PALMDALE SANTA GETS KIDS BEHAVING WITH RAVEN STORY.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

If local kids seem to start behaving whenever they see one of the Antelope Valley's ubiquitous ravens, it may have something to do with Robin Rodgers.

For two weeks every year, the Palmdale pool service business owner plays Santa Claus for dozens of schools, youth groups and other organizations.

But after the children tell Santa what they want for Christmas, Rodgers tells them a tale he invented about the imaginary man from the North Pole.

``I tell them that Santa has been extremely busy,'' Rodgers said, ``and that I have figured out a way to turn elves into crows.''

He goes on to tell them how the numerous ravens who perch on utility poles around the valley are actually elves sent by Santa to see who's being naughty or nice.

``I figured there's so many crows around here that it may actually work,'' said Rodgers, 40, father of three, whose youngest still believes in Santa Claus.

``It works on my kids,'' said Rodgers. ``The other day, I saw him talking to a crow, asking him to tell Santa what a good boy he was.''

Rodgers' second son, Adam, didn't know his dad was Santa and sat on his lap until he was 8. Now that he knows he does all he can to keep the tale going for his younger sibling.

``It's neat in a way,'' Adam Rodgers said. ``Not many dads are Santa. You get to see other kids happy.''

Playing jolly old Saint Nick since 1988, Rodgers sees 200 to 300 kids every year.

When he first started, he used to beg and borrow the Santa suits. But now he owns a red velvet suit complete with boots, wig and a traditional Santa cap. He's invested about $400 to $500 in his costume.

``It's a responsibility,'' said Rodgers. ``If you make a mistake even in wearing a watch it could give it away.''

Along with his raven story, Rodgers has a few other tales that he tells when kids get suspicious about whether he's the real Santa.

``I tell them that Santa has lots of assistants, and that they have special permission from Santa and report back to him,'' Rodgers said.

But to convince them that he is the real Santa he says, ``The real Santa always wear velvet, my helpers never do.''

When he became faint one day while playing Santa, he told some kids that Santa is used to living at the North Pole and isn't accustomed to the heat.

``You have to be in character every second,'' Rodgers said. ``Otherwise it could really spoil it for a child. I try and make them feel like they've really met the man.''

Rodgers, who owns Kleen-Sweep Pools, a pool maintenance and repair business, got his start as Santa at the Palmdale Parent Participation Preschool.

``One year when they couldn't find anyone to play Santa, they had a female Santa,'' Rodgers said. ``Then next year my wife volunteered me. And I fell in love with it.''

Since then Rodgers has been Santa at the preschool and for dozens of other schools and organizations, including the Palmdale Christmas parade where he's played Santa for three years.

He played Santa for the Scout groups, for numerous PTAs and goes to Antelope Valley Hospital every year, visiting each room and passing out candy canes.

``It's my love for Christmas that keeps me playing Santa,'' he said. ``It's the highlight of the season. It's the best gift you can give a child.''

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--color) In real life, Robin Rodgers runs a pool service business when he's not playing Santa Claus.

(2--color) Rodgers, a father of three, has been captivating children since 1988.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News