STEPH DEROSA: LET�S OPEN THE MAILBAG >>>

During my visit at The Hub restaurant, you know it was inevitable that I take a gander at the restroom. So here it is.

Since my short trip into the potties really didn't spark any memories or useless diatribes for me to vent with this week, I thought I would take the time to answer some of my reader e-mail.

Yes, I do get reader e-mail. Most of it could probably be considered hate e-mail, and the rest of it should just be considered junk e-mail. Which is why I've never really brought it up until now. Sometimes it's someone I've mentioned in the blog, writing to tell me it was good to read¦ blah, blah, blah¦ and my response to them: Thank you, but why didn't you leave a damn comment in the blog?
Other times the e-mail has some seriously thought provoking questions like:

Hey Steph,
Your writing reminds me of a dog. Not an AKC kind of dog like a Greyhound or anything, but more like a mutt I once adopted at the Humane Society. What kind of dog food would you recommend I feed my dog while I read your columns?

Well hello there. I can see you are a being of high intelligence. Most people are transfixed into becoming something better than they already normally are. For example: a superhero, a millionaire, or even a rock star. But no, you posses the need to become a DOG.

Now to answer your question, I really don't think there's that big of a difference in dog food. I used to feed my pup nothing but Science Diet. That is until one day I had to make an emergency run to Safeway for some Pedigree. Her energy level, weight and poop stench all stayed the same¬" so I really saw no need to kill myself over the extra trip to a specialty pet store anymore. It was Pedigree from then on.

Dear Mrs. DeRosa,
You are such a bitch. I love Death Cab for Cutie! What the fuck is wrong with you???? Please, go get a life and learn to listen to REAL music. Peace.

Thank blog you put peace at the end or I might've thought you really hated me. This line of questioning really does not deserve an answer.

S-
Need a beer. Downstairs playing Tiger Woods.
-D

Oh good grief. I used to find this comedic for some reason. Eight years later, and I still find it comedic. Mr. DeRosa got his beer.

Hi Steph,
I thought it was awesome how you talked about that girl who brags a lot. I have a couple of friends who are always bragging about their clothes, or how guys look at them, or what they just bought. I hate it.

Sometimes when I'm in bed and about to go to sleep I have these dream like things where I take a knife and cut all their hair off. Omg it's sooooo creepy but I can't help it sometimes. I really hate them and you made me feel better knowing that I'm not alone. Thank you.

Dear Carrie,
You're welcome?

LINK: Toilet Tales archive
LINK: Steph DeRosa in the Volcano forums

MATT DRISCOLL: THE GAME OF POLITICS >>>

A surefire tell that it’s an election year is the political endorsement. When politicians start sending out press releases to hack journalists like me touting groups or organizations (big and small) that have “endorsed” their candidacies, well, you know the time honored game of politics is in full swing. It’s an ugly and vile sport, full of treachery and deceit, but hell â€" someone’s got to play. Better the shameless, publicity fiend politicians than you or me. We’ve got decency.

This morning State Senator Mike Carrell’s campaign for reelection got a boost when the National Federation of Independent Business Washington Safe Trust sent out a notice endorsing the 28th District Republican, who represents Lakewood, Dupont, University Place, Fircrest, and all godforsaken points in between. Based on the length of the NFIB Washington Safe Trust’s name, the endorsement must be important.

For the record, the NFIB is a national lobbying group that represents small business owners and has offices in all fifty states. Safe Trust is the political action group of NFIB/Washington. Members of NFIB Safe Trust Washington typically enjoy missionary position sex and the show Deal or No Deal.

The NFIB’s rationale for the endorsement is simple. It’s based on Carrell’s voting record on 15 bills during the 2007 and 2008 sessions that the NFIB Washington has identified as “important to small business.” Incumbents with an 85% or better pro small business voting record (in the eyes, and according to NFIB Washington Safe Trust) automatically received an endorsement.   

And that, ladies and gents, is how Mr. Carrell earned the nod. For a list of the bills the NFIB Washington Safe Trust have identified as “important to small business” click here.

Perhaps more interesting than the endorsement itself, was the list of NFIB gathered statistics provided in the press release. According to the NFIB, 75 percent of voters trust small-business owners more than doctors or lawyers.

Unfortunately, politicians were not part of that poll.

SANDEE GLIB: A GOOD THING IS CLOSED >>>

I heard on the streets yesterday (actually while drinking wine with wine vendors and chatting with a food vendor), that East & West Cafe on Tacoma Mall Boulevard has closed its doors. When called to confirm this rumor, a recorded message stated: "Hi, this East-West Cafe. We are going to be closed for an indefinite amount of time. We will re-open at a later date. We will announce that date at a later time. We are sorry for the inconvenience."

I remember when East & West was just a little house that could fit maybe eight tables. There would be lines out the door of customers waiting for lunch. A few years back they knocked down the tiny house and built a shiny new restaurant complete with a beautiful garden, larger dining areas and a full bar. The food was always fresh and fabulous. Sometimes it pays to stay small. I hope that this is truly only temporary.

The Proctor location is still up and running.

Tacoma’s Art at Work Month has become a Godzilla’s feast of literary, visual and performing arts. Is there any other town of comparable size in the Western Hemisphere that has anything to match it every November?  We don’t think so.

The Tacoma Arts Commission asks for your arts activities for November 2008 early so it may plan their seventh annual Art at Work Month. They seek a variety of activities spanning all categories of art including but not limited to music, visual art, literary art, dance, theater, and film.

TACOMA ARTS COMMISSION NEWS RELEASE: If you will be hosting an exhibition, performance, class, workshop, reception, lecture, tour, artists’ market, celebration, meeting, presentation, or myriad of other programming, let us know. We will list your arts event in the Art at Work Month brochure for free; over 12,000 copies of this brochure are distributed throughout the region. We will also be promoting the many events going on throughout the month in posters, special promo pieces, at www.TacomaCulture.org, and in advertisements and articles in local and regional papers and magazines.

This month would not be possible without the participation of local businesses, organizations, and community members. We encourage you to participate by hosting your own arts activity or event.

Deadline for submissions is August 18, 2008. To qualify, your arts activity must be located within the City of Tacoma limits and occur during the month of November.

For more information, contact Naomi Strom-Avila by e-mail here.

LINK: Download activity_application08.pdf

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: A BABY GROWS UP>>>

Parents get a sense of accomplishment after their children graduate from school and find success after going out to seek their fortune in the world. That's the way I feel after received news today that 10 years after being a founding member of the Lakewood Historical Society, the group has sent its sights on a massive project that will be the envy of the area.

The group wants to create a permanent museum in the historic Mueller-Harkins Hangar on the Clover Park Technical College campus.

Museum Society President Becky Huber revealed the society’s board of directors reviewed a number of potential sites and decided the former airport hangar would suit its needs best. Built in 1929, the hangar was part of what was then the Tacoma Airport. Tacoma architectural planning firm BCRA has studied eight potential sites and recommended the hangar as the best. The building features enough space to display Lakewood history as well as host Society and community activities. Its a location that has easy access for visitors and a favorable long term lease can be negotiated. Additionally, the site offers the unique advantage of partnering with the college.

CPTC President Dr. John Walstrum  and Tony Robinson,  college vice president for operations and facilities, and the college’s board of trustees subsequently approved the concept. Planning for developing this major new facility will now get underway, as will fundraising projects, according to the society leader.

{Shameless plug alert: If you don't know the history of Lakewood in general or of the Mueller-Harkins in particular, read my book.}

FILM
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
Inspired by one of the American Girl dolls, and just about perfect for its target audience, with a great look, engaging performances, real substance and even a few whispers of political ideas, all surrounding the freshness and charm of Abigail Breslin.  Director Patricia Rozema’s intelligent treatment doesn’t condescend, and her first-rate cast includes Julia Ormond, Stanley Tucci, Max Thieriot, Chris O’Donnell, Willow Smith, Glenne Headley, Joan Cusack and Wallace Shawn as the snarly local newspaper editor. Rated G. Three and a half stars â€" Roger Ebert
[Century Olympia: 11:30 a.m., 2:10, 4:45, 7:15, 9:45; Lakewood Cinema 15: 1:40, 4:45, 7:15, 9:45; Lakewood Towne Center 12: 12:30, 3:10, 5:25, 7:45, 10:05; Regal Martin Village 16: 11:20 a.m., 1:45, 4:15, 7:05, 9:35; Regal South Hill 6: 12:20, 2:40, 5, 7:20, 9:40; Yelm Cinemas @ Prairie Park: 11:50 a.m., 2:15, 4:55, 7:20, 9:45]

ROCK
Vicci Martinez
Vicci Martinez is a delight to behold. Her songs are inspired works by a girl who is wise beyond her years. She’s adorable; she’s a badass, and she’s a serious contender for national adoration. Her voice goes from gentle to gritty to gutsy without sounding pushed or pitchy. She’s appeared on national television twice on “Star Search.” In concert, she has shared the stage with Sting, Annie Lennox, Bill Frisell, Christopher Cross, Supersuckers, Jonny Lang, The Presidents Of The United States Of America, and Avril Lavigne, and many more.â€" Angela Jossy
[Allan Yorke Park, 7 p.m., no cover, Bonney Lake Boulevard and West Tapps Hwy., Bonney Lake, www.citybonneylake.org]

ROCK
Moms Rocket
This Olympia-based quartet rocks with an attitude. With basic rock ’n’ roll chord structures, hard crashing rhythms and plenty of volume, Moms Rocket are an in-your-face kind of band. With just a little twang, they are a bit like Lynyrd Skynyrd on steroids." â€" Tony Engelhart
[Maggie O’Toole’s, with Sickamore, 9 p.m., 6006 100th St. S.W., Lakewood, 253.584.3278]

LINK: Friskey and others in the clubs tonight.
LINK: Check out when the movies start here.
LINK: Let’s eat Pacific Northwest cuisine today.

BOBBLE TIKI: BREAKFAST WITH BOBBLE TIKI >>>

THE DAILY WORD

Troglodyte \TROG-luh-dyt\, noun:
1. A member of a primitive people that lived in caves, dens, or holes; a cave dweller.
2. One who is regarded as reclusive, reactionary, out of date, or brutish.

USAGE EXAMPLE: After several strong cocktails, Mr. Phillipe regressed into something of a troglodyte. At least that’s the story his step aerobics class tells.

MORNING NEWS

TACOMA: Further proof Ruston is nuts

OLYMPIA: Park fight

SEATTLE: Blimp on steroids

UNITED STATES: Waterboarding walk through

ENVIRONMENT: One smart oilman

JUST BIZARRE: Mmmm. Drug laced treats

MORE STRANGE NEWS: What a way to go.

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

DANIEL BLUE: MEET JASON FREET >>>

Jason Freet is a total slayer. But not a slayer of the demonic metal band type, J.F. is a slayer of a different kind. He took his shirt off after a performance with his band, The Drug Purse, at Bob's Java Jive, and his abs almost made me gay. Almost.

Older and wiser than I am, Jason's onstage banter is much less coherent than actual conversations I have had with him. Most of all I think he needs to do more drugs, straight-laced people like this guy bore the hell out of me. I need something wild, I need something tame.

Tall, handsome, athletic, funny, talented and legally disabled in six states, Jason Freet is the man of your mother's dreams.

When I listen to his music I sometimes think that I am actually in the year 1943, but other times it's all about the summer of 1967. 

Word on the street is that this man carries 4 pounds of meat, meat that you could knock out a bear with. 

Enough nonsense, Jason is a real man. He is very nice in person, and not pretentious in the slightest. The quality of his music gives him the right to be an elite ass, but he comes off like a warm and inclusive potential friend. His ex-band mate Cody tells me that Jason spends a lot of time in the woods, looking for fungus.