Of course, Thanksgiving ushers in the holiday season -- perhaps you've heard mention of it already. We're guessing that for some of you the joyful task of finding gifts for loved ones isn't quite finished. May we make a suggestion?

For your friends who haven't found us yet, how about a Third Rail gift certificate? You'll be giving an unforgettable evening of some of the highest-quality theatre Portland has to offer. Whether your "giftee" chooses to attend the haunting "Shining City" this winter or the hilarious "Nobody Here but Us Chickens" in the spring, you can be sure they'll be talking about it long afterward and thanking you for introducing them to Third Rail. We'd love to meet your friends! You can buy gift certificates on the "buy tickets" page of our web site (www.thirdrailrep.org).

If you are considering making charitable contributions this season, remember that gifts to Third Rail will help ensure more dazzling productions in 2008 and beyond. And don't forget, until the end of the year the Willamette Week's Give!Guide is including Third Rail in its roster of deserving nonprofits. Gifts given through Willamette Week (wweek.com/giveguide) will entitle you to special goodies!

Enjoy the waning of the year, with all its magic and mystery. We'll soon be holed up in our cozy rehearsal hall, preparing "Shining City" for you -- more about that soon. In the meantime, happy gifting!