news-record.com

It might be to play a new video game.

No, seriously.

"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" could easily rake in more than last year's record $155 million opening weekend for "The Dark Knight," The Associated Press writes.

The first-person shooter is being released after midnight for the PCs, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3.

It could match last year's "Grand Theft Auto IV," which was the most successful video game release in history.

Justin Criswell, 31, told the AP he and his pals are going to stay up most of the night playing it online with friends in Tennessee, California, Ohio and Florida.

"Those who have to work the next day have taken the day off," he said.

Retailers are planning more than 10,000 midnight openings in the United States.

GameStop says pre-orders for "Modern Warfare 2" hit an all-time high, the AP says.

Expect to fork out $60 no matter where you shop. But at Best Buy, Reward Zone members get a $10 gift card if they buy it there.

So will the game prove to be worth the hype? I've played all five previous games in the series, and I haven't been disappointed yet. Just a blast to play.

 

Some retailers are offering Veterans Day discounts.

* Stein Mart is offering 10-percent off purchases for shoppers with a valid military ID on Tuesday and Wednesday.

* Get 15 percent off purchases on Wednesday at Sports Authority with a valid military ID, although some exclusions regarding merchandise apply.

* Lowe's home improvement stores on Sunday began offering a 10 percent discount on purchases up to $5,000 with valid ID and proof of service. Offer lasts through the week.

The prices of DVDs continue to get cheaper as retailers fight over your wallet this holiday season.

Walmart just announced it's lowering the online prices of new DVDs such as "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" and "Star Trek XI" to $10.

Amazon in response cut the price of some its DVD to $9.99. Walmart then reduced its DVDs to $9.98 as of Friday morning.

Target then got into the price war act.

But as prices drop, the choices regarding how you watch your shows and movies continues to grow.

That's because a growing number of movies and shows can be watched on your computer and recorded on your cable or satellite box's hard drive. I also watch Netflix content streamed through my Xbox 360.

Or you can simply watch films and shows streamed directly through your TV since newer models have Internet access.

Sears has a Zenith 42-inch, 600Hz plasma (720 p) on sale for $499 (regular $649) Saturday from 7 to noon (limit 2).

It's model number Z42PQ20.

Don't know much about this model. Only three reviews on Sears' Web site, and they're mixed.

Consumer Reports hasn't reviewed it.

But it seems like a pretty good deal for a 42-inch plasma. That's the lowest price I've seen for a flastscreen that size.

The more food you donate, the more you save at Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore shops in the Triad.

The stores are teaming up with the Second Harvest Food Bank to fight hunger by holding a holiday food drive through December.

That means for every nonperishable food item donated, you get $1 off a $10 purchase.

Habitat for Humanity suggests donating food such as canned meals including soups, canned meats including chicken and tuna, peanut butter, canned vegetables and fruits.

Find ReStore locations in the Triad here.

Construction workers recently began clearing trees and brush at Church Street and N.C. 150 just north of Greensboro to pave the way for a new shopping center.

The 13,000-square-foot Shoppes at Gunter’s Crossing, which is “coming soon,” will include a Lowes Foods and CVS, according to a billboard that sits on the corner.

Tom Flanagan, one of the shopping center’s leasing brokers, said the shopping center is expected to open sometime in the third quarter of 2010.

A Lowes Foods spokeswoman said the grocery store is expected to open next summer.

A reminder that Belk stores including those in the Triad are hosting a fall charity sale Saturday.

Customers who donate $5 get a ticket to the charity sale, which will take place from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The ticket entitles them to discounts of 15 to 50 percent.

Customers also get $5 off their first purchase of $5 or more. Belk cardholders also get double rewards points.

Participating local charities will sell tickets in advance.

Customers can also register to win a $1,000 shopping spree.

The semi-annual event has raised more than $14 million for participating nonprofits throughout the Southeast since it began in 2007.

You may have noticed retailers are offering more items for $25 or less.

"A few years ago there was no price barrier for most retailers and most consumers," said Kathy Deane, president of the New York-based retail consultancy Tobe, told the AP. "Now consumers are looking for value. This is the year of $25 and under gifts."

The article includes gift ideas for men and women.
 

Most hardbacks will be $2 while most paperbacks will be 50 cents during Saturday's library book sale in Greensboro.

The Friends of the Greensboro Public Library is holding the sale, which is 9 to 2 at Central Library, 219 North Church St.

Readers can find fiction, history, children’s books, self-help, business titles and other topics, plus rare and collectible books.

Books-on-tape and on CD, music CDs and DVDs will also be on sale.

All items for sale are community donations.

Proceeds support the Friends of the Greensboro Public Library, a nonprofit that helps serve the community’s cultural and literary needs.

More information at www.friendsofgpl.org or call 373-3777.

Harris Teeter is tripling the value of manufacturers' coupons up to 99 cents today through Tuesday (limit 20).

Like wine? Harris Teeter is taking 15 percent off cases of wine Thursday through Sunday.

After sampling some at a friend's dinner party, we've become fans of Harris Teeter's Oak Creek (cabernet sauvignon), which is a steal at $3.99 a bottle (occasionally the store has a three for $10 deal).

Other noteworthy deals at the grocery store this week:

* Snow crab clusters are $2.99 a pound at Lowes Foods, which doubles manufacturers' coupons up to 99 cents (limit 20).

* Top round London broil is $2.77 a pound at Lowes Foods.

* Chili ingredients are also on sale at Lowes Foods if you enroll in e-offers and add the offer to your card: McCormic chili seasoning mix is 19 cents (limit two), Bush's Best beans are 39 cents (limit four), Hunt's tomatoes are 49 cents (limit four) and Shady Brook Farms ground turkey is $2.29.

* Six "mega" or 12 double rolls of Charmin bath tissue are $4.99 at Food Lion from Friday to Sunday.

* Holly Farms boneless chicken breast fillets are $1.87 a pound at Food Lion now until Tuesday.

* 24-packs of Busch Light and Coors Light are $11.99 at Food Lion now until Tuesday.

* A gallon of milk is $2.29 at Aldi now until Monday.

* Fully cooked smoked turkey is $1.69 a pound at Aldi now until Monday.

* Tomatoes on the vine are $1.19 per pack at Aldi now until Monday.

* Buy 10 items including ketchup, jalapenos, BBQ sauce and dish detergent for $10 at Compare Foods now until Tuesday.

* Pillsbury cake mix is 68 cents at Compare Foods now until Tuesday.

* Get 10 limes for 99 cents at Compare Foods now until Tuesday.