It looks as if a health-care reform package will pass the Senate this week, although I'd be hard-pressed to explain the details to you at this point. But I can tell you what it doesn't have: A public option, which was of great importance to some Democrats in the House, including Congressman Raul Grijalva.

Provided the Senate does pass the package on Christmas Eve as planned, the next step for Democrats is finding a way to merge it with the House version that passed earlier this year.

Grijalva and his fellow House progressives have to figure out how much more they can get out of the package without scuttling it. Grijalva has already expressed his unhappiness with what he saw happening in the Senate. So what is he willing to settle for at this point?

BTW, if you want to see the differences between the House and Senate versions, here's a roundup.

Steve Blomquist, one of several neighbors suing Saguaro Ranch developer Stephen Phinny and the town of Marana (see first blog here), put out this to get his message across, asking holiday shoppers to reconsider where they spend their money and if they want those sales taxes to benefit Marana.

Blomquist was arrested for trespassing and disorderly conduct at the Saguaro Ranch reservation-only restaurant, McClintock's, on Friday, Nov. 13. Here's his arrest report, as promised, but we're still wondering how the disorderly conduct charge fits—considering Blomquist seemed to be on his best behavior.

John DeDios sends long some more student work from the UA School of Journalism:

Roxana Vasquez is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona School of Journalism. In her time as a student, Vasquez was published by several publications including The Arizona Daily Wildcat, Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Citizen, El Independiente, Borderbeat.net and also took part in student journalism institutes hosted by The New York Times in 2008 and the UNITY Conference in Chicago in summer 2008. She also has photographed for Alan Weisman's Reporting for Latin America course that traveled to Mexico City earlier this Spring.

Vasquez has photographed political rallies, Mexican migrants, the Tucson Rodeo, and many other scenes in and around Southern Arizona, Nogales, Sonora, Mexico City, and Chicago, Ill. More of her work can be seen on her blog.

• Adding in Trees

I recently interviewed Dale Strong, a local artist who uses iced-tea spoons to paint instead of brushes or palette knives. Read it here.

He teaches inexperienced students how to paint landscapes using his method. On a recent Saturday afternoon, I paid for a class and accepted Dale's challenge to paint a picture. I have never painted before.

• Adding Water and Rocks

In a period of about four hours, Dale and I created a landscape scene of Cottonwood Creek at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. I have to give credit to him, as he touched up my goofs and painted the bridge, for the sake of expediency.

I learned about persepective, composition and balance and was taught to look at things with greater awareness. The sky is not just blue, nor are trees all the same hue. Proper shading is important; you wouldn't put shade on both sides of a tree trunk, as the sun is only on one side.

• Completion

With a very encouraging demeanor and non-intimidating style, Dale is the art teacher you wish you had in school. He made jokes, kept it light and was very complimentary. Had he taught me in grade-school art class, I wouldn't have missed a day.

For more information, visit www.artistdalestrong.com

While it's good to be reminded once in a while (if the East Coast blizzard footage isn't enough) that living in a winter warm-derland is a good deal, this story from D.C. is also a good reminder for cops to cultivate a sense of humor when caught in the middle of a snowball fight.

And, oh yeah, maybe it's not so good to say, "Fuck you pig," too.

It's a Wonderful Life is the best holiday movie, and lucky for us, it's showing Tuesday (tomorrow) at the Fox Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

During this time of foreclosures, layoffs and uncertainty, seems we need George Bailey now more than ever. My favorite scene is when George and Mary sing "Buffalo Gals" and he offers her the moon, but the best monologue is when George lets Mr. Potter finally have it and regains his confidence, Frank Capra-style.

Just a minute—just a minute. Now, hold on, Mr. Potter. You're right when you say my father was no businessman. I know that. Why he ever started this cheap, penny-ante Building and Loan, I'll never know. But neither you nor anyone else can say anything against his character, because his whole life was - why, in the twenty-five years since he and Uncle Billy started this thing, he never once thought of himself. Isn't that right, Uncle Billy? He didn't save enough money to send Harry to school, let alone me. But he did help a few people get out of your slums, Mr. Potter, and what's wrong with that? Why - here, you're all businessmen here. Doesn't it make them better citizens? Doesn't it make them better customers? You - you said - what'd you say a minute ago? They had to wait and save their money before they even ought to think of a decent home. Wait? Wait for what? Until their children grow up and leave them? Until they're so old and broken down that they... Do you know how long it takes a working man to save five thousand dollars? Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about... they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn't think so. People were human beings to him. But to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they're cattle. Well, in my book he died a much richer man than you'll ever be.

Dear Mr. Santa Claus, Sir,

We're one week out from C-Day, so I'm writing to officially inform you of my Christmas gift request.

This year, I simply desire "Crud." Crud, as I'm sure you are aware—what with your extensive history in product handling and all—retails in a green bucket with red lettering.

Although Crud is advertised as "better than crap," I don't need to tell you that it rates at a consumer satisfaction level only nominally above crap. Further, while Crud's "old" claim is better than "mold," it's not exactly better than "cold." After my extravagant, libertine wish-list of last year, you may be wondering: Why the change?

In short: I've been naughty this year. Quite naughty, really. I'd rather not go into the details, though I suppose you know them anyway - what with your alleged clairvoyance and all. I'd say I was worse than a trespassing reindeer, but better than a felonious elf.

Which brings me to this disturbing point: I feel that the decadent gifts you brought me last year were partly responsible for my naughty behavior. In fact, my lawyer informs me that many of the gifts - such as the Survivor Series Backstabbing Knives, and the Johnny Justice Megaphone & Handcuff Set - were directly responsible for much of my naughtiness. Nevertheless ...

Yours in the Season,

A Concerned Customer

Here are several jazz-related events that were received too late for inclusion in our Dec. 17 issue.

Friday, Dec. 18
7 to 9:30 p.m.
Trombonist Joey Sellers and Tucson's Blue Note Combo will conduct a free jam session (open to all) at Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites, 5151 E. Grant Road.

Saturday, Dec. 19
1 to 3 p.m.
Trombonist Joey Sellers will give a free jazz clinic (open to all) at the Tucson Jazz Institute, 6061 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 121.

Sunday, Dec. 20
2 and 7 p.m.
The Eighth Annual Big Band Bash takes place at the Berger Center for the Performing Arts, 1200 W. Speedway Blvd. The Tucson Jazz Institute's Ellington, Basie, Kenton and Dorsey bands will perform along with trombonist Joey Sellers. $20 adults, $15 students. Tickets are available at the door, by calling 514-0935 or online at www.tusonjazzinstitute.org.

Espresso Pundit is going to be so disappointed.

Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall has released on opinion on whether anyone—Democrats Terry Goddard, Kysten Sinema and Daniel Patterson or Republicans John Huppenthal and Ray Barnes—violated Arizona's Resign to Run law with their ambitions for higher office.

LaWall said none of them did. Telling a group you were planning on running, gathering signatures, establishing committees, setting up a Facebook page—none of these things constitute a violation that would force someone out of office.

Most amusing was Patterson, who merely said he wanted to run for the same office. Who would have ever thought that would qualify as a violation?

Here's the decision for you lawyers to look over: resigntorun.pdf

We liked this part about Sinema and Facebook:

"At one point in the interview, Representative Sinema further stated that she did not think she herself had created the politician page, but she was aware that in December, 2008, 'something had been created,' referring to the politician page."

Howie brings us the news that plans to get a sales-tax proposition before Arizona voters have collapsed.

We kinda figured that would happen.