Dear Santa,

Okay, so this year I’m not going to ask for the usual – you know, the thing I have been asking for the past few years: handsome, dark haired man, about 6’2", successful, caring, self-confident, smart, doesn’t smoke, owns a tool box and knows what’s in it and uses it once in a while, remembers what kind of beer that I like, has good hygiene and comes with a shiny little bauble in a blue box. Obviously, you are having as hard a time finding one as I am so I’m going to let you off the hook this year - even though you did manage to pull off the kitten when I was six.

No, this year I’m going to ask for a few items that will not only benefit me but I think my fellow Hobokenites would appreciate them as well.

A Mild Winter: So, we had our first official snowfall this weekend and while it barely registered on the snowball scale, it was a reminder of what we might face in the coming months. I was thinking maybe you could talk to your friend Mother Nature and ask her to take it easy on us this season. With the burden of soaring heating bills facing many residents, it would be nice if it wasn’t quite as cold as it has been in the past. No one should have to choose between being warm and feeding their kids. Also, if it isn’t a bad winter, those pesky potholes that emerge on Willow won’t destroy everyone’s shocks. In the same vein, if it is absolutely necessary for us to have a snow storm or two, could they just be bad enough that we get out of work? Adults like a snow day once and a while too and Hoboken is so much fun when everyone is home from work and the streets are snow covered. I know you can do it Santa – maybe a little harmless flirting with Ms. Nature will do the trick.

The "W": The official groundbreaking for the W Hotel took place recently and while I think it is great that Hoboken is getting a hotel, jobs and probably a fabulous bar and restaurant, I think there is a better "W" for Hoboken – Wendy’s. Everyone knows that Mickey D’s on Washington is ghastly and the service at Johnny Rockets is s – l – o – w. While I am not a proponent of more franchises and chain businesses moving into Hoboken, i.e. Footlocker, I think bringing one of Dave Thomas’ establishments to the Mile Square would be a delicious addition. And just think, Santa, Wendy’s is open late so when you are in Hoboken making your deliveries, you can get yourself a snack - a Frosty perhaps?

Clean Air: After watching the Giants defeat the Evil Cowboys, my friend Lisa and I headed out, stopping in at another drinking establishment on Washington Street to bide our time while trying to get a cab. It had gotten quite chilly since kickoff and neither one of us wanted to slip and break our ankles on the increasingly icy sidewalks. As we opened the door to enter, I began to think that my contacts had gotten awfully foggy before I realized the haze I was seeing wasn’t a perception problem, but was instead the cigarette smog suspended in the air like Michael Jordan heading to the basket against the Lakers and switching hands while in mid-air for the basket….except he did eventually come back to earth. This smoke wasn’t going anywhere.

So Santa, I am asking you to help get the New Jersey Legislature in gear and have them pass the SmokeFree Air Act, which will help ban smoking in public places such as restaurants and bars. Who likes coming home after watching the game with your buddies or sipping Mojitos at Lua with the girls and smelling like a tobacco farm? Your hair smells, your clothes smell, the creature lying in bed next to you in the AM has an odor – it is really putrid… not too mention the health benefits that would be created for all, from patrons to staff. If you help eliminate second hand smoke Santa, maybe those friends we love so much will finally stop smoking when they realize that standing outside in the freezing cold while we're inside talking to that adorable guy at the bar inside just isn’t worth it. (For more information on the SmokeFree Air Act and to get involved, visit the American Cancer Society Action Network at http://capwiz.com/acs-national/nj/state/main/?state=NJ)

Santa, I suggest coal in the stocking for anyone who doesn’t vote in favor of the act.

Sports Pages: Christmas came a little early this year for the Mets so they don’t really need anything. However, the Giants could use a few things. Let’s make sure that Jay Feeley is getting the help he needs to get back to the almost automatic kicker he was, let’s hope that fellow Domer Luke Pettigout channels his college line coach Joe Moore and eliminates the false starts, that Eli continues to bloom and wins some road games and that Tiki, well, you just keep on doing what you’re doing. I smell playoffs! I think most NY Jet fans are hoping to get a Trojan (and ladies, I’m not referring to condoms) in April but Santa, I really think you can leave that for your pal the Easter Bunny. In the meantime, maybe you can just get the Jets a victory to end the pain. The Knicks need way too much to even comprehend asking for anything. However, I’m sure if you could conjure up a deal for Stephon Marbury that is to Mr. Thomas’ and Coach Brown’s liking, many Knick fans might be happy. I’m a Nets fan so knowing the Knicks are down makes me happy. What I want most for the Nets is for them to stay in New Jersey but they could also use an enforcer. The Yankees don’t need anything either – they have enough. As far as the Rangers, Devils and Islanders go, I really don’t know much about hockey but I’d say all the local fans got their present when the puck fell to start the season. Oh and just one last request – please let the Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the crap out of the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 2^nd. Oh, and a Texas Longhorn victory in Pasadena would be nice too. Hook’em Horns!

Weighty Issues: Every year you ride around delivering toys to all the good boys and girls who in turn leave you milk and cookies to enjoy while you visit (and maybe some carrots for the reindeer.) While you appear to be a solid looking guy, you don’t really seem to put on any extra weight… so what’s your secret Mr. Claus? Can you share it with us so as we go from party to party, drinking and eating our way into the New Year? We too would love to maintain the figures we had leading into Thanksgiving. Please? Pretty Please?

So Santa, that’s my Hoboken Christmas list. And more importantly, I hope everyone has a beautiful, happy, safe and joyous holiday season with their friends and family.

(And if you should happen to find that gentleman I previously mentioned, there will be a few extra cookies in it for you!)

Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas!