Thanksgiving is just two days away and from the PIX family to yours, we want to celebrate with you by sharing special family recipes.

Jill Nicolini and her mother Michelle showed us how to make Mama Nicolini's Famous Stuffing and Italian Cheese Stuffing (Jill's great-grandmother's recipe) (see the recipes after the jump).

CLICK HERE FOR MORE THANKSGIVING TIPS.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square today announced that the internationally renowned "Cat Man" will be appearing as a curiosity in its odditiorium from now through September 7.

Cat Man has transformed every inch of his body to appear tiger-like; from filing his teeth, tattooing tiger strips on his skin, and undergoing nearly 20 facial surgeries, including whisker implants and pointed ears.

Cat Man's real name is Dennis Avner, a 50-year-old male computer programmer from Tonopah, Nevada. His transformation from human to tiger makes him the most modified human being in the world. Claiming to have the mind and soul of a tiger, Avner has spent uncalculated amounts of money altering his body and has devoted much of his life to his feline obsession, including eating raw meat and climbing trees.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square is located at 234 West 42nd Street and is open daily 9am to 1am. For more information, call (212) 398-3133 or call www.ripleysnewyork.com.

LI Maritime Museum Festival is taking place on Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29 in Patchogue, Long Island! Jill's getting a preview of the event and raising the sail with some pirates. She'll also check out their ship, other types of nautical activities and get a sampling of the Pirate Seafood Feast.

For more information, www.limaritime.org.

What's going on here? Our Jill Nicolini and Staten Island Chuck find themselves in the storefront of a photo shop in Staten Island.

Watch the video of their discovery!

Singer/songwriter John Rich from the popular duo Big and Rich, has teamed-up with Crown Royal for their "For Every King, A Mentor" program -- a mentorship contest.

The contest includes a trip for two to Nashville for a behind-the-scenes look into Rich's performing, producing and songwriting career; a tour of the mansion where his Country Music television show Gone Country is filmed and a personally-signed guitar. Rich will also host a country music insider's tour of some of his favorite Nashville hangouts.

To enter, fans ages 21 and over can now enter www.CrownRoyal.com by describing their personal passion and aspiration for being mentored by one of country music's kings. It should be no surprise that Rich is giving back to his community.

As an advocate for social change, Rich's recent single "Shuttin' Detroit Down," addresses the issue of the government bailouts of financial institutions, and has received heavy around the country. The song appears on his recently second solo album, Son of a Preacher Man. Rich also recently made news from his active party in the political tea parties which took place across the country.

Elizabeth Streb and her Action Faction take a closer look at the ordinary, inanimate things around us in STREB at SLAM: CATAPULT, their spring home season show at S.L.A.M. (Streb Lab for Action Mechanics) STREB's spacious playground and launching pad for new ideas and new moves. Composer David Van Tieghem's sinuous, evocative soundtrack is the perfect accompaniment to STREB's ongoing romantic adventure with gravity.

AIRLINES by Elizabeth Streb was made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts' American Masterpieces: Dance initiative, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts.

The show runs through Sunday, May 17 on Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 3pm & 7pm, Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids 12 years old and under. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.streb.org or call (212) 352-3101.

This week is Spa Week across the nation and if you're looking to try a new treatment or procedure, this is the perfect time.

Our Jill Nicolini was up to the challenge when she tried the Geisha Facial, which has an unusal ingreident -- an exfoliant with powdered nightgale droppings!

The full treatment takes approximately 50 minutes and includes a full spa facial. The special Spa Week price is $50 through Sunday.

For more information on Shizuka New York Day Spa, visit www.shizukany.com. For more information on Spa Week, visit www.spaweek.com.

B-ball anyone? Jill is getting schooled in Street Basketball.

The National Street Basketball Association (NSBA) is having a press conference to announce the new league association. As the first act of the new League, NSBA will induct 15 former legends of "Street Basketball" into the NSBA Playground Legends Hall of Fame.

For more information on the league, go to www.nsbaproball.org.

The New York International Auto Show has rolled into town and our Jill Nicolini is getting a preview of the event at the Javits Center. She's checking out the world's latest, greatest and finest cars.

For 109-years, NYIAS has ignited the passion and stirred the soul of car lovers with its futuristic concept cars and new vehicles and 2009 is no exception. Even if you’re not looking to buy a car until much later in the year, the Show is the only place that you can explore the technological breakthroughs that are changing the way we drive. From revolutionary safety equipment that automatically brakes the vehicle if it senses an impending crash to features that allow your car to park itself, you can guarantee that the car you buy tomorrow will be radically different from the one you are driving today.

The show runs through April 10 to April 19 and is open from 11am until 10:30pm, Monday through Saturday and 10am until 7pm on Sundays. For tickets and more information, visit www.autoshowny.com.

Want to go to the Auto Show for FREE? Click here to enter WPIX's Auto Show Tickets Contest.

Our own Jill Nicolini is playing ball with the Newark Bears. She's fielding, batting and pitching with the team.

The Newark Bears are kicking off their first home game for the 2009 season on Friday, May 1. Newark’s only pro baseball team will host a 71 home-game season including the All-Star Game that is going to heat up spring and summer in the city, welcoming families, men and women of all ages together to show spirited competition and a love of the game on and off the field.

The Bears will hold its annual team tryouts along with tryouts for mascots and national anthem singers on April 11th. For more information, visit www.newarkbears.com.

The team also has a thrilling opening weekend planned for May 1st – May 3rd, which includes General Colin Powell and legendary singer Patti LaBelle. General Powell is scheduled to throw out the "Ceremonial First Pitch" at the Home Opener on May 1st where partial proceeds of the game will be donated to America’s Promise Alliance, the national children’s advocacy organization he founded. Grammy Award Winner Patti LaBelle will also sing the National Anthem.

On Saturday, May 2 the Bears will feature a military night honoring active duty military, veterans and fallen heroes at their "Salute to the Military" benefiting the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and Sunday, May 3rd, former Yankee All-Star Tino Martinez will throw out the first pitch to kick off the first of the Bears Legends Sundays for the 2009 season.

For more information and thir home game schedule, log onto www.newarkbears.com.

Jill is getting some expert shaving tips at eShave New York , the shaving specialty shop.

They've created their very own stimulus package -- Free Shave Mondays in April! For a limited-time only from Monday, April 6 to Monday, April 27, eShave New York at 3 World Financial Center in the Winter Garden, will be offering a Free Barber Shave from 10am to 7pm.

eShave New York is located at 3 World Financial Center (225 Vesey Street) in the Winter Garden. For more information, visit www.eshave.com.

PIX's Jill Nicolini gets a lingerie preview, tips on how to save on your wedding from a professional planner, plus a Gossip Girl wedding dress fashion show. She's getting the inside scoop on the freshest ideas, expert advice and creative solutions to inspire New York brides and grooms.

The New York Weddings Event kicks off bridal season by gathering the industry's top talents and over 90 participants. From gowns and jewelry to flowers, caterers, and registry ideas, this event covers every aspect of planning a wedding, straight from the pages of New York Magazine's Summer 2009 Weddings issue on newsstands now.

The The New York Weddings Event is also sponsored by Victoria's Secret and is today from 5pm to 8pm at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues). For more information, visit nymag.com/weddingsevent.

PIX's Jill Nicolini is live at the New Victory Theater with La Famiglia Dimitri.

A household name in their native Switzerland, La Famiglia Dimitri brings their rollicking show to the New Victory Theater for a four-week engagement.

Helmed by Papa Dimitri -- a beloved Swiss cultural icon, one-time colleague of Marcel Marceau and founder of Dimitri Performing Arts Center (two theaters, a school, museum, acting company and restaurant!) -- La Famiglia Dimitri is a family gig: David (son) is one of the world's most outstanding high wire artists; Masha (daughter) is a talented choreographer and slack wire specialist, and Nina (daughter) is a multi-talented musician and devotee of Latin American folk music. With high-wire hijinks, musical mischief and spellbinding stunts, Papa Dimitri and his clan are a perfect blend of down-home folksiness and astonishing dexterity.
The New Victory Theater is located at 209 W. 42nd St., between 7th and 8th Avenues. For tickets and show information, visit newvictory.org. For more on La Famiglia Dimitri, visit www.lafamigliadimitri.com.

PIX's Jill Nicolini is taking a walk through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden today, March 30 for National Take a Walk in the Park Day.

She'll start in Magnolia Plaza checking out the blossoms. Then she'll take a look at Daffodil Hill (snow drops and crocus swaths). Cherry trees behind the Tulips in the Annual border along Lily Pool Terrace. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is poised to kick off their annual Cherry Blossom Festival this week.

For more information, visit www.bbg.org.

PIX's Jill Nicolini is live at 98.7 KISS FM, where they're participating in the nation-wide radiothon to benefit the St. Jude Children's Hospital fundraiser telethon.

The radiothon takes place today and tomorrow from 6am to 7pm. For more information or to donate, visit www.stjude.org or call (800) 982-9965.

Odor-Eaters conducted its 34th Annual Rotten Sneakers Contest, awarding the child with the "stinkiest sneakers" in America $2,500 and a trip to New York City.

Joshua Boothe, age 7, from American Fork, Utah, won the National Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest and will show PIX's Jill Nicolini his sneakers. Get ready to hold your nose, Jill!

For more information on the contest and young Joshua's stinky shoes, visit www.odor-eaters.com.

March 25 marks Greek Independence Day and to celebrate the anniversary of the Greek Declaration of Independence and we're honoring the Greek community of New York, the largest in the United States, and promoting Hellenic culture with a Hellenic Cultural Display.

This year's commemoration of Greek Independence Day is the 187th anniversary of Greek revolt against occupation by the Ottoman Empire and the commencement of the ultimately successful war of independence.

Greek dancers from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in West Babylon, Long Island and St. Demetrios in Astoria, Queens will perform traditional Greek dance outfitted in customary dress. A display of Greek food from Long Island venue, Château La Mer, will also be presented by the chef and owner, George Voutsinas, who will explain the origins of each dish and its cultural significance.

There are number Greek Independence Day events happening in our area, plus a slew of other events taking place over the next few months:

The Trata Restaurant is hosting Greek Easter at their New York City location. They will be serving lamb on the spit in front of restaurant, serving same menu as tomorrow segment all day on Greek Easter, live band playing Greek music and a DJ as well.

The dancers from Saint Nicholas Church will march in the Greek Parade on April 26th. June 1st-7th is Saint Nicholas Church is having its Greek Festival. There will have live music, Greek food, carnival rides, raffles (Audi Car 1st prize), Greek dancing. Time is 5pm-12am.

For more information, visit www.stnicholasnyc.com, www.saintdemetriosastoria.com, www.trata.com and www.chateaulamercatering.com.

Getting your abs in ship-shape requires a lot of work and time commitment. PIX's Jill Nicolini is live in PIX Plaza working her abs and showing us that a six bpack doesn't mean laying on your back or straining your neck.

She's testing a new fitness machine that's hitting gyms and being sold on TV. All you have to do is slide your legs back and forth. Fitness trainer Sean Gagnon is here to show us how the AbCoaster works.

Jill's doing ab work all morning long. You can exercise with her at PIX Plaza, loacted at 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue.

For more information on the AbCoaster, visit www.abcoasterclub.com.

Long Island's USA Jump Rope speed team hosted their first Official Jump Rope Sub-Regional Tournament in New York City yesterday at The Hudson Guild.

The finalists from the tournament became eligible for the USA Jump Rope Nationals competition this June in Galveston, Texas, and they're joining us this morning to show us what speed jump rope is all about.

You can join them today at PIX Plaza, loacted at 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue.For more information, visit www.usajumprope.org,

PIX's Jill Nicolini hangs out with New York Ranger Aaron Voros, plus checks out the team as they gear up for their upcoming game.

The NY Rangers take on the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, March 21 at 7pm and the game is right here on PIX.

For more information, visit www.wpix.com/pages/ny_rangers.

PIXs own Jill Nicolini goes behind-the-scenes of Disney's Broadway musical "Mary Poppins" with the stars who play Scarlett Strallen (Mary Poppins) and Adam Fiorentino (Burt).

To get your discount, just visit ticketmaster.com and give the code "WPIX" to save up to 50% of the full ticket price. For show information, visit disney.go.com/theatre/marypoppins.

TICKET INFO, DATES AND VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP...

Offer valid for purchase 1/19 /09 - 4/3/09

PIX Morning News' Jill Nicolini is live at RexCorp Plaza in Uniondale, Long Island to get a preview of the annual tree lighting event taking place this Saturday. She and PIX News at Ten anchor Jim Watkins will host the event and will feature Long Island's own Grammy-Award winning singer and actress Ashanti.

Jill begins her coverage with ice choreographer and former Ice Capades star Dawn Wagner Johnson, who will perform with eight other up-and-coming stars on the RXR rink. She'll also talk to Senior Vice President of RexCorp Carol Allen about Saturday’s events. Then, Wagner taught Jill some cool moves on the ice and meets Sparky the Islanders' mascot!

Then, Jill spoke to Long Island Children’s Museum Director of Education Hillary Olson and Outreach Manager Sherae Dow at the skate house. They told Jill about arts and crafts activities that kids’ will put together as part of the Saturday night program.

Jill will wrapped up her coverage and speak to Randi Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest, one of the region’s biggest food banks and discussed the 2009 “Light Up a Life Project.” The charity is “selling” the 5,000 bulbs on the tree for a dollar each to raise money for the community’s needy families. To buy a bulb, participants can purchase $1 coupons at the tree lighting event or go to the charity’s website, www.islandharvest.org. Each dollar contribution will cover the cost of three meals.

You can join Jill and Jim tomorrow, Saturday, December 6 at 5:30pm in RexCorp Plaza for the tree lighting. And if you can't make it, you can watch the broadcast of the lighting tomorrow at 7pm right here on PIX.

For more information, visit www.rexcorprealty.com/treelighting.

WATCH JILL'S VIDEOS AND READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

PIX Morning News' own Jill Nicolini went to Times Square this morning to help kick off the third day of NASCAR's Champion's Week celebration. She talked to Erin LeBar, NASCAR’s eastern region marketing manger, about today's event -- an all-day Tailgate Party.

With its epicenter at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, today's activites included auto shows, race simulators, a tire change challenge and celebrity appearances. Emceed entertainment from their sound stage and food only made the experience even more enjoyable.

Later, Jill spoke to Chad Knaus, driver Jimmie Johnson's crew chief. Knaus had something to brag about; he made history this year by becoming the only crew chief to have won three straight championships! Knaus also gave Jill a walkthrough of Johnson's race car.

Johnson, like his crew chief, is a three-time champion as well and came to the PIX Morning News right after he won the Sprint Cup last month!

For more information, visit www.nascar.com/promos/championship/2008.

WATCH JILL'S NASCAR VIDEOS AFTER THE JUMP...

NASCAR Week continues with Jill Nicolini in the heart of it all -- Times Square. Jill will be wearing a NASCAR crew member's uniform from the Kellogg’s/CARQUEST team whose 2009 driver is Mark Martin. The team is part of Hendrick Motorsports and drive Chevrolet cars marked with the number 5. You can join Jill and participate in the activities this morning in front of the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square.

Celebrating the end of the racing season, the folks at NASCAR are catering to the fans with a Tailgate Party. This outdoor “block party” features NASCAR drivers and celebrity appearances, as well as continuous programming and musical performances from the Ford Sound Stage! Food will be served up tailgate style while fans participate in Ford and Official Partner interactive experiences.

For more information, visit www.nascar.com/promos/championship/2008.

SEE JILL'S NASCAR SCHEDULE AFTER THE JUMP...

Talk about one hot lunch date! The CW11’s Jill Nicolini sat down to break bread with all 51- of Cosmo Magazine’s sizzlin’ bachelors of 2008.

Cosmo scoured the country to bring readers the awesome single guys from every state.
From New York to Tennessee, Jill chatted with the boys to find out what makes them a good bachelor. And she also got a chance to chat with the winner-- pro-kayaker Mr. Colorado, who donated the proceeds of his win to a charity for cancer.

You can pick up a copy of the bachelor issue of Cosmo Magazine, which is on newsstands now, or visit www.cosmopolitan.com/hot-guys/bachelors/The-Hot-Bachelors-of-2008.

VIDEO AND PICTURE AFTER THE JUMP...

Mamma Mia! is set to hit theaters next Friday, but before it was a film it was a hit Broadway show.

The CW11's Jill Niccolini goes behind-the-scenes of Mamma Mia! on Broadway to learn more about this popular show and its stars.

VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP...

Some of you might remember when Jill visited Opie & Anthony in their studios a while back. And thanks to the O & A crew, the NY Daily News and some other little media outlets around here, most of you probably know that Jill actually went on a date with Anthony last night, and while we're all not so sure what exactly happened on the date, we do know that both parties have called out "sick" from their respective employment today... hmmmm. Coulda been the food? or the drinking,... or ??? Anyway, I can almost assure all of you that when we know, you will know, so check back here soon & often - they have to wake up sometime today!!

Emily got star predictions for 2008 from Celeb psychic Janet Russell...For more on Janet go to www.janetrussellpresents.com or call 631 654 3353

CW11 Morning News traffic reporter Jill Nicolini recently appeared as a guest on the Opie & Anthony radio show. View photos from the event.