Claudia Peschiutta
SAN RAFAEL - Nearly 130 years ago, it was a former sheriff of Los
Angeles County and his family that most likely celebrated Christmas
there.
Now, it is the Glendale community that commemorates the holiday at the
Casa Adobe de San Rafael, believed to be built in 1870 by Tomas A.
Sanchez. The annual "Fiesta de las Luminarias" will be held at the
historic Dorothy Drive home on Dec. 10 and 11.
Candles will illuminate the path up to the Mexican rancho-style adobe
brick house, which will be decorated with lights and have a Christmas
tree inside.
"It is just so beautiful as you walk up," said Patti Mack, first vice
president of Glendale Beautiful, the local preservation group that
sponsors the event.
"A lot of people have never seen it before so they're just oohing and
aahing," she said.
Aside being "just so gorgeous," the fiesta gives area residents a
chance to learn about the city's past, Mack said.
During the two-day event, the Casa Adobe de San Rafael, once known as
the Sanchez adobe, will be open to the public for viewing.
The fiesta will also pay tribute to the area's Mexican heritage Friday
with a performance by the Mariachi Cobras de Jalisco, a children's group
from the San Fernando Valley, and Saturday with a children's pinata
party.
IF YOU GO
* WHAT: Annual Fiesta de las Luminarias
* WHEN: From 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 11.
* WHERE: 1330 Dorothy Drive
* INFO: The annual event, sponsored by Glendale Beautiful, will
feature performances by the Mariachi Cobras de Jalisco from 6 to 7 p.m.
and the Nestle Singers from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, there will
be a children's pinata party starting at 4 p.m. and the Glendale High
School Bell Choir will perform later.
* COST: Free.
