Giant Grinch Replaces Christmas Exhibit

[lovuian]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=519&e=2&u=/ap/20041126/ap_on_re_us/neighborhood_grinch

Giant Grinch Replaces Christmas Exhibit

50 minutes ago U.S. National - AP


By RACHEL KONRAD, Associated Press Writer

MONTE SERENO, Calif. - For six years, Alan and Bonnie Aerts transformed their Silicon Valley home into a Christmas wonderland, complete with surfing Santa, jumbo candy canes and a carol-singing chorus of mannequins.






Visitors loved it. Last year, after NBC's "Weekend Today" featured the $150,000 display of custom-designed props, more than 1,500 cars prowled the Aertses' cul-de-sac in this upscale San Jose suburb each night.
more...
A Battle is out there!!!

Your a Mean One Mr.Grinch!!! or was that Mr.Bush!!!

[TahitiNut]

1. I'm familiar with the neighborhood.

It's between Los Gatos (where I lived) and Saratoga, slightly southwest of San Jose. There's no way the roads can easily handle 1,500 cars per night. The traffic jam would be a nuisance. That area/neighborhood deliberately keeps the roads and streets at residential size to inhibit traffic. The homes in Monte Sereno can easily cost $1-2million. If I were on the same cul-de-sac, I'd be pissed.

[VegasWolf]

3. I used to live in Los Gatos too, the traffic is terrible. Is the Los

Gatos Lodge still there?

[TahitiNut]

5. When I left 2 years ago, it was.

While I never went in there, it still had a reputation as a middle-aged pick-up place. :shrug:

[Tempest]

2. How would you like to have to deal with something so gaudy for 45 days?

"We wake up to Christmas for about 45 days of the year," said Le Nguyen, 55. "You ever seen the movie 'Groundhog Day?' It's just like that."

[Cronus Protagonist]

4. I hope he got the permit for his grinch display

Or he'll be taking that down in three days.


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[Toucano]

10. Grinch is protected by copyright, isn't it?

I wonder if he got permission from the copyright holder?

Remember when FOX made us get rid of the Simpsons avatars?

[Cronus Protagonist]

12. You know, I think that's correct

If they used the same image, that is. Maybe the neighbors have more grounds for complaint.


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[proud patriot]

6. I've seen that house before

my aunt lives in Fremont ...

I love going to the chistmas tree lanes :-(

[AllyCat]

7. Not only do I hate garish holiday displays...

...I hate ostentatious displays of wealth. $150K could have provided quite a few people with clothing, food, and shelter.

But I'm sure the Aertes' have more Christmas spirit than I do. :thumbsdown:

[Kimber Scott]

9. It's still a free country... (nt)

[AllyCat]

11. Uh, didn't think I said it wasn't

But to stay in the spirit, it's a free country that I can register my dissent of this monstrosity and I don't blame the neighbors at all for complaining.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

8. This line says it all for me

~snip~

So Alan Aerts, a 6-foot-5 amateur body builder,

~snip~

Say no more.

[Piperay]

13. I don't blame the people

for complaining, they have a right not have to live in a Disneyland environment for 45 days a year just because some show-off with more money than good sense wants some garish display. Some people don't know when to quit and don't seem to understand that understatement is better than overkill with all the decorations. :puke: