Santa Claus

From the editorial page of The New York Sun, written by Francis P. Church, Sept. 21, 1897: We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun: "Dear Editor -- I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.' Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?"

Midge Boardman, Enjoy! LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- Sometimes it seems men get all the credit. Take Santa Claus, for instance. That jolly old man appears in stories and songs. His picture graces everything from greeting cards to billboards. Tens of thousands of children leave cookies and milk for him on Christmas Eve. Good for him. But his mother never gets any credit. Well, Bo Collier is changing all that. The longtime Glendale resident, who recently moved to La Canada Flintridge, has brought Mother Christmas to life in a warm, funny, touching story, "The Truth About Love."

Kids of all ages are invited to join Santa and all his friends to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The Burbank Town Center, featuring the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and a cast of holiday characters, will host the Annual Holiday Parade at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The parade will feature snowmen, holiday elves, glittery clowns, toy soldiers, gingerbread men, a teddy bear, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a Christmas band, and Santa Claus in his horse-drawn carriage.

Sareen Kellzi, 14, of Glendale is a 10th-grader at Clark Magnet High School in Glendale. Tim Allen is back as Santa Claus just in time for the holiday season in the amusing sequel "Santa Clause 2." In the first film, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is a businessman who becomes Santa Claus one night when he accident- ally puts on Santa's coat. This time around, Calvin is well over the shock of his discovery and loves his new job. However, new problems begin to arise.

The smallest of angels sang with exuberance Tuesday as they joined classmates in St. Robert- Bellarmine Catholic School's kindergarten production of "Once Upon a Christmas." With accompaniment from the piano and guitar, Debbie Mariscal's kindergartners performed "The Twelve Days of Christmas," followed by "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Wyomi Fernando's class reenacted the oft-told story of the first Christmas. Christian Irwin, resplendent in a turquoise kimono and gold crown, was one of the three wise men. "It was fun to be in because I got to sing," Christian said.

Long-time Burbank residents Janice and Brian Smith, and their daughters Brianne, 18, and Amy, 15, will be departing their hometown on June 16 for a move to Owensboro, Ky., to start a 157-acre camping resort. A "Thank You Burbank" banner hangs from their home on 841 N. Buena Vista St., which became a familiar landmark during the holidays, decorated with an enormous and red Christmas ornament and a figure of Santa Claus. The Smiths also displayed a vintage, 1957 Van Pelt fire truck in their front yard for five years, which Brian Smith restored and the Burbank Fire Department used for special events.

Gary Moskowitz MEDIA CITY CENTER -- When you're a child living in Burbank, snow falling in front of the Media City Center -- 15 tons of it -- is a big deal. So is Santa Claus flying in on a helicopter and stepping onto Magnolia Boulevard, complete with a white beard, rosy cheeks and a bag full of toys. For parent and event coordinator Katy Mason, the annual holiday show at the Media City Center is a magical day for Burbank families. "Watching the looks on the children's faces as Santa approaches, and waving at him in the sky, is magical," Mason said.

From The People's Almanac, pp. 1358-9. Francis P. Church's editorial, "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus," was an immediate sensation, and became one of the most famous editorials ever written. It first appeared in The New York Sun in 1897, almost 100 years ago, and was reprinted annually until 1949, when the paper went out of business. Thirty-six years after her letter was printed, Virginia O'Hanlon recalled the events that prompted her letter: "Quite naturally I believed in Santa Claus, for he had never disappointed me. But when less fortunate little boys and girls said there wasn't any Santa Claus, I was filled with doubts.

Ten members of the Burbank Road Kings took a road trip of a charitable kind the Sunday before Christmas. They played Santa Claus, but instead of arriving by sleigh, they delivered a special gift to a woman in need via classic vehicles. The car club wanted to help a family this holiday season and heard about Sarah Haynes through local businessman Charlie Cusumano, who supports projects to help the military. Haynes served four years as a Marine and is now in the reserves while she cares for her mother and sister who have health issues.

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.

Maggie Sands has a ho-ho-whole lot of Santas going on in her Burbank home — more than 600 Santa Claus collectibles, actually. The first hint that this homeowner really loves the jolly old gift giver is the many likenesses of him set up in her front yard. Large candy canes are placed on either side of the walkway up to the front porch. A 9-foot blow-up of old Saint Nick welcomes guests up the steps to the front door. Once inside, all four walls around the living room are covered with displays of every Santa Claus collectible imaginable, starting at 1 1/2 inches tall.

Santa Claus soared over hundreds of people watching the mayor’s tree lighting in front of City Hall at the annual Burbank Holiday Parade, while chants for him penetrated the air. But he didn’t do it with his trusty reindeer. Santa circled the crowd in a helicopter. The event and subsequent parade down San Fernando Boulevard kicked off downtown Burbank’s 12 Days of Holiday Cheer, which is usually in the first 12 days of December. After Santa and Mrs. Claus waved to the crowd, they were whisked away to the AMC Theatre walkway where Santa heard the whispered wishes of children.

BURBANK ELKS SPONSOR CHILDREN?S PARTY Burbank Elks Lodge #1497 had a Christmas party for more than 375 children who were treated to a visit with Santa Claus and presented with a new toy. The Elks lodge was filled with excited children and their parents, who were served free hot dogs and punch while they waited to visit with Santa. Camera flashes lighted the room as each child sat on Santa?s lap and told him their Christmas wishes. The Burbank Elks have been hosting children?

While crooner Bing Crosby wasn’t present when Christ was born, he is one of several offbeat characters in Westminster Presbyterian Church’s “Nativity! The Musical.” This is the third year that writer-director team Greg and Melissa Baldwin is producing the show, which tells a moving version of the birth of Christ with several wacky embellishments, organizers said. “It’s an irreverent look at something very reverent,” said David Brandt, who portrays Crosby.

Bundled-up revelers slid and played in nearly 15 tons of snow brought into Downtown Burbank on Sunday. At the tail end of the shopping area’s 12 Days of Holiday Cheer events — a stretch of 12 days that included a holiday parade, tree lighting, free food and refreshments — people took advantage of one of the most visible happenings. “Oh man,” said Gail Stewart, manager of downtown activities and events. “We had like 1,000 people [at the snow day]

Volunteers will gather to wrap gifts that are to be donated to seniors in need at 4 p.m. at the Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Gifts will be given to seniors for the annual ?Be a Santa to a Senior? program. Deliveries will take place the week of Dec. 17. For more information, call (818) 843-8688. ? Youngsters can call the North Pole from 4 to 8 p.m. at (818) 238-1999 and talk to Santa?s Helpers, Mrs. Claus ? and maybe even Santa Claus himself!

Downtown Burbank’s 12 Days of Holiday Cheer will incorporate more this year than the usual procession of a trumpeted parade and tree lighting. New business openings in the downtown area throughout the year have brought fresh events to the time-honored tradition preceeding December’s major holidays. “More and more merchants are getting involved,” said Gail Stewart, manager of downtown activities and events. RA Organic Spa on North San Fernando Boulevard, which opened early this year, will offer free massages, organic hot teas and snacks from noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday for their first time participating in the festivities.