From Mayor Andy Weissman and his stylish fedora with the turned-up brim to the youngest infant with the turned-up nose, hundreds of Culver City families streamed into chilly Town Plaza last evening to wish each other Merry Holi-mas.
School children danced about, singing recently composed traditional Holi-mas songs while anticipating the arrival of jolly young (the old guy died) Holi-claus, decked out in the traditional dreary color scheme of Holi-mas, black and deep purple.
While anxiously awaiting the ceremonial lighting of the 22-foot Holi-mas tree, parents breathlessly chatted about the unmatchable joys of their three-, and in some cases even four-year-old tradition of observing Holi-mas Eve.
They attend a Holi-church with its not-too-religious services and then, in the grand tradition of nearly an hour of Holi-mases past, they excitedly open their Holi-mas presents, wrapped handsomely in black and purple plastic bags, the only day of the year when plastic bags are allowed since over Christmas joy was banned a few years ago…
Meanwhile, in Real Life
Even though City Hall and the Downtown Business Assn. insisted on being stiffly correct, politically, not invoking any imagery remotely traditional, serious or religious, that big green fir thing sticking up in Town Plaza sure looked like a Christmas tree – he whispered, inaudibly.
However, the mavens of City Hall and the DBA were not in a compromising mood.
Boldly, they asked confused celebrants whether they were going to believe their lying eyes or the reportedly honest co-sponsors of what they sheepishly branded “the Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting.”
Neither the name of God nor any other perceived higher power was allowed to be publicly invoked last evening for fear of offending the squishy sensibilities of some random religious extremist.
As for Regular People…
Here is how Culver City community leaders celebrate Holi-mas, rather Christmas:
Supt. Dave and Mindi LaRose, who arrived four months ago from Washington state:
“Christmas means everything to us,” Mrs. LaRose said. “It means family (their two daughters) coming home, and my Dad is coming from the Seattle area to visit. We are going to have a fantastic time.”
“The first LaRose California family Christmas,” Mr. LaRose said, and his wife added that “we are excited to try out the (ice skating) rink” that has been carved out in Parcel B, across from the Culver Hotel.
Community Development Dept. officer Todd Tipton, with three-year-old Tessa Sophia in his arms:
“Our main celebration is on Christmas Day, and this year we started a new family tradition, cutting our own tree. We went up north, up Route 126, out of Fillmore, where there is a nice little farm where we found what we were looking for.”
Police Chief Don Pedersen: “Christmas for me is a really great time of year. Get to spend time with family (wife and two daughters). Immediately following Thanksgiving, that is great. I have a sister we spend time with and a couple of nieces.
“I am more of a Christmas Eve kind of a guy, although I enjoy both. We typically open presents on Christmas Eve, and also have a nice meal.”
Public Works Director Charles Herbertson: “It’s a wonderful holiday for families to get together, to watch football games on the weekend.
“I go to church on Christmas Day and usually have a meal with the family. Most of my family is on the East Coast.
“Thanksgiving actually is my favorite holiday. Less hassle, and it doesn’t have all the shopping and the expectations that you have to get everybody a gift.
“I don’t know if that is going to make me look like a Scrooge. Honestly, I don’t like the way Christmas has been overcommercialized.
“This has bothered me since I was a teenager. Primarily, this is a religious holiday. There is too much emphasis on material things rather than spiritual things.”
Police Lt. Ron Iizuka: “It’s a time to celebrate your family (wife and two daughters – which seems to be a recurring theme) and thank the Lord for what we have.
“I used to work a lot of Christmases. But I haven’t in awhile. Part of what our job requires is that we work on holidays, and I have done my share.
“Christmas is a time to be thankful. One of my daughters lives in Hawaii, and we will see her after Christmas. Here, I have a brother and sister, and my parents both are still alive.”
