Friday, December 28, 2012
For burglars, the holidays are an opportunity to steal cash, credit cards, and new electronics, jewelry, and other easily sold valuables.
Gifts are given for many special occasions, the largest probably being the Christmas holiday. Christmas and Hanukkah traditions include gift giving and many businesses gift employees and clients at year’s end. Although gift giving is big business to retailers, the tradition of giving gifts has a time honored history, and hopefully reflects joy and thanksgiving for all. Unfortunately, recent headlines remind us that holiday gift giving is perceived differently by local burglars. For them, the holidays are an opportunity to steal cash, credit cards, and new electronics, jewelry, and other easily sold valuables. Rice County law enforcement agencies typically report increased crime during the holidays. In 2011, the FBI reported nearly 400,000 …
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Know the store’s return policies for hassle-free returns.
We are all hoping to give, and receive, the perfect gifts this holiday season. But when Santa or some other helpful elf sends a gift that’s not quite right, stores are saying “No problem.” In most cases, you can return it, but if your Santa has included a gift receipt in the package, don’t throw it away because some stores don’t accept returns without a receipt. Walmart strives for customer satisfaction by exchange, refund or repair. Even without a receipt, Walmart gives customers the option of a cash refund for purchases under $25, or a shopping card is the purchase was over $25. For the holiday gift buying season, Walmart has adjusted its return policy for items with a limited return/exchange period, such as TVs, cameras, computers, DVD …
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Got someone on your list who is hard to shop for? We've got Twin Cities style consultants on deck to help you find the perfect gift.
We all have at least one person in our lives that presents a perennial problem during the holidays: They're impossible to shop for. Maybe they're a vegan who can't countenance any animal products whatsoever, or a friend who is allergic to everything from angora to silk, or worse, the one who never wants anything. Enter Melissa Hardin, creator of Flaunt, a mobile boutique run by a group of fashion artists and style consultants out of a studio in Fridley. Also on deck are Jennifer Zafft, Marketing Director for The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove, and Lisa Buck, a resident of the Lake Minnetonka area and veteran holiday shopper, and Kelly Bray of Zida Boutique in Burnsville. Stymied? Whipshawed by confusion? These ladies will help you …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Through its Christmas Sharing program, the Community Action Center of Northfield provided a variety of toys, books, pajamas and quilts to 865 area children on Wednesday.
Tis the season of giving. Through its Christmas Sharing program, the Community Action Center of Northfield provided a variety of toys, books, pajamas and quilts to 865 area children on Wednesday—reaching 373 households—according to Judy Bickel, program director for the CAC. Last week, several Greenvale Park Elementary fifth-graders dropped off 358 unwrapped toys for the CAC's Christmas Sharing program. "This makes a big, big difference in many children's lives," Bickel told the students. Follow Northfield Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our newsletter
44.44131
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Community Action Center of Northfield
1651 Jefferson Parkway, Northfield, MN
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Monday, December 3, 2012
Reduce, reuse and recycle to make your holidays greener.
As we deck the halls this holiday season, the overabundance of wrapping paper, plastic packaging and miscellaneous bits and pieces can be overwhelming. All of this will soon result in overflowing trash cans and more crowded landfills. According to the Ecology Center, Americans throw away an additional five million tons of trash—25 percent more than usual—between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. How can we reduce our waste while still enjoying the season? Let’s look at ways to make your holidays more eco-friendly. Decorations Dina Manzo from HGTV sets up an edible tree on her back deck. The tree is festooned with ornaments made from apple slices, covered in peanut butter and sprinkled with birdseed, pretzels, and gingerbread men. Strings …
Saturday, December 1, 2012
You might be surprised what other days fall within December.
Christmas gets most of the press this time of year, but December is a month full of religious and secular festivals and holidays, along with some wild and wacky days as well. Here’s a reminder of the major holidays this month, along with a collection of the most bizarre holidays gleaned from the corners of the Internet. We can’t vouch for the authenticity of some of these lesser known observances, but if you need a moment to forget the stress that sometimes comes with the major holidays, there’s got to be a few here to make you smile. Forget the 12 Days of Christmas. Here’s a whole month of ways to celebrate. December is Human Rights Month. Follow Northfield Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our free newsletter
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Northfield Hospital & Clinics’ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) gave Santa a helping hand last week with its first annual Holiday Donation Station.
Editor's note: Submitted by Northfield Hospital & Clinics. Northfield Hospital & Clinics’ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) gave Santa a helping hand last week with its first annual Holiday Donation Station. EMS staff invited community members to donate toys, non-perishable food items, books, outerwear and cash at a special open house on November 24. During a five-hour period, community members donated 93 clothing items (coats, gloves, clothes, hats); 165 toys; 80 food items; and $55 worth of gift cards. Brian Edwards, EMS manager, said two-thirds of the toys will be handed off to Toys for Tots; all other items will go to Christmas Sharing or the Northfield Food Shelf. Edwards thanked KYMN Radio, Northfield News, Ace Hardware, and Patch.com…
Monday, November 26, 2012
Did you decorate your Northfield house for the holidays this year? Enter our 'Deck the House' contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Monday, November 26, 2012
We’re launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s. If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page from Nov. 26 to Dec. 16. Only residents of Patch towns, such as Northfield, are eligible to enter. We’ll select 24 regional finalists, and from them, pick one grand prize winner. Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while our national winner will have $100,000 donated to his or her local school district. Our contest is right around the corner, so now’s …
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Whether you are looking to give back to an organization that has helped you or make a difference to someone who may have less than you, now is the time of the year to take a step back and reflect on the ways you can share your good fortune with others.
As we gather together with family and friends this holiday season to give thanks, share memories and create priceless memories, it is also a great reminder of how much we have. And the perfect opportunity to give back. Whether you are looking to give back to an organization that has helped you or make a difference to someone who may have less than you, now is the time of the year to take a step back and reflect on the ways you can share your good fortune with others. Take a look around you at the organizations that are near and dear to your heart and help out. Give Blood According to the American Red Cross, the need for blood is constant. Every two seconds, someone in the United States need blood, and more than 44,000 blood donations are …
Monday, November 19, 2012
During this time of the year, many of us are climbing in the car or hopping on a plane to visit family and friends. Be prepared.
During this time of the year, many of us are climbing in the car or hopping on a plane to visit family and friends. These trips, whether just a few hours or several days, can be a time to create long-remembered family memories, but as you head out on the road or board that plane, don’t forget to follow the Boy Scout’s motto: Be Prepared. Pre-plan Before leaving home, make sure items such as mail or newspapers will be picked up by a neighbor or friend. If that won’t work for you, consider having your mail held and newspaper delivery stopped while you are out of town. A house with mail and newspapers piling up is a beacon for burglars. A house sitter is another option to consider. And don’t forget about the four-legged members of your family…
Martina Tresenriter
3:32 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Our family was adopted by a large company through our childrens school, they gave us a $100 gift card to Wal-Mart... so I have to buy them something from there. I figured we would buy them a gift from "Santa" there and then plan an individual date night with mom and dad from us. I really like that idea :) more ›