Willow Glen Business Association
But the holidays are more than just stuff…They’re about family, friends, giving, and memories of Holidays past. So, to bolster the holiday spirit, come and celebrate the Spirit of the Holidays with your friends and neighbors here on YOUR avenue in Downtown Willow Glen.
The Heart of the Holidays in Willow Glen (Posted by: WGBA)
Willow Glen Business Association
Alive with the twinkling of holiday lights and the melodies of cheerful carols, there’s no place like home for the holidays. In Downtown Willow Glen, we’re here to help you make this holiday season something very special for you and family. Let’s celebrate the Heart of the Holidays together…Willow Glen Style.
Stroll our Avenue and find incredibly unique restaurants, shops and personal services. Complete your shopping list and get that extra special attention that only independent businesses can deliver. There’s plenty of fun for families and friends all through this holiday season – Santa visits, caroling, ornament making, story readings, wagon rides, and so much more. Visit the heart of Willow Glen – Downtown – and celebrate the Heart of the Holidays together.
Events sponsored by the WGBA are listed chronologically below. To view a complete list of the more than 50 holiday events in the district and at local businesses this season, please click here.
Santa Walter is a frequent participant in the activities!
Ladies' Night in Downtown Willow Glen
All women are invited to “Ladies’ Night in Downtown Willow Glen” from 6 to 9 PM on Thursday, December 2, 2010. Just in time for the holidays, put on your Santa hats, grab your girlfriends, and come to downtown Willow Glen for an evening of special offers, holiday spirits, photos with Santa, and fun! Santa will offer the opportunity to take your own photos, check your status on the “Naughty or Nice List”, and put in special requests. More details are coming along from the Willow Glen Business Association, so check their website: http://www.willowglen.org/.
Children love Santa to read!
At 1351 Lincoln Avenue, Santa Walter donated some time from his busy 2009 Christmas season schedule to share some stories with children. Afterwards, Le Boulanger in Willow Glen area of San Jose, gave the children some hot chocolate and cookies. Yes, Virginia, Christmas spirit is alive and well! Those children sat raptly through several stories, and some were brave enough to even help turn pages.
Santa Walter's Sleigh
In the late 19th century, the most expensive and admired sleigh was an Albany Cutter. Below are some links to more information about the Albany Cutter Sleigh. Since snow is rather scarce in our neighborhood of San Jose, California, Santa Walter has put his antique sleigh on casters to easily navigate up and down Lincoln Avenue, Willow Glen, San Jose, CA. Santa Walter estimates that his sleigh was made around 1878 based on museum exhibits.
Sleighs of beauty and function
by Sylvia Forbes
“Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh …” is more than just the beginning of a popular Christmas song. Before 1900, it was a way of life and a standard mode of winter transportation for people living in temperate parts of the world. Before the advent of automobiles, sleighs of every shape and size imaginable were manufactured to make transportation of people and goods easier when the ground was covered with snow and ice. [reprinted from http://discoverypub.com/feature/2010_01.html]
Characteristics of the Albany Cutter
Santa's Sleigh on Lincoln Avenue
“It is a two–seat passenger sleigh with high open runners. The Albany–style cutter was also called a “swell–body” sleigh because of its rounded form, notably its body and curved dash. James Goold, of Albany, designed the original model. Over time it was replicated and came to be the second most popular winter passenger vehicle in the United States after the Portland cutter, the design of which features straighter lines. Light and compact, the Albany model had the distinguishing characteristic of being more decorated than other sleighs, frequently displaying two eagle heads, one on each side of the upper section of the dash. The Albany was a deluxe winter passenger vehicle.” [reprinted from Canada Science and Technology Museum http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/collection/albany-cutter2.cfm]
Fountain Head Antique Auto Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska
“The Albany cutter, also called a swan- or swell-body sleigh, is distinguished by its dramatically upswept runners that match the curvature of the carriage. Unlike other sleighs, the Albany cutter’s body and runners were built as one unit. Their elegant shape was obtained by steaming the wood components, a lengthy process that required extensive skill and craftsmanship.” [reprinted from http://fountainheadauto.blogspot.com/2009/12/santas-sleigh-lives-here.html]
Santa Charles Is Santa For Events in Durango
Santa For Events Christmas Party Planners Newsletter
If anyone is interested in subscribing, the email addresses will never be shared. And it is easy to opt-out with a single click at the bottom of the issue. We are trying to offer resources to people who desire interesting Christmas parties and to share some interesting information about the traditions of Christmas parties. Of course, Santa For Events is always happy to discuss Santa and Mrs. Claus or Santa and Elf making an appearance. Link to subscribe form http://eepurl.com/gul- if you wish to join the Christmas Party Planners List.
Santa Switched in Scotland
Santa in Scotland
Santa For Events calendar now shows Santa Walter, Santa Charles, and Santa Steve bookings. The weekends are really busy! Please contact us as soon as possible about your Christmas Party needs. We are always excited about sharing the magic of Christmas with both children and adults. Be aware that travel time may be significant, even with turbo-charged sleigh! For an easy-to-read agenda-style calendar separated by each Santa, try the BOOKINGS tab above or http://www.santaforevents.com/booking-calendars/. Page down the right side bar to see all three.
