Deb's Monthly Review

December 2007

Editor: Deb Thompson deb@lightpatch.com

Festivals for Travelers, Sites of the Month, Archives, Selected Links and more.

2007 Holiday Lights

Special Quotation "Hope is a talent like any other." --Storm Jameson

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	The Artsy Site Of The Month: Buffalo Bayou Art Park A place in Houston for temporary, public exhibits.		Handy Site Of The Month: Glossary of Meteorology Weather words: residual depression, fossil ice and wave drag.
	Just Fun Site Of The Month: Too Close For Comfort Holiday and travel disasters—read them and then send in your own.		Scientific/Technical Site Of The Month: Your MPG Calculate your vehicle's MPG and carbon footprint.

 December 2007 Festivals and Events

Books to help you make more money for travel fun or make the most of the money you already have! Making Your Money Count Buy It, Sell It, Make Money The Naked Truth About Your Money Gold: The Once and Future Money Your Money After the Big 5-0 Show Me the Money Make Your Money Make Money For You

Scroll down for December Festivals and other events for travelers in the U.S.

December 1, 2007 Fireman's Carnival unknown venue(s), Nome, Alaska	This event raises funds for the local volunteer fire department. Enjoy games, bingo, prizes, cake walks, food and more. Get Details: Call 907-443-2310
December 1, 2007 Cowboy Christmas Community Park on 5th Street at Crocker, Templeton, California	From 10am-3pm you can enjoy arts and crafts, refreshments, snow play area for tots, merchant specials, tobaggan run, Santa's arrival by haywagon, vendors, music. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy or non-perishable food items for the Food and Toy Drive. Find Out More: Call 805-434-1789
December 1, 2007 Santa Parade & Snowfest Straub Park, St. Petersburg, Florida	Tobagganing, snow romp for kids, pony rides, ice skating, petting zoo, parade at 10am and more. Questions? Call 727-525-5950
December 1, 2007 Winter Festival Downtown, Tallahassee, Florida	Plans for this 21st year include the Jingle Bell Run, arts and crafts, a food court, parade, entertainment, vendors. General hours are 3-9pm. Further Information: Call 850-891-3860
December 1, 2007 Jingle Bell Festival Courthouse Square, Valdosta, Georgia	Now in its 16th year, the festival offers activities for kids, trolley rides, arts and crafts, food vendors, entertainment, horse drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, Christmas Parade at 5pm starting at Patterson Street and ending downtown where there are merchant specials and more fun. You can also get in on the Jingle Bell Run (5K, 15K and 1-mile, run at 8am). Learn More: Call 229-259-3577
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December 1, 2007 Christmas Honey Festival Throughout town, Minco, Oklahoma	This 17th year you can enjoy arts and crafts, Antiques Road Show, an afternoon visit from Santa at the Armory, caroling, Tour of Homes, Honey Baking Contest, historical exhibits, cheese samples, kiddie tractor pull, tours of the local honey plant, 5K road run, quilt show, pancake breakfast from 7-10am, festival foods. Information: Call 405-352-4274 or 405-352-8960
December 1, 2007 Harbor Lights Festival Downtown, Boothbay Harbor, Maine	Live nativity at the Catholic Church, lighted boat parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by boat, arts and crafts, horse drawn wagon rides, tree lighting ceremony, caroling. The fun goes from 10am-5:30pm during this 23rd year. Get The Facts: Call 207-633-2463
December 1, 2007 Chester Greenwood Day Downtown, Farmington, Maine	Music, gingerbread house contest, chili cooking contest, Festival of Trees at the Granary Restaurant, wreaths for sale, flag raising ceremony, parade at 11am, local group of brave souls taking their annual dip into Clearwater Lake at 5pm, cake, food drive. Details: Call 207-776-4215
December 1, 2007 Christmas in Collier Town Square, Collierville, Tennessee	Have fun at this 14th year with a Christmas parade the night before the main festival. Then on Saturday events are from 10am-4pm and include a visit from Santa, carriage rides, merchant specials, music, crafts, food and activities for kids. Further Information: Call 901-853-1666 or 901-854-8307
December 1, 2007 Harbor Lights Festival Shoreline Blvd. between Lawrence St. and Peoples St., Corpus Christi, Texas	Gingerbread Holiday Tree Village, Santa's motorcade at 6:30pm, Children's Parade at 2pm, musical entertainment, laser light show, activity area just for kids, floating stage of entertainment, lighting of the 75-foot AEP tree, illuminated boat parade at 7:45pm, fireworks. This is the event's 26th year. Questions? Call 361-985-1555
December 1, 2007 Christmas in the Park Town Center Park, Kingwood, Texas	Arts and crafts, gingerbread houses, entertainment, merchant specials, activities for kids, food vendors, Christmas tree lighting ceremony, appearance by Santa with photo opportunities. The fun goes from 10am-6:30pm. Get The Facts: Call 832-594-6969
December 1, 2007 Winter Flake Festival Centennial Park, Wenatchee, Washington	Hay rides, games, food vendors, sledding, s'mores, arts and crafts, illuminated parade at 6pm, activities for kids, music, tree lighting ceremony. Additional Details: Call 509-664-3392
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December 1-2, 2007 Tamale Festival Miles, Towne, Smurr & Requa Streets, Indio, California	The festival is near Hwy. 111 and Indio Blvd in downtown, Indio. Parade, 4 stages of entertainment, rock climbing wall, petting zoo, carnival rides and games, giant inflatables for the kids, tamale eating contest, tamale judging contest, food vendors and more. Hours are 10am-6pm. Details: Call 760-391-4175
December 1-2, 2007 Plaquemines Parish Fair & Orange Festival Medal of Honor Park on Barriere Rd., Belle Chasse, Louisiana	Cajun music, orange eating contest, citrus contest, carnival rides, 5K run/walk, duck calling contest, oyster shucking contest, egg race, orange roll, helicopter rides, orange peeling contest, parade at 9:30am on Sun. (The Fair opens officially on Nov 30.) Learn More: Call 504-656-7566
December 1-2, 2007 Budafest City Greenbelt, Buda, Texas	Arts and crafts, visits with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, music, raffle of senior quilt, parade Sat. at 10am, festival foods, antiques and collectibles. Hours are 10am-dusk (about 5:30pm). Questions? Call 512-694-3413
December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 2007 Sorrento Cheese Christmas in Little Italy Mulberry Street between Canal & Broome Streets, New York, New York	Parades on Saturdays, wandering carolers in 19th Century costume, holiday lights and decorations, visits with Santa, merchant specials, tree lighting ceremony, plenty of food. Get The Facts: Call 800-854-9710
December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 2007 (Tentative!) Winter Wonderland Slater Memorial Park at Newport Ave. & Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket, Rhode Island	(Please note that the dates are tentative. Call for specifics!) Caroling, visits and photos with Santa, carousel rides, giant talking snowman, hay rides, train rides, food court, bell ringers, activities for kids and more. Further Details: Call 401-726-3185 or 401-728-0500 Ext. 251
December 2, 2007 It's A Wonderful Life in Whittemore "A Walk Along Broad Street" Downtown, Whittemore, Iowa	Events begin at about at 3:30pm. There will be carolers, bake sales, live nativity scene, music, freshly roasted chestnuts, library activities, tree lighting ceremony in the evening and more. Info: Call 515-884-2618
December 2, 2007 Christmas on the Canal Union Street, Spencerport, New York	Concerts by local choirs, treet lighting, horse drawn sleigh or carriage rides, candlelight caroling at dush, activities for kids, merchant specials, a visit from Santa and more. Find Out More: Call 585-352-4771
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December 6, 2006 Christmas on the Square Town Square, Waynesville, Missouri	Food court, carriage rides, hay rides, pony rides, Santa and the Grinch, merchant specials, live nativity scene, arts and crafts. Additional Details: Call 573-774-6000
December 6-7, 2007 Flushing Community Candlewalk Downtown, Flushing, Michigan	Tree lighting ceremony, an open fire on Main Street with roasted chestnuts, Santa's arrival in the Grand Parade, choirs, ice sculptures, gingerbread houses on display, magicians, live reindeer, carriage rides, hay rides. More than 5 miles of city streets will glow with some 19,000 candles. Most activities are between the hours of 6 and 10pm. Questions? Call 810-859-4141
December 7, 2007 Peoria's Old Town Festival City Hall Municipal Complex, Peoria, Arizona	Magicians and other entertainment, hayrides, cookie decorating, high school choral contest, snow play area, food booths (try the roasted almonds), arts and crafts, puppet shows, crafts for kids, a visit from Santa, carolers. The festival fun goes from 5-9pm. Info: Call 623-773-7564
December 7, 2007 Snowflake Festival Glazebrook Park on Stamper Lane, Godfrey, Illinois	This is an old-fashioned event with lights, carolers, hot cocoa, carriage rides, visits with Santa. The festival duration is only 6-8pm, but plan on lots of fun in that time. Get Details: Call 618-466-1483
December 7, 2007 Living Windows Downtown, Monmouth, Illinois	Dozens of downtown windows are filled with living holiday scenes. There are holiday silouettes in second story windows. Enjoy carriage rides, food from vendors, a parade at 6pm with the arrival of Santa. Last year this event was cancelled at the last minute due to a heavy snowfall. Always be sure to double-check that an event is still on before you travel. Find Out More: Call 309-734-3181
December 7, 2007 Holiday Walk Madison Street, Forest Park, Illinois	Live reindeer, merchant specials, caroling, tree lighting ceremony, refreshments, marshmallow roasting, opportunity for photos with Santa (may be on Saturday) at Forest Park National Bank & Trust. Most events are 6-9pm. Find Out More: Call 708-366-2543
December 7, 2007 Light Up LaGrange Downtown, LaGrange, Kentucky	Window decorations, caroling, merchant specials, carriage rides, activities for kids, visits with Santa, Christmas lights turned on at 6pm. Find Out More: Call 502-269-0126 or 502-222-1650
Sorry, festival-goers. I am unable to fulfill requests for personalized festival lists free of charge. You may hire me by the hour for personal research.
December 7-8, 2007 Balboa Park December Nights Balboa Park museums, San Diego, California	For a 30th year there is free admission to participating museums from 5-9pm on Friday and Saturday. Not all museums may be open at all times and there may be an additional charge for food, items on sale and special exhibits or other activities. Santa will be on hand at select locations, plus you can enjoy musical entertainment, decorated trees, puppet shows and much more. Additional Information: Call 619-239-0512
December 7-9, 2007 Christmas on the River Downtown area, Chester, Illinois	Commercial and residential decorating contests, tree lighting ceremony, chicken and dumpling supper (4-7:30pm at St. Mary's Catholic School), arts and crafts, quilt show, open houses, music, Holiday Lighted Parade at 7pm on Friday, arrival of Santa, music. Additional Information: Call 618-826-2721
December 7-9, 2007 Festival of the Bonfires Lutcher Recreation Park on Louisiana Ave., Lutcher, Louisiana	A bonfire on the levee each evening, Breakfast with Santa, 5K run/walk, Million Mutt March, Washerboard Tournament, Santa's Very Merry Forest lighted trees, pageant, carnival, music, Gumbo Cook-Off, Potato Salad Showdown, Bread Pudding Contest, arts and crafts, variety of festival foods. More: Call 225-869-1717 or 800-367-7852
December 7-9, 2007 Christmas by the Sea various venues, Ogunquit, Maine	Back for its 21st year, the festival offers tree lightings, a visit from Santa, merchant specials, chocolate, chowder, activities for kids and more. Questions? Call 207-646-2939
December 7, 14, 21, 2007 Cornish Christmas Mill & West Main Streets downtown, Grass Valley, California	I believe this one actually began Nov. 23 and has events also on Nov. 30. The Grass Valley Cornish Choir will perform, plus there will be cloggers, bell ringers, jugglers and other entertainment. Enjoy arts and crafts and let food vendors tempt you with warm pastries, stew, sausages, roasted chestnuts and other goodies. There will be merchant specials and lots of holiday decorations at businesses Downtown. You can park at the County Fairgrounds and take a free shuttle to the festival if you like. Further Info: 530-272-8315
December 8, 2007 Christmas on the Coosa Gold Star Park area, Wetumpka, Alabama	The event celebrates 24 years in 2007. Enjoy classic cars, activities for kids, arts and crafts, 12 Ks of Christmas Fun Run, quilt show, lighted boat parade on the Coosa River marking Santa's arrival, fireworks display. Get The Facts: Call 334-567-1313
December 8, 2007 Palms and Poinsettias Ulmer Park, Largo, Florida	From 3-7pm you can enjoy visits with Santa in the gazebo, craft activities for the kids, music, the lighting of the palm tree and more. You can park free at the County School Board building and there is no admission charge to the festival. Further Details: Call 727-587-6740 Ext. 5014
December 8, 2007 Calico Christmas Downtown, Grantville, Georgia	Breakfast and lunch vendors, storytelling, choral concerts, banquet (reservations required), arts and crafts, make-and-take crafts, parade, stocking design contest, Giant Postcard Contest and Exhibit (cards are actually 4x4 feet pieces of plywood or similar outdoor material). There will also be displays and community information, baking contests, maybe some candlelight caroling in the evening. It's the festival's 3rd year and general hours will be 10am-10pm. Learn More: Call 620-329-4425
December 8, 2007 Victorian Christmas Festival Monument Park and Downtown, Dexter, Michigan	The previous evening you can attend the Christmas tree lighting and a community sing in Monument Park. Enjoy a Holiday Light Parade on Main Street at 4pm, Candy Cane 5K run/walk after the parade, arts and crafts, visits with Santa, music, hot cocoa and cookies, merchant specials, craft demonstrations, carolers. There may be some additional events on Sunday. Questions? Call 734-426-0887
