DEBORAH STRATMAN VISITS OLY >>>

Humming yet? Northern and the Olympia Film Society are is hosting a screening of Deborah Stratman's 2009 documentary, O'er the Land, which is ostensibly about a whole host of big-picture issues - freedom, technology and manifest destiny. The screening is Tuesday, Feb. 8, kicking off at 8 p.m. at Northern.

But the centerpiece of the film is the fascinating journey of Col. William Rankin, who in 1959 was flying a fighter jet on the East Coast when his engine stalled, forcing him to eject from the plane at 47,000 feet during a thunderstorm. He was tossed around in the air for 45 minutes but finally landed - still able to walk to get help. Interesting whatever the metaphysical significance

Stratman will answer questions after the Tuesday screening and will also speak and show other films Wednesday at The Evergreen State College.

O'er the Land with Q&A by filmmaker Deborah Stratman

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m., free
Northern, 321 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia

Lecture/screenings with Deborah Stratman

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 12:15-1:30 p.m., free
The Evergreen State College Lecture Hall 1,
2700 Evergreen Pkwy. N.W., Olympia
http://blogs.evergreen.edu/oshas/schedule-winter-2011/

EDITOR'S NOTE: The original version of this blog post credited the Olympia Film Society and Northern for the production of these events. The Olympia Film Society is actually not involved. We apologize for any confusion.

THERE WILL BE NO EVENT THIS YEAR, BUT NEXT YEAR'S HUNT WILL BE MASSIVE >>>

Admittedly, I am the least competitive person I know.  There was even that one time in 7th grade when Jill Swanford bet me I couldn't French kiss Kurt Adler in public for more than 30 seconds.  He was gorgeous, I tell ya.  I couldn't even do that.  I mean, who in their right mind couldn't kiss Kurt Adler for at least 30 seconds?  I suck.  Horribly suck.  (Just ask Kurt Adler.  Zing!)

As happy as the peeps at Tap into T-Town are with  me for opening this blog with a fallatio innuendo, I'm sure they're ready to just get on with the breaking news.

Recently one of tap into T-Town's co-founders indulged me with information about what was to come in the future of the aforementioned annual event.  What I found out - and what will probably stab most Tap into T-Town fans as it did to me - is that there will not be a 2011 Tap into T-Town event. 

Say wha???

Downtown Tacoma's favorite annual scavenger hunt, and main fundraiser for the Tacoma City Kid's Marathon, is taking a much-needed hiatus in order to prepare for something much greater, much more intricate, and loaded with many more square miles of walking than before. 

(Dramatic drumroll, please...)

Ladies and gentlemen, Tap into T-Town is incorporating the Sixth Avenue Business District into the fold for a massive early-summer 2012 "The World is Coming to an End"  style scavenger hunt.  This means downtown Tacoma and Sixth Avenue will be part of the stamina-testing madness. 

Everything, and I mean everything, is going to be bigger and better about Tap Into T-Town come 2012.  Instead of 50 trivia questions there will be more.  Instead of four hours of running around downtown Tacoma's independent businesses there will be six hours of scouring downtown Tacoma AND Sixth Avenue.  You will have to take the Pierce Transit bus system. You will have to drink quite a few more drinks. And I hate to tell you this - but bribery amongst the Tap into T-Town judges will be much fiercer than before.  (And if you've attended a Tap into T-Town event before, you know exact how important bribery can be.)

Look here, people - I know I called "first place in 2011" for our Weekly Volcano team in last year's Tap into T-Town follow-up blog,  but hear me out... This time I'm scared.  Very scared.  The 2012 Tap-into T-Town scavenger hunt sounds huge.  It sounds like it would tear me apart.  To be honest, it sounds downright scandalous, dirty, and something my parents would not at all approve of. 

...Much like Kurt Adler back in 7^th grade.  Rawr!

Look for more info to come here on the Weekly Volcano Spew blog or at tapintottown.com.

STAY-CATION = LOTS OF TIME TO FOOL AROUND >>>

If you're in a LTR - you know, a Long Term Relationship such as marriage - a stay-cation during Valentine's weekend is a fun way to stir and reignite the proverbial embers of love into a roaring fire. Or it just might be the fireplace suite at The INN at Gig Harbor making it hot.

Either way, it's hard to go wrong at this ultra-romantic spot. Sweet in-room bonuses of red roses and bubbly or vino await your arrival; it's a sure win for scoring effortless points with your amore. So is choosing a Jacuzzi suite.

On the dining front, stay-cation packages at the INN at Gig Harbor include a Heritage Restaurant prix-fixe dinner for two including delightful sounding selections like Firecracker Chicken, Caribbean slaw, lemon and caper pan-seared Alaskan halibut, jerk-style pork chop with mango apple chutney, smoked white truffle mashed potatoes, orange curry glazed scallops and jumbo shrimp, pecan-espresso encrusted sirloin and amaretto-sauced bread pudding.

If that doesn't blow the mind, next day breakfast from Heritage Restaurant is included, too. A menu of Pacific Northwest-influenced American cuisine includes omelets with ingredients like Dungeness crab, sun-dried tomatoes, avocado, meats and artichoke hearts. Grilled King salmon or broiled rib steak can take the place of typical sausage patties or bacon with eggs. Enjoy homemade biscuits, buttermilk pancakes, fruit platters and breakfast breads. 

Hot damn. They thought of everything.
[The INN at Gig Harbor, 3211 56th St. N.W., Gig Harbor, 253.858.1111, innatgigharbor.com]

TODAY IN ONLINE TALK >>>

Today's comment comes from ryan in regard to our brief review of the Personal Power Company's first event, which included music from Battlestations, Slashed Tires, Seed, Margy Pepper and Allan Boothe.

Ryan writes,

"I am the 'scifi keyboardist' and am currently recording the demo for Battlestations. If you want i can email you songs in lieu of any website, whenever they are done. just email rylesjunk@gmail.com with the title "battlestations" and I will respond."

THURSDAY, FEB. 3, 2011 >>>

1. Malaikat dan Singa is the love-drunk project of Old Tim Relijun's Arrington de Dionyso, who - after falling hard with someone he knew would be spending months overseas in Indonesia - actually learnt Indonesian and started writing love songs in the language in anticipation of their return. He joins Midday Veil and Georgy for an 8 p.m. all-ages show at Olympia's Northern club.

2. The Living Legends Native American Dance and Music perform at 7 p.m. inside the Washington Center in Olympia.

3. B. Alan Wallace may be the American Buddhist most committed to finding connections between Buddhism and science. An ex-Buddhist monk who went on to get a doctorate in religious studies at Stanford, he once studied under the Dalai Lama, and has acted as one of the Tibetan leader's translators. Wallace will enter the University of Puget Sound's Schneebeck Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. with "Experience, Reason, and Faith in Science and Religion" on the brain. Open yours.

4. Weekly Volcano theater critic Christian Carvajal has been eagerly awaiting Harlequin Productions' The Last Schwartz, which hits their stage at 8 p.m. The production is something of an End Days reunion - Carvajal's favorite show of 2010 - as it's also written by Deborah Zoe Laufer, directed by Linda Whitney and stars Scott C. Brown and Ann Flannigan. Read his review of the show here.

5. Fictitious, Pink Bead Federation, Sex Panther, Faraca 508, Infinite Supreme One and DJ Elite rock Hell's Kitchen at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

HAPPY YEAR OF THE RABBIT>>>

Today marks the first day of the Chinese New Year. I kicked off my celebration by eating a breakfast of two fortune cookies (both which promised me considerable luck between the sheets) and spending a couple hours watching really cheesy videos of Chinese children rapping about New Years. One of them was just too good to keep to myself.

Enjoy this video, which features adorable Malaysian children, bad choreography and a general vibe of creepiness. 

MUSICAL GOODNESS IN STORE IN PRINT & ONLINE >>>

The excitement in the air could only mean one thing (and no, this has nothing to do with tomorrow, Feb. 4, being the anniversary of when Zuckerberg launched thefacebook.com ...).

It's Thursday, which means it's time for a new Weekly Volcano, and thus a new Weekly Volcano music section.

Here's a peak at the musical goodness in store in print and online.

DREW GROW BENEFIT

Roughly three weeks ago, Portlander Drew Grow (of the Pastors' Wives fame) was in a devastating automobile accident, which left him saddled with piles of medical bills, including costs covering a stay in the hospital, surgery and the months of rehabilitation he will likely need. In order to help soften the blow of the hospital bill's crude insult to injury, five benefit shows have been arranged in the Pacific Northwest, and the Peabody Waldorf Gallery will be host to Tacoma's contribution. - Rev. Adam McKinney

*

SLASH

Everyone knows about world-class rock guitarist and top hat enthusiast Saul "Slash" Hudson's axe-slinging exploits with Guns N‘ Roses, Velvet Revolver and as a lone, hard-rocking wolf (when he opens for Ozzy Osbourne on Saturday, it will be a sans-"snakepit" solo performance), but seldom is Slash the Actor discussed. ... - Jason Baxter

*

MALAIKAT DAN SINGA

Malaikat dan Singa is the love-drunk project of Old Tim Relijun's Arrington de Dionyso, who - after falling hard with someone he knew would be spending months overseas in Indonesia - actually learnt Indonesian and started writing love songs in the language in anticipation of their return. - JB

*

PLUS: Concert Alert featuring Devo, Motopony and more

PLUS: The most extensive live music listings in the South Sound

PUT SOME GROUNDHOG IN YOUR MOUTH>>>

Happy Grounhog's day! (Yesterday) Because my parents were away for both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, we are instead having a Groundhog's day family get-together. No joke. I offered my chef step-dad an actual groundhog recipe to incorporate into our feast, and even offered up the carcus of what I thought was a groundhog. It turned out to be a mole from my backyard. He declined, stating that turkey would be better recieved, and adding that moles are not delicious, and that even if I found a groundhog, it would be insensitive to eat one on its honorary day.

So...we're having turkey. But for anyone who would like to "insensitively" kill, skin, and butcher the rodent, I've included a recipe below.

Woodchuck (Groundhog) Pie:

Cut groundhog into 2 or 3 pieces.

Parboil for 1 hour.

Remove meat from bones in large pieces. Add onion, green pepper, parsley, salt, pepper, and flour to the broth and srit until it thickens.

If the broth does not measure 3 cups, add water.

Add the meat to the broth mixture and stir thoroughly.

Pour into baking dish.

For biscuits:

• Servings: 6-8
• 1 groundhog skinned and cleaned
• 1/4 cup onion
• 1/4 cup green pepper
• 1/2 tablespoon minced parsley
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 4 1/2 tablespoon flour
• 3 cups broth
• Biscuits:
• 1 cup flour
• 2 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoon fat
• 1/4 cup milk

sift flour, baking powder, and salt together. Cut in the fat and add the liquid.

Stir until the dry ingredients are moist.

Roll only enough to make it fit the dish.

Place dough on top of meat, put in a hot oven (400 degrees F.) and bake 30 to 40 minutes or until dough is browned.

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Showers, hi 51, lo 45

Saturday: Showers, hi 50, lo 45

Sunday: More mutha fuckin' rain, hi 50, lo 46

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 4: GOLDFINCH

The Weekly Volcano loves it some Goldfinch - always have. Even though (as Joe Izenman reported on Spew) Goldfinch recently blossomed into a full-on band, the mere mention of the band still makes us instantly picture Aaron Stevens and Grace Sullivan, and -- more specifically -- think of the words of former Volcano scribe Mark Thomas Deming (god we miss that guy!):

"Aaron Stevens and Grace Sullivan are two of the most humble, sincere and kind musicians — hell, people — I’ve met. They’re siblings-in-law (Stevens is married to Sullivan’s sister), working folks, and parents — like me, and maybe like you, only nicer."

Friday, Goldfinch, Grand Hallway, Birds & Batteries and Kimo Muraki will perform an all-ages show at the Peabody Waldorf Gallery. It'll be awesome - without question.

• Peabody Waldorf Gallery, 8 p.m., $10, 745 Broadway, Tacoma
  

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 5: PRE & POST OZZY PARTY

Naturally, we'll be rocking out with our cock out when Ozzy and Slash come to town Saturday to annihilate the T-Dome. But where will we be getting our drink on pre and post concert? Why, the New Frontier, of course. It's within stumbling distance of the show, plus -- when we tell people at the New Frontier that our facial hair is meant to be "ironic" they totally get us.

• The New Frontier, 301 E 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 5: MT. TAHOMA HS REUNION PARTY

Dude, you thought that episode of Hoarders you watched was depressing? Try accidentally stumbling into the Mt. Tahoma High School "Oldies" Reunion Nite Saturday at Stonegate Pizza on South Tacoma Way. By the sounds of it (thanks, Facebook!) Mt. Tahoma alums from the ‘60s and ‘70s will show up in force to Stonegate, celebrating "life, being a T-Bird, good friends and making it this far." If you RSVP (again, thanks, Facebook!) you'll even get a nametag ... at least assuming you actually did attend Mt. Tahoma and aren't just some asshole island-themed souvenir that writes for the Volcano and thinks it would be really funny to get "Harry Nubs" on the guest list.

• Stonegate Pizza, 6 p.m., free, 5419 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.473.2255

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>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

MATT DRISCOLL Editor and Self-made Hundredaire
My wife and I will be preparing for the imminent arrival of child number two, while I simultaneously keep my fingers crossed that said arrival doesn't interfere with the consumption of beer and queso dip during the Super Bowl.

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
Working behind the bar Thurs, Fri and Sat. Also attending a passion party this weekend where I will probably pay too much for some edible undies and over-scented candles. But hey, there will be free snacks and lotion samples. And, of course, Super Bowl Sunday - where I don't care who wins, just as long as the scores match my husband's boxes for the office scoreboard gamble.

Joann Varnell Theater Critic
So apparently, I talk big. I SAY I'm going to shows but then stay home with the baby. SO. For reals: Friday I MIGHT make it to the Warehouse Presents show at The Peabody with Goldfinch and some other people. Saturday I WILL be out of the house before the baby's bedtime, have dinner with a friend and make it to the Drew Grow Benefit show at The Peabody Waldorf. And then I will try to sleep all day Sunday.

Brett Cihon Meat Market Correspondent/Features Writer
I'll be buying snacks, checking sports blogs and frantically calling my bookie. All in preparation for the big game. 

.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
I caught Olympia Family Theatre's all-kid production of Alice in Wonderland on Thursday, and I have the last four performances of Frost/Nixon this weekend. Then I'll race home to see if my investment in the Packers was a sound one.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
Toddler basketball at the Pearl Street YMCA. St. Mary's Church and school auction. Netflix and geocaching.

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ALEC CLAYTON: Visual Arts Critic
 I'm going to see Olympia Family Theater's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" at the Washington Center to review it for that other paper.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer
Tea at Beyond the Bridge Friday afternoon with Laura Malone; getting my dance on that night. Working out and doing yoga Saturday morning, volunteering and then art projects Saturday night. Sunday is church, my lovely day of rest.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

R.R. ANDERSON IS ON THE OFFENSIVE >>>

I don't get out much. My duty to the Volcano keeps me locked behind the keyboard for very long hours.

Weekly Volcano man about town, publisher, and far-better-multi-tasker-than-me, Ron Swarner, on the other hand, juggles it all with style and grace - fulfilling his duties to this fine rag while still managing to make it out to events around town ...

Like Monday's Shift Happens event at the Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, for example.

While there, Swarner ran into one R.R. Anderson, local gadfly, artist, and creator of the brilliant Tacomic series.

No stranger to the Volcano or ruffling feathers, Anderson shared with Swarner news of a forthcoming artistic endeavor - a guerilla poster project with Tacoma's well-known Beautiful Angle in its proverbial sights.

Stuck behind my keyboard (naturally), I emailed Anderson to get the specifics.

"For too long the dynamic art duo known as 'Beautiful Angle' has dominated the letterpress art poster scene in this city... bi-monthly nocturnal routes to shove ‘ART' down the peoples throats," writes Anderson. "Well, their monopoly will soon be at an end. Using advanced electronic or digital letterpress technology I can produce more beautiful posters more quickly for way cheaper and stuff.  As soon as I figure out how to make wheat-paste (either Googling it or asking my craft-expert wife) - this town will be a two-art-poster town!"

By the sound of it, Tacoma can look for Anderson's posters to debut soon.

Here's a peak at what the first may or may not look like: