Christmas is Saturday, but for many people in the work force, the holiday begins Friday, if not sooner.

All area city and county government offices will be closed Friday. City halls in Baldwin, Eudora and DeSoto are closed today and Friday. In Ottawa and McLouth, city halls will be closed Friday and Monday. County courts will be closed Friday.

The Lawrence Transit System and the T Lift will operate Friday but will shut down Saturday. The Lawrence Bus Company will not operate Friday or Saturday.

There will be no Lawrence residential trash pickups Friday or Saturday. Commercial solid waste routes will be made Friday but not Saturday.

Kansas University students are on winter break until Jan. 19. All KU offices will be closed Friday. Campus libraries and computer labs will have varied hours over the next few days.

The Lawrence Workforce Center will be closed Friday.

Douglas County Senior Services Inc. and the Lawrence Senior Center will be closed Friday. Meals will not be served at Babcock Place, Edgewood Place, Lecompton, Eudora and Baldwin. Cancellation of meals includes home-delivered meals. Bus 62 service also will be canceled Monday. There is no Friday bus service.

The Lawrence Public Library will be closed Fridaythrough Sunday.

Post offices will be closed Saturday, and there will be no regular mail delivery. Express mail and priority packages will be delivered.

UPS delivery will be provided Friday, but automatic pick-ups will not. For details about UPS holiday schedules, call (800) 742-5877.

Banks will be closed Saturday, and many will close early Friday. Closing times vary.

The Journal-World will be published Saturday. The circulation office will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Parking meters in downtown Lawrence will be free Friday.

To report a water or sewer emergency after business hours, weekends or on a holiday, call the utilities department at 843-2685.