By Sam Skolnik (contact)

Mon, Dec 1, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Las Vegas is doing what it can to address the home foreclosure crisis. In part, that means requesting millions of dollars from the federal agency on the front lines of assistance.

The City Council on Nov. 19 unanimously approved a plan to request $20.6 million from the Housing and Urban Development Department’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

The money, if granted, will be used to assist neighborhoods with high foreclosure rates.

The funding would be used to purchase foreclosed homes in ZIP codes where foreclosures are currently, or are expected to be, the highest in the city.

Houses would be purchased at 15 percent below the current appraised value.

Some houses would then be included in a lease-to-own program for those who earn up to 120 percent of the area’s median income. That same group could also qualify for down payment assistance program for homes that need refurbishing.

Poorer residents, those who earn up to half of the median income, could qualify for rental housing.

The plan will be forwarded to HUD after a public comment period ends. If approved, it will go into effect March 1.

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The City Council recently approved grants for 19 student projects on topics ranging from recycling to murals to community action.

A total of $20,000 in grants through the Las Vegas Youth Neighborhood Association Partnership Program will serve as seed money for the programs. The youth have committed to provide about $200,000 in funding.

To qualify, the projects must be youth initiated and driven, located within city limits, and pursued in conjunction with a neighborhood organization. The youth groups are responsible for planning and implementing their projects, and for matching their grants with volunteer labor, donated materials or cash.

The projects that won council grants included a park garden from students at Park Elementary School; a multicultural fair from kids at Fong Elementary School; and a neighborhood community action program from Doolittle Youth Council.

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Do you celebrate Christmas? Plan on buying a Christmas tree, all green and tall and piney and festive-looking?

No problem. It’s that time of year, after all.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Department is urging safe handling and maintenance of the trees.

Nearly every year, incidents involving indoor live Christmas trees increase as the holiday approaches, according to a department news release.

Many of the incidents involve trees, or something near them, catching fire.

The department suggests that in dry desert air and unseasonably warm conditions, trees should be watered twice a day. It’s not uncommon for trees to need at least 2 gallons of water a day.

The trunk of the tree must always be in water, so a sap seal can never form. If it does, no more water can get into the tree.

Here are some other tips:

• When purchased, trees should be dark green and have an evergreen smell, indicating they contain moisture.

• When installed, gently pull on a branch with a closed hand daily to see if an excess number of needles fall. If they do, the tree is dead and should be discarded.

• Keep trees away from heat sources, and turn off all lighting when you go to bed or leave your home.