Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: March, 2010 (164) Currently Viewing: 81 - 90 of 164

March 18, 2010 at 9:57am

Murray Morgan Bridge ribbon cutting, March 31

THIS JUST IN >>>

This just out of the City of Tacoma headquarters:

On March 31 at 9 a.m., the City of Tacoma in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation, will host a ribbon cutting celebration to commemorate the completion of the re-cabling work and the turnback agreement for the Murray Morgan Bridge.

In February, the bridge was closed for the cables to be removed and replaced. The cabling work is now complete and the bridge will re-open to pedestrians by the end of March. The celebration will also acknowledge the turnback agreement between the City and State. In December 2009, the City took over ownership, operation, and maintenance of the Murray Morgan Bridge.

All are welcome to attend the ribbon cutting on the west side of the bridge (near the intersection of A and 11th streets) where both City and State officials will speak, a ribbon will be cut and the bridge will be raised and lowered. 

For more information, visit the Murray Morgan Bridge project Web site at www.cityoftacoma.org/MMB.

Filed under: News To Us, Tacoma,

March 18, 2010 at 12:02pm

On the arts scene

"Rabbit Hole": There's a lot of pain in this play. Photo courtesy of harlequinproductions.org.

Filed under: Arts, Olympia, Tacoma,

March 18, 2010 at 12:56pm

Community Hot Spot

THE LATEST TO JOIN >>>

Last night I popped into our Community Hot Spot to check out our new members. The dimly lit online community is happening with its warm brick walls and comfortable, neo-Moorish flavor. Of course, it could also cause flashbacks for folks who had one of those college apartments with tapestries and incense, especially when mellow reggae pulses through the space. But none of your old stoner roommates will be crouched on the floor taking bong hits. Rather, the inviting online community tends to attract people drawn to nobler pursuits, like the young man I saw lounging in a big comfortable chair, drinking a mojito and reading a book last night.

Let's see who has recently joined:

Rebecca Taylor who "loves Tacoma."

Michael Clark has formed a Drum Circle group. "Just the simple act of sitting down and making music together embodies the concepts of inclusion and unity while at the same time boosting creativity and confidence," he describes. Join his group and start pounding.

Oh, and over in our Music Section, Deborah Page has formed a Band Profile, which has already garnered fans, including the above Rebecca Taylor. Check out the other Band Profiles here.

Filed under: Community, Weekly Volcano,

March 18, 2010 at 2:03pm

NSFW or life: Landfillus-Interruptus

THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE PRETTY >>>

If you don't know Alan Gorsuch, co-owner of Sanford and Son Antiques, this blog post sums him up perfectly.

He's nuts.

With arts critic Alec Clayton under the weather, Pappi messing around with our Tournament of Tacos, and Driscoll at SXSW, I had to take the phone call from Gorsuch. Long story short, I couldn't say no. I submit my take on an art installation in his Middle Floor Merchants section at Sanford and Son. He said he understood I wasn't an art critic and didn't care what I wrote.

He's nuts.

Now, I realize that the sacred cow/naked emperor format that somehow has always passed for "art" in the cultural desert of Tacoma has been notoriously bleak, seedy, shallow, confusing, childish, kinky, desperate, wanton and especially, narcissistic. However, this "showing" by an anonymous artist takes the cake.

What on earth is this person's obsession with breasts?

Knockers. Mostly doorknockers. That's what we're supposed to believe the majority of the "pieces" are. As I was able to ascertain from what few of the sober, yet shadowy, figures filling about in the Sanford and Son building, all of the elements and materials used in the comprising of these "works" were once destined for the landfill. "Found objects" all, they were somehow intercepted by our anon person and assembled into what I was forced to visually, as well as manually, masticate.

Gorsuch says everyone is invited to knock the knockers - backdoor knockers, front door knockers, no soliciting knockers, dead doorknockers, knicker knockers, peeping voyeurs knockers and my favorite: the deer knocker, which is a mangy old dead deer head shot 80 years ago by either Jerry Meeker or Jerry Springer, says Gorsuch, and mounted on a 1980s gothic door stolen from the old church in Ruston. Now, that might actually be art, but I'm not sure I know anymore as I've been desensitized.

Read more...

Filed under: Arts, Tacoma,

March 18, 2010 at 2:42pm

Driscoll does Austin

SXSW 2010, THURSDAY, MARCH 18 >>>

A marching band just passed by my wobbly table inside the Austin Convention Center. It's 1:56 p.m. - Tacoma time - and I've already had three drinks. Hipness and mustaches are everywhere.

In other words, SXSW 2010 is in full effect.

After arriving in Austin last night and making our way to the hotel - which is anywhere but right downtown - we woke up this morning a bit jetlagged, but energized by the prospect of Texas sun and Texas hospitality, which at SXSW (if you're a badge holder, anyway), means gobs and gobs of free drinks, T-shirts, CDs, stickers and guitar picks - among other things. There are probably even free drugs around here somewhere, but I have yet to find them. Perhaps at tonight's Stone Temple Pilots show?

For those playing at home, here's how today's Weekly Volcano SXSW 2010 itinerary is shaping up. (Note: Plans are subject to change as I consume more and more alcohol.)

BIG WHEEL STUNT SHOW: The Tacoma rockers play the "Whoops Party" at Trophy's tonight at 9:30 p.m. Austin time. If all goes as planned, I'll be catching the Big Wheel Stunt Show set and reporting back. Although, if I get so drunk that I end up face down in a pool of Lone Star Beer on some Texas barstool, luckily the band has several more SXSW appearances lined up.

DR. DOG: If you follow all things hip, you know Dr. Dog definitely fits the bill right now. The Philadelphia indie rock group has two shows lined up today, and the Weekly Volcano will be at one of them - either in a little over an hour inside the Austin Convention Center, or later tonight at Lustre Pearl. Will we be cool enough to fit in? The odds aren't good - but we'll give it a go anyway.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS: I'm torn on this one. When hunkered down at a total music spectacle/orgy like SXSW, one should not waste their time on has-beens. There's simply too much going on, and your time is more valuable than that. Still, STP holds a warm, gooey, early ‘90s space in my guilty-pleasure-loving heart - and there's just something about the band's return to the stage after so many years that seems intriguing - in a "I wonder if Scott Weiland will be all drugged out?" sort of way. Plus, word on the street is Robby Krieger of the Doors will be joining Weiland and Co. on stage. Should I take a shot on this show? I'm taking votes below. ...

ADAM GREEN: The former Moldy Peach is in Austin (so is Kimya Dawson, by the way - though they're unrelated appearances) - and I've been moderately enamored by the singer/songwriter since seeing the Peaches open for the Strokes at the Temple Theater back in the day (yes, that happened). STP may be a tossup, but Green seems like a no-brainer - especially toting a new record.

JAGUAR LOVE: With the Cave Singers also in town, the opportunity to see just about ever former member of Pretty Girls Make Graves is abound. We'll start with Jaguar Love, featuring not only members of Pretty Girls, but also (of course) former members of The Blood Brothers, tonight at Habana Calle 6. Hitting the stage at 1 a.m., it should be quite a nightcap.

LINK: Matt's SXSW photos from Thursday, March 18

Filed under: SXSW, Tacoma, Music,

March 18, 2010 at 10:49pm

#SXSW Twitter Log Thursday

@MATTDRISCOLL >>>

Thousands of people descend upon Austin at this time each year. Musicians, artists, record-label executives, publicists and media types flock from all parts of the globe, unified by the universal language. No, not love - music (well, and business, but that's another story ...). Oh, and film and the Web are now components - big components - at the festival, too.

Anyway, our esteemed editor Matt Driscoll is also at SXSW. And he's Twittering the shit out of it. Click here for his Twitter log.

Filed under: Music, Web/Tech, SXSW,

March 19, 2010 at 6:55am

5 Things To Do: Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, singalong, Indigo Girls ...

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 >>>

1. If you're a total Ken Burns freak like most of the Volcano's staff, you know the work of Jay Ungar and Molly Mason - just think of Burns' The Civil War, and that old-timey, Americana composition that seemed to fade in and out of all 87 hours of it. That particular piece was called "Ashokan Farewell," and the Ungar composition almost perfectly sums up the old world, classic feel of these two artists' work. See Ungar and Mason Friday at 7:30 p.m. inside the Rialto Theater.

2. BKB & Company has a new line of ladies' reversible coats by Maria and Bob Reisman from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

3. There's fiber art, and then there is Ricky Bridge's fiber art pushed to the extremes. Check out the artwork by Bridge and the other gallery artists as part of the Organic show from noon to 8 p.m. at Two Vaults Gallery.

4. The Puget Sound Revels will lead Celtic and folk singalong sessions at 7 p.m. inside King's Books. They'll have musicians jammin' with them, which is nice.

5. The Indigo Girls are at the Pantages Theater at 7:30 p.m. Just saying.

LINK: Hey, some movies are opening today

Filed under: Music, Arts, Tacoma,

March 19, 2010 at 7:11am

Tournament of Tacos Day 2: winners and new battles

Masa's tacos: Works of art with a taste that advances them to the next round.

FRIDAY, MARCH 19: FOUR BATTLES ON THE DOCKET >>>

Yesterday's Results

The first day of the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Tacos competition was similar to yesterday's outcome of the Kentucky vs. East Tennessee State game in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament: a blowout.

