Hitting the right party time tone

Christmas parties come in all shapes and sizes, and can leave youwith more than just outfit issues. So whatever the occasion, from anoffice affair to a family gathering, make sure you get the partyetiquette right So, you've been invited to a Christmas party. Hownice! But what kind of party is it? Friends, family or workcolleagues? Daytime or evening? Sit-down meal or nibbles? Casual ordressy? Can you bring your partner? Should you bring a bottle or agift? Who knew that a simple party invite could bring on heart burn -someone pass the Rennie... Don't panic, take deep breaths - takethis one step at a time and you will negotiate this veritableminefield as nimbly as a …

Wis. Schools Cancel Classes Before Storm

WAUSAU, Wis. - Two central Wisconsin school districts canceled classes Thursday as a sheriff warned that violent storms and tornadoes forecast for the state could be the "granddaddy of all super cells." Other schools let out early.

The National Weather Service predicted very windy and warm conditions, with possible severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes, starting in the afternoon and continuing into the night.

By early afternoon, tornado watches were issued until 10 p.m. in western and northern Wisconsin, from Hudson and Chippewa Falls to Ashland and Hurley.

Chris Weisgram, a spokesman for the Stevens Point School District, said …

Kyle Busch wins at Iowa Speedway

Kyle Busch won the NASCAR combination race Sunday at Iowa Speedway, easily holding off 2008 winner Brian Ickler.

Coming off the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday night in North Carolina, Busch took the pole and led 168 of the 200 laps in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. With the victory, he earned a spot in the NASCAR Toyota …

Scientists: Asteroid Separated Continents

SAN FRANCISCO Scientists on Wednesday greeted with disbelief areport claiming that an asteroid that struck Earth 250 million yearsago broke up the super land mass known as Gondwanaland into Africa,Australia and other continents.

The radical theory said the impact helped cause Earth's worstmass extinction, cracked the planet's crust, caused flood-likeeruptions of lava and may have triggered the slow breakup ofGondwanaland over millions of years.

The report was presented at the American Geophysical Union'sfall meeting by Michael Rampino, New York University's appliedscience chairman, and by Verne Oberbeck, a geologist at NASA's AmesResearch Center in Mountain …

RNC ad links Obama to 'union bosses'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican National Committee is airing a new television ad in Wisconsin blaming President Barack Obama and "union bosses" for standing in the way of economic reform.

The ad seeks to bolster Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker as he pushes a measure that would take away most collective bargaining rights for state employees.

Walker says the move is needed to cover a $3.6 billion budget …

Kings-Spurs, Box

SACRAMENTO (89)

Artest 10-21 2-4 23, Moore 2-6 3-4 7, Miller 1-8 0-0 2, Johnson 5-9 0-0 12, Martin 2-12 15-17 20, Garcia 3-5 2-2 9, Salmons 2-4 0-0 4, Hawes 1-4 2-2 4, Douby 1-3 0-0 2, Williams 2-3 2-3 6. Totals 29-75 26-32 89.

SAN ANTONIO (102)

Bowen 3-4 2-2 10, Duncan 8-18 5-6 21, Oberto 2-4 2-2 6, Parker 6-14 5-6 19, Finley 4-9 0-1 9, Ginobili 3-5 2-2 9, Horry 0-0 0-0 0, Vaughn 4-9 3-4 11, Ku.Thomas 4-6 0-0 8, Udoka 3-5 0-0 7, Stoudamire 0-1 0-0 0, Bonner 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 38-77 19-23 102.

Sacramento …

Alan Bennett the forum, Bath

It is quite extraordinary to see queues round the block at Bath'sForum at any time, let alone on a Thursday night, but this was billedas 'the literary event of the year' - the night when nationaltreasure Alan Bennett came to town.

The venue, which seats 1,700, was packed with a huge selection ofhis middle-aged groupies and the local literati.

They hung on his every word, which proved to be something of astrain at times due to problems with the microphone.

But when Bennett got into his stride, the laughs were frequent.Like a true veteran of reading tours he was witty, charming andengaging and, almost like a literary stand-up comedian, his deadpandelivery was …