THURSDAY, NOV. 4, 2010 >>>

1. Chandler O'Leary is kind of infatuated with Mt. Rainier - and this is a good thing. For one, it resulted in Local Conditions, O'Leary's interactive book. With 120 image flats and a viewing box, Local Conditions allows readers to literally create millions of Rainier-related scenes. The release of the book (a limited run of 26 hand-bound pieces of art) will be celebrated by an opening reception at UPS Collins Memorial Library from 4:30-6:30 p.m., which is kicking off a solo O'Leary exhibition at UPS through January.

2. November marks the ninth anniversary of Art at Work: Tacoma Arts Month - a community celebration of the arts that includes hundreds of community-hosted arts and cultures events, exhibits and workshops, taking place daily throughout the month - packaged by the Tacoma Art Commission. Once again, the Weekly Volcano is a proud sponsor of the celebration. The whole kit and kaboodle officially kicks off tonight at 6 p.m. with an "Opening Celebration" at the Tacoma Art Museum. The event will include the AMOCAT award ceremony for Oliver Doriss, Fab-5 and Urban Grace Church., performances by the Tacoma Youth Symphony, Tacoma Opera, Tacoma Symphony, and Tacoma Musical Playhouse, the TAM galleries will be open – which includes Mighty Tacoma, hors d'oeuvres, dessert, and a no-host bar.

3. The Tacoma Science Café kicks off its monthly science chat, over beers, with University of Washington Tacoma research scientist Julie Masura at 7 p.m. inside the Harmon Brewery and Eatery. Masura - huge into microplastics studies - will discuss how these teeny tiny particles are destroying our oceans.

4. Tacoma's theater company Gold from Straw opens the comedy Almost, Maine by John Cariani at 8 p.m. inside the Theatre on the Square.

5. The Big Wheel Steakhouse and Lounge in Parkland hosts "Ladies Club Nite Out" with DJ J-Fresh beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: It's Art at Work month!

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound