Where is Santa Right Now?

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Track Santa as he makes his way around the world on http://www.noradsanta.org/en/track3d.html

Just in case you require a language other than English: http://www.noradsanta.org/

Merry Christmas!

The Staff at Georgia Front Page
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Santa's reindeer cleared to land in Georgia Christmas Eve

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin has granted a special 24-hour permit for nine flying reindeer to visit Georgia on the evening of December 24th and in the early morning hours of December 25th and has received a certification from the applicant that the sleigh and reindeer will be free of any foreign pests or invasive plant species.

The permit application to waive the routine identification and other health requirements was filed this week by a North Pole toymaker who signed the paperwork, “Kris Kringle.” The reindeer named on the permit are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and Rudolph.

Identification, laboratory testing, and certificates of veterinary inspection are part of Georgia’s health requirements which assist officials in protecting the health of animals in the state and help prevent the introduction of exotic diseases.

Responding to concerns from prior years that vehicles traveling from other parts of the globe can bring pests and invasive plant species and deposit them upon landing, Kringle submitted documentation for the sleigh and reindeer to be treated with a recently discovered natural repellant at the North Pole. All of the elements of the cosmic dust sprinkled on the animals and sleigh can be gathered while in flight in the stratosphere and reapplied as needed along the way. In the trial tests conducted no pests or invasive plants have been able to attach themselves to any animate or inanimate objects.

“This is an amazing horticultural breakthrough to protect us from anything that could be harmful to our Georgia crops,” Irvin said. “However, I have been informed that the repellant properties of the substance are activated only when touched by jolly old elves.”

Commissioner Irvin said that he consulted with State Veterinarian Dr. Carter Black and Dr. James Sutton, assistant commissioner plant industry division, on any dangers posed by the brief visit.

“This visit will not violate any of our biosecurity measures to keep out animal diseases,” Irvin. “As it was explained to me, these reindeer will be moving quickly, will only prance and paw on rooftops and will not intermingle with any livestock in Georgia.”

“Usually, few creatures are stirring that night,” Dr. Black added. “Not even a mouse.”

Dr. Sutton said the documentation on the repellant seems to be in order. “I believe that we should trust that his powers activate the substance’s properties to repel pests and invasive plant species. After all, he is St. Nicholas.”

"We are pleased to grant the temporary waiver to Mr. Kringle,” said Commissioner Irvin. “I and the employees of the Georgia Department of Agriculture wish him safe travels as he and his reindeer make deliveries to the good children of Georgia."

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Santa Tracks 2008

This year is no exception as Santa has started making his way around the globe to visit children everywhere.

Follow NORAD as the annual Santa Tracker is updated all thoughout Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas to you all!

The Georgia Front Page Staff

Keep Georgia Beautiful: Bring One for the Chipper

Bring One for the Chipper is Georgia's annual Christmas tree recycling program. Each year, Keep Georgia Beautiful works with private sponsors to organize the recycling event. In the past, these statewide sponsors have included The Home Depot, The Davey Tree Expert Company and WXIA-TV. Numerous local sponsors and volunteers also make contributions and provide in-kind services across the state.

The Chipper program involves hundreds of Georgia communities and thousands of volunteers. Since its inception, the program has recycled over 4.8 million Christmas trees. The mulch from these trees has been used for playgrounds, local government beautification projects, and individual yards. You can support the Chipper program by bringing your cut Christmas tree to a designated drop off site or volunteering with your local coordinator to collect trees.

To find out where you can take your tree or volunteer to collect trees click here .

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Health Requirements for Flying Reindeer Waived by State Agriculture Department

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin has granted a special 24-hour permit waiving the routine identification and other health requirements for nine flying reindeer slated to visit Georgia on the evening of December 24 and in the early morning hours of December 25.

The permit application was filed this week by a North Pole toymaker who signed the paperwork "Kris Kringle." The reindeer named on the permit are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and Rudolph.

Identification, laboratory testing, and certificates of veterinary inspection are part of Georgia’s health requirements which assist officials in protecting the health of animals in the state and help prevent the introduction of exotic diseases.

“After consulting with our state veterinarian, Dr. Carter Black, I concluded these reindeer did not pose any threat to Georgia agriculture or violate any of our biosecurity measures to keep out animal diseases,” said Commissioner Irvin. “As it was explained to me, these reindeer will be moving quickly, will only prance and paw on rooftops and will not intermingle with any livestock in Georgia.”

“Usually, few creatures are stirring that night,” Dr. Black added. “Not even a mouse.”

"We are pleased to grant the temporary waiver to Mr. Kringle,” said Commissioner Irvin. “I and the employees of the Georgia Department of Agriculture wish him safe travels as he and his reindeer make deliveries to the good children of Georgia."

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