Holiday closings

Friday, Dec. 20, 2002 | 10:01 a.m.

On Christmas Day, Christians worldwide celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, although biblical scholars have long debated when he actually was born. In the fourth century the Church of Rome designated Christ's birth as Dec. 25 to attempt to convert pagans, who celebrated the winter solstice in late December. Some entities will close early on Tuesday for Christmas Eve. Here's what's open and closed on Wednesday, Christmas Day:

SAFETY: Police and fire emergency services as usual. Offices closed.

UTILITIES: Closed: Nevada Power Co., Sprint, Las Vegas Valley Water District, Southwest Gas, Cox Communications cable television.

GOVERNMENT: Closed: Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Clark County, state, courts, federal offices, federal courthouse.

SCHOOLS: Closed, no classes: Clark County School District, UNLV, Community College of Southern Nevada. (Note: Public school classes resume Jan. 6 while classes at the university and community college resume Jan. 21.)

MAIL: Closed no deliveries: U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service.

NEWSPAPER: Sun offices closed. Sun published in combined morning editions with the Review-Journal.

TRANSIT: Downtown Transportation Center: Closed. City trolleys: Not operating. Citizen Area Transit: Weekend-holiday schedule (fewer buses on fixed routes).

LIBRARIES: Closed: Las Vegas-Clark County district, Henderson district, North Las Vegas district, Boulder City District.

GARBAGE: Republic Services of Southern Nevada pickups as usual. Offices closed.

FINANCIAL: Closed: Brokerage firms, most banks. (Note: Banks have the option of opening on holidays as long as transactions are posted on the next banking day. Check your local branches for holiday hours.)