1. Music, dancing, corny jokes and colourful costumes have made Surrey Arts Centre a fun place to be during the current run of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” a panto produced by Fraser Valley Gilbert & Sullivan Society. The seasonal show, which closes Sunday (Dec. 6) at the Bear Creek Park theatre, follows Jack and a cast of characters including the Vegetable Fairy, Giant Blunderbore, sweet Princess Melanie, the villain Fleshcreep (boooo!), Daisy the cow and one giant beanstalk. When you go, bring a new, unwrapped toy to place under the beanstalk for Surrey Christmas Bureau’s efforts to help local families. For tickets and show times, call 604-501-5566 or visit http://www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation/12505.aspx.
2. Santa and Mrs. Claus are busy people this month, and their travels include breakfast dates at several places in Surrey. Six City of Surrey-backed Breakfast with Santa events are on the calendar from Dec. 5 to 19, with the first two happening this Saturday morning (Dec. 5) at Newton Seniors Centre and Fraser Heights rec centre. The fun continues on Saturday, Dec. 12 in Fleetwood, Cloverdale and South Surrey, and on Sunday, Dec. 13 at Bridgeview Community Centre. To reserve a seat ($8 per person), call 604-501-5100 or visit http://www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation/16195.aspx. At North Delta rec centre, Santa will attend a breakfast event on Dec. 12 (call 604-952-3000 to book a table).
3. Does the news media – and literature and art, too – have a positive influence on culture/society? It’s a question explored during another Surrey Philosophers’ Corner session, held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month starting at 11:30 a.m., in a back room of Ricky’s Country Restaurant, 2160 King George Blvd., Surrey. You don’t have to be a philosopher to participate in the sessions, organized by Third Age Learning at Kwantlen (TALK). The cost of lunch is not included in the by-donation fee ($2 suggested). “If you enjoy listening to people delve into the topics listed, providing their own and often controversial perspectives, or if you have insights or perspectives to offer, you will enjoy these Philosophers’ Corner sessions,” reads a post at Kpu.ca/talk/philosophers-corner. No pre-registration is necessary, but admission is on a “first come, first served” basis as space permits.
tom.zillich@thenownewspaper.com