MATT DRISCOLL: FOUND THIS FUNNY >>>

Devo is suing McDonald's over a Happy Meal toy. Check out the Pitchfork story here.

DANIEL BLUE: MEET MATT EKLUND >>>

Matt Eklund should have his own brand of sandals. There has never been a more chill person born on this earth, everything about this man is as laid back as a futon. Even with the stress of being the only masculine presence in the Urban Art Festival board of directors, Eklund demonstrates the patience of a monk and the demeanor of another monk sitting next to the first one in morning meditation time.

During the day, our beloved festival powerhouse works at the ever campy REI, but at night you may find him in a milieu of psychedelic situations from guitar playing to reggae dancing.

When I first met him at the old Rampart Antique's Third Thursday celebrations, I began to refer to him lovingly as "papa bear" because you could count on him for a large bear hug upon every greeting.

In every bustling enclave there must be a backbone like Matt and his wife, Laura, holding everything together and pinching nerves now and again when things need attention. Sometimes I am shocked at the amount of work that goes into planning and throwing events and happenings, if there ever was someone who could organize the kind of people power that is needed to get those balls rolling, it would be Papa Bear.

MATT DRISCOLL: RELATIVELY NEW CD MAKES IT OUT OF PILE >>>

www.myspace.com/destructionisland ">Destruction Island, a newish indie rock band that released their debut CD in April, first made my radar a couple months ago when they played www.myspace.com/sanfordandsonantiques ">Sanford and Son with Portland’s 31 Knots. A few weeks later, Preaches the New Wilderness â€" Destruction Island’s aforementioned debut - showed up at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters. That was early May, and the disc has sat in a pile in the corner of my office ever since â€" at least until now.

If you caught on last week, you know we now run CD reviews every Thursday in the online version of the Weekly Volcano.  I like to think they’re fairly dope, but then again I write them.

This week I finally dug Preaches the New Wilderness out of that pile. It was the best decision I’ve made in some time. This shit is good.

Check out my review here.

FOOD
Taste of Tacoma
More than 30 vendors- including Asado, Masa, Southern Kitchen, Katie Downs and Federal Way-s Pac Island Grill- along with live entertainment will plant roots at Point Defiance Park this weekend. Full details here. - Suzy Stump
[Point Defiance Park, June 27-28 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., June 29 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., $7 and less an entré, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma]

ART
Naked Tacoma
In this show, photographer Paul Uhl focuses on extreme close-ups of the normally objectified parts of the body, mostly nipples and vaginas. It is the many nipple close-ups (most from the same model) that best illustrate what the photographer is up to in these works. Starting with images shot in such extreme close-up that they are almost abstract, he then manipulates the images, adjusting contrast, double printing, solarizing the images and so forth so that they become even more abstract. Many of them look like photographs we've seen of planets as taken from cameras in space. There is one image that looks like the surface of the moon and others that look like the halo effect of the sun rising over the crest of a moon or planet. Alec Clayton
[delight gallery, Thursday-Friday 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. through mid July, inside Sanford & Son, 743 Broadway, Tacoma]

EVENT
What You Got? Festival
D.I.Y. stands for Do-It-Yourself, and when so moved, that's exactly what the people of Olympia do. The fifth annual What You Got? Festival is a fine example. Over the course of two days, Numbskullz, DEK, The Cut Throats, Anna Bri, Logical Deer and others will do what they do best- all in the name of youth. Expect some youth-centric workshops, art and film, too. - Brad Allen
[Capitol Theater, June 27 3 p.m., June 28 noon, $5-$8, 206 Fifth Ave., Olympia, 360.754.5378]

JAM
Beyond the Bridge Cafe
The third Friday of every month Beyond the Bridge Cafe hosts local raw acoustic jam sessions that will melt your face off. Owners Ben and Trish Rubke take these performances very seriously, and have no trouble filling up the room. With tables removed and organized seating in place, only guests who have called and put their names on a special list are allowed in. And believe me, they've had to turn people away at the door.

Today, Trish and Ben will be introduce performances by The Travis Barker Band, Matt Coughlin, James Coates, and The Cloves (featured on 103.7 The Mountain's Music Lounge). - Steph DeRosa
[Beyond The Bridge Cafe, 7-10 p.m., $5, 13624 Valley Ave. E., Sumner, 253.863.0556]

POP PUNK
Smooch Knob
Smooch Knob, a Portland-based hybrid of pop punk and bare breasts with a sound surprisingly less suggestive than their name, will hit Hell's Kitchen tonight. Though the band (presumably) takes great pride in their combination of well written pop songs and onstage eye candy- another way of referring to the nearly naked "Smooch Girls" that accompany the band at every show - the funny thing about Smooch Knob is this: The tits and ass the Smooch Girls provide are nice, don't get me wrong (seriously, don't get me wrong), but the band doesn't really need them. Musically speaking, Smooch Knob's melodic and catchy, often Weezer-esque, sound is enough to carry them. This, as much as any boner-inspiring stage antic, is the key to Smooch Knob's appeal.
The Smooch Girls are really just icing on the scantly clad cake. - Matt Driscoll
[Hell's Kitchen, with Mumma Stoge, Sea Jayne Trip and Jonny Bobaluie & The Masters of Bation, 9 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

LINK: Dead Brothers Band and others in the clubs tonight
LINK: Check out what movies open today
LINK: Let's eat at QB today

BRAD ALLEN: IT WILL NEVER GET OLD >>>

Tacoma artist R.R. Anderson posted a time line for today’s Frost Park Chalk Challenge, which will be held at noon at the Larry Frost Memorial Park, Ninth and Commerce in downtown Tacoma.

Time line
STANDARD TIME TABLE for ARTISTS or SIMPLY ANYONE WISHING TO PARTICIPATE
1200 - ARRIVE, CLAIM YOUR SLAB (TIP: AVOID DISTRACTION!!!)
1205 - BEGIN DRAWING
0100 - STOP DRAWING (TIP: YOU CAN KEEP DRAWING I F NOBODY NOTICES)
0115 - YOU ARE DOCUMENTED BY THE MINISTRY OF PRIZES
0130 - PHOTOS OF EVENT BEGIN TO TRICKLE ONTO INTERNETS.  ...ONLINE VOTING BEGINS on feedtacoma.com
0200 - RALLY YOUR FRIENDS! GIVE YOUR HONEST OPINION OF COMPETITOR'S WORK
2400 - VOTES ARE TALLIED, THIS WEEKS "BEST ILLUSTRATOR IN THE UNIVERSE" CHAMPION IS CHOSEN.

Official rules here.

SUZY STUMP: AUSSIE REDS >>>

The flexible folks over at Bayview School of Cooking are sick of drinking alone â€" and want you to share their favorite Shiraz from Down Under tonight on the deck of Bayview Thriftway. Their ongoing pourings between 5 and 7:30 p.m. allow visitors to pop in and out.

The cost is $12.

Check it out at 516 W. Fourth Ave. in downtown Olympia.

BOBBLE TIKI: BREAKFAST WITH BOBBLE TIKI >>>

THE DAILY WORD

Harbinger \HAR-bin-juhr\, noun:
1. (Archaic) One who provides lodgings; especially, the officer of the English royal household who formerly preceded the court when traveling, to provide and prepare lodgings.
2. A forerunner; a precursor; one that presages or foreshadows what is to come.
3. To signal the approach of; to presage; to be a harbinger of.

USAGE EXAMPLE: As long as Bobble Tiki keeps using words like harbinger for the Daily Word, comments like pika’s from two days ago will only be a harbinger of things to come.

MORNING NEWS

TACOMA: Nice lead in here

OLYMPIA: Neglected cats

SEATTLE: Juvenile prostitution problem

UNITED STATES: Odd couple

ENVIRONMENT: Solar stuff

JUST BIZARRE: Head on collision

MORE STRANGE NEWS: Taking it easy

THINGS TO DO TODAY
FILM LISTINGS: Look here
MUSIC LISTINGS: Here’s what’s happening
SHOOT THE SHIT: Weekly Volcano forums

DANIEL BLUE: MEET SHANNON EAKINS >>>

Shannon Eakins is an artist of many forms.  Pictured here at Fulcrum Gallery on Martin Luther King Jr. Way on Hilltop, Shannon's work is vast and often vaguely satirical. From glass to embroidery, her work is often animal themed and most often extremely approachable.   

I first met her and her husband wondering around the streets of Tacoma. They had purchased a condo downtown and were curious why they didn't see very many people on the streets.  I told them that we hid in the sewers until full moons.  I'm pretty sure that's why they decided to stay. 

Shannon says, "I'm more of a behind the scenes person," but she seems to shine brightly at most every event we encounter each other.  I always find myself in conversations with her about the psychology of animals; and how they may or may not be an allegory about mankind. She thinks on levels outside of anything you will find on television, unless you are up late and watching the public access channel.   

She works very hard to keep things even and natural, and works very hard at most everything she sets her hands to.   

Stop by M-Space and grab some lessons from her. Her patient demeanor will make you feel like Chahoolie himself.

MATT DRISCOLL: BLOGGING THE TASTE OF TACOMA LIVE >>>

If something is worth doing, it’s worth live blogging. At least that’s what I always say. I guess Walter Neary and I think a lot alike on that level.

Today marks the kickoff of the annual Taste of Tacoma fiasco. Food vendors from all around Grit City and beyond will pack the park, serving delightful delicacies to the masses from thrown together tents of all shapes and sizes. It promises to be both delicious, and downright entertaining. And with the weather outside looking good â€" there’s really no better way to spend a Friday morning.

At least that’s what Steph DeRosa and I told the boss. We’ll be live blogging the Taste of Tacoma kickoff staring this morning at 11 a.m. She’ll be stirring shit up with Bandito Betty, and I’ll be acting more domestic than my age with the wife and kids. There’ll be something for everyone here on Spew, and most likely, something for no one, too.

So, join us at 11 a.m. This live blogging will melt in your mouth and your hands.

10:27  a.m.: PAPPI SWARNER: Let's just hope these two get rolling faster than the last live blogging â€" the opening day of the Tacoma Farmers Market. I'm still in vacation mode. Dead space scares me this time.

10:42: STEPH DEROSA: I just scored a killer parking spot. Beat that Matt Driscoll!

10:52: MATT DRISCOLL: I didn't score an awesome parking spot. And the kid crapped her pants as we walked out the door. So predictable.

10:58 DEROSA: Just spotted Word on the Street dude Scott Fontaine in a long-sleeve shirt and jeans. Doesn't he read his own paper's weather report?

11:02 DRISCOLL: That's so Fontaine. I'm not wearing underwear. You can post that.

11:09 DEROSA: The longest line so far is the 770 KTTH booth. They are broadcasting Rush Limbaugh and giving away free Fritos. By the way, is Matt really here? I don't see him.

11:12 DRISCOLL: I'm just walking in. It's official. I have ball sweat already.

11:15 DEROSA: Yuck!  OK, $17 for 20 tickets. Sounds like a good deal, huh? One taste costs seven tickets though. WTF?

11:16 DRISCOLL: Just saw my first bus marked "Taste of Tacoma" packed with guys in Polo shirts and women in extra-large sunglasses.

11:18 DEROSA: Grease is the word! It's dripping from my alligator kabob. Mmmm, just like home.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Free Shipping on Dining & Bar at Overstock.com! Offer valid 6.27 to 6.29

11:27 DRISCOLL: I've been here 15 minutes so far and haven't tasted anything yet. I have, however, seriously considered buying an Obama T-shirt from this lady.

11:30 DEROSA: I just saw Matt's parole officer. No wonder he's nowhere in sight.

11:31 DEROSA: Time to break in the fresh porta potties.

11:32 DRISCOLL: Shit! He's here!?!

11:37 PAPPI: So far this is the Bad Taste of Tacoma.

11:43 DRISCOLL: Here's me and Randy Moss at the Taste.

11:44 DEROSA: Inta Juice fruit smoothies have Red Bull in them and my name all over them. Damn good.

11:48 DRISCOLL: First taste: Hawaiian barbecue from Ali and Summo's. Mmmm, I feel fat already.

11:49 DEROSA: Oh my god! Friggen long ass line for a $500 gas card from Geico. That's half a tank in my 1997 Suburban.

11:50 DEROSA: I just won free garden gloves as a result of a computer survey I just filled out. How lame. I don't take care of my garden. I drink beer in my garden.

11:53 DEROSA: Just ran into Fontaine. He told me some dirty secrets but said he'd kill me if they showed up on Spew. He scares me.

11:55 DRISCOLL: I'm not trying to be a hater, but there are a lot of booths here from outside Tacoma. Case in point: Chutney's Grille from Seattle.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Hey kids! Do you like the rock and roll? Do you like half-naked chicks with your rock and roll? Head to Hell’s Kitchen tonight at relish in both when Smooch Knob take the stage beginning at 9 p.m.

12:01 DEROSA: They call it the Taste, but I'm receiving plate loads. Heh.

12:14 DRISCOLL: Vinyl windows â€" not so tasty.

12:18 DEROSA: I'm about to dig into some Southern Kitchen Restaurant grub.

12:19: DEROSA: Gumbo! I need a beer to make this complete.

12:20: DRISCOLL: Even my 1-year-old daughter seems to realize this cover of "Brown Eyed Girl" is sub par. It is enthusiastic, though. That's got to count for something.

12:21 DEROSA: This Coors light is the best I have ever tasted. I should go steal Matt's wife and make her drink with me.

12:23 DRISCOLL: People are lining up to win bags of S&W rice. If that's not exciting, I don't know what is.

12:28 DRISCOLL: Scott Fontaine's starter beard looks hot today. I think I saw barbecue sauce on it. Nice.

12:29 DEROSA: This gumbo is killer. Whole shrimp, okra, chicken, and sausage in perfect roux over a bed of rice. I love you Southern Kitchen. Oh, and the guys are cute server it. Bonus!

12:31 DRISCOLL: Here's a peek behind the scenes. It's a rough job dealing with all that tastiness.

12:34 DEROSA: Cinderella's stepsisters are bitching out the doorman to the beer garden. Their license is over a year expired. Stop spending your money on cheap hair!

12:36 DRISCOLL: This picture speaks for itself.

12:38 DRISCOLL: Here is some tasty trash. Felt blog post anxiety I guess.

12:39 DRISCOLL: I think someone may have called the medics for my arteries. It might have something to do with an elephant ear.

12:40 DEROSA: Masa is serving entra parilla â€" a marinated steak skewer, Tijuana dog, which is wrapped in bacon, chorizo asado â€" chorizo peppers and sauce â€" and it all looks yum. The skewer is th emost popular according to the Masa staff.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

If you have been a shy version of Julia Child â€" or Emeril â€" then this may be the time to let your cooking talents shine. The food contests at the 2008 Puyallup Fair are the perfect place to let your culinary creations be recognized. Who knows, this could be your starting point to the Food Network! Interested participants with questions after reading the rules and regulations should call (253) 841-5017 weekdays, 8 am to 4:30 pm.

12:49 DRISCOLL: Here's where the former Tacoma mayors are set to rally for Metro Parks later tonight. My money is on Baarsma blacking out after much "tasting."

12:52 DEROSA: Matt, I got the scoop on Fontaine's beard. His beautiful soon-to-be wife bet him that he could not go for 10 days without shaving. The bet amount? $10.

12:55 DRISCOLL: Apparently I'm too big for this ride. Or so says Funtastic.

1:02 DEROSA: There's a guy working the Katie Downs booth who feels the need to scream and applaud at the people in the beer garden.

1:14 PAPPI: Hmmm, seems a little quiet â€" almost too quiet. I bet those two clowns are in the beer garden.

1:16 PAPPI: I knew it.

Taste of Tacoma 2008
June 27-29, Point Defiance Park

LINK: Taste of Tacoma information

LINK: Taste of Tacoma restaurants

LINK: Taste of Tacoma entertainment