Table of Contents

RKYV Holiday Edition {Dec. 2010} Featured Artist Review

- “Kassandra Heller”
RKYV ONLINE LOGO – - By r. j. paré
David Marshall {current} World View
Roy G. James {original} - “A Canadian Living in the USA” Short Fiction
- By Tom Rossini - “My Holiday Judgement”
Virtual Cover - by Darke Raven
- Art by Kassandra Heller Family Life: “The Return of the
- Layout by r. j. paré Prodigal Columnists” Poetry
- “Christmas is Coming…” by Leanne - By Wanda VanHoy Smith, Stephen
Interior Art Bechard Campbell
- By Mike Grattan, James ‘Jig-One’
Titman, Larissa Gula, Stan Nelson, - “Yummy Yuletide Treats” by Pop Culture
Naomi Randolph, r. j. paré, Tom Murdoch aka Christina Marchetti - “Manga Maximus”
Nesbitt, Nik Powliko, Kassandra Heller - By Darke Raven
Syndicated Comic Strip Review
Editorial Column - “Bob and Doug McKenzie - the - “Raised on Saturday Morning
- “At the Outset: A Few Thoughts Comic Strip” Cartoons”
from the Editor” - By Nik Poliwko & Tom Nesbitt - By Pauline Paré
- By r. j. paré

Actually, read this month’s Syndicated Comic Review for more of

“Bob and Doug McKenzie - the Comic Strip” – by Nik Poliwko & Tom Nesbitt
 At the Outset
A few thoughts from
The Editor…
by r. j. paré

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving...
We Are The World, USA for Africa

Merry Christmas everyone and welcome to our first ever Special Holiday Issue! During this season,
many, if not most of us, celebrate some sort of Holiday – be it faith-based, cultural or secular. It is a
time for us to make that little extra effort in order to show our loved ones that we care. I was raised
Catholic [and French Catholic, to boot] my family observes Christmas at this time of year.

Christmas
– noun

1. The annual festival of the Christian church commemorating the birth of Jesus: celebrated on
December 25 and now generally observed as a legal holiday and an occasion for exchanging
gifts.

It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid In fact, my daughters [the little darlings] get
At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade to enjoy multiple traditions around Casa Paré
And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy! this time of year. My wife’s family is Dutch
Throw your arms around the world at Christmas time and she grew up with the tradition of Kris
Do They Know it's Christmas? – Band Aid Kringle and the 12 days of Christmas. So
Genevieve & Chantel leave their slippers
outside their bedroom doors for the 12 nights leading up to Christmas and each morning they
discover that “Kris Kringle” has left them a surprise [usually a small gift = to a “stocking-stuffer”].
It gets them so excited for the big day that by the time Christmas comes they are bouncing off the
walls [the sugar high of Holiday treats might have something to do with it as well]. I hope
whatever holiday your family celebrates that it is filled with joy and giving.
 Not that there is anything wrong with that…
As I mentioned earlier, living in such a multi-cultural society, we are aware of a wide variety of
holidays and traditions that take place at this time of year. Wish your Jewish friends a Happy
Hanukkah. Or maybe you know folks who honour universal African heritage and culture, by
observing Kwanzaa, and they’ve invited you to celebrate with them. Go for it! Eat, drink and be
Merry! Embrace the uniqueness of our individual traditions and share in the wonderful diversity of it
all.

Heck some folks who, in the past, had not been observing any particular holiday tradition - have now
taken to observing one that they learned of through a favourite television show.

Festivus
– noun

x Festivus is a secular holiday celebrated on December 23. It was created by writer Dan O'Keefe
and introduced into popular culture by his son Daniel, a screenwriter for the TV show
Seinfeld, as part of a comical storyline on the show. Celebrants of the holiday sometimes refer
to it as “Festivus for the rest of us,” a saying taken from the O'Keefe family traditions and
popularized in the Seinfeld episode to describe Festivus as another way to celebrate the
holiday season without participating in its pressures and commercialism.

x The name "Festivus" has also begun to be used as a general term for any type of December
party not affiliated with the season's other events.

The point being that this is a season to

spread good will and cheer, regardless of
our differences. There is no reason to be
competitive, or have conflict, with the
new, old or varied traditions your family,
friends & neighbours choose to observe.
It’s all good…

Speaking of good, goodies and all things

shiny and bright… this Holiday Special is
chock full of heart warming surprises just
waiting for you to unwrap:

Holiday Tree – by r. j. paré

 x Columnists & writers, past & present, have chipped in with some wonderful reviews, poems,
recipes and Holiday Wishes. I thank each and every one of them [credited throughout] for
taking a moment out of their mad shopping schedules to pen some words for this edition.

x When I posted the message that I was considering publishing a Holiday Special on short notice
amazing art clips from our talented contributors came pouring in. I thank them all for sharing
their work with us.

x Kassandra Heller gladly met my impossible deadline sending files of beautiful art for me to
use and revealing a little bit about herself and her work in a brief interview for our Featured
Artist Review.

Frankly, I consider it practically a Holiday Miracle that everyone was able to chip in and make this
Special happen on such short notice.

And the boys from the NYPD choir were singing Galway Bay Best Wishes to all of you this Holiday
And the bells were ringing out for Christmas Day. Season…
Fairytale Of New York, Pogues r. j. paré

Surveillance Report: RE: Naughty & Nice urgent update.

by SSE Winky

Special Supervisory Elf Winky hereby affirms that the behaviour of subject Paré is not – repeat
NOT worthy of consideration for naughty status at this time. Despite missing many deadlines
over the course of this last year he has testified that he “really, really didn’t mean to,” and that in
the future he would “try his best to be on time.” It is our judgement that this individual does not
merit coal in his stocking at this time.

P.S. – Santa, I promise, the guy’s “Nice” material.

My judgement is sound on these matters and
cannot be fooled, influenced or manipulated -
even by milk and cookies [although… his
beautiful wife was kind enough to make those
tasty little sugar cookies I like and even had my
favourite brand of low-fat milk, yummy, yum,
yum..].

frosty – by r. j. paré
outside of Phipps Conservatory – by Larissa Gula
 World View

A Canadian,
Living in the USA
by Tom Rossini

A History of Christmas
I am sitting down on the couch as I type this and
looking around at the various Christmas decorations
that blanket my house. We have the three Christmas
trees, holiday garland adorning the banister railings
and many other knick knacks and crafts on the
shelves, mantles and tables. On top of that my house
is lit up like a Christmas tree itself, with numerous
flood lights, LED lights and CFL socket lights in the
lamps. As I look at the various decorations I see some
reflecting the birth of Jesus Christ, while others reflect
the season of holiday cheer and other commercial
influences. This has made me wonder, “How did
Christmas have its origins?” Is this a religious
holiday, a holiday based on other circumstances, or a
holiday related to commercial influences?
– by Josh Bowe

I discovered that 2500 years before the birth of Jesus researchers have found proof that people, in the
old world, celebrated the Winter Solstice [recognizing and observing the longest night and the
shortest day of the year as well as a hope that spring was soon approaching]. The Roman Saturnalia
was celebrated with lights, charity, and greenery while the Germans celebrated with feasts and Yule
Logs.
 Now there are many more variations to this holiday season than what one can write about in one
column [as our dear editor has put a time crunch on this article] and so I suggest that you take some
time and search the internet for the origins of Christmas and you may be surprised at the literature
out there.

x There are articles out there to explain why Dec 25th is the chosen day vs Dec 21st. There are
articles explaining the birth of Jesus and why the Catholic Church decided on Dec 25th as
well.
x Digging a little deeper you can also find out how other traditions started like the various
decorations and symbols, why certain music / carols were written, why certain food became
the staple of the holiday season as well as the origins of gift giving.
x Of interest for me personally, is Sinterklaa or Saint Nicholas. and why he is considered by
many to be the original Santa Claus.

The following excerpt is from Wikipedia

The most famous and pervasive of these figures in modern celebration worldwide is Santa Claus,
a mythical gift bringer, dressed in red, whose origins have diverse sources. The name Santa Claus can be
traced back to the Dutch Sinterklaas, which means simply Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was Bishop of Myra,
in modern day Turkey, during the 4th century. Among other saintly attributes, he was noted for the care
of Children, generosity, and the giving of gifts. His feast on the 6th of December came to be celebrated in
many countries with the giving of gifts. Saint Nicholas traditionally appeared in bishop's attire,
accompanied by helpers, inquiring about the behaviour of children during the past year before deciding
whether they deserved a gift or not. By the 13th century, Saint Nicholas was well known in the
Netherlands, and the practice of gift-giving in his name spread to other parts of Central and Southern
Europe. After the Reformation in 16th–17th century Europe, many Protestants changed the gift bringer
to the Christ Child or Christkindl, corrupted in English to Kris Kringle, and the date of giving gifts
changed from December the 6th to Christmas Eve.

The one thing I have realized after reading many articles

is that the holiday season, over all, is a season of giving,
feasts, family and faith.

I wish each and everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year.

Tom

< Kris Kringle – by r. j. paré

 Family Life
The Return of the Prodigal Columnists
Editors Note: For this Special Issue a couple of long-lost former Columnists and [in Murdoch’s
case] providers of wonderful recipes and cooking tips… return! Nurses by profession, both Leanne
& Christina took turns a couple years ago providing RKYV readers with some sage Health advice
and it is our pleasure to welcome them back to the pages of RKYV ONLINE.

Christmas is Coming…
by Leanne Bechard

Glowing Christmas Tree – by r. j. paré

It was the day after Hallowe'en, and I decided a trip to Canadian Tire was in order; toilet paper must
have been on sale. When I walked into the store, the customer service representatives were in the
process of putting up a 12 foot Christmas tree, laden with lights of every colour, stars and strands of
tinsel were strewn from the top to the bottom of this tree, all before 10am. There was an inflatable
Santa, already perched by the front door, with a sign attached saying "Christmas is coming... check
out our selection of Holiday Decor!" I hadn't sorted out Hallowe'en candy yet, let alone,
acknowledge Christmas was quickly approaching.

My email box, as of late, contains Holiday Greetings of every sort, from E-cards, to interactive videos
my children are completely amazed at. Their wish lists are ridiculously huge and not cohesive with
my budget restraints.

x My son thinks that an iPpod Touch is in order, he's 13.

x My daughters 11 and 6, sat down with the dreaded "Wish Book" (provided yearly by
Sears), and wrote at least a hundred of their top picks for Santa, aka MOM.
I have always taken pride in reminding my family what the real meaning of Christmas is… the art of
giving and being thankful for the happiness you bring to someone else. To all who are reading this,
remind your families, friends and perhaps the occasional stranger, the real meaning of Christmas.

x If you know anyone who is alone this Holiday season, make a point to call, or drop in with
some cookies.
x If you know a single parent in your neighbourhood, offer to shovel the snow for them, I can
guarantee that would make their day (it did for me).
x A simple smile, holding the door for someone with their hands full, or donating to local food
bank makes a world of difference.

My wish to all of you, cherish your loved ones always. Make a point to share something wonderful,
even when you don't really feel like it – you will bring happiness to someone, I promise.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,\

Leanne Bechard
Special Contributor, RKYV Online

Sunday Girl – by Mike Grattan

 Yummy Yuletide Treats
by Murdoch aka Christina Marchetti

Seasoned Greetings everybody…

I hope you enjoy some of my favourite holiday recipes here.
You will notice that they are all sweets and that is because I
work every Christmas – so we order out for Chinese and then
go tobogganing (I think I spelled that right, really, I am
educated!!) afterwards. I hope you enjoy these sweet treats as
much as my family and friends do.

Have a great New Year.

Tina

Butter Tarts
2 eggs An elderly neighbour gave this recipe to me when
2 cups brown sugar I was in grade school. She has since passed, but
½ cup butter melted this recipe has stuck around with me ever since.
1 tbsp vinegar It has been to Texas and back with me and I never
1 tsp vanilla misplace it. It is an all time holiday favourite of
Raisins, nuts or other fillers mine and many of my friends. Feel free to use
any kind of filler that you want and almost as
Combine all ingredients and fill 3” tart much as you want. I prefer a meatier tart, not as
shells. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes and the 350 much of the syrup thing going on so i add quite a
until set. few raisins and nuts.
 Chocolate Cherry Hazelnut Fudge
Cook hazelnuts until toasted. Line 8” square
baking pan with waxed paper. Melt choc chips
with 1 can milk. Melt white chocolate with other
can milk. Fold nuts into dark choc and cherries
into white choc. Alternately spoon into pan and
swirl with knife. Refrigerate x 8 hours.

½ cup chopped hazelnuts
12 oz pkgs of semisweet chocolate chip cookies
2 14 oz cans of sweetened condensed milk
2 12oz pkgs of white chocolate chips (3cups)
¼ cup chopped red candied cherries
If you don't have hazel nuts and cherries, you can
use dry cranberries (unsweetened if you can find
them or you end up with super sweet fudge) and
almonds. I don't remember where I got this recipe
from but it is a well used one.

Rum Balls
2 cups of graham cracker crumbs.
1/2 cup of cocoa
1 cup of finely chopped nuts.
1 cup icing sugar.

Blend well then add 1/2 cup butter melted and 1/2
cup of rum. Mix together and roll into small
balls. I like to dip mine in chocolate. It is a
running joke around here about the lack of rum
most days because I use it in my rum cakes.
However, Jack Daniels works really well for this
recipe and it is amazing what jack's balls taste
like!!!!
This recipe is from Ruth Sharon’s cook book. She
is a local published cook book author and has
some simple and amazing recipes for everyday
use. I do believe i have all of her books, and they
were well worth the purchase. The name of this
book is Good home Cooking I.

Always looking for the ultimate Chocolate chip and Oatmeal cookie recipe, I do believe I found it in
the next two. My husband's editor bought this cookbook for me a couple of years ago called the
Chocolate Snowball and all I can say is OMG!!! Definitely splurge and use butter in these recipes.
They have got to be the richest cookies I have ever made. That being said, they are supposed to be
huge cookies (1/3 cup dough per cookie) which only gives you a dozen cookies, so I scoop dough by
the tablespoon and get about 4 dozen really good sized cookies.
 Chocolate Chip Cookies
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325.

Cream first five ingredients. Sift next three and

1/2 pound of unsalted softened butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup of packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract.
then add to cream mixture. Add chocolate chips.
Place dough by the spoon full on baking sheets
and cook for 20 - 25 minutes.
Cookies will be flat and expand quite a bit.

Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 lb of butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar firmly packed
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
Cream first four ingredients. Sift next four
1 tsp cinnamon
ingredients together and then add to creamed
1 3/4 cups of rolled oats
mixture. Add oats and raisins. Cook as above.
1 cup dark raisins (I always plump and then well
drain my raisins before using them)
Note: For both these recipes, if you live at high
altitudes, please reduce white sugar to 3/4 cup.

Now I don't know about you folks, but I am an unbelievable fan of minced meat, preferably without
suet thank you. I like to get mine from the Bulk barn, but there are some pretty good jarred varieties
on the shelf of your local grocer if you don't have a BB near by.
 Minced Meat Cookies
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/3 cups minced meat.

Cream first 3 ingredients. Sift next three and add

to creamed mix. Then add minced meat and mix
well. Drop by spoon full on greased cookie sheet
about two inches apart and cook at 375 for 8 to 10
1 cup butter minutes.
11/2 cups sugar
3 eggs This recipe came from a Mrs. Fran Bakke, from
3 cups flour the Harrowsmith Volume 3 cookbook.
1 tsp baking soda

Note: I am also a big fan of parchment paper which I line all my cookie sheets with. It makes clean
up so much easier and no extra calories are added.

I am going to sign off now.

Have to get some sleep before I
go to work tonight. Remember
to eat well, play hard, sleep
well and stay safe.

Have a very Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year.

Tina

Amelia – by James ‘Jig-One’ Titman

– by Naomi Randolph: Coal is a crime! Wouldn't it be great if we could all do this when we got
something we didn't want.
 Syndicated Comic Strip
Review

Bob and Doug McKenzie

- the Comic Strip
by Nik Poliwko & Tom Nesbitt
[article by Nik]

Back in the early 80's, my good friend Tom Nesbitt and I were listening to the Bob & Doug McKenzie comedy
album featuring Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis (based on their "Great White North" segment from the hit
TV series SCTV).

It hit us that "Bob & Doug" would work

great as a comic-strip! We created a
package featuring six daily strips as well
as a concept for a book and sent it off to
Quality Records (the producers of their
album), who in turn forwarded our
material to Dave and Rick!

I think it was a Sunday morning when

Dave Thomas called and said he loved
our work! They had gotten other
proposals, but felt that Tom and I
captured the Bob & Doug characters
better than any other they had seen.
Contracts were worked out and we
were on our way to doing a daily comic
strip which would be distributed by
Worldwide Features Syndicate, a
division of the Toronto Sun newspaper.
Editor’s Note: Tune in over next few issues as we serialize Nik’s article and show off some more of
his and Tom’s work on Bob & Doug – leading into Nik’s featured artist appearance in RKYV # 45!
 Featured Artist
Review

Kassandra Heller
by r. j. paré

Intro: Kassandra is an artist living in Los

Angeles. She graduated from the College for
Creative Studies in Detroit, MI. Ms. Heller is
married to the artist Chris Houghton who also
draws comic books [yea! I always got give it
up for my comic book peeps]. And she adds,
“My favorite candy is Charleston Chews.”

