MICHAEL SWAN: PUYALLUP FAIR, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2009 >>>

Check it: Bikini Soda at the Fair Snug.

Stuff to do today
12:30 p.m.: Doggies of the Wild West, Fountain Plaza Stage

1:30 p.m.: Mutton Bustin', Green Gate Area

2 p.m.: Roderick Harris Flute Concert, Education Stage
         
3:30 p.m.: World Cafe-Graham Kerr Home Valet Dinners, Pavilion Kitchen, 2nd Floor
         
5 p.m.: Secret Coolie Drum Group, Education Stage

6 p.m.: Police K-9 Demonstrations, Loading Arena

6:30 p.m.: Leather, Hobby Hall

7:30 p.m.: Heart, Grandstand

More things to do today here

Hours
10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.

Admission
$11 adults, $8 seniors (62 and older) and students (age 6-18); free age 5 and younger. Advance discount tickets at Safeway, Fred Meyer and Columbia Bank.

Parking
$10 Monday-Friday, $12 Saturday-Sunday

Transportation
Pierce Transit “Fair Express” for $3 round trip. Details are here.

More Information
Do their Web site.

RON SWARNER: GREAT AMERICAN DESSERT >>>

Pacific Grill is participating in the Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out, a week-long national restaurant event. Through Sept. 26, thousands of restaurants, including Pacific Grill, have joined together to raise funds to help end childhood hunger in America. After you donate to the Great American Dine Out at Pacific Grill a complimentary Julia Child Warm Brownie Sundae dessert will arrive to your table.

I stopped by to donate and try the brownie sundae. The dessert is amazing. I couldn’t finish it even after a light lunch.

I simply had to have the recipe. Now you have it, too:

JULIA CHILD’S “Best Ever Brownies” from Baking with Julia
18 servings

1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

8 ounces unsalted butter

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

4 large eggs

Eleven steps to heaven
1. Center a rack in the oven and preheat oven to 350 F degrees.

2. Sift the flour and salt together and set aside

3. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a medium saucepan over low eat, stirring frequently and keeping a watchful eye on the pot to make certain the chocolate doesn’t scorch (alternatively, you can melt the ingredients in the top of a double boiler over, not touching, simmering water.) Add 1 cup of the sugar to the sugar to the mixture and stir for half a minute, then remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

4. Pour the mixture into a large bowl

5. Put the remaining 1 cup sugar and the eggs into a bowl and mix or whisk by hand just to combine

6. Little by little, pour half of the sugar and eggs into the chocolate mixture, stirring gently but constantly with a rubber so that the eggs don’t set from the heat.

7. Fit the whisk attachment to the mixer and whip the remaining sugar and eggs until they are thick, pale and double in volume, about 3 minutes

8. Using the rubber spatula, delicately fold the whipped eggs into the chocolate mixture

9. When the eggs are almost completely incorporated, gently fold in the dry ingredients

10. Pour and scrape batter into an unbuttered 9-inch square pan

11. Bake brownies for 25-28 minutes.

Cool before slicing and serving.

The key here is a heated ganache and Olympic Mountain Vanilla Bean ice cream.

Enjoy.

[Pacific Grill, 1502 Pacific ave., Tacoma, 253.722.1490]

WEEKLY VOLCANO: GREEN NEWS AND EVENTS >>>

Root of a problem
A number of trees below the main picnic area in Point Defiance Park are suffering from root system damage resulting from landslides and continuing soil erosion caused by severe winter storms last January. The unstable trees have been evaluated and marked by the park district’s urban forester and will be taken down by a contracted tree care company today.
 
Tree work will begin at the corner where the Washington State Ferry roadway intersects with Anthony’s parking lot, where a small number of the trees are scheduled for removal.

The majority of the trees, approximately 120, average between 3-8 inches thick and are located above the promenade, north of the Point Defiance Marina. Some of the wood will be left on site to help block pedestrians from accessing unsafe areas, the majority will be taken away by the contractor. This work is anticipated to begin Thursday, Sept. 24 or Friday Sept. 25. Staff currently anticipates that the promenade may be able to re-open outside of contractor work hours, which are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Following the tree removal, work will be done to help stabilize the slope above the ferry landing area and the Five Mile Drive washout near the Rhododendron Garden. The slope stabilization work is anticipated to begin Monday Sept. 28, along with restoration of the Five Mile Drive washout.
 
Green Links Dump
Eco Gadgets: KILLA debuts vintage series bags with solar harnessing capability.

Eco Tech: Oregon brewery develops a pedal-powered mobile beer bar. Nice!

Save A Postal Worker: The Smarter Wallet examines the pros and cons of using email.

Oceans Are Filling With Plastic: Fake Plastic Fish is pissed.

The 15 Best Companies For The Environment: includes Starbucks

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

This Old Building: Luzon is going down.

Pierce County Government Budget Cuts: Not good.

Word: Obama told U.N. that other nations can't wait for America to solve world's problems.

California: It’s on fire again.

A First: Bullish Wall Street estimates fail to keep up with S&P 500.

Say What?: Woman gives birth to 19 lb super baby.

Keep An Eye On This Guy: The man with phobia of women.

MICHAEL SWAN: HOLLYWOOD SPEAKS OUT TO HELP INSURANCE COMPANIES >>>

We all need to do something to stop this injustice.

MICHAEL SWAN: REMIND YOURSELF HOW LOVELY OUR AREA IS; HAVE A CUPCAKE >>>

Despite the marketing buzz for staycations, the idea of getting blissfully lost in your own city seems unlikely, especially when the economy sucks and a day at the office is still just a phone call away. Fortunately, we have the Tacoma Visitor Information Center, which celebrates its grand re-opening tomorrow. They always have great ideas.

The re-opening party runs from 8-10 a.m. and will include treats from its neighbors: food from Pacific Grill, coffee from the Courtyard at Marriott, and cupcakes from hello, cupcake.

Stop by, see the new space, pick up a map or brochure, learn how to be a tourist in your own backyard. They’re your local travel resource for cryin’ out loud.

Here’s a press release regarding their new digs:

When:  Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009 from 8 - 10 a.m.
Where:  Tacoma Regional Visitor Information Center [VIC], in lobby of the Courtyard by Marriott on Pacific Ave. at 15th St.
Cost: FREE and open to public. Light refreshments will be served.

The Tacoma Regional Convention + Visitor Bureau [TRCVB] giddily announces the grand reopening of the Visitor Information Center [VIC] in downtown Tacoma on Thursday, September 24 from 8 - 10 a.m.  In July the VIC nearly doubled its size, knocking down a wall to expand into a space formerly occupied by Pacific Grill Events Center.  The expansion was overseen by Convention and Visitor Services Manager Tami Music.

Managed by Music and staffed by 45 volunteers, the new VIC--located on Pacific Avenue in the entry to the Courtyard by Marriott--improves upon the services and scope of materials it offers to visitors. Services include direct hotel bookings, one-on-one itinerary planning, and will eventually include an interactive computer terminal where travelers can create maps and itineraries and research destinations.

TRCVB is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization devoted to delivering tourism to all of Pierce County.  Residents countywide are encouraged to attend the grand reopening, or drop in anytime and learn about the free services that are offered. Whether locals have visiting relatives and need to look up hotels and activities in the area, or need help planning a meeting, the TRCVB and VIC are Pierce County's resources for travel information and event planning.

STATS:
Staff size: 45 volunteers, plus two paid staff
Traffic: more than 12,000 visitors per year
Most frequently asked question: "Where can I get a good seafood meal?" Standard response: "Go to Ruston Way." [Lots of great waterfront restaurants, from Lobster Shop to Harbor Lights]
Two little known facts from Mark, a VIC volunteer: [1] "The Swiss Pub is a gem," [Dale Chihuly was a frequent patron, and a number of his pieces are on permanent loan];  [2] "El Gaucho has one of the largest selections of single malt scotches in Tacoma."

