Historic Bentley snowflake photos for sale in US

“Ten of the pioneering photos of snowflake crystals US farmer Wilson A Bentley began taking more than a century ago are to be sold in New York.

Bentley (1865-1931) is credited with capturing the first images of single snowflakes on camera. He made thousands of the jewel-like prints, no two alike.

His photomicrography technique involved a microscope and a bellows camera.

He caught pneumonia in a blizzard and died just weeks after the publication of his book Snow Crystals.” [... continued @ BBC]

[more details @ Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley & Carl Hammer Gallery]

Beautiful examples @ the Hammer Gallery site ... in the hands of someone with graphics expertise (which excludes me) some of those old pictures would be great wallpapers or CD covers.

Recall: Pier 1 Imports Santa Tea Light Holders

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Ceramic Santa Tea Light Holders

Units: About 61,500 United States and 5,500 in Canada

Importer: Pier 1 Imports (U.S.), Inc., of Fort Worth, Texas

Hazard: The flame from tea lights can ignite these tea light holders, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of the tea light holders burning. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The Ceramic Santa Tea Light Holder is red and white and designed in the image of Santa Claus. The tea light holder measures approximately 7-1/2 inches tall and 3-1/2 inches wide with a red metal hat and an opening in the back to place a tea light candle. SKU number 2417274 is printed on the bottom of the tea light holder.

Sold at: Pier 1 Imports in the U.S. and Canada from September 2009 through December 2009 for about $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the Ceramic Santa Tea Light Holder immediately and return it to their nearest Pier 1 Imports retail store for a full refund or merchandise credit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Pier 1 Imports at (800) 245-4595 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CST Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.pier1.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release can be seen at: http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=943

'tis the Season for Sharity

Here's a little listing I'll try to keep up-dating as the year moves along. Album shares from sources who normally cover other fields of music. Links are to the original blog posts where you'll usually find some background on the album or the share. While there, have a look around, who knows what else may strike your fancy. Be sure to say thanks on your way out to these generous folks.

1. ALDRICH, Ronnie -- Christmas with Ronnie Aldrich
   
2. FEIDLER, Arthur & the Boston Pops -- Christmas Party
   
3. FRANCIS, Connie -- Christmas In My Heart
   
4. GOODWIN, Ron -- Christmas Wonderland
   
5. HIRT, Al -- Have A Merry Little *
   
6. INGMANN, Jorgen -- Swinging Good Old Christmas
   
7. KAEMPFERT, Bert -- Christmas with Bert Kaempfert and his Orchestra *
   
8. KOSTELANETZ, Andre -- Stereo Wonderland Of Christmas *
   
9. LAST, James -- Christmas Dancing *
   
10. LUIS GOMEZ MEXICAN BRASS -- Tijuana Christmas
    
11. LYMAN, Arthur -- Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)
    
12. PAGE, Patti -- Christmas with
    
13. PARADISE ISLANDERS, The -- Christmas In Hawaii *
    
14. REGINA MUSIC BOX MUSEUM -- The Charm of Old Music Boxes at Christmas (Simpsons)
    
15. SINGER ORCHESTRA, The -- Favorite Christmas Songs *
    
16. TORONTO BOYS' CHOIR -- A New Choral Record For Christmas
    
17. VA -- Christmas at Home
    
18. VA -- Christmas Day with Colonel Sanders
    
19. VA -- Christmas in California (Bank of America)
    
20. VA -- Famous Christmas Songs (Uniroyal)
    
21. VA -- A Very Merry Christmas, Vols I to VIII (Grant's)
    

* = latest additions to list