It was on this date in 1932 that Radio City Music Hall had its grand opening. Originally it was meant to be a venue for a return to high class live entertainment but for many years showcased movies. With 5,933 seats it became the largest indoor theater in the world.

Just as famous as Radio City Music Hall are the precision steppers called The Rockettes. The Rockettes began an annual Christmas Spectacular in 1933 and it continues to this day.

The Rockettes and their famous kicks have been a mainstay of the Music Hall and a symbol of New York City and America to the world for over 75 years.

The requirements to be a Rockette are almost the same now as they were in 1932. A Rockette must be between 5’6 and 5’10 1/2 and be proficient in tap and jazz dance styles. Most importantly, she has to shine with that inner glow and smile, smile, smile.

Interestingly, I didn’t see any age or weight requirements or restrictions on the Radio City Music Hall Website. So, if you are interested in auditioning go to the Radio City website and click on Rockettes. Even if you don’t want to join the show, you still have time to see it as shows run through December 30th. Check the calendar by clicking The Christmas Spectacular.

An AP/AOL poll reveals that 86% of us believed in Santa as children and the average age for losing that belief is 8 years old. Still, Santa plays an important role in Christmas celebrations for about 51% of us.

But Santa has had some bad press lately.

David Allen Rodgers was arrested after the intoxicated 42 year old took off at the wheel of a holiday parade float in Anderson, S.C. Rodgers sped down Main street and led police on a 3 mile chase with 19 people aboard the float.

Also in SC, a Santa Claus on a motorcycle with a sidecar stopped at a convenience store and grabbed an 8-year-old girl, kidnapped her and took off. The girl’s father saw John Michael Barton speeding off with his daughter and gave chase. After a chase reaching speeds of 80 mph, Barton finally pulled over and released the girl.

Add to that the pranks, thefts and vandalisms that seem more a part of Halloween than Christmas – all over, teens steal baby Jesus dolls from nativity scenes and attack inflatable Santas and snowmen – it seems the spirit of Christmas is not what it used to be.

On this day in 1951, two songs at the top of the charts are now traditional seasonal favorites.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, by Gene Autry was heard on radios all over America. The song was based on a story written by Robert L. May in 1939 for Montgomery Ward stores, as a Christmas book for their store Santas to hand out to kids. He nearly wasn’t named Rudolph; May initially christened him Rollo but store executives nixed that name and asked for another, and so, Rudolph was born and is now part of American Christmas tradition.

Bing Crosby scored what may be his most enduring hit with White Christmas. Originally introduced in the 1942 film Holiday Inn, it became the title of the 1954 holiday film White Christmas, featuring Bing, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. White Christmas is a holiday tradition as well, and can usually be viewed on a local television channel in most areas at this time of year.

Click the link below to see the original film clip of Bing crooning White Christmas for the first time.

Bing Crosby – White Christmas – Holiday Inn

We think of the holidays as time of goodwill and cheer. Busy times to be sure, but even if it is in our idealized childhood memories, we think of Christmas as a time of mirth and miracles.

But studies show that during the holidays – Christmas and New Year’s – there is a spike in daily mortality, occuring from both cardiac and non-cardiac disease. But separate studies have shown that December and January are the two most likely months for death from cardiac events.

What about Christmas and New Year’s make them so risky for cardiac death? One might think it correlates to cooler temperatures or perhaps snow shoveling. But a study done by the Heart Institute of Good Samaritan Hospital in North Carolina found that the risk of cardiac death was greatest in December and January even in temperate climates, such as that of Los Angeles County, CA.

The most likely reason is that people overindulge during the holidays, are under more stress, busy with multiple tasks and less likely to pay attention to important warning symptoms or fail to seek medical help in time.

Warning symptoms include:

* Pressure or crushing pain in your chest, sometimes with sweating, nausea or vomiting
* Pain that extends from your chest into the jaw, left arm or left shoulder.
* Tightness in your chest
* Shortness of breath for more than a couple of seconds

If you experience any of the symptoms of heart attack, do not delay – call emergency personnel immediately. When they arrive or when you arrive at the hospital, do not offer explanations of heartburn or any other possible reason for your symptoms even if you suspect something else may be the cause. Say: “I think I am having a heart attack”. Do nothing to delay important diagnostic and possibly life-saving treatment.

Information regarding the studies referenced above can be found at:

The “Merry Christmas Coronary” and “Happy New Year Heart Attack” phenomenon – National Institutes of Health