2021: East Bay Times Holiday Guide Special Section by Bay Area News Group Marketing

Advertising supplement

November 21

2021 Holiday Guide I

Supporting Local Businesses

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

Wishing You a Happy Holiday Season

McCaulou’s and “David M Brian Stores” Along With Extended Family “Close to Home” As usual, our local “Close to Home” McCaulou’s Stores are chuck-full of merchandise and ready to go for the 2021 Holiday Season. We have been a part of the East Bay community since 1963. Our stores have been serving the communities for 58 years. Almost everybody in the East Bay area knows, by now, that their local McCaulou’s and “David M Brian Stores” deserve the No. 1 position on shopping lists. Let’s grab a look at some of the reasons! McCaulou’s always seems to be packed with an assortment of the right merchandise for local families including Menswear, Boy’s wear, Women’s and Juniors fashions, complete Kids departments (Infants through teens), Shoes for the entire family, Cosmetics — Lancôme, Estée Lauder and Clinique — and much more. The David M Brian stores are 14,000 square feet of exciting treasure hunts with perfect gift suggestions for everyone. How does the McCaulou’s stores family continue to keep all of this together when many other retailers have been disappearing? There is more to successful retailing than huge, beautiful, expensive buildings and/ or crowded low value-priced shopping centers. Think about it … our stores are Close to home (Save Gas

and battery power). Plenty of free parking. And, there is at least one of your favorite Sales Professionals waiting to assist you. Chances are you will be respectfully greeted by name. Expect a detectable comfort zone that makes you feel at home and know you are in the right place. Almost always, you will find what you are looking for and the sizes you need. Chances are you might be assisted by the founder of the company, David McCaulou Sr., or son David Brian. Just around the next corner in the Kids Department, daughter Nancy and sometimes a grown grandchild are pointing out the latest trends. Everyone works as a team and strives to have what our customers want and need and to always provide a level of service that people expect. Yes, they still offer the Free Gift Wrap Policy! Let’s keep our loyal and local Employees and the Sales Tax close to home. Please visit our family of conveniently located stores. McCaulou’s looks forward to serving you with 16 Bay Area locations including multiple David M. Brian, Madison, Hollyhock and McCaulou’s stores located in Lafayette, Danville, Montclair, Walnut Creek, Concord, Orinda, Sonoma, Auburn and Stockton. To learn more, visit us at mccaulous.com

McCaulous Countrywood Shopping Center, Walnut Creek

David M. Brian Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

Don’t Miss Out on Ghirardelli Chocolates This Season The arrival of the Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark, a holiday classic, is as joyfully anticipated this time of year as Santa sliding down the chimney. The perfect gift that always fits, Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark is the “hot” holiday item no one wants to miss. Dark chocolate, minis, snowmen, the classic square and, if that’s not enough to satisfy your craving, check out the Peppermint Bark Hot Cocoa. Celebrate the arrival of this “seasonal hero” and visit the annual warehouse sale, Dec. 10-12 at the newly renovated San Leandro store, 1111 139th Avenue (Check Ghirardelli. com/warehousesale for updates). The warehouse sale will feature an unique assortment of signature chocolate squares, baking supplies, and a variety of exclusive chocolate gifts not available anywhere else including the new Ghirardelli aprons, a perfect gift for that baker in your life. Bring the kids to enjoy the coloring station and take advantage of holiday photo opportunities and even a chance to win chocolate prizes. Visit store locations to shop for Keepsake tins, Gourmet Assorted Chocolate Pralines, and Peppermint Bark and Milk Chocolate Caramel tree gifts. The Winter Nights Collection is a new holiday collection featuring three different gifting items: a small gift box, a medium gift box, and a keepsake tin filled with a variety of Ghirardelli Squares.

Create a one-of-kind gift at the Pick and Mix station with favorite holiday flavors including the new Sugar Cookie square and a variety of snowman shaped flavors. Winter Nights Holiday gift bags can also be filled from the Pick & Mix station or

choose a festive advent calendar, penguin or Santa holiday bags. The perfect gift for co-workers, mothers-in-law, the boss, teachers, the mailman and everyone else on your gift list, Ghirardelli chocolate is also a great addition to the plate

of cookies you leave out for Santa. Heading out to a party this year? The Peppermint Bark Grand Gift bag is the perfect accessory to give for a hostess gift or share. Ghirardelli chocolate is a great fit for any gathering.

