OK, I’ll bite. My friend James Theimer recently wrote an essay in which he challenged us to write Santa a wish list.
James made a good point about this being the perfect time to write Santa. The jolly old guy’s put Christmas 2007 to bed. If we give him our lists now, he’ll have practically a whole year to accomplish everything.
I’m a big believer in wish lists. Much to my surprise, many of the items I’ve written on my life’s wish lists have been granted. Specific things, like finishing college, becoming a columnist, finding a great guy to marry, buying a house and getting a tent trailer.
Before I give my list, let me say that I agree with everything on James’ list.
Oh, and things like health care for all, peace on earth and the end of poverty and disease, are a given.
Time’s a wasting. Here’s my north state wish list for Santa:
1. The whole roof comes off the Mall in downtown Redding in 2008, and when it does, the mystery will be solved about whether there was or wasn’t an escalator in old Redding.
2. The downtown Christmas tree regains its rightful place in the center of Market and Yuba streets.
3. A four-year public university comes to Redding.
4. No charge – ever – to dump trash at Shasta County landfills and transfer stations.
5. High-speed train service throughout the United States, sort of like Europeans enjoy in even their most remote areas.
6. A movie complex in downtown Redding.
7. Riverfront Playhouse gets the money it needs, open its doors and becomes a huge success.
8. Designated bike lanes appear throughout Shasta County.
9. (Forgive me for being shallow and mentioning retail places that aren’t local) Crate & Barrel, Peet’s coffee, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and Burdick’s Chocolates all open up shops in downtown Redding.
10. Your turn.
