Sometimes a movie-maker really gets it right and produces a film for all time. It requires a brilliant script, a dream cast, a gifted director and an outstanding photographer and technical staff. Put them all together and you can produce magic. Bob Clark and Gene Shepherd did just that in The Christmas Story. All the more surprising when you realize that Bob Clark had also produced the Porky’s movies.

It’s hard to say that A Christmas Story is better than It’s a Wonderful Life, Frank Capra’s masterpiece with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Wonderful Life has always been one of my favorite movies. Good ole George Bailey was an example for us all. How could anyone resist someone who had gone through so much undeserved hard luck to triumph in the end? Stewart himself considered it to be his favorite movie. Even so, I found it increasingly difficult to watch it as time went by. The movie was incomplete. I kept wanting to see George and Uncle Billy pay a visit on Old Mr. Potter to get their money back.

Apparently I wasn’t the only one. Saturday Night Live once had a great skit that dealt with just that. In the black and white vignette, George and Billy storm Potter’s house and dump him out of his wheelchair to make him produce the cash. I know that George never would actually do such a thing, but I still enjoyed seeing it happen. As great as the the cast and story were, though, what I always liked most about the movie was the setting. The old cars and storefronts and the inside of the Bailey House always brought back warm memories of the way things were when I was a kid.

Bob Clark created the same effect in A Christmas Story, which was set in 1940s Gary, Indiana. From the first shot, with the children standing in wonder in front of a department store toy window, I was transported back to my childhood. My folks would bring me downtown to see the toys in the Dayton’s Department store window. I was dazzled. I remember I had to wear a clunky snow hat, but I never pressed my nose against the store window, I was too afraid of germs, but boy did I take my time taking it all in.

Ralphie’s house was right out of my neighborhood, too. We had a breakfast nook and didn’t eat at a table except on special occasions, but the rest of the kitchen was the almost exactly the same. It was great to see the old appliances again. My earliest childhood memory was of a Tide box and sure enough, there it was sitting on Mrs. Parker’s counter. My Dad didn’t swear, so he wasn’t like Mr. Parker, but I sure knew men in the neighborhood who were like the character Darrin McGavin played. And my mother was as sweet as Melinda Dillon, Ralphie’s mother. The school looked exactly the same as Cooper Elementary, where I attended. Ralphie’s machinations to get a bb-gun were similar to the lengths I went to get a pair of Roy Rogers cowboy boots. The only difference was, I never got them. I had talked Grandma into buying them for me, but my Mom stepped in and messed up my plans. I really knew deep in my heart that Grandma couldn’t have afforded to spend the $15 to buy them.

Ralphie and his friends talked exactly the same way I remember us talking. I never issued a triple-dog-dare, but I sure knew what it meant. I even remember someone sticking their tongue on an iron railing. We even had a neighborhood bully like Skut Farkas. His name, believe it or not, was Clem Klingelhut. Funny and sweet as the movie was, there was enough vinegar to keep it from cloying. The mean Santa Claus and his slide were one of the high points of the entire show.

My son and I watched the movie together, laughing all the way through. I immediately started talking it up to all my friends and even treated one of my customers to dinner and a viewing. None of them had heard of the movie, but all of them agreed it was one of the most enjoyable movies they had ever seen, and mostly for the same reasons that I liked it so much. Most of them wouldn’t go so far as to say it was better than Wonderful Life, but I thought so. It was far less depressing. And I didn’t leave the theater wishing mean old Mr. Potter hadn’t gotten away with his evil deed.

John Anderson is a giant fan of nostalgia, a movie buff from his earliest ages. He is also the author of The Cellini Masterpiece, published under the pen name of Raymond John. He welcomes any qeustions or comments and has the first chapter of his novel at http://www.cmasterpiece.com.

When thinking about vacation destinations this year, why not consider an Alaska Fishing Vacation? One of the most beautiful states in our country, and in addition to so many other fun activities, Alaska offers fantastic fishing! Trout, halibut and of course, the ever famous Alaskan salmon are just a few of the varieties you will be able to angle on your trip.

They say that fishing in Alaska is different from fishing anywhere else in the world and that an Alaska Fishing Vacation is an angler’s dream come true. And it can be as easy as obtaining a fishing license. Did you know that Alaska fishing offers twenty-one different species of sport fishes including five kinds of wild Pacific Salmon? You can head out on your own for one of the awesome lakes or streams, or take a charter boat out to some remote backcountry waterway. Most fishing locations are accessible by road, but those more secluded settings are still easy to get to by air taxis or charter services. Some destinations even include local tour guides that can be hired to lead you through your exciting journey.

One way to plan your trip is with a vacation package and there are many available. The Alaska fishing experience offers day trips and extended stays as well. Think about how relaxing it would be to end your day of abundant fishing in some great, rustic lodge in the woods. Enjoy a hearty meal and then kick back on the porch and listen to the peacefulness of the wild and soak in the beautiful surroundings. Talk about stress relief!

Different areas of Alaska provide different types of fishing. A stay in the South-Central town of Anchorage will give you the opportunity to catch some of the world’s best King Salmon just a few hundred yards from your hotel. In the middle of Alaska, known as the Interior, the Grayling, Pike and Lake Trout are plentiful in its waters.

Check out Alaska.com for great Alaska Fishing Vacation packages and also tips on how to plan your trip. There is also a link to purchase your fishing license online. It doesn’t get much more convenient than that. So do yourself a favor and make sure to visit one of America’s most bountiful and majestic destinations, and have yourself the fishing adventure of a lifetime!

alaska fishing vacation Planning that once in a lifetime fishing trip to Alaska? Then your search is over. Let us do all the work for you. With a bevy of useful information that will make your alaska fishing vacation unforgettable.

The Vezere river is a tributary of the Dordogne, and the two
meet near Les Eyzies-de-Tayac before the Dordogne continues on
toward Bordeaux and the Atlantic ocean. Near the village of
Montignac, about 30 kilometers upstream on the Vezere, are some
excellent and unique venues, including the famous Lascaux cave.
Here are four that can be visited in one day.

1. Lascaux II- Lascaux is considered to be the number one
prehistoric site in all of Europe. The paintings on the site
date from 17,000 to 15,000 years ago. Shortly after that the
cave entrances were closed by mudslides or other natural means,
and thus the paintings were perfectly preserved until the modern
era. The cave was rediscovered in 1940 by two local boys who
were chasing their dog, and several years later it was opened to
the public. However, in 1963 it was closed again, as it was
discovered that too many people in the cave were causing the
paintings to deteriorate. Since then only a few scientists,
scholars or art historians per day were allowed in for several
hours maximum. For the past few years even those limited visits
have been stopped, as new signs of further deterioration have
been observed. The French government, however, took up a 10 year
project to make an exact duplicate of the cave. This effort,
which opened in 1983, uses exactly the same pigments that were
used by the Cro-Magnon artists thousands of years ago, and is
dimensionally accurate to less than one inch of error. It is
called Lascaux II, and is located only about 400 yards from the
original cave.

The quality of the artwork is the main reason that Lascaux is
considered the finest example of prehistoric cave paintings.
Done with only oil lamps for light and using high scaffolding,
the prehistoric artists who created this site were highly
accomplished artists. Most of the guided visits to Lascaux II
are conducted in French, but there are tours in English on most
days. One needs to call the Lascaux ticket office in Montignac
or the Montignac Office of Tourism to find out if and when there
is an English tour on any given day. If you have a group they
will probably set up an English tour for you and other English
speakers, but this needs to be arranged in advance through the
ticket office. Even though Lascaux II is a replica and not the
original, it is very well done, very informative, and not to be
missed. 2. St. Leon sur Vezere- This is another of the “Most
Beautiful Villages of France”. Built in a picturesque loop of
the Vezere river, this charming village possesses two castles
and one of the finest Romanesque churches of the Perigord. The
church was part of a Benedictine priory which was founded in the
12th century. It was built on the ruins of a Gallo-Roman villa.
The remains of one of the villa’s walls can be seen on the river
side. There is a picnic area next to the church on the banks of
the river, and a café is nearby as well. This is an excellent
spot to have a pleasant lunch or a refreshing drink.

