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S is for Santa, that jolly old elf Making presents all year to fill up the shelf And it’s also for Simon, and his buddy Artie Their music plays loud at many a party Santa Claus Just who is Santa Claus? Why, he’s the proprietor of the North Pole Toy Workshop, someone who looks up to people of all shapes and sizes. He’s an animal lover – and he has a better record of on-time deliveries than the U.S. Post Office. There is no exact date of birth on record for Santa Claus, but his age is estimated at 1,543 years old. He does admit to a weight problem, but he has no plans for a diet. And he possesses an uncanny ability to know who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. Recognized as a citizen of the world with full freedom of the skies, his national heritage is not known. However, he acknowledges Greek, Italian, Dutch, English, German and Russian influences in his background. Santa frequently uses the alias Kris Kringle, St. Nick, or others to numerous to mention. His favorite things about Queens are the “thousands of lights, a reflection of the wonder and magic of the season.” Santa describes Christmas in Queens as a “time for the young and old alike, a joyous time filled with a special magic.” His gripes about Queens? “Rudolph, the boys and I, can handle the traffic over LaGuardia and Kennedy Airports, but squeezing down those tiny Tudor chimneys in eastern Queens is an urban nightmare,” said the rotund old elf. “Apartment buildings would be a lot more convenient if the reindeer would fit in the elevator.” Soldier Packages Whether or not people here in Queens agree with the Iraq War, the fact is that our men and women have been deployed overseas and many will not be home for the biggest family oriented time of year. With that in mind, Operation Holidays was established by Kathryn Alvarez, the wife of a deployed soldier who runs a non profit group committed to giving troops a morale booster while serving our country from abroad. To make donations, people can send something as simple as an unsealed homemade card, a care package with a holiday theme or even a check to help with the high cost of shipping. Computer savvy? You can even send a troop an e-mail to letters2troops@yahoo.com. Packages, letters and checks can be mailed to Operation Holidays, C/O Kathryn Alvarez, 5948-1 Mosby Pl., Fort Riley, KS 66442. Though deadlines for sending Parcel Post items to soldiers in Iraq has passed, the remaining deadlines are Nov. 26 for Space Available Mail, Dec. 3 for Parcel Airlift Mail, Dec. 5 for Priority Mail as well as First Class letters and cards and Dec. 19 for Express Mail. Simon & Garfunkel When it comes to quick gifts, CDs are the easiest. There are tons of Christmas albums out there, but there are also the ones that your downloading-illiterate friends have been waiting to get in their CD players all year. It’s simple, run into the music store and grab one off the shelf; just make sure you’re in the right genre section. There is a hometown duo that you can’t go wrong with as a gift this holiday, though, and that’s Forest Hills’ own Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. The two who began their musical collaboration in high school and went on to give folk rock that more polished sound have 13 albums to pick and choose from. Musically progressing from basic folk-rock productions into Latin rhythms and gospel-influenced arrangements, there are tunes for anyone from College Point to Howard Beach reminisce to, especially when “A Hazy Shade of Winter” is upon Queens. Santa’s Igloo Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, Tin Soldiers, elves and even Mrs. Claus will accept visits from youngsters this holiday season at the “Igloo” on the front lawn of the Main Post Office in Flushing. Santa and his friends will be at the Igloo during the day and in the evening from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve. For directions to the Igloo and information on times and photo availability with Santa, call the Flushing Post Office at (718) 321-6893. Santa In Astoria Santa and Mrs. Claus will officially arrive in the Astoria and Long Island City communities Dec. 5 at a tree and menorah lighting ceremony sponsored by the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage at 4:30 p.m., at the Steinway Branch of the Queens Library, on Broadway and 41st Street in Long Island City. The Christmas couple will be accompanied by Rudolph and some of Santa’s elves, who will join Santa on Steinway Street through Dec. 24 as he beckons youngsters to whisper their Christmas wishes. For further information, call the CALDC at (718) 728-7820. Savoy Toy Drive New unwrapped toys will pile up inside a toy drop box at 55-15 Little Neck Pkwy. in Little Neck as Savoy Assisted Living kicks off its two-day U.S. Marine Corp. Toys for Tots drive Dec. 7. All of the toys dropped in the box will be distributed to the needy children of the community just in time for the holidays. “The ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys,” said Rose Ann Chalmers a spokesperson. For more information contact Savoy at (718) 423-7900. Sun In Winter There is no shortage of chilly weather during the winter holidays, but a way to look and stay cool is with Maui Jim Sunwear, prescription sunglasses available at Focal Point Optical, 221-04b Horace Harding Expy. With many different attractive styles to choose from, Maui Jim shades can come in prescription and non-prescription items. Be sure to pick up a pair when you stop by, or give them a call at (718) 225-7400 to set up an appointment. Frank Skala All of Bayside knows that it’s that time of year again when Frank Skala breaks out the Santa hat and parades himself around the neighborhood posing as the neighborhood’s unofficial Santa Claus, providing his gift of input, just as he does at anytime throughout the year. As one of the borough’s most notable characters, this Community Board 11 member and founding president of the East Bayside Homeowner’s Association has been the voice of Bayside for decades. Although Skala’s opinions may not always be embraced by all, it can be said that there’s no way of silencing the long time critic. His track record speaks for itself when it comes to his experience in the city’s school system and involvement on local issues and since he’s been involved with CB 11. For the most part, Skala is usually the one preventing variances from getting the all-important unanimous decision. So whether he’s posing as Santa during Christmas, or simply donning his proverbial white beard, Skala tops the list as Community Crazy Number One.
St. Nicholas Some people claim that Santa Claus isn’t real. While anyone under the age of 6 knows that’s nonsense, the notion seems to have gained support among the older crowd. Santa Claus, or “Saint Klause,” certainly did exist, although it’s still up for debate whether he continues to cruise the skies in a reindeer-powered 747. Historians believe the legend comes from a priest named Nicholas (later, St. Nick), who centuries ago traveled between parishes during the winter and brought toys and other aid to needy children. In time, his charity became renown all over the world, and the Dutch began to celebrate his generosity at Christmas. Early settlers brought the idea with them to America when they formed the first colonies. Over 200 years later, Santa Claus is the defining non-religious symbol of the holiday. Interestingly enough, the remains of the real St. Nicholas are enshrined at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Flushing in a marble reliquary that serves as a shrine for those who wish to view his resting place. For people wanting to learn more, St. Nicholas himself will make an appearance at the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, Ridgewood, Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A press release says he will distribute gifts to the “good children,” so don’t bother coming if you’ve been naughty. |
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