A guide to the holidays presented by MasterCard

Transcription

A guide to the holidays presented by MasterCard
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special advertising supplement
HolidayGatherings
A guide to the holidays presented by MasterCard ®
Look inside for exclusive offers!
Entertaining
Music & Video
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Gift Guide
Getaways
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Together Wherever
Though the temperatures get cooler and snow begins to enter
most of our weather forecasts, there is perhaps no warmer time
of the year than the holiday season. Whether we’re enjoying a
crackling fire in the fireplace, bustling in a kitchen overflowing
with aromas of cookies and gingerbread, or simply reconnecting
with family and friends, the holiday season is a confluence of
sensory and emotional contentment. For most families and
friends, it’s a kind of annual checkpoint for togetherness where
we say, “life is good.”
Our traditions are our own — we each have a signature style
of celebrating “the most wonderful time of the year.” But there’s
one thing we all have in common. We celebrate the holidays
together. It could be “over the river and through the woods” or
via planes, trains and automobiles; we make the treks to be with
our loved ones. In fact, there’s not a lot that can keep us apart
during this special season.
So it is in this spirit of holiday gatherings that we present our
guide to the season. Just as there is much to explore and celebrate
over the next two months, we’ve packed a number of exciting
ideas and tips between these two covers. Hopefully, we can save
you a few steps (and dollars) when it comes to shopping. You’ll
find everything from an industry expert’s list of the year’s top
toys to reviews of out-of-the-way e-commerce web sites to a
grab bag of gift ideas for adults. Take a moment to relax and
think through your holiday entertaining schedule with a helpful
article on planning, not to mention some suggestions on
making it a healthy holiday as well as a happy one. Discover a
recipe for a special and easy-to-prepare treat that will be sure to
please your guests. Check out our review of the latest music and
movies you can expect to hear and see. And finally, consider
one of the more unique and memorable gifts you can give your
family: the gift of travel. We give you a run-down on holiday
group travel ideas, from Colorado to the Caribbean.
Best of all, you’ll find exclusive savings and a chance to win
the Together Wherever® Sweepstakes when you use your
MasterCard® card with merchants serving the broad range of
your holiday shopping needs. Visit www.mastercard.com for
special holiday offers.
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an affair
to remember
Entertaining at the holidays should be fun, not stressful. Here’s how to get everyone involved to create truly memorable gatherings this year.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s. For many of
us, these last months of the year are when we make the time
and the effort to show just how much we care – whether by
traveling across the country, finding the perfect gift or lovingly preparing a delicious meal. It’s around a table, in fact, that so
many of our best memories of family gatherings often take
place, which is why entertaining is at the heart of the season.
Here, these eight tips from entertaining experts and chefs will
show you how to make your open house, cocktail party or family holiday dinner a little easier to pull together (and pull off),
as well as a get-together everyone will remember fondly for
years to come.
When hosting an event – no matter how big or small – your
goals should be simple and straightforward. At the top of
the list: A good time to be had by all and an event that feels
special in some way. Here’s what the experts say makes for a
great gathering:
Have a plan. “Planning is obviously critical,” says Gary Arabia,
who, in addition to being chef/owner of Global Cuisine restaurant in Los Angeles, has planned almost 4,000 events. “For the
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home and the holidays, the mindset is the same as when you’re
doing it professionally.” Once you’ve put together a menu (it
should be well-balanced, seasonal, interesting and, most important, doable, says Arabia), get as much done as you can before
the party or meal. “You don’t want to run around just before –
you want to relax, stay loose and have a good time with your
guests,” he stresses. “The food is the element that brings it all
together, but around the holidays in particular it’s really about
enjoying the company.” Think about flowers, centerpieces and
music in advance, too.
Consider something simpler. If, say, you want to celebrate the
season with friends, but don’t want to throw a big shindig, consider an appetizers-and-cocktails get-together, says Tori
Ritchie, author of Party Appetizers: Small Bites, Big Flavor
(Chronicle Books, 2004) and host of Food Network’s “Ultimate
Kitchen.” “It’s a wonderful alternative to an elaborate dinner
party.” Aim to serve three to eight appetizers, depending on the
length of the party. “If you’re inviting people over for drinks
and appetizers before going out to dinner, you only need three
appetizers,” says Ritchie. “For an all-out appetizer party that
substitutes for a dinner party, you should have eight things.”
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Include one “Wow!” factor. “Not everything has to be incredible and special,”
says Emily Miles Terry, co-author of Nesting: It’s a Chick Thing (Workman, 2004). “A
fabulous centerpiece, a great appetizer or a wonderful dessert – whatever you
choose -- takes the pressure off and helps simplify the whole evening.”
Appeal to the senses. “When people walk in the door, you want them to see food,”
says Ritchie. Crunchy and salty snacks – curried cashews or spiked olives, for example – stimulate the appetite and thirst. A platter of roasted vegetables with dip is
beautiful (and can be prepared up to 2 days in advance) and using fresh herbs as a
garnish on a platter is very impressive, says Arabia. “At my house we put large
branches of rosemary in a rosemary-crusted turkey breast and we might light it to
get those wonderful aromas in the air.” Arabia also puts cranberries or black cherries
in large vases with water to add seasonal color to a table. Ame Mahler Beanland, coauthor of Nesting, likes to line her walkway with candles to make guests feel welcome. “The whole point of hospitality is to make people feel that you anticipated
their coming and you took the time to prepare for it,” she explains.
Make it a family affair. Some of the best parties are also the easiest: They’re the ones
where you put everyone to “work,” enlisting help with planning through to the
event itself. “When preparing for the holidays we try to involve as many people as
possible because it takes it to another level,” says Arabia. “My daughters – who are
now 13 and 11 – are involved in the prep work, but even when they were little they
would crack the eggs for soufflés and roll the cookie dough.” Kids are great tablesetters, adds cookbook author and cooking teacher Marie Simmons. “They love to
make placecards, fold napkins, help move chairs around.” An appetizer party, says
Ritchie, allows children to mingle too, which guests love. “They can help pass the
foods, which gives them a sense of purpose and gives the guests a chance to see the
kids.” You can also enlist the shyest person at the party to help pass foods around;
it’s an easy icebreaker.
Don’t forget the classics. The holidays wouldn’t be the
holidays without the special foods we remember and love
so well. Batches of holiday cookies are a must-have in
Arabia’s household: “It’s history and everybody can participate in making them.” But his long-standing family
tradition of candied yams is especially meaningful. “It
brings back such sensory memories and they’re the same
year after year,” he says. “Long after people have come
and gone, you get to experience some of your wonderful
family history through the food, the recipes.”
End on a sweet note. Ritchie gives guests a treat to take home with them when they
leave – often her homemade truffles, madeleines or shortbread buttons. To make the
departure extra memorable, she says, “get kids to help you wrap the goodies up in
little cellophane bags or small Chinese food boxes. It’s really nice to have kids standing at the door to give them out, if it’s not too late.” Children can also personalize
the box or carrier with the guest’s name or picture (take one with a digital camera
when each guest arrives and kids will be occupied during the party decorating the
boxes).
Enjoy yourself. It’s the cardinal rule of party-throwing: If you don’t have fun, no one
else will either. “There isn’t a huge badge of honor if your floors are perfectly
mopped,” laughs Terry. So relax and enjoy!
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Healthy Holidays
If there’s one time of the year when exercise and healthful eating tend to
go right out the window, it’s the holidays. But there are easy ways to
fit in fitness and shave off calories and fat from your favorite dishes
(no one needs to know!). Turn these four simple tips into traditions:
Work in a little exercise. “After Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner I
usually get the gang together and say, let’s go for a little walk,”
says Bettye Nowlin, R.D., a Los Angeles-based spokesperson
for the American Dietetic Association. “We chat, look at the
houses, get ideas for things we’d like to do for our houses; it
burns off some of the calories.”
Tame tension. When stress sneaks up on you, take a few minutes to do this easy knee hug stretch from Lara Hudson, star of
the "10 Minute Solution: Pilates" video (Anchor Bay
Entertainment; at collagevideo.com): Lie down on your back
and pull your knees into your chest. Hold onto the tops of your
shins with your hands and breathe out as you hug the knees
into your body. Stay there for a few
breaths, relaxing more with each exhalation. “This is a great way to way to
stretch out your lower back and hips,”
says Hudson.
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Find ways to cut fat. Reducing fat doesn’t
mean cutting back on flavor, stresses
Marie Simmons, author of 18 cookbooks,
including the recently released Fig Heaven
(William Morrow, 2004). “If you’re doing
hearty meals for the holidays, a lot of
those dishes – brisket, osso bucco, lamb
shanks – improve upon standing,”
Simmons says. “And after they’re chilled
the fat comes to the surface and you can
just skim it off and get rid of it.” Rethink
heavy chips-and-dip platters too;
instead, opt for colorful bite-sized tomatoes, or pair hummus (chickpea spread)
with crispy flatbreads.
Start a little healthy competition. Nowlin’s
family competes to see who can cook the
most delicious healthy dish. “I give a
prize for the one with the best taste and
texture,” she says. “No one’s dish is put
down, of course, but people love it
because the food is delicious and everybody in the house can contribute.”
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A SPECIAL TREAT
Elegant but simple to make, chef and cookbook writer
Marie Simmons often bakes these pears for a crowd. “I stand
them on a large platter on a sideboard for everyone to
admire,” she says. Sometimes called crinkly pears, they do
not need to be peeled.
PEARS BAKED IN RED WINE
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 55-60 minutes | Serves: 4
1 1/2 cups full bodied red wine
1/2 cup sugar
4 whole allspice
1 piece (about 2 inches) cinnamon stick
1 piece (about 2 inches) vanilla bean
1 bay leaf
4 large, firm, ripe Bosc pears, washed and dried
stick, vanilla bean, and bay leaf to the baking dish. Stir just until the sugar is partially dissolved. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of the pears so they will stand
upright. Place them in the wine mixture and spoon some of the wine over them.
Bake until the syrup has begun to boil and thicken (55-60 minutes), basting the
pears with the wine two or three times during the baking. The pears are done
when they’re tender when pierced with a toothpick or skewer. Serve at room tem-
Preheat oven to 350F. Select a baking dish large enough to hold the pears in one
layer. (A 10-inch pie plate works well.) Add the wine, sugar, allspice, cinnamon
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perature with the wine syrup spooned over each serving.
— From Fresh & Fast, by Marie Simmons (Houghton Mifflin)
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2004’s Must-Have Gift Guide
Hot toys, cool gadgets, luxurious accessories and more. We have the best of the season, all wrapped up.
How do you capture that feeling of anticipation as your mom or your best friend peels back the tissue paper to reveal your
perfect present? It’s not easy. No worries this year – we’ve done the legwork to find some of the most unique gifts of the holidays,
the hottest toys and some very cool web sites. In short, we’ve got the season all wrapped up for you.
Toy Story
If anyone knows what this holiday season’s must-have toys will be, it’s Jim Silver. As editorin-chief of Toy Wishes magazine and a journalist in the toy industry for 21 years, Silver knows
toys. Every October, he and his editorial team start to compile the list for the following year’s
holiday season. So what’s in store for 2004? “Every year you have a retro toy – one or two,”
explains Silver. “Last year, for girls it was Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, and My Little
Pony.” This holiday season is no exception; there will definitely be a feeling of déjà vu for
parents in particular. Cabbage Patch Kids is on the Toy Wishes hot list, as are Barbie, a Ms.
Pac-man game, Tamagotchi and a new Elmo toy in which the Sesame Street character dances
to the tune of “YMCA” to spell out his name (Silver calls it “one of the funniest things you’ve
ever seen”). And will there be a stand-out toy like 1994’s Power Rangers or 1999’s Pokemon
trading cards? “You don’t have these total frenzies like you used to,” says Silver. “Consumers
are a lot more informed about all the hot toys and the focus isn’t on just one toy anymore.”
Parents can take heart, however, knowing that educational toys – especially those that use
technology to teach – will continue to be a big trend. Here’s what you can expect to be hot
at the toy store this holiday season...
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Toy Wishes Magazine’s
Hot Dozen Holiday 2004 List
(in alphabetical order)
BARBIE AS PRINCESS
ANNELIESE AND ERIKA
BALLOON LAGOON
(Mattel|Ages 3 years+|$19.99)
(Cranium|Ages 5 years+|$19.95)
These two dolls feature Barbie
in costumes from the new film,
The Princess and the Pauper. Each
doll comes with a pet and
sings original songs from the
movie’s score.
This fast-paced game challenges
kids to collect balloons, flip frogs
in a pond, and fish for
letters in a lake before the musical
Merry-Go-Round timer stops.
BELLA
DANCERELLA
(Spin Master|Ages 3-8 years|$29.99)
This ballet studio includes
costumes, accessories, and an
easy-to-follow video.
BRATZ TOKYO-A-GO-GO
DANCE N’ SKATE CLUB
(MGA|Ages 3 years+|$89.99)
A stylish Bratz playset includes
lighted dance floor, revolving DJ
booth, roller rink, lounge, working
speakers, doll, and accessories.
CABBAGE PATCH KIDS
(Play Along|Ages 3 years+|$29.99)
The original one-of-a-kind
adoptable doll is back for a new
generation. You still “officially”
register your doll’s adoption
with a name and identity chosen
by your child.
10
E-L-M-O
(Fisher-Price|
Ages 18 months+|$29.99)
Sesame Street’s Elmo sings and
spells out the letters in his name
to the tune of “YMCA.”
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INTERACTV
(Fisher-Price|Ages 3 years+|$39.99)
Kids watch DVDs of their favorite
characters – including Barney and Dora
the Explorer – and use an electronic tablet
to answer questions and play along.
NITRO BATTLERZ
(Radica|Ages 8 years+|$39.99)
MS. PAC-MAN TV GAMES
These customizable remote
control cars come with a dome
for racing.
(JAKKS Pacific|Ages 5 years+|$20)
No console needed: Simply plug
the game into the TV to play
Ms. Pac-man, Galaga, Pole
Position, Xevious, or Mappy.
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“Every year you have a retro toy – one or two,”
explains Silver. “Last year, for girls it was
Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, and My
Little Pony.” This holiday season is no exception;
there will definitely be a feeling of déjà vu for
parents in particular.
12
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VIDEONOW COLOR
(Hasbro|Ages 6 years+|$75)
This portable personal video
player for kids allows them to
choose their favorite shows from
those on Nickelodeon and special programs from Hilary Duff
and others.
Toy Wishes Magazine’s
Hot Dozen Holiday 2004 List
(continued)
VTECH V.SMILE
(VTech|Ages 3-7 years|$59.99)
TAMAGOTCHI
CONNECTION
An interactive system of educational video games allows
younger kids to learn while they
play. Plug the unit directly into
the TV and insert a “Smartridge”
to teach children language,
math, and problem-solving skills
with the help of their favorite
characters.
(Bandai|Ages 8-14 years|$14.99)
Retro rears its head again: The
original virtual pet is back with
different modes of play, a pause
button, and new pets. Owners
can now interact wirelessly with
other owners too.
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Seven sites that will
simplify your shopping >
BEST
OF THE WEB
14
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VERMONT COUNTRY STORE
(www.vermontcountrystore.com)
FISHS EDDY
(www.fishseddy.com)
Long a Manhattan fixture, Fishs Eddy now
purveys some of the cleverest vintage and
reproduction dishware online. Order their
classic white dinnerware, retro-inspired coffee
mugs and Fishs Eddy’s own “Cheer Up!”
glasses. Also available: Pressed-glass and cobalt
glassware, dishware with the Manhattan skyline, and funny New Yorker cartoon mugs.
ORIENTAL TRADING CO., INC.
(www.orientaltrading.com)
Consider this site your HQ for stocking
stuffers, inexpensive kids’ toys, party favors,
small presents for teachers and neighbors,
and all sorts of small holiday items you
didn’t know you needed but you do.
VIVRE
(www.vivre.com)
Do you have a fashionista on your list?
Whether it’s a sequined-collar cashmere polo,
a pair of embroidered boots or a rainbowstriped lambswool scarf, this site has it all,
with an emphasis on extravagantly beautiful
clothing and accessories. Gifts for men,
women, kids, and for the home, with a good
selection under $75.
DEAN & DELUCA
(www.deandeluca.com)
If you like to eat, you’ll like this site.
Everything here – from spatulas to spices – is of
the highest quality. You’ll find a new kitchen
tool for your favorite cook, holiday treats
like panettone and plum pudding, and special
gift packages, like the tin of 18 hand-iced
“thank you” cookies, or, for the morninghater on your list, the “Rise and Shine” package,
which includes pancake mix, granola, syrup
and other goodies.
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Ultimately, the holidays are about tradition,
so where better to find a bit of history than
at this online version of a real general store.
With a bit of everything to please everyone,
these “purveyors of the practical and hardto-find” offer a cozy Irish flannel nightshirt,
cotton ragg socks, New England chowders,
Dick & Jane reading books, and a classic
chrome toaster – and almost literally everything in between.
UNCOMMON GOODS
(www.uncommongoods.com)
FOGDOG SPORTS
(www.fogdog.com)
Just as its name says, this online shop is full
of out-of-the-ordinary ideas for gifts (or selfgifting). For the technophile, choose the
colorful poppy laptop sleeve; the polka-dotted or bold-striped Shanghai thermos is perfect for the stylish commuter; or let the
wannabe artist express herself in the tub with
the Gauguin bath palette. Be sure to check
out the shop’s ornament selection – one of
the most original out there.
From baseball to wrestling, this easy-to-use,
all-sports-all-the-time site has something for
the athlete and the armchair enthusiast alike.
Visit the specialty shops for NFL, MLB,
NBA, NHL, NCAA and NASCAR, plus a
Fan/Memorabilia area, or get suggestions
from the Gift Center by price. For an extraspecial gift, the Custom Shop offers a
personalized Louisville Slugger bat or a
customized NFL jersey.
Tourneau, the World’s Largest Watch Store
invites you to
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Tourneau is a registered trademark.© Tourneau, Inc. 2004.
15
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What’s Cool Now
These hot products are sure to satisfy the names on your shopping list.
Flight of fancy
Ante up
Forget baseball; poker has taken over as
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From Zipper Gifts. (323) 951-9190;
The Dr.H Jet Set, from skin care guru
Dr.Hauschka, will make the much-toofrequent flyer on your list feel better during and after the red-eye, thanks to travel-sized versions of a refreshing facial toner,
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cream, and invigorating rosemary arm
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special advertising supplement
Naughty, not nice
If your special someone has been sweet and sour this year, stuff their stocking with
Coal bubble gum. The austere black box features guilt-inducing phrases
(“it’s all you get”), but inside there are blackberry-flavored gumballs. From
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What’s Cool Now
(continued)
Light of your life
Put on the season’s best with Illuminations’ Black Tie Glitter premium candles. Tailored
for festive and formal occasions, our sumptuous pear and pomegranate candles glisten
with a luxurious gold-leaf finish; the pillars shine with a jewel-like brilliance. 800-CANDLES; www.illuminations.com.
Watch this
The ESPN addict on your list will bless
your name for years to come when you
gift them with this wristwatch-cum-TV.
The picture may be small but the resolution
is crisp and they’ll never miss a game again.
You get one hour’s worth of watching on the
charged battery or three hours when you
use the battery-powered docking station; or
plug in for charging and unlimited viewing.
From Hammacher Schlemmer. $200.
866-426-6224; www.hammacher.com
Circle in the square
Pretty and practical, these boldly colored
trivets – designed by Boulder, Colorado.
artist Nicole Linton – brighten any
kitchen and withstand hot serving
dishes. Each is made by an artist
community in Peru. From Garnet Hill.
$35. 800-622-6216; garnethill.com
Silver bells
Simple, beautiful, and very au courant
(you’ve seen the diamond version on
red-carpet celebs), these crystal and
silver dangle earrings by Coqui add
glitter to a holiday party or a special
New Year’s Eve. From Shopbop.com.
$42. www.shopbop.com
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“You’ve chosen each other. Now choose a beautiful way to cherish this
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special advertising supplement
What’s Cool Now
(continued)
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20
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board shorts you left in San Diego: $55
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Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers
21
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special advertising supplement
Looking for some new tunes to spin this holiday season?
Why not take a cue from the bounty of year-end awards
events–the Country Music Awards, American Music
Awards, Shortlist Music Prize and Billboard Music
Awards–that offer musical inspiration for every ear.
Strike a
Chord.
Thanks to cross-over artists like Shania Twain–the new face of
home fragrance Scentsations–country music nowadays provides
not only a soundtrack for life in the heartland but is a nearly
ubiquitous household sound from New York to Los Angeles.
Twain, Toby Keith and hosts Brooks & Dunn are among those
who’ll take the stage at this year’s Country Music Awards,
which CBS will broadcast November 9 from the Grand Ole
Opry House in Nashville.
The affable Alan Jackson leads the pack with seven nominations, while “NYPD Blue” star Rick Schroder does some crossing over of his own. Shroder wrote, directed and stars in the
music video for Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss’ “Whiskey
Lullaby,” nominated for a CMA this year.
Riding the wave of his red-hot album “Confessions,” R&B and
pop music superstar Usher leads the list of contenders for the
32nd American Music Awards, to be hosted by talk show host
Jimmy Kimmel and air November 14 on ABC. Global favorite
Usher was recently bestowed with awards for the world’s best
male artist, best pop artist and best R&B artist at the World
Music Awards in September.
Other key nominees for the multi-genre awards include pop
princess Jessica Simpson and her “In This Skin” album, budding
rapper Kanye West, R&B siren Beyonce, alternative rockers
Linkin Park and country crooner Keith–who’s about to hang his
hat, literally, in Las Vegas by investing in a new sports bar at
22
Harrah’s hotel and casino themed around him and his music.
Arguably the hippest music awards around today, the Shortlist
Music Prize is bubbling into the mainstream in its fourth year.
The prize recognizes artistically excellent albums that have
sold fewer than 500,000 copies according to the Recording
Association of America. In other words...CDs that probably
aren’t getting a whole lot of bin space in your local record store.
A panel of tastemakers including actor Jack Black, Grammy
winner Norah Jones, Lollapalooza co-founder Perry Farrell,
and film maker Jim Jarmusch pared down an initial list of 73
albums to form the short list of 10 CDs finalists, including
those by acts Air, Dizzee Rascal, Franz Ferdinand, Loretta
Lynn, Nellie McKay, and Wilco (see complete list of finalists at
www.shortlistofmusic.com). The winner will be announced at a
concert November 10 in Los Angeles but CDs from all 10 finalists are definitely worth checking out.
The Billboard Music Awards return to Las Vegas on December
8 to dole out statuettes to the artists who've notched the
strongest showing on the industry magazine's various music
charts during the past year. Billboard will also reveal the new
winner of the coveted Century Award. Previous Century recipients include Sting, Annie Lennox, B.B. King, Emmylou Harris
and George Harrison.
Finally, MTV sister channel mtvU–dedicated to all aspects of
college life from entertainment to politics–will air the inaugu-
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ral Woodie Awards in November to recognize the CDs that get the highest
marks on campus. Metal rockers Coheed
& Cambria top the list of nominees.
