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There are occasional slow patches and times when the duo’s discussions start to feel artificial, especially a debate about whether theater is worthwhile that makes Ever sound a bit too thick headed. Despite its general balance of respect for neurodiversity with the comedy of cultural misunderstandings, the play ultimately comes down to a familiar trope of two broken people who can’t really be fixed but whose chance meeting helps them on their way. All in all, though, it’s a pleasant, charming romantic comedy that lets a lot of life’s complications remain complicated.

Since this was just a day hike, we moseyed back home, but we’ve had many gracious stays at the west side’s Inn at the Pinnacles bed-and-breakfast — the big soaking tubs there are a blessing and a half ballet shoes plant dyed recycled sari silk ribbon//hand dyed//wedding ribbon//bridal//styling//stationery ribbon/silver//pink//g after a good hike, The complimentary happy-hour wine is the other half, The Inn is a short drive from the park entrance, but you might not want to get out of those plush beds, On the east side, there is camping right outside the park’s entrance and Hollister’s hotels and motels are 40 minutes away..

Vanessa Williams in “A Diva’s Christmas Carol” (2000). As an insufferable pop singer, Williams gave us a glimpse of the catty attitude she would later hone on “Desperate Housewives.” She shines in the role — and rocks the big hair on a dance song called “Heartquake.” Oh, and what a great name: Ebony Scrooge. Kelsey Grammer in “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” (2004). The “Frasier” star took more of a tongue-in-cheek approach in this NBC TV movie that bombed in the ratings. It might be remembered more for Jane Krakowski’s turn as a sexy Ghost of Christmas Past, who — say what? — does a little “pole dance” for Scrooge.

A Scottish Nutcracker: The San Jose School of Highland Dancing presents its ninth annual evening of music and dance, featuring solo piper Bruce Cotter and the Macintosh Pipe Band, Dec, 13, 7-9 p.m, Sacred Heart Gym, 13716 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga, $15-$20; free for children under 5, sanjosehighlanddance.com, Campbell Historic Museum: Take a trip to a “general store” that served ballet shoes plant dyed recycled sari silk ribbon//hand dyed//wedding ribbon//bridal//styling//stationery ribbon/silver//pink//g as the community center, view examples of decorative arts in early Campbell, discover the roots of Campbell’s agricultural past and get interactive with “Please Touch” displays for a closer glimpse into the valley’s history, Thursday-Sunday, noon to 4 p.m, $2; free for age 7 and under, 51 N, Central Ave., Campbell, 408/866-2119..

Cuba is much poorer than it should be, given its abundant human capital. This is almost entirely due to abysmal economic theory and management; communism, as the rest of the world has realized, is no way to create wealth. But antagonistic U.S. policy has provided the Castro brothers with a convenient scapegoat — and a rationale for repression. One afternoon, back when Fidel Castro was still large and in charge, I heard The Bearded One speak to a Havana auditorium filled with young athletes. Amid what was basically an extemporaneous paean to patriotism and physical fitness, he worked in boilerplate references to the bloqueo, or blockade — the U.S. trade embargo — and the relentless “aggression” of the hegemonic great power to the north.