The Christmas light home displays are going up at last.

Kolde Christmas 2993 Gertrude st Riverside Hours: 5:30 to 9:00

This year they are going all out. They have added more lights, for a total of 18,000 lights that are synchronized to music, using the computer.

There will some one out front passing out cookies and candy and I bet you can guess who that will be.

44004 Terraza Ct. Temecula

This is a single home that was decorated about 8 years ago on a cul-de-sac and now almost every home in the complex is lighted in one way or another.

It get so busy sometimes that the Temecula Sheriffs office has to be contracted to come and direct traffic, but it is worth the walk.

Just dress warmly and be sure and bring the kids.

Also in Temecula.....

44001 Terraza Court Temecula

According to the owners of the property, the 2008 show will be much different than last year’s! The music will be aired at 105.5 FM starting December 1, 2008. (Weather Permitting)

And they will once again be accepting Canned and Boxed Food donations for the Temecula Community Food Pantry this year. They ask that if you decide to donate please place any “Non-Perishable” food items in the bin out on the end of there drive way and the street. Also, a “Letters To Santa” box will be placed in the front of the house for kids of all ages to leave their letters to Santa. Santa will even right back if you want him to. Knowing in advance how expensive this years display was going to cost, the owners decided this summer to spend the additional cash and replace all of the light sets and even almost all of our home lighting to LED lighting.

They did this hoping to save on the Christmas light display bill by a third. Now that's thinking Green isn't it. There new light display has approximately 43,000 light bulbs, over a mile of extension cords, 100 strobe lights, 6 computerized light controllers 170 channels, one FM transmitter for music, and 130 amps of power … and a lot of Christmas magic!

And I thought I had put up a lot of lights when I got 25 strings up on 5 extension cords. Amazing.

Since gas is dropping so low now, I hope you take the time to visit some of the Christmas light displays I have written about. The owners go out to please themselves, their neighbors and the hundreds of visitors that cruise by. Have a good time and enjoy the lights.

Gary Hall, the ghostpainter