Casa del Pomba
House of the Dove
Christmas News Bulletin
December 27, 2012
Christmas 2013, 31st year Grand
Opening Announced:
Deacon Dave Rezendes announced that the 2013 Grand Opening will be
Friday Night December 6th at 6:30 p.m. The Traditional Christmas
Procession will come down Hillcrest Ave from Fordham Way to the
darkened House of the Dove. There the opening ceremonies will take
place and the annual blessing of the lights. The 2013 Theme is
secret as always.
Proposal Bridge:
The 57th wedding proposal took place on Proposal Bridge. The crowd
was excited as the young man knelt on the bridge to a very surprised
young lady. And yes, she said Yes! Much applause followed.
2012 Theme “Elfland”:
2012 Theme “Elfland” has been very popular with the many visitors.
This is the first time in many long years that a building did not
span across the front of the entrance. Giant Red Stars, and
revolving lighted Christmas Trees greeted the arriving guests. Some
of the signs on the various buildings were: Elfland University,
Snips Barber Shop, Stiches Tailor Shop, Elf Dorms, Snowflake Theater
and Starrbucks. (yes we know that we spelled Starrbucks with two
“r’s”) we did not want to get into trouble with the real Starbucks.
This year’s Light Count:
345,300 Lights. That is 2300 more than last year. Unless, more LED
type lights are introduced next year we will remain at this number
as we have pretty much maxed out the system.
Sandy Hook School Children and Families Remembered:
Deacon Dave conducted several Evening Prayer Services in his Chapel
of the Holy Spirit located in the gardens of Casa del Pomba. The
Christmas Crew had a special Evening Prayer Service for the Families
of the children. The Christmas Crew gathered outside the chapel
after the service and in silence listened to the ringing of the
tolling chapel bell in remembrance of the 26 children. The flags of
the “House of the Dove” remained lowered thru the entire Christmas
Season.
Record Crowds:
It looks like this year’s attendance will break all past records. We
are strongly headed toward the 50,000 attendance mark and we may
even exceed that number. These are actual folks who walked thru the
gates. We do not count the cars that pass.
2012 Casa del Pomba Awards Given:
Deacon Dave presented the 2012 Gold Star Award to Phil and Andy
McCarthy. This award is presented to the person or persons who is a
current member of the Christmas Team and who demonstrates
outstanding performance in helping build the Christmas Display. The
person must be a team player and contribute time, talent, very long
hours and maintains the ability to rally the crew with the Spirit of
Christmas.
Deacon presented The Founders Award to Jeanie and David
Haigh. The Founders Award is presented to the person or
persons who early in the Christmas Display years contributed their
God given gifts and talents in helping Deacon build the Display. Mr.
and Mrs. Haigh are the longest serving volunteers over the past 20
years. We congratulate the winners of both the “Gold Star” and
Founders Awards.
National Patch Contest Fizzles: (AOL)
Last year Deacon Dave entered the National Patch Christmas contest
for best decorated Home in the Nation. The Deacon entered the
contest in an attempt to help the local Livermore School District.
The National winner would receive $100,000 to be awarded to the
Local School District. Last year The House of the Dove was
disqualified because contest organizers said that Deacon’s Residence
at 352 Hillcrest Ave was a CHURCH. Strange as it seems they did not
bother to inquire with the local Patch to verify if this was true.
Had they checked, they would have realized that it IS A PRIVATE
RESIDENCE AND NOT A CHURCH.
This year Mrs. Jeanie Haigh as a very important part of the
Christmas Team that helps the Deacon, entered the Contest as
Deacon’s agent so there would not be a misunderstanding such as last
year. This year we were informed that Deacon Residence won the local
contest and that it was headed to the National Competition. The
National Patch (owned by
AOL) disqualified the House of the Dove yet again because the entry
was not completed by the Deacon.
I GUESS WE JUST CAN NOT HELP OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT EVEN THOUGH WE HAD
THE VOTES. Deacon Dave has announced that we WILL NOT ENTER
THE PATCH CONTEST AGAIN!!!
Deacon Dave is sorry to let the Livermore School District down. He
said “we tried two years to help the District.” It is noted that the
Deacon and his team clearly does not take a personal interest in
being the best or biggest. All the displays give folks greater
opportunity to enjoy the wonderful Christmas Season and keep family
traditions alive. “It is about Christmas Spirit and working together
to create something for others to enjoy.”
New Member of Deacon Dave’s Planning Team Appointed:
Mr. Russ Duguid a very long serving volunteer has been appointed by
the Rev. Deacon to be a member of the Planning Team. This Team works
closely with the Deacon in planning the Displays after the Deacon
picks the Theme for the coming year. This Theme is always a secret
and is only announced to the public at the Grand Opening of the
Display. We wish to congratulate Russ on is promotion to the
Planning Team.
Tri-Valley Times Article December 5, 2012
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_22123851/let-there-be-outrageous-light-livermore-home-outshines
http://www.trivalleyviews.com/news/show_story.php?id=7789&e=y
http://livermore.patch.com/articles/deacon-dave-s-christmas-display-set-to-open
News Bulletin #1
Labor Day Weekend Construction Begins:
webcam
Christmas Construction Began Labor Day Weekend with a wonderful 2012
Crew. It is difficult to get into the Christmas mood when it is 100
degrees plus. But the crew had a wonderful beginning and Stars began
to rise. Just wait and see! Yes the Theme remains a secret until
opening night.
30th Anniversary of the Christmas Display and Ordination of Deacon
Dave:
Deacon Dave Rezendes was ordained December 4th 1982 the same year
the Deacon began the now well-known Community and Bay Area event.
Rev. Deacon was ordained a Roman Catholic Deacon. In the Roman
Catholic Church a Deacon is one of the Three Holy Orders of Clergy,
that being Bishop, Priest and Deacon. Deacon Dave has served at St.
Michael Church in Livermore and has been the Bishop’s Representative
& Director of the Diaconate for the past 16 years. He has been
Secretary General of Santa’s Secret Service a 53 year old local St.
Michael Parish organization dedicated to collecting Christmas Gifts
for people in Hospitals, Care Centers, Homes for the Elderly, Youth
Group Homes, Homes for Battered and Abused Women, Shut-Ins, Poor
Children, Veterans Home and much more. The Deacon served on many
Diocesan Boards and Committees. Deacon is a fourth generation of
Livermore and graduate of St. Michael School and Livermore High
School. He spent weekends and holidays and summer vacations (the
love of his life) on his Grandparents ranch on North Livermore Ave.
near the beginning of Morgan Territory Road. He is really a local
boy.
Grand Opening Night:
This year the Christmas Display will Open on November 30th the Last
Friday of November. This was necessary due to the configuration of
the 2012 Calendar. Usually the opening is on the first Friday night
in December. If we opened on the first Friday in December we would
lose a week of the Display. The Planning Team recommended to Deacon
Dave that we open on the last Friday of November. The Candlelight
Procession Down Hillcrest Ave. will begin at 6:30 p.m. The
Procession is quite colorful and is a great way to usher in the
Advent/Christmas Season. This year the Baptist Choir will join in
the opening festivities along with the Roman Catholic Choir. This is
a great community event. Hope you can join us for the Opening Night
Ceremonies.
Security at the House of the Dove:
For the fifth straight year Security Alarm and Video Camera and
Lighting has been improved. This year the entire property which is
just under an acre is covered. Security Specialists have announced
that even with a power outage the system will provide constant
monitoring.
Community Help to High School and Furry Friends:
Last year on the big weekends of the Christmas Display one neighbor
opened a Hot Chocolate stand with cookies for sale. The money helped
Livermore High School Cheer Leader Program. Another neighbor opened
a similar stand on the corner and raised money for Cat Adoption
Program. All Good Causes both stands with the Deacon’s blessings.
