Nov 25, 1976: Twenty-eight members of the Sears Roebuck Santa Claus school get some final tips before they begin four-week stints as St. Nick.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: John Malmin / Los Angeles Times

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Nov. 21, 1979: Some of the 15 Santas taking part in a training class at Sears district headquarters in Alhambra get acquainted with some electronic games. "It's important that Santa keep his credibility" in knowing all about the toys, said Sears spokesman Nat Read.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: R. L Oliver / Los Angeles Times

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Dec. 7, 1992: John Whiteriver rides an unusual bicycle to his job as a Santa in downtown Whittier. Perhaps his reindeer had the day off.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Joe Kennedy / Los Angeles Times

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Nov. 23, 1984: Patrick Cullen, 17 months, makes his first visit to Santa at Northridge Fashion Square.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian Gadbery / Los Angeles Times

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Dec. 19, 1985: Travis Parry, 68, as Santa, can often be found surrounded by young and old at South Coast Village in Santa Ana.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Ken Lubas / Los Angeles Times

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Nov. 18, 1979: The Broadway department store Santa makes his way along Flower Street in downtown Los Angeles during a promotion starting the Christmas season five days before Thanksgiving.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times

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Dec. 13, 1979: Santa, actually Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Jack Rose of Rampart Division, arrives at the Blind Children's Center for a holiday party.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

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Dec. 8, 1977: George McClintock, who has been on the job 16 years at Santa's Village in the San Bernardino National Forest, counsels Amy Spain, 2, of Riverside, about her Christmas list. McClintock's beard is his own.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: R. L. Oliver / Los Angeles Times

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Dec. 19, 1958: Children gather around the fireplace as Santa makes his entrance at Breakfast Club party.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Frank Q. Brown / Los Angeles Times

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Dec. 8, 1990: Olivia Senecal, 11 months, wears her road runner sunglasses while having her picture taken with Santa at the Rolling Hills Plaza in Torrance. Santa's photographer borrowed Santa's sunglesses from a spectator in line.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

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Dec. 13, 1987: Toughy the cat, under Santa's cap, gets his picture taken with Shogun Santa in Little Tokyo Village.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times

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Dec. 22, 1971: Kay Hogg and Lester Northrup get completely into the Christmas spirit during the annual Marina del Rey boat parade. This photo was published in the Dec. 23, 1971 LA Times.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times

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Dec. 18, 1968: Santa Claus, Torrance High School football player Terry Waters, hands out gifts to Head Start children at Evangelical Brethren. More than 70 Torrance students distributed gifts to 300 children at five Head Start centers. This photo was published in the Dec. 19, 1968 LA Times.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Ben Olender / Los Angeles Times

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