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.
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(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
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"Young Adult Special."
$10 discount 16 & under,
Tues. & Wed., select seats only.