“An Apple a Day”

Digital/Adobe Illustrator
2010

r.j.p: Have you always known that you wanted to be or, rather, were an artist?

KH: Yup, I never had any doubts. Even when I was really little, I’ve just always drawn.

r.j.p: Did you study or major in art while in school?

KH: Yes. I graduated from the College for Creative Studies majoring in Illustration.

r.j.p: Who was your primary source of encouragement, as a child, in pursuing art?
KH: It really helped to have a family that always
believed in me and my love for art. I decided at a very
young age that I wanted to be an artist and I never
doubted that dream.

Not to discredit my Mom in anyway, but my Dad really

got me interested in cartoons and comic strips. He
always had such an appreciation for them. He knew
why they were funny and never discredited them for
being goofy or “for kids.” We always watched cartoons
together like Popeye and Ren and Stimpy, as well as
read comic strips like Calvin and Hobbes.

“Music Man”
Digital/Adobe Illustrator
2010

r.j.p: What is your favorite media to work with?

KH: I love to work digitally, especially in Adobe Illustrator or Flash. Traditionally, I like to use
color pencils and oil pastels.

r.j.p: Do you use any special tools and

techniques to create your art?

KH: Not really. I usually work on the

shapes and designs for the
illustration in my sketchbook first.
Then, I scan those drawings in and
clean them up and color them on the
computer.

“Sketchbook Page: Feathers”

Ink
2010
 r.j.p: What inspires you to create art?

KH: Within daily life, I’m constantly looking for

inspiration. Whether I’m on the bus or watching TV,
there are so many characters and interesting activities
going around everyone all the time.

My husband is also an artist as well as most of my

friends so I’m constantly surrounded by creativity.
That helps fuel and motivate me as well as provides
me with a constant group of artists to go to in order to
show my work.

“Alex”
Digital/Adobe Illustrator
2010

r.j.p: How would you categorize your artistic style?

KH: Somewhere in-between Mary Blair/Jim Flora and the more modern Nickelodeon-style
animation? It’s hard to narrow it down exactly. I’m inspired by so many artists from different parts
of the world and different periods in history.

r.j.p: Would you say that there is a "message" or "unifying theme" in your work?

KH: I don’t try to maintain a theme or

message in my artwork really. I want
each illustration to speak for itself.
Although I do draw a lot of happy or
cute things.

“Lions”
Digital
2010
 r.j.p: Which famous artists / creators or styles have influenced
you? Why?

KH: There’s so many, it’s hard to try and narrow it down!

Pascal Campion, Lorelay Bove, Guy Davis, Jongmee Kim,
Bob Flynn, Sergio Aragones, Chris Battle, Mary Blair,
Brigette Brigade, Katie Rice, Brittney Lee, and a lot of the
fellow girls from GirlsDrawinGirls.

“So Dangerous”
Color Pencil
8x11
2010

r.j.p: Would you rather have an engaged & loyal but, ultimately, small Indie readership or work on the latest
Spidey, Wolverine or X - book? [the old Art vs Commerce question]

KH: Ah I’d go with the small indie readership anytime! I think

there will always be room in the market for creator-owned
properties. P.S. I love the comic book series, Reed Gunther.

r.j.p: With advancements in computer graphic tablet technology,

some artists are now creating their work directly in the digital
medium and releasing it in purely digital formats... are the days
of paper & pulp doomed to the realm of fading memories?

KH: No way! I still do a lot of work with Prisma Color Pencils

on Canson paper. I do this kind of work for galleries and
commissions [Two areas that thrive on tangible original art]. I
think there will always be a demand for original art.

“Girl on an Adventure”
color pencil
8x11
2010
 “Heidi Sings a Song”
Color Pencil, 8 x 11, 2009

r.j.p: What do you think of the term "starving artist"?

KH: I think it can mean different things to different people. If you’re a “starving artist” it’s
hopefully because you know how valuable your skills are and are holding out for a position that
you’ll enjoy and thrive at instead of settling for a job that just covers your expenses for a while..
Not that that’s a bad idea. ;)

r.j.p: Do you feel more a sense of community with other artists or a sense of competition?

KH: I feel a sense of community. Especially with so many artists online with blogs, Twitter, Flickr,
etc. it’s easier to reach out to artists for help or inspiration.

r.j.p: How do you market yourself?

KH: I update my blog about every week to keep an online presence as well as set-up booths at
comic-cons. I participate in gallery shows and am an active member of GirlsDrawinGirls.
 r.j.p: Do you find it difficult to stay motivated / inspired?

KH: Not really. I try to mix things up when I’m feeling

uninspired in order to keep things interesting. It helps
to draw in my sketchbook a lot. Drawing in public, you
never know what you might see that might help inspire
a new piece. I just wish there was more time in the day.

“My Monster”
Digital
2010

r.j.p: This wonderfully whimsical piece seemed almost

tailor made for adapting as this month’s cover and it was
beaucoup fun to do.

r.j.p: While traditional publishing and distribution has

become a difficult goal to achieve for the modern Indie comic
creator, what do you think of the impact that social networks
and POD services have had as an alternate means of
connecting you, your work and your audience?

KH: I think POD services are great. I haven’t used them for
comics but more so for leave-behinds and portfolios. I think
it’s great that anyone can now get their work printed, even if
it’s just for a small audience. It’s so much easier than what it
used to be.

“Little Miss Octo-Princess”

Digital/Adobe Illustrator
2010

r.j.p: What other interests do you have, besides art?

KH: I always love taking a break to play video games or watch a movie. I go to the library a lot too, which is
fun. I love cats and currently my husband, Chris and I are looking to adopt one.
 r.j.p: What advice would you have for a young artist starting out today?

KH: Don’t get discouraged! Keep creating new work and looking at successful artists working
today. Try to maintain a regular work/sleep schedule. That’s what I’m trying to do anyhow. I’m a
young artist myself!

r.j.p: Do you have any big plans, shows or Cons coming up?

KH: Nothing specific just yet but this Summer I’m sure I’ll be hitting up a few conventions. I’ve
always got new projects in the works and the best way for people to keep up on what I’m doing is
to follow my blog at http://kass204.blogspot.com

r.j.p: How would you like your art, and by extension yourself, to be remembered?

KH: Hmmm…. Ask me again in 60 years.

LINKS:

www.Kass204.blogspot.com
http://kass204.deviantart.com/
http://www.flickr.com/people/kassandraheller/

“HEY There, Hot Shot!”

Digital/Adobe Illustrator
2010

I would like to thank Kassandra for

participating as our featured artist.
Her delightful illustrations, combine
influences from the fields of
animation, sketch and fine arts in a
fashion that is simply a pleasure to
behold.

Merci, Madame Heller.

r. j. paré
– by Josh Bowe
 Short Fiction

My Holiday Judgment
By Darke Raven
[Accompanying images are from
Roger Price’s Tattoo Art.
You can e-mail Roger: moleman00x@hotmail.com
or facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=629478508 ]

The door shook and shook under the repeated pounding of the person standing outside, prompting
a slow irritated groan from Rumplestiltskin as he climbed the stairs to his front door, a look of
disbelief on his face. At first the door merely gave off it's usual chime denoting a visitor, but the
chime soon rang again and again followed by tapping, then a constant rapping, which turned into a
loud banging that has not ceased for a whole minute.

Who would be coming to visit at near midnight it was not clear, but since the Security Crystal by the
door was still glowing it's soft green it was not an overtly violent or disturbed individual despite the
fact the person pounded almost relentlessly on the door now, add to that the fact the room was in the
center of a large castle surrounded by a large group of highly trained guards who also could distinct
between normal and hostile visitors, even if they allowed someone to visit at such a late hour. As he
reached the door, opening it, he called out “Merry Christmas!” in as jovial a voice as possible, the
door opening to reveal his visitor, “How may I he-- OH NO!!”

With a quick gasp he quickly tried to shut the door again, only to be stopped as a black clad arm
quickly shot through the opening stopping him from completely closing the door.

“Ouch.” Keiko Yamanaka, the 7th Judgment muttered as she managed to hold the door open
with her arm. No doubt the short haired Asian woman of fair height (taller of course than the shorter
in stature Rumplestiltskin) was already frowning at her situation as she tried to coax her way in with
her usual ‘charm’. “Do you mind? This isn't doing you a bit of good with your court required
mandatory check in.”
 “What the hell!” he cried out, flinging the door open allowing Yamanaka and her white clad partner
(the taller, long blonde haired Spell Thrasher, Eve) to enter. “Why do you insist on checking up on me every
holiday? And can't you ever dress in a festive manner this time of year? Something with more green and reds
in it or perha-- gcckk...”

“I don't know,” Keiko retorted, rubbing her arm she used as a door stop as she entered, her free hand
presently choking the one she came to see. “The whole baby snatching racket you ran and was convicted over
a few years ago probably has something to do with it.”

“That was years ago, and as you can see I

have no babes in my abode.” He complained, once
Eve convinced Keiko to let him go.

“Honey? Who is it? When are you coming

back to bed?”

Silence reigned for a few seconds.

“At least none of the newly born variety at

any rate.”

A quick check of the bedroom guest and they were

gone in a few minutes, however...

“That wasn't fast enough in my opinion.” Keiko growled in a manner most unpleasant, gnawing on her
corndog as the two walked along the boardwalk observing the stores still open for last minute Christmas
shoppers. Yes, even in the Realm of Dreams the denizens of the dreaming landscape observed holidays mostly
associated with the passage of time in the waking world, one of their favorites of course being the celebration
of Christmas (observed once a year in the realm, daily in the Innocence Zones and pocket realm valleys that
were Christmas themed). “I don't know what's worst, finding out Stiltskin is getting some or that it's the
princess he was working with the gold
spinning con the last time we ran into him some months ago... you remember that one, don't you?”

“It was during our anniversary as I remember it...” Eve noted, “And you really don't forget running
into your first dead prince in the middle of a roadway.”

“Yeah I still remember that too.” Keiko sighed, “Ah the memories...” (beep beep beep beep)
“...speaking of which when will they remember that it's the holidays and even we deserve time off?” (snaps
open her cell phone and looks at the message) “Hmmm... hmmm...”

"What is it?" Keiko, with a rather confused expression, holds up the phone showing it to Eve.

"You are not going to believe this."

* ** * **
The mission was short, yet still totally unsatisfactory. All Eve could say to console her partner was
"We can go back to our Christmas now... really... we'll be back at the hotel shortly and we'll finish
trimming the tree and then we'll watch vids and do other more mature adult oriented stuff, OK?"

Keiko sighed, shaking off the morose mood she was in as they stepped up on the shuttle platform,
taking a seat waiting for the next shuttle back to the big city. "Look, where are we?"

Eve sighed, and knew what Keiko was fixated on. "Whoville. The home of the Who, and every who
big and small loved Christmas a lot, except the Grinch who lived near Whoville..."

"But that was last year, and he was the most shocked of the people who assembled when you
declared him the culprit of Christmas and tried to organize a lynch mob to storm his place."

Silence.

"So I was a year off." Keiko finally relented, "What's the crime in that!"

"They were serious about banning you from Whoville for a year weren't they, especially when
you strung the mayor up the town Christmas tree like a pinata."

"It's their fault for keeping the village idiot as mayor..." (suddenly Keiko stops as she notes
Eve's smiling face) "What? Did I say something wrong? Right? Is there still whipped cream egg nog
on my face?"

"No, no, and no... though I admit licking it off your face in front of everyone and getting that
shocked reaction was a joy unto itself..." Eve sighs, pointing above them, "Mistletoe."

And that was all that was needed to be said, as

Keiko leaned forward and kisses her beloved
deeply, holding the kiss for a minute as they
embraced under the mistletoe.

Finally, as the next shuttle landed, she released

Eve and said "I was particularly fond of the
moment when you shot whipped cream in
your mouth and invited me for a taste. That
was priceless."

"I knew you’d approve." she said, smiling as

she led Keiko onto the shuttle.

Fin
 Poetry
Selected Poems
by Wanda VanHoy Smith

PEACE ON EARTH
Her Christmas tree has a hangover.
After a week of celebration Douglas Fir
is ready to roll over in the gutter like a drunken
sailor at the end of leave.

At first it was fun being admired and decorated

while they sang Joy to the World and Peace on
Earth along with the carols from an album
recorded at the White House…

Almost worth giving up his life on the tree farm.

The ornaments she hung on his limbs were beautiful
but grew heavy and its time to pack them away for
another year.

He sheds needle tears as she carefully lifts the antique

ornaments and tells her granddaughter where they came
from as she wraps them in tissue paper'
.
“These spun glass birds are over a hundred years old
They came from the black forest in Germany and
hung on the tree of your Grandmother 's mother.
before the great World War I that was supposed to be
the war that ends all wars.”

She removes glass bells and angels saying, “ these

ornaments came from Occupied Japan after WWII
and this string of lights from West Germany before
the wall came down.”

She plays a CD of Willie Nelson singing his song

“What Ever Happened to Peace on Earth” and drags
the weeping tree to the curb.
Herald – by r. j. paré
 THE LAST CHRISTMAS TREE
She didn't mind paying seventy dollars
for her fresh Christmas tree.
Her children are all grown and
this may be the last tree she decorates.

Long after farmer poet Frost refused

to sell his hill of greenery to a city profiteer
for three cents a tree there are tree farms.
The Douglas fir she decorates grown on a plantation
reminds her of her childhood.

Old Tannenbaum has become a green industry.

Unlike the ones her father cut from land of
a farmer neighbor who had such a thick forest
he didn't even notice when one was gone.

The last time someone tried a tree theft

he was met by a gun and a warning.
Bright & shiny memories... – by r. j. paré The farmer's son knows about global warming.

Her tree holds her Mother's antique birds from Germany
blown glass bells, horns and drums from down the years
A Hallmark of a life wrapped in tissue paper appears.
A Norman Rockwell family shining on a
glass ball that celebrates “Our First Christmas”
On another a Teddy Bear bears the message,
“Baby's first Christmas.”
She and the ornaments have survived seasons
of wars fire and death

Her son hangs a starship on a branch and she remarks,

“It's a beautiful tree. I think we will have a joyful time.”
He replies. “We always do.”

On New Years day her son watches She pulls off a strip of tinsel and say, “The middle
as she un-trims and frees the tree of her life. of next December I plan to take a Christmas cruise
“This may very well be my last tree.” She states. on the Loveboat.”
“Don't say that” he puts an arm around her. He hugs her, “That’s great. Will you take us all along?”
 Selected Poems
by Stephen Campbell
Failed Crop
Potatoes rife with blight are spoilt,
A death now bites and strikes the land,
The poor lie dead, a child lies killed,
A child who never learnt to stand
With feet made strong on food aplenty,
Sent to far off fields to feed
The rich. The mouths of fattened gentry
Say, “Get ye wretch, alight with greed
And hungry eyed, take thy flight
From door of mine, I little care.
Go diminish into the night
And take away your tale of despair.
Kasabian, for his daughter, Laura, on
her birthday – by Mike Grattan>
Beauty Seen from Balconies
Sitting on Balconies
Easing anxieties,
We sip and savour our time.
Reading and listening,
The sun reflected glistening
Off your eyes and their immortal shine.
We talked both of poetry
That great old incendiary
Verses that fashioned our clime.
Looking down at below
Heaven reveals how slow
The art of a time long declined
Is assailed by dull men. Undermined.
But never mind what beauty can be shown on page,
Such things cannot speak for our greatest age,
This is my age and yours, yet we look back
Or are led by men and their subtle tact.
Let you and I stay here above this world.
Let us not care for deceptive words.
Let us revel in loves high balcony,
The lasting home of our own perfect matrimony.
– by Josh Bowe
 Pop Culture
Manga Maximus
by Darke Raven

This Holiday Experiment:

Azumanga Daioh Volume 1 to 4

By Kiyohiko Azuma
Originally Published by ADVManga, Republished by Yen
Press

It's the end of the year, and that means Christmas. This year, for this year's Holiday Special, I decided to
review a title I recommend often as a great gift to give to the new fan of Manga, Azumanga Daioh.
The quintessential school comedy drama, and called by some the "Seinfeld" of Anime/Manga, Azumanga
Daioh just celebrated it's 10th Anniversary of the manga's first publishing, and is one of the most
recommended mangas out there today. The best of the best. Originally published in English by ADVManga, it
was eventually picked up by Yen Press and republished by them... and probably for good reason as you'll see
though my review of the Yen Press version of the title is coming up... in 2011.

