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Retailers are counting on those last minute shoppers to finish the year on a high note with many of them rush to buy those last-minute gifts.

“You know, we have the big gifts,” said Lisa Montanez, but added the smaller extra gifts help make a more complete Christmas experience.

While she shops for the knick-knacks, Teresa Sanchez says aunts and extended family members remain on her Christmas lists.

"It's just because we found out they're buying gifts for our kids so we went out and got them something since they're taking care of our kids,” she said.

On Friday, motorists in the Loop 1604 and Hwy. 281 corridors received an early Christmas gift in the form highway connectors. The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority has opened the last two connectors for the first phase of the project; westbound and eastbound 1604 onto 281 south both opened to traffic at noon.

Michelle Martinez with the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority said the contractors were able to complete the connectors a little ahead of schedule.

You may be trying to catch up on a few last minute things this weekend and not had time to check, so here is a list of city services that will have alternate schedules for the holidays. City Hall and most municipal offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 24, 2012 through Tuesday, Jan. 1. but emergency services like SAPD and SAFD will be open.

Trash Collection:

The art of violin playing is alive and well, especially based on the virtuosity and volume of new artists along with the refined performances of old favorites. These are just a few of the incredible releases I recommend you revisit -- or hear for the very first time; these picks are great listening for yourself or perhaps that someone special in your life!

Each year SAMMinistries honors the homeless who have passed away with a special memorial service: this year there were 66. The annual candlelight vigil to honor the homeless will be held tonight -- the longest night of the year.

This year, there were 11 fewer homeless deaths than last year. SAMMinistries CEO Navarra Williams said community concern and good shelters are part of the reason, but there’s also greater outreach to find people when they need to get inside.

Think back to how families used to celebrate the Holidays. For some of us, it was sitting in front of the TV watching a Charlie Brown special, and going back another twenty years, Dad would play disc-jockey, keeping the records spinning on the Hi-Fi. Back another generation, families grouped around the piano with someone, who hopefully spent some time practicing, played Christmas carols for the mini-multitude to sing along.

Texas Matters: After reviewing school district safety audits, the attorney general's office found that 78 Texas school districts were not compliant with the law. The Newtown tragedy is also having an effect in San Antonio school districts, where two students who were making jokes about bomb threats and shootings on their own campuses were arrested. Texas Monthly crowns its 2012 Bum Steer of the Year: Lance Armstrong.