A trio of local groups are serving up a murder mystery in a fortune cookie factory this weekend.

And serving would be the operative word for the dinner-theater benefit this weekend, a joint effort of Patio Playhouse, the Woman's Club of Escondido and Contemporary Women of North County.

Director Deborah Zimmer wrote the script for Patio's performance of "Haunting Melody," which mixes a story of comedy and intrigue with snippets of songs from Broadway musicals.

"We're calling it a world premiere," said Vivian Doering, producer/coordinator of the benefit show. "I'm sure it's going to be a fun evening."

The $20 admission to the 7 p.m. show on Friday and Saturday at the Woman's Club, 751 N. Rose St., includes a chicken dinner or vegetarian option. Drawings will be held for a variety of gift baskets. Call (760) 746-6669.

Oh, baby: The first word is out about the 55th Escondido Jaycees Christmas Parade, and that word is "baby." As is "Baby's First Christmas," the theme for this year's parade. The idea came easily to the sponsoring Jaycees, since five of the club members or spouses have had babies over the past year or so, said Wally Gutierrez. President Jeff Ciccarella and his wife, Christy Fortney, will be joining that club in October. Leadership of the parade has a bit of a family twist as well. Greta Kertz is this year's chairwoman. She's the mom of Heidi McBride, who took charge of the parade a couple of times a few years back. Applications for the Dec. 10 parade can be picked up at Escondido City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce or Royal Travel, or online at EscondidoJaycees.org.

Around town: Three of Escondido artist Richard Weddleton's oil paintings will appear in the AQUEAS III exhibit through Nov. 28 at the Ventura County Maritime Museum in Oxnard. Weddleton creates historical transportation paintings. His marine art show offerings depict the Star of India, the steam yacht Medea and the Portland Head (Maine) Lighthouse. … Don and Julie Lyon's Circle of Quiet Bed and Breakfast in Escondido is scheduled to be featured during the KUSI (Channel 9) newscast at 9 a.m. Thursday. Rod Luck will help prepare an eggs Benedict casserole during the tour of the B&B in a historic home in the Old Escondido Neighborhood. … Calvin Christian School jumped right into raising money for Hurricane Katrina victims. Collecting in jars placed in every classroom, selling baked goods and through a battle of the bands, the 535 students raised $8,727 in one week. The money will be sent to a Christian school in Mississippi badly damaged by the hurricane.

Contact staff columnist Jeff Frank at (760) 740-5419 or jfrank@nctimes.com.