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Halloween Headquarters
Halloween is our favorite holiday at Goodwill! Our stores have curated costume sections as well as a wealth of raw materials just waiting for you to add your wicked good imagination and create a do-it-yourself masterpiece! Pledge to dress up, to have fun while being green, and to give back!
Shopping at Goodwill to put a truly creative costume together (versus buying a ready-made polyester one) will have you stand out from the crowd - you might even win that costume contest! - but your spending dollars also help us to provide job training, career services, and youth programs to the community. So be your own monster and shop Goodwill this Halloween.
Here are our favorite timeless and pop-culture-inspired costumes for adults and kids, which work alone as well as in groups!
Halloween Headquarters Costume Ideas
Stranger Things - This Netflix sensation ticks some of our favorite Halloween boxes: '80s nostalgia and spooky stories. Your nearby Goodwill is a treasure trove of corduroys, vintage striped shirts, and fall jackets to put together any of the kids' looks. Grab a blond wig and a box of Eggos for Eleven, or even dress in a muted floral painted with the alphabet and wrap yourself in a string of Christmas lights to communicate with the Upside Down.
Pokemon Go - The app that had everyone catching them all this summer brought the Japanese characters back to the forefront. Dress all in yellow with a cardboard lightning bolt tail for Pikachu; a hat, fingerless gloves, and a hoodie - combined with a homemade Pokeball - makes you a trainer; or go meta dressed in blue with a Pokestop symbol attached to a headband - add some pink petals to simulate a lure if you really want to attract the rare ones.
Snapchat filters - Pick up something monochromatic to wear for this one--it's all about the accessories. Grab some sunglasses and paint palm trees on the lenses, add some glittery golden butterflies to your hair, or just paint a wavy rainbow down your chin.
Mega Musicians - We lost some music icons this year. Pay tribute to David Bowie with a baby blue suit, colorful tie, red wig and bold eyeshadow. And for Prince, grab some threads in his signature purple, add a ruffled shirt and don't be afraid of the eyeliner.
Ghostbusters - This year marked the return of the '80s classic--with a funny lady-filled cast. Pick up a tan jumpsuit (or just matching shirt and pants), some heavy black boots, and accessorize with belts full of gadgets that prove you're not afraid of no ghosts.
If you're more of a Halloween purist, you can always shop the classics at Goodwill, too:
Monsters - Grab some brightly colored attire, and craft some eyes, noses, and mouths out of felt and stick them to yourself! Monsters are a wonderfully adaptive category, and only limited by your imagination (or your nightmares!).
Pirates - Striped shirt or ruffled blouse, cutoff pants, silk scarves (for head and waist), leather boots, oversized hat, eye patch. If you find something with a skull & crossbones on it, even better! Think: Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean.
Vampires - Tuxedo or corseted dress, heavy black eye makeup and red lipstick. Fake plastic vampire teeth a plus. Or go more modern and channel your favorite True Blood/Twilight character, hiding in plain sight.
Werewolves - Since modern werewolves only seem to go shirtless, you can really save big on this one, guys. For Twilight's Jacob, all you need is black jeans and a temporary tribal tattoo; for True Blood's Alcide, regular jeans and layered silver necklaces. Add a cotton henley and a plaid flannel shirt for modesty and authenticity to either one (especially if the forecast is chilly).
Fairies - Join Sookie Stackhouse and her ethereal kin in the fantasy of fairyland with a simple, gauzy floor length dress, natural hair pulled back with a headband, glitter body paint and a mason jar covered in glow-in-the-dark paint.
Zombies - If you're a fan of the Walking Dead, then you know anybody among us could turn zombie at any moment. Grab regular street clothes (or mimic those of your favorite zombie character), powder your face and circle your eyes in black, pour fake blood on yourself liberally, then raise arms and moan scarily. Fright night, indeed!
Most of all, whatever you dress up as this Halloween, have a safe, happy one from all of us at Goodwill. Boo!


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Arson task force looking into latest downtown blaze
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- The task force organized to investigate suspicious fires is now looking into another case. Charleston Police officials say around 5:25 a.m. police responded to King Street. Officials say a 20 gallon trash can was on fire, but was out by the time police arrived.
Charleston Fire Department spokesman Mark Ruppel says the Peninsula Arson Task Force are aware of the fire and are looking into it. He says its way too early to say whether or not the fire may be related to the more than 50 suspicious fires lit by a suspected arsonist in the last several years.
Ruppel says the task force has received several tips to their hotline and is looking into each tip. The group is also attending all of the downtown neighborhood association meetings in hopes of getting more information.
If you have any information or tips, you may call the Arson Hotline at 1-800-92-ARSON.

subset: commoncrawl


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Meet the Lawyer Who Strikes Fear in the U.S. Cable Industry
Melinda Witmer Is Time Warner Cable's Top Negotiator
One day last week, amid a blackout of CBS Corp.'s programming on Time Warner Cable Inc. systems, junior negotiators at CBS got on a conference call, expecting to talk to their counterparts at the cable company. They were taken aback when they heard Melinda Witmer, Time Warner Cable's top video executive, on the other end of the line.
Thinking it was a call for lower-level executives to resolve matters related to CBS's premium channel Showtime, the top CBS negotiator, Ray Hopkins, wasn't on the phone. Far from building...


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Golden Palace brings luxurious Chinese dining to Midtown
Impeccable decor at the new Golden Palace is accompanied by friendly service, and with more than 170 dishes to choose from, mild or spicy, vegetarian or omnivorous, there are numerous tastes to be treasured.
At night, red paper lanterns and white icicle lights highlight the golden brick exterior. Inside I was greeted by a highly carved chair and familiar shimmering wallpaper. Golden Palace is a sister to Dynasty on Portola Drive in Santa Cruz, and our server said the owner designed everything, right down to his shiny black shirt emblazoned with a sequined dragon. New tall-backed booths offer privacy and are decorated with gilded plastic dragons, as is the circular table which seats 14.
I savored the soothing floral aroma of imported jasmine tea ($3). The soups were all made with densely flavored broths. I loved the Red Oil Ravioli Soup ($6.95) with the fragrance of sesame oil. With slices of green onions, chili flakes, Chinese greens and fat wonton ravioli stuffed with seasoned pork, it was just spicy enough. Szechwan Noodle Soup ($5.95) was similarly spicy but with plump chow mein noodles. For a milder start, Wor Wonton Soup ($7.50) included prawns and sweet peas, shredded chicken, greens and carrots.
A small kettle of Shrimp Ball Pot ($13.95) suspended over a flame held shrimp, airy tofu, thin bean thread noodles, fresh cilantro, ginger, and mushrooms with the texture of shiitake in a delicate broth.
Like a carb-free pot sticker, seasoned minced chicken was steamed in neat triangles of Foil-wrapped Chicken ($6.95); very tasty, except the filling often stuck to the foil's liner.
The meat dishes were mainly, if not all, meat. Delectable Plum Sauce Chicken ($9.95) is described as "old-style Kung Pao." Cubed white meat was stir-fried with green onion, celery, crisp water chestnuts, crunchy peanuts and slender hot peppers. The marvelously spicy, shiny sauce with flecks of chilies held a hint of sugar.
House Kung Pao Chicken ($10.95) from what I understand is Americanized, and similar except that the meat is dusted with starch and fried, giving it a crisp but not bready exterior.
Fingers of very tender General Chicken ($9.95), said to be created in the Americas is, again, rubbed with starch and fried with chilies, ginger and garlic were lacquered in spicy dark sauce with sweet and sour tones.
Ginger beef ($11.95) was topped with green onions and ginger threads. The texture of this mildly flavored meat was akin to soft jerky.
Caramelized onions sizzled on a cast iron oval for the delicious Beef Sizzling Iron Platter ($12.95). The server added marinated meat, which spat and hissed; the steam burning his hand as he stirred. This beef was tender, redolent of fresh garlic, with water chestnuts, snow peas, and baby corn.
I would return, too, for the Szechwan Chicken ($9.50). Still-crisp broccoli florets and thin squares of breast meat were covered with a sweet and tart dark sauce flecked with soft chilies.
Twenty-two weekday lunch specials ($6.95 to $8.50) include rice and soup, and on Sundays Dim Sum is served along with the regular menu.
Golden Palace, 415 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 427-9275. Beer and wine license pending. Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.


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There are magnificent views across the "Narrows" to St Kitts,
which can be enjoyed from all over the garden and even the interior
of the house, but in particular from the wide front balcony.
Decks to either side of the house can be accessed from the
bedroom and living and dining areas, providing al fresco meal times
and afternoon shade. There is a lower pool deck leading from the
south deck with a 15ft x 15ft (4.5m x 4.5m) square pool, and a few
steps down to a barbecue and the remainder of the garden.
Yellow Bird is well furnished and decorated and accessorised in
gentle Caribbean hues and patterns. There is a fully equipped
kitchen with a gas stove, refrigerator, toaster and coffee maker.
There is ample cookware, crockery and utensils etc. A deep freezer
and washing machine are located in the utility room.
The bedroom has a king size bed and a ceiling fan. An antique
Dutch bed can be placed in the living room to provide sleeping
accommodation for a further adult or even two young children.
The bathroom has a large walk in shower and closet.
The windows and door bases all have adjustable wooden louvres,
enabling cross ventilation. The louvres all have mosquito netting to
the exteriors.
There is a CD player / radio and lots of holiday reading
available. There is also a telephone. Local calls including calls to
St Kitts are free of charge to guests.
Views from the villa and of the interior
Ground Plan
Our maid visits the house three times a week. She
attends to linen changes, household laundry and general cleaning.
Cooking, personal laundry and babysitting can be arranged on a
private basis, directly with the manager.
The pool is cleaned twice weekly by Caribbean
Pool Services.
You are visitor number
Web site hosted & maintained by 'AB Services'


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Talk of increased demand is seemingly boosting corn prices. The corn continued rising Thursday morning, with traders citing strong livestock demand for feed in current frigid conditions, as well as improved usage by ethanol producers. Futures may also be responding to diminished rainfall in the latest South American forecasts. March corn rallied 3.5 cents to $4.2975/bushel around midsession Thursday, while May rose 2.75 to $4.3575/bushel.
South American developments are probably supporting the soy complex. After tumbling in response to predicted South American rainfall earlier this week, soybean and product futures are apparently deriving support from drier forecasts for Brazil and Argentina. Wire service reports also cite a lack of Chinese switching from U.S. to South American bean purchases, thereby contradicting recent bearish talk. March soybean futures climbed 6.25 cents to $12.8575/bushel by late Thursday morning, while March soyoil gained 0.31 cents to 38.15 cents/pound, and March soymeal edged up $1.8 to $421.2/ton.
Cold weather forecasts are boosting the wheat markets. Talk of robust export demand continues supporting wheat futures, but the main impetus for the today's gains almost surely stems from the latest weather forecasts. Those reflect fresh predictions for arctic weather over much of the country into early February, thereby increasing the chances for freeze damage to winter wheat. March CBOT wheat futures surged 9.5 cents to $5.7075/bushel just before lunchtime Thursday, while March KCBT wheat futures jumped 11.5 cents to $6.3625, and March MWE futures ran up 9.25 to $6.26.
Cattle futures lost their upward momentum Thursday morning. News that beef packers paid $150/cwt (cents/pound) for fed cattle Wednesday boosted CME futures overnight. However, the afternoon beef report suggested prices are stalling. Given the size of the recent price spike, it isn't terribly surprising to see futures struggling today. February cattle futures skidded 0.20 cents to 143.47 cents/pound late Thursday morning, while April futures dove 0.92 to 140.87. Meanwhile, March feeder cattle futures dropped 0.82 cents to 169.55 cents/pound, and May fell 0.87 to 170.62.
Premiums continue hampering bullish efforts in hog futures. The hog and pork markets have proven mixed to moderately stronger lately. However, widespread anticipation of a much larger move has kept CME futures supported at significantly higher levels. Thus, mediocre cash/pork news has maintained downward pressure upon Chicago prices. February hogs slipped 0.07 cents to 85.47 cents/pound as the lunchtime looming in Chicago Thursday, while June sagged 0.07 to 101.92.
Technical factors seem to be affecting cotton futures. A Chinese cotton industry association released several reports and statements overnight, most of which held price supportive connotations. However, ICE traders essentially ignored them all. Futures dipped in response to a seemingly bearish reversal signal posted Wednesday, but rebounded by midsession. March cotton slumped 0.05 cents to 87.79 cents/pound just before noon (EST) Thursday, whereas July cotton added 0.11 cents to 87.78.


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Christmas cake
1 pound butter
1 pound castor sugar (2 cups)
1 tablespoon brandy
1 pounds eggs (8 average-sized)
1 pound plain flour (3 1/3 cups)
1/4 cup self-raising flour
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon all-spice
Pinch of salt
1 pound dried mixed fruit
In a large bowl, beat together softened butter and sugar til creamy then add brandy.
IN a separate bowl, beat eggs until frothy then fold eggs in to the creamed mixture gradually and gently.
Sift the dry ingredients together (the flour mixture).
Spread fruit on to a flat plate and sprinkle some flour on top then rub fruit through the flour.
Carefully fold the flour mixture alternately with the fruit mixture in to the creamy mixture and you have the cake mixture.
Grease a 20cm cake tin then line the tin with baking paper allowing enough for a 'collar' of about 10cm as well as a base and lid.
Cook in slow oven (about 150C) for 2 1/2 to 3 hours and after 2 hours remove the lid so the top of the cake will brown.
When cooked, turn oven off, wrap cake in newspaper (whilst still in the tin) and leave to cool slowly inside the oven.
When cool, pour a little more brandy on top.
The winner of our Recipes Through Time competition is based on a pound cake recipe, which is buttery and light, and has been passed down through four generations by word-of-mouth to you, Margaret Davey tells us.
Recipe Categories
- Cakes
- Dessert
Chef Margaret Davey


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LOS ANGELES – The parents of a 24-year-old man who was fatally struck by several vehicles after falling through the door of a party bus on the Hollywood (101) Freeway last year are suing the bus owners, court papers show.
Christopher and Rita Saraceno, father and mother of Christopher Joseph "C.J." Saraceno II, filed the wrongful death suit against Platinum Style Limousine Service and driver Gevorg Atikulandzhyan, seeking unspecified damages as well as compensation for burial expenses.
A representative of the company could not be immediately reached for comment on the complaint, which was filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Saraceno IIwas killed about 12:15 a.m. last Sept. 29 in the southbound lanes of the Hollywood (101) Freeway just south of Lankershim Boulevard. About 23 passengers on the 2001 Ford F-550 bus at the time were celebrating a co- worker's birthday, California Highway Patrol Sgt. Ray Diggins said. According to the lawsuit, the limousine company knew or should have known that the rear access door of the bus was not operating properly.
Saraceno II's father previously said that his son was changing the music on the bus when it turned, causing him to fall out through the door.