There was only one grocery store, longhorn cattle down the road, and no nighttime lights when Suzanne D. Amico relocated from Dallas an hour north to Celina, Texas. Teenagers flocked to the neighborhood pizzeria following Friday night football games, farmers in overalls congregated for morning coffee, and on Sunday, neighbors joined in prayer at church. D Amico, who has lived in Celina for almost 30 years and raised her kids there, remarked, "It felt like we were on another planet." Not only were we outside the city, but we had entirely left behind everything that we at the time thought was even vaguely civilized. However, D Amico's little piece of small-town America is rapidly disappearing. Similar to rural areas nationwide, Celina is experiencing a housing boom, making it the fastest-gr...

While working on his most recent film, the suspenseful political thriller The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof received the news that he had been condemned to eight years in prison. Rasoulof, a fervent opponent of Iran's theocratic government, had to decide whether to attempt to leave the nation or risk harsh punishment. I wouldn't only lose this extremely productive and active time for making movies. In a Zoom interview from New York, Rasoulof stated through an interpreter, "I would also be changed into someone who has to play the role of the sacrificed artist, the victim of censorship." He didn't want to play that part. After a perilous voyage, Rasoulof fled Iran covertly on foot and sought safety in Germany. Far from a government that threatened to imprison h...

Retailers are offering noteworthy, affordable offers under $50 for Black Friday, which has officially arrived. There are also discounts on digital devices, kitchen necessities, beauty products, and more, many of which are valid through Cyber Monday. As an editor at NBC Select for four years, I have been covering Cyber Monday and Black Friday sales. I spent weeks sifting through sales to identify the finest Black Friday deals under $50 that were truly worth purchasing. All of the ones listed below are highly regarded and have at least 20% off. I used price monitors wherever I could to make sure the deals were the lowest they had been for at least three months. This list will be updated often during Black Friday. GO Ahead and SkipThe Best Black Friday Offers Under $50 | AdditionalHow did I c...

Now that Black Friday bargains are actually here, several big-box stores are having amazing sales.Instead of closing on Black Friday, REI, a supplier of fitness gear and outdoor gear, has an annual Winter Sale that ended on November 25. You can still take advantage of several of REI's Black Friday bargains, many of which are valid until Cyber Monday, so don't worry. I regularly write about REI because I work as a commerce editor for NBC Select, and I am well-versed in its membership program. I searched for highly rated, at least 20% discount products from well-known brands that I regularly write about in order to identify the top Black Friday REI deals that were truly worth buying. GO Ahead and SkipHow did I find the top Black Friday REI bargains? Why should I trust NBC Select? top Black F...

Now that Black Friday has arrived, members can take advantage of some amazing discounts at Costco. Many of the bargains, which are available through Cyber Monday, are in the areas of technology, beauty, kitchens, and more. As a journalist for NBC Select, I regularly cover shopping events, and I spent weeks sifting through sales to identify the best Black Friday Costco bargains that were truly worth purchasing. All of the ones listed below are highly regarded and have at least 20% off. I used price monitors wherever I could to make sure the bargains were the lowest they had been in at least three months. This list will be updated often during Black Friday. GO Ahead and SkipTop Costco Black Friday Offers | MoreHow did I choose the greatest Black Friday Costco deals? Why should I trust NBC S...