3. La Roque St. Christophe (St. Christopher’s Rock) is a huge
Troglodyte cave complex. For about a half mile in length this
majestic cliff rises vertically above the Vezere valley to a
height of over 250ft. It is like a huge hive with about 100
caves hollowed out of the rock on five tiers. Excavations have
proved that the cliff dwellings were inhabited from the Upper
Paleolithic Age onwards. In the 10th century the cliff terraces
served as the foundation for a fortress which was used against
the Vikings, and again later during the Hundred Years War. It
was subsequently destroyed during the Wars of Religion at the
end of the 16th century. The self-guided tour explains the
evolution of human life at La Roque St. Christophe, which took
place over many centuries . In fact even Neanderthal fossils
have been found at this site and at other locations nearby.

4. Chateau de Losse- This renaissance chateau sits on the right
bank of the Vezere river, and it has a large terrace that
overlooks the river and offers picturesque views. The chateau is
well known for its excellent furniture and tapestries, which can
be seen on the guided tours. The tours are in French, but
foreign language guides are available, and these are easy to
follow so one does not miss anything. The tours are quite good,
and one can also visit the well kept gardens and stroll around
the outside of the chateau in the former moat area.

As stated earlier, these four venues in the Vezere Valley near
Montignac can easily be visited in one day, since they are
relatively close and do not take too long to visit any of them.
If one is staying nearby, in Sarlat, for example, only about 25
kilometers away, a visit to these sites is well worth the
effort.

London is a year-round tourist centre. The advantage of going there in autumn and winter is the absence of crowds of sometimes too noisy and energetic tourists. London is one of world centres of everything - trade, fashion and finance. London is one of the favorite European travel destinations because it has a lot to offer. Best clubs, restaurants, shops and, of course, historic sights - all this attracts millions of visitors a year. The most famous attractions are Big Ben, Tower, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and the historically rich Westminster Abbey. The city also boasts some of the world’s greatest museums and art galleries. London is an ancient city whose history greets you at every turn. London is a museum itself. London is the capital of both the United Kingdom and of England, and is the largest European city. It’s situated on the River Thames and has an official population of 8 million people, although the figure of over 14 million is more correct. In November in London take place some interesting events. For example, Language Show - showcasing many of the different ways to learn - from evening classes and language schools to distance learning, self study courses, tapes, CDs and software. At the end of the month the 7th Disability Film Festival will take place at the NFT on London’s South Bank. This fully accessible festival screening of the work of disabled film-makers and artists, serves both to promote the talent of disabled film-makers and to broaden cinema experiences for deaf and disabled film viewers. The festival also aims to provide educative opportunities for the non-disabled public, film-goers and the UK industry. There are workshops and debates attached to the screenings. Mental Health Today London is the national annual exhibition and seminar programme for everyone with an interest in mental health - whether you work in or use mental health services. It takes place on 2 November. From 11 November till 20 November - those are the days of music because London Jazz Festival comes to the city. The impressive program includes jazz giants McCoy Tyner, Charles Lloyd, and the World Saxophone Quartet.

To know more about hotels in London and other countries, please see www.hotelsrates.net/

The answer to this, in various cases, is yes. Areas such as Costa del Sol currently seem costly for average budgets though there remain heaps of good buys to be had in various regions of Spain. Flats in the Costa Blanca remain available starting at 100,000 euros (£69,750) and villas starting at near 190,000 euros (£132,500). Around Murcia and the Costa Almeria property prices are proportionally lower priced with restoration projects starting around 75,000E (£52,300) and villas starting at near 160,000 euros 112,000 pounds If you buy off plan guarantees that the worth of the property boosts as the the project unfolds and nears completion. Folks buying early in the whole building work win the best deal and return on investment.

Property around Spain is still rising around value and with by far the simplicity of access from each and every European airports it continues to be by far the most visited place for each and every year sun. Still a shrewd investment, with by far the addional benefit of amazing breaks or possiblly an excellent place for full time inhabitation.

There remain superb regions in Spain that the visitors & investors have not visited. For instance the Alpujarras area in the south in Spain is a stunning, mountained area that is a cornucopia in unknown peace & stunning prices. The sun kissed strands in Costa Tropical are not too distant & airport access is no problem via Granada or Almeria.

Stretching southwards from your foothills of your Sierra Nevada, your Alpujarras holds your regional capital city, your port city of Almera, as its south eastern border, with your sea side town of Motril in Granada making up your south western border. The region has a rich diversity in weather inside a tiny range - you could be loafing on a sub tropical beach barely twenty minutes from your flat or you might be skiing on your snows of your Sierra Nevada barely two hours away, subject to your mood and your time of year! People love buying property in spain if they can. Check out Property Line.

Property values in the area are currently at impossibly great levels for near roughly Spain. A village house in the vicinity of Valor in need of renovation for near roughly 26,000 Euros less than 20,000 pounds. A 2 bed re-vamped property nearby for near roughly 155,000E 108,165. A 3000 meter square building site for near roughly 26,000E less than 20,000 pounds. New 2 bed apartments for roughly 85,000E fifty nine thousand pounds. Cortijos in need of renovation for near roughly near 50,000 Euros 35 thousand pounds. Renovated cortijos for near roughly near 100,000E 70,000 pounds. Why don’t you have your own finca built for roughly 120,000E (£83,750) or even obtain a fully functioning commercial olive producing farm - twenty-four hectares for near roughly 495,000E (£345,450). There are opportunities to obtain hotels, restaurants or even B & B businesses to provide you with a functioning income in this up and coming area much favored by the Spanish population for near roughly their holidays - and all this at values the rest of Spain has forgotten about.

Investors would be well advised to act fast though. News of this previously secluded location is coming out. Prices are starting to rise & in the next few years the bona fide bargains here should be a thing of the past.

Once just a part of a prime trading route from the Great Lakes to other popular posts, Detroit, Michigan is now a bustling city with hundreds of thousands of occupants and activities and attractions galore. With so many attractions to be found in the Detroit area, it is no wonder that many people choose Detroit as their vacation getaway destination.

Detroit, or the area known as le Detroit, first gained attention from the French who were establishing forts at strategic locations to keep the British from moving West. Seeing that the surrounding Great Lakes and rivers provided easy travel from many major points, the French decided that this was a prime location for a French Settlement. The first settlement at this location, established in 1701, was called Fort Ponchartrain and was home to 100 souls. Today this great city is most popular not for the French fort that was established there but for the production of motor vehicles. There are more than 950,000 in this settlement which is now fondly referred to as The Motor City and a host of things to see and do. Here are just a few:

1. Detroit Institute of Arts. The Detroit Institute of Arts is believed to be home to one of the best art collections to be found in the United States. Here you can find everything from modern art to mummies and African masks. With more than 65,000 pieces, the Detroit Institute of Arts is a must see on your Detroit vacation getaway.

2. Motown Historical Museum. This museum features photos, costumes, artwork, music and other Motown memorabilia all housed in the original house where Berry Gordy lived and where many of the Motown hits were recorded.

3. Detroit Historical Museum. This museum is home to The Motor City Exhibition. Here visitors can learn the whole story associated with the city of Detroit and see, step by step, how a Cadillac is assembled.

As you can see from just these few examples, there is a lot waiting for you in the fascinating city of Detroit, Michigan. Why not make your next vacation getaway destination The Motor City?

published by www.topretreat.com/

As a family, we have been visiting Orlando since 1998, where we have stayed in numerous hotels on the US192 in Kissimmee. Anyone who has visited Orlando will know that there is never a shortage of affordable and clean accommodation in this area. We decided to spread our wings a little and make the most of our holidays in Florida. So our third trip involved renting a private villa.

Now to some, this may not appeal, but let me tell you something, this is a resource that is not given justice that it deserves. Most are located in small communities along the main areas of Orlando close to Disney World. The first villas we ever heard of were in an area called Lake Buena Vista, but since then have spread rapidly to other popular areas along the US27 and the US192. All are within an easy drive to all the major attractions that Orlando has to offer.

New villas offer more than ever before. Take a look http://www.orlandovillas4u.co.uk

Some of the communities are gated and so you need to be granted access to enter by vehicle, others are surrounded by a privacy wall but you can drive on and take a look around. You will be amazed at just how beautiful most of these homes are. Ranging from 3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms which can usually sleep upto 8 guests, upto 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms which have been known to sleep upto 16 guests. Most of theses villas have private heated swimming pools and quite a few now have a Spa or Hot Tub too. Some also have games rooms which are usually the garage that has been converted, although this does seem a little over the top, I mean, how much time do you intend spending playing games when you have your own pool and the whole of Florida to explore?

Most of them have some sort of conservation area within the community, which just adds to the ambience of the place, it just makes it that much more difficult to leave at the end of your holiday. We remember our first stay in a Villa, our memories are more than fond. From the minute you walk through the front door, you realise this is just the start. How you laugh at yourself for staying in those what now seem inadequate hotels and just wish you had found somewhere like this years earlier.

One of the greatest feelings you get is the feeling of being at home, the kids being able to get away from under your feet and go amuse themselves playing with the things they have just bought. One of the things we have always looked forward to is to be able to have a leisurely meal without having the pressure of having to move on, renting your own home gives you this freedom. By the Pool, in the Nook or more formal at the Dining Room table. How American this all is. From the second you pull on to the drive, you get the sense of being home. No waiting for the bathroom when you are all getting ready to go to the parks for the day, get up, jump in your own shower, dressed and you’re away. Luxury Furnishings just add that finishing touch, but it gets better, the pool is cleaned by your very own pool guy, the garden tended to by your very own gardener!

What? That’s true, you may be living like an American, but you don’t have to work like one. Where else can you enjoy a dip in the pool in the privacy of your own villa? Certainly not in an hotel, shared by the other guests! Dining on the Lanai just adds to the experience, the enclosed Pool Screen stops you having to share your food with others. I could just go on and on…… All I can say is next time, Try it for yourself. It’s a World’s apart from staying in the hotels you are used to.

Andrew P Moore is the owner and contributing writer of http://www.orlandovillas4u.co.uk. He lives in the UK and now owns his own vacation rental home in Orlando Florida. You can visit his website for details of his villa by visiting http://www.orlandovillas4u.co.uk. Discounts are available for readers of his articles.

The day after Thanksgiving marks the official start of the holiday shopping season, and every year, thousands of shoppers overextend their finances in a few short weeks. Overspending and poor money management has the potential to ruin “the most wonderful time of the year” for many people; but YOU can avoid these problems all together. With an individual commitment and some simple preparation, your holiday season can be “very merry and bright” without the burdens of future debt.
Here are our top three tips for ensuring your financial success this holiday season:

1.) Give Creative and Practical Gifts.

Often times people get so caught up in the frenzy of shopping malls that the simplest, home made gifts get overlooked. Rather than spending the extra money for a gift card for your mail carrier, neighbor or paperboy; try baking cookies. Instead of frantically searching for a sweater for your long-lost aunt or uncle, try taking a classy, family photo and putting it in a frame. Use your skills to judge what is best for your family and friends, knowing that gifts aren’t just measured by dollar values.

2.) Plan Ahead.

Your ability to manage your holiday spending can increase dramatically if you just spend the time to prepare. Participating in Yankee Swaps or gift drawings, and purchasing specific items online are two strategies that can be planned in advance, used to limit your total gift purchases and keep impulse shopping at a minimum.

3.) Build a Separate Budget.

The most effective way to monitor your expenses is by creating your own budget. For the holiday season, it is very easy to list the total number of gift purchases needed, the amount you can afford to spend on each gift, and exactly how much income you have each week or month. With each of these items well documented, you can even determine how many gifts you can afford to buy each pay period, without ever having to worry about debt or credit.

American Consumer Credit Counseling

Attn: Tom Palange

Education Programs Specialist

130 Rumford Ave.

Newton, MA 02466

http://www.consumercredit.com

1-800-769-3571 Ext. 708

The celebration of Christmas in Cusco begins with the dressing-up of the city with coloured lights and garlands. These can be seen everywhere, from the balconies of the Monumental mountain to the streets around the main square, and donate the city with a warm festive ambiance.

On December 24th, hundreds of artisans coming from Cusco and the surrounding towns lay their blankets on the sidewalks -a custom in traditional Andean fairs- and sell carved Nativity handicrafts.

Held in Cusco’s main square, Santuranticuy (which means “saints for sale”) is a temporary market whose origins go back to the days of the Spanish Vice-royalty. Today it’s one of the largest arts-and-crafts fairs in the country.

The central figure of the Christmas fair is the Niño Manuelito, the Andean version of the newborn Jesus. Besides the baby Manuelito, you’ll find the other Nativity figures -all with an Andean touch-, as well as saint’s images. Much appreciated are the boxed scenes, known as Retablos, whose small figurines can represent almost every aspect of live, secular or sacred, though for the occasion you’ll almost only find Nativity scenes.

Although the fair started as a Christmas specific market, over the years it expanded to include other goods like antiques, silverware, and ceramic objects brought from Pucará and Quinua. At night, street vendors sell a traditional hot and sweet rum punch called ponche, to warm up chilly visitors.

To facilitate both clients and artisans, the fair has been divided into sectors, each of which aggregates a speciality product. Among these you can find decorative ceramic, wood and bark crafts, miniatures and filigrees, silverware, stone crafts, stone sculptures, paintings from the Escuela Cusqueña, and Niños Manuelitos.

Journalist, impenitent traveller, and aficionado cook, Ferrer is founder and editor of The
Peru Guide.

The first thing you want to think about before choosing a Christmas tree is where do you want to put it. Don’t place your tree near heating vents, radiators, sunny windows, or fireplaces. Place your tree in a more insulated spot but still where people can see it.

Next, using a tape measure, measure the height of your ceiling and the width of that space. This will help you to decide where a good place a Christmas tree will fit your home. Plus measure your tree stand to know the diameter of the tree trunk you can use, and measure the height of your tree stand and the length of your treetop decoration.

Remember to bring your tape measure with you when you go shopping for your tree, and bring the measurements you wrote down on paper.

You should also bring construction gloves for your hands protection. To protect your car, truck, or van from sap and pine needles use an old blanket. Unless the tree farm has one bring some rope or twin to tie your tree to your vehicle.

Make sure your tree stand is ready, get a bucket of warm water so your tree has water to drink right when you get it home. Check that your tree stand is strong and the right size. If you need a new tree stand the taller the tree the larger diameter of the trunk. Make sure the stand can hold lots of water.

Once the above steps are completed you are ready to choose your Christmas tree.

Nancy Fitzgerald helps you find the right Christmas tree for your home. Choose from artificial trees to real trees and white, aluminum, and pink trees.