersatStanfordUniversity,if everyAmericanfamilywrappedjust threepresentsinreusedmaterials, itwouldsaveenoughpapertocover 45,000footballfields.

•Skipdisposablepartyitems.It’s certainlyeasytousedisposableplates, napkinsandcupswhenhostingholiday parties,butthatisverywasteful.Optfor durable,reusableproductsthatcanbe packedawayandusedeachyearduring holidayevents.

•Buydurableandreusableitems asgifts.Avoidfadgiftsandfocuson itemsthatwillhavestayingpower. Homemadegifts,suchasfoods,knitted scarves,artwork,andmore,aregenerally eco-friendly.

•Setupmarkedtrashandrecycling receptacles.Remindpartygueststorecycletheappropriatematerialsbyclearly markingapaildesignedforcollecting recyclables,suchascans,plasticbeveragebottlesandglasswinebottles.Most hardplasticscanberecycled.

•Removeyournamefromcatalog lists.Callcompaniesandasktobetaken offpromotionalmailingliststoreduce paperwaste.

•Sendaphoto.Mailholidaycard recipientsphotosofthekidsortheentire familyinlieuofcards.They’reaptto savethephotosanddisplaythem,helpingtokeepevenmorepapertrashoutof landfills.

•Researchnewrecipesforleftovers. Withanabundanceoffoodremaining afterentertaining,turnleftoversintonew mealsbyexploringrecipesfromfriendsor bydoingalittleresearchonline.

Wastecangetoutofcontrolduring theholidays,buttherearewaystotame theexcess.

PointandSolve Cryptoquip

Inthiscrosswordpuzzlevariety,thecluesappearinthediagramitself. Simplyentertheanswersinthedirectionsindicatedbythearrows.

CrosswordbyEugeneSheffer

TheCryptoquipisasubstitutioncipherinwhichone letterstandsforanother.IfyouthinkthatXequalsO,itwill equalOthroughoutthepuzzle.Singleletters,shortwords andwordsusinganapostrophegiveyoucluestolocating vowels.Solutionisbytrialanderror.

StandOutWithTheseUniqueHolidayDecoratingIdeas

HomeSweetHomeI

PresentedbyBayArea NewsGroup

Celebratetheholidaysin style!Theseholidaydecorationsareclassyyetboldand aresuretobringoutthe “ooos”and“ahhhs,”andmaybe evenaroundofapplause!

Thinkingbeyondthetraditionalredsandgreensand tryingnewcolorswillhelp youstandout.Plus,youcan surpriseyourfamilywith decorationsinthemostunexpectedplacesinyourhome. Theseuniqueandwarmly wonderfuldecorationsare suretocatchtheattentionof eventhemostdiscriminating holidayelves.

LetitSnow

Nomatterwhereyoulive, cascadingChristmaslights

willbethecenterpieceofyour frontyard.Mostoptionshave LEDlightsthatturnonand offinsequence,creatingthe illusionoffallingsnow.You canconnectstringsoflights together,andmanyoptions arewaterproofforoutdoor use.Thatway,youcanalsouse themonyourpatioorinyour garden.

Youdon’tneedabigbudget tohavesomeofthebestdecorationsontheblock!TheseDo ItYourselfChristmasLight Balls(christmaslightsetc. com/sw/diy-ideas/how-tomake-christmas-light-balls) inmultiplesizesandcolors arereplicasofballsseenatthe ChicagoBotanicalGardens. Madefromalittlewireand LEDlights,theballslook amazingwhenrandomlyscatteredacrossyourlawn,with orwithoutsnow!

MagicalMemories

Giantoutdoorornaments willdelightguestsofall ages!Festive,fun,andlarger thanlife,mostoptions

haveaflatbaseforsturdy positioningonyourfront porch.Noonewillbeable towalkpastgiant,life-size ornamentswithouttakinga

anexcellentbackdropfor familyphotos.

Sudoku

Sudokuisanumber-placingpuzzlebasedona9x9gridwithseveralgivennumbers.Theobjectistoplacethenumbers1to9intheemptysquaressothat eachrow,columnandeach3x3boxcontainsthesamenumberonlyonce.

SuperQuiz

TakethisSuperQuiztothePh. D.Level.1pointforeachcorrect answerontheFreshmanLevel,2 pointsontheGraduateLeveland3 pointsonthePh.D.Level.

Answers onpage 20

StandOut frompage9

Nothingismoreaweinspiringthanashootingstar. Thistwo-footShootingStar ChristmasLight(oogalights. com/Shooting-Star-ChristmasLights-900230.aspx)hasa 20-foottaililluminatedby400 clearminilights.Thetailhas fiveseparatestrandsoflights, creatingtheillusionofmotion. Createsomemagicbyhanging betweentwotrees.

Createacozyspotforreading aholidayclassicinyourwindow seatwithagauzydrapestrung withLEDlights.

Trimthe…Stairs?!

Manygarlandsavailableareprelit andcanbemountedonyourstaircase withoutrequiringextensioncords orproximitytoanoutlet.Theyoften comewithwhiteLEDlights,berry clusters,pinecones,andredvelvet bows.Someoptionsareevenequipped withatimerthatturnsthelightsonat thesametimeeveryday!

Self-adhesivestairstickersarefun foreveryone!Justpeelandstick!You canfindtheseatmanyretailersand chooseoneofseveraldesigns,includingsnowmen,Santa,trees,andreindeer.Youaresuretogarnerasmile everytripupstairs!

TrimmingtheTreeExtraordinarily

Makeyourtreestunninglybluetiful!Chooseblueholidaylights insteadoftheusualred,green,or white.Youcanalsolookfordifferent shapessuchasballs,finials,onions, gingerjars,andteardrops,plusa mixofglossy,matte,andtranslucent finishes.

Youmightalsowanttogowithpink orpurplelightsorornamentsforan evenmorestand-outlook!

Holdontopreciousmemoriesofyour childrenwithahandmadekeepsake ornament.Easyandfuntomake,many optionsallowyoutopreserveyour child’shandprintonaholiday-themed ornament.Theyaresuretobecomelifelongfamilytreasures!

HolidayLoveintheLeastLikely Places

Decorateyourtablewithholidaythemedtablerunnersandplacemats. Manyoptionsonthemarketinclude allyourholidayfavorites,including Santas,reindeers,snowmen,and more.

Evenyourbathroomcangetintothe spiritwiththingslikeholiday-scented candles,decorativetowelsandsoap dishes,orevenaChristmas-yshower curtain!

MantleswithFlair

Transformthelanternsyoualready haveintomagicalholidaydecorationsforyourmantle.Fillyour vintagelanterns(midwestliving.com/ homes/seasonal-decorating)with pinecones,candles,greens,andeven yourchild’sdrawingofSantaora prettyholidaycard.

Youcanalsoaddflamelesswax candlesofallcolors,shapes,andsizes tocreateawarmglowwithafaux flamethatmimicsthelightofareal candle.

Nowthatyou’veaddedsomefun, unique,andcreativedecorationsto yourcollection,youarereadytostart decorating.Putonsomefestivemusic, pouryourselfsomehotchocolateora favoritecoffeedrink,andletthespirit oftheholidaysbegin!

AjaKoskaviagettyimages.com

CreativeStockingStuffersThatWon’tBreaktheBank

TheEntertainerI PresentedbyBayArea NewsGroup

Thestockinghungbythe fireplacestuffedtothebrim withgoodiesisaniconicsymbol ofChristmas.Theysittherejust waitingtobedumpedoutall overthefloor.And,behonest: Whowantsapairofwhite socksorabagofcandycoal?

