Toys for Tots fundraiser coming up

Toys for Tots fundraiser

Nick Plaskon of Surprise submitted this information.

A fundraiser for Toys for Tots will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fuzzy's Southwest Sports Grill at Reems Road and Grand Avenue in Surprise. Organizers are asking for new, unwrapped toys and/or monetary donations. All the donations stay in the Phoenix area to help underprivileged children have a Christmas.

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserves will attend.

Flaims release Christmas CD

Nancy L. Brandt submitted this information.

Longtime Sun City residents Emil and Shirley Flaim have released their 2008 Christmas CD. They perform twice a week at Azul Cafe & Cantina, 9440 W. Peoria Ave. Their album is a combination of solos, duets, and piano stylings by Emil. It is available at the restaurant for $5.

Emil has performed in venues across the Valley and beyond for many years, having worked with the legendary Al Jolson as a child and later becoming the opening act for Elvis Presley. He and his wife perform 6-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at Azul. They plan a reservation-only show New Year's Eve at the restaurant. Reservations: 623-979-0979.

Learn to write your memoirs

The Friends of the Surprise Libraries and Surprise will co-sponsor a memoir-writing group at the beginning of the year.

Participants will write their life's story, working with classmates and receiving guidelines from a published author. Meetings will be held in the Community Room at the Northwest Regional Library, 16089 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise, from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays for six weeks beginning Jan. 5.

Sign up at Friends' Used Book Store sales desk in the library foyer.