Portable DVDs
Take them with
you
It may not exactly be “over the river and
through the woods,” but chances are the
holidays have some type of travel in
store for your family – whether to
grandmother’s house across town or a
vacation spot across the country.
Help your kids start unwinding from
their spin cycle of homework and
extracurricular activities as soon as you
hit the road. Those hours spent in the
car, plane or train provide an ideal time
for them to unwind and catch up on
that movie they missed between social
studies and soccer practice.
Thanks to the technological wizardry of
the portable DVD player, you can,
indeed, take your favorite discs with you.
This snappy little device plays DVDs
on the go, is user-friendly and is probably already on your third grader’s
Christmas list! About the size and weight
of a small laptop with screens ranging
from 5 to 12 inches, it’s not much heavier than a handheld computer game and
can handle a cross-country flight with
the aid of a five-hour lithium battery.
Sure, you can rent a portable player at
one of the now-abundant airport kiosks,
but this year prices have tumbled to the
point where it might just be worth buying one – or two – for your family.
Last year a name-brand device from
Audiovox, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung,
Sony or Toshiba cost around $500. This
year one can be had for about half that.
Some of the new players – like Archos
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23
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24
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special advertising supplement
AV400 Pocket Video Recorder – not only play DVDs but feature the ability to record programming from your TV, VCR or
DVD recorder and then play it back on the go.
Others – including the RCA DRC618 and Sony DVP FX700
– can play back MP3-encoded discs. Still other players can
connect with video game consoles like the Microsoft X Box,
Nintendo Game Cube or Sony Playstation for your little
“remote control” freak.
The Red-Nosed Reindeer,”
“The Year Without A Santa
Claus,” “Santa Claus Is
Coming To Town” and
more – are available on
DVD from Sony Wonder.
If the kids are sharing a
player in the back seat,
“Portable DVD player prices have tumbled to the
point where it might just be worth buying one – or
two – for your family.”
Once you’ve purchased your new portable player, you’ll want
these latest, greatest DVDs to tote along: MGM’s new animated “Babes In Toyland,” – a new spin on the classic story–will
help get the whole family in the holiday spirit. And those
perennial Rankin-Bass TV favorites of yesteryear – “Rudolph
they’re sure to agree on
“Shrek 2,” out November 5
from DreamWorks. Another winning choice is mega-hit
“Spiderman 2," out November 30 from Columbia TriStar. This
DVD packs close to 10 hours of additional programming.
Holiday Movie Releases
ONCE THE DUST SETTLES FROM YOUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION, NOTHING BEATS ESCAPING TO THE MOVIE THEATER.THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
LOOKS TO BE RICH IN ENTERTAINING FARE FROM HOLLYWOOD. HERE ARE THREE CAN’T-MISS HITS SCHEDULED FOR HOLIDAY RELEASE.
Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason
Working Title Films' Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason stars Oscarwinner René Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth all reprising the roles they originated in Bridget Jones's Diary. In this follow-up to the worldwide hit, we find Bridget where we left her
– blissful and besotted in the arms of gorgeous lawyer Mark
Darcy (Firth). But what happens after the "happily ever after?"
Ms. Jones careens from embarrassing situation to romantic misunderstanding, still managing to muddle through the trials and
tribulations of the working woman who has become the symbolic heroine of ‘singletons’ everywhere.
Meet The Fockers
The makers and stars behind the runaway hit of 2000, Meet the
Parents, are re-united – and joined by some formidable future inlaws – in the follow-up comedy, Meet the Fockers. Now that Greg
Focker (Ben Stiller) is "in" with his soon-to-be in-laws, Jack
(Robert De Niro) and Dina (Blythe Danner) Byrnes, it looks like
smooth sailing for him and his fiancée Pam (Polo). But that's
before Pam’s parents meet Greg’s parents, Bernie and Roz Focker
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(Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand). The hyper-relaxed
Fockers and the tightly-wound Byrneses are woefully mismatched from the start, and no matter how hard Greg and Pam
try, there is just no bringing their families together – which all
adds up to a disastrously funny time of "getting to know you."
Jay Roach (Meet the Parents) again directs, with screenwriters Jim
Herzfeld and John Hamburg also returning.
In Good Company
Filmmaker and Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Paul
Weitz (About a Boy) turns his complex sense of humor on In Good
Company, an insightful comedy about the relationship between a
Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid), a 50-something, old school businessman, and Carter Duryea (Topher Grace) Dan's newly
assigned, 26-year-old boss – a business school prodigy who
preaches corporate synergy. Dan and Carter's uneasy friendship is
thrown into jeopardy when Carter falls for, and begins an affair
with, Dan's teenage daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson). Weitz's
examination of life's surprises, ironies and coincidences combine
to form the humorous and rewarding In Good Company.
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special advertising supplement
A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT
TRAVEL WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS
Something timeless draws us
together for the holidays.
However we observe our various
holiday traditions, one key element
remains constant: we gather.
Whether by planes, trains or
automobiles, we take pause from
our daily routines and journey to
reconnect during the holiday
season with families and friends.
But why simply travel to see one
another for the holidays, when
you can travel together on vacation and celebrate at the same
time? Imagine Thanksgiving in
Taos, Hanukkah in Hawaii,
Christmas
in
Charleston,
Kwanzaa in the Caribbean, New
Year’s Eve in New York and so
on. Obviously, there’s less stress
involved. No one has to worry
about cooking the turkey, decking the halls or getting stuck at
the kiddie table. Best of all, holiday-time travel is a present in
and of itself. There’s no better
gift than to spend time with
friends and relatives hitting the slopes, exploring new cultures or just
relaxing. Naturally, common sense dictates most tips for group travel:
plan ahead and keep in mind varying budgets, interests and physical needs.
Singular Celebrations
Since vacationing during the holidays will most likely be breaking with
tradition, why not go for something really different? You can steep yourself in culture. Travel back in time to the 17th century and dine with pilgrims while you relive the first Thanksgiving at Plimoth Plantation in
Plymoth, Massachusetts (www.Plimoth.org). Or how about a cool colonial Christmas? Dine with Thomas Jefferson, attend an 18th century
concert and waltz at a New Year’s Eve Gala Ball in Colonial
Williamsburg, the world’s largest living history museum, located in
Virginia (www.history.org/christmas). For holidays with a French twist,
head to Montreal, Canada. The energy and joie de vivre are palpable as
you stroll along Rue Ste.-Catherine amidst glittering Christmas lights
and seasonal decorations (www.tourisme-montreal.org). Or go where
movie magic, family fun and the holiday spirit meet: Universal Orlando
26
in Florida. On top of the theme
park’s attractions like Jurassic
Park and Toon Lagoon, there’s
the Macy’s Holiday
Parade and Grinchmas
(www.themeparks.universal
studios.com/orlando). For serious bragging rights and maybe a
little frostbite, check out the
Aurora Ice Hotel, just outside
of Fairbanks, Alaska. The only
ice hotel in the U.S.A., it features
ice rooms with ice beds and an
ice lobby with a sculpted ice bar
where you can sip ice-cold cosmopolitans from a martini glass
made of—you guessed it—ice
(www.chenahotsprings.com/
icehotel.html).
Caribbean Christmas
Want to take a break from winter? Hightail it to the Caribbean
for tropical breezes, crystal clear
blue waters, confectioners-sugarsand beaches and an exciting
fusion of European colonial and
African cultures. You’ll also enjoy
other enticements like golf, water sports, spas, casinos and restaurants.
The reasons the Caribbean cast its spell on so many, are simply added to
during the holidays. All across the Caribbean, masquerade bands and
steel bands play carols to traditional, calypso and reggae beats. Islands
with British heritages like Baruda, Tortola, St. Kitts and Antigua celebrate
Boxing Day on December 26th—when traditionally, “boxed” gifts are
given to servants and the needy. In Trinidad, traveling parang minstrel
groups sing Hispanic folksongs from house to house. Unique to the
Bahamas, Junkanoo processions of masked dancers in bright costumes
“rush” through the streets creating music with goat skin drums, cowbells
and horns. In Jamaica, they dance in the streets on Christmas Eve. On the
Dutch islands of Curacao, Saba and Bonaire, Sinterklaas leaves presents
for children. Similarly, Papa Noel visits French islands like Martinique
and St. Barts. And just as the islands vary in climate, character and customs,
Caribbean resorts and hotels differ, too. You’ll find everything from luxe
boutique hotels catering to well-heeled and camera-shy celebrities to
five-star resorts with every amenity imaginable to family-friendly allinclusive resorts (www.caribbean-on-line.com).
HolidayGatherings 2004 ••
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Unforgettable experiences.
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Use your MasterCard card and save on a day at SeaWorld or Busch Gardens.
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will remember forever.
Entire payment must be settled on a valid MasterCard card. Offer may not be combined with any other promotion, discount or coupon. Offer has no cash value and is void where prohibited by law.
Discount applies to single-day tickets. ©2004 Busch Entertainment Corporation. All rights reserved.
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27
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special advertising supplement
Holidays on the High Seas
Combine the Caribbean, cruising and a motley crew of relatives or
friends, and you’re practically guaranteed a terrific holiday. You get all
the benefits of a Caribbean vacation, and you get to explore several
islands on a single trip. Plus cruising is so easy. It’s almost all-inclusive, so
there’s no dickering over dinner bills, etc. And there’s truly something for
everyone. The kids can participate in special children’s and teens programs designed exclusively for them. Like arts and crafts classes, beach
parties and even cool science experiments such as the Wacky Water
Workshop and Magnetic Mayhem in Royal Caribbean’s Aquanauts program (www.royalcaribbean.com). While the kids are busy, grown-ups
get to enjoy decidedly adult activities. They can try their luck at the
casino. Get in touch with their inner gods and goddesses with spa treatments. Or lounge by the pool, sip umbrella drinks and work on their
suntans. Of course, most cruise lines feature special holiday meals, decorations, caroling, Christmas Trees and a visit from Santa Claus, as well
as religious services for both Hanukkah and Christmas. And who wouldn’t want to spend New Year’s Eve, dancing on deck under the stars, with a
designated driver steering the ship?
Golfer’s Wish List
If you have visions of golf balls dancing in your head instead of sugarplums,
hit the links for the holidays. Here are a few warm-weather locales on our
holiday list that not only get top marks for golf, but also rank high for
shopping, dining, atmosphere and other amenities (which is particularly
important for any non-golfers in your group). First, deep in the hill country of Texas, you’ll find a hidden gem for golfers: San Antonio. The city’s
Westin La Cantera Resort garnered Golf Magazine’s Gold Medal Resort
Award for 2004-2005. And the nearby Hyatt Regency Hill Country
Resort & Spa received similar accolades. San Antonia’s other offerings
include the Alamo, Mission Trails, River Walk, theme parks and the
Buckhorn Saloon & Museum (www.sanantoniocvb.com). Another golfer’s
paradise is Scottsdale, Arizona. Nestled in the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale
features breathtaking sunsets, Saguro-strewn landscapes and extraordinary
golf resorts. If you want to play where the PGA tour professionals do, treat
yourself to the Stadium and Desert courses at the Player’s Club of
Scottsdale (www.tpc.com). And with 80 golf courses in the area, it’s no surprise that San Diego caps our golfer’s wish list. Especially since it’s home
to the Tom-Fazio-designed Del Mar National Golf Club (www.delmar
nationalgolf.com). Off the fairways, enjoy attractions like the San Diego
Zoo, Sea World, Coronado Beach and the happening clubs and eateries
of the historic Gas Lamp Quarter. Before you take off, visit www.pro
golfdeals.com for great deals on Nike NDS Woods and Irons, Cleaveland
CG-10 Black Pearl Wedges and Calloway Hex Tour Golf Balls.
Frosty Fun
Instead of trying to escape the clutches of winter, why not embrace it?
You can have a Currier-and-Ives Christmas, complete with crackling
fires, falling snow and horse-drawn sleigh rides. And also shred the
slopes on hard-core, adrenaline-rush snowboard rides. Alpine resorts
offer all this, plus other winter sports and holiday events like torchlight
parades down mountainsides and skiing Santas. Killington, Vermont
holds the title as largest snow resort in the east. Colorado offers Vail,
Aspen, Telluride and more. Ski spots west of the Rockies include Jackson
Travel
Together This
This supplement was written and produced
by Partner Concepts, and did not involve the
reporting or editing staff of this publication.
Holiday Season
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Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers
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special advertising supplement
Hole, Wyoming; Park City, Utah and Mammoth in California. But, winter sports enthusiasts don’t have a stranglehold on snowy settings for the
holidays. Anyone can enjoy the pristine natural beauty of our national
parks at this time. California’s Yosemite Park puts on its annual
Bracebridge Dinner, which entertains guests with a 17th Century
English manor feast and period performances. The Grand Canyon
enchants during this special season, as well. Visitors can even take an
overnight mule trip to the bottom of the canyon for a rustic Christmas
at Phantom Ranch (www.americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo). Not
extreme enough for you? The uber-intrepid yearning for the wilderness
and Yuletide snow camping can find
instructions for building an igloo at
www.pikpuk.com.
Novel New Year
Traveling more and connecting with
friends and family are pretty common New
Year’s resolutions (and way more fun than
ones like losing weight or quitting smoking). Why not combine the two and kick
off the New Year in style? Why merely
watch the New Year’s Eve ball drop in
New York City’s Times Square on TV,
when you can be there in person? Or
head to the country’s capital of gambling
and good times, Las Vegas, to catch some
headline acts, Elvis impersonators and
shows while you welcome in 2005 (www.vegas.com). If you’re looking
for sizzling hot spots to ring in the New Year check out
www.clubplanet.com, for everything from dance clubs to hipster haunts
to sports bars, all across the U.S.A. Of course, New Year’s festivities
aren’t just for those who party hearty. Family-friendly celebrations
include First Night Festivals in major cities. Boston’s is the biggest, with
over 1,000 artists in 250 performances downtown, along with ice sculptures, fireworks, parades and outdoor events (www.firstnight.org). If
crowds make you cringe, consider off-season stays in enchanting places
like Santa Fe, Sedona, Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket.
So pack up your kids, partner, parents, pals or
all of the above and then some, for a holiday
vacation together wherever. Because traveling
in the company of your friends and family is
one of the greatest gifts of all. You’ll not only
spend the time rekindling relationships in a relaxing setting, you’ll also learn about new places
and get a chance to gain new perspectives.
What’s more, everything about your trip will be
infused with the spirit and magic of the holidays
and will create memories that will last a lifetime.
Besides this, your holiday journeys together
could be the beginning of a tradition as cherished as singing Christmas carols, lighting
Hanukkah candles or being stuffed by the
turkey at Thanksgiving.
MasterCard® Sweepstakes Official Rules
No Purchase Necessary to Enter or Win. PIN-Based & International Transactions Not Eligible For Automatic Entry. Purchasing Will Not Increase Your Odds of Winning. All entries, whether submitted by using a MasterCard® card as described below or by mail, have an equal
chance of winning. Eligibility: Sweepstakes open to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older, except employees & their immediate families (spouses, parents, children, & siblings & their respective spouses) & those living in
the same household of each of MasterCard International Incorporated ("Sponsor"), MasterCard member financial institutions, & each of their respective parent companies, affiliates, distributors, subsidiaries, advertising/promotion agencies, & Project Support Team, Inc. ("PST")
(collectively, "Released Parties"). This Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, & local laws & regulations. Void where prohibited. How to Enter: 1.) Automatically receive one Sweepstakes entry for each MasterCard purchase made between 12:00:01AM Central Time
("CT") on 11/1/04 & 11:59:59PM CT on 12/31/04 ("Promotion Period"). Account adjustment transactions/returns, PIN-based & international transactions, late payment fees, over-limit fees, return check fees, cash advances, annual fees, and/or balance transfers are not considered eligible transactions for Sweepstakes entry. Entries from unauthorized card use or made with lost, stolen, or fraudulent MasterCard cards are void. Only purchases made with a MasterCard that is in good standing & issued by a MasterCard member financial institution in the U.S. & that are processed & submitted through MasterCard International Incorporated’s U.S. transaction processing system during the Promotion Period are eligible for automatic entry; or 2.) To enter the Sweepstakes without using a MasterCard, hand print your
name, complete mailing address, telephone number, & age on a plain 3"x 5" piece of paper & mail it in a sealed envelope to: MasterCard® Together Wherever Sweepstakes™, P.O. Box 15048, Bridgeport, CT 06673-5048. Enter as often as you wish by mail, but each entry
must be mailed separately & received by 1/7/05. No photocopied, computer generated facsimiles, mechanically reproduced, or mass entries permitted. Your use of your MasterCard to make a purchase and/or your submission of a 3"x 5" mail-in entry constitutes your consent to participate in this Sweepstakes & your consent for Sponsor to obtain, use, & transfer your name, address & other information for the purpose of administering this Sweepstakes. Released Parties are not responsible for lost, incomplete, illegible, late, misdirected, stolen,
postage-due, or mutilated entries or mail; any error, omission, interruption, defect or delay in transmission, transaction processing, or communication; technical or mechanical malfunctions; failures or malfunctions of phones, phone lines, or telephone systems; errors in these
Official Rules, in any Sweepstakes-related advertisements or other materials; failures of electronic equipment, computer hardware or software; or inaccurate entry information, whether caused by equipment, programming used in this Sweepstakes, human processing error, or
otherwise. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to void any & all entries of an entrant who Sponsor believes has attempted to tamper with or impair the administration, security, fairness, or proper play of this Sweepstakes. (10) Grand Prizes: Get-together trip
for winner & up to 19 guests to a single destination of winner’s choice with total trip expenses not to exceed $40,000. Trip can include, but is not limited to, round-trip air transportation from nearest major airport to winner’s/guests’ residences in the U.S., hotel or other
accommodations, ground transportation, & any other expenses related to on-site trip activities which fall within the $40,000 allocation such as, but not limited to, sightseeing excursions, food, entertainment, & spending money. Maximum retail value of each prize not to
exceed $40,000 (Approximate Retail Value "ARV"=$40,000). All other expenses in excess of the $40,000 maximum trip expenses are the responsibility of the individual winners. All trip & on-site trip activity arrangements, including the allocation of spending money, must
be made prior to trip through travel agent of Sponsor’s selection & PST & are subject to Sponsor’s final approval. If actual trip expenses as approved by Sponsor are less than $40,000, the difference not to exceed $20,000 will be awarded to the applicable winner to be
used as spending money. Trip must be completed by January 31, 2006. Trip destination subject to Sponsor’s final approval & cannot be posted within the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Warnings Listing at time of departure. Winners & each of their respective traveling
companion(s) must have valid passports/visas (if required) & all other required documentation prior to time of departure & are responsible for obtaining all such travel documents. Blackout dates & other travel/accommodations restrictions may apply. Released Parties are
not responsible for trip delays, flight cancellations, and/or other difficulties occurring during any prize trip. Total ARV of all prizes: $400,000. Winner Selection: Winners will be selected in a random drawing on or about 1/28/05 from among all eligible entries received by
PST, an independent judging organization whose decisions will be final & binding in all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. Winners will be notified by telephone and/or mail. In the event that a potential winner is selected via a MasterCard transaction, prize will be awarded to the primary account holder (as determined by the MasterCard member financial institution’s account records) named on the account accessed by the MasterCard used to make the entry &, in the event that a corporate MasterCard winning account is selected, prize
will be awarded to the individual named on the MasterCard that is used to transact the winning entry (as determined by the MasterCard member financial institution’s account records). If awarding of prize is in conflict with corporate written policy, prize will be forfeited & an alternate winner may be selected. Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Limit one prize per person, immediate family member, or household. Miscellaneous: No transfer, assignment, cash redemption, or substitution of prizes (or
portion thereof) except by Sponsor due to prize unavailability, & then for a prize (or applicable portion thereof) of equal or greater value. Federal, state, & local taxes & all other expenses not specified herein are winners’ sole responsibility. Winners will be required to
execute & return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release & (where legal) Publicity Release within three days of issuance of notification. Traveling companions (if a minor, their respective parents or legal guardians) will be required to sign & return a Liability Release &
(where legal) Publicity Release prior to the issuance of travel documents. Non-compliance with any of the foregoing may result in disqualification & awarding of prize to an alternate winner. If any prize notification letter is returned as undeliverable, winner will be disqualified & an alternate winner may be selected. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules & agree that: 1.) Released Parties & their designees & assigns shall have the right & permission to use (unless prohibited by law) their name, voice,
city/state of residence, photograph, and/or likeness for advertising and/or trade and/or any other purpose in any media or format now or hereafter known without further compensation, permission, or notification; & 2.) Released Parties & their designees & assigns & all of
their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives & agents shall have no liability & will be held harmless for any liability, loss, injury or death to entrant or any other person, including, without limitation, damage to personal or real property, due in whole or
in part, directly or indirectly, by reason of the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the prize (including any travel or prize activity related thereto) or participation in this Sweepstakes. Winners List: For the winners’ names, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to be
received by 2/14/05 to: MasterCard® Together Wherever Sweepstakes™ Winners, P.O. Box 13106, Bridgeport, CT 06673-3106. ©2004 MasterCard International Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Sponsor: MasterCard International Incorporated, 2000 Purchase Street, Purchase,
NY 10577 Promoter: Project Support Team, Inc., 100 Mill Plain Road, Danbury, CT 06811
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For those who see things a little differently.
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The variable Preferred Pricing Cash APR is 19.99% (not lower than 19.99%). The variable Non-Preferred Pricing APR is up to 25.99%.
For Universal Entertainment Platinum MasterCard with Standard Pricing accounts for all purchases from account opening, the variable Preferred Pricing APR is 18.99%. The variable Preferred Pricing Cash APR is 23.99%
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For all accounts: Transaction Fee for Cash Advances: 3% of each cash advance ($5 minimum). Transaction Fee for Purchases in a Foreign Currency: 2% of the converted transaction amount. Transaction Fee for balance transfers:
3%, $45 maximum per transaction for balance transfers made during the introductory period for accounts with Elite and Premium Pricing. Thereafter, $75 per transaction unless otherwise disclosed to you in writing. Minimum
Finance Charge: $.50. Other fees may apply. All rates accurate as of 3/1/04 and are subject to change. Accounts subject to credit approval. Chase credit cards are issued by Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association,
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© 2004 J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. TM & © 2004 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
Visit www.mastercard.com for special holiday offers
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trip to the Bahamas
for you and your kids,
parents, brothers,
sisters, aunts, uncles
and cousins: $0
© 2004 MasterCard International Incorporated
(a family reunion no one could pass up: priceless)
®
Use your MasterCard
from November 1st
through December 31st
and you could win a trip
worth $40,000 for up
to 20 people anywhere
in the world in our
“Together Wherever
Sweepstakes.”
No purchase necessary.Void where prohibited. PIN-based & international transactions not eligible. Grand Prizes not to exceed $40,000 &
19 guests each. Starts 11/1/04. Ends 12/31/04. Restrictions apply.
there are some things money can’t buy.
for everything else there’s MasterCard.™
HolidayGatherings 2004 ••