THE FAIR OPENS FOR BUSINESS >>>

More than simply cows, crowds and cotton candy, the Puyallup Fair has grown up alongside the town it calls home. Featuring a vast array of livestock, rides, booths, games, foods (of course) and big-name concerts, the 17-day Puyallup Fair, Sept. 9 - 25, promises enough entertainment options to satisfy just about any desire - as long as those desires can easily be met while standing on straw in the presence of farm animals while eating a Krusty Pup.

Just like Puyallup as a town has grown exponentially from its small, humble beginnings, so has the Fair. What started as a three-day "Valley Fair" in a vacant lot has exploded into a monster spectacle - occupying 169 acres, regularly drawing crowds of 1.1 million per year and generally shocking the senses with a staggering array of ShamWows, sit-down foot massage machines, massive cows, hot tub demonstrations, Funtastic carnie people, Krusty Pups, onion burgers, giant stuffed panda bears, hypnotist shows, guys with Janet Jackson headsets trying to sell stuff, live concerts, elephant ears, and "fun for the whole family."

These days The Puyallup Fair is one of the top 10 largest fairs in the world - and it's only getting bigger. Every year, matching our American spirit, the Fair gets a little more ginormous, inching out and expanding steadily.

Progress, in other words.

Read more...

A SALUTE TO LOCAL MILITARY >>>

South Sounders interested in an up close and personal look at what hydroplane racing is all about will have that chance this weekend.

The "Scott and Linda Carson presents the 2011 Western Divisionals/Yapachino Memorial Regatta" championship hydroplane race, featuring the blown, 160-mph Grand Prix hydroplanes, runs Sept. 10-11 at Spanaway Lake. The fastest and loudest inboard hydroplanes in the western United States compete for this coveted championship race that revs up at 11 a.m. both days.

With the racecourse in the backyard of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Tacoma Inboard Racing Association, the host club for the race, is paying tribute to military members during the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

"We're honored to have about 20 military members serving as honorary crew members for our teams for the weekend," Shawn Warren, the commodore of TIRA, said in a release. "We're also having the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Honor Guard present the colors on Sunday (Sept. 11). But what is very special to us all is we have invited members of the Warrior Transition Battalion to be our special guests on Saturday (Sept. 10). We can't think of a better way to thank our military members by giving them a literally hands-on experience with the fastest, most exciting inboard hydroplanes in the country."

Read more...

THAT AIN'T WORKING >>>

The Gritty City Sirens have been tossing their seed willy-nilly around the South Sound for close to a year and yet to bring the show to the Office.

That changes tonight.

Cool your jets Don Draper. We speak of The Office Bar & Grill in downtown Tacoma, not your cubicle. The sports bar celebrates its first anniversary through Sunday, and the Tacoma burlesque troupe will be part of the festivities tonight. That's right - Ava D'Jor, Tizzy Van Tassel, Rosie Cheexx, Funny Face Fanny and Polly Puckerup will refocus your attention off The Office's awesome tater tots and onto the troupe's sexy spots.

Other festivities tonight include DJ Ruby, giveaways every hour plus food and drink specials. The party begins at 8 p.m.

Tomorrow, Sept. 10, DJ Ruby is back at 9 p.m. and so are the giveaways and specials. A Bacardi Ice Luge will also be in the house, which is nice.

Sunday, The Office has the Hawks game at 1 p.m. with a wings eating contest at halftime.

What has everyone around the water cooler excited is the eight night Mexico trip raffle prize Sunday at 6 p.m. You must be in the house to win.

Happy birthday Office.

[The Office Bar & Grill, 8 p.m. Friday, 9 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, no cover, 813 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.3222]

MORE COFFEE COMES TO LAKEWOOD >>>

Usually, those entering the City of Lakewood via Custer Road grabbed their morning coffee from a shack in front of a carwash or from a young woman frothing skim milk in a bikini 20 yards down the road.

This morning, at the corner of Lakewood Drive and Custer Road, Starbucks Coffee finally moved in under the sign that's been hanging since March. The new fancy coffee joint with a drive-thru opened in a mini-strip mall anchored by Sound Glass across from H&L Produce. Cheery apron-clad barista Tajana handed out free pastry samples to motorists idling in front of the Chevron station.

No word yet if Starbucks will try to compete with neighboring Hot Chick-a-latte's "White-T Tuesdays." campaign.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Scott Nodland in response to a Steph DeRosa "Person, Place or Thing" column from last December on Infinite Soups ... or more specifically one of the ladles at Infinite Soups.

Nodland writes,

Visiting Tacoma recently I sought out what had been described by a friend as only, "that amazing little soup place." I found my way asking directions from a series of random locals. Without a name, they all knew what I was talking about and pointed out my way to Infinite Soup.

I enjoyed amazing soup nearby in Wright Park, and stumbled over another little jewel in Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum across from the park.

Later I realized I had taken change for a $10 not the $100 bill I had tendered. The next day I returned to Infinite Soups to explain. The woman who had taken my $100 bill asked another person working, "Hey, was yesterday's till 'over'?" Without a word of discussion the other went to the till, counted out my missing change and handed it to me communicating only his smile.

Not only was my Infinite Soup absolutely delicious but it was completely trustworthy at the same time. If you've never tasted a genuinely honest soup, find it near the corner of 6th and Tacoma avenues. If you forget where it is, can ask the locals how to get there, just say "that amazing little soup place."

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Amocat Cafe Tacoma - Downtown. Amocat Live! featuring the Amocat House Band. All Ages. 7 pm.

Capitol Theater Olympia - Downtown. The Blacklight Connection, Outnumbered, My Mom Dumped Me, 5 Beats Till Sunrise. All Ages. 7 pm. $5.

The Den at urbanXchange Tacoma - Downtown. Learning Team, The Royal Sea. All Ages. 8 pm.

• You can hardly blame contemporary indie bands from wanting to venture to a happy, more peaceful, less wholly-craptacular place through music. With the world around us disintegrating into bickering, hopelessness, tireless marketing campaigns, rampant stupidity and way more hapless finger-pointing than answers, a break from it all would be nice for anyone. If that means white kids with scruffy beards and liberal arts degrees need to go all folk and campfire and hand claps on us, so be it I guess.  Bellingham's Learning Team, in Tacoma tonight for a show at the Den with the Royal Sea, is a band capable of delivering such a respite, at least sonically - which is about all we can hope for these days. A indie folk mélange that ends up somewhere similar to bands like Cave Singers and the ilk (albeit taking a more circuitous route), Learning Team is a band well suited for a nap on the grass or an afternoon of no responsibility. Billed as a "summer rock" band, The Royal Sea (also from Bellingham) should only sweeten the deal. - Matt Driscoll

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Sok & The Faggots CD Release Show, with South 11th, The Assassinators, Dead Peasants, Savage Henerys. 9 pm. $5.

• Naming a band Sok and the Faggots is kind of the musical equivalent of setting a height requirement. If you're able to accept the name, you've passed the first of the many, deliberately offensive tests set by Sok and the Faggots. The Faggots are followers of a style set by G.G. Allin, the shock-punk weirdo famous for his unending envelope pushing and all-around gross-out live performances. He threatened, every year, to bring a gun to his Halloween show, with the intention of shooting as many audience members as he could before turning the gun on himself. People showed up every year. Sok and the Faggots may not take it to that extreme, but the band certainly does its part in upholding the wild and base Allin tradition. – Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Hairmageddon. 8 pm. $5.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Tin Man. All Ages. 8 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Archibald Leach Reunion Show, with Argonaut, Tallest Tree. 9 pm.

• "There had been a band called Swelter for a number of years before that," says Jason Locking, former bassist for Archibald Leach. "That kind of split off into Argonaut and what became the Fucking Eagles. A couple of us got together and started doing the Archibald Leach thing." Locking and I speak of a band that hasn't existed for more than 10 years: Archibald Leach. The year in question: roughly 1998 or 1999. How long the band lasted: about two years. Tonight, Archibald Leach will reunite for one show, and one show only. To read Rev. Adam Mckinney's full story, click here. — Rev. AM
  

The Red Room Tacoma. Vacate, Life's Ill, Heretic, Kevin & Mat's Acoustic Cover Band. All Ages. 7 pm. $5.

The Royal Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Swing Dance, with Lizzy Boyer, Joe Baque, Steve Luceno, Richard Lopez. 7 pm. $5.

Salty's at Redondo Beach Des Moines. Myles Crew. 8 pm.

The Spar Olympia. Jabi Shriki. 8 pm. NC.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Jerry Miller Jam. 9 pm. NC.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Benefit For Padre, featuring The Michael Crane Band. 9 pm.

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10, 2011 >>>

1. Country music, mechanical bull, and clear skies will provide the backdrop for dance fanatics beginning at 5 p.m. in the parking lot behind Big Whisky Saloon. By our count this is the fourth time the downtown Tacoma country-western themed club has hosted a massive party in its parking lot - although it has removed "Redneck" from the title. Anyway, the 100.7 FM The Wolf-sponsored party will feature live music from Jonathan Harris and Robbie Walden & The Gunslingers, and outdoor dance floor, drinks, horseshoe pits, barbecue and the said "Bubba the Mechanical Bull."

2. Bike or drive through 20 community gardens of Tacoma to watch gardeners harvest, and learn about sustainable and local food practices from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be community information booths, a free raffle for all attendees and giveaways at Franklin Garden (where tour begins and ends) at South 15^th Street and Puget Sound Avenue. This event is free.

3. What better way to take in the essence of Olympia than to take a walking tour of the downtown waterfront. The boats, saltwater, gentle breeze and awesome public art all lend to a leisurely and interesting walk along the harbor. Sponsored by Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation and the Olympia Arts Commission, a free guided tour of Olympia's public art along the waterfront begins at 11 a.m. by the mural of the big wave at 4th Avenue and Water Street.  

4. Using experimental printmaking, mixed media and sculpture, Allison Hyde's work seeks to capture and explore ephemeral moments, and the notion of emotional loss associated with personal pasts. By splitting video sequences into still photos and recreating the images via printmaking she examines the subtleties of fleeting moments and the nostalgia associated with recollection of the past. Hyde's work is on display at the Telephone Room Gallery, which hosts an artists reception tonight from 6-9 p.m.

5. The Big Wheel Stunt Show All Star Throwdown begins at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Wine tastings!

TACOMA ROCKS >>>

Although it can be said Tacoma is void of an immense music scene, this city IS virtually dripping with the history of American music - from The Wailers, Ventures and Sonics, to Victory Music, Robert Cray, Red Kelly and a group of alternative bands from the '90s. Sure, the transient military population helped feed a vibrant jazz scene in the early days. However, Grit City's music foundation was built on rock and roll - a dangerous, catchy, sweaty, alcohol-drenched, cigarette-smoke-smelling and hard-volume plasma garage rock explosion in the '50s and '60s that inspired hundreds of bands.

The Weekly Volcano has always thought it was strange that Tacoma's rock history hasn't been celebrated in a Hall of Fame fashion. Yes, we had LouieFest and Kent Morrill's tribute concert – and Mike Mitchell and Ted Brown keep the rock history alive through their various projects - but still. ...

Looks as if our prayers have been answered.

Owen Atkins, lead singer with Tacoma rockers The Fucking Eagles, just dropped awesome news off at the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters. Apparently some of Tacoma's rock and roll legends will join the Tacoma Historical Society for a night of celebration, storytelling and rock and roll history Oct. 9 at the Tacoma Yacht Club. Here's the press release:

This is a rare opportunity to hear about Tacoma's rock and roll history directly from the people who made it.  Special guests include Little Bill and the Bluenotes, Buck Ormsby and Gail Harris of the Wailers, Pat O'Day ("The King of Northwest Radio"), Jerry Miller of Moby Grape, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Don Wilson of the Ventures, and many more.  Dennis Flannigan will emcee the event.

"Tacoma was the fire and furnace for Northwest Rock," said Flannigan. "The giants came from Tacoma; 'Little Bill' and the Bluenotes, the Ventures, the Wailers, and the Sonics are only part of the story. KJR legend Pat O'Day started out in Tacoma. Truly, October 9th will be a gathering of giants."

Tickets for the event are $80 or $60 for Tacoma Historical Society Members (see www.tacomahistory.org for details). Proceeds from the event will help fund Tacoma Historical Society's efforts to preserve, promote and present the history of the City of Tacoma and its people. Tacoma Historical Society works to forge connections between past and present generations, fostering an appreciation of the past and a sense of place within our community's history.

We are so in. Join us.

REVIEW OF THE CHOCOLATE/WINE TASTING AT AFFAIRS CAFE AND DESSERTS >>>

I had my first affair, I loved it, and now I want more.

Needless to say, I'm a college student intern, and this was my first experience at a Nosh League event, a foodie group sponsored by the Weekly Volcano.

September's event was held at the delicious Affairs Café and Desserts, a delectable little shop located on Bridgeport in University Place. It was easy to find even for a person who is directionally challenged and is freaking out due to the gaslight coming on. No, no, don't worry; I wouldn't have missed a chocolate tasting event.

