Few people who attend the Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children's Parade can actually afford to shop at Neiman Marcus or stay at the Adolphus. Fewer still are those who do shop at the luxury department store who bother to attend the holiday charity event. In fact, any rich old ladies headed to the downtown Neiman Marcus location for an early Saturday shopping spree most likely will be cursing the traffic jams caused by the 17th edition of the annual parade. But for all the materialistic greed and snobbery brought forth by the upscale retailer, it can't be said that it's not charitable. Neiman Marcus states that the parade has raised more than $1 million for Children's Medical Center Dallas. "How does a free parade raise money?" you ask. The cash comes from sponsorships, merchandise sales, donations and the sale of bleacher seats so those with money to burn--including any rich old ladies who do show up--don't have to mix with the plebeians on the street. So if you can get past the idea of the parade as the rich throwing the poor a bone, then there's still plenty to enjoy. After all, the parade is for kids, and there aren't many 6-year-olds concerned about the economics of a parade. They just want to see Santa Claus. The parade also features marching bands, giant balloons, floats, horses and almost every imaginable cartoon character from the Care Bears to the Incredible Hulk. The parade starts rolling down Commerce Street on Saturday at 10 a.m. Admission is free; bleacher seats can be reserved for $15. Call 214-456-8383 or visit www.childrensparade.com. --Jay Webb
Gangsters of Love
12/4
If we know one thing about famous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, it's that it's better to be running with them than running from them. The Dallas Historical Society hosts its famous Running With Bonnie and Clyde tour that takes history buffs and gawkers through the metroplex areas that were touched by the dastardly duo. Author John Neal Phillips will be on hand to dispel myths, share little-known facts and introduce Blanche Barrow's newly published journal. Running With Bonnie and Clyde is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. December 4 and departs from the Hall of State, 3939 Grand Ave. in Fair Park. Admission is $35 to $45 and includes lunch. Call 214-421-4500 or e-mail [email protected]. --Stephanie Durham
Face the Nation's Face
12/2
Fort Worth native and Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer has made his own gaffes on the air, but he opens his new book Face the Nation: My Favorite Stories From the First 50 Years of the Award-Winning News Broadcast by dredging up one of the landmark Sunday morning show's early, and memorable, snafus: When the creator of NBC's Meet the Press found out he was going to have to compete with Face the Nation, he called up Walter Cronkite, Face the Nation's host at the time, to yell at him and threaten to sue him, unnerving the legendary broadcaster and prompting him to sign off that day by saying, "Thanks for joining us on Meet the Press." Schieffer will talk more about Face the Nation and his career in journalism at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth on December 2 at 6 p.m. Call 817-840-2115 for reservations. --Claiborne Smith
I Love Lucia
12/4
It's dark when we wake up. It's dark when we leave work. We feel like those blind cave animals with white skin and really good hearing. And this is Texas; imagine what December is like in Sweden. That's why Lucia Day Celebrations are so popular. Santa Lucia is Sweden's symbol that, like Annie sang, the sun will come out tomorrow--and soon it will be out for much, much longer periods. During the Swedish Women's Educational Association's Lucia Day party, there will be a candlelight procession with choir music, girls in white robes, red sashes and candle-covered crowns, and boys in white shirts and tall cone hats covered in stars. There will also be a Yule Bazaar with Swedish gift items, food, drink and Jultomte, also known as Santa Claus. Shopping is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with the procession at 2 p.m. Admission is $1. King of Glory Lutheran Church, 6411 LBJ Freeway. Visit www.chapters-swea.org/dallas. --Shannon Sutlief
Cool Yule
12/4
Many elements of the Christmas celebration were borrowed directly from ancient pre-Christian traditions: lighted trees, yule logs, gifts, all-night parties. If you'd like to explore some of these seasonal roots, go to Betwixt & Between's first Frost Ball and Eighth Anniversary Celebration from 8 p.m. to midnight December 4 at the Lakewood Theater, 1825 Abrams Parkway. Betwixt & Between, a community center for those who practice earth-centered beliefs, has been around in various locations for eight years and annually celebrates these pre-Christmas customs. This year enjoy music by DJ Mark Winn, photo opportunities, a silent auction and a visit by the Holly King. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Yule Tree benefiting Toys for Tots. Advance ticket prices are $20 per person, $30 per couple and $40 per family, which includes a raffle chance and special gift. Door prices are $10 more. The $50 VIP admission for two at 7 p.m. includes extra events. Call Angela Logan at 214-821-3340 or visit www.betwixt.org. --Danna Berger
