Time for the holidays and the giving spirit

OK, go for it. This past week has been the time to throw up the red

and green and saturate the home and garden with the spirit of the

season.

Some of you started a little early, but since the draw of the

comforting feeling of Christmas can be so tempting you’re forgiven.

Besides, it’s the forgiving time of year.

The palettes are up, the Sawdust Winter Fantasy is at full blast

and the white lights are strung all throughout Downtown, providing an

amazing sense of joy by just walking down the street.

Soon the streets will be filled with hospitality, complete with

cheese and wine and of course Santa Claus.

Hospitality Night is today, and many Downtown shops will stay open

late and invite visitors in. Santa will ride into town on an old

Woody and visit with children while the California Choreographers

Dance Festival perform here, there and everywhere.

Ooh, and don’t forget the tamales. Get in line early because they

always sell out. They go for $2 each and help fund La Playa, a group

designed to help Spanish speakers learn English.

And while this city tends to support all sorts of causes

throughout the year, the holiday season is a good time to do a little

extra giving.

Two new causes right now are the Foster family, a mother with an

adult child with Down syndrome who have found themselves without a

home and in need of some help. Their story is on the paper’s cover

and explains their circumstances.

Also, Dan Stafford is in need of a kidney transplant. In this

case, money isn’t the issue, but getting the word out and getting

people to list themselves as a donor on their driver’s license will

help. James Pribram tells his story in his column on page B7.

There’s plenty of fun and important things to do this time of

year. Here’s to everyone getting at least a few of their wishes

granted.