A 70-year-old woman died in a hit-and-run crash Saturday night on the 800 block of Bay Avenue in Capitola. She has been identified as Debra Town of Capitola.

Capitola Police said a vehicle collided with Town at about 8:30pm, and the driver reportedly sped away from the scene.

Capitola Police are now offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the person responsible.

Detectives are asking that anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has useful video camera footage in the area of Hill Street and Crossroads Loop, to call CPD at 475.4242.

“Owners of Tesla vehicles with Sentry Mode enabled, or any drivers who have active dash cameras, and may have been in the area are encouraged to call,” police said. “You may have captured useful video.”

Cruise lines aren’t waiting for actual Black Friday to roll out their deals, with many major brands dropping costs and beefing up amenity offerings for new bookings.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line also has a pair of deals for those booking this week.

The “Pre Cyber Early Saver Sale” has up to 35% off cruise rates and reduced deposits as low as $50 per person for sailings through April 2026. The “Great Rates Free Room Upgrade Sale” also has up to 35% off and free room upgrades within the same category, but that’s only for sailings through February 2024. Both sales end Sunday. Details at carnival.com.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises is offering either a BOGO rate of 75% off for nonrefundable bookings or 50% off refundable bookings for sailings through April 30, 2026. It’s also offering $150 per passenger up to four per cabin in onboard credit. Deal ends Wednesday. Details at celebritycruises.com.

Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises is offering sailings from $399 per person with $100 onboard credit for select sailings for up to $200 credit per cabin. Deal ends Dec. 4. Details at costacruises.com.

Cunard

Cunard is offering fares starting at $799 with up to $25-$500 per person in on-board credit depending on the length of the voyage. Deal ends Sunday. Details at cunard.com.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line doesn’t have any specific Black Friday deals but offers year-round discounted sailings for select voyages running up to 30% off normal prices. Florida resident deals are also in place for up to 30% of select Caribbean and Bahamas sailings, while its offering up to 35% off select Australia sailings. Deals can be found at disneycruise.disney.go.com/special-offers.

Holland America

Holland America is offering 30% off cruise fares on top of prepaid gratuities on more than 800 cruises. Some European cruises qualify for a $500 air credit. The offer ends Sunday. Details at hollandamerica.com.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is featuring for new sailings through 2024 an amenity package that includes free drinks, Wi-Fi and a $75-$500 on-board credit depending on length of booked trip, along with a Kids Sail Free promotion for select sailings. Deal runs through Friday. Details at msccruisesusa.com.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line has offers on top of its main offer of 50% off all cruises. In addition, the line is offering its “Free at Sea” promotion that includes unlimited open bar, free specialty dining, a $50 excursion credit, free Wi-Fi and free third and fourth guests on select sailings. There is also a free airfare for second guests deal on select cruises. Deal runs through Sunday. Details at ncl.com.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises, which just debuted its new ship Oceania Vista from Miami, has savings of up to $5,400 per stateroom for more than 100 of its global voyages in 2024. The sailings run from seven to 34 nights for itineraries in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. The line also has its “Simply More” offer in play that includes free roundtrip airfare and airport transfers, free vintage champagne. premium wines and international beers in ship restaurants and a shore excursion credit of up to $1,600 per stateroom. Deal runs through Dec. 5. Details at OceaniaCruises.com.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises has three savings offers in play. The headliner is 50% off all fares, which is also applicable to its upcharge packages that bundle things like Wi-Fi, beverages and gratuities. This deal is good for 2024 and 2025 sailings. Also in place is 50% off deposits for sailings 45 nights or fewer. And for select sailings, the line is offering free third and fourth passengers. Deal ends Nov. 30. Details at princess.com.

Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas, the luxury sister line to NCL and Oceania, also has a deal combo with up to 30% off fares and a $1,000 on-board spending credit per suite for select 2024 and 2025 voyages. Deal ends Nov. 30. Details at rssc.com.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s Black Friday deal is knocking 30% off each guest for new bookings along with a Kids Sale Free promotion for several sailings, although with exclusions for holidays, spring break and summer. Deal ends Dec. 4. A Black Friday Early Access promotion that ends Nov. 21 offers an additional savings of up between $75-$700 per stateroom for sailings departing Dec. 15 or later. Details at royalcarribbean.com.

Seabourn

Seabourn, a luxury line with seven ships sailing globally, is offering a two-category veranda suite upgrade, up to $2,000 per suite of shipboard credit and 50% reduced deposits on select 2024 voyages. Deal ends Nov. 27. Details at seabourn.com.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages is taking 30% off sailings through 2024 and adding a bar tab credit. The bar tab deal is worth $125 for 3-night sailings, $300 for 4-6 nights and $600 for 7 nights or more. Deal runs through Nov. 30. Details at virginvoyages.com.

By Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald

Those people who run and push and scream for Black Friday deals are out of control! Oh, wait, they are running and pushing and screaming for records? Never mind, that’s fine.

Another Record Store Day Black Friday is upon us. Here are some exclusives and timed releases to make you shriek like a teenager at the height of Beatlemania.

“Mindsets,” Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

How do you like your Joan Jett? Live and raw or recorded and raw? Both! Fabulous answer. “Mindsets” shows off six new cuts and six live takes on the tracks. The showstopper might be “If You’re Blue.” The lead cut sits halfway between punk and rock ‘n’ roll. In other words, it’s signature Jett. The rest all measure up to that same standard.

“The Master,” Chico Hamilton

This could be considered one the greatest jazz albums ever made, if it was jazz. Sorry, if it was just jazz. Legendary jazz drummer Chico Hamilton went into the studio in 1973 with the core of rock band Little Feat — guitarists Lowell George and Paul Barrere, keyboardist Bill Payne, bassist Kenny Gradney, and percussionist Sam Clayton. The results were Southern boogie and New York boogaloo, funk grooves and fusion excursions. Truly a magical moment with Hamilton’s drums sitting between George’s slippy, squealing slide guitar and Payne’s keys, which swing from hard pop piano to soul jazz organ. Bonus, the 50th anniversary edition is limited to 4,000 copies of purple marble 180-gram vinyl.

“Gett Off,” Prince

A recreation of the 1991 12’’ version of “Gett Off” delivered only to DJs that let the New Power Generation let loose on the world, the release of this nearly endless jam has one flaw: It is only nearly endless. When Prince celebrated his 33rd birthday with this “club mix” he let the music ooze from vinyl to ears for eight and half minutes. The epic track bumps, grinds, moans, coos, shouts, and screams like James Brown on ecstasy with a dash of Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix. It might be the only eight and half minute song that’s way too short.

“Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Tina Turner

Tina’s first single without Ike was a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” It has a vibe like Robert-Plant-meets-Shaft, that is to say, it’s simply awesome. But it went nowhere. Tina was the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll and nobody knew it. Thankfully, the world knows it now. Celebrating 50 years of Tina’s solo career, this 5-LP box set compiles all her 55 singles, pulling from many long out of print albums. The hits are immortal, and great to hear in chronological order — “What’s Love Got To Do With It” into  “Better Be Good To Me” into “Private Dancer,” wow! But the obscure stuff is the real treasure. There’s an entire side of her forgotten ’70s nuggets (start with the Stax-plus-Seeger stomp of “Root, Toot Undisputable Rock’n Roller”) that fit right in with thumpers like Bryan Adams’ duet “It’s Only Love” and epic live cuts – “Addicted to Love” is an absolute rave up.

No matter what your cinematic mood might be from now till the end of December, Hollywood’s got you covered.

In need of some romance? Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell hope to make hearts swell as squabbling wedding guests who, of course, develop an eventual soft spot for each other  in “Anyone But You.”

Prefer a good cry? Filmmaker Andrew Haigh aims to make even the most cynical moviegoer weep buckets when watching “All of Us Strangers,” starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal.

Hankering for a bloody revenge flick? Veteran action director John Woo’s got shootouts galore in “Silent Night,” starring an acting-his-heart-out Joel Kinnaman.

Yes, the Hollywood elves are back on the job and working overtime stuffing movie stockings with heart-warmers, heartbreakers, Oscar hopefuls and even a blockbuster or two.

So we’ve made a list of the cinematic goodies coming out from Dec. 1 till the end of the year, and then checking it twice.

Note: Some major Netflix releases — Todd Haynes black dramedy “May December” (streaming Dec. 1)  with Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, along with Sam Esmail’s domestic thriller “Leave the World Behind” (streaming Dec. 8) with Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali and Ethan Hawke, have already had limited releases in theaters so are not included here. And in all cases, dates, of course, are subject to change.

Dec. 1

“Maestro”: Bradley Cooper commits fully both in front of and behind the camera for this Netflix drama on the real-life romance and complicated marriage of legendary composer Leonard Bernstein (Cooper) — who was gay — and actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). Cooper directs, stars and produces this atypical biopic that’s partly shot in black and white. Also streams Dec. 20.

“Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé”: Will the BeyHive show up the Swifties at the box office? That’s the big question mark about Queen Bey’s latest concert film. We actually couldn’t care less about that we’re just confident that Beyonce’s latest will appeal to audiences and critics alike, just like her outstanding 2019 documentary “Homecoming: A Beyonce Film.”

“Godzilla Minus One”: Haven’t had your fill of kaijū stomping on cities? You’re in luck. Director/writer/visual effects wiz Takashi Yamazaki scratches our mega-monster itch with a post-World War II-set scaly hoedown released by Toho studios. Remarkably, it’s that studio’s 33rd Godzilla film.

“Silent Night”: A Southern Californian dad (Joel Kinnaman) gets caught in the cross-hairs of a gang fight and loses both his son and his voice, which propels him to get all John Wick on his perpetrators in John Woo’s ultra-violent return to top-tier form. This one makes ideal counterprogramming for all the sentimental holiday romps.

“Candy Cane Lane”: Speaking of sentimental holiday films: In this Amazon Studios bit of comedic seasonal cheer, a competitive dad (Eddie Murphy) makes a pact with a mischievous elf (Jillian Bell) so he can win top honors in the annual Christmas decoration contest. Mayhem ensues, and it’s up to his family to reverse an elf’s curse. (Streams on Amazon Prime Video.)

“Eileen”: A juvenile detention center in the 1960s is the moody setting for this twist-filled tale of obsession, wherein a coworker (Thomasin McKenzie) falls under the spell of an entrancing new counselor (Anne Hathaway). William Oldroyd directs this adaptation of Ottessa Mossfegh’s Booker Prize-nominated debut novel.

Dec. 8

“The Boy and the Heron”: Revered animator and filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki’s first film in 10 years (his 12th feature overall) is a moving semi-autobiographical fantasy about 12-year-old Mahito Maki reluctantly moving to an estate with his dad who just wed his dead mother’s sister. A series of curious events transport him to a magical realm that includes hordes of evil gargantuan parakeets. Kid you not. Robert Pattinson voices the Grey Heron.

“Poor Things”: In Yorgos Lanthimos’s latest eyebrow-raiser, a Victorian-era woman (Emma Stone in a performance buzzing with Oscar potential) escapes death and then tours various continents where she attempts to shed the sexist shackles of her time. A sketchy lawyer (Mark Ruffalo) joins the ride.

Dec. 15

“The Family Plan”: A frazzled suburban dad (Mark Wahlberg) is forced to face his past as a government assassin as he packs up the family and embarks on a road trip to Las Vegas with hitmen following in hot pursuit. (Streams on Apple TV+.)

“Monster”: Leave it to deservedly acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda to take us by surprise with this “Rashomon”-like drama that involves a troubling incident at a school and the twist-filled aftermath. Easily one of the best films of 2023.

“Wonka”: So how did Roald Dahl’s eccentric Willy Wonka turn into the Candy Man of universal renown? Timothée Chalamet steps into the shoes of a young Wonka to reveal the path that the eccentric chocolate-maker followed to reach the Oompa-Loompas. The origin story is directed and written by Paul King, who delighted all with two “Paddington” movies (and a third is on the way).

“Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget”: This Netflix sequel flaps its wings 23 years after the original and finds Ginger’s placid existence on a bird sanctuary getting interrupted. Sam Fell of “ParaNorman” and “Flushed Away” directs.

Dec. 20

“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”: Jason Momoa again swims with the fishes as Arthur Curry/Aquaman with director James Wan diving in as well. This time, Aquaman needs to get over bad blood spilled between he and his half-brother Orm Marius (Patrick Wilson) in order to save Atlantis from David Kane/Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Matten II). Will this break the DC film curse after a series of box-office bombs?

Dec. 22

“All of Us Strangers”: Expect your hankies to work overtime while watching this fantasy-laced heartbreaker from Andrew Haigh’s (“Looking”) about a lonely gay man (Andrew Scott) visiting the spirits of his dead parents while falling for a troubled but hunky neighbor (Paul Mescal) in his apartment building.

“American Fiction”: On an alcohol-induced whim, an acclaimed but non-mainstream author (Jeffrey Wright) cranks out a gritty urban novel that wows critics and readers alike. Talented screenwriter and now director Cord Jefferson adapts Percival Everett’s satirical 2001 novel “Erasure” and touches on a variety of hot-button issues — race, family, homosexuality, romance and pretension.

“Anyone But You”: After a brief but awful romance, Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (“Top Gun: Maverick’s” Glen Powell) meet up again at a destination wedding where they engage in put-downs and let the sparks fly. Rom-coms have had a spotty record at the box office of late (we’re looking at you, “What Happens Later”) but director/writer Will Gluck (“Friends With Benefits” and “Easy A”) has a solid track record.

“Migration”: Need something for the kids to watch over the holiday break? Wing it over to see this first computer animated venture from Benjamin Renner (co-director of the Oscar-nominated “Ernest & Celine”). It’s about a stay-at-home duck family taking a mind-expanding trip away from the pond where they roost. Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks and Awkwafina chime in on the voice cast.

“The Zone of Interest”: Jonathan Glazer observes the mundanity of evil in the lives of Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel), the commandant of Auschwitz, his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller) and their five children — who live next door to the death camp. It’s a chilling and unique cinematic experience that you won’t forget.

“The Iron Claw”: Best chug back a couple of massive protein shakes before hitting the gym — er, theater — to check out Sean Durkin’s star-studded 1980s professional wrestling epic that follows the tightly bonded Von Erich brothers out of Texas. Actors Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickinson go to the mat for what looks to be another A24 hit.

“Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire”: The first film in Zach Snyder’s two-part sci-fi epic plays in limited theatrical release. It stars Sofia Boutella as a resistance organizer who encourages warriors from various worlds to retaliate against an oppressive regime. Charlie Hunnam and Djimon Hounsou costar. (Also on Netflix.)

Dec. 25

“The Boys in the Boat”: George Clooney climbs aboard to direct an adaptation of the inspirational Daniel James Brown best-seller, which recounts the astonishing story of the 1930s University of Washington rowing team that went from modest beginnings to capturing the gold at the ‘36 Berlin Olympics. Joel Edgerton and Callum Turner star.

“The Color Purple”: Both the Tony Award-winning musical version of Alice Walker’s iconic 1982 novel and Steven Spielberg’s iconic 1985 big-screen adaptation inspired this Hollywood treatment from director Blitz Bazawule (Beyonce’s “Black Is King”) and screenwriter Marcus Gardley, an Oakland native. Oprah Winfrey, Spielberg, Quincy Jones and Scott Sanders sign on as producers. Fantasia Barrino stars as Celie while Taraji P. Henson plays Shug and Halle Bailey (“The Little Mermaid”) portrays young Nettie.

“Ferrari”: Adam Driver puts pedal to the metal in Michael Mann’s high-voltage look into a make-or-break chapter from automaker Enzo Ferrari’s extraordinary life, a period when his Italian empire skidded into financial straits. To save it, he puts it all on the line with a road race in Italy. Penelope Cruz is winning raves for her performance as his wife, Laura.

Contact Randy Myers at soitsrandy@gmail.com.

Some entertainment seekers put as much thought into their Thanksgiving-related viewing as they do their holiday meals.

A morning parade appetizer is followed by football gluttony.

Others simply count down the minutes until it’s societally acceptable to watch “Love Actually,” “Die Hard” or some other Christmas classic.

In part, it’s because there are nowhere near as many great movies or TV episodes that deal with Thanksgiving as there are for its December counterpart with a better marketing team. Sure, you could reach and argue that “Rocky” qualifies — for instance — since it includes a holiday dinner from hell, but Thanksgiving is a distant memory when Rocky and Apollo fight on New Year’s Day.

It’s also because some people haven’t done the work to look for some gems for viewers to enjoy leading up to and on Thanksgiving from the world of movies and TV — essentially, anything that’s streaming. Those who have, by the way, know that most of the best were on the small-er screen.

Here are our top 15 picks for Thanksgiving movies and episodes and where you can find them:

15. “Home for the Holidays”

Streaming on Paramount+

Talking turkey: What it lacks in subtlety it more than makes up for with the type of family melodrama that makes many want to skip the festivities. The supporting cast is loaded, and Holly Hunter is terrific, as usual. But unless you really want a holiday-themed movie with her, maybe try “Broadcast News” or “Raising Arizona” instead.

14. “M*A*S*H”

Season 8, Episode 10: “The Yalu Brick Road”

Streaming on Hulu

Talking turkey: A few members of my family once ate bad turkey at a stop we had to make before our final destination; I passed and avoided food poisoning. The only ones to escape at the 4077th missed the Klinger-procured bird with salmonella. Laugh a bit with this one and be warned.

13. “The Last Waltz”

Streaming on Tubi and Freevee

Talking turkey: What does this Martin Scorsese-directed documentary about The Band have to do with Thanksgiving? Other than music lovers’ gratitude for the most amazing list of special appearances ever, the show in San Francisco was held on Thanksgiving after the crowd of 5,000 was served a turkey dinner. Maybe try the YouTube appetizer of “The Weight” and see if you can resist the full meal.

12. “Succession”

Season 1, Episode 5: “I Went to Market”

Streaming on Max

Talking turkey: Hindsight makes this early episode richer than it once seemed. So much was about to happen in the Waystar Royco world, and this lays the groundwork for a lot of it. Logan Roy clearly was down when playing the episode’s titular — and post-holiday dinner — game, but he was far from out.

11. “Scent of a Woman”

Streaming on Prime Video and Apple TV+

Talking turkey: Follow your family meal with a debate over how this was Al Pacino’s only Oscar win when he’d had so many more deserving roles (start with Corleone, Michael and go from there). Or perhaps just enjoy how his Lt. Col. Frank Slade charms his way into a tango and a Ferrari but pretty much offends the rest of the world. A better spin on the mentor-mentee bond is the new “The Holdovers,” but that’s set at Christmas.

10. “How I Met Your Mother”

Season 3, Episode 9: “Slapsgiving”

Streaming on Hulu

Talking turkey: It’s hard enough to host Thanksgiving for the first time. But when her friends/guests are too busy dealing with the fallout of a breakup or plotting a slap for the ages to help, it’s enough to make Lily want to give up. Orson Bean as Robin’s “older” boyfriend and Jason Segel’s post-slap song are added bonuses.

9. “Cheers”

Season 5, Episode 9: “Thanksgiving Orphans”

Streaming on Hulu

Talking turkey: The best two food fights ever shown on a big or small screen? John Belushi’s Bluto starts a classic in “Animal House,” and the cast of “Cheers” lets loose in this celebration of found family. The madness carries through to the running joke that we never see the face of Norm’s mysterious wife Vera, even though she makes an appearance.

8. “Friends”

Season 6, Episode 9: “The One Where Ross Got High”

Streaming on Max

Talking turkey: No sitcom embraced Thanksgiving as thoroughly as “Friends,” which delivered Turkey Day-themed episodes in nine of its seasons. The football-heavy offering in Season 3 is a favorite, but this one gets the edge as a nod to recently departed Matthew Perry. His Chandler is at the top of his game here as he tries to win over Monica’s parents.

7. “Gilmore Girls”

Season 3, Episode 9: “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving”

Streaming on Netflix

Talking turkey: In case you haven’t learned this somewhere else, Melissa McCarthy is hilarious. Sure, her Sookie is helped here by the brilliant writing of Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, but she delivers so much in quick bursts. And the loquacious mother-daughter duo of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore brave four Thanksgiving meals to try to please everyone.

6. “This Is Us”

Season 1, Episode 8: “Pilgrim Rick”

Streaming on Hulu

Talking turkey: Anyone have two list appearances by Milo Ventimiglia on the Bingo card? His small role in the “Gilmore” festivities is overshadowed by the legend of Jack Pearson — super dad and, in a pinch, Pilgrim Rick. If you ever watched “This Is Us,” you know you’ll cry. But this one is a special examination of the things parents do for and because of their children. Some of those things become lifelong traditions; others are accompanied by pain.

5. “Hannah and Her Sisters”

Streaming on Max

Talking turkey: If you get past the family debate about watching anything by Woody Allen, this one serves up an equal number of Thanksgiving dinners and Oscar wins: three. Michael Caine and Dianne Wiest won for their supporting turns in a cast that includes Mia Farrow, Barbara Hershey, Carrie Fisher, Max von Sydow and Allen. With Allen, who won for his screenplay, the love and family stories are complicated.

4. “Planes, Trains & Automobiles”

Streaming on Paramount+

Talking turkey: It’s only the No. 2 John Hughes holiday movie — more on that in a moment — but it claims the top spot among Thanksgiving flicks. And, no, it’s not just about the “pillows.” Steve Martin and John Candy are a dream nightmare pairing, and this arguably is Candy’s best movie. His Del Griffith is too much for any stressed traveler to handle, but he wears you down with sweetness, sincerity and vulnerability. Don’t miss Martin’s car rental confrontation with scene-stealing Edie McClurg. And Hughes’ best holiday movie is “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” not “Home Alone,” by the way.

3. “WKRP in Cincinnati”

Season 1, Episode 7: “Turkeys Away”

Streaming on Apple TV+

Talking turkey: There are promotional stunts gone awry, and then there is the great WKRP turkey giveaway of 1978. In case you’ve somehow missed this in the past 45 years, we won’t spoil how said turkeys were given away. But when award-winning newsman Les Nessman cries out, “Oh, the humanity!” on the air, the only reasonable explanation comes from his boss, Arthur Carlson: “As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.”

2. “Master of None”

Season 2, Episode 8: “Thanksgiving”

Streaming on Netflix

Talking turkey: This showcase for Lena Waithe’s acting and writing is a beautiful tale of family that takes her character, Denise, through several Thanksgivings with her mother, grandmother, aunt, best friend and love interests. Waithe delivers her story of coming out to her mother — played brilliantly by Angela Bassett — and finding the right woman, as opposed to the one with a hilarious Instagram name we won’t spoil.

1. “The West Wing”

Season 2, Episode 8: “Shibboleth”

Streaming on Max

Talking turkey: Aaron Sorkin created three of the best Christmas episodes of series TV ever and takes our title for the ultimate Thanksgiving offering. The A plot is about refugees who seek religious freedom in America, arriving by boat. While he’s dealing with that crisis, President Jed Bartlet also needs to pardon a turkey, educate a delivery driver and secure a new carving knife because the one a silversmith named Paul Revere made for his family soon will have a new owner.

By Gretchen McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Of all the Thanksgiving classics, only one dish gives a roasted turkey a run for the money.

Silky smooth pumpkin pie is just as high on many people’s list of favorite holiday dishes. Often made with Libby’s canned pumpkin puree, a slice brings the meal to its sweet conclusion.

I’ve never been a big fan because of the dessert’s jiggly texture. Even a giant dollop of homemade whipped cream spooned on top won’t sway me. I am, however, quite happy to bake one or two pies for the family and friends who love it.

Like a whole lot of Americans who love the flavor of pumpkin in everything from their morning coffee to their breads, soups and cookies, I also like to cook with it, so long as its final destination isn’t inside a pie shell.

It’s not just about the flavor: When it comes to canned foods, pure pumpkin is a winner nutrition-wise. Not only is the fruit low-fat and low-calorie (a half-cup serving has just 45 calories), it’s naturally gluten-free. It’s also packed with nutrients, fiber and vitamin A. In a pinch, it can make a great substitute for oil or butter in baking.

The holidays are prime time for pumpkin lovers, because those instantly recognizable cans of pure pumpkin puree are not only happily on sale in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas, but also front and center on your grocery store’s end caps and baking aisle — practically begging to be tossed into the shopping cart.

Want to expand your pumpkin repertoire? Or maybe you’re just looking for ways to use up any leftover pumpkin after making the requisite pie. These three recipes all put the bright orange puree to good use, in ways both sweet and savory.

