SATURDAY, SEPT. 3, 2011 >>>

1. You know today brings the third annual Tacoma Craft Beer Festival. Your mouth is already watering at the thought of it. But even better - this year you have an opportunity to do a little paddling before you pound the brews. In conjunction with Metro Parks, starting at 10 a.m. the Paddles & Pints event offers kayak and beer enthusiasts of all skill levels the chance to do a little outdoor recreating before settling in at the Craft Beer Fest for a day full of awesome suds. Taking off from the Thea Foss boat launch, according to hype the paddling will offer, "a view of the city skyline while kayaking past the glass Museum and the marinas. ... Afterward arrive at the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival to enjoy local craft beer, food and entertainment." Perfect pairing.

2. Ahhh yeah! It's that time of year! Time for getting it on! That's why Northwest Trek invites you to its "Get Out of the Rut Weekend," your chance to play peeping Tom on the breeding habits of moose, elk, deer and even sheep. You see, the "rut," refers to the breeding habits of hooved animals - and we all know hooved animals are the hottest of all! According to hype, "Watch and listen as they grunt, snort, bugle and spar. From wild romance to turbulent action, you won't want to miss this three-day kickoff to the most dramatic time of year at Northwest Trek." So hot.

3. Having had her poetry featured in the Spring 2010 issue of Pleiades, and with work appearing or forthcoming in Jubilat, The Massachusetts Review, Blackbird, and The Pinch, Collier Nogues will read from her debut collection of poetry, On the Other Side, Blue, today at Orca Books in Olympia.

4. The music of Oh Dear! can't be described as anything other than indie rock. It seems to take cues from the various touchstones of the genre, moving from the choppy guitars of Modest Mouse on through the beatific blandness of Minus the Bear, and even approaching the sprightly guitar work of Vampire Weekend. Tonight the band celebrates the release of its first full-length record at the New Frontier.

5. Go here for all the sweet details on today's Tacoma Craft Beer Festival.

LINK: Arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound