TUSD Superintendent John Pedicone

Flowing Wells School District Superintendent John Pedicone applauds students from Flowing Wells' preschool program who had finished singing holiday songs for he and his staff who were finishing a holiday luncheon in 2001.

TUSD Superintendent John Pedicone

Flowing Wells School District Superintendent John Pedicone applauds students from Flowing Wells' preschool program who had finished singing holiday songs for he and his staff who were finishing a holiday luncheon in 2001.

'Cliff' worries, other bad news slow spending

ATLANTA - Christmas shoppers thronged malls and pounced on discounts but apparently spent less this year, their spirits dampened by concerns about the economy and the aftermath of shootings and storms.

Centsible Mom: Inexpensive ways to keep kids occupied during holiday break

It doesn't seem possible, but it's true: The kids' winter break from school is almost here.

Making shipping go smoothly

Postal Service employee Jason Weatherford helps pack Christmas gifts for Nobi Pyle at Choate's U.S. Post Office. Choate's has an outdoor area where the staff helps pack and label packages before reaching the counter.

Making shipping go smoothly

It's getting down to crunch time if you want your holiday gift packages to arrive by Christmas.

Dress your pet contest

Themis Rowland's "Baby Chachita."

Dress your pet contest

This is Turbo, Jessica Cook's 5-year-old rat terrier. "He loves the holidays!"

Dress your pet contest

Reindeer antlers for Killian, submitted by Lindsey Dunn.

Dress your pet contest

From Leah Newton: "Even Charlie Brown needs a holiday sweater." V

Dress your pet contest

From Connie Tuengel: "Phantom the Elf is giving Reindeer Kona a Kiss."

Blog: Chicanos Por La Causa health fair on Saturday

Toys and stockings will be given away at Chicanos por la Causa's 16th Annual Para los Niños Holiday Party and Health Resource Fair on Saturday.

The ghosts of Halloween past

One of the games played at every Halloween party is eating, or rather, trying to eat apple suspended on a string with your hand behind you. They were few of the children of New York's Little Italy who were guests at the Annual Halloween Party sponsored by the Children's Aid Society in New Yo…

The ghosts of Halloween past

Dr. Frankenstein, surrounded by his ghouls watch with joy as a body fills a coffin, during a performance for Halloween in England, November 1979. Tony Silver from San Jose, California, of the U. S. Army in Germany plays the part of Dr. Frankenstein. (AP Photo)

The ghosts of Halloween past

A big banana seen with a fudge sundae makes its way through New York's Greenwich Village for the 11th annual village Halloween Parade, Oct. 31, 1984. Thousands of spectators, many in costumes jammed the streets as the loosely-organized parade walked by. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

The ghosts of Halloween past

Rita Brennan, left, and Sharon DeCoste X-ray candy brought in by trick or treaters to the Jordan Hospital in Plymouth, Mass., Oct.1, 1982. The hospital offered free X-rays of Halloween candy to area residents concerned about the safety of the candy. (AP Photo)

The ghosts of Halloween past

John Bohannon of the Society of American Magicians performs the annual "ritual of the broken wand" Oct. 31, 1980 in New York, over the grave of the extraordinary magician and escape artist Harry Houdini. Some 250 persons attended the rite in which Bohannon broke a magician's wand over Houdin…

The ghosts of Halloween past

Mike Domingue and Liz Lassalle put their heads together and go after a couple of apples during the Halloween bobbing contest at the University of New Orleans in New Orleans, Oct. 28, 1978. This bucket's eye-view of the bobbing was made by a creative photographer who shot the action through t…

The ghosts of Halloween past

A White House guard offers some conversation but no treats outside the White House in Washington, Oct. 31, 1977, as he turns away trick-or-treaters. The group of youngsters visited some other well known Washington addresses during their Halloween travel. (AP Photo/John Duricka)

The ghosts of Halloween past

Pictured here is the Halloween festival in Anaheim, Calif., Oct. 20, 1962. Nearly everyone turns out to watch the parade, and thousands are on hand to watch the show that launches it at the Palma Stadium. Another 7,000 or more school children take part in a youngsters' parade and there is br…