Winter Wonderland

Darleene Barrientos When winter break rolls around it's easy to assume the kids will gravitate toward the TV and their computers. But parents who want them to do something more productive have alternatives. During the winter break, a record number of children participated in the city's Winter Blast Camp. Between 30 and 40 students on break from their respective schools made arts and crafts, played games and went on field trips to the Los Angeles Zoo and a local skating rink.

Jackson Bell For as long as Glendale firefighters have been battling blazes, they have been also raising money and donating it to local charities. The Glendale Fireman's Club each year raises between $30,000 and $45,000 for charity. This year, the club has already raised about $26,000, and plans to finish with $32,000, said Capt. Scott Mohlenbrok, who is the club's president. "I think that given what firefighters do [for a living], we are the type of people who like to give back to the community," Mohlenbrok said.

Gary Moskowitz Dressed in shorts, a short-sleeved shirt and gloves, Tameg Khachadoori came to Brand Park on Saturday ready for Glendale's springtime version of a "winter wonderland." The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Division held the city's 26th annual Winter Wonderland on Saturday, a popular event that brought as many as 4,000 people to Brand Park, officials said. People flocked to the park carrying shovels, pails and sleds to play in 50 tons of snow, which was blown from ice blocks brought to Brand Park by the truckload at about 6 a.m. Underneath sunny skies and temperatures in the high 60s, Tameg waited in long lines to take several turns sledding down several snow slides positioned on a hill at the park.

Josh Kleinbaum With 50 tons of ice, Glendale's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Division will transform Brand Park into a scene out of a Robert Frost poem. At the city's Winter Wonderland today, residents will have the chance to stop by the woods on a snowy morning, with apologies to Mr. Frost. Los Angeles-based Chikato Brothers Ice Co. will transform 50 tons of ice into a snowy paradise. "They bring out huge blocks of ice and stick them in a shredder, and then they blow snow onto the park," Community Services Coordinator Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt said.

WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND Winter is coming to Southern California. The Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community Services Division is holding the 26th annual Winter Wonderland on Saturday at Brand Park, 1601 W. Mountain St. More than 50 tons of man-made snow will transform the west side of the park into a winter carnival. Booths, activities, entertainments and refreshments will be available. The event will be canceled if it rains. ARTISTS TO DISPLAY WORKS AT BRAND Art exhibits featuring the work of Carolyn Applegate and J.J. L'Heureux will begin with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Brand Art Galleries, 1601 W. Mountain St. Applegate's creation features chairs, wall plaques and large hangings from various colors of pantyhose, clipped and stuffed with filling and presented in hundreds of round balls.

Ben Godar The forecast for Brand Park on Saturday is calling for snow -- 50 tons of it. For the 25th year, the Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community Services Division will host its annual Winter Wonderland event. Four banks of man-made snow will give children a chance to do some sledding, with disks provided by organizers. There will also be two large play areas, one designated just for children 3 and younger. Various groups will also be hosting activities such as face painting, and the Jewel City Kiwanis will serve hot dogs and other refreshments.

BEST BET: An evening with Red Bone, pictured, will be from 8 to 9:30 tonight in the Wells Fargo Theatre at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. The group combines the sounds of Latin, hard rock and soul music. Tickets are $15. For more information, call (323) 667-2000, ext. 354. TODAY GLENDALE The Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce will take a "Chocolate Covered L.A." tour. The bus leaves at 8:45 a.m. from Whites Art Store, 2414 Honolulu Ave., Montrose.

Tim Willert NORTHWEST GLENDALE -- Glendale's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Division will host its annual Winter Wonderland event beginning at 10 a.m. Feb. 9 at Brand Park, 1601 W. Mountain St. Children of all ages are invited to frolic in 50 tons of man-made snow, which will transform the west side of the park into a winter carnival setting. Various snow-themed activities are planned. Display booths, other activities, entertainment and refreshments also will be available.

GAINS WINTER WONDERLAND That snow you in Brand Park on Saturday was no illusion, it was just fun. The city's annual Winter Wonderland brought 40 tons of the manufactured white stuff to the park to give kids a day of sledding and snow ball fights. Sure, the mountains with snow on them may be a half-hours drive away, but there's just something wildly fun about playing in it on a warm day in Glendale. Hundreds turn out for the event every year and with the good times they are having, we can look forward to next year's Winter Wonderland.

Alex Coolman NORTHEAST GLENDALE -- It's supposed to be in the '70s on Saturday, but that won't stop 40 tons of snow from falling in Brand Park. The snow, which will be made by humans from 100-pound blocks of ice, will hit the ground as part of Glendale's 23rd annual Winter Wonderland event. The free event transforms part of the park into a white-blanketed playground, complete with several snow slides and an area for more gentle forms of play.