12/15 CAROLINE WRIGHT, CAKE MAGIC!, CLAUDIA LOMBANA, DNA TESTING MAKES FOR UNIQUE HOLIDAY GIFTS, STEVE EVANS THE MOVIE GUY

COOK, AUTHOR & FOOD STYLIST, CAROLINE WRIGHT - AUTHOR, CAKE MAGIC!: MIX & MATCH YOUR WAY TO 100 AMAZING COMBINATIONS

CAKE MAGIC!: MIX & MATCH YOUR WAY TO 100 AMAZING COMBINATIONS

There is a cake soulmate out there for every person and every moment, if you just know where to look. Take chocolate. A purist savors its pristine richness, yet for others chocolate is best enjoyed married with fresh mint, bourbon, caramel, coconut, chiles, or perhaps just a hint of salt. If cake is a canvas to paint our flavor fantasies upon, then a cookbook that treats its endless variations and delightful possibilities with the proper reverence is long overdue. 

Ingeniously applying a Choose Your Own Adventure–style methodology to the art of baking mouthwatering cakes for every taste, CAKE MAGIC! Mix & Match Your Way To 100 Amazing Combinations is an utterly new, highly-visual kind of cookbook that showcases beautiful color photos of every cake in the book to choose from in the front, followed by core recipes in the back. 

Introducing an innovative and remarkably easy new way to make 100 delectable, flavorful cakes, author Caroline Wright shares a simple five-ingredient homemade dry mix that forms the foundation for every cake in the book. From there, it’s just a matter of mixing and matching a batter, a flavoring syrup (the professional baker’s secret weapon that imbues the cake with additional flavor and moisture), a frosting, and the occasional topping. By following Wright’s mix-and-match method, it’s possible to introduce nearly endless changes on the same basic cake batter just by switching up the flavoring syrups and frostings. 

The cakes in this book are as simple as cakes get. The CAKE MAGIC! method makes baking a great cake possible for anyone. And, to ensure that everyone really is able to have their cake and eat it, too, Wright includes gluten-free and vegan variations for nearly every cake, syrup, and frosting in the book. She also shares indispensible tips on adapting the method to all pan shapes, measuring ingredients, making substitutions, troubleshooting wonky cakes, freezing baked cakes, and extremely simple frosting and decorating techniques. 

Armed with a plethora of delicious flavor adventures to choose from and easy-to-follow instructions for how to get there, the cake’s destination is up to you. CAKE MAGIC! just offers 100 great reasons to make the trip. 

WWW.CAROLINEWRIGHTFOOD.COM


CLAUDIA LOMBANA - INSIGHTS BASED ON YOUR DNA ARE THE MOST UNIQUE HOLIDAY GIFTS THIS YEAR!

LEARN HOW YOUR ANCESTRY CAN BE THE PERFECT DNA-POWERED HOLIDAY GIFT FROM ONE OF THE NATION’S TOP SHOPPING JOURNALISTS

Emmy & Peabody-Award Winning Journalist Claudia Lombana Shares How information about How to Research your Genetic History with Helix.com

How many of us have found ourselves in a department store or online desperate to find a last-minute gift?  Now, what consumers may not realize is that there are meaningful gifts you can give even at the last minute. On December 15th, Emmy and Peabody-Award winning journalist Claudia Lombana is available to share some unique last-minute shopping secrets based on a safe, simple and easy DNA analysis kit from Helix.com that enables you to access more than 25 DNA-based products. Uncover information about your ancestry; how your DNA may help you identify better workouts and what foods you may be sensitive to. Learn why DNA-powered insights are a safe, fun and interesting way to choose the perfect gifts for family and friends. 

LOMBANA’S REVEALS SOME SECRETS TO RESEARCH YOU ORIGINS: 

• HEALTH & DNA–Can looking at DNA reveal a path to good health and the best diet & workout
• HELPFUL HISTORY–The benefits of knowing your origins
• ANCESTRY GIFTS–Discover the latest in DNA-powered products
• FUTURE BREAKTHROUGH–Why examining your DNA can open up new possibilities 

Lombana regularly shares her insight and expertise with national television audiences. She is widely recognized as one of the nation’s top shopping specialists, providing advice and data for media and major businesses. Her tips and advice regularly appear in national publications, including The New York Times, USA Today and many others. The two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and Peabody Award winner provides advice on topics ranging from shopping trends to fraud protection. As a journalist, she has traveled the world covering news stories for CNN, CBS, FOX, Tech TV and E! News. 

WWW.HELIX.COM 

STEVE EVANS - THE MOVIE GUY

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

12/14 TONYA SHACKELFORD FROM FRED’S PHARMACY, 5 FLU FIGHTER TIPS, USDA FOOD SAFETY EXPERT MARIANNE GRAVELY

TONYA SHACKELFORD FROM FRED’S PHARMACY SHARES 5 FLU FIGHTER TIPS FOR HEALTHIER HOLIDAYS

GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

According to the CDC, influenza activity begins in the months of October and November, and peaks between December and February. Annually, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized due to complications from the flu and the majority of those are over the age of 65. In order to reduce the spread of the flu during the holidays and long after, experts assert flu vaccinations are still the number one way to prevent proliferation of the flu.

TOP 5 FLU FIGHTER TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON

• Get a Flu Vaccination
• Wash Your Hands, Often
• Sneeze into Your Elbow
• Stay Home from School or Work When You're Sick
• Encourage Everyone, Especially Those 65+ to Get Vaccinated

Flu activity peaks in December. During this time, most people face a higher risk of contracting the flu because they’re exposed to more people and places during the holidays. With a higher level of exposure from these holiday gatherings, flu vaccinations are crucial in fighting the spread of the flu each season and a great way to give the gift of health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu vaccinations for everyone – especially those who are considered “high risk”: children six months of age or older, those 65 years or older and those who have diabetes or chronic heart conditions.


MARIANNE GRAVELY, USDA FOOD SAFETY EXPERT - WAYS TO TRANSPORT, SERVE AND STORE YOUR HOLIDAY DISHES

KEEP YOUR FOOD FROM BEING A HOLIDAY GRINCH WITH THESE FOOD SAFETY STEPS

The holidays are a time for celebrating with family and friends during office parties, holiday buffets and potluck dinners. But improperly prepared or mishandled foods can also be a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria that causes foodborne illnesses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service has food safety tips to ensure that the foods you share with your friends and family keep everyone in the holiday spirit. 

Transporting Your Holiday Dish:
If you're transporting a meal from one location to another temperature is important. When transporting hot dishes, wrap them well to keep them hot by carrying them in an insulated container or hot food carrier. Use the stove, oven, or microwave to reheat food you have transported to 165°F upon arrival as measured by a food thermometer. When transporting cold foods, use a cooler with ice or freezer packs. Be sure to store food in watertight containers to prevent contact with melting ice water, and carry your cooler in the passenger compartment of your car, not in the trunk.

Serving Your Meal:
When serving your meal, keep foods out of the "danger zone" by keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold. If you are serving hot foods on a buffet, keep the foods hot with chafing dishes, slow cookers or warming trays. Make sure they stay at least 140°F or above. Cold foods should be kept cold by nesting serving dishes into bowls of ice. You can also keep your full servings of cold food in the refrigerator, and only place small amounts of the item out at a time to make sure your guests are getting properly chilled food. It is important that cold foods are held at 40°F or below.

Leftovers:
After the fun is over, discard all perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, and casseroles left at room temperature longer than 2 hours. Immediately refrigerate or freeze remaining leftovers in shallow containers. USDA's FoodKeeper app provides more details about how long leftovers can be stored, with storage guidance on nearly 600 items and cooking tips for meat, poultry, seafood and eggs.

Consumers can learn more about key food safety practices at Foodsafety.gov, follow @USDAFoodSafety on Twitter and FoodSafety.gov on Facebook. Consumers with questions about food safety can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or chat live with a food safety specialist in English or Spanish at AskKaren.gov, available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

12/13 LARRY LIPSON, AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT, STEPHEN HAHN-GRIFFITHS & CATHERINE BLADES

LARRY LIPSON - THE AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT

For fifty years Larry Lipson was the food critic for the Los Angeles Daily News and now reports from Florida weekly with his thoughts and favorite picks for Food & Wine.  His lovely Wife Lillian is also on hand at the Lipson Institute for advanced wine studies.


STEPHEN HAHN-GRIFFITHS & CATHERINE BLADES - SHOCKING FINDINGS ABOUT EQUAL PAY REVEALED IN NEW CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY SURVEY

74% SAY THEY WOULD NOT FORGIVE A COMPANY FOR PAYING WOMEN LESS THAN MEN FOR THE SAME WORK

A surprising new survey on corporate responsibility found that equal pay is the NUMBER ONE concern among consumers, basically concluding that a business cannot be ethical and pay women less than men for the same job. The annual Corporate Social Responsibility Survey from Aflac found that 74% of respondents said they would not forgive a company for paying women less than men for the same work. In fact, more than 50% said that they would drive further and pay more to do business with a company they perceive as responsible.

Stephen Hahn-Griffiths of the Reputation Institute and Catherine Blades of Aflac’s will examine the study results and why it pays to practice Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The annual survey is a scientific study on corporate social responsibility with more than 1,400 consumers and investors sharing their views on corporate integrity, philanthropy and how it might influence their decisions.

12/12 GADGET GIRL JAMIE SORCHER TALKS TECH TRENDS, JULIA ROSS HELPS US IDENTIFY OUR CRAVING TYPE

GADGET GIRL JAMIE SORCHER TALKS TECH TRENDS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON 

HI-TECH HOLIDAY 

Holiday season is upon us, and technology and “gadgets” are front and center on the wish list. This year more than ever, your viewers will be shopping for the most awesome, innovative and just plain cool technology “toys.”   This year, once again, electronic gifts will top everyone’s holiday shopping list.  You can’t beat a tech gift and Jamie has some that will just wow you.  Even one with a bow wow to boot.


EXPERT IN NUTRITION AND OVEREATING, JULIA ROSS HELPS US IDENTIFY OUR CRAVING TYPE TO ACTIVATE OUR NATURAL APPETITE CONTROL

THE CRAVING CURE: Identify Your Craving Type to Activate our Natural Appetite Control
By best-selling author and expert in nutrition and overeating, Julia Ross

At her clinic in California, Julia Ross and her colleagues treat food addiction where it starts—in the brain—by building up our natural appetite-regulating neurotransmitters with targeted nutrients called amino acids. It turns out that these brain-fueling concentrates can reprogram our brain's appetite-control capacity in minutes, allowing the brain to start broadcasting sensations of satisfaction that no food, including chocolate, can override. Thousands of Ross’s clients have abolished their cravings for high-calorie confections using this simple nutritional strategy.

THE CRAVING CURE: Identify Your Craving Type to Activate Your Natural Appetite Control (Flatiron Books) grants all of us access to Ross’s revolutionary approach. The process begins with the 5-part questionnaire that identifies readers' unique craving profile and specifies the amino acid supplements needed to curb their specific type of cravings.

Following Ross’s clear explanations of why and how to use the aminos, we can quickly stop craving toxic treats and empower ourselves to gain our natural, inborn taste for healthy food. This makes Ross's anti-craving eating guidelines easy to adapt to permanently. These guidelines take us back to the eating habits we followed before what Ross calls "the dietary disaster era" that hit in the 1970s. Well-researched and clinically tested, they reject low-calorie, low-saturated fat and low-protein diets.   With The Craving Cure's brain and body repair strategy, we can effortlessly eradicate our cravings, rediscover our nutritional heritage, and establish optimal health and weight.

12/11 ENTERTAINING EXPERT AND CHEF JAMES BRISCIONE, FRED TORRES FROM KAANAPALI ALII

ENTERTAINING EXPERT AND CHEF JAMES BRISCIONE - LAST MINUTE TIPS FOR HOLIDAY GATHERINGS 

The holiday season is in full swing and in your excitement, you’ve managed to overcommit yourself again this year! If you’re like the countless others trying to pull together a last minute festive fete and manage to cross everyone off your shopping list at the same time, don’t fret!   Chef James Briscione shares his expert advice on how to plan and host your holiday party and get through your gift list with time to spare! He’ll provide easy tips on everything from food and wine pairings and party decorations to last minute gift ideas. With his help, you’ll be able to smoothly host a last-minute shindig.


FRED TORRES TELL US ALL ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL KAANAPALI ALII

Directly located on the best stretch of Kaanapali Beach, at world famous Kaanapali Resort, just a few miles from Lahaina, Maui, Kaanapali Alii offers four times more space than a standard hotel room and walking access to everything Kaanapali Resort has to offer. The luxurious Maui vacation rentals of Kaanapali Alii are the ideal choice for extended families, friends traveling together, and couple getaways. This idyllic Maui resort is a calm oasis on Kaanapali Beach yet just a short stroll to Whalers Village, ocean activities, shopping and restaurants. There is also a free shuttle within Kaanapali Resort. 50 Nohea Kai Drive, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761 Tel. 808-667-1400

EVENTS:

HAWAIIAN CULTURAL EVENT ON EASTER SUNDAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY
In the stillness before dawn every Easter Sunday and New Year’s Day, the public is invited to join guests of Kaanapali Alii on the beach in directly front of the luxury condo resort for “Hiuwai,” a Hawaiian sea water purification ritual.  Fred Torres, Kaanapali Alii Hawaiian cultural specialist and hotel manager leads this experience of renewal that has grown in popularity since he began in 2011. “Hiuwai” involves simply wading silently into the warm tranquil sea while releasing problems, stress or grief. www.kaanapalialii.com

12/08 TV PERSONALITY & CELEBRITY CHEF ALEX GUARNASCHELLI, THE HOME COOK: RECIPES TO KNOW BY HEART, THE TOY INDUSTRY’S PREMIER PLAYER, ELIZABETH WERNER'S GIFTING TIPS & TRENDS, STEVE EVANS, THE MOVIE REPORT

TV PERSONALITY & CELEBRITY CHEF ALEX GUARNASCHELLI  TALKS ABOUT HER NEW BOOK, THE HOME COOK: RECIPES TO KNOW BY HEART

THE HOME COOK: RECIPES TO KNOW BY HEART

The all-in-one cooking bible for a new generation with 300 recipes for everything from simple vinaigrettes and roast chicken to birthday cake and cocktails.

For Alex Guarnaschelli—whose mother edited the seminal 1997 edition of The Joy of Cooking, which defined the food of the late twentieth century—a life in food and cookbooks was almost predestined. Now an accomplished chef and author in her own right (and mom to a young daughter), Alex pens a cookbook for the way we eat today. For generations raised on vibrant, international flavors and supermarkets stocked with miso paste, harissa, and other bold condiments and ingredients, here are 300 recipes to replace their parents’ Chicken Marbella, including Glazed Five-Spice Ribs, Roasted Eggplant Dip with Garlic Butter Naan, Roasted Beef Brisket with Pastrami Rub, Fennel and Orange Salad with Walnut Pesto, Quinoa Allspice Oatmeal Cookies, and Dark Chocolate Rum Pie.


THE TOY INDUSTRY’S PREMIER PLAYER, ELIZABETH WERNER - GIFTING TIPS & TRENDS 

FINAL COUNTDOWN TO HOLIDAY
The Toy Industry’s Premier Player, Elizabeth Werner, Highlights Last-Chance Tips & Trends in Preparation for the Holiday Rush 

The holidays are practically here, and your viewers will spend the remainder of the month planning, shopping, celebrating… and scrambling!! Elizabeth Werner is on hand and available to share the latest toy industry trends of the season, making sure your viewers are well-prepared.


STEVE EVANS - THE MOVIE GUY

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

12/07 GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY EXPERT LATOYA DRAKE, HOLIDAY RECIPES AND TOYS, ANDREW KOMO, WINNER OF THE 2017 SIEMENS COMPETITION, PARALYMPIC SNOWBOARDER KEITH GABEL, 2018 WINTER GAMES

GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY EXPERT LATOYA DRAKE SHARES THE TOP SEARCHED HOLIDAY RECIPES AND TOYS AND MUCH MORE

LET GOOGLE BE YOUR GUIDE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Shopping season is in full swing and shoppers are logging online to find this year's hottest gifts. Google will reveal the must-have toys that will top the lists in your area.

With help from the Google Assistant, finding the must-have toy at a store near you is easier than ever - from when to avoid the biggest crowds to where to park once you arrive or how to find that perfect gift - it will assist you every step of the way. Want to totally avoid the crowds and shop online? Google will provide helpful security tips and tricks to keep your information safe.

Not in the holiday spirit yet? Now you can get there by exploring Christmas around the globe with Google Earth, plus track and talk to Santa as he makes his annual tour around the world.

GOOGLE.COM


ANDREW KOMO - STUDENT WINNER OF THE 2017 SIEMENS COMPETITION- THE HIGHEST NATIONAL HONOR IN MATH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MARYLAND AND NEW YORK STUDENTS CAPTURE $100,000 SCHOLARSHIP PRIZES IN 2017 SIEMENS COMPETITION IN MATH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Andrew Komo (Bethesda, MD) Wins $100,000 Top Individual Prize; Jillian Parker, Jiachen Lee (Dix Hills, NY) and Arooba Ahmed (Melville, NY) Win $100,000 Team Prize

Four high school students, one from Bethesda, MD, and a team from Dix Hills and Melville, NY, were awarded grand prizes of $100,000 scholarships for their significant accomplishments in scientific research in the 2017 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology. The Competition is the nation's premier science research competition for high school students and seeks to promote excellence by encouraging students to undertake individual or team research projects. For more information go to: www.siemens-foundation.org

Andrew Komo, a senior at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, MD, won the $100,000 grand prize in the Individual category for developing a coded system that protects online auctions from threats, such as cheating and fraud.

The 2017 Siemens Competition awards were presented at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, host of this year’s national finals event. Twenty-one high school competitors – winnowed down from an original pool of more than 2,000 – were judged on their research in topics that addressed issues ranging from better cancer diagnosis to better understanding black holes, and from cybersecurity to preventing deadly hospital infections. More than 1,800 projects were submitted for the competition this year in areas of biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental science, materials science, mathematics and physics.

The Siemens Competition, launched in 1999 by the Siemens Foundation, increases access to higher education for students who are gifted in STEM and is based on the culture of innovation, research, and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens. The competition, administered by Discovery Education, develops a pipeline for the nation’s most promising scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.


U.S. PARALYMPIAN KEITH GABEL TALKS TRAINING FOR THE PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES PYEONGCHANG 2018 AND SHARES HIS STORY OF PREVAILING AFTER A LIFE-CHANGING INJURY

PARA SNOWBOARDER GOES FOR THE GOLD IN 2018 WINTER GAMES 

Overcoming unexpected adversity is challenging in any field, but Keith Gabel has done it flying down a mountain on a snowboard.  

Competitive para snowboarder Keith Gabel is here to share his personal story of overcoming a life-changing workplace industrial accident, to becoming a world-class athlete.  Having earned the bronze medal in the sport’s Paralympic debut, the U.S. Paralympian will talk about how he’s pursuing a medal in both SBX and banked slalom for the Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.

He’ll also discuss how he’s working with The Hartford to dispel misconceptions about people with disabilities and demonstrate what is possible when you focus on ability and overcome life’s challenges through a new campaign called “I Will.” The campaign urges people to celebrate the will to prevail and promotes the idea that when we’re willing to see challenges as opportunities to succeed, we all will.

Keith works closely with The Hartford, a Founding Partner of U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, helping to positively change public attitudes and perceptions about disability.

WWW.THEHARTFORD.COM/WILLTOPREVAIL

12/06 LARRY LIPSONS AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT, CELEBRITY EVENT PLANNER DEBI LILLY & EXECUTIVE CHEF JEFF ANDERSON, HOLIDAY FOOD & WINE PAIRINGS WITH SOMMELIER LESLEE MILLER

LARRY LIPSON - THE AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT

For fifty years Larry Lipson was the food critic for the Los Angeles Daily News and now reports from Florida weekly with his thoughts and favorite picks for Food & Wine.  His lovely Wife Lillian is also on hand at the Lipson Institute for advanced wine studies.


PRO TIPS FOR THE PERFECT HOLIDAY  FROM AN EXECUTIVE CHEF & A CELEBRITY EVENT PLANNER

DELICIOUS FOOD & GORGEOUS DÉCORTO STAR IN YOUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

Oprah’s “Favorite Pro” Debi Lilly Teams Up with Executive Chef Jeff Anderson

The holidays are a joyous time of year when people come together to celebrate with family and friends. Delicious food and seasonal decor are the centerpieces of these memorable occasions. Join us on Wednesday, December 6, for delicious and easy holiday recipes and festive floral and décor tips from the experts. Executive Chef Jeff Anderson, known for his culinary creativity, will share tasty holiday appetizer and entrée ideas using O Organics® and Open Nature® products. He’s teaming up with Debi Lilly, one of the nation’s top event planners and creative force behind the the debi lilly design™ collection to show you how to create just the right ambience using florals for your holiday table. Together, they’ll share timely tips, tricks and recipes to inspire your viewers to create the picture-perfect holiday party! O Organics®, Open Nature®, and debi lilly design™ are all available exclusively at stores.

TIPS FOR CREATING A SPECIAL HOLIDAY PARTY: 

• CELEBRATORY RECIPES: From Prime Rib Roast with Hickory Smoked Bacon-Dijon Mustard Butter to Savory Bacon, Dates & Goat Cheese Pockets, Chef Jeff’s recipe ideas are easy to make and will really “wow” your family and friends. 
• ENTERTAIN WITH ELEGANCE: Debi Lilly will show viewers how to create holiday floral displays with ease using the debi lilly design Greenery Collection, based on the Pantone color of the year. And, she will share quick tips to easily change your holiday décor to be New Year’s Eve ready in just three simple steps. 

SOMMELIER LESLEE MILLER OFFERS INSIGHT INTO MULTI-COURSE PAIRINGS THAT WONT BREAK THE BANK

The holiday season is upon us, and while we all plan for a festive celebration, your viewers/listeners are likely to become increasingly concerned with cost. Between preparing delicious meals and entertaining guests, we often need a reminder that the details can make or break the evening –from menu selection to festive wine pairings – we are all looking for a memorable and stress-free celebration.

Certified sommelier Leslee Miller tells us about her holiday food and wine pairing tips. What can seem like an overwhelming topic for many, Leslie offers insight into the selection process, while providing recommendations that don’t break the bank. 

12/5 CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT, 2018 ELLIOTT READER’S CHOICE CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS, MICHELE DUPRE, VERIZON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS, CELEBRITY CHEF CLAIRE ROBINSON

AUTHOR, COLUMNIST AND FOUNDER OF ELLIOTT.ORG, CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT - 2018 ELLIOTT READER’S CHOICE CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS REVEALED

The 2018 Elliott Readers' Choice Customer Service Awards, brought to you by Allianz Travel Insurance, is an annual recognition of companies that offer outstanding customer support and service. The winners will be announced in early December.

Both the nominees and winners are determined by readers of Elliott.org, a leading consumer advocacy site. Customers know who has the best customer service – you just have to ask them!

The Elliott Readers' Choice Customer Service Awards started in 2005 as a recognition of the top travel companies and bloggers. In 2015, it shifted to a readers' choice survey focused exclusively on customer service. Since then, the award has been recognized as the premier customer service award in its category.

This year's categories feature the best airlines, car manufacturers, wireless carriers, and subscription TV services, among others. Nominees include AT&T, Marriott, Expedia and Disney.

WWW.ELLIOTT.ORG 


MICHELE DUPRE FROM VERIZON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS - TRACKING HOLIDAY SHOPPING TRENDS & WHAT THEY MEAN TO CONSUMERS & RETAILERS

Last year, Holiday Retail Index data revealed some major shifts in consumer buying habits, especially on signature dates such as Black Friday and Super Saturday. Just a few days after the Thanksgiving weekend shopping frenzy, we’ll discuss the trends and data everyone will be talking about.

Each year, the Holiday Retail Index by Verizon monitors daily traffic volume to the top 25 U.S.-based online retailers throughout the holiday shopping season. This important Index tracks e-commerce traffic across Verizon’s broadband networks to the top 25 U.S.-based online retailers as identified by eMarketer based on annual revenue. So, on November 30th, Verizon’s Michele Dupre will discuss the retail data and insights on digital shopping activity from the Thanksgiving weekend. We hope you’ll take advantage of this in-depth analysis of consumer shopping habits this holiday season, and whether it will be a happy holiday for retailers and distributors.


ELEVATE YOUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS WITH CELEBRITY CHEF CLAIRE ROBINSON 

The Holidays are almost here, and so is the gear that will help you bring you celebrations to the next level. Accomplished chef, author and host of Food Network’s Five-Ingredient Fix and Food Network Challenge, Claire Robinson wants you to up your holiday game. She has put together a list of must have gadgets for the home that will bring out your inner chef and host when entertaining all season long.

Claire will share tips and demonstrate how you can elevate the kitchen and home experience and take the stress out of hosting guests for the holidays, including her product picks.

12/04 BRAD & ANGIE ELLIS, THE AMERICAN PECAN COUNCIL, CHRIS ABBOTT FROM UNITEDHEALTHCARE, ELIZABETH WERNER'SGIFTING TIPS & TRENDS

BRAD & ANGIE ELLIS - REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE AMERICAN PECAN COUNCIL

YOU THINK OF THEM FOR PIE. YOU ADORE THEM IN PRALINES. BUT DID YOU KNOW PECANS ARE ACTUALLY A NUTRITION POWERHOUSE?

Don’t be fooled by their rich, buttery texture and naturally sweet taste, pecans are extremely nutrient dense.

Pecans contain the same benefi cial unsaturated fats that are found in other nuts, and nearly two decades of research suggests that nuts, including pecans, may help promote heart health.

In each 1-ounce serving of raw pecans you’ll get 12 grams of “good” monounsaturated fat, with zero cholesterol or sodium. Compared to other nuts, pecans are among the lowest in carbs and
highest in fiber.

The macronutrient profile of pecans is appealing to many people: protein (3 grams), carbohydrate (4 grams) and fat (20 grams).

A handful of pecans – about 19 halves – is a good source of fiber, thiamin, and zinc, and an excellent source of copper and manganese – a mineral that’s essential for metabolism and bone health.

To top it off, pecans contain polyphenols, specifically flavonoids
– which are the types of bioactive compounds found in brightly colored produce. So think of pecans as a supernut.

AMERICANPECAN.COM


CHRIS ABBOTT FROM UNITEDHEALTHCARE - HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MEDICARE PLAN

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT ENDS DEC. 7
Now is the Time to Make Changes to Your 2018 Coverage and Learn About How to Make the Most of Your Medicare Plan

Choosing a Medicare plan is one of the most important decisions a person can make not only for their well-being, but also for their wallet. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when shopping for coverage, so seniors should know about the options available to them and what different Medicare plans can offer.

There are more than 58 million people eligible for Medicare, and Medicare Open Enrollment ends on Dec. 7. Now is the time to learn more about how to select the right Medicare plan for you.

Chris Abbott, a health plan CEO at UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement, can share with your viewers and listeners tips on how to make the best choices about their Medicare coverage. UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest business dedicated to the health and well-being needs of seniors and other beneficiaries, serves one in five Medicare beneficiaries.


THE TOY INDUSTRY’S PREMIER PLAYER, ELIZABETH WERNER, HIGHLIGHTS LAST-CHANCE TIPS & TRENDS IN PREPARATION FOR THE HOLIDAY RUSH 

The holidays are practically here, and your viewers will spend the remainder of the month planning, shopping, celebrating… and scrambling!! Elizabeth Werner is on hand and available to share the latest toy industry trends of the season, making sure your viewers are well-prepared.

Last chance gifts - here is what we are “playing with”…

• Get Ready for Gaming – No doubt about it, your viewers will want to see what’s new and now in the gaming category – Elizabeth will show/tell and demo the latest 
• Crafting & Creating – Crafting is key this season, and Elizabeth will highlight some of the most artistic options  
• For the Tiny Techie – Elizabeth will showcase the hottest tech toys of the season 
• Keep the Classics – Classic character toys are forever on the list, Elizabeth will show and tell the latest and greatest