Christmas Eve

Marshall Allen GLENDALE -- Sheep, goats and donkeys aren't regular churchgoers, but they'll make it to St. Mark's Episcopal church for Christmas this year. The animals are a part of St. Mark's Living Creche, a live Nativity scene taking place from 6 to 8 tonight and Saturday. The event is a part of the church's outreach to residents in the community who might not normally go to church but are seeking God, said Elaine Loke, the people's warden at St. Mark's.

Claudia Peschiutta GLENDALE -- Soorp Dznoont may not sound like Christmas but it is the same holiday, with a few differences. As others begin packing away the tinsel and ornaments, many locals are getting ready to celebrate Armenian Christmas Wednesday. Hratch Tchilingirian, the managing editor of locally-produced Armenian International Magazine, said the Armenian Apostolic Church observes Christmas on Jan. 6 because it follows the Julian Calendar.

For most families, ham or turkey make up the typical holiday meal. But Sal Velasquez of Burbank prefers serving tamales on Christmas Eve made from his family’s recipe, a tradition he brought from his hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico. Each year the weekend before Christmas, Sal and his wife, Tasia Velasquez, begin the two-day preparation of the pork and chili sauce. On the third day, they have a huge celebration and welcome family and friends to join in assembling the tamales.

'Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk' it up at the Alex Yes, even Shemp will be there. But no word on Curly Joe at this point. The Alex Film Society will present its annual Stoogeathon at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, which means you can get your fill of the lovable threesome. This year's program is titled "Stoogecoach," and it includes five western- themed episodes of The Three Stooges. The Stoogefest costs $13.50, $9.50 for kids 12 and younger or seniors 65 and older, and $7 for Alex Film Society members.

Carin Kellzi, 13, of Glendale is an eighth-grader at Armenian Sisters' Academy in Montrose. "The Polar Express" is a magical movie for the entire family to enjoy. It is about a young boy who, like many children his age, starts to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. One Christmas Eve, the Polar Express stops at his house and the conductor, played by Tom Hanks, urges him to board the train, which will take him to the North Pole. The boy reluctantly gets on the train, unaware of the adventures awaiting him. On the Polar Express, the boy meets many different children, including one who can't trust or depend on anyone, a girl who is born to lead and a very annoying boy who thinks he knows it all. Soon these people become his closest friends and embark on a trip that will change their lives forever.

Jackson Bell When it comes to helping those in need during the holiday season, Glendale Community College's police department has a solution that is for the students, by the students. On Dec. 1, college students began donating money, food and unwrapped Christmas toys to the school's police department, which will go to 23 students whose families need help this year. The collected items will be given to them on Christmas Eve. The Happy Holiday Fund, in its 10th year, is helping the most families to date, said Nidal Kobaissi, a Glendale Community College District Police Department specialist.

Santa to visit park Santa Claus will make an appearance Saturday at Verdugo Park, 1621 Cañada Blvd. The free family event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will include carnival games, crafts, treat and pictures with Santa for a fee. Spark of Love Offered Local fire stations are collecting unwrapped toys for underprivileged children in the "Spark of Love" campaign. Toys will be collected through Christmas Eve. Artist's Marketplace presented Gift items made by local artists will be on sale on Saturdays Dec. 16 and 23 at the Glendale Marketplace, 106 to 148 S. Brand.

The La Cañada Presbyterian Church Gift Wrapping Team will wrap presents free of charge in front of the Rite-Aid store, across the street from the church (626 Foothill Blvd), on Saturday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. -- 5 p.m. The church will feature its Chamber Orchestra at this Sunday's 7:55 a.m. and 9:25 a.m. worship services. The Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Jack Lantz, will be play full orchestra arrangements of Christmas carols and Christmas music. During the past year, the LCPC Chamber Orchestra has continued to grow and now has nearly 40 musicians, drawn from the congregation and local community.

BEST BET: Dance the afternoon away with Val Grayson and his band from 2:30 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Glendale Moose Lodge, 357 Arden St. Admission is $6. Couples and singles are welcome. Parking is free. For more information, call 240-7852. TODAY The First Baptist Church of Montrose will hold a candlelight service at 7 p.m. at 1911 Waltonia Drive. Recording artist Norm Allen will sing "O Holy Night" and Barbara Summers will lead the Christmas carols.

During two respective events this past week, hundreds of Burbankers got a jump on celebrating the Yuletide season while others honored a woman who, during the span of her remarkable 36-year journalism career, has covered and chronicled the lives of thousands of local residents. With the Fourth of July duly celebrated and the summer in full swing, it can only mean one thing - the women of the La Providencia Guild of Children's' Hospital Los Angeles are deeply involved in Yuletide pride.