Thesestockingstuffersare suretobringouta“hohoho!” fromyoungandoldalike! Fromtechtocoffeetofun andgamesforkidsofallages, theselittlepackagessnuggled deepinaknittedstockingmay endupbeingthemost-loved giftsofthemall.Plus,theyare allaround$10,sotheywon’t breakyourholidaybank.

Thesetrinketsprovethatgood thingsstilldocomeinsmall packages!

TechTalk

Acellphonestandkeeps textsandvideosinclear viewandthemhands-free. Mostoptionsarecompatiblewithanysmartphone. Plus,thestandkeepscables organizedontheirdesk, kitchencounter,orbedroom nightstand.

Aretheytiredofmessy fingerprintsontheirtech gear?Ascreencleaningpad isareusablefauxsuedecloth sizedforhomeorofficeuse andisperfectforalltheir touchscreendevices.

Ensuretheynevermisplace theirAirPodsorheadphones againwithacarryingcase thatprotectstheirinvestmentinregularorwireless earphones.Manycomeinall differentshapes,colors,and sizes—socheckyourlocal retailerforoptionsandget creative!

TimetoRelax Dotheyneedsomerelaxationafterthehustleand bustleofholidaypreparations? Areusablepouchfilledwith skincareproductslikefacemaskandlotionsisgreatfor youron-the-golovedone.

Whowouldn’tloveluxury soaps?Theymakeforabeautifullypackagedgiftandcomein allsortsoffragrances—lavender, carrot,cucumber,fig,peach, cherryblossom,tangerine,you nameit!Thesearesuretopretty upeveryone’sguestbathrooms!

Evenlittlegirlsandboys needachancetorelax!CrayolaBathDropzarefragrancefree,non-toxicwater-coloring tabletsthatwillmagically changeyourtubtoblue, yellow,orred.

Whyshouldkidshaveall thebathtimefun?Createrich bubblesandvibrantcolors whiletreatingyourskinwith beneficialingredientslike sheabutter,cocoabutter,and essentialoils.Bathbombsare theperfectstockingstuffer forsomeonewhoisalready afanorasanintroduction fornewbies.Theyoftencome infunshapeslikecupcakes, hearts,anddonuts,too!

FortheCoffeeLovers

Apackageofcoffeepaired withatrioofminisyrups makesagreatstockingstuffer foreverycoffeeloverinyour lifeoryourfavoriteat-home barista!

ForKidsofAllAges

Haveabuddingastronomer inyourmidst?Aministar projectorbeamstheconstellationsoftheastrologicalzodiac ontothewallsofyourhome. Funandeducational,amini starprojectoristheperfectway tobringtheplanetariumhome!

Doesyourfamilylovegames? CodenamesBoardGameisa spygameformultipleplayersages10andup.Tworival spymastersknowthesecret identitiesof25agents,and teammatesknowtheagents onlybytheircodenamesgiven onthecards.Addthisunique gametoyourholidayfun! Or,keepthemlaughingall daylongwithaholidayjoke bookforboysandgirls.

ForAnyoneandEveryone

Savetheplanetwitheasycleanreusablestraws.Most aredishwashersafe,andsome evencomewithalinencarryingcase!They’reperfectfora greenerlifestyle.

Youcanalsoconsider gettingthemapersonalized keychain.Manyretailersoffer optionswithcommonnames, orsurfthewebforawayto makeatrulycustomizedgift

intheirfavoritecolororstyle. It’sjustthethingtoletthem knowhowspecialtheyare! Aretheyreadytotravel?Get thempreparedwithauniversalpowerwallchargerwitha powerplugadapter.Lookfor anoptionthatwillworkin manycountries. Ready,set?Shop!Timeto shoptofillthosestockings withfunandaffordablegifts foreveryone.

MeettheWomenof CaliforniaInteriors&DesignInc.

