Casa del Pomba
House of the Dove
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Casa del Pomba House of the Dove |
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Click here to see Deacon Dave Rezendes in the getting into the Spirit of Christmas December 4th, 2009
27th Grand Opening Last Night a Success: Last night at 6:30 p.m. the folks gathered in front of the darkened property of the House of the Dove waiting for the Christmas Procession to march down Hillcrest Ave. Security Eye Patrol, Inc. provided the Security Staff to close off the side streets until the procession passed. They did an outstanding job. Deacon Dave receives a permit from the City of Livermore to close the street each year for the opening Ceremonies. Mayor Marshall Kamena addressed the crowd from the stage. Deacon Dave reading from the Bible (Book of Genesis) to the verse “Let there be Light” set the instant turning of 325,350 Christmas Lights. Deacon Dave Presents Awards: The 2009 Gold Star Award was presented to Holly Loberg. This award is given to the person who is a current member of the Christmas Team and who demonstrates outstanding performance in helping build the Christmas Display. This person contributes time, talent, long hours and maintains the ability to rally the crew with the Spirit of Christmas. The Founders Award is presented to the person who early in the Christmas Display years contributed their God given gifts and talents in helping Deacon Dave build the Display. This year the award was presented to John Bliss. Accepting the award for John who was out of town was Jeanie Haigh. The 2009 Dove Award is presented to the person who is a current member of the Christmas Crew and has demonstrated outstanding Technical, Mechanical and Carpentry Skills in building the Christmas Display. This person fosters team spirit in accomplishing the project. Deacon presented the award to Russ Duguid. Christmas Lights Dedicated as prayer for Safety of U.S. Military Men and Women: The Deacon announced that each of the 325,350 Christmas lights were dedicated as a prayer for the safety of our military men and women. Theme for 2009 Christmas Display: Deacon Dave spoke about what Christmas means to each of us. The reason for the season being the celebration of the birth of Christ, families gathered together, shopping, gift wrapping, wide eyed children going thru the Toy Store, dreams of the North Pole, a child’s visit to Santa, giving gifts, helping the less fortunate, Peace, Joy, Love and Hope. So many images of Christmas come to mind. Then the Deacon announced the 2009 theme “Christmas Is….” Upon walking thru the Display you will view a variety of images of Christmas. A room with family gathered together around the Christmas Tree. Grandma baking, Dad reading in a rocker and children watching T.V. (there is an actual movie playing on the TV) Another room is a Toy Store. Dad with stacked boxed gifts, mom shopping, children waiting in line to see Santa. The Reason for the Season, the Nativity is set off by itself. The now famous live white doves in the hay loft. As one walks over the bridge, to the left is an Ice Skating pond with skates moving in a circle around a Christmas Tree. On the opposite side is a room with an artist sketching what he thinks “Christmas Is.”
November 29th 2009 High Winds usher in last week of preparation: Saturday November 28th found the Christmas Team working hard despite the extremely powerful winds. The Christmas Light Crew spent prime time replacing the strands of lights back into the trees. One large display of lights toppled over in the wind. In this last week before the Grand Opening, Deacon Dave’s Christmas Team will be working every night. Opening Night: Friday night, December 4th at 6:30 p.m. the Christmas Procession will travel down Hillcrest Ave. to the House of the Dove for the Opening Ceremonies. This will be the 27th year of Deacon Dave’s Christmas Display. Livermore High Coral Group will once again lead the procession. Folks will gather in front of Deacon Dave’s Home in the Street. The property will be darkened until the “Official Let There Be Light” is proclaimed by the Deacon. It is expected that over 300,000 Christmas lights will be turned on. Last year the light count was 301,000. The deacon purchased more lights this year. Although the inside of Deacon’s Home is closed to the public, some of the 42 Christmas Trees in the home can be seen from outside. Construction on the Christmas Display begins September 1st and until the opening night. Team meetings take place during the summer. The Theme is always a secret until the opening night. Deacon Dave’s Christmas Trees: The tallest Christmas Tree in the Deacon’s Home is the Grand Library Christmas Tree. It stands at 22.5 feet tall and supports 1000 ornaments. There are several trees in each and every room of the home including the closet. Some are theme trees, some are Deacon Dave design trees (designed by the deacon himself) and others are specific such as the antique bubble light tree. Deacon Dave has stated that his all-time favorite design tree is the Christmas tree displayed in the front window. Visitors passing the window will enjoy this elegant tree. The Deacon usually does not have a favorite tree nor does he ever say if he does. Security Cameras: Casa del Pomba has year around security camera coverage with battery back-up in the event of power outage or disaster. If visitors do not wish to be on camera we suggest to stay away from the display. Security Cameras are throughout the gardens and home. The Security Cameras constantly record and transmit. Many of the cameras are not noticeable where other are more visible. It was recently stated that the general public is being recorded daily by merchants, City Street Corners, Airports, Bart, Schools, Courts, Shopping Malls, Parking lots and much more. The Casa del Pomba Security Cameras are for Security purposes only. Christmas Team Members: Deacon Dave wishes to thank the Christmas Team Members of 2009 for all their hard work, dedication and Christmas Spirit. The 20 member team consists of members of all faiths ages teens and adults. They like the deacon, wish to bring the Christmas Spirit alive through the colorful Christmas displays. Christmas Lights become a Prayer for the Safety of U.S. Military: Deacon Dave proclaimed that each Christmas Light represents a prayer for the safety of our Military forces serving overseas. Pray for our men and women of the Military Services.
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