I’m feeling holiday-like. Is it the paraphernalia I’m seeing in all the stores, or the calendar that’s putting the pressure on?

I don’t know which it is, but being that I’ve got this yearly tradition of making my own cards, I guess I need to get a move on.

The beautiful thing of it is, this year I won’t have to do it alone, thanks to my friends at the Tacoma Art Place.  I’ll be holding a class on Sunday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and I’ll share some ideas and techniques from cards I’ve made in the past, and a boatload of supplies and refreshments.  All I want from you, dear friends, is to show up with $10 and any supplies you might have to share (though the latter is not necessary.)

And because I’m feeling that holiday spirit welling, I’ll donate any profits from the event right back to Tacoma Art Place.

Can’t wait to see you there! â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

TelluRide, must be happier than a pig in fresh mud.

Originally from Olympia/Toledo, this now Nashville-based country band made it to Round Three of Country Music Television Music City Madness 2 national talent search. The national contest offers unsigned music artists a chance to showcase their talent. Contestants will go head-to-head for six rounds of video competition while votes decide who makes it to the next level.

The voting session for TelluRide's music video "Phone Song" is now closed.  Voting is scheduled to reopen tomorrow.

TelluRide consists of pianist and guitarist Ryan Jones, singer Adam Craig, guitarist Cain Hall, drummer Brian Smith, and bassist Jimi Hendrix (Nice).

A CMT press release states: Adam Craig got the idea for the song from a friend of his whom had broken up with a girl and then a few days later decided it was a mistake.  When his friend tried to call her up, she wouldn't answer or return his phone calls, so he took out an ad that said, "Dear (girlfriend) I screwed up. Please call me back, P.S. I still love you."

That’s so country music. â€" Suzy Stump

FILM
Kung Fu Movie Night
Swanky 21 Commerce Restaurant & Martini Bar has seen creative changes under General Manager Danno Rankin, who also runs The Loft Nightclub. The newest addition to 21’s roster of good times is Kung Fu Night on Tuesdays. The 9 p.m. bang of a gong kicks off the showing of three different Kung Fu movies a night â€" old Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee flicks to “Five Deadly Venoms” and “Chinese Super Ninja” â€" all played on large, flat screen TVs around the joint.

There’s no cover charge, so throw back $2 beers, pound the table for $2 sake bombs, and then grip your barstool for $3 Tokyo Teas, a spin-off on the Long Island with just as much booze and a dash of Midori liqueur.

They know you eat, too. Devour mouthwatering Manila clams in pancetta herb white wine broth, seared duck breast or pork loin from 21’s Northwest, Mediterranean and French inspired menu. â€" Jennifer Johnson

[21 Commerce, 9 p.m., no cover, corner of Commerce and 21st Street, downtown Tacoma, 253.272.6278, www.21martinis.com]

FILM
"Beowulf"
A titanic epic battle between the monster Grendel and the hero Beowulf, shown by director Robert Zemeckis with rip-roaring gusto by using the same technology as his “Polar Express,” so that animated characters look almost real. With the voices (and sometimes the appearances) of Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson and Crispin Glover (who however doesn’t look anything like Grendel). Full frontal female nudity and yet a PG-13 rating because, you see, Jolie isn’t really there, although she’s there enough she says she won’t be taking her own kids. Absurd violent action in the Monty Python spirit. Rated PG-13. Three Stars. â€" Roger Ebert

[Century Olympia: 11:30 a.m., 12:55, 2:10, 3:40, 5, 6:30, 7:50, 9:20, 10:30; 12:35, 3, 5:20, 7:40, 10; Lakewood Cinema 15: 11:10 a.m., 12:05, 2, 2:45, 4:45, 5:30, 7:30, 8:15, 10:10, 11; Lakewood Towne Center 12: 2, 4:35, 7:05, 9:45; Longston Place 14: 12:15, 12:45, 2:55, 3:25, 5:30, 7:05, 8:05, 9:45, 10:45. Also 3D showtimes 11:45 a.m., 2:25, 5:05, 7:45, 10:25; Regal Martin Village 16: 11:45 a.m., 2:30, 5:15, 8, 10:45. Also 3-D showtimes 11:15 a.m., 2, 4:45, 7:30, 10:15; Yelm Cinemas @ Prairie Park: noon, 2:25, 4:50, 7:15, 9:45]

MORE FILM: Playing on local screens.

JAM
Billy Farmer
Billy Farmer runs the musical gamut.  A gifted guitar player, Farmer plays acoustic with a folk style, electric in a Chicago blues stomp style and knows his way around the Delta, too.  His arsenal of strings includes a reliable 12 string, Dobro, mandolin and banjo. When he needs a little oomph, Farmer plugs in his Les Paul or Stratocaster. Farmer is a master of mimicry and can imitate everyone from Jagger to Cash.  Farmer leads the Tacos & Jams Open Mic tonight. â€" Tony Engelhart

[O’Callahan’s, 7:30 p.m., no cover, 15610 92nd St., KPN Key Center, 253.884.9766]

MORE MUSIC: In the clubs tonight.

THE DAILY WORD
Learn it, use it, spell it

Mimetic \mim-ET-ik\, adjective:
1. Apt to imitate; given to mimicry; imitative.
2. Characterized by mimicry; â€" applied to animals and plants; as, "mimetic species; mimetic organisms."

USAGE EXAMPLE: Hey!  Check out the mimetic Katie Couric.  Thank god for the Internet!

THE MORNING NEWS

NEW YORK: Cloning without the controversy.

IRAQ: A different kind of bad shot.

GREGOIRE: Property tax special session.

CYPRUS: Egg in underpants.

HUSTLER OF CULTURE
You can stand atop the mountain and scream your naked desires to the universe or shed that synapse epilepsy and hug the South Sound today with your fellow man:

MUSIC: Tonight, Philadelphia's Capillary Action will play Le Voyeur in Olympia along with Joe Lally from Fugazi.  "Capillary action," the term, describes a liquid's ability to draw another liquid into it.  Bobble Tiki can't really grasp that.  What Bobble Tiki can grasp is Capillary Action the band, who weave an electronic sound jamboree with a heaping buttload of musical instruments and other doodads. Capillary Action not only opens for Mr. Lally on this tour, but will serve as his backing band.  Righteous!

MORE MUSIC: What's on tonight.

Breakfast with Bobble Tiki runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.  Deal with it.

One of my favorite, FAVORITE places to fill my tummy, stroke my taste buds, and drain my bladder is Babblin' Babs Bistro in the Proctor District.

And Babblin' built beautiful potties, too.

Great food and great potties. The two go hand-in-hand. Speaking of two and speaking of potties, Babblin' Babs has two potties. One is in the main dining area, and the other is in the back with the new art-inspired 12-person private dining room. Both are spectacular.

I think a grand dinner party at Babblin' Babs Bistro would be spectacular, too. I would invite the interesting, the cool, the diverse. Oh, and the hot, too.

I'd ask actor/photographer Jason Ganwich to my dinner party. He's freakin funny. You might've seen him around Tacoma frequenting the downtown area coffee shops, or possibly at Vin Grotto Cafe and Wine Bar. He always has me in stitches. He's one of the great men who co-founded CACA.

Another absolute must at my dinner party is Elizabeth and Lawrence Huffines. He runs Pop Culture Productions, and he's one of the nicest guys I've ever met. One thing that I love is that they sometimes go barhopping on bikes. He bought Elizabeth this bike.
The idea of bike barhopping and the bike are both kick ass.

She, like me, hails from the Houston, Texas area. We have become fast friends as our kids twirl their hair at the same school. Elizabeth does not meet the mental image of your everyday Tacoma's soccer mom Read: She's cool. Just like me.

I'd also have to have the entire Ryan Montbleau Band there. I'd have them sit on each other's laps, and I'd sit on top. They are my absolute favorite band, and I want to secretly make little Jr. Ryan Montbleau Bands with them. They are from Boston, here for their first cross-country tour. I saw them when they were FINALLY in Seattle at the High Dive Saturday night. I then had the fortunate opportunity of lunching with them the next day. I'm going to hold a gun up to Pappi Swarner's head until he lets me print 1,200 words about that lunch.                              

I of course will invite my best friends www.myspace.com/thekake">KAke and Bandito Betty. I suppose Damon, my husband, can come. Someone has to pay. As long as he doesn't mind me making out with the Ryan Montbleau Band. Naked.

The other two seats are going to be taken by Chad Fitzgerald and his wife, Joy. I appreciate Chad for being the superdiculous (that's right, I just made a word up) Tacoma Beer Society member that he is, for his extensive knowledge of beer and the fine collection of brew he has hidden in his basement. Joy is damn cool, but she gained superdiculous status because she married Chad. Someone had to do it, and she took one for the team. Whatta girl!

I walk out of Babblin Babs Bistro's hand-painted floral bathroom with a head full of dinner invites and a smile across to Chef William.

I think this year for Thanksgiving I am going to be thankful for those who have given to our growing, close Tacoma community. This year I will be dining at Babblin' Babs on Nov. 22. And I will also be thankful for giving more time to people who appreciate me. People who value their beliefs and stick up for them. People who are thankful for kindness and want to give it in return. People I have the privy of dining with, and people I look forward to meeting in the future. Naked.

Live Nation just announced Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band will perform Saturday, March 29, at the KeyArena in Seattle.

Tickets are $65 and $95.  They go on sale Saturday, Dec, 8, 10 a.m., at Ticketmaster outlets. â€" Brad Allen

KVTI just announced they won Top 40 Station of the Year for a second time.

Valiant also won Top 40 Music Director of the Year for a fourth year in a row.

Nice! â€" Suzy Stump

Previous post

Hey Kids!  Do you love the Top 40?  KVTI I-90 does.

KVTI is nominated for the annual New Music Weekly Award’s Top 40 Station of the Year for the second year in a row.  The Lakewood-based radio station won last year.

KVTI's Beth Valiant, who has won Top 40 Music Director of the Year for the past three years in a row, is nominated again.

And KVTI's John Mangan has been nominated for Top 40 Program Director of the Year for a second time.

What do say we vote for the hommies.  The New Music Weekly Awards show will be Nov. 10 in Hollywood. â€" Suzy Stump

THE PARTY
Bad Xmas Sweater Contest
You knew there was a reason to hold on to the Christmas-light-laden and obscenely geometric printed green-and-red sweater. You once thought even the one with reindeer had potential. Now it’s time to explore your closets because, ladies and gentlemen, the ugliest holiday sweater contest will be held at Doyle’s tonight.

The ugliest holiday sweater contest prizes will be shelled out for the worst male, worst female and worst couple/group. Doyle’s co-owner Russ Heaton says, “This aint no Cosby contest, this is strictly holiday sweaters.”

Belgian beers Stella, Hoegaarden and Leffe Brune will be featured. â€" Brad Allen

[Doyle’s Public House, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m. to midnight, 208 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]

BEER
Parkway Tavern
When it comes right down to it, few things in this world can top a freshly poured, frosty barley pop. We’re referring to beer, of course, and it’s way more than a delicious sexual stimulant/memory eraser â€" beautiful beer is an art form unto itself. In keeping with its tradition of promoting awareness and appreciation of this heavenly beverage, the Parkway Tavern hosts “Honey, The Parkway Ruined My Thanksgiving” party. The Stadium District tavern will yank out their strong brews â€" aged winter beers, barleywines, Belgians and stouts â€" the night before Thanksgiving.  Your hand will shake like a sonofabitch as you gnaw off that turkey leg. â€" BA

[Parkway Tavern, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 5 p.m. to close, 313 N. I St., Tacoma, 253.383.8748]

PUNK
Neutralboy
Over a 15-year career, Neutralboy has gained a devoted local following and made a name for themselves within the local punk scene. With one record to their name and another allegedly on the way, Neutralboy seems to have focused more on the basic elements of punk than the productive ones. Neutralboy likes to drink heavily, play loudly, and, in general, have a good time.

Neutralboy have put together a benefit to help punk icon Karl Alvarez with the medical costs stemming from a recent heart attack the punk icon suffered. Neutralboy, along with a slew of other notable punk bands including Artimus Maximus, the Karls and Kane Hodder will play Hell’s Kitchen tonight. Do the right thing and show up. â€" Matt Driscoll

[Hell’s Kitchen, 8 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

More Music: In the clubs tonight.

FILM
"No Country for Old Men"
Regards a completely evil man with wonderment, as if astonished that that such a merciless creature could exist. He is Anton Chigurh (Javiar Bardem), who travels Texas and kills people with a cattle stun-gun. He is one strand in a plot involving a drug deal gone bad. Another is a sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) and a third is a hunter (Josh Brolin), a poor man who comes across $2 million in drug money. A masterpiece based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy, written, directed and edited by Joel and Ethan Coen. As good as their “Fargo,” which is saying something. Full review here. Rated R. Four Stars. â€" Roger Ebert

[The Grand Cinema, 4:05, 6:45, 9:20. Also Fri-Sun 11:50 a.m.]

MORE FILM: On local screens today.

Turkey Day (the time honored tradition of stuffing bread up a turkey’s ass and eating it) is by far my favorite holiday. I like it even more than Christmas. Thanksgiving has all that Christmas has to offer: great food and drink, family and friends, and crisp weather that lures us to stay inside near the fire. These are just the basic holiday offerings. The one clear difference is the gift-giving expectation. It ruins Christmas for me. I don’t like to be told what to do, especially by the mass media. I give you a gift because I want to, not because it is expected.

For my Thanksgiving survival tips, go here. â€" Sandee Glib

November, in addition to being famous for turkey day, is National Pepper Month, National British Appreciation Month, Aviation History Month and National Diabetes Awareness Month. An odd combination, yet somehow strangely appropriate. These are all very good reasons for you to go to vegan.

Vegan food will make you … healthier (no diabetes) but tofu can be pretty bland, so pepper will come in handy, you’ll meet people you can travel with, and last but not least, it’s not a traditional Thanksgiving. (Which is what they want, those bastard Anglos â€" to destroy our way of life.)

So drag your paranoid self there to get an early start on the consumeristic, soulless holiday season vegan-style with these Weekly Volcano meatless suggestions. â€" Suzy Stump

In-Tacoma.net also chimes in.