UP IN LIGHTS BOULEVARD AGLOW IN HOLIDAY CHEER.

Byline: Nicholas Grudin Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Residents have nearly three weeks more to enjoy brilliantly lighted Brand Boulevard, where merchants have chipped in to pay for the holiday display that includes more than 250,000 lights.

More than 10 blocks of Brand between Colorado Avenue and Glenoaks Boulevard are decked in lights, with illuminated globes in the center median and a decorated tree at the intersection at Glenoaks.

``I love the lighting - it brings class to the area and gives it a bit of Christmas cheer,'' said Samuel Weinstein, owner of a used bookstore in the 300 block of North Brand Boulevard.

And despite slow holiday business, this year's lights are the best yet, Weinstein said.

Businesses along Brand united to pay for the $65,000 holiday makeover.

``It's very bright and cheery,'' said Jim Kurkowski of the Glendale Department of Parks and Recreation, who helped plan the long-standing project for the city.

``They used to call it the tunnel of lights - it's a really nice feature for one of the area's main shopping districts,'' Kurkowski said. ``My favorite part is the globes and the wrapped trees in the center median.''

In all, the display includes more than 250 trees covered in lights.

``Compared to Pasadena or Cerritos, Glendale's is the best I've seen - but I'm prejudiced in my judgment,'' Kurkowski said.

The Brand Boulevard lights display will be glowing from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Jan. 10.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Cars leave a blur of lights as they whiz past illuminated trees along Brand Boulevard in downtown Glendale.

(2) Holiday lights adorn a traffic island in the middle of Brand Boulevard, decked out in more than 250,000 lights.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer