Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: July, 2006 (102) Currently Viewing: 81 - 90 of 102

July 27, 2006 at 6:52am

Top 10 rooms with a view of Tacoma

View1stadium727 View2university7_27 View3russell7_27 View4seagrill7_27 View5skyterrace7_27 View6home7_27 View7harmonlofts View8silvercloud7_27 View9chinaberry7_27 View10trinity7_27 A less gritty T-town, seen through the eyes of a devotee / by Jessica Corey-Butler
I love Tacoma â€" and not in the way that some people love the Mariners when they’re winning but loathe them when they are losing.
I’ve always been there for Tacoma.  I loved her during the great police chief debacle.  I didn’t lose faith despite the neighborhoods in distress.  And regardless of the bad seeds who have tried to bring her down, I’ve stayed strong.
I love Tacoma’s reinvention as well.  I love the wires, the condos, and the restaurants that cost half of my paycheck.
Still, there are moments when my lover takes my breath away â€" even after all of these years.
In the course of looking for the Top 10 Rooms with a View in Tacoma (all 10 pictures can be seen online at www.weeklyolcanospew.com), I found some amazing vistas.  I knew they would be there: the mountains, the sound, the bay.  Beyond the views, though, I found Tacoma isn’t just a town with history; it’s a town with great stories.
There are the stories of the long-ago past, the past of lumber and shipping and prosperous commerce.  View #1 is from that history â€" the past of a castle that could have been a hotel but became a high school and its vantage overlooking Stadium Bowl (6229 S. Tyler).
There’s the less long-ago past, the past of decline and disinterest.  Then there’s the rebirth I mentioned before â€" helped by a main university coming to downtown. View #2 is from the University of Washington Tacoma’s Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences office â€" the scenes of Union Station and the Bridge of Glass.
View #3 highlights a huge financial mover and shaker â€" Frank Russell Company (909 A St.) and its upper floor boardroom with a deck area overlooking the boats, Brown’s Point, Vashon Island and the port.
Tacoma’s more than these giants, however.  It’s also about newness â€" a bustling past-meets-future industry, a downtown with restaurants such as the Sea Grill (1498 Pacific Ave.) and View #4 from the bar where large windows open up to the steel and glass façade of the new Tacoma Convention Center.
Then there’s the story of Tacoma’s dwellings: people live and stay in the coolest places â€" such as the condo at the water’s edge with a pool on top of it.  View #5 is from the Sky Terrace Condominiums (235 Broadway) â€" an 1960s apartment building turned condo â€" and one of the many new multi-living spaces gracing our downtown landscape.
Or how about the home by Point Defiance Park where two girls wake up every morning to a vista of trees and water and acres of grass?  View #6 is a secret, to protect a family’s privacy, but one I won’t soon forget.
There are also the lofts that helped pave Tacoma’s rebirth â€" the artists’ spaces on Pacific Avenue that opened before Tacoma was cool, some of the first upscale urban living.  View #7 is from the rental office of one such pioneer with views of Mount Rainier â€" The Harmon Lofts (1944 Pacific Ave.).
View #8 takes us to the Ruston Way waterfront and the King Suite in the Silver Cloud Inn â€" a room with a view of the Olympic Mountains and large container ships and that can be rented at a nightly rate (2317 N. Ruston Way).
Finally, from the deck at the 1889 Chinaberry Hill (302 Tacoma Ave. N.), a bed and breakfast in the city, we find View #9 â€" the space provides the launching pad for views of trees, flowers and Commencement Bay.
My favorite story of Tacoma, however, is the story of the people.  The guy from the church whose mission is to serve its community and does so not by holding vacation Bible school but by reinforcing academics in day camps held for Hilltop kids.  This view, View #10, is from the roof of Trinity Presbyterian Church (1615 Sixth Ave.), where a troubled area such as Hilltop is beginning to look promising.
I love Tacoma.  It’s like loving any of my family members â€" whose beauty I see shining through all of the flaws.  And who, when you least expect it, surprises you â€" just because.

July 27, 2006 at 7:36am

Ginger is hot tonight

Gingerknoxx_17 PERMANENT LIPSTICK by Ginger Knoxx
Hot, hot sweltering heat.  I'm sick to death of it. If I wanted this kind of heat I'd live in Texas. Those without a lot of pigment to their skin are especially dismayed by all of this freakin' sun. Let's face it - nobody looks good coated in shiny, dare I say greasy, sunscreen. So it's burn, baby, burn or oil it up. Either way - ouch and yuck.  I feel like a wilted flower.

WEDNESDAY, July 19
Tempest Lounge again. You know I can't stay away for long, dahhhlings! The Italian and I arrived a tad early to enjoy dinner before the crew of mad (and I mean crazy mad in the best way possible) artists descended and claimed the patio for the entire night to celebrate James Hume's birthday (that devil). Gifts included an inflatable girlfriend with her mouth sealed shut (no back talk), boob cards, a naked girly figurine, and well - you get the theme of the party. The Eklunds shared their love along with The Benders (fabulous as always) and Film Club Jon, who introduced me to real live visiting the United States Scotsman Tom who swears the only to place to get a decent pint (meaning Guinness, of course) is at Doyle's.  Hogbot Jim, Robcat, Sweet Pea, Mr. Gorgeous (the wannabe pirate), Houston, Olsen and Mr. Campbell all enjoyed a good excuse to gather and cocktail it up. Even TAFA was represented when Nordlund and his lovely wife dropped in.

THURSDAY, July 20
The Art Roll vs. The Art Walk, also known as being chauffeured to Tacoma's Third Thursday Art Walk destinations vs. driving/walking/parking yourself. The Roll is better because it allows you to fully appreciate the variety of wines offered at each gallery or art space while you fully appreciate the art on display. Secondly, parking is not an issue because The Roll simply flicks on the hazards and double-parks while you disembark to ooh and aah inside said galleries (sip, sip). And lastly, The Roll is better because you can go to galleries you have never been to before due to lack of initiative in getting directions (sip, sip, sip). The Roll, The Roll, The Roll. I love The Roll. Special thanks to Embellish Salon (who dreamed up this killer way to experience Third Thursday), Glimpse, Loyalty Clothing and our tour guide with the unnecessary, but oh-so-necessary megaphone: Juicy Julie, what a delight you are!

FRIDAY, July 21

First, I went to the grand opening of Sixth Avenue Art Gallery right across from House of Records. The small space is well used, and the owners, Kelly and Mary Jo Creso, were both so nice and fun, even in the dreadful heat, doling out Italian icees to lick on between sips of fab mango white wine from Vino Aquino. Yum. More Hogbot Jim and Linda. Never can see too much of them. Conversation really is an art in itself. And now for a completely different art opening, Critical Line on St. Helens was young, intelligent and flirty in vibe and appearance, but borderline art snob (double gasp). The appetizers on trays being served by charming hip kids were a nice touch. I particularly loved putting my head in one of Anna Oxygen's boxes, but could not get the full effect due to conflicting music/sounds coming from two sources. Lovely Lisa made brief inspiring comments before dashing back up the street.

SATURDAY, July 22
Olympia's Lakefair was packed with sweaty people. Now these are not your average body moisture glistening folks. These are Oly kids. Evergreen wrecks who didn't go home for the summer. Unwashed, hemp necklace wearing shuffling footers. Walking patchouli-bombs (this is why I started grabbing lavender off of live plants and clutching the fragrance under my nose). Way more waist high children under 10 than there were at Tacoma's Freedom Fair, and we all know how well I handle that.  Refuge was sought in dimly lit bar lounge after cocktail serving restaurant - looking for that perfect mellow buzz. Was it found? I can't remember, so I'm going to go with SURPASSED and leave it at that.

Give me a wink and a kiss here. Knoxx knows

Filed under: Club Hopping,

July 27, 2006 at 7:46am

Hooters has a big reputation

Natasha_23 SCENE OF THE CRIME by Natasha
Firefighter Eric loves 'em.
Feisty Kevin used to date one.
Best friend Ashley dressed up as one for Halloween a couple of years ago.
What the hell am I talking about?
Hooters girls. 
White tank, short orange shorts, "delightfully tacky yet unrefined." The Hooters Corporation also maintains a strict policy: Bras are required. That's funny.
Ever since 1983 when the first Hooters opened its doors in Florida, admit it or not, the whole world has been preoccupied with this social icon.
Tacoma is no different.
Here in our 253, the proprietors of Hooters had a major stroke of genius. They located near the McChord and Fort Lewis installations, open sources of soldiers and airmen who need love, forever sealing their success.
I went to Hooters for my first time on a certain Sunday only to marvel at this long overdue adventure.
I arrived a little before my friends did. There's no doubt that every single eye in the place was on me for at least a second or two since I was one of the only female customers in there. 
To kill time, I did what always makes the most sense to me: I sat at the bar and had a Bud Light. The men at the bar continued to look at me sideways until I started talking to them, which really threw 'em for a curve. My homies arrived shortly thereafter.
Hooters is a great spot for catching sporting events with the enormous plasmas all over. It's also good for watching every walk of life that's in there.  I was surprised to see so many families with children in the joint. I had fun thinking that these people had left church and hit up Hooters immediately.
I'll also certify without shame: The Hooters girls are gorgeous. Some of my women folk have told me that they feel insecure about going to Hooters.  It's not that confrontational for me; I have a rack of my own. I chatted with the girls about hair; they showed me pictures of their adorable children, and they tried to convince my guy friends that I was so beautiful that I deserved a Hooters T.  It's amazing what a little symmetry will get you.
The dances that the girls do to songs like the Village People's "YMCA" aren't quite as good as the hoedowns at Cowgirl Up, but there's nothing like watching them rock the nylons in person.
The menu at Hooters features seafood, sandwiches, salads and those spicy chicken wings that everyone loves, which are just a couple of shades darker than the uniform shorts.
Back in my college days, I was an idealist, a bleeding-heart feminist, and wouldn't have been caught dead at a place like Hooters. I've obviously gotten a little wiser and eased up since then. So much so that I had a brainstorm about seeing if I could get a job there just to say that I had done it in my life. Would you visit me there, dear readers?
If you're a Hooters hater, you should get over yourself and go.
Who knows, I might be the one greeting you at the door.
Bra intact.
Hooters, 6812 Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma, (253) 476-9464

Tell me where you like to party here.

Filed under: Food & Drink, Natasha,

July 27, 2006 at 8:04am

Whatcha wearing?

Whatareyouwearing727_1 Erin Finnigan explains her look du jour â€" an Urban Outfitters cardigan and True Religion jeans â€" as her “comfy and I can breastfeed, but it’s girly” outfit. “Usually I’m wearing Betsey Johnson; I’m addicted,” she adds.
Finnigan, along with her mom, Pauli, opened Sweet Life in Olympia almost a month ago. Located at 528 Capitol Way S., the store specializes in fabulously punk rock baby stuff, sexy lingerie for mom, and a variety of bath goodies.
As we chat, a customer excitedly gushes about the Jaqua line of products that Sweet Life carries and bemoans having just ordered some on the Internet.
In addition to enabling costumers’ pampering practices, Sweet Life’s proprietor is environmentally conscious.  When asked if the store uses paper or plastic bags, she replies: “Plastic. I recycle them for my dog poop bags.” â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

July 27, 2006 at 9:07am

The Beach House's Beach Party review

Every now and again people comment on how charmed my life is. I was reminded of that very fact, and just how lucky I am to live here, while at The Beach House at Purdy’s first-ever Beach Party. I’m gonna tell you all about it, my sultry readers, because if you miss the next one, you’re in BIG trouble with me, and the last girl you want to mess with is Natasha. Pow. Upon arrival, I was greeted on the deck with a welcoming hug from the dreamy Mr. Steve Naccarato. He’s one of the proprietors along with his brother, Gordon, an amazing person and chef. Both ooze sophistication and charm, and (along with so many other people in the South Sound) I have fancy dreams about their food whenever I’m away. This $18.50 beach party scored you great music, two drinks (like glasses of wine, margaritas, cosmopolitans, lemon drops or domestic beers), and tasty appetizers including delicious pineapple and watermelon, chips and salsa, salmon kabobs, chicken wings and two of the best brownies I’ve ever had. I couldn’t wait to dig my little red toenails into the sparkly sand while enjoying the sunshine in the beach furniture casually spread throughout the length of the deck. The Beach House sits on an unobstructed view of the gorgeous Carr Inlet. Candles and tiki torches lined the bulkhead, and nearly every attendee at one point, or on several occasions, said “This is AWESOME.” The crowd consisted of beautiful people in fancy sunglasses, straw hats, tasteful Hawaiian shirts and flowing dresses and skirts that looked like they came straight from Lahaina. You know you’re with a fun group of people when a congo line instinctively forms during, “Hot, Hot, Hot,” or maybe it was more like a Carnival Cruise commercial in action. And that was just the beginning. As soon as the sun went down the dancing went until, well, late, and there’s no doubt in my mind that everyone had a wonderful time. Some say the Beach House is too out of the way, but I think the trip is completely worth it. None of Tacoma’s waterfront restaurants get the kind of sun exposure, service or comfort that you get at the Beach House.  Just go, already. Mr. Naccarato said he’s considering making the beach party a fairly regular event. Watch their Web site for more information, or better yet, read this blog, and I’ll update you here on when you can catch the next one. This column was originally intended to give you lovely readers information on the Pacific Grill (another Naccarato creation), too, but I had so much to say about beach party that the PG will have to wait until next week. Stay tuned. â€" thecrime@hotmail.com">Natasha

Filed under: Food & Drink, Natasha,

July 27, 2006 at 12:15pm

100th Monkey review

On Monkeys, mash-up party promotion, and batteries in T-Town
The Working Waterfront Museum (705 Dock St., Tacoma) played host to The 100th Monkey party last night, where the Beautiful People gathered to share wine, art, and eclecticism.  If I had found a store in downtown Tacoma that sold good batteries, I could back my claims with good pictures (you’ll have to trust me on this one). My next Big Story: an expose on the city that sells no cells after 8 pm.
The bass-player guy at the monkey party provided a haunting and sometimes annoying soundtrack to the evening, but according to Tim Kapler, frequent monkey-reveler, “There’s usually more art than this.” Well, I dunno Kapler, some would consider the boats and ships art, no?
The true works of art were the super-glam urbanXchange divas and dudes wandering about in maritime creative finery.  I was seriously in awe in their presence, they had this fabu-luminous youthful gorgeosity thing going on that made me go kinda dumb.  Their mission for the evening was to spread the printed word about Saturday's Mash-Up dance party at Tacoma's Club Zoe and one year anniversary (call the store for more details, (253) 572-2280) and I think they did so admirably, judging from  the quantity of cards that made it into my purse next to the camera with its unblinking eye.
Note to self: Much as I am loathe to, I must hit a strip mall, soon.  Get a mondo-pack so that the next time I am in the presence of beauty, I can get physical evidence. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler



July 27, 2006 at 2:45pm

Pacific Northwest Open Tennis Championships

Tennis2 Tennis anyone?
Forget the movie, video game or restaurant and watch tennis this weekend.  Located in the heart of North Tacoma, Tacoma Lawn & Tennis Club hosts the Pacific Northwest Open Tennis Championships. For $5 a day, you can watch 140+ male and female tennis players battle it out for thousands in prize money.  They've Heineken, pizza and more too.  Nice!  Click here for directions. â€" Michael Swan

Filed under: Sports,

July 27, 2006 at 2:50pm

This untold house

Wiredhouse Have you seen this North Tacoma house? The one with the signs posted on the front lawn that explain the house is under 24-hour video surveillance?  What do you suppose they are trying to protect?  Could it be the plastic flowers they've attached to the top of their limbless tree?  I bet the neighbors wish someone would steal them. â€" Michael Swan

July 28, 2006 at 9:27am

Fire and water Sundries

Fire and Water Sundries just moved from the Frieghthouse Square to its new location (711 St. Helens, Tacoma, (253) 272-4255) and now is the time to help keep this important shop in business.  They are just down the street from Tully's.  While they sell handmade candles, soaps, potpourri, bulk herbs, bath salts, and one of a kind gifts, they also feature the following classes (their words):

  • 8/1 Herbs and Pets, $25, 7-9 p.m.

Learn to treat your pet's health issues holistically with herbs.  From fleas to anxiety.  Herbs can do it all.  Even acupuncture.  Take home a variety of healing herbs for your pet.

  • 8/3 Herbal potpourri, $20, 7-9 p.m.

Tired of using potpourri that you cannot identify?  Learn to construct an herbal potpourri filled with botanicals that not only smell good but also are good for your home and pets!

  • 8/8-10 Candles 101 & 102, $30, 7-9 p.m.

Tuesday we will learn the techniques, types of wax materials used to produce candles.  Thursday each student will produce their own candle using the techniques learned.

  • 8/15 Brews & Teas, $20, 7-9 p.m.

We'll cover all the ways to brew herbs from teas to decoctions.  From roots to flowers.  How we can use brews every day to enrich our bodies and lives.  You will take home the brew you develop.

  • 8/22 8/24 Massage Oils 101 & 102, $30, 7-9 p.m.

A comprehensive lecture/make 'n take course.  We will learn the different types of oils used to construct massage/bath oil and the long list of essential oils, which can be used for aromatherapy.  Take home your finished oil.

  • 8/29-31 Herbal Incense 101 & 102, $30, 7-9 p.m.

Learn the techniques of designing and building herbal incense.  From the herbs to the planets, all things are integral to the success of an herbal blend.  Cleansing your home, office or spiritual space is important. Make 'n take a blend home.

Support the little guys. â€" Michael Swan

July 28, 2006 at 10:53am

Mann oh Mann

www.myspace.com/katemann ">Katemann www.myspace.com/katemann ">Kate Mann is much more than a pretty face with an acoustic guitar.  She is an artist in every sense of the word, and her music speaks volumes way beyond her years.  The New Mexico native's style was shaped by her surroundings of endless skies and vast deserts, giving her a Southwestern disposition that is a little bit treacherous.  Affected by such artists as PJ Harvey, Townes Van Zandt and Tom Waits, Mann possesses a gritty and somewhat jagged sound as she enlists unusual chord progressions to accompany her gruff vocals.  While she writes with abstract metaphors that could be construed as idiosyncratic, her messages come across compellingly clear.  Since her arrival to the West Coast a decade ago, Mann has become one of Portland's most recognizable talents, winning audiences throughout the entire Northwest.  Mann's debut disc, November Songs, was released last year.  This first outing was recorded live in the studio in a single weekend, and it shows â€" I mean that in a good way though.  The disc captures Mann raw and exposed.  The minimalism of each song is refreshing as she takes you on a dark journey to the center of her soul.
Check her out tonight. 9 p.m., free, Iron Rabbit Restaurant & Bar, 2103 Harrison Ave. N.W., Olympia. â€"  Tony Engelhart

Filed under: Club Hopping,

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