IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS : FESTIVE HOMES ARE DECKED OUT FOR ANNUAL CHARITY HOME TOUR.Byline: Jenifer Hanrahan Daily News Staff Writer The jack-o'-lantern was still a pumpkin and the turkey was still alive when Carolou McCrite started decking her halls. McCrite, a Westlake Village homemaker, has a hankering for all things Christmas. On the tree in her family room hang more than 100 animated ornaments Ornaments are a frequent embellishment to music. Sometimes different symbols represent the same ornament, or vice versa. Different ornament names can refer to an ornament from a specific area or time period. , including a miniature Santa's answering machine (``Leave your name when you here the jingle bell'') and an old-time radio  This article or section may deal primarily with the U.S. and may not present a worldwide view. (``We interrupt this program for a news bulletin: Santa has just been spotted overhead.'') McCrite's grand piano is hooked up electronically to play Christmas carols A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics center on the theme of Christmas or that has become associated with the Christmas season even though its lyrics may not specifically refer to Christmas. Both types of Christmas carols are included in this list. . On the bench sits a life-size stuffed man wearing a tux and a Santa's cap. And everywhere you look, there are animated angels, stuffed elves, wreaths, snowmen, bows, garlands and glitter. ``My theory is: If it doesn't move, decorate it,'' McCrite said. ``I'm a rip-roaring red-and-green person. I've always liked the lighthearted light·heart·ed adj. Not being burdened by trouble, worry, or care; happy and carefree. See Synonyms at glad1. light side of Christmas.'' McCrite is one of four Westlake Village homeowners who will open their doors to visitors next weekend to benefit the Wellness Community, a nonprofit agency in 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. that provides support and counseling to adult cancer patients and their families. Last year's tour netted $33,000 for Valley-Ventura Wellness Community programs. Similar home tours are going on in other area communities, including in Pasadena (to benefit the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra) and in Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, (to benefit the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital). In Pasadena, florists are in charge of decorations. In Santa Clarita, professional decorators are doing the work. The difference in Westlake Village's fifth annual tour is that, for the most part, homeowners are left to their own designs. As Stacy Richardson gets her house ready for the 2,000-plus visitors expected to traipse through her living room, library, dining room and kitchen, she is juggling more than ornaments. A real estate saleswoman, Richardson started untangling Christmas lights before Halloween. ``I do it in the wee hours of the night,'' Richardson said. ``It's a little intense, but I love Christmas and I just really love to decorate. It's a passion of mine.'' Richardson will display her hand-painted, ceramic snow village collectibles, poinsettias and a giant tree adorned a·dorn tr.v. a·dorned, a·dorn·ing, a·dorns 1. To lend beauty to: "the pale mimosas that adorned the favorite promenade" Ronald Firbank. 2. with sentimental ornaments. ``Everything I have sparkles,'' she said. This year, Richardson is making sure to put candles inside hurricane lamps. Eight years ago, the family had a near-disaster during a Christmas party when silk flowers (Bot.) The silk tree A similar tree (Calliandra trinervia) of Peru. See also: Silk Silk at the base of a candlestick Candlestick A price chart that displays the high, low, open, and close for a security each day over a specified period of time. caught fire and did $6,000 worth of damage. ``We were blessed we didn't lose the house,'' she said. With Christmas carols on the stereo to get her motivated, Kaarin Risvold plans to spend several weeks working full time to get her home ready for the tour. Risvold is well-suited to the task: She's a retired home decorator. To complement her Victorian-themed house, Risvold started making porcelain dolls, cherubs and elves 16 years ago. To make the dolls, each limb requires a separate mold that is then fired in a kiln. Then she spends several days sanding, painting the faces, fastening together the body parts and finding the perfect outfits and wigs. ``I get very attached to every doll by the time I get done,'' Risvold said. Risvold has more than 30 dolls that she dresses for the holidays. In the guest bedroom, two dainty little girls with long eyelashes and party dresses stand next to bedposts that are strung with pearls, porcelain candy canes and garlands. One of her favorite creations - a replica of a 19th-century department store mannequin in an antique velvet coat and high-necked dress - is in the sitting room adjacent to the master bedroom suite that has a fireplace, a table set elegantly for two and a tree decorated with black and gold ribbons, gloves, hats and a gilded gild 1 tr.v. gild·ed or gilt , gild·ing, gilds 1. To cover with or as if with a thin layer of gold. 2. To give an often deceptively attractive or improved appearance to. 3. frame. The fourth home on the tour belongs to Marcia Clark Marcia Rachel Clark (born 31 August 1953) was a prosecutor for the State of California, County of Los Angeles in the O.J. Simpson murder case along with Christopher Darden. , director of the Columbia Cancer Center at Los Robles Robles is a common surname in the Spanish language meaning oaks, and may refer to:
Game for two or four players with ball and racket on a four-walled court. Rackets is played with a hard ball in a relatively large court (approximately 9 × 18 m), unlike the related games of squash and racquetball. on the fence around the tennis court in her back yard. That's because Clark moved into her 5,300-square-foot custom-made house in July and is still trying to get her belongings unpacked. ``I'm a little nervous,'' Clark said. ``But I figured it would be a good opportunity for me to help the Wellness Community.'' THE FACTS What: Holiday Look in Home Tour (in Pasadena and San Marino San Marino, city, United States San Marino (săn mərē`nō), residential city (1990 pop. 12,959), Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1913. Of interest is the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. ). When: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8. How much: Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Call the Pasadena Symphony Office at (818) 793-7172 or go to the corner of San Marino Avenue and Orlando Road the day of the tour. Highlights: Four custom-made mansions in different architectural styles - Italian Revival, Cape Cod Cape Cod, narrow peninsula of glacial origin, 399 sq mi (1,033 sq km), SE Mass., extending 65 mi (105 km) E and N into the Atlantic Ocean. It is generally flat, with sand dunes, low hills, and numerous lakes. , Victorian and Monterey - decorated by florists. After the tour, pastries, coffee and tea will be served at the holiday boutique in the University Club in Pasadena. What: Fifth annual Holiday Homes Tour (in Westlake Village). When: Noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8. How much: Tickets are $12 in advance. Tickets can be purchased the day of the tour at any of the houses. Call (805) 531-5155 for more information. Highlights: Four homes in the North Ranch and Three Springs area, each decorated by homeowners. Refreshments will be offered in the back yard of one of the homes. What: Deck the Halls, 16th annual Home Tour for the Holidays (in Santa Clarita and Newhall). When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7. How much: Tickets are $12.50 in advance, $15 at the door. Call (805) 253-8082 to purchase tickets in advance. On the day of the event, go to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 23255 W. Lyons Ave., Santa Clarita. Highlights: Professional decorators aTnd a holiday boutique from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. A preview party featuring a progressive dinner and live entertainment will be held the night before. Cost is $100 per person. CAPTION(S): 7 Photos Photo: (1--Cover--Color) HOMES for the HOLIDAYS Photo: (1--Cover--Color) Carolou McCrite gets her tree ready for the home tour benefiting the Valley-Ventura Wellness Community. (2--Color) Marcia Clark and daughter Michelle, 7, set up 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 in their Westlake Village home for a tour benefiting the Wellness Community, a nonprofit cancer support agency. (3--Color) 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 and friends greet visitors to Carolou McCrite's home. ``I'm a rip-roaring red-and-green person. I've always liked the lighthearted side of Christmas,'' says the homemaker. (4--Color) A retired professional decorator, Kaarin Risvold draws on her skills to spruce up spruce up Verb [sprucing, spruced] to make neat and smart Verb 1. spruce up - make neat, smart, or trim; "Spruce up your house for Spring"; "titivate the child" her home with a variety of homemade dolls and decorations. (5--Color) A Christmas-party house fire eight years ago hasn't stopped Stacy Richardson from getting into the spirit. (6--Color) The centerpiece in the Richardson home is a hand-painted ceramic snow village. ``Everything I have sparkles,'' says Richardson, a real estate saleswoman. (7) Each kiln-fired limb on Kaarin Risvold's homemade dolls is made with a separate mold. She then sands, paints and assembles the parts. Terri Thuente/Daily News |
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