HOMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS CHARITY FUNDRAISER SHOWS OFF RESIDENTS' YULETIDE DECOR.Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer WESTLAKE VILLAGE - As a little boy, growing up in a cold-water flat Noun 1. cold-water flat - an apartment without modern conveniences apartment, flat - a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house in New Jersey, Gregg Reulbach remembers waking up on Christmas morning to the sound of toy trains racing around a track. His father and uncle stayed up on Christmas Eve assembling the layout, which included O-scale trains from as far back as 1918. ``I would wake up to that sound on Christmas '' said Reulbach, 58, of Westlake Village as five train sets raced around the 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. on an elaborate track. ``I knew right away it was Christmas. And you'd run downstairs and you'd always get a new (train) car.'' On Saturday, Reulbach shared his boyhood Christmas morning experience with thousands of other San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. residents as part of The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura's 14th Annual Holiday Homes Tour, a self-guided tour A self-guided tour is where one navigates a route themselves as opposed to an escorted tours where a tour guide person directs the route, times, information, and places toured. Many self-guided tours come with suggestions, maps, instructions, directions, and items to see or do. of four festively decorated homes in Agoura Hills and Westlake Village. The tour will continue today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The tour is the main fundraiser for The Wellness Community, which provides free education and support for people with cancer and their families, including professionally led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and mind/body classes. About 4,000 people are expected to tour the homes this weekend, said Robin Campbell, chairman of the board. The group hopes to raise $100,000. Wearing protective booties over their feet, people streamed through the four houses, admiring the decorations and swapping personal holiday memories with family and friends. Many said the tour has become an annual family event, getting them in the holiday spirit. ``It gives you that warm feeling of childhood,'' said Lynn Shuttleworth, 60, of Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. . ``Things are so rushed and artificial now. When we decorate for the holidays, it makes people relax.'' Seeing the gorgeously decorated homes, however, ``makes you want to go home, rip (your decorations) out, and start all over,'' added her friend Sharyn Neel, 57, of Moorpark. Rocky Mills, 53, a financial risk manager who lives in Westlake Village, was a little mystified mys·ti·fy tr.v. mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing, mys·ti·fies 1. To confuse or puzzle mentally. See Synonyms at puzzle. 2. To make obscure or mysterious. when The Wellness Community approached his wife, Linda, about hosting one leg of the tour. His claim to fame, he said, isn't so much Christmas as the fact that he's ``a Beatles nut.'' So the Mills home, in addition to musical and holiday decor, has become ``The Magical Mystery Tour,'' with John Lennon Noun 1. John Lennon - English rock star and guitarist and songwriter who with Paul McCartney wrote most of the music for the Beatles (1940-1980) Lennon manuscripts, Paul McCartney Noun 1. Paul McCartney - English rock star and bass guitarist and songwriter who with John Lennon wrote most of the music for the Beatles (born in 1942) McCartney, Sir James Paul McCartney concert paraphernalia and photographs, gold and platinum records and Beatles collectibles. The Fab Four, a Beatles tribute band, is scheduled to perform at the house from 1 to 4 p.m. today. The O'Brien family of Westlake Village is throwing ``A Party Christmas'' at their home, with five Christmas trees and decor that combines wrought iron wrought iron: see iron. wrought iron One of the two forms in which iron is obtained by smelting. Wrought iron is a soft, easily worked, fibrous metal. It usually contains less than 0.1% carbon and 1–2% slag. , limestone, textured paints, stained glass stained glass, in general, windows made of colored glass. To a large extent, the name is a misnomer, for staining is only one of the methods of coloring employed, and the best medieval glass made little use of it. and unique fabric. The Wanks of Agoura Hills turned their home into an elaborate Winter Wonderland with the help of Dr. Christmas, holiday decor artist to the stars. The decor combines Christmas and Hanukkah themes, with oversize o·ver·size n. 1. A size that is larger than usual. 2. An oversize article or object. adj. o·ver·size also o·ver·sized Larger in size than usual or necessary. Adj. 1. dreidels throughout the house and a sparkling blanket of ``snow'' outside, with animated gold reindeer. The tour also includes a holiday boutique at Willow Elementary School elementary school: see school. at 29026 Laro Drive in Agoura Hills. Ray Holm, 73, of Thousand Oaks, who went on the tour with his wife, Roxie, 70, and friends John and Betty Block, said they enjoy seeing the difference among the houses. Roxie Holm also picks up holiday decorating ideas. ``I even picked up an idea,'' Ray Holm said, smiling. ``Clean out my garage!'' Lisa M. Sodders, (818) 713-3663 lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com IF YOU GO The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura's 14th Annual Holiday Homes Tour is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. Ticket prices are $30 and can be purchased at the door, or by calling (805) 379-0030 or visiting the Web site, www.twcvv.org. CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1) Visitors check out one of the houses in the The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura's 14th Annual Holiday Homes Tour. (2) A photo of John Lennon used as a tree ornament is among the Christmas decorations at the Beatles-theme home. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer Box: IF YOU GO (see text) |
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