CaliforniaInteriors& DesignInc.hasbeenbuilding,designing,remodeling andfurnishinghomesfor decades.FounderMary Seatonbeganhercareerin realestateandhadpurchased andbuiltherfirsthomeby theageof21.Althoughshe currentlyholdsbothanAS andBSdegreeinunrelated fields,hervastknowledgeof design,buildandfunction comesfrommanyyearsinthe trade.Itwasnaturalforher toopenashowroomhosting customupholsteryalongwith everythingelseahomewould need.

Mary’sdaughter,Collette, joinedthecompanyafter gettingadegreefromCal Berkeleyandtryingherhand atlawschool.Colletteisa veryintegralpartofthebusiness.Sheisextremelydetailorientedandknowledgeable whenitcomestolayout, materialselectionanddesign. Herdaughter,Amaya,isonly 8,buthasliterallygrown upintheshowroom.She’s achildprodigyandisoften heardtellingGoogle,“show meamodern,contemporary home,notafarmhouse.”

Amayasketcheshousesshe likesandhasbeendrawing3Drenderingssinceshe wasfive.Shehasaspirationstobecomeanarchitect andMaryandColletteare surethat,thatwillcometo fruition.

ThewomenofCalifornia Interior&DesignInc.havea colorfullife,andallwhocome throughthedoors,quickly becometheirfriends.

YoucanvisitCalifornia InteriorandDesignIncat25 W,43RDAVE,SANMATEO, CA94403|(650)570-5534| cal-interiors.com

ColletteSeatonanddaughterAmaya

Amaya’s3DRendering

MarySeaton

5RecipeCollections foraHealthierHoliday

HealthyLivingIPresented byBayAreaNewsGroup

It’snevertooearlyto prepareyourmenusforthe upcomingholidayseason. Whetheryouprefertoserve traditionaldishesthattaste comfortingortrynew,innovativedishesthatusesurprising ingredients,itcanbechallengingtofindrecipesthat keepalloftheflavorwithout allofthecalories.

Thisyear,planaheadand adaptyourrecipestomatch yourwellnessgoals.These fivecookbooksandrecipe collectionsarefullofideas forbrunchtodessert—and everythinginbetween!

NourishedSimply (nourishedsimply.com/55healthy-holiday-recipes)

Thiscollectionofhealthy holidayrecipescanbeyour one-stoplocationforthebest foodblogsontheinternet.Not onlyaretheredeliciousrecipes fromtheNourishedSimply teamthemselves,butmostof theselectionscomefromother health-conscioussites.Some oftherecipes,liketheRoasted CarrotSouffle,arefancycreationsthatwillimpressyour guestswhilestayingtruetoa low-caloriediet.Others,like theRoastedTurkeyBreast,give afreshtakeontheflavorsin classicmealsthatfriendsand familyhavecometoexpect.Not onlywillthiscollectionprovide awidevarietyofchoicesfor yourupcomingholidaymeals,it willalsoundoubtedlyintroduce youtomanywonderfulsources ofhealthyrecipestouseinthe yearahead.

EatingWell(eatingwell. com/recipes)

Youmaybefamiliarwith thepopularVermont-based

magazineEatingWell,which hashelpedfamiliesfollow andunderstandhealthydiets since1990.Thecompanion websiteoffershundredsof recipes,articles,andinteractiveelementstomakefollowinganylifestyledietsimple. Theircollectionoflow-calorie recipestakestheguesswork outofcombiningflavorwith nutritionfortheholiday season.Enjoythe“staffpicks” sectionforinnovativerecipes liketheChristmasBreakfast Casserole.Youcanimpress yourhouseguestswiththis low-caloriemealonChristmasmorningafterthefrenzy ofpresent-openingisdone! Eachrecipealsoclearlynotes the“nutritionprofile”ofthe dishsothatyoucaneasilysee whetheritalignswithyour wellnessgoals.

TheGuilt-FreeGourmet (theguiltfreegourmet.net)

TheGuilt-FreeGourmet siteisdedicatedtotransforminghigh-caloriemeals intodeliciouslower-calorie versionsusinginnovative ingredientsandsurprisingtechniques.Thebest part?Everythingisfree

todownload(oryoucan purchaseaprintedversion ifthat’syourpreference). Theholidayrecipecollection combinespopularitemsfrom previouscookbooksintoan easy-to-useguidetospecial occasioncooking.Oneofthe bestsectionsinthiscookbookisDipsandDressings. Weoftenoverlookthese smallitemswhenitcomes tohealthycooking,anda high-caloriedipcangoa longwaytowardsruiningan otherwisecarefullyplanned nutritiousmeal.Recipeslike theFrenchOnionDipare greatoptionstotaketoall oftheholidayeventsthat featureappetizersandsmall bites.

CaraClark’sHealthy HolidayCookbook (caraclarknutrition.com/ healthy-holiday-cookbook)

RunbynutritionistCara Clark,thissitehostsvarious recipecollectionsandmeal challengesthathelpindividualsreachtheirnutritionand wellnessgoals.Anewcookbookof“freshandfestive” recipesisavailablefordigital downloadaheadoftheholiday

season.Thesectionsfor ChristmasCookieOptionsand SeasonalBeveragesarereal highlightsinthiscollection; thesetwocategoriesareoften overlookedinhealthyholiday cookbooks.Ifyou’replanning acookieswaporcocktailparty thisseason,therecipeshere willhelpyoureimagineyour holidayfavoritesinacalorie-consciousway.

Skinnytaste(skinnytaste. com)

Foundedontheideathat eatingseasonal,cleanfood canbehealthyanddelicious, theSkinnytastesitefeatures

hundredsofrecipesthatalign withvariouslifestylechoices. Intheholidaycollections, you’llfindmanyrecipesthat featureclassicflavors(likethe ChickenSausageandHerb Stuffing)alongsideinnovativeideas(liketheButternut SquashRisotto).It’seasyto usethesearchfunctiontofind particularingredientsyou’d liketofeature,soturningyour traditionalholidaymealintoa lower-caloriefeastisasimple task!

Browsetheseholidaycookbookstodayasyoupreparefor theupcomingcelebrations!

fstop123viagettyimages.com

mapodileviagettyimages.com

Answerson page 21

AXYDLBAAXRisLONGFELLOW Oneletterstandsforanother.Inthissample,Aisused forthethreeL’s,XforthetwoO’s,etc.

Crossword

WishingWell

HEREISAPLEASANTLITTLEGAMEthatwillgiveyouamessageeveryday.It’sanumericalpuzzledesignedtospellout yourfortune.Countthelettersinyourfirstname.Ifthenumber oflettersis6ormore,subtract4.Ifthenumberislessthan 6,add3.Theresultisyourkeynumber.Startattheupperlefthandcornerandcheckeachofyourkeynumbers,lefttoright. Thenreadthemessagethelettersunderthecheckedfigures giveyou.

byThomasJoseph

Multi-Sudoku

EachpuzzleconsistsoftwoormoreSudokugridsoverlappingeachother invariousconfigurations.Overlappingareasmustcomplywiththerulesof morethanonegrid.

SuperQuiz

TakethisSuperQuiztothePh. D.Level.1pointforeachcorrect answerontheFreshmanLevel,2 pointsontheGraduateLeveland 3pointsonthePh.D.Level.

Cryptoquip

Answers

onpage 21

TheCryptoquipisasubstitutioncipherinwhichoneletterstandsforanother.If youthinkthatXequalsO,itwillequalOthroughoutthepuzzle.Singleletters,short wordsandwordsusinganapostrophegiveyoucluestolocatingvowels.Solutionis bytrialanderror.

Battleships

EachBattleshippuzzlerepresentsanoceanwithahiddenfleetofships,whichmaybeorientedhorizontally orverticallywithinthegridsuchthatnoshiptouches another,notevendiagonally.Thenumbersontheright andonthebottomofthegridshowhowmanysquares inthecorrespondingrowandcolumnareoccupiedby shipsegments.Occasionallysomesquaresmaycontain givenshiporwatersegmentstohelpstartthepuzzle. Theobjectistodiscoverwhereallshipsarelocated.

EvenExchange

Eachnumberedrowcontains twocluesandtwo6-letteranswers.Thetwoanswersdiffer fromeachotherbyonlyone letter,whichhasalreadybeen inserted.Forexample,ifyou exchangetheAfromMASTER foranI,yougetMISTER.Do notchangetheorderofthe letters.

Answersonpage 21

Wuzzles-Page2

Point&Solve-Page 8

Cryptoquip-Easy-Page 8

WHENTWOOFTHESAME KINDOFFRUITLOOK NOTHINGALIKE,THATMIGHT POSSIBLYBEDIS-PEAR-ITY.

Stickelers-Page2

Theansweris17pages. Letxbethenumberofpagesinsmaller type.Let(21-x)bethenumberofpagesin largertype.

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

Theansweris69.Thesequenceisasfollows: Subtract3,multiplyby3,subtract3, mutiplyby3,etc.

ShefferCrossword-Page 8

Sudokus-Page 10

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GODGAVEUSTHEGIFTOFLIFE;ITISUPTOUSTOGIVE OURSELVESTHEGIFTOFLIVINGWELL.—VOLTAIRE

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HealthyHolidays:UsingSeasonalProduce

HealthyLivingIPresented byBayAreaNewsGroup

Whilemanyassociate summerwithanabundant harvestoffruitsand vegetables,plentyofdelicious ingredientsarebestenjoyedin theearlyweeksofwinter.

Usingin-seasoningredients inyourholidaymealsisagreat waytoensureyourfoodhas therichestflavorsandisfullof nutrients.Asabonus,in-season produceislessexpensive,so yourexpansiveholidaymenu won’tbreakthebank!Hereare sixofthebestin-seasonfruits andvegetablestoincludeon yourholidaytablethisyear.

BrusselsSprouts

Winterisawonderfultime toharvestbrusselssprouts, solookfortheminyourlocal markets—inabundance!Low incarbohydratesbuthigh infiber,thisvegetablehas madeapopularresurgence latelyduetoitsnuttyflavor andversatility.Freshbrussels sproutstastefarsuperiorto theirfrozencounterparts,so takeadvantageandinclude theminyourholidaymeals.As asidedish,thisvegetablecan beroastedorshreddedraw,so youcanincludeitinvarious formsonyourholidaytable.

Leeks

Anoften-overlooked vegetableinthesamefamily asonionsandgarlic,leeks areadeliciousandnutritious wintercropthatcanadd asurprisingtwisttoyour holidaymeals.Becausethey’re highinfiber,vitaminA,and antioxidants,leeksarean excellentchoiceforsoups andsidedishesthatwould otherwisebecomposed mainlyofcarbohydrates

andrefinedingredients.For example,thisLeekGratin recipehasalltheflavorsof thetraditionalpotatodish butpacksabetternutritional punch.Ifyouliketoservea simplevegetableappetizer duringtheholidays,trythis ParmesanRoastedLeekrecipe forinspiration.

Apples

Applesareastapleinholiday cooking,soit’sabonusthat youshouldbeabletofinda widevarietyoftypesreadily availablethistimeofyear. Fullofflavonoids(atypeof antioxidant)andfiber,apples canaddsweetnesstoadish withoutcontributingtoasugar crashlater.Useapplesasa dessertingredient(likeinthis low-calorieCider-Sweetened ApplePie)orharnesstheir complexflavorinasavory

dishlikethisvegetarianApple

QuinoaSpoonBreadthat couldreplaceatypicalholiday stuffingrecipe.

