SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011 >>>

1. There are two types of people in this world: Those who love dogs and those who hate them. Today is the day to learn who your friends are. If your best friend has four legs and big, brown, sad, puppy eyes then you will be at the Most Magnificent Mutt Show from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Frontier Park in Graham. If your best friend likes to kick at things with four legs and big, brown, sad puppy eyes, you'll stay at home, listening to talk radio and doing other mean-people stuff.

2. The Tacoma community will gather from 10 a.m. to noon at Thea's Park to hug, pray and reflect on the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan. Elected officials and representatives from the Japanese community in Tacoma will speak. 

3. Roses have intrigued dreamers and poets since the dawn of time. And even as their varieties have evolved - there are more than 28,000 kinds now - their appeal has remained undeniable. A garden sale to benefit the Metro Parks' Rose Gardens will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on at the Pagoda at Point Defiance Park. Sponsored by the Tacoma Rose Society, the sale will feature roses grown by Metro Parks' staff and Tacoma Rose Society members, as well as roses donated by several local nurseries. Other plants and an eclectic mix of garden treasures will also be for sale. Donations from the American Red Cross relief work in Japan will be accepted at the event.

4. While "pipes, drums and dancing!" could also describe Volcano editor Matt Driscoll's five years at The Evergreen State College, more accurately (and relevant to this attempt at blurb-sized information spreading) it's the description given to the Clan Gordon Pipe Band's 48th Annual Tartan Ball, scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. While the title of the event may make it sound like some bizarre-o cult initiation ceremony only open to albinos and in-breeders, in reality it's only KIND OF like some bizarre-o cult initiation ceremony only open to albinos and in-breeders. It's actually much closer to a celebration of bagpipes and Scottish music. Semiformal attire is required (so ditch the jeans, crusty).

5. After the Tartan Ball (see above), drive up Meridian to the Roadhouse Tavern. It's interior bears some resemblance to the country bar Patrick Swayze watches over in Road House. There's a pool table, pull tabs and patterned carpeting. There are also good drinks and friendly customers. Unlike Swayze's Road House, this tavern is a great spot for a mellow night away from the crowds ... and men in kilts.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Concerts go on sale today

LINK: Wine tastings!