Where I Stand—Ruthe Deskin: Helping Santa Claus with some gift ideas for Las Vegans

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1997 | 10:34 a.m.

Poor old Santa Claus.

He's working his tail off these days.

Sure, he has the Mrs. and a bunch of eager elves helping, but things are really piling up for the jolly fellow.

And, he still has a long ride ahead with a bunch of reindeer pulling his sled around the land.

If all that weren't enough, he hasn't made up his mind about some gifts for special people.

So, I think it's time to help. If I were Santa I would consider these gift ideas.

For County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates: A recording of Kenny Rogers singing the words "you have to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em."

Mayor Jan Laverty Jones is an enigma. What can you get for someone who has everything? A crystal ball, perhaps.

A magic wand might be appropriate for Ed Nigro as he takes over the Maxim and tries to keep it afloat.

For Sheldon Adelson of the Sands the choice was easy. A scholarship in a Dale Carnegie Course on how to win friends and influence people.

My gift to UNLV basketball coach Bill Bayno would be a winning season and a bid to the NCAA tournament. It's possible.

Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren is a natural to receive a recording of Paul Anka's "I Did it My Way."

To Mary Ellen Schwartz, a lady who makes a ritual of delivering small gifts to all the animals living at the Promenade, a gift certificate at PETCO.

Siegfried and Roy have been gifted beyond belief, however, I would give them a basket of thanks for all the joy they have given to the world.

For Bill Morse and Don Payne, a TV market for their Las Vegas documentary, which should be the best ever.

For zoo keeper Pat Dingle, a realization of all his dreams for a super zoo in Las Vegas.

To all the Family Court judges who have weathered some critical storms, smoother sailing ahead.

And to Kirby Burgess, Adrienne Cox, Cranford Crawford and their staff at Family and Youth Services a fast start on bigger and better facilities in the year ahead so that they can do a good job even better.

School superintendent Brian Cram probably would opt for a peaceful agreement on a teacher's contract with the union. After that a short sojourn on a remote Pacific Island.

Library director Darrel Batsen could ask for a similar gift.

Sue Lowden might be looking for Santa to bring her advice on how to run for Regent and keep the unions off her back.

For friend, Alice Goldberg, a memorable 90th birthday in 1998.

Gov. Bob Miller would have liked tacos with salsa, but that doesn't appear to be in the offing. For the governor and his family a pleasant end to their tenure in the mansion.

Let's hope it doesn't come to this, but Santa might consider bringing a pair of dueling pistols to both Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Rep. John Ensign, D-Nev., as they square off in a race for Reid's senatorial seat.

Pat Mulroy continues in her quest for clear, cool water in the valley. Did Bruce Babbitt give her an early Christmas gift?

For the Democrats, Santa might be able to scare up a dark horse hopeful to run against Kenny Guinn for governor. Then again it might better be termed a sacrificial lamb.

For people like Bill Bennett, Paul Endy, Kirk Kerkorian, Andre Agassi, Greg Anthony, Marjory Barrick, the Boyds, the Fertittas, and so many others who have been very successful in their lives and believe in giving back to their community there is no gift that Santa can give them greater than the satisfaction of knowing they bring joy to those less fortunate.

Joe Delaney has been the guiding hand behind so many charitable events in our community for so many years, it's almost impossible to thank him enough. Perhaps a school named in his honor would be the next step.

Christmas had special meaning for a child growing up in a small Northern Nevada town.

It was a celebration of the birth of the Christ child and most of our activities were centered around the church. Santa Claus took a back seat to religious ceremonies.

Children rehearsed for days in order to present Christmas programs and the songs we heard and sang were "Silent Night" and "Away in a Manger." "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" and "Jingle Bell Rock" were silenced by "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear."

The frantic frenzy of last-minute shopping was unheard of and the giving of gifts did not take precedence over the importance of families being together.

If I were to ask Santa Claus for a special gift it would be to give back the Christmas of my childhood.

Merry Christmas to all.