Do you hear what I hear? Lending an ear as Santa's shadow

Mike Sakal

Mike Sakal’s column runs on Fridays. Contact him at (480) 898-6533 or msakal@evtrib.com, or write to Mike Sakal, East Valley Tribune, 1620 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282

Tim Hacker

Santa's Helper

Tribune reporter Mike Sakal listens in to what Braden Buxton,3, left, and his sister Brianna Buxton,2, ask Santa for at the Superstition Springs Mall are wanting for Christmas, Monday, December 12, 2011. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Tim Hacker

Santa's Helper

Tribune reporter Mike Sakal listens in to what Braden Buxton,3, left, and his sister Brianna Buxton,2, ask Santa for at the Superstition Springs Mall are wanting for Christmas, Monday, December 12, 2011. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Tim Hacker

Santa's Helper

Tribune reporter Mike Sakal listens in to what Braden Buxton,3, left, and his sister Brianna Buxton,2, ask Santa for at the Superstition Springs Mall are wanting for Christmas, Monday, December 12, 2011. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Tim Hacker

Santa's Helper

Tribune reporter Mike Sakal listens in to what visitors to Santa at the Superstition Springs Mall are wanting for Christmas, Monday, December 12, 2011. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]