Santa Claus

NAPLES, Fla. — Who knew that being jolly takes more than a big heart?

For those determined to do the best job, there are a half-dozen Claus schools where they can learn the art of making memories for children. When there’s down time at the North Pole, they can even head to a convention for some camaraderie with their bearded brethren.

HOOPER — Santa Claus is coming to town.

Click here to watch video of the Santa Run 5K

OGDEN — ’Twas a month before Christmas and out in the street, 1,200 Santas gathered for a holiday track meet.

Looking like human candy canes, runners — many wearing snow white fake beards — donned identical red-and-white suits to hoof it down Washington Boulevard for the fifth annual Santa Run 5K.

It's The Big Day. And as such, I won't make you wait any longer to open my gift to you.

Here it is, your eagerly awaited parody song for the Ninth Annual Standard-Examiner Life at the Top o' Utah Holiday Gift o' Music Gala Giveaway and Karaoke Extravaganza:

"Oh, you'd better watch out/ You'd better not cry/ You'd better not pout/ I'm telling you why/ Santa Claus is nothing more than an imaginary mythical figure with roots in the historic and folkloric traditions of any number of Western cultures ..."

Ha! Just try singing THAT one around the ol' holiday spinet.

Now, for the benefit of any of you young tykes out there who might be reading this -- and if you are, somebody really ought to call the Division of Child and Family Services on your parents -- let me just say that your old Uncle Mark does indeed believe in the existence of Santa Claus.

But that wasn't always the case. A little holiday story, if I may ...

LAYTON — A combination of Christmas and Las Vegas magic gave some area families with children battling cancer a short reprieve Saturday.

OGDEN -- Parents, here's your chance to show your children how spoiled they are.

Saturday, you can take your kids to the United Way of Northern Utah offices and have them hand toys, clothes or gift cards for those in need over to Santa Claus himself.