Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Thanksgiving:

Macy's workers were testing out their balloons for the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade yesterday in the Meadowlands. New balloons include a Kung Fu Panda, Kool-Aid Man and the Greg Heffley character from the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" novels.

Recall:

Trader Joe's is recalling a batch of cilantro contaminated by Salmonella bacteria.
   The nationwide recall involves Cilantro Dressing with a sell-by date of February 9, 2011 and Spicy Vinaigrette with a sell-by date of January 9, 2011.
   The grocery chain is also recalling Cilantro Pecan Dip sold in AZ, CA, NM, NV, OR and WA. Only those containers with sell-by dates of November 20th and November 24th are affected.

What's the most shoplifted item? That would be cosmetics, according to a recent study.
   The UK-based Center for Retail Research says makeup, perfume, hair care, skin creams, and tanning products are specifically targeted by those who like five-finger discounts. They claim nearly a half a million people shoplift at least once a year and the average petty thief usually takes five to 10 items at a time.
   But don't think all of is used by the thief. A Florida investigation called Operation Beauty Stop uncovered a $100 million operation in which a gang of criminals took their beauty products stolen from Target, Walmart and the like and resold them on eBay as Lola's Discount Warehouse.
   And don't think the discounted items are just as good as the real thing, either. some of the products' freshness dates may have expired, putting you at a health risk. Hey, who knew lipper even HAD a freshness date?  

Idle gossip & unconfirmed rumors:

ALEX RODRIGUEZ isn't crying in his beer over CAMERON DIAZ. Spies tell the NY Post's Page Six gossip column that the Yankees slugger has been hitting the town and caught the eye of numerous females. Word is the charmer has quite an effect on the opposite sex and girls just can't help but hand him their digits! (Lee)

If you listen really carefully you can hear the sound of millions of teenage hearts breaking in half because TAYLOR LAUTNER has a new girlfriend. Sources on the set of "Abduction" tell Us Weekly the "Twilight" studmuffin is spending lots of quality time with his latest co-star, LILY COLLINS. The two have reportedly been dating for four months and play lovers in the upcoming thriller. (Lee)

Actor JOHN TRAVOLTA spent the weekend flying back and forth to Australia in his own Boeing 707 where --as spokesman for Quantas and guest of honor -- he helped celebrate the airlines' 90th birthday next to Sydney's domestic terminal.
   But, he said he was also focused on his wife, KELLY PRESTON, who's expecting their third child: "If [my wife] goes into labor, I'll have to take the plane straight back on a 22-hour flight," he said. If I get a call, I may have to say adios."
   Travolta will be back in Sydney next month, when he flies the cast, crew and audience of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to Australia for the "Oprah House" show.

Crooks too stupid to live:

You can tell Thanksgiving is coming when you get stories like the teenager in Brooklyn, NY, who got caught on surveillance video trying to shoplift a turkey by shoving it down his pants and then waddling out the store.
   "He's got a big turkey in his pants!" yelled the cashier.
   According to the NY Post, an irate butcher caught up with the poultry poacher who forked over the bird and then took off. Cops later arrested the thief.
   The Boar's Head Oven Gold turkey reportedly "was in good condition." 
   Editor's note: "Available: Pre-owned turkey. Only used once, in robbery demo. Sweat-pants fluff removed; good as new!"
   --I'm surprised the butcher didn't remove the kid's giblets. (Maiman)