The Salvation Army angel tree is one of my favorite ways to give every year at Christmastime. The Salvation Army asks screened families to fill out a "wish list" and you can fulfill it for a child in need.  The kids request clothes, coats and normally a toy of some kind.  Last year, for example, the younger kids I played Santa for asked for bikes.   The older one asked for an mp3 player.

You can choose what angel you want and see their wishlist right up front.  The gifts are then brought to the Salvation Army (or the mall) and delivered to the family in time for Christmas.

This year, they've added a new way you can pick out your angel.  In addition to Park Plaza Mall, McCain Malls and select Wal-mart stores, they've added a list of angels online.  You can go to the angel tree site and pick your angel out from the comfort of your home.  The wishlists are visible, the age groups are broken down and, as far as I can tell, it's a similar experience to picking them out in the mall.

The gifts do not have to be purchased online.  They can be brought to a pickup location or even shipped back to the Salvation Army.  However, JCPenny has a site designed to help you pick out clothes and gifts for your angel and they will ship directly to the Salvation Army for you.

Have fun with the angel tree!

It's around the world Thursday at the Clinton Library and the Museum School is having their annual sale. It's also the big free clinic at the state house convention center.

Thursday:

• Around the World Thursday
  Doors open at 6:30pm, dinner served at 7pm. $27.95 per visitor. This week is taste of the USA.
• Holiday Celebration On Ice
  At 7 p.m. at the Verizon Arena, tickets $46.75-$125.00 via Ticketmaster.
• Wildwood Wine Reserve
  This food and wine event takes place from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Governor's Mansion. Tickets are $200.00.

Friday:

• Family Night at IMAX
  Fridays at thr Aerospace Education Center, tickets are just $5.75.

Saturday:

Holiday Open House & Craft Sale
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At the R Street Community Church, University Ave. & R Street, browse a selection of unique handmade & international gifts.

Museum School Annual Holiday Sale
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The sale features works of art created by Museum School faculty and students, including jewelry, photography, woodwork, glass, drawings, paintings and pottery.

National Association of Free Clinics
12-7 p.m.
At the Statehouse Convention Center, The National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) and its partners will be sponsoring a one day free medical clinic for the uninsured. The Little Rock C.A.R.E. Clinic will offer basic medical care and health education. Patients call 1-877-236-7617 to make an appointment.

The holiday season is here and I've assembled the holiday events that you don't want to miss.

This year, the busy Christmas weekend is December 5-6. December 5th is when Little Rock has our big parade and State Capitol lighting. North Little Rock's parade is on the 6th.

Are you looking for Santa? Santa has been at most malls, including Park Plaza, since last weekend. He visits the Peabody on the 29th, and I love the Peabody event. Kids love seeing Santa lead the ducks down. He will be at the Promenade on Chenal on the 28th. He's got a busy schedule, but there are plenty of opportunities for your kids to turn over their Christmas lists.

Another standout event is caroling in the caverns. November 28 - December 20, you can go to Blanchard Springs and carol in Blanchard Springs Caverns. That's pretty unique!

Ryan Secrest has announced a contest where people can vote to have Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta and hometown favorite/American Idol Kris Allen appear in their hometown. Seacrest is promising the city with the most votes a free concert. As I'm posting this, Little Rock is number 2. Vote for Little Rock today.

The contest header says "free concert."  If you read the rules, it says they will do a random drawing from all the votes in a 50 mile radius of the winning town and one person will get 2 free tickets, parking and all related fees (retail $100).  To me, that makes it sound like the concert is not really "free" to everyone.

Only one vote is allowed per person/email address. The rules also make no mention of Allison as a performer of the concert, but she is mentioned elsewhere. The contest is slated to run through December 18. The show is slated to take place on February 13, 2010.

In the meantime, check out these photos of Kris in Conway and Kris Allen's new CD on November 17.  It features 13 tracks: "Live Like We're Dying," "Before We Come Undone," "Can't Stay Away," "The Truth," "Written All Over My Face," "Bring It Back," "Red Guitar," "Is it Over," "Let it Rain," "Alright With Me," "Lifetime," "I Need to Know" and "Heartless."

Holiday House is a fun event at the Statehouse Convention Center. The convention center is filled with Christmas decorations, gingerbread houses and lots and lots of shoppers for the weekend.

To me, Holiday House is the kick off the holiday season in Little Rock and something I look forward to every year.

It's also the Junior League of Little Rock's main fundraiser. The Junior League helps Little Rock families in many ways including: FACT (Families and Community Together), Grow (Girls Realizing Opportunity Within), Buckle Up and Bee Safe, Partners for Hope, Stuff the Bus and Nightingales.

Admission prices for Holiday House vary. Tonight is a special preview night from 6-10 p.m. The preview includes shopping, a silent auction and wine. Admission is $35. On the 12th, from 9 a.m. to noon, you can enjoy brunch and coffee while you shop for $25. Lady's Night Out is Thursday from 6-9 p.m. It includes a Mexican buffet and 2 drinks, a silent auction and a raffle. Tickets are $25.

General admission is from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, 9-9 on Friday and 9-6 on Saturday. General admission is $7 for 1 day or 3 days for $15.

Welcome to the weekend in Little Rock. Besides preparing for Thanksgiving, we've got a few other things going on.

November 13-

• Cruisin' in the Rock from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the River Market. It's a monthly cruise-in.
• Little Rock Fashion Week 2009 DVD Release & Screening Party is at 6 p.m. at
  Gusano's on 313 President Clinton Ave. It's free.

November 14-

• Pinnacle is hosting a Fall Hayride & Campfire from 3-5 p.m. $10.
• Family Day at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Crafts, guest speakers and demonstrations.
• Idea Aid: World's First Brainstorm to Tackle Global Poverty is Saturday from 2-4 p.m. at the Heifer Village. Heifer is also having "Kids Cook" Saturday morning.
• The Clinton Library is having a free admission day to kick off "Five Days of Giving" and their coat drive.

I think every day we enjoy the freedoms of our country is Veteran's Day, but November 11 is the day we've designated to reflect on what the armed forces have done for our country. There are many events throughout the state, but here are a few in Little Rock.

The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs will present its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11th at 11 a.m. at the State Capitol. This ceremony is to honor all veterans who have, and are serving this nation, both in war and in peace. Governor Mike Beebe will give the Veterans Day address. The public is invited to attend this ceremony to honor the veterans.

Admission to the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum will be free for veterans, active military and their families from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11.

On a less serious note, Veterans and Active Duty Military Eat Free at Applebee's tomorrow.

The Peabody Hotel at Little Rock is the first hotel in Arkansas to be awarded four stars in the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide. It is among only 147 four-star hotels in the nation listed in the Forbes Travel Guide.

Most of us in Little Rock probably only know the Peabody for its ducks. It is located in the former Excelsior Hotel in downtown Little Rock (next to the Old Statehouse) on 3 Statehouse Plaza. Locals know it for the famous daily duck marches, but travelers know it for the first class accommodations and dining offered there.

General manager Gregg Herning said the four-star designation was important not only to the hotel but to the state. The executive director of the Arkansas Hospitality Association agreed, saying the listing proves that Arkansas can compete on a national and international level.

This is the weekend where central Arkansas will be at or near it's peak fall colors. Take some time to enjoy it (or rake it out of your yard). With all the rain, most of my fall leaves have fallen already, but there are a few parks where you can still take in the sights of fall. Pinnacle is doing a fall colors walk this weekend.

• A FOCAL Book sale is going on at the Main library on Nov 6-8. Lots of used books for sale.
• The Sandwiching in History series takes you to the The W.W. Fuess House on 2315 South Summit. The house was built in 1914. Starts at noon on Nov 7.
• The Delta Class for Literacy is Nov 7 at War Memorial Stadium. It is Grambling vs UAPB.
• Pinnacle is having several hikes including a fall colors hike and a mushroom talk this weekend. Call 501-868-5806 if you are interested.
• The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents Beethoven's Fifth! on November 7 - 8 at Robinson Center Music
• The R.K. Gun and Knife Show is at the Arkansas State Fair Grounds on Nov 7-8. Tickets are $8. Open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Heifer Village Moo-Vies presents "The Future of Food" on Nov 8, free.

Around this time of the year, people start emailing me and asking me where they can spend their Thanksgiving day.  Last year, there was a man disappointed that Julie's would not be open, because it was family tradition to go there.  I normally reply with some restaurants and events going on.  This year, I also want your advice.

Where do you take your family over the Thanksgiving holiday?  Does your family frequent a special restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner?  Do you get dinner catered by a favorite place?  Do you prefer to just stay home and watch the parade?

Comment below and share some of the special things that make Thanksgiving for you.