11/26- Rick Dungey, William Carter

6Rick Dungey - PR Director - National Christmas Tree Association

The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) strives to be one voice representing Christmas Tree Professionals and promoting the use of Real Christmas Trees. More than 5,100 professionals support NCTA programs through membership; participation (through their state association) in the Tree Industry Partnership (TIP) program and/or individual investments in the Market Expansion Campaign.  There are approximately 25-30 million Real Christmas Trees sold in the U.S. every year. There are close to 350 million Real Christmas Trees currently growing on Christmas Tree farms in the U.S. alone, all planted by farmers.  North American Real Christmas Trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada. Eighty percent (80%) of artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. Real Trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead.  There are more than 4,000 local Christmas Tree recycling programs throughout the United States.  For every Real Christmas Tree harvested, 1 to 3 seedlings are planted the following spring.  There are about 350,000 acres in production for growing Christmas Trees in the U.S.; much of it preserving green space.  There are close to 15,000 farms growing Christmas Trees in the U.S., and over 100,000 people are employed full or part-time in the industry.  It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of typical height (6 - 7 feet) or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time is 7 years. The top Christmas Tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington. (See a complete list of all 50 states ranked by several variables.)  The most common Christmas Tree species are: balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine.

Chef William Carter - Executive Chef Playboy Mansion

The executive chef at Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles joins us to talk about the holiday season, great food and fun times. He shares special recipes and special menus created for Hugh Hefner.