Welcome March!

By Michael Rielly

Well here we are the windy month of March and we are only a few weeks now away from the first day of Spring! Seems like we are still getting a lot of snow though.

I read just this morning that 2010 is the first year on record where there was currently snow on the ground in all 50 US States!

Last month we launched yet another new feature -- ClausNet.com Videos. Along with our extensive News and Resources sections, members can now share videos of their favorite TV episodes, movies, music, and more! Member can even post their own promotional videos!

In February, we also kicked off our Funniest Picture Contest. Be sure to vote for your three favorite entries. The winner will be announced in next month's issue.

We hope you enjoy the March edition of the ClausNet Gazette! As always, if you have a story you would like to share with your fellow members or a product that you would like to feature, please feel free to contact us!

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In The News

Santa donates his hair to Locks Of Love

mysuncoast.com -- Even Santa Claus needs a haircut now and then. And that's what he did Wednesday in an effort to help Locks of Love.

Mike Linn, also known as Santa, visited the Aveda Pure Talent Salon at Westfield Southgate Mall. They trimmed about 10 inches off, which will be donated to the cause that helps cancer patients who have lost their hair during treatment
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Santa: See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Do No Math

DefendingSanta.com -- DefendingSanta.com follows up on the sad story of corruption in the world of professional Santas.

Last year a business running a Santa convention took funds supposedly for a non-profit group through the sale of Santa Claus Oath plaques.
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Illinois City to Fine Residents with Christmas Lights Still Up

DefendChristmas.com -- Officials in an Illinois city said residents slow to take down their Christmas lights have only a little more than a week before they face possible fines.

The seasonal decoration ordinance in Aurora, which took effect in 2006, states that outdoor holiday decorations may not be up more than 60 days before or after their celebrated.
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Atheist Complaint Leads to Removal of Angels, Stars from Christmas Trees

DefendChristmas.com -- There?s no place for angels atop Christmas trees, according to one California man who successfully lobbied for the removal of religious symbols at county buildings after spotting a yuletide decoration last week.

Stars and other religious emblems were ordered removed from Christmas trees in all government buildings in Sonoma County on Monday following a complaint.
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McGuinty won't say no to Santa, ponders parade help

CTV Toronto -- Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said he won't rule out helping Toronto's world-famous Santa Claus Parade get a new home.

Organizers of Toronto's parade are hoping the province will give them a major present this year towards new digs -- $4 million.

They say the 105-year-old parade has grown so big, Santa's current Toronto workshop is too small to house the mass of floats and colorful costumes. Organizers argue they need a building with five-metre high ceilings and large doors.
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Lake City man embraced as Santa, Old Man Winter

The Post-Bulletin -- Santa Claus is real in Lake City. If you don't believe it, go see John Lewis.

The 76-year-old Lake City resident has been dressing up in a Santa suit for 23 straight years, to the delight of locals. He's volunteered his time at nursing homes, schools, private residences and grocery stores around the area. In his younger days, he even used to provide sleigh rides with horses from his 11-acre farm.
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Build-A-Bear positions for growth

Playthings.com -- Custom plush retailer Build-A-Bear Workshop swung to a loss in 2009, hampered by a double-digit drop in domestic sales and various charges.

The retailer?s net loss for 2009 was $12.5 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, compared to the 53-week fiscal 2008?s net income of $4.6 million, or $0.24 per diluted share. 2009?s results included $10.9 million in charges related to store asset impairment, its investment in retailer Ridemakerz and closing its handful of Friends 2B Made concept stores.
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Santa stays here for the off-season

Wyoming Tribune Eagle -- Turns out, Santa Claus spends the off season in Cheyenne.

This man goes by the name of Paul Kniss, a 12-year resident of the Capital City. But his love of toys and his white beard and red suspenders give him away for who he really must be: Santa. And it turns out he doesn't keep all his toys at the North Pole.
Read More »

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Featured Member - March 2010

Each month, our Featured Member section profiles one ClausNet member. Members are chosen totally at random by myself and the staff. Once selected as Featured Member of the Month, we interview the candidate and post the interview here. This is a great way to get to know your fellow ClausNet members!

I am happy to announce that our ClausNET Featured Member of the Month for March 2010 is Eileen Strom!

The better half of Santa Dave Strom, Eileen joined us almost a year ago. Since then she has been a very active contributor to our community! Based on the pictures she sent me, I think it is a safe bet to say that she spends a lot of time in front of a computer!

I caught up with Eileen a few weeks ago. Here's what she had to say...
Read the entire interview »

Visit our Featured Members of the Month section for past members!

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Republic of Kosovo's Independence Day

Posted in 'Travels of Ol' #98' blog by Old Sante Claus

Republic of Kosova declared its Independence on the 17 of February in 2008. Tomorrow, the Republic will celebrate as they move forward. I wish to congratulate them with this poem I have written for my many friends, and acquaintances throughout Kosovo. Respectfully, Baba Demeri.
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The Story of Rudolph

A story by Santa Don Galaway

Children often ask me about my reindeer. Of course, we usually end up talking about Rudolph. Well, let me tell you a little about my reindeer.

Of course, those who pull Santa?s sleigh every Christmas eve are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and, of course, Rudolph.

Those who are quick and light-footed are harnessed at the front of the team. That would be Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen.

With the slightest touch of the reins, those sure-footed reindeer can turn right around and lead the others.

Then, Comet and Cupid are just behind them. They are the encouragers of the team. They call out to those in the lead, helping them to keep up the pace so that all of the presents will be delivered on time to all of the boys and girls.

Then, come Donder and Blitzen. Now, those two are my strongest reindeer. They are so strong and powerful, they can get a fully loaded sleigh up and flying with a single bound. Do you know what the words, ?Donder? and ?Blitzen? mean? In German, Donder means, ?Thunder?, and Blitzen means, ?Lightning?. That?s because Donder and Blitzen are so strong and powerful.

Now, about Rudolph. Well, one cold and snowy night, Rudy, one of the elves went out to check on the reindeer; and what did he find just outside the stables but a tiny orphan reindeer. He was cold and hungry. Well, Rudy took the little reindeer inside and gave him some treats and put down a nice soft bunch of fresh hay for him to snuggle into and get warm.
Read More »

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Santa Voices of the Past

Each month we feature a quote from a famous Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus of the past. This month's quote comes to us from Santa Nate Doan, Dean of the CWH Santa Claus School from 1966 to 1987.

After Charles W. Howard's death in 1966, Santa Nate Doan, a long time student of the CWH Santa Claus School, became the second Dean of the school and continued as the Dean until the early 1990s.

On February 1, 1994, Nate's work was honored in the US Congressional Record.

"Santa Claus is as near to the Lord as a man can be."

Nate Doan
1919 - 1998

Want to learn more Santa Claus history? Check out the following:

• The Santa Claus Oath
• Nate and Mary Ida Doan Santa House

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