The first is a savory pumpkin hummus that takes less than 10 minutes to prepare, and will kick off your holiday gathering in a flavorful and nutritious fashion. It has all the ingredients of a traditional hummus — chickpeas, garlic, lemon and tahini — plus canned pumpkin puree and warm Mediterranean spices. The result is a festive and slightly spicy spin on a cold dip that’s perfect for fall.

The second recipe is made to order for guests who prefer eating vegetarian, especially when said dish partners cheese and pasta. Cooked lasagna noodles are filled with a creamy mix of pumpkin puree and ricotta, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses and rolled burrito-style into fat bundles. A rich sauce made with more pumpkin and heavy cream goes on top, along with thin ribbons of fresh sage. Not exactly low-cal, but fabulous! You’ll never make sweet potato casserole again.

And finally, for dessert, may we suggest a moist and perfectly spiced pumpkin bundt cake. It’s more showy than a round or square cake, and easier to make because you don’t have to ice it. A thick but pourable glaze made of maple syrup, butter, vanilla and confectioners’ sugar is drizzled on top and down the side for a sweet and seasonal finish.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Spicy Pumpkin Hummus

This low-cal and very tasty appetizer made with pumpkin puree is super easy and super seasonal. Cayenne pepper and cumin give it a spicy little kick.

Serves a crowd

1 15-ounce canned pumpkin puree

1 15.5-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed well

3 tablespoons tahini

Juice 1 lemon

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 clove garlic

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Pita chips, apple slices and/or crackers for serving

1. Process pumpkin and chickpeas in a food processor until fairly smooth. Add tahini, lemon juice, oil, cayenne, cumin and garlic to the food processor and process until smooth.
2. Season to taste with salt and pepper; you also can add more lemon juice or spices, to taste.
3. Serve with pita chips or wedges, apple slices and/or crackers, with a sprinkle of cayenne on top.

— adapted from foodnetwork.com

Pumpkin Lasagna Roll-Ups

Have a few vegetarians at the table this holiday? Or simply tired of the same old sweet potato casserole? This decadent lasagna dish is sure to please. The filling combines pumpkin puree with ricotta and Parmesan cheeses as well as fresh sage. And the creamy pumpkin sauce shouts “fall!”

I used heavy cream in the sauce, but if you’re looking for a lighter dish, use all milk instead. Any leftover filling can be tucked into ravioli or cannelloni.

Serves 6-8

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for the noodles

12 lasagna noodles

1 tablespoon salted butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup light or heavy cream

2 cups whole milk, plus more if needed

Salt and black pepper

1 1/3 cups grated Parmesan cheese

Pinch of grated nutmeg

Pinch of cayenne pepper

1 1/2 cups pure pumpkin puree

1 16-ounce container whole-milk ricotta cheese

4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 large egg, beaten

2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage, plus more for topping

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water until cool and lay flat on a large sheet of foil. When cool, cut each in half.
2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly with a wooden spoon just long enough to eliminate the raw taste of the flour, but not so long that the roux starts to brown, about 3 minutes.
3. Slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, whisking occasionally, and cook until the sauce thickens a little, about 10 minutes. Whisk in 1/3 cup parmesan, nutmeg and cayenne until melted.
4. Add 1 cup pumpkin puree to the sauce and whisk until smooth; taste and season with more salt, pepper, nutmeg or cayenne, if desired. If it seems too thick, add a little more milk. Set aside.
5. Prepare filling: Combine ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, 3/4 cup Parmesan, the remaining 1/2 cup pumpkin, egg, sage, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl and stir to combine.
6. Assemble roll-ups: Spread 1/2 cup of sauce in a 9- by- 13-inch baking dish. Spread a generous tablespoons of ricotta filling on each half noodle, then roll up to enclose the filling. Arrange seam-side down in the pan. (I divided the noodles between two pans.)
7. Top with the remaining sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan. Sprinkle with sage. Loosely cover with foil.
8. Bake for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake until bubbly, about 10 more minutes. Let it sit for 15 minutes before serving.

— adapted from thepioneerwoman.com

Pumpkin Bundt Cake

Pumpkin pie is the most famous Thanksgiving dessert, but personally, I can’t stand it. (It’s a texture thing.) This super-moist pumpkin Bundt cake, which includes many of the same ingredients, including canned pumpkin, is a terrific substitute. A sweet maple glaze adds an autumnal flourish. Great for breakfast before Black Friday shopping.

Makes 1 cake

For cake

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground allspice

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup vegetable oil

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

For maple glaze

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chopped walnuts or pecans, for garnish (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease a 10- to 12-cup Bundt pan with baking spray with flour.
2. Sift flour into a large bowl. Add cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, allspice, salt, and baking powder to the bowl and whisk to combine.
3. In a separate large bowl, beat vegetable oil and sugar together until fully combined. Beat in eggs, one at a time, making sure that each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in vanilla.
4. Beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, alternate adding dry ingredients and pumpkin puree to the batter, mixing on low speed after each addition just until the ingredients are incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer. Firmly tap the pan on the countertop a few times to release any air bubbles.
6. Bake 55-60 minutes, until a cake tester or wooden skewer inserted in the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Prepare maple glaze: Place butter, maple syrup, ground cinnamon and kosher salt in a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the butter is melted. Remove from the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Allow to cool for 2-4 minutes, until slightly thickened.
8. Spoon the warm glaze over the cooled cake. If the glaze starts to set in the pan before drizzling over the cake, simply place it back on the heat for a few seconds and whisk until smooth). Garnish with chopped walnuts, if desired.

— southernliving.com

©2023 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

I texted my daughter, who lives two states away, to ask what she is most looking forward to when she comes home for Thanksgiving.

“Cooking with you and drinking coffee in the kitchen and watching the Thanksgiving day parade,” she said without hesitation. “And not being at work…”

We can do that! I replied.

She wasn’t finished. “I love your stuffing !!!! And turkey sandwiches with Aunt Lynda’s famous mayo…lol!” (My sister Lynda was famous for how she slathered a spoonful of mayonnaise on every bite of leftover turkey.)

“And then playing games and eating pie for breakfast the next morning with coffee. You know, Mom, pie for breakfast is my favorite.”

I did not know that. What kind of pie? (I was hoping she’d say pumpkin.)

“Pumpkin. Not a pecan fan unless you want your blood sugar to hit the charts, lol! I’ll stick with my pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.”

I didn’t tell her that according to Starbucks, a 16-ounce “Grande” pumpkin spice latte made with 2% reduced fat milk contains 390 calories and 50 grams of sugar (that’s 12 teaspoons) and 14 grams of fat. In its defense, it does have a fair amount of protein (14 grams) from the milk.

Not much different than a slice of homemade pumpkin pie (1/8 slice of a 9-inch pie) with 316 calories, 41 grams of carbs (equivalent to 10 teaspoons of sugar) and about half the protein of the latte, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Data Central.

But the holiday is not all about food, is it? And sometimes it doesn’t seem like much has changed in the 160 years since President Abraham Lincoln first proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving.

The United States was in the midst of the Civil War. Brothers were killing brothers. And many thought the country would soon collapse.

Yet, “in the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity,” Lincoln recognized “the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.” He reminded Americans of blessings “which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come.”

And as he invited all Americans to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November “as a day of Thanksgiving and praise,” he fervently implored God’s hand “to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it…to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.”

Later in the day, my daughter added to her list. “Oh, can we go riding?” (We have horses on our ranch.) “I love riding with you.”

So we plan to do just that. And in the midst of the turmoil and controversy in this world, I know it will be just what we need.

I pray this Thanksgiving will be a special day of reflection and gratitude for you as well.

Barbara Intermill is a registered dietitian nutritionist and syndicated columnist. She is the author of “Quinn-Essential Nutrition: The Uncomplicated Science of Eating.” Email her at barbara@quinnessentialnutrition.com.

The shooting happened at a bar early Tuesday morning.

A Salinas man was found guilty of first degree murder, Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni announced Friday.

Josias Alexis Angel Abarca (26) was found guilty for the killing of Nelson Sanchez in Salinas on July 19, 2021.

The jury also found true the special circumstance of “lying in wait” – a criminal act of hiding and waiting for an individual with the intention to kill or seriously harm that individual – and a gun use enhancement.

Sanchez left his home to go to work early in the morning when Abarca – who had been waiting outside Sanchez’s home with a gun – charged out of the dark and fired seven times, striking Sanchez with six bullets.

Salinas police tied Abarca to the crime through his phone and DNA evidence left on the shell casings at the scene.

The case was investigated by Salinas police sergeant, Gabriela Contreras. Judge Pamela Butler will sentence Abarca on Dec. 15. Abarcaa faces a sentence of life without parole.

PACIFIC GROVE — Monarch butterfly numbers are down this year entering prime counting season, but experts aren’t panicking yet.

“Butterfly populations are bouncy,” said Isis Howard, an endangered species conservation biologist at the Xerces Society. “The monarch butterfly life cycle is unique in that they have multiple generations present at one time. The super generation’s success is reliant on the previous generation’s success.”

And with last year’s winter storms, she says it likely impacted the breeding population of monarchs, hence the lower numbers. Animals can behave differently year after year, meaning there may be more on the way. “It’s a little early to tell. There might always be a late wave of monarchs.”

The western monarch butterfly is the species that earned Pacific Grove the name of Butterfly Town, U.S.A. Unlike the eastern monarch butterfly, they migrate between northern states like Washington, Oregon, and Idaho before coming to roost in temperate California for the winter. At temperatures below 55 degrees, monarch butterflies cannot fly. Instead, they huddle together in orange and black clusters in the trees until the air warms again. This unusual behavior makes it possible to count them early on cold winter mornings, when they’re still gathered together.

The annual Thanksgiving count is vital for those who want to ensure the preservation of these butterflies, which are set to be listed as “endangered” by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “By comparing how that number differs throughout the years, we’re able to get a very good idea of how the population is faring over time,” said Natalie Johnston, community science coordinator at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. “And then we can start working on what factors contribute to this and what needs to be done in order to have that future population.”

But across the monarch butterfly sanctuaries in Pismo, Natural Bridges and Pacific Grove, the volunteers have noted far fewer butterflies overall. The monarch butterfly count on the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, which is updated weekly, currently lists the count at 7,604. Johnston reported that’s far less than the 12,600 butterflies that they counted last year around this same time. Major concerns about how low the numbers had dropped in 2020 were starting to be alleviated when the numbers climbed last year – but this might just be a low year.

The Xerces Society, a conservation group focused on invertebrates, also conducts another butterfly count in January to obtain further data on how monarchs are doing. Earlier this year, they reported a 58% average decrease of monarchs — according to the Xerces Society’s conversations with local volunteers, it was likely due to the rain and wind causing trees to topple, with monarchs still roosting in them. But in Pacific Grove, Johnston noted the populations had far more success. There was only a 17% decrease, which is an average and expected decrease in the area. Johnston speculates that the variety of trees in the area may have had something to do with it. “We have eucalyptus, Monterey pine, and Monterey cypress… it may have something to do with the variety of trees to provide more robust habitats for the monarchs.”

That’s not to say monarchs shouldn’t be a focus of our attention. Their populations have declined by approximately 95% since the 1980s. Howard and Johnston both said people can advocate for these butterflies by educating themselves on local action. For areas further inland, like Carmel Valley, Johnston recommends planting native milkweed species and other plants that monarchs can eat during their breeding and overwintering seasons — which means they need to be pesticide-free to be safe for butterfly consumption. In other areas, ensuring that there are habitats for monarchs in the form of native trees can also help. Check with your local experts to find what specific actions you can take.

And while you might not want to be one of the 12 volunteers in Monterey County who gets up in the wee hours of the chilly morning to count butterflies, you can still learn about them at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. On Saturday, their Science Saturday event is all about monarchs. They’ve even got a monarch butterfly-themed cover band called The 5 M’s, made up of interpreters from the Natural Bridges site.

“I love the fact that Pacific Grove calls itself Butterfly Town U.S.A.,” Johnston said, “and I would love to see more butterfly and nature stewardship, and for that to be an identity — not just at Pacific Grove, but for all the residents of the Monterey County area.”

Five Seaside and Monterey residents were arrested last week for robbery and conspiracy, the Monterey Police Department announced.

Monterey police officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Alvarado Street on Nov. 13 at 1:45 p.m. regarding a strong-armed robbery that had just occurred.

The victim reported that a female stole $50 from him and four male suspects punched him numerous times. The victim suffered minor injuries.

Monterey police officers conducted an area check and located all five suspects near San Carlos Beach. The suspects were identified as Monterey residents Sarah Klapper (18), Daniel Chavez (22) and Jacob Bradley (23), along with Seaside residents Efrain Mora-Velasco (19) and Isaiah Solomon (19).

Klapper, Chavez and Mora-Velasco were arrested for robbery and conspiracy and their bail was set at $80,000. Bradley and Solomon were arrested for robbery, conspiracy and violation of probation. Their bail was also set at $80,000.

The Monterey Police Department is asking that anyone with information regarding the case contact Detective Sergeant Greg Galin at 831-646-3872.

By Nancy Clanton, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Before you decide to board your dog as you head out for the holidays, be aware there is a mystery illness affecting canines across the United States.

The potentially fatal respiratory illness begins as a cough that can last for weeks, Today first reported. If antibiotics don’t help, your pet can develop severe pneumonia and struggle to breathe. Some dogs have died from the disease.

Idaho resident Wendy Brown told “Good Morning America” her golden retrievers — Bridge, Dooley and Lulu — started showing symptoms earlier this month.

“Dooley started doing kind of this huffing and also seemed to feel quite lethargic,” Brown said, according to ABC News. “Not too long after, Bridge began to exhibit the symptoms. But his were louder, more boisterous. I thought it was his stomach because he made like a retching sound.”

The vet started one dog on a 10-day cycle of the antibiotice doxycycline, but, Brown said, “Today was day 10 and he is not a lot better.”

Lindsey Ganzer, a veterinarian and CEO at North Springs Veterinary Referral Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, told Today her clinic has seen about 30 dogs with the condition since mid-October.

“It seems to happen very, very quickly — to go from this cough that’s just won’t go away … and then all of a sudden they develop this pneumonia,” Ganzer said.

According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, dogs with the illness have coughing that doesn’t get better, sneezing, runny eyes or nose, lethargy, trouble breathing, and do not test positive for common respiratory illnesses.

Experts say the condition is highly contagious, with canines who visit day cares, dog parks, groomers or boarding kennels most at risk.

Cases that match the symptoms of the mystery disease have been reported in:

• Oregon
• Colorado
• New Hampshire and the surrounding Northeast area
• California
• Indiana
• Illinois
• Washington
• Idaho
• Georgia
• Florida

Ganzer recommends keeping your dog away from other dog, which might be difficult during the holidays.

“I understand that there are circumstances that are unavoidable and that some people have to (board their dogs), but I would not take this lightly,” she said. “If there’s somebody that can even just come to your house and let your dog out, that’s a better option.”

©2023 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.