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Show Friday, December 17, 1993 Hassle-Fre- e full-swin- g, hassle-fre- e as possible, the Department of Commerce offers a few answers to some frequently asked consumer questions: Is a store required to have an advertised item available when I get th.re? Each of the advertisers stores within the area of an ad must have sufficient products available at or below advertised prices to meet a reasonably expected demand, unless the ad discloses a limit on the quan- tity of a particular item. The supply should last each day of the sale. Merchants may be allowed some leeway if they can show that the advertised item became unavailable to an unusually heavy demand they could not have reasonably anticipated. Does a store have to give me a rain check? Utah law requires a merchant to give you a rain check if the advertised item is not available when you arrive at the store. The rain check will allow you to purchase the same item at a later date for the advertised price. However, if the merchant indicates in the ad that quantities are limited" or the merchandise is only Bake Together To Build a Meaningful Family Tradition Nurturing, warmth, sharing, and closeness. Thats what children naturally associate (vith baking, says Jeanne Chicago-are- a Ph.D., a psychologist who Beckman, specializes in children and families. "Baking can also boost a child's says Beckman. "Seeing a finished recipe gives a child a feeling of competence and As proof of accomplishment. spokesperson for the American Dairy Association, she advocates msking a family tradition of baking during the holidays. Children innately love to bake, self-estee- says Beckman, and all ages can par- ticipate. As the mother of three boys, ages 8, 6, and 3, her advice is based on professional expertise as well as practical experience. The benefits of baking exist even for toddlers, she believes. For this age group, baking can provide good practice for developing fine motor skills. Start with simple chores like unwrapping butter packages, and progress to using baking tools like mixing spoons, measuring cups, and cookie cutters. Baking also helps a toddlers intellectual development by encouraging creativity and "Experts agree that children need to spend quality time with their parents, says Beckman. "Baking at the holidays means setting aside the time to interact with your children outside of the usual midweek rush. "Baking together can provide an opportunity for kids and parents to create a special experience. Often, conversation comes more easily when you are involved in an activity. A child may open up about a problem in school or relate a funny story. A parent can make a special connection by really listening and by sharing a similar experience. Share Family History The holidays .also are a wonderful time to share family stories and legends. "Positive stories about family members cost nothing, yet are among the most valuable presents parents can give their children, Beckman says. Family history helps kids understand where they come from and provides genuine "Baking Grandma's favorite Christmas cookie not only leaves a child with something delicious to fessons-to-live-b- y. eat, but it also leaves him with a lot of food for thought, says Beckman. A teen, for example, may remember how Grandmas recipe box was one of the few possessions she was able to bring with her to America. She'll draw strength from the story of her grandmother's courageous travels as she faces adventures of her own. Make The Most of It Beckman advises parents to clear their calendars for the holiday baking activities. Plan to dedicate the time solely to kids and baking. Turn on the answering machine to avoid interruptions. Relax and enjoy what you are doing right now, she says. "What's tricky about traditions is not falling into the trap of having to make the experience perfect. Instead, make the most out of whatever you create together. Chances are good you wont be disappointed. An easy, versatile recipe like Best Butter Cookies is a good choice for getting your holiday baking tradition started. One simple butter cookie dough can be made into four different kinds of cookies. Whether mixing, cutting, and decorating, shaping into balls or stirring in ingredients, theres an that will and a flavor activity appeal to every age. Best Butter Cookies 2 cups (4 sticks) butter cups sugar 1-- 12 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract flour 3 cups 2 tsp. baking powder 14 tsp. salt Cream butter in large mixer bowl. Gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture; mix well. Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Mix IB Holiday Shopping Now that Christmas shopping is it is a good time for holiday shoppers to know their basic rights as consumers. To help make your holiday shopping as in The Summit County Bee available at a specific outlet, the merchant may not be required to issue a rain check. In addition: Can a store limit the quantity of advertised goods it will sell to one customer? Stores can limit quantities, but that limit must be clearly indicated in the advertisement or otherwise clearly posted in the store. Some people prefer to avoid the crowds during the holidays and choose to shop by mail or telephone. Whether you are ordering by mail or phone, keep the following tips in mind: Keep a copy of the advertisement or catalogue. Keep a record of who you did business with: include company Docs the picture in an advertisement have to look like the real thing? This tactic is commonly known as bait and switch, and it is against the law. For example, you are lured into a store by an enticing ad, but the item advertised falls far short of its description, or the item is altogether unavailable. The salesperson may tell you the produce isnt any good, or they are name, address, and phone number. When ordering, list the items by their catalogue number. List the price of each item as well as the total cost. Be sure to keep a copy of this for yourself. Always keep a record of when out of stock, therefore, hcshe wont sell it to you. The salesperson then attempts to switch you to a more expensive item. If the store is out of an item you want to buy, ask for a rain check. Dont feel pressured or obligated to purchase another item if you did not intend to. Generally, there is nothing illegal or unethical about a salesperson showing you a better quality item as long as you are given a choice of which item to buy. you placed the order and the promised date of delivery. Have the vendor explain to you anything that is unclear. Before giving your credit card number over the phone, be absolutely certain you are dealing with a legitimate and reputable company. Remember, whether you are shopping with the crowds or ordering from home, it wont be hassle-fre- e unless you use caution and good sense. If you would like more information, please contact the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Consumer Protection, 330-660- 1. and shape dough for each variety as follows: Cut Outs Preheat oven to 375F. Roll portion of dough on lightly floured surface to 18 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with floured cookie cutters. Place one-four- th on unbuttered c okie sheets. Bake 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks; decorate as desired. Yield: approximately 2 dozen cookies. Peppermint Balls Preheat oven to 373SF. Beat 14 cup crushed peppermint candy and 14 tsp. peppermint extract into portion of dough. Shape into balls. Place on unbuttered cookie sheets. Sprinkle with red colored sugar. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks. Yield: approximately 2 dozen cookies. one-four- th Spicy Fruit Balls Preheat oven to 375SF. Beat 12 cup EACH: currants and chopped mixed candied fruit and 12 tsp. cinnamon into portion balls. of dough. Shape into Place on unbuttered cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. While still warm, roll in confectioners' sugar. Cool completely on wire racks. Yield: approximately 2 dozen cookies. one-four- th ch Slices oz. (1 square) melted unsweetened chocolate into portion of dough. Shape into inches in log approximately diameter. Roll in chopped nuts. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours or overnight. Preheat Chocolate Beat 1 one-four- th 1-- oven to 375F. Cut dough into 18-inc- h thick slices. Place on unbuttered cookie sheets. Bake 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks. Yield: approximately 3 dozen cookies. Air Travel Reminders For The Holiday The heavy air travel season is upon us again and the FAA has these reminders to make your time in the airport hassle-freAlways remember that airports and guns dont mix. If youre going to be at an airport, leave your gun at home. Attempting to take a weapon through a security checkeven if youve just forgotpoint is a serious matten you had it e: ter. This includes firearms, stun guns; or other deadly or dangerous weapons. For arriving at a screening checkpoint with one of these, a person may be subject to a civil penalty of $10,000. Passengers cant take just anything on the plane. Bringing materials considered hazardous can result in a fine of up to $23,000. These are substances or materials capable of an unreasonable risk to health, safety or property, and can include everyday items. Examples are aerosols containing flammable material (hairsprays for instance), propane, butane, lighter refills, e batteries, and scuba tanks. can also include They matches, dry ice (except under limiting conditions), carbon wet-typ- strike-any-whe- re dioxide cartridges, corrosive materials, poisons, paint, bleaches, and drain cleaners. Other hazardous materials arc tear gas, signal flares, loaded firearms, stun guns, and fireworks. Small amounts of toiletries arc permitted aboard in hand-carriitems. Check with your airline for details. ed Remember your holiday spirit when passing through an airport security checkpoint. The attendants are trying their best to follow the rules and get you to your plane on time. So do what they say with good humor. But dont get carried away and go too far. Jokes about bombs or hijacking are not considered funny and are always taken sc- -' riously. You may miss your flight. Carrying firearms aboard an aircraft is prohibited but unloaded firearms and some properly packaged ammunition can be transported in checked baggage if the ammunition and firearm are in hard-side- d and locked containers and declared to the airline ticket agent when the baggage is checked at the ticket counter. It is important that the firearm be declared at the ticket counter and not at the security checkpoint. Passengers should either pack their own bag or know in which bag their weapon is located. For having an undeclared weapon found in their checked or carry-o- n luggage, a person may be subject to a civil penalty of $10,000. Logan Presents "Bethlehem Revisited" Bethlehem Revisited, a live nativity, one of the highlights of Logan valleys Christmas celebra- tion, will be presented again this year on Monday and Tuesday nights, Dec. 20 and 21. Eight long presentations will run continuously between the hours of 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. The outdoor ant incorporates spotlights, music, and narration, along with "live actors to depict the birth of Christ. "Bethlehem Revisited will be mini-page- held this year on the grounds of the Logan Tabernacle, and involves over 100 people over the two nights. According to Kerry Bringhurst, spokesperson, the annual event is growing in popularity each year. We offer Bethlehem Revisited as girt of Christmas spirit to the citizens of Cache Valley and beyond. An annual tradition that has become a spiritual and memorable experience to be enjoyed by all, regardless of age or denomination. You are invited to bring your families and share Bethlehem Revisited together. The nativity will run for two nights in hopes that even during this busy season, people might take time to or from their other functions to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. There is no charge for this event. Spectators are encouraged to dress warmly, and there is plenty of park- ing available. Revisited Bethlehem is sponsored by the River Heights First Ward. |