Website: http://www.traveltacom.

PAUL SCHRAG: BE THE BEE >>>

So I know what you’re thinking. Adult Spelling Bee. Can you spell Grafenberg?

Unfortunately, this is a plain old spelling bee, with adults competing.

Sorry.

The Fourth Annual King’s Book Spelling Bee will pit 30 teams of Tacoma’s best spellers against one another to battle for the glory and pride associated with being able to spell.

The Weekly Volcano will be sending one of our smartest monkeys to compete. Last week he skunked the entire staff by spelling “owl.”

Little bastard. 

[King’ Books, Thursday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m., $10, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8801]

MICHAEL SWAN: THURSDAY, SEPT. 24, 2009 >>>
 

1. Sing Like A Crooner Dress-A-Raoke begins at 8 p.m. inside the Tempest Lounge. This month’s featured crooners are Patsy Cline, Johnny Mathis and Ray Charles You could win crooner bucks if you sing a song by one of the three. Remember, you can grab props from the prop chest, too.

2. The Tacoma Visitor Information Center’s grand re-opening party featuring Pacific Grill food, Marriott coffee and cupcakes from hello cupcake from 8-10 a.m. at 15th and Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma.

3. Doyle’s Public House’s Oktoberfest Celebration continues with a party for Guinness’ 250th birthday at 4 p.m. followed by jazz by the Kareem Kandi Trio at 8 p.m.

4. Our prospicience says you're ready to compete in our fourth annual spelling bee (for adults) at 6:30 p.m. inside King’s Books. If not, go watch them drop anyway.

5. Author Jim Lynch reads from his new book, Border Songs, at 7 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge at Garfield Book Company.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

MICHAEL SWAN: PUYALLUP FAIR, THURSDAY, SEPT. 24, 2009 >>>

Check it: Bikini Soda at the Fair Snug.

Stuff to do today
11 a.m.: Al's Brain Exhibit, SillyVille

11 a.m.: Art Demonstration, Oldfield Western Heritage Center

12 p.m.: The Merry Notes, Education Stage

1 p.m.: Mt Rainier National Park, Contest Arena

2:15 p.m.: Vocal Trash, Coca-Cola Stage

4:30 p.m.: Rubber Stamping, Hobby Hall

7 p.m.: Whittling, Hobby Hall

7:30 p.m.: Dave Koz and Brian Culbertson, Grandstand

More things to do today here

Hours
10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.

Admission
$11 adults, $8 seniors (62 and older) and students (age 6-18); free age 5 and younger. Advance discount tickets at Safeway, Fred Meyer and Columbia Bank.

Parking
$10 Monday-Friday, $12 Saturday-Sunday

Transportation
Pierce Transit “Fair Express” for $3 round trip. Details are here.

More Information
Do their Web site.

STEPH DEROSA: TROUBLE WITH DEROSA RUNS INTO SPARKS FIREHOUSE DELI >>>

Our story begins a long, long time ago in a land far, far away. It was November 2008 when Puyallup citizens approved an “annexation” of the City of Puyallup’s fire department into Central Pierce Fire & Rescue.  So what was to become of all the old used Puyallup Fire Department equipment?  The flashing sirens?  The sweaty, smoke-scented fireman jackets?  My request to sniff the armpits of the jacket belonging to the hottest fire fighter was denied â€" so what other possible resting place could there be for this stuff? 

The Answer: Sparks Firehouse Deli in Puyallup.

Paying homage to what once was, Sparks Firehouse Deli owner Chris Johnston proudly displays newly donated Puyallup Fire Department artifacts upon his well-crafted brick walls.

I interviewed Johnston for my Trouble with DeRosa column this week. Read it in today's weekly Volcano rag on the streets or over on its Web site.