CHRISTMAS COMPETITION BURBANK NEIGHBORS' FRIENDLY RIVALRY MAKES FOR A STUNNING DISPLAY.Byline: Addison Pate Staff Writer It's Christmastime again, and with it comes the joyous tradition of decorating the home. Stringing lights from gutter to gutter, placing either a Nativity or Santa scene in the yard or maybe hanging a wreath on the door. For most people, this season comes with a few simple, minor decorations that help lift spirits and share a little holiday cheer with the neighborhood. However, others throughout the area are compelled to turn their quiet little homes into beacons of Christmas joy visible from the sky. For two neighbors in Burbank such decorating has become an annual competition. ``I started doing this in 1970,'' says Dick Norton of Burbank, ``but I guess you could say it has some family history to it.'' Norton's love for decorating at Christmas started with his father. Every year, Norton and his family would pile into the car for a trip out into the desert in search of tumbleweeds. ``We would get a couple different sizes, spray paint them white and turn them into snowmen,'' says Norton. But it wasn't until 1988 that his traditions became stories of lore. It began when Keith LaPrath, a neighborhood child and friend of the Nortons, decided to decorate his house in a similar fashion. ``It's sort of a friendly competition,'' says Norton. LaPrath, a businessman from Burbank, laughs when thinking about where the decorations all started. LaPrath started the contest when he was 9 years old. It began with a few yard displays - a wooden Christmas tree Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. and a quaint snowman family. Today, LaPrath boasts about the 70 amps of electricity required to animate the different parts of the yard. ``He got me inspired,'' LaPrath says of Norton. ``We kind of play around with who can outdo the other each year.'' Together, the homes make North Florence Street in Burbank into a winter wonderland. The Norton home features an 8-foot moving Ferris wheel Ferris wheel, amusement park ride. It consists of a power-operated wheel that is about 50 ft (15 m) in diameter. It has two rims that are parallel to and equidistant from the shaft about which the wheel rotates. , a revolving merry-go-round with operating horses and a train with a working smokestack, moving wheels and sound effects sound effects Noun, pl sounds artificially produced to make a play, esp. a radio play, more realistic sound effects npl → efectos mpl sonoros . Those are just the three biggest items in the yard. Also featured are Snoopy Snoopy world’s most famous beagle. [Comics: “Peanuts” in Horn, 542] See : Dogs Snoopy imaginative dog. [Comics: “Peanuts” in Horn, 542–543] See : Illusion in his Red Baron Red Baron nickname given to Baron Richthofen. [Aviation: EB, VIII: 574] See : Aviation biplane biplane, aircraft, typically of early design, having two sets of wings fixed at different levels, especially in a vertical stack with the fuselage included between them. See airplane. , Mickey Mouse Mickey Mouse Famous character of Walt Disney's animated cartoons. He was introduced in Steamboat Willie (1928), the first animated cartoon with sound. Mickey was created by Disney, who also provided his high-pitched voice, and was usually drawn by the studio's head animator, waving from the train station, a lifelike reindeer and Santa-in-a-box popping out to say hello. LaPrath maintains strong competition with a fully functional train of his own as well as ice skaters, Santa's elves loading the sleigh sleigh: see sled. , carolers that sing and an animated snowman family that waves to the onlookers who drive by. Not to mention the many thousands of lights that adorn both homes. When asked what the other neighbors think about these two dueling neighbors, LaPrath responds, ``They love it.'' Norton quips, ``People say that they can find our houses by the glow in the sky.'' And when asked when this competition might end, neither seemed certain that it ever would. Says Norton, ``Keith's been the real inspiration for me to keep doing this. Just when I wonder if this might be the year to quit, he comes over, and I'm ready I'm Ready is the double platinum second release from R&B singer Tevin Campbell. I'm Ready yielded the biggest R&B hit of his career the #1 R&B smash "Can We Talk", and produce 3 more successful hits in "I'm Ready", "Always In My Heart" and "Don't Say Goodbye Girl". to do it again.'' Where the lights are anything but low BURBANK Nancy LaPrath, 529 N. Florence St. Polyester snow, toy train toy train n → tren m de juguete with sounds and lights, a nativity scene A nativity scene, also called a crib or crèche (meaning "crib" or "manger" in French) generally refers to any depiction of the birth or birthplace of Jesus. In Italy it is known as presepe , ice skaters, waving snowmen and more. Web site: www.wintersnowland.com Dick and Pam Norton, 513 N. Florence St. Moving Ferris wheel, flying swings, a train that smokes and whistles, featuring a delightful cast of characters. Web site: www.nortonswinterwonderland.com CANOGA PARK K.C. Kerr, 21202 Hart St. 50,000 lights, a giant nutcracker, carton characters galore, music played from the rooftop. ENCINO Newcastle Lane, 5437 Newcastle Ave. New display with more than 15,000 lights, lawn and window decorations, music and much more. GRANADA HILLS Don and Jan Cosby, 11321 Encino Ave. A Christmas display with lots of animals. Caroline East, 11150 Jellico Ave. A dazzling display of lights and figures that lines the street. Jim Howard, 11300 Lasaine Ave. Decorated in red lights, this humorous holiday house has Santa slipping off the roof and other hilarious displays. Sally Kolstad, 11300 Andasol Ave. A merry winter wonderland full of Christmas characters and beautiful lights. Connie and Bruce Walsh Bruce Walsh (born July 6, 1977) is contemporary American playwright and a prominent Philadelphia fringe artist. His works have received attention due to their unique brand of site-specific theater. , 17559 Lahey St. A patriotic flag covers the whole roof with lights on the cypress reaching nearly 40 feet high. Terry and Carol Winger, 17556 Ludlow St. Lights, lights and even more lights, totaling more than 125,000 from top to bottom. NORTH HILLS The Carlsons, 16451 Tupper St. White lights, lighted sleigh, reindeer, angel, Clauses kissing, gingerbread gingerbread In architecture and design, elaborately detailed embellishment, either lavish or superfluous. Though the term is occasionally applied to such highly detailed and decorative styles as the Rococo, it usually refers to the hand-carved and -sawn wood ornamentation of house and people, bows and trees. NORTH HOLLYWOOD The Loudermilks, 11646 Morrison St. Angels on the roof, a lake with ice skating ice skating, gliding along an ice surface on keellike runners known as ice skates. Skating as a Sport Skating, besides being an important form of winter recreation and the essential skill in the game of ice hockey (see hockey, ice) has developed , Mickey and Minnie, polar bears, penguins and more than 20,000 lights. Redston Apartments, 5754 Fair Ave. A spectacular display of Christmas lights covering courtyard, foliage, pool area and all 28 apartments. NORTHRIDGE Tim and Cindy Begley, 18530 Entrada Court ``Candy Cane Lane.'' Mike and Darlene Kline, 19100 Ludlow St. Lights all around the house, picket fence and driveway. Santa and sleigh, candy canes and more. RESEDA Michael and Kerry Alvord, 7426 Belmar Ave. Icicles, colored lights and snowflakes snowflakes small patches of gray or white hair acquired after birth. Skin color is unchanged. See also achromotrichia, vitiligo. hang from this wintry win·try also win·ter·y adj. win·tri·er also win·ter·i·er, win·tri·est also win·ter·i·est 1. Belonging to or characteristic of winter; cold. 2. home where candy canes, trees and reindeer are there to greet you. SAUGUS Kim Pape,22546 Lemon St. Ferris wheel, swing, teeter-totter and lots more. Kelly and Doreen Palmer, 28240 N. Kenton Lane 10,000 lights, handmade decorations and a picture-window Christmas scene. SHERMAN OAKS Tom Pardoe and Patrick Rush, 13601 Morrison St. Twelve-foot-tall gingerbread house, 20 lighted Christmas blow-mold sculptures and much more. SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. The Goelzes, 2965 Flanagan Drive Covered in lights from head to toe; just follow the glow when you enter the neighborhood. SUN VALLEY Larry and Sandra Reinink, 8350 Glenoaks Blvd. Nativity scene, Santa and sleigh, snowmen, reindeer, Christmas trees, icicles and an American flag. SYLMAR Cindy and Benny, 13941 Graber Ave. Gingerbread house. VALENCIA 27400 block of Weathersfield Drive, at Blueridge Drive Toy soldiers, teddy bears, Santa, snowmen, clowns, lighted candy cane, palm trees, lights and more can be seen throughout this holiday-decorated neighborhood. VAN NUYS Peggy Alpaugh, 15406 Lull St. Two-story house lit from top to bottom, eight reindeer on the lawn and Santa on the basketball rim making a slam-dunk. Betty Rand, 14312 Collins St. Front yard with lighted and moving Christmas figurines. Rachel and Angelo Hernandez, 15158 Sylvan sylvan emanating from or pertaining to woods. See also sylvatic. St. Christmas wonderland full of lights, red bows, snowmen, reindeer, carolers, penguins and Santa. 14900-15000 block of Hartland Street Hundreds of lights, motion figurines, candy canes, snowmen and other holiday treats. WEST HILLS The Connellys, 7930 Bobbyboyar Ave. Lots of lights, reindeer, sleighs, Santa and candy canes. Kevin and Norette Gilbert, 7728 Atron Ave. Candy cane-lined driveway, prancing reindeer, glistening glis·ten intr.v. glis·tened, glis·ten·ing, glis·tens To shine by reflection with a sparkling luster. See Synonyms at flash. n. A sparkling, lustrous shine. icicles and Santa's sleigh. William Shanahan, 7840 Ponce Ave. Moving, lighted reindeer and Santa Claus Santa Claus: see Nicholas, Saint. Santa Claus jolly, gift-giving figure who visits children on Christmas Eve. [Christian Tradition: NCE, 1937] See : Christmas Santa Claus . Mark Wine, 7362 Asman Ave. Christmas and Hanukkah light display, surfing Santa, tin soldiers, snowmen, menorahs and star of David. Gayla Parks, 23321 Schoolcraft St. Santa's mailbox and much more. WOODLAND HILLS Candy Cane Lane, between Oxnard and Martha streets, on the four blocks east of Winnetka Avenue and north of the Ventura Freeway The Ventura Freeway is a freeway in southern California running from Ventura to Pasadena. It is the principal east-west route through Ventura County and in the southern San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County. . CAPTION(S): 9 photos, box Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) ON THE COVER: The Granada Hills home of Terry and Carol Winger glows with more than 125,000 lights. (2 -- color) The Wingers have offered their RV to Santa and Mrs. Claus, below, who are comfortably ensconced en·sconce tr.v. en·sconced, en·sconc·ing, en·sconc·es 1. To settle (oneself) securely or comfortably: She ensconced herself in an armchair. 2. for the duration of the holiday season. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News (3 -- 4 -- color) Near right, a train with a working smokestack, turning wheels and sound effects welcomes Christmas at the Norton home in Burbank. Far right, the neighboring LaPrath family began decorating their home in 1988, leading to today's friendly competition on North Florence Street. David Sprague/Staff Photographer (5 -- 6 -- color) Above, the Hernandez home on Sylvan Street in Van Nuys features lighted carolers, Santa and snowmen. At right, Santa jams it home for two points at the Alpaugh residence in Van Nuys. Joel P. Lugavere/Special to the Daily News (7 -- 9 -- color) Clockwise from left, the Grinch drives a ski boat at the Kerr house in Canoga Park, all 28 apartments are decorated at a Fair Avenue complex in North Hollywood, and a festive atmosphere is in the air on Weathersfield Drive in Valencia. David Sprague/Staff Photographer Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer Box: Where the lights are anything but low (see text) |
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