Try stuffing these gift ideas in Santa's sleigh

Economic development, supermodels top intangible wish list

Once, in the course of a particularly financially tight Christmas season, I sent out a wish list of intangible items to all of my friends, requesting things that were rich in spirit rather than high in price — all the better to skip out on paying for their gifts in return.

Besides, good thoughts often warm the soul better than any material item.

This year, money is still kind of tight, although the economy is reportedly going to be on the upswing come 2005.

So it's a good time to present a little something I call, "Matthew Weaver's List of Intangible Items for Grant and Adams Counties, And Beyond."

Were I to have a direct line to Santa's workshop, these are the things I would ask him for for the area:

— Further economic development, although I think he already got that memo, judging by the rising level of optimism … Perhaps Mr. Kringle feels a little guilty for not putting Boeing's 7E7 plant in our stocking last year, and leaving mad cow instead?

— The patience with which to receive the economic development. Yes, we know it's coming! Yes, we know these things take time! But we'd take a little now, gosh darn it!

— A couple hip hot spots to attract more hip young twentysomethings. The Noon Moon Coffeehouse is a good start, but as new Big Bend Economic Development Council planning and development manager Sarita Riley recently stated, Grant County youth grow up and tend to never come back, more than the rest of the state. And Santa, if some of those hip young twentysomethings tend to be supermodel-type ladies with an eye for excessively hairy business and agriculture reporters, wink wink nudge nudge, I would probably not complain.

— Fair seasons and good markets for our agricultural base, both at home and abroad.

— Good road conditions the whole winter through.

— Snow days for journalists. Just saying …

— Everyone to settle down and remember that the opposition probably has just as good a reason for his or her sentiment as they do, and a right to his or her own opinion.

— Warden decides to fight fire with fire and show up Soap Lake by building the World's Largest Black Light. Mattawa retaliates by building the World's Largest Disco Ball.

— Increased communication between all the surrounding towns.

— No more closing businesses.

— More high-caliber guest speakers like Kwame Jackson at affordable prices.

— Increased volunteers for area events and stores open later and longer hours.

— I would also not be adverse to a Pete's Pizza, Old Spaghetti Factory or a Bruchi's, either.

— Senses of humor for those Grinches who don't find this My Turn amusing.

— A shoe store for men with plus-sized feet. Again, just saying …

— Peace on earth and goodwill toward men. (Matthew really wants those supermodels, St. Nick!)

Matthew Weaver is the business and agriculture reporter for the Columbia Basin Herald. He wears a size 15.