>>>HELP

GIVING ON THANKSGIVING

Homelessness, hunger and despair are a daily and painful reality for thousands of men, women and children in Pierce County. The Rescue Mission, in operation now for more than 100 years, has been serving the Tacoma-area homeless community by providing meals, shelter, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, education and job-training skills and other programs. Help this long-standing organization give folks in need a hand up at Thanksgiving. Check rescue-mission.org and The Rescue Mission's Facebook page for the latest updates on what's needed for the holiday meal. As of this mid-November, kitchen staffers are looking for turkeys, hams and roast beef as well as these extras: flats of mushrooms, any fresh produce, canned fruits and vegetables, potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, fruit pies and stuffing mix. Looking to lend a hand? Check out the volunteer information on the site. Help is needed year round.

THE RESCUE MISSION, call for meal times, Thursday, Nov. 28, 425 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, donations vary, 253.383.4493

>>> 2012 Turkey Trot enthusiasts! / photo courtesy of Tacoma Metro Parks

>>> RUN

DRESS LIKE A TURKEY

Raise your hand if you KNOW Thursday is going to be a 10,000-calorie Thanksgiving gorge fest. Yep, there go all those hands a-flyin'. So do what many other Tacomans do on Thanksgiving day morning: burn it before you earn it! That's right - get ready to burn some calories and get the juices flowing before the grand eat-a-thon with the annual Norpoint Turkey Trot 5k run, 2-mile walk/run, and Kid's Trot in beautiful Northeast Tacoma. Considered the largest and oldest Turkey Trot in Tacoma (it's been running strong since 1995), this scenic race has delighted families for years. Supervised crafts and games are available for the kiddos while Mom and Dad race. There will also be a community food and tennis shoe drive. Pre-registration and day-of-race registration are available. Visit Metro Parks Tacoma's website for details.

NORPOINT TURKEY TROT, 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 28, Center at Norpoint, 4818 Nassau Ave. NE., Tacoma, call for entry fees, 253.404.3900

>>> STAGE

ZUZU'S PETALS

Break out the feel-good tears, tissues, angel wings and silver bells, because local theater is bringing a holiday classic to life. Here are some hints: George Bailey, Clarence the Guardian Angel, Bedford Falls, Christmas Eve transformation, life really is good, "every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings" ... (sniff, sniff). The wonderful and historic Tacoma Little Theatre, located in Tacoma's Stadium District, has been delighting audiences of all ages since 1918 (making it one of the oldest community theaters in the United States) and is taking on the holiday staple, It's A Wonderful Life. Performances kick off the day after Thanksgiving and run through Dec. 22. Tickets are available at tacomalittletheatre.com.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, Nov. 29-Dec. 22, Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N. I St., Tacoma, $15-$22, 253.272.2281

>>> New Mt. Rainier Display, Zoolights / photo courtesy of Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

>>> OUTDOORS

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG ZOO

I LOVE holiday lights BIG TIME. I just don't like holiday lights on MY home (why? laziness, lack of skill, laziness, lack of patience, laziness - you get the drift). Ah, but there's that wonderful Tacoma institution of Zoolights, the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium's holiday light show and extravaganza. We are not talking a few dinky lights thrown haphazardly into a shrub (much like my sad little home displays). No. We are talking more than half a MILLION lights, crafted whimsically throughout the zoo. Better? Zoolights throws in these groovy little extras like camel rides (yes, really), an antique carousel and a scuba-diving Santa on select days.

ZOOLIGHTS, 5-9 p.m., Nov. 29-Jan. 5, closed Dec. 24, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, $8.75, $7.50 online, $4.25 members, free for children two and younger, 253.591.5337

>>> RIDE

GAS UP FOR DELIGHTS

Holiday lights from the comfort and warmth of your own car? Need to keep the kiddos in awe of holiday wonder while not lugging out the stroller? Put away the umbrellas and rain boots, because here's an easy-peasy way to see some stunning light and holiday wonderland displays right in our own backyard. Take a driving tour of Fantasy Lights in Spanaway Park, where carloads of travelers can see more than 300 stunning displays of lights and whimsical and imaginative animation over a two-mile stretch of Spanaway Lake. Tune in to a special holiday radio station for a little holiday music to add to the mood.

FANTASY LIGHTS, 5:30-9 p.m., Nov. 28-Jan. 1, Spanaway Park, West of 152nd and Pacific Avenue, Spanaway, $13 per vehicle (up to 14 passengers) and $45 for buses, 253.798.4177

>>> COMMUNITY

PEOPLE UNDER THE TREE

Ask this writer's 1970s kiddo self what the BEST and most BEAUTIFUL holiday tree was in the WORLD, and she would tell you in no uncertain terms: Tacoma's city tree. I was so proud that MY city had this big and wonderful tree, right in the heart of downtown. Going to the tree lighting each year with my family guaranteed that it was NOW Christmas time officially (and it also guaranteed this tyke candy canes and hot cocoa to boot). You know what? Tacoma's tree is still my favorite ever, and the annual tree lighting still produces oohs and ahhs after 68 years. This free event also includes carol singing, holiday proclamations and photos with Santa.

68TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING, 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30, Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, free, 253.591.5890

>>> CRAFTS

THE HOUSE THAT YOU BUILT

Break out the handy wipes and bring smiles, because it's all about building a holiday house of the most delicious kind! Have some building fun and craft your very own custom gingerbread house creation to kick off the holiday season in the sweetest way possible. The Hotel Murano's Bicentennial Pavilion plays host to families and sweets lovers of all ages with literal candy and frosting "buffets" for patrons to embellish their home sweet home. Fun extras - mingle with Santa, take photos and listen to delightful live holiday music to put you and the kiddos in the holiday spirit. For those who can't make it to the event, private gingerbread house-building parties are available.

GINGERBREAD JAMBOREE, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 1, Hotel Murano Bicentennial Pavilion, 1320 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, $40 per family (one house). Additional guests are $5, and extra houses are $25; pre-registration required, 253.627.6031

>>> BENEFIT

FANCY TREES

On a scale of one to 10 (one being the worst, 10 being the best), there is a Southwestern Washington community tradition that takes holiday tree decorating to an 11. Better yet? These beautiful trees (along with fun festivities) are present for a great cause. The annual Festival of Trees benefits the children and families of Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center. Approximately 70 uniquely decorated trees set in a fairy-like holiday wonderland are the focal point of several activities: two elegant evenings of dining, where patrons can bid on these glorious trees trimmed with spectacular gifts and giveaways, and special theme days for the general public to enjoy, with special gift shops, Santa, sweet treats and much more. All proceeds help the hospital and the kids and families that need it most.

FESTIVAL OF TREES, Dec. 4-8, information and events at multicare.org, Greater Tacoma Event and Convention Center, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.403.3095

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar