Pop goes the bubble . . . but how?
We played with them countless times as children, tease our pets with them and wash with them each and every day, but just how and why do bubbles do what they do? Keith Michael Johnson (seen on Discovery channel’s “Time Warp”) will help unravel the mystery of these shimmering, fascinating transparent spheres.
Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. Tickets: $10. Ocean State Theater, 1245 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, R.I. 401-921-6800. www.oceanstatetheater.org
A craving to help
The next time you have a hankering for a burrito, you can help others by helping yourself. Anna’s Taqueria in Brookline will host guest burrito roller Kris Kringle with all burrito proceeds going to Globe Santa. Last year, Anna’s raised
$20,000 for local charities with its Celebrity Burrito Rollers Series.
Dec. 13, noon-3 p.m. $10 for a burrito, salsa, and chips. 446 Harvard St. Brookline. 617-277-7111. www.annastaqueria.com
Holiday mission
In an effort to help the children of those in the Massachusetts National Guard who are deployed or who have fallen in Afghanistan, the Ahern Family Charitable Foundation is hosting a benefit to raise money for Operation Santa-Massachusetts, in partnership with Military Friends Foundation, to provide gift cards to these families during the holiday season. The 11th Army-Navy football luncheon, complete with auctions and raffles, will feature the televised broadcast of the annual gridiron contest between Army and Navy. Dec. 13, 2 p.m. $10-$25. Scoreboard Sports Bar & Grill, 15 Middlesex Canal Park Drive. Woburn. 781-897-4000. www.tpsscoreboard.com
Eat, drink, sing, and cycle Since this is the time of year to spread as much cheer as possible, bring your family and friends together for a festive bike ride/caroling journey from Arlington to Boston and back. Beginning at Kickstand Cafe in Arlington Center, carolers will ride to Harvard Square, the Esplanade, the Common, Newbury Street, stopping along the way for warming treats and caroling for passersby.
Dec. 14. Registration at 10:15 a.m., ride at 11. Suggested donation: $25. 594 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington Center. RSVP at www.jingleride2014.eventbrite.com or call Marc at 781-646-3377.
Build a better gingerbread house Kids of all ages can construct the house of their (sweet) dreams at Davio’s in Chestnut Hill. The restaurant is hosting its first-ever Gingerbread House Party workshop with pastry chef Michelle Boland and bloggers Alisa Kapinos and Jessica Diaz leading the demonstration and helping participants. Admission covers house-making materials and lunch provided by Davio’s esteemed chefs.
Dec. 14, noon-2 p.m. $30 per child, adults enter free. Reservations are necessary. 55 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill. 617-738-4810. www.davios.com
Dogged approach Dog- and cat-oriented authors Clea Simon (“The Feline Mystique”) and Darlene Arden (“The Irrepressible Toy Dog”) will be speaking about and signing copies of their books while local cat and dog adoption organization Kitty Connection will be wrapping presents and books all day and accepting donations to keep up its humane and necessary work. Dec. 14 from 1-3 p.m. Free. Booksellers Cafe, 24 High St., Medford. 781-391-7171. www.bestsellers-cafe.com
Season of lights
Winter days are colder, shorter, and darker, but the Nave Gallery is doing its part to brighten the season with “Illuminated: A Photographic Essay of Holiday Lights.” Juried by the Somerville Arts Council and featuring the work of more than 13 artists, the exhibition will wrap up soon. Through Dec. 14, 1-5 p.m. Free. 155 Powder House Blvd. Somerville. www.navegallery.org
Andrew Bourque
Andrew Bourque can be reached at andrew.bourque@globe.com.
