NATASHA GORBACHEV: WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING >>>

Word on the street says that Shakabrah has reopened.

I'm not going to ask any questions about why they closed or how they've managed to reopen.

I could care less about those details because I'm just happy that they're back.

Please join me in supporting this important local staple.

Editor's note part deux: Ok. We were confused at first, but now we're hearing it's official. Hoorah!

JAKE DE PAUL: BAR CINCO WILL CLOSE >>>

Bar Cinco, the tiny tapas restaurant in Yelm, will close its doors Sunday, Nov. 2. The owners will go out with a bang. Besides its regular Tuesday half-off wine night, prepare for a Halloween costume contest at Friday at 8:30 p.m., and a Paella Party Nov. 1 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Reserve your spot in front of the giant paella dishes at 360.400.9000.

[Bar Cinco, 704 W. Yelm Ave., Yelm, 360.400.9000]     

CARADY MADDEN: THE STRANGE BOYS HIT TOWN >>>

Don’t let the band’s MySpace page fool you, The Strange Boys aren’t an R&B group â€" they’re bringing their own ’60s-infused style of lo-fi indie garage rock to Tacoma tonight, hitting the Alano Club. Their stop in Tacoma is part of a huge tour, taking them up and down the West Coast, across the Midwest, and to a few choice cities on the East Coast before they head back home to Austin, Texas. For those playing at home, the Alano Club is a somewhat new, somewhat unheard of venue (requisitioned and run by Matrock Records of Puyallup) located at 17th and Market in Tacoma.

[The Alano Club, 9 p.m., all ages, South 17th and Market, Tacoma]

Photo courtesy of Myspace

SUZY STUMP: WE'VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY >>>

Women obtained the right to vote nationwide in 1920. Before 1920, only criminals, the insane, Native Americans, and women were denied the vote.

On Election Night, Tuesday, Nov. 4, Joan Schrammeck, director of Development and Communications at the Cedar River Clinics, with the blessing of Washington State NOW, has helped organized an informal party to celebrate women's right to vote at the Tempest Lounge in Tacoma. Women at this nonpartisan event will watch election returns, eat, drink and celebrate democracy.

[Tempest Lounge, 913 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.473.6031]

BOBBLE TIKI: CHECKING IN FROM MAUI >>>

Pappi Swarner left his mark on Baldwin Beach in Maui yesterday. The locals around the campfire said he was now "one of them."

He proved it again that night at Moose McGillycuddy's when he survived an Electric Ice Tea Storm.

NATASHA GORBACHEV: I WAS THERE >>>

Last night I was so incredibly fortunate to attend Budweiser's Bartender's Bash (and costume party) held at the Temple Theater.

Bud Rob made sure that I was there, and I have to say that there's nothing like walking into this function with him as Richard Simmons, including tan nylons. We worked the aerobics all night.

Bartenders from near and far amassed (locals included those from The Mix, The Beach Tavern, Varsity Grill, Cans, The Corner Bar, Asado/Masa, El Gaucho, Stanley and Seafort's, The Sea Grill and The Unicorn) and absolutely took over the Temple, and Doyle's Public House.

Anheuser products flowed like lava (they ran out by 10 p.m.), people jointly busted a move on the dance floor, there was a full spread of food, and I could not stop laughing at the costumes.

While dancing on the stage (this is how we do it), one of my best friends, Sundawg (who works for Monster Energy), asked me for feedback on who should win prize money for the best costume.

Hands down (or up), the costumes that took the cake were a grandma (who was in character all night with her walker, including a shaking head) and Sarah Palin (people continuously told her that she was a maverick). These girls work at Ruby Tuesday, a restaurant that I'm now going to have to frequent just because they were so hilarious.

I sincerely and dearly have to thank Bud Rob and the rest of the crew for pulling together this amazing throw-down and including me in it.

Below you'll find an arsenal of pictures from last night that include the latest Halloween fashions - or a complete lack thereof.