One long Kong

Santa's in the house

Santa Claus is here, or at least, here at The Forum.

Jolly old St. Nicholas has recorded a special message that can be heard by calling our Santa line (701) 241-5588. A new message will be ready every morning through Christmas.

You can also see Santa at www.in-forum.com and type in "Santa video."

One long Kong

At 3 hours, 7 minutes, "King Kong" is a challenge for those short of attention span, small of bladder and with knees that seize up after a long sit. To make this holiday chest-pounder more pleasant, we offer these quick intermission options for your consideration:

- Minute 1: Show up late and you'll really only miss the Depression montage (soup kitchens, thin coats, cold, hungry, etc.).

- Minute 20: Enter Adrien Brody. (Not a fan? Nacho time.)

- Minute 40: Skedaddle after the Naomi Watts-Brody smooch and you've got a 14-minute break before the appearance of creepy "Skull Island."

- Minute 115: The epic beast smackdown (dinosaurs, centipedes, gross pink fleshy roundworms with fangs) - it'll still be going when you return.

- Minute 137: Kong is subdued. Sadness. Make medicinal Milk Dud run while the boat returns to New York City.

- Minute 158: Don't leave your seat until after Kong destroys ol' Broadway - red velvet theater chairs fly like winged Chiclets!

- Minute 167: Watts and Kong reunited and it feels so ... endless.

- Minute 172: Oops, better hurry back - it's Kong mayhem from the Empire State spire.

- Minute 187: Clap if you love Kong. It'll help restore the circulation.

Associated Press

Seasonal survival

The holidays add a bit of stress to most everyone's life, so as a service to our readers, over the next couple of weeks, we'll include tips from the useful "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Holidays."

How to wrap a present without wrapping paper:

- Use newspaper

- Use tissue paper

- Use brown paper bags

- Use aluminum foil

- Use shelf paper

- Use colored plastic wrap

- Use fabric

- Use sticky notes

- Use facial tissue

How to wrap a present without tape:

- Use ribbon, string or yarn

- Use stamps (one-cent stamps if available)

- Use gum - regular chewing gum works best; bubble gum is not adhesive. Chew piece for two minutes. Apply sparingly.

If there's something you want to see in

The Rail, e-mail Features Editor John Lamb

at jlamb@forumcomm.com

Today's best bet

Tracy Carson

North Dakota author signs copies of her children's books.

1 to 4 p.m.

B. Dalton Booksellers, West Acres, Fargo

(701) 282-2194