Santa Claus

Alecia Foster NORTHEAST GLENDALE -- The first time Jeffrey McElderry played Santa Claus, he wore a fake white beard. The second time -- the beard was all real. And he kept it. "I've been Santa Claus for about 24 years now for family and friends," the Glendale resident said. He's also been in several commercials, television shows and movies and is a member of the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas. In fact, McElderry is only one of about 70 "Santas" belonging to the order, whose members sport the white-bearded jolly look year-round.

The Glendale Symphony Orchestra will use $15,000 to expose children to music. GLENDALE -- It will be a night of Santa Claus and Mozart for more than 200 children who might not otherwise get the chance to enjoy either. The Glendale Symphony Orchestra will use a $15,000 grant from Citibank to transport children from New Horizons and the YWCA on Friday for an afternoon of learning about classical music, meeting Santa Claus and enjoying a short-but-spirited concert. "A lot of the under-privileged kids will never know anything but Britney Spears and rap music," said Diane Hedrick, the symphony's executive director.

GLENDALE -- A misunderstood Martian seemingly kidnaps Santa Claus. And Mrs. Claus, two elves, a reindeer and a 6-foot-tall polar bear bring Santa back and make peace with the Martian, who only wanted to donate some presents to his earthly friends for Christmas. The train-top musical play is the centerpiece of the ninth annual Spark of Love Toy Drive sponsored by Metrolink, KABC 7 and the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The Metrolink Toy Express made its debut Saturday with stops in several cities from Chatsworth to Glendale, which was the last stop of the day. At each stop, children placed presents in large boxes so local schools could distribute them to needy children, said Metrolink spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell.

More than 500 attend city's 21st annual holiday tree lighting ceremony.CITY HALL -- The air was crisp, the cocoa was hot and the sounds of the holidays filled Parcher Plaza behind City Hall on Wednesday night. Christmas has officially come to Glendale. More than 500 people attended the 21st annual holiday tree lighting ceremony, with parents and children sipping free hot chocolate and enjoying Christmas music performed by local elementary and high schoolers, as well as a visit from Santa Claus himself.

The Glendale Assn. for the Retarded got a visit from Old St. Nick and his police escort on Tuesday. Hovering in a police helicopter, then riding in with a motorcade, Santa Claus was a big hit with dozens of excited clients of the Glendale Assn. for the Retarded Tuesday morning. "Santa [flew] over three times, and I think he was yelling 'Ho, Ho, Ho!'" said Carole Jouroyan, who has been with the association, which provides services for adults with developmental disabilities, primarily those with mental disabilities, for 23 years.

Amber Willard Santa Claus dropped in -- literally -- on a party the Glendale Police Department was hosting for members of the Self-Aid Workshop. The jolly soul hitched a ride on a police helicopter and stopped in at the party Monday morning. About 170 people attended the party, which was at police headquarters. The Self-Aid Workshop is a work-training center that provides work training, job placement, education and social programs for adults with developmental disabilities.

Claudia Peschiutta GLENDALE -- The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is offering performers a chance to co-star with Santa Claus. The chamber is looking for musicians to sing or play Christmas songs Nov. 26 at the 69th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade. There will be 10 stages set up along the 2-mile parade route that winds along Hollywood and Sunset boulevards. Performers will be featured in a souvenir program and may get to contribute to an album of music titled, "The Best Christmas Yet, Volume III."

Adams Square Business Improvement District members put the tinsel and ornaments on their Christmas tree Tuesday, preparing the square for the holiday season. "We had an incredible turnout this time," said Carol Cianfrini, a member of the district's board of directors. Adams Square will hold its annual tree lighting ceremony Saturday at 1:15 p.m. at Chevy Chase Drive and Adams Street. The tree lighting is part of an afternoon festival from 1 to 5 p.m. Christmas music will set the scene, and Santa Claus will be in the square, posing for pictures with kids.

It was a wonderful evening for all, the Christmas Craft Night at the Center for Children at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church on Dec.7. Youths from the community made holiday crafts, door hangers and ornaments with their family, friends and teachers. The CFC staff opened their classroom doors to accommodate this annual tradition. Magic was in the air as Santa Claus and his elf poised for picture with the children throughout the evening. Before the crafts began at 6:30 p.m., there was the opportunity to enjoy dinner in Koopmans Hall.

Tim Willert CITY HALL -- The city's 17th holiday tree-lighting ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 behind City Hall in Perkins Plaza, 141 N. Glendale Ave. The annual holiday celebration will feature choral selections from Zion Lutheran School students, Show Biz Kidsand the Sweet Adelines Verdugo Hills Showtime Chorus. The program will culminate with the lighting of the City Hall tree in Perkins Plaza, the lighting of the "Canopy of Lights" in adjacent Parcher Plaza, and a special visit from Santa Claus.