FRIDAY, NOV. 25, 2011 >>>

1. How do you escape the pressures of the holidays, like, really quick? Bundle up, drop your packages in the trunk, pinch your cheeks until they glow and strap on a pair of silver skates, Hans Brinker, for a glide across the frozen expanse at Tollefson Plaza. The Franciscan Polar Plaza, located on the corner of Pacific Avenue and South 17th Street, opens today at 10 a.m. and runs until 10 p.m. The covered outdoor rink is about half the size of a hockey rink. It will have real ice and hold about 150 skaters at a time. Oh, if you need a tree, grab one at the neighboring Two Five Trees.

2. Jim Oliver, an amazing a still life photographer, will open the Oliver Gallery Saturday at 8443 S. 19th St. in Tacoma. But he can't help poking fun at Black Friday. He'll hold a soft opening today from noon to 6 p.m. under the title, "Black Friday Shopping Sanity Restoration Station and Pre-Opening Invitation to The Oliver Gallery." For a sneak peek, click here.

3. Although the holidays are a time for joy and light, we will spend hours trying, unsuccessfully, to string lights around the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters. Our fingers will grow raw and numbed as family members shout orders through a bullhorn.  This is Dante's second circle of Hell.  And you'll drive by the WH, point and laugh. Don't risk driving by after our third eggnog - head to ZooLights at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Billed as the Northwest's premier light display, ZooLights includes animated light sculptures as well as ice-skating puffins, a preying eagle, tiger cubs, the Narrows Bridges and the massive flame tree. It opens for the season at 5 p.m.

4. There are those among us who can make their trip to a hair stylist the most riveting story you've heard all week. People whose stories never trail off into "it was really cool. ..." Envy them. They are not like you. Not only do they have great success at parties, they have a future with the South Sound Story Guild. See what all the storytelling fuss is about at Tellabration 2011, a national storytelling event sponsored by said guild.  If you can stand a 10-minute hairdo story, just imagine how riveted you'll be by something with an actual plot.  Drop by Traditions Café at 7 p.m. and hear a story or two.

5. After spending yesterday with the family, you could use a laugh. Thankfully, Tacoma has several comedy clubs. Brad Upton will be at the Tacoma Comedy Club Tacoma at 8 and 10:30 pm., Duane Goad hits the Comedy Underground at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. and Ty Barnett plays the Grit City Comedy Club at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight

LINK: This week's freebies