TUESDAY, DEC. 18 2012 >>>

1. There isn't a need to bring dessert to your favorite Tacoma City Councilmember today. During tonight's Tacoma City Council meeting, at 5 p.m., Dec. 18 will be declared Brown & Haley Roca Buttercrunch Day in celebration of the Tacoma company's 100 years in business. That's right, The Tacoma confectioner - home to the Roca family and the Mountain Bar - celebrates its centenary this year. Brown & Haley produces, solely in America, more than 2 million pieces of Roca buttercrunch each day and ships this "made in Tacoma" treat all over the world." 

2. Spanaway has some similarities with Texas. For one, Spanaway likes to go big - in the drive-thru line, and when it comes to holiday light displays. In its wattage-chowing 18th year, Fantasy Lights offers oohers and ahhers a night of blinking and glowing bliss from 5:30-9 p.m. The two and a quarter mile long parade of lit-up scenery has its own peculiar sense of majesty, and it goes without saying that it's the perfect treat for a family to soak up the holiday spirit.

3. Usually when you go to the casino you just lose money - but tonight could be different. Danny Vernon's Illusions of Elvis will be at the Red Wind Casino this evening. Travel out to Yelm and have a great time with the King's likeness, starting at 6:30 p.m.

4. The Fighting Ground by the award-winning author Avi has been banned in many school districts. The book chronicles a 24-hour period in the life of a 13-year-old boy during the Revolutionary War. Parents complain the book, which was written in 1984, included several profanities uttered by some soldiers. Avi has won the Newberry Medal, one of the most prestigious honors in children's literature. Tacoma's Banned Book Club will discuss the book at 7 p.m. inside King's Books.

5. The Christmas Revels is a show, a Puget Sound tradition, a high-spirited, silly and serious, variety show that takes on Christmas in a way unique to other holiday performances.  The Revels combine folk traditions and a bit of historical appeal with choirs and community performances, dance and drama. It hits the Rialto Theater's stage at 7:30 p.m.

LINK: Tuesday, Dec. 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area