But a recent study conducted by Kantar on behalf of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) found that both parents and teens are not only aware of GAI but also mostly optimistic about its impact. The study included teens (13-17) and their parents completing an online survey with 1,000 participants in each of three countries: The U.S., Japan and Germany. I’ll focus mostly on the U.S. responses, which, for the most part, were similar to those from the two other countries.

Familiarity and use

When it comes to awareness, U.S. teens (69%) and parents (74%) are mostly familiar with GAI with 25% of parents saying they “know a lot,” compared with 22% of teens, which itself is different from most other tech issues where teens tend to be more aware than their parents. But what’s most surprising is that 45% of U.S. teens agreed that their parents know more than they do about GAI while only about a third (32%) of teens said that they know more. Parents concurred, with the same percentage saying their teen knows more compared with 43% saying “I know more than my teen.”

The report didn’t speculate why parents feel more clued-in than teens, but I’m guessing it has something to do with extensive news coverage of GAI and the fact that parents are more likely to consume mainstream news than are teens. Teens are more likely to get their news from digital sources, including social media.

Even though parents are more likely to say they are aware of GAI, U.S. teens are slightly more likely (67%) than parents (64%) to “have used or tried using genAI.”

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of U.S. parents and 63% of teens say they mostly use GAI for its analytical tools while 67% of parents and 61% of teens have used it for creative tasks. The report said that teens are more likely (74% vs. 59%) to use GAI “to be more efficient at tasks including proofreading and creating synopses of longer works.”

Only about a third (34%) of American parents feel that they “don’t have enough information and education about genAI,” compared with 47% in Germany and 73% in Japan.

Top concerns

Respondents were asked to rate their top concerns, and both parents and teens picked job loss as No. 1, followed by the spread of false information. Parents picked “loss of critical thinking skills” as No. 3, while teens were more likely to worry about “AI surpassing humans.” The teens picked “new forms of harassment” as their fourth concern, but that didn’t make it on the parents’ top 5 list. Both groups rated “growing dependency on genAI” as No. 5.

“Teens,” said the report “are acutely aware of the potential for genAI to be used for more sophisticated means of bullying, or to create new or intensified forms of harassment. From parents’ perspective, many express trepidation that their teens will lose opportunities to engage in deep analysis, original ideas and meaningful thinking.”

Parents were asked if they need more information to help them guide their teens, and 55% of U.S. parents said they wanted to know more about the potential risks vs. the benefits. Just under half (49%) picked benefits. Fortunately, these are not mutually exclusive. ConnectSafely is currently working on a parents guide to GAI which will focus on both risks and benefits.

Perceived vs. actual risks

It’s important to remember that a survey measures perceived risks, not necessarily actual ones. GAI is still very new, and we don’t yet know what the real risks are. It’s not yet clear, for example, whether GAI will result in a net loss or a net gain in jobs, though it’s likely to have a negative impact on some job categories. We know that GAI can result in misinformation, but there are efforts in place to use it to help combat that very scourge. The same can be said for bullying and harassment. Time will tell, and we might be surprised to find that some of our fears don’t turn into major problems, while other problems may emerge that we are not thinking about right now. I know this from personal experience as the author of the1994 booklet, “Child Safety on the Information Highway,” which was written before there was a lot of research and well before some problems emerged that I wasn’t able to anticipate nearly 30 years ago.

Generally positive perceptions of GAI

Despite concerns and plenty of negative press, parents do feel positive about their teens’ use of GAI. Two-thirds (66%) of U.S. parents said they felt positive, compared with 70% in Germany and 59% in Japan.

About two-third of parents (66%) and teens (65%) agreed that “Using genAI tools will be a vital skill to have to remain competitive in school or career. About 60% of both groups also feel that “GenAI will augment or supplement humans, but we’ll still need human creativity,” vs. “it will surpass human capabilities and take over many tasks,” while 55% of parents and 57% of teens say it “will make it easier to stay connected with others,” vs. “it will make it harder to stay connected with others.”

Trying it out

Although this survey sheds light on how adults and teens are using GAI and paints a reasonably optimistic picture of how it’s perceived, the best way for you to learn about GAI is to try it. Google Bard, Microsoft Bing and ChatGPT all offer free access to GAI services that make it easy for anyone to ask questions or create content. I find it fascinating to try out different scenarios on these services and have used them in my work to generate ideas and recently used ChatGPT’s Dalle2 image-generation tool to create artwork to accompany some of my blog posts. I understand that it can make mistakes, so I never rely on it without verifying information. I also have an ethical responsibility to do my own work in my own words, so I use it mainly for ideas and research rather than a shortcut to wordsmithing. But, just as I can’t imagine going back to my old typewriter, it’s now hard to imagine doing creative work without getting at least a little help from Generative AI.

Larry Magid is a tech journalist and internet safety activist. Contact him at larry@larrymagid.com.

The Fish and Wildlife Service also offered the broad scientific explanation for the pond’s color: “It’s natural. Tiny microscopic organisms specialized to live in very salty water live here, including the microscopic algae known as Dunaliella salina and halobacterium.”

Meanwhile, Santa Clara County Parks explains on its website that a nearby levee project could be making A12’s water pinker than usual: “In 2021, Valley Water, the State Coastal Conservancy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) began construction of the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project (Phase I) between the Alviso Slough/Guadalupe River and Coyote Creek. The levee construction requires very low water levels, therefore we did not replenish water into these ponds as they naturally evaporate throughout the summer. As a consequence, Pond A12 got saltier and pinker.”

Can I keep my out-of-state plates and registration “forever,” renewing annually, until I move permanently to California? I’ll be spending three to four months at a time in California.

Anonymous

A: The DMV answered your question. If a driver claims a property tax exemption in California, then they are considered a California resident and must register their vehicle in California. A customer can only claim one primary residence. More information on what constitutes a “California resident” can be found on the DMV’s website at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/how-to-determine-residency-when-fees-are-due-on-out-of-state-vehicles-htvr-33/.

Q: Drivers with high beams are bad enough. More often, I see drivers with no taillights on. They have their daytime running lights on, but that doesn’t turn on taillights. In earlier cars, when headlights were off, your dash was dark. Now, electronic dashboards are always lit up. There ought to be a federal law requiring all new cars to have automatic-on headlights, controlled by solar cells to sense darkness.

Doug Finley

A: And …

Q: I have two cars with auto high beams. I turn the automatic off and do it manually, as they seldom go back to low early enough when a car is approaching. Who wants to blind oncoming traffic?

John Hamblin

A: And …

Gwynne Willison

A: A good idea, having headlights adjusted if many other drivers think your high beams are on.

Q: Declining eyesight is a serious factor in night driving and any driving. It’s not just the headlight issue. I found night driving increasingly difficult, with glare from oncoming headlights blinding me, making driving dangerous and full of anxiety. I had cataract surgery, and my life was transformed. One hour, minor discomfort, zero after-effects. There are now actual colors and clarity. I recovered 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. Driving, day or night, is now confident and safe.

John Joss, Mountain View

A: And that’s today’s last word.

Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.

Happy Birthday: Look for opportunities, make changes that position you to reach your goal and follow your heart. Happiness is your responsibility, and doing what makes you feel good about yourself will ensure you reach your expectations. Put your energy where it counts and you’ll reap the rewards you deserve. Surround yourself with people who share your beliefs and contribute to your success. Your numbers are 9, 14, 23, 28, 36, 42, 49.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Limit spending. Use your intelligence to devise different ways to utilize your skills, and you’ll find a lucrative and fulfilling path. Refuse to let emotional factors stand between you and what you want to pursue. Take responsibility for your happiness. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): An open mind will help you reach your destination. Don’t fear change if it can catapult you to a position that offers clout. Let your ambition take over and your experience and knowledge lead the way. Put your energy where it counts, and prosper. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Someone will mislead you. Go directly to the source if you want to avoid a mistake. Offering false information will compromise your reputation. Self-improvement is in your best interest and will encourage you to listen to experts before you embrace change. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Get out and talk to people in the know and you’ll discover what you want to pursue. Preparation will help you overcome any pitfall and ensure you reach your target and make a difference. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Emotions will surface along with opportunities. Weigh the pros and cons, and be sure to discuss your plans with those affected by the decisions you make. Share your vision, listen to complaints and make decisions you can live with mentally, emotionally and financially. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Listen to allies. It will be worthwhile to accommodate complaints with action if you want to maintain peace and finish what you start. Learn from the experience, be open to suggestions and adjust to please the majority, and you will make headway. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll mesmerize those eager to follow a winner, but expect opposition from those who play by different rules. Don’t let your integrity slip away when honesty and compassion are necessary if you want your charm to carry you to victory. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t take anything for granted. If you want something, it’s up to you to make it happen. Trust and believe in yourself and follow through with your plans. A change of heart will help you resolve issues holding you back. Live life your way. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Settle any differences you have amicably and move forward. Make the most of your time and put forth an innovative effort, and you’ll attract positive attention. Don’t dwell on what you cannot change when you should be embracing what life has to offer. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Implement a healthier lifestyle. A disciplined approach to exercise and maintaining an energetic routine will result in confidence and leadership qualities that will help you advance. Don’t let controversy get to you. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Observe the changes going on around you and learn from the mistakes others make. Be aggressive in your approach to investments, and you’ll make your money stretch. Update documents, contracts and legal matters that need an adjustment. Physical or medical issues will require thought. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t limit your chance to advance or let emotional matters ruin your judgment. Let discipline lead the way, and you’ll figure out how to use your skills, knowledge and experience to reach your goal. Listen to your inner voice, not someone trying to sell you something. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are determined, unique and ambitious. You are flexible and intuitive.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters. 

My son confronted this person two years ago, and it didn’t go well.

The family member appeared truly shocked and denied all involvement. At first, he was open to discussion, but then became very angry and lashed out.

My son has cut off all contact with him.

This has caused me a lot of pain and confusion.

I find it very hard to reconcile this person’s behavior with the person I know, but I can clearly see that my son has been traumatized.

We have a small extended family and he’s an only child, so I truly wish there could be reconciliation.

Is it wrong of me to want him to forgive this family member and have some semblance of a relationship going forward?

How should my son go about it?

– Mother in the Middle

Dear Mother: You should not ask me how your son should forgive this family member who propositioned him. Forgiveness cannot be forced through the pressure of a third party.

Furthermore, this family member has not explained, acknowledged or apologized for this incident; in fact, he is aggressively denying it.

Sexual aggressors rarely own up to their behavior or acknowledge the devastating impact on others. This defiance and denial does not lay the groundwork toward forgiveness and reconciliation.

I think you should examine your own motives for basically wanting this to go away. You say your son is clearly traumatized. You seem to believe his account of what happened. And yet you also seem eager to use the concept of forgiveness in order to sweep this episode under the rug, mainly to ease your own discomfort.

Your son doesn’t seem to be asking you to cut all ties with this family member, but his trauma might be more manageable if he knows that his mother is in his corner, and not expecting him to do something that right now might seem impossible.

Take your son’s anguish seriously, and urge him to seek professional therapeutic help in order to process this disturbing episode.

Dear Amy: My father passed away several years ago, leaving his house to my sister and me.

Since she wanted to live in the house, we agreed that she would eventually buy out my half (she couldn’t afford to do this at the time).

It is eight years later, and she is still living in the house.

Whenever I bring up the subject, I get a “deer in the headlights” look and I feel she will cry, so I let it drop.

Now that my husband and I want to retire, I will need my half of this inheritance.

My father’s lawyer has passed away, and I don’t have a lawyer. If I do in fact have to take some type of legal action, I wouldn’t know where to start.

What should I do?

– Ready for the Next Chapter

Dear Ready: If your sister couldn’t afford to buy you out of this property eight years ago, have her circumstances changed significantly now? You should assume not, which is why she doesn’t want to discuss it.

Your first step should be to find a new attorney to advise you about the terms of this estate and your options, now. You must have competent legal advice.

Your own fears about upsetting your sister have kept both of you somewhat trapped. She likely lives with her own fear of displacement hanging over her head.

You simply must be brave enough to face this. Think of this as a problem you two will solve, together. If she becomes upset, stay calm, hang in there with her, and keep the door open.

I hope these parents do homeschool their child.

The last thing school teachers need is another parent who is afraid that the teachers are not smart enough or qualified enough to teach their child!

– Parent

Dear Parent: Homeschooling is demanding. It is teaching. These parents had a knee-jerk reaction to public education, without seeming to have done a shred of research – either about their local school or homeschooling.

I agree that these children definitely deserve better.

You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.

— Need Support

DEAR NEED SUPPORT: Stop looking to your family for the emotional support you need.

Since you are a pioneer in higher education in your family, they don’t have the tools to help you manage your academic workload and the pressure that comes with it. Establish relationships with peers and an academic counselor to help you with that.

Stop expecting your family to be what they are not. Relate to them as the loving people they are. Don’t get mad at them or reject them because your life is changing.

By finding a support system beyond your family, you will be able to appreciate them for who they are and not mistakenly expect more from them than they can offer. Be sure not to look down on them or speak to them disparagingly as your interests and experiences expand. Feel free to share stories with them of your life, but be mindful not to brag. Stay humble.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been having issues with my motivation lately.

I have low energy, and simple tasks take me way longer than they should. I get all my work done, but that typically is the full extent of what I do in a day.

Due to this lack of energy, I have not been cooking or going to the grocery store as much as I should. This results in not eating enough food in a day, snacking too much or eating unhealthy options that I can have delivered to my apartment. I do not feel satisfied with the unhealthy food I eat, but ordering salads and restaurant food is extremely expensive.

This leads to a cycle of not having enough energy to cook, but also not getting enough energy from the low-nutrient food I am eating.

Do you have any healthy, affordable snack or meal recommendations that require low effort to prepare?

— Food Energy

Yes, there are affordable, nutritious foods you can eat. Instead of ordering a salad, go get a few groceries or even have groceries delivered. All of the salad ingredients that cost so much from a restaurant take seconds to mix together yourself if you buy the individual ingredients at the grocery store.

According to Healthline.com, some affordable options are broccoli, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, green cabbage, canned fish, chicken breast, bananas and frozen fruit. It may take a minute to shift your food choices. Knowing you can do it quickly and affordably should help. For a longer list of healthy food and snack options, go to healthline.com/nutrition/29-cheap-healthy-foods.

Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions toaskharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

I live in a tiny studio apartment that did not come equipped with all the things one normally considers standard equipment. Because of a lack of work space and storage, I quickly adapted my lifestyle to do without certain built-in appliances that most people use several times per week. I’m content with how things are, and I can afford to buy anything I really feel is lacking.

The problem is that some very kind friends have given me a freestanding version of one of the “missing” appliances, and it is completely impractical for me to set up and use it.

I had mentioned that my place lacked certain standard equipment but had not complained of it being a problem.

I thanked my friends for their generosity, thoughtfulness and kindness. I spoke in general terms about the value of such an item in making a home more convenient, etc. But the item itself remains in its box, taking up already-minimal floor space and generating muttered imprecations when I have to shove it out of the way to get at things I need.

Another friend told me, “Just sell it.” But I can’t. I would not wound these dear, loving, generous-hearted friends for anything.

Yet I cannot think of any way of resolving the problem of a gift I cannot use, cannot easily store away, and cannot throw back in my friends’ faces by regifting, selling or donating it. I don’t know anyone who could use it.

Do you have any advice?

GENTLE READER: Your letter of thanks accomplished one other thing: It discharged your duty to demonstrate gratitude. Miss Manners does not say this to admonish you for continuing to feel gratitude, only to remind you that your obligation is limited.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When someone purchases a raffle ticket for a worthy cause and wins the grand prize (say, $10,000), is it proper or expected that they donate a portion of it back to the charity? And if so, what percentage, please?

GENTLE READER: Secular society is strangely fond of tithing, but: no.

The things one receives for donating to a cause — hats, mugs, tote bags and, Miss Manners will now add, raffle prize money — are given as thanks for your generous donations. And one does not give gifts for thank-yous sent to acknowledge gifts.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

As the years went on, it became increasingly evident this wasn’t true, so I took a genetic test. The result came back with a 99% likelihood that I had a different father.

I soon made contact with the brother of the man I believed to be my birth father. He had personal knowledge of the affair and did a confirmational genetic test to show his genetic relationship to me.

My mother continues to insist on what is now certainly a lie, perhaps to save face with me and others, and to avoid perjury charges and support repayments that might follow.

I have not had contact with her for many years and changed my last name to my biological father’s. He was a loving father figure to me in secret and is now deceased.

My problem is, I cannot find closure for all of my mother’s countless lies and denials. She gaslighted me into feeling I was deranged while she cultivated a popular public face as a reporter and patron of the arts in our small town.

I want to be able to reconcile with my past so I can be a better father to my own kids and be able to trust my loved ones fully. I feel weak as a person, and I don’t want to pass that on to my kids. Please advise.

— TRUE SELF IN CANADA

DEAR TRUE SELF: You are not a “weak” man. You are an intelligent person who was fed a pack of lies for decades. Yet you managed to get to the truth in spite of that.

Your mother has lied because she is afraid she will lose standing in the community, and she is probably right about that.

It would benefit you to discuss your family history with a licensed mental health professional. If you do, it will help to sort all this out more quickly than if you try to work through it on your own.

DEAR ABBY: I am torn between my and my husband’s desire to move and my obligation to my family.

We decided to explore moving out of state because of the climate. Where we currently live is very dry and hot in the summer, and wildfires often cause smoky skies for weeks. We can hardly go outside in the summer.

My widowed mother lives close by and knows how much we struggle in the summer. She’s in her 60s and healthy; she doesn’t need to be taken care of yet.

I’m torn between moving somewhere I feel my quality of life would improve and staying close to my grandmother, whom I’ve never lived near before. How do I make this decision?

— MAKING A DECISION IN COLORADO

DEAR MAKING A DECISION: Decide rationally. If you opt to make the move — which would be understandable — discuss it with your mother.

Although her health is strong now, she and your grandmother may be open to the idea of relocating to your new city so you can all be together.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Here is a partial rundown.

Smuin Xmas show returns, with boa

One of the Bay Area’s most beloved Christmas dance traditions is returning for a five-week run at several area venues. We’re talking about Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s annual “Christmas Ballet” program, a joyous mix of works ranging from elegant to sassy and silly and touching on styles including traditional and contemporary ballet, jazz, tap, swing and more. This year’s show includes world premiere numbers by company artistic director Amy Seiwert and former Smuin choreographer Nicole Haskins. Also in the program are classical dance favorites by company founder, the late Michael Smuin, including “Bach Magnificat,” “Gloucestershire Wassail,” and “Licht bensh’n,” as well as some of his more playful works, including “Christmas Island,” “Droopy Little Christmas Tree” and, of course, “Santa Baby,” a piece that features what the company bills as the “world’s longest feather boa.”

The program lands at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts for performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18  and 2 p.m. Nov. 19. Future performances include Dec. 1-2 at the Sunset Center in Carmel, Dec. 7-10 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts and Dec. 14-24 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. A LGBTQ+ Night performance on Dec. 19 at YBCA features popular San Francisco drag queen Lady Camden (a star of Season 14 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”). 

Details: $25-$119, find a complete schedule, tickets and more information at www.smuinballet.org.

— Bay City News Foundation

Classical picks: Climate symphony; Jupiter String Quartet

The classical music scene continues to innovate and engage – here are just a few of the Bay Area events coming our way.

“From the Edge”: This weekend’s San Francisco Symphony contributions to the statewide California Festival begins with “From the Edge,” with music director Esa-Pekka Salonen leading the Symphony’s first performances of Gabriella Smith’s climate-inspired “Breathing Forests.” Two Stravinsky works, the “Octet for Winds and Brass,” and “Les Noces,” featuring vocal soloists Lauren Snouffer, Kayleigh Decker and Paul Appleby, complete the program. Details: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18-19; Davies Symphony Hall; $25-$75; sfsymphony.org.

“Rodelinda” in concert: Under conductor Harry Bicket, the English Concert’s 2021 recording of “Rodelinda” earned rave reviews. Now Bicket and company return to UC Berkeley with a live concert performance of Handel’s opera, featuring Lucy Crowe in the title role; the cast also includes countertenors Iestyn Davies and Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, along with tenor Eric Ferring, mezzo-soprano Christine Rice, and bass-baritone Brandon Cedel. Details: 3 p.m. Nov. 19, Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley; $39-$142; calperformances.org.

New Music galore: The Other Minds Festival returns in its 27^th installment this week, with a full lineup of new and experimental music, including appearances by innovators Morton Subotnick, Sarah Cahill, Paul Dresher, and others. Details: Through Nov. 18, Taube Atrium Theater, Nov. 19, Gray Area, San Francisco; $15-$50 events, $50-$160 season passes; otherminds.org.

“Elixir” at SF Opera: Beginning with “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs” and wowing audiences with this month’s “Omar,” it’s been an outstanding fall season at San Francisco Opera, and the company is capping it off with “The Elixir of Love.” Donizetti’s delectable comedy opens Sunday with tenor Pene Pati as the lovestruck Nemorino; conductor Ramón Tebar makes his company debut. Details: Nov. 19 through Dec. 9; War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco; in person $26-$414; livestream $27.50; sfopera.com.

Jupiter to Kohl: Music at Kohl Mansion, now in its 21st season, welcomes the acclaimed Jupiter String Quartet this Sunday in a program of works by Beethoven, Elizabeth Maconchy, Nathan Shields and Carlos Simon. Details: 7 p.m. Nov. 19; Kohl Mansion, Burlingame; $58 adult, $55 seniors, $25 30 and under; musicatkohl.org.

— Georgia Rowe, Correspondent

The Dickens of a holiday show

We have a hunch that living in a Dickens novel would probably be nowhere near as fun as hanging out at the annual Daly City holiday event the legendary author has inspired. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair and Victorian Holiday Party, to use the event’s proper full name, returns to the Cow Palace this weekend, with its large and bustling re-creation of Victorian-era London. The attraction is chock full of attractions for adults and kids. The older set can enjoy port and chocolate tastings, sip their way through a high tea, tackle a Sherlock Holmes Experience mystery, knock back a pint or two at the Jekyll and Hyde Pub or somewhat naughtier Mad Sal’s Dockside Ale House, and marvel at the wide array of performances taking pace on seven stages, form Irish singers to Bedouin belly dancers to comedians and jugglers to actors portraying scores of Dickens-created characters.

For the young ‘uns, there is a self-guided Children’s Tour of London, as well as opportunities to meet Father Christmas and the popular Punch and Judy puppet shows. Most of the entertainment and interactive stuff going on, for that matter, is suitable for both kids and adults. And of course, there are all kinds of British delicacies to sample, from fish and chips and bangers and mash to meat pies and all manner of cookies, chocolate and other sweet treats, as well as a full range of liquid refreshments. And, yes, there are knickknacks and other items for sale for holiday shoppers.

Details: Opens Nov. 18 and runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (plays the Friday after Thanksgiving) through Dec. 17; Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City; daily tickets run $25-$45 ($18-$30 after 3 p.m.), with kids under 5 admitted free; full-run pass, $160; dickensfair.com

— Bay City News Foundation

Guys, dolls and one crazy bet

San Francisco Playhouse isn’t whisking audiences off to the North Pole or Bedford Falls for the holidays. Instead, the company is offering a ticket to 20th-century New York, where some hard-boiled gangsters, gamblers and entertainers of the night prove they, too, can carry a tune.

Yes, the company is presenting “Guys and Dolls,” the iconic musical by Frank Loesser, Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, which has been a popular stage staple since it debuted on Broadway in 1950. Many know the story from the 1955 film version starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra.

Now S.F. Playhouse is reviving the musical, which centers a high-rolling gambler wooing an uptight missionary in hopes of winning a bet, and a burlesque performer trying to get her beau to settle down. Yes, it’s an old tale often told, but when you have songs like “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat,” and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” setting the pace, it’s hard to go wrong. Helmed by company artistic director Bill English, “Guys and Dolls” begins in previews this week and runs through Jan. 13.

Details: Performances at 450 Post St., $15-$125; www.sfplayhouse.org.

— Randy McMullen, Staff

Pronounced like “people,” Pippal opens Nov. 18 on the second floor of the Bay Street Emeryville shopping mall. The husband-wife duo behind it, Anu and Vikram Bhambri, intend to serve dishes from across the 1.3 million square miles of India, which promises a significant amount of variety and flavor profiles. Think whole Dungeness-crab masala with lemongrass and coconut from Kerala, a chicken dum biryani with curried peppers from Hyderabad and sweet Malai Kulfi from Delhi. Oh, and there’s a menu of craft cocktails inspired by India’s architectural wonders like the Red Fort and Taj Mahal. (Cocktail foam-heads take note: That last one comes with a topping of mascarpone foam.)

Need more details on the menu? The restaurant shared this deep dive in an email: “Guests will delight in Goan Chorizo Pulao served with fried onion, crispy bacon and garlic raita; experience staple southern Indian street food with Mini Idli Pepper Fries seasoned with gunpowder podi and served with a curry leaf coconut chutney; savor the bold flavors of Chicken Tikka Tiranga and Anjeer and Green Banana Seekh Kebabs; dive into main dishes like Kerala Dungeness Crab Masala, a tasty delicacy of Kerala, India, and served with lemongrass and coconut; Chicken Dak Bungalow that comes surrounded by Pippal’s take on traditional masala — the onion poppy masala; and much more.”

Pippal’s sister restaurant in San Francisco, ROOH, is listed in the Michelin guide, which praises its “innovative menu that fuses the subcontinent’s myriad flavors with modern restaurant staples (oysters, pork belly, burrata).”

Pippal is the second Michelin-connected restaurant to arrive this year at Bay Street Emeryville, which is shaping up to be an actual food destination. Right next door is Flores, a Mexican restaurant that opened earlier this month whose San Francisco location received a Michelin Bib Gourmand award.

Details: Open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily beginning Nov. 18 at 5614 Bay Street, Suite 235, Emeryville; eatatpippal.com