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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 1994)
P age B4 D ecember 14, 1994 • T he P ortland O bserver ENTERTAINMENT Holiday Gifts Of Electrically- Powered Tools Holiday gifts of electrically- p o w e re d to lls , s m a ll a p p lia n c e s , e le c tro n ic equipm ent and toys bring h o u rs of h a p p in e ss and practical use to adults and children. Pacific Power manager Carl Talton says the best way to use the gifts is to follow the m anufacturers’ operat ing and safety instructions. "In some cases, children may be too young to plug an electrical cord into the w all,” Talton said. “ In that case, some basic supervision can usually eliminate any poten tial hazard.” When using electric tolls and appliances, remember that the ground plug has been wired with operator safety in mind. Removing the plug elim in a tes the safe-guard built in by the manufacturer. Installation of outdoor antennas and satellite dishes should always include a visu al check above and around for overhead electrical w ires. If there’s any question, the installation should be moved to a safer location. All sen sitive electronic devices should be plugged into a l!L-approved "break er strip” to help prevent dam age front static charges or other unusual changes in voltage that might damage circuitry. Finally, if a favorite "vin tage train” is coming out of retirement to circle the tree, Talton suggested careful in spection o f connections and wiring, as well as inspection o f the C h ristm a s lig h ts themselves, to make certain there are no frayed wires. It's always best to unplug the C h ristm as tree lights when le a v in g hom e, as well. "All of us at Pacific Pow er wish everyone a safe and jo y o u s h o lid a y s e a s o n ,” Talton concluded. The Gadget Guy Offers Tips On Buying Electronic Devices Buzz.. .blip.. .whrr.. bleep. These are the sounds of the new generation o f electronic gizmos. Sometimes the latest, zaniest electronic products make the best holiday gifts for those people who seem to have everything. Today there are electronic gadgets available for every thing imaginable — from a portable book-jacket with a built-in reading lamp to a portable sports stereo that tracks mileage and counts calories. “Electronic gadgets make great presents for kids an big kids because o f their long-lasting fun,” says Dick DeBartolo, the “Gadget and Gizmo Guy” and recognized electronic de vice expert who shares his expertise through his weekly appearances on CNBC’s Steals & Deals. "An elec tronic gizmo that holds your interest may very' well do the same for the person you’re shopping for.” In addition to his CNBC televi sion work, Mr. DeBartolo, a 30-year veteran contributing editor to Mad Magazine, regularly appears for con sumer segments on ABC-TV’s Live! With Regis & Kathie Lee. As a con sumer reporter, he gives tips on elec tronics buying d o ’s and don’ts throughout the year, with particular emphasis during the holiday shop ping season. DeBartolo offers the following advice to holiday shoppers on pur chasing electronic gifts. vices usually have all the key features you w ill need, at a more reasonable price. If y o u 're not sure which features are im por tant, ask friends who have sim i lar products. making sure that you have every thing you will need to operate your new gadget. This may include acces sories such as adapters, cables, bat teries, headphones, etc. Examine everything in the box to determine that nothing is missing. Never leave the store without 0 R£CO«SVMPHOA T BEFORE YOU BUY... It pays to spend a little time doing research before buying. Check catalogs, circulars and retail store specializing in electronics to com pare brands, prices and available fea tures. Ifyou can wait until a new prod uct is available in a number o f stores, y ou’re likely to save money. Usually in the first two or three months, brand new gadgets sell for the full manu facturer's suggested retail price and are only featured in specialty stores. D on’t always be im pressed by products that offer a m ulti tude o f tem pting yet obscure fea tures. The best value in electro n ic devices, such as CD players and portable audio system s, are generally in the m id-price units. These m id-level electronic de- IVMES ItEI’ IIEISI IH r e r lu r X C M ervyn’s Kids H oliday C oncert Sunday, D ecem ber 18 at 1pm & 3pm Apu Hsu, conductor Vicki Mills Studio of Dance Tualatin High School Cnmsonnaircs French American School Choir K ID S - Santa is lost and needs your help in finding the Schnirtzer Concert Hall, so bring a bell and lend a hand! Featuring Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, dancers, - and a whole lot more! — ------ ' T h e M u sical T h ea tre Com pany presents .4 Special Holiday Production Victor H erbert's magical operetta Babes in T®'ilaHr/ FR EE JIN G L E BELL to each Join us for the beginning o f a wonderful holiday tradition! M ake y o u r reservations N O W ! AEO 1st Annual Take Pictures WITH child bringing one or more cans or other non-perishable food items for Oregon Food Bank! N ovem b er 18 th ro u g h D e c e m b e r 18, 1994 November IS, 19, 25, 26, December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 - Spm November 20, 27, December 3, 4, 10,11, 17, 18 - 2pm G eneral A dm ission T ick et s : 112 a d u lt , IS ch ild (12 & u n d er ) Eastside Performance Center AFRICAN-AMERICAN SANTA D oors open i t 12:30pm m d 2:30pm ! 531 S E 14 th a n d S ta r k C harge T ickets! Supported by * HAPPY HOLIDAYS! , I , ,, Tickets $15, $17, $19 - Children 12 and under, $6 (0,1 -800-228-7343) Weekdays, 9am-5pm WltlWI) C all (503) 2 8 0 -6 5 9 2 O T A pppT - _ “ M V 2 2 4 -4 4 0 0 Ticketmaster Mon-Sat 8am-10pm, Sun 10am-6pm Also at all Fastixx outlets, (503) 224-8499 IMRUC I Ä Ä Ä 228-1353 Subject toiervtfecfwge A .R L .E N E t BROADW AY AND S C H N IT Z E R M A IN • C O N C E R T P O R T b A N D C K f /T K R TO R TO K H A L .L P R R F O R M IN C J A R T 9 When: Sunday December 11, 1994 Where: Brooks Building (Next to House of Time: Price: Sounds), 3620 N. Williams Ave. 1-5 (don't miss out!) $5.00 Presented by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Proceeds go to the Delta Sigma Theta Scholarship fund. « F h. Hill z y -fiw b I Hit ' U'l'ulilill I ,ln' ^iim 11,1 inn hr n MU, „««■ ® 111 , w k lllll (CWANZAA C alendar o f Events Decemben Saturday UMOJA (Unity) Open House 1 2 -3 pm ❖ DADDY’S LONG LEG COLLECTOR'S DOLLS - 1994 SANTA Julia's The Ultimate Collection 1016 SW Morrison Street Downtown Portland December, Sunday KUJICHAGULIA (Self Determination) 6 - 9 pm December Sunday UJIMA (Collective Work and Responsiblility) Exhibit/Reception 2 - 6 pm December Monday UJAMAA (Cooperative Economics) 6 - 9 pm December Sunday NIA (Purpose) 4 - 6 pm December Tuesday KUUMBA (Creativity) 12 - 2 pm December Thursday IMANI (Faith) 6 - 6:45 pm Inner City Student Perfor mance 7 pm D EC .1-31,1994 JA N 31 - FEB 5 Eight Performances Open Monday - Saturday, 10am-6pm Phone 503-274-9308 Christmas txiyaway Now Available! I ortland Civic Auditorium Group Discounts ON SALE NOW! (503) 299-4095 r r t-K a n / / / 5340 N. Interstate -Call 823-2000 I ä s SF a ’ a Ä "Young Adult Special." $10 discount 16 & under, Tues. & Wed., select seats only.