HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT: CHRISTMAS SEASON EVENT TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR NOW

By JC Leahy

CHRISTMAS MODEL TRAIN DISPLAY

The annual model train display in Ellicott City, Maryland, provides a fun springboard for Christmas shopping in the enamoring downtown Ellicott City.  This elaborate model train display usually runs from the first Saturday in December through the first Sunday in January.  You might want to mark you calendar now so you don't forget.  The 2010 show opens this coming Saturday.

The display is provided by the Ellicott City Fire Company #2.  It is situated at their firehouse, at 4150 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, Maryland.  The Fire Company has been providing this display every year since 1997.

The display includes multiple model trains on an artfully crafted landscape.  For example, the 2009 display comprised 8 trains, including an Amtrak passenger train, a circus train, and a long freight train.  All trains are in motion -- through towns, across bridges, around mountains, and through tunnels.  The overall effect is delightful for children -- of all ages.  The passion that went into the design and crafting of the whole display is evident.

You can actually buy model trains and accessories at the firehouse.  The brand is Rail Master.


Mark your calendar for this event now, so you won't forget. Check hours of operation before you actually go.  Typiclly, the model train display is open on weekends and some weekdays.  For more information, call 410-313-2036.

DO YOUR CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY GIFT SHOPPING AT AMAZON.COM

by JC Leahy

For Cyber Monday, Black Friday, and the rest of your Holiday Shopping, remember that you support the Journal when you shop Amazon.com. With many purchases, you get the advantage of no shipping charges or sale tax -- that's in addition to getting rock-bottom, below-retail prices. Simply use the Amazon link below (or ANY of the Amazon links contained in the Journal) to enter the Amazon website. That way, your whole shopping session will be attributed to the Journal for a commission to the Journal of up to 15% on everything you buy -- at no cost to you!!

SPECIAL DEAL FROM AMAZON.COM

By JC Leahy

Amazon.com is my favorite online shopping web site because they have EVERYTHING and the prices are low. Also, there is usually no sales tax. If you sign up for their "Amazon Prime" deal, you can even get free shipping on anything Amazon sells. Returns are generally simple. And you don't have to drive around town spending time and gasoline. This makes Amazon far better and "greener" than brick-and-mortar retail shopping for most purchases. The exception is with items of clothing that I really want to see, feel, and try on before you buy. Even then, I will often buy, say shoes, hats, shirts, or outdoor jackets online and just return them if I don't like them. In your own Holiday Shopping, or in general whenever you shopl, go to Amazon.com by FIRST going to www.jaitoday.com. At Jaitoday, go to the bottom of the page to the the "Amazon Gift Card" link. Click that link to enter the Amazon shopping site. No, you don't have to buy a gift card. This link will take you to the Amazon.com website and you can proceed to shop and buy anything you want. The special deal is that, because you entered Amazon through Jaitoday, Amazon will pay a sales commission to the Journal of American Ideas Today for every item you buy. This commission can range as high as 15%. This way, you can support the Journal at NO COST to you!! Your shopping support will be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

JC Leahy, Editor

PS - You can also use any other Amazon.com link located in WWW.JAITODAY.COM. For example, there are links in certain articles to buy books, etc. The Journal will get the commission from any of these links, too. --- JCL