Java Bean (744 Market St., downtown Tacoma) opens today in the Marcourt Building as part of the Bridge Condominiums.  They are offering Panini sandwiches.  Word on the street is today and tomorrow everything is 50 percent off. â€" Jason de Paul

The Oregonian reports:Apple Computer Inc. and Nike said today that they have teamed up to create a new wireless device that links a running shoe with a digital music player.
The Nike+iPod Sport Kit, which costs $29 but must be worn with a $100 + Air Zoom Moire shoe, is designed to gather information on time, distance, pace and calories burned and then send the information to an iPod nano. The devices will be available beginning in about 60 days. More story here.
No truth to the rumor that Nike has teamed up with Fruit of the Loom to design trap door underwear that sends bowel movement information to an iPod to gather distance on time, distance, pace and calories burned. â€" Brad Allen

The Syren Lounge in former Panamonica's building (1117 Tacoma Ave., downtown Tacoma) will open June 8 assuming all permits and other fancy paperwork are complete.  Inside, the decor is shaping into focus with a long bar, wood floor upstairs, wood mouldings, high back seats with a swank, deep purple color. â€" Brad Allen

The Broadway Center unveiled their plans to upgrade the Pantages Theater during a presentation this morning at its downtown Tacoma site.  Improvements are to include a lobby nearly twice the present size, a grand staircase leading from the lobby to the Mezzanine, an indoor ticket office and will call window, and elevator access extended to the Mezzanine and lobbies on the Mezzanine and Balcony levels.  Contruction should be completed by October. â€" Ken Swarner

As the folks at the Puyallup Fair scramble to cram jam in the scones for the Fair's Sept. 8-24 run, thrifty Washingtonians might ask: "Who goes to the fair, anyway, besides farmers and grandparents?"
Well, put down your Farmers Almanac and snap on some overalls, because the answer is... you. Because it's cheaper!

• Opening Weekend Bounce Back Coupon: With paid gate admission to the Fair opening weekend, receive a two-for-one coupon for a return visit for any day of the Fair.
• High Five Fridays: After 8:05 p.m. on Fridays, gate admission will only be $5. At time of gate purchase (after 8:05 p.m.), purchaser will receive coupon for any two rides for $5 (excludes Extreme Scream), plus coupon for one Extreme Scream ride for $5.
• Comcast Super Dizzy Pass:  For the real ride lover, enjoy unlimited rides on all Midway and Grand Kiddyland rides for only $29.50.

Yes, the Puyallup Fair is a long freakin' time away.  However, if you're tired of reading  about scientists pouring orthodontal plaster down ant holes, read up on this year's Fair here. â€" Suzy Stump

The Weekly Volcano sent our photographer J.M. Simpson back to the Olympia Hamster Room for more shots.  Check out the story here. â€" Ron Swarner
Dressed as a hamster, Lucas Trerice runs on the exercise wheel in the room that some of his friends â€" as revenge for some of the pranks Trerice has played on them â€" turned into a lerge hamster cage.
Trerice frolics in his Hamter Room.

Some dude brought the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Danny California" and Tom Petty's "Mary Jane's Last Dance" to the Dan Gaffney Mornign Show on American radio station WGMD claiming they share the same chord progression. SMN Pure Metal News has the "damning evidence." â€" Brad Allen

The legend of Merle Jagger will be told Wednesday, May 24, with soul-sexy songstress Jaime Wyatt, as Diamond Rock presents the late show at Hell’s Kitchen.
You’ll have plenty of time to drink before the new Jagger takes the stage. Playing blistering riffs inspired by guitar slinging ghosts, these Los Angeles underground upstarts bring amped-up country rock with a mix of bluegrass and jazz for the new Western millennium. The crew consists of longtime session guitarist Mark Christian and his self-proclaimed barnyard pals â€" bassist Patrick Flores and drummer Brandon Goldstein. It’s the ultimate hillbilly experiment. Christian’s eclectic electric guitar style is driven by a menagerie of banjo and flat picking that emulates everyone from Roy Clark to Jimi Hendrix.
Raised on Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and the Pretenders, roots-rock maven Wyatt is the product of a lifelong fascination with the power of pop-craft. By age 14 she was avidly writing lyrics and working out chord progressions on guitar. She weaves blues and country with a little R&B groove to glowing effect, with a voice that grabs you by the collar. May 24, 9 p.m., $3, Hell’s Kitchen, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma. â€" Paul Schrag

Paradise Theatre in Gig Harbor announced their 2006-2007 Season, plus reminded us that they'll stage "The Hobbit" in three weeks.  Located at 9911 Burnham Dr. N.W., Gig Harbor, here's their plan:

• "THE HOBBIT,"  JUNE 16-17, 7 p.m.
• "NUNSENSE!" Dec 1-17, 2006
• "BULLSHOT CRUMMOND," Jan 12-28, 2007
• "RUTHLESS!" March 2-18, 2007
• "NOISES OFF!" May 4-20, 2007
• "DAMES AT SEA!" June 15-30, 2007

Is it me or is there a lot of yelling in those titles?
For tickets and information, call (253) 851-PLAY. â€" Suzy Stump

SCENE OF THE CRIME By Natasha
After giving the Parkway some love last week, I had to follow up in the second of this three-part neighborhood bar expose with Hank's Corner Bar on Sixth and North K Street. Both establishments are owned by the same proprietor, but the personalities are quite different.
You'd never know the name of the bar unless someone told you - there's no sign out front anywhere that lists it, but somehow, people always find their way.
I haven't been back to Hank's ever since I found out that a guy I was dating who works there had a girlfriend the entire time. Grrrrrrr. But I decided that for the sake of this fine entertainment rag I wouldn't let that degenerate keep me from getting the scoop that you, dear readers, deserve. 
I went forth bravely.
My friend John started working the door there on the weekends, and he'd given me several reports on how the place is crackin' on Fridays and Saturdays. I'm pleased to report it's true.
I've always been amused by how comfortable and unpretentious Hank's is.  It's great for kickin' back, playing pool and just catching up with your friends in a non-meat market fashion.
Fleece, jeans and flip-flops are all that's required.  Underwear, too, if you want.
However, don't assume that since the people are casual in dress that they treat their livers the same way. The drinking crowd at Hank's is much more ambitious than the Parkway, mostly because the patrons at Hank's love to get after the hard alcohol.
Red the bartender takes the helm on Fridays and Saturdays. He was one of the first friends I made in Tacoma. Talking to Red is entertaining with his quick-wit, jokes and the occasional sexual innuendo.  I still contend that a little fun-loving harassment from your local bartender is good for the soul.
I usually like to sink $5 in the jukebox there. They have great selections - not as good as the jukebox at Magoo's or the Unicorn but fun all the same. I always get busted for playing Destiny's Child - a guilty pleasure of mine.
And now, a public service announcement: When you're leaving Hank's at closing time, as tempting as it may be to scream the lyrics from the last song you heard or have rowdy discussions with your friends 10 car lengths apart about the after hours party, please return to your vehicle or hop into your cab in a quiet fashion.  The bartenders will be shhhhing you because the north end snobs who live in the homes next to Hank's need their beauty sleep.
Hush little baby, don't say a word. Natasha's gonna buy you a drink that's stirred.
Hank's Corner Bar, 524 N. K St., Tacoma, (253) 627-3480

Tell me where you like to party at sceneofthecrime.