Pictures with Santa

The first 7 pictures were taken at the Foley's in downtown Houston. Foley's always had the real Santa. The last 2 were taken in New Orleans. The snowman in the second to last picture is Mr. Bingle, the Christmas mascot for Maison Blanche. Anyone who grew up in New Orleans will remember the song: Jingle, jangle, jingle here comes Mr. Bingle with another message from Kris Kringle...

Official Santa Tracker

For over 50 years, The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has been protecting North American airspace from aerial attacks. The same technology that is used to protect us is also used to track the annual Christmas flight of Santa Claus and his reindeer. According to NORAD, a network of 47 radars tell them when Santa's sleigh leaves the North Pole and infrared satellites track his flight. Once the sleigh lands there are "Santa Cams" that can track his deliveries. For more information go to noradsanta.org which has videos from last years tracking of Santa, interactive games and activities, information about Santa Claus, information about NORAD, and a link to track Santa in 3D using google earth. There are also daily updates from Santa's staff. Today update: "NORTH Pole staff have advised NORAD that it is the final day to send Santa an email because Santa and the elves will begin loading the sleigh later today. This is such a huge task that they will not have time to check emails!"

This is a pretty fun website!

Hot Hot Santa

Ginger, Gracie, and Santa

Gracie has asked for a new harness. Her old harness is faded and she fears a visit from Tim Gunn. Ginger would like a home in Big Sur, Sedona, or Tofino, British Columbia.

Rosie and Santa

Rosie would like a winning lottery ticket so her mom can stay home and provide a lap for her 24 hours a day.

A visit with Santa

Sparky would like anything with calories for Christmas.

When Santa Turned Green

I just found this great book by Victoria Perla online. HCPL doesn't have it and there is no record in OCLC but it is available at several major bookstores.

Here is a synopsis from the Barnes & Noble website:

"It's November up in the North Pole. Everything's going along smoothly at Santa's workshop, until he discovers a leak in his roof. Santa soon learns that this little leak is connected to a far bigger problem -- global warming! Faced with the reality of what this could mean for Christmas, not to mention the planet and the future, Santa is determined to turn things around."