What Are USPS Deadlines for Mailing Holiday Packages?

The U.S. Postal Service offers tips and suggestions so holiday packages arrive in time for the holidays.

Are you one of the many holiday revelers with families and friends spread all across the country and the world? If so, even before you dive into that gift list, it's important to know how early must you buy, wrap and post holiday gifts so they get to their destination in time. Here are some suggestions and mailing deadline dates from the U.S. Postal Service to ensure your gifts are delivered on time and in one piece: Packing tips from the USPS: Calculated for December 25, 2012. Domestic Mail Class/Product Dates First-Class Mail® Service Dec. 20 Priority Mail® Service Dec. 21 Express Mail® Service Dec. 22 Parcel Post® Service Dec. 14 Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) Drop Ship Dec. 19 Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Drop Ship …

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Holiday Foods on the 'Nice' List

Enjoy these snacks during the busy holiday season.

The following text was provided by the Dana Farber Cancer Institute: The holidays are here and so is all the festive food. Some of it is naughty but much of it can be nice. “When party planning during the holidays, it’s important to have variety,” says Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, LDN, a nutritionist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. “Many of the foods we enjoy around the holidays are not only delicious to eat, but they may also contain cancer-fighting nutrients.” Kennedy says it’s easy to include them in any menu when you know what to look for. Here is a list of foods and recipes from Kennedy and her colleagues that belong on anyone’s “nice list.” Ho-ho hummus Skip those holiday dips that are buried in excess fat and calories. …

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ADD YOUR PHOTOS: Santa Parade 2012

Santa came to town Saturday.

North Andover held its annual Santa Parade Saturday. The parade was a huge success, with a whopping 14 floats. This year featured a contest. Roche Farmstand won first place, and Kids Karousel won third place. Check out these photos and upload your own!

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The Andovers A La Carte

Start Your Day at Boston King Cafe

This breakfast and lunch cafe also specializes in corporate catering.

Boston King Cafe, 16 North Main Street, Andover, specializes in breakfast and gourmet sandwiches, as well as corporate and private catering. Owned by Andover resident Sun Son since 2008, it is located in the Butler Bank building.  Manager Rory Linn said that people should dine there for the ambience, as well as the wide variety of breakfast, lunch and beverage items. "It is spacious, modern and artfully decorated," he explained. Breakfast items include omelettes, eggs, pancakes, french toast and bagels. A BKC American breakfast includes 2 eggs any style, choice of bacon, sausage or ham, home fries, fresh juice and coffee, all for $7.95. The lunch menu has two kinds of soups, salads, assorted sandwiches and wraps. The cafe also serves …

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