PAUL SCHRAG: TRICKS OF THE TRADE >>>

As Tacoma’s collective cash flow dwindles, it seems appropriate that we begin to look elsewhere for ways to keep the economic gears grinding. Enter Barter Tacoma. Sparked by a small group of local professionals who recognize that cash isn’t the only foundation for exchange, the movement hopes to revive the age-old practice of trading goods and services directly.

I don’t know about you, but the way my cash flow situation is going, bartering is starting to look pretty damn good.

Discover Barter Tacoma's plans on the Weekly Volcano Web site.

LINK: Weekly Volcano's Mudroom

MATT DRISCOLL: THIS WEEK'S VOLCANO >>>

Look, I'm always excited when a new Weekly Volcano hits the streets. Not only does it mean the hardest part of my work week is over, but I'm always proud of the paper we put on the street.

But this week I'm even more excited than usual. That's because Mark Thomas Deming, in his first work for the Weekly Volcano, took a look at the future of dissent through the music of cellist Ben Sollee and the Obama movement.

It's a must read, and I'm not just saying that because I work here.

Check it out here.

KEN SWARNER: AROUND HERE THAT MEANS LAKEWOOD >>>

I’ve dabbled for years in the Korean community, tasting this and that, writing down my favorite places. Recently, however, I ran into a friend looking for a road map of sorts to the Korean restaurants along South Tacoma Way.

An adventurer at heart, he recently returned to the South Sound ready to explore a world away right in our neighborhood. With cash in his pocket, he wanted to feel, see, taste and hear first hand the Korean culture without buying a ticket for the 12-hour trip over the Pacific.

I scribbled out a treasure map for him on the Weekly Volcano Web site.

MATT DRISCOLL: THE BAND IS MASSIVE, AND AT HK TONIGHT >>>

Defined as post-metal by those so inclined to define sounds, Giant Squid’s package is much bigger than simple classifications can prescribe. A sonic and visual full meal deal of ball vibrating, doom spelling force (not to mention the class only a cello can provide), Giant Squid mixes a heavier than healthy power with mind-stretching songwriting and fantastical story telling, and pushes and contorts the established boundaries of music â€" to full affect.

The result is better felt in your chest than read on paper, trust me.

To read my full article on tonight's Giant Squid show at Hell's Kitchen, click here.

Photo:Myspace

BOBBLE TIKI: BREAKFAST WITH BOBBLE TIKI >>>

Be prepared to dump another $12 a morning for a venti caramel macchiato, an orange Odwalla, and a blueberry Bliss Bar because a wave of gray, humorless hell is coming our way.

Economic stimulus legislation is on track for final votes Friday in the House and Senate. Tax credits for lower income households were reduced but $70 billion was put towards sheltering high-income tax payers. Must be good to be rich.

Apparently American policies are creating resentment in the Middle East. Who knew?

India's Hindu nationalist movement will launch a new soft drink made from cow urine. Oh yum! We'll buy a six pack. Has to be better than this Bull.

Finally, Lost almost aired in the 1960s, but was retooled as Gilligan’s Island. Skippeeeeer!

JENNIFER JOHNSON: SWAPPING OLD CLOTHES FOR NEW STYLES >>>

Britney Spears blared on the sound system as I walked in. Scanning the packed store, I was easily 10 years older than all the other customers. Every third female sported a trucker hat and an oh-so-not-from-the-sun tan. Ah, the youth of America. Plato's Closet in Olympia is a buy-sell secondhand clothing store geared to teenagers and young women and men in their early 20s. This location's been open for just over a year and has obviously earned their approval.

I easily located clothes that didn’t scream “My 16-year-old dressed me today,” but that were still current and fun.

Read what I discovered at Plato's Closet on the Weekly Volcano Web site.

LINK: Rebates at the ReStore

JAKE DE PAUL: NOW THAT'S A TACO >>>

I suspect most Americans’ first taco encounter happens at Taco Bell. I should make it clear that I’m not a staunch supporter of Taco Bell â€" or as I think of it, Taco Hell â€" probably having something to do with the unfortunate fact that I grew up with Chihuahuas as family pets. Taco Bell should make tacos from those little beasts.

I’m not a fan of hard, crunchy corn taco shells filled with tasteless ground beef topped with tasteless shredded iceberg lettuce, tasteless yellow cheese and tasteless tomatoes.  They usually explode all over the front of my shirt the minute they hit my mouth. Premature tacolation.

Thankfully, we have a couple Tacos Guaymas in the area. Tacos Guaymas has changed my way of thinking about tacos permanently. No hard taco shell. No lettuce. No ground beef. No cheese.  In fact, there was nothing at all to resemble a classic American taco. Thank goodness.

Instead, I was given two authentic Mexican tacos. Each consisted of small morsels of charcoal-grilled beef topped with cilantro-rich pico de gallo and salsa, encased in a double wrapping of soft, warm, fresh white corn tortillas about the width of a softball.  The tacos are $1.95 each. The fish and tongue tacos are $2.50. Once you’ve had the real deal, you’ll never go back.

Happily, it’s not difficult to get these real tacos in Tacoma.  Tacos Guaymas is at 10105 S. Tacoma Way next to the Great American Casino in Lakewood and at 2630 S. 38th St. by Borders Books in Tacoma.

LINK: South Sound Mexican joints