Cats of All Stripes Will Compete in Glendale

Cat show organizers never reveal the exact number of cats, or how many Red Abyssinians and such, they expect to compete in their shows. It’s a matter of not letting anyone know who the competition is, says Phil Morini, one of the organizers of Sunday’s “Cats Around the World” show at the Glendale Armory.

It’s safe to expect hundreds of cats: Persians, Siamese, Russian Blues, tail-less Manx, Abyssinians as well as rarer breeds, such as Maine Coons and Scottish Folds. (This last breed has ears that fold downward. “Imagine a pumpkin on wheels,” Morini says).

Competition takes place in six rings with competitors being judged six times. Visitors can see how a cat can score differently at each ring. They all begin with 100 points and then are “faulted.”

Personality Counts

In addition to the breeds, there is a household pet category, where judging is done on personality and cleanliness, and prizes are given for the biggest, tallest and fattest cats.

Cats and their owners will be arranged in long rows of exhibit cages. There are prizes for best decorated cages, and these miniature rooms often upstage their prize occupants.

Cats and kittens will be available for sale and adoption. The show-quality cats range from $150 to more than $1,000. Pure-breds that are not show quality (called “pet stock”) run about $100, and household cats are usually there for the asking.

The armory is at 220 E. Colorado Blvd., Glendale. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children 12 and younger and seniors. Information: (818) 763-0003.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Shogun Santa is coming to town--A clever mix of Kris Kringle and a Samurai warrior, Shogun Santa has become a Little Tokyo tradition. He’ll sit in his tiny teahouse at Japanese Village Plaza, looking a bit fiercer than Santa usually does. Kids can sit on Shogun Santa’s lap, tell him their wishes and walk away with free candy treats. His assistant is nearby to take instant pictures (or you may snap your own) of this cross-cultural event.

Shogun Santa will arrive for the season Sunday with a parade through Little Tokyo. A thousand school children, dressed in ethnic and holiday costumes, will join the parade, which begins at 1 p.m. at 3rd Street and Central Avenue, goes north to 1st Street, west on 1st, and south on San Pedro to the Japanese American Cultural and Community center where Santa will release balloons into the sky.

Parade marshals are Alvin and the Chipmunks. After the balloons, Santa will make his way to his teahouse to receive little visitors. Information: (213) 620-8861.

Filipino Christmas Crafts--This month’s Free-Day-Fun-Day at the Pacific Asia Museum features a workshop in the traditional Filipino art of lantern making. In the Philippines, lanterns made from bamboo and colored paper are popular Christmas decorations, hung in windows of homes and shops. The lantern-making workshop begins at 1:30 p.m. Also on the program is the Samahang Pilipino Dance Group from UCLA. The museum is at 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Information: (818) 449-2742.

THEATER

Grease--The childrens’ workshop at Paradise Dance and Aerobics Studio will put on a special, slightly shortened version of the musical “Grease” this weekend. The children, ages 7 to 13, have been working for eight weeks and now, wearing poodle skirts and saddle shoes, are ready to show what they’ve learned. Performances are at 8 tonight, and at 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday. The studio is at 16571 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Donations are $2; no reservations are necessary.

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