The locally owned Masa with its embedded Satellite Coffee retro space lounge and inventive, artful tacos - incluing our favorite grilled fresh salmon with jicama slaw, mango and cilantro (only $3.75!) put the hurt on the Chevy's Fresh Mex chain grabbing 87.2 percent of the votes. One voter said of Masa: "There is something unique/unusual about the flavors of Masa's food. Quite a refreshing change from the usual." We agree. Masa advances to the next round.

While we ate all of the 64 competitors' tacos before the tournament, we also asked the opinion of our Facebook friends during the research phase. Los Tres Hermanos was recommended highly by our friends. It's no surprise then that L.T. Hermanos grabbed 68.6 percent of the votes. Taqueria El Sabroso at 109th and Pacific Avenue was sent packing.

The flashy, colorful Josefina's at 48th and Pacific Avenue grabbed 60 percent of the votes crushing the shell of Sam's Taqueria in Puyallup. One reader noted that "Josefina's owner also owns the Burrito Boy van in Sumner, which has great food." Good to know.

Last, and perhaps the biggest battle of the day, was the head-to-head competition of two locally-owned joints, both not specializing in Mexican fare. Top of Tacoma Bar & Café beat out The Harmon grabbing 71.3 percent of the votes. The Top hosts the very popular 253 Taco Thursday night featuring 75 cent tacos - a factor that can't be overlooked. In fact one voter posted at 9 p.m. last night that he "Just walked in the door from Taco Thursday at Top of Tacoma. I had four." People will be talking about this battle for years.

Let's get down to the hard shell facts. The following are advancing to the next round:

Masa

Los Tres Hermanos

Josefina's

Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe

Today's Competition

OK, time to move on to today's competition. ...

GAME 1: Vuelve A La Vida (5312 Pacific Ave.) vs. The Grill at Meadow Park (7108 Lakewood Dr. W.)

One of the most popular Mexican restaurants in Tacoma takes on a Lakewood underdog. Veulve A La Vida was voted "Best Mexican Restaurant" by our readers in the Best of Tacoma 2009. The Grill's taco offering, on the other hand, is no doubt enhanced by its golf course surroundings featuring a strategically placed deck right next to the world's largest putting green. 

GAME 2: Jack in the Box vs. Taco Bell 

You can't get any bigger than this.  Jack in the Box, featuring a strangely appealing taco shell that is mysteriously both soft and hard, in a massive battle to unseat the chameleon-like fast food chain that features a new menu item, seemingly, every month.  

GAME 3: Taqueria La Fondita (3737 S. G St.) vs. Tiende Y Taqueria Zomora (4314 Portland Ave.)

Well-placed in the heart of Tacoma's international district, Taqueria La Fondita's busy exterior is a testament to its taco quality.  Tiende Y Taqueria Zomora is poised to take advantage of the 38th and Portland Avenue area revitalization. 

GAME 4: Mazatlan vs. Azteca

Another heavyweight battle between two chain restaurants.  Each should be well supported by their loyal customers. This one is too close to call before tip-off (or bite-off). 

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!


Tomorrow's Taco Battles

Game 1: Taqueria El Grande vs. Taqueria La Carreta

Game 2: Taqueria y Restaurant (formerly El Compadre) vs. Los Reyes Del Taco

Game 3: La Palma Vs. MIS Tres Amigos

Game 4: Blazing Onion (Gig Harbor) vs. Engine House #9

March 19, 2010 at 9:19am

MORNING SPEW: Courtney Love sorry, health care vote ...

WHAT WE FOUND TODAY >>>

Courtney Love has issued a heartfelt apology online to Billy Corgan.

The health care vote is coming. Details of the final bill.

Punk hacker, meet punk'd hack: discuss.

Don't call 911 to get 411 on a bartender.

Scientists show off real invisibility cloak.

Producer sues Lady Gaga.

March 19, 2010 at 10:12am

Ride with Dierks Bentley to his Puyallup Fair concert

CONCERT ALERT >>>

Multi-platinum country artist Dierks Bentley will continue his nationwide Miles & Music for Kids celebrity motorcycle ride and concert series with a stop at the Puyallup Fair Sept. 18.

The 45-minute ride will depart Harley-Davidson of Tacoma (2302 Pacific Hwy. E.) at 2:30 p.m. and head straight to the Fairgrounds. The trek will culminate with a special concert featuring Bentley.

Tickets for the fun-for-all-ages event go on sale March 27 through Ticketmaster. Prices start at $25, with special VIP packages also available.

For further information about Dierks Bentley, visit www.dierks.com.

Filed under: Concert Alert, Puyallup,

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