Q: As the calendar reminds us, we are rapidly approaching the holidays, and we have a gift problem. We would like to be with our distant parents but cannot afford to travel this year. Our parents are still in good health, always emotionally supportive and don't ask us for anything. In a word, they are wonderful. Our children are still young but miss their grandparents, too. What kind of gifts can we send to show ... [full story]

Redmond Police have determined that no crime was committed in the previously alleged hit-and-run Thursday afternoon where a boy was reported to have been struck as he was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk.  No charges will be filed. The driver police were seeking voluntarily turned herself in for questioning at the police station Friday after she heard a description of herself and her vehicle on the radio, Captain Brian MacNaughton said. The boy’s ... [full story]

If you think molded gelatin salads have gone the way of "Laugh-In" and "The Monkees," think again. These colorful rings, towers and crowns are still a staple on many holiday tables.   MERRY CHERRY HOLIDAY DESSERT - Merry Cherry Holiday Dessert, from the Jell-O test kitchen, incorporates angel food cake into the Jell-O. CNS Photo courtesy of Kraft Foods.    CRANBERRY-ORANGE DREAM - Cranberry-Orange Dream calls for a graham cracker crust topped with sweetened cream cheese, then Jell-O ... [full story]

Watching the perpetually zany antics of Robin Williams on a morning talk show the other day brought to mind the equally antic character he created almost 30 years ago, but which still lives on in Nostalgialand: the alien Mork from the planet Ork on the "Mork & Mindy" TV show in the late '70s. "Mork & Mindy" was a spin-off from an episode of the hugely popular "Happy Days" show titled "My Favorite Orkan," which ... [full story]

Everyone seems to know someone who can walk into their workplace, disrupt it, create turmoil and calmly walk away while the blood pressure of others soars. Often the perpetrator has no idea of the problems he or she has created, or the long-term damage that results from that. Now, think about that disruptive individual, and instead of thinking of them as a person, think of them as a company. The inability of companies to understand ... [full story]

Office holiday parties are a time to celebrate the festive season and enjoy the company of colleagues outside of work. But sometimes these parties can get out of hand, causing embarrassment or even serious crimes. Craig Annunziata, managing partner of Fisher & Phillips, a labor and employment law firm, says most parties take place at night with unlimited access to alcohol. The overuse of alcohol can cause people to do or say inappropriate things, whether ... [full story]

The "perfect storm" for holiday travelers is gathering fast this year. Packed planes, high fares even if you book ahead, more people vying for fewer flights, and the near certainty of winter weather delays. It's especially tough for business travelers on crunch deadlines and tight meeting schedules. But sometimes you can get lucky. I did recently, sort of. Shopping for a reasonable fare from San Francisco to Madison, Wis., 25 days before takeoff, Northwest and ... [full story]

Subarus are built so well and have such refined interiors that sometimes I expect more from them.   TRIBECA - The Tribeca is Subaru's largest vehicle and can come loaded with the third-row bench, rear DVD and a navigation system. CNS Photo courtesy of Subaru. That's true of the Tribeca crossover. It gives the perception of a luxury vehicle, but without all the perks. And Tribeca is not inexpensive at $30,640 base and $38,440 loaded with the ... [full story]

LOS ANGELES - Salvador Dali, the seminal surrealist, was an erudite artist with a love of mainstream movies. In hindsight, it seems inevitable that the Spanish-born painter, who lived from 1904 until 1989, would have a considerable involvement with the cinema. He was as much showman and celebrity as artist.   'THE PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY' - The crisp look of Salvador Dali's classic paintings, prime among them 'The Persistence of Memory' (1931), appealed to Alfred Hitchcock. ... [full story]

Q: I inherited the covered jar seen in this photo. The lid is trimmed in red and the base in blue. On the lid is the image of U.S. Navy Adm. George Dewey and on the side of the jar is a coat of arms, the date May 1,1898, and the words "Steam Ahead and Follow Me." On the other side is Dewey's flagship, the cruiser Olympia. The overall height is 9 inches and the ... [full story]