Santa S Workshop

Jami Heidegger looks like a character created by one of the Bronte sisters. With her alabaster complexion, flowing dark hair and regal carriage, she might have just stepped off a fog-shrouded moor. How fitting that this Southern California woman could pass for a 19th century heroine. Because for Kiehl's, the quirky cosmetic company her grandfather founded and which she heads, affection for the past was mother's milk. The unique character of tiny Kiehl's made its recent sale to L'Oreal a coup for the international cosmetics giant.

For many years, there was nothing unusual about the ornaments Gilbert Granville used to trim his home for Christmas: a few strings of lights, some greens and one lone tree. But in 1980 - in the wake of a divorce - the Linthicum resident said, the spirit of Christmas seized him. And with every subsequent holiday season, Granville found himself stringing more lights and putting up more trees. "It kind of exploded," Granville, 68, said during a recent tour of his white clapboard home on Darlene Avenue in Anne Arundel County.

Santa Claus is coming to town, and he's stopping nearly everywhere.* He'll be at the Northern District Police Station community room from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. All children and those young at heart are invited to visit with Santa and enjoy refreshments. Santa will be distributing gifts to each child who visits with him.The police station is on Hammonds Lane. If you would like more information, call Officer Joe Hatcher at 222-6135.* Santa Claus will also be visiting with families from the Arundel Improvement Association neighborhood on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Jami Heidegger looks like a character created by one of the Bronte sisters. With her alabaster complexion, flowing dark hair and regal carriage, she might have just stepped off a fog-shrouded moor. How fitting that this Southern California woman could pass for a 19th century heroine. Because for Kiehl's, the quirky cosmetic company her grandfather founded and which she heads, affection for the past was mother's milk. The unique character of tiny Kiehl's made its recent sale to L'Oreal a coup for the international cosmetics giant.

TIS THE SEASON to be merry, as they say, but this year the world is too much with us. Prospects of recession. War in the gulf. Homicide epidemic at home. And empty pockets with which to greet Santa.Went to Santa's workshop to buy brother Bob a gift. For years have entertained notion of presenting him with miracle compact disc player that plays "Art of Fugue," M. C. Hammer and Lawrence Welk polkas with equal aplomb.Asked Santa's helper how much was this very nice looking miracle compact disc player.

Patuxent Jaycees can arrange for Santa Claus to visit homesThe Patuxent Valley Jaycees have a hot line to Santa's workshop and can arrange for Santa and his helper to visit your home in Burtonsville, Laurel or anywhere in Howard County. This very affordable Santa will visit your home or holiday party. In addition, Santa will be available for video or photo opportunities.Santa is available to visit homes from Dec. 11 to Dec. 22. He has a busy schedule, so book early.Call 880-4323 for more information.

The Cancer Resource & Support Center (CaRES) Thrift Shop will have a One-Half Off Black Circle Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 at the shop in Patriots Plaza, 8043-B Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, near Jumpers Hole Road.The thrift shop, which benefits CaRES, is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Information: 760-2929.Santa's Workshop at Pasadena ElementaryPasadena Elementary School will be the site of Santa's Workshop from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 3, featuring a craft show and free gift wrapping.

Last week we asked you what Auntie Claus' key unlocks. The answer: The door to an old elevator that takes passengers to Santa's workshop. Thanks to Ashley Vance of Armstead Garden Elementary School and Betty Hanyak's kindergarten class at Mount Harmony Elementary School for their responses! Teachers: Check www.sunspot.net / nie tomorrow for stance questions related to Just for Kids stories.

It's curtain time again at Northeast and Chesapeake high schools this weekend, as student thespians take to the stage in fall productions.Take an empty, old, cliffside house facing the sea in Connecticut, add a harried, aspiring playwright and his sister, throw in a series of suspicious deaths 15 years earlier and an evil spirit or two and you will have an idea of what's in store at Northeast High School's production."

It seems to me that the quality of shopping mall Santas has declined dramatically in recent years, and that the industry as a whole should take a good long look at itself and ask: "Is this what the Great Man is all about?"Wander past the Hickory Farms store and The Gap and into any "Santa's Workshop" and you're liable to see a succession of thin, pallid, edgy Santas that seem pulled from a William Burroughs novel.Think Santa as played by Harvey Keitel and you have some idea of what we're dealing with here.

Last week we asked you what Auntie Claus' key unlocks. The answer: The door to an old elevator that takes passengers to Santa's workshop. Thanks to Ashley Vance of Armstead Garden Elementary School and Betty Hanyak's kindergarten class at Mount Harmony Elementary School for their responses! Teachers: Check www.sunspot.net / nie tomorrow for stance questions related to Just for Kids stories.

Not the best Santa questionAS THE audience departed last Saturday from Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts after Ballet Theater of Annapolis' performance of its children's ballet, "Santa's Workshop," a mother began channeling the experience for her son."Did you see all the toys in Santa's workshop? Weren't the dolls wonderful? Did you see Mr. and Mrs. Santa?""Mo-om," said the little boy in the voice of long experience. "I already know what you're gonna ask me.""What?" asked his mother."You always wanna know which one did I like best."

Santa Claus is coming to town, and he's stopping nearly everywhere.* He'll be at the Northern District Police Station community room from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. All children and those young at heart are invited to visit with Santa and enjoy refreshments. Santa will be distributing gifts to each child who visits with him.The police station is on Hammonds Lane. If you would like more information, call Officer Joe Hatcher at 222-6135.* Santa Claus will also be visiting with families from the Arundel Improvement Association neighborhood on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Holiday shopping, parties and concerts seem to be on everyone's calendar over the next few weeks.From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight, the Lake Shore Elementary PTA presents its annual Sundaes with Santa at the school.Make-your-own sundaes will be offered for $1, with your choice of toppings.Youngsters can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Pictures will be available for a fee. Music will be provided by DJ Eddie Cashen.Santa's Workshop will be open for young shoppers to purchase inexpensive gifts for family and friends.

It seems to me that the quality of shopping mall Santas has declined dramatically in recent years, and that the industry as a whole should take a good long look at itself and ask: "Is this what the Great Man is all about?"Wander past the Hickory Farms store and The Gap and into any "Santa's Workshop" and you're liable to see a succession of thin, pallid, edgy Santas that seem pulled from a William Burroughs novel.Think Santa as played by Harvey Keitel and you have some idea of what we're dealing with here.

The Cancer Resource & Support Center (CaRES) Thrift Shop will have a One-Half Off Black Circle Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 at the shop in Patriots Plaza, 8043-B Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, near Jumpers Hole Road.The thrift shop, which benefits CaRES, is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Information: 760-2929.Santa's Workshop at Pasadena ElementaryPasadena Elementary School will be the site of Santa's Workshop from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 3, featuring a craft show and free gift wrapping.

For many years, there was nothing unusual about the ornaments Gilbert Granville used to trim his home for Christmas: a few strings of lights, some greens and one lone tree. But in 1980 - in the wake of a divorce - the Linthicum resident said, the spirit of Christmas seized him. And with every subsequent holiday season, Granville found himself stringing more lights and putting up more trees. "It kind of exploded," Granville, 68, said during a recent tour of his white clapboard home on Darlene Avenue in Anne Arundel County.

When Roland F. F. Roehner was growing up in Hamilton, the middle room of his house was off limits from about Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. The door was locked from inside, with a key in the slot to block a curious child from peeping. But most nights a light shone under the door until the late hours."I was always told my father was working in there with Santa," recalls Mr. Roehner, who is 66.Finally on Christmas Eve, after the family meal, his mother, Esther, would stand by the locked door to blow a German-made plastic horn, the traditional shofar of the ancient Israelites that signals devotion to God.Only then were revealed the annual additions to August W. Roehner's intricate mechanical Christmas garden, recalls his son. A traditional nativity scene on one table and a Santa's workshop display on another were encircled at their bases by Lionel electric trains.

Patuxent Jaycees can arrange for Santa Claus to visit homesThe Patuxent Valley Jaycees have a hot line to Santa's workshop and can arrange for Santa and his helper to visit your home in Burtonsville, Laurel or anywhere in Howard County. This very affordable Santa will visit your home or holiday party. In addition, Santa will be available for video or photo opportunities.Santa is available to visit homes from Dec. 11 to Dec. 22. He has a busy schedule, so book early.Call 880-4323 for more information.

The Northeast High School drama department will present its fall production, "The Cat and the Canary," at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the school auditorium on Duvall Highway.The plot features all of the elements of a good whodunit: a deceased eccentric's unusual will; greedy relatives; inherited insanity; an escaped maniac; and murder."You can't tell who the corpses are without a program," said director Ron Price. "Our cast has really enjoyed putting this play together.