When I was 8, I received the best Christmas present of my life. My brother was going through puberty complete with standard zits and angst. Of course, I thought he hated me with the spit wads and angry outbursts he hurled at me. But gazing at the tree that magical Christmas morning, I saw a glimmering Polly Pocket pendant tucked into the branches. It was from my brother. Life was grand. As an adult, my best gift has been sexy panties and a cute wooden stash box for my weed. Anyway, self-indulgent writing has taken over. ... The point of this blurb is to let you, dear readers, know you can hear storytellers tell THEIR tales of the greatest gifts they've ever received. Saturday at Medi's Pizza & Pasta, there will be sharing at the Drunken Telegraph Holiday Show, as well as pizza and beer.  After hearing five stories about the greatest gift, from a movie poster to a present from beyond the grave, there will be a story slam. Get there early and sign up to share your own five-minute story about the greatest gift.

MEDI'S PIZZA & PASTA, DEC 15, 7 P.M.,  $5, 2710 SIXTH AVE., TACOMA, 253.272.2531