The tiny shop was decorated with kitchen aids and antique furnishings of bakeries past. Raffle tickets were handed out as you walked through the door, along with friendly smiles from the owners and bakers.

As people started to file in, the space filled with chatter, friendly conversation and the offer of complimentary wine from the server.

The only downfall of complimentary wine is for the unlucky few who must decline due to the date of their birth. However, I had a lovely wine glass full of refreshing iced water.

Reading the menu for the night at the small rectangular table I was skeptical. It started with: Spanish Prawns: fired with spicy chocolate, ginger, chili, garlic, served over greens. I'm not sure about anyone else, but when I eat chocolate, my first idea isn't to serve it with seafood and salad. Luckily, I was proven wrong.

I admit I am a chocolate lover by nature, and a chance to taste a round of chocolaty goodness was far from my self-control button. I was definitely NOT prepared for what my taste buds were about to experience!  

Affairs Torte: a 10-layer buttercream and ganache cake. Need I say more? If Affairs Torte were served in every class, I would never leave college, and a lot more people would be extending their student loans! However, after the entire plate was clean, there were still two more temptations to come. 

While I was enjoying the blissful chocolate and lively conversation, prizes were handed out. I was jealous not to receive the two truffle boxes from Affairs, Counting Crows' tickets, gift cards with the promise of cheese and meats, and two alluring massages.

Everyone in the restaurant was suffering a chocolate high from the last dessert served, an extremely rich chocolate decadence cake with raspberry puree. This was testing my stomachs integrity, knowing there was still a truffle to come.

The grand finale consisted of every attendee encountering a palm-sized truffle. The table I was sitting at was last, and anticipation grew as each and every other customer walked from the back licking up the slop of chocolate in one hand, and carefully holding a ball of chocolate in the other.

Finally, as the last group, we walked to the back of the kitchen, tied aprons around our necks, and drowned a creamy ball of ganache in a bowl of chocolate bliss.

A few of us said the chocolate dropped too deep in the bowl. Leaving us with only one course of action: plummeting out fists in the chocolate lake. Naturally saying this while slurping up the chocolate dripping down our hand.

As the group filed out of the kitchen, the place seemed to have cleared, leaving only the remnants of their previously edible chocolate.

It was a night I would happily repeat, minus the calories and the chocolate hangover. Great food and good people: who could ask for more. Did I mention it was a chocolate tasting event?

Note: The Nosh League's next outing/tasting will be at The Melting Pot Thursday, Oct. 13. Join the group here. Join the group's Facebook here. And subscribe to the Nosh League's weekly newsletter here.

[Affairs Cafe and Desserts, 2811 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.565.8604]

LINK: More photos from the Nosh League event

SUNDAY, SEPT. 11, 2011 >>>

1. Sept. 11, 2001, a day of inconceivable tragedy, will always be a date seared into the memories of Americans. Today marks the 10th anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the South Sound remembers those who lost their lives and honor those who serve and protect us every day with many events. The Weekly Volcano has listed a few here.

2. The Tacoma Public Library Main Branch in downtown Tacoma celebrates the opening of the Murray and Rosa Morgan Room at 2 p.m.  The room is home to Murray Morgan's personal research library - a comprehensive and unrivalled collection of written material on the South Sound.

3. At 2 p.m. inside King's Books in Tacoma, author Karla Stover and teacher Frances Snyder will delve into the ins and outs of poison, from ancient Greece to Agatha Christie. According to hype, " Discover the unexpected as this presentation explores nature's most poisonous plants and compounds, and how they have been used for thousands of years, both in fact and fiction."

4. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a Tony award-winning musical, will hit the Tacoma Little Theatre stage at 2 p.m. Billed as, "tender and sardonic," not to mention "hilarious," and irreverent," The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Suzy Willhoft, should be totally excellent. Excellent: e-x-c-e-l-l-e-n-t. Excellent. To read Joe Izenman's review of the show, click here.

5. A Special Blues Vespers benefit will be held at 5 p.m. inside Tacoma's Immanuel Presbyterian Church. Entitled "Building Hope," the benefit will feature music by Bill Sims Jr., Mark LaVoie, and Adam Levy along with Rod Cook & Toast. All proceeds from the Building Hope benefit will go toward the Habitat for Humanity International build in Guatemala.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight