Holiday Events

Christmas Tree Lane, Altadena’s Historic Avenue Lighted for the Season

Altadena’s historic Christmas Tree Lane opens for drive-thoughs of Santa Rosa Ave. after dark. The deodars will remain lit through Jan. 6, 2010.
The deodars, planted in 1883, provided a picturesque entrance to the John P. Woodbury Ranch where Woodbury planned a large estate. The estate never materialized but the owner of Pasadena department store, F. C. Nash, envisioned a holiday treat with all of the trees aglow during December. In 1920, Nash sold his idea to the Pasadena Kiwanis Club. With the assistance of the City of Pasadena, lights were installed on some of the trees. Finally, all 150 trees lining the street were decorated.
Although it may have had the name “Lane of Deodars” and later, “Christmas Tree Street”, postcards from the era called it “Christmas Tree Lane” and that name has been used since the late 1930’s.
Christmas Tree Lane is located in Altadena on Santa Rosa Ave. between Woodbury Ave. and Altadena Drive.

Pet Night with Santa Claus: Claws Meet Claus Dec. 17

One Colorado invites pet owners to bring their pets to the One Colorado Courtyard on Thursday, Dec. 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to pose—and to benefit the Charles Cherniss Tournament of Toys—with Santa Claus for a picture you can add to your holiday pictures. A photo with Santa, you and your pet is $20 for five photos on a CD disc. Taken with your own camera, the charge is $10 for three photos. Extra discs are $5 each.
This somewhat quirky event has drawn hundreds of dogs, cats and exotic pets every year. It will benefit the Charles Cherniss Tournament of Toys. Cherniss, a onetime editor at the Pasadena Star-News, who started the toy drive 30 years ago to distribute gifts to underprivileged children throughout the San Gabriel Valley. New, unwrapped toys or books are being accepted this year in special locations throughout Old Pasadena.
The event is now a project of the Pasadena Jaycees, One Colorado and Old Pasadena Management in addition to the Star-News.

Old Town Monrovia Continues its Holiday Celebration

Friday, Dec. 18: Family Festival with Old Town all aglow and live music at Dollmakers’ Kattywompus store, 412 S. Myrtle Ave.
Saturday, Dec. 19: Santa Breakfast at Peach Café at 9:45 a.m.; Rudy’s Mexican Food at 11:30 a.m. Peach Café, 141 E. Colorado Blvd; Rudy’s Mexican Food, 602 S. Myrtle Ave.
Other activities on Dec. 19:
-Free bow making class at 1:00 p.m., Monrovia Floral, 119 E. Olive Ave.
-Meet Santa! at 2:00 p.m., Little Sunshine.
-Santa Brunch at 12:30 p.m., Peach Café, 141 E. Colorado Blvd.
-Toys for Tots: Each day through December donated toys will be accepted at Twinkle Twinkle, 519 S. Myrtle Ave. and Pacific Transportation, 505 S. Myrtle Ave., Suite A.

By Bill Peters

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