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The Power of PR and Marketing Re:Bernard Madoff

Wow. It's funny. I just googled Madoff to read the latest updates (December 17), and google presented this marketing statement. I hurried and copied it, but when I went back to get the source.........it was nowhere to be found. I'm going to go back and search some more.

Bottom line, however. READ this press release. It is amazing what the power of what words can do. Look what they say about the company...about how good it is.....little did ANYONE know that it was a shame....a house of cards.....

Moral of the story: MARKETING WORKS!!!!


Madoff Securities: Quality Executions and Service

Through Innovative Technology

Jump to specific categories:


A Global Leader in Trading U.S. Equities
Providing a Complete Dealing Capability for US Securities in Europe
Advanced Technology and Sophisticated Traders
Clearing and Settlement are Rooted in Advanced Technology
Disaster Recovery Facility Reflects the Attention to Every Detail
The Owner's Name is on the Door


A Global Leader in Trading US Equities
Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC is a leading international market maker. The firm has been providing quality executions for broker-dealers, banks, and financial institutions since its inception in 1960. During this time, Madoff has compiled an uninterrupted record of growth, which has enabled us to continually build our financial resources. With more than $700 million in firm capital, Madoff currently ranks among the top 1% of US Securities firms. Our sophisticated proprietary automation and unparalleled client service delivers an enhanced execution that is virtually unmatched in our industry.

Madoff Securities' clients include scores of leading securities firms, banks and financial institutions from across the United States and around the world. The firm is a leading market-maker in all of the S&P 500 stocks as well as over 350 NASDAQ issues. The firm is known for its fine pricing as well as its ability to execute most orders in seconds.

Madoff Securities' superior service is made possible by a sophisticated dealing staff backed by the securities industry's most advanced technology. It is underpinned by the personal commitment of founder Bernard L. Madoff and his brother Peter B. Madoff, who is the senior managing director. Their dedication to providing quality executions has enabled the firm to become a leader in the US "third market," which trades US listed equities away from the exchange floor. Madoff Securities is a registered US broker/dealer regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

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An Intricate Interweaving of Advanced Technology and Sophisticated Traders
One of the critical ingredients in creating the added value which Madoff Securities offers its clients is the firm's intricate interweaving of advanced technology and experienced traders. The firm's position at the forefront of computerized trading is widely acknowledged in the US financial community.
Madoff Securities' leading edge information processing technology means clients can choose to communicate their buy and sell orders to the firm's trading room by electronically inputting them or by making a telephone call. In either case, once an order is received, Madoff's systems scan prevailing prices in all markets to establish an execution price. Because this process may take only seconds, clients can receive immediate confirmation of their transactions.

Sophisticated computers are integral to every aspect of the firm's activities, from executing trades to clearing and settling them, from monitoring prices to identifying trading opportunities around the world.

Madoff Securities also utilizes its computers to seek out opportunities for hedging its inventory of securities. The firm uses a variety of futures, options, and other instruments to hedge its positions and limit its risks. While these hedging strategies are an important tool in protecting the firm's financial position, ultimately, these highly prudent risk management policies protect the interests of clients as well.

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At Madoff Securities, Clearing and Settlement are Rooted in Advanced Technology
The combination of quality and value that is inherent in every Madoff Securities transaction continues beyond execution. At Madoff , the clearing and settlement process is also rooted in advanced technology, which minimizes errors and maximizes efficient processing and rapid communications.
Madoff Securities is a full clearing firm and a member of all US clearing corporations and depositories. The firm's highly automated clearing and settlement systems interface with the Depository Trust Company, the Options Clearing Corporation, and the National Securities Clearing Corporation, of which Bernard Madoff is a past chairman. The firm's systems also interface fully with the systems of all major global custodians and clearing & Settlement systems.

Madoff Securities' extensive network of relationships with other broker/dealers enables the firm to ensure timely delivery and settlement of all client transactions.

Moreover, Madoff Securities' computerized transaction processing means that the firm can customize client reports and deliver them electronically in whatever format best meets the needs of clients.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROCEDURES FOR OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account.

What this means for you: When you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents.

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Sophisticated Disaster Recovery Facilities, Reflects the Attention to Every Detail

Madoff Securities has one of the most sophisticated disaster recovery facilities found anywhere in the securities industry. In addition to its offices in Manhattan, Madoff Securities maintains a fully equipped and staffed facility located near LaGuardia Airport. This office duplicates all of the features of the primary Madoff Securities offices. Madoff Securities' disaster recovery facility is not just an alternative trading room, but rather a full-fledged office which is equipped to receive and transact orders and to handle the clearing and settlement process as well.
Under the supervision of a facilities manager, this unique on-line facility is tested continuously to ensure that it is prepared to take over the firm's operations if any kind of disaster were to affect the Manhattan office. Members of the firm's staff are rotated through the facility and regularly perform their work from it. Thus, there is always staff on hand in case disaster strikes at the firm's main office.

The disaster recovery facility is on a different electric power grid than the main office, and it is served by a different telephone central office. The facility also has its own electrical generator.

Since this facility was created in 1992, it has been used as an adjunct to Madoff Securities' main office, and it has not been confronted with a major emergency. But the existence of this facility testifies to the high priority the firm places on being available to meet the needs of its clients under all conditions.

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The Owner's Name is on the Door
In an era of faceless organizations owned by other equally faceless organizations, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC harks back to an earlier era in the financial world: The owner's name is on the door. Clients know that Bernard Madoff has a personal interest in maintaining the unblemished record of value, fair-dealing, and high ethical standards that has always been the firm's hallmark.
Bernard L. Madoff founded the investment firm that bears his name in 1960, soon after leaving law school. His brother, Peter B. Madoff, graduated from law school and joined the firm in 1970. While building the firm into a significant force in the securities industry, they have both been deeply involved in leading the dramatic transformation that has been underway in US securities trading.

