Nothing Says Xmas in Baltimore Like a Natty Boh Tree

Just a quick note to wish all a happy and safe holiday season, or in the immortal words of Krusty the Klown, "have a merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a kwaazy Kwanza, a tip-top Tet, and a solemn, dignified, Ramadan. And now a word from MY god, our sponsors!"

We rang in the holiday season last night with a holiday dinner at Paper Moon Diner and visit to Hampden's annual lights-travaganza featuring more low wattage bulbs, animatronic Santas, and stuff that screams "It's Freaking Festive!" than you can shake a stick at. For the full effect check out our Flickr set from the evening. But here are some of my faves...

That's our daughter Ryan doing her best Cindy Lou Who impression.

Ryan deep in conversation with THG contributor and Smile Hon, You're in Baltimore editor WP Tandy. Oh yeah, the new issue of Smile Hon is out now and looks fabulous, so get on over to Eight Stone Press HQ for all the ordering info.

Admittedly, my mind tended to wander during Catholic school religion class. But I definitely don't recall Mary and Joseph having Jesus in a gingerbread house.

Yes, that's a giant projection screen on the rooftop showing Bob Clark's seminal holiday fave A CHRISTMAS STORY. Overhead while walking past: "As soon as I heard my new boss didn't like that movie I knew I wouldn't like working for him."

And, yes, those are Schlitz Beer Can holiday lights hanging from the porch.

But nothing says Christmas Baltimore-Style like a Natty Boh and Old Bay Xmas tree.

From all of us here at The Hungover Gourmet, Exploitation Retrospect and The Klaus Kinski Files, best wishes for the holiday season!