Cauliflower

Cauliflowerisapopular vegetablechoicethesedays, andforgoodreason.Itshigh

nutrientcontent(including vitaminsC,E,andK,folate, fiber,lutein)andantioxidants makeitagreatchoicefor addingsomethinghealthyto ameal.Thisholidayseason, usein-seasoncauliflower asasubstituteforpopular disheslikemashedpotatoes andcheesysides.You’llget asimilartextureandflavor profilewithfarmorenutrients andfewercarbohydrates.

Pears

Pearsarealatefall/early winterfruitinmanyareas, soyoucanoftenfindthem in-seasonatyourlocalmarket. HighinvitaminC,potassium, andfiber,pearsareagreat ingredienttouseinyour holidaycookingtopromote overallhealth.Youcanfeature thisingredientalongsidemeat toaddsomenaturalsweetness tothedish.Ifyou’relookingfor aholidayrecipethatdoesn’t revolvearoundhamorturkey, trythisPorkTenderloin withBlueCheeseandPears towowyourguests.Asa dessertingredient,pearsbring moistureandsweetnesstoa dish,soyoucanchooserecipes

thatarelowinaddedsugaror oilsliketheseCranberryand GoatCheeseStuffedPears.

LeafyGreens(Kale, Chard,Etc.)

Leafygreensareapopular choiceforhealthyrecipes

year-round,butduringwinter months,thesevegetables arein-seasoninmanyareas andthuslessexpensive.

Addingleafygreenstoyour holidayrecipeswillinfusethe mealswithvitaminC,folate, calcium,andpotassium,a keynutrienttocombating

bloatingandwaterretention fromhighlevelsofsodium(a commonoccurrenceduring theholidays!).Youcanmake leafygreensthestarofyour holidaysidedishwithan easyrecipelikethisKale, RoastedPepper,andOlive salad,oraddgreenstoasoup toturnleftoversintoafilling anddelicioushealthymeal inthedaysfollowingabig celebration.

Includingtheseseasonal fruitsandvegetablesinyour holidaymealswillmakethem nutritiousanddelicious!

TheOriginalSanJoseNutcracker

ExperiencetheMagicofthis BayAreaTradition

AudiencesacrossSanJose willbesweptupinthemagic oftheseasonwiththe57th annualproductionofThe OriginalSanJoseNutcracker attheSanJoseCenterforthe PerformingArts,December 9-18,2022.

For57years,SanJose DanceTheatrehascreated countlessfamilymemories andholidaytraditionswith themagicofTheNutcracker! Originallychoreographed byPaulE.CurtisJr.and ShawnStuart,thisyear’s productionisdirectedby MarkFoehringerwith accompanimentbythe CambrianSymphony.

Weinviteyoutothisyear’s productionoftheclassic

holidaystory.Stepintothe enchantingworldofelegant sugarplums,waltzingflowers, athrillingbattlebetween bravesoldiersandmenacing mice,andanewextra-large Christmastreethatgrowsto over200feetinheight! Thisyearyouwillalso beabletopurchaseThe NutcrackerVIPpackage. Seemorethanjusttheshow, experienceit!VIPticket holderswilltakeabehind-thesceneslookattheproduction withapre-showdiscussion. Meetandgreetwiththe costumedcastmembersat theexclusiveCandyKingdom partyheldintheRidder Lounge,allwhileenjoying deliciousholidaytreats.VIP ticketholdersalsoskipthe crowdsbyusingaspecial

entranceintothetheater andhaveuseoftheRidder Loungerestroomsduring Intermission.

Funforthewholefamily, it’sashowyouwon’twantto miss!Wehopeyoucanjoinus thisholidayseason!

Performances:

•Fri.,December9,2022@ 7:30pm

•Sat.,December10,2022@ 2pm&7:30pm

•Sun.,December11,2022@ 2pm

•Fri.,December16,2022@ 7:30pm

•Sat.,December17,2022@ 2pm&7:30pm

•Sun.,December18,2022@ 2pm

Ticketsandmore informationareavailableat www.sjnutcracker.com