Christmas not only was in the air but on the ground in Town Plaza last Thursday night when hundreds of children and adults swarmed as closely as they could to the handsome, robust Christmas Tree at the center of Downtown, adjacent to the Culver Hotel and the Pacific Theatres.
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Mayor Chris Armenta and City Councilman Scott Malsin
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Photographer reported the gentleman declined to identify himself
Several prominent guests talked about Christmases they remember, leading off with City Manager John Nachbar, a little less than four months on the job in City Hall.
What was Christmas like in his Kansas City childhood?
“Of course I have very positive memories,” he said. “I come from a very large family, and all of them still are in the Kansas City area except for me. I am the oldest of six children. My wife and I are going to spend this Christmas in Culver City, hopefully enjoying weather like this.
“My favorite Christmas memory? Just the excitement you have as a child. All he festivities make the day about as exciting as it can get for a child.”
Does Christmas mean as much to Mr. Nachbar today as I formerly did?
“Yes, if I am around small children,” he said.
The Nachbars’ two grown sons, who live out-of-state, will be visiting their parents next month.
Police Chief Don Pedersen, the younger of two children, was standing off to the side, near the Culver Hotel.
“I came from a medium-sized family. Lots of good memories, lots of family fun.”
The father of two teenagers, Mr. Pedersen, a South Bay native, described a contemporary Christmas Day:
“It begins with opening presents,” he said. “Usually we will have brunch, some relaxation time, and then comes dinner. As for seeing other family members, depends on the year and whose turn it is to host or to visit.
“Unfortunately, my family is smaller than it once was, and we have limited times to share.”
From the entire crowd, the hands-down winner for sheer enthusiasm was Fire Chief Chris Sellers, in his first year.
“Christmas was the best time of the year,” he said energetically. “I loved it. I almost want to cry. I miss it.”
He smiles so frequently and with such ease, tears would have a tough time busting through.
Mr. Sellers says his birth date places him in the middle of a “big family with a bunch of dogs. It was always exciting, every year.”
The Fire Chief grew up in the San Fernando Valley.
“Holidays always were big in our family,” he said. “Lots of visiting, I remember. It was convenient because most of my relatives lived in the Valley.”
The chief said that while he recreates the joy of childhood Christmases with his wife and their two children (17 and 15), with one caveat:
“After you grow up, I don’t think you ever have that same feeling that you had as a child. I enjoyed watching the excitement on my kids’ faces when they were little. It reminded me of when we were kids.
“When I come out here on an evening like this, I really love to see the little kids having such a good time, the excitement in their eyes when they see Santa. That is what the holidays really are about, about kids and sharing and giving.”
Over the last 30 years, as a firefighter, Mr. Sellers has spent many Christmases working.
“My brother works for the Highway Patrol. He, too, often works the holidays, either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day almost every year. So we always would celebrate Christmas in January, on a weekend when both of us were off.
“I have actually enjoyed working the holidays. When you go to someone’s house on Christmas Day, in their moment of need, the public appreciates the work we do. Helping people is what we do. For that reason, I never minded working the holidays.”
