VOLCANO STAFF: THINGS TO DO TODAY >>>

St. Nicholas Greek Festival
For me, the entire festival is just a complicated set dressing for a baklava-delivery system. Oh, I’ll hang out and listen to them ramble on about Socrates, the Olympics and “Summer Lovers,” but I’ll be picking the flaky crumbs from my blouse and stuffing them into my hungry taste-hole while I do it. I’ll dance (three groups of dancers throughout the weekend) and eat the food (souviklakia, gyros, calamari, salata, loukomades) not just because I like it, but in an attempt to bring the honey content in my blood down low enough so I can scarf down another slab of triangular goodness. â€" Suzy Stump
[St. Nicholas Church, Oct. 4 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Oct. 5 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., $11-$12 sit-down dinner, special $7 lunch Oct. 3, 1523 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.0466]

Tacoma Mall Lifestyle section
Hot off the orgasmic excitement of opening the new, improved, and substantially bigger Nordstrom, where well-to-do folks from all over the South Sound can now shop for handbags that cost as much as my Volvo and jeans that require a down payment, the Tacoma Mall is looking to capitalize on that energy, and planning one hell of a party this weekend, Oct 4 and 5, to celebrate the new “Lifestyles” section. Apparently, children’s musician Tim Noah is scheduled to make an appearance at the celebration, as is the aging communist performer “Castro the Magician.” â€" Matt Driscoll
[Tacoma Mall, 4502 S. Steele St., Tacoma, 253.475.4566]

urbanXchange Grand Re-opening
Tacoma can lavish the newly grown and updated urbanXchange with all the love one can muster. In response, the thrift store will provide Tacoma with a Grand Re-Opening party that will include light refreshments, a DJ, models, a make-up artist, and prize drawings all day. On top of all the Grand Re-Opening hoopla, live music will be in full force by Anomie Belle and The Next Door Neighbors. You can find this daylong party happening right next door to the old UrbanXchange located on Pacific Avenue.
Oh, its new digs are freakin’ spectacular. Check out Jennifer Johnson’s take in the Fix section on our Web site. â€" Steph DeRosa
[urbanXchange, noon to 9 p.m., no cover, 1932 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2280]

Antique Quest and Wine Fest
The Tacoma Community House hosts their Antique Quest and Wine Fest Saturday where you can bring your confusing antique for a free appraisal, sample local food and wine, and listen to live music from Latin jazz group Trombanga. You have direction now. You’re welcome. â€" SS
[Museum of Glass, 6:30-9:30 p.m., $75 to benefit Tacoma Community House, 1801 Dock St., Tacoma]

LINK: ViVA South Sound arts and entertainment column