CULTURE/SOCIETY: Businessman Starts Santa Claus Hotline after Phone Number Mix-Up

I found this article from the KSBY 6 Action News website in a rather round-about way. I was checking the searches that brought up my site - you can do this with SiteMeter. And this story and my post came up with the search, "1-800-SANTA CLAUS". I thought it was a sweet and good story for Christmas time. :) - OlderMusicGeek

Goleta businessman starts his own Santa Claus hotline after a phone number mix-up

Posted: Dec 7, 2007 08:24 PM
Friday, December 7, 2007
Reported by: Leana Orsua
GOLETA

They thought they were calling Santa Claus, but got a south coast businessman instead.

It's all because the phone numbers "1-800-Santa Claus" and "1-800-Santa Barbara" are only one digit apart.

1-800-Santa Barbara is a visitor information hotline run by John Dickson of Goleta. Last year he was flooded with calls from kids who thought they dialed 1-800-Santa Claus.

Now Dickson is making the most of this merry mix-up.

They were the Christmas calls that kept John Dickson up at night last year.

"But this Christmas Season, kids who misdial 1-800-Santa Claus and reach 1-800-Santa Barbara will be greeted by old Saint Nick.

"I ended up talking to these kids pretty much morning to night for about a whole week just on my own and sat right about here listening to kids all day," recalls Dickson.

Last year he fielded hundreds of Christmas wishes that were supposed to go to the North Pole. But this year there won't be any accidents. He is setting up an official Santa phone center, equipped with Santa, Mrs. Claus and a host of volunteer helpers.

"If you can talk on the phone and have a good heart with children, that's enough," says Dickson.

The call center will be set up here at the Montecito Bank and Trust on State Street. Santa and Mrs. Claus will answer five phone lines, 12 hours each day.

Melissa Mceacheron, who works at the bank will be one of Santa's helpers, "We just thought it was such a nice thing that he was doing for all the kids around the world," she said.

As Dickson gets his helpers ready, he takes a moment to reflect on the rush that's to come. "It was like a slow tidal wave that moved in, a tidal wave of good cheer."

The Santa Call Center will be up and running on December 17. It will run for one week ending on Christmas Eve.

Last year John took in 973 calls, this year he expects to get in the thousands.

That number again, is 1 (800) Santa Barbara.

A link to the original KSBY 6 Action News article

A link to all my Christmas and holiday posts

Happy Christmas and/or Boxing Day and/or Kwanzaa and/or Hannakah and/or Bodhi Day and/or Sanghamitta Day and/or Shabe Cheleh and/or Makara Sankranti and/or Junkanoo and/or Dong Zhi and/or Toji and/or Soyal and/or Yule and/or Seva Zistane and/or Alban Arthan and/or Long Night and/or Mean Geimrech and/or Brumalia and/or Dies Natalis Solis Invicti and/or Saturnalia and/or Lenaea and/or Wren Day and/or Tekufah Tevet and/or Winter Solstice and/or ChriFSMas and/or any other December or winter solstice holidays i missed!

Oh, and Bah Humbug to those who don't celebrate the holidays! :)

CULTURE/SOCIETY: A Bunch of Christmas Quizzes

Here's a few Christmas quizzes that my daughter and I took. - OlderMusicGeek

OLDERMUSICGEEK -

You Are Dasher

You're an independent minded reindeer who never plays by the rules. Why You're Naughty: That little coup you tried to stage against Santa last year Why You're Nice: You secretly give naughty children presents.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

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MY DAUGHTER -

You Are Comet

A total daredevil, you're the reindeer with an edge! Why You're Naughty: You almost gave Santa a heart attack when you took him sky diving Why You're Nice: You always make sure the sleigh is going warp speed

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

OLDERMUSICGEEK -

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are about celebration. You enjoy all the fun and fellowship that the holidays bring. You celebrate the holidays in an over the top style. If something is cute, you'll buy it. People end up with a lot of gifts from you - and your house is like a holiday wonderland, full of decorations. During the holidays, you feel magical. You love all of the decorations and how happy people are. You like to sit back and take it all in. You think the holidays should be comforting and relaxing. You don't like the holiday rush... you just like the simple pleasure of the holidays. Your best holiday memories are of childhood foods and traditions. You secretly still wish you believed in Santa Claus.

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

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MY DAUGHTER -

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are about generosity. You give as much as you possibly can to friends, family, and charity. (My daughter said, "What?!", when she heard this first part! But she said the rest describes her!) You celebrate the holidays in a offbeat style. You believe the holidays are for doing whatever you feel like - and some of your "traditions" are pretty wacky. During the holidays, you feel like having fun. Tradition is not important to you... having a blast with your friends is. You think the holidays should be comforting and relaxing. You don't like the holiday rush... you just like the simple pleasure of the holidays. Your best holiday memories are of childhood foods and traditions. You secretly still wish you believed in Santa Claus.

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

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OLDERMUSICGEEK -

You Are Ugly Underwear!

Comfortable and soft, more people like you than let on. But it's very difficult for you to show yourself in public.

What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

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MY DAUGHTER -

You Are a Losing Lottery Ticket!

Full of hope and promise. But in the end, a cheap letdown.

What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

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OLDERMUSICGEEK -

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Very Brady Christmas

For you, it's all about sharing times with family. Even if you all get a bit cheesy at times.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

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MY DAUGHTER -

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

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OLDERMUSICGEEK -

Your Holiday Personality is Fun

You're all about the celebrating. Whether you're partying hard or singing along to Christmas music, you're totally enjoying the holidays. Make your own Christmas ornaments. Create a holiday mix for all your friends' stockings. Run around your neighborhood late Christmas Eve ringing bells.

How Should You Spend the Holidays?

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OLDERMUSICGEEK AND HIS DAUGHTER -

Your Holiday Stress Level is Moderate

The holidays sometimes stress you out, but mostly because they wear you down. Take it easy! You can have a fun holiday without running yourself ragged.

What's Your Holiday Stress Level?

Happy Christmas and/or Boxing Day and/or Kwanzaa and/or Hannakah and/or Bodhi Day and/or Sanghamitta Day and/or Shabe Cheleh and/or Makara Sankranti and/or Junkanoo and/or Dong Zhi and/or Toji and/or Soyal and/or Yule and/or Seva Zistane and/or Alban Arthan and/or Long Night and/or Mean Geimrech and/or Brumalia and/or Dies Natalis Solis Invicti and/or Saturnalia and/or Lenaea and/or Wren Day and/or Tekufah Tevet and/or Winter Solstice and/or any other December or winter solstice holidays i missed!

Oh, and Bah Humbug to those who don't celebrate the holidays! :)