Windows at the Jackson Hewitt office at 28-17 Steinway St. were hand-painted by Jesenia Solares, a senior at William Cullen Bryant H.S. Santa parked his sleigh on Steinway Street on December 3 and headed to a holiday wonderland for a visit with local youngsters. Smiles of anticipation filled the faces of dozens of children who lined up to share their holiday lists with the jolly old elf at a Jackson Hewitt office at 28-17 Steinway St. Each of the kids received a candy cane and a teddy bear from Santa, along with a keepsake photo of their visit.

Santa will be back at Jackson Hewitt on December 17 from noon to 4 p.m. to pose for photos and share Christmas secrets with youngsters from throughout the area.

Special thanks are in order for Kiki Fieger, proprietor of the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service office, for opening on Sundays in December to accommodate Santa.

Fieger, the owner/operator of four independently owned Jackson Hewitt offices in Astoria, Long Island City and Jackson Heights said she is “excited and thrilled” to participate in Santa’s 2006 visits to local children.

A youngster gets ready to tell Santa Claus her Christmas wishes. Windows at the Jackson Hewitt office were hand-painted in anticipation of Santa’s visit by Jesenia Solares, a senior at William Cullen Bryant H.S.

Dutch Kills resident Jessica Fasano, 16, volunteered on December 3 to take photos of Santa and the kids. Fasano, a junior at St. John’s Prep, was scheduled to be back on subsequent Sundays to make sure each youngster received a keepsake photo.

Santa’s visits are sponsored again this year by the folks at the Steinway Street Business Improvement District (BID), as a holiday gift for kids young and old.

While shopping on Steinway Street, don’t miss the Strolling Goliard Carolers singing the sounds of the season on December 16 and 23 from 2 to 4 p.m.—Liz Goff

Two visitors and one of Santa’s helpers pose with Santa.