The Expositor from Brantford, Ontario, Canada • 38

I D6 THE EXPOSITOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 13 2000 Unique toy line encourages creative play this holiday season A fter a 20 year history as the number one Japanese sd-fi age of technology-based toys it sd-fi allows people to discover their more creative side and work in a team to make something original" says Shin Ueno vice president of marketing Bandai America Incorporated can see this as the perfect gift for people of this season and as a great activ- all action figure model kits can be found at the top Christmas lists across Canada The only toy line of its kind these advanced action figures are re-inventing the model ldt category by using muhi-cdoured pieces that just snap together mid require no glue Although the kits do not need baric painting Uke traditional model kits paints or airbrushing are often to fWftOffliM fw fiinAam Wing arrinn figiiry creating an original every time Through their assembly and unique customizing options Gundam Wing action figure model kits are designed to encourage interactive family play-anyone can get involved in helping to create a one of a kind action figure this holiday season "This is a fresh and new way of building modd kits and in length feature films vending machines trading cards candles and more Mobile suit action figures (45 inches) highly deatiled 45 inch action figuers are highly Gundam Deathscythe in the world It has 53 subsidiaries in 18 countries worldwide including Canada and die United States Global interests include toys and entertainment video game software multimedia music full- Shenlong Gundham Gundam Sandrock Shenlong Gundam More action figures available Suggested retail price: $999 ity for a family to participate in" The model kits which are recommended for ages 8 years and up are also unique in that their numerous mov-able parts or prints of articulation) allow for incredible action poses In some cases more than 40 prints of articulation are avilable for the advanced model kit builder The model kits are based on Gundam Wing Characters such as Wing Gundam Zero Gundam Deathcythe and Shenlong Gundam form the animated series In addition to the model kits traditional pre-assembled action figures are also available and are highly articulated and poseable Gunham Wing action figuers and action figure model kits range in price from $1299 to $4999 mid are available nationwide at Toys Us Walmart and Zellers The Gundam anime series is acultur-al phenomenon that has achieved legacy status in japn and has entertained audiences for two decades with seven television series eight feature films novels comics video and toys It has grossed over $5 billion in retail sales and one year after its introduction to the US market sales are readdng un-precendented levels Bandai America Incorporated a subsidiary of Bandai Co Ltd of Tokyo Japan is the third largest toy company Gundam Sandrock detailed replicas of the Gunham Wing mobile suits Each action figure is fully poseable with over 14 points of articulation (or moveaMe pads) Ten different characters are available and each comes with its oen special weapon: Wing Gundam Gundam Deathscythe Gundam Heavyarms Wing Gundam Gundam Heavyaims Cutting down on stress during the holidays With a written game plan is done biggest part of the job the says Mongrain-Dontigny 1 Both these cooks believe in stocking their freezer refrigerator and phntiy with the makings of easy hors An example of ultra-simple appetizers you can have ready in large quantities are frozen tortellini and tortilla chips the latter from Anne Lindsay's latest cookbook New light Cooking (Random HouseBaQantine 1998) She cuts soft flour tortilla! into wedges bakes them in a single layer on baking sheets at 375 (190 for three to fire minutes or just until crisp f-J linlrlnw 1- t- 1 11-- variations: raxing Dfusn agony with beaten egg white and sprinkle with dried or chopped fresh One way to make the holidays easier on yourself Is to get family or friends Involved Never refuse an offer of help the experts advise By JixtAN Armstrong Southam Newspapers Montreal A Westmount grandmoth-zer preparing to have 25 guests over for Christmas dinner has been waking up in the middle of the night wondering where everyone wBlsit A Lachine mother has been told by her children she spends too much time in the kitchen oo Dec 25 CELEBRATE THE SEASON AT BROADWM! Anne Lindsay says one way to cope is prioritizing being realistic about what you can do" Concentrate on most important and plan on spending your time on those aspects "Plan meals ahead and ask for help" says cookbook author Micheline Mongrain-Dontigny "Pretend you will be doing a cooking demonstration suggested Toronto pastry chef Regan Daley who was in Montreal to promote her book In the Sweet Kitchen (Random House) If you have all the ingredients measured out in advance cooking jobs are easy she said Stick to tried-and-true recipes recommends Rose Murray author of the successful paperback Rose Canadian Christmas Cooking (McGraw-Hill Ry-erson 1979 reprinted 1998) "Children in particu- lar like the traditional foods" she said from her kitchen in Cambridge OnL "You have to do anything exotic Remember that Christmas is being with people you want to be with" Both Lindsay and Mon-grain-Dontigny recommend sitting down and planning die next few weeks of must-do activities parties and family dinners AfitUy restored Thomas Lamb deripud theatre 1133 seats with SUPERB acoustics instead of turicey this year And a Town of Mount Royal management Consultant who likes to gire a big December party and also has a long gift-shopping list is already feeling tense about the holidays "As soon as those tree lights go on1 down below" she said from her office overlooking the white-lit tree of Place Ville Marie start worrying" What makes the holidays whether Christmas or Hannukah so stressful to so many? a very intense explained Annie Langlois dietitian and public-relations director for Metro and Richelieu food stores "So many events in only a few days so much to do We need to organize Toronto cookbook author rosemary sesame or poppy seeds or freshly grated Parmesan Store in closely covered containers at room temperature for up to two weeks 1 Under credo of "nothing too fancy" she makes sure she has cans of beans black and pinto for blending into quick and easy dips for the toi tiQa chips She also likes canned Chickpeas for making hummus i "I buy smoked salmon the cheaper little pieces and mix it with' light cream cheese and yogurt and chopped fresh dill and blend it in the rood processor as an easy mixture to'qxead on crackers Or I use canned salmon with mayonnaise light cream cheese capers Tabasco sauce and green onions and blend that mixture she said Store in die refrigerator in dosely covered containers Mongrain-Dontigny suggests two easy snacks to make now and refrigerate or freeze mushroom pinwheels and for die sweet tooth miniature cheesecakes Another idea is to wrap scallops in bacon secure with toothpicks and bake until the baoon is Crisp In the weeks leading up to Christmas pastry chef Daley suggests two types of cookie parties to be enjoyed with friends Each type gets some of your Christmas preparations done One party die suggested is a "cookie swap" where each person is incited to make a large batch of a cookie they like say shortbreads or gingerbread menorflorentines If youte inviting 10 people vk each to bring 10 dozen Daley suggested Then each person keeps a cjozen of then own and trades away nine dozen going home with enough cookies for thehotidays I A game plan for the turkey dinner if you have a fair-size group coming is essential Cookbook author Lindsay makes her cranberry sauce two weeks before and refrigerates it covered She prepares all the ingredients for her turkey stuffing die day before Christmas and refrigerates each in plastic bags until time to stuff the bird just fore it goes into the oven She prepares all the vegetables the day before baking pans of mashed turnips mashed potatoes and creamed celery and she cuts up die vegetables steam beans broccoli or carrots -and bags diem All these cooks urge die host or hostess to accept all offers of help and if these are not forthcoming suggest a family member or guest bring something specific Dessert is a natural to form out to a relative or guest "My sister-in-law brings die Christmas pudding and die cookies and we put brandy on it and flame it" said Lindsay Get help making the gravy carving the meat making sure die pans of vegetables are heated to extrahot so they cool off as die turkey is served Lindsay advised Children can be asked to help too Qnier in advance all the foods jixi are particular about especially your turkey if you want a large size says langlois The supermarket is a good source of food gifts She suggested making up baskets of little jars of different jams or chocolate fondue with biscuits for dipping or a collection of coffees and teas or vinegars and oils SEASON HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE FRANKLIN and the MAGIC FIDDLE January 17 2001 MARTIN DUBE January 19 2001 VICTORIA January 25i 2001 BOWSER AND BLUE February 7i 2001 TOMMY HUNTER January 31 2001 ($3300) VALDY February 10 2001 A PHANTOM'S VALENTINE February 14 2001 MADLY OF IN ALL DIRECTIONS February 24 2001 HJHLS PINAFORE March 2 2001 LAWRENCE WELK March 4 2001 ($4050) ELLIOT MOOSE March 28 2001 HOCKEY MOM HOCKEY DAD April 4 2001 THE PAPERBAG PRINCESS April 25 2001 WINGFIELDS PROGRESS May 31 2001 ram crass tus mmiuika MXK PUTT (WSISai Office Hour now Chracm Vtakiafcr 1100 pia iMkflffllWT GIFT CEKTOKAHS AVAIIAMEI CAUTHE BOX OFFICE FOR "liaaiCCBB GQRfTayrffi HESANfERSON CENTRE JOR JHE PERFORMINGjARTSH 1 88 Dalhousio Street Brantford OntarioNBHII 1758-8090 brll-800-265-0710 Sail into Summer 2001 Harbour Princess Cruises Harbour Street PO Box 805 Port Dover Ontario ARM 1N0 Phone 519-583-0202 Fax: 519-583-3369 2000-2001SEASON SPONSORS ffl: Olff K- ii At vA- A.