Children's Hospital of Seattle

Our daughter Sarah was diagnosed with Strabismus in January 2007 (Struh biss' mus). Strabismus is a visual defect in which the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. With strabismus, one eye may look straight ahead, while the other turns in or outward; upward or downward. Sarah's eyes turn in and up (one more severely, but both do it). She has good vision, but her eyes are not able to work together which creates a real problem for depth perception.

On December 10th of 2007 Sarah had eye surgery done to correct this. Dr. Baran at Children's Hospital in Seattle performed the 3 hour surgery. She used sutures on 2 different muscles on each eye to adjust the turning in and up.Our entire experience at Children's Hospital was so positive and we are so lucky to have such a wonderful facility here. Everyone is just great - from the person who checked us in, to the recovery nurse who wheeled Sarah back in to us - they are wonderful! It didn't seem like work to them - they just made us all feel comfortable and took such good care of Sarah.

The eye muscle surgery that Dr. Baran performed is not as black and white as some other eye surgeries - it's really more of an art. The area is so tiny and the adjustments she makes are between 6 and 10 millimeters - it really is amazing! When we thanked her again as we were leaving our last post surgery check-up, Dr. Baran said to us "No, thank you. It really is my privilege." She is quite humble and we really are so grateful. SantaClausNorthwest is a supporter of Children's of Seattle. If you would like to see how you can donate or volunteer go to
www.waystohelp.seattlechildrens.org

Santa Trever Waltos received his Masters of “Santaclausology.” on July 26 2009 from IUSC School4Santas instructor Santa Tim Connaghan www.realsantas.com

Santa Trever has attended The School4Santas for the last 2 years here in Seattle. "I look forward to attend next year to receive my Doctorate of SantaClausOlogy"

To learn more about Santa Trever & SantaClausNorthwest ~ Go to www.myseattlesanta.com

Santa Claus on YouTube

One of the great things about websites like YouTube and Hulu is that we are able to go back in time and see things we may never have before such as Old Movies, TV Specials and Commercials. As a Professional Santa, it's great to be able see someone's interpretation of what Santa Claus should look and act like. Being able to watch old movies from the 1940's & 50's, TV shows from the 60's and TV Commercials from the likes of Coke~Cola or M&M's can inspire and give new ideas about Santa.



It's also a great way to network and get yourself seen out in the public eye as a Santa. This is a video that I put together from a slide show of pictures from last Christmas season 2008.



On Hulu.com you can watch full episodes of TV shows. This episode of Bewitched from 1964 titled A Vision Of Sugar Plums features Santa Claus at The North Pole.



If you would like to check out my YouTube Channel to see all of my favorite videos go to:SantaClausNorthwest's Channel I also invite you to find out more about me at my website ~ www.myseattlesanta.com

Nicholas of Myra movie trailer for release 2009

Santa Goes to School!

For Immediate Release: August 8, 2009

Contact: Santa Trever Waltos
santat@comcast.net
www.myseattlesanta.com

Santa goes to School? It is true. There are special schools for Santas and Santa Trever Waltos a resident of Puyallup, Washington recently attended the International University of Santa Claus and received his Masters Degree in “Santaclausology.”

Over two Dozen “Real Professional” Santa’s and a few Mrs. Claus from Washington, Oregon, and Alaska began their preparations for the 2009 Holiday Season when they attend the two-day “School 4 Santas,” presented by the International University of Santa Claus, IUSC.

Attending School4Santas for the last 2 years, Santa Trever learned there is more to being Santa, than just wearing a Red Suit and sitting in a chair. During the special two-day school he learned a great deal about “The Business of Santa Claus.” Subjects covered included the details, safety and today’s protocols of working with and handling children.

Santa Trever Waltos reports that this training was a very “in-depth” school covering not only the basics, but many other subjects. “We learned a great deal including how to work with special needs children & families, the history of Santa Claus, proper grooming and appearance, and how to maintain a proper Santa wardrobe.” Other subjects covered at the school included making appearances at special events, entertainment & presentation styles, and the basic business aspects of being a Santa. At the completion of the School all graduates receive a BSC, “Bachelor of Santa Claus” Diploma, conferring a degree in Santaclausology. And they instantly became members of the school’s alumni association, “The Red Suit Society.”

