EYE CANDY NEIGHBORS REVEL IN CHRISTMAS LANE.

Byline: Dominic Berbeo Staff Writer

WOODLAND HILLS - One of the brightest and longest-running Christmas traditions in Los Angeles got under way this weekend as residents of the ``Candy Cane Lane'' neighborhood began creating a winter wonderland of decorations expected to draw thousands of spectators this season.

``This is Christmas spirit,'' said Charlene Skolion, who worked with her husband Roy Skolion all weekend decorating their house on Oakdale Avenue with lights, an illuminated Santa Claus figure and a six-foot wooden jack-in-the-box. ``It just gets better every year.''

The neighborhood, including Labao, Jumilla, Oakdale and Penfield avenues between Oxnard and Martha streets, will be completely lighted up beginning next weekend through Jan. 2.

Keeping alive a tradition that goes back to 1952, virtually every resident in the area decorates their homes with an elaborate plethora of Christmas figures and lights.

``When we moved here back in 1985, we had no idea how important the tradition was,'' said Charlene Skolion. ``But after a few days, a neighbor approached us and let us know we should be prepared to do some serious Christmas decorating.''

She said the practice is so prevalent that some residents who move out of the area even leave decorations for newcomers.

``Our giant jack-in-the-box that we repaint and touch up every year was left to us by some neighbors that moved out,'' she said. ``It gives you a good feeling to know everyone in the community is working together.''

Once December rolls around and thousands of motorists cruise the neighborhood to see the lights, additional activities will bring the neighborhood to life.

Brass bands playing Christmas carols, Santa Claus, busloads of church choirs, and lots of children fill the streets every year, Skolion said.

``One year, I got so inspired I took out my saxophone and played some solo carols out on the front lawn,'' Roy Skolion said. ``The grandkids loved it.''

The crowds are sometimes so overwhelming, he said, that it is advisable to carpool or park a few blocks away and do a walking tour.

By freeway, the neighborhood is accessible by taking the Winnetka Avenueexit off the 101 and heading north, then taking a right at Oxnard Street.

Residents ask that spectators visit before 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Arias Severiano, left, and Jose Jasso carry a Candy Cane Lane sign into a Woodland Hills yard Saturday as the neighborhood donned its Christmas look.

(2) Alberta Mosier paints angels to be placed on her lawn outside her Jumilla Avenue home on Saturday, part of annual preparations by residents of ``Candy Cane Lane.'' She has been decorating her Woodland Hills home for Christmas for the past 40 years.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer