DANIEL BLUE: MEET MIKE BALL >>>

Mike Ball was born on Oct. 7 1983, in Los Angeles, Calif.  He moved to Washington at the ripe old age of 10. He called Gig Harbor home until he moved to downtown Tacoma four years ago.

I met Mike several years ago at The Grand Cinema, where he is usually checking up on longtime friends Sean Alexander and Peter Lynn (owners of the Helm Gallery).

Mike is a catch.  Cody Jones, rocker for the hottest band ever, The Elephants, claims Mike is the "most eligible bachelor in all of Tacoma."

How so?

As a hobby, Mike collects rare furniture off craigslist. I've seen his furniture. I tested it. I've sat on the most intelligently engineered chairs and couches - the kind you've seen in Italian films.

Mike is also a stand up guy - the sort of fellow you want on your team, the kind of friend that will tell you the awful truth, even if it hurts a little. 

Currently he commands The Monsoon Room. The Hilltop Tacoma lounge has taken an interesting vibe since mike took some of the reigns from owner Laura Malone.  "He's Perfect," says Laura. 

I intend to agree.