Decking the homes
Robert Blechl
BURBANK -- These folks weren’t out there arranging decorations and
stringing extravagant lights around their homes just to please St. Nick.
Although decoration for decoration’s sake was a part of the motivation
for their labor, these diligent Burbank denizens were part of something
larger.
They were entered in the 17th annual Burbank Civic Pride Committee’s
outdoor holiday decorating contest. The 10-member committee judged 53
Christmas-decorated homes Thursday evening.
Ten winners were selected. The victors will receive certificates of
excellence at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
The entrants were judged on a scale of one to 10 in three categories:
commercial, residential and youth, the latter for decorators 16 and
younger. Recognition goes to a sweepstakes winner and several other award
winners in each category, though there was no overall winner in the
commercial category this year.
Committee member Ellie Myer and her nine peers borrowed a 10-seat van
from the Burbank Fire Department and took to the streets about 5:30 p.m.
Thursday.
“We rate the homes for originality and how much work people put into
them,” said Myer. “This is their gift to the community and the judging
gives something back to them. The community really appreciates
everybody’s contribution to the Christmas season.”
Myer said there is no discussion between committee members during the
judging.
“We all take our clipboards, flashlight and sheet,” she said. “No one
knows what the other person is giving until we tally them up.”
Myer said contestants entered by filling out and returning an entry
form in November’s utility bill.
This year marked the first time that Marilyn Condit signed up for the
contest. Condit, who lives on Chandler Boulevard, said she wanted to
contribute to the seasonal community spirit and heighten the enjoyment of
the holiday for children in her neighborhood.
“We always decorate for all the holidays, but never entered anything
before,” Condit said. “It’s just for fun, for the spirit of Christmas.”
With the help of her 11-year-old daughter, Danielle, Condit added
poinsettias and icicles to her home this year and placed a large, lighted
candy cane by her front door. The pinnacle of her seasonal display is the
illuminated outline of Santa Claus and a reindeer in a landing pose on
her roof.
Although a top-12 spot would have been nice, Condit said the important
thing about the contest is its potential to bring together the
neighborhood.
“It lets everyone know you’re a family in the community,” Condit said.
“And a lot of kids will stop by and look. They like seeing Santa on the
roof. It gets them excited.”
BEST OF THE BEST
THE TEN WINNERS OF THE BURBANK CIVIC PRIDE COMMITTEE HOLIDAY HOME
DECORATING CONTEST
Residential Sweepstakes Winner
* 2931 Olney Place
Award Winners
* 3500 Viewcrest Drive
* 336 E. Tujunga Ave.
* 1142 N. Catalina St.
* 707 Andover Drive
* 721 E. Grinnel Drive
* 430 N. Bel Aire Drive
* 2029 N. Hollywood Way
* 1415 Morningside Drive
Youth Sweepstakes Winner
* 824 Bethany Road
Youth Award Winners
1231 N. Fairview Ave.
855 Stephen Road