Bernard L. Madoff has been a major figure in the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), the major self-regulatory organization for US broker/dealer firms. The firm was one of the five broker/dealers most closely involved in developing the NASDAQ Stock Market. He has been chairman of the board of directors of the NASDAQ Stock Market as well as a member of the board of governors of the NASD and a member of numerous NASD committees.

One major US financial publication lauded Bernard Madoff for his role in "helping to make NASDAQ a faster, fairer, more efficient and more international system." He has also served as a member of the board of directors of the Securities Industry Association.

Reflecting the growing international involvement of the firm, when Madoff Securities opened a London office in 1983, it would become one of the first US members of the London Stock Exchange. Bernard Madoff was also a founding member of the board of directors of the International Securities Clearing Corporation in London.

Peter B. Madoff has also been deeply involved in the NASD and other financial services regulatory organizations. He has served as vice chairman of the NASD, a member of its board of governors, and chairman of its New York region. He also has been actively involved in the NASDAQ Stock Market as a member of its board of governors and its executive committee and as chairman of its trading committee. He also has been president of the Security Traders Association of New York. He is a member of the board of directors of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corp. He is a member of the board of the Securities Industry Association.

Bernard and Peter Madoff have both played instrumental roles in the development of the fully computerized National Stock Exchange. Peter Madoff has been a member of its board of governors and has served on its executive committee. They have helped make the National Exchange the fastest growing regional stock exchange in the United States.

These positions of leadership not only indicate the deep interest Madoff Securities has shown in its industry, they also reflect the respect the firm and its management have achieved in the financial community.

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Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

Are you pregnant? One way to tell is to look for signs — like tender breasts, fatigue, and nausea — all of which can show up a few short weeks after conception. Here's a look at the most common early symptoms of pregnancy.

Many will be similar to the feeling you get right before your period (bloating, fatigue, breast tenderness…) so it may be hard to tell whether they signal your period or motherhood. Still, if you've been TTC and you've got some (or all) of these symptoms, it may be time to pull out an HPT.

Tender, swollen breasts: That tingly, sore, and/or full feeling in your breasts is a first sign. The dazzling hormonal duo — estrogen and progesterone — deserves most of the credit (or the blame) for this breast (and nipple) tenderness. It's pain with a gain, though, since they're preparing your body for the milk-making mania to come.


Fatigue: Imagine running a daily marathon (without training) or climbing a mountain (ditto) while carrying a backpack that weighs a little more every day. That's pregnancy in a nutshell. In other words, it's hard work! During early pregnancy, a huge amount of energy goes into building a life-support system for your baby (aka the placenta). And all that baby building can zap you of your usual get-up-and-go right from the get-go.

Bleeding and cramping: Light spotting or implantation bleeding before you'd expect your period (around five to ten days after conception) is sometimes a sign that an embryo has implanted itself into the uterine wall. Some women also experience abdominal cramping in the first few weeks of pregnancy, similar to menstrual cramps. Only a small percentage of women experience implantation bleeding or cramping, however, so you can miss these symptoms and still be pregnant.

Nausea and heightened sense of smell: That tell-tale queasy feeling in your stomach, also known as morning sickness, can hit you anytime of day beginning just a few short weeks into your pregnancy. Hormones — mainly increased levels of progesterone, which causes the stomach to empty more slowly — are, again, largely to blame (though estrogen and hCG can also take some credit for your nausea). You may also develop a heightened sense of smell, making previously mild odors strong and unappealing.

Food aversions and cravings: Almost all expectant mothers experience cravings, and most experience at least one aversion as well (thanks, again, to hormones). And that's not a bad thing: Many cravings and aversions have an uncanny way of keeping you away from the bad stuff (coffee and alcohol, for example) and drawing you to the good stuff .

Frequent urination: Two to three weeks after conception you may notice an increased need to pee. This new gotta-go feeling is due to the pregnancy hormone hCG, which increases blood flow to your kidneys, helping them to more efficiently rid your body (and eventually, your baby's body) of waste. Your growing uterus (yes, it's starting to grow already!) is also beginning to put some pressure on your bladder, leaving less storage space for urine and making you head for the toilet more frequently.

Bloating: Having trouble buttoning your jeans? Early pregnancy bloating is hard to distinguish from pre-period bloat, but it's definitely something you'll feel early on (for most women, that is). You can't blame that puffy ate-too-much feeling on your baby yet, but you can blame it on the hormone progesterone, which helps slow down digestion, giving the nutrients from foods you eat more time to enter your bloodstream and reach your baby.

Don't Delay! Order Your Gift Baskets Today!

It's not too late. You can still send holiday gift baskets to Aunt Sue, Uncle Bill and Grandma and Pop-Pop. We have over 1000 gifts and gift baskets. From chocolate pretzels, to cookie bouquets, to spiral hams, gourmet food gifts, wine cases and more....we have it all at Shop the Gift Basket Store.

Don't just send a gift, send a memory. Make a happy holiday memory today with one of our Holiday or Christmas Gift Baskets or cookie bouquets.

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So, You Want To Have Twins? Chances for Multiple Births

So, you want to have twins?

Interested in knowing what your chances are for multiple births. Currently in the U.S., there are 31 pairs of twins for every 1,000 babies born. That's up 65 percent in the past 20 years!

Why such a huge increase? Much of it's due to advances in assisted reproduction, of course, but there are also other factors at play, at least when it comes to fraternal twins (identical twins occur at random, so they're even more of an exciting surprise!). Your chances of seeing double (or more) go up if:

You have twins in your family. Heredity plays a role — but only on the mom's side. Even if your partner's family tree is loaded with dynamic duos, that won't increase your own odds of conceiving twins.

You're African-American. Black women are a bit more likely than Caucasians to have twins;

if you're Asian or Hispanic, then you're a bit less likely to get two-for-one.

You're an older mom-to-be. As you age, your chances of conceiving twins multiply.

You've been pregnant before. With each pregnancy, the odds that you'll have twins go up.

You've had twins before. Lightning can and does strike twice! If you've already borne a set of twins, look out — you're twice as likely to do so again.

You're undergoing fertility treatment. About 20 to 25 percent of women taking ovary-stimulating drugs or undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) will conceive twins or higher-order multiples.

You're overweight. Recent studies have shown that obese women are twice as likely to give birth to fraternal twins as those who aren't obese.

You're tall. The same studies found that taller women tend to face higher odds of having fraternal twins.

White House has Christmas Tree on Hanukka Invite

By LUKAS I. ALPERT - New York Post
Jewish community leaders received an invite to a Hanukkah party at the White House - with an image of a Christmas tree.


Last updated: 1:59 pm
November 26, 2008
Posted: 2:47 am
November 26, 2008

Merry Hanukkah from the White House!

The president and the first lady invited leaders of America's Jewish community for a Hanukkah reception at the White House next month - but raised more than a few eyebrows by putting a picture of a Christmas tree on the invitation.

The message reads that the couple "requests the pleasure of your company at a Hanukkah reception," written beneath an image of a Clydesdale horse hauling a Christmas fir along the snow-dappled drive to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

And, no, it is not a Hanukkah bush. A close look at the wagon reveals the message "White House Christmas Tree 2008."

In the background, the White House windows are festooned with Christmas wreaths.

The incongruity of the message did not go unnoticed.

"It's absolutely bizarre to receive an invite to the White House for Hanukkah in a Christmas format," said one person who was invited. "They should have consulted with their chief of protocol before sending this out. This belongs right in the 'Weird But True' column."

Jewish community leader Isaac Abraham of Brooklyn had a simpler explanation.

"It's obvious what's going on here: The Christmas tree is being taken out of the White House and the menorah is being brought in the back," he quipped.


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Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses

For close to 30 years (OMG!) it has been a family tradition for my sisters and I to gather 'round after too many martinis to perform our annual Christmas tradition of singing "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses. You would think that after all of these years we would get the lyrics right. Wrong. We still mess up.

I am determined to memorize the words this year. Why not start your own family holiday tradition if not with this song, then choose another. Doesn't matter if you can sing or not........what matters is how strong the martinis are.

Christmas Wrapping (The Waitresses)
"Bah, humbug!" No, that's too strong
'Cause it is my favorite holiday
But all this year's been a busy blur
Don't think I have the energy

To add to my already mad rush
Just 'cause it's 'tis the season.
The perfect gift for me would be
Completions and connections left from

Last year, ski shop,
Encounter, most interesting.
Had his number but never the time
Most of '81 passed along those lines.

So deck those halls, trim those trees
Raise up cups of Christmas cheer,
I just need to catch my breath,
Christmas by myself this year.

Calendar picture, frozen landscape,
Chilled this room for twenty-four days,
Evergreens, sparkling snow
Get this winter over with!

Flashback to springtime, saw him again,
Would've been good to go for lunch,
Couldn't agree when we were both free,
We tried, we said we'd keep in touch.

Didn't, of course, 'til summertime,
Out to the beach to his boat could I join him?
No, this time it was me,
Sunburn in the third degree.

Now the calendar's just one page
And, of course, I am excited
Tonight's the night, but I've set my mind
Not to do too much about it.

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.

Hardly dashing through the snow
Cause I bundled up too tight
Last minute have-to-do's
A few cards a few calls
'Cause it's r-s-v-p
No thanks, no party lights
It's Christmas Eve, gonna relax
Turned down all of my invites.

Last fall I had a night to myself,
Same guy called, halloween party,
Waited all night for him to show,
This time his car wouldn't go,

Forget it, it's cold, it's getting late,
Trudge on home to celebrate
In a quiet way, unwind
Doing Christmas right this time.

A&P has provided me
With the world's smallest turkey
Already in the oven, nice and hot
Oh damn! Guess what I forgot?

So on with the boots, back out in the snow
To the only all-night grocery,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
In the line is that guy I've been chasing all year!

"I'm spending this one alone," he said.
"Need a break; this year's been crazy."
I said, "Me too, but why are you?
You mean you forgot cranberries too?"

Then suddenly we laughed and laughed
Caught on to what was happening
That Christmas magic's brought this tale
To a very happy ending! "

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn't miss this one this year!
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn't miss this one this year!

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How To Cook A Turkey

I've never been able to cook a turkey properly. And I'm no spring chicken (pardon the pun). This year, I am determined to get the darn thing cooked before bedtime. My family thinks that having a Thanksgiving Day with a cooked turkey is something that happens only on television. I'm hoping to change that this year...

Simple steps how to cook a turkey:

1. Preheat oven to 325. Remove the wrapper to see how much the turkey weighs and determine approximate cooking time. Remove the giblet bag and the neck from the turkey cavity. Wash the turkey inside and out and pat skin dry with paper towels.

2. Place turkey breast side up on a rack in a shallow (about 2 inches deep) roasting pan. Insert meat thermometer in thigh. Add 1/2 cup water to the bottom of pan, if desired.

3. Cover turkey loosely with a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Roast the turkey until temperature in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180°F. Cooking time will vary. For example, a 20 pound turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 hours to cook, check the temperature on the thermometer after 4 1/4 hours.

4. Meanwhile, mix the stuffing or dressing. Place in a casserole and pop it into the oven during the last hour or so of roasting time.

5. Remove the foil tent after 1 to 1 1/2 hours of cooking time to brown the skin. Brush with vegetable oil to enhance browning, if desired.

6. A whole turkey is done when the temperature reaches 180°F. The thigh juices should run clear (not pink) when pierced with a fork and the leg joint should move freely.

7. Allow the turkey to set 20 to 30 minutes before carving to allow juices to saturate the meat evenly. Note: Cooking times do vary. Why? There are many reasons - oven temperature may not be completely accurate, the turkey may be very cold or partially frozen, and/or the roasting pan may be too small which inhibits the flow of heat. The USDA highly recommends use of a meat thermometer to determine doneness of turkey. This is an important tool in learning how to cook a turkey.


Stuffed Turkey:
For uniform cooking results, the USDA recommends cooking the stuffing outside of the bird (see step 4 above) If you insist on stuffing the turkey, stuff loosely and follow the steps below.

1. See step one above

2. Mix stuffing and lightly fill cavity. Allow 1/2 to 3/4 cup stuffing per pound of turkey. It is safer to understuff than to overstuff the turkey. Stuffing expands during cooking. Refrigerate any leftover stuffing and bake in greased casserole during the last hour of turkey roasting time.

3. Place turkey breast side up on a rack in a shallow (about 2 inches deep) roasting pan. Insert meat thermometer in thigh (see Turkey Safety: Using a Thermometer). Add up to 1/2 cup water to the bottom of the pan, if desired.

4. Cover turkey loosely with a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Cooking time takes longer for a stuffed turkey. For example, a 20 pound stuffed turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 1/2 hours to cook.

5. Remove the foil cover after about 1 to 1 1/2 hours of cooking to brown the skin. Brush with vegetable oil to enhance browning, if desired.

6. A whole turkey is done when the temperature in the thickest part of the inner thigh reaches 180°F and the stuffing is 165°F. The juices should run clear (not pink) when a long-tined fork is used to pierce the thickest part of the thigh.

7. Check the internal temperature of the stuffing. Insert the thermometer through the cavity into the thickest part of the stuffing and leave it for 5 minutes. Or use an instant red thermometer which will register the temperature after 15 seconds. The stuffing temperature will rise a few degrees after the turkey is removed from the oven. If the center of the stuffing has not reached 165°F after stand time, return the turkey to the oven and continue cooking.

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What to do with leftover Thanksgiving turkey

Not everyone is sick of Turkey by the Friday after Thanksgiving. Here's a recipe for Turkey Soup and one for Turkey Casserole

By the way, that's a caramel apple staring right at you. Looks delicious hum???

Turkey Soup Ingredients

1 1/2 c. of shredded cooked turkey

1 diced avocado

1 (28 oz) can of whole peeled tomatoes

1 (4 oz) can of chopped green chili peppers

1 c. of shredded cheese

2 chopped roma (plum) tomatoes

1 chopped onion

2 cloves of crushed garlic

1 tbsp. of lime juice

1/2 tsp. of cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp.of ground cuminsalt and pepper to taste

4 c. of vegetable broth

1/2 tsp. of dried cilantro

Directions First you want to take a large pot over medium flame.Now combine turkey, broth, canned tomatoes, green chilies, fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, and lime juice.Next you wan to season with cayenne, cumin, salt, and pepper.You will want to let this come to a boil, then reduce heat, and simmer approx.15 to 20 minutes.Then you can add in avocado and cilantro, and cook 15 to 20 more minutes, until let soup thickened.Ladle into bowls and serve.Add shredded cheese for extra oomph!Source: http://www.grouprecipes.com/1216/turkey-soup.htmlTIP ~ You can freeze your leftover soup in plastic or glass containers for up to 3 months!

LEFT OVER TURKEY CASSEROLE

4 c. turkey, boned & cut in sm. pieces

2 c. macaroni

4 c. turkey broth or chicken broth

1 c. Velveeta cheese (approximately)

6 slices bread, toasted

1 stick butter melted

Put prepared turkey in 8"x13" loaf pan.

Layer macaroni over turkey that has been cooked in water until done and drained.

Heat broth in pan and then thicken with flour, then add Velveeta cheese and continue to heat until cheese is melted and has a very cheesy taste.

Pour over macaroni and turkey.

Toast bread and break.

Melt butter in skillet, add broken pieces of toast and stir until bread has absorbed butter. Spread on top of casserole.

Heat in 350 degree oven until heated through, approximately 30 minutes

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12 Days of Christmas Student Parody

Here's a parody on the 12 days of Christmas from a student's perspective. I don't know the author.........but I guess he had alot of sleepless nights in his/her life.

About how teachers give a ton of assignments over Christmas break because you have a lot of time off from school...

On the first day of Christmas my teacher said to me"do a Project on your family tree"

On the seccond day of Christmas my teacher said to me"read about bugs and do a project on your family tree"

On the third day of Christmas my teacher said to me"buy more pens, read about bugs, and do a project on your family tree"

On the forth day of Christmas my teacher said to me"write about birds, buy more pens, read about bugs, and do a project on your family tree"

On the fifth day of Christmas my teacher said to me"Do all these things, write about birds, buy more pens, read about bugs, and do a project on your family tree"

On the sixth day of Christmas my teacher said to me"Please stop delayin!, do all these things, write about birds, buy more pens, read about bugs, and do a project on your family tree"

On the seventh day of Christmas my teacher said to me"Read Charles Dickens, please stop delayin!, do all these things, write about birds, buy more pens, read about bugs, and do a project on your family tree"

On the eighth day of Christmas my teacher said to me"learn arabian, read Charles Dickens, please stop delayin!, do all these things, write about birds, buy more pens, read about bugs, and do a project on your family tree"

On the ninth day of Christmas my teacher said to me"calculate all the fractions, learn arabian, read Charles Dickens, please stop delayin!, do all these things, write about birds, buy more pens, read about bugs, and do a project on your family tree"

On the tenth day of Christmas my teacher said to me"You cant be sleepin!, calculate all the fractions, learn arabian, read Charles Dickens, please stop delayin!, do all these things, write about birds, buy more pens, read about bugs, and do a project on your family tree"

On the eleventh day of Christmas my teacher said to me"examples to be cited, you cant be sleepin!, calculate all the fractions, learn arabian, read Charles Dickens, please stop delayin!, do all these things, write about birds, buy more pens, read about bugs, and do a project on your family tree"

On the twelvth day of Christmas my teacher said to me"Theres lots more work a-coming!, examples to be cited, you cant be sleepin!, calculate all the fractions, learn arabian, read Charles Dickens, please stop delayin!, do all these things, write about birds, buy more pens, read about bugs, and do a project on your family tree!!"

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Twelve Days of Christmas

Happy Holiday Season -

There are so many different versions of what the 12 Days of Christmas represents...that who even knows what is true. Here's one version:

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and NewTestaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit-Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.T

he eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

end.

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Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

"Dear Editor--I am 8 years old. "Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. "Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.' "Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O'Hanlon 115 West Ninety-fifth Street Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com/

The Little Match Girl

The Little Match-Seller by Hans Christian Andersen (1846)

It was terribly cold and nearly dark on the last evening of the old year, and the snow was falling fast. In the cold and the darkness, a poor little girl, with bare head and naked feet, roamed through the streets. It is true she had on a pair of slippers when she left home, but they were not of much use. They were very large, so large, indeed, that they had belonged to her mother, and the poor little creature had lost them in running across the street to avoid two carriages that were rolling along at a terrible rate.

One of the slippers she could not find, and a boy seized upon the other and ran away with it, saying that he could use it as a cradle, when he had children of his own. So the little girl went on with her little naked feet, which were quite red and blue with the cold. In an old apron she carried a number of matches, and had a bundle of them in her hands. No one had bought anything of her the whole day, nor had anyone given her even a penny. Shivering with cold and hunger, she crept along; poor little child, she looked the picture of misery. The snowflakes fell on her long, fair hair, which hung in curls on her shoulders, but she regarded them not.

Lights were shining from every window, and there was a savory smell of roast goose, for it was New-year’s eve—yes, she remembered that. In a corner, between two houses, one of which projected beyond the other, she sank down and huddled herself together. She had drawn her little feet under her, but she could not keep off the cold; and she dared not go home, for she had sold no matches, and could not take home even a penny of money. Her father would certainly beat her; besides, it was almost as cold at home as here, for they had only the roof to cover them, through which the wind howled, although the largest holes had been stopped up with straw and rags.

Her little hands were almost frozen with the cold. Ah! perhaps a burning match might be some good, if she could draw it from the bundle and strike it against the wall, just to warm her fingers. She drew one out—“scratch!” how it sputtered as it burnt! It gave a warm, bright light, like a little candle, as she held her hand over it. It was really a wonderful light. It seemed to the little girl that she was sitting by a large iron stove, with polished brass feet and a brass ornament. How the fire burned! and seemed so beautifully warm that the child stretched out her feet as if to warm them, when, lo! the flame of the match went out, the stove vanished, and she had only the remains of the half-burnt match in her hand.

She rubbed another match on the wall. It burst into a flame, and where its light fell upon the wall it became as transparent as a veil, and she could see into the room. The table was covered with a snowy white table-cloth, on which stood a splendid dinner service, and a steaming roast goose, stuffed with apples and dried plums. And what was still more wonderful, the goose jumped down from the dish and waddled across the floor, with a knife and fork in its breast, to the little girl. Then the match went out, and there remained nothing but the thick, damp, cold wall before her.

She lighted another match, and then she found herself sitting under a beautiful Christmas-tree. It was larger and more beautifully decorated than the one which she had seen through the glass door at the rich merchant’s. Thousands of tapers were burning upon the green branches, and colored pictures, like those she had seen in the show-windows, looked down upon it all. The little one stretched out her hand towards them, and the match went out.

The Christmas lights rose higher and higher, till they looked to her like the stars in the sky. Then she saw a star fall, leaving behind it a bright streak of fire. “Someone is dying,” thought the little girl, for her old grandmother, the only one who had ever loved her, and who was now dead, had told her that when a star falls, a soul was going up to God.

She again rubbed a match on the wall, and the light shone round her; in the brightness stood her old grandmother, clear and shining, yet mild and loving in her appearance. “Grandmother,” cried the little one, “O take me with you; I know you will go away when the match burns out; you will vanish like the warm stove, the roast goose, and the large, glorious Christmas-tree.” And she made haste to light the whole bundle of matches, for she wished to keep her grandmother there. And the matches glowed with a light that was brighter than the noon-day, and her grandmother had never appeared so large or so beautiful. She took the little girl in her arms, and they both flew upwards in brightness and joy far above the earth, where there was neither cold nor hunger nor pain, for they were with God.

In the dawn of morning there lay the poor little one, with pale cheeks and smiling mouth, leaning against the wall; she had been frozen to death on the last evening of the year; and the New-year’s sun rose and shone upon a little corpse! The child still sat, in the stiffness of death, holding the matches in her hand, one bundle of which was burnt. “She tried to warm herself,” said some. No one imagined what beautiful things she had seen, nor into what glory she had entered with her grandmother, on New-year’s day.

http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com/

Walt Disney World Special - Pay for 4 Get 3 more free

Travel Dates: January 4 -June 27, 2009

Walt Disney World has released their most aggressive discount ever, covering nearly 6 months of 2009. Book a 7 night Magic Your Way package, complete with Disney resort and at least 4 day Magic Your Way park passes, and pay for a 4 night stay, giving you three days/nights free!

Please note that some dates between April 4 - 18, 2009, are blacked out, and may not be available.

You can add any of the Disney Dining plans to these packages (except the premium and platinum plans), however, you will not get “nights free”, you will pay full price on the dining plans. You can stay longer than 7 nights, up to 10 nights total, however, you will only receive three of your nights free, you will pay full price for all other nights.

When dissecting this discount, almost all of the discount is from the cost of your resort. The more expensive resort you stay in, the higher savings you will receive.

Travel Dates: January 4 -March 29, 2009

In addition to the great three nights free promotion, travel during the dates listed above, and you will also receive a $200 Disney Resort gift card at check in.

Why not surprise someone with a giant Disney cookie and present them with this vacation package? Order your cookie today, right after you book your trip with Walt Disney World.

New Gourmet Party Favors at Shop The Gift Basket Store

Shop The Gift Basket Store is pleased to introduce a new line of gourmet baby shower favors, and wedding favors. These whimsical and delicious designs include customized fortune cookies, yummy oreo cookies with photos and so many other adorable designs that it will be harder to pick out your wedding favors that it is to choose your wedding gown.

Take a peek at what we offer. We're sure that if you are not planning a party anytime soon, that you certainly will be after you see what we have in store for you.
Many of our designs offer the option of an African American Face Icing Decoration.
We offer a large amount of wedding favors for the African American bride or new baby.

Don't forget that we also offer traditional party favors at our sister store, Shop The Gift Basket Store @ Kate Aspen Shops


So grab a glass of wine or a cup of milk, sit back and enjoy our selections of wedding favors, bridal shower favors, baby shower favors and party favors for all special events!

Spiderman Returns with Tobey Maguire & Kirsten Dunst in #4

Good news Spiderman fans. Spiderman 4 is set to shoot with Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst! Start the countdown now. While waiting, treat yourself to a delicious spiderman cookie bouquet, Spiderman Lollipop Bouquet for Spiderman Giant Cookie from Shop The Gift Basket Store!



Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire got out of a rabbit hole, only to be ensnared by a spider's web.

Lindsay-Abaire, who won a Pulitzer in 2007 for his drama "Rabbit Hole," is in final negotiations to write "Spider-Man 4" for Columbia.

Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire are back as director and star, respectively. Kirsten Dunst also is expected to return for the latest movie featuring the Marvel Comics character.

Plot details are under lock and key. Producer Laura Ziskin had said she would like to aim for a May 2011 release for "Spider-Man 4," nine years after the original movie's debut.

Columbia always has gone off the beaten path during the development process when hiring writers for the "Spider-Man" movies. Alvin Sargent, a veteran scribe best known for 1973's "Paper Moon" and 1980's "Ordinary People," served as a writer on the second and third films. Michael Chabon, another Pulitzer winner, also worked on "Spider-Man 2."

James Vanderbilt previously wrote a draft of "Spider-Man 4."

Lessons We Have Learned

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:
1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person. 4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.

GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:
1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.
2) Wrinkles don't hurt.
3) Families are like fudge..mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fibre, not the toy.

GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.
3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you ?once got from a roller coaster.
5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician. 7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone. T

THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:
1) You believe in Santa Claus.
2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
3) You are Santa Claus.
4) You look like Santa Claus.

SUCCESS: At age 4 success is . . . not piddling in your pants.
At age 12 success is . . . having friends.
At age 17 success is . having a drivers license.
At age 35 success is . having money.
At age 50 success is . . having money.
At age 70 success is . . .. having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is . having friends.
At age 80 success is . not piddling in your pants.

Save a turkey, order a ham this Thanksgiving!

Save a turkey this year. Dare to be different. Sick of the same old same old. This year, adorn your holiday table with a mouth watering, juicy Spiral Ham from Nueske's. According to them, Since 1887, four generations of the Nueske family have produced genuine Applewood smoked hams, bacon, sausage and poultry.

Today, when artificial smoke flavoring and cost-cutting in meat production are the norm, they still create their products using Granddad John Nueske's original cure recipe (made with brown sugar and pure honey)... and his unique method of slow-smoking over glowing embers of sweet Wisconsin Applewood logs.

That's why Nueske's naturally juicy hams & bacon deliver a delicately smoky, slightly sweet flavor profile that's convinced dozens of accomplished gourmet chefs to insist on Nueske's for their fine dining creations. And, why professional food organizations have honored our smoked hams and bacons with their highest awards for taste and quality.

If you appreciate real, old-fashioned quality when you taste it, we invite you to shop our online store and experience the Nueske difference for yourself. It'll be a dining experience you and your guests won't soon forget.

Need a Last Minute Halloween Costume Idea?

You get an email or text message and you suddenly find yourself invited to a Halloween party, and now you need to pull a costume together. At first you panic, but then you put your thinking cap on and come up with a couple of ideas. And don't forget to bring a small gift or gift basket to the Halloween Host. You can find a wide variety of gifts at Shop The Gift Basket Store: http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com

Costume Idea One:

Toga! Everyone has sheets, so just wrap a sheet around you toga-style and pin it in place. Wear sandals - gladiator sandals if you have them - and cut a branch of some type of leaves from the garden for a wreath of "laurels" on your head. Or run to the local craft store to buy a vine. You can use them later to decorate a room in your house.

Idea 2

Be a load of laundry. A great last minute Halloween costume for anyone who owns clothing: gather up some of those clothes which are lying all over your floor anyway and pin them to the clothes you are wearing. Add a couple of dryer sheets in random places and you're a load of laundry that just came out of the dryer.

Idea 3

Try a pun. Some last minute Halloween costumes can be witty. Use makeup to create a black eye and pin a big white letter "P" on to a black shirt and -- voila -- you're a Black Eyed "P." Get a rubber pig snout from a party supply store and wrap yourself in a blanket and you're a Pig in a Blanket;

Idea 4
Incorporate bathrobes. For men, wear pajama pants and a bathrobe and carry a martini glass around: you're Hugh Hefner! For women, try pajamas or a nightgown, slippers, and maybe a bathrobe, put your hair in pigtails, and you're a baby. These are two very easy last minute Halloween costumes.

Idea 5

Use aluminum foil. If you have enough aluminum foil in the house, it can be used for a variety of last minute Halloween costumes. Wrap yourself or your child in aluminum foil and you have a baked potato or a burrito, depending on the style of wrapping. Cover some boxes in aluminum foil and put them over your arms, legs, and middle and you can be a robot. None of these last minute Halloween costumes take much time, just a lot of aluminum foil.

Idea 6:
Raid your closet. Many women have old bridesmaid dresses that they'll never use again -- here's the perfect opportunity to wear them! For this last minute Halloween costume, either wear the bridesmaid dress alone or with a crown to be a princess or with running shoes to be a runaway bride.

Idea 7:
Hit the thrift store. If you're looking for a last minute Halloween costume and you have even an hour free, go to a thrift store and see what you find! You could happen upon a treasure trove of hats, wigs, accessories, and vintage pieces for any last minute Halloween costume you can imagine!

When You Can't Make It To Granny's Send A Gift Basket

The Thanksgiving holiday evokes thoughts of deciding which in-laws house to visit without creating a war, watching The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, football games, and the aromas of turkey and apple pie entwined.

This year, although gas prices have come down considerably since the summer, there is still the economics of whether your family is a plane ride away, not simply a car ride. Sadly, many people who usually jump a short flight to visit family are deciding to stay closer to home. In fact, many college students who would come normally come home for the extended weekend are scrambling to find friends close to campus to stay with.

For those of you who will not be gracing the family table this year, you will still want to create a presence so that you are not forgotten. There are so many options you can choose to be “almost” a part of the gathering. There’s the phone call, a live web cam hookup, an instant message, text message, a card or flowers. However, why not send something that is not only pleasing to the eye, but that can also be enjoyed by everyone all during the day.

Send a gift basket. There are so many delightful gift baskets to choose from: an autumn themed gift, a gourmet food gift basket, a Thanksgiving cookie bouquet, even a turkey made of lollipops! Why not visit Shop The Gift Basket Store at http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com to see the different varieties of Thanksgiving Day gift baskets they offer, as well as over 1000 gifts and gift baskets to choose from. And it’s so simple. Just pick, click and ship. We take care of everything for you.

And for those of you whose college students won’t be making it home this Thanksgiving, we offer a wide variety of gifts you can send. There’s the college care package, a traditional Thanksgiving gift basket, gourmet chocolate gifts, cookie bouquets and so much more. After all, they are still your little ones too. It wasn’t that long ago that the kids were fighting over who gets the turkey legs.

So this year when family can’t be together for the Thanksgiving holidays, send a gift. But don’t just send a gift, send a memory. You’ll be glad you did.

Safety Tips for Trick or Treating On Halloween

If you need to send a Halloween Gift or Gift Basket to someone, Shop The Gift Basket Store carries dozens of Halloween gift baskets and treats. Just take a peek!

And a safety reminder to those going out trick or treating this year:

With witches, goblins, and super-heroes descending on neighborhoods across America, the American Red Cross offers parents some safety tips to help prepare their children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat holiday. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common sense practices can keep events safer and more fun.

Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street.

Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low-flying brooms.

Cross the street only at corners.

Don't hide or cross the street between parked cars.

Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms, too!)

Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.

Carry a flashlight to light your way.

Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flamable.)

Visit homes that have the porch light on.

Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house.

Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes.

Be cautious of animals and strangers.

Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating. And don't eat candy if the package is already opened. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.

Happy Halloween!

Devils Vs. Rangers - It's A Suite Deal

This has got to prove the saying "God loves all idiots"...Our sales director attended a business function the other night sponsored by the Somerset County Business Partnership. There were a number of "door prizes" given out that evening, with the grand prize being tickets to a NJ Devils hockey game, donated by PNC Bank. Well, low and behold, she had forgotten to submit her business card into the bowl when she first went through registration.

Right before the drawing they asked if everyone had submitted a business card. Our sales director, not even knowing what the grand prize was, sheepishly walked her card up and put it into the mix. We say sheepishly because as the Sales Director of a gift basket store, she was supposed to have donated a gift basket for this function, but in the commotion of tying up loose ends before the holiday season rush, it had slipped her mind.

Imagine her surprise (and embarrassment) when her name was called. She was the envy of about 100 guys in suits and ties. As she walked up to the podium, she thought about giving the tickets to her nephew who was a big Rangers fan. A hockey game is a hockey game, whether or not it's the Devils or Rangers. At the podium there were a handful of PNC bankers shaking her hand and congratulating her on her win. She was thinking, "wait, it's just two tickets to the Devils game, why the fuss?" All of sudden she was asked to pose for a photo holding onto the leather binder the tickets were in. She smiled gracefully and was about to step off the podium when she heard one of the bankers, say, "Well see you at the suite". Suite, what suite? Then she realized that she had won two tickets to the Devils Vs. Rangers Game and the tickets were in the PNC VIP suite. No wonder everyone was salivating over this prize.

Needless to say, our Sales Director can't pass up an opportunity to network so, sorry little nephew. You will just have to settle for Rangers nosebleed seats.

Finally, management is now looking to add hockey gifts to our line of sports themed gift baskets. For now, take a peek at our football, soccer and golf gifts. Our hockey themed gifts will be coming soon!

Don't Let Your Dog Catch Cold! Dress Him or Her Properly

You know you can't wear white patent leather after Labor Day. So while you pack away your summer white linens and things and drag out your old winter clothes, where's the doggie's clothes? Hum? You don't expect him or her to go outside and freeze in the morning, do you. If so, shame on you. Every good dog owner dresses their pup in something warm. If you don't have anything, take a look at some of this seasons fashions. And for heaven's sake, hurry up and get something quick.

You can dress the little guy (dog) in a frat hoodie, or your little girl(dog) in a sorority ensemble. Will you be heading toward the ski lifts this winter? Don't forget to dress them in a nice ski vests for dogs to keep them snuggly warm. We also have a hooded parka for dogs to wear on those nights at the outdoor firepit (OK, for those freezing cold midnight walks through the neighborhood that you JUST love).

All dog clothing featured here is presented by Fab Dog.

Disney on Broadway - Ticket Sale

Mary Poppins: Click here

The Little Mermaid: Click here


The Lion King: Click here


TICKETING TIPS:Prefer an earlier curtain? THE LION KING and THE LITTLE MERMAID have 7PM performances every Tuesday through Dec. 16.Planning on seeing a Disney show during the holiday season? Beat the tourist rush. Get weeknight tickets in early December for the best seating availability.

This is an advertisement from Disney Theatrical Productions (1450 Broadway, Ste. 300, Attn: Marketing Dept., New York, NY 10018).

Halloween Cocktails for Your Halloween Party

Bartending - Creepy Halloween CocktailsBy Michael Russell

Michael RussellLevel: PlatinumMichael Russell has been involved in online business since early 2001, and whilst spending countless hours each month running his business still finds time for ... ...

Summer is over, but the fun just begins. Autumn brings along, all over the world, holidays to celebrate nature and crops, but there is a certain holiday celebrating the spirits of those who have died: Halloween.

While Halloween is really loved by kids for all that trick-or-treat fun, there's no reason why grownups should not get their own "creepy" treats. You can impress your guests with one of the spine-chilling cocktails listed below, or why not, create a new one in which you'll drop a gummy worm or other weird garnishes.

Halloween does have a few predominant colors: black, red, orange and yellow. Can you master a black cocktail? One that has some devil eyeballs in it? Creepy! Black cocktails are a recent trend. They had an amazing public impact in 2003 when many bars, clubs and luxury restaurants included on their menus some surprisingly flavorsome black drinks, such as Midnight Cosmopolitan, Black Mystique or Blacker Dahlia. Probably one of the most interesting black cocktails is the famous Black Velvet: half Guinness Beer, half Champagne (beer first).
While black cocktails could certainly be creepy and elegant, don't forget the other Halloween colors. Red drinks are as amazing and tasty as the black ones. They lack the soberness of a black drink, but they give a feeling of romance and passion, that's if you need such feelings on Halloween.

The creepy touch comes with a special cocktail such as the Atomic Bomb, our first spine-chilling cocktail recommendation. In a shot glass pour equal parts of Sambuca and Bailey's, then pour over the back of a spoon a dash of grenadine. That's it. Decide for yourself why this cocktail wears its name.

What about a creepy orange cocktail? We've got that too: Passoa Death. Passoa is a sweet liqueur with passion fruit flavor. For this special cocktail, you need vodka, passoa, melon liqueur, orange juice and sprite or 7up. Shake 30 ml vodka with 20 ml passoa and ice. Into a highball glass pour 10 ml melon liqueur over ice and then strain over it the vodka-passoa mix. Fill up with equal amounts of orange juice and sprite and you've got a wonderful cocktail that has nothing to do with death. except its name. But hey, the name itself is creepy enough to get you into the Halloween spirit.

Our third recommendation for Halloween is another drink with a scary name: Red Devil. Shake 20 ml vodka, 5 ml cassis liqueur, pineapple juice and ice and strain the mix into a martini glass. Wow! It's red, it's frightening and with the right garnish it will certainly make the perfect Halloween statement. Your guests will really wonder: is it a trick or a treat?

On place four we have a black cocktail: Black Magic. Shake 30 ml vodka, 30 ml Kahlua and a dash of lemon juice with crushed ice. Strain the mix into a glass and garnish it with a creepy Halloween figure.

Last, but not least, we recommend a very elegant, yet mysterious cocktail: Black Shadow. This is not a black drink, but green. In fact, its color is creepy enough. Shake 20 ml blue Curacao with 5 ml cassis liqueur and ice. Pour into a flute glass and top up with chilled Champagne.
Happy Halloween!
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Bartending
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

How to Keep Your Pet Safe at Halloween

How to Keep Your Pet Safe at Halloween in 6 Easy StepsBy Phil Sikes

The majority of people thoroughly enjoy Halloween celebrations and all the fun that go along with them. Household pets, however, may not enjoy the holiday quite as much. In fact, Halloween can be a dangerous time of year for pets if witches or Satanists in the area decide to sacrifice some unsuspecting animal. The following suggestions will help you to keep your pets happy and safe this Halloween.

* Pet black cats should be kept in the house not just on the day of Halloween itself but also on the days before the holiday. The seriousness of the situation is underscored by the fact that most animal shelters refuse to give black cats to anyone during the entire month of October because of the possible dangers. Of course, black cats are not the only pets potentially in harm's way during Halloween.

* Dogs are also better off inside the house or in some other way detained during Halloween festivities. This is because some dogs may become over excited or over protective of the home when they see trick-or-treaters waking through the neighborhood. You certainly would not want your dog to get loose and chase down some unsuspecting children.

* Both dogs and cats can become seriously ill if they ingest chocolate. Since there will be lots of excess Halloween candy around, be sure that none of your pets get into the chocolate.
* Especially at Halloween time, it is very important that you dog or cat have the proper identification tags on them. If for some reason your pets get away from you, everything will work out much better if they are wearing current ID tags.

* Pets can become very agitated when they are exposed to unfamiliar people, sounds, and sights. For that reason, a Halloween party is no place for pets. If you have such a party at the house, make sure that your pets are kept away from the goings on in a safer place.

* Alcohol is extremely dangerous for both dogs and cats. It can actually be lethal. Taking that into consideration, if you notice that someone at your party is trying to offer alcohol to your pets, it would be best to ask them to leave. Not doing so could be harmful to your pets.

Halloween is lots of fun, but that fun is not designed for pets. Keeping them safe and secure on Halloween night will ensure that they will stay with you for years to come.
Now's the time to start planning your Halloween costumes for this year. Don't wait until it's too late and the good ones are all sold out. Get lots of fun costume ideas on the Get In Costume website, where you can also get a free copy of my report "The Family Guide To Halloween Safety."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Sikes