Checking out the competition

As your show develops and grows, you will notice other people's displays with a bit more interest in what they have in their yards and on their homes. Driving around town is a good way to do this and will provide you and your family with a bit of other families' Christmas cheer. If you are involved in a contest of lights, this is your chance for a bit of friendly snooping. In any case, lets check out the twinkles in our general vicinity.

Dallas, Oregon
Larry Weiss puts on a spectacular show on Fir Villa Street. Complete with a train running around and so many lights even he isn't sure how many! We really enjoyed his display!

Mcminnville, Oregon

Davison Auto Parts puts on a nice display that includes a Ferris Wheel with Disney characters riding in it. What a fun idea!

We are still in a contest in our town of Willamina, Oregon and entries have to be posted by December 19th to be eligible so get yours in now! We hope to win but whatever the outcome, there will surely be a lot of colorful lights for everyone to enjoy this Christmas season. Bundle up the kids, have hot chocolate on standby and tour your town for displays. Its a fun way to spend an hour or so. Our lights are on every night starting at 6 PM til 10 PM until New Year's day. So if your are near us, come check us out (and bring us some canned food or non-perishables to donate to our local food-bank).

Sneak Peek Telletran-style

Runescape Intro

Scape Santa

Sometimes hobbies overlap and here it is! A song from Runescape called Scape Santa (only heard around Christmas-time), coupled with a bit of programming, mix in a ton of lights and a dash of data and AC equipment to produce a dazzling tribute to both hobbies! Woot! This one is for Chief, Biggs and the rest of the clan of the Adult Lounge. Merry Christmas all.

Lets have a look at the whole thing before anyone else does! Lights officially go on December 10th but as usual, testing has to be done to ensure a flawless performance. Enjoy!

The Little Thing VS The Big Thing

Reindeer or Chihuahua? You be the judge.

With 9 days left til LIGHTS ON!, a lot of details have to be addressed. Some are easy fixes like broken bulbs or small repairs. These are always the things that will slow you down when setting up your show so you want to check over all your light elements during the year. Almost all of our data communications are in place with SSR O1 mysteriously missing (probably packed away in another box). Organize your items by type is the easiest way to keep things were they are supposed to be. Also, once your show is set up, go back to where things are stored and tidy it and reorganize whats left. You will be surprised at what was not put out for various reasons. Check these things to see if they will be needed in the future shows. If an item will not be used as is, perhaps it can be used in a project. Stow these items in a separate box and label it to keep it apart from your good stuff. Scrap the things that will not be needed and you will save on storage space. Allow a little more time for items that are new in the setup. Read the instructions if you are not sure how to go about setting items up. Remind yourself about weather and moisture getting in your cords or lights as its not a good thing if it all goes poof! A simple way to keep water/rain off cord junctions is to make a tape roof. Simply take 2 pieces of vinyl tape and attach them side edge to side edge with a slight overlap. Stick it on the junction without wrapping it around and it will act as a roof. Water will penetrate tape wrapped junctions and stay there causing a short. Another trick is to take 2 liter pop bottles and cut them into domes with long zigzag cuts to act as spikes to anchor in the ground.

Details, Details, Details! Now back to work!