December 2009 |
Editor: Deb Thompson deb@lightpatch.com |
Festivals for Travelers, Sites of the Month, Archives, Selected Links and more. |
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Special Quotation "Spend the afternoon. You can't take it with you." --Annie Dillard |
Important Message Just For Kids: If someone (even someone you love) has touched you in a way that didn't seem right or made you feel bad, you can talk about it with someone. There are really nice people at this number who will listen and let you talk about what you might want to do next to stay safe. |
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The Artsy Site Of The Month: Nativity Art Many interpretations.
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Handy Site Of The Month: No Name-Calling Week Coming January 25-29, 2010
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Just Fun Site Of The Month: 50 Amazing But Useless Facts Fingernails grow faster than toenails?
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Scientific/Technical Site Of The Month: Marine Debris Great Pacific Garbage Patch and other info
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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. |
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December 3-4, 2009 Flushing Community Candlewalk Downtown, Flushing, Michigan |
Home and business decorating contests, gingerbread house competition with
houses on display, horse-drawn wagon or carriage rides, refreshments such as
roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate, ice carvings, 8-foot by 16-foot model
train layout at the Museum, live reindeer, music, tree lighting ceremony,
choirs, magicians, parade. More than 5 miles of city streets will glow with
the light from more than 10,000 candles. Get details: Call 810-859-4141
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December 4, 2009 Peoria's Old Town Festival City Hall Municipal Complex, Peoria, Arizona |
High school choral competition, roasted almonds and kettle corn from food
vendors, Santa's arrival, arts and crafts, carolers, cookie decorating, magicians
and other entertainers, more than 20 tons of snow in play area. The fun
goes from 5-9pm. Learn More: Call 623-773-7564
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December 4, 2009 Snowflake Festival Glazebrook Park on Stamper Lane, Godfrey, Illinois |
This is a short one, but they pack a lot of fun into the hours of 6-8pm.
Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, choirs and caroling, wagon rides, carriage
rides, visits with Santa and more. Questions? Call 618-466-1483
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December 4, 2009 Holiday Walk Madison Street, Forest Park, Illinois |
Check out the live window displays and vote for your favorites. There will
also be face painting, caroling, refreshments, merchant specials, marshmallow
roasting, photos and visits with Santa, horse-drawn sleigh rides. Most events
are 6-9pm. Further Information: Call 708-366-2543
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December 4, 2009 Light Up LaGrange Downtown on Historic Main, LaGrange, Kentucky |
Window decorations downtown, carolers, visits with Santa, carriage rides, merchant
specials, activities for kids. Get The Facts: Call 502-222-0918
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The Bladez Scooter pictured above is sold by Camping World. |
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December 4-5, 2009 Balbo Park December Nights Balboa Park musuems, San Diego, California |
Music and dance entertainment, international choirs, bell ringers, free water
saving kits, holiday lights, Santa Lucia procession, photos with The Grinch,
Santa on hand for visits and photos, cider (plus alcoholic beverges for the
grown-ups), Seaworld animal guests, international foods, items for sale. If
you are a SDG & E customer (bring a bill or ID with address) you can
exchange up to 3 strands of old-style holiday lights for more energy-efficient
ones. Festival hours are 5-10pm on Friday and noon-10pm on Saturday. It's
the 32nd year for this one. Details: Call 619-239-0512
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December 4-6, 2009 Christmas on the River Downtown area, Chester, Illinois |
Holiday lighted parade (beginning at Chester High School) at 7pm on Friday,
open houses, music, crafts, quilt show, tree lighting. Questions? Call 618-826-4187 or 618-826-4311
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December 4-6, 2009 Plaquemines Parish Fair & Orange Festival Medal of Honor Park on Barriere Road, Belle Chasse, Louisiana |
Plans were still forming at this writing, but expect activities such as a carnival
beginning on Friday with other events joining in the next day. Enjoy arts and
crafts, orange peeling contest, music, fun run, festival merchandise, food and
more. General hours are 5-9pm on Friday, 10am-9pm on Saturday and 1oam-6pm on
Sunday. Admission is free to those age 3 and younger. More: Call 504-656-7599
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December 4, 11, 18, 2009 Cornish Christmas Mill & West Main Streets downtown, Grass Valley, California |
This event actually began in November, but continues the Friday nights before
Christmas in December. There will be cloggers, jugglers, bell ringers, singers
and other musicians on hand, plus jugglers, cloggers, food and drink vendors,
holiday decorations, merchant specials, arts and crafts. The event goes from
6-9pm each Friday. Streets are closed to vehicle traffic during the evening. Further Info: Call 530-272-8315
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December 5, 2009 Fireman's Carnival Nome Rec Center, Nome, Alaska |
This event is a fundraiser for the local fire department and includes fun such
as cake walks, prizes, festival foods, bingo and other activities. General hours
are 7pm-midnight. Details: Call 907-443-2310
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December 5, 2009 Cowboy Christmas Community Park on 5th Street at Crocker, Templeton, California |
Craft Faire, toboggan run, Santa's arrival about 11am, candy canes handed out
by Santa and Mrs. Claus, snow play area for kids, decorations at shops, vendors,
music, refreshments, merchant specials. The fun goes from 9:30am-3pm. Please
bring a new, unwrapped toy or a non-perishable food item for the local food and
toy drive. Learn More: Call 805-434-2099
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December 5, 2009 Santa Parade and Snowfest Straub Park, St. Petersburg, Florida |
Rock climbing wall, night lighted boat parade, morning parade, toboggan sliding,
snow romp for the kids, petting zoo, ice skating, arts and crafts. Questions? Call 727-893-7441
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December 5, 2009 Winterfest Courthouse Square, Valdosta, Georgia |
The general fun goes from 10am-5pm. Enjoy visits with Santa, arts and crafts,
food vendors, activities for kids, merchant specials, fun run and more. You can
pre-order a copy of the Sesquicentennial cookbook called "Still Cookin'
After 150 Years". This festival was formerly called Jingle Bell Festival. Further Details: Call 229-259-3548
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December 5, 2009 Harbor Lights Festival Downtown, Boothbay Harbor, Maine |
Plans for this 25th year include Mr. & Mrs. Claus arriving by boat, arts
and crafts, lighted boat parade, caroling, tree lighting ceremony and a live
nativity at the local Catholic Church. Additional Facts: Call 207-633-2353
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December 5, 2009 Chester Greenwood Day Downtown, Farmington, Maine |
Chili cooking contest, parade at 11am, Festival of Trees at the Granary
Restaurant plus auctioning of the trees, Polar Bear Club dip into Clearwater
Lake at 3pm, fresh wreath sales. Chester Greenwood bears the distinction of
being considered the inventor of the ear muff. Questions? Call 207-778-4215
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December 5, 2009 Christmas Honey Festival Throughout town, Minco, Oklahoma |
Honey for sale, Tour of Homes, Santa visits at the gazebo in Veteran's Park,
dairy food samples, Ross Honey Plant tours, quilt show, Honey Baking Contest,
arts and crafts, historical exhibits, kiddie tractor pull, pancake breakfast
from 7-10am at the First United Methodist Church. It's the festival's 19th year. Learn More: Call 405-352-0518
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December 5, 2009 Harbor Lights Festival Shoreline Blvd. between Lawrence and Peoples Streets, Corpus Christi, Texas |
Gingerbread and Holiday Tree Village, floating stage of entertainment,
activity area for the kids, illuminated boat parade at 7:45pm, lighting
of the 75-foot AEP treet, laser light show, Children's Parade at 3pm,
Santa's motorcade at 6:30pm. The festival celebrates 28 years in 2009. Additional Facts: Call 361-985-1555
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December 5, 2009 Christmas in the Park Town Center Park, Kingwood, Texas |
Festival foods, arts and crafts, entertainment, Christmas tree lighting
ceremony, local children's dance talent presentation, non-profit booths
and info, photos and visits with Santa, merchant specials. Most of the
fun goes from 10am-7pm. Get Further Details: Call 713-305-2239
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December 5, 2009 Winter Flake Festival Centennial Park, Wenatchee, Washingtonn |
Hay rides, hot chocolate, illuminated parade at 6pm, activities for kids,
games, food vendors, sledding, music (and maybe some caroling), arts and
crafts, tree lighting ceremony. Learn More: Call 509-654-3392
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December 5-6, 2009 Tamale Festival Miles, Smurr and Towne Streets area, Indio, California |
At least 3 blocks are full of activities such as carnival ride and games,
food vendors and entertainment. There will be tamale making and judging, a petting
zoo, plenty of arts and crafts, Latino Film Festival, cooking demos, canned
food drive, climbing wall, commercial booths, giant inflatables. There will
also be a beer garden. There is no admission to this festival and general
hours are noon-8pm on Friday, 10am-9pm on Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sunday. Info: Call 760-391-4175
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December 5-6, 2009 Budafest City Greenbelt, Buda, Texas |
General hours of fun are 10am-5pm. Enjoy more than 125 arts and crafts booths,
festival merchandise, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, music, puppets, dancers,
carnival rides and games, raffle of senior-made quilt, antiques and collectibles.
There is no admission charge. Learn More: Call 512-295-1559
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December 5-6 & 12-13, 2009 Winter Wonderland Slater Memorial park at Newport Ave. and Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket, Rhode Island |
Hundreds of decorated trees plus Victorian houses, light displays and animation,
visits and photos with Santa, an inaugural opening parade Dec. 5 at 4pm, activities
for kids, train and hay rides, food court, puppet shows, bell ringers and
choirs, twenty-five cent carnival rides, caroling. Get The Facts: Call 401-726-3185
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December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 2009 Sorrento Cheese Christmas in Little Italy Mulberry Street between Canal and Broome Streets, New York, New York |
East Meets West Christmas Parade Dec. 19 at 2pm, nativity demonstration Dec.
12 at 6:15pm, holiday lights and decorations, concert, merchant specials,
food, visits with Santa, tree lighting ceremony, carolers in 19th Century
costume. Questions? Call 800-854-9710
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December 6, 2009 It's a Wonderful Life in Whittemore Downtown, Whittemore, Iowa |
Live nativity scene, refreshments (including roasted chestnuts), open houses at
local businesses, Santa's presence, carolers and other music, tree lighting
ceremony, craft vendors, Holiday Tour of Homes 3-6pm, door prizes. Details: Call 515-884-2514
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December 6, 2009 Christmas on the Canal Union Street between West Ave. and Amity Street, Spencerport, New York |
A Christmas Carol puppet show, visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Trolley
Depot (please bring cans of food for local shelter), treet lighting at 5pm,
local choir and band performances, activities for kids, candlelight caroling,
merchant specials, food and drink, dance academy performance. It's the festival's
14th annniversary. Further Information: Call 585-366-4494
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December 11-13, 2009 Festival of the Bonfires Lutcher Recreation Park on Louisiana Avenue, Lutcher, Louisiana |
Celebrate 20 years with a car show, 5K run/walk, bread pudding contest, bonfire
on the levee each evening, carnival, pageant, washerboard tournament, Million
Mutt March, Santa's Very Merry Forest of lighted trees, arts and crafts, Potato
Salad Showdown, Gumbo Cook-Off, festival foods, horseshoe tournament. There is
no admission for kids age 10 and younger. Learn More: Call 225-869-1717 or 800-367-7852
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December 11-13, 2009 Christmas by the Sea Various locations, Ogunquit, Maine |
It's the 23rd year for this one. Enjoy a visit from Santa, Chowder and Chocolatefest,
bonfires on the beach, activities for kids, merchant specials, carolers,
arts and crafts and more. Get the Facts: Call 207-646-2939
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December 12, 2009 Christmas on the Coosa In and around Gold Star Park, Wetumpka, Alabama |
Santa Ski-In at 6pm, arts and crafts from 10am-6pm, quilt show, street parade
at 4pm, fireworks, activities for kids, classic cars, The 12Ks of Christmas
Fun Run at 9am, art show, entertainment. Park at Walmart and take the shuttle.
There are also pre-events and post-events. It's the festival's 26th year. Questions? Call 334-567-1313
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December 12, 2009 Old Town Country Christmas Old Town area, Auburn, California |
Open houses at shops, entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts, pony rides
and other activities for the kids, merchant specials, hay rides, pictures and
visits with Santa. Most activities go from 6-9pm for this 23rd year of fun.
(Rain date is December 19.) Be sure to check out the brass ensemble called the
Sugar Plump Fairies and enjoy some cider at the bonfire. The general venue area
is Maple Street between Sacramento and Reno. Additional Details: Call 530-888-1585
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December 12, 2009 Palms and Poinsettias Ulmer Park, Largo, Florida |
Arts and crafts, music, craft activities for kids, hot chocolate and other
refreshments for sale. Visit with Santa in the gazebo after he comes rolling
into town on a fire truck. Later in the day you can attend the palm tree
lighting. General hours are 9am-3pm. Parking and festival admission are both
free. More: Call 727-587-6740 Ext. 5014
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December 12, 2009 Christmas in Collier Confederate Park, Collierville, Tennessee |
There is a parade the week before the festival, on Dec. 4 at 7pm on Byhalia
Road. The day of the festival you can enjoy arts and crafts, carriage rides,
activities for kids, festival foods, merchant specials, a visit from Santa.
General hours are 10am-4pm. Details: Call 901-853-3225
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December 13, 2009 St. Lucy Festival of Lights St. Martin de Tours Church Square, St. Martinville, Louisiana |
The parade begins at 2pm at St. Martinville Senior High School. You can also
enjoy light displays, entertainment, festival foods, games, arts and crafts. More: Call 337-298-2556 or 337-394-6021
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December 19, 2009 Winter Festival Downtown, Tallahassee, Florida |
Jingle Bell Run, arts and crafts, youth ornament competition and tree display,
5 stages of entertainment, lighting ceremony around 6pm, night parade at 7:15pm,
food court, animated light displays, a concert the night before, activities for
kids. General hours are 3-10pm. It's the event's 23rd year. Further Information: Call 850-891-3860
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December 21, 2009 Winter Steam Festival Golden Spike National Historic Site, (west of) Brigham, Utah |
This is a different type of festival from many others listed here. Go with
the historical significance, dress warmly. You can also enjoy films highlighting
the historic trains of America and their role in westward expansion. 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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A brownie pan with all edges.
Make a locomotive cake with this pan. |
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December Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings: |
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Dec. 4-5 December Nights (32nd), 5-10pm/noon-1opm, Balboa Park, San Deigo, California, 619-239-0512 Dec. 4-6 Christmas in LeClaire, Downtown, LeClaire, Iowa, 563-322-3911 ext. 120 or 800-747-7800 Dec. 4-6 Weihnachten, Fredericksburg, Texas, 830-997-8515 or 888-997-3600 Dec. 5 Christmas Carroll, Courthouse Square downtown, Carrollton, Kentucky, 502-732-8100 Dec. 5 Star City Holiday Festival (25th), Lincoln, Nebraska, 402-434-6902 Dec. 5 Christmas Festival & Lighted Parade (13th), downtowm, Quanah, Texas, 940-663-2222 Dec. 5-6 Christmas by the Sea, Manchester, Massachusetts, 978-263-1601 Dec. 5-6 Carols in the Park, Central Park, Winter Haven, Florida, 863-291-5656 Dec. 7-19 Holiday Festival, Performing Arts Centre, Selma, Alabama, 334-875-72411 or334-874-8044 Dec. 11 Christmas in the Park (and Parade), Union Park & Gault Avenue, Fort Payne, Alabama, 256-995-0795 or 256-845-2741 Dec. 12 Vine Street Victorian Holiday Showcase, Vine between 8th & 21st, Paso Robles, California, 805-238-4103 Dec. 12 Just One More INvitational Arts Festival, 9-4, Ponce de Leon Park & Bloxham Park, Tallahassee, Florida, 850-890-6727 Dec. 12 Festival of Lights Holiday Parade/Celebration, 6:30pm, downtown, Salem, Oregon, 503-581-4325 |
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Other December 2009 Events You Might Enjoy |
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Dec. 2-4 International WorkBoat Show, Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, 972-620-3027 Dec. 4 Parade of Lights (on the Tennessee River, Riverwalk Marina (also watch from Rhodes Ferry Park, Decatur, Alabama, 256-355-7101 Dec. 4 Stars on the Water Boat Parade, View from Lurleen B. Wallace Drive, Guntersville, Alabama, 256-582-3612 Dec. 4-6 Chimneyville Crafts Festival (33rd), Trade Mart, Jackson, Mississippi, 601-981-0019 Dec. 4-6 Pittsburgh Toy, Comic & Childhood Collectibles Show, Convention Center, Monroe, Pennsylvania, 412-213-0224 Dec. 5 APS Electric Light Parade, 7pm, Central Ave/Camelback/Seventh/Indian School Rd., Phoenix, Arizona, 602-2622-4627 Dec. 5 Brighten the Harbor lighted boat parade, begins 5pm at U> Coast Guard Pier, Monterey, California, 831-657-0855 or 831-372-9686 Dec. 5 Lighted Boat Parade, 6:30pm, Marina area, Morro Bay, California, 805-772-4467 Dec. 5 San Jose Super Toy, Comic and Record Show, 11-4, Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, San Jose, California, 408-298-1709 Dec. 5 Lehigh Valley Comic Con, 10-4, 4550 Old Packerhouse Rd., Schnecksville, Pennsylvaniaia, Dec. 5 Reindog Parade, Valley Park Community Center, Hurricane, West Virginia, 304-562-0518 Dec. 5-12 Gingerbread village & Christmas Bazaar, st. George's Episcopal Church, Middlebury, Connecticut, 203-758-9557 Dec. 11-12 SEMO Farm Toy Show (22nd), Best Western at 220 Interstate Drive, Sikeston, Missouri, 573-628-3643 Dec. 12 Parade of Lights, Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, California, 805-385-7545 Dec. 12 Parade of Lights, 6pm, begins at high school, Blissfield, Michigan, 517-486-3842 Dec. 18-19 Parade of Lights, Ventura Harbor, Ventura, California, 805-477-0470 Dec. 19-20 Gun Show, Kootenai County Fairgrounds, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, 406-633-2206 Dec. 19-20 Gun Show, Civic Center, Salem, Virginia, 540-953-0016 Dec. 20 Lighted Tractor Parade, 7pm, Main Street, Ferndale, California, 707-786-4299 or 707-786-4477 Dec. 27 King Mango Strut Parade (28th), 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. |
As you visit links, please remember that we have no control over outside sites, those site owners or their philosophies and comments. |
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.
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Michael Parks
is singing, and he recorded 17 songs for us to enjoy, including:
I'll Never Be Free
This CD was a long time
Take a trip to |
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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!
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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. |
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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. |
Are you going to be in San Franciso any time soon and taking your pooch with you? What
can you do with your dog while you're on the road? Check out
Fido Factor. Reports of dog-friendly spots in San Francisco are pouring
in all the time. For now, only San Francisco locations are being featured, but let them know if you like the whole idea and maybe we'll soon see information for other large cities.
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Take some USA trivia quizzes
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There's a National 4-H Hall of Fame. |
Enjoy spying on birds that find their way into your neighborhood, your parks, your
local waterways? You might enjoy browsing the
American Birding Association web site.
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Graphics are original, excluding the Email graphic
and those linking to other sites. Graphic linking to
www.michaelparks.com owned by artist/webmaster and is displayed here with their consent. |
Deb's Monthly Review is copyrighted! It is not in the public domain. When in doubt about use of someone's writings or graphics, ask! |
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