Visit one of the many Ghirardelli chocolate locations across the Bay Area including the historic Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, and a brand new store in Tracy at 1015 Promontory Parkway. Find the store closest to you at Ghirardelli.com

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS CROSSWORDS, NUMBER PUZZLES, WORD GAMES, LOGIC PUZZLES AND TRIVIA

All puzzles are syndicated by King Features Syndicate Inc. and have been previously published.

Wuzzles ......................................................................6, 17, 19 Stickelers...........................................................................6, 7 Point and Solve .....................................................................7 Cryptoquip .......................................................................7, 18 Sheffer Crossword.................................................................7 Sudoku ..................................................................................8 Super Quiz .......................................................................8, 18 Premier Crossword................................................................9 Challenger ............................................................................15 Hocus Focus.........................................................................15 Word Sleuth..........................................................................15 Cryptoquote..........................................................................15 Wishing Well........................................................................17 Joseph Crossword ................................................................17 Multi-Sudoku 2x2 ................................................................18 Battleships............................................................................19 Scramblers............................................................................19 Solutions................................................................................20, 21 A painting job can be completed by four painters in 34 days. If eight more painters join the team 10 days after starting work on the job, then how many more days are required to complete the job?

For any comments or questions about our Puzzle Brainia section, please contact us at content@bayareanewsgroup.com

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

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Point and Solve

Cryptoquip

In this crossword puzzle variety, the clues appear in the diagram itself. Simply enter the answers in the directions indicated by the arrows.

LCXB UTV LBCAY FLCH LCGGBMBY HT

HLCH KVU FLT RFSGBY WU TEESIB

ICZBMYCA? LB KTH HFBZXB WTMHLR. Today’s Cryptoquip Clue: W equals M

The Cryptoquip is a substitution cipher in which one letter stands for another. If you think that X equals O, it will equal O throughout the puzzle. Single letters, short words and words using an apostrophe give you clues to locating vowels. Solution is by trial and error.

Crossword

by Eugene Sheffer

Answers on page 20

ACROSS 1 Porter’s burdens 5 Before 8 Dull sound of impact 12 Enticement 13 Blend 14 Abundant 15 Opera showstopper 16 U.K. broadcaster 17 Black, in verse 18 Fight 20 Like a lot 22 Solid ground 26 Entire 29 Smack 30 Zilch 31 Bees’ home

Below are anagrams of three famous people. Can you unscramble them?

32 Parsons or Gaffigan 33 Slangy negative 34 — out a living 35 One of the Brady Bunch 36 Grown-up bug 37 Brownish orange 40 Warmonger 41 Barbershop tools 45 First victim 47 Luau bowlful 49 “American —” 50 Ring out 51 Barn bird 52 Alaskan metropolis 53 Vortex 54 — Aviv 55 Get larger

LIKED LONG TUNE (jazz composer) GENUINE CLASS (British actor) I DEMAND TV LATER (TV Host)

DOWN 1 Spill the beans 2 Emanation 3 Determination 4 Birthplace of Starbucks 5 Fireplace bit 6 Cage component 7 Cry out 8 Italian fountain site 9 Ireland 10 Venusian vessel? 11 Lair 19 Appomattox surrenderer 21 Frequently 23 Serengeti beast

24 Chinese dynasty 25 Choir member 26 Sharpen 27 Raise 28 Above 32 Lotto win 33 Incredible 35 Mandible 36 Call — day 38 Make a comeback 39 Warble 42 Bloodhound’s clue 43 Quarterback Tony 44 Dispatched 45 Mimic 46 Foundation 48 Didn’t pay yet

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

Sudoku

Super Quiz

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

Take this Super Quiz to the Ph. D. Level. 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the Graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph. D. Level.

Answers on page 20

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

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Premier Crossword by Frank A. Longo

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Answer on page 20

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

Treat Yourself to Danville Brewing Co. this Holiday Season Find yourself at the top of Santa’s “Nice” list when you share the spirit of the holiday season with handcrafted seasonal brews and ciders paired with delicious food at the Danville Brewing Co., voted the best brewery of the East Bay by Diablo Magazine in 2020 and 2021. Beer brewing has been synonymous with the Maita family since shortly after prohibition, when the family distributed and worked with breweries all over the world. A new chapter of this family’s legacy brought them to downtown Danville where they opened Danville Brewing Co. (DBC) in 2016, where they share their passion for fabulous beer and delicious food. Just in time for the holidays, award-winning brewer Matt Sager is excited to release the seasonal Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, a spiced amber ale, and the perfect first sip of the holiday. Two variations of this brew, including a bourbon barrelaged version, will also be released in December. Other seasonal beers on tap include DBC’s newest “Cold IPA,” a “crisp, hopforward, ultra-dry” taste with Sauvin, El Dorado, and Centennial hops, which give it grapefruit and gooseberry notes. Holiday shopping just got easier, too, with the DBC gift card promotion. Buy a $100 gift card and get a $10 gift card for free. Find

other popular gifts from a selection of DBC shirts, hats, re-usable growler or “crowler,” or a four-pack of select brews. Got someone special in mind? Give an empty glass growler and a gift card to use to fill it with a favorite brew. Follow DBC on social media for the special discounted gift packs, and check out many online ordering options at danvillebrewing.com.

What a difference a year makes. Back to 100 percent capacity, DBC is also the coolest place to host a holiday gettogether. Meet for lunch or dinner on the patio or indoors and enjoy a choice of more than a dozen handcrafted brews from a Danville IPA and Danville Dunkel to the Lucky Four Leaf, a dry Irish Stout, or the Cerveza Vaquero, a Mexican lager. Danville Brewing Co. has won numerous global

and regional awards and is proud of its more than 20 taps featuring their brews and those of other local craft breweries. An extensive menu and a full upscale bar with wines and ciders are available seven days a week. 200 Railroad Avenue, Danville 925-217-4172 Open Sunday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

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Locally and nationally recognized award winning craft brewery, full bar and restaurant. We look forward to sharing our passion for craft beer and food with you this holiday season! We will be releasing our seasonal favorite, Oatmeal raisin cookie, a spiced amber ale. We offer retail including glassware, clothing, and hats as well as beer to go and gift cards.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

See How Sail Internet is Making a Difference for Local Communities For the past 6 years, local start-up Sail Internet has been addressing the problems of consumer choice and access to high-speed internet. In areas where the big names dominate, Sail creates choice by bringing competitive high-speed internet with unlimited data, requiring no contract, with flat pricing. A larger — and somewhat surprising — problem in the Bay Area is the lack of access to affordable, highspeed internet. Sail brings service to many mobile home parks that have traditionally had little choice in internet providers. Recently, the company worked with Gardner Family Health to install the infrastructure needed to serve Summerset Mobile Estates in Alviso, CA who previously had no option beyond DSL. With fiber at its core, Sail uses a mixture of fixed wireless and other technologies to deliver high-speed internet to businesses, singlefamily homes, and multi-unit complexes in the San Francisco Bay area and San Diego area. While growing rapidly in San Jose and other cities, Sail looks for businesses and residential homes willing to host equipment that can broadcast a signal to residents nearby. Where available, Sail brings a fiber connection directly to homes and buildings resulting in gigabit internet speeds. Sail Gigabit service is now available at

select multi-unit residential communities and multiple businesses in the Bay Area. Sail was founded in 2015 by experts and innovators from the internet access industry. Led by Kevin Fisher, PhD, Stanford University, former Engineering VP at 2Wire and Ikanos and George Ginis, PhD, Stanford University, former Engineering and Marketing VP at ASSIA, Sail requires no contracts, has no data caps for customer use, and is net neutral. Sail’s speeds exceed most ISPs’ basic packages while offering competitive pricing. Sail’s speeds and coverage areas are detailed on their website at sailinternet.com.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

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Holidays 2021: 30+ Bay Area events and shows to help celebrate the season Garden of D’Lights 2021: 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11-Dec. 23, Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery, 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. Wander through 3.5 acres of mature cacti, succulents and trees that are transformed into magical and colorful botanical sculptures by thousands of lights. $8-$24. ruthbancroftgarden.org Opera San Jose: Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell; Nov. 13-28. Live in the California Theatre - Opera San José returns to LIVE performances with one of opera’s most brilliant works, a thrilling new production full of drama, passion and magic! operasj.org

Holiday Collection for Artful Giving: Nov. 13-Dec. 31, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek.The 56th annual holiday market includes ceramic, wood and glass pieces, original designer jewelry, holiday decorations and small paintings. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 19-21 and Dec. 7-10. valleyartgallery.org San Jose Stage Company: Great Expectations: Nov. 17-Dec. 12, 490 S. First St., San Jose. Desire becomes destiny in Neil Bartlett’s powerful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale filled with intrigue and See HOLIDAYS Page 14

Part of the Ruth Bancroft Garden, lit up for the holidays during the “Garden of d’Lights,” is photographed in Walnut Creek, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. The garden’s 3.5 acres of cacti, succulents, and trees are illuminated with colorful lights during the annual event. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

Holidays

from page 13 unexpected twists. $32-$72. Thestage.org Smuin’s fiercely festive:The Christmas Ballet: Nov. 19 – Dec. 26, is a confection for everyone on your list. Your favorite choreography by Michael Smuin returns along with new delights from brilliant guest dancemakers. This year includes two world premieres and our signature showcase of classical and contemporary dances set to songs of the season. smuinballet.org Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Rink at City Center: Nov. 17-Jan. 2, City Center Holiday Ice Rink, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA 94583. General Admission $19 CityCenterHolidayIceRink.com Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice in San Jose: Nov. 19-Jan. 9, Located in front of the San Jose Museum of Art and across the street from The Tech Interactive - 120 S. Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113. General Admission $19 Downtownicesj.com The Christmas Ballet: Nov. 19-Dec. 26, Walnut Creek, Mountain View, Carmel, and San Francisco. This joyful program features classical ballet and festive contemporary numbers set to holiday tunes and incorporating ballet, tap, jazz and swing. $25-$99. Find details at smuinballet.org. Filoli will be open for the holiday season: Nov. 20, 2021 through Jan. 2, 2021, daily from 10:00am to 8:00pm. The House and Garden as well as the Clock Tower Shop and Quail’s Nest Café will be open during all holiday hours. Filoli will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Visit filoli.org/ holidays for tickets and more information

Great America Winterfest: Nov. 26-Jan. 1, 4701 Great America Parkway,Santa Clara. Enjoy more than 60 rides and holiday attractions, send letters to the North Pole, check out Santa’s workshop, bake cookies in Mrs. Claus’ kitchen and go ice skating. Tickets start at $30. cagreatamerica.com/events/ winterfest Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony: 4-6 p.m. Nov. 26, Lawn at Vista Collina, 850 Bordeaux Way, Napa. Enjoy holiday carolers, a seasonally-inspired artisan market and a visit from Santa Claus, as well as locally crafted beer and wine. Cellarpass: bit.ly/3q3ZULn Holidays in Wine Country: Nov. 26-Dec. 30. Healdsburg offers seasonal events centered around food, wine and timehonored traditions. Enjoy festive décor and holiday lights in Healdsburg Plaza, holiday wine country walking tours, breakfast with Santa and more. cm.healdsburg.com/events Fairmont San Francisco’s Holiday Festivities: Giant Gingerbread House, Nov. 27 through the holiday season. Check out the giant, two-story gingerbread house adorned in hundreds of pounds of See’s candies in the hotel’s grand lobby. Holiday Tea, 1 and 3:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 26-Jan. 2. (Tea not available Dec. 2-3, 24-25). 950 Mason St., San Francisco. $89-$149. fairmont-san-francisco.com/holidays Holiday Radio play — A Red Carol: Streaming Nov. 26-Jan 9. San Francisco Mime Troupe presents a new activist adaptation of the Dickens classic as a radio play. Free (suggested $20 donation). sfmt. org Christmas at Kohl: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 1, Kohl Mansion, 2750

