THURSDAY, JAN. 6, 2011 >>>

1. Load up your sack lunch with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crusts cut off and head to the Tacoma Art Museum for Tacoma historian and former City Councilman Thomas R. Stenger chat, "Hotel Living: From the Tacoma to the Hobo" at 11:30 p.m. It's party of the awesome Mighty Tacoma: Photographic Portrait 2010 exhibit.

2. The "Green" community hugs it out over drinks from 5:30-8 p.m. inside Primo Grill in Tacoma as part of the monthly Green Drinks gathering. It's an informal affair that's meant to be fun. If someone tries to make you sign something or ask you for money, they'll be banished to the Yellow Drinks group.

3. Enjoy riding Pierce Transit to Point Defiance Park? How about riding it to the grocery store? Due to an ugly drop in sales tax revenue and an effed-up economy, like many transit agencies across the country, Pierce Transit is facing drastic revenue shortfalls.  Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland will have none of it. The good mayor and community leaders will kick off a "Save our Buses" campaign at 6 p.m. inside the Hub Event Space in Tacoma's Stadium District. The goal? Convincing folks to vote for a 0.3 percent sales tax in February.

4. The Come Out And Play Open Mic at Tempest Lounge is hosted by the uber talented Kim Archer and Nick Sandy. Get your song on from 7-10 p.m.

5. Big Whisky Saloon in downtown Tacoma hosts country dance lessons at 7:30 p.m. followed by DJ Tyler spinning rock and country videos from 10 p.m. to close. The Weekly Volcano's Nosh League will taste whiskey before next week's dance lessons. RSVP to our Jan. 13 tasting here.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Happy hours!