THE FINAL FOUR

By Jenna Randle

Provo residents were sad to see Big Al's Texas BBQ leave their University Ave. location in August, but can expect the restaurant to thrive in their new Sandy location.

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Blaire Watanabe and her husband did not have the funds for a summer internship in California on a college budget. But thanks to a complete stranger’s garage apartment and a few trusting travelers, they lived in California for under $30 per day.

The emerging sharing economy, led by companies like the on-demand taxi app Lyft and rent-a-home Airbnb, provides a platform for people to rent their spare rooms, castles, cars, toys and even Mongolian yurts to strangers with the same ease as booking a room at Marriott.

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Unique double-feature storefront brings natural therapy and a perfect date night to Provo.

The Soap Factory and Nature’s Fusion is the combination business and store owned by David Peterson.  Nature’s Fusion only sells essential oils, while The Soap Factory allows patrons to create their own bar of soap with all-natural ingredients.

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The bustle of downtown city life settles in the center, where two giant metal slides lay for playing children.

Thirty-seven children filled the sunken plaza Saturday night, as parents sat enjoying the safe atmosphere for their kids to play in.

Downtown Omaha Slides

OMAHA — The bustle of downtown city life settles in the center, where two giant metal slides lay for playing children.

Thirty-seven children filled the sunken plaza Saturday night, as parents sat enjoying the safe atmosphere for their kids to play in.

"We first came here right and a half years ago, and we'll continue coming to infinity and beyond," said Ohama resident Derek Neeley.

The park is 22 steps below the main downtown buildings, making it a little bowl tucked away from hectic downtown buzz.

Children bring wax paper and cardboard boxes to make the slides go faster, bringing all ages together to race.

The park was originally formed to keep the homeless away from the downtown area. Omaha City lit the area 15 years ago and dug down 27 feet, creating the crater-like haven.

Instead of a home for the homeless, the area serves and a family-friendly way to enjoy the city.

"It's always really crowded, and it's a lot of fun," Neeley said.

Cyber Monday deals get stretched, crimping sales

By Jenna Randle

(AP) — Cyber Monday deals are being stretched out this holiday season, crimping sales on Cyber Monday itself.

"I didn't go cyber Monday shopping this year, I don't think I really will," said BYU student Jessica Ransom.

Retailers like Target and Amazon offer cyber deals all through November, turning "Cyber Monday" into cyber weeks and even cyber months. Because of these elongated online sales, estimates for online shopping were lower than expected.

"I do a lot of online shopping," said BYU student Kaylie Rawe, "But I didn't do the whole cyber Monday thing this year because I can always find sales."

IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark reported that online sales rose 8.5 person compared to 2013. That still makes it the busiest U.S. online shopping day of the year so far - a title the date has held since 2010. But it was less stellar growth than last year's Cyber Monday, when online sales jumped more than 20 percent.