RON SWARNER: MEMORABLE IN MEMORIAL >>>

Two young white dudes from Akron, Ohio laid down dome high-energy Mississippi Delta blues as refracted through a gritty garage-rock, lo-fi lens and their parents’ dusty LP collection last night at Bumbershoot. More amazing than the songs themselves is the fact that the duo of Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals, beard) and Patrick Carney (drums) are, in fact, two young white dudes. Close your eyes and you’d think you were hearing a quartet completely holding the Memorial Stadium crowd’s attention.

The cranked out “Set You Free” early in their set followed by “Same Old Thing,” “Strange Times,” “I Got Mine,” “Your Touch” and many more.

LINK: Bumbershoot photos in the Photo Hot Spot

GINGER KNOXX: GARI UPDATE >>>

Even though the service was wack during the grand reopening of Gari of Sushi, I headed back a second time because, well, the sushi is so damn tasty. The phone seemed to be working now since it rang off the hook!

The service was slightly better, although still slow. The dishes arrived sporadically. I've noticed this has become a sad trend at other sushi places as well. What the F happened to timing?

LINK: Time for a sandwich

STEPH DEROSA: I'M AT THE GORGE >>>

I'm skipping this week's Dinner with DeRosa. I'm spending the weekend with Dave Matthews instead. Deal with it.

In the meantime, enjoy this photo of Bandito Betty after she jumped off a cliff into the Columbia River between DMB shows.

TACOMAMAMA:  ENJOYS WATCHING POLITICIANS FALL DOWN >>>

At America in Solidarity's 4th Annual Labor Day Picnic, campaign staffers soundly trounced local politicians in a tug of war, despite joking warnings that "a wise campaign staffer would let us win."

In other tug-of-war related news:  the Longshoremen demolished the Postal Workers twice in a row.  Too bad there was no campaign staffer vs. longshoremen contest, that I would like to see.  (And I'd pity the longshoremen, those staffers are scrappy.)

LINK: America in Solidarity
LINK: Tacomamama.com, a locally-grown city guide

SUZY STUMP: MY SISTER'S PANTRY WANTS YOU TO EAT! >>>

If you've got the eat-and-run thing down, flaunt your skills during the 3rd annual Pantry Express tour Tuesday, Sept. 9 from 4:30-8 p.m.

The ride begins at in the Phoenix Room at Freighthouse Square, and continues through downtown Tacoma via the Tacoma Link with the following restaurants game: Paddy Coyne’s, Capers Downtown, Ravenous, Paya Thai Fish & Chips, The Harmon Brewery, Indochine, Ravenous, Meconi’s Pub & Eatery, and more to be named later. Jump aboard the Link and flit from location to location, snarfing each course along the way. Maps will be provided; a stomach with wanderlust is all you.

Tickets are $25. Raffle tickets with neat prizes are $5. All monies will benefit My Sister’s Pantry Food & Clothing Bank. For details, call Martha Curwen at 253.627.1186.

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

KEN SWARNER: SPAM UPDATE >>>

The Associated Press compiled this report today: “With food prices rising and packages shrinking, parents are wondering how they'll stretch their food budgets. Children are going to get an unwitting lesson in economics, analysts say, as parents change their food-buying habits to keep costs down.

Some kids will eat more hot lunches this year. Some will carry baggies full of snacks like home-packed chips and crackers rather than prepackaged ones. Maybe there will be more peanut butter, if it hasn't been banned in school because of allergies, instead of lunch meats, or cheaper items like Spam.”

For those who missed my report on Spam recently, stick to the grocery market because Hawaiian restaurants in town don’t discount the cheaper red meat.  But, for ideas on how to prepare it, here IS what local chefs do with the canned pork product:

Café Hawaii (14125 Pacific Ave, Parkland): The Spam is breaded in the traditional Japanese katsu method and served over rice.

Hawaiian Grill (2501 East D, Freighthouse Square, Tacoma): Grilled Spam on rice with two fried eggs and thick brown gravy.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue (10417 Gravelly Lake Dr., Lakewood Towne Center, Lakewood): Slice of Spam placed on rice and wrapped in nori.

LINK: 21-sandwich salute 

STEPH DEROSA: A WEEKEND AT THE GORGE WITH DAVE >>>

Sick and tired of all things hot dog/hamburger, my Gorge crew from this past weekend went begging me for pizza with a view. I had about 15 people at my house upon our return from yet another yearly ritual: Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge. We were tired, hungry, and no one wanted to clean or cook, so off to Katie Downs we went. The sun poked out just as we began to cruise Ruston, and the beer poured freely as we waited for half-priced appetizers to settle our bellies. Eventually a break to the bathroom was in order, and off I went to reminisce whilst visiting the porcelain throne.

Fully equipped with three RVs and a handful of tents, there was no shortage of comfort or friendly company. Bandito Betty was in tow for the whole weekend, and even Jessica Corey-Butler made a short camping appearance Saturday night. Everyone pitched in, got along, and had a blast. Life. Was. Good.

Read what happens to Bandito Betty on the Weekly Volcano Web site.

LINK: Black And Blue Betty