A day of thanks in the US

NEW YORK – Not all Americans tucked into turkey with their families on Thanksgiving. Some were out shopping, hitting sales ahead of the crowds expected today.After a year of cautious spending and worry over an uncertain economy and high unemployment, more stores this year extended hours into Thanksgiving Day, a day when stores are traditionally closed.Many grumble about the relentless march of commercialism creeping into the holiday. But at least some shoppers took the bait.While crowds appeared relatively light compared with the weekend ahead, the extended hours drew in overseas visitors, those who have to work Friday and some who couldn’t resist a good deal.Sears, Kmart and some Sports Authority, Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic stores were among those open Thursday.At an Old Navy in Lutherville, Md., Brenda Tarver, 65, a retired postal employee from Baltimore, was dragged out of the house by her daughters, but was finding good deals on clothing.”They’ve got good prices and a variety of items. A lot of things are 50 percent off,” she said. (Reuters)