Editing Monte Sereno, California (section)

===Christmas decorations===
A dispute between two neighbors over extravagant [[Christmas]] decorations gained Monte Sereno attention in national news. For years, Bonnie and [[Alan Aerts]] of Monte Sereno had showcased elaborate holiday displays in their front yard, costing as much as [[United States dollar|US$]]150,000. The displays attracted large masses of visitors, resulting in great traffic around the normally quiet [[cul-de-sac]] of four houses. Neighbors Le and Susan Nguyen protested, and, in late 2003, the city council voted 3-2 (Nesbet, Brodsky, Wright for; Garner, Baxter against) to pass an ordinance regarding "regulation of special events," <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928074645/http://www.montesereno.org/details.php?type=agendas&id=88]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928074658/http://www.montesereno.org/details.php?type=agendas&id=90]</ref> which would require permits for such displays. In 2004, on the first Christmas season for which the law was effective, the Aertses declined to apply for a permit, which would allow the Aertses' holiday display to be active only for 12 hours in a 72-hour period and would require a 30-day waiting period before a new 72-hour permit could be applied for. Instead, they erected a huge, 10-foot-tall [[Grinch]] on their lawn, who swayed from side while singing "[[You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch]]". The Grinch's outstretched arm pointed conspicuously at the home of the Nguyens.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6590930 Couple points Grinchly finger at neighbors]</ref>

The spectacle gained mention from the [[Associated Press]] and [[NPR]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060915023256/http://www.community-newspapers.com/archives/lgwt/20041208/lgnews1.shtml]</ref> The Aertses and the Nguyens also appeared on [[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]], a late night talk show.