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ThinkAhead™ Calendar "To a Greener Earth" 200901-200912 (#01)

ThinkAheadTM Calendar
"To a Greener Earth"
January 2009 - December 2009
Click here to view larger image and download the 8.5"x11" letter-size printable calendar (pdf file).
Once upon a time: Christmas celebration outlawed in Boston; anyone exhibiting Christmas spirit fined 5 shillings
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Christmas is the most popular holiday of the year in the whole world. About 400 millions people celebrates Christmas holiday each year in winter. In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday. The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America.
From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident. After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America’s new constitution. read more »
Tough economic times. Vancouver 2010 Olympic organizers consider to cancel evening award ceremonies, $18.5-million party
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WHISTLER, B.C. - Vancouver 2010 Olympic organizers are considering canceling the evening award ceremonies and giving the medals out at sport venues to save money.
Gary Lunn, the minister of state for sport, said that in tough economic times the Vancouver Organizing Committee has to look at its bottom line.
"They are looking at all of their options and that is the right thing to do in today's economic climate . . . They have to prepare for the unknown," he said.
But Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed said residents do not support the cancellation.
"We know there are challenges but this would be a huge blow to Whistler," he said.
Whistler is planning to throw a $18.5-million party, slated to run 24 hours a day for the duration of the Olympics, which will include concerts, shows and celebrations.
The party will be held at Whistler Village and at the Celebration Plaza Olympic venue, the construction of which is due to be completed in September. read more »
