By The Home News (contact)

Fri, Dec 5, 2008 (midnight)

Salvation Army not taking plastic locally

The Salvation Army is experimenting with a plastic alternative for people who don't have cash to throw in a holiday red kettle. Empty-pocketed shoppers can swipe their credit cards on scanning technology attached to some kettles.

However, the pilot program is not being tested in Nevada.

The nonprofit charity is evaluating the concept in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Dallas this year.

Clark County donors may be able to try it next year, but there are no concrete plans, said local spokesman Charlie Desiderio.

Firefighters to collect toys for charity

The Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation will bring its annual Fill the Fire Truck Toy Drive to the Silverado area Dec. 6-7.

Firefighter volunteers will collect toys from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wal-Mart, 2310 E. Serene Ave.

All items must be unwrapped and for children ages 0 to 13 years old.

Additionally, gift cards in $10 increments and money will also be collected.

All donated items will be brought to a warehouse and sorted to be picked up by various charitable organizations including the Boys & Girls Club, Family Resource Centers and Salvation Army; as well as churches and schools.

For more information or to view additional drive dates, visit www.theburnfoundation.org.

Santa diving at Silverton

The Silverton Casino Lodge, 3333 Blue Diamond Road, will welcome an underwater Santa to the property's aquarium at 9 a.m. Dec. 6.

Using a special communication mask, Santa will be able to communicate with visitors about what they would like for Christmas.

The Silverton mermaids will serve as Santa's special helpers.

Santa will be in the aquarium for 30 minutes at a time between 9 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Dec. 6-7 and Dec. 13-14. He will take 15-minute breaks in between dives.

Everyone who visits and speaks with Santa will receive a holiday treat.

For more information call 263-7777 or visit www.silvertoncasino.com.

Showbiz Kidz performing

Teen performers Showbiz Kidz will be singing holiday classics at the Green Valley Vons grocery store, 2667 Windmill Parkway, on Dec. 20. There will be two performances at noon and 1:15 p.m.

The Showbiz Kidz is a group of singers age 8 to 13 who sing and dance at various community events.

The group 10 Future Stars is performing a holiday show at the Bootlegger Bistro, 7700 Las Vegas Blvd S., at 1 p.m. on Dec. 21.

For more information on either show, contact Steve Fortgang at 263-9594.

MacDonald Highlands hosting dinner

MacDonald Highlands is hosting a fundraiser in some of the largest homes in the Las Vegas Valley to benefit HopeLink Dec. 4 — an event to help prevent families from slipping into homelessness.

The event will be a progressive-style dinner through homes in MacDonald Highlands, starting at 6 p.m. at the MacDonald Highlands Custom Homes entrance at Horizon Ridge Parkway and Valle Verde Drive. Suggested donation is $100 per person.

For more information call Leigh Aurbach at 702-566-0576 ext. 18 or visit www.link2hope.org

Palm Mortuaries has begun its 11th annual Tree of Memory program.

Those who wish to memorialize deceased loved ones during the holiday seasons may buy an ornament for $10 to $25 to place on the tree until Dec. 19.

All proceeds from the ornaments will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada and the Shade Tree Shelter.

Ornaments can be ordered at any of Palm's six locations between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or by visiting www.PalmMortuary.com. For more information, call 464-8352.