Santa Claus

Amber Willard Shoppers browsed in the YWCA of Glendale auditorium Wednesday, mulling over selections of jewelry, handmade crafts and other wares. Each sale from its first Holiday Boutique meant more money for the group's programs. Although the sale has ended, there is another YWCA event that needs community support -- its annual holiday party for clients. The group needs gift certificates for women's and children's clothing, as well as a caterer for the event, which is this weekend.

In response to the letter from Mary Martin (“Montrose Christmas tree is shameful,” Dec. 12), I also don't especially like this tree, but not knowing where it came from, who chose this tree or how much it cost, I am happy to put up with it. Our great little town of Montrose has the Christmas parade, trolley rides, Christmas bands and, of course, Santa Claus. Perhaps after budgeting for all of these wonderful things, that was the only affordable tree. In these tough economic times, we should be happy we even have a Christmas tree!

It was a new take on Santa Thursday night at the Americana at Brand's fourth annual tree lighting ceremony, with aerialist and acrobatic performances putting a modern stamp on classic characters like the Nutcracker and toy soldiers. The “Cirque du Santa” event featured fireworks, music and the big man himself, Santa Claus, as the mega-outdoor mall heralded the holiday shopping season. The 100-foot-tall white fir was covered in 10,000 lights and 15,000 ornaments for the occasion.

Amber Willard MONTROSE -- Local school bands, youth organizations and Santa Claus himself will soon be marching down Honolulu Avenue for the annual Montrose Glendale Christmas Parade. The parade, which will start in the 2200 block of Honolulu Avenue and end in its 2400 block, is set to start at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. "It's a kickoff for the holiday seasons in Glendale and Montrose," said Myrna Grijalva of the Montrose Shopping Park Assn., one of the parade sponsors.

Reason must trump belief in Santa Claus Is there a Santa Claus? Dear Virginia, No, no, no. Don't let liars fool you, Virginia ("Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," Editorial, Saturday). I am afraid that Francis P. Church (and many others) have been affected by the foolishness of a religious age. Your friends knew well that they should believe only that which can be demonstrated in fact to be true. All minds, Virginia, whether an adult's or child's, can, when properly trained, understand everything in the universe, from the smallest subatomic particle to the vastest reach of space.

Santa Claus to appear at Christmas at the Square SOUTHEAST GLENDALE -- Santa Claus will be the main attraction from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Christmas at the Square sponsored by the Adams Square Merchant Assn. The festival, which will be at the corner of Chevy Chase Drive and Adams Street, will also include refreshments, live entertainment and a 5 p.m. tree lighting. The festival is free, but photos with Santa will cost $2. Josh Kleinbaum YWCA to host apparel fund-raiser NORTHEAST GLENDALE -- The YWCA of Glendale will host a designer apparel fund-raiser Saturday to benefit local programs for women.

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 The New York Sun in 1897, more than 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.

Karen S. Kim It's that most wonderful time of the year, and Glendale organizations are making it easy for residents to find some way to celebrate the holiday season. The following is a sampling of holiday activities offered around the city. The Glendale Marketplace welcomes Santa Claus today and Sunday for a Very Froggy Christmas. Between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., shoppers can stop by for free face painting, a picture with Santa, free balloons and balloon animals and a storefront painting contest.