BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO'S LEAP OF THE DAY >>>

Bandito Betty Lou Who isn't a huge fan of jingtinglers, floofloovers, trumtookas, blumbloopas and the other wack musical instruments her fellow Whos bang during the holiday season. Every two years she gets the hell out of Whoville and spends the holiday season in the South Sound.

She's back. The Weekly Volcano secretly attached a GPS device to her whocarnio. We're tracking her. Apparently, she was hanging out at the Harmon Tap Room blending into a sea of red.

Yesterday, we caught her grocery shopping at the Tacoma Food Co-Op. Good news: the Co-Op's Winter Solstice Citrus Celebration continues. It has giant pummelos — which taste like mild, sweet grapefruits — Rio Star grapefruit and kumquats. We managed to snap a shot of Bandito before she knocked over a pile of tangerines. Don't fret. The Weekly Volcano is hot on her trail. Expect more Lou Who action tomorrow.

TACOMA FOOD CO-OP, 3002 SIXTH AVE., TACOMA, 253.627.3344

LINK: Bandito Betty Lou Who jumps archive

LINK: Weekly Volcano loves the holidays, cats and crafts, so we joined Pinterest.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Yesterday's comment of the day comes from Joe Cote in response to the Weekly Volcano's coverage of John McCluskey and Rudy Henry's wedding ceremony Saturday in downtown Tacoma.

Joe writes,

What a fabulous day. I had the pleasure of volunteering for WUFM to pass R-74. I could not be more proud. I was amazed at how much people gave of themselves to make this a reality. Ryan Mello is an amazing young man and will go far in politics if that is his desire. Laurie Jinkins' spirit is incredible. John and Rudy deserve to be married and recognized as so. Congratulations, Gentlemen. May God bless your union in Heaven forever.

MONDAY, DEC. 17, 2012 >>>

1. Oh yes, it is winter. Instead of allowing your hostility toward cold and snow and Mother Nature build and build (a destructive practice that may surely only result in tragedy, namely the increased proliferation of strip malls and other nature-defying-structures across our fair South Sound), make your peace. Experience the beauty of nature during the colder months. Join a park ranger to learn the art of snowshoeing and discover how plants, animals, and people adapt to the challenging winter conditions at Mount Rainier. Snowshoe walks daily at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Warning: Call 360.569.6575 for more information, because Mother Nature is freaking out today.

2. Only eight more shopping days left ... so begins the jolliest (and undeniably the most stressful) time of the year. Especially these days, with the economy wallowing in the shitter. Santa has local gift ideas for your mom/aunt/significant other/sibling/bus driver/favorite local vagrant/bossman/whomever over on his Santa Says Blog.

3. Tired of boring old posters on your living space walls? The folks at State of the Arts Gallery in Olympia, which specializes in selling art created by Northwest and regional artists, has some interesting alternatives as part of its 21st Annual Deck The Walls & More show, which is open today from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - normally closed on Mondays.

4. You're sick and tired of driving through the neighborhood looking at the homes of people who think they deserve an award for their light displays. You deserve to take a night to go see ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Billed as the region's biggest walk-through light show, ZooLights includes animated light sculptures, live entertainment, snacks, animal encounters and the Paul Titus Carousel. While enjoying your stroll, be thankful you're not in charge of this holiday light display. The lights flip on at 5 p.m.

5. MLKBallet presents Mistletoes - a holiday fundraiser extravaganza featuring a cupcake and wine walk, raffles, holiday crafts, classic holiday movies and performances from MLKBallet students from 6-8 p.m. at urban Grace, 902 Market St. All proceeds from the $10 suggested donation benefit MLKBallet's tuition free dance training program.

LINK: Monday, Dec. 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Compass Rose greets you with pleasantries aplenty. From cute and quirky gifts for baby, to unique and beautiful jewelry and even high-end cookware, you can mark nearly everyone off your list.

Then. You. Have. To. Wrap.

The employees at Compass Rose in downtown Olympia are happy to wrap any purchase.

Yes!

They are so happy in fact, they once made a "wrap" video where a patron comes in the store asking if they wrap, and a few of the lady employees began busting out rhymes about finding the perfect gift, Northwest style, and of course, wrapping gifts.

"We're even bringing an extra person on just for gift wrapping this season," says Liz Van Dyke, employee.

"Cuppow is our favorite thing right now," says Van Dyke. "It's quintessential for Oly because it's an adult sippy cup lid for mason jars! And for around $10 it's the perfect white elephant or stocking stuffer."

Van Dyke underscores their love of the product by pointing out a Christmas tree decorated in Cuppows. It's adorable.

Another gift idea Compass Rose is excited about is their French line of cast iron cookware, which comes in a variety of bright bold colors. It's on the higher end of gift giving at $100-$400, but well worth the smiles and delicious meals to be had. It's a gift that keeps on giving.

Compass Rose isn't afraid to wrap. Any size purchase can be wrapped. Compass Rose has a variety of wrapping paper such as Christmas sweater print and earth tones, and colorful shiny ribbons to reflect your style or gift.

COMPASS ROSE, 10 A.M. TO 9 P.M. DEC. 17-20, 9 A.M. TO 9 P.M. DEC. 21, 9 A.M. TO 8 P.M. DEC. 22, 10 A.M. TO 7 P.M. DEC. 23, 9 A.M. TO 4 P.M. DEC. 24,  416 CAPITOL WAY, OLYMPIA, 360.236.0788

SEE YOUR FUTURE, BE YOUR FUTURE >>>

You're standing in the blustery winds and rain in Tacoma's Stadium District, wishing the Link light rail would pick your ass up and take to your job by the Tacoma Dome.

