Here's hoping all your wishes will be granted in 2008

My daughter did some last-minute grocery shopping for me on Christmas Eve, battling not only the crowds at the store, but also the throngs in the street.

We live in an area woefully underserved by grocery stores; none is closer than 2½ miles, a neighbor declared several years ago, and I have no reason to doubt her. "The store was insane," my daughter told me. "I was so wishing the Aldi were open."

That would be two of us. Add in the rest of the east side of Geneva and that would be many hundreds of us. So to the Aldi honchos for 2008: the gratitude of the east side.

No longer will the desire for s'mores on a wintry night be sidetracked by the unavailability of marshmallows anywhere close by (and that has happened to many people I know). No longer will the dinner menu be altered because the cupboard lacks a key ingredient, and a trip to the grocery store to get the elusive item entails more than 30 nonexistent minutes.

And that's just one thing to look forward to in the bright and shiny year that beckons in two days' time. Here are some other wishes for 2008.

• For all those kids who got a nicely wrapped raincheck under their Christmas trees, instead of the Wii system they wanted, that Nintendo comes through with a system for you soon. Let Mario party on.

• For the Geneva school district: continued progress on plans to enlarge Geneva High School. I'd selfishly add a wish that it contain a really fine auditorium and music facilities, and that it be finished in time for the 2010-11 school year.

• For all Geneva High School students: good grades on all those upcoming finals.

• For Web-hooked residents: Free Wi-Fi everywhere!

• For Congressional District 14 voters: an Excedrin for the headache resulting from trying to figure out the electoral mess created by the mid-term resignation of Denny Hastert.

• For the aforementioned Hastert: the proverbial smack with a wet noodle for not completing the term to which you were elected.

• For all Geneva residents: a recommendation to visit Geneva High School to catch a basketball game or other sporting event, watch Danny and Sandy in "Grease" come March, or enjoy a concert. Seniors can even get into some events for free! Pick up a pass -- it will let you into athletic contests for free and you can also catch the dress rehearsal of the high school musical -- at the central office, 227 N. Fourth St.

• For PRIDE, also known as Proud Retired and other Individuals Dedicated to Education: more volunteers to share their expertise with Geneva students.

• For high school seniors: mailboxes jammed with envelopes that say "Congratulations! You have been admitted to ..."

• For high school seniors, part 2: A letter going along with that acceptance that adds, "We'd like to give you this scholarship ..." And while we're on the subject of higher education, to those in charge: a break from (and a brake on) out-of-control costs. Let's change the mindset that parents "demand" high-end facilities and apartment-style dorm living. Most of the parents I know would much prefer lower payments.

• And for those seniors who have received the letter that starts out, "we're sorry:" the knowledge that an acceptance letter is still out there for you. Here's to a great college experience, even if it's not at your first-choice school. And here's a wish, as well, that you read Susan Estrich's recent column on early decision, commiserating with those who did not get one of the fat envelopes. (She did not get accepted to Radcliffe, many moons ago.) The column includes: "This one is for the kids who don't get in, who did everything they could, had their hearts set and now feel them broken." You should be able to find the column online. It ran in mid-December.

• To those in charge of telephone numbers: A solution that returns sensible seven-digit dialing to the 630 area code. By the time I get through the 1-630 part, I've already forgotten the rest of the number, even if it's one I've known for years! And I know I have company. My issues with this matter would have nothing to do with aging, of course.

• Speaking of aging, to people who aren't teen-agers: a wish that you learn the fine art of (cell phone) texting. It gets easier with practice, though I'll never be as fast as any of the three teens who live in my house. But sometimes texting is a really useful way to communicate. It's worth the learning curve. Just don't text your kids at school. Detentions can result.

• For Geneva's seniors -- A wish that you check out the new township senior center at Wheeler Park. It's been a long time coming. Go see what the center has to offer.

• For Matt Teske, new director of the Geneva Public Library: a hearty welcome to the head job. Here's wishing you, and the library board, progress in your search for larger facilities. Did I mention those facilities should stay downtown? They should. And happy retirement as well to director Jeanne Hintz: now you have time to get in a lot of reading.

• And finally, this school year the Geneva school district is emphasizing success for all students. I love this goal, because it recognizes the differences between young people, and works toward each student being successful in some realm, each in his or her own individual way.

In that same spirit, I wish for success for all residents, whether the goal is more space for the library, more space for high school students, more programs for seniors or simply finding tomato sauce at 5 o'clock only 2½ blocks -- not 2½ miles -- away.

A happy 2008 to one and all.