MONDAY, DEC. 2 1013 >>>

1. Why are European communities imposing regulations on the Muslim head scarf? How did a proposed Muslim cultural center in Lower Manhattan provoke a fevered political debate? Drawing inspiration from philosophy, history and literature, University of Chicago scholar and national commentator Martha Nussbaum deconstructs the rise of anti-Muslim zealotry since Sept. 11 in her latest book, The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age. It's a vigorous defense of the religious freedom of minorities in the face of post-9/11 Islamophobia. And by minorities she mostly means Muslims. Nussbaum will discuss assaults on religious freedom at the University of Puget Sound at 7:30 p.m. in the Schneebeck Concert Hall. Admission is free, but you must RSVP at tickets.pugetsound.edu.

2. How do you escape the pressures of the holidays, like, really quickly? Bundle up, drop your packages in the trunk, pinch your cheeks until they glow and strap on a pair of silver skates, Hans Brinker, for a glide across the frozen expanse at Tollefson Plaza. The Franciscan Polar Plaza, located on the corner of Pacific Avenue and South 17th Street. The covered outdoor rink is about half the size of a hockey rink. It will have real ice and hold about 150 skaters at a time. It's open from 4-9 p.m.

3. You're sick and tired of driving through the neighborhood looking at the homes of people who think they deserve an award for their light displays. You deserve to take a night to go see Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Billed as the region's biggest walk-through light show, ZooLights includes animated light sculptures, live entertainment, snacks, animal encounters and the Paul Titus Carousel. While enjoying your stroll, be thankful you're not in charge of this holiday light display. The lights flip on at 5 p.m.

4. Cookies might be the only reason we'd consider applying for Santa Claus' job. First he has to make a list of the entire world's population of children - and then he has to check it twice. Can you imagine? No wonder Christmas only happens once a year. And we doubt it's easy to get those elves to turn out millions of mini iPods. But who wouldn't want to trade places with him to eat a world's supply of cookies for an entire night? Not us. And after you attend the Hands-on Italian Christmas Cookies class at 6 p.m. at the Bayview School of Cooking, you'll be wishing you were the jolly fat guy, too.

5. Every Monday at 9 p.m. Jazzbones is packed to the brim with college kids. Party types. The type that wear tight shirts and trucker hats. Throngs of Chad Fratguys and Sarah Sororitysisters swarm the bar, line up for the bathroom and dance to the Rockaraoke - live band karaoke. The Rockaraoke band is skilled, too. Expect $2 PBR drafts, $3 Sinfire shots and $4 Smirnoff flavor vodka bombs.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Monday, Dec. 2 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area