Blue Santas make Christmas brighter

Dear Readers: Last year, I spoke in San Antonio around Christmastime at a fundraiser sponsored by the San Antonio Hotel and Lodging Association for the San Antonio Police Department's Blue Santa program. To see 20-plus police officers in blue uniforms, belts and gear with red-and-white Santa hats singing Christmas songs was a real hoot. I shared some travel stories and hints with the audience and learned a few, too. For example, if you have a special need, let the hotel/motel know ahead of time -- it might be able to take care of the request -- e.g., extra pillows or a room close to or away from the ice machine, elevator, an exit or on a lower floor.
Now, back to the singing Santas in blue -- what is a blue Santa? It's one San Antonio Police Department officer in a blue Santa suit. The program started in San Antonio, and all year long, officers "note" households where the children might not receive Christmas gifts. A San Antonio "donor" I spoke with said, "We have no children of our own, and I shop all year long, watching the newspaper ads for sales." As it is with many organizations' good work, they help folks during the entire year, not just the holiday season when many programs get high-profile publicity. There are several cities that have a Blue Santa program. How about you and your friends start collecting Christmas gifts now to donate if there is a Blue Santa program in your city, or for another "worthy cause" that touches your heart? Heloise
Dear Heloise: How about using common kitchen extracts to flavor coffee and milk? I use powdered instant milk and have found that any flavor extract is a real treat in the cold milk. I mix a pitcher and let it sit until cold or put some ice cubes in the drinking glass. You will have to find the quantity of flavoring you like. Determine the number of glasses your pitcher holds and take it from there. The flavorings could also be added to regular processed milk. It sure is good.
Also, for a refreshing hot drink during the day or night, put a cup of the flavored milk in the microwave and heat. I have used banana, vanilla, coconut, lemon, peppermint, peach, rum, walnut, butterscotch, blueberry -- just about all of them. You can mix some flavors, such as blueberry and banana or coconut and pineapple, for a different taste. You can use cinnamon, nutmeg -- anything you like! E.A. Smith, Downing, Mo.
Dear Heloise: We have outdoor flags that keep getting wound up because of the wind, so I thought I'd get some drapery weights and either sew or glue them to the bottom.
When I saw what the weights looked like, I realized that I could use those advertising refrigerator magnets -- just cut them into strips and glue them inside the seams, and voil & aacute; -- flags that stay hanging! Priscilla in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate