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If John Bogert's column made you feel nostalgic about Santa and the most-read editorial of all time, here are some links where you can find out more.
Newseum has an image of the tells what happened to the editorial writer and to Virginia herself after the legendary article was published.
Christmas around the world via webcam.
To learn how to take a good picture of your house's Christmas lights and other useful tips, go here.
Going to a performance of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" this holiday season, but need a little background? The Nutcracker Ballet site has a synopsis of the ballet's story, music from its various parts, links to a review of last year's performance by the Los Angeles Ballet, which will perform in Redondo Beach in a few weeks, and a state-by-state listing of upcoming performances, including one at the James Armstrong Theater in Torrance Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.
The people who re-create Christmas night each year at the Journey of Faith Church in Manhattan Beach have been blogging about the behind-the-scenes efforts of putting on the production.
At the “Journey to Bethlehem” Web site, you can also see photos of the process, in which the Journey of Faith parking lot is turned into to the bustling town of Bethlehem complete with 170 costumed volunteers and 32 animals.
Or, you can see it in person at Journey of Faith Church, 1243 Artesia Blvd., Manhattan Beach 6 to 8:30 p.m. today through Sunday.
Breeze reporter Melissa Evans wrote a story about the project if you want more background.
If you want people to think you’re a rich, fun-loving doctor-type, string up the lights. If you want people to think you’re ordinary, but a good neighbor with no kids, keep it simple, according to a recent survey of people who were shown pictures of either a flashy house or an understated house and asked about what their perception of the owner was.
People who viewed the highly decorated house were more likely to think the owner was:
People who viewed the less decorated house were more likely to think the owner was:
Interstingly, despite the appearance of being a fun-loving guy, more people would want the less decorated house in their neighborhood.
It's a busy time of year, and sure to become more hectic once the kids get a break from school. While you’re out shopping, pick up supplies for some fun Christmas crafts, including a pine cone Christmas tree, a 3-D star, a paper plate snowman and a candy train. For instructions and a list of what you need, click here.
Looking for something other than a "World's Greatest" mug for your teacher's Christmas gift this year? Try this site.
At Oxfam America's Online store, you can buy school uniforms, school supplies, a desk and chair or books for a child in one of 26 developing countries the charity supports.
The site also has other unusual charitable gifts, like a can of worms to be sent in your favorite gardening enthusiast's name, or a crocodile in your favorite Harbor City resident.
Organize a secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange in your office with SecretSanta.com. And once you've got it all set to go, you'll have to find gifts. Here's something funky. This one's a bit more traditional. That should get you started.
If you've got a dog, you're probably thinking about stuffing its stocking with treats.
The Associated Press reported recently:
Americans are expected to spend an estimated $48.7 billion on their pets in 2007, nearly twice the amount of a decade ago and growing at more than 7 percent a year, according to Packaged Facts, a consumer research company in Rockville, Md.
A San Pedro business that bakes homemade dog treats is offering to share the holiday wealth with less fortunate pups. The home-based business has a holiday promotion to donate 50 percent of its proceeds to local animal shelters and rescue groups.
Check Santa's schedule for photo-ops at South Bay shopping centers between now and the big day:
Southbay Pavilion, Carson
Instead of a traditional Santa photo studio, the mall will have a "strolling Santa," who will cruise the mall from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Bring your camera and he'll pose for photos with you. Call customer service at 310-366-6629 for more information.
Manhattan Village Mall, Manhattan Beach
Santa Claus will be availabe for photos at the Center Court of the Manhattan Village Mall from
November 23 through December 24 at the following hours:
Monday - Saturday: 11 am-8 pm (Breaks: 1 pm - 2 pm & 5:15 pm - 6 pm)
Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm (Break: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.)
South Bay Galleria, Redondo Beach
Children of all ages can share their wishes and sit for paid portraits with Santa at Level 1, Center Court of the South Bay Galleria. In addition to Santa photos, parents can purchase a special "snow package," which will capture the surprise on kids' faces as snow falls from a nearby snowman.
Studio hours:
Nov. 23: 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Nov. 24: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Nov. 25: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Nov. 26 - 30: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Dec. 1: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Dec. 2: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Dec. 3 - 7: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Dec. 8: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Dec. 9: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Dec. 10 - 14: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Dec. 15: 9 - 10 p.m.
Dec. 16: 10 - 9 p.m.
Dec. 17 - 20: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Dec. 21: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Dec. 22: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Dec. 23: 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Dec. 24: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
(Breaks are subject to change, but typically they are: Monday - Saturday, 1 - 2 p.m. and 5:15 - 6 p.m. and Sunday, 2 - 3 p.m.)
Pets can get their photos with Santa, too.
Nov. 19, 26: 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Dec. 3, 10: 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Dec. 17: 9 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Avenue of the Peninsula, Rolling Hills Estates
The Avenue of the Peninsula offers complimentary Santa photos in front of the tree in the fountain area every Saturday from 2-5 p.m., from Dec. 1 through Christmas.
Del Amo Fashion Center, Torrance
The Del Amo Fashion Center Santa Set will be opening in Jo-Ann's Court near Mall Entrance 11 from now until Dec. 24, 2007. Take pictures with Santa at the Santa Set during the following hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Breaks: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Break: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.)
Every year, readers write to our "Ask Us" editor inquiring about organizations that will reuse old Christmas cards. In last year's answer, which lives on in our Ask Us Database, she reported that the sources we used to recommend no longer takes the cards because they were overwhelmed with donations.
This year, she recommends some sites that will walk you through some creative ways to reuse the cards yourself.
Make bookmarks, gift tags and other projects
Make ornaments
Make candy holds, postcards and other projects
The Women's Fellowship of the Neighborhood Church will hold their 51st annual Palos Verdes Yule Parlor Parade on Dec. 7-8 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. There are four houses decorated for Christmas on the tour. You'll save $5 of the $35 price if you buy tickets before Dec. 7.
Go here to download the form to buy advance tickets and to read a description of the homes on the tour.
An 84-foot tall Connecticut Norway Spruce tree was hoisted into position at Rockefeller Plaza in New York yesterday. The 48-foot in diameter tree will become the Rockefeller Center
Christmas Tree tree in a lighting ceremony Nov. 28.
Get everything you ever wanted to know about the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition here.
For the inside story behind how this year's Rockefeller Center tree was selected, go here.
Plans to transform Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach into an ice skating rink may be on hold until next year, but the South Bay still has places where you can practice your salcows, lutzes and triple toe loops.
Harbor City is home to the area's most traditional rink, The Skating Edge Ice Arena
The Avenue of the Peninsula shopping center houses the Palos Verdes Ice Chalet on its first floor, making it a premier location to show off your moves to the assembled shoppers.
If you time it right, you can also skate on the ice that the Los Angeles Kings practice on with a trip to El Segundo's Toyota Sports Center complex
The Save Historic Old Torrance group is planning a Grand Tea on Saturday, Dec. 1. Sippers will get a full tea service and then tour the Zamperini and McCoy homes, which will be all decked out for Christmas. Cost is $35. If you want to go, you need to buy tickets online before Nov. 15. The Web site says spots are limited, so you might want to act sooner rather than later.
Check out the details and order tickets here.
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