EVENT
Model Train Festival
Every floor of the Washington State History Museum will be packed with exhibits and activities designed to celebrate model railroads and provide entertainment for the whole family. According to the press release, “Temporary displays will include a variety of holiday-themed layouts and dioramas, including a LEGO display featuring a wintertime scene of a 1930s village complete with street cars and lit buildings. There will also be a play area where kids of all ages can make their own LEGO creations.”

The epicenter of the annual model train festival will, as usual, be the permanent model railroad display. The display is controlled and operated by the Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers. Gary Frederickson proudly owns the job title of Chief Engineer. â€" Matt Driscoll

[Washington State History Museum, Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, until 8 p.m. Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, $6-$8, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 888.238.4373]

FILM
“Juno”
Gathering 'round the tree is all well and good on Christmas morn. But what do you do after the last shred of wrapping paper lands in a trash bag, the feast is demolished and you've tired of admiring â€" or deploring â€" your gifts? Go to the movies!

Very smart, very funny and then very touching; “Juno” begins with the pacing of a screwball comedy and ends as a portrait of characters we have come to love.  Ellen Page in an Oscar-worthy performance as a pregnant 16-year-old who decides to keep the child.  With J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney wonderful as her parents, older and wiser than most parents in teenage comedies.  And Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman as the would-be adoptive parents, and Michael Cera, shyly winning as Juno’s boyfriend.  Screenplay by Diablo Cody, directed by Jason Reitman; the best movie of 2007. Rated PG-13. ★★★★ â€" Roger Ebert

[Grand Cinema, 2:10, 4:20, 6:35 and 8:50 p.m., $4.50-$8, 606 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253.593.4474]

MORE FILM: On local screens today.

THE GAME
Knowledge Night
If somewhere in the deep, dark recesses of your noggin there lurks the knowledge that actor Abe Vigoda is six-foot-four and grew up on New York’s Lower East Side, then this listing is for you. Every Wednesday Doyle’s Public House in Tacoma hosts Knowledge Night where individuals or teams answer two pages of brain teasers, trivia and current events for shirts, tickets and gift certificates. It’s a challenging, fun night. â€" Brad Allen

[Doyle’s Public House, 7 p.m. every Wednesday, no cover, 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]

THE FESTIVAL
Model Train Festival
There are some hobbies better kept to yourself. You know, the ones you do alone in your basement late at night. And then there are some truly cool hobbies, like model railroads. These should be celebrated and dragged out in the open for all to admire. Which is why the 12th Annual Model Train Festival, downtown Tacoma’s biggest model railroad exposition (taking into account, of course, the relatively small size of the subjects at hand because they are, of course, models), is being held through Jan. 1, instead of like, a half-hour. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy every floor of the Washington State History Museum filled with operating modular layouts.  But remember to look both ways before crossing, and keep your pennies to yourself.  â€" Ron Swarner

[Washington State History Museum, through Jan. 1, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, $6-$8, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272. 9747]

MORE EVENTS: Get off the couch.

ROCK
Trip The Light Fantastic
If you’re not familiar with Trip the Light Fantastic, there’s a good chance you are familiar with the now defunct band Weather. It doesn’t seem like that long ago that Weather was one of the hottest bands on the tip of everyone’s tongue.

Weather broke up in 2006. Tyler Pratt and Joseph Yohann, suddenly bandless, recruited drummer David Balaam. Next thing you know, Trip the Light Fantastic was born.

What Trip the Light Fantastic is, besides a band name that could be a reference to about a gazillion different things, is an instrumental experiment of brainy rock seemingly created for the dirt under the fingernails crowd of Grit City. â€" Matt Driscoll

[Jazzbones, with NQNS, Twilight Drive, 8 p.m., all ages, no cover, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

MORE MUSIC: In the clubs tonight.

THE DAILY WORD
Learn it, use it, spell it

Veritable, adjective

1. Being truly or very much so.
2. Obsolete, true, as a statement or tale.

USAGE EXAMPLE: The fact that Bobble Tiki only put on 12 and a half pounds this holiday season, as opposed to the record year of 1997 when Bobble Tiki packed on 26 pounds of egg nog and candy cane chub, is a veritable triumph. Bobble Tiki’s going to have a piece of fruit cake to celebrate.

THE MORNING NEWS

TACOMA: Still need cheap rent for artists.

LAKEWOOD: Toxic bath.

OREGON: Xmas cards from a dead guy.

RUSSIA: Egg my Hummer!

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: Bobble Tiki isn’t sure about instrumental bands. Without a lead singer, who is Bobble Tiki supposed to focus on, and who is Mrs. Tiki supposed to want to sleep with? Instrumental bands create all sorts of dilemmas. Tonight, Trip the Light Fantastic will play Jazzbones. This is one instrumental band Bobble Tiki trusts. If you remember the band Weather, some of the faces in Trip the Light will look familiar. An experiment in rock way over Bobble Tiki’s head, Trip the Light Fantastic probably scored significantly higher than Bobble Tiki on the SATs, and their show at Jazzbones tonight should be worth every penny.

(Bobble Tiki just realized there’s no cover, which of course takes most of the punch out of that last sentence. Oppsie Daisy. A quality journalist would probably find a more appropriate sentiment, but Bobble Tiki’s not that guy. It’s still true.) 

MORE MUSIC: What's on tonight.

BOBBLE TIKI’S THREATS AND PROMISES COLUMN
Bobble Tiki is stoked about the opportunity to write about Garaj Mahal this week â€" one of the best jam bands currently touring the country, doling out 15 minute spectacles of tireless sitar and never-ending guitar solos. If there’s one thing Bobble Tiki loves, it’s a jam band. Bobble Tiki sometimes wonders if this means LSD accidentally slipped into his mom’s breast milk or he has a trust fund waiting for him somewhere. Check out his interview here.

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

I noticed recently that the Internet, music festivals, movies, television shows and even commercials have replaced radio as the place I find new music. Should I be embarrassed to say that I bought a song because I heard it on a commercial? In the past I think I would have been, but now I think it’s OK. Mainstream radio is a joke with a big dollar punch line, so the good stuff comes to us through different channels now. What follows is the music I’ve found and enjoyed most this year.

When I first decided to do this, I underestimated how tough it would be to narrow it down. It was painful to leave out things that I had found and loved this year that had a release date prior to 2007. A part of me said rules be damned! So what if Death Cab for Cutie’s Plans was released in 2005? It’s been virtually everywhere in 2007. So what if Goldfrapp’s Black Cherry came out in 2003? They weren’t on my radar until their music was featured in the 2007 commercials for Verizon and “Nip/Tuck.” Imogene Heap’s Speak for Yourself is an amazing artistic soundscape, and though I heard it for the first time this year (during “The Last Kiss,” “The OC” and on commercials for Apple and Verizon), sadly it turns out that it was released in 2005.

No worries though, there are plenty of others to choose from.

These are my top 10 albums of 2007 in no particular order.

Arcade Fire, Neon Bible. I like music that is uplifting. I’ve always found music to be the best mood enhancer, and Arcade Fire is a great example. I was fortunate enough to see them live at the Gorge during Sasquatch! Music Festival. It was one of those “ah yes” moments. Their music is literally so large and soars to such emotional heights that you could see them anywhere and be moved, but if you see a band like that at the Gorge the experience may change you forever. 

urbanXchange’s compilation, Tacoma Mix 2007. This album proves that there is metropolis size talent in this underrated little city. I already wrote a whole column on this CD, so I won’t bore you by repeating myself. If you’ve heard it, you know why it’s on my list, and if you haven’t heard it you need to go get a copy.

Storm Large, Ladylike Side 1. This album is chock-full of girl power, so it makes great shower singing material. The CD features songs with the “Rock Star: Supernova” house band as well as some with her band, The Balls.

Beehive, Pretty Little Thieves. This album turns an ordinary kitchen floor into a discotheque in minutes flat. I’ve written a column on this CD too. So here’s the skinny: Watch out for this Seattle band; they are headed onward and upward. 

Feist, The Reminder. This is another band that benefited greatly by a commercial deal. Her video for the song “1,2,3,4” became an iPod commercial. I have a copy of the song “My Moon My Man” from this album that is a remix done by Boys Noize. I first heard it on KUPS, and right now it’s my favorite song.

Aaron Spiro, Cure. Aaron Spiro has Coldplay size talent and really uplifting songs. I first heard about him through friends. He writes songs that restore my faith in mankind, and by mankind I mean men. If anyone ever says to me again that all men are dogs, I am going to tie her up and make her listen to this album. It’s absolutely beautiful from beginning to end, and I don’t mean in a sappy Michael Bolton sort of way.

Radiohead, In Rainbows. I read about this album online in the news. I was one of those people who paid full price even though they allowed people to pay whatever they wanted. I think this epic and sonic journey is worth every penny.

The Polyphonic Spree, The Fragile Army. It’s the perfect album to spin while readying for your day. If this music doesn’t reshape your mind in a positive fashion then a lobotomy is in order. I first saw them at the Gorge during Sasquatch! Music Festival.

