>>> ART

MINGLE WHILE YOU SHOP

A recent dialog with a Seattle friend:

Friend: "Hey, we are coming down to Tacoma and spending the weekend to see the sights."

Me: "For real? Why?"

Friend: "Uh, yeah. We are coming down for the art. Duh. You LIVE there - don't you know that?"

Yeah, I guess I do. Tacoma is one heck of an art town these days, folks. However, we longtime locals can take for granted how really cool the art scene is here. So why not revel in the arty coolness this holiday season? "Art Mingle," presented by the Tacoma Art Group organization, offers an evening of an art appreciation like no other. On the third Thursday of the month, locals and visitors alike get out and mingle in a wide variety of participating art destinations throughout the city.

Tacoma Art Mingle, 5-8 p.m., Nov. 21, Tacoma, no cover, tacomaartgroup.org

>>> RIDE

GET ON THE BUS GUS

Your smokin' local ticket to great art, cool venues, celebrity tour guides, shopping, delicious nibbles, special treats, games, raffles, and fun, fun, fun is just two words: Art Bus! Hop aboard this premier Tacoma art tour on the third Thursday of the month, which introduces riders to our local art culture and artists like no other. As riders explore the city, they will enjoy games, great giveaways and so much more with a wickedly wonderful local twist. For November's tour, help the Art Bus give back to the community by donating non-perishable food items to help the hungry (those who donate get a VIP raffle ticket to say thanks).

Art Bus, 6-9 p.m., Nov. 21, Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, $10; $20 for VIP swag bag, tacomaartbus.com

>>> SKATE

ROUND AND ROUND YOU GO

Whether you want to channel your inner Winter Olympics sports nerd, capture the magic of the season in a vibrant urban venue or just have a wintery and sporty adventure, break out the ice skates, people, because the Franciscan Polar Plaza, in partnership with the Tacoma Art Museum, is back in town. Bring family and friends to Tacoma's holiday ice rink for holiday fun and a good time right in the heart of downtown Tacoma. The rink will run throughout the holiday season and will feature special events such as live music and other great festivities. Don't have ice skates? No problem! Rent them for just $2. Live, local bands rock the rink from 7-9 p.m. every Saturday.

Franciscan Polar Plaza, Nov. 22-Jan. 12, 2014, Tollefson Plaza, 17th and Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, $8, military $7, seniors (60+) $7, children 5 and younger $4, polarplaza.com

>>> CRAFTS

TACOMA IS FOR LOVERS

Do you love the Tacoma art scene? Do you think artists are the most rad people on the planet? Does the word "localvore" describe you to the letter? Bonus question: want to get a jump start on your holiday shopping while supporting the local artistic community? Of course you do! For not one but two days, Tacoma Is For Lovers presents local artists at the dreamy King's Books in Tacoma for a two-day art fair that celebrates local art at its finest. Featured work by a wide variety of terrific local artists will include artwork, culinary goodies, crafts, jewelry and much more.

Artist Craft Fair, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 23 and 24, King's Books, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, free admission, 253.272.8801

>>> OUTDOORS

SANTA WEARS OVERALLS

Think you are stuck at the regular supermarket to purchase all of your Thanksgiving eats? Think again. The vendors of the lively and vibrant Proctor Farmer's Market, located in the heart of the historic Proctor District in Tacoma, are braving the fall and wintery elements to bring you fresh, local and sustainable food products with smiles on their faces. Why? These wonderful vendors know that the South Sound is crawling with localvores whose hearts perform a happy dance when they can indulge in this wonderful community building market. Cue holiday feel good music! And speaking of music, check out the great live music and other fun events the market has to offer.

Proctor Farmer's Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 23, North 27th and Proctor Street, Tacoma, free admission, proctorfarmersmarket.com

>>> KIDS

TRACE YOUR HANDS FOR TURKEYS

Wear out your little turkeys and have a good time, too. The beautiful Hands On Children's Museum in Olympia is offering extended Thursday night hours in November, an outstanding art studio experience using special tools and projects to bring out the inner artist for the young and young at heart (Nov. 21-23) and a holiday family Turkey Challenge craft (Nov. 25-30). Both activities are included with admission. In addition to the aforementioned special holiday hours and events, watch the wee one's eyes get wide with excitement with the hands-on exhibits and activities right at their little fingertips. Even better: check out the museum's fantastic gift shop for ideas and inspiration for your holiday gift list.

Hands On Children's Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 5-8 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 21); 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 414 Jefferson St. N.E., Olympia, $6.95-$9.95, military ID receives $2 off, hocm.org

>>> MOVIES

ONE DOLLAR ENTERTAINMENT

We now interrupt your regularly scheduled holiday guide programming with this important announcement. The holidays are coming at you like a freight train. And we know what that means, too: the uprising of a deep and burning desire to practice the coveted "dash ‘n ditch" routine: ditch the job, the holiday guests, family and responsibilities and run away for a couple of hours. Want an escape for super cheap? How about catching a flick for a buck? That's right ONE DOLLAR. Starplex Cinemas in Federal Way offers movies for $1 all day on Tuesdays (upgrade to 3D for a mere two bucks more). Nosh on a hot dog (also a buck!) and other goodies, sit back, relax and hide. And now, back to our program.

Starplex Cinemas, Tuesdays, 2501 S. Gateway Center, Federal Way, $1 general admission, 253.946.9224

>>> SAMPLES

LOVE US SOME MET MARKET

Hungry for holiday cooking inspiration and ideas? Hungry for real? Food lovers, this terrific 24-hour market in Tacoma's Proctor District offers great food samples, food advice, and so much more during the make or break week before the Thanksgiving holiday cook-off madness. Friday, Nov. 22, Zola coffee and Somerdale Cheese nibbles are at Metropolitan Market. Join the market Nov. 23 for a Chanukah tasting event, featuring matzo ball soup and latkes tastings. And when the store shouts, "The Red Coats are coming" that's a GOOD thing. From Nov. 25-27, red-coated culinary experts (a.k.a. holiday concierges) are on hand to offer holiday culinary advice to store patrons.

Proctor Metropolitan Market, Nov. 22-27, 2420 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, free admission, 253.761.3663

See Also

Calendar: Arts and Entertainment

Calendar: Music and Nightlife