ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Justin G in response to our feature on the Waves and Radiation one-time reunion show this weekend at Bob's Java Jive.

Justin G writes,

The Legend of Bigfoot kicks the show off Saturday night. Their first full show since last Fall. WTF?

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 >>>

1. After disbanding the Los Angeles new wave/power pop group the Plimsouls , Peter Case launched a career as an important American singer/songwriter specializing in the flat-pick guitar style and semi-autobiographical stories of drifters delivered in a narrative style. Case performs at 8 p.m. inside Morso Wine Bar.

2. Gastropods in general are believed to have lost half of their original bilateral symmetry somewhere during the evolutionary process; so a snail's intestinal tract twists around and evacuates near its head, where the genitalia are also located. This physiological tidbit was probably not in artist Chris Thompson's mind when he linked his paintings to snails. Thompson's show, Trails - which also includes paintings of slugs - will open at the Telephone Room Gallery from 5-9 p.m.

3. Say you go to the Tacoma Cemetery at 48th and South Tacoma Way at 6 p.m. to do a little thinking and writing in your journal. As you sit there taking hits off a flask in the E.A. Poe-ness of the place, you're joined by a strange bunch of people. Their leader, a former Dungeons and Dragons freak, is decked out in a cape and carries a lantern. He's telling his suburban entourage that the graveyard where you're sitting is full off strange stories from Tacoma's past. You slowly realize that you're smack dab in the middle of the Third Annual Living History Cemetery Tour lead by the The Fort Nisqually Time Travelers, a select group of living history re-enactors. "Cool" you whisper under your breath. Later, after the crowd shuffles off, a homeless man plunks himself down across from you to root through his plastic bag of stuffed animals, and a kid speckled with metal studs and zits and wearing a Dead Boys T-shirt strides by, giving you the old hairy eyeball. Man, Tacoma is so great sometimes.

4. In a way the Tacoma Film Festival party never stops at The Grand Cinema. As TFF's founder and continuing planner, the theater's staff and volunteers work throughout the year on each new festival. And in 2011 they've figured out a way to share even more of the festival with us. TFF doesn't officially commence until Oct. 6, but who says we can't have fun now? Not the Grand; its first-ever Tacoma Film Festival Sneak Peek happens at the theater at 6:30 p.m. Let's pre-party! For the party details, click here.

5. DJs dAb, Suga Jones, Mr. Clean, Chris Savenetti and rotating guests spin New Wave, funk, pop, old school hip-hop and club classics from the 1980s as part of Beat Boxxx night at the Tempest Lounge beginning at 9:30 p.m.

LINK: See our Weekend Hustle for more events

LINK: More arts and entertainemtn events in the South Sound

LINK: Movies open!

MAJOR MOVIE REVIEWS STRAIGHT FROM TACOMA >>>

Things have been fucked for a very long time in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Since Harry's first year at the magical boarding school of Hogwarts, there has been a steady slide away from the whimsy that marked the first couple installments, and into a state of constant dread. Oh, how the students of Hogwarts must miss the days when the most they had to fear was Professor Snape taking points away from their house's tally. Those were such sweet salad days, filled as they were with jelly beans of ridiculous flavors instead of Death Eaters and ethnic cleansing.

This latest installment picks up where Part 1 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows left off: things are looking very dire, indeed, as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has obtained the most powerful wand ever created, and Harry and his friends have freshly buried yet another in a soon-to-be-overwhelming string of dead friends. Hogwarts has been turned into a dismal work camp, and Harry, Ron and Hermione still need to find and destroy several more horcruxes!

To read Rev. Adam's full review click here.

WEEKLY LOOK AT THE WILD WORLD OF SPORTS >>>

DeShon Marman can breathe a little easier. According to AP reports, the New Mexico Lobos football player will not face charges after recently being arrested at the airport in San Francisco. Marman's arrest reportedly stemmed from an altercation involving US Airways and the airline's dislike of his baggy pants.

As the AP story tells it, Marman was returning from the funeral of a friend and boarding a plane when US Airways employees asked him to pull up his pants, which they claim were so low a body part was revealed. (I'm no anatomy expert, but my guess is they mean his ass crack.) Marman reportedly refused repeated requests. This angered the US Airways captain so much that he ordered Marman off the plane - which didn't go over well. Marman was arrested on suspicion of trespassing, battery of a police officer and obstruction. According to the AP story, police say he also injured an officer while being taken into custody, though all injuries were extremely minor.

After reviewing the case, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe spoke on behalf of his office and offered some much needed sanity in this situation.

"My belief is if we took this into a courtroom with 12 members of our community on our jury, they would tell me, 'Come on guys, you have more important things to spend your time on.' And I share that view," Wagstaffe told the AP.

Marman's attorney, Joseph O'Sullivan, tells the AP his client plans to file a lawsuit against US Airways alleging racial profiling.

To read this week's full column click here.

NICE TO MEAT YOU >>>

The Weekly Volcano's ever-expanding Nosh League made a ruckus at Dave's Meat and Produce last night. Members and newcomers packed tables set up in the aisles, sipping on an endless stream of wine and beer in between bites of three different types of meat. Add awesome coleslaw, mounds of fruit and two salad options ... and it was well worth the impressively affordable $15 price. Most left with platefuls of leftovers.

Led by owner/general manger Derek Kipapa, Dave's Meat and Produce staff buzzed around the room, pouring four or five different wines, two beers and Crater Lake sodas. As for the meat, we dined on Kalbi steak, carne asada and smoky mesquite chicken. The carne asada was marinated and grilled to juicy perfection. The chicken, with a dry rub, remained juicy after a hot sear and oven finish.

Kipapa dropped in on all tables, giving us plenty of tips to remember when it comes to meat. He professed his love for free-range turkey. He came clean on why he stays away from flank steak (its' too tough). And he scoffed at dubious market practices like adding weight with soaking pads.

Listening to Kipapa's philosophies, stories of his childhood in Hawaii, and his mission statement at Dave's Meat and Produce, it's obvious a sense of community is at the forefront of everything he does. He listens to his customers - whether they're right or wrong.

Keeping with tradition, the Winters household won yet another raffle prize. Jack or Vicky take home a prize every month. They're headed to Old Milwaukee Café for a free meal. Thanks to Cork! Wine Bar and STINK Cheese and Meat for the other raffle prizes.

Speaking of Old Milwaukee Café, awesome to see owners Pat and Chad Kerth last night at the League. The Nosh League loaded up on their perfect pancakes last month at the Old Milwaukee.

Special thanks to Volcano scribe Steph DeRosa for orchestrating the event.

All in all, the latest Nosh League gathering was a fun treat, and we hope to see you at the next one. If you haven't signed up for the Nosh League yet, click here for more information. And keep an eye on our Facebook page to RSVP for our next gatherings, which include a moonshine pairing at DOA on Sixth Aug. 11, a chocolate tasting at Affairs Café Sept. 8 and some dipping fun at The Melting Pot Oct. 13.

Cheers!

Dave's Meat and Produce

1312 North I St., Tacoma
253.280.9999

LINK: More photos from the event

WHAT WHAT! >>>

Last night at midnight, in movie theaters far and wide -- including ones in Lakewood -- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 debuted, thus closing the cinematic door on one of the most popular and followed stories of all time. People will always remember where they were when the last Harry Potter movie dropped (or something).

Volcano photographer Jen Cook-Asaro certainly will, as she was stationed at the Regal Lakewood Cinema, tasked with capturing the magic ...

(PHOTOS: Jen Cook-Asaro)

To read Rev. Adam McKinney's review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 click here.

REAL STORIES FROM REAL BARTENDERS >>>

Sadly, at least for her readers, regular Volcano Behind Bars columnist Nikki Talotta is STILL on vacation this week. Two freakin' weeks! Apparently, she's STILL spending time with her family ... time that is in no way related to serving drinks. Who spends that much time with their family?

In her continued absence, we'd like to offer another look back the awesome collection of drunken stupidity Talotta has archived through her work with the Behind Bars column.

"BEHIND BARS" LINK HUB

LINK: Flash-Back

LINK: Ten Things You Need to Know If You Want to Tend Bar

LINK: Ode to the Weekend

LINK: Freshly Packed

LINK: The Rules of the Game

LINK: No Texting!

LINK: Nasty Hook-Ups & Eczema Arms

LINK: Fight For Your Right

LINK: The Backpack

LINK: Just Like Family

LINK: Say Cheese!

LINK: The importance of details

LINK: Exotic tastes

LINK: Lactose intoxicated

LINK: Thanks for playing!

LINK: After hours trivia

LINK: Bartending abroad

LINK: Oh puck!

LINK: 86'd

LINK: More Aural Adventures

LINK: Big & Rich

LINK: Tales From the Incident Log Book

LINK: The Tip Jar

LINK: Aural Adventures

LINK: Smooth Transitions

LINK: The Pooper

It never rains in Cheney Stadium. Oh, wait. Yes it does. Mother Nature cares not about baseball games.

At first, tonight’s one hour rain delay wasn’t kind to the Tacoma Rainiers (46-47). But after being down for most of the game, the Rainiers rallied in the ninth inning to score a victory over the Rainiers’ PCL North Division rivals, the Salt Lake Bees (39-54).

See? And you thought rain was a bad thing. Nope. It just means walk-off wins for the local baseball team.

-Tonight was the first time I’ve ever experienced a rain delay firsthand. Since the press box is a warm, cozy place, I didn’t mind waiting an extra hour for the game to start. The delay gave me a chance to cruise around Cheney Stadium without having to miss any baseball, which is, I don’t know… fun?

During a delay, the press box grinds to a halt, with occasional outbursts of delay-related updates. Sensing the tension in the box grow with each passing minute, I took my leave and headed down to the concession area. Even with all the rain, the concession stands were hopping. Fans seemed to use the rain break as an opportunity to pound hotdogs, sodas and beers. No one looked too concerned about the drizzle. Wondering what fans thought of the rain, I caught up with a poncho-wearing gentleman and asked him if he was planning to leave the stadium.

“No,” said Brian, the man in the poncho. “I’ll just stay undercover and eat my peanuts until they make an official announcement that the game is canceled.”

But what about a rain delay in July? Aren’t you miffed?

“It sucks, but this is freaking Washington after all,” said Brian. “I was ready for it.”

Damn, Washington. You rain so much we don’t even know how to get properly pissed about a rain delay in July.

-Tonight was also the first time I watched a manager get ejected from a game. Rainiers’ manager Daren Brown was ejected in the top of the sixth inning after arguing a balk call. It was nice to watch Brown throw his hat and make a fuss. So nice, in fact, that I chose to write about the incident here.

-The Rainiers early game trouble began in the top of the third inning when starting pitcher Nate Robertson gave up four runs. Interestingly enough, tonight wasn’t the first time Robertson has struggled after a rain delay. In Robertson’s last appearance following a delay, he gave up 10 runs on 14 hits. That’s 10 runs on 14 hits. Somebody doesn’t like the rain.

-The minds behind the Rainiers Minute have decided it might be cool if we occasionally dissect a player’s walk-up song. You know, the song that plays when a player walks up to the batter’s box. Tonight, we chose to look into outfielder Michael Saunders’ decision to use Too $hort’s ‘Blow the Whistle’.

At first glance, Saunders doesn’t seem to have much in common with Oakland area rapper Too $hort. But look closer. Too $hort’s first album, Don’t Stop Rappin’, came out in 1985. Twenty-four year old Saunders came out a year later in 1986, born just north of Oakland in sunny British Columbia. Furthermore, doesn’t Too $hort claim he still bumps, even after sixteen albums with him on the front? Yes he does. And didn’t twenty four year old Saunders bump tonight in the fourth inning, when he casually drew a bases-loaded walk? Yes he did. People, the connection is clear. Saunders and Too $hort go together like baseball and Cracker Jacks.

-As mentioned above, the Rainiers rallied back after being down for much of the game. Rainiers’ third baseman Alex Liddi tied the game in the bottom of the ninth inning with a solo blast to right center field. Then, Rainiers’ catcher Jose Yepez hit a game winning knock up the middle to score Mike Carp. Although Liddi and Yepez put a kink in this blog (the original title was ‘Rain, Rainiers, go away’), it was fun to see a walk-off win.

-Especially fun because Friday night fireworks followed the game. The soundtrack, including CCR, was killer. If only they allowed beer in the press box….

The Rainiers continue their quest for the sweep against the Salt Lake Bees tomorrow at 7:05. Hopefully the quest for the sweep won’t come with a side of rain. But we can’t make any promises. It is July after all. 

LINK: The "Rainiers Minute" collection

SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011 >>>

1. Winter. The season is just too damned short to cram in all the necessary slope runs. Thankfully, that wasn't an issue this year. Crystal Mountain ski resort will finally close today after the crazy guy in shorts and a jester hat hits the bottom at around 4:15 p.m. He'll be a little wasted after an official 3 p.m. toast to the record-breaking season at the summit. Fifty-one feet of snow this year people. Fifty-one feet.

2. If you've got a girlfriend, you probably know what season it is: the free outdoor festival season. You've probably hit just about every free music-in-the-park event, free drum circle and free farmers market since April. Well, this weekend prepare for a trip over the bridge, for the annual Gig Harbor Summer Arts Festival, where 135 artists (plus the obligatory vendors), live music and family activities will take over Judson Street in downtown Gig Harbor from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Go ahead, get your face painted.

3. 7 Seas Brewing isn't just the maker of delicious craft beer. It isn't just at the forefront of the "beer in a can is cool again" movement. It's a local business doing things the right way and an entity that knows how to party - as will be proven when 7 Seas throws a two-year anniversary bash in its parking lot from noon to 8 p.m. Expect beer, barbecue and live music by Perry Acker, Shy Boys, China Davis and SweetKiss Momma.

4. The last time Tacoma's energized country bar, Big Whisky Saloon, held a 100.7 FM The Wolf-hosted "Redneck Parking Lot Party" a ton of people showed up to suck up live country music, dance on the outdoor dance floor, drink cold beer, eat barbecue and ride "Bubba the Mechanical Bull." This year, they've dropped the "Redneck" title, added Rock Bot Karaoke and invited hometown heroes Aces Up to whoop things up. Gates open at 5 p.m.

5. A big band at Jazzbones on a Saturday night? Hell yes. Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Jazz Orchestra will cram together on the Sixth Avenue joint's stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. Let's swing, baby!

PLUS: More events in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Wine tastings!

LINK: We're on the Facebook

DINING NEWS, NIBBLES AND BITE SIN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Wine Tasting: Dana Madsen of Madsen Family Cellars will pour five Madsen wines for $6 from 1-4 p.m. today at Dockside Bistro in Olympia. More wine tastings today listed here.

Oh Thank Heaven: Another 7-Eleven store opened at 4328 Sixth Ave. in Tacoma, where Bombaty Bistro once stood. There's a grand opening party from noon to 2 p.m. today with food and drinks.

Wine Deals: The Big Wine Sale at The Wine Bank in University Place ends today at 5:30 p.m. Get in there to grab 20-40 percent off bottles. Also, they'll be pouring tastes of Spanish wines from small vineyards tasting from 2-4:30 p.m.

Beer Bash: 7 Seas Brewing in Gig Harbor is throwing a two year anniversary bash in their parking lot from noon to 8 p.m. today. Besides a barbecue and bunch of 7 Seas brew, expect live music by Perry Acker, Shy Boys, China Davis and SweetKiss Momma.

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

LINK: Happy hours!