Speak your mind!

Sound Transit, in coordination with the City of Tacoma and Pierce Transit, is analyzing alternatives for expanding the existing 1.6-mile Link light rail line in Tacoma. For those not in the know, light rail shares right-of-way with cars, bikes, people, etc. This model saves a considerable amount in initial construction costs, though it means a light-rail system is slower and still subject to the vagaries of traffic.

After many public meetings and think tanks over the summer and fall, Sound Transit identified six new corridor alternatives for its Link light rail in Tacoma. The next step is to narrow the options down to two.

Sound Transit would like to hear your thoughts on each of the six expnasion routes - in sentence form. Click here to give your feedback.

LINK: Tacoma Link's current route

WHEN BUILDINGS ARE DARK >>>

The service industry in Tacoma is a tight one. Servers talk, and often drink together on Sundays. Industry chatter has centered around the possible closure of two Tacoma restaurants. One of the rumored closings, the Overtime sports bar, might have finally lost the game. It has been dark for several days, including during last night's NFL game.

What have you heard?

The Weekly Volcano sure hopes it's not true. It would be a shame to see a vacant building on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Alder Street as long as we saw the shuttered ABC Asian Cuisine building.

BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO'S LEAP OF THE DAY >>>

Bandito Betty Lou Who isn't a huge fan of jingtinglers, floofloovers, trumtookas, blumbloopas and the other wack musical instruments her fellow Whos bang during the holiday season. Every two years she gets the hell out of Whoville and spends the holiday season in the South Sound.

She's back. The Weekly Volcano secretly attached a GPS device to her whocarnio. We're tracking her. Apparently, she attended her first same-sex marriage ceremony Saturday in Tacoma.

This morning, we caught Bandito Betty Lou Who jumping with joy at LeMay - America's Car Museum over the news it finalized an agreement retaining State Farm, the museum’s largest and longest-running corporate supporter, as presenting sponsor through 2014. Joyous news, indeed. She was also a bit tickled that Lemay will award ACM collector's ceramic mugs to those who join the museum's membership before the end of the year. However, she zoomed off before we could discover her favorite classic car. Don't fret. The Weekly Volcano is hot on her trail. Expect more Lou Who action tomorrow.

LEMAY - AMERICA'S CAR MUSEUM, 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. DAILY, 2702 E. D ST., TACOMA, 253.779.8490

LINK: Bandito Betty Lou Who jumps archive

LINK: Weekly Volcano loves the holidays, cats and crafts, so we joined Pinterest.

APPLAUSE >>>

Tonight at 6:30 p.m. during the University Place City Council meeting, Dance Theatre Northwest and its dancers will be recognized by the city.

Dance Theatre Northwest is a ballet company, one that has spent 26 years providing concerts and performances, guidance and lessons in classical ballet to area youth. The recognition is well deserved, highlighting the Theatre's dedication to award-winning original choreography, costume and sets, presentation of ballet classic, as well as serving as a pillar of support and guidance for area youth.

"The City of University Place recognizes individuals, businesses and organizations that help make our community a better place to live, brings harmony to our community and fosters development of our children," says Javier Figueroa, U.P. councilmember. "Dance Theatre Northwest embraces all of these attributes and much more."

In addition to the entire dance company being recognized, two former students will be honored - Katie Neumann and Chhay Mam. Neumann is now a professional dancer and still attends all DTN performances, has received every award possible from DTN. Mam is also now a professional performer, but has also helped DTN with enhancing its website and ticket system. The city's proclamation will also serve to recognize students who were recently awarded scholarships from DTN for their dedication to the art of dance, citizenship, and community.

"For the City of University Place to recognize us as an organization makes me feel warm all over as I think of the countless hours, professionals from many walks of life, volunteers, and Northwest residents who have helped build this organization and to foster its development," says Melanie Kirk-Stauffer, artistic director. "Our school is dedicated to the teaching of and preservation of classical ballet. To my knowledge, Dance Theatre Northwest is the ONLY Performing Arts group of this caliber to maintain a residency in UP for 26 years."

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

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES >>>

Think you've got some writer's chops on ya, do ya? Think you can take the heat? Washington State History Museum is here to give you your shot - or let you kick back and listen to other people reading, if you so choose. Thursday, Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m., the museum will host a special holiday edition of its Writer's Open Mic.

"We invite any and all writers to participate," says Stephanie Lile, head of education at the museum. "Some are locally known and published, others are still working at it. We often have different people from different places. Some are poets, some write memoir, others non-fiction, fiction and children's stories. December 20 is a specially themed night with holiday stories, so anyone with a holiday story to share - or folks who just want to listen - can come on down. "Sign up for anyone who wants to perform a reading starts at 6 p.m. Stories should have a holiday slant, but may interpret holiday traditionally or not - Lile guesses there may even be a story or two about holidays in other worlds. Yes, nerdfolk, you are welcome to attend.

While there won't be food or beverages served at the event, you're welcome to bring along a beverage or sack dinner of your choice.

Entrance to the museum and event is free - come in the main entrance and follow "Works in Progress" signs up to the Mezzanine. You can park in one of the museum lots, but keep in mind that street parking in downtown T-town is free after 6 p.m. Woo!    

WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY MUSEUM, THURSDAY, DEC. 20, 6:30 P.M., SIGN-UP AT 6 P.M., FREE, 1911 PACIFIC AVE., TACOMA, 888.238.4373