This is the busiest and last shopping weekend in Little Rock. Maybe I should just direct you to a list of the local malls.

Personally, my weekend centers around Christmas parties and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. TSO is here Saturday and I can't wait to see them every year.

For those of you, like me, who plan to avoid the crazy last minute shopping dash, there are actually some other things going around in Little Rock, imagine that!

December 18 - 19

• Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents "Holiday Pops" & "Jingle Bell Little Rock"
  The Symphony is presenting several shows this weekend. Check their website for ticket info.

December 19

• Pinnacle Mountain - Caroling In The Forest
  Kingfisher Trailhead
  From 7-8:30 p.m., you can carol with park intrepreters. Warm clothes, a flashlight and a song are all the admission required. Pinnacle also has some other events throughout the weekend. 501-868-5806.
• Christmas in the Wild Little Rock Zoo
  Join Santa for milk and cookies and some fun arts and crafts at the zoos. Tickets are $15.
  
• Santa at the Center
  11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  Clinton Presidential Center
  Santa comes to the center with arts and crafts and storytellers. Free with admission. 501-374-4242.
  
• Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre: Egypt Style
  MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
  Join Little Rock Tours for a total Egyptian experience. $49.00 price includes a show and dinner with an Egyptian theme. 501-868-7287

December 19 - 20

• R.K. Gun & Knife Show
  Arkansas State Fairgrounds, Dodge Hall of Industry

A judge ruled Monday that the secretary of state's office must let the "Arkansas Society for Freethinkers" put a winter solstice display on the Capitol grounds. The controversy? This group encourages "a god-free, good time" and is mostly atheists.

This has been a controversy for the last couple of years. There is a traditional Christian nativity scene already at the Little Rock capitol, and the group contended it is only right they get a display too. I agree with that.

To me, the actual display doesn't sound that controversial. It's just a bit cheesy. I haven't seen the actual display, because it's going up Wednesday. I have seen a PDF of the proposed display. It stands 8 feet tall and features some famous free thinkers including George Clooney, Marlon Brando, Leslie Nielson and Bruce Willis. Wait...what?

I kid, those actors are on the display. The display also features more qualified thinkers, including Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Marie Curie and Abraham Lincoln.

The overall display does have a positive message about acceptance, examination of belief and knowledge. I've actually been rooting for these guys to get a display. It seems only fair. I just don't think I would have chosen George Clooney and Bruce Willis to champion the cause, no matter how freely they think.

Southwest Airline's in-flight magazine features a different city every month and this month is Little Rock's turn. You can read the entire feature at Spirit Magazine's website.

The magazine breaks Little Rock down into sections like live, work, play and eat. In the "eat" section, featured restaurants include Brave New Restaurant, Capi's, Ferneau and Ristorante Capeo in.

The magazine includes Hillcrest, the Heights and the Quapaw Quarter in "Live" and talks about downtown revitalization. The play section mentions the Rep, The Arkansas Arts Center and some of our outdoor attractions like Pinnacle and Lake Maumelle.

December 11

• 2nd Friday Art Night
  From 5-8 p.m.galleries, museums and businesses are open in downtown Little Rock.
  

• Arkansas Chamber Singers Holiday Concert
  7:30 p.m.
  Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4501 Rahling Rd.
  The Chamber Singers will also be at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 617 Louisiana St. on
  December 13 at 3 p.m.
  

• Fifth Ever Nog-off
  5 - 8 p.m.
  Historic Arkansas Museum
  A fun event finding the best eggnog.

December 12

• "Helping Girls Reach Their Dreams" All Girls Conference
  9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  Greater Second Baptist Church, Geyer Springs
  Inspiration seminar. $10/person and $6/person for groups of 5 or more.
  For more information, call 501-563-3349.

• Christmas in the Wild
  Little Rock Zoo
  Join Santa for milk and cookies and some fun arts and crafts at the zoos. Tickets are $15.

• Holiday Open House & Craft Sale
  R Street Community Church, University Ave. & R Street
  Unique handmade & international gifts benefiting a variety of missions organizations & local outreach efforts.
  

• Holiday Tour of Homes
  10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  Wildwood Park's Holiday Tour of Homes highlights a lineup of seven homes in West Little Rock. Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the door, with $20.00 of every ticket, a tax deductible donation, benefiting Wildwood Park. 501.821.7275.

• Santa at the Center
  11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  Clinton Presidential Center
  Santa comes to the center with arts and crafts and storytellers. Free with admission. 501-374-4242.

• Winter Bird Lake Cruises
  1 - 3 p.m.
  Jolly Roger's Marina
  Admission: $10.00, adults, $5.00 children ages 6-12.

December 12 - 13

• Ballet Arkansas' "The Nutcracker"
  Robinson Center Music Hall
  7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday

• The Nutcracker On Ice
  Arkansas Skatium, 1311 Bowman Road
  Saturday, 12 Noon and Sunday, 5 p.m.
  Admission Cost : $7.00 per person; free for children age 5 and under. 501-227-4333.

December 13

• Nutcracker Tea
  Peabody Hotel
  12:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m.
  Children can have their photographs taken with The Nutcracker characters. Tea seatings are at
  Tickets are $32.00 for adults; $22.00 for children; and children 4 and under are free.
  

And don't forget that Mike Huckabee will be lecturing at Sturgis Hall on December 14. He's there to discuss his new book, "A Simple Christmas: Twelve Stories that Celebrate the True Holiday Spirit." Call 501-683-5239.