Byline: DENNIS McCARTHY
The kids hold nothing back. If you can't trust Santa Claus, who can you trust? There are no secrets when you're writing him. No embarrassment. No wish too big or too small. You can level with Santa. He knows who you are. So the 17 students in Steven Meyer's second-grade class at Newcastle Elementary School in Reseda - along with hundreds of other kids in more than 90 classrooms in San Fernando Valley schools who mailed Santa a letter last week - let it all hang out. If you think what many of them want for Christmas this year is something you can buy in a store or charge on your credit card, you're wrong. These kids want a lot more than that. They want Santa to be especially nice to all the kids who lost so much in Hurricane Katrina. They want him to keep our soldiers safe in Iraq. ``One student in my class asked Santa to help make sure there were no more poor children in the world,'' Meyer said. Now, where are you going to find a better Christmas present than that? The letters from all the 70 second-graders at Newcastle, and more than 10,000 others from kids in Glendale, Pasadena, Ventura, Santa Barbara, the San Fernando and Conejo valleys, and a wide area stretching across the Mojave Desert to Mammoth Lakes will wind up on the desk of Stacia Crane, Santa's personal mail carrier. Eleven months out of the year, Crane is a U.S. Postal Service consumer affairs representative at the Santa Clarita postal Santa letter annex, but not in December. In December, she's Santa's right-hand woman. She's been that for the past 17 years, ever since a teacher at Bassett Street Elementary School in Van Nuys told her about a literacy program the teachers were starting, and how they wanted to encourage their kids to write letters. The one letter they all wanted to write was to Santa at the North Pole. Smart kids. The teachers just wanted to make sure that the letters would get answered. Crane put the word out to all employees in the post office: When you get a letter addressed to Santa Claus, bring it to me. I'll answer it. Little did she know what she was starting. ``Pretty soon, the Bassett Street principal talked to the Cohassett Street principal, who talked to other principals about the program, and it got way out of hand,'' Crane says, laughing. Santa's right-hand woman was deluged with hundreds more letters the second year, thousands more by the third and fourth years. Santa's right- hand woman was getting writer's cramp. ``I hollered for help from other postal employees at first, then the community at large,'' Crane says. ``Everyone said sure, they'd help Santa answer every last letter.'' What Crane didn't see coming were the 300 or so letters Santa gets every year that tear your heart out. The letters from kids not wanting anything for themselves, but for their mommy because she's been so lonely since daddy left. From the kids wanting something for their baby brothers and sisters who won't be getting any presents this year because no matter how hard mommy and daddy work, there doesn't seem to be enough money for things like that. For the little boy telling Santa his sister and brother sure could use some clothes, especially a new jacket for school. If that was asking too much, just some food would do. Santa's right-hand woman put those letters in a special priority pile, and started looking for more help. It was one thing asking friends and co- workers to write a letter to a child from Santa; it was another asking them to reach into their pockets to buy them special gifts and clothing. Looking back years later, Crane says she doesn't know what she was worried about. More than 100 people have stepped forward to become Santa's Helpers, adopting the kids in Crane's priority pile. As always, though, she could use more help as the pile continues to grow. ``After Christmas, we always get letters from children so excited that Santa answered them. If you've ever gotten a letter from Santa Claus, you know what I mean. ``Every child wants to believe he cares about them,'' Santa's right-hand woman says. Dennis McCarthy, (818) 713-3749 dennis.mccarthy(at)dailynews.com To become one of Santa's Helpers for children who write letters to Santa Claus, call Stacia Crane at the U.S. Postal Service's Santa Clarita annex, (661) 775-6681. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Postal employee Stacia Crane reads Christmas letters addressed to Santa Claus in her cubicle at the Santa Clarita postal annex. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer
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The Magic of Christmas: Macy’s Celebrates the Holidays With Communities Across the Country12/8/2017 Christmas! It is probably one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the world. A season for togetherness, gifts, singing carols, decorating homes, the Christmas spirit sweeps everyone into believing in the goodness of humankind. Every country in the world has different ways of celebrating this festival that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. There are many different traditions that are associated with Christmas. Every tradition that you relive on Christmas day has a story behind it. Like the fact that the tradition of placing Christmas trees originated sometime in the 16th century in Germany, and that the first ever Christmas card was sent out in the year 1843. It was designed by John Horsley. There are many other such tales that are associated with this festival.
Christmas Trivia for Kids and Adults There are many different games that you can play in the days leading up to Christmas. Given below Santa Clause letter are some easy questions and answers that you can use in the trivia games that you play. The Little Drummer Boy kept time. Who accompanied him? Which country can be credited with the creation of the Christmas beverage, eggnog? What two phrases will you always find on Christmas gift tags? After leaving Bethlehem, which country did Joseph, Mary, and Jesus travel to? How does Santa Claus go back up the chimney to continue his journey of delivering gifts? Of all the popular Christmas songs, which is the best selling single of all time? Which was the last state in the United States that declared Christmas a legal holiday? Red and green are the two colors most associated with Christmas. Which are the two other colors, according to Christmas holiday trivia, that are also extremely popular in this season? Everyone is familiar with the mistletoe tradition. What is the color of the berries of the plant? Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December. Who is the patron saint remembered on the 26th of December? Which country gifts the Christmas tree that is placed at the Trafalgar Square in London, according to Christmas tradition? Name the eight original Reindeer. Which country does St. Nicholas originally belong to? How many points does a snowflake traditionally have? Which is the most famous Christmas ballet of all time? Traditionally, kids leave out snacks for Santa Claus. What are these snacks? What is the name of Ebenezer Scrooge's partner, from the play, A Christmas Carol? Which is the most popular ornament used to place at the top of the Christmas tree? One of the most famous Cola companies in the world used to have advertisements featuring a happy, smiling Santa Claus. Name the company Every elf has this ornament on the tip of their shoes. Which ornament are we talking about? Two of the reindeers are named after weather phenomenon. Name the reindeer. Traditions of Christmas around the world will tell you that Santa Claus is known by many names. What is the French name for Santa Claus? Which was the first state in the United States to recognize Christmas as an official holiday? What are the gifts that the Three Wise Men gave baby Jesus, according to Christmas history? When does the Russian Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas? Playing trivia games can be a great way of increasing your knowledge about a certain festival, and the questions and answers given in this article will help you do exactly the same. You can use these questions to help your kids learn more about the different traditions and stories associated with Christmas. US airlines to limit 'smart luggage' over battery fire fears - CNET
Smart luggage like that made by Bluesmart will soon face restrictions on many airlines. Sarah Tew/CNET Many major US airlines have announced restrictions on so-called smart luggage out of concern their lithium ion batteries may pose a fire risk. Smart luggage tends to contain a USB port for charging devices, GPS to track the bag's location, remote locking and built-in weight sensors. Some even sport a motor to propel the bag for ease of movement through an airport. These features require power that is often supplied by built-in lithium ion batteries, which contain highly flammable liquid. Worried the batteries could cause a fire in the cargo hold that would go undetected, airlines are instituting new rules that require fliers remove the batteries when they check their luggage and carry them into the passenger cabin. "Beginning Jan. 15, customers who travel with a smart bag must be able to remove the battery in case the bag has to be checked at any point in the customer's journey. If the battery cannot be removed, the letter from Santa Claus bag will not be allowed," American Airlines said in a statement on Friday. Delta and Alaska soon followed suit with similar policies on their flights. In the past couple of years, the use of lithium ion batteries has been linked to fires and spewing smoke in a slew of products, including Samsung's now-canceled Galaxy Note 7, hoverboards, and Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning about the batteries last year, urging airlines to examine the risks associated with transporting lithium batteries as cargo, including "the potential risk for a catastrophic hull loss." The alert covered batteries being transported as components and not those already inside devices such as laptops, tablets, phones or hoverboards. However, many bags have batteries that can't be removed, and that has smart luggage makers like Bluesmart worried. "We are saddened by these latest changes to some airline regulations and feel it is a step back not only for travel technology, but that it also presents an obstacle to streamlining and improving the way we all travel," Bluesmart told CNN. Virtual reality 101: CNET tells you everything you need to know about VR. Batteries Not Included: The CNET team reminds us why tech is cool. Share your voice0 TagsTech Industry Create Your Own Free Printable Santa Letters with a North Pole Postmark
Sample Santa LetterCopy and paste this letter and then personalize for a quick letter from Santa If you'd like to create your own Santa letter, here's some sample text you can copy into your own word processor and print on your own paper. You can buy stationery online at places such as Zazzle, which also offers Santa letter envelopes such as the one shown here. Dear [NAME], Merry Christmas! The elves and I are very busy getting ready for Christmas, and I'm really excited that I'm going to be coming to visit your home in [CITY NAME]. Have you been a good [BOY OR GIRL] this year? I've been making a list and checking it twice, and it looks like you're on my list of good boys and girls. I'm very proud of you. Santa Claus likes bringing toys to little children who listen to their parents, are nice to others, and do their best in school. Mrs. Claus has been baking Christmas cookies for all the elves so they have plenty of energy to build lots of toys. Your [MOM, DAD, etc] told me that you want [FAVORITE TOY] for Christmas, and I'm going to do my best to bring you that. Rudolph and all the reindeer are very happy that we're going to be bringing you some presents this year. Rudolph says he would really like it if you would leave out some carrots and cookies for us before you go to bed on Christmas Eve because we all get hungry delivering so many toys all around the world. Have a very merry Christmas! Santa Claus Add a Santa StampBuy or create your own Santa stamp Each year the US Postal Service issues Christmas stamps, and these are great to add to any Santa letter. But if you'd like something special, you can also create your own stamp or buy one from Zazzle. These stamps are genuine U.S. postage that can be used on any package. The drawback is that you'll need to buy an entire sheet, but if they're also great for sending out cards and letters! Here are some examples of what's available. You'll find more holiday designs at Christmas Postage Stamps.net. Add a North Pole Postmark to Your Santa Letter Everyone knows Santa lives in the North Pole, so of course letters from Santa get canceled at the North Pole post office. And, yes, there really is such a place! The North Pole, Alaska post office stays very busy between Thanksgiving and Christmas every year helping Santa's elves mail out all those letters from St. Nick. If you'd like to get a North Pole postmark on your Santa letter, simply put it in an personalized Santa Clause letter envelope, address it and stamp it as you normally would, then put it in a bigger envelope and mail to: North Pole Christmas Cancellation Postmaster 4141 Postmark Drive Anchorage, AK 99530-99998 The North Pole post office will then cancel your inner envelope with the special Christmas cancellation and North Pole postmark and send it on its merry way. Two places to find free Santa letters include Free Santa Letters.net and Free Letter from Santa Claus.net. Free Santa Letters.net offers a choice of three background designs and three letters. If you like, you can upgrade from the free lower-resolution letter to a high-resolution letter with a matching Nice List personalised Santa Claus letter certificate and an envelope. At Free Letter from Santa Claus.net, you only get two letter choices and two background choices, but they offer an upgrade that includes an envelope as well as a personalized Nice List certificate like the one shown here. Both sites will send an automated email with the link to download and print your Santa letter at home, so be sure to follow the directions and enter your email address correctly. If you'd prefer a Microsoft Word template that you can download and personalize at home, you can get printable Santa letter templates at Christmas Letter Tips.com or Free Santa Letter Templates. At Christmas Letter Tips.com, they offer both free MS Word templates with a simple clipart design or inexpensive printable Santa letters with more colorful professional background designs. Be sure to select the page you want to see the available designs. At Free Santa Letter Templates, all the designs are free, but simple. Follow up your letter with a phone call from Santa If you'd like to reinforce the magic, think about getting a live phone call from Santa. Santa Speaking will arrange for Santa to call your child on the phone for a 3-5 minute conversation. You can even get a CD or mp3 recording of the conversation as a keepsake. Ho, ho, ho! Prove Santa Was Here!CHECK PRICE FreeSantaLettersOnline.com offers two simple free letters from Santa Claus that you can personalize online and print at home in minutes, as well as multiple premium letter options that come with a matching letter, Nice List certificate and envelope. Free Santa Letters.net offers free low-resolution letters you can personalize online and print immediately, or high-resolution letters with an envelope for a small fee. Free Christian Santa Letters.com offers two different Christian-themed letters you can print out on your own paper. FreeSantaClauseLetters.com offers one sample Santa letter that you can open and personalize in Microsoft Word. Santa Letters to Print.com offers a variety of sample Santa letters (text only, you'll need to copy and paste to a word processor) that you can use to overcome writer's block when writing your Santa letter. Printable Santa LettersVISIT SITE Printable Santa LettersVISIT SITE Printable Santa LettersVISIT SITE Santa's Attic Wooden Advent CalendarCHECK PRICE Play the Part with a Santa Costume - Ho, ho, ho! Get your costume now for the holidays If you're planning to play Santa for the holidays, be sure to visit Amazon to find a costume. And then start practicing your "Ho, ho, ho!" Santa loves feedback, so please sign the guestbook and let us know you were here. Santa, you may be the jolliest fellow of all, but your physician
probably isn't feeling very merry. - David, Chesapeake, Virginia How to live a healthier new year. Dr. David Spencer of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center in Virginia examines lessons we can all learn during the holidays. CHESAPEAKE, Va., Dec. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Awash in Christmas cookies and candy canes, and participating in an inadequate once-a-year exercise regimen, Santa's potential health concerns are too many to count. If I were his physician, I would suggest that as he prepares for his busiest night of the year, he should also get ready for few lifestyle changes. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131220/PH37376) He can start by roasting chestnuts over an open fire. A diet high in healthy fats, or HDL cholesterol, and low in bad cholesterol, or LDL, is a good plan of action. Nuts are a great source of protein, fiber and healthy fats. His rosy complexion and large waist are clues that his cardiovascular system is at risk. I find that having a healthy food alternative on-hand helps my patients stay focused on their goals and avoid unhealthy snacking. A nutritionist can provide more information about a healthful diet plan that fits Santa's lifestyle. Whether he chooses to build a snowman in the meadow or prance in a field with his reindeer, exercise is a must. Santa can pick up a few last-minute toys while power-walking the mall. Or if he wants to stay incognito, a gym is also a good option. Not only will regular exercise improve his physical health, but it will also help him avoid the post-holiday blues. Santa needs to take time for himself before his big night and throughout the year. A life full of stressors and long hours can lead to sleepless nights. Spending some quality time with Mrs. Claus may be just what the doctor ordered. His elves will be more productive if they are allowed some time away from the workshop, too. If lifestyle changes don't solve Santa's sleep pattern issues, I would advise a visit to a physician specializing in sleep medicine. His weight and sleep issues could be a sign of a dangerous condition called sleep apnea. A yearly check-up with his physician can help him to stay ready for the season and up-to-date on his immunizations and blood tests. His weight, excessive thirst and his habit of coming down the chimney and running straight to the bathroom indicate to me that he could be at risk for diabetes. This is definitely something he should discuss with his physician. And before he travels around the world kissing mommies at every stop, he should consider a flu shot, too. It's not all Letters from Santa bad news this holiday season, though. Santa's positive attitude and obvious love of his job can greatly improve his health. A glass-half-full mentality has actually been proven to increase life span, reduce the risk of the common cold and improve one's physical and psychological well-being. My experience is that optimistic patients are typically the most successful on their journeys to lifestyle change. Why not toast to your health and happiness this holiday season? If Santa can do it, so can you. Commit to making a few small changes each month and they will add up quickly. (Dr. David Spencer is a board-certified general and bariatric surgeon who practices with Chesapeake Santa letter Surgical Specialists, an affiliate of Chesapeake Regional Medical Group. Dr. Spencer works with the Weight Loss Center at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center.) SOURCE Chesapeake Regional Medical Center |
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