Adeline Drive,Burlingame. This holiday boutique features 65 vendors displaying holiday treasures, jewelry, clothing and decorations. There will be a docent presentation and history of the historic Kohl Mansion at 6:30 p.m. Beverages and light holiday snacks will be available for sale. $10 donation. kohlmansion.com It’s a Wonderful Life — A Live Radio Play: Dec. 1-26, Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. America’s favorite holiday classic is on tonight at a snowbound 1940s radio station, with every memorable character, wacky sound effects and heartwarming conclusion of the iconic film recreated live before your ears and eyes. $25-$60. theatreworks.org/ The Magic Lamp Panto: Dec. 1-31, Presidio Theatre, 99 Moraga Ave., Presidio of San Francisco. A holiday parody updates the story of Aladdin with humor, music, dance and magic. $10-$75. presidiotheatre.org/ Diablo Ballet — The Nutcracker Suite: Streaming Dec. 3-12, $40. diabloballet.org An Irish Christmas — A Bit of Ireland for the Holidays!: 8 p.m. Dec. 3, Uptown Theatre Napa, 1350 Third St., Napa. Experience an Irish Christmas with dancing, singing and traditional Irish music celebrating the international spirit of the holiday season. Ticketmaster: bit.ly/3D8214p

Los Gatos Chamber Holiday Promenade: Dec. 4, The Promenade is a street festival that will combine the flair of the Los Gatos Summer Promenades with a few of our favorite elements of the holiday parade and a European-style artisan and crafts market. losgatoschamber.com Annual BayLUG Holiday Show: 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 4-Jan. 9, Museum of American Heritage, 351 Homer Ave., Palo Alto. Enjoy displays of custom creations, including holiday trains, miniature cities and more. $4. baylug.org/ holiday-show Alameda Artworks Holiday Art Event: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4, 1068 The Alameda, San Jose. Some 23 artists will welcome you into their private studios to view the creative process. facebook.com/ TheAlamedaArtworks History Park Children’s Heritage Holiday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 4, History Park, 635 Phelan Ave., San Jose. Santa Claus arrives at noon, riding through the park on the historic trolley. New Ballet San José will perform with costumed characters from the Nutcracker. Other activities include holiday crafts, lawn games and special holiday treats at O’Brien’s Ice Cream and Candy Shop. $5-$10. historysanjose.org/programs-events Performing Arts Academy of Marin — A Scarf in Union Square: 7 p.m. Dec. 4, 1 p.m.

Dec. 5, Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon St., San Francisco. This holiday spectacular features classic melodies, dynamic choreography and a heartwarming story. $30-$50. palaceoffinearts.org/ Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets: Dec. 4-19, Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco. This 50-minute version of “The Nutcracker” was designed for families with young children. $22.50-$44.50. mfdpsf.org/ nutcracker-sweets Drive Thru Dickens’ London: 11 a..m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4-19, Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City. Enjoy a taste of The Great Dickens Christmas Fair from the comfort of your car, from the fair’s famous foods and handcrafted gifts to multiple tableaux from Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and two stages of continuous live music, dance and comedy. $25. dickensfair.com Holiday Concert: 1 p.m. Dec. 4, San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. Bell Appeal will perform a variety of holiday tunes. After the concert, meet the ringers and learn to ring a handbell. Free. historysmc.org Winter Open Studios: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4-5, ICB Building, 480 Gate Five Road, Sausalito. Browse the work of more than 100 Bay Area artists, See HOLIDAYS Page 16

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

Challenger

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Hocus Focus

Answers on page 21

Cryptoquote

AXYDLBAAXR is LONGFELLOW One letter stands for another. In this sample, A is used for the three L’s, X for the two O’s, etc.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

Holidays

from page 14 including painters, sculptors, photographers, filmmakers, fiber artists, printmakers, animators and jewelers. Free. Eventbrite: bit.ly/2YbWvP6 Help is on the Way for the Holidays XX — Feliz Navidad: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Dec. 5, Brava Theatre Center, 2781 24th St., San Francisco. This holiday celebration features holiday music and an after-party with the cast. $45-$2,500. Eventbrite: bit.ly/3BGGq1K Cool Yule: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7, Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose. Enjoy a jazz concert featuring festive holiday songs. $29. hammertheatre.com Elise and Steve Trio at The Bistro: 7-9:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 1001 B St., Hayward. Hear this indie/ folk trio of Elise Brown, Steve Witt and Dan Garvin perform. Free. eliseandstevemusic.com Photo: Los Gatos Carriage Rides_Holiday Events.jpg Los Gatos Carriage Rides: Dec. 9-23. Enjoy a holiday tradition in downtown Los Gatos and feel the romance of Christmas past. Ride in an elegant horsedrawn carriage with a friendly driver and horses wearing holiday bells. losgatoschamber.com San José Dance Theatre: The Nutcracker Dec. 10-19. TheSan José Dance Theatreis celebrating 56 years of magic! The longestrunning live production ofThe Nutcrackerin San Jose has been a Bay Area family tradition since 1964. sjdt.org/ the-nutcracker Carols, Glorias and Lullabies: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11, First Presbyterian Church, 2020 Fifth St., Livermore. The Valley Concert Chorale will perform traditional carols and familiar holiday songs. $10-$30. http:// www.valleyconcertchorale.org/

Visit the Ghirardelli Annual Warehouse Sale and celebrate the arrival of “Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark” - a holiday classic; Dec. 10-12 at the newly renovated San Leandro store, 1111 139th Avenue (Check Ghirardelli.com/ warehousesale for updates) Remember Holidays: 8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 4 p.m. Dec. 12, Santa Clara Mission, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. The Santa Clara Chorale will sing traditional carols and festive favorites recalling the enchantment of Hanukkah, Christmas, Mawlid al-Nabi and Kwanzaa. $14-$45. scc.org/concerts.html Black Diamond Ballet’s — Nutcracker: Dec. 10-12, El Campanil Theatre,602 W. Second St., Antioch. Enjoy the show, then browse the Nutcracker Boutique and adult and child-friendly refreshments in the lobby. $20-$35. El Campanil: bit.ly/31uujZ9 A Merry Little Christmas Cabaret: Live in-person and simultaneous livestream Dec. 10-19 (on-demand Dec. 20-31), Tabard Theatre, 29 N. San Pedro St., San Jose. Enjoy this big band holiday musical featuring San Jose’s Nineteen Jazz Orchestra. $19-$48. tabardtheatre.org/ San Francisco Ballet — Nutcracker: Dec. 10-30, War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. Step into the reverie of little Clara and enter a magical wonderland of toy soldiers, a blizzard of snowflakes and a kaleidoscope of more than 150 dancers. Starting at $19. sfballet.org San Jose Dance Theatre — Nutcracker: Dec. 10-12, 17-19, The SanJose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 S. Almaden Blvd., San Jose. Enjoy an enchanted world of elegant sugarplums, a battle between brave soldiers and menacing mice, waltzing flowers and

a new extra-large Christmas Tree that grows more than 200 feet. $20-$95. sjdt.org/ the-nutcracker Christmas Parade & Holiday Market: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 11, downtown Benicia. The parade starts at 10 a.m. at First and D Streets and ends at H Street and features local marching bands, dancers and Santa Claus. The holiday market starts at 10 a.m. with stalls of handcrafted crafts, gourmet items and delicious foods. beniciamainstreet.org City Ballet’s Nutcracker: 1 p.m. Dec. 11-12, Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon St., San Francisco. Enjoy the holiday spirit as Clara and a cast of characters dance their way through their incredible adventure. $55. palaceoffinearts.org/ Holiday Tea: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 11, History Park, 635 Phelan Ave., San Jose. Enjoy a fresh pastries, sandwiches, chocolates, tea and coffee. $40. historysanjose.org/ programs-events Merry-Achi Christmas: 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, Hammer Theatre Center,101 Paseo De San Antonio, San José. Join Mariachi Sol de Mexico and its 13-piece ensemble in a joyous holiday celebration. hammertheatre.com A Celebration of Christmas: 7 p.m. Dec. 12, The Danville Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 655 Old Orchard Drive, Danville. Hear high school choirs from San Ramon Valley and Blackhawk Jazz and enjoy sing-alongs and special performances. Free. Facebook: fb.me/e/4vCPYOXKz Ragazzi Boys Chorus — Mysteries and Miracles: 4 p.m. Dec. 12, Old First Church, 1751 Sacramento St., San Francisco. This holiday concert will include treasured yuletide gems

and festive contemporary pieces to celebrate the holidays. Also available for streaming online. $20-$25. ragazzi.org A Soulful Christmas: Dec. 17-19, Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center,2 Marina Blvd., Building D, San Francisco. This holiday celebration blends fun, witty dialogue with your favorite music. $35. Lorraine Hansberry Theatre: bit.ly/2YjXJIa Holiday Concertos — Bach, Corelli & more: Dec. 17-19. Voices of Music returns to the stage with their signature holiday program of virtuoso concertos, including the Bach violin concerto in A Minor BWV 1041 performed by Rachell Ellen Wong. 7-9 p.m. Dec. 17, First Congregational Church Palo Alto, 1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto; 7:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 18, First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way (entrance on Dana), Berkeley; 8-10 p.m. Dec. 19, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1111 O’Farrell St., San Francisco. $50-$55. voicesofmusic.org A Celtic Christmas: Dec. 17, Santa Cruz’s Rio Theatre and Dec. 22, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. Tomáseen Foley recreates the joy and innocence of a night before Christmas in a remote farmhouse in his native parish of Teampall an Ghleanntáin in the west of Ireland in the 1950s. $35-$63. tomaseenfoley.com/ tours ‘Jingle + Mingle’ at the Wine Train: To celebrate the holidays, the Wine Train will be offering holiday-inspired cocktails and hot cider in addition to a multi-course gourmet meal from the train’s culinary team. Enjoy holiday music and carolers performing outside the train station from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Dec. 18-19, 23-24, 1275 McKinstry St., Napa. winetrain.com/ daily-tours/gourmet-express

New Ballet — The San Jose Nutcracker: Dec. 18-22, California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose. This joyful production transports the well-loved tale to turn-of-the-century San Jose. For the youngest audiences, New Ballet will also offer “My Very First Nutcracker”, shorter one-act performances that provide a delightful introduction to the world of dance. Starting at $25. newballet.com The Return of the Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show, Live!: 8 p.m. Dec. 19, Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon St., San Francisco. This clever comedy has brand new songs and a few perennial favorites. $35-$75. palaceoffinearts.org/ Christmas From a Celtic Table: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23, Mountain View Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View. Enjoy enchanting storytelling with Irish actor Sheelagh Cullen and a cast of Irish dancers led by world champion Tyler Schwartz, The Kerry Voice Squad and the Kerry Traditional Orchestra in a night of family entertainment. $29-$53. tickets.mvcpa.com The 29th Annual Kung Pao Kosher Comedy: Dec. 24-26. Enjoy Jewish comedy on Christmas in a (virtual) Chinese restaurant, with Ophira Eisenberg and Jessica Kirson, along with show creator Lisa Geduldig and Arline Geduldig. $25-$50. koshercomedy.com The San Francisco Proper Nutcracker Tea: Noon-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through December (excluding Dec. 25), 1100 Market St. but the hotel entrance is 45 McAllister St., San Francisco. This holiday event includes afternoon tea service and a Nutcracker takeaway gift. A kids’ tea featuring hot chocolate will also be available. $35-$55. properhotel. com/san-francisco/happenings

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Wishing Well HERE IS A PLEASANT LITTLE GAME that will give you a message every day. It’s a numerical puzzle designed to spell out your fortune. Count the letters in your ﬁrst name. If the number of letters is 6 or more, subtract 4. If the number is less than 6, add 3. The result is your key number. Start at the upper lefthand corner and check each of your key numbers, left to right. Then read the message the letters under the checked ﬁgures give you.

Answers on page 21

Crossword ACROSS 1 Cushy 5 Stood up to 11 Andy’s son 12 Change over time 13 Mother of Ares 14 Breakfast choice 15 Like a ranch house 17 Tie the knot 18 Puccini opera 22 Giraffe features 24 “Great!” 25 Road sealer 26 Leaf lifter 27 Low joint 30 Hinds’ mates 32 Amber, essentially 33 Bother 34 Sandwich choice

by Thomas Joseph 38 One under par 41 Second letter 42 Set straight 43 Wrinkle remover 44 San Diego team 45 Pharaoh symbols DOWN 1 New York area 2 Store sign 3 Independence Day sights 4 Social service 5 1920s art style 6 Turns outward 7 Gift giver’s words 8 — de France 9 Longoria of TV 10 Penna. neighbor

16 Six-pt. scores 19 Independence Day sights 20 Minimal change 21 Newspaper section 22 Rating unit 23 Window part 28 German songs 29 Car part 30 Towel word 31 Mideast region 35 Obtains 36 Resting on 37 Rather and Marino 38 Jazz variety 39 Writer Levin 40 Relieve

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Multi-Sudoku

Super Quiz

Each puzzle consists of two or more Sudoku grids overlapping each other in various conﬁgurations. Overlapping areas must comply with the rules of more than one grid.

Take this Super Quiz to the Ph. D. Level. 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the Graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph. D. Level.

Answers on page 21

Cryptoquip The Cryptoquip is a substitution cipher in which one letter stands for another. If you think that X equals O, it will equal O throughout the puzzle. Single letters, short words and words using an apostrophe give you clues to locating vowels. Solution is by trial and error.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021

Battleships Each Battleship puzzle represents an ocean with a hidden ﬂeet of ships, which may be oriented horizontally or vertically within the grid such that no ship touches another, not even diagonally. The numbers on the right and on the bottom of the grid show how many squares in the corresponding row and column are occupied by ship segments. Occasionally some squares may contain given ship or water segments to help start the puzzle. The object is to discover where all ships are located.

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Answers on page 21

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Wuzzles - Page 6

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Point & Solve - Page 7

Cryptoquip - Easy - Page 7 HAVE YOU HEARD WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT GUY WHO SWIPED MY OFFICE CALENDAR? HE GOT TWELVE MONTHS.

Stickelers - Page 6 Eight more days. Four painters for 34 days equals 136 worker days. The ﬁrst 10 days would be 40 worker days. 136 - 40 - 96. But now there are 12 painters to do the job. So, 96/12 = 8.

Stickelers - Page 7

Sheffer Crossword - Page 7

Duke Ellington Alec Guinness David Letterman

Sudokus - Page 8

Premier Crossword - Page 9

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Challenger - Page 15

Word Sleuth - Page 15

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Wuzzles - Page 17

Joseph Crossword - Page 17

Cryptoquote - Page 15 A CHILD WHO DOES NOT PLAY IS NOT A CHILD, BUT THE MAN WHO DOES NOT PLAY HAS LOST FOREVER THE CHILD WHO LIVED IN HIM AND WHO HE WILL MISS TERRIBLY. — PABLO NERUDA

Cryptoquip Hard - Page 18

Multi-Sudoku - Easy - Page 18 Battleships - Page 19

Wuzzles - Page 19

Scramblers - Page 19

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Together we can make a wonderful difference this year!

Our journalists have skillfully wrapped up a total of 39 compelling stories to highlight those in need. We hope you spend some time reading this year’s Wish Book and Share the Spirit editions, which will be published November 21.

Visit

wishbook.mercurynews.com sharethespiriteastbay.org

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How CoCo Farms is Helping the Community During the Holiday season, it’s all about sharing, spreading holiday cheer, and most importantly-- giving to those who need it most. As a private business residing in the area, CoCo Farms understands how important it is to be involved in local communities. This year, the cannabis retailer partnered with leaders in Antioch, including Mayor Lamar Thorpe, to create CoCo Cares, a program to fight the issue of Homelessness in the city of Antioch. CoCo Cares works with local agencies to provide good-paying jobs, companypaid health care, and permanent housing for those who are homeless or about to become homeless in order to give them the opportunity to function and be productive within the community. With these efforts, we hope to reduce the number of individuals “on the street” and alleviate the workload of city officials and law enforcement who are also working to take care of the community. Aside from efforts made through the CoCo Cares program, CoCo Farms has also partnered with Newberry’s B.L.O.C.K.—who focus on giving underprivileged youths the opportunity to get involved in organized sports, Loaves & Fishes, including sponsoring a Golf Tournament where all efforts went toward providing hot and nutritious prepared meals, delivered and served to the Bay Area community, and Opportunity Junction who provides

training, support, work experience, and placement assistance, which helps motivated Contra Costa job seekers launch careers that lead to financial security. “It’s important for us that the cannabis experience is a

positive one in the cities we do business in.” says President of CoCo Farms, Martin Wesley, “We’re looking to do more as we grow, we’ll be launching a program at Vtown Farms (sister location in Vallejo) and Concord in 2022”

This season, CoCo Farms will be hosting a Toy Drive within the store and other locations including — Vtown Farms, Del Rey Farms, Rio Vista Farms, and Valley Farms. Bins will be placed in the store for

Toy donations. Donations will be handed out during the Mad Hatter Festival held in Vallejo on December 4th. From our Farms to your Holidays, CoCo Farms | enjoycocofarms.com

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021