Jody Victor: New Year's Eve: What will you watch?

ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” won’t be quite the same since Dick Clark won’t be the host as he continues recovering from a stroke. But don’t worry…Regis Philbin will take his place!

Or instead of watching ABC, will you watch NBC’s party in RockefellerCenter with Carson Daly? What about watching Fox featuring Ryan Seacrest…or even CNN’s Anderson Cooper and rock band Green Day?

Don’t expect ABC to give up fighting for your attention easily. “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” is annually ABC’s second most popular entertainment special after the Oscars.

How does Dick Clark keep the attention of the younger audience? He brings on a younger co-host. This year the role is filled by Ashlee Simpson, the younger sister of Jessica Simpson.

The ABC New Year's Eve special will run three and a half hours, starting at 10 p.m. EDT, breaking after an hour for local news and returning from 11:35 p.m. to 2:05 a.m. Besides Simpson, performers include Big & Rich; Ciara; Earth, Wind & Fire; Fabulous; Kenny G; Billy Idol; Los Lonely Boys and Simple Plan.

Fox’s Seacrest, now a radio host of "America's Top 40," will run his show (airing from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. ET) like a countdown. Not only will the year's best songs be played, he'll incorporate pop culture lists like the top five bitter breakups of the year. It's his first year as executive producer, and Seacrest is looking for ways to make the show distinctive. Hoobastank and Evanescence will perform, and the show will include the world premiere of a 20-minute Usher video featuring four of his hits.

Daly spent five years as host of MTV's New Year's Eve party (which, by the way, has Lindsay Lohan as host this year) before taking last year off. He has re-emerged to inaugurate NBC's pre-party, which airs from 10 to 11 p.m. Jay Leno will have a live "Tonight" show when the Times Square ball drops. Daly’s  show will feature performances by Avril Lavigne, Maroon 5 and Duran Duran. It will also include a guest shot by "The Apprentice" star Donald Trump via satellite from Trump's own New Year's party in Florida.

Which ever show you decide to watch, I’m sure you will flip through the channels. We will have a gathering at our home with Steve Victor, Joe Victor and other friends and family. In the past we have always had ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” show on in the background and I’m sure we’ll do the same this year. Regardless, we’ll have our own celebration to bring in the New Year! Immediately after the clock strikes midnight our phones will ring off the hook with calls from friends Bob Covino, Billy Florence, Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady.

Happy and Safe New Year to All!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: New Year's Eve is celebrated all around the world and each country has their own traditions. Even though the celebrations are not always on the same day, they often include religious celebrations, parades and customs to bring in good luck and fortune in the new year.

Many countries have traditions that they believe will bring good luck for the new year. In Puerto Rico children enjoy throwing pails of water out the window at midnight. They believe this rids their home of any evil spirits!

In Spain when the clock strikes midnight the people eat 12 grapes. One grape for every stroke of the clock to represent each month in the year. Each grape is said to bring good luck in the new year.

Switzerland believes good luck comes from letting a drop of cream land on the floor New Years Day. 

In France people eat a stack of pancakes for luck and good health. Belgium farmers wish their animals a Happy New Year for blessings.

Romanians had a tradition of listening to hear if the farm animals talked on New Years Day. If the animals talked it was considered bad luck so they are relived when they do not hear any talking animals.

Besides Good Luck traditions, there are also lots of New Year Parades.

In the Bahamas thousands of people celebrate in the New Years Festival. They spend many months creating colorful costumes for the Junkanoo parade. Prizes are given to the best costumes, be it most strange or perhaps the most beautiful.

In the United States New Years Day has parades as well. What once may have been started with people decorating their horse drawn carriages to travel to special sporting events has now turned into huge parades in the morning and special football games held in the afternoon. One of the most famous parades is the Tournament of Roses where the floats are all decorated with flowers.

I spend New Year's Day with Steve Victor and Joe Victor watching all the bowl games and we usually make phone calls to talk to our friends Bob Covino, Billy Florence, Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady to wish them a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Enjoy,

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: As you know, Santa was out making his deliveries on Christmas Eve and NORAD caught him in action. For those of you who were busy celebrating and not near a computer, you can still go back and track Santa's journey at http://www.northpole.com/NoradSanta.asp. There are great photos and video that capture some of his highlights!

Here is a photo of Santa in New York City!

Steve Victor, Terri and Joe Victor were with Kathy and I on Christmas Eve and we tracked Santa through NORAD. The grandkids had a wonderful time...and I also enjoyed myself Christmas is a special time for our family to celebrate all the blessings in our lives. We spend the week prior to Christmas visiting, playing games, putting together puzzles and watching movies. This year was no different...we truly enjoyed ourselves.

Happy Holidays,

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: The thought of tracking Santa really intrigues me so I thought I'd do a little more research.

NORAD uses four high-tech systems to track Santa - radar, satellites, Santa Cams and jet fighter aircraft.

The North Warning System, NORAD's radar system, has 47 installations strung across Canada and Alaska. This system tracks when Santa Claus leaves the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

As soon as the radar system detects Santa has lifted off, NORAD begins to use their satellite sytem...which is the same that is used to provide warning of possible missile launches aimed at North America.The statellites use sensors that detect heat. Rockets or missiles produce such a large amount of heat it allows the satellite to detect them. Rudolph's nose gives off an infrared signature similar to a missile launch. The satellites can detect Rudolph's bright red nose with practically no problem.

The third system NORAD uses is the Santa Cam. They began using it in 1998 - the year they put the Santa Tracking program on the Internet. NORAD Santa Cams are ultra-cool high-tech high-speed digital cameras that are pre-positioned at many places around the world. NORAD only uses these cameras once a year - Christmas Eve. They turn the cameras on about one hour before Santa enters a country then switch them off after they capture images of him and the Reindeer. We immediately download the images on to our web site for people around the world see. Santa Cams produce both video and still images.

The last system used is the NORAD jet fighter. Canadian NORAD fighter pilots, flying the CF-18, take off out of Newfoundland to intercept and welcome Santa to North America. Then at numerous locations in Canada other CF-18 fighter pilots escort Santa, while in the United States American NORAD fighter pilots in either the F-15 or F-16 get the thrill of flying with Santa and the famous Reindeer Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph. About a dozen NORAD fighters in Canada and the United States are equipped with Santa Cams.

I am just amazed that this all happens to track "The Man" during his travels on Christmas Eve. I hope you enjoy tracking Santa! I know Steve, Joe and the kids will enjoy it!

Merry Christmas,

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: On December 24th there will be tons of little kids on the look out for Santa and his sleigh. This year, like every year for the past 50 years, Santa's travels will be watched by NORAD.

Starting early in the morning of December 24th, NORAD will be tracking Santa. Over the past 50 years NORAD has been keeping careful records and use their highly skilled radar and satellite technicians to find out exactly where Santa is throughout Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve www.northpole.com will post a map of the world on their web site. It will pinpoint a few of the thousands of places Santa visits. The map will update throughout Christmas Eve, showing you where Santa is every moment, where he's been and where he's going. Clicking on that map will display Santa Cam videos of his journey.

Don't wait until tomorrow to make sure your computer is capable of tracking Santa, go to www.northpole.com today and click on Santa Tracker and follow the directions to make sure you are ready.

Tomorrow afternoon Kathy and I will be with Steve Victor, Terri, Joe Victor and their families to celebrate. I know we will be tracking Santa!

What is NORAD?

NORAD is the bi-national U.S.-Canadian military organization responsible for the aerospace defense of the United States and Canada. NORAD was created by a 1958 agreement between Canada and the United States. The agreement has been renewed nine times - most recently in 2000. NORAD provides warning of missile and air attack against both of its member nations, safeguards the air sovereignty of North America, and provides air defense forces for defense against an air attack.

NORAD's mission has evolved over the years to meet the aerospace defense needs of Canada and the United States. The most recent "evolution" in NORAD's mission came as a result of September 11, 2001. Because of that day, NORAD now monitors the airspace within Canada and the United States, too. There are men and women in NORAD constantly watching the skies to keep the United States and Canada safe.

Merry Christmas,

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: With such a huge tree in the middle of the city, what do they do with the tree after the  holidays?

In 1971 the tradition of recycling the tree began.The mulch is donated to the Boy Scouts and is used as ground cover to help create paths and help with soil erosion.These huge trees provide almost 3 tons of mulch!

Also,  each year the largest part of the trunk is given to the United States Equestrian TEAM in New Jersey for use as an obstacle jump. I'd think you'd have to be pretty good to jump that size of trunk! Maybe we can see if Bob Covino, who lives in New Jersey, has ever seen a trunk!

I'm glad to see the tree is recycled and put to good use after it's display in NYC.

~Jody

Jody Victor: The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree decorations have changed throughout the years. Here is a great time-line. All very interesting! Enjoy!

Decorations throughout the years:

·    In 1939 the tree was untrimmed except for a lighted star on its top and was illuminated by floodlights each evening after dusk.

·    World War II brought several changes to Christmas celebrations at the center. The 1941 tree lighting ceremony called for hundreds of lights on the giant tree as well as candles placed in every window of the 70 story RCABuilding. Because of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the candles were never lighted because they couldn't be extinguished quickly enough in the event of a blackout. The tree's lights were controlled by a single switch, so it was allowed to remain illuminated each night. In accordance with wartime restrictions on electricity, none of the subsequent trees were lighted until 1945, when lights on the tree were once again illuminated.

·    In 1945, the tree was decorated and lighted in a fashion never before employed on an outdoor tree. More than 700 fluorescent globes were illuminated with "black" light (ultraviolet rays). The effect was so spectacular it was repeated by popular demand the following year.

·    In 1949, the tree was sprayed with a silvery paint. By day, carnival-colored globes provided a festive effect; at night, more than 7,500 sparkling multicolored bulbs gave the tree its shimmering glow.

·    In 1950, garlands of red and white plastic globes provided an effect of strung cranberries and popcorn.

·    In 1952, the tree was decorated with translucent globes illuminated from within, sparkling firefly lights and more than 3,000 feet of golden garland made of aluminum foil.

·    In 1953, 6,000 shimmering aluminum icicles, each 18-inches long, spangled the tree along with thousands of sparkling firefly lights and batteries of giant red floodlights.

·    In 1965, red, green, gold and blue illuminated Christmas bells molded from plastic were complemented by 4,000 clear lights.

·    In 1973, thousands of multicolored reflective discs illuminated by a reduced number of miniature bulbs were used in keeping with energy conservation efforts that were underway nationwide. Today, more than 25,000 multicolored 7.5 watt bulbs are strung on more than five miles of electrical wire to decorate the tree. Each branch is individually wrapped to achieve the full lighting effect, and there are no other ornaments on the tree except for the star on top.

The angels:

Between 1937 and 1974, 22 different Christmas displays appeared in the ChannelGardens. The most popular display has been Valerie Clarebout's 12 herald angels -- wire-sculpted figures that were first introduced in 1954. The Clarebout Angels have been refurbished and displayed every Christmas for the past 20 years.

The Christmas Cadets:

Six Christmas Cadets posed with musical instruments were introduced to the RockefellerCenter decor in 1989. Inspired by the renderings of Norman Rockwell, the male and female figures were crafted from reinforced resin and display a diversity of ethnic characteristics. Each cadet is approximately 13 feet tall. There are two drummers, two buglers, a flutist and a cymbalist.

Merry Christmas,

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: I find the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree so interesting. Getting a huge tree set up in the center of NYC is amazing. In doing some research I found lots of great information about the tree that I would like to share.

How is the Tree Found?

Everyone can help find the Rockefeller Center tree. People from all over the country send photos of their trees offering them. Also, the manager of the Rockefeller Center drives the back road of the Northeast and searches for the perfect tree. He then flies in a helicopter in an aerial survey during the winter months. He likes to wait until winter so most of the leaves are off the trees and the evergreens stand out.

Facts about the Tree:

Typically the tree is a Norway Spruce, a native to Northern Europe. They've been planted in the United States ornamentally and grow to large sizes. The normal life span typically to humans is 80 to 110 years and they grow approximately one foot a year.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree dimensions are a minimum of 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide but trees 75 to 90 feet tall are preferred.

I find it very interesting that the tree travels on a custom-made telescoping trailer which can stretch to 100 feet and can carry a tree up to 125 fee tall. The tree travels in through the streets of NYC in the middle of the night so it doesn't disrupt traffic.

I would love to bring my kids, Steve,Joe and Terri to New York City and watch the tree travel through the streets. Maybe we'll plan that trip for next year! This year Kathy and I and Joe and Kelli went to NYC in early November to watch some Broadway Shows. At that time they were just getting ready to start decorating. Although we didn't see the decorations, we still enjoyed ourselves.

Merry Christmas,

Jody

Jody Victor: This year's Christmas tree on display in Rockefeller Center is 71 feet tall, 40 feet wide and weighs 9 tons!

The tree is a Norway Spruce and is from the home of Christine Gabrielibes and Demos Kontos from Suffern, Rockland County, NY.  The tree was spotted from the air by a TEAM scanning the tri-state area.Workers brought the tree to Rockefeller Center on a 115-foot long trailer. Can you imagine seeing that go through downtown NYC?

It took two dozen electricians to decorate the branches with 30,000 lights on five miles of wire. For the first time this year, the Rockefeller Center tree will be topped with a Swarovski designed star. This star is 9 1/2 feet in diameter and has 25,000 crystals. The star was raised on November 16th, 2004 in the presence of children with life-threatening medical conditions from Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Each year my family, Kathy,Steve, Joe, Terri and I all watch the lighting ceremony on television. It's become a family tradition. We make popcorn and drink XS Energy Drinks.

Merry Christmas,

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Since so many people put up christmas trees during the holiday season I thought you'd enjoy this Christmas Tree Trivia!

Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850.

In 1979, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted except for the top ornament. This was done in honor of the American hostages in Iran.
The tallest living Christmas tree is believed to be the 122-foot, 91-year-old Douglas fir in the town of Woodinville, Washington.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition began in 1933.

Jody Victor: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Each year Kathy and I go to New York City around the holidays to visit friends and see some Broadway Shows. One stop we always make is visiting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. What a beautiful site!

The Rockefeller Center tree is located at Rockefeller Center, west of Fifth Avenue from 47th through 51st Streets in New York City.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree dates back to the Depression Era days. The tallest tree displayed at Rockefeller Center came in 1948 and was a Norway Spruce that measured in at 100 feet tall and hailed from Killingworth, Connecticut.

The first tree at Rockefeller Center was placed in 1931. It was a small unadorned tree placed by construction workers at the center of the construction site. Two years later, another tree was placed there, this time with lights. These days, the giant Rockefeller Center tree is laden with over 25,000 Christmas lights.

To see live streaming video of the tree check out with site.

http://www.wnbc.com/christmastree/index.html

Next year we would like to bring Billy Florence, Orrin Woodward and Fred Harteis with us to visit NYC!

Enjoy!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor is the owner of MarkerMan Productions.

Jody Victor: Santa Claus has a variety of different names in different languages, but they all refer to St. Nicholas who was born many centuries ago around 245 AD in Patara, a seaport on the southwest coast of Asia Minor(present day Turkey).

St. Nicholas became a bishop of the church at Myra. He was known for his generosity and voluntarily helping others in need. Even though there is not much documentation, his legend grew and many churchs were named after him.

In 1823, Clement C. Moore wrote "A Visit from St. Nicholas", which described Santa Claus driving a sleigh drawn by 'eight tiny reindeer", and in doing so created the image we all have today. This image was cemented into history when Thomas Nast drew Santa Claus based on Moore's description.

May the spirit of Christmas, which is Santa Claus, stay in your heart all the New Year.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: When you ask children what comes to mind when they think about Christmas many will say Gifts! Christmas is a time for gift giving but this practice hasn't been around forever.

This practice of buying large fancy gifts for Christmas Day didn't really get rolling until the 1860s!

In 1867, Macy's, the major department store in New York City, stayed open until midnight Christmas Eve. Seven years later, in 1874, they were the first to design their window displays around a Christmas theme. That was the start of the gift-giving craze (so if you, like many people, feel that Christmas has become too commercial, now you know who to blame!).

Before Macy's, and their brilliant marketing move, gifts were given, but they weren't as important a part of Christmas as they are now. The tradition goes back all the way to the Three Wise Men, who brought gifts of gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to the infant Jesus.

Each Christmas Kathy and I like to send our friends a gift of appreciation. This year we plan on sending something very special to Billy Florence, Fred Harteis, Chuck Goetschel and Orrin Woodward. I can't give away their gift so you'll have to stay tuned!

Merry Christmas,

Jody

Jody Victor: Ever wonder when Christmas Cards got started? Well, the first Christmas Card was designed in 1843 by John Callcott Horsley. Horsley was born January 29, 1817 in London, England.

A painter by trade, he designed the card for his friend Sir Henry Cole. The first edition of 1000 cards was copied and hand painted and shows a family party with the greeting "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."

It must have caught on quickly and was introduced to the United States in the 1870's. I'll be sending cards to all my friends - Billy Florence, Chuck Goetschel, Fred Harteis, Orrin Woodward, and Chris Brady.

Have a Merry one!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Every time I drink a cup of Nine to Five coffee I am still amazed at not only the great flavor but the repeat value of this product. You can enjoy it yourself and make repeat customers of all your friends and family who enjoy a great cup of coffee.

Fred Harteis: Not only that but you can purchase a coffee maker from the Store for More catalogue and increase your business again.Coffee makers make great gifts too!

Billy Florence: Don't forget the water you use to make coffee. Our eSpring water filter system is the best in the world. Coffee tastes much better with water that has no contaminants.

Increase your business and have a better cup of coffee at the same time - MarkerMan Productions.

Jody Victor

The modern Christmas tree tradition came from western Germany. It was a medieval custom called 'a paradise tree' and would be decorated with apples, cookies, and candles representing the Garden of Eden, the host, and Christ.

By the 19th century it had become a deep-rooted German tradition that was readily adopted by other European countries such as Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands and Poland. Queen Victoria's husband, German Prince Albert, popularized the tradition in England. German and English settlers to North America brought the tradition with them.

Jody Victor: Americans have expanded on this simple tradition in many ways but the best part is seeing a Christmas Tree through your children's or grandchildren's eyes. I'm sure my friends Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady love the time they spend with their families doing this fun activity.

Spend some quality time with your family - trim a Christmas Tree!

Jody Victor

Why do we give gifts at Christmas? Jody Victor says,”It is believed that this custom has many roots. St. Nicholas being a factor, the Magi’s gifts to Jesus, and the Roman custom of gifts during their holiday that coincided with Christmas.”

Jody and Kathy both suggest the new Spiced Pear Home Trend collection as a great hostess gift. Fred Harteis and Billy Florence both agreed and also suggested that the Liquid Had Soap and Hand & Body Lotion set would be a great gift for almost anyone.

So, treat yourself or someone on your gift list to skin that feels clean and soft and lightly fragranced with a spiced pear scent.

MarkerMan Productions and Jody & Kathy Victor wish you a very happy Holiday Season.

Jody Victor