The school is presented by Santa Tim Connaghan, Chancellor of IUSC, who is celebrating his 40th year as a Santa. Santa Tim has appeared at thousands of events including Coca-Cola’s 75th Anniversary kick-off, on television shows including the Today Show, Deal or No Deal, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, Dr. Phil, the Tonight Show, and in advertising and commercials for such clients as J.C. Penney, HoneyBaked Ham, Planter’s, Ritz Crackers, Kraft, Old Navy, and the Hallmark Channel.

School4Santas is presented by The International University of Santa Claus and is the only school that travels to different cities across the U.S. and Canada. Each summer hundreds of Santas attend these schools, which will visit 10 cities across the US in 2009. Over 1500 Santas and Mrs. Claus have attended the School and it is the largest annual Santa Training School in the World.
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For more information on IUSC, School4Santas, RealSantas.com or The Red Suit Society, please visit our main web site at www.thekringlegroup.com For more information on Santa Tim, visit: www.SantaHollywood.com

Reindeer ~ Magical & Mystical

So, just was is the deal with these wonderful and mystical animals associated with Santa Claus. Well according to ROBA (Reindeer Owners and Breeders Association) Reindeer are of the family Cervidae-which means deer. In the case of reindeer, males & females both grow antlers, that are deciduous, solid antlers which grow from permanent bases or pedicles on the frontal bones of the skull; genus-Rangifer (reindeer and caribou), species-tarandus (reindeer). That’s the technical/scientific description. Farm raised reindeer are curious, friendly, likeable animals. They are easy to fence, feed and train to pull. Exhibition at Christmas and brood stock sales make them profitable, too! Reindeer look a lot like their wild North American cousins, the caribou, but are somewhat (8-10 inches) shorter, and there is a difference in color. Reindeer are believed by many to be the first domesticated animals with a written reference to herding in a 9th century letter from Norway’s King Ottar to Alfred the Great which mentioned his fine herd of over 600 reindeer.

Santa's Reindeer Is It Donner Or Donder? "Donner" means thunder in German. "Donder" is the Dutch word for thunder. So it can be pernounced either way."Blitz" means lightning in German. "Blitzen" is the verb form of "Blitz." That's why Donner and Blitzen are at the back of Santa's team. Their names mean Power. Dasher and Dancer are at the front of the team. They are the smaller of the Reindeer and easier for Santa to steer. Rudolph was not one of the original reindeer. He was added later for a guiding light through the winter fog. Santa’s reindeer live at the North Pole and are cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a few specially trained elves. Even though there are only nine, they are not listed as a threatened or endangered species. The life expectancy of Santa’s reindeer is infinite. There have been no deaths or fatalities, though some very close calls have been reported due to slippery roof tops and heavy jet traffic around the Los Angeles airport. The nine reindeer are named: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Comet, Cupid, Donner/Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph. They are all extremely agile, quick, and friendly. Little more is known of Santa’s reindeer. They remain well loved and rarely seen, though several reports of harness bells and hoof sounds on roof tops are reported each Christmas Eve.

To checkout a Real Working Reindeer Ranch ~ Go to The Double R Reindeer Ranch in Midlothian, Texas.
I also invite you to visit my website at SantaClausNorthwest

Price Of Freedom, July 4th 2009

As we celebrate our freedom today, I would like to share a message from my friend Santa James who is overseas with our U.S.troops helping to keep their spirits up.

*The following blog post on ClausNet was posted on July 3, 2009:

Our country is founded on the Principle of Freedom. The price of freedom is costly, and precious. Pause to remember those who have paid the Ultimate Price for you and I to be free. Recently, I spoke with a group of U S Soldiers that are here defending Freedom. They reminded me that Freedom is not Free. I thanked them and said, I honor and respect you for wearing that green uniform. Wearing green allows me to wear red. I am proud of these Americans that sacrifice every day to insure we are safe, secure, and Free.

I would like to Thank You for all you do, my fellow Santa Patriots, Wave your Flags and Banners, Forever in Peace may you wave-Happy 4th of July!

The American Spirit Santa,

Old Sante Claus
Santa James

Thank you Santa James for all that you are doing for our men and women serving to keep us free.