SUNDAY, NOV. 28, 2010 >>>

1. Once you get over the falling on your ass part, snowboarding can be really awesome. Or, at the very least, it can provide a good excuse to, well, fall on your ass. But we digress. At 6 p.m., the 3rd Annual Gnar Ball goes down at the Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe in the quintessentially Tacoma McKinley neighborhood. Expect lots of snowboarding flicks (snow porn), lots of swag, lots of giveaways and, best of all, music from Mike of Neutralboy. If you like tying one on, but like tying one on even more in a stocking hat with earflaps, the 3rd Annual Gnar Ball at Top of Tacoma may just be gnarly enough for you.

2. You might think eight middle-aged women wearing bonnets milking cows, a thirty-foot-tall kangaroo, The Nutcracker on wheels, his and hers chocolate mummies wearing Santa hats, 10 leotarded dudes literally jumping around screaming "Wheeeeee!" every time their feet leave the ground and many more odd and wonderful participates converging on the downtown streets of Olympia would result in an orgy of debauchery not fit for print. But you might just have a twisted mind. It's actually Olympia's Downtown for the Holidays' parade, which begins at 3 p.m. on Capitol Way starting near the Olympia Farmers Market and ending at Sylvester State Park. The parade is only a slice of the Olympia holiday glee as there's also Holiday CraftXnw market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., gingerbread cottages competition, Olympia Highlanders Pipes and Drums, choirs, Santa, and the tree light at 4:30 p.m.

3. You're sick and tired of driving through the neighborhood looking at the homes of people who think they deserve an award for their light displays. You deserve to take a night to go see ZooLights, which is lit from 5-9 p.m. tonight. Billed as the region's biggest walk-through light show, ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium includes animated light sculptures, live entertainment, snacks, animal encounters, and the Paul Titus Carousel. While enjoying your stroll, be thankful you're not in charge of this holiday light display.

4. Ever dream of a local bar to call your home away from home? One with a  warm, cozy interior, friendly bartenders and an open spot at the counter just for you? Well, if any bar in Olympia is the place where everybody knows your name, it just might be McCoy's Tavern. Hell, if you go there long enough - and we're talking everyday for 25+ years - they'll even attach a plaque of your name to the bar. On Sundays they offer $1 pints and free pool.

5. DJs spin deep house beginning at 9 p.m. inside the Gruv Lounge and Nightclub on Sixth Avenue.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound