Santa and Jacks: How Our Dog Met Jolly Old Saint Nick

We haven't written much here about our dog Jacks -- partly because we've been too busy to write about anything lately. But the bichon/poodle mix has been a part of our family since October 2016, which is pretty surprising given that I didn't grow up with a pet and had no interest/desire to have one now. But the Blogger boys wore me down, and when we met Jacks via a rescue service a little over a year ago, it just felt right. He was the perfect size for our tiny house, super mellow, house trained, and even hypoallergenic. How could we say no? Now, I couldn't imagine our home without him. 

Recently, our neighborhood had a Christmas carol event, and Santa was there to visit with the kids. We brought Jacks along, and Santa asked to see our little dog. They quickly bonded. I have a feeling Jacks will have a few extra treats in his stocking this year.

Retro Friday: 'Tis the Season for Retro Christmas Spots

From 1977: This Christmas, give the gift of a Burger King doll! Um, thanks?



From 1980: Todd Bridges promotes Toys for Tots via a "Lollipop Dragon." Yes, you are hallucinating.



I saved the best for last. From 1984: Santa pimps a local 976 toll number (you know, the ones used mostly for sex lines back in the day) for kids to call and chat with the big guy. Creepy much, Santa?

FREE L.A.: The Best Santa Deal in Los Angeles

The place to get your Santa photos this year? No contest: The Westfield Century City Mall is offering free photos with the big jolly guy, thanks to a promotion underwritten by Microsoft and Southwest Airlines.

Not only are the pics free, but on weekdays I have never seen a line for Santa. It's quick in and quick out. As a matter of fact, when I brought the kids we were the only ones there, so Santa's helpers took a ton of pics to make sure we got a great one. We even took a few with me and Maria in the frame. Plus, when the jet printer left a tiny smudge, they kept printing additional shots for us. (I believe we left with about 10 photos -- not bad). What's more, the workers email you your entire sitting, which means they're easily shared on Facebook or by email.

And, if that's not enough, the Santa we got was amazing. Real beard. Dedicated to his role as Kris Kringle. Gave the kids candy canes. It's the whole grand Santa experience, and it's free.

But hurry -- Santa's only at the Century City Mall until Christmas Eve.

Spotted at Lunch in Century City: Sexy Santa

My TV Guide Magazine colleagues Rob (who shot this pic), Geraldine and I were having lunch at the Westfield Century City mall BJ's (snicker) restaurant this afternoon when we looked up at the towering Century Plaza Hotel and saw this. A skeezy male in a bathrobe taking pics of his female companion, dressed in sexy Santa wear, on a hotel balcony. (The female eventually disrobed, wearing a holiday-themed bikini underneath). It's about 50 degrees outside.

Rob wonders whether we were witnessing the exploits of 17 year-old Courtney Stodden and her 51 year-old actor husband, Doug Hutchison -- after all, it sure seems like something the pervy, exhibitionist duo might do.

Santa, Tamales and 'Holiday Road' at This Year's Los Feliz Holiday Festival

When it comes to neighborhood holiday events, the Los Feliz Village Holiday Festival is always one of our favorites. Now in its sixth year, the festival takes place this Saturday, Dec. 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This year's festival kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony in front of the Los Feliz Library. The other major highlight: A live performance by the cast of "For the Record: John Hughes (Holiday Road)." Just a hunch, but I assume they'll be singing, yes, "Holiday Road."

Other features at Saturday night's event on Hillhurst: Photos with Santa at Coldwell Banker (1917 Hillhurst); Alphabet Soup Puppeteers at Dragonfly DuLou (2066 Hillhurst); Prudential Elves Holiday Workshop featuring bounce house, craft table, hot cider and cookies (1714 Hillhurst); Bring your pet dressed in their holiday best to Keller Williams (1660 Hillhurst).

On Hollywood: Decorate your own holiday stocking at Springer Chiropractic (4645 Hollywood); Holiday Party featuring Guitar Driven Jazz Holiday Music by Jonathan Stout Trio at Sweeney Todd's Barber Shop (4639 Hollywood); Join Father Xmas for refreshments at Ozzie Dots (4637 Hollywood); Astrology readings, Lavender Distillation Demonstration, DJ and for the kids....Candy Cane Reindeers at Primrose Organics Salon (4616 Hollywood); Free tamale samples & champurrado (Mexican specialties) and crafts from local artists at Yuca's on Hollywood (4666 Hollywood); View the newly completed mural at the Barnsdall/Metro Arts Corridor & enjoy hot cider and donuts with the artists.

On Vermont Ave.: Enjoy complimentary Glazed Pumpkin Cake and Hot Spiced Apple Cider at Vermont/Rockwell (1714 Vermont); Half Off Clothing Store will be serving refreshments, cookies and offering discounts throughout store (1748 Vermont); Enjoy your choice of Hot chocolate, Espresso or Cappuccino and cookies at Il Capriccio (1757 Vermont); Strolling carolers up and down Vermont Avenue.


From a few years ago, Yuca's owners party during the Los Feliz Holiday Festival.

LA Ad Town: Union Station as Santa's Garage

Thanks to Friend of Franklin Avenue Will Campbell, who caught this spot for Mercedes Benz the other night: "During a Modern Family commercial break what to my wondering eyes should appear but a completely cleared out Union Station main terminal masquerading as Santa's garage during a Mercedes Benz holiday spot."

Maria and I caught that spot as well, and were trying to figure out how they pulled this off. We assumed it was a computer-generated use of Union Station's main terminal -- but is there a chance they moved out everything to shoot this ad? (I'm guessing no... but still, quite an cool use of the Union Station look as Santa's garage.)

Christmas Night with Santa Conquering the Martians

More holiday opportunities for bad movies: If you're looking to do something on Christmas night, the folks at Cinefamily are offering up "Mondo Christmas," featuring the classic "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians."

Here's some info:

When December comes, connoisseurs of cracked cinema have reason to be jolly, for 'tis the season for holiday schlock to flood the TV screen and choke the movie theaters.

Once again, Cinefamily is going to spoil you rotten with all kinds of goodies, including verité footage of department store Santas, misguided movie tie-ins, exhumed cartoons and aborted holiday specials.-- as well as a specially-prepared Xmas video mix from Everything Is Terrible! Finally, in a rare 16mm screening, we'll unwrap Santa Claus Conquers The Martians, the supremely screwy saga of two moron Mars-men who, on orders from their supreme commander, go on reconnaissance to kidnap Saint Nick and bring him back to the "red planet" -- in order to edify all the gift-hungry alien children (including a very young Pia Zadora!) who've somehow heard of our loopy Earthbound holiday customs.

Come celebrate the holidays with the only family that knows what you really want--the Cinefamily. Yule be glad you did.

Santa Claus Conquers The Martians Dir. Nicholas Webster, 1964, 16mm, 81 min.

All Aboard Travel Town's Santa Claus Express

Griffith Park's Travel Town -- long a favorite spot of Blogger Preschooler's -- continues its train ride to Santa through Dec. 23 (weather permitting).

Sunday night was one of the chilliest nights of the year -- and it made the whole "train to North Pole" experience feel that much more real. On the down side, it was cold. And because Santa takes time to talk with each child, we remained in the slow-moving line for at least 45 minutes.

Still, Evan got a kick out of the nighttime train ride, and we got a decent pic of him on Santa's knee.

Travel Town's Train to Santa takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night from now until Dec. 23; tix are $7 per person (kids under 18 mos. are free). Also, you can take your own photos, or spend $5 for one of theirs.

After visit, Santa hands kids a candy cane, and a ticket good for a free ride on the Travel Town railroad in the new year.

A few more shots:

Finding Southern California's Best Santas

(From the Life magazine photo collection; by Ralph Morse.)

The Rundown newsletter offers up its list of some of the area's best Santas. "The best are worth the journey," the said. Here goes:

Swankiest Santa: Rodeo Drive
Take a trolley ride to Beverly Hills’ most successful Santa. On the way to his HQ at the Paley Center, you'll chat with Mrs. Claus, who shares stories and songs. They'll even pour you some cider while you're waiting for seat time with the big guy.
Sat-Sun until Christmas at 11a, 12p and 1p. Pick-up at corner of Rodeo Dr. and Dayton Way. (310-285-2442/2550). $5 adults; $1 children under 12.

Sexiest Santa and Dancers: The Beverly Center
A Beverly Center tradition since 2000. This year’s Santa (actor Eli Wilhide) was chosen from a pool of more than 350 hopefuls. He and his female Candy Cane Dancers (some on stilts) perform live each night.
Fri, Sat and Sun evenings and Dec 22nd-24th. 8500 Beverly Blvd. (310-854-0071). Picture packages $17-49.

Multicultural Santa: Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza
Celebrate diversity with a non-white Santa who also accepts wishlists in Spanish.
Through Dec 24 during normal mall hours in front of the Sears Court. 3650 W. Martin Luther King Blvd. (323-290-6636). Picture packages run $13-$40.

Most Realistic Santa: Santa’s Reindeer Roundup at Disneyland
Experience more than just the man here. See Santa’s entire lifestyle — complete with live reindeer — as part of Disneyland's panoply of holiday festivities.
Nov 21 - Jan 4 in Frontierland during normal park hours. 700 W. Ball Rd., Anaheim (714-781-4565). Tickets $59 and up.

Your Own Santa: AlwaysJustForFun.com
Hire your own jolly fat man to appear at home or an event. Real beards cost more, so tug at will, you paid for it.
Available anytime in Orange County, San Bernardino, Inland Empire, and Los Angeles County. (909-598-3119). Real beards $175-$350 for the first hour; fake beards $149-$179. Christmas Eve/Day appearances are higher. Mileage fees sometimes apply.