Christmas

Christmas arrived early this month at La Providencia Guild Thrift Shop, 3301 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank. Lorelei Kelley , chairwoman for this event, was helped by her committee, Joanne Bailey, Fanny Belle Mound, Malena Tapan , and Chris Welker , who hosted the complimentary coffee bar for all of the patrons. In fact, all the members of the guild helped on this event. The thrift shop turned into a holiday atmosphere for early holiday shopping and to buy some of the homemade baked goods contributed by the guild's members.

Hoping for a gift in this season of giving, about 30 needy people, mostly women, waited patiently for the doors to open at the Salvation Army near downtown Burbank Thursday morning. Ana and Tony Tamayo of North Hollywood said they heard about the Salvation Army's program to provide food and other items for Christmas through friends, and this year, they needed the extra assistance. “We lost our apartment, we lost our jobs, we're unemployed,” Tony Tamayo said in Spanish. “This helps us give something to our children.” The giveaway has happened every year since the Salvation Army opened its doors in Burbank in 1957, said Lt. Kari Rudd.

This year, perhaps more so than in any other in recent memory, people can relate to the desperation of Mary and Joseph as they searched frantically for shelter on the eve of Jesus' birth. No assets, poor, and completely dependent on the generosity of others, they came to rest in a stable, beaten back by the harsh realities of even the small town of Bethlehem. As the economy continues to weigh heavily on households — lost jobs, cut hours, lost health insurance — and with little hope for improvement in the near term, more and more people have had to settle into their own stables and accept the humility and frustrations that come with it. It's the range of impact that makes it all so staggering.

Dear Santa, First, I wanted to thank you for traveling around the universe to all the kids, giving them a gift with wishes and a warm heart. Every day, new kids are born, and we should think about about them, too. I hope you are not tired -- after all -- because I have one more wish for myself. Can you please get me a PlayStation game called Crash Team Racing or Crash Bash? Fady Ellaham, 8, Washington Are you a real person? Do you play ice hockey?

The Assistance League of Glendale hosts a “Christmas in July” sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday at the Assistance League Thrift Alley, 314 E. Harvard St., Glendale. There will be ornaments, books, jewelry, crafts, formal outfits, fabrics and more for sale. The thrift alley will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Proceeds support the organization's philanthropies, some of which provide clothing and school supplies for children and academic scholarships.

Gary Moskowitz Lilith Garibyan loves getting presents at Christmas- time, but she also looks forward to hearing the religious story behind the holiday every year. Lilith, a fourth-grader at Emerson Elementary School in Burbank, was one of about 45 children from Burbank and Glendale who performed Saturday during a Christmas celebration at the Armenian Church Western Diocese in Burbank. More than 800 people, including Armenian American children from public and private schools in Burbank and Glendale and their families, attended the event.

To paraphrase the great poet Percy Shelley, "If election comes, can Thanksgiving be far behind?" Thank heavens, we will have a bit of relief from the constant badgering of opposing candidates on every television broadcast so that we can concentrate on the turkey wars. You have to pay attention to get the most cluck for your buck. This takes thought. Is it more economical to spend $50 on groceries to get a free bird or to pay $5 outright with no extra purchases to get the bird you need for your celebration?

A friend of mine and I recently visited an entertainment spot in town that is known for its beautiful Christmas decorations. Upon arrival, we found the place completely devoid of any ornamentation. We inquired of an employee as to why they did not have decorations up in mid-December. The employee replied, "It is not the purpose of this establishment to trim for Christmas." My friend politely responded, "We understand, but it was beautiful last year." We walked away and I had a feeling of sorrow.

Daughter 1: It?s 9:15! Daddy: Do you like your new watch, honey? D1: Yeah. Daughter 2: No fair! I didn?t get a new watch. Daddy: But you got Sea Monkeys and she didn?t. D2: But I want a watch, too. D1: No fair. Why didn?t I get Sea Monkeys? Daddy: Guys, please. It?s Christmas morning. Can we not do this? D2: I feel funny?.?.?.? Daddy: How many Gummy Bears have you eaten? D2: I can?t count higher than 100. Daddy: And Reese?s? D2: Only 12. Daddy: Chocolate-covered marshmallow Santas?

As the holidays season nears an end, so does the need for a Christmas tree. The City of Burbank has a few options for those of you who want to recycle your tree. Residents can take old trees to the Verdugo Park Parking lot or McCambridge Park on the Andover Drive side. The city will then turn the tree mulch into compost. The city will also be picking up trees near regular curbside trash over the next couple of weeks. -- Ross A. Benson, for Times Community News Photo: Christmas tree recycling drop-off at McCambridge Park in Burbank.

A young child in a gold-adorned white robe stood stage right bathed in a spotlight's glaring luminance. “And soon, the wise men came to the manger,” the haloed-tyke proclaimed. Pretty standard Christmas pageant stuff - until the angelic adolescent threw in a kicker: “…along with other assorted characters.” And assorted they were - from the traditional Gospel gathering of Mary, Joseph and a heavenly host of angels, to a Felliniesque flock that included Lady Gaga, Elton John, Abraham Lincoln, Las Vegas show girls, cheerleaders, cowpokes, hula dancers, Cap'n Crunch, Santa Claus, Bing Crosby, Charlie Brown and a “Star Wars” stormtrooper.

Hoping for a gift in this season of giving, about 30 needy people, mostly women, waited patiently for the doors to open at the Salvation Army near downtown Burbank Thursday morning. Ana and Tony Tamayo of North Hollywood said they heard about the Salvation Army's program to provide food and other items for Christmas through friends, and this year, they needed the extra assistance. “We lost our apartment, we lost our jobs, we're unemployed,” Tony Tamayo said in Spanish. “This helps us give something to our children.” The giveaway has happened every year since the Salvation Army opened its doors in Burbank in 1957, said Lt. Kari Rudd.

The Chancel Choir of Burbank First United Methodist Church is presenting their holiday season concert “Festival of Lessons & Carols.” The Chancel Choir of BFUMC is comprised of both professional and volunteer singers and is lead by Music Director Roger Lamb, and their performance will be accompanied by a 13 piece chamber orchestra.  There is no admission charge for the concert but a offerings will be accepted to benefit the Friends of...

Powerful winds subsided in time for Burbank's biggest-ever holiday tree-lighting event on Thursday, which marked a series of seasonal events planned in the coming weeks as part of the city's ongoing centennial celebration. Parade-style balloons, vintage cars, strolling carolers, and, of course, Santa Claus attracted hundreds of onlookers Thursday outside City Hall for the official ceremony. Burbank firefighters were also busy collecting toy donations for the annual Spark of Love Toy Drive in conjunction with ABC 7. The drive precipitates the Metrolink Toy Express stops in Burbank and Glendale on Dec. 11. Donation boxes have been set up at all fire stations and at businesses throughout the city.

The Magnolia Boulevard business district hosted its annual Holiday in the Park event Friday, kicking off the Christmas shopping season with carolers, live music, food trucks and prizes. Magnolia Park merchants also stamped “passports” that could be redeemed for deals at dozens of shops and restaurants, as well as for prizes. Children also took advantage of a photo booth at UMe Credit Union to bend Santa's ear about their holiday wish lists. - Jason Wells , Times Community News Twitter: @jasonbretwells Photo: The alternative blues band The Painkillers plays for the crowd in front of Playclothes for the annual Holiday in the Park on Friday, November 18, 2011.

It was Christmas in July as the Assistance League of Glendale rolled out the red and green carpet to host its annual sale of holiday-themed ornaments, books, jewelry, fabrics, crafts, formal ensembles and furs - real and otherwise. On July 21, the clubhouse was transformed into a winter playground for shoppers. Merchandise from the organization's Thrift Alley was transferred to the larger hall for hundreds of shoppers who had no trouble filling the room between 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. - just when the kiddies are in school and mom is playing hooky from her usual chores.

The Assistance League of Glendale hosts a “Christmas in July” sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday at the Assistance League Thrift Alley, 314 E. Harvard St., Glendale. There will be ornaments, books, jewelry, crafts, formal outfits, fabrics and more for sale. The thrift alley will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Proceeds support the organization's philanthropies, some of which provide clothing and school supplies for children and academic scholarships.

While most Christians celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, Armenians do so on Jan. 6. So, while many Burbankers were packing away the lights, decorations and other traces of their Christmas celebration, our community’s Armenian residents were still deeply in the holiday spirit as the Burbank Chapter of the Armenian National Committee opened its community center for the annual Armenian Christmas dinner this past week. The reason why Armenians celebrate Christmas 12 days later than others stems back to the end of the Third Century.

For 35 years, the Spero family has been celebrating Christmas Eve serenading their neighbors. "It's one time a year that's really special," said Sandy Spero, a graduate of Burbank High School, along with her children and grandchildren who join in the annual caroling tradition. This year, even Toby, the family's terrier mix, came along. The first 20 years, they caroled north of Kenneth Road on Frederic, Naomi and Buena Vista streets, then they moved the party to Mike and Sandy Spero's house on Karen Street where they traveled along Richard and Kenneth streets.