TUESDAY, AUG. 3, 2010 >>>

1. Over the years, a trend in South Sound neighborhoods has shifted residents' attention from the front porch to the decks, patios and porches in back of the house - and away from what's going on in their own neighborhood. That might not seem so important, but Safe Streets says regularly retreating to the sanctuary of a backyard can hurt neighborhood awareness and organization. So one of many block parties tonight as part of National Night Out and step off your front park, around the kid's skateboard, and into the streets, in front of businesses and into parks to bond with your neighbors. Also, the Hilltop Artist Arts Night Out featuring glassblowing, graffiti art, chalk art contest, potluck, DJ, dancing and more will be held from 4-8 p.m. at Jason Lee Middle School.

2. The League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County host candidates from Legislative Districts 2, 25, 31; County Council District 1; auditor; and prosecuting attorney for handshakes and snacks at 5:30 p.m., followed by a brief explanation from each candidate on how to solve the budget problem, ending with more handshakes and less snacks at Pierce College in Puyallup.

3. Harlequin Productions will hold a free public reading of its next production, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, (adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher' from the original novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde) at 6:30 p.m. inside the State Theater in Olympia.

4. Ralph Porter hosts Ha Ha Tuesdays with guest comics Joe Fontnot and Lance Edward at 8:30 p.m. inside Jazzbones. DJ Omar spins afterward.

5. Infernal Legion, Terra Morta and Gorratorium will perform some lovely devil metal at 9 p.m. inside Hell's Kitchen. But the angels behind the bar will be serving $2 tacos, $2 beers and $2 wells.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound