WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 2011 >>>

1. Everybody loves their dog/cat/ferret/turtle/what-have-you, probably in the embarrassing extreme. And handing over their pet to a veterinary doctor can be an unsettling task. Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital would like to ease your mind. They're hosting an open house from 5-7 p.m. Drop by and discuss the local tick population. They will not laugh at silly questions such as "What's that scab on my dog's belly?" when it's the mutt's bellybutton. Oh, and the adorable creatures and landscape of Alexis St. John will be on display. Have no fear. Met Vet will not pimp expensive gourmet pet foods or doggy conditioner either.

2. In the face of so much going awry on the planet - ice caps are melting, irreversible climate change is looming, and Ricky Gervaisageddon - bonding with your neighborhood in a community garden can be a rewarding experience. To achieve such a bliss, may we suggest attending the Tacoma Community Garden Kickoff from 6-9 p.m. at the Evergreen Tacoma campus, 1210 Sixth Ave. You will learn more about local community garden efforts, as well as give input on the vision and management for new garden locations.

3. The bitchin' cool Puget Sound Book Artists group will gather at 7 p.m. inside Room 020 in the basement of the Collins Memorial Library to hear Chandler O'Leary discuss her book, Local Conditions. 

4. You know what we don't have enough of in the Puget Sound? Eating contests. Sure, we've had hot dog eating contests at The Red Hot, and the Weekly Volcano staff once had a spicy tuna roll challenge at Fujiya back in 2004, but eating contests are a unique modern sport that we should have more of around here. Thankfully, Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza has invented 20-minute pepperoni Pizza Eating Competitions at all its locations. Tonight at 8 p.m. folks will gather at the www.farrellispizza.com/" target="_blank">Tacoma store to watch freaks down 12-inch pizzas one by one.

5. Bloodhunger, King Of France, Ether, and The Body Rampant will rock Hell's Kitchen beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Feedbag!