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“Madeline’s Christmas,” Sunnyvale Theatre at the Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale. Meet the ever-spunky, resourceful Madeline in a musical play adapted from one of Ludwig Bemelman’s captivating books. Suggested for grades K-5. Various times. Also Dec. 14, 20, 21, 22. $13 advance ($15 at the door) at www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/9080 or 408.245.2978. Victorian Holiday Teas, Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum, 570 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale. Tours of the museum will be available, as well as a special vintage Christmas exhibit. 2 p.m. Also Dec. 8, 14, 15. $27.50. Reservations at 408.749.0220.

They sent out postcards containing a quote from school board Vice ballet necklace/ ballet jewelry/ ballet necklace/ personalized ballet gift/ ballet dance gift/ ballet gifts/ pointe shoe charm/ President Andrea Swenson saying, in part, “We are just starting to emerge from one of California’s most dire public education funding crises, Piedmont, thanks to our strong community support, has weathered the past few years better than most districts … .”, Swenson said her quote was taken out of context to persuade Piedmonters to vote against the measure, “It was a negative campaign that put out misinformation, I disagree with the tone of the campaign,” Swenson said, “It’s OK to disagree, but I hope in the future, campaigns abide by better rules and cleaner campaigns.”..

Then there’s the practical mommy part of me, which knows that my little darling can’t sit still for more than an hour, much less the 21/2-hour hour running time of most “Nutcrackers.” I remember all too well the story of my old college pal who was taken to the opera at too young an age. She wept bitter tears of boredom that have forever colored her view of the genre. I didn’t want to inadvertently turn little miss off the classics for good. Enter Contra Costa Ballet, with its 24th annual one-hour twist on the Tchaikovsky standard. Sixty minutes of Candy Palace action sounded like the sweet spot for the preschool sensibility. It was time for Daphne’s first “Nutcracker,” something I dearly hope to make a family tradition.

And yet …, What it doesn’t have is a gripping, ballet necklace/ ballet jewelry/ ballet necklace/ personalized ballet gift/ ballet dance gift/ ballet gifts/ pointe shoe charm/ cohesive storyline, In fact, it’s pretty much a rehash of all of those Mickey Rooney / Judy Garland “let’s put on a show in a barn” movies that are so overdone and trite that they’re a real yawn to watch, The first act alone clocks in at 90 minutes — unfortunately, a not-exactly-enthralling 90 minutes at that, For those who stick around for Act 2, the acting, the music and the tempo all pick up considerably and end up in a big “gosh-golly-isn’t it grand” Christmassy mash-up, There’s even a “White Christmas” sing-a-long and surprisingly moist white stuff falling everywhere..

“The Profit” (10 p.m., CNBC): A family-run swimwear company in Miami, Florida, struggles to connect with the consumer. The business has been pulled underwater by poor leadership, outdated designs, and misguided processes. If Marcus can’t get them to swim with style, this retailer will evaporate. “Devil’s Canyon” (10 p.m., Discovery):  Deep in the bush of British Columbia there is a new gold rush happening in area known as Devil’s Canyon. Hundreds of millions of dollars in gold are waiting for anyone who is willing to risk their life to get it. This new unscripted series follows three men — known as extreme prospectors — as they venture deep into the bush, alone, on a quest to unearth a massive fortune.