MICHAEL SWAN: IT’S ON THE STREETS AND INTERWEB TODAY >>>

Tacoma
An Exercise in Hope, Faith, Vision, and Guts by Erik Hanberg

The health of Basic Health
Will proposed budget cuts hurt Basic Health? by Matt Driscoll

Business blast ‘08
The snow makes it more difficult to shop locally by Paul Schrag

JOSE GUTIERREZ JR.: LIVE FROM I-5: HIP-HOP IN THE 25360 >>>

The new year is right around the block. Read up next week as I dish out the 1st Annual Live From I-5: The 25360 Awards.  Everyone (besides me) is eligible for recognition for the 25360’s MCs, DJs, Activists, Hustler, Album, Mixtape, Entrepreneur and "other" awards of the year for 2008.  This should be a fun piece of work. 

Don’t get it twisted. I am the lone voter this year. As the column grows in 2009 I will certainly include the voice of The 25360’s people. Give me your ideas and thoughts in the comments section below.

Check out this week's column on the Weekly Volcano Web site. I have added The Most Valuable section.

Let me not forget!  Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Ramadan and whatever else I may have left out. …

BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO LEAP 24 >>>

WEEKLY VOLCANO: HO HO HO >>>

Merry Christmas, gentle readers!  It’s time to string some popcorn, nog some eggs, and unwrap those goodies!  We here in Spew-land are hoping for a white Christmas, and we have a dump truck filled with foam packing peanuts standing by just in case. From all of us here, and the Weekly Volcano, have a merry Christmas, and may you enjoy a dump truck-load of peace and cheer this holiday.

SUZY STUMP: HO HO HO YES! 7! >>>

Christmas in a casino. It has a nice ring to it. What's a casino kinda Xmas all about? (I'm betting it's really subtle, with a quaint New England charm.) From the little town of Bethlehem to the bright casino lights, you can search for the true meaning and spirit of the holiday. Tub of nickels in your hand, fueled by 99-cent shrimp cocktails and dollar Heinekens, seek out a little cheer and some music, too. 

Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma: Asia Fest, 8:30 p.m., no cover.

Muckleshoot Casino, Auburn: Nitecrew Top 40 cover band, 8:30 p.m., no cover.

OWEN TAYLOR: WHO WOULD JESUS WANT TO PLAY HIS BIRTHDAY PARTY? >>>

Hey Santa, I just wanted to let you know that this year is in danger of fizzling out. The recent economic developments have blown goat balls. Sure, the year started off with a bang. We had some good times here and there â€" You remember Denver. Well, parts of it anyway. We got the president-elect that we know we needed, but damn, can a brother get a job? Can we get an honest politician? Can you somehow give us hope that at least some of the working stiffs can catch a break while corporate fat cats have to go back and revamp their resumes? Oh, NO? Next year you say? Wait till mid-January? Damn!! Well can you at least give me something until then? OH SNAP!!! That would be awesome!!! Second Annual FITZ OF DEPRESSION XMAS SHOW at McCoy’s!!! Man, you remember last year when we got Rudolph and Blitzen hammered on Baronjaeger? When Rudy threw up on Mikey’s Chuck Taylors during the second song, man that was classic. And tell Mrs. Claus that Dawn said she has to keep her top on and her hands off Ziegler or she’s gonna be 86’d this year. Oh yeah, thanks again for hooking up that double jointed redhead who inherited that brewery. Best summer ever.

Join Fitz of Depression tonight at McCoy's in Olympia. You won't be disappointed.

[McCoy’s, 9 p.m., $5, 418 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.352.0696]

BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO FINAL LEAP >>>

Merry Christmas ... everyone!