December 8, 15, 2007 Old Town Country Christmas Old Town area, Auburn, California	Entertainment, food vendors, strolling carolers, hayrides, pony rides, arts and crafts, bonfire, merchant specials. Downtown streets glow with lanterns from 5-9pm. Park at the fairgrounds and take the free shuttle to the festival area. It's the event's 21st year. Additional Information: Call 530-888-1585
December 14, 2007 St. Lucy Festival of Lights St. Martin d'Tours Church Square, St. Martinville, Louisiana	Parade down Main Street, light displays, food, arts and crafts, games, entertainment. Questions? Call 337-298-3556 or 337-394-6021
December 27-29, 2007 Winter Steam Festival Golden Spike National Historic Site, (west of) Brigham City, Utah	Here's a bit of a different kind of festival. Dress warmly and come to enjoy a working steam locomotive. If the weather allows, you can ride the handcar or the speed car. Enjoy films and information about historic trains and their role in the U.S. expansion into the West. General festival hours are 9am-5pm. Get The Facts: Call 435-471-2209 Ext. 29
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Sorry, festival-goers. I am unable to fulfill requests for personalized festival lists free of charge. You may hire me by the hour for personal research.
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December Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings:
Dec. 1 Christmas in the Park, Union Park & Gault Avenue, Fort Payne, Alabama, 256-995-0795 or 256-845-3957 Dec. 1 Star City Holiday Festival, Lincoln, Nebraska, 402-434-6902 Dec. 1 Christmas Festival (11th), Quanah, Texas, 940-663-2222 Dec. 1-2 Carols in the Park, Central Park, Winter Haven, Florida, 863-291-5656 Dec. 1-2 Christmas By The Sea, Manchester, Massachusetts, 978-283-1601 Dec. 1-2 Weihnachten, Fredericksburg, Texas, 830-997-8515 or 888-997-3600 Dec. 2 Holiday Street Festival, Main Street, Ventura, California, 805-654-7830 Dec. 3 Holiday Festival, Newton, Connecticut, 203-426-4874 Dec. 3-15 Holiday Festival, Performing Arts Centre, Selma, Alabama, 334-875-7241 or 800-45-SELMA Dec. 7-8 December Nights (30th), Balboa Park, San Diego, California, 619-239-0512 Dec. 7-8 Christmas in LeClaire, Downtown, LeClaire, Iowa, 563-322-3911 Ext. 120 Dec. 8 Vine Street Victorian Holiday Showcase, Vine Street between 8th & 21st, Paso Robles, California, 805-238-4103 Dec. 8 Candlelight Sing-Along Tour, 6:30pm,                    San Juan Mission to San Jaun Batista State Historic Park (cancelled if rain), San Juan Batista, California, 831-623-2454 Dec. 8 "Just One More" Invitational Arts Festival (10th), Ponce de Leon Park, Tallahassee, Florida, 850-980-8727 Dec. 8 Christmas at Moosehead, various venues, Greenville, Maine, 207-695-2702 Dec. 8, 15 Old Town Country Christmas, 5-9pm, Auburn, California, 530-888-1585 Dec. 9 Festival of Lights Holiday Parade, 6:30pm, Downtown, Salem, Oregon, 503-581-4325 Dec. 10 A Christmas Carroll, Downtown, Carrollton, Kentucky, 502-732-8100
Other December 2007 Events You Might Enjoy Events in this section may also be called festivals but are generally less multi-dimensional than events in the above category
Dec. 1 APS Electric Light Parade, 7pm, begins at Central Park, Phoenix, Arizona, 602-262-4627 Dec. 1 Lighted Boat Parade, 6:30pm, Marinas, Morro Bay, California, 800-231-0592 Dec. 1 San Jose Super Toy, Comic and Record Show,                    11am-4pm, Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, San Jose, California, 408-298-1709 Dec. 1 Lehigh Valley Comic Con, 10am-4pm, 4550 Old Packerhouse Rd., Schnecksville, Pennsylvania Dec. 1-2 Japan Expo 2007, Convention Center, Los Angeles, California, 213-617-0868 Dec. 1-2 Craft Festival, Stephen O' Connell Center, Gainesville, Florida, 352-392-5500 Dec. 1-2 Chimneyville Crafts Festival, Mississippi Trade Mart, Jackson, Mississippi, 601-981-0019 Dec. 1-2 Steel City Con (a.k.a. Pittsburgh Toy, Comic & Childhood Collectibles Show,                    Expo Mart, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, 814-467-1500 Dec. 7-8 SEMO Farm Toy Show, Best Western at 220 Interstate Dr., Sikeston, Missouri, 573-628-3643 Dec. 7-9 Georgia Mineral Society Holiday Show, North Atlanta Trade Center, Norcross, Georgia, 478-935-9345 Dec. 9 Philadelphia Comic Con, Ramada Phildelphia Airport, Essington, Pennsylvania, 856-782-0817 Dec. 15-16 Gun Show, Kootenai County Fairgrounds, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Dec. 15-16 Gun Show, Cashman Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, 801-544-9125 Dec. 21-23 Gun Show, Jim Graham Bldg at NC Fairgrounds, Raleigh, North Carolina Dec. 29, 2007-Jan. 6, 2008 New York National Boat show, Javits Convention Center, New York, New York, 646-423-0230 Dec. 30 King Mango Strut Parade (26th), 2pm, begins at Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove, Florida, 305-401-1171
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It's always best to call ahead to verify festival information. Please tell them you saw the listing in Deb's Monthly Review.

Look at this guy!

This is Scott L. Schwartz. If you ever get into trouble, you'll want him on your side. This guy means business. And his business is playing big and bad. Big may come easy, because he's 6'10" and weighs about 300 pounds. I'm not sure how he pulls off the bad part though, because he actually seems to be very... Well, never mind. Just click on the banner and get ready for some action. www.ultimatebadguy.com

Once upon a time there was a man with a gentle voice and quiet charm. He made several movies and worked in a TV show playing a character who rode a motorcycle from town to town, touching lives, and singing a little here and there. Then some of us didn't hear much of him for awhile. We wondered if he would ever come to sing for us again.
Michael Parks is singing, and he recorded 17 songs for us to enjoy, including: I'll Never Be Free Basin Street Blues Don't Go To Strangers Easy Street This CD was a long time coming, but it was worth waiting for. Take a trip to Listen Recordings where you can order your copy.

Above: Metallic Choker Necklace Left: Feather Choker Necklace

Joan Garnand creates from her home in Tennessee. Her design styles range from simple elegance to whimsical fun. Joan does hand-painted stationery, uses spare moments at festivals to paint faces, and entertains children at private parties. A sample of her work is illustrated online. Talk to her about what you're looking for!

Ever since William Malmskog and I began a dialogue I've been impressed by his willingness to share openly the details of his life. Most of us hide a lot of our lives from others and present only the parts we can polish and make look acceptable. He isn't afraid to talk about how his difficulties, including physical challenges, have guided him to an increased sense of abilities and possibilities.

I have a special place in my heart for people who allow themselves to be vulnerable enough to show us their pain. But this isn't about being a victim. It's about using adversity as a stepping stone to new challenges and then helping the rest of us do the same. When he sends me welcome updates of what he's been doing I know he's going to bring me something I can bite into and use in my own daily challenges. Please take time to visit his web site and explore the man who calls himself the Crazy Viking.

Joyce Anderson has plenty of tips for taming the holiday clutter. If you think your clutter habits are really out of control Beth Jonshon offers online classes. If that sounds too overwhelming, how about some simple help for post-holiday kitchen clutter?
You might like to dress up your front walk for the holidays with some angel luminaries.		Have a look at the Interfaith Calendar for the year 2008.
The Motley Fool has an excellent article explaining the basic differences between a Roth IRA and a traditional one.

(Link broken—Zinos.com is up for sale.)

Send Deb email: deb@lightpatch.com

Last Updated November 25, 2007

Deb's Monthly Review © copyright Deb Thompson