Oregon Daily Emerald

Great lengths for great deals

Shoppers waited for hours to get their hands on hot products at low prices

by Rachel Phillips | Freelance Reporters

At 5 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving, the temperature was about 33 degrees in Eugene - but the cold did not stop shoppers from getting their frigid hands on great deals. Black Friday 2007•More than 147 million people went shopping on Black Friday this year, a 4.

Lick This: Juliette & the Licks

The rockers stopped in Eugene to play to a modest WOW Hall crowd

by John Mutch | Freelance Reporter

Juliette & the Licks Looking even worse in light of an impressive set by indie upstarts Scissors for Lefty, Juliette Lewis and pals need to come up with something fresher if they want to be seen as anything but a novelty. 2/5 stars "Greetings Eugeneans… you came!" exclaimed a delighted Juliette Lewis to a busy, but by no means full WOW Hall on Tuesday night.

Harry Potter's significance is even more evident today

In My Opinion: Geek But Chic

by Carrie Hamm

The most desirable accessory this year is Harry Potter anything. JK Rowling's final installment in the seven-book series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," prompted Entertainment Weekly to name her 2007 Entertainer of the Year. In his celebratory article, Mark Harris lauds her accomplishment of getting the world to pay attention for 4,100 original pages: "In an era of video game consoles, online multiplayer 'environments' and tinier-is-better mobisodes, minisodes and webisodes, she got people to tote around her big, fat old-fashioned printed-on-paper books as if they were the hottest new entertainment devices on the planet.

TV looks toward a digital future

Starting in February 2009, television broadcasts will be entirely digital, instead of traditional analog

by Jill Aho

People thinking of purchasing a television this holiday season may want to consider whether they will want to watch free, over-the-air programming. On Feb. 17, 2009 all television stations in the U.S. will stop broadcasting in analog and will begin broadcasting digitally.

Cook up some holiday cheer this season

There are plenty of options for homecooking this holiday season, ranging from sweet to spicy

Smoked Salmon Mousse This is a perfect party recipe - very elegant, yet simple to make with a food processor. Smoked Salmon Mousse can be served as a spread for crackers or toast rounds, or, using a pastry bag with a decorative tip, you can pipe the mixture onto cucumber rounds, celery sticks, little choux paste puffs or wherever your imagination takes you.

'No Country for Old Men' is Coen Brothers at their filmmaking best

Movie Review

by Collin Elwyn | Freelance Reporter

Seemingly neither man nor animal, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) is the embodiment of evil in the Coen Brothers' latest film, "No Country for Old Men." Based on the novel of the same title by Cormic McCarthy, the film tells the story of Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a Texas game hunter who stumbles upon a briefcase containing two million dollars of drug money.

'Runway' returns to the catwalk

The show is starting to show signs of wear in its fourth season

by Lindsay Funston

In recent years, fashion has undergone a democratization that stormed the country - charged by a catalytic reality TV show. "Project Runway" delivers fashion to the everyday consumer via Bravo, promoting fashion's cultural relevance on cable airtime. Now in its fourth season, "Project Runway" is Bravo's most popular series of all time.

Forget school: Use winter break to read for pleasure

The month-long vacation is the perfect time to get caught up on all the reading you've missed

by Alison Nicole Grisé | Freelance Reporter

As the last color-soaked leaves fall and finals begin, the sometimes-sunny days of fall term soon will be behind us. Heading home for winter break means spending time with family and old friends, shopping for the perfect presents, relaxing after 10 weeks of non-stop work and curling up by a toasty fire to catch up on the latest bestseller.

The season of giving doesn't necessarily have to break the bank

There are plenty of thoughtful and inexpensive ways to give presents to loved ones this season

by Tiffany Kimmel | Freelance Reporter

It's that time of year again: shop till you drop. But this year, challenge yourself to find the most thoughtful, creative gift out there. As every student knows, shopping, let alone gift giving, can be very expensive around the holidays. So, how can poor college students battle the price-gouging, gift-giving holiday extravaganza? For starters, write a holiday shopping list.

'Golden Compass' fights its way onto the silver screen

Movie Preview

by Carrie Hamm

The root themes of Philip Pullman's classic tale are the struggle between good and evil, the abuse of power and the rejection of organized religion. The film adaptation of "The Golden Compass," written and directed by Chris Weitz, brings to life the young Lyra's journey and fight against evil, against stunning Northern Lights and chilling territory.

DIY gifts are the perfect alternative for crafty gift-givers

Making your own gifts for the holidays can be cheaper and more fun than you may think

by Hayley Maxwell | Freelance Reporter

The quickly approaching holiday season means for most the onset of the gift-giving season. Some people enjoy the excitement of crowded malls, cheery holiday music and endless hours of shopping. Others despise holiday shopping for the stress, anxiety and overdrawn checking accounts.

Holiday Gift Guide

The retail spectrum this holiday season looks sharp: innovative snow gear, tech-savvy gadgets, classic films. All of these gift ideas will evoke a pinch of the holiday spirit

by Lindsay Funston

The retail spectrum this holiday season looks sharp: innovative snow gear like Burton's Idiom Oven Mitt, tech-savvy gadgets like the sought-after iPhone and celebrated classic films like "The Graduate" with its 40th Anniversary Edition. Whether these gift ideas make sense for a boyfriend, a parent or your own wish list, they all evoke a pinch of the holiday spirit.

Bring the season inside

If you decorate now, you'll have a festive residence to return to after winter break

by Holly Schnackenberg | Freelance Reporter

There is only a week of school in December, so it doesn't make much sense to go and spend a lot of cash to decorate your apartment, house or residence hall for the holiday season. It is nice to be able to come home to that wonderful holiday feeling, and it can be achieved without breaking the bank.

Tree of Joy makes sure everyone has a happy holiday

The event, which runs until Dec. 16, gives people the opportunity to help families and kids in need

by Ott Tamick | Freelance Reporter

With the start of the holiday season, the Eugene community offers many opportunities to help the disadvantaged, including the Valley River Center's annual Giving Tree. "Girl, age six: underwear and art supplies." "Girl, age 2: my first purse" are just some of the tags that decorate the tree, just across the street from the Valley River Inn.

Eugene area offers plenty of options for volunteering over the holidays

Charitable opportunities range from donating clothing to giving your time to help others

by Rachel Coussens | Freelance Reporter

Whether students volunteer their time, money or expertise, the holiday experience is not complete without some form of community service. The gift of service is reciprocated with one's self; volunteers who keep an open mind will gain knowledge and friendships and undergo personal growth.

Holiday cheer in a cup

by Adam Gray and Taylor Schefstrom | Freelance Reporters

A few suggestions for holiday drinks. The In-law Pounder One shot Bookers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Chase with one shot Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Repeat until your mother-in-law looks hot Through with the mixers? Sometimes you just need to shoot it.