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December 18, 2003
Street Talk by Shari Kaplan
If you could have only one gift for the winter holidays—anything
at all—what would it be, and why? (Asked
at Via Valiente Plaza)
"I'm so busy buying things for my family and friends that I
haven't really thought about what I'd like for myself. Probably
what I'd really like is free time—whether it's gardening or
reading a book or going out for the evening. Just something enjoyable
I can do for myself without feeling guilty!"
Alka Vyas, "30-something"
Almaden Valley
Medical technologist
"Maybe a million dollar cashier's check—I say a cashier's
check so that it won't bounce. I'm in the car business and that
happens sometimes. Cash is a good gift because then you can buy
whatever you want, even if you change your mind about what you wanted
at first. I'm not sure what I would buy if I had a million dollars.
First I have to have it, then I'll spend it!"
Joe Beitpolous, 58
Almaden Valley
Car dealer
"I'd like to get an electric guitar, because I want to learn
how to play. My friend knows how and he's really good at it; he
learned pretty fast. I want to play the guitar because he got me
really interested in it. One of my cousins is a pretty famous musician
around here—Pete Escovedo. Maybe some day I could play with
him."
Travis Jensen, 12
Almaden Valley
Middle school student
"I wrote a list, and the first thing on my list is Christmas
spirit, and peace for everyone. I think Christmas spirit is when
family and friends come together and have a good time. This year
for Christmas we're going to visit family in Los Angeles, and we're
going to learn how to make tamales. The second thing on my Christmas
list is a present—a Game Cube!"
Amanda Jensen, 7
Almaden Valley
Elementary school student
"With all the stuff that's happened in the world since 9-11,
I want people to know there's deeper things in life than material
things. I like to play drums, make drums and teach people to drum.
I believe that people can find healing and peace in drum playing
as I did. I even did a concert at Ground Zero this year. My main
goal in life is to help people find inner peace."
Michael Fujii, 45
Almaden Valley
Drum maker and teacher
"I'd like it if when we stand outside of a supermarket selling
[Boy Scouts] popcorn, that people wouldn't walk by and say 'no thanks'
but instead they would say ‘of course I'll support the Boy
Scouts!’ What I'd really like is for people in the world not
to get angry at other people over stupid conflicts."
Daniel Byshenk, 12
Almaden Valley
Middle school student
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