Sania’s magic

Deana Lancaster

News Reporter
deana@nsnews.com

TWO teenage girls, clad
in matching flared jeans
and khaki bucket hats,
giggle as they climb the
ramp.

“Come on up,” says the
cheerful grey-beard. .
' “What do you think
Christmas is all about?” he asks
them, once they’re settled. Still

giggling, they mumble some
a aeestions under their breath.

“It’s one time of the year to
try and be a better person — be
good to your foiks,” he tells
them, The giggles ‘die down
and they nod solemnly in

chit.

~ This is the Capilano Mall
Santa Claus. He can regularly
be found hosting small children
on his knee or wandering
through its glittering galleries.
talking to seniors and chatting
with families.

He arrived back in the mall

for the 1999 season on Sunday,

and after hearing rumours of

his unusually patient demeanor
"and incredible pepularity, this
intrepid reporter went to the
_ North Vancouver shopping
" centre to investigate.

“He works seven days a
week,” says Myrna McLennan,
marketing manager for
Capilano: Mall. “He looks at it
as .his opportunity to make
Christmas 2 magical experience
ina child’s life, and he only has
three minutes to do it in. Hie
takes it very seriously.

““Everyone. who works here
really believes in him.”

i INCLUDES.
f OVERSIZED Quast

detfersyors

1577 Pemberton Ave, N. Van 983-9898

Prices i in effect hile quantities last

Lift an evebrow: in disbeliet.
“He gives out apples and

colouring, books instead of

candy — and the apples are
magic.”

I lift both evebrows and
inquire in] what manner are
they magi

“You'll have to ask him that
yourself,” she says. So this
reporter takes her turn up the
ramp.” :

“Came here, fet’s give you a
Christmas hug,” shouts Santa,
oblivious to the curious stares
of passers-by. He answe
magic apple Qu nm with 3
whispered “after you cat it you
get Christmas inside you and it
makes you feel really good and
really special.”

Hmmm ...

Pen poised, I shoot another
query at him, about his off-sea-

: s draw togeth
sternly. “Well, I've been mak-
ing toys of course ... it’s been a

ar. And [ve been sleep-
r. At 684 years old you
need 4 fot of sleep.”

According to McLennan,
Santa quite often knows the
identity of the children, what
they want for Christmas, where
they’re from and sometimes

n the name of their pets —
before they land on his knee.

So how does be de that?

“Pra Santa,” he says, per-
haps the slightest trace of exas-
peration creeping into his tone.
“It’s magic.”

He adds thar he and the
reindeer are gearing up for the

big night.

“Blitzen has a cold right
now, but he should be fine by .

Christmas. Rudolph is in fine

Nov. 26-28
Cornucopia of Creative
Gifts
Sevmour Art Gallery. A juried
sale of original.art and craft-
work frorn B.C, artists. Clay,
wood, fibre, glass, paintings,
cards, jewelry and festive dec-
orations. Nov. 26-27, 10

~9 p.m. and Nov. 28, 10
p.m. Info: 924-1378.

Familia Christi Celebration

form ... his nose is glowing like
crazy — why, it’s glowing like a
full moon.”

Pm perplexed .« Could this
realty be ..

“Oh iy, listen: Could you
tell your readers’ that I like
cookics and milk? Chocolate
chip are my favourite.”

So who am Ito argue?
chocelate chip it is ... Pm try-
ing for the “Nice” list this year.

and Sale

“Casa Carmen” — a Mexican
supper complete with drinks
and homemade — desserts.
Friday, Nov 26, 5:30 or 7:30

p.m. $20/ticket. Also, enjoy a

e Touch of Tuscany” lunch on
Saturday, Nov. 27, 11:30
a.m.-2:30 p.m. $15/ticket. -
All proceeds for the poor.
Advance tickets: Ann Marie

See more next page

we Gift
Certificate

Custom Golf
Equipment

NEWS photo Cindy Goodman

SANTA Claus arrived at Capilano Mall on Sunday, to the delighi of his reguiar annuai visitors who say heis >
unusually patient and jolly for a mali Santa. ‘