I walked into Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub in downtown Tacoma just before the Daffodil Parade.  The Seattle Seafair Pirates were "warming up" for the parade.  Nice! â€" J.M. Simpson

The kid and I sat above the fairgrounds in a wobbly umbrella-covered enclosure, surging over that precarious point in the ferris wheel where I swore to God we would be pitched over, knocked off balance with our mis-matched weight, and die a horrible death.

We didn’t, and I will freely admit that yes, I am a ride-wuss (and afraid of heights, to boot!)
Even still, there was more to be enjoyed at the Puyallup Spring Fair than the rides, though the wee one was happy to partake of the swing ride, the kiddie coaster, and the aforementioned ferris wheel.

We also saw the baby animals, which included the sweetest five-week-old pygmy goats ever, as well as freshly-hatched chicks, and adult animals like a huge male pig (dudeâ€"those things are…errr…big) sheep, dancing horses, and cattle.  The wee one milked a faux-cow, planted a pumpkin and admired reptiles in the Kid zone, played a game on carny row (lost, of course) and enjoyed cotton candy while waiting in line to catch a troutâ€"and catching one!
She heartily enjoyed herself.

Until the end, as we were walking out.  She grew surly in her inimitable 5 year-old way, and said that I never let her have any fun.

Guh?

Well, yeah, remember that haunted house I wouldn’t let her ride?  That’s what she remembered most from the experience.

What I remembered most?  Moment number one: in line at the trout pond.  Boy walks up to mother in line, she shouts something like, “boy, I told you to keep the gun in the stroller!”  I look down to see a (plastic) semiautomatic toy gun in his hands.

Guns and strollers?  Weird.  Almost as weird as kids on leashes and harnessesâ€"many of them.
Moment number two:  in line at the swing that goes around and around and around and around (the kids look excited about the first three times.  Then they look…bored.)

A man hollers out his kid’s name, she’s about ten feet away from him.  He hollers again, starting to run toward her. He yanks her little hand, hauls her up into the air, and unceremoniously plops her into the stroller behind her. She doesn’t flinch or cry; she’s about my daughter’s age.

Ya gotta love a fair.

A Cook’s Tour offered me a taste of a few of the things I love most: fabulous Tacoma architecture, great design, innovative decorating, and food, food food.  Thank you Junior League of Tacoma for such a fabulous event.

The tastes offered at each north Tacoma stop of the way weren’t enough to blow the diet, but they were enough to get a a feel for each of the eateries showcased.

Howie from the Pour at Four proved the closest thing to a Food Network chef, with a staged plate of lobster and caramelized onion ready and waiting in the stove; he encouraged us with the words, “a recipe is always a guideline, never a rule.”

Architecturally, all the homes were equally impressive for their own reasons.  The McGovern Home was Hollywood-famous for being the home of Julia Stiles in “10 Things I Hate About You.”  Added to that, the house itself was stunning, with woodwork to die for and a diining table set up with classic decadence which included loads of white roses.

In the Pascoe house everything flowed, with a color scheme, white cabinetry set about three inches higher than standard, killer appliances, and a magnetic end-unit that I coveted.

The Brenner house impressed me mightily with its savvy use of space.  Also impressive was the south of the border by the sea table décor that juxtaposed succulents, rice, and robins-egg-blue seersucker to a very effective end; coupled with the ceviche from Masa, I was ready for the tequila, but it was time to move to the next stop.

The Heilesen home, with its gambrel-roof architecture and traditional décor, showed off an amazing redesign and remodel by MRF Construction; in this home the kitchen was completely remodeled and enlarged, leaving intact the original, fabulously ornate radiators that had been stripped and powder coated to great affectâ€"the use of red on the walls popped the white cabinetry and added up-to-the-minute warmth.

Lastly, we arrived at the Fast home, where the homeowners also happen to be the contractors of the home, and the owners of MRF Construction, Inc.

I loved the kitchen, loved the remodel, loved Gayle Orth’s Chocolate Decadence, loved the Pro Secco from Vin Infusion (ooooh,, a wine bar that delivers â€" how cool is that?!) loved the reading space by the view, loved the tablescaping with touches of radish and artichoke â€" there wasn’t anything about this house I didn’t love â€" but mostly, I was caffeine-buzzed about the chalk/magnetboard hanging on the wall.

Turns out, it wasn’t super-custom â€" it was Pottery Barn that they built around.  But Carolin Fast, design-savvy homeowner, told me how to make my own, with 3 to 4 coats of magnetic paint and chalkboard paint.  Tomorrow, you’ll see me at a paint store.  My kitchen can’t wait.

The individuals in the van with me had their own reasons for coming: one woman had just purchased a home and was gleaning ideas for a potential remodel, while another was in the midst of a remodel, and yet another was an interior design student interested in getting into staging homes.

We all walked away inspired and impressed, and pleased that we gained all our inspiration while supporting literacy for Tacoma, and supporting a group of hard-working women who outdid themselves with this event. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

Though we’ve often said that the most vehement environmentalists would best serve the Earth by killing themselves we nonetheless encourage a visit to local Earth Day celebrations first.

“Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure.”

So states John McConnell’s original Earth Day proclamation.  Begun in 1970 during the March Equinox (March 20, 21), Earth Day is a worldwide yearly celebration and call to action in order to sustain the natural beauty and viability of our world.

At today's Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Earth Day Party for the Planet you can watch a wild animal show, learn the ups and downs of rappelling and rock climbing, make your very own Mason bee house or navigate a salmon, and much more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Do your part to save the planet by skipping your bath today and go play at the zoo.  We’ll see you there, right after a quick spray to the lawn with pesticide and a quick spray to our hair with Aquanet. â€" Suzy Stump

In conjunction with Tacoma Art Museum’s current exhibition, "Frida Kahlo: Images of an Icon," Guadalupe Rivera Marín â€" daughter of famed Mexican artist Diego Rivera, and Kahlo’s stepdaughter â€" will hang out at the museum Thursday, May 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Neat. â€" Suzy Stump

Sofia Bistro will open in two weeks in the spot once occupied by three other bistros, including The Good Life.  Tucked next to Walgreen's in University Place (2700 Bridgeport Way W.), the warm bistro is the brainchild of Creig Kostoff (Primo Grill) with Chef Troy Reich driving the menu. â€" Jake de Paul

Recognizing my yard was just one rusted out refrigerator and primer-ed Camaro on cinder blocks away from being That Yard on the block, I decided to start my Earth Day with the wee one by being a good steward of my own little patch of the planet.

We mowed, we weeded, we picked up trash, we recycled, we used organic fertilizer, and then we prepared to go to the Zoo, where a slew of events was scheduled to bring to light those things that we can do to make our planet a better place to live.

As it turned out, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium had the same idea as we did, with the underlying message that saving the planet starts at home, with easy tasks.

We pledged to change out our next dead light bulb with an energy saving fluorescent one, we made a Toad Abode, we saw how salmon can be helped up streams (and I relearned about the impact of household poisons on the Sound) and we planted a pea and a bean, to help create healthy oxygen (and food).

The whole global warming, ozone hole thing is scary and overwhelming to me, I have to admit.  Mostly, I like to bury my head in minutiae and act as if it’s not happening.

But with the help of events like Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium’s Earth Day, I can reinforce the little things that we can do, and do them.

Every little bit, multiplied, makes a big difference. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

Break out that hat, beaded purse and hankie: the Point Defiance Zoo Society will present their ninth Fashion Tea on Saturday, April 28, at 1 p.m. at the Emerald Queen I-5 Showroom.

While originally created as a showcase of formal fashions suitable for wearing to July’s Zoobilee, the event has evolved.

“We started adding in the casual flair just a few years ago,” explains Christine Roha, the Zoobilee manager who also has worked with producing the fashion show.

The “casual flair” this year will come from some of our favorite local boutiques â€" Dame Lola, Rocky and Coco’s, Sonja Clothing for Women, Tiki Lounge, Red Line, and Envy â€" as well as from Nordstrom, among others.

The models, diverse in age, shape, body, and skin color, are community members who will wear the clothes the day of the event.

Fashion is only a portion of the afternoon â€" live and silent auctions, entertainment, and a mysterious must-see guest appearance will also feature.

And while hats have been a hallmark of the “high tea” 21-and-over event, they’re not a necessity, nor are the hankie and beaded bag.  Semi-formal attire is recommended, though.

The $45 general admission will benefit the Zoo Society. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

[Emerald Queen I-5 Showroom, 2024 E. 29th St.,  Tacoma, 253.404.3633]

Tacoma School of the Arts senior Sena Kim buzzes around in a frilly, daffodilly top, plucking sweaters and shirts off of the clothing racks while the 2007 Daffodil Parade roars down Pacific Avenue: high school marching bands zim-zam ahead of lumbering, flower-laden floats carrying beaming teenage beauty queens; pirates from every sea swashbuckle through the crowds lining the street; and in a bizarre anti-smoking display, a pinstriped chain gang swings cigarettes through the air whilst dragging their shackles across the pavement. Kim and two other SOTA seniors (Andy Wright and Jill Mendoza), however, are the busiest bees of the whole daffodil season hive: Kim and crew must attend to Tacoma’s hipsters during store hours at UrbanX while planning one of the biggest fashion events of the year this Friday, April 27, at Club SOTA in downtown Tacoma.

Along with an already vibrant local music scene, Tacoma is fast becoming a place of colorful and inventive fashion, with local artists such as Daniel Blue and his Loyalty clothing line spearheading a 253-oriented, ultramodern urban style.

The SOTA Fresh Fashion Bash will feature student-designed apparel from American Apparel (“Sweatshop free!” Kim chimes) and is open to the entire community, with all proceeds, from the door to the sale of the sweet threads, going to the School of the Arts. The event will also feature performances by DJ Scout and Tacoma band Don’t Tell Sophie.

“We wanted a way to combine a lot of different mediums of art,” says Kim.

“Performance art, visual art, photography â€" to help support the Tacoma School of the Arts in a [nonexclusive] benefit. Please come!” â€" Michael Stasiak

[Club SOTA, Friday, April 27, 7 p.m., $8, 1117 Broadway, downtown Tacoma]

While it looks like the purveyors of one of our esteemed art parties is fading from the scene, another is busily at work creating their next coup. 

I met up with the “Bitches that brought you Eyefull” (Leah told me to say that) and had a fun afternoon of photos and conversation.  Sounds like the MidSummer Soiree, which will come toward the end of July, will be another “don’t you dare miss it,” with an earthy-esoteric-exotic theme that includes at least one flight of Cirque du soleil-like flight (ahem, it’s a pun) of fancy.

Trust me on this, it’s going to be hella-cool.

Details will come your way as they become concrete. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler