OUTSIDE THE GATES Grammy and Tony awardwinning “Wicked” returns to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts Feb 9.-March 4. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, then adapted for the stage by Winnie Holzman, the popular musical is set before Dorothy landed in Oz, focusing on the onetime friendship between the bubbly, beloved and ambitious Glinda and the smart, passionate and misunderstood Elphaba,

This week’s puzzle is checkmate in three moves. White moves first; any answer by Black, and White’s third move is checkmate. The solution to this week’s puzzle: The first move is queen to g8. The White queen moves from c4 to g8, then Black rook from f8 to g8, followed by White knight from e7 to g6 and Black pawn from h7 to g6. The next move by White is checkmate. The Chess Club meets

Sheriff Ren Villaneuva, clad in a cowboy hat and holstered toy gun, was prepared to entertain at the annual Karaoke Country Western Jamboree on Jan. 26. Folks tapped their boots as he performed “Tennessee Whiskey.” The full house enjoyed the banjo-and-guitar-heavy tunes, including Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers’ “All I Ever Need is You,” as sung by Walt and Margie Bier. Pat Paternostra