San Francisco Chronicle Arts & Entertainment - Spoken Edition

For Oaklanders, a sure sign that Christmas is fast upon us is sighting the 19th century balloon taxi that whisks heroine Marie to the Land of the Sweets. That glorious contraption was spied at the Paramount Theatre Saturday, Dec. 23, when the Oakland Ballet Company opened its all-too brief annual run of “Nutcracker.”Now in its eighth year of performance here, Artistic Director Graham Lustig’s production will disarm the most jaded soul and fascinate the youngest viewers.

At first, we disagreed. Although my husband wanted to instill the tradition of Santa Claus, I hesitated.“It’s fun!” he said. “And I don’t want them to feel left out, when other kids are talking about it at school.”“I don’t like lying to them,” I said. Years ago, I had interviewed a father whose family celebrated Kwanzaa, in commemoration of African American community and heritage.

Christopher Plummer is sitting in the Four Seasons, Beverly Hills, talking about his performance as John Paul Getty in “All the Money in the World,” a performance that, two months ago, did not exist, and that he won’t see until the movie’s premiere. “I haven’t a clue what I’ve done,” he says, with a laugh. “That’s the weird part. It’s all weird and dreamlike.

Russell Peters stars in the series “The Indian Detective,” available on Netflix today. Peters plays a detective investigating a murder while visiting his father in India. Also on Netflix, the standup special, “Russell Howard: Recalibrate.”HBO launches a fascinating four-part project today called “15: A Quinceañera Story,” whose first part airs at 7 p.m.

Here is a look at the past. Items have been culled from The Chronicle’s archives of 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago.Dec. 17: The Giants wrapped their newly appointed manager Dusty Baker in pomp and circumstance that included the mayor, Barry Bonds and some bad singing. But there is no pressure to win right away, Dusty. Really, take all the time you need. “I’m hoping a year from now we can still be this happy. Especially me.” Baker said.

Here Christmas is, just around the corner, and I’ll bet there’s a lot of good folks who haven’t figured out yet what to give the kiddies. You know, something that’ll make their eyes light up on this, the most wondrous of all days.Well, thank goodness for Mr. Bobby Blalock and his Last-Minute Shopping Tip. Mr. Blalock is the State Civil Defense Director of Alabama. And his Last-Minute Shopping Tip is: Give the kids a fallout shelter for Christmas.

Dear Abby: My husband met a gal 33 years younger than he is at a doctor’s office. It seems they “became close,” so they bought real estate together in another state. They spend weeks at a time together there alone. When they are both in town, they have several “business” meetings a week. I am not allowed to attend, know when they take place or ask what was discussed.

When I am king, one of my first acts will be to outlaw sexual intercourse during the month of March.That may sound harsh, but it is for the common good, and that’s what being a good king is all about. I can think of no other way to protect future generations from having December birthdays.My wife has a December birthday, and I’ve had about enough of it. It’s coming up next week, and every year it’s the same thing.

Dear Abby: My only sister has been “borrowing” money from me every month for years. She has a ton of credit card debt and cannot afford to meet her monthly financial obligations. Last year, my husband and I paid her property taxes for her so she wouldn’t lose her house. It was over $5,000. She promised to pay us back with her tax return money, but we never saw a dime.

Above: Anita Paciotti (right) watches dancers rehearse the role of Clara in the Nutcracker including Chloe Treanor (far left), 13, Emma Gravel (middle left), 12, and Angela Watson (middle right). Right photo: ... more Above: Anita Paciotti (right) watches dancers rehearse the role of Clara in the Nutcracker including Chloe Treanor (far left), 13, Emma Gravel (middle left), 12, and Angela Watson (middle right).

In the classic study on cognitive dissonance by social psychologist Leon Festinger, subjects were split into two groups that had to perform monotonous tasks for a long stretch of time — placing 12 spoons into a tray, emptying and then refilling, or turning square pegs a quarter-turn again and again. The subjects were then offered $1 or $20 to brief the other group about the experiment and were instructed to describe the experiment as enjoyable, exciting, fun, interesting and intriguing.

Above: Matteo Tucker, 4, checks out his makeup, applied by Panda Dulce (right) at the drag ball for kids, a fundraiser for “Drag Queen Story Hour.” Above: Matteo Tucker, 4, checks out his makeup, applied by Panda Dulce (right) at the drag ball for kids, a fundraiser for “Drag Queen Story Hour.” Black Benatar took the stage in all pink — pink dress, pink top and a big pink bow that swallowed her up from neck to waist.

Dear Abby: I’m 17 and so is my boyfriend. He is an only child, and all throughout his life, his parents have put a lot of pressure on him. Recently, they’ve been talking about him getting into an honors program in a college. Abby, his parents act like if he doesn’t get in, they won’t be proud of him. He always feels like he’s disappointing them because they never give him any words of encouragement or let him know he’s on the right track.

Brisk and bright evenings around here. The carillon in the church chimes Christmas music into the night. Each note is full and frosted.How many shopping days until Christmas, sir?Why, that is a world of time, my good man. Don’t rush me. (The type who winds up Christmas Eve at the drugstore. “Quick, give me a fifth of perfume. Gift-wrapped.”)Christmas cards are the social status of our times. I don’t mean the assorted pack from the drugstore. I mean the tailor-mades.

Hey Mick: Just wondering if there’s anything that breaks the mood for you when watching a movie, whether it’s a break in continuity or something else. A curly phone cord in a ’40s film always annoys me. Trivial, perhaps, but you’d think they could get it right.Tom Hulsey, Walnut CreekHey Tom: The thing I notice most often is music.