Moozeke, Ultraminifest compilation of singer/songwriters from the Pacific Northwest. Mocha Moo owner Jay Inokuchi invited his favorite local musicians to submit songs for this compilation CD. There isn’t a single bad track on it, and it has a variety of music styles. I like it so much that it’s loaded on my iPod now. 

Of Montreal, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? At Bumbershoot last year Of Montreal was unknown to me, but apparently about a million other people were already hip. There was a gynormous crowd, so I could barely see what was happening on stage. What I could see was people dancing â€" like everywhere. I later downloaded the album from iTunes, and I’ve been bouncing around to it ever since. 

What are your faves this year?

How far would you travel to see works by Marc Chagall?

Good news. The French artist’s work is just one of several pieces currently on display in Steilacoom.

Window to Jerusalem, a lithograph by French artist Marc Chagall, is the focus of the 13 artist show at the Haskett Fine Art Gallery. Contemporary rock sculptures by Northwest artist John Fritsch, woodprint by Rockwell Klint, a Jim Dine lithograph and an assortment of military and maritime artwork are part of the show. â€" Nancy Covert

[Haskett Fine Art Gallery, through January, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday-Friday, or by appointment, 1601 Lafayette, 253.983.7666]

A legitimate excuse for frivolous hedonism comes but once a year, so we say make the most of it. Don a silly hat (everyone else will look stupid, too), pop a magnum of champagne and blow your horn: 2007 is finally done.

Whether you want to dine, dance, drink or disco the night away, we've rounded up a plethora of parties so you won't be left on the couch watching "Friends" reruns, wondering where yours are.

FIRST NIGHT: All-ages shindig in downtown Tacoma, Q Dot adds flavor to First Night.

CHEERS: Give good toast.

PARTY RIGHT: How to do New Year's Eve right.

ADVICE: Hangover remedy.

PARTIES: A couple of cool bashes, Terminator-like show, all-ages gig.

STAY HOME: Home is where the bar is.

PARTY CENTRAL: In the clubs New Year's Eve.

THE FESTIVAL
Model Train Festival
There are some hobbies better kept to yourself. You know, the ones you do alone in your basement late at night. And then there are some truly cool hobbies, like model railroads. These should be celebrated and dragged out in the open for all to admire. Which is why the 12th Annual Model Train Festival, downtown Tacoma’s biggest model railroad exposition (taking into account, of course, the relatively small size of the subjects at hand because they are, of course, models), is being held through Jan. 1, instead of like, a half-hour. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy every floor of the Washington State History Museum filled with operating modular layouts.  But remember to look both ways before crossing, and keep your pennies to yourself.  â€" Ron Swarner

[Washington State History Museum, through Jan. 1, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, $6-$8, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272. 9747]

MORE EVENTS: Get off the couch.

FILM
"The Great Debaters"
An affirming and inspiring film, retelling the story of a remarkable team and their coach. Little Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, in the heart of the Jim Crow 1930s South, fielded a debate team coached by Melvin Tolson (Denzel Washington) that won the national championship. But there's much more to the story than just their victory; the film, directed by Washington, portrays the racist society against which they endured and prevailed. One of the year's best. Rated PG-13. Four stars. â€" Roger Ebert

[Century Olympia: 1:05, 4, 6:55, 9:50, Lakewood Cinema 15: 12:30, 4:05, 7, 10:10; Longston Place 14: 11:05 a.m., 2:25, 7:05, 10:10; Regal Martin Village 16: 11:10 a.m., 2:05, 5, 7:55, 10:50]

MORE FILM: Showing on local screens today.

THE PARTY
Pimp And Ho
Visiting family in Lakewood this holiday season? They probably don’t have this kind of thing back home in Boise, so you might as well soak in the weirdness. Oh! Gallagher’s hosts a Pimp And Ho costume party Friday night. Costumes are mandatory, and we suspect a T-shirt with the word “costume” scrawled across it in Sharpie marker isn’t going to cut it. So break out those garters and butt floss or toss on that chartreuse zoot suit. â€" Brad Allen

[Oh! Gallagher’s, Friday, Dec. 28, 8 p.m., 7304 Lakewood Dr. S.W., Lakewood, 253.476.8787]

JAM
Garaj Mahal
Bobble Tiki just loves it when a band keeps going, going, and going. That’s exactly what Garaj Mahal can do â€" with expertise. The band will play Jazzbones tonight.  Rarely has Bobble Tiki seen such a seamless meld of funky jazz, progressive world music, and mystical Middle-Eastern ambiances. â€" Bobble Tiki

[Jazzbones, Friday, Dec. 28, 9 p.m., $10-$12, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

MORE MUSIC: In the clubs tonight.

FILM
“Juno”
Very smart, very funny and then very touching; “Juno” begins with the pacing of a screwball comedy and ends as a portrait of characters we have come to love.  Ellen Page in an Oscar-worthy performance as a pregnant 16-year-old who decides to keep the child.  With J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney wonderful as her parents, older and wiser than most parents in teenage comedies.  And Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman as the would-be adoptive parents, and Michael Cera, shyly winning as Juno’s boyfriend.  Screenplay by Diablo Cody, directed by Jason Reitman; the best movie of 2007. Rated PG-13. ★★★★ â€" Roger Ebert

[Grand Cinema, noon, 2:10, 4:20, 6:35 and 8:50 p.m., $4.50-$8, 606 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253.593.4474]

MORE FILM: On local screens today.

ROCK
Atomic Housewives
Tonight a wild band of pirates will commandeer Le Voyeur in Olympia for a night of sloppy red-blooded rock and all around fun.

Think I’m joking?

I’m not.  Check out their bio on MySpace.

The Atomic Housewives are pirates, rockers, trapeze stars, and (at least partially) inbred. What more could you ask for? Their show at Le Voyeur tonight, if nothing else, should be a sight worth seeing. â€" Matt Driscoll

[Le Voyeur, with Serpentone, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.943.5710]

ROCK
The Drug Purse
Jason Freet from The Elephants started his new band The Drug Purse because he was restless and wanted to try something new.

The Drug Purse contains vials marked Joshua Vega on guitar, Jordan Wegner on bass, Tyson Griffin on keyboards, Kyle Brunette on drums, and Jason Freet on guitar and vocals. Dosage is “use as needed.” 

The music is in a different vein from that of the Elephants. The Elephants had a poppy, new wave sound with a more Beatles influenced core. The Drug Purse seems to have a similar sound but replaces the Beatles with the Doors.

“The Doors is one influence that all of us had in common,” says Freet. â€" Angela Jossy

[Bob’s Java Jive, 9 p.m., 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

MORE MUSIC: In the clubs tonight.

THE DAILY WORD
Learn it, use it, spell it

Primogeniture \pry-moh-JEN-ih-choor\, noun:
1. The state of being the firstborn of the same parents; seniority by birth among children of the same family.
2. (Law) An exclusive right of inheritance that belongs to the eldest son.

USAGE EXAMPLE: Thanks to the Tiki family's long standing tradition of adhering to primogeniture, and since he has no brothers, Bobble Tiki will one day inherit his father's impressive mini NFL football helmet collection and a large debt on the family Sears Card.

THE MORNING NEWS

TACOMA: Chop, cop, timber!

TACOMA: English ivy wins!

TOKYO: Hello pansies!

TEXAS: Cranky guy redeems himself.

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: The Drug Purse will play Bob's Java Jive tonight, and since Bobble Tiki couldn't care less about weather or not the most doable quarterback of all time, according to ESPN, Tom Brady, helps the Patriots beat the Giants to complete their perfect regular season, he'll probably mosey on down to the big coffee pot on South Tacoma Way.  The Drug Purse is, far and away, one of the most entertaining indie bands in Tacoma.  Endless discussion about the Patriots greatness is, far and away, a waste of freakin' time. Choose the Drug Purse over the Patriots tonight and you won't be disappointed.   

MORE MUSIC: What's on tonight.

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

I went out last night looking for ... something. I didn't know what, exactly. An adventure. Something different. Something weird, like “Blade Runner”-meets-“Indochine.” Suzy Stump wanted to get drunk and sing Supertramp songs at Puget Sound Pizza.  But not me. I wanted to sit in a sushi bar and have a leggy blonde invite me across town for an underground game of high-stakes paigow poker with a one-eyed little person dealer and soft-footed geishas bringing round after round of sake drinks to calm my nerves. I wondered how much of my losses I could expense to the company's tab.

Unfortunately, this didn’t happen as I sipped my Hynotiq Geisha out of a martini glass at my favorite pre-party hang â€" Twokoi Japanese Restaurant.

While these particular thrills may be available in Tacoma, they're tough to find when you're out looking for them blindly on a Friday night. So instead, I nestled up to a few sushi rolls and plotted my downtown Tacoma adventure via this fine rag while knocking back glass after glass of this concoction of Momokawa Silver sake, pineapple juice, a splash of sweet and sour and, of course, the French invention Hpnotiq.  Just Dirt at the Swiss never sounded so good.

Afrodisiacs are at the Swiss tonight. I’m going out with my girl Hyntotiq Geisha again. â€" Brad Allen

[Twokoi Japanese Cuisine, 1552 Jefferson Ave., downtown Tacoma, 253.274.8999]