Walkie Talkie Blog
FLY AWAY! >>> You'll be the first to admit you're a total movie snob. It's a rare breed that chooses to hang out at a museum and discuss aviation films rather than watch the Seahawks playoff game. What's tougher to admit, though, is the fact that your girlfriend is so not one of those
Walkie Talkie Blog
For the past six Saturday nights, the Weekly Volcano has hosted live music at the Franciscan Polar Plaza ice rink in downtown Tacoma. We witnessed amazing music, holiday cheer, hipsters falling right on their skinny-jeans bums, and couples, awash in love, rosy from the fresh air, celebrating their wedding proposals
Walkie Talkie Blog
As you know, the new two-year budget deal, signed into law by President Barack Obama at the end of December, includes a controversial cut to some military pensions. But did you know one in three lawmakers wants to repeal the military pension cut? More than 150 House members and 35 senators
Walkie Talkie Blog
French toast is fine and good with some warm maple syrup and a cold glass of milk. But you don't really want to be just fine and good, do you? A popular breakfast spot in Tacoma has perfected eggnog French toast, soaking the six wedges of toast in an eggnog
Walkie Talkie Blog
The first thing you notice when you walk into the joint is the light, sweet smell of waffle batter wafting through the air. This bare-bones kitchen in Tacoma serves waffles will keep me coming back from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 14-15. Yes, it's open for
Walkie Talkie Blog
The Candelabra Light is the story of singer-songwriter Joe Rosati's search for something in life. From an outsider's point of view, he's had a full life: songwriter, musician, bartender, film producer, snowboarder, actor, club owner and friend to many. From his point of view, it's a constant introspection. Technically his
Walkie Talkie Blog
These days, I don't watch the morning news that often, preferring to scroll through Twitter or Flipbook to grab the news in 15 minutes. That said, the chance of boring weather updates is 100 percent online. When I need weather, and the beloved Futurecast, I turn to King 5's Rich
Walkie Talkie Blog
By the American Distilling Institute's count, it projects between 600 and 800 craft distilleries will be in operation nationwide by the end of 2015. Unlike "whiskey," "craft" is an inexact term: It's typically used to refer to the underfunded upstarts in unexpected places who give up jobs as IT consultants
Walkie Talkie Blog
When the Monsoon Room opened in 2005, the exotic cubbyhole on Hilltop Tacoma ignited a craft cocktail slow burn. Those who drank neon-blue slushy drinks and giant martinis found the Monsoon mixology of Laura Malone and Jeff "Kansas" McIlvain a breathe of fresh mint. All races, creeds, colors, income levels,
Walkie Talkie Blog
Like a lead singer with a side solo project, Ginkgo Forest Winery located on the Wahluke Slope AVA in Mattawa along the Columbia River opened a tasting room across the Cascades in Old Town Tacoma. Because owner/winemaker Mike Thiede - a scientist by training and a farmer by choice - has a
Walkie Talkie Blog
Gig Harbor born, but Northwest raised rock band China Davis has launched an Indiegogo campaign for their upcoming album, Arctic Days, which core members, and brothers, Ben and Ted Fuller have been working on since their birth. I have heard snippets, and read lyrics, for the past two years. It's full
Walkie Talkie Blog
The cultural and epicurean phenomena known as Le Diner en Blanc started in Paris 25 years ago as a posh, alfresco dinner for friends. Francois Pasquier arranged to picnic with family and friends in a public park. To easily find one another in the crowd, all participants wore white, and
Walkie Talkie Blog
Bars are magnetic. We flock to them for what they are and for what they are not. Cheers Bar & Grill on a Saturday night requires a pool stick and a push-up bra. The New Frontier Lounge means prize-worthy beards and flannel. Alfred's Café hosts blue-collar regulars and hipper-snappers. Wingman
Walkie Talkie Blog
"You wait. I'm going to make it happen," Diane Wiatr, the City of Tacoma's active transportation coordinator told me at a Green Drinks meeting earlier this year at the Broken Spoke pub on Hilltop Tacoma. "I'm going to convince the city to close down Ruston Way to vehicles and we
Walkie Talkie Blog
Tacoma musician, producer and actor Doug Mackey got the band back together - the band being Mister Blackwatch, which was born, lo, many years ago when Mackey, Nick Huff and Joe Wood had issues with cows, kites, a monster, a snake, a robot, bongos and "Orange," and the only cure
Walkie Talkie Blog
Oh sure you've got your Japanese artifacts and your epic dragon sculptures and your steampunk laser guns, and every single thing everywhere smells like some combination of grandpa and grandma. And sure there's your writhing dancing and improvised kitchen-sink costumes and thunder and lightning outside. And of course there is
Walkie Talkie Blog
Given the breakneck pace of most people's lives, sometimes neighborhood dining spots really do the trick - predictable, affordable and filling. I was happy to hear business partners Pat Nagle and Carole Holder were bringing their bicycles, pizza, burgers and beer concept to the other side of the Narrows, opening
Walkie Talkie Blog
Want to see one of the world's best glass sculptors in action? Pino Signoretto is working in the Museum of Glass's Hot Shop today through Sunday. What? Gardening is not an excuse. OK, how about if MOG throws in a Dale Chihuly and James Mongrain? It's true. The two glass-sculpting greats are car-pooling
Walkie Talkie Blog
Last night's Squeak and Squawk Music Festival didn't disappoint. Solo, or singing with buddies, J. Martin, he of Oh Dear! fame, kicked off the festival, christening the all-ages stage at the Library at Sanford and Son Antiques. His latest release, Awake of a Dream, was front and center, emotionally bare songwriting,
Walkie Talkie Blog
Jazz guitarist Ed Taylor used to be everywhere. From 2006 to 2010, you could find the smooth-talking, smooth-jazz musician most nights in the South Sound. Then he disappeared. "About four years ago, I went through a horrible divorce after 20 years of marriage. At that time I was working on an album