Funky Kim Archer Band will have 17-year-old Hazel Scher sitting behind the kit tonight.  Check her out right now at the Northern Pacific Coffee Company.  Tonight, 8 p.m., 401 Garfield St., Parkland by Pacific Lutheran University. â€" Brad Allen

Barry Bonds has hit his 714th home run, tying Babe Ruth for second place on baseball's career list. â€" Brad Allen

Lucas Trerice doesn't consider himself hamsterish. His friends beg to differ.
Arriving at his newly rented apartment at The Martin in downtown Olympia this week, Trerice found his new digs transformed into a human hamster room, complete with a man-sized hamster wheel, window-mounted water bottle, metal tub full of large Cheetos, and lots of shredded newspaper. He also found his own homemade hamster suit and couldn't wait to try it on.
Trerice is no stranger to outrageous pranks. He was, after all, the mastermind behind The Foil Room prank that grabbed national attention during the waning days of 2003. Chris "Goose" Kirk, the room's tenant, was visiting his girlfriend in Columbia and while he was gone his friend Lucas got the idea to cover his entire apartment in foil. It took five days, hundreds of rolls of foil, and the help of a crack crew of local pranksters, but the results were brilliant. At the time everyone wanted to know what Kirk's response would be.
Kirk who currently lives in Bogota was contacted for comment on the hamster room and denies any involvement, "I couldn't be happier or more proud that my friends continue to make the world a less boring place, just for the sake of doing it. Also, I couldn't be more relieved that this time, it's not my apartment."
Keith "Zeet" Jewell, a local theater sound wizard and computer pro, is the creative force behind The Hamster Room. He says that he was inspired by The Foil Room. "It had to be done. We had to get Luke back, if only because it's just the kind of thing he would have done."
Such is honor among pranksters.
Trerice, who is looking to begin his dental practice in Olympia, says, "Considering all of the pranks I've pulled over the years, I think I got off lightly."
Perhaps the fates agree because within two minutes of running on the hamster wheel Trerice was nursing a "slightly lacerated" lip from a face-first fall. Hamstering is obviously not as easy as it would seem.
Trerice is a good sport about the whole thing but as he rolls in his bed of newly shredded papers one can't can't help but wonder what cunning plan is percolating in the mind of this trickster dentist. When asked, his response leaves little doubt that Olympia can expect an escalation of hostilities in this war of wits.
"If this had come from one of my past victims like Goose, that would be the end of it. But this is far from closure. All Zeet has done is start a new prank vendetta." â€" Andras Jones

After last year’s last-minute attempt to put together a Halloween costume, I’ve learned there may be wisdom in planning a little earlier â€" like do it today. Max And Courtney Make Monsters may be just the thing to ensure you have at least one part of this year’s ensemble at the ready.

• Max sez, "We've created a site dedicated to doing every single one of the dozen some-odd monster make-up designs created by horror make-up legend Dick Smith in his 1965 "Famous Monsters of Filmland" â€" published "Dick Smith's Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-Up." The book was meant for children, and so many of the designs suggest using everyday household items, such as bread crumbs and Karo syrup, but the results are eye-popping, thanks to Dick Smith's genius for horror make-up.

Try your mask out at the Crossroads to Damnation concert June 6. â€" Suzy Stump

Yahoo Finance reports: No event is ever sold out if you know where to look. Sean O'Neill of Kiplinger's Personal Finance tells you the best sources for seats, and how to avoid paying scalper prices.

One of my favorite past times during the 206 days was hitting up Duke's Chowder House on Alki, especially on lazy Sundays. Back then, moving to Tacoma was a tumultuous decision, and I was so sad to leave that delectable chowder and ambiance behind. Old habits are hard to break.  Much to my delight, the owners have decided to open a Duke's on scenic Ruston Way â€" and it's all happening tomorrow. It's got a hurkin deck, and it's their biggest Duke's so far. I had the chance to roll with James, one of the managers, over the weekend. He's awesome. Go in and say hi.
Thank you, Duke's, for drying my tears.  I'll see you soon. â€" Natasha

Dewayne Slightweight, the man behind the book-operetta "Your Burrow Is Deeper Than Your Blade" and Edie Fake, maker of "Gaylord Phoenix" and the food-fetish zine Foie Gras will be at Olympia's Last Word Books/Rec The Place tonight at 6:30 p.m. 211 4th Ave. E., Olympia, (3600 786-9673. â€" Suzy Stump

Come on in, the jazz is fine. I've been dipping my big toe into uncharted waters more and more lately and brrrr, it's cool. I can probably thank or blame Monk for all of this.
I'll be front row when Combo de Luxe presents the timeless classic jazz and pop of America's great jazz age tonight at Rhapsody In Bloom Florist & Caffe Latte.  De Luxe!  Tonight, 7 p.m., free, 3709 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, (253) 761-7673. â€" Suzy Stump

It would be hard to determine what Tacoma tastes like. For starters, where would one sample the soil most indicative of the City of Destiny?  Commerce Street? Or would the most-telling turf be found at higher elevations like Hilltop? And what would that flavor be like? You can be sure the topsoil would smack of scandal â€" but it would probably also taste a bit like Heidelberg. Deeper down, there would be traces of Indian blood intermingled with a salty prospector tang. Then there'd be all that fossilized dinosaur crap to contend with. When you think about it, Tacoma would probably taste pretty disgusting. Fortunately, the good people at Taste of Tacoma do the thinking for us, presenting a more palatable annual survey of the city's best cuisine.
This year is no exception.
The Emerald Queen Casino Taste of Tacoma presented by Crystal Springs Water hosts 28 restaurant booths and more than 20 food product companies June 30-July 2 at Point Defiance Park. This year, no food item is over $6. Save even more with the Taste It! Discount Meal Ticket!
Sure beats eating dirt. â€" Suzy Stump

This is not the kind of hit Mike Coucoules was hoping for.
Friday was "National Ride Your Bike to Work Day" so Mike Coucoules rode his bicycle to Sluggo Music on Sixth Avenue where he has worked for many years. After work as he was peddling home he was hit by a silver or grey car on the corner of North 21st and Alder Streets in Tacoma at about 7:30 p.m. The driver did not stop and there are no known witnesses. Mike was left lying in the middle of the street. After a brief hospital visit Mike was sent home. Luckily his injuries were not life threatening. He has no broken bones and no internal injuries. Today he is home recovering. He sheilded his bicyle with his body so it too will live to ride another day. Mike's friends and family are hoping that someone will have information about the driver and call the police. They have no clues except for the color of the car.
Mike is a well known professional bass player who performed in too many bands to list. His many friends in the local music scene are holding a benefit at The Seafarers Sports Bar and Grill at 7 p.m. on May 26 to pay for his medical expenses. There will be no cover charge. Malcolm Clark Band and many others will be performing that night as one big all star jam session. Gift certificates and other prizes are being collected now for the raffle that night. For more information contact Malcolm Clark at (253) 853-7749.
Donations can be made at any Washington Mutual Bank under the name Mike Coucoules.
Mike Coucoules Benefit Concert, May 26, 7 p.m., no cover, Seafarers Sports Bar and Grill, 3878 Center St., Tacoma, (253) 572-8141.