Take a sit, because you're about to be told a tale of the class of one Yukari Tanizaki, three years of a group of
eccentric wacky yet totally lovable girls whose tales are well known, personalities familiar and names are
iconic. Besides the totally off the wall Yukari (a teacher of the English language, whose jokes only make sense
here and in the Japanese language version of the Anime) and her childhood friend slash school rival fellow
teacher Minamo (Nyamo) Kurosawa, we have her class (Yukari's). There's child prodigy the young 10 year old
Chiyo-chan (who later "reappears" as the character design for Azuma's next series, Yotsuba&! (aka Yotsuba
and Everything, the ! being "everything"), her dog Mr. Tadakichi and the strange stuffed cat who Sakaki
dreamed about during the first year and dubbed as Chiyo-chan's "dad"... though it may yet be proven that the
strange alien cat might actually be the far out and strange Yotsuba's true father... hmm...

Add onto that the athletic yet soft natured cat lover Sakaki (who is often troubled by her love of cats at it seems
to be one sided until she meets the iriomote cat she names Maya), "rival" Kagura who starts the series off as a
member of Nyamo's class only to join Yukari's class in Year 2. Childhood friends and odd couple the wildcat
idiot Tomo and straight girl with diet problems Yomi. Secondary girl and seldom thought of as a part of the
main cast Kaorin (who is swallowed up by her stalker teacher's class, the disturbingly pervy Mr. Kimura, and
leaves Yukari's class in Year 3). And, of course, we can't talk Azumanga Daioh without the iconic Osaka (aka
Ayumu Kasuga), and her many strange ways.
The three years are filled with many misadventures and situations, from the set like the yearly sports fest (aka
field day), cultural festival (which actually doesn't occur in the Senior year, replaced in the story by the class
senior trip to Okinawa where Sakaki meets Maya for the first time while on Iriomote Island), and the yearly
pilgrimage to Chiyo-chan's summer house to incidentals like Christmas, Chiyo-chan's day and her birthdays,
Sakaki's cat misadventures and much more. In total a long satisfying series of fun, humor mixed with abit of
drama occupied by a small solid cast of lovable characters that will leave a very solid impression on you and
be a sure fire hit for any fan of the school centric genre. Also this is the title that launched (in my opinion in
any case) a new fascination with the four panel comic format that is getting quite a workout of late in manga, a
format you usually would associate more with comic strips from the newspaper than Japanese manga per se.

My review volumes I bought from ADV Manga's run, and

the one problem with the run is that they kinda tweaked it
dialogue wise here and there to try and suit an American
audience, and while it is explained in better detail how the
original went in the back it still is a bit changed from the
original. Why is that important? Well if you're sitting on
the fence about reinvesting in a fresh version of the four
volumes from Yen Press after seeing how they put out
Sunshine Sketch I am wondering if the Yen Press version
of Azumanga Daioh might be more true to the original
version than the ADV translation, making me kinda
interested in picking it up for review and comparison... but
that's for a future review coming soon.

But for now, regardless of whether your reading the

original ADV Manga version, the ADV Manga Omnibus collected coffee table edition, or the new Yen Press
reprints this is a must have for the stockings of any well read or new to the genre manga reader. A 5 out of 5.
Enjoy!

Wish List
Just so you know what to ask from Santa-san... or demand from Japan... in the coming months. My list of the
top ten things Japan is presently holding out on, in no particular order other than the order I thought it up...

Item - Professor Layton Anime Movie(s)

You might have heard about it, the Anime movie so far put out for the Professor
Layton series (and that there is either more coming or out now). Japan, just like
Animal Crossing the Movie, and other things some of which made my list, have been
sitting on their hands on this one. If you are a Professor Layton fan you should
demand that this movie (and any other made in the future) get released here on this
side of the world. Sidebar note, don't forget to also demand the prequel game trilogy
of the series which is available now in Japan too.
Item - Nintendo 3DS

I am not one for gimmicks but this is the next gen of DS, coming out in a few
months in Japan, the 3DS. Yes, it implies that the DS is going 3D... sad since it
should have gone more multimedia like the PSP, instead of slap on a
pointless gimmick like 3D content. Still it's coming in Japan and if you're a DS
fan and don't get horrendous stress headaches staring at 3D things... like
me... you should demand this... oh, and speaking of things to demand here's
the first game you demand for said 3DS.

Item - Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright (Nintendo 3DS)

Amongst the first year's releases for the 3DS is a slated crossover
between Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright which is supposed
to be in development now... though considering it only just came
to light just recently we might not actually see this until 2012 in
Japan (maybe).

Set in an alternate world of magic, both Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright find themselves joining forces
with the Professor handling all investigations while Phoenix handles the courtroom work as they are set to
handle "Witch Trials" and either defend the innocent witches or prosecute the guilty (your standard rhythm
and roll for an Ace Attorney game). New to the Ace Attorney games but standard for the Professor Layton
games is anime cut scenes, which means at long last they'll put a voice to Phoenix (probably the guy who did
the voice for Spike from Cowboy Bebop and the negotiator in Big O here in the states for the English version),
Maya and maybe even Mia if she pulls appearances. Sadly this game doesn't include Pearls as a cast member.

Item - Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Live Action DVD Set

Well this is actually a few years old, and you probably already watched it subbed
on Youtube, but this live action Sailor Moon series is the only thing Sailor Moon
(past the live action stage shows of course) to never see official release on this
side of the world. Downer? The series only covers the first year and was ended
without even attempting to plumb Sailor Moon R, S or SS. Also the series
replaces turning Mamoru (Tuxedo Mask) evil midway by turning fan favorite
Ami (Sailor Merucry) evil, then keeping evil for way too many episodes, and
don't get me started on the whole turning Luna (who is a stuffed plushie cat in
this version) human so that she looks like Chibi-usa gimmick!. But still it
completes that Sailor Moon collection so why not.
 Item - Phoenix Wright the Anime Series

Did you know Phoenix Wright had his own Anime? He did... only
unlike the games (of which we last saw a spinoff for Miles
Edgeworth) and the manga (only two to date though there's
supposed to be one for the whip wielding female Von Karma) this
one has been a Japan only thing. Obviously if your a fan of Phoenix
Wright you'd want this in your collection. Go demand it come
across to this side of the world.

Item - Free Demo Downloads for the Wii

I don't know what it's like for XBox360 owners but I know I can pick up and
try out free demo versions of stuff from the PlayStation Network for my PSP
(and a PS3 if I had one). So where is this technology for the Wii? Apparently
Nintendo is too money grubbing because they don't have that kind of thing
fro Wii owners, the ability to sample and demo games for free. Everything
from the WiiWare store costs money, with nary a free thing in sight except
for a few token channels that serve so-so purpose or take up a few minutes of
time apiece per use or per day (in the case of the voting channel for instance).
Stop being so stingy, Nintendo, and give us some free downloads to... well...
download.

Item - LEGO Batman 2

Did you like the original from Traveler's Tales? So why have we NOT
been graced yet with a sequel? Come on, Traveler's Tales, while we're
young (and work in new LEGOs like Spoiler (which was only un-
lockable in the character create mode when you beat 100% of the
villain missions), the new short lived female Robin (which used to be
Spoiler), who later became Batgirl III... well, I could go on and on
about female LEGOs all day but you get the point.

On this note also that you should be getting LEGO Harry Potter Years
5 to 7 in Summer 2011 (to coincide with the release of Harry Potter
and the Deathly Hallows Part 2), LEGO Star Wars III The Clone Wars
(first quarter 2011), LEGO Indiana Jones 3 (if they ever make a fifth
Indiana Jones movie) and hopefully something new in 2011/2012.
Item - Earthsea Anime Movie

The first directorial work of Hayao Miyazaki's son, his first foray into
anime directing and becoming as great a legend as his father before
him... still blocked from release on this side of the world because SyFy
Channel still owns the rights to the series! Damn you SyFy! Either sell
Disney the rights to Earthsea or cough up the dough and buy the rights
to Earthsea from Disney and release it yourself! One or the other man,
stop keeping us waiting!

Item - Kingdom Hearts 3

Enough with the prequel upon prequel! Kingdom Hearts 3 already, and I'd tell
you what female characters I'd like to see as playable characters but I'd be
stating the obvious. You know me too well, SquareEnix! MAKE THEM
PLAYABLE!!

And finally...
Item - Hidamari Sketch Hoshimittsu DVD Set

Yes, you thought I forgot didn't you... I almost did. The third and probably final
season of Hidamari Sketch, put it out on DVD already if it's not presently
available now. At last the last two girls of the six arrive and the series wraps up.
So, you know, if you enjoyed the first two seasons and the manga you should
wrap up your collection with Hoshimittsu, the third and final season.

And that's it.

Enjoy your holidays and remember
to start planning your wish list ahead for 2011...

I am.

January, coming shortly, we look at Phoenix Wright the manga (both Volume 1 : Phoenix Wright and Volume
2 : Miles Edgeworth) Meanwhile in February it's Valentine's Day and we're looking up abit of love in the form
of another classic iconic series, this time we take off the mask of love found when deception is set aside in the
classic romantic comedy Kare Kano aka His and Her Circumstances. Stay tuned, and Merry Christmas
everyone (and Happy New Year).
 Raised on Saturday
Morning Cartoons
by Pauline Paré

{{{ SPECIAL!! SPECIAL!!

SPECIAL!! }}}

As much as love some of the new Christmas specials such as “Shrek the Halls” and “Prep &
Landing: Secret Santa,” nothing compares to the classic TV holiday specials. Until this very day,
Rankin and Bass charm us with “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus is Coming to
Town.” I am not sure why these shows with their outdated effects still fascinate children who are
used to slick CGI effects.

To this very day I still look forward to these specials each and
every year. I am also unsure why very few modern specials stack
up against these time-honored classics. Was it the endearing
characters, the timeless stories or the warm fuzzy feeling you get
when watching them? Our parents introduce us and we introduce
these to our children. They have become just as much a part of
Christmas as the turkey and the tree.

Rankin/Bass was also responsible for “Frosty the Snowman” and one
sequel. Another classic holiday favorite is “The Grinch Who stole
Christmas” by Cat in the Hat Studios. The newer movie version was
okay but when “Glee” did an homage to the Grinch it was the classic half
hour special to which they gave that honor. Another eagerly awaited
special is “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. Originally sponsored by Coca
Cola and featuring a spattering of product placements, the version we see
is affected by a law forbidding advertising in children’s programming.
The special was put together on a shoestring budget and a nearly
impossible deadline. Animator Bill Melendez was embarrassed
by the production quality of the voice track but Charles Shultz
refused to change it. Mr. Shultz saw in this special what we all see
today; fun innocence and the true meaning of Christmas. “A
Charlie Brown Christmas” is just perfect because of its sweet
imperfections.

I do mourn the Rankin/Bass specials that are nearly never aired due to the removal of religion from
Christmas in the media. “Nestor the Long Eared Donkey” delighted me the year it premiered and
“The Little Drummer Boy” was a yearly Christmas tradition at one time. Both are available on DVD
but rarely seen on television.

Why have studios stopped producing treasures like these?

“Shrek the Halls” is a modern delight that combines the
best of Dreamworks talents with a truly memorable special
but many of the newer Christmas specials that are produced
for children’s channels don’t have the charm and longevity
of those from the 60’s and 70’s.

So I encourage you to find your inner misfit, defy the Burgermeister Meisterburger, stop being a
green meanie and gather around a small sad Christmas tree to enjoy a yearly tradition that I hope
will last another 50 years.
outside of Phipps Conservatory – by Larissa Gula