Friday, December 30, 2011
Know of particular places that are open or closed for the New Year's holiday? Leave a comment to help fill out our list.
If you need to visit any Apple Valley establishments in the near future, check to see whether they'll be open to your business from Saturday, Dec. 31 through the federal observation of New Year's Day on Monday, Jan. 2. Here are some schedules we've nailed down for you, but if you know of others, please leave them in the comments section below. Many retailers and restaurants are open on New Year's Day. Check with specific outlets for hours on New Year's Day and on New Year's Eve, when many businesses will be open but close earlier than normal. Know of other specific businesses/entities that are either open or closed during the New Year's holiday weekend? Leave a comment to let other readers know.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
From family friendly to adults only, these events will help you ring in 2012.
If you're looking to get out of the house for a New Year's Eve celebration this year, consider a few local options just for the grown ups or for the whole family: 1. Jeff Gerbino New Year's Eve Comedy Show When/Where: 8 p.m. Saturday at the Apple Valley American Legion, Apple Valley Why Go: Get two enjoyable things in one: food and comedy. Food specials include prime rib, shrimp skewers and whiskey steak, which you can consume while watching Gerbino's farewell-to-Minnesota comedy show (he's moving to Florida after his storied career here). Price: $20 in advance, $25 day of the show 2. Family New Year's Eve Party at Lebanon Hills When/Where: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Apple Valley/Eagan Why Go: The lack of snow means…
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Let us know If Santa brought you any new toys on Sunday.
Which tech goodie did you find under your Christmas tree this year?
Monday, December 26, 2011
Learn how and where to recycle many of your holiday decorations as their display season expires.
Christmas 2011 has come and gone. Whether you start disassembling your decorative displays right away or wait a couple weeks (or months?), at some point all the holiday decorations go, too. If you have old holiday lights or electrical equipment that you're ready to toss, recycle them instead. Several organizations, including the nonprofit Recycling Association of Minnesota, again are offering a program to drop off unwanted or broken lights at locations around the metro. In Apple Valley, a few locations will accept unwanted Christmas lights through the end of January: Ace Hardware, the Dakota County Western Service Center, Sterling State Bank and Transition Plus school. Search for more drop-off locations in the area on the Recycle Your …
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Many churches have Christmas day services in addition to Christmas Eve services.
Here is a list of the service times on Christmas Day (Sunday, Dec. 25) at Apple Valley churches: Dec. 25—10:45 a.m. Dec. 25 Dec. 25—10 a.m. family-friendly service Dec. 25—9:30 a.m. Dec. 25—8:45 and 10:15 a.m. Christmas communion worship Dec. 25—10 a.m. Dec. 25—10:30 a.m. (No childcare) (Christmas Eve services will replace Christmas day services) Dec. 25 Dec. 25—10:30 a.m. Dec. 25—10 a.m. Christmas carol and hymn singing
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Keep an eye out to see where Santa Claus is in the world during his journey.
For 364 days out of the year, the North American Aerospace Defense Command spends its time tracking airplanes, missiles, space ships—anything flying near the United States and Canada. But on Christmas Eve, a team of volunteers spends the night tracking a very special pilot: Santa Claus. "We are the only organization that has the technology, the qualifications and the people to do it," the NORAD website says. "NORAD tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house." Santa usually starts at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west, NORAD noticed, meaning he moves from the South Pacific to New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe before …
Friday, December 23, 2011
Watch one of these holiday movies to get into the spirit of the season.
There are some great Christmas movies playing this weekend—catch them if you can. This classic 1946 film never gets old. Jimmy Stewart stars as George Bailey, whose life is touched by a guardian angel. This film was nominated for five Oscars. —8 p.m. Saturday on NBC. Don't miss this hilarious and touching movie of an Indiana boy that will have you saying, "You'll shoot your eye out," all day long. —Starts at 8 p.m. Saturday and runs for 24 hours nonstop on TBS. Clark Griswold has big plans for Christmas, which naturally turns into a total disaster. This movie is destined to make you laugh and be thankful that you aren't related to cousin Eddie. —6 p.m. Friday and 10 p.m. Sunday on ABC Family. The movie version of Dr. Seuss' beloved tale, …
Thursday, December 22, 2011
However you plan at arriving at your holiday destination, we have tips and tricks for smooth travel.
According to the American Automobile Association, 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday season. AAA has forecasted that during the year-end holidays, 91.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home—1.4 percent more than a year ago. That's 30 percent of the population, and the second-highest number in the past decade. For those planning car travel this year, Gail Weinholzer, AAA Minnesota/Iowa director of public affairs, offered these safe driving tips: Melissa Scovronski, public affairs and marketing manager for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, said throughout the holiday season, opt for an early-in-the-day flight from the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, Scovronski said, as they are the …
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Churches have a variety of special service times to celebrate Christmas.
Here is a list of the service times on Christmas Eve (Saturday, Dec. 24) and Christmas Day (Sunday, Dec. 25) at Apple Valley churches: Dec. 24—6 p.m. candlelight service Dec. 25—10:45 a.m. Dec. 24—7 p.m. Dec. 25 Dec. 24—5:30 p.m. Dec. 25—10 a.m. family-friendly service Dec. 24 Dec. 25—9:30 a.m. Dec. 24 Dec. 25—8:45 and 10:15 a.m. Christmas communion worship Dec. 24—5 p.m. Dec. 25—10 a.m. Dec. 24—6 p.m. Dec. 25—10:30 a.m. (No childcare at either service) Dec. 24—1, 2:15, 3:30 and 5 p.m. (Christmas Eve services will replace Christmas day services) Dec. 24 Dec. 25 Dec. 24—5 p.m. Dec. 25—10:30 a.m. Dec. 24—5 p.m. candlelight and communion service Dec. 25—10 a.m. Christmas carol and hymn singing
Nothing tempts burglars like empty houses or shoppers with armloads of gifts.
Thinking of joining coworkers for a holiday happy hour? Better leave the laptop at the office. During the holiday season, it’s easy to get distracted and not be as vigilant about protecting belongings. Restaurant parking lots—especially during happy hour—and shopping centers during the busy holiday shopping season are some of the favorite places for thieves looking for quick and easy score, so be wary as you run out for those last-minute gifts. When shopping Christmas time in the city doesn’t necessarily mean, as the song goes, that shoppers will rush directly home with their treasures. Often, they rush from store to store and then to lunch or dinner, leaving packages destined for under the tree in their back seat. Law enforcement officers…
