FIND "CUP CHECK" EVERY WEEK IN THE CLASSIFIEDS SECTION >>>

According to reports, Kyle Busch was cited Tuesday in North Carolina for going 128 mph in a 45-mph zone, or as ESPN.com's David Newton so accurately points out in his coverage of the event, almost three times the speed limit (total math major). Busch was pulled over by the Iredell County Sheriff's department and ultimately charged with careless and reckless driving as well as speeding. He was behind the wheel of a yellow Lexus, and told authorities at the time of his citation he was test driving the car, which was a manufacturer's vehicle and not registered in anyone's name. 

Shortly after the embarrassing traffic infraction, Busch issued a statement apologizing for his lack of judgment while test driving the sports car. While we don't have an exact transcript of the apology, we assume it went something like this:

"I'm Kyle Busch and I'm sorry for being a douchebag. I'm sorry I get to do cool s*** that you could never even dream of, and I'm sorry my disgusting, pudgy white face takes it all for granted every single day. I'm also sorry I get to bag hot chicks I totally don't deserve in real life. Kyle Busch out."

To read this week's full Cup Check column click here.

LOTS TO EAT AND EXPERIENCE >>>

Thursday is one of the busiest days of my week, from sunrise to sunset and then some. Yet I carve out time for the magic that starts early in the morning and lasts until late afternoon every Thursday on Broadway in downtown Tacoma at the beloved Broadway Tacoma Farmers Market, an impromptu pedestrian foot mall that has sprung up for last 21 years.

Among other positive qualities, a touch of street fair vibe hangs in the air at the Broadway Tacoma Farmers Market, and I always get a giggle out of watching kids as they spy the balloon guy. Each Thursday is a mini-reunion with friends and acquaintances; hugs and laughs abound. Last week I ran into the always-kind Morgan Alexander, owner of Amocat Cafe and a fellow market fan. "The pretzel booth is my favorite. They're not here today, so my instant new favorite of the day are the mini doughnuts," he told me. Alexander's positive attitude epitomizes the Broadway Farmers Market.

To read Jennifer Johnson's full review click here.

[Broadway Farmers Market, Thursdays through Oct. 27, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.,  Broadway between South 9th and 11th Street, Tacoma]

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rain, hi 55, lo 43

Saturday: Rain, hi 58, lo 43

Sunday: Partly sunny (maybe), hi 63, lo 48

>>> FRIDAY, MAY 27: BLAME SALLY

It's not every night you get an opportunity to drop in on a foursome as talented and in-tune as the Bay Area's Blame Sally, making a stop at Traditions Cafe in Olympia Friday as part of a much larger national tour. Packing the individual punches of female songwriters Pam Delgado, Renee Harcourt, Jeri Jones and Monica Pasqual, fans of Blame Sally have come to stand behind this group for a myriad of reason; the obvious musicianship and skill is only the start. The collective voice of this band is one of real life experience, highs and lows, and the power of unity. It doesn't take much listening to realize it's an easy thing to get behind. You'll have a chance to see for yourself Friday.

• Traditions Cafe, 8 p.m., $15, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia, 360.705.2819

>>> SATURDAY, MAY 28: OUTDOOR CHALLENGE

You're goddamn ridiculous. Just admit it. For this reason, the Metro Parks annual Outdoor Challenge is right down your alley. Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday morning at Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park, teams of two adults and family teams of four will battle for supremacy in a bevy of outdoorsy and just plain absurd challenges. Cross-country skiing, golf ball chipping and adult dress up will all be in play. Be warned, and be ready.

• Point Defiance Park, 10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. competition, 2:30 p.m. awards ceremony, $40 per team, metroparkstacoma.org/challenge

>>> SATURDAY, MAY 28: BOOM TOXIC ROLLER DERBY

It used to be that roller derby events were few and far between - whenever one popped up it was to be savored like a rare commodity. These days, in a major improvement, it seems South Sound derby fans have roller-skate-clad fun to get behind almost every weekend. Saturday, Tacoma and Fircrest upstart team Toxic 253 will engage in their second bout ever, taking on the Ft. Lewis Bettie Brigade Team Bravo at Wheelz Skate Arena. Did we mention there'll be a beer garden? Sold.

• Wheelz Skate Arena, 6 p.m., $10, 2101 Mildred St., Tacoma, 253.460.7655

>>> SUNDAY & MONDAY, MAY 29-30: TWO FINAL DAYS OF ROCKWELL

Norman Rockwell, the guy who - we swear it must be so - invented Thanksgiving, watermelon, baseball and prayer, has been on display in Tacoma since February. Or, rather, his art has. The exhibition American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell scheduled its only Northwest stop at TAM Feb. 26 through May 30, with 44 paintings and 323 original Saturday Evening Post covers.  This means Monday, Memorial Day, is your VERY LAST CHANCE TO SEE IT! It's been here since February, people! There's no excuse for having missed it. See archival materials showing how Rockwell worked, from preliminary sketches, photographs, color studies and detailed drawings to the finished painting. There's more nostalgia, sentimentality and Americana here than at a lifetime of family reunions and Fourth of July picnics. See it before it's gone.

• Tacoma Art Museum, through May 30, Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4258

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
In my fantasies, I'll be doing something awesome, like spending the weekend wakeboarding on Lake Shasta in Northern California, then heading west to camp in the Redwoods, followed by a leisurely drive back up the 101. But, in reality, I'll be bartending, changing diapers, cleaning house, changing chicken coop poop and - if I'm lucky - having a barbeque. Guess all those things are awesome in their own right, too.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
Not much going on this weekend, really, just catching a screening of Bridesmaids...OH, AND GETTING MARRIED! And yes, we are registered, on Honeyfund.com. It's so sweet of you to ask!

MATT DRISCOLL: Editor
I realize you're probably going to freak out if you have to read me whine about another toddler birthday party in the Weekend Hustle. The gag is old ... I get it. Thing is, next weekend is OUR toddler's birthday party and nary a party hat or kazoo has been procured. There's not a single streamer in the house. This will never do. I anticipate a weekend of hurried preparation and store-bought sheet cake research. 

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
I'm gonna take my four-day weekend and spend three of those days in Portland where we will ride bikes and hang out with the cool kids and talk about how great riding the train is. Oh yeah, and buy books from Powell's that may or may not have run-on sentences or fragments.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
Well, I've run out of my monthly allotment of cigarettes, and I am too broke to buy more. So, as a kind of forced experiment, I will be taking a few days off from smoking, for what will be the first time in probably four years. I will only have expired nicotine patches to protect me. As a result, my plans for the weekend will largely feature staying inside in the fetal position.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer 
Friday luncheon then karaoke and dancing. Saturday morning temple trip to Bellevue followed by nice weather (oh please, oh please, oh please), so I can work in the yard. South Tacoma Way Farmers Market Sunday morning with secret chef then church and down time.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
I am hitting the Rockwell exhibit at TAM and maybe the music festival at Freighthouse Square on Saturday, yada yada yada, kiddo weekend.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Julie Dugan in response to Jennifer Johnson's recent small feature of the opening of Gibson's Frozen Yogurt Shoppe in Tacoma's Stadium District.

Dugan writes,

This is great yogurt! Sold by weight, you create your own concoction mixing their featured yogurts with fruit or other sweeter toppings. I love that they have such great healthy options, including many non fat yogurts and great fresh fruit toppings, that I can convince my 5 yr old daughter to eat just the healthy toppings and she is thrilled. This is a healthy, wonderful treat, and good alternative to all the other sugary things out there.

FIRST PEEK >>>

Tacomans have been enjoying vino and tasty treats at Cork! A Wine Bar on Sixth Avenue for more than three years. Mid 2009, it came under ownership of Nick Coughran. Be it wild hair, whimsy or well-thought plan at wine world domination, Coughran has opted for a change in venue for his vino. At what was to be a soft, under the radar, opening yesterday afternoon, fans of his and said gift of the grape piled in around 4 p.m. Announcing a soft opening on Facebook has a way of taking the softness out of it.

By 5 p.m., staffer Jennifer, fondly called "The Machete," was adding serious miles on her shoes keeping up with an early evening crowd anxious to take part in the complimentary wine tasting and hors d'œuvres, as well as see the new space.

Parkland resident Tony Koenig works downtown but ventured up the hill with co-workers for a retirement party at Cork! "I think it's just nice with the roll-up door and Jennifer said there'd be outside seating later, too". He refers to the wide sidewalk that looks on the ball field at Jason Lee Middle School from North State Street, Cork!'s new home.

Seated at one of 10 tables, Tim Norris enjoys a glass of red and comments on the turnout. "There's a lot of people that have come over from down the street. This is good." Norris has become a fan of Cork! and wine because of Coughran's enthusiasm of the grape. He loves to huddle around a glass and talk wine with the owner.

The layout and décor are comfortable and invite lingering and sampling. The tasting bar, a huge dark wood affair, is separated from the rest of the room by a railing as required by state liquor law. A cozy corner is occupied with stuffed leather chairs under an enormous painting of wine bottles. Raw beams, more dark wood and a color palette of rusted burgundy, chocolate brown and sandstone are kept airy by high ceiling and plenty of natural light pouring in many windows.

Besides wine, a handful of beers, hot tea, dry sodas and San Pellegrino are offered. Tapas menu consists of flatbreads, antipasti, charcuterie, bruschetta, and cheese plates.

Coughran brings the happy hour, entertainment, great tapas and chill vibe to the new location. A new wine list will be released within the next month.

Cork! A Wine Bar

4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday
606 N. State St., Tacoma, 253.212.1492

LINK: Happy hours on right now

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011 >>>

1. See Romeo & Juliet through a new lense at the Evergreen State College in Olympia. Find details here. And find the Volcano's extensive South Sound arts and entertainment calendar here.

2. Sugar Sugar Sugar is set to get sexed up and guttural tonight at the New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma. It's gonna be awesome. Trust us. Or, peruse the Volcano's comprehensive South Sound live local music listings here.

3. Meet photographer Ed Kenney, and see his solo exhibition Fourth Phase: Early Images today at Morso in Gig Harbor, during an opening reception today from 6-8 p.m.

4. Get funky tonight with Phunkatron at Jazzbones in Tacoma. You know you want to.

5. Comedian Johnny Cardinale stops into the Tacoma Comedy Club tonight.

SHAKE A LEG, TACOMA >>>

For all the writing we do about indie rock acts and folky, sad-bastard music in this fine rag, there's a fairly vibrant jazz, funk, blues and big band scene that has remained strong in these parts for years. Saturday is a day to take a dip in those brassy waters-perhaps, dear hipster, a chance to find something off the beaten path that you might never have sought out otherwise-at the 8th Annual Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival. That all of the shows are totally free is a big bonus.

During the day at Freighthouse Square and the Harmon, and in the evening at Stonegate Pizza, expect exhibitions of all the South Sound has to offer in jazz and blues. Familiar names like Little Bill and the Bluenotes and Jerry Miller will make their expected appearances. Closing out the festival will be Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Jazz Orchestra. I caught up with Wetzel to get his thoughts on the festival and to learn a little bit about the band-leading trumpet player.

To read Rev. Adam McKinney's full article click here.

Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival

Saturday, May 28
Freighthouse Square, 12:30-4:30 p.m., 602 E. 25th St., Tacoma, freighthousesquare.com
Harmon Brewery & Eatery, 12:30-6 p.m., 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.683.4606
Stonegate Pizza, after-party starts at 8 p.m., 5419 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.473.2255

Yesterday the Tacoma Rainiers (21-27) split a doubleheader against the Nashville Sounds. The Rainiers took the first game by a score of 4-1 and lost the second game 3-2.

Both contests were good, competitive games that either team could have won. So, accordingly, they split the wins. Not much you can say about that other than splitting a doubleheader is better than losing both games and worse than winning both games. Of course, that's so freaking obvious, it's hardly worth writing. Hardly.

What isn't obvious is the magnificence of a baseball doubleheader. For the players, a doubleheader must be akin to clocking in for forced overtime. But for the fan, a doubleheader brings home all the greatness of baseball. Double the number of hotdogs. Double the number of beers. Double the number of heckles shouted at the opposing team. Double the header... double the baseball... double the fun!

Except, when I tuned into yesterday's games on MiLB.TV they didn't exactly look like fun. To be honest, it looked cold, damp and miserable. Doubleheader on a cool, Tacoma evening? No thank you. I'd much rather take my couch.

-In Minor League doubleheaders, one doesn't exactly get double the amount of baseball. Minor League doubleheader games only last seven innings each. Seven innings? That reminds me of the last time I played baseball in the seventh grade. I'm pretty sure in Prep 13 the games only went six innings. But I can't be positive. I spent so much time on the bench it felt like the games lasted a lifetime.

-In both of yesterday's games the Rainiers lacked any serious production from the bottom third of the lineup. Outfielder Johan Limonta went 0-for-6 over both games. Ryan Langerhans went 0-for-5 over both games. The catchers Josh Bard and Jose Yepez both went 0-for-3 in their respective games. If the team wants to continue its winning ways, production by the bottom third, or even half, of the order will certainly need to improve.

-The second game of the doubleheader debuted Rainiers knuckleball pitcher Charlie Haeger. Haeger quickly became my must-see pitcher this season. Why? Because I love knuckleballers. So wild, so unpredictable. Case in point: Haeger only allowed one hit last night but walked six batters. Six batters in four innings. That's entertainment.

The Rainiers leave the safety and rain of Cheney and head to Las Vegas for a four game series against the 51s starting tonight.

Since Monday at the ballpark in Las Vegas features a special $1 menu, we got to thinking... Who on the Rainiers could scarf the most hotdogs? Carp? Tuiasosopo? Or Mr. Manager, Daren Brown? Now that's a competition we'd like to see seven innings of.

LINK: The "Rainiers Minute" Collection

REAL STORIES FROM REAL BARTENDERS >>>

I've been a bartender for a long time. I have met countless freaks, jerks, pervs, sweethearts, rockstars and crazies. Even though it's a physically and mentally exhausting job, these are the colorful people that make it all worthwhile. Well, that and the tips.

I'd like to share with you some of my personal experiences behind the bar, along with the stories from some of my fellow bartenders. Each week - under the clever heading of "Behind Bars" - I will dig into my memory bank - and the incident log books that all bars keep - to bring you some of my favorite stories.

Names of bars, bartenders and patrons have been changed or withheld to protect the innocent.

And the not so innocent.

Cheers!

This week...

No Texting

Customer service has taken its turn into the kingdom of texting. I text with my bank, radio station, boss and even cab companies.

But, for some reason, I just can't get over texting in line at the bar. Right next to the "Cash Only" sign, my crotchety ass wants to put a sign that says "No Texting."

But, even more so than the no eye contact, murmured, ineffective, time-wasting and undoubtedly repeated drink order of the texter, I hate the pretentious, often-complicated, ineffective, time-wasting and undoubtedly repeated drink order of the person who hands me their cell phone with their ten friends' orders on it.

Two White Gummi Bear shots

Four Hurricanes, one light on pineapple

Bud light

Vegas Bomb, extra Crown

You know what? I realize the bar is crowded, the line is twenty hipsters deep, the Cars are blasting through the jukebox and it can be difficult to hear, but criminy people!

I'd much rather yell across the counter and risk mistaking an order than be treated like a fucking machine that just spits out drinks.

At least use the old-school courtesy of universal bar sign language: A hang-loose sign tilted to your mouth for bottled beer;  index finger pointed out and extended in a wide circle to signal another round; hand in the shape of a half circle for a can or draft.

Using these simple signs, along with reading lips, has gotten the job done for years. Who needs these young kids whipping out their cell phones, thinking they're all clever?

Not me! That's who... And I tell you what - when it happens it makes me wanna whip out the universal sign for F*** You!

Thanks, readers, for letting me vent. Guess I'll go find my favorite knit shrug and settle into my rocker with a tub of bourbon now.

G'night.

LINK HUB: The Behind Bars Collection

SETTING STUFF ON FIRE - EVEN PERCEPTIONS >>>

The Evergreen Science Carnival promises breathtaking sideshows and unbelievable phenomena.

Don't go to the carnival expecting bearded ladies, strongmen or magic shows.

Think more along the lines of a chance to view solar flares or learn how to extract catnip-or see a student set his hand on fire, says Peter Robinson, who founded the carnival eight years ago.

Don't worry about that student: He meant to do it.

"Last year, we had someone who did cold flame," says Robinson, the science operations manager at the Evergreen State College. "He had a glove on. He ignited his hand. It had a blue flame, but it wasn't burning hot-it was burning cold. He was teaching the visitors about chemistry."

To read Molly Gilmore's full article click here.

Evergreen Science Carnival and Research Exposition

Friday, May 27, and Saturday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free (for free parking Friday, tell the attendant you're attending the carnival)

The Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Pkwy. N.W., Olympia

www.evergreen.edu/events/sciencecarnival