DECEMBER 6, 2013
‘Tis the Season First Fridays Art Walk to include tree- and menorah-lighting ceremony
The First Fridays Art Walk on Dec. 6 will be a celebration of the holidays with the 6th annual tree- and menorahlighting ceremony by the fountains of Nino’s Restaurant, 3853 Atlantic Ave. at 6pm. Holiday music will be played, and hot chocolate will be served. The lights will be turned on at 6:30pm. The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association is encouraging the community to donate tree decorations by bringing them to the ceremony.
Seventh District Councilmember James Johnson’s “First Books at First Fridays” at the Dana Branch Library will feature California Heights community leader John Royce as the guest reader at 5:30pm. Eigth District Councilmember Al Austin’s “Council on Your Corner” will be set up at Atlantic Avenue and Carson Street to meet and greet attendees. The Big Red Bus will be available
to transport attendees from venue to venue via designated stops at the participating businesses. Bella Cosa, 3803 Atlantic Ave., will have information about First Fridays, maps, business info, and restaurant recommendations from 6:30pm to 8pm.
1. John McClane: “Die Hard” (1988) Bruce Willis’s breakout role was John McClane, a New York City cop with nerves of steel. Though the franchise has been rebooted in recent years, the first “Die Hard” film has stood the test of time and is considered one of the best action – and holiday – movies ever. When a German terrorist group takes over the building where his wife is attending a lavish Christmas party, McClane takes on the entire terrorist cell with the help of only one beat cop on the outside. Bloodied, shirtless and shoeless by the end of the film, McClane ultimately saves his wife and the other hostages from the greedy Hans Gruber. As money rains from the sky and the building burns behind them, McClane’s limo driver exclaims, “If this is your idea of Christmas, I’ve gotta be here for New Years!” 2. Kevin McCallister: “Home Alone” (1990) “Home Alone” is another franchise that catapulted its star to fame. Macaulay Culkin was only 10 years old when he first played the rascal Kevin McCallister, and the huge success of the film soon made Culkin a household name. When the McCallister family flies to France for Christmas, young Kevin is accidentally left behind to contend with the Wet Bandits, two amateur thieves casing and robbing empty houses. Kevin’s sass and resourcefulness have inspired generations of mischievous children, and you’ll often hear grown-ups quoting the film from memory each Christmas: “Keep the change, ya filthy animal!” If that’s not Christmas spirit, I don’t know what is. 3. George Bailey: “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) Possibly the most beloved holiday classic of all time, “It’s a Won-
derful Life” is always the most anticipated television event of the Christmas season. Featuring Jimmy Stewart at his best, the film tells the story of George Bailey, a good man who has tried to do the right thing his whole life. As his world begins to crumble around him, he doubts the value of his life and becomes despondent. Clarence, an angel-intraining, is sent to Bailey to show him how important his life really is, and the two embark on a miraculous journey where they see what the world would be like if George Bailey had never been born. In the happiest of happy endings, Bailey teaches us that, no matter how bleak the circumstances, “no man is a failure, who has friends.” 4. Cindy Lou Who: “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966) Dr. Seuss’ classic book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was adapted into a holiday cartoon short in 1966, and it has aired on network television every year like clockwork since then. Cindy Lou’s big, sad eyes, batting eyelashes and pigtails make the Grinch seem that much more dastardly. He reaches his lowest point when he lies to her about why he’s stealing her presents, but when Cindy Lou, a two-year-old robbed of her Christmas presents and festivities, sings and dances with joy on Christmas morning, it’s not just the Grinch’s heart that grows – so do the hearts of all who watch this Christmas classic.
5. Ralphie: “A Christmas Story” (1983) Nine-year-old Ralphie Parker wants only one thing for Christmas: a Red Ryder BB Gun. Unfortunately, every adult in his life has only one thing to say about that: “You’ll shoot your eye out.” As the story of the Parkers’ Christmas unfolds, Ralphie tries really hard to earn a spot on Santa’s “nice” list, but just keeps tripping himself up. He’s the quintessential “every-kid,” and though his best Christmas ever is filled with mishaps and misunderstandings, Ralphie manages to remind us all of Christmases past, of the magic of childhood, and of why sticking your tongue to frozen flag poles really is a bad idea.
SIGNAL TRIBUNE
Red Kettle Time!
MORE INFORMATION firstfridayslongbeach.com
Source: BKBIA
Top 5 Holiday Movie Heroes
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Bruce Willis as John McClane in the latest installment of the Die Hard franchise, “A Good Day to Die Hard”
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Through December 24 The Salvation Army of Long Beach is well on the way with its annual Red Kettle fundraising campaign! Join our Army of Volunteers. Give of your time and treasures as you are able.
Help us to help the most needy in our communities! Shop & dine locally this holiday season!