'Arthur Christmas,' a new Christmas classic?

“Arthur Christmas” is a surprise new holiday movie that may last more than one season. In it, Grandsanta, a 136-year-old has-been with false teeth and no sense of direction, comes from behind to show that it’s the old-time traditions that get the job done. He’s aided by his gawky bumbler of a grandson, Arthur.
It’s up to them to “save” Christmas by delivering a package that has been misplaced by the overly technological operation that has taken over at the North Pole.

Arthur, shown with Bryony the elf, fights the overly technological operation that has taken over the North Pole. (Sony Pictures via The Associated Press)

The film comes from England’s Aardman animation studio, the outfit that gave us those sly, weird “Wallace & Gromit” short subjects. The Claymation simplicity, though, has been replaced by computer animation, and everything is too hectic. The film is saved by a bevy of sight gags that neatly balance little adult hints with the unblushingly corny plot.
In this version, Santa serves one lifetime, 70 years or so – kind of like the pope. The current Santa (with the voice of Jim Broadbent) is expected to retire after this year. His gung-ho, macho son Steve (voice of Hugh Laurie) expects to take over. He already has an Armani-designed Santa suit. Steve has streamlined the North Pole to high efficiency, complete with a jet sled that needs no reindeer and super-robotic elves that run about like a SWAT team. He reasons that it’s the only way to get all the toys delivered in one night.
When one little girl in Cornwall, England, is forgotten, Steve writes it off as an acceptable margin of error.
Arthur, Santa’s youngest son, who has been relegated to the job of filing letters, won’t stand for it. Usually, he’s just ignored, but he joins forces with Grandsanta to dust off an old-fashioned sleigh and trot out the reindeer. (Rudolph is nowhere to be found, but Grandsanta, whose memory isn’t too good, names one of them Bambi.)
Their low-flying craft sets the world into a panic, with folks thinking it’s a close encounter of the alien kind.
In Idaho, a native takes a shotgun to them. In Africa, a pride of lions growls.
Grandsanta has the mischievous voice of Bill Nighy, while James McAvoy as Arthur is a long way from the romantics of “Atonement.” The fact that the script is co-written by Peter Baynham, who also wrote the “Borat” script, comes up as a warning, but Baynham is restrained to a PG level.
The movie runs a bit long and would benefit from fewer pit stops, but the gags are quick and often sharp. Indeed, the shift to a slower pace about halfway through is a welcome relief from the helter-skelter rush. (I skipped the 3-D version for a 2-D screening and, consequently, got brighter lighting and no headache.)
There are all kinds of little jabs. Santa’s wife is called Margaret and looks just like Margaret Thatcher – getting a jump on Meryl Streep. Steve stages a showy victory celebration by send Christmas Flowers to Canada billed as “Mission Accomplished.”
It’s a lively reminder that jets will never replace reindeer on this night.

Send Flowers Online - The Flower Hutch Has Something for Every Holiday

John Tatman knows the business of flowers. He's owned and operated the Flower Hutch in Bath Township for 42 years. And he's been in the industry since high school.
Tatman spent his after-school hours working for his aunt and uncle at their shop, Herwicks Floral Shop in Barberton.

That time set the course for his life. Tatman opened his shop on 1572 N  Cleveland-Massillon Rd. because at the time there wasn't an existing flower shop nearby. “The closest one was in Wallhaven [an Akron neighborhood],” he said. See, Send Flowers Online

The location has proved to be the right choice because of its easy access to Interstate 77. The Flower Hutch delivers to all zip codes in the Akron area.

“The nice part about this location is that you can get on the highway and be there in 15 minutes,” Tatman said.
The shop delivers to Peninsula, Cuyahoga Falls, Brecksville and Independence, to name a few. “If it's worth my while, I will go to Cleveland,” Tatman said.

The Internet also provides an easily accessible route for customers. Tatman noted that the computer allows his store to be open 24 hours a day, virtually at least. For no extra charge, customers can come to the Flower website and place orders at anytime of the day. One of his five employees will process the orders during the store's business hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and now on Sunday through Christmas from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For those visiting the brick-and-mortar location, they are greeted with a splash of the holidays, always on  Christmas Flowers Japan There are floral centerpieces, pumpkins, Christmas trees, candles and pilgrims decorating the store. Half of one room is devoted to Thanksgiving.

“Thanksgiving tends to be the forgotten holiday,” Tatman said. “We try to avoid letting it be forgotten here.”
The store will put together flower arrangements and centerpieces that aren't the “ordinary,” Tatman said. They will mix fall flowers that include snapdragons and lillies, and avoid the more common carnations, mums and gladiolas because people tend to relate them to funerals.

The shop is getting a few more orders than usual lately because of the Thanksgiving holiday and, Tatman added,  because of  today's economy. Fewer people are flying home for Thanksgiving dinner and instead are sending flowers.

Earthquake Today: Central Mexico Struck by Quake

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake rocked Mexico’s Pacific coast Tuesday, however there was relief from aid agencies as no tsunami warnings resulted across the region.

Road get cracked by the impact of Earthquake in Mexico

There were also no reports of injuries, and only minor reports of damage from the earthquake that struck early in the morning. The Revillagigedo Islands, an uninhabited archipelago and nature preserve in the Pacific Ocean, was the epicenter, the Associated Press reported.

The earthquake comes on the heels of several other large earthquakes that recently struck around the world. Two small earthquakes shook China Tuesday. Initial reports indicated no casualties from the magnitude five quakes, but widespread structural damage was seen, according to reports.

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Peru Oct. 28, injuring more than 100 people and damaging homes in the country.

A 4.7-magnitude earthquake stuck California Oct. 26. It was followed by smaller quakes in the following days.

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake also rocked Turkey Oct. 23, which left more than 500 dead and 4,000 injured.

The United States Geological Survey estimates there are about 50 earthquakes a year, though most are too small for people to feel. There are, however, more than 100 significant earthquakes per year, which measure at least 6.0, according to the federal agency.

Mexico, especially on the Pacific coast, has a higher than average number of earthquakes, the AP reported. The country sits where four tectonic plates merge.

The most damaging earthquake struck Mexico City on Sept. 19, 1985 and registered an 8.1 magnitude. The quake killed roughly 10,000 people and injured more than 40,000. The Mexico City metropolitan area has a population of more than 20 million.

Tuesday’s earthquake hit Jalisco and Nayarit, significantly less populated areas of the country. The two regions have an estimated population of less than half that of Mexico City.

Tremors could be felt in Mexico City and as far away as the Guatemala border. Some buildings swayed in the capital city but caused no damage, according to reports.