Haddon Sundblom's Santa

Before the 1931 introduction of the Coca-Cola Santa Claus created by artist Haddon Sundblom, the image of Santa ranged from big to small and fat to tall. Santa even appeared as an elf and looked a bit spooky.

Red Ryder's Blue Steel Beauty

Jimi's Birthday!

November 24th. 1942-2011 Jimi Hendrix would have been 69 years old today. The music lives on.

Remembrance Day 2011

Remembrance Day 2011. Spent too much time with facebook® this year to post this in time. Better late than never!

The Raven

The filming of The Raven began on November 9, 2010 in Belgrade and Budapest. Jeremy Renner was originally going to star in the film but he dropped out so that he could star in Mission Impossible 4. Ewan Mcgregor was also in talks for a role, but he also dropped out. On 28 August 2010 it was confirmed that John Cusack will play Edgar Allan Poe in the film. Joaquin Phoenix was also approached to star at one point.
The first images from the set were revealed on November 15, 2010. A trailer for the film was released online 7 October 2011. This date is significant because it also marks the anniversary of Poe's death at age 40 in 1849.

Great Battles Medieval

History -- Great Battles Medieval is set against the background of the historic Hundred Years' War, spanning various conflicts between England and France in the 14th and 15th centuries. History Great Battles Medieval allows players to assume complete control of huge armies with more than 40 different units. From knights on horseback to infantry, French crossbowmen and English longbow archers, all units of the two warring factions are represented in the game, historically correct. Whether in campaign mode, a brief skirmish, or multiplayer mode, History Channel's Great Battles Medieval offers precise, realistic recreations of medieval battles.

Anonymous

Anonymous is an upcoming drama film directed by Roland Emmerich. It stars Rhys Ifans and Vanessa Redgrave. It will be released theatrically in the United States on 28 October 2011.[2] It is produced by Centropolis Entertainment and Studio Babelsberg, and distributed by Columbia Pictures.
In Elizabethan England, political intrigue abounds between the Tudors and the Cecils for the succession of Queen Elizabeth I (Vanessa Redgrave), as the Essex Rebellion moves against her. The film follows the involvement of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford (Rhys Ifans), as not only the incestuous lover of Queen Elizabeth, but also the true author of the works of William Shakespeare (Rafe Spall).

2011 World Championships

The World Championships in Fencing is an annual competition organized by the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime or FIE, (International Fencing Federation in English). The World Championships are, after the Olympic Games, the most prominent international competition in the sport of fencing. Contestants may participate in foil, épée, and sabre events.

Pirate Latitudes

Pirate Latitudes is an action adventure novel written by Michael Crichton. The book was published posthumously by HarperCollins on November 24, 2009. It is an adventure story concerning piracy in Jamaica in the 17th century.
The novel stars the fictional privateer Captain Charles Hunter who, together with the governor of Jamaica, plots to raid a Spanish galleon for its treasure. Johnathan Burnham's review states that it is "thoroughly researched...packed through with great detail about navigation and how pirates operated, and links between the New World and the Caribbean and Spain.”[
The novel was discovered on one of Crichton's computers by his assistant after the author's death, along with an unfinished novel, Micro, now scheduled to be published in 2011.

1911 Revolution

1911, also known as Xinhai Revolution and The 1911 Revolution, is a 2011 Chinese historical drama film. The film is a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution. It is also Jackie Chan's 100th film in his career. Besides starring in it, Chan is also the executive producer and director of the film. Co-stars include Chan's son Jaycee Chan, Li Bingbing, Winston Chao, Joan Chen and Hu Ge. This film was selected to open the 24th Tokyo International Film Festival.

Pistol Annies

Pistol Annies is an American country music supergroup composed of Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley. The trio was formed on April 4, 2011 during the Academy of Country Music's broadcast of a "Girls' Night Out" special.
The band released its debut album, Hell on Heels, on August 23, 2011 via Columbia Records. Its title track has also been released as both a single and a music video which began airing on Great American Country in July.

Son of a Witch

"When a Witch dies—not as a crone, withered and incapable, but as a woman in her prime, at the height of her passion and prowess—too much is left unsaid. What might have happened had Elphaba lived? Of her campaigns in defense of the Animals, of her appetite for justice, of her talent for magic itself, what good might have come? If every death is a tragedy, the death of a woman in her prime keenly bereaves the whole world.
Ten years after the publication of Wicked, bestselling novelist Gregory Maguire returns to the land of Oz to follow the story of Liir, the adolescent boy left hiding in the shadows of the castle when Dorothy did in the Witch."

The story's very gripping right from the get-go with dead bodies and ripped off faces hurtling you into this yarn at breakneck speed. I only wish I'd read Wicked when it came out ten years ago. Ah well, I started the Hood trilogy with Scarlett (book 2) and enjoyed them all thoroughly anyway. I'm lovin' this novel!

O.A.R.

O.A.R. (short for Of a Revolution) is an American rock band composed of Marc Roberge (vocals, guitar), Chris Culos (drums, percussion), Richard On (guitar, backing vocals), Benj Gershman (bass guitar), and Jerry DePizzo (saxophone, guitar, percussion, backing vocals). Due to massive online distribution over campus networks, the band has become a hit among college students, with many songs relating to the band members' personal lives at Thomas S. Wootton High School, growing up in Rockville, Maryland and attending The Ohio State University.

Imagination Library

More than 40,000 free books have been donated to children in Scotland by a foundation headed by country singer Dolly Parton.
The singer was in Glasgow on Sunday to mark the success of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which aims to give looked after children free books every month until they are five.
Children in Scotland have benefited from 40,092 books, with more set to follow.
The Scottish Government has been working with the Scottish Book Trust and the Dollywood Foundation to bring the singer's Imagination Library to Scotland. Scottish Government funding will enable the Imagination Library to provide 12 free books every year for all 3,341 looked after children in Scotland.
Children's minister Angela Constance, who met Parton in Glasgow, said: "I am delighted to be able to personally thank Dolly Parton for working with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Book Trust to ensure that Scotland's most vulnerable children are able to benefit from her innovative Imagination Library.
"Research shows that children whose parents and carers who spend time reading and talking with them frequently have better language skills than those who do not. That is one of the underlying principles of our Play Talk Read campaign. The provision of books from the Imagination Library will have a positive impact and help looked after children discover the joy of reading."

SuperHeavy

SuperHeavy is a rock supergroup consisting of Mick Jagger, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Damian Marley, and A. R. Rahman. Stone and Stewart had collaborated in the past with Jagger. The band's formation was announced on 20 May 2011. Jagger said of the band, "We wanted a convergence of different musical styles... We were always overlapping styles, but they were nevertheless separate". Jagger wanted SuperHeavy to showcase different musical styles, with music ranging from reggae to ballads to Indian genre. Make sure you check out the video for Miracle Worker by clicking the link!

Captain America

"Cap has always been about potential. He was punching Hitler right in the jaw on the cover of his first comic book in 1941, months before America actually entered World War II. Obviously, his costume has always been bad camouflage for a war hero, since there’s no terrain out there made of stars and stripes. But, he’s always been a symbol of the good in people, a reliable champion whose character more than his abilities makes him superhuman. Here’s a man who has reached his potential and then is doing something worthwhile with it, even if he looks a little corny in the process..."

Blackie & The Rodeo Kings

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings—Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing and Tom Wilson—will celebrate the June 14 release of their long-awaited collaborative album, Kings And Queens, with a performance at The Living Room (154 Ludlow Street) in New York City. Three years in the making for the acclaimed Canadian supergroup, Kings & Queens pairs the band with legendary and iconic female artists including Rosanne Cash, Exene Cervenka, Holy Cole, Emmylou Harris, Amy Helm, Janiva Magness, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Sam Phillips, Serena Ryder, Pam Tillis, Sara Watkins, Lucinda Williams, Cassandra Wilson and Patti Scialfa.
The concept for Kings And Queens was a random idea that came out of a late-night conversation in a van about “various artists we’ve all had the privilege of working with,” says Colin Linden.

New Spider-Man

Marvel has announced a new Spider-Man whose secret identity will be a mixed-race character.
A part of its Ultimates line, a series of comics that focus on contemporary reinterpretations of its famous heroes, Mile Morales, a half-black, half Hispanic teenager will become the new Spider-Man, and will make his first appearance in Ultimate Fallout. It was released yesterday.

Red Tails

Red Tails is an upcoming January 2012 film directed by Anthony Hemingway, from a script by John Ridley and story by executive producer George Lucas. It is based on the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American combat pilots during World War II, and is the first Lucasfilm Ltd. production since Radioland Murders (1994) not to be associated with the Indiana Jones or Star Wars franchises.This movie looks like an incredible experience, check the trailer to see how far CGI has advanced special effects. The dog fights look really spectacular!

Janet Wetterberg

Janet Kay Wetterberg (nee Sharp) was lost to Cancer on July 25th in Calgary.
Sexsmith and Peace River were home to Janet in her youth, with her twin sister Carol and younger brother Bob. Janet was happily married to her husband Jim for 49 years. Together they raised Donna, Don, Shelley, and Shannon and celebrated the joys of having seven grandchildren.
Janet supported the family, and her community in so many activities, charities, and volunteer pursuits, including a deep involvement in the sport of fencing where she dedicated endless support, guidance and enthusiasm to the many people she touched with her efforts.
Graduating Nursing at Royal Alec Hospital in Edmonton was where Janet began the journey of her many careers throughout her life. Her enthusiasm and vibrant energy took her into other occupations such as the travel and construction industry later. Janet had a lifelong passion for gardening in the summer.
Enjoying summer evenings sitting on the deck with a glass of wine and admiring nature's beauty were among her favourite pastimes. Janet shared with us her endless love of life and valued keeping friends and family close to her heart no matter where they were. You will forever be in our hearts and we will find comfort in knowing that you will be with us always in spirit.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation (c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N2).
A gathering of family and friends of Janet will take place later in August. Details will be posted within the next week at www.fencingcanada.ca.