MARYLIN STRICKLAND: DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, AUG. 24, 7:11 A.M. >>>

Howard Dean rolled in to address the Washington delegation, saying the election will be won on the ground, and that the Dems aim to turn Eastern Washington “blue” this year.

NATASHA GORBACHEV: PADDY COYNE’S SELLS ABSINTHE >>>

Recently the Washington State Liquor Control Board approved a measure that will offer devoted drinkers a beverage that’s been banned for 100 years.

I know you won’t believe me when I say this, but now, right now, you can get absinthe at Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub.

Here’s how Wikipedia describes this beverage: Absinthe is traditionally a distilled, highly alcoholic beverage. It has similar effects to anise-flavored spirit derived from herbs, including the flowers and leaves of the herb Artemisia absinthium, also called wormwood. Absinthe is typically of a natural green color but is also produced in a clear style. Although it is sometimes mistakenly called a liqueur, absinthe is not bottled with added sugar and is therefore classified as a liquor. Absinthe is unusual among spirits in that it is bottled at a high proof but is normally diluted with water when it is drunk.

But don’t expect people to be running around and cutting each other’s heads off after sipping on the green fairy. The tall tales of any psychoactive properties associated with this alcohol have been highly exaggerated, and was probably more on an indicator of the drugs that people from the late 1800s were mixing with absinthe, but it’s still amazing that this forever-banned product is now gracing at least one bar shelf in Tacoma (so far you can only purchase it from Seattle liquor stores).

From what Paddy Coyne’s knows, they’re the only restaurant that’s serving absinthe so far, and I tried it out with hot water that’s poured over a very special spoonful of sugar.

And the only psychoactive experience I had was the sheer amazement that you can now enjoy this old-world wonder.

[Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub, Ninth and Pacific, downtown Tacoma]

DANIEL BLUE: MEET TAREK JORDAN >>>

Tarek Jordan is a multicultural icon.

Recently obsessed with contacting the future, I actually met Jordan in the past. Our first conversation was several years ago during a ride back from his parent's house in North Tacoma, he struck me then as a clever minded youth with a propensity to seek out the fantastic. Psychedelia has been kind to Tarek.

During a brief encounter with his artistic side in the basement of a now defunct Paris Spleen domicile, I discovered his ability to channel nearly every dominant strain of 70's rock demon as we painted rhythmically in the black light. The backbone of many bands, including the ever-present Drug Purse, this leather clad young townie knows only the limits of his own sardonic soul.

"How has it come to this? I've been trying to get to the future for days," he tells me outside of The Helm gallery as a discount bottle of cough syrup is passed between our hands, "I've been the future, were fucked, man. Jesus never comes back." 

This is the wisdom of our age. This is the brilliance of the hive mind that was created in the basements of an anti-bohemian resistance.

LINK: The Tacoma Files archive

MARILYN STRICKLAND: DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, AUG. 25 11:30 A.M. >>>

Kraft kills it a donkey head and 580 grams of sodium per serving.

“I've attended many conventions, and always look forward to the canvas bag each attendee receives after registration,” says Strickland. “The 2008 Democratic Convention earns a B+ for this year's bag of goodies.”

Beyond the usual pens, notepads and other swag, delegates received:

• A checkbook sized emergency radio with headphones
• Two bottles of energy drinks
• A pedometer

“My favorite item, however, is the box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, the ‘Limited Convention Edition’, complete with an illustration of a donkey holding a sign,” explains Strickland. “The back of the box has a brief history of the Democratic Party and four trivia questions.  The pasta is shaped like donkeys and stars.  This box of goodness is coming home with me.  It will sit in my cupboard indefinitely like a box of Wheaties with Michael Jordan's image on the front. Here's my question:  What dry goods would the other political parties include in their swag bags?”

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: AROUND AND AROUND THEY WENT >>>

Roller derby in Tacoma is just one of those things that defines surreal. First there are hot chicks in torn fishnet stockings and tons of makeup on roller skates. And then there are their children jumping around with pom-poms and signs of encouragement. It's a mix of tramp stamps peaking through low rise jeans and halter tops and children in Sponge Bob Squarepants pajamas chugging down juice from their sippy cups.

Saturday night at the Dockyard Derby Dames bout at The Soccer Center in Tacoma there were crowds ranging from grandmothers to toddlers in training pants, from dudes in muscle shirts to suburban housewives in their weekend finery.

Such is a night when the Dockyard Derby Dames find themselves on the playbill.

The 3-year-old dames are Tacoma’s all-female roller derby league that has bouts once per month until the season championship in October. The dames have four teams: Maurading Mollys, Femme Fianas, The Trampires and Hellbound Homewreckers. The all-stars from these teams make up the touring team that finds itself around the nation.

Here's a primer for anyone unwashed in the ways of roller derby:

One woman from each team, called the pivot, leads the other roller derby skaters to set the pace of the teams. Each team has three blockers right behind the pivot that are supposed try to block players from passing. One Jammer from each team then tries to pass the pack of blocker and pivot to score points. They earn one point for each player they pass. Matches are 20 minutes long and made up of jams, which are when all of the players get into position.

Between the starting whistle and the end of the jam are blocks and spills that can send players spinning into the safety pads. Safety and common sense dictate that skates can legally bump and nudge only with their shoulders and hips â€" no hands allowed or the offender faces time in the penalty box, which is often full.

Next bouts

• Travel Team Bouts: Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Tacoma Soccer Center.
• The Dockyard Derby Dames will hold tryouts at the Auburn Skate Connection Sunday, Oct. 5.

Visit their Web site here.

SUZY STUMP: 3 THINGS TO DO TODAY >>>

10:A.M.-5 P.M.: This Museum of Glass-produced film The Time of Lino Documentary will take viewers on a journey through the life of Lino Tagliapietra, "the greatest glassblower that has ever been." Filmed on location in Murano, Italy and at the Museum of Glass. Film repeats throughout the day. Appropriate for all audiences.  Fire it up here.

3:15-8:45 P.M.: The film Brideshead Revisited is elegantly mounted and well-acted version of the Evelyn Waugh novel, but not the equal of the (much longer) 1981 TV miniseries.  Matthew Goode plays the middle-class youth who falls in love with both a son and a daughter of the wealthy Marchmain family â€" and also in love with their fabulous mansion, Brideshead.  Emma Thompson is splendid as the devout Lady Marchmain. Full review here. Check it at The Grand Cinema.

5 P.M.: Toscano’s Café & Wine Bar throws a beach party with summer cocktail coolers, beach blanket trivia and fruit on a stick.

LINK: Viva South Sound arts and entertainment calendar
LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

JAKE DE PAUL: THE MORNING BREW >>>

1. Porcupine rolls (Pacific Grill)

2. Katsuya to launch sushi school in Los Angeles (LA Times)

3. A final "aloha": Trader Vic's closes in Bellevue (Seattle Times)

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

MARILYN STRICKLAND: DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, AUG. 25, 11:16 P.M. >>>

Obama delegate and Tacoma City Council member Marilyn Strickland is done for with general session for the day, which she describes as an exciting one.

“Getting through security didn't take nearly as long as I expected,” she says, “but I was less than pleased when my kiwi fruit and orange were confiscated.”

Squirt guns, and now tropical fruit? Yeesh.

Our wayward delegate arrived at the Pepsi Center just before 2 p.m., and was through security within 20 minutes, sans fruit. Reverend Al Sharpton was by the entrance, surrounded by microphones and photographers.

“I waited for the commotion around him to subside and introduced myself,” says Strickland. “He was very polite and posed for a photo.”

Speeches ran the gamut from great to dull, and Strickland spent enough time talking to Hilary supporters to determine that rifts within the Democratic Party have been greatly exaggerated.

“I even spotted Hillary Supporters for Obama’ buttons,” she says.

Celebrity sightings, many of whom you won’t recognize unless you watch a lot of cable news, included:  Governor Jim Webb, Wolf Blitzer, Donna Brazile, Anderson Cooper, Katie Couric, Judy Woodruff, Suzanne Malveaux, Jesse Jackson, Jr., and Spike Lee.

“Governor Bill Richardson walked right past our state delegation and was instantly mobbed,” Strickland says. “He was a great sport, signed autographs and posed for photos.  He really seemed to be enjoying himself and looks much better with a tan and a beard.”

Sen. Ted Kennedy brought down the house when he promised to be there next January for Obama's inauguration. 

Michelle Obama hit a grand slam with her grace, beauty, intelligence and sincerity.  Many delegates shed tears of pride.

According to a press release from DNC organizers, 44.3 percent of the delegates elected to attend the Convention in Denver represent minority communities, 50.1 percent are women and 31.4 percent are either seniors or youth, making this the most diverse Convention in Party history.

The DNC band killed it, and the crowd got down, praise Jah. The playlist included hits from Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin to name a few.  "Living in America" by James Brown was playing as the crowd made its exit.

“One nation indeed,” says Strickland.

LINK: DNC diversity
LINK: Weekly Volcano’s DNC preview