WORLDLY NATIVITY HELPS THE HOMELESS YEARLY DISPLAY HAS RAISED IN EXCESS OF $130,000.Byline: ERIC LEACH Staff Writer 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. -- An elaborate Ventura County display of Nativity scenes from around the world has attracted thousands of visitors for more than a decade and raised more than $130,000 to care for homeless people in the area. Karen Phipps, one of the organizers, said there will be hundreds of sets on display at the 14th annual exhibit this year, but she couldn't say exactly how many because potential exhibitors are still applying. ``It's amazing to see the types of materials people have used,'' she said. `` ... Some are exquisite.'' Some of the scenes depicting the birth of Jesus are made of porcelain and china, cut crystal, carved olive wood and clay. One is even made from office supplies Office supplies is the generic term that refers to all supplies regularly used in offices by businesses and other organizations, from private citizens to governments, who works with the collection, refinement, and output of information (colloquially referred to as "paper work"). , including light bulbs and phone cords. The display has a particular emotional significance to Nora Howells, whose late husband, Huw, came up with the idea of calling it No Room at the Inn because Jesus was homeless at his birth. Huw Howells and another collector, Judy Crenshaw cren·shaw also cran·shaw n. A variety of winter melon (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) having a greenish-yellow rind and sweet, usually salmon-pink flesh. [Origin unknown.] , conceived the idea 17 years ago of displaying their nativity scenes for charity and using the money from visitors to help the homeless. But before he could set up the display, Huw died of cancer in 1993. So his wife and Crenshaw created the first No Room at the Inn exhibit that December as a memorial to him. ``It is extremely meaningful to me to see how his idea has grown to fruition,'' Howells said. ``... I know he is watching over us, kind of our angel in heaven.'' Since 1993, the donations have gone to various programs for the homeless, including the 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. winter homeless shelter Homeless shelters are temporary residences for homeless people. Usually located in urban neighborhoods, they are similar to emergency shelters. The primary difference is that homeless shelters are usually open to anyone, without regard to the reason for need. program, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales , the Salvation Army Salvation Army, Protestant denomination and international nonsectarian Christian organization for evangelical and philanthropic work. Organization and Beliefs The Salvation Army has established branches in 100 countries throughout the world. , St. Vincent de Paul Vin·cent de Paul , Saint 1581-1660. French ecclesiastic who founded the Congregation of the Mission (1625) and the Daughters of Charity (1633). Society, Many Mansions and the Simi Valley Samaritan Center. ``People come year after year after year,'' Howells said. ``It provides a quiet time for just reflecting on the creativity and meaning of all the Nativity scenes. Some people say Christmas hasn't started until they come here.'' Crenshaw said something about the Nativity scene exhibit sparks a mood of sharing stories among the family members, friends and even strangers who visit. ``It reminds people of when they were children or when they were walking on the beach,'' she said. ``The setting is peaceful, and the people there know they are giving to help someone else. It brings out a whole sense of giving and sharing with others.'' eric.leach@dailynews.com (805) 583-7602 If you go The No Room at the Inn Nativity-scenes exhibition will be Friday-Dec.3 at St. Paschal Baylon Saint Paschal Baylon (or Pascal Baylon) (24 May 1540–17 May 1592) was a Spanish friar and is a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. He was born at Torre-Hermosa, in the Kingdom of Aragon, on 24 May, 1540, on the Feast of Pentecost, called in Spain "the Pasch of Catholic Church, 155 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. For more information, go to www.noroom.org. CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1 -- color) From left, Nora Howells, Judy Crenshaw, Bob Phipps and Karen Phipps display Nativity scenes that will be in the No Room at the Inn exhibit Friday-Dec.3 in Thousand Oaks. It has raised more than $130,000 for area homeless during the past decade. (2 -- color) The elaborate Nativity scenes come from around